Hey guys, we're gonna go a little Susan Cooper 'Dark is Rising' Sequence-ish towards the end of this chapter. If you don't know what I'm talking about- then shame on you. I'm borrowing an idea from her books- basically the idea of the 'Old Ones'. Don't worry, I'm barely going to mention them in this story- the next one however… Onto the story.
*******
(Clu's POV)
Well, you can be proud of me. I finally decided to do it. After countless hours of Kat bugging the hell out of me, and the nagging of my conscience, I finally decided to tell Fi the truth. I mean, she deserves to know, doesn't she? She deserves to know why I've been lying to her. Why I rejected her. Right?
So here I stand, rehearsing line after cheesy line, trying to figure out just the right way to tell her I had to tell her something important. Try saying that ten times fast.
" Hey Fi... I have to tell you something... it... might not be what you want to hear, and I wouldn't blame if you never spoke to me for the rest of your life... but I need to get this off my chest." I said quickly. " That sucks." I muttered, staring at my reflection. " Since when did you become such a chicken Bell? Just tell her it already."
" Tell who what Clu?" Fiona grinned, walking into the room.
" Uh..." I stammered, looking at her. Fiona had put on a yellow sundress and a white sweater, and I found myself not able to stop staring as she passed me and sat down at the 'her' side of the bathroom.
" I have to talk to you about something..." I said. Fiona barely looked up, continuing to apply her makeup.
" Talk away Clu... I'm just going to finish putting my makeup on, I've got a date with Peter and if I don't hurry, I'll be late."
" You um... might get mad at what I have to say though." I mumbled, sitting down on the stairs leading to the bath tub.
" Clu... I'm getting mad that your not telling me what you're supposed to tell me." Fiona grinned, turning to face me. I sighed, and closed my eyes, preparing to tell her everything.
" You know how... well, I told you I could never be with you?" I asked quietly. Fiona nodded, putting her eye shadow on. " And that later I told you it was because I wasn't completely over Ashley?? Well... that wasn't exactly the whole truth."
" Look, Clu, I understand that you feel bad about not telling me the whole truth about why you couldn't go out with me... but Clu, and I don't mean to offend you... I'm over you." Fiona said, sitting next to her friend, taking my hand in hers. " I understand that you didn't tell me the whole truth, you were trying to spare my feelings and I think it's really sweet."
" Fi... really, I'm not done."
" Clu, I know you want to explain, but I know you didn't tell the truth- I didn't really believe the crap that you wanted to but something was stopping you... I'm over it Clu, don't feel bad... now I really have to go right now... Peter should be back here any second." Fiona grinned. " Thanks for being such a great friend Clu." She stood, walking out of the bathroom.
" Fiona... please. Let me finish." I called, walking after her. I sighed, hearing the door shut, and her shout Peter's name, followed by giggling. I sat down on the bay window sill, staring out it as Fiona and Peter walked down the road to the beach.
" Hey." Annie smiled at me, sitting next to me.
" Hi." I muttered.
" She'll be back." Annie said, smiling. " Then, you can tell her all that you wanted to tell her."
" And if I don't have the nerve to do it anymore?" I shot back, sighing. " Sorry Annie, it's just... I finally got myself psyched up to do it, and... she leaves. Now I don't think I can do it again."
" Do it when your ready Clu... don't worry so much about it. She still likes you... I know she does." Annie smiled, patting me on the back before standing. " No matter how she may look on the outside, I know she still feels things for you that she can't feel for Peter Clu." She added, turning to leave. " We're going out to eat if you want to come..."
" Sure." I shrugged, standing as well.
******
I waited almost the entire night for her to come home, sitting on the steps, just staring at the driveway. Finally she walked up, twirling a lilac in her hands. I sighed, clearing my throat.
" Hey Clu." Fi smiled at me, sitting next to me.
" Hey, where's Peter?"
" He was hungry." Fi shrugged, grinning.
" Oh."
" You sound happy about that."
" Kind of."
" Why?"
" I have to tell you something Fi." I said softly.
" You already-"
" No. Fi, you didn't give me a chance to tell you anything." I said, looking at her. She sighed, looking at me expectantly. " Fiona... he's not what he seems."
" What do you mean?" Fiona asked, breaking out of her reverie. She continued to twirl the lilacs in her hands, grinning.
" Just what I said." I said sighing. " Peter isn't this perfect guy that you think he is."
" Clu, I know you're doing the whole big brotherly thing, but Peter's perfect."
" And why is he perfect?"
" Because for once, he likes me for me, not because I'm the daughter of his favorite rock star, or the best friend of his favorite pop star." Fiona said quietly.
" Fi... a lot of guys don't want you just because of the people you associate with."
" Yeah sure Clu." Fiona laughed, sighing. " Peter's different then most guys Clu. He gives me flowers everyday, he says the sweetest things to me..."
" Fiona I've gotta tell you something." I said quickly, looking down. Fiona looked over at me, sighing. " Those flowers aren't from Peter."
" Then who sent them to me Clu? The Pope? Jack playing a joke on me?"
" He didn't." I denied quietly. I hated when she did this- when she would make me look like a complete moron.
" Sure Clu... I know you don't like Peter, but come on man, your being a baby now."
" Fiona, listen to me. Peter didn't send you those flowers. Peter hasn't sent you ANY flowers. He doesn't even know what your favorite kind are."
" And why should I believe you?"
" Because Peter's evil." I said. Fiona looked at me and began to laugh.
" You sound just like me when I told Carey that Callie was evil."
" Fiona I'm serious... for once in my life I'm dead serious. I know it sounds completely ridiculous, but it's the truth. I'm not buddy-buddy with Peter because I want to be Fi... He's not who he seems- he lost that fight with Brent, and Brent did something to him- he knows all about us Fi... and he wants to hurt you." I said quietly. Fiona stopped laughing and looked at me, her eyes wide. " I'm sorry Fi..."
" I can not believe you Clu. I finally find someone, and because the guy I found just happens to be perfect, you make up lies about him. I can't believe you could be such an asshole!" She exclaimed, glaring at me.
" Fi- I'm not-" I stood up, protesting. I grabbed her arm, trying to stop her from going inside. She jerked it away, glaring at me.
" Oh go kill yourself Clu. I never want to see you again!"
**********
(Fi's POV)
I sighed, walking to my room. Slamming the door, I flopped down on my bed. This was definitely not the best day of my life. First Peter was being his usual jealous self, now Clu.
I had been right- Peter was changing. Now he was meaner towards me, constantly wanting to know where I was going, who I was going with. And now he was jealous and spiteful, whenever we were near Clu, it seemed he would always draw me closer, like he had to rub it in Clu's face that we were together. I don't get why he's doing any of this- I'm not going to cheat on Peter- he doesn't have to know where I'm going every second, and Clu has made it clear to me that he doesn't want me- anyone could that.
Clu. Clu's changed too. It seems like he doesn't want to talk to any of us except for Kat, and whenever those two talk, it's like this big secret- they try to act like nothing's going on between them whenever you walk into the room with those two. I just hope it isn't what I think- Carey doesn't deserve that. And these dreams. These God for saken dreams. Why do I have to get dreams of Clu? Why can't I have them of nice, hot, actors and musicians? Why Clu?
" What am I gonna do?" I asked, looking at my alien doll. He just stared back at me. Now I've lost it. I'm going back to talking to my dolls. Yeah… this isn't going to work. I looked at my laptop, contemplating asking for help from my friends. They'd probably think I was insane too. I sighed, turning the computer on. I looked through the message board, hoping that maybe someone had some problem I could solve for them- anything to get my own problem off of my mind. " Any one here?" I asked, clicking on the 'Message Board' picture. " Oh my God." I whispered, a grin coming to my face as the page loaded, revealing the first message. " How could I have been so stupid to forget?" I exclaimed, turning towards my shoebox of disks. " Please be here, please be here…" I prayed, searching through the disks. " Thank you God." I whispered, inserting the disk into my laptop. " You better still be here." I said, building a little cage so that he wouldn't be able to get out as soon as I opened the file. Clicking on it I closed my eyes, hoping that I would hear the familiar voice. I opened my eyes, sighing when I saw nothing but scripts appear on my screen.
" Fuck!" I cursed, hitting the laptop.
" Well hello there little duck." Bricciru said and I blinked, seeing the screen transform. " Like my little trick?" He asked and I rolled my eyes. I could feel a migraine coming on already.
" Save the small talk Bricciru." I snapped.
" Touchy, touchy. What's wrong little duck?"
" I need info."
" Isn't that what the 'internet' is for?"
" If I had TIME maybe I'd look this up. But I need answers, and I need them now."
" I'm not following you little duck."
" I need answers, and I need them now. And since your such a nice little sprite, I figured I'd ask you." I smirked. " That and the fact that you have no other option, being that I do hold your freedom."
" Aren't you so kind?" I could see Bricciru trying to get free of my little jail I had made, but there was no way he could. Hacking certainly does have it's advantages. " What kind of information do I have to give?"
" I've been getting dreams-"
" Oh that's so terrible Fiona. And what would you like me to tell you? I'm not psychic or palm reader little duck."
" Shut up and let me finish. I keep seeing Clu, and this guy I don't know. The guy is always coming towards Clu, and they're both on this rooftop…"
" Describe the other lad."
" He's brown haired… tall… brown eyes I think… what does this have to do with anything?"
" I believe I know the lad you speak of little duck. It'd be best to stay away from him, no good can ever come from that man."
" Thanks for the warning Bricciru, but that's not what I wanted to know. What do my dreams mean?"
" I told you little duck. I'm not a dream interpreter."
" Well why is it that only I see the dreams? Am I getting premonitions?"
" It is possible… no, it can't be happening though."
" What is?" I sighed. You don't know how much I wished I could wrap my hands around Briccirus's scrawny little neck and squeeze…
" If you are having dreams of the lad I believe is in your dreams… it is possible that he's the one giving you the dreams. Just as your little problem with Brent-"
" How did you-"
" You may keep me locked away here, but I still do get the news. Anyways, about this lad… bad news, yes, bad news indeed… he's a vampire just as Brent… only he is not a full vampire… at least not anymore…" Bricciru trailed off and I sighed.
" Why not?"
" I don't think I'm the one to explain this little duck…"
" Listen Bricciru. Today is NOT the day to test me. My best friends avoiding me, my boyfriends all weird, and now I'm getting friggen dreams from some sociopath!!!" I exclaimed, very close to breaking my laptop. " Now. Unless you want me to press the delete key, and end your stinking existence now, tell me."
" You wouldn't do that little duck. Who else would you annoy for the answers to all of your questions?"
"Believe me Bricciru, I will. I've deleted five files already. And I always did hate odd numbers… the sixth time is a charm…"
" No! I'll tell you!" Bricciru exclaimed and I grinned. Such a wuss. " Shane is Brent's older brother… Their father was the most powerful vampire in the world, until your father stopped him. But before he did, he had three sons. Shane, Brent and your Peter. Shane, being the oldest, was able to train more than his brothers, and became powerful. He was so powerful little duck… that he was able to do the impossible, he did the task no one had been able to do before him."
" What did he do?" I asked.
" He avenged his father." Bricciru said and for the first time I had met the stupid little sprite, his voice was somber. It took me a minute to grasp what he had said, but once it did, I felt my anger take over.
" Where is he?"
" With his father." Bricciru answered. " Little duck, listen to me, because this is important, and I'll only tell you this once. I know your mother has probably told you that your father searched for the paranormal, but that wasn't entirely the truth. Your father kept secrets from your mother, just as your mother kept secrets from you. You see, your father was a part of a small group, the Light, a group destined to protect the world from evil. These people were scattered around the world. Just as others did before him, your father inherited the position."
" But that would mean-"
" No little duck. Your family is done with the Old Ones now."
" Old Ones?"
" That is the group that still protect the world. Let me try to make this simpler for you. Once an Old One is close to death, they must find a replacement. Once the replacement is chosen, it is safe for the Old One to die. Your father replaced a man, and someone replaced your father. Now let me continue with my story, I've wasted enough time as it is. Your father destroyed Shane's father in a horrible battle, and when it was finally over, Shane was only a boy. But he had the same desire that Brent has- to avenge his father. When the Old Ones found out there was a price on the head of one of their own, they began to come together, which was why your father left that night. It wasn't for a concert, it was to be with the others. Only your father didn't make it little duck. Shane found him that night, and without help, your father lost his battle. And that little duck, is why when the police and firemen found him, it seemed he was already dead."
" But Shane-"
" The Light took care of him little duck. He was banished to the very place his father was sent, where he should be still. But something has happened little duck, he's found a loop hole." Bricciru said and I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Finally, I stood.
" Thanks. It's been-"
" Little duck wait!!"
" What now?" I sighed. " If this is one of your attempts to get out of this place, it won't work."
" Beware little duck. Someone close to you will betray you…" Bricciru warned.
" What the hell does that mean Bricciru?"
" You will figure it out in due time little duck… in due time."
" Thanks Bricciru- it's been real." I stated, quickly shutting the computer off. I could hear his protests, but they ended quickly as the screen turned black. Sighing, I sat down on my bed, trying to process all of the information that I had just found out.
*******
(Clu's POV)
I sighed, walking down the old path towards a part of the woods I knew none of my friends would be. I definitely needed some 'me' time tonight, especially after the whole Fi problem. I don't know why I expected her to act differently, thinking back, I remember screaming at her the same way she did to me just now when she told me about Ashley. Yet I guess I thought she'd understand, because usually she was the one finding out about this weird stuff.
But this isn't the only thing that's been bugging me. Lately I've been getting the feeling that we're all growing apart. Annie had been right, we were all losing touch with each other, barely seeing each other outside of holidays and spring/winter breaks. We're all so different now, and maybe coming here together for one month wasn't the greatest idea. We're all getting so irritated- even Annie and Jack seem to be having little fights with each other.
I continued on my little path, trying to figure things out for myself when I heard my brother and Kat fighting. Fi had told me the other day that Carey was getting a bit jealous of the two of us hanging out so much, but I had brushed it aside, figuring that Carey would understand we were just friends. Maybe, he wouldn't.
" What is it then? What's this big secret that you can't tell anyone about Kat?" Carey asked, looking at his girlfriend.
" I can't tell you." Kat said quietly, sighing.
" Well then maybe I can't forgive you Kat."
" Forgive me for what?" Kat asked, looking up at him. " Forgive me for what?!? Respecting my friend's privacy? For keeping one freaking secret from you? For having friends other then you?"
" Kat, I tell you everything. Why can't you just tell me what this secret is? God, you don't know how this looks Kat."
" Enlighten me. How does this look Carey?" Kat asked, glaring at her boyfriend.
" Kat- I heard you talking to him! My god- you keep saying it's not what I think it is, but you make me think it really is happening! You make me think that you and he really are together!! God Kat, please, just tell me!!"
" NO! Dammit Carey. I. Can't. Tell. You!!!"
" Then maybe we should just forget about everything, because obviously, you don't TRUST me enough to talk to me about anything!!"
" What?!? Carey stop being a baby!"
" I'm not the one being the damn baby Kat. I thought we meant something to each other. I thought we told each other everything!" I watched Carey scream at my friend, frozen as I watched the fight.
" Carey…" Kat's voice softened, her eyes pleading him to stop.
" Is it true?" Carey asked, his voice gruff as he pulled her to him, glancing down at her.
" Carey…"
" Is it?" Carey's voice quieted and he looked into her eyes. Kat shook her head no, her hand brushing a tear from her eye. " Then what is it Kat? Please…"
" I can't." Kat said quietly and I watched my brother push her away. " Carey please-"
" Get away." Carey's voice was bitter and I had to contain myself from getting out of my hiding spot and smacking some sense into my brother.
" Carey- I can't tell you. I wish I could but I can't."
" Whatever Kat." Carey growled, angrily brushing past her as he made his way to the house. After he had gone in I crept up to my friend, who had seated herself on one of the rocks, her head buried in her hands.
" The shit's hit the fan." She muttered, looking at me. I nodded, standing there, watching her bury her head once again in her hands.
" Kat?"
" What Clu?" Kat asked, sighing. I knelt in front of her, lifting her chin up.
" I'm sorry." I said quietly.
" It's not your fault." Kat responded, sighing. " I signed up for the trip…it's my own damn fault… I just had to interfere-"
" If you hadn't Kat, then who knows what I would have done right now… I don't think I could have handled this vacation if I didn't have someone to talk to…"
" This was definitely not the vacation I was looking for." Kat sighed, shaking her head. " This was supposed to be a relaxation period. And somehow, it turns into a month worse than final week at college…" She muttered.
" I know what you mean…" I sighed, sitting down across from her on the sand. We sat there for a few moments, just starring at the sand and the water.
" I'll talk to him tomorrow." I said out of the blue, tracing shapes in the sand. Kat looked
" Who?"
" Carey."
" You'd tell him everything? But what about the-"
" I'll tell him everything I think he needs to know. Nothing more, nothing less. I can't do this anymore Kat. I can't ruin other people's lives just so I'm not the only lonely one…"
" If Shane-"
" Screw Shane." I sighed. " I don't care anymore. I couldn't care if they took me, threw me in hell, and left me there. It's better than this Kat. I can't take it anymore." I said, shrugging. Kat nodded, picking up a rock. She began tossing it between her hands, and I sighed, looking at the ocean. Oh yeah. This is a REALLY good day. Let's see, Fi's mad at me, Shane still wants to kill me, and Carey thinks I'm screwing his girlfriend. Yup, this is a real good day… can't wait for it to fucking end. I stood up, walking away. I heard Kat still throwing her rock around, every now and then sighing. I guess I might as well tell my brother, he deserves to know, right?
