Disclaimer: I don't owner Jeepers Creepers, nor any of the original content which can be found within this fic, they all belong to Victor Salva. Nicole Alkins, Raven 'Robert/Rob' Alkins, Jamie Camacho, Korey Martin, and Pazuzu (to an extent) all belong to the ever wonderful, enjoyable and incredible TheMortition so please checkout 'What Do You Want From Me?' first because it might clear up any plot holes you might find this story has for you!
A/N: Here we are! If you can't tell, in this chapter, I out and out say I'm sort of parodying Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. Not in a making fun sense, in a sort of trying out a different version sense. Basically, it's Twilight with demons and a lot more gore, sex and violence! This chapter kind of introduces Korey Martin (from Mortition's story 'Exorcise Me With Your Possession'-again! Please check it out for later referencing), whose living in the town with his dad, stepmum, and stepbrother, along with his demonic son, Dante who's going to pop up later in all of his adorableness! Korey's kind of the sensitive friend, Jamie's kind of the jackass friend, and later I'm going to introduce Emily-Rose Alkins whose sort of the adorable-yet-thick friend! Hope you're enjoying my work, and please R & R. I'm not making a profit, sadly, but I hope you enjoy it anyways!
Paranoia had gripped its usual talons around me as I lay in bed that night, the image of Robert Alkins white 66 Harley Davidson running through my mind like when someone puts a CD track on loop. Even Jamie's crazy story hadn't drifted my mind away from the chilling image of him hopping on the bike and riding off, his entire body shaking violently, as if trying desperately to control himself. The way he'd backed up, those dark brown eyes boring into me, staring me down as if he was both horrified and terrified by my mere presence in that backwood diner. As for Jamie's theory? He'd got the bright idea that Rob was actually the winged creatures, known as The Creeper by the locals, biological son and was searching for the flesh of humans to feast on like his father before him. Although based off the stories I'd heard from my dad and gran, I figured if Rob Alkins was consuming anything just plain fucked up, it was performance enhancing drugs. Even by my standards of frightening, that was a little far-fetched.
But it didn't stop that image of the bike repeating in my brain, running itself over and over, stuck on a constant loop. I'd fashioned a rather ugly bruise on my right thigh after my less than graceful barstool fall, which I'd cleverly concealed from my nan so she didn't ask any awkward questions which would have led to my shameful explanation. We'd had a rather pleasant, simplistic dinner of sweet potatoes, chicken casserole with steamed vegetables, after which I'd done the washing up and gone upstairs to have a bath, wash my hair, dry it with my hairdryer, and then go to bed. All before ten o'clock; early I know, but I thought getting an early night would improve my mindset, but my ridiculous memory put a rather abrupt halt to my plans. Somehow having brief, yet pleasant conversations, then departing in our own directions worked better for me and Granny Kath. Maybe that was because we'd barely known each other for the past couple of years and I was still settling in, so she was giving me some breathing space? That sounded a lot like something dad would do.
But my overactive imagination made the simple act of trying to sleep near impossible. I kept imagining what this 'Creeper' looked like, with the only constant feature which remained being the large, scaly, almost reptilian like wings extending from his back, illuminated by an eerie white light which seemed to burst out of nowhere-as if a stage queue which was waiting for the appearance of him, it, whatever it was. A cold, irritating sweat seeped over my body at about 11:45 and made me wriggle uncomfortably in my new bed, curling my legs up to my chest, resting my head on the tops of my knees, trying to make myself as small as possible so the irritancy would get smaller too. Even wearing a plain grey vest top and light blue baggy shorts the sweat seemed to pile up, clinging to my skin in its usual sticky coating, collecting in large, uncomfortable droplets on the back of my bare neck, despite my hair being tied tightly back behind my head in a ponytail. Something about Rob Alkins had made me incredibly uncomfortable to the point my skin prickled just at the thought of him, as I attempted to rationalize why he'd been outside the church that Friday.
He was probably just doing what my dad used to do, I told myself. Hanging around there because it'd be quiet and maybe he was waiting for friends, or they'd already arrived, or something along those lines. That bought up another question: Did Rob Alkins actually have any friends? Being one of the best runners on the baseball team I figured he'd at least have one close friend, and probably a large fanbase as well. When you're an excellent sportsman, especially someone who has the capability to win many games, you're bound to have a large amount of followers buzzing around you, asking you questions, beginning for autographs in some circumstances I figured. In my hometown of Oswell, that would've never happened, but here, I figured a lot more things might just be possible. I mean, these people believed a giant, winged demon loomed the highway skies, picking out its prey based all around fear-why wouldn't they do anything a little bit more abnormal? Even by my standards.
It was 1:48 precisely when I finally managed to calm my nerves and get some sleep, although part of me was dreading that more than being forced to stay awake all night. Nightmares were steadily beginning to form in my mind even before I finally managed to start feeling a familiar warm, sleepy feeling rush over my body. That lulling feeling which would inevitably drag me back into the world of dreams, where anything could be waiting, especially winged bat men wanting to grab me-STOP! I told myself. It's all just one big stupid legend made up by a load of drunken town loonies and Rob Alkins isn't that things son! Jamie's probably been watching one too many horror films! I quickly rationalized that part at least. Due to his, self-admitted, tendency to get a little too into the films he watched, it was obvious how Jamie could've just let them get to him and made him believe Rob Alkins wasn't entirely human. Besides, I figured if Rob Alkins wasn't human, there'd be a lot of missing persons circulating this here area, and Nicole would've moved away to a bigger city where there'd be more prey for him to hunt. Yawning slightly, with the sheets tangling themselves around my creamy, slender legs, my eyes begun to flutter shut, my vision blurring slightly and I knew sleep was winning a battle which was already pretty futile, even by my shitty standards of the word.
Rob Alkins is a hundred percent human, I told myself, and then I began repeating it inside my head a smooth, solid movement of words swirling over and over. Rob Alkins is a hundred percent human. Rob Alkins is a hundred percent human. Rob Alkins is a hundred per…
The weather had gone through a bipolar episode when I finally opened my eyes at 7:12 the next morning. A light, greyish-blue mist had settled over Prescott County, and the beginnings of a refreshing drizzle were starting to form, something which greatly uplifted my mood-drizzle was familiarized territory for me, something which reminded me of home and comforted me slightly. Although I could practically hear all the kids across the large sprawl of the open countryside county groan, I didn't care at all. The drizzle hadn't evolved properly into rain yet, so I was safe to venture outside without getting soaked to the skin first, although my ever growing collection of waterproof coats and jackets. Owning a good pair of waterproof boots helped my life become a little bit simpler, and I figured I had somewhat of an edge compared to my new classmates.
Untying my plat and picking up my black plastic hairbrush I began raking through the locks of my reddening brown hair, although mine was a little more on the brown side of the scale compared to Jamie's maple colour. Staring into the mirror, I finally recognized how pale I looked compared to the dark blues, purples, and the odd greens of my new room. I'd managed to make my room much more personalised over Saturday, and I hadn't left the house that day, sorting through objects and arranging them neatly, meaning Sunday was the day I'd adventured outside to explore my new surroundings which ended up with me becoming twice as paranoid as I had been before.
A horrible sick swelling began to form in my stomach as I raked through my clothes, after the dawning realisation that I was going to be forced to see Rob Alkins today, regardless of my nerves. I couldn't hide away from school forever, cooping myself up in my room, pretending none of the events of yesterday had happened. I hoped maybe we could end up on better terms today and maybe work our way around the awkwardness between us. Fumbling through the pieces of clothing which made up my outfit menagerie made me smile slightly to myself-dark clothing looked better on foggy, drizzly days such as today, and I figured I'd accomplish fitting in much better today than I had yesterday-that was in the hope I didn't successfully fall over or do something equally as stupid. I was going to be at reception for nine o'clock so I could know where my first class was at ten past; I'd been told by my dad that, like in Oswell, there were four classes in the morning each an hour long, with one in the afternoon after the hour and ten minute lunch break, then I'd be free to return home. The day sounded pleasant enough, especially because PE wasn't forced upon students at Prescott County High.
Flipping through my extensive waterproof jackets, I decided my light blue one was probably the best if I wanted to fit in. Dark brown, dark blue, or even medium green would seem a little too dark coloured for people around these parts standards; I hadn't even seen the kids, but something told me they'd all be in lightly coloured jackets, maybe even with matching handbags to accomplish their colour coordinating clothes. Part of me smiled at that. Colour coordinating all your outfits amused me for some reason-it was just so perfectionistic. I picked out my light grey, swishing with light blue, t-shirt to go with my light blue jacket and decided that my navy blue jeans worked best, finishing off the outfit with my black waterproof boots. A little too dark, but they were my best pair.
Breakfast was quiet and simple for both me and my nan, but luckily lacked an awkward tone which could've followed. Nan asked me a couple more questions 'was I nervous about school?', 'did I meet anyone at the diner yesterday?', things along those lines worked best for all of us. I told her about Jamie and she shook her head sadly; she knew his mother, Sonya Camacho, and felt bad for her in the state she ended up at after the untimely death of her husband, Dexter. Apparently it'd been a truck which had hit his car, killing him on impact and I'd nodded sympathetically as she'd told me, listening to all the somewhat gory details. I neglected the part about Rob Alkins for both of our sakes-I didn't want her worrying about anything going on in my life, because it wouldn't be good for her health. She kept an array of pictures on the top of her kitchen cabinets-one of her own wedding to my deceased grandfather, Patrick; one of my parents on their wedding day, my mom's usually straight, dark brown hair curled into a series of ringlets around her glowing face, my dad grinning, his purpley-blue eyes glowing with happiness; another photograph of my Uncle Stefan and Aunt Isla's wedding, my uncle's eyes which matched my father's sparkling more than glowing, and my aunt looking incredibly picturesque with her long lace veil trailing around her white-blonde hair; yet another wedding photo, only this time of my Aunt Jess and Uncle John on their wedding, both looking incredibly young at just twenty one, my aunt hadn't inherited the traditional blue eyes, but her own pale green ones ignited the beauty of her face, with my uncle looking much more laid back with his shortly shaven black hair practically stubble. The only other photos were composed of school pictures taken of Luke, Annette and myself; Uncle Stefan and Aunt Isla's kids, my cousins, Henry-now sixteen, and Celeste-now fifteen; with a final complementary set of Aunt Jess and Uncle John's only daughter, Olivia.
It was strange seeing myself with gappy teeth aged five, and my cheeks chubby like a chipmunks, my dark hair pulled back into a ponytail as I grinned animatedly for the camera placed in front of me; it was stranger still seeing Luke aged nine with his dark, ringlet style curls brushing in front of his face as he grinned mischievously for the camera, back then I could never imagine him marrying at twenty one; but stranger still was seeing Annette when she was nine, with her sandy blonde straight hair swinging down past her shoulders, her pale, china doll like innocence shimmering through the glossy glass framing. You would've never guessed she'd end up nearly on drugs and having to spend time in a 'clinic' for bipolar disorder induced via excessive stress; but it was a pleasant surprise that she'd been able to get her life back on track, and was now attending art college. Sometimes I never understand why men don't flock around my beautiful older sister, with her total perfection and the sheer amount of head turning she did upon entering a room, like she possessed some bizarre magically ability when it came to making people automatically find her attractive.
Standing at an incredibly impressive 6'1" for a nineteen year old girl, with the build of someone who should be found in underwear catalogues, and probably one of the worst big sisters you could ever imagine appearance wise. Not to mention she's practically the most beautiful girl on earth, at least by my current standards. Sure, I don't know too many people, especially female ones, but based upon looking at most women you see on the street, I've figured that she must be at least in the Top 10 of "10 'Normal' Women Who Are Completely Gorgeous". Pale, like me, with a creamy peachy tinge to her skin which my ivory-skinned pallor could never accomplish having; having my heart-shaped face and slim jawline, but she possesses strong cheekbones and a smaller nose, with fuller, rose petal lips. Her eyes however, aren't the purpley-blue Luke and I have, instead mom's warm hazel tinted with navy blue. Her face is outlined with long wavy blond hair that falls halfway down to the middle of her back that perfectly suits her hazel-blue eyes and perfected figure. Even when she was washed out and borderline on drugs, she still managed to look apathetically innocent and tortured, unlike Luke or myself who'd just look like drugged up junkies. I guess I envy my big sister, but have come to accept there's nothing I can change about myself, at least through legal means.
Grabbing my blue satchel on the way out, calling goodbye to my grandma, I excited to my car and began the twenty-something minute drive to my school. But it didn't stop the already swelling feeling of sickness and panic which was beginning to develop within my stomach the second I stepped inside my car. Despite the student body being incredibly low in number, it didn't diminish my fear of them all. In small towns, everyone's been to school with everyone and outsiders are never welcome; I can only scrimp these lines because of who my father is. Even then I wasn't too sure people were going to be too accepting when I finally arrived at the school. Increasing the speed of my car, nervous I'd be late, my head turned to the side automatically, staring out into the countryside; there was a larger selection of houses in the direct Prescott town, most of which housed the children who attended the junior and high schools. I figured myself; Jamie and Rob Alkins were some of the few people who lived outside the main town circuit.
It was helpful that the school wasn't hard to miss, being located on the very outskirt of the town, probably so children from the countryside area could also find the school just as easily as the inner town kids. The school wasn't like many schools I'd attended; it wasn't split into separate blocks like my previous school, it was just one huge, slightly squarish shaped building, built from several tan coloured bricks with a corrugated white roof. The parking lot was full of cars already, with two stereotypical yellow school buses off just to the side. Several trees and shrubs surrounded the place, simply because it was located on the edge of the local swamp. I remembered how Jamie had told me that the school often attended school trips out to the swampland to study the deer, frogs and birds which lived out there, as well as the plants and checking that the water wasn't dangerous for the animals. On the odd occasion they were allowed to do outside lessons within the swamp, which were fun, but only sport trips were really done for the various teams.
Drawing my car into one of the free parking spaces, I gently opened my car door and shut it behind me, locking the door carefully before I began walking forwards towards the building situated at the very front of the school. Located just off to the side of the main entrance was a little building extended onto the side of the school with the words 'RECEPTION' neatly blocked out on a small banner over the set of double doors located at the front. I figured that this was where I needed to go to collect my timetable. The rain was still at drizzle level, meaning I was tolerating the weather, but a lot of the other kids looked unhappy and uncomfortable because rain wasn't a regular even out here, as I'd 'oh so cunningly figured out'. I got the odd glance, but luckily no-one paid me too much attention, probably because they hadn't truly figured out who I was, not just yet.
Inside it was warm and I enjoyed the feeling of hot air creeping up my skin, numbing the chilling cold of the outside, and little droplets of drizzle stained the glass, sliding down pitifully. Like all school offices, its walls were covered in little awards and certificates, and a large ticking clock sat on the wall, displaying the time for anyone who entered. The floor was carpeted, a standard bluey-green colour, nothing too extravagant. Several plastic grey chairs littered the sides of the room, and a couple of plants hovered around the main desk area which was situated directly opposite the door.
The harsh wind which whipped through the air stopped the second I wrenched the reception room's door open and stepped inside, my hair flailing out around my head madly like someone had directly stuck a couple of hairdryers around me and switched them onto the highest wind level. Cold wind shot through the room, making the secretary at the desk shiver. She was a young woman, only about twenty-eight, with a long stream of coal black hair tied into a neat plat which swept round the side of her face and went well with her beige coloured eyes. Dressed in a light pink blouse and black pencil skirt, she was tapping carefully away at her computer, eyes fixated upon it. Her skin was creamy, like milk chocolate and as I got closer, I could see there was a name tag attached to her pink blouse; it had the name 'Stephanie Finch' written on it, and I was surprised that she wasn't simply Ms, Miss or Mrs Finch. Maybe people were just more informal out here, I couldn't tell yet.
"Um…Excuse me?" I asked, somewhat nerves detectable in my voice, but I tried to null them down so she didn't think I was anywhere near as frightened as I felt. The sound of my voice made her look up, her dark eyes hitting me and studying my face, confusion passing across her face when she didn't immediately recognized me how she probably could recall every teenager who came into this office's name.
"Yes, may I help you?" Her voice was polite and calm, although her accent originated somewhere from the north of America, not the southern drawl the likes of myself or Jamie possessed.
"I'm Noelle Manning, the new student," I added the last part on the end just in case she didn't realise I was the new student. I then realize how patronizing that must've sounded and cursed myself inside my head; I couldn't believe I'd possibly gotten off on the wrong foot with Ms Finch, but luckily she didn't seem too peeved at my response, and instead sorted through a carefully sorted wrack of paper, finally pulling out a sheet which had my timetable on it and politely leaned forwards, leaving it suspended in the air and I took it from her hand.
"There you go," she nodded politely.
"Thank you." Was my quiet response, although her sharp ears must've picked up on it before I turned to leave, on which she called out to me.
"Excuse me! I also have a map of the school if you'd like it?" That made me turn around and head back towards the counter of which her desk was hidden behind. Several photos cluttered the desk, as well as a plushie lizard, and several stationary pieces were positioned around the computer. Two other secretaries sat further back in the office and I realised the building was bigger than I'd originally perceived; they probably took turns serving at the main desk so all of the work wouldn't be forced on Stephanie Finch.
I politely took the map out of her hands and smiled, which she returned, before I turned around and ventured back out into the cold, drizzling air. Some secretaries go through the school route but something told me that Stephanie was new to the job, so she didn't know everything about the job. She simply told me to have a nice day and I replied with a slightly overused 'you too' before leaving the office properly, venturing into the rain which had deeply increased since I'd accepted a map from Ms Finch. The rain was pelting down in bigger drops and smacking against the parking lots tarmac, but I tried to ignore it and took a brief glance at the timetable I'd been so courteously given by Stephanie Finch. More students had arrived by now, but I tried to ignore them, and they ignored me luckily as I walked back to my expensive car. To my relief, there were other expensive looking cars parked in the lot, most much more pricey looking than mine. I hated to think how much my car had cost dad, but I tried to reassure myself that he worked as a deputy sheriff, so he'd got enough income to support himself and mom, especially because she also worked which was a relief.
My rain boots made sloshing noises as I walked across the puddles which were quickly forming now, my first lesson was Biology with a Mr Allen, and I was feeling slightly more optimistic about it than other classes. Biology had been my favourite science class since I started high school, so it was relieving that it was my first lesson every day; checking back to my time table, it was actually my last lesson as well. Inbetween sat Maths with Mrs Blair, English with Mr McPherson and Art with Mr Swanson for me, and I hoped Jamie might be in at least one of those three classes with me so I had someone to actually speak with. It was strange the way I had these five lessons every day, never changing, but I figured they weren't too bad, even by my standards.
"Hey Noelle!" A familiar voice called and I turned around to see Jamie Camacho walking towards me, although skipping might be the more appropriate term now that I look back on it. He was smiling as if it was his naturally programmed response to all situations, although the cheery disposition he seemed to carry himself with fit perfectly like a glove. Dressed like some bizarre Slipknot homage, he grinned at me; entirely black, his outfit, but it didn't surprise me too much to be honest. "Loving the car still," he grinned and nodded before glancing back at his own means of transport-a black, rather old looking bicycle. "Pretty pitiful, isn't it!" He laughed though, not moping like most people would. "But I love it," he nodded, "I think it's just fine for me!"
"Don't you have a car?" I asked, trying not to seem incredibly snobby or rude, instead sounding awkward and stumbling, but he just laughed it off and I relaxed.
"Well, yeah, but mom won't let me use it." He sighed, running a hand through his long hair which hung around his shoulders and fluffing it outwards slightly, how girls sometimes do but less effeminate. "Because dad died in a car accident she refuses to let me so much as edge towards the car without her being in it with me. Dad was a criminal speeder and that was what ended up killing him; he was going at over a hundred mph down one of the back roads situated around this place-probably just for fun, y'know-and he ended up swerving out the way so he didn't hit a deer…His car hit a tree and…He died on impact. So, if you can't guess, I fucking hate deer!" He laughed at that but there was a sad, somewhat lonely undertone to his voice I detected the second his lips pursed to let out a laugh.
"I'm sorry!" It was an automatic response on my behalf. "You must really think people like me are so fucking stupid for having friends who get them into car accidents," I held up my wrist and he laughed slightly, shaking his head.
"I don't hate anyone, Noelle," he smiled and this time, to my relief, it was genuine. "I just think my dad was being stupid-as per usual. He thought driving like a lunatic was a good pastime and look where that got him: dead and buried. Of course, he didn't know it was going to do that, but if you plan on driving at over seventy on a thirty road, you've kind of got it coming. I'm more surprise he didn't get anyone else hurt during his time on the road," Jamie nodded. "I mean, if you're gonna be a shit driver, at least don't endanger others, but he did. I'd often be stuck in the car with him when he was driving like a maniac; being a little kid however, I thought it was all a game and if he hadn't died well…I might've ended up driving just like him. Anyways!" His bright smile returned and he gestured to the pieces of paper in my hand. "Mind if I see your schedule? See if you're stuck with me in any classes?"
"Oh sure," I smiled, feeling slightly flustered and passed him my schedule, which he closely studied, eyes flicking over the lessons.
"Oh god I pity you…" He muttered under his breath before tutting slightly, shaking his head and staring back at me, his face solemn. I felt my stomach drop and my eyes widen at his disappointed, or should that be upset, facial expression. "You're stuck in all my classes!" At that I burst out laughing, my hair falling in front of my face loosely, briefly clouding my vision before I looked back up at him, smiling.
"I don't think that's a bad thing," I smiled at him and he smacked me on the arm lightly, grinning like a maniac. "In fact, I'm very happy I have you with me! You can protect me from all those evil swim club members you were warning me about yesterday!" With that it was his turn to burst out laughing and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, hugging me slightly to him, still chuckling.
"For a sheriff's kid, you're pretty funny!" He grinned down at me.
"And for a drunk's kid you're pretty funny too!" That just made him laugh harder and I relaxed slightly, jokes like that can go either ways, and I'd put my neck on the line making it; if the payoff had failed, I could've lost my only friend I'd made in this town. "No offense though," I added quickly, just to be save. "I could never dream of offending you!"
"Don't apologize," he smiled down at me. "At least you're humouring me and not teasing me like so many people. Besides," he added with another grin, only this one was more excitable and there was a glint in his eye which told me something. "I do have some friends," he nodded as if affirming it to himself. "Yep! Believe it or not! Good old freaky James Camacho has accomplished the art of making friends. Why am I telling you this now, Ms Manning? Well, I just saw one of them role his sorry ass into the parking lot!" The way he called me 'Ms Manning' reminded me slightly of James Bond and Miss Moneypenny-although I figured Jamie and I's relationship was very much similar. "Korey motherfucking Martin and Veronica bitchy Alkins!" He waved at a boy and girl getting out of a car-some silver make of a Volvo, but I've never been too accurate with cars.
"You call your friends that?" I asked Jamie; surprised he could be so rude to the boy I assumed was his best friend and the girl I assumed was at least his close friend.
"Oh naturally!" Jamie nodded as the boy known as Korey headed over, whilst the girl, Veronica, stayed, clearly locking the car which must've been hers'. There was something about Korey which reminded me of Jamie to an extent; his hair, like Jamie's, was longer than most boys I've known's, only it just brushed his jawline, like it'd recently been cut. He was 5'6", an inch smaller than me which made me feel slightly embarrassed, and the brightest hazel eyes I'd ever seen. Unlike Jamie, his face was much more adult looking though, much sharper and defined, and he was dressed in more conventional clothing. Black waterproof, navy jeans, brown hiking boots. He had a backpack slung over his shoulder, bright red, and looked slightly confused when he saw me. "This is Sheriff Manning's daughter!" Jamie called, and Korey simply nodded, only speaking when he finally reached us.
"I pity you," he chuckled, "being stuck with Jamie all alone-you must have a strong spirit to put up with him. Noelle right?" I nodded and he stuck out a hand which I graciously took. "I'm Korey Martin, as Jamie explained," he shot a false glare in my oldest friend here's direction, "And the girl faffing with the car back there is my boyfriend's adoptive sister, Veronica Alkins." A large bang sounded, followed by the irritating blare of a car alarm and a lot of cursing. Veronica wasn't agreeing with the car.
"You're gay?" I asked, trying not to sound rude or homophobic in any means. "Sorry!" I added quickly, "I just didn't figure I'd meet to gay people attending one school who were practically best friends."
Both of them laughed, but it was Korey who answered my statement. "In a town like this, we gay guys have to stick together! Normally, I'd try and keep as far away from this horror film psycho as I could, but no-one else accepted me when I arrived just under a year ago, so I was stuck with this bastard ever since." He chuckled, before looking back at Veronica, who had finally managed to get the car under control but was walking off in another direction; long blood red hair was flying off in opposite directions as she ran for cover from the wind and rain which had hit hard. "Don't mind Alkins," he said it in a way which made me know she was referred to by her surname and not her first. "She hates the rain-always has. Almost as much as Pazuzu."
"Pazuzu?" I asked, bewildered.
"Oh sorry!" Korey smacked his forehead. "Pazuzu's my boyfriend and Alkin's adoptive brother, they all live with Ms Alkins on her giant farm with her son, Rob." My stomach plummeted at that-I was now in direct contact with Robert Alkins…The boy who'd looked at me like I was a meal and who I'd seen outside the creepy, demon church.
"Do you hang out with your boyfriend's adoptive family much?" I asked, trying not to let my nerves show but Jamie went and revealed it all anyways.
"We had a run in with Gorgeous Alkins yesterday," he said cheerily, "And he gave Noelle this really weird look. It was like he wanted to fuck, kill, then eat her all for his own sexual amusement!" I shuddered at that and he patted my shoulder. "No offence, Noe, but…That was the vibe I picked up from him."
"You should be flattered!" Korey interrupted, obviously trying to lighten the tone significantly from the dark drop it'd taken. "Rob barely looks at anyone these days, bar his family, me and Jamie. If you can make him look like he wants to have sex with you, it's a complement-although a strange one. People thought I was weird for attracting Pazuzu because he never seemed interested in anyone til he met me, you get used to it."
"How many of them are there?" I asked, voice practically a whisper, and my voice trembled slightly. "The Alkins family I mean…"
"Six altogether, if you count Ms Alkins," Korey answered, and I figured it'd be him. He knew the family better-he was dating one of the members for Christ's sake! "Four adoptive children-Pazuzu, his real name's Patrick but I nicknamed him that, like the demon from Exorcist 2 because his mom looks like Linda Blair; Alkins-the older girl, she's okay but can be either incredibly grumpy or incredibly annoying, sometimes both if you're unlucky; Alastor-the eldest boy, and he's not at school anymore, he manages the store for their mom whilst she's painting; and then there's Emily-Rose, the youngest girl, and she's in the year below us, the nicest I'd say, as well as most approachable. Pazuzu and Rob are both in our year, Emily's a Junior, whilst Alkin's actually a teaching assistant now, and Alastor's turning twenty in December."
"They're like the Cullens in Twilight!" Jamie laughed and we both stared at him, before Korey continued talking whilst Jamie chuckled at his joke.
"Well, if this is Twilight, I'm Bella to Pazuzu's Edward," that made me laugh and Korey smiled at me. "Seriously though, don't take Rob giving you a bit of a weird look negatively, in fact, like I said, see it more as a complement. Barely any of the girl's here get his attention, so if you can get it just by being a room, you're different to say the least. You in all of Jamie's lessons?" Korey asked.
"Yep," was my response.
"Well, you're with me too!" He grinned, "And if you're lucky, you'll be put with me in most classes. I figured they'd stick Manning next to Martin!" He looked at Jamie who'd begun to walk towards the school, although he was approaching a small gaggle of teens, which I realised were the Alkins' family and my stomach clenched but Korey smiled at me. "Jamie's lucky enough to be sat next to Rob in Art and he never shuts up about it. He's um…" Korey faltered and stared ahead, blinking quickly, as if he was nervous. "He's liked Rob for a long time and at one point it looked like Rob was interested, til yesterday apparently…Don't know why." Korey shook his head. "But it's awkward at lunch when we sit with them now. Just…Try and ignore that, kay? It's not your fault if Rob's taken a liking to you, and Jamie won't care too much. Plenty more fish in the sea, eh?" On that note the bell rang and he grinned at me, face softening. "Well, shall I walk you to class my fair lady?" With that all I could do was laugh and nod. That went better than I expected.