Here's the fifth chapter. It's been a long long time but I still hope there are some people reading this and kind enough to comment. School is keeping me away from writing but hopefully I'll be able to update soon.
The horn sounded and Olivia left the class grumbling. How on earth did she get detention? She had almost gone through two entire weeks of school without getting in trouble and now Manfred decides that he didn't like her outfit and gave her detention for that. Ridiculous. As she veered a corner, Olivia stopped short before hitting Melanie.
"Oh hey!" Olivia said trying to be friendly. Melanie just looked at her coldly before sticking her nose in the air and continued on. Now Olivia did not like being ignored, especially not like this.
"Hey wait a second." Olivia said running after her. She grabbed a hold of Melanie's shoulder but immediately let go when Melanie swung around. Melanie flicked Olivia's hand away from her shoulder and said, "Look Olivia. You don't bother me and I won't bother you. We'll get along nicely then. Do we have a deal?" Without waiting for a respond, Melanie swung around continued walking. Olivia stood there dumbstruck, trying to make sense of what she had just heard.
At that moment, a strange figure crept out of the shadows and feeling his presence, Olivia immediately turned around. She grimaced when she saw Manfred. She leaned to one side preparing herself for a lecture. However, she never got one, at least not then. Instead, Manfred simply called out to Melanie telling her to come back. Reluctantly, Melanie gave a big sigh and turned around. Olivia watched as Melanie dragged herself near them.
"What do you want, Manfred." Melanie said in such a tone Olivia thought for sure she would've received detention. However, Manfred did an unexpected, he smiled. Olivia watched in amazement when she heard a voice behind her. Immediately recognizing it as Fidelio's, she turned around and smiled.
"Hey Fido!" she called out. Fidelio ran towards her and asked breathlessly, "Hey… what's going on…"
"'Dunno," Olivia said turning her attention to Manfred and Melanie. It seemed as if they were having an argument for Manfred was shouting in her face while Melanie merely ignored him.
"Let's just stay here and listen. Maybe they won't notice." Fidelio suggested. Olivia nodded and together they just stood there, listening.
"What did you think you were doing Melanie?" Manfred shouted.
Melanie simply shrugged her shoulder and said, "I don't want to pretend to be something I'm not."
"Well you're going to have to." Manfred said, "You're working for my grandfather and he wants you to gain their trust." Fidelio and Olivia cast each other a worried glance. What on earth could he mean?
Fortunately, Melanie did not agree to this one bit. "Look, his plans are crap and they never ever work. He's tried forever to kill Charlie Bone, ever since he was ten right? Well now he's fourteen, what makes him think he'll kill him this time. Besides, you shouldn't be telling me this when even you care no more." Manfred took a step back in surprise. No one had ever spoken to him like that but yet, could she be right? Spotting Olivia and Fidelio standing to the side, his nervousness grew. How much had they heard? Why didn't he notice they were there?
Straightening he said, "Veritigo, Gunn, what are you two doing here?"
"We.. we were just…" Fidelio stuttered.
"Oh give us a break," Melanie said, "Just give up the act and simply tell them to keep their yap shut." She turned to the two and eyed them coldly, "You heard me. Leave and don't you dare tell anyone whatever you heard." Her eyes burnt like coal and immediately, Olivia and Fidelio shuffled off. Smiling satisfactorily, Melanie turned her attention back to Manfred. "Think about what I said. I'm not going to listen to Ezekial like a little lost kid. I'm here to keep an eye on Rhia. Do what you wish but you know you don't belong here. You've never had." She shouldered by him, and walked off, leaving Manfred's stomach flipping in confusion.
*****
"What do you suppose all that was Fido?" Olivia asked as soon as she and Fidelio turned the corner.
"I don't know." Fidelio said. "It seems strange and that Melanie girl sure is creepy."
"I'll say but she's go nerve." Olivia said remembering her cold piercing eyes. "She actually talked back to him and she dissed his grandfather, yet he didn't blow up at her. I'm thinking he was more surprised then angry."
"Yes," Fidelio agreed. "No matter what Charlie or the others say, this term is not going to be like any other. There's too many mysteries and secrets around."
"Do you think we have something to do with it?" Olivia asked. She became extremely excited at the thought of yet another adventure.
"Don't we always?" Fidelio asked. "But remember," he said as if he had read her mind, "just because we're in the mix of the adventure or mystery or whatever it's not always good… remember Tancred?" Olivia took a deep breath as she recalled Tancred's near accident a few years back.
Seeing her expression, Fidelio nodded. "I know you love adventure Olivia and it's great that you're always so brave and stuff. I really like that about you, but you have to careful. Don't be like Charlie and rush off without thinking."
Though Olivia hated hearing this, she knew it was true. She gave a sigh and nodded. "Come on then," Fidelio said. Let's go find the others. Don't mention this to them. It'll be our secret." he smiled.
"What if it's important though," Olivia asked.
"Then we'll tell them when we are forced to," Fidelio simply said.
"Ok," Olivia said and the two walked off in search for the others.
*****
It was bright. All too bright. Rhiannon slowly blinked open her eyes. Immediately, light rushed into them almost blinding them. Screaming, Rhiannon covered her eyes and pulled the blanket over her. Slowly, she pulled the blanket down, her eyes peeking out. Blinking a few times, Rhiannon's eyes eventually got used to the sunlight and Rhiannon pushed the covers off.
Sitting up, Rhiannon rubbed her eyes trying to make sense of what's happened.
Rhiannon climbed off her bed and went to the window. Staring out, she spotted some kids in the garden. They look so happy. Rhiannon thought with a resigned sigh. If only she could be as happy as them but she knew it would be a small chance. Turning around, she scanned the room that she shared with Emma. Having a roommate wasn't that bad, Emma just kind of left her alone but yet she was really sweet. Rhiannon's eyes fell on the clock sitting on the nightstand. It read '9:45'. Emma and Billy would be in class now. Rhiannon thought with sad eyes. She had never once thought that coming here she would meet people as nice as Emma and Billy were. From the moment they met, both Emma and Billy were extremely friendly and nice to her. They had tried to talk to her but she had refused. Rhiannon took one last look out the window and climbed onto her bed.
Pulling the covers over her, she sat against the backboard of the bed, her legs tucked in close to her. Closing her eyes, Rhiannon rested her head against the pillow. For a moment, she sat there, thinking. She tried to retrieve her first, happy memory but could not find any. Every time she felt a bit happy something had to happen to ruin it. It was always like that. Her fifth birthday was a nice example. For once, she had looked forward to her birthday. Her brother and sister were there and her sister actually cared. She didn't bully Rhiannon on this day, it was the first time Rhiannon had received a hug from her sister. Her parents were not there but that was expected. They didn't care much Rhiannon or her siblings, they were always busy. Rhiannon had invited some of her friends and the two servants, Samme and Evelyn, were there to take care of the party. The party was extremely fun. Rhiannon recalled, she and her friends played many friends and when Rhiannon blew out her candles on her cake, she felt truly happy. She remembered that she had wished for everyday to be like that. However, that was not meant to be. Just when Rhiannon was about to open presents, her father burst through the door and with his endowment, lifted Rhiannon into the air.
Frightened, her friends ran out the door, closely followed by Evelyn. However, her siblings and Samme had stayed in the room. Rhiannon remembered that Samme had told her father to put her down. However, with a mere glance, her father had slammed Samme against the wall. How could such a wonderful day become one of the worst? Rhiannon remembered how she had felt, she had felt pure fear. She remembered the pain she had received from her father then, and all for what, just for simply having a birthday party. According to him and her mother, she was to have no parties any more because it would distract her from 'fulfilling her destiny.' The memory was so vivid that Rhiannon could actually feel the pain searing through her body. Her father's voice entered her ears and began torturing her with words. Soon, the pain became unbearable and Rhiannon grabbed her hand in pain. Suddenly, Rhiannon felt herself falling and then she fell hard onto something. Snapping her eyes open, Rhiannon found herself on the floorboard, her arm still searing with pain.
"It's not a dream," Rhiannon breathed. She closed her eyes in pain and forced herself up. Stumbling, she pulled herself back onto the bed. Lying against her pillow, breathlessly, Rhiannon pulled up her right sleeve. What she saw was what she had hoped not to see. On her inside part of her right arm burned a deep, black symbol, as if trying to break free. "No," Rhiannon breathed. Suddenly, the same voice blasted into her ears, "Rhiannon my dear…" it said.
Clamping her hands against her ears, Rhiannon desperately shook her head. "Please, go away." she breathed though she knew it was impossible.
"You know I will do no such thing Rhiannon." the voice said. "I'm sure you knew you wouldn't be able to escape me."
"No," Rhiannon cried. Suddenly, a door slammed open and Rhiannon looked up. The pain immediately subsided and the voice had disappeared. However, Rhiannon was not the bit relieved. She groaned and let her head drop onto the pillow below. "Why are you here?" she asked slowly. She shut her eyes tight as if trying to wish the visitor away.
"I'm here to talk to you." the voice said. That was exactly what he had said. Rhiannon thought. She heard footsteps near her bed and gave a gulp. She slowly opened her eyes and standing near her bed was Melanie Wilson.
Taking a deep breath Rhiannon looked Melanie in the eye and asked, "What do you want?"
*****
Where was Rhiannon? Billy wondered as he wandered the halls idly. Why would she have cut class? Billy had wanted talk to her during class, to ask her some more questions. She had smiled at Emma, he was told, so maybe she wasn't as cold cut as she appeared to be.
"Arg!" Billy cried. He kicked a nearby pebble in frustration. Though it was only the second week of school, he felt as if he was deeply missing something, something important. He remembered what Cook had said to him the past week. Evil is abroad yet again and you all know how important the balance is. It must be kept otherwise, there will be great trouble. How was that going to help any of them? Billy thought in frustration. "Cook has always helped us and she always gave good advice. This is just so stupid." he cried in frustration. He brought his leg forward in a kicking position and suddenly he hit something. A small, yelp came from the creature and Billy looked down and gasped in guilt.
"Oh Blessed," Billy said shocked. He knelt down beside the poor, whimpering dog. He brushed his hand over dog's fur, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to kick you." He brought his hand onto the dog's head and then he tightly hugged the dog at the neck. The dog gave a small howl, "I've missed you too Blessed. You look so pitiful. What happened?"
Billy pulled himself away from the dog and listened intently as the dog told him briefly what he had heard during the summer. Billy listened as the dog mentioned the names: Ezekial, Manfred, Melanie… Rhiannon.
"Rhiannon?" Billy said suddenly. "What does she have to do with this plan, Blessed?"
"Blessed don't know," the dog answered. "Old man was talking of watching her. He said…" Suddenly, the dog gave a yelp of pain. Billy gave a start and watched in horror as blood began spurting from a wound.
"Blessed!" Billy cried in horror, "Blessed what's happening?!"
"Blessed don't know! Ooo, it hurts Billy. Billy help! Please!" Blessed writhed on the floor in pain as blood continued pouring. In the midst of his panic, Billy stumbled onto his feet. Tears began wetting his face as he struggled to pick up Blessed. This was not an easy task considering the size of Blessed. Finally Billy gave up in fear of making the wound wider.
"Hang in there," Billy cried as Blessed gave a moan, "Please, just hang in there. I'm going to get Cook."
"Hurry," Blessed moaned, "Blessed in pain."
"Don't die," Billy said panicky, "Please don't die, Blessed. I'll be back." Hurriedly, he sprinted towards the cafeteria desperate to find Cook. Where could she be? He looked in the kitchen and found only annoyed kitchen ladies. No Cook. He quickly turned around and ran to her room. Maybe she's been there the whole day. Stopping in front of the door Billy hesitated. What would happen to Blessed if Cook couldn't save him? Billy couldn't bear the thought of losing another thing he loved. Bringing his hand up to the door, Billy pushed open the door.
"Cook!" he shouted as soon as he stepped in. Cook was sitting on the same couch as earlier. Hearing his urgent voice, Cook looked up. Billy stumbled towards her and fell to his knees at the foot of her chair. "Blessed's dying," Billy cried out between tears. "I don't know what happened. He just started spurting blood. He's in so much pain Cook. Please! You've got to help him."
Without a word, Cook immediately got up and nodded her head. Taking this as a signal, Billy found himself stumbling his way out of the room. Once outside, he desperately sprinted his way to Blessed, hoping, praying that they weren't too late.
*****
"What do you want?" Rhiannon demanded again. She tried to sound brave and confident but she was far from that. Her insides squirmed and she bit her lip out of nervousness.
"Relax," Melanie said. "I already told you what I'm here for. I just want to talk to you. In case you're wondering, no one sent me here."
"Then why have you come?" Rhiannon asked. She backed into the headboard of her bed as Melanie slowly sat down on her bed, Indian style.
"Can I see your arm?" Melanie asked coolly. Rhiannon showed Melanie her left arm. "The other one."
"Why?"
"Just show it to me," Melanie reached for Rhiannon's right arm and pulled it towards her direction. She pushed the sleeve back and studied the black symbol, "He's been trying to contact you hasn't he?" she asked, her voice suddenly gentler.
"So what if he has?" Rhiannon demanded.
"Cool down." Melanie snapped back, "We're not going to get anywhere if you keep acting tough. No one's here but us. Just relax."
"I won't, not around you. What have you ever down to make me relax?" Rhiannon asked. For a second, Melanie did not say a word. When she did, she spoke so soft, Rhiannon had to strain her ears to hear her. "I've done plenty of things, you just don't recognize them." Rhiannon looked up into Melanie's eyes, the coldness had left.
"I don't want them to know," Rhiannon said looking away. Could she trust her? She was so unpredictable and it was hard to read her expressions.
"I know," Melanie said, "That's why I'm here." Rhiannon bit her tongue and forced herself to look away. She could not bring herself to look at Melanie. She was confused, did she really, sincerely want to help her or was she just trying to use her? Rhiannon did not understand.
"Why did you come here to Bloor's?" Rhiannon asked, her earlier anger simply replaced by confusion.
"I came here to keep an eye on you," Melanie said plaintively.
"Keep an eye on me? Why? How did you even know I was here?"
"Even from when you first ran off, he knew where you were. He didn't want you to know though. He wanted to scare you into submission. One time, after you left, I heard him speaking to her. They were plotting to torture you into submission. I immediately knew I had to follow you, to watch you."
"So he knows," Rhiannon said. Melanie nodded. "In that case, what use is it to watch over me if he knows. He's just going to keep trying to contact me no matter how hard I push him out."
"I'll help you," Melanie offered. Rhiannon looked up. Looking into the face she's known for so long gave her a sense of security but yet she knew something was up. Melanie never offered to do something nice without a catch. There had to be one.
"What's the catch?" Rhiannon said softly looking at Melanie from her left side.
Just as expected there was one. Melanie closed her eyes and gave a sigh. "He wants to bring you back but he agreed not to because I told him that I would help this guy named Ezekial with his plan. Ezekial is an idiot of a man but as long as I help him, he won't you."
"That's a lie," Rhiannon said. "He's going to hurt me. He wants me, I'm his 'treasure' and he can't succeed without me."
"He didn't lie Rhia." Melanie said. "I could tell."
"If you say so," Rhiannon shrugged, "So what's next?"
"So… if I help Ezekial then he won't hurt you but… Ezekial wants you to stay away from the endowed."
"The endowed?" Rhiannon asked. "You mean Emma, Billy and the rest of them?"
Melanie nodded. "That's exactly who I'm talking about."
"What if I don't stay away from them?" Rhiannon challenged.
"Then…" Melanie took a deep breath, "well then, Ezekial said he'll just consider you as one of them then and he wants me to hurt you, torture you, anything to get you away from them."
"You won't really would you?" Rhiannon exclaimed.
"I don't have a choice. In order to keep you safe, I have to work with that ass and he wants me to get you away from the endowed."
"All the endowed? Why? What's the point of doing that?"
"Just hear me out." Melanie said when Rhiannon interrupted. Rhiannon pushed herself up against the headrest and cocked her head to one side.
"If you don't stay away from the endowed then that means Ezekial will force me to hurt you and if I refuse then he will hurt you. If I hurt you, you'll still end up being hurt by him because I failed to obey Ezekial."
"How would you have disobeyed Ezekial if you hurt me?" Rhiannon asked.
"Not because I disobeyed him but because I failed to do what he wanted me to do so then both he and Ezekial would consider that as me not cooperating and you'll still end up being hurt."
"So really there's no way out of this is there? You've got it pretty covered."
"It's not my fault, Rhia" Melanie cried. "I don't want to work with that loaf but I have no choice."
"You do!" Rhiannon cried. "You've always had a choice and you just use that dumb excuse to cover up your mistakes!"
"I'm sorry all right?!" Melanie shouted, "I'm sorry you're unhappy that I'm trying to help you. I have class next period and I'm not going to stay here to argue with you. If you want to get hurt, fine! Either by him or me, whichever one floats your boat and then you can tell me whether you had a choice or not!" Melanie got up from the bed and headed for the door.
"Mel!" Rhiannon shouted. Melanie stopped but did not turn back. "I... I just don't want him in my life.."
"I know," Melanie said softly, "But I can't do anything about that. Maybe eventually." She opened the door and left. As Rhiannon watched go, her stomach twisted in all sorts of directions. She couldn't take it. She turned over into her pillow and began to cry, something no one had ever seen her done.
