DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN AND OF THE COVENANT'S FORMER CHARACTERS. I ONLY OWN CAMERON DANVERS.
The driver pulled up to the great mansion that used to be my home. Tears welled in my eyes as memories, good and bad, came rushing back to me.
We sat on the front lawn at a wooden picnic table, and a cake sat with ten candles in front of me. I smiled.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Cami, happy birthday to you!" I laughed as I looked around at the people sitting at the table. Caleb, Pogue Parry, Tyler Simms, and him... Reid Garwin. I don't know why I had always felt something extra towards Reid. He was the one who poked my buttons. The only person who could ever make me raise my voice, as I was usually sweet and soft. The only person who I had ever punched. And yet, he was the one who I thought I was in love with… I mean, I loved the other guys too. They were like brothers to me; I grew up with them and their powers around me. But I was in love with Reid.
I bent over the cake and blew out the ten candles, laughing at the guys trying to sing in their "opera" voices. They were so outgoing, much different than me. I was always the quiet one, the one who didn't really start anything. Quiet, but not shy. Just outspoken. I mean, don't get me wrong; when I was offended, I could hold my own, but I didn't usually pick fights. I was too laid-back for that. I also wasn't completely shy when you got to know me. I could get really goofy and aggressive when I was comfortable around someone. I was always amazed that the guys took me into their group. I guess they didn't have a choice, with me being the sister of their covenant and all, but I knew that it wasn't just that. We had a connection, like each of our different personalities could balance the group out. I was the shyer, smart side of the group, along with Tyler and, in most ways, Caleb. Then there was Pogue, who didn't really care about school, and was overly protective of me, kind of like another Caleb sometimes. The difference was that Pogue could be the dumbest person ever. We did get into it sometimes, but Reid was still the only guy to get me as aggressive as ever. He was the stupid smart-ass, if that makes any sense at all.
Caleb had turned around to get the knife out of the picnic basket next to the table. He was 11. Bad parenting, much? Not like he needed it though; he was perfect. He would never cut himself. I caught Reid reaching his hand out for the cake out of the corner of my eye. I turned to him and gave him my infamous glare; I was sweet and all but trust me, you didn't want to get one of those. However, Reid just laughed, grabbed a handful of cake, and flung it at me. I dodged it, smiling.
"That's it, Garwin, you asked for it." I stuck my hand in the cake.
"Bring it on, Baby Girl." I threw a piece of cake right at his head, and I got him. Of course. "Oh, you're gonna pay for that!" He was all pissed off now. It was cute, considering he was 11. Reid, along with Pogue and Tyler, reached for the cake at the same time. They exchanged mischievous smiles before smashing the blobs of cake all over my face and neck.
"That is so not fair!!"
I smiled, and a tear rolled down my cheek. I paid the driver, stepped out of the cab, and stood there. I didn't have any belongings; Caleb had told me in the letter that I didn't need any, and that everything I could possibly want would be provided in time. I guess he had finally learned to manage our family's fortune; I wished I could have figured that out a few years ago. But, of course, Caleb was the perfect one, not me.
I walked towards the front door, and the sound of the retreating cab echoed in my head. I was on my own, now. I didn't see any cars in the driveway; what if they forgot about me? What if all of this was a sick joke? It was probably Reid who sent the letter… leave it up to him to do something so shallow. My breath got short as I reached the porch. I let all of it out when I saw a note on the large wooden door. Wow, this place had gotten creepier since I had been gone.
All five of us sat around a campfire in the front lawn; it was pitch black out, and we felt adventurous that night, so we had pitched one big tent. I was 12, and the boys were 13; we were too use to sleeping all together to care about having separate tents. Why would we go through all that trouble when we could just all cram into one?
"So..." Reid started in his mysterious scary-story voice. "How do you guys feel about staying out here at night? I mean after… you know, what happened." I looked around. Pogue looked like he was about to fall asleep, Caleb rolled his eyes, and Tyler tried to smirk off the fear in his eyes. He wasn't too good at it; it was cute, though.
"Oh, what ever do you mean, Reid?" I asked with emphasized sarcasm. The guys laughed, and Reid just played it off.
"Well, I mean what happened at this very house before you moved here… the murders." I couldn't help but feel a little bit scared. Reid sighed, waiting for someone to ask about this so-called murder.
"What are you talking about? What murder?" I said in my sarcastic voice, again. I could tell this would be good.
"You mean you never heard about old man Smith and his junk yard dogs?" When Reid saw he wasn't going to get an answer, he continued. "They say that anyone who passed that gate," he pointed to the gate and paused for dramatic effect, "ever returned. Those dogs had been trained by old man Smith to savagely kill any human form, except for him, of course. Even said that their cars were consumed by the evil of the woods, in time." I giggled at him trying to talk sophisticated. His face remained serious. "But, you wanna know what the worst part is?" He looked around at everyone.
"Wh-what?" Tyler asked a bit too fast. He couldn't hide the fear now. It was too funny.
"They say that the bones of the dead were buried right here, in the front yard, and sometimes, at midnight, you can see the forms of the angry victims, and hear the barking of the evil junkyard dogs." Tyler looked shaken up. I was, too, but I wasn't showing it. "But if you're really unlucky, you'll see the form of old man Smith himself, walking on his cane, to send the dogs after anyone who would experience the most excruciating death…"
Caleb cut him off. "Reid, that's enough." Tyler's eyes were wide and he looked at his watch.
"It's 11:00." Tyler said softly. Reid smirked. Obviously, he knew that his job was done.
"It's okay, Tyler. Reid's just making it all up." I said, giving Reid a look. I jumped when I heard a big noise coming from my left. I looked over and, of course, it was Pogue snoring. I hit his arm, and he lazily rolled over, and made his way into the tent.
"You guys, I think I'm gonna go to sleep. I'm tired." I said, yawning.
"Yeah, I think I will too." Caleb followed up. "What about you guys?" I raised an eyebrow at Tyler; I knew he wouldn't stay alone with Reid, outside, at night.
"I- I'm coming, too." Tyler stuttered. He got a lot more brave as he grew up; I mean, when I left he was a lot more manly. I guess he was just going through a phase, at the moment. It was entertaining.
"What are you guys afraid of old man Smith and his dogs?" Reid asked innocently.
"I'm tired, Reid. Goodnight." I laughed and climbed into the tent. It wasn't long until I felt Tyler and Caleb lay down on either side of me. I felt pretty safe there; did I mention that the story actually had scared me? Well it did, but I was almost certain that nothing would happen that night.
I awoke to the sound of dogs barking. Of course. I lunged straight up, moving both Caleb and Tyler while they slept. Caleb opened his eyes a little, but then went back to sleep. Tyler just rolled over and snored. I really wanted to wake up Caleb and Pogue; they had always been the ones to protect me when I was scared. I would've felt really embarrassed though. I mean, come on. I was 12. Then I heard the barking again. I looked over at Reid, whose back was towards me. A part of me knew that he was using to scare me, and another thought it was actually the ghost dogs. I figured that maybe, since he had just gotten his powers a few months ago on his 13th birthday, that he wouldn't be able to mess with my mind like that. I was sadly mistaken. I looked up at the shadow of old man Smith on the outside of the tent, with his cane, and two big dogs, and screamed at the top of my lungs.
I opened my eyes from the memory and realized that my hand was placed on the door. I shook myself a little, and read the note.
Cami,
Gone to the store to get food. Mom's sleeping in her room. She's not feeling well; please don't disturb her just yet. I'll be back in a little while, just don't wonder off. There's a key under the matt. I love you.
-Caleb
I smiled. He was so responsible. I wondered to myself if I was ready to step through the door, though. I kneeled down and got the key, then stood back up and took in a deep breath. I pushed the key into the lock and turned it…
PLEASE REVIEW!! I WANT TO KNOW HOW IT IS SO FAR. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!
P.S. SORRY FOR THE CLIFFHANGER! IF I HAD MORE TIME, I WOULDN'T LEAVE IT HANGING, BUT I HAVE TO GO… SO, YEAH. SORRY!!!
