Part 10: Chloe's Darkest Times

Chloe was buzzing with anticipation. She was only 5 days away from flying to California and seeing Derek!

She was craving to see him. She thought about him all the time and felt lonely when she couldn't talk to him. She would listen to him talk for hours about his day and about the things he was learning or hating or loving. Sometimes they would video chat, or just text or call. Chloe couldn't deny that she physically needed him. He had talked so much about it being hard for him to be separated, and here she was, thinking she's definitely feeling FOMO much worse than he was.

However, this also meant that her Aunt Lauren was visiting, having offered to drive her to the airport. Chloe had dreaded it. But, she tried to remember what her dad had said about her just wanting to look out for her. Chloe could understand it, but she didn't have to like it.

"Oh, sweetie. Do you really need to wear that just to go to lunch?" Aunt Lauren asked as Chloe stepped down the stairs.

"Yes, Aunt Lauren." It was pointless to argue with her. Chloe had learned the longer she took to defend herself the harder it was to even be around her.

Chloe had recently redyed the tips of her hair red so they looked more vibrant. She had the top of her hair split into two with small black hairbands and her usual Gothic makeup. She wore a white tank top with a black and red plaid skirt with ripped black leggings and black boots.

Aunt Lauren was unimpressed and still hoped one day Chloe would grow out of what she considered to be an awful look. She couldn't help but think, no wonder the only boy to like her was a werewolf. They were going to drive into the larger city that Lauren lived in to go shopping and have lunch. She hoped that Chloe would consider buying something more girly since she'd be going to California. But, she also dreaded that her father was allowing a teenage girl to fly across the country to see her boyfriend, alone. She almost offered to tag along, just to make sure Chloe didn't do anything she regretted. For once, Steve actually fought against it. Most of the time when Lauren attempted to reason that Chloe was just too young or too irresponsible, he'd cave and let Aunt Lauren chaperone. Surprisingly, he wasn't so willing this time around, which made her even more worried for Chloe's safety.

Aunt Lauren attempted small chat in the car. "Are you excited to be a senior?"

"Yeah. My final last year did really well, so I think they're going to consider picking me for the theater festival. It's not a whole movie or anything like that. I have to write an one act to be performed on stage for the Shakespeare festival."

"How exciting! When will you find out if you get it?"

"Well, the deadline isn't long before school starts. Most people start at the beginning of summer."

"Have you been working on yours?"

No. "Yeah."

"Well, what's it about?"

"I'm having some trouble coming up with a good climax and purpose for the character I'm creating. I don't want to say." Which is the best excuse she could come up with to not reveal she hadn't even started it.

"Oh, so mysterious. Well, I think your last project turned out good! Your dad sent me the video."

Chloe smiled, appreciating the praise. "Thanks, Aunt Lauren. How about you? Find anyone to date yet?" Chloe chuckled.

Aunt Lauren smiled. "Well, for your information I actually am seeing someone!"

"Ew, gross. Where did you meet him?"

"At a friend's get together. He's very nice."

"Nice enough to bring him to Thanksgiving?" That was a question they would ask each other to ask just how serious things were. When Chloe was in middle school, before starting her period, she was close with her Aunt. But, after her ghost experiences became more intense and she started dressing differently, their relationship fell apart. Chloe felt like her Aunt just didn't understand her anymore, or maybe she never really understood her. She felt as though her aunt was constantly trying to cling to the idea Chloe could be a normie, and Chloe knew she couldn't be. Nothing could take away her powers, no charms, no amulets. Aunt Lauren needed to deal with that.

"Any plans when you get to California?"

"Well, Derek can only get 3 full days off. So we are going to spend as much time together, maybe get an airbnb in San Francisco. I've been looking up some places. I'd like to get a tour of Alcatraz!"

Aunt Lauren's face scrunched in dismay. "I thought you were going to be staying separately."

"Well, Derek's roommates said they were fine with me staying there the whole week. So I didn't bother getting a hotel room or anything."

Aunt Lauren was shocked. "You're going to be staying in an apartment with a bunch of boys?!"

"It's not that big of a deal, Aunt Lauren. Like I said, three of those days we probably won't even be there. Derek and I want to do some sight seeing."

"I just can't believe it. Have you told your father?!"

Chloe could feel herself shriveled back into closeness. "Yes, I've already talked to Dad about it. You know what? Can we drop it? I'm just going to listen to music the rest of the way."

"Chloe! You think I would seriously believe your Dad would let you stay with a bunch of boys for a week? I'll get you the hotel room if anything."

Chloe rolled her eyes. "You can get whatever you want, it'll be a waste of money. I'm just going to stay with Derek anyways."

Aunt Lauren was fuming, now. She gripped her steering wheel hard and did her best to take a calming breath, but it did not work. "Are you really that desperate? You have to do this to get attention from your boyfriend? Who knows what those boys could do to you…"

"Aunt Lauren! What is wrong with you?! What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying when you stay with boys and you're the only girl, it looks…"

"Oh, it looks like what? It looks like I'm some slut or something? Alright, I'm done with this conversation."

"Chloe-!" Aunt Lauren attempted to defend herself but it was futile. Chloe had stuck her earbuds in her ears and leaned her head against the window with her eyes closed. No doubt blasting music to not hear anything she had to say.

Why?! Why did her niece have to be so frustrating!? Did she realize what she was saying? Of course you'd look like a slut if you stayed in an apartment with only boys. What else was she supposed to think? What else would anyone think? She suddenly felt determined to change Chloe's mind. Even though it had never proven to be successful, this was Chloe's reputation-she just wasn't thinking right, like any teenage girl. It was Lauren's job to set her straight and make sure she didn't make a fool out of herself.

The drive was silent until they reached the large mall with many different shops, restaurants and kiosks littering the center of the two story floor. "Where do you want to go first?" Aunt Lauren asked.

Chloe glanced at her, confident of what her reaction would be. "Well, I'm thinking about Spencers and Hot Topic first."

Aunt Lauren grimaced. "Well… it's on the other side of the mall." No doubt parking in that lot for that very reason. "Let's check out a few things on the way, huh?"

Chloe rolled her eyes at what she knew to be the obvious reaction from her Aunt. She was forcefully pulled into all kinds of stores. Despite Aunt Lauren pushing for her to get something, the only thing she convinced Chloe to get was a new pair of white Puma's. As they were finally reaching the area that held Chloe's favorite stores, Aunt Lauren decided she wanted to eat.

Frustrated, Chloe followed her Aunt into the Cheesecake Factory. Aunt Lauren attempted to persuade Chloe into going back and trying on some of the things she had picked out and thought was cute.

"Aunt Lauren, please stop. Stop trying to make me into something I'm not. If all you're going to do is push me around and not actually care about anything I actually want to get, let's just go home. I can just order things online tonight and have enough for the trip."

Aunt Lauren looked at Chloe with astonishment. "Why do you always have to be such a downer, Chloe? I mean, you are such a pretty girl, you could date a cute guy. You might end up some famous director someday and yet, you don't act like you've got anything going for you." Ouch. "I'm just trying to do what's best for you."

Frustrated, Chloe stood up. "I've lost my appetite. Call me when you're done, I'll meet you at the car."

Aunt Lauren tried to stop her but Chloe just continued to walk away from the table. Instead of heading straight to the car she decided to head to the shops she enjoyed and browsed for a few new things. She bought some new jewelry for her nose and ears and some red Manic Panic for her hair since she needed to re-stock. She grabbed a few shorts, t-shirts, and a new pair of boots before heading back to the car.

Aunt Lauren was already there, waiting. She scrunched her nose at the bags Chloe carried. "So much for ordering online."

"Let's just go home." Chloe plugged her ears with her earbuds and dozed off on the drive back home.

"Kit, it's so nice to see you. What do I owe the pleasure?" Beth said once she opened her door to see the supernatural father on her doorstep.

"Hi Beth, do you mind if I come in?"

"Of course. Come right in. Would you like something to drink?"

"Well, some water would be nice."

Kit hadn't had much of a chance to be with Beth alone since he'd moved into town. He talked with her at Chloe's Halloween party and they occasionally ran into each other in town. He never felt the need to pick her out and bother her with much. His understanding was that she sold things in her shop and she helped the kids out with some of their questions when he wasn't able to always answer them. In a way, it was nice to have someone older and wiser to mentor his kids. He wished he was there for friendlier reasons.

Once they sat down, Beth started immediately. "I have a feeling this visit is not a completely friendly one."

"I wouldn't say unfriendly. I'll just get right to it. My kids seemed to be a bit worried. The boy you have working at your shop? Brian? He mentioned something about wanting to maybe take over the shop and you giving more responsibility. I reasoned that it could mean anything, but I wouldn't be a good dad if I didn't at least come talk to you about it." He sipped his water, suddenly feeling like his mouth was extremely dry.

"Oh, I figured you might stop by with this worry. Yes, I do intend to tell Brian about me, about supernaturals. I think he's a great kid, he's shown me how responsible he can be… Plus, I see it in the tea."

"What?"

"The tea. I know Warlocks are much more interested in defensive magic, tracking, and enchantments. Most witches, like your daughter, are more action packed. They have more power in the offensive magic, potions, spells. I personally am a fan of fortune telling."

Kit was taken aback. "Fortune telling? Doesn't that seem…"

"Fake? I can promise you it's not. The tea will tell me all I need about someone. You should really try it sometime."

Kit ran a hand through his hair. "So the tea… told you to tell Brian?"

Beth laughed. "No, silly! It doesn't work like that. But, I know that I need to tell him. I'm not going to be around much longer, and it's important that someone keep my shop open."

Kit sipped the water again. "I don't understand. Why not find someone who is a witch, like you? Or at least someone who's supernatural."

Beth smiled brightly. "That is a wonderful question. I'd like to ask you a wonderful question, who was the first warlock?"

Kit almost choked on his water. "Excuse me?"

"Do you not know?"

"Well, I didn't think there was a first. I… I always understood us to just have existed, evolved like humans but just with a little something extra. We've always been here."

"Ha! That is where you are wrong. There was a first. Long ago. He was just a normal human, and he became a warlock. That magic seeped into his body and was passed down for generations. But, he wasn't the only one. There were moments that have led to our existence. Specific, pivotal moments that have created every single supernatural person."

Kit attempted to take it all in, but he felt like he still wasn't understanding. "Okay, let's say you're right. What does that have to do with anything?"

"It's in the tea!" Beth pointed to her teacup that sat on her table. "He's in the tea. He needs to know."

Kit's mind was spinning. "What? Brian? Are you trying to tell me that you're going to turn Brian into a warlock? So he can mix your potions and take your shop?"

Beth laughed, reminding Kit of a crazy old lady you'd see in movies. "Brian has a bright future ahead of him. It may not be what we expect, but it's meant to be."

Kit shook his head. "How will you do it?"

Beth shrugged. "How should I know? I'm old, but I'm not that old."

"Well, how do you know it will work?"

"I don't know."

Kit sighed in exasperation. "What if he turns on you. On us?" He stared into Beth's eyes hoping to find her sympathy. "We've had to run for years because people wanted to hurt my kids. Finally, I'm away from that. Finished. My family can feel safe. How do we know that he's not going to start some sort of witch hunt on us if things don't go the way you think they will."

Beth smiled, looking genuinely happy. "Trust the tea."

Kit was starting to hate tea.

"Beth, I don't know you very well. All I know is that Chloe has been coming to you for answers for most of her life. Her and Steve really trust you? Do you want to expose them over something you found out from some tea?"

Beth leaned over and patted Kit on the hand. "Nothing will make sense until all the pieces fall into place. Brian will not be the reason that your family is hunted. He will be the help we desperately need."

Kit felt the blood rush away from his face and his body went cold. "You say that like it's going to happen. Do you know if something is going to happen to my family?"

Beth's face went serious. "I don't. But, the people you think are gone, are not. They won't find us here after the protection I placed when Chloe moved here. But, they aren't gone. Whoever it was that hunted your family, they will never truly be gone. There's always another annoying head to take over the one that gets chopped off, you know? But, you shouldn't let you and your family live in fear. They're just kids. They are such wonderful kids."

Kit nodded. "You're right. They are great. Okay, I'll be honest. I'm really not happy or on board with any of this…. I don't think I'll be able to convince you."

Beth only nodded. "I'm telling Brian, which means I'll be telling him that other supernaturals live in this world. But, I won't tell him about you or your family, or about Chloe. If he finds out, he finds out. If you let your kids tell him, then it happens. I am not the writer of your story."

Kit bowed his head, he wasn't entirely sure what to say. He was thankful that he had time to prepare, but what was he really preparing for? His mind felt like it was going to pop like a balloon. What he had thought was going to be a harmless conversation turned out to be a life changing one.

"Okay… Okay…" It was all he could really say.

Beth reached across the coffee table and patted his hand. "This is hard. We don't know what's going to happen." Kit wasn't really sure if that was the best way to console him, but assumed it was all he was going to get from her. He could appreciate the attempt, at least.

"Alright, I guess I should head out. I'll talk to them. Are you planning on talking to Chloe?"

Beth pondered. "Well, I guess. It's not like she's got someone who cares enough to come over here and ask the right questions. I suppose she's leaving soon, no? Will you tell Derek before you visit?"

"That's… a great question. When are you planning on telling Brian?"

"Oh! I'm actually having him come over tonight for dinner."

"Tonight?! Well, okay. I guess I'll just have to break the news. You're really putting me in a tough position."

Beth put her nose up. "You're the one who took so long to visit!" But she smiled mischievously. Kit couldn't help but return the smile. There was something about Beth that just made you feel instantly comfortable, and somehow he just knew that he could trust her. Sure, they hadn't had much time to get to know each other, but there's something to say about finding another supernatural that just cares about being alive and wants them to live on.

"Alright, Beth. I trust you. I'll break it to them tonight. I can't say you won't hear anything from Chloe's Aunt. I hear she's a handful."

Beth waved him off. "Her? She's nothing but a snitch. I've handled her for years defending Chloe from her attempts to force into normalcy. I can only imagine what Chloe is going through while she's here."

Kit nodded. Beth walked him to the door and they exchanged a hug before Kit left in his car, dreading every second of the ride home. He had informed Tori and Simon that he was finally going to talk to Beth and had hoped to come back with better news that what he had. Plus, he had to figure out how to bring Chloe over. So, he decided to change direction and head towards a Thai takeout restaurant.

He gave Chloe a call through the bluetooth in his radio.

"Hi Mr. Bae."

"Hey, Chloe. Are you at home?"

"Yeah, actually. My Aunt Lauren and I just got home." He heard a voice in the background and Chloe responded with, "It's just Derek's Dad, Mr. Bae."

"Okay, great! How would you two feel about having dinner at our place? I know Derek's not here, but it's nice to get together."

"Oh, yeah! That would be great. I haven't been able to see Tori in a while."

"Great, I'm actually on my way to pick up Thai food. You can both head over in… 20 minutes? I will probably make it home around the same time you get there."

"Okay!" Kit hung up the phone and called Simon.

"Hey, Dad. How did it go with Beth?"

"Oh, it went okay. Hey, I'm going to pick up Thai food. Can you text me what you and Tori want? Chloe and her Aunt Lauren are going to come by as well. "

"That sounds like it didn't go well!" Tori shouted from the background.

"Sorry, you're on speaker." Simon admitted.

"It's okay. Honestly, it really did go well. I just want to talk to all of you… and I want to include Chloe since her… guardian right now isn't exactly helping her on the supernatural side of things."

"Okay, fine. I guess I'll set the table."

"Thank you, Simon."

Kit hung up the phone once again and arrived at the restaurant to pick up the food. It took longer than expected, but thankfully he still beat Chloe and Lauren to the house. His kids must have been staring out the window waiting for him because they both rushed out to help him carry the many bags of food.

"I'm trying not to be paranoid, but you're acting a lot like when you told us we had to move again." Tori said as she carried in the drinks.

Kit nodded. "I understand. I promise, we are not moving." Tori nodded, and he thought he even saw her visibly relax. He hated having to put his kids through so much. He just hoped he was making the right decision.

Chloe arrived in her Aunt's car not long after he did. When Kit answered the door, Lauren was standing in front of Chloe. "Hello, Kit." Lauren said.

"Hello, Lauren. I'm glad you were able to make it."

"Well, it wasn't exactly my first option for dinner. But we haven't had much time to get to know each other. Since you seem to be so friendly with your son's girlfriend, I thought I might as well take you up on the offer for dinner."

Kit was bewildered. They had interacted once or twice before, but he didn't think there was really any reason to talk to him that way. Kit wasn't necessarily a pushover, but he was just so taken aback he wasn't sure what to say. So, he just stepped out of the way to let the two in. When he saw Chloe, she did not look happy. Kit was worried it wasn't the right time to talk to them, but he didn't have much of a choice at this point.

Chloe brightened when she saw Tori. They hugged before sitting next to each other at the table. Lauren saw Simon and visibly grimaced. "Oh, right. This one is your son, too."

Kit might be willing to take blows, but he would never be okay with anyone talking to his kids that way. "Excuse me, Lauren? I know Simon hasn't made the best decisions, but I expect you to respect my family in my house. If that's going to be a problem, you're welcome to eat in your car while we finish up."

Chloe's beamed. Finally, an adult standing up to her aunt. It was like a dream come true. The comment certainly shut her up and she took her seat next to Chloe at the table. Simon helped Kit prepare the plates and passed them around along with some drinks.

"Well, it was nice of you to invite us. Was there any reason?"

Kit smiled softly. "Well, I think it's important we just… talk."

Chloe was already digging into her food. Tori and Simon were waiting, watching the back and forth between the two adults.

"Talk about…?"

"Well, I've been informed that… a normie is going to be learning about supernaturals."

"What?!" Lauren exclaimed, practically choking on her water.

Chloe's eyes went wide. She was aware that there may have been concern about Brian, but never expected it to be true. Simon and Tori felt the same.

"We don't have to worry. Beth knows what she's doing. Plus, she's promised not to out us to Brian. It is our choice whether or not to disclose."

"You can't seriously think this is okay?" Lauren asked. "Beth is a crazy old woman. She's just going to tell him… what? What exactly is she going to tell him?"

Kit felt like it wasn't right to keep disclosing what Beth had said to Lauren. He decided to give the abridged version and explain more to his kids afterwards. "Well, she does want Brain to take over. So, she's going to tell him tonight. So, you can't really change her mind."

This made Tori and Simon freeze. "Tonight?" Simon asked. Kit nodded. "Isn't that like now?" Kit nodded again.

"Like I said, she has no intention of telling him about us, just about the existence of supernaturals. So, let's keep a low profile until we figure everything out. I wanted to invite you over to give you a heads up." He directed that to Chloe specifically, ignoring the glares from her aunt.

"Well, she's crazy if she thinks Chloe is just going to out herself like that. No one can know about her…" Lauren couldn't say it. She always had trouble with actually calling Chloe a necromancer. She had the same struggle with her sister. She felt like if she was forced to say it, then there was no way to change it. If she could, she would absolutely change Chloe's powers. They were the biggest issue for her sister's mental health, and a big factor in her death.

"Thank you, Mr. Bae, for letting me know. I trust Beth." Chloe said. Lauren shot a glare in her direction but Chloe made it obvious she wasn't looking at her aunt. Instead, she changed the subject. "Was there anything you wanted me to bring to Derek?"

Kit was happy that Chloe was willing to steer the conversation in another direction. He wasn't sure how much more of Lauren's attitude he could handle.

"Oh, I don't think so. We will be visiting him the week after so it's no problem."

Chloe was most likely going to say something like, 'okay!' but Lauren decided to interject. "Are you aware that Chloe is staying at Derek's apartment while she's there?!"

"Aunt Lauren!" Chloe hissed.

Kit put down his fork and interlocked his fingers. "No, it's okay. I understand where your nervousness comes from. Yes, Steven and I have talked this over. We trust our kids to make the right decision. Plus, they've already told us they plan to be in San Francisco, so they'd be getting an AirBnB. She'd only be staying at the apartment for one or two nights."

Aunt Lauren balked. Was she the only sane person around here? "Am I the only adult thinking around here? They are teenagers. Chloe is still just a… girl! She should not have to stay in an apartment with all boys."

"Well, Derek says he'll keep her safe. He's been living with these boys for a few weeks now and I trust his judgment. Plus, we all know things can be a little different for mates and-"

"What did you just say?"

Chloe choked on her food and gave Kit the most terrified look he's ever seen. He suddenly realized he slipped some information he probably wasn't meant to. He mentally shamed himself for not thinking that it would be kept a secret from Lauren.

"Did you just say they are mates? There is no way that is possible. That's just a made up thing. You people have no idea what you're talking about. You think that some werewolf is mated to Chloe? You are out of your mind. That boy knows nothing about anything, let alone about mating, or whatever it is."

"Now, listen. There's no need to be upset."

"Yes! Yes there is plenty to be upset about. You're going to let your son put his paws all over my niece-Chloe, we are leaving." Lauren abruptly stood and reached over, grabbing Chloe's arm tightly to pull her to her feet. Her chair screeched as it was forcibly pushed back by Chloe's jerked movement.

"Hey! That hurts!" Chloe resisted her aunt but her grip only tightened.

"Hey, now. There's really no reason-"

"You be quiet." She snapped at Kit. "This is my family. This is my niece. I can't believe she's been hanging around with the likes of you. Whatever you were running from before, you probably deserved it with all this nonsense you're spouting." She was pulling the resisting Chloe towards the door. Simon was the first to stand and walk over.

"Let go of her!" He shouted. He may have not been Chloe's biggest fan, but he'd never want to see anyone treated this way. Lauren was just another normie trying to shame supernaturals into submission. Just another person who didn't understand. Simon was tempted to push Lauren with a pushback spell.

"Simon!" Kit yelled. Simon stopped, he knew that tone. He knew he couldn't do anything to Lauren without it reflecting ten times worse on himself.

Suddenly, Lauren's hand on Chloe's arm burst into flames for only a second. It went away just as quickly as it appeared but Lauren saw it and freaked. She not only let go of Chloe, but pushed her away, causing her to drop to her butt on the hardwood floor.

Tori sat at the table, a deep hatred in her eyes. Lauren paled at the site. "Chloe, get up. We are leaving. You are all terrible. I can't believe you'd treat us like this."

Simon helped Chloe to her feet. He gave her a sympathetic and worried look. Trying to ask that if she didn't want to go home, she could stay here, if it's what she wanted. She returned his look with a grateful one. She shook her head, she knew Lauren wouldn't leave unless she went with her. The day had escalated so much, she'd rather just go home and cry where no one could see her. She mouthed the words, "I'm sorry," to Kit as she exited the house behind her aunt.

As soon as they left the house Chloe popped her headphones into her ears and blasted music so she couldn't hear her aunt's complaints. At one point in the car when she's staring out the window an earbud gets ripped out of her ear.

"Are you seriously not listening! This is important Chloe!"

"What? What is so important you have to embarrass me at the store, at lunch, and even around my friends? What could possibly be so freaking important?! I just want to go home, okay?"

"Chloe, I forbid you from going to California. It's obvious you are not mature enough to make the right decision. That is final."

Chloe was shocked, "You can't do that!"

"Yes, I can. You can't go to the airport if you have no way to get there."

"I have my own car, I'll pay for parking."

"No, I am not allowing it. As soon as we get home I'm taking your keys and I'm taking all of your credit cards."

"Let me out!"

"What? I'm not stopping the car."

As if perfectly on queue they stopped at a stop sign. Chloe threw her seatbelt off and opened the car. "You are not my mom." She slammed the door shut on any arguing her aunt could do and took off in the other direction. She didn't want to go home, but didn't know exactly where else to go. At first, Aunt Lauren tried to follow her, yelling at her from the driver's window after making a U-turn. Chloe kept her earbuds in, not even bothering a response. Just another block and she'd be able to enter into the forested area in the neighborhood. She was seething and ignoring her aunts attempts to get her back into the car. She was a teenager against physical exercise, but her emotions boosted her thoughts and she ran as fast as she could towards the woods. Her Aunt parked and attempted to follow her, but Chloe just kept going.

She just kept going and going. Night had taken over and only the moon showed her where to go. She took an earbud out to see if she could hear her aunts steps. All she could here was the rustle of owls in the trees and small animals in the bushes. She'd hoped she officially lost her aunt in the wilderness. She slowed to a walk to catch her breath. Then, she crouched down and cried heavily against a tree.