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Angel of Darkness

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Chapter Eight: Denial

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“Lily! Hurry up!” I hear Christa shout out to me. The weekend with her was fun but it's Sunday night now and she thought it'd be fun to go to Seth's house now. And being around midnight didn't seem to be bothering her at all. I pack the rest of my clothes for the week in my bag and run down the stairs to meet with Christa. She already let Midnight out for me so hopefully he'll still be alive when I get back.

“Took you long enough,” Christa says as if she's been waiting for hours.

“You woke me up from out of nowhere and expect me to already be all packed and ready to go?!” I raise an eyebrow at her in wonder.

“Yes. You should be excited to be spending the night there for the week. Have you told your parents?” Christa asks as we make our way outside. When we get outside it's pitch black out and I have a hard time seeing where my feet are going. It's a new moon and very little stars and the street lights seem to be off. Something I find very strange. And the strangest part is. . . I feel like someone's out there staring at us.

I thought I heard some leaves rustle and look over to see something. . . I'm not sure. . . something silver maybe? Ah, I really need to go back to bed. I almost let out a whine for her to take me back but manage to keep it in.

I feel Christa shiver beside me and look over at her, realizing that I had grabbed her hand somewhere along the way down the steps of the porch.

“Creepy. I'm really glad we're going tonight.”

Is this why she wants to go so early—er. . . late? Because of the street lights? Well, it is odd, I'll give her that. But it would be nice to have a better reason for waking me up when I was having such a nice sleep. It was dreamless. . . my whole body was relaxed and now I have to move around. My body feels heavy and tired, I'm practically dragging my feet across the sidewalk and leaning against Christa for support as we make our way to her car.

“You can sleep in the car. I'll make sure to wake you up when we get there,” she says as she takes my bag from me and helps me in the passengers seat. Once I get in I fumble with the seat belt and buckle myself in. Christa throws my bag in the back and hops in the drivers seat.

How can she have so much energy this early in the morning?

I look over at the clock and see that it's actually 1:04AM. I groan out and lean against the door, letting my eyes slip close. She doesn't turn the music on but does turn the heat on low. The cool night air gave me goose-bumps and she probably saw this when I wrapped my arms around myself.

I can feel the car moving as I slip into subconsciousness. Another dreamless state. Everything around me fades and I fall into a blissful sleep.

I think I can feel the earth rocking me. . . like my body's moving but I'm not awake yet.

It seems like only seconds after the sound of a door closing wakes me up. I try and will my eyes to open but they refuse me and stay shut. I can hear voices outside of the car that sound like Christa and Seth. I think Cameron's there too though.

“I shook her a few times but then I just gave up. Why don't you carry her in and you,” Christa's voice pauses and I wonder who she's talking about.

The door opens and I almost fall out but instead I fall against a hard and warm body. It's either Seth or Cameron but the second he scoops me up in his arms I know it's Cameron from the smell.

Is it weird that I know his scent by heart?

Instinctively I snuggle against his chest when my body came into contact with the cold air of the night. He lifts me up effortlessly and closes the door with what I assume would be his foot. Since his arms are fully. I can hear another door open and figure it's probably just Seth getting my bag.

“Set her on my bed,” Christa pauses. “Unless. . . you want her to sleep in your bed?” I can almost feel the smirk on her face and the glare I know Cameron must be giving her.

He doesn't answer though and just proceeds to carry me up the stairs of the porch. . . or are we in the house now? I don't even know. But I'm guessing we're in the house when I hear another door open, more quietly this time and Cameron's warmth leaving me as I'm put down on something soft. Oddly enough, I found myself more comfortable being held against him than on a bed.

I don't think Christa and Seth are here yet though because Cameron doesn't leave my side. My hands twitch to move, to wrap themselves around his neck when I feel something warm, wet, and soft press against my forehead. But the second it's there it's gone and I hear footsteps coming into the room.

“Is she asleep?” Christa asks in a whisper.

“Yeah. . .” I can hear Cameron reply. “Did he follow you here?”

“Probably. Or, at the very least, he knows where you guys live now. But that doesn't really matter, the three of us could easily take him. And Sam and Julian are around here somewhere too. If we called them, I'm sure it wouldn't take them long to get here,” Christa says in a bored tone.

Who are they talking about?

“I just wonder why he's suddenly after her. I mean, we've been careful. I don't see how he could have found out about it.” I hear Seth say.

“It's probably when Christa came back. . . he probably followed her down here and found us with a. . . you know,” Cameron's voice is so low, I can barely hear it.

“Human.” Christa said in mock horror.

“You sure you're okay with staying here than Christa? This time. . . you won't get off. You'll be in the same boat as us,” Seth says.

What are they fugitives or something?

“I don't care. I've always been in the same boat. I just ducked my head and hid in it. But I won't hide anymore, or let you guys take the fall alone,” Christa pauses. “This time when you get kicked out of the house I'll get kicked out too, brother.”

I don't hear Cameron's reply because it's so fast. Once his voice stops he pauses for a long time and I can't hear anything.

“Maybe we should have this discussion another time. She could wake up,” Cameron whispers, as if now becoming aware of my presence. They think I'm unconscious. . . maybe I am. Or maybe I'm just so tired they're saying one thing and my mind's processing something entirely different. Because what they're saying doesn't make sense. . .

“You seem to be. . .” Christa's voice trails off, maybe Cameron's glaring at her again. “Even going so far as to transform yourself just to keep an eye on her.”

Transform?

“I thought you did it just to make sure she didn't say anything about you getting your arm slashed and having it heal at an. . . inhuman rate,” Seth says. “But then you kept hanging around.”

“She's an enigma,” Cameron claims.

He's talking about me?

“Being around her is more interesting than the rest of them. They all act as expected. Nothing special. . .”

“She's an outcast. Fits in with us perfectly,” Christa sounds happy now. “Well, you guys go now. I'm tired too and we have to get up early. . . being here is so tiring.” Christa yawns loudly.

“Goodnight,” Seth says and leaves the room, followed by Cameron who says nothing and just leaves.

In just a few seconds I can feel Christa getting on the bed with me, snuggling up to my whole left side and sigh out. Her breathing is light and I start falling back into a peaceful sleep. Though a lot of things are on my mind and prevent my mind from resting.

“Mm. . . here kitty, kitty. . .” Christa mumbles in my ear. It's then that I realize that she probably knew the whole time that I was awake. Maybe she's trying to throw hints for me?

But why kitty? I think I know what she's hinting at but it's so impossible I don't even want to think about it. I will not allow the padded walls to come any closer to me. Forcing the thought aside and deciding to just temporarily forget this, at least until my mind is fully awake, I snuggle with Christa, trying to get comfortable and let sleep take me over.

I wake up in a very comfortable bed. It's really soft. . . but something heavy on my chest. . . snuggling me. . . I open my eyes to see. . .

Snowflake?

How'd she get there?!

Snowflakes crystal eyes open up and she looks at me and starts to purr. I sit up in the bed but before I can get up Snowflake sits up and practically pushes me back on the bed. . . as odd and impossible as that sounds. I close my eyes when I fall back against the pillow and when I open them again I see Christa straddling my stomach.

She grins sheepishly at me but I can tell she's satisfied by my reaction. . . whatever it was.

“Chr-Christa—!”

“Shh!” Christa cuts me off and slaps her hand over my mouth. “Hush, I don't want you waking up Cameron and Seth. They don't know I'm doing this and Cam's going to be really pissed off when he finds out!”

“What—?”

“I let you listen last night for a reason, but Cameron and Seth didn't know you were still awake. I had to put you under a slight spell so only I'd know you were awake and I'm sorry for that. But this has to do with you too now and you have a right to know. Despite what those two idiots think.”

I just continue to stare at her, my eyes wide and dilated. I can't believe what I just saw. I can't because it's impossible. I'm a down to earth kind of person when it comes to this sort of stuff. I don't believe in ghosts or anything supernatural.

I shove Christa off my stomach and she scoots to the other side of the bed and just stares back at me. I look around the room, looking for my evidence. To prove to myself that the thought in the back of my head really is ludicrous.

“Where's Snowflake?” I ask, looking back at Christa.

Christa rolls her eyes at me and tosses a pillow at me. I'm a bit caught of guard by it and it bounces off my face and on the floor.

“I'm Snowflake you silly human. And Cameron's Midnight.”

I stare at her like she's crazy.

“Stop messing around. . . we should get ready for school,” I say and hop off the bed.

“I'm not messing around! Look, there's someone after you. You remember the man from the time it rained glass? Well, technically he's after Cameron, but when he saw you with him and saw him change into a cat just to look out for you he got curious. Now he wants to use you and—”

“I'm gonna take a shower.”

“Lily!”

I leave Christa's room and decide to use the shower in the hall rather than the one I saw in her room. I can't get what she said not only this morning but last night out of my head. Then there's that presence I thought I felt when leaving my house to come here.

Is there really someone after me?

I don't even want to think about it.

I hear the door to Seth's room open and it looks as though he had just showered himself. His hair is wet and his bangs are clinging to his face. Also, he as a towel over his shoulders and he's brushing his teeth.

“Lily?” he says with a mouth full of toothpaste.

“Last I checked.”

“You're up already? Do me a favor and get Cameron when you're done cleansing yourself. He's in the pool. I'd get him myself but I wouldn't want to rob you of seeing him without a shirt.”

I blush at that statement.

“What's he doing swimming so early?”

Seth shrugs. “He likes to swim.” With that he walks downstairs, probably to get something to eat. I hear the door behind me—no doubt Christa—open and run into the bathroom.

The bathroom is pretty big. It has a tub that's separate from the shower and even has a hot tub. Like I said, Seth's rich. I take my clothes from yesterday off and realize I forgot my clothes to change in to.

Sighing I turn the shower head on and step in anyway. I'll just pray everyone's downstairs by the time I'm done. I look over at the soap and shampoo to see just what choices I have to select from. I see something that looks like it would belong to Christa since it has a floral smell—freesia—and decide to use it.

Christa does smell nice. . . but I'm beginning to wonder about her mental health. I hope it's nothing to series.

I freeze when I hear the door open, since the shower has a slide open door that's practically see through. My whole body turns scarlet as I peek out to see, the steam from the shower rising out. I see Christa placing some clothes on the toilet seat for me, neatly folded. She doesn't say anything and I begin to wonder if I've hurt her feelings as she walks to the door.

Guilt's starting to form. . .

I hurry up and wash the rest of the shampoo out of my hair and wash my body with lavender body wash. Once I'm done I get out and wrap a towel that Christa left for me around my body and dry myself off.

I look at myself in the foggy mirror and see nothing but uncertainty. I can't make out anything of my reflection and that's how I'm feeling inside too. I feel as if I don't know what's what anymore.

After I get dressed, brush my teeth and hair I got out in the back to the pool to get Cameron. Just like Seth said he's swimming with nothing but black boxers or swimming trunks on. Whatever, they both look the same to me.

He must have heard me approaching for he immediately gets out of the water and sits at the edge of the pool, on the concrete. I blush when I find myself checking out his body. His perfect skin texture and. . . perfect form. Not one ounce of unwanted or needed fat. Maybe this is how he stays so fit.

“Is it time to leave?” he asks.

“Almost. Seth asked me to get you.”

Cameron sighs, “Because he's just so incapable?”

I laugh nervously when he gets up and walks over to one of the tables and picks up a white cotton towel and drys off his face, neck, shoulders, and chest. I can't stop myself from staring, my eyes roaming over every patch of skin that has remained hidden until today.

Upon looking at his chest I see his chain hanging around his neck but also another necklace that I've never seen before. A smaller chain hanging around his neck and leading down to a beautiful silver cross with a lot of design to it, which tells me it isn't cheap. He must have hid this under his shirt because I never noticed it before.

I lean down to touch it and he automatically jerks away from me and grabs my wrist. I wince at the iron grip that threatens to crush my bones. He must see the pain on my face because his eyes widen and he lets me go.

“Sorry,” he says and looks away from me.

I cradle my hand against my chest and look at him with a confused expression.

“It's nothing personal. It's just that this is a family treasure. Only Christa and I are allowed to touch it. And even with her I'm a bit. . . hesitant.”

It must be something important to him. But didn't his family kick him out? Maybe he still holds value for them but why value someone who kicked you out?

“I'm sorry,” I say, even though it's unnecessary.

“Are you going to catch a ride with Christa today?” he asks as he stands up and makes his way back into the house, I follow.

“No, not today.”

He looks back at me in question but I just shrug.

“Could I catch a ride with you?” I ask.

“Do what you want. I'm going to get dressed.”

“Okay!”

When we get back in we see Seth about to leave but I can't seem to find Christa. Is she going to school today? I want to ask but I don't want to confront her yet. I think I should tell Cameron that his sister may need help though.

“Christa went ahead. She said she'll just see us in school. I'm going to go too, are you going to ride with Cameron?”

I nod and Seth grins at me before waving and and stepping out of the front door. Just as the door shuts Cameron comes back down dressed and dry. . . How'd he do that?!

“Let's go. I don't want us to be late,” he says as he grabs my wrist, gently this time, and drags me out the door. I let him drag me to his car and he lets go of my hand once we get by his car. I quickly climb into the passengers seat and buckle up.

His driving is smooth unlike that crazed Julian's driving. I hope I never have to catch a ride with him again. . .

My first class is awkward to say the least. Christa doesn't say anything and just sits behind me. . . quietly. . . It's kind of scary. And when the bell rings she just gets up and leaves. Doesn't offer to walk me to class or anything. I feel like I've lost my best friend. . .

I want to say something to her, to get her to talk to me again but nothing comes up. I want to bury my head in my hands and not have to see anything again.

Maybe she's just giving me space?

Maybe she knows she freaked me out and is giving me my space because of it.

It's possible. . .

Lunch comes too quickly today. Probably because I know I'll see Christa today. I go out to the parking lot and sigh from relief when I see that she's not around. As cruel as that may be.

I start when I hear someone honking their horn and when I look over I see Sam and Julian. Julian's silver car is as shiny as ever and I kind of wonder what car it is. . . just so I can ask for one like that.

They're waving at me and I realize they want me to come over and chat with them. Taking the hint I start to make my way towards them but I stop at the curve to look for traffic. There usually isn't any around here but I don't want to take chances.

When I look back at Sam and Julian their expressions confuse me. They're no longer waving and instead they look angry, almost as if they're ready to attack or something.

When I realize that they're not looking at me but rather behind me my heart stops. I almost die when I feel someone grab me from behind. I turn around to see the silver haired man from before. My hearts thudding harshly against my chest, it hurts to bad that tears begin to gather in the rims of my eyes.

Fear takes me over completely as I stare at the man and feel completely helpless. I want to scream for help but when I go to open my mouth something cold and hard presses against my throat. I gasp out as I make the object out to be some sort of knife.

I look around to see if anyone notices and see a few eyes on me but no one willing to do anything but stand there and watch in silent awe.

“Tch, humans are so pathetic. . .” the man whispers harshly. I can practically feel the venom of his words as they reach my ears.

I'm scared.

I look back at Sam and Julian for some assistance but they're gone. What cowards!

“Lily?!”

My heart settles a bit at the sound of Cameron's voice calling me from a distance. When I look in the direction of the voice I see Cameron running towards us with a very, very pissed off expression. He looks like he's about to murder someone.

This face confuses me.

The man who's holding me chuckles darkly and lets go of my waist to raise his hand. His palms open and I find myself studying it with interest. Wondering what he's planning on doing and why.

He closes his hand, making a fist and all of a sudden everyone around us screams as the windows from the cars shatter. I scream as well, loudly, and I think I just felt him wince when I did.

I force my eyes back on Cameron only to see a bunch of glass cutting through his clothes and everyone around us running back into the school. My mouth drops open, becoming uncomfortably dry as my tears roll down my cheeks.

Suddenly feathers start to fall from the sky, but only where we're standing. They're white features, pure and silky. I wonder if a bird somehow got hit but the second one of those feathers touch me I feel myself lose consciousness.

Before I become completely overcome by darkness I hear myself shout out his name.

“CAMERON!!”

Now she knows. . . this chapter wasn't as long as the others and I'm sorry for that. Next one will probably be longer.

If you want to know what Lily, Christa and Seth's rooms look like—don't have Cameron's yet—or you want to see what their cars (I gave them NICE cars, ha ha) look like etc, visit my homepage. I got pics of the scenery as well as character profiles and chapter previews etc. (It's my own person made website) Make sure to leave comments when you visit XD.You can also see who would play the best Cameron in my opinion. Well, that's EXACTLY how I picture his hair, ha ha.