The Damned

Fall Fest

Nix POV

‘October 27, 2028,

Today Fall Fest begins.  I wish I had someone to share it with other than my family.  That’s why tonight I’m going to work on my crest for Sketches III.  For this project, I’ve been drawing and redrawing my idea of what my family crest should look like.  It’s a shield like structure that is divided into four sections.  One section is a river running through a forest.  That section is for our last name’s origin.  Another section has black Celtic knots.  That section is also for our last name’s origin.  The other two sections I haven’t figured out yet.  However, I’m thinking of crisscrossing the designs so that there are two of each for our name.  Holding the shield as protectors will be wolves.  They will be russet colored.  Hopefully it turns out the way I want it to.  That’s all for now.’

I close my journal for Short Stories and go back to working on my crest.  I really do hope it turns out as well as I’m picturing it.

Lunch arrives, so, I go to my locker to grab my lunch bag.  Lunch for me today is a turkey sandwich, carrots, and celery.  I go to my usual tree, eat, and then work on my crest.  I glance around and watch as Darian turns his head toward me.  Why does he look at me every day?

Darian POV

Morning classes pass by quickly.  As I am eating my lunch, I decide to check on Nix.  When I look over at her, she is watching me.  Nix quickly looks away and I suspect she is blushing as she looks back to her books.  Lunch passes, so, I head to class.  Afternoon classes pass by quickly, too.  After school, I climb on my motorcycle and head home.

“So, you going to Fall Fest tonight?”  Mom asks.

“I was planning on it.”  I say.

“Good.”  Mom smiles.  I smile in return.  I go upstairs and start on some homework before Fall Fest starts.  Fall Fest is like a carnival.  There are rides, food, and games, plus, unlike a carnival, there are craft booths.  The craft booths not only sell, but teach you a craft that you can take home for a small fee.  I enjoy the craft booths.  I once made a tie-dye picture for my mom.  Last year I made a dreamcatcher.  I think this year I’ll make another dreamcatcher so that when I find my mate, I can give it to her.

I get ready to go and walk to Fall Fest.

Nix POV

Tonight Fall Fest starts.  I don’t plan to go tonight, but tomorrow I will spend much of the day there.  I really do enjoy Fall Fest.  I get home and start on my homework.  After dinner, I finish my homework for the weekend so that I can enjoy Fall Fest without the pressure of homework waiting for me.  Once homework is finished, I get water running for a bath.  I add lavender bubble bath and slip into the warm water.  After a while, I get out, dry off, and crawl into bed once in my pajamas.  I soon drift off into a peaceful sleep.

Nix POV

Waking up this morning, I feel rejuvenated.  I get dressed and my family and I head for Fall Fest.  We spend all day there.  By the time we are done, we have so many crafts that each of us did.  When we get home, I start to fix dinner for the family.  While working, I start to feel strange.  Uh-oh.  I know this feeling.  I drop the dish in my hands.  I immediately start to clean it up.  Suddenly, there’s so much blood around me.  I start getting dizzy before everything goes black.

When I come to, I’m in a hospital bed.  There are bandages all the way to my elbows on both arms.  My episode must have been really bad for the amount of bandages on my arms.  I look around.

“Oh.  Thank goodness!”  I hear Mom say from the other side of me.  I look over and she has tears streaming down her face.

“Mom?”  I ask.

“I’ll get the doctor.”  Dad says from the end of my bed.  Dad leaves the room.

“Mom, what happened?”

“You had an episode.  Only this one was the worst it’s ever been.  You punctured the radial artery in both your wrists.  You lost a lot of blood, sweetie.  You have already had one blood transfusion.  Doctor Alec has been waiting for you to wake up before doing a second transfusion.”  Mom explains.

“Oh.”  There’s really not much else to say to that explanation.  Doctor Alec comes into the room with Dad.  “Doctor Alec.”  I smile.

“Good morning, Nix.”

“Morning?  How long have I been out?”  I ask.

“Just over twelve hours.”  Doctor Alec says.  “How are you feeling, Nix?”

“Weak.  My arms hurt.”  I reply.

“That’s to be expected.  I’ve ordered a second blood transfusion.  I’ll also have the nurse give you some morphine for the pain.  Your healing will take a bit longer than normal because of the punctures to the two arteries.  You will be able to eat at lunchtime.”  Doctor Alec says.

“Thank you, Doctor.”  I smile.  Doctor Alec nods then leaves the room.  Roughly five minutes later, Nurse Jeda comes in with a bag of blood, a vial, and a needle.  She hooks up the blood then gets the morphine ready.  She injects the morphine into my IV.

“Is there anything else you need?”  Nurse Jeda asks.

“Can I get some water?”

“As long as Doctor Alec says you can.”  She looks to my parents.  “Anything I can get for either of you?”

“Water, please.”  Mom answers.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Same for me if it’s not too much trouble.”  Dad says with a slight smile.

“No trouble, sir.”  Nurse Jeda responds with a smile.  She leaves the room.

“You two don’t need to stay.”  I say looking to my loving parents.  They look at each other.

“We’re going to stay until the second transfusion finishes.”  Mom says with Dad nodding.

“Okay.”  I say.  Nurse Jeda comes into the room carrying three glasses of water.

“You can only have this one glass until lunch.”  Nurse Jeda says handing me a cup.  I nod.  Nurse Jeda hands Mom and Dad the other two glasses.  She then leaves the room again.  The three of us stay quiet.  I have a hard time keeping my eyes open.

“Try and sleep, darling.”  Mom says.

“Okay.”  I say weakly and close my eyes.  I am woken by my machines going off.  Nurse Jeda comes in to check them.  I look and my parents have left.  Good!  I hate them seeing me in the hospital.

Darian POV

This morning Mom makes waffles.  As she is cooking, her phone rings.

“Good morning, Lycandrica.”  Mom answers.

“Luna.”  I hear Nix’s mom say.  Mom steps out of the room.

“What’s wrong?”  I hear her ask.  “She is?”  Mom says after a pause.  “Of course.  Thank you for letting me know each time this happens.”  Pause.  “Let me know when she is released.”  Another pause.  “Thank you.  Take care.”  Mom comes back into the kitchen.  “Sorry about that.”  Mom says as she resumes making breakfast.

“What was that about?”  I ask.

“Lycandrica, Mrs. Delaney, needed to inform me of something.”

“Okay.”  I say knowing that she won’t tell me that something.  Maybe one day I’ll find out.  After breakfast, I go upstairs to my study and finish my homework.

Tonight I decide to take a shower after a brief workout.  I get into my pajama pants and crawl into bed.  As I drift off, I swear I hear Nix crying out in pain.

Darian POV

Today is Monday, but I don’t see Nix under her usual tree at lunch.  I wonder why she isn’t here.  Could the painful cry from last night have anything to do with it?  I look to Lucian who seems to be just as concerned.

‘I hope it’s nothing too serious.’  Xavier says.

‘I hope so too.’  I reply.

‘Where do you suppose she is?’  Lucian now asks through mind link.

‘Not sure.  I kind of want to ask Nina.’  I reply to Lucian who looks at Nina.

‘Lucian.  Darian.  Can you both hear me?’  Nina’s voice comes through.

‘Loud and clear.’  Lucian says.

‘Where’s Nix?’  I ask.

‘Nix is recovering.’  Nina replies.

‘Recovering from what?’  Lucian asks.

‘She had an episode Saturday night.’

‘What do you mean an episode?’  I ask now.

‘Nix has moments where she loses herself.  She will break something, usually glass, and then, not caring about injuries, tries to clean the glass up with her bare hands.’  Nina explains.  ‘She’s usually only in the hospital a night.  However, this time around, she punctured two arteries.  They are doing a third blood transfusion today.’  Nina finishes.

‘Well, I hope she’ll be okay!’  Lucian exclaims.

‘So do I!’  I exclaim.

‘Thank you.  Please, don’t make it known that you know.’  Nina says.

‘My lips are sealed.’  I say.

‘Mine too.’  Lucian agrees.  Nina smiles to each of us.  Lunch ends and classes go by.  After school, I go home expecting to see my mother, but her car isn’t in the garage.  I wonder where she could be.

Nix POV

I’m once again woken up by my machines going off.  This time, Doctor Alec himself comes in to check them.  I look around the room and see Luna Aslanta is here.

“Hello, Nix.”  She smiles slightly.  Doctor Alec leaves.

“Hi, Luna.”  I smile.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’ve been better.”  I joke.

“I can imagine.”  She chuckles.

“You didn’t have to come.”

“Don’t I usually?  I know these episodes take a toll on you and I’m your Luna.  It’s my duty to make sure all shifters are well.”  She says.

“I suppose you’re right.  Thank you, Luna, for checking in on me.”  I smile.

“Nix, because of these episodes, I have gotten to know you.  You are like the daughter I wish I could’ve had.”  Luna smiles.

“You are like a second mom to me.”  I smile wider and so does Luna.  “Did the third transfusion work?”

“As far as Doctor Alec can tell.”  Luna says.

“Glad to hear it.”

“I had your teachers put a packet together of what you missed today and will miss tomorrow.”

“Thanks.”

“Unfortunately, I have some business to take care of at home.”

“Of course, Luna.  Thank you again.”

“Anytime, sweetheart.”  Luna Aslanta leaves then and I rest some more.  When I wake up again, it’s nighttime.  I decide to look through the packet Luna left for me.  I don’t have any of my school books or notebooks with me, but I look through it anyway.  Doctor Alec comes to check on me before Nurse Jeda brings in my dinner.  Dinner tonight is country fried steak, cream gravy, mashed potatoes, and corn.  I eat most of it then Nurse Jeda gives me my nighttime morphine shot.  Soon I’m falling asleep again.

Nix POV

This morning when I wake up, I feel so much better.  My arms don’t hurt and I don’t feel as weak.  I get released today.  I can’t wait to be out of this hospital bed.  Lunchtime arrives and I’m home.  I am so thankful to be home.  I go upstairs to my room and grab my books to catch up on school work.  I write a journal for yesterday then look to see what this week’s topic is.  This week we are to do a mini biography of our favorite band.

‘October 31, 2028,

My favorite band is Panic! at the Disco.  The band is the solo project of Brendon Urie.  It was originally a pop rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.  It was formed in 2004 by childhood friends, Brendon Urie, Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, and Brent Wilson.  They recorded their first demos while they were in high school.  Shortly after, the band recorded and released their debut studio album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.  Pretty Odd marked a significant departure from the sound of the band’s debut.  Ross and Walker, who favored the band’s new direction, departed because Urie and Smith wanted to make further changes to the band’s sytle.  Ross and Walker subsequently formed a new band leaving Urie and Smith as the sole remaining members.  Continuing as a duo, Urie and Smith released a new single for the movie Jennifer’s Body.  The two recruited bassist Dalton Weekes and guitarist Ian Crawford as touring musicians for live performances.  Weekes was later inducted into the band’s lineup as a full-time member in 2010.  Crawford departed once the tour cycle for Vices & Virtues ended in 2012.  As a three-piece, Urie, Smith, and Weekes recorded and released the band’s fourth studio album in 2013.  Prior to the release of the album, Smith unofficially left the band due to health and drug-related issues, leaving Urie and Weekes as the remaining members.  In 2015, Smith officially left the band after not performing live with the band since his departure in 2013.  Shortly thereafter, Weekes reverted to being a touring member once again, resulting in Panic! at the Disco transitioning to a solo project presented by Urie.  In December 2017, Weekes officially announced his departure from the band.’

I finish the journal for this week’s topic and decide to rest.  I crawl into bed and fall fast asleep.

Nix POV

‘November 8, 2028,

Dermot Mulroney was born October 31, 1963, in Alexandria, Virginia, USA.  His father Michael Mulroney was a law professor at Villanova University School of Law beginning in the 1990s, prior to which he had a private practice in tax law for thirty years in Washington, D.C.  Dermot’s mother, Ellen, was a regional theater actress.  Dermot is the middle child among five siblings.  He has two older brothers, Conor and Sean; a younger brother, Kieran, who is an actor and screenwriter; and a younger sister, Moira.  Dermot attended Matthew Maury Elementary School and played cello in school and city youth orchestras, as well as acted in children’s community theater.  Beginning at age 18, Dermot studied communications at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, USA, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and graduated in 1985.  Dermot married actress Catherine Keener in 1990 after they met in 1986 when filming Survival Quest.  They have a son named Clyde Keener Mulroney, born 21, 1999.  The couple separated in May 2005 and Dermot filed for divorce on June 11, 2007, citing irreconcilable differences.  Their divorce became final on December 19, 2007.  He later married Italian Tharita Catulle in 2008.  They have two daughters; Mabel, born in 2008, and Sally June, born in 2009.’

I finish writing this week’s topic for Short Stories then work on my family crest.  The crest is coming along quite nicely.  Just a few more days and it will be finished.

After dinner, I go back upstairs, draw a bath, and grab my book for English Lit.  I slip into the warm water and read two chapters before getting out and get ready for bed.

Nix POV

‘November 16, 2028,

Kathrin Romary Beckinsale, best known as Kate Beckinsale, was born July 26, 1973, in Chiswick, Borough of Hounslow, London, England.  She is the only child of actors Richard Beckinsale and Judy Loe.  She has an older paternal half-sister, actress, Samantha Beckinsale, but they are not in regular contact.  Her father was partly of Burmese descent.  When Kate was five years old, her 31-year-old father died suddenly of a heart attack.  Kate was deeply traumatized by the loss.  Her widowed mother moved in with director Roy Battersby when Kate was nine and she was brought up alongside his four sons and daughter.  She has a close relationship with her step-father.  Kate was educated at Godolphin and Latymer School, an independent school for girls in Hammersmith, West London and was involved with the Orange Tree Youth Theatre.  Kate was twice a winner of the WH Smith Young Writers Award for both fiction and poetry.  Kate had a nervous breakdown and developed anorexia at the age of 15 and underwent Freudian psychoanalysis for four years.  Kate read French and Russian literature at New College, Oxford.  As a Modern Languages student, Kate was required to spend her third year abroad, and studied in Paris.  She then decided to quit university to concentrate on her burgeoning acting career.’

Classes come and go today.  After school, I go home and work on my homework until dinner.  After dinner, I read the chapters assigned for English Lit.  I wind up falling asleep with the book on my chest.

Nix POV

‘November 21, 2028,

In eight days, Lucian, my new friend, turns eighteen.  I really hope his mate is in school with us so that he can find her right away.  I’m actually hoping it’s my sister.  But we’ll see.  She has mentioned Lucian a few times.  She seems to like him.  So, hopefully, Nina is Lucian’s mate.  But time will tell.

Yesterday, I turned in my third art projects and third story.  Today I get the grades for them.  I’m writing this while waiting for my turn in Mrs. Muir’s office to get my grade for the clay project.  The project for clay that I turned in yesterday was the mythological character.  I did a statue of Medusa.  I think it turned out pretty well.  For Paint I, I did a bowling scene.  And for Sketches III, I did a really cool crest.  I wrote about it in an earlier journal.  Well, I’m being called soon, so, that’s all for today.’

“Nix.”  Mrs. Muir says just as I close my journal for Short Stories.  I go into her office and she rewards my hard work on Medusa with an A.  After she gives everyone their grades and any critique, she announces our final project.  Our final project for this class is movie props.  Classes pass.  I got an A on all my other projects that were turned in yesterday.  I can’t wait to start working on the final projects for each of my four classes.  Short Stories’ final project is a seven page short story, Paint’s final project is to tell a story, and Sketches’ final project is favorite movie character(s).  For Short Stories, I am thinking of using what I’ve learned in Greek Mythology to create a story.  My paint project will be scenes from the four seasons.  As for my sketch project, I’m doing Jack Skellington with Sally and Zero near him.