Chapter Nine - Well s**t.
852 Words
Getting up from the floor I take a few deep breaths to calm my erratic heartbeat. Just like mom taught me.
Close your eyes. Count to 10. Deep breaths.
I open my eyes and look down at my body. Thankfully I’m visible again!
Now to call mom back. I run upstairs and drop my stuff onto my bed. Grab my phone from my purse and dial mom. It rings twice before she answers.
“Hey baby, how was your first day?”
“It was great mom, I’ve already made some friends. Oh and remember Jacob? He drove me to school today. He’s actually taking me tomorrow too.”
“That’s great sweetheart! Now, let’s talk about that text. What’s going on?”
“Well, I’m sure it was just a fluke but I was sitting in class and the guy who sat next to me. Well..I got the chills and the usual feeling when..well when death is near.”
“Like, he was dead? Or death was coming?”
“It’s not like when I have a premonition. It was like he was already dead yes.”
“Oh dear. Oh darling that’s not good. I need you to listen very carefully. Stay away from him. Very far away from him.”
“But why mom? I don’t understand. He was really nice to me. He seemed harmless.”
“There are…things. Creatures I haven’t told you about yet. I..I didn’t think you would encounter things like them so soon. Not in such a small town.”
“What KIND of creatures mom? What haven’t you told me?!”
“Oh God, I should have been more careful. Maybe you should just come back home. Move to Thailand with Bobby and me. It’s safer that way.”
“No mom I’m not leaving. It would break dads heart. You didn’t see him. He was so excited. I’m not leaving.”
“Okay okay okay. Uh..Then we only have one option. You have to tell your dad about your gift. It will be a shock at first but he needs to know. If I can’t be there to protect you. He can.”
“Okay, I’ll…I’ll tell him tonight. But mom I need to know what creatures you’re talking about. How can I protect myself if I don’t know what to look for?”
“I don’t know the technical terms. It’s all based on tales passed down in our family. Just like our gift was passed down. These tales were too. They are called the cold ones.”
“The cold ones?” I suddenly remember how Edward’s hand had felt. Cold. Not quiet like ice but like he had stepped outside in winter.
“Yes. There are others though. Many other creatures. Some like us, and some. Some dangerous. The cold ones are dangerous. Please stay away from that boy Bianca.”
I don’t want to stay away from Edward. I know that isn’t what she wants to hear though. “Okay mom, I’ll stay away.”
Maybe. Probably not though. Now I’m even more intrigued by Edward than I already was.
“I’m sending a book to you. It’s been in our family for generations. It will teach you all the lore you need to know. To keep yourself safe. I can’t chance losing you sweetheart.”
Just then I hear the front door open. “Bianca?”
“Dads home mom, we’re supposed to have dinner together. I’ll call you tomorrow okay?”
“Okay darling, I love you. Please be safe.”
“I will mom, I love you too.” I hang up and realize too late. f**k, I forgot to ask about helping control my gifts better. I’ll have to ask tomorrow. Maybe there will even be something in the book she’s sending.
Just then dad knocks on my door.
“Yea dad?”
He cracks the door and looks in “Hey Bi, ready to have some dinner? I managed to get off a little early.” He says with a smile.
“Oh yea sure dad. I actually need to talk to you about something important.”
He face drops, looking completely crestfallen.
“Oh dad it’s okay. I’m not leaving or anything. Promise.”
He perks back up at that. I walk over and give him a pat on the arm. “Come on dad, let’s go downstairs.”
*
Dad got my favorite. Chinese food. We’ve just finished up and I’m putting away the dishes I just washed. “So, what did you want to talk about Bi?”
Taking a deep breath, I put the last dish in the drain and return to the table.
“Well dad. God I don’t even know how to start this.” I rub over my face with both hands.
“Just tell me Bi. Whatever it is, I’m here for you and I love you.” He smiles at me, looking so genuine.
Blowing out another slow breath I start.
“Okay. So have you ever heard of something called a Banshee?”
- Writer
