Kiss at Twilight

Chapter Ten - Banshee

My dad looks more confused than ever. “You mean like in folklore?” He asks with a small tilt of his head.

“Sort of. But what if I told you that it’s not folklore. That they actually exist.”

Now he looks concerned instead of confused. “Uh sweetheart, are you okay?”

“Dad listen okay, I know this is a lot to take in. But there are things in the world. Creatures and beings you don’t know exist. For good reason, we hide our existence for safety.”

My dad reaches out and covers my hand with his. “Honey, you’re really starting to worry me. Should we call your mom?”

“Okay. I guess there is only one way to prove this to you.”

I pull my hand from his and stand up. “Please don’t freak out. Please don’t freak out.” I mumble under my breath.

I step back and my dad just stares. Dumbfounded and ready to commit me at this point.

I will myself invisible. I look up at the same moment my dad jumps up from his chair sending it falling to the floor.

“Bianca what the f**k just happened?!” He yells, head moving fast searching the room for me.

I will myself visible again. I walk slowly towards my dad, hands out in a placating manner. “It’s okay dad. Just take some deep breaths. Everything’s okay.”

“How is this okay?! You just told me you’re a banshee and then turned invisible!!” His chest is heaving and I can see his hands shaking. “This…this is why your mother kept you away. This is..is why she wouldn’t let you come back. Why she kept you from me.” He’s shaking his head side to side now. I can see tears welling in his eyes. Bringing his hands to his face to cover it.

“What do you mean mom kept me from you? Dad please. I..I don’t understand. She never said anything.” I walk closer to him, pulling his hands from his face.

“When you were 12 your mother told me you wouldn’t be coming to visit anymore. That you were getting too old. You had friends you wanted to spend your summer with. That..that.” He chokes up. His eyes shining with so much heartache.

“What dad? What did she say?”

“She said that. That you didn’t want to come anymore. I had suspicions that what she said wasn’t true. But she wouldn’t let me talk to you!”

I feel my eyes burning with unshed tears. “I don’t understand why she would do this. I understand she wanted to keep me safe. But I needed you. I thought you didn’t want me anymore. Dad please understand, I always wanted to visit you. Those summers with you were my favorite part of the year.” I reach out to him.

My dad pulls me into a tight hug.

He pulls back again still looking slightly alarmed and upset. “Bi what does all this mean? Is there anything else? Or do you just turn invisible?” He turns and picks his chair back up. Dropping into it like a thousand pound weight is on his shoulders.”

I sit back down as well. Reach across to grab his hands. “There is a bit more. I have other gifts. I can introduce them slowly or I can rip the bandaid off. Whatever you need.”

“Just tell me everything. It’s time I know. It wasted enough years already.”

“Okay. So the invisibility you saw. I can also go incorporeal at will. Which means I can walk through walls or other objects.” His eyes eyes widen at that.

“I..I also have what’s called a sonic scream. I’ve never used it before but it’s extremely powerful. It’s the ability to unleash screams of a inhuman amplitude. Capable of shattering glass, cracking rock and causing blood vessels to burst.”

“Uh..uhm. Okay” my dad stutters out. “Is there more?”

“Yes.” I stretch the word out slowly. “I also have a Sonic Scream Wave; the ability to guide my scream like a bullet with my hands in defense. It will send people flying.”

“And last but not least. Probably the worse one I have to deal with. Is Death Precognition. I can foretell Death. This causes me to lose control a bit though. It’s almost silly. It makes me sing and weep. Like a sirens call. Most of the time I have to make contact with the person, but it can happen on its own as well.”

My dad looks shaken at the last one. “Are..are you okay with all this Bianca. This all has to be hard on you.”

“I’m okay dad. Moms trained me for years to deal with and help control these abilities the best I can. More could develop over time but this is all for now.” I give a soft shaky smile.

“Just promise to keep me in the loop from now on. You’re my daughter. I love you and I want to help protect you. Your mother never should have kept this from me.” His brow pulls down, pinching into a frown.

I give his hand a soft pat. “I agree dad, and I’ll be talking to her tomorrow about all this. Now, I’m sure we’re both exhausted and could use some rest.”

“You’re right. My brain feels ready to shut down.” My dad says with a slow blink.

“Alright daddy, I love you. I’m going up to bed. You can ask me anything else tomorrow. If you think of more questions.” I stand and give him a hug while he’s still sitting.

I walk upstairs and into my room. Just before I flick the light on a hand clamps down over my mouth.