The Divinity Saga: Part I

Snowed In PT2

I felt the girls eyes on me as I walked over to her. 

“Star.” I tapped her on her shoulder. 

“What?” She turned away from her fans to face me.

I heard Chrissy and Ava walk up behind me. 

 “Look, I don’t know what your problem is and why you think that you can treat people the way you do, but you’re no better than the rest of us here. We all have money, and fancy cars. What makes you so different? Nothing. I know what you did to me, You egotistical b***h. I never did anything to you, besides try to get along with you. Why do you hate me so much? Is it because I took Atia away from you? Because you’ve been telling people you were her girlfriend? News flash, you’re not. I am. This is your warning, stay the hell away from me and Atia. You no longer exist to me and I will get you back for what you did to me.” I walked out of the doors into the hallway not even giving her a chance to respond. 

People screaming and cheering for me filled the halls as I stood outside of the cafeteria doors pacing anxiously. 

“I don’t know what you did to my best friend, but I have never seen her this pissed before.” Chrissy yelled so loud her voice rumbled down the halls. “But, whatever you did, I’ll find out, and then you’ll have to answer to me and trust me. I’m not as nice as I seem, I will beat your ass.” She threatened her and chased after me. The crowd went wild again.

Little did Chrissy know that Star could rip her throat out and leave her dead on the floor before Chrissy could even lift her hand to touch her.  

“Your secret is out now, you’re dead to me.” Atia added.

“b***h” I heard Ava mumble as they walked out to find me. 

Chrissy said nothing and wrapped her arms around me. She knew the silent support was better than the millions of questions and over the top advice she normally gave me. 

 “Are you okay?” Atia asked. 

Chrissy started to talk before I could answer.

“Hey Ava, want to go to the bathroom with me? I have to pee!” Chrissy said as she did the pee dance. She pulled Ava away and they ran to the bathrooms. I’m sure she probably didn’t have to pee, she just wanted to give us our space. 

I didn’t want her to, but since I already went off on Star why not confront Atia too. 

“What was that about?” She asked confused. 

“That was about me confronting that b***h for what she did to me. Did you know about this?” I accused her. 

“Well, I thought it was a possibility, I didn’t want to falsely accuse her. I was going to confront her today but you beat me to it.” She explained.

“You knew it was a possibility, yet you said nothing? I was sitting here going crazy trying to put the pieces together, little did I know you were holding a big piece of the puzzle in your hands. That’s why you were so distant from her these past couple of days” I cried. “You could have at least told me it crossed your mind, so I didn’t drive myself crazy trying to get the idea out of mine. I told myself she was just your best friend and she wasn’t capable to do something like this. But, I was obviously wrong.”

I couldn’t believe that one party, one night – could alter my whole life like this. I wish I would have declined Ava’s invitation in the hallway that day, and stayed home with my Nana instead of leaving her on her birthday. 

I knew I was probably overreacting, but my emotions we’re everywhere. I was starving and I was going through a lot right now. Today I found out who had my life taken away. I couldn’t focus on anything else besides my anger inside and my emotions towards Atia, it was like when I felt an emotion it was heightened. If I was mad, I would feel beyond pissed, and if I was sad, I would automatically feel depressed. I needed to feed so everything could go back to normal, as normal as they could possibly get. My new normal. 

“I said nothing because I was trying to protect you. You don’t know what Star is capable of. She’s heartless and she won’t think twice about destroying you or the ones you love, So why would I tell you something I was unsure of, and have you act on it?”

“Well if you knew of her capabilities then why would you be her best friend? And why didn’t you come find me?” I shouted.

“She was my best friend like my sister, before we were changed, she was like you, like me. She just wanted to be loved. This changes you, and you know that. She wasn’t the same, she was lost and confused and I was fighting for my best friend back. I was treating her like she was normal, because I thought it would make her be. I knew she was mean, but not like this – not evil.”

“Why did you let me like you if you knew how Star felt about you?  She didn’t do this because she hated me. She did this because she loves you!” I cried.

“Rayleigh stop!” She yelled.  “You can’t change what happened and neither can I. She does not matter I don’t know what I can do to make you believe me. I’m so sorry that this happened to you. I wish I could take the pain from you, but I know I can’t. So let’s become strong together.”

I began to hear ringing in my ears as my muscles tightened throughout my body.

“I’m so sorry.” Atia hugged me.

“I can’t breathe. What’s happening?” I asked as I gasped for air.

Atia reached in her bag and grabbed the last bottle of blood and gave it to me. I pressed the bottle to my lips and drank it dry. I sighed in relief feeling a little better. 

“Can we just feed on someone? Anyone? I can’t keep doing this much longer.” I begged.

Before she could answer Ava came walking down the hallway.

“Are you okay?” Ava asked me.

“Yeah I’m fine.” I lied.

I didn’t want to get her involved in any of this, her or Chrissy.

“Where’s Chrissy?” I asked concerned. 

“She’s throwing up in the bathroom. I guess she got really upset about your confrontation with Star or something. She wanted to be alone.” She explained. 

“Lets go get her.” I walked down the hallway to the girls bathroom. The girls followed.

I pushed open the doors and heard Chrissy dry heaving in her favorite stall. 

“Its us Christina.” I tapped on the door.

I heard her feet shuffle over to unlock the door for us. We all walked in and Ava locked the door behind us. Chrissy looked like crap, her hair was all over the place, and her breath reeked of vomit.

“Are you okay?” I asked her as she ran back toilet to continue throwing up. 

“No” She whined. 

I walked over and held her hair back as Atia rubbed her back. 

“I’m going to go to the vending machine and get you a 7up. I’ll be back.” Ava promised as she walked out and closed the door behind herself. 

“I have something to tell you guys.” Chrissy cried as she flushed the toilet and walked out of the stall and over to the sink. 

Atia searched through her bag and pulled out a piece of gum and gave it to Chrissy. 

“What?” I asked her confused. Right when Chrissy was about to say something the power went out. 

A few seconds later, An announcement was blaring over the intercom. 

“Don’t worry students, the power will be back on shortly. We have a temporary generator set  up in the office in the meantime so we can keep you updated on the storm and any other news. Please stay calm and stay safe. That will be all.” 

“Let’s get out of here.” Chrissy whined. 

We walked down the dark halls hoping we would see Ava at the vending machines but she was nowhere to be found. We continued walking past the front entrance. You could barely see out of the windows, they were foggy and  covered with snow. You could see a group of silhouettes standing in the parking lot. I peered out and saw Star talking to a group of people. I looked to see if I recognized any of them. How did they get outside without getting caught?

I got the coldest chill down my spine and went to catch up with Atia and Chrissy before they even knew I was missing. 

“Wait for me guys!” Ava came running down the hall with a 7up in her hand. 

We walked down the halls of  empty rooms. I knew it was only moments before everyone came and claimed the best ones. I quickly led them into the theatre and closed the door. The stage had four beautifully crafted couches that were set up for an upcoming play. 

“It's so dark in here!” Chrissy complained “I’m afraid of the dark.”

"Seriously?" Atia chuckled.

“Don’t laugh, so am I.” Ava added. 

“I'll literally have a nightlight for the rest of my life.” Chrissy joked. “Why are you so quiet Rayleigh? Last time I checked you slept with your light on.” She teased. 

If vampires could blush, I would be red as a tomato. Why would she admit that in front of Atia? What truly made me so bold? Maybe it was the fact that I had nothing left to be scared of. There was no monsters under my bed, or things that went bump in the night. I was the monster people ran from, the story that kids were afraid to hear about on Halloween. I hated who I was, but Atia was right. I couldn’t change it. 

Chrissy was starting to catch on to my inconsistencies but it was hard keeping up a front when you are a  completely different person now. She hasn’t fully called me out on everything but I know she’s either getting worried or suspicious, but knowing Chrissy, it was both.

A loud noise struck the school  and we all jumped. I grabbed Atia’s hand in fright and Chrissy and Ava shrieked like girls from a horror movie. The noise was common in snow storms as bad as this one it was being in the dark that made it worse. 

“Everything is fine students, sit tight. It'll pass soon.” The lady on the intercom said calmly. 

I let go of Atia’s hand in relief.

"Well, what are we going to do until this is over?" Ava complained. 

"I've got nothing." I shrugged.

“Lets all confess something.” Atia suggested. 

“Okay” Ava agreed.

“I’m in.” Chrissy added.

“Sure.” I ignored the lump in my throat.

I’m sure their confessions we’re minor to the fact that I’m human killing, blood draining, vampire. I wanted to hear what they had to say, I wanted to get the focus off of my life, and listen to their smaller problems that I wish I had. 

“Okay, I’ll go first.” Atia’s voice cracked, “I did something really bad a few days ago.” 

I looked at her as she looked down at the ground. She meant we. I didn’t want her to take full blame when I was mostly responsible. I lured Elsa into my house, and attempted to kill her. Atia just came to help clean up my mess and got caught up in the rapture. 

 “Me next!” Ava broke the silence. “I really miss Clayton, we had s*x the other night and I haven't heard from him since.” She whined.

“Okay ew, Ava. Too much info for your big sister.” Atia said disgusted.

“But you’re my best friend too” Ava protested.

"True." Atia smiled.

“I guess I’ll go.” I sighed, “I’m not the same person that I was two weeks ago.”

“Did this have anything to do with Star?” Chrissy asked.

“Yes, it had everything to do with her.” I glanced at Atia. 

As a moment of silence passed, one by one we all locked our eyes on Chrissy. She was the only one who hadn't went when usually she'd offer us her secrets on a silver platter. 

“Great, it’s my turn huh?” Chrissy groaned. “Okay, well. Keep in mind that I love you all, and I know that you will be here for me forever at least I hope you will be. Please don’t kill me.” 

“Spit it out Christina.” I demanded.

Chrissy took a deep breath in and whispered, “I think I’m pregnant.”

We all sat there in silence for a few minutes. I think most of us were trying to figure if we should ask or switch topics. Chrissy's love life was always slippery and once you were involved, you find yourself staying involved.

“Someone say something, please.” Chrissy begged. 

“Um.” Ava said confused.

“You’re what?” I asked.

“She said she was pregnant!” Atia repeated loudly.

“Yeah, and the guy has been a total creep ever since I told him it was a possibility that I was. I swear he stalks my house, and I didn’t even tell him where I live.”

“So it’s not Aaron’s baby?” I asked confused.

I knew I had to be the one to ask even though we were all thinking it. 

“No." She sighed, "It was a one-time thing, the break up before the break up y'know? Aaron and I weren’t getting along, that was the first time he told me he didn't know if he wanted to be with me anymore and went out drinking with his friends. So all sad and vulnerable, Star talked me into going to this party with her to get back at him. She said she had a perfect plan and introduced me to this group of people she said she was close to. They were weird, I don’t think they were from here. But there was this one guy in the group that stood out to me. I don’t know how to explain it. I just liked the way he made me feel. He was a bad boy with a big heart, you know I'm a sucker for those and he made me smile in a way that Aaron couldn't. He gave me the attention that I needed for so long, and I gave him what he wanted. Here we are a few weeks later and I just can't stop puking."

“Well damn.” Atia said in shock. 

I was speechless, and apparently so was Ava. Which was a first for her. 

“So, now what?” I asked breaking my silence. 

I knew now wasn’t the time for me to voice my full opinion nor  to stay quiet. I know she needed me in more ways than one and I needed to be there for her, the way she couldn’t be there for me. Not because she didn’t want to but because I wouldn’t let her. 

“I don’t know. I’m not exactly ready to be a Mom. I’m still in high school. What is my mom going to think of me?" She sniffled. 

"She's the least of your worries right now." I reminded her.

"Actually, she will be back from Philly soon and what am I supposed to say? Sorry mom while you were out making money to pay the bills I went out and got myself pregnant by some mysterious stalker that I already caught feelings for?"  She asked sarcastically.

"No, Tell her that you messed up and got pregnant. Things like this happen everyday. You're only human Chrissy." I huffed.

"Or you can explore your other options." Atia suggested.

"I don’t believe in that.” She explained. 

"I think she meant adoption." Ava chimed in.

“Hell no. I say if anything, you leave Nana the baby. She's probably the best chance for them anyway and I refuse to have my niece or nephew put in the system to face foster homes that will treat them like shit.” I argued. 

"True but then how will my mom feel about that? I let my childhood friends grandmother take my baby and raise it right around the corner from me?" She argued back. 

"I'm just trying to help." I sighed.

“Look, I don’t know if you remember what it’s like to have a Mom but they don’t just get over things like this so easily.” She hissed.

Atia reached for my hand to comfort me but it was too late.

What did she mean? Of course I remembered what having a Mom felt like. I pulled away from Atia and stormed out of the classroom.

“Sorry Rayleigh, I’m so sorry. It's my hormones I swear." She yelled out the door. "They’re all over the place. One minute I'm a complete cry baby, and the next a raging b***h. It wasn’t supposed to come out like that, of course you remember what it was like to have a Mom, I don't.” She cried.

Her apology was a minute too late I was already broken down into tears in the girls bathroom. I couldn't believe Chrissy out of all people would talk to me like that. Pregnancy hormones or not. 

I heard a strong heartbeat pounding my ears, I was not in the bathroom alone. 

“Hello, is anyone in here?” A small voice asked.

I said nothing, I stood in the darkness trying to control my wave of emotions.  

“Seriously, If you’re in here with me. Just let me know, I’m scared enough.” She begged.

“Yeah, I’m here.” I cleared my throat. 

“Oh, thank god. I thought I was hallucinating.” She chuckled.

“No, what’s your name?” I asked her. 

“Kate Mason” She said proudly. “What’s yours?”

“Doesn’t matter.” I sniffled.

“Well, How are you doing today?” She asked trying to make conversation. 

“Fine.” I answered her.

“That’s good.” She said as she flushed the toilet. 

She unlocked her stall and began to walk out but before she could take a step forward, I pushed her back in the stall and, quickly covered her mouth.

“No.” She cried, “Please.”

“What do you mean?” I asked her pretending to be clueless. 

I released my grip on her mouth to hear her response. 

“I’m only a sophomore okay? I have a lot going for myself and I won't tell anyone. I promise. Just let me go." She tried to assure me.

“What are you going to do to me?” She asked scared.

“You’ll find out.” I smiled. 

She tried to reply but I tightened my grip back over her mouth. Tears began to fall from her eyes, and wet my hand. 

There we stood. Me and Sophomore Kate Mason. Locked in a stall together. She was scared, and I was starving. Sad thing is she had no idea what was in store for her.

I heard an almost silent noise come from outside the stall, I knew it was Atia. 

I knew she was starving too, So why wouldn’t I share? I unlocked the stall door with one  hand, keeping the other over Kate’s mouth. 

“Do you really want to do this Rayleigh?” Atia asked standing in the doorway. 

I thought she was going to be excited but she sounded more disappointed. 

“Well, I don’t really have much of a choice now.” I rolled my eyes. “You just said my name. She knows who I am.”

“Do what? What are you going to do?” I heard Kate mumbled between my fingers.

I looked at Kate, and back at Atia. I took a deep breath and pressed my lips against my victims’ neck. I could feel her warm blood on my cool lips. I watched the veins in her neck pump blood. My throat began to burn even worse. I released my fangs, and sunk them in slowly into her soft sweet skin. I heard the layers of skin pop until I reached her flesh, one taste and I spiraled out of control. The key to not making a mess was to drink fast. I felt the color returning to my face, and my strength being restored. I felt amazing again, me again. The me that I now knew. 

Remembering Atia was there, I stopped. I grabbed Kate by her hair and slang her in Atia’s arms. I licked my fangs, and waited to see Atia finish her off.

Atia licked around Kate’s wound and sunk her fangs into the same spot I did. As she began to feed, I heard her pulse returning to normal. I knew she was just as hungry as I was.

The lights flickered back on and showcased Kate's lifeless body on the ground. 

“Students, as you can see the power has been returned to Portland Oaks High. The storm has cleared enough for you to go home. However, you are not to drive in these conditions. If you parents are not available to pick you up, You will need to have your parent clear someone over 21+ to sign you out. Thank you students, Be safe." Mrs. Higgins said sincerely. "Oh, and one more thing. Seeing how winter break was coming up on Monday, Mr. Lawson decided  that because of what transpired today, you really need to be home with your families.  So break starts for you all when you leave campus. Be advised that the storm may pick back up shortly. Happy holidays." She said with a smile. 

“We have to come back for her body.” I told Atia. “We will come back tomorrow. Let’s lock her in a stall until then.”

"No, I'll come back for her tonight. You're in enough trouble as it is living that close to Elsa. Besides, It'll be easier for me to come back on my own." She convinced me.

We sat Kate on the toilet, and slid the lock closed from the inside and climbed our way out. 

"Now what? Whats the chances of someone finding her before you can make it back?" I asked worried.

Atia grabbed the thick wooden stick that was used to keep the window open. 

"Get down and cover your face with your jacket. Mainly your eyes." She ordered. 

"Why?" I asked confused.

"Insurance." She smiled. "Now do it. Hurry before someone comes."

I quickly pulled my jacket off and shielded myself in the corner. I quietly peeked from under the jacket to see what she was doing.

She closed her eyes and jammed the stick into the lights. Glass rained down on her as the lights went back out. 

"Lets go." She reached for my hand. 

The hallways we’re bright and our conscious’ were guilty. We walked down the halls and headed back to theatre to get Chrissy and Ava.

“Hurry up babe.” A tall boy with dirty blonde hair said as he leaned against the wall. I didn't recognize him but he smelled so familiar. I studied his side profile. Was that the mystery boy?

“Where do you think you’re going?” I asked as Chrissy walked out of the classroom. 

“I’m going to go home Zach. I know you are mad at me so I’ll just see you tomorrow or something.” She grabbed his hand. 

“You’re not going anywhere.” I pulled her back. “Nana expects you to be home, and besides is he even over 21 to check you out? You’re coming home with me. Dave’s going to get all four of us and take us home.”  I was talking to Chrissy but I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. 

“Fine.” She sighed and walked over to him. “I have to go home with Rayleigh, I’ll call you later.”

“Be careful with you know what. I’m serious.” He warned her.

“I know, I know.” She brushed him off. 

“Yeah, you better know.” He clenched his jaw.

“Whatever, I’m still mad at you.” She rolled her eyes playfully. 

“Shut up and Give me a kiss.” He ordered.

Chrissy wrapped her arms around his neck and began to make out with him. 

“Bye Zach.” She waved happily as he walked away. 

“Zach?” I whispered to myself. 

 “Lets go” Atia grabbed my hand and we headed to the auditorium. I didn’t realize how far we were from there.

Right when we walked into the auditorium I saw Dave talking to Mr. Jones at the sign out table. Ava saw us and quickly ran over, saying her goodbye’s as she passed all of her friends.

“Are you girls ready to go?” Dave asked. 

“Yes.” Chrissy answered fast. Chrissy had the hots for Dave since he became Nana's driver when we were 12.

“Let's go then.” He wrote his signature by all of our names and guided us out the door. 

The snow was thick, and the air was crisp. Ava and Chrissy shivered all the way to the car, Atia and I pretended to. He drove the SUV today instead of the Limo, probably because of the mountains of piled snow still covering the streets.

He opened the door for us, and we all climbed in with the car running and the heater blasting. Ava and Chrissy sat there happily defrosting. 

“So, I saw your boyfriend. He’s cute.” Ava said nudging Chrissy.

“Thank you, but he’s not my boyfriend.” She smiled “Yet.” She nudged her back. 

They laughed and giggled about having boyfriends at the same time, and about all double dates they were going to go on. They went on and on about how their boyfriends would become as close as they were. 

I sat there pretending to listen. I couldn’t help but think about Zach, his face kept popping up in my head.