The Divinity Saga: Part I

The Knowing

“Rayleigh.” I heard Chrissy whisper my name. 

“What?” I groaned. 

“I’m hungry.” She whined. 

“Like how hungry? Can you wait til I wake up?” 

“I guess.” She sighed as she laid back down. 

“I’m coming.” I rolled my eyes and carefully slid out of the bed so I wouldn’t wake Atia.

“Yes.” She said happy. 

We walked downstairs and into the kitchen, Nana wasn’t down here yet. That wasn’t like her. She always greeted me in the morning. I didn’t hear her heartbeat she must have not been home. 

“Whats today?” I asked Chrissy walking over to the fridge. 

“Friday?” She yawned. 

Nana was at book club. 

“What do you want for breakfast?” I asked her looking in the fridge. 

“I want your famous French toast and bacon.” She said sitting on the counter. 

I sighed as I grabbed eggs and bacon and let the fridge slam. 

“Can you hand me the Cinnamon from the pantry?” I asked her. 

“Yeah sure. That’s the brown one right?” She asked opening the pantry door. 

“Seriously?” I asked walking past her into the pantry and grabbed the cinnamon and bread and walked out.” 

“Oh.” She smiled stupidly. “I feel like you ask me that a lot.” She complained.

“What?” I asked whisking the eggs.

“Seriously?” She mocked me. 

“That’s because I do. Like every five minutes Christina.” I chuckled dryly. 

“Oh,” She frowned. “Feed us.” She said smacking the counter. 

I hurried up and fixed the food. Not because Chrissy wanted me to but because I know Ava and Atia will be up soon. I put their plates in the oven and walked over to the table with Chrissy. 

I heard the girls heartbeats change, I knew they were awake.

“That was amazing.” Chrissy said l*****g her fingers.

“Thanks, I try.” I smiled. “You got dish duty.” I laughed.

“Come on Ray.” She whined as we walked into the kitchen.

I handed my plate to her and watched her wash our dishes.

“Good morning” Atia and Ava greeted us as they walked into the kitchen.

“Good morning.”Chrissy and I said in sync. 

Atia walked over and gave me a kiss on my cheek.

“You’re plates are in the oven. If you’re hungry.” I smiled. “You get to see what my cooking is like.” I flirted with Atia. 

“Great, I can’t wait to taste something of yours.” She flirted back. 

We walked back in the dining room so Ava and Atia could eat.

 “I’ll be back I’m going to take a quick shower.” I smiled. “Chrissy, hostess duty.” I said walking away. 

“Can I eat Nana’s plate?” She shouted. 

“No.” I shouted back. 

I decided to take a shower in my downstairs bathroom. I had everything I needed in there anyways. I walked in the bathroom and closed the door behind me. I turned the water on hot and walked over to my mirror to examine myself as always before a shower. I looked as good as I normally do I just wasn’t glowing as much and my senses we’re off.

I stripped and got in the shower. I washed my hair twice and washed my body repeatedly. I don’t know why but for some reason killing animals made me feel dirty. 

I turned the water off and stepped out the shower. I towel dried my hair instead of just wrapping it up. I put my robe on and walked out. 

“Chrissy?” I asked seeing if she was still downstairs. 

“In here.” She yelled from the dining room. 

I walked in forgetting I only had my robe on. 

“Hey.” I smiled. “Did you eat Nana’s food?” I asked her suspiciously.

“No.” She rolled her eyes. “I helped Atia finish hers.” 

“Wow.” I said to Chrissy “Was it good Atia?” I asked waiting for her judgment.

“No, it was amazing.” She smiled at me. 

“Thank you.” I smiled back. “I’ll be back I’m going to go get dressed.”

I ran upstairs and got dressed within seconds. I slipped on shorts and a sports b*a and headed downstairs. 

When I walked back in the dining room, Atia was getting up from the table and Ava was hugging Chrissy. 

“Don’t tell me you’re leaving me.” I frowned. 

“Yeah but I’ll see you later.” She smiled as hugged me. 

“Fine.” I whined my head resting on her chest. 

“I’ll miss you.” She whispered in my ear.

I hated the feeling I get when she leaves me. It’s the most alone I have ever felt. I could be in a crowd of people and still feel alone if she wasn’t with me. I don’t know how I got so attached to her so fast, but I did. 

I walked Atia and Ava over to the door and stood in front of it. 

“Are you sure you guys cant stay?” I asked poking out my bottom lip.

“We wish we could.” Ava said smiling.

“Just thought I’d try.” I said sadly as I unblocked their exit.

“I’ll call you later?” Atia said kissing me on my cheek. 

“Yeah.” I frowned. “Bye Ava.” I said reaching for a hug. 

“Bye Sis-in-law. I’ll see you tomorrow? Come raid my closet I have some clothes that will look great on your figure.” Ava said excitedly. 

“See you then.” I smiled

 I opened the door for them and they walked out. I stood in my doorway and watched them pull off in their car. 

Chrissy said nothing, I followed her scent and she was in the kitchen. 

“Really?” I asked her as she stuffed her mouth with a piece of Nana’s French toast and bacon. 

“I’m hungry.” She said chewing her food. 

“Fine you can have it.” I said rolling my eyes and walking away. 

I walked upstairs and into my room. I opened my blinds and laid on my bed. I looked over at the spot Atia was in last night, wishing she was here right now. I rolled over onto the pillow she was laying on and smelled it. It smelled just like her.

“So you miss Atia?” Chrissy asked smiling as she walked in my room. 

“Yes.” I confessed. 

“Its okay, I miss her too but mostly Ava.” She said walking over to my bed. 

“Are you like, secretly gay or something?” I joked.

“No, not at all.” She said smirking.

“Are you sure? Because you were all on Ava’s a*s last night” I laughed. 

“What can I say? I like her ass.” She laughed back.

“Gay.” I teased her. 

“Whatever.” She said laying at the foot of my bed. 

“Chrissy can we have a serious talk?” I asked 

“Great what did I do now?” She groaned.

“Nothing, well you did do something but thats not all we have to talk about.” I promised. 

“Tell me what I did first and then the other stuff.” 

“But first, promise you’ll listen to everything I have to say before you act.” I said.

“Yes I promise.” She said sitting up. 

“Okay.” I said suddenly feeling a lump in my throat. 

I sat there thinking of how to explain to her what I was feeling. I had to approach the situation a certain way. She’s already overly dramatic and now that she’s pregnant it’s going to be even harder to tell her how I feel.

“Spit it out Rayleigh.” She said nervously. 

“Okay.” I said again “About the snow day –” I started. “What you said about my mom. You made it seem like I didn’t remember how it felt to have my mom and you said it in front of people. You really hurt me in the worst way ever. You never made me cry before, and that day you did. I miss my mom every single day, every day is a constant reminder that she is no longer here with me anymore. It’s not like she’s away for work and I choose not to answer her calls. It’s not like she’s going to walk through that door one day. She’s gone forever. So yes I do remember what it feels like to have a mom. I just don’t have one on earth with me anymore. So how dare you bring that up?” I cried.

“Rayleigh.” She said, tears already streaming down her face. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I said that. I’m such a horrible friend I know you remember, we both do. The hell and depression you went through when she died? I remember the exact day we found out. You were completely broken. Believe it or not she was like a Mom to me too. So how could I do that to you? You are right and I am beyond wrong. Please forgive me.” She wrapped her arms around me. 

“I forgive you I just still can’t believe you.” I said letting her hold me. 

“Hurting you was never my intentions Ray.” She cried uncontrollably. 

“Stop crying, you’re going to hurt my nephew.” I warned.

“Nephew?” She said looking up at me. 

“Yeah, it’s going to be a boy.” I smiled at her and wiped her tears away. 

“Okay so what’s the other stuff?” She asked smiling. 

“I’m not asking you to believe me I just need you to have an open mind.” I looked at her.

“I always have a open mind.” She said proudly. 

“Yeah, because there’s no thoughts in there.” I joked. 

“Seriously?” She asked annoyed. 

“See how it feels?” I laughed. 

“Just tell me.” She said impatiently. 

“Okay well, you know how you noticed that I am prettier and more comfortable with myself? And how I don’t really have an appetite?” I explained. 

“Oh my god, you’re pregnant too!” She bounced up and down. 

“No.” I said grabbing her “I’m not pregnant.”

“Then what?” She said confused. 

“Let me finish and you’ll find out.” I said calmly. 

“Okay.” She said trying to read my expression. 

“Like I was saying.” I swallowed hard, “You know how I dress like its not snowing? And whenever a person passes me I get extremely quiet? And how I sometimes just disappear and come back faster than you can blink?” I asked her nervously. 

“Yes?” She said confused.

“Well, That’s because I am not like you.” I said looking down.

“What are you talking about? Of course you are.” She grabbed my face. 

“No I’m not. Not anymore.” I said tears filling my eyes. 

“What do you mean?” She said confused. 

“Remember the night of Star’s party?” I asked looking at her with tears in my eyes.

“Yeah?” 

“I died that night.” I cried.

“What do you mean you died?” She asked standing to her feet.

“I got killed.” I whispered.

“Rayleigh, this isn’t funny.” She yelled. 

“I’m not joking, I’m serious.” I cried. “Please believe me.” 

“I don’t.” She grabbing her things. 

“You didn’t even let me finish like you promised.” I said walking over to her. 

“There’s nothing left to be said. I’m leaving. I’d rather be home alone than sitting here with someone who would blatantly lie about something so serious as dying after you just gave me s**t about bringing up your dead mom.” She said heading for the door. 

“Don’t go please.” I cried. “There’s more. Just let me explain and then you can storm out.”

“Nope, I’m out of here leave me alone.” She said walking out and slamming my door.

“Christina” I cried after her. 

I heard the front door slam and I walked over to my window to see where she was going. 

“Christina?” Nana said pulling up in her limo. 

Chrissy ignored her and continued walking down the street. I assumed she was going to walk home. I wanted to follow her, but I know she needed her space. 

I plopped down on my bed, my phone vibrated on my dresser I ignored it and began to cry.

“Annaise.” Nana called up the stairway. 

“Yes?” I said wiping tears away. 

“Get down here.” She said sternly. 

“Coming.” I said grabbing my phone and walking out my room.

“What happened with Christina?” She asked as I walked down the stairs.

“She just got upset over her boyfriend.” I lied.

“Do not lie to me Rayleigh.” She said tapping her foot. 

“Okay. We got into an argument.” I confessed.

“About?” She asked crossing her arms. 

“What? Are you going to take her side now?” I yelled sitting on the last stair. 

“What happened?” She asked

“She got mad because she brought up Mom negatively and I told her off.” I cried. 

“Aw Rayleigh.” She said walking over and sitting with me. “I will never take anyone’s side over yours.”

“I don’t know Nana I just couldn’t take it.” I said looking at her. 

“I know mija.” She said holding me in her arms. 

“I didn’t mean to snap at her but she made me.” I said sniffling. 

“But Christina is your best friend Rayleigh, you need to fix it.” She said kissing my forehead.

“I know.” I cried. “I will.”

“Do you want leftovers?” She asked changing the painful subject. 

“No thank you. I’m not hungry.” 

“Okay, well I’m going to eat. I’m starved.” She patted her tummy. 

“How was book club?” I said smiling. 

“Sad actually, we had a mourned Elsa’s death today.” She said walking away into the kitchen.

“Poor girl.” I said pretending to be sad. 

I reached in my pocket and grabbed my phone. I had one unread message from Atia. I knew she would make me feel better. I pushed open and the text read 

“Baby, I’m sorry my mom is making me and Ava cancel all plans for tonight. Serious family meeting.” 

Tears began to fall from my eyes and hit the floor. I stood up and ran up the stairs not caring if Nana saw me doing it. 

I ran and jumped in my bed so fast that all my blankets slid off. I didn’t care. I curled in a ball and cried for hours. I watched the sun go down and the moon come up. I didn’t move, I stayed in my ball and thought about everything that happened the past couple of weeks. My life changed so fast. I went from not being noticed at school to everyone knowing my name. I went from the girl who never had a relationship, to the girl whose relationship everyone was jealous of. I went from never liking anyone to falling for this girl that I barely knew. I went from having a normal annoying best friend to now possibly not having one, and not to mention the fact she’s pregnant. I went from eating b****y chicken in my kitchen to eating another human being. I went from loving Elsa to killing Elsa. I went from anemic to invincible. I went from killing an innocent girl in an alley to drinking animal blood in the Forest with Atia. Everything is still changing nothing surprises me anymore. 

Then it dawned on me, I was the reason Atia was this way. I dragged her into my warped way of living. I made her kill Elsa with me, I practically forced her lips to her neck.  I made her burn Elsa in the fire pit, bury her ash and bone in the Forest, and manipulate her into killing mini skirt Amber. This was all my fault. She would still be drinking animal blood and only killing animals if it wasn’t for me. She would be living in her perfect little vampire world that no one knew about. I ruined everything for her. I am the reason she is this monster that she is today. I would do anything if she asked me to. If she asked me to just eat animals, I could do that. Killing humans wasn’t what I wanted anymore. I wanted more for myself and for her. I wanted to be able to walk in a room full of the people I love and not want to kill them all. I wanted to have self-control and be able to look myself in the mirror without only caring about what was on the outside. I wanted to look and see the beauty on the inside. I could live off of just animals if that meant that I could go back to the way things used to be. I would eat just animals if I could have Atia forever. My worst fear is for her to realize she deserves more than what I have to offer. I’m a new vampire and she’s been a vampire for years. She’s more experienced with all of this and I know nothing about it. I feel like I’ll just be slowing her down. I couldn’t do that to her. She’s helped me with so much, and all I’ve done was made her feed on what she swore to herself she never would. I am a monster that is self-destructing. 

I forced myself to sleep because the thoughts were too overwhelming. 

“Rayleigh.” I heard a voice whispering to me. 

“Huh?” I said half way asleep. 

“Please wake up, I need you.” Chrissy said. 

“Yeah?” I said sitting up it was completely dark. I smelled blood.

I went to clap my lights on and she grabbed my hands. 

“I forgive you about the prank. I’m sorry for freaking out like that.” She said rubbing my arm. 

“But –” I started. 

“There’s more important things to talk about.” She said cutting me off. “My mom’s back.”

“Seriously?” I said clapping the light on. 

“Yeah.” She said quietly. 

“What’s that?” I asked her pointing to her neck.

There was a b****y bite mark on her neck and blood soaked her jacket.

“It’s nothing.” She said smiling nervously pulling her hair to the front to cover the wound.

“It’s something Christina.” I yelled. 

“Shh. Please don’t wake Nana.” She begged. 

“Then what happened?” I asked angrily. 

“Zach and I were just fooling around and he bit my neck too hard.” She said smiling.

“Are you lying to me? Did he try and hurt you?” I asked moving her hair from the mark. I examined it and wasn’t deep so he wasn’t trying to kill her but he was trying to do something. 

“No. He would never do that.” She said defensively. 

“Okay.” I said not trying to start another argument. 

“Can I clean it for you at least?” I asked her concerned

“Yes.” She sighed

We walked into my bathroom. I made Chrissy sit on the toilet and I grabbed the peroxide from my medicine cabinet and poured it directly on her open wound. 

“My jacket.” She whined. 

“Oh well.” I said filling the sink up with warm water. 

“So yeah, my mom’s back.” She said again.

“When did she get back?” I asked finishing up the peroxide treatment. 

“Today.” She said sniffling from the pain.

I dabbed her bite with the warm wet face towel. She winced with every touch. By the time I was done the sink water was completely red from her blood.

“You’re more than welcome to stay here.” I said smiling at her.

“Can’t you just come over to my house?” She asked looking up at me. 

“Sure.” I said placing a bandage over her wound. “All done.”

“If anyone asks my cat clawed me.” She said standing up. 

“There’s only one problem with that.” I said draining the sink. 

“What?” She said looking at me. 

“You don’t have a cat.” I laughed. 

“Oh yeah.” She said stupidly. “Well, your cat did it.” 

“I don’t have a cat either.” I said scrubbing the sink clean from her blood.

“Damn it Rayleigh.” She said annoyed “Just get your things and let’s go.” She said walking into my room. 

“Its not my fault you don’t know how to lie.” I shouted.

“Yeah it is.” She shouted back.

“How?” I asked confused.

“Because you never lie and somehow you rubbed off on me over time and I forgot how to lie.” She said.

“Touché.” I laughed as I walked out of the bathroom.

“If I knew what that meant I probably would disagree with that too.” She smiled.

She had my phone charger and sweater in her hands. 

“That’s all you need” She tossed me my sweater and stuffed my charger in her pocket. “You have clothes at my house and you live down the street if you need anything else.” She chuckled to herself. 

“Okay lets go.” I smiled at her. 

I clapped my lights off and walked out. 

“Its too-” She started.

“Dark. I know.” I cut her off and turned the flashlight on from my phone. 

We walked down the stairs and headed for the front door. 

“Hey, do you have any leftovers?” She said stopping in her tracks. 

“Tomorrow Christina.” I said pulling her by her arm to the door. 

“Fine.” She groaned. 

I grabbed my keys off the rack and slid on my moccasins as we walked out the front door.

“I’ll drive.” Chrissy said running over to her car and jumping in.

 It was still lightly snowing. I casually walked over to the car and got in. 

“Dude, I hate the fact my mom is home.” She said starting her car. 

“Why?” I asked her putting my seatbelt on. 

“Because I can’t go any and everywhere like I’m used to.” She whined. 

“Be grateful Chrissy.” I said annoyed. 

“Totally grateful, just not happy.” She said pulling out of my driveway. 

We pulled up to Chrissy’s in less than two minutes. 

 “Yep, she’s still here.” Chrissy said hopping out of her car.

“Positive thoughts Christina.” I reminded her.

We walked through the front door and she stormed past her mom and into her room. She always acts out when her mom first gets home, she'll warm up eventually. 

“Rayleigh!” Sara ran into my arms. 

“Hi Aunt Sara.” I said hugging her back.

“How have you been?” She asked looking at me and hugging me again. 

“I’ve been good.” I lied.

“Promise?” She asked wrapping her arm around me and leading me into the kitchen. 

“Yes.” I lied again. “How have you been?”

“Fine, I’m just so happy to see you.” She smiled, “It’s been so long.”

“How long are you back for?” I asked her sitting down at the table. 

“A month, maybe longer.” She walked over to the cabinet, grabbed two coffee cups, and filled them with coffee.

“Yay.” I said excitedly. 

“So what’s new in your life?” She asked walking the cups over to the table and sitting down across from me.

The real question was what wasn't?

“Well, I talk to someone.” I said staring down at my full cup.

“Is this someone a girl?” She said taking a sip of her coffee.

“Yes actually.” I smiled. 

“What’s her name?” She smiled back. 

“Atia – Atia Pierce.” I stuttered. 

“Oh, Atia Pierce. That’s a pretty name.” She said suspiciously, after that the entire vibe changed.

“Hey, I’m really beat. I have jet lag out of this world I’m going to try to get some sleep.” She said getting up from the table. 

“Okay Aunt Sara, goodnight.” I said getting up and walking over to the sink with our cups.

“Can you make sure Chrissy knows I’m back for a while this time?” She asked walking into the living room and laying down on the couch. 

“Sure.” I said smiling “Hey Aunt Sara?” 

“Yes Rayleigh?” She said yawning.

“Why do you sleep in the living room?” I asked her

“Eh. I just like to.” I heard her heart drop and I knew she was lying.

“Oh okay. Goodnight.” I played along.

“Goodnight Rayleigh.” She smiled

I walked down the hallway and into Chrissy’s room. 

“Hey Christina.” I smiled closing her door.

She was doing her hair and putting on her make up at her vanity. 

“What are you doing?” I asked confused.

“I’m getting ready for bed.” She lied.

“Seriously?” I rolled my eyes.

“Okay, but don’t freak out.” She smiled “I’m going out with Zach.” 

“Are you kidding me?” I asked. 

“No.” She said apologetically. “I’ll be back, he just really needs to see me.” 

“Why? He just saw you.” 

“I know but he needs to talk to me.” She said grabbing her purse.

“So does your mom, but you just walked past her as if she hasn’t been gone for months!” I yelled. 

“So what? She abandoned me. She doesn’t deserve my time and the way you’re acting you don’t either!” She yelled back.

“She did not abandon you. It’s called a job! She has one. Maybe you should get one instead of sleeping around with Zach. Or maybe you should have stayed faithful to Aaron.” 

“Rayleigh please, I need you on my side right now. I can’t handle you being mad at me.” 

“Too late now. I try to tell you things and all you can think about is yourself. You’re selfish.” I cried.

“I’m hormonal.” She whined. 

“And I’m fed up.” I said back.