The Divinity Saga: Part I

Theories

“Sorry Ma’am you can’t go in there.” A officer said stepping in front of me. 

“What do you mean? This is my house!” I said rudely. 

“Okay ma’am I understand that. It's still a crime scene.” He said rocking back and forth.

“Well someone needs to tell us what happened.” Chrissy threatened. “Before I talk to the media and have everyone start a riot.” 

I stood beside her proudly. 

“Fine.” He sighed. 

“Michael, come over here!” He shouted to a man wearing a black coat and jeans. 

“What’s goin’ on?” He said staring at Chrissy. 

“Well, this is our house and we need to know what happened here.” She demanded.

“A fire happened sweetheart what does it look like?” He said sarcastically with his Italian accent. 

“No s**t, I mean what happened? How did it start?” She clarified. 

“Is he giving you a hard time?” A woman asked walking over to us.

“Actually yes.” Chrissy said rolling her eyes. 

“Goodbye gentlemen.” She said dismissing them. 

“Hello girls, I’m detective Miranda Peters and I am in charge of this case.” She said shaking our hands. 

“Hi.” We both said in sync. 

“Let me explain what we think happened. It’s only a theory.” She said signaling us to follow her into the house. 

“Are we allowed to go in there?” I looked at Chrissy. 

“No, I don’t think so.” She whispered. 

“Please put the code in.” She signaled me.

“If you work with the police wouldn’t you have the code?” I asked confused. 

“Well, you want to see your house don’t you?” She asked smiling. 

“Well yes but-”

“But nothing. Put in the code.” She said still smiling. 

“Why?” I asked.

“That’s how I’ll know you live here.” 

“But I do, ask any of my neighbors. Call my aunt.” I explained. 

“Nope, put in the code. I don’t trust anyone’s words, I trust facts.” She pointed to the keypad.

“No.” I protested. “I won't.” 

“Fine then, you’ll never know what happened.” She crossed her arms. 

“Guess we won’t.” Chrissy said rudely. “Come on Rayleigh.” She said walking away. 

I stood there staring at the woman. Not because I recognized her but because she was the only person around here who’s throat I didn’t want to rip out. 

“Who are you?” I said bravely. 

“Who are you?” She mocked me. 

“Rayleigh lets go!” Chrissy said pulling me away. 

“Ray.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Look.” She pointed behind us.

When I looked back the woman was gone and nowhere to be found. 

“What’s going on Rayleigh? I’m scared.” She grabbed my arm.

“Are you cold?” I asked wrapping my arm around her. 

“No, I’m terrified.” She cried. 

“Don’t be. We’ll figure it out.” I promised. “Wait here.” 

I walked over to where the officers were standing. 

“Can one of you please tell me what happened to this house?” I acted like a stranger.

“Yes. Someone caught it on fire. It was candles we believe. However, we don’t know if it was intentional or simply an accident but we intend to find out.” 

“Okay thank you.” I smiled and turned to walk away. 

“Hey.” I said turning back around. “Where did detective Miranda Peters go?” I smiled

“Who?” The man asked. 

“Miranda Peters.” I said again. “She’s in charge of this case.”

“No, you’ve got it all wrong. I’m detective Morris, and I am in charge of this case. I’m in charge of every case in this town.” He assured me. “And I never heard of a Miranda Peters. Was she here? Did you speak to her?” 

“No. I was just wondering. Thank you.” I said shaking his hand. 

“Wait, here’s my card. Call me if you have any more questions.” He smiled.

I couldn’t tell if he was flirting with me or being sincere either way I took his card and left. 

“Let’s go.” I said as I walked back over to Chrissy. 

We got in my car and left. 

“Why are we going to my house?” She asked nervously. 

“I’m taking you home.” I said making the last left to her house.

“Please don’t.” She begged. 

“You’re safer there.” I promised. 

“I want to stay with you! Where are you going?” She grabbed my hand.

“Don’t worry. Just go inside and call me if anything happens. Aunt Sara’s home so it’ll be fine.” I assured her as I pulled in her driveway.

“That’s not her usual car.” She looked at me. 

“You don’t know how many cars she has.” I smiled.

“Okay. I love you Rayleigh.” She said kissing me on the cheek. 

She jumped out the car and shivered into her house. 

As soon as I got to the main light my phone began to ring. 

“Rayleigh?” 

“Yes?” I said rolling my eyes. 

“I need you.” Chrissy whined. 

“I’m coming.” I sighed. 

I hung up and made a U-turn. I was going to just go park in the hospital parking lot and sleep but why be alone when I needed to be surrounded by the ones I love. I always isolate myself when I really need someone but not this time. 

“Rayleigh!” Aunt Sara yelled excitedly as she hugged me. 

“Hey.” I said hugging her back. I made eye contact with Chrissy who was sitting at the table crying. I think they were arguing before I came.

“Sorry I didn’t make it there some asshole ran me off the road.” She sighed.

“Oh my gosh, are you okay?” I asked pulling away so I could look at her in her eyes.

“I’m fine no scratches, my neck is just kind of sore but I’ll manage. How’s Mom?” She asked anxiously.

“She’s in a coma, a medical one. She also has brain trauma and her hands are all burned but they are taking her off the medicine right now so she should wake up between 17-48 hours that’s just a guesstimate. We don’t know for sure.” I said frowning. 

“Thank god she’s alive. Tell me when you go back to see her. I’ll ride with you this time.” She smiled. 

“Okay I will.” I promised 

Aunt Sara looked over at the clock and so did I. It was 1 am.

“Well okay girls, I’m beat and I know you are too. I’m going to head to bed and you girls should do the same.” She said walking over to her couch. 

“Okay. Goodnight Aunt Sara.” I said walking over to the table and pulling Chrissy from her seat and dragging her into the hallway. 

“Goodnight mom.” She yelled before I pulled her in the room and closed the door. 

“What’s really going on Rayleigh?” Chrissy asked forcing me to let go of her. 

She wasn’t actually stronger than me, I just let her go. She went in her closet and handed me pajamas. Of course they were small because she dressed like a playboy bunny 24/7. I slipped off my clothes and slid them on. She slept n***d as always.

“Rayleigh, hello?” She waved her hands to get my attention.

“I don’t know.” I whined as I climbed into her bed. 

“You know something.” She said lying next to me. 

“A theory.” I smiled. 

“Share.” She poked me. 

“Nope, I need to test it first.” I said turning onto my side facing the wall. 

“This is not an hypothesis.” She said trying to sound smart. 

“Christina.” I said turning to face her. “Yes, it is. An hypothesis is based off of a tested and proven theory. See, even when you try to sound smart you sound stupid.” I laughed. 

“That’s a theory!” She said frowning.

“Hypothesis!” I laughed harder. 

“Whatever.” She turned away from me and went to sleep. 

I laid there thinking for a while. I thought about all the things I didn’t think of before. I thought of the fact that my father was a vampire and my mother knew. I thought of the fact that this secret was kept from me for so long. I thought of the fact that Nana probably knew and that she was now near death. 

“Rayleigh wake up.” I heard Nana’s sweet voice. “Please wake up.” She begged nicely. 

“Im up Nana.” I said with my eyes still closed. 

“Open your eyes Rayleigh.” She said softly.

“Okay.” I said rubbing my eyes and opening them. 

I couldn’t see anything it was completely dark. 

“Where are you Nana? I can't see you.” I searched in the darkness. 

“In here.” Her voice echoed. 

I walked to this red door where the darkness ended and opened it. 

“Rayleigh help me!” She begged.

Her whole study was in flames. I could barely see her silhouette. I could see her trying to put the fire out. She was screaming in agony. 

“Nana.” I said trying to run in the room. 

But it was like a force field keeping me out. I tried repeatedly over and over to get through but I couldn’t. I had to sit there and watch as Nana almost die in the fire.

Firefighters appeared out of nowhere with a giant hose and ran down the hallway towards the room.

“You can't get in there.” I said warning them. 

They didn’t listen they just ran right past me. Most of them began to hose the study down and two of them carried Nana out of the study.

I tried to run out the same door they did only when I got there the door vanished along with the firefighters that were in the study. It was like a tide pool was pulling me back down the hallway to that red door. I tried to fight it but I couldn’t. I slammed into the door and held onto the door frame for as long as I could until I got sucked in. I squeezed my eyes shut.

“See Rayleigh, you’re all alone.” The familiar voice laughed. 

I opened my eyes and I was in the forest where I saw my mom. 

“No she’s not.” I heard my mother yell. 

“Aw, Mariana you’ve chosen to join us.” The dark voice rumbled through out the sky. 

“Yes.” She said making herself visible to me. 

“Well I’ll let you two catch up. Rayleigh has got a lot to tell you Mamabear.” He taunted her. 

We both stood there waiting to see if he was going to stay anything else. 

“Rayleigh what’s happening out there?” She asked running to me. 

“Nana’s in the hospital.” I cried. 

“No, shh.. don’t cry.” She said holding me. 

“Mom I need you. Just tell me what to do.” I begged. 

“Go to Angel, she’ll know.” She promised. “She’ll understand.”

“But I want to go to you.” I cried.

“Yes, I know but she can be there for you in ways I cannot. Please listen to me.” She begged. 

“Mom, what about Nana?” I started to panic. 

“Calm down. Breathe. She will be fine.” She said holding my face between her hands.

“How do you know?” I questioned her. 

“She’s a fighter, a survivor.” She smiled. 

“Well what do I tell Angel? And why didn’t you tell me about vampires mom?” I cried.

“We can talk about that later. You have a mission to complete right now, and you heard that voice the mean scary one?” 

“Yeah.” I nodded. 

“That’s who’s trying to stop you but he only has power in this world and you have all the power in yours.” She kissed my forehead. 

“Mom, did you really die in a car crash?” I asked crying. 

“Goodbye Rayleigh.” She said pulling away. 

“No, mom wait!” I cried. 

She ran off into the darkness and I followed after her. Screaming and crying for her to come back but she was gone and I was all alone. Again.

I woke up to the sound of the front door opening and closing. I quietly got up and ran to Chrissy’s window. I could see Aunt Sara’s backlight reflections against the garage. Where was she going at 3:30 am?

I grabbed my phone from my pocket, dialed Atia’s number and walked into the hallway.

“Hello?” Atia picked up quickly. I could tell she was asleep. 

“Atia, hi!” I whispered.

“Hi, what’s going on?” She whispered back.

“Nothing, I just – well I have news but I’d rather tell you in person. Can I come over?” I said nervously. I didn’t know what she was going to say. 

“Yeah, is everything okay?” She asked worried. 

“Yeah. Well no. I’ll see you soon okay?” I smiled.

“Okay just push the green button on the intercom when you get here. I’ll have it unlocked for you.” She promised. 

“Okay.”  I hung up and walked into the kitchen to find something to write with. 

I quietly fumbled through the drawers and I found a old piece of mail and a colored pencil.

“Chris, I’ll be @ Atia’s. You and Aunt Sara come over in the morning. I love you. That’s a theory.” I laughed at my own joke.

I walked out the front door and locked it. I jumped in my car and drove to Atia’s. 

I pushed the green button and the gate opened up just like she said. I pulled in and parked in my spot. I looked down at what I was wearing and started to blush. I was wearing Chrissy’s short shirt and small pajamas shorts. I grabbed my burgundy hoodie from my backseat and put it on. I flipped open my visor mirror and examined myself. I looked decent for just waking up and going through what I did today. I forced my hair in a high messy bun and took my earrings off. 

I sat there nervously debating on when to go in.

By the time I decided to go in it was 4:05am. 

I got out my car and locked it. Right when I walked to the doorstep I could smell Atia. I instantly began to smile. That’s the smell I missed. 

Before I could knock on the door Atia opened the door and pulled me in. We hugged for what felt like forever but was only a few seconds. I swear time goes by so fast when I’m with her but so slow when I’m in her arms. 

“Hi.” I said smiling. 

“Hi” She smiled back. “Come on let's let's go to my room.”

I followed her upstairs and into her room. We sat down on her bed and stared at each other. 

“Are you okay? How's Nana?” She asked with urgency. 

“I'm okay.” I lied. “And she-” my eyes filled with water. “She’s hanging in there.” 

"Tell me everything. No lies.." She laid down and pulled me with her. I rested my head on her chest. I instantly got tired.

"Okay" I sighed. 

I I couldn’t I couldn't lie to her even if I wanted to.  

"She's in a medically coma. I wish I knew all the terms they used, but I can’t even remember them let alone know how to say them. We took her off the medicine though. It'll It'll be awhile until she wakes so it’s it's just a waiting game really. .." I explained. "But the physical damage is worse..." My eyes watered again. "Her hands are all burnt up from trying to stop the fire and her brain is swelling from her concussion." 

"I'm so sorry she's going to get through this. She's too strong not to. She also has you to help her. ." She kissed the top of my head. "Did they say how the fire happened?" 

"No but-" I hesitated "Never mind." 

"No, tell me." She pleaded. 

"Can we just talk about this in the morning? I'm really tired." I admitted. 

"Yes of course, let's let's go to sleep. You need to rest.." She said warmly. 

"You know what else I need?" I smirked. 

“What?” She tried to read my expression.

“To feed.” I whined.

“First thing in the morning.” She giggled as she pulled the blankets over us. 

I fell asleep almost instantly. In her arms sleep was almost effortless.. It was like coming home after an 18 hour shift at work and climbing into bed. It was like finally being able to eat after depression and even then it was indescribable. She made me feel safe and calm. I felt like being with her could cause me no harm. She is my every thought, and I think that’s why when I’m with her I don’t dream. It’s just peace and quiet. How it’s possible to think about her while I’m dreaming I’ll never understand. My only explanation is obvious. 

“Wake up.” She tickled me softly. 

“I’m up.” I smiled sitting up. “Wait, why am I up?”

“Chrissy and Sara are here.” She alerted me. “I can hear them talking downstairs.” 

“I’m starving.” I whined as I stood to my feet. 

“Let’s go fix that.” She said leaning in for a kiss. 

“I don’t want to go down there looking like this, your mom might get the wrong idea about me.” I sat on her bed. 

Atia was already dressed and ready for the day. How she made jeans and a plain white tank top look so good I will never know. 

“Hmm.. One sec.” Atia walked out of her room leaving me alone. 

I looked around and my eyes locked on the empty picture frame where the photo of Atia and Star was held.

“Hey what's up with the empty frame?” I asked as she walked back in with clothes in her hand. 

“I just thought that we could take a better one.” She smiled and tossed me the clothes. 

It was a black flowy spaghetti strap and dark blue jeans.

"Sounds perfect." I smirked.

“Maybe we can do that soon?” She said shyly. 

“I’m free today if you are.” I smiled.

“Today then.” She smiled back. 

“Be right back.” She said walking to her bathroom. 

I stripped and quickly got dressed. I knew that it would only be few seconds until Atia was back. I quickly sat down on her bed and waited for her return.

“Are you ready to go downstairs?” She said walking back in her room. 

“Yeah.” I said taking my ponytail out. I quickly finger combed my hair and stood there waiting for Atia to lead me downstairs.

We walked down the stairs and into a room where everyone was laying around. Chrissy was eating pancakes and bacon while Aunt Sara was drinking coffee.

“Sis, you’re up?” Atia asked confused. “Last I checked you were sleeping.”

“What can I say? I’m getting sneakier.” She laughed.

Atia laughed and laid down on the couch. She motioned me to lay down beside her. 

I awkwardly walked over to her and laid down. 

“So Rayleigh about that French toast.” Chrissy said stuffing her mouth with a bite of pancake. 

“No.” I rolled my eyes. 

“Just thought I’d ask.” She smirked. 

“Oh girls, I made pancakes and bacon.” Angel added. “Help yourselves.”

“Thank you Mrs. Pierce.” I said smiling.

“Please, Call me Angel.” She encouraged me.

“So is this the second meeting?” Atia asked making conversation. 

“Yes, it is.” Angel said smiling. “Rayleigh, are you ready to tell us about Nana?” 

“Yes.” My eyes automatically filled with tears. “They said she was in a medically induced coma because the concussion caused her brain to swell, but they were taking her off the medicine when I left. So she should be alert within the next couple of days. Her hands were all burnt up from the fire, they were bandaged completely. She was hooked up to so many machines." My welting tears fell.

“She will be okay she is strong. All that matters is that she comes home healthy.” Angel consoled me. 

“Omg Rayleigh, did you tell them about the house?” Chrissy interrupted. 

“Oh yeah.” I said sitting up. “So I went to my house after I saw Nana and there was cop cars and reporters everywhere.” I frowned. 

“Tell them about the creepy reporter lady.” She interrupted again. 

“I’m getting there.” I said rolling my eyes. 

“So there was this weird detective that said she was on the case-”

“Oh yeah, she was a detective not a reporter.” She giggled.

“Yeah.” I rolled my eyes again. “Anyways, she said that she was the lead officer on the case and she told me she would show me my house and tell me what happened since no one else would.” 

“And then what happened?” Chrissy said anxiously. 

“Christina.” Aunt Sara said interrupting her.

“Yes mom?” She looked over at her.

“Zip it.” Aunt Sara demanded.

“Fine. Continue Rayleigh.” She pouted.

“But when Chrissy and I got to the door with her. She was practically begging us to put in the code and I told her that if she was head of the case she should know it.” 

“Yeah, and when Rayleigh told her no she got all weird and crazy, and then Rayleigh got all weirdly quiet and observational.” Chrissy added.

"I don't know how to explain it, but she gave me the weirdest vibe and her heartbeat didn't sound like anyone else's. It was like - I don't know, different."

“Yeah, I don’t know about the heartbeat part but she was really weird.” Chrissy said biting her last piece of bacon. 

"Always trust your instincts." Angel nodded at me. "Go on?"

“Chrissy pulled me away, and when I turned back around to find her she was gone. So I walked over to a different officer and asked him about the woman on the case. Weird thing is, he said he was the lead detective on every case in town and he knows nothing of her existence.” I said as a cold chill rolled down my spine. 

“Yeah.” Chrissy nodded. “Wait what?” Chrissy asked confused.

“You already walked to the car.” I assured her. 

“Oh, right.” She smiled.

I looked around waiting for someone to say something but they we’re stuck in silence.

“I wonder who she was, that seems really suspicious.” Angel pondered.

“Why didn’t you girls call me? They shouldn’t be speaking to minors anyway.” Aunt Sara said infuriated. “Do you still have your surveillance outside your house Rayleigh?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

“We’ll figure it out then. No worries.” She glanced at Angel.

 I could tell she was scared but she didn’t want to make it obvious. 

“So Atia, Rayleigh.” Angel said as she stood up. “Do you ladies know who was in my room?” She crossed her arms and stared at us. 

“Ooh.” Chrissy said watching us. 

“Uh.” I looked at Atia nervously. 

“I – I don’t know.” Atia lied. 

“I know your scent anywhere don’t lie to me.” She said tapping her foot. 

“Okay we did it!” I shouted. I covered my mouth in shame. 

“Really?” Atia said playfully socking my arm. 

“I’m sorry mom, I just wanted to show Rayleigh the room.” Atia admitted.

“What's so cool about Mom’s room?” Ava said impatiently. 

“You could have asked me. There was no need to lie, I just wanted to ask if you had any questions about what you saw?” Said Angel.

“Not me.” I said quickly. 

“Why didn’t –” Atia started. “Never mind, its not important.” Atia smiled. 

“Are you sure?” Angel smiled. 

“I’m sure.” Atia smiled back awkwardly. 

My phone started to ring and interrupted this awkward moment we were all having. I grabbed it from my pocket and looked at the caller ID. 

“Sorry, I have to take this.” I said getting up and walking out the room. 

“Mrs. Martinez?” A woman said as I picked up the phone. 

“Yes?” I said confused. 

“Hi my name is Daisy Sanchez and I work at Portland Oaks Hospital.” She said nicely. 

“Hi.” I said nervously. 

“Your grandmother is awake now, you may visit her.” She said smiling. 

“Really?” I grinned. Thank you so much. Bye.” Tears came to my eyes.

“Wait!” She yelled to get my attention. 

“Yes?” I said smiling. 

“She is only to see 3 visitors at a time, they all must be over the age of 12 and minimal talking is required for the patient, she’s still in intensive care so you must be delicate with her.” She explained. 

“Okay, I understand.” I said crying of happiness.

“See you soon.” She said as she hung up. 

I stood in the hallway crying for a minute. I couldn’t believe that she pulled through. I had so many doubts in my mind but I could let them go now. 

I heard everyone laughing loudly, a few seconds later Aunt Sara walked out the room on the phone and stood away from me. 

“What do you mean?” She said in a panic. “I don’t understand. How that could happen?” 

I tried to listen to what the person at the other end of the phone was saying but I couldn’t. She must be used to talking around Vampires.

“Okay, I’ll be there soon. Don’t worry we’ll figure it out once and for all.” She said hanging up. 

I stood there looking at the ground pretending I wasn’t listening. 

“Aunt Sara.” I stopped her as she walked back through the door.

“Yes Hun?” She said nervously. I could tell something was wrong. 

“My mom, she really thinks something bad is going to happen.” I whispered.