The Darkness comes hunted

Chapter Seventeen: Thanksgiving Day

"People like to say that the death of the Bulldog and the most powerful kid in town, Nathan Prescott, changed everything in the town of Lakewood and especially Lakewood High itself. But truth be told, certain things like school tradition, can never be changed. Take the school’s annual Thanksgiving event for instance.

Though the number seven jersey that used to be worn by Nathan Prescott himself got requested to be retired by Mrs. Prescott, Lakewood High’s new fearless Bulldogs would be playing their first official match against their archrivals, The Arcadian Spiders. And with support from the people of Lakewood and especially the support from their school’s newly established cheerleading team, the Hell’s Angels, led by the one and only Valentina Prescott, that might give the new Bulldogs of Lakewood a chance to create history and beat their archrivals in their home for the first time in 50 years." Mike typed this on his computer at the Wipeout café, a cozy and casual place that served Mexican food and burgers.

He liked the colorful décor and the friendly staff, who always greeted him with a smile. He could smell the fresh tacos and nachos from the kitchen, and hear the upbeat music from the speakers. He felt inspired by the lively atmosphere and hoped to convey that in his journal.

Cole heard a loud knock on the door of his house on Elm Street. He groaned and got up from his bed, where he was reading a comic book. He wondered who could be bothering him at this hour. He hoped it wasn’t his dad’s parole officer again. He walked downstairs and opened the door, only to see his mother standing there, smiling nervously.

“Mom?” Cole said, his voice full of surprise and suspicion. “What are you doing here? And if you’re looking for Dad, he’s not here.”

He didn’t look happy to see her. The last time she showed up unannounced, she brought the police and a pair of handcuffs for his dad.

“I’m not here for him, Cole. I’m here for you. Can I come in?” Marissa asked, her eyes pleading.

“Yeah, sure, Mom,” Cole said, stepping aside to let her in. He didn’t have much choice.

He led her to the kitchen, where he pulled out a chair for her near the counter. He sat on the opposite side of the table, keeping a distance from her. He felt awkward and tense.

“Colie, I just want you to know that the reason I’m here is…” Marissa began, but Cole cut her off.

“I know, Dad already told me. You’re here for the divorce and the legal custody of me. And before you ask again, my answer is still no,” Cole said, avoiding her gaze.

He knew she wanted him to move with her to New York, where she had a new job and a new life. But he loved Lakewood, where he grew up with his friends and his dad. He didn’t want to leave.

“Of course he did,” Marissa sighed. “I know you love Lakewood, Cole. I know you love your childhood friends. But this town is not safe for you anymore. There’s too much violence and corruption here. And I don’t want you to get into any trouble. I still love you, you know that, right?”

“I know, Mom. I do. But I’m fine here. And it hasn’t been all that bad. My friends at school are amazing. Dad and I are closer than ever. And also…” Cole trailed off, not sure if he should tell her.

“And also what?” Marissa asked, curious.

“And also… I’ve been busy with my school and being the new bulldog captain is not an easy task. But, we have been doing pretty solid so far, and we are optimistic about winning today.” Cole said, feeling a surge of pride.

“Really? That’s wonderful, Colie. I’m so proud of you. You have a real football talent, you know. You always had a strength of a giant,” Marissa said, smiling genuinely.

“Thanks, Mom. I really appreciate it,” Cole said, feeling a bit of warmth in his chest.

He had to admit, his mom wasn’t all bad. She did support his passion for football, unlike his dad, who thought it was a waste of time.

“I hope you’ll take some pictures with me before I go back to New York,” Marissa said, hoping to bond with her son.

“Sure, Mom. Maybe at the school’s annual Thanksgiving event. There’s going to be a party after the match. I'll go find you right after the match,” Cole said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

Marissa nodded, happy to hear that. She wanted to spend some quality time with her son before she had to leave him again.

Meanwhile, at the Blossom Estate, Mayor Blossom was on the phone with someone, sounding very excited. He was talking to his attorney, who had just given him some good news. His son Mason walked in, looking very sad. He had just broken up with his girlfriend, Valentina Prescott, the daughter of the town’s most powerful family. He didn’t notice his dad, who tried to ask him what was wrong. He ignored him and went straight upstairs to his bedroom.

But Mayor Blossom was curious about his son’s emotional state. He cared about him, in his way. He followed him to his room and knocked on the door. There was no reply. He opened the door anyway since it wasn’t locked.

“Who were you talking to on the phone downstairs? You seemed happy about it. Some good news for a change?” Mason asked his father before he even had a chance to fully open the door.

“That was my attorney. It turns out your relationship with Valentina has improved our family’s relationship with the Prescotts,” Mayor Blossom said, hoping to cheer up his son.

“And what does my relationship with Valentina have to do with our family’s relationship with the Prescotts?” Mason asked, feeling bitter.

“Your Mrs. Prescott is a very strict mother. Valentina never had a boyfriend that got accepted by her parents, except you. You were the perfect match for her, in their eyes. And that made them more willing to cooperate with us, on some important matters,” Mayor Blossom explained, vaguely.

“So you’re using my relationship with Valentina as a tool to gain more power? That’s despicable and pathetic, Dad. To use your own son’s relationship to advance your own agenda,” Mason accused, feeling angry and betrayed.

“It’s not like that, Mason. Our family’s strength and protection depend on our relationship with the Prescotts. They’re the ones who run this town, and we have to play by their rules. It’s hard to explain right now, but when you get old enough to take my place, you’ll understand my actions,” Mayor Blossom said, trying to justify himself.

“Yeah, whatever you say, Dad. You and Mom are just pawns in your little chess game of power. Now please leave me alone,” Mason said, turning away from his father.

Mayor Blossom didn’t want to make his relationship with his son worse than it already was. He decided to leave and slowly closed his son’s bedroom door.

Back in the gym hall of Lakewood High, Betty, Jimmy, and Cheryl were busy helping the others to prepare for the school’s annual Thanksgiving party that would happen that night. They were decorating the hall with banners, balloons, and streamers, and setting up the tables and chairs. They were also rehearsing their cheerleading routines since they were part of the new team, the Hell’s Angels, led by Valentina Prescott. They were excited to cheer for their football team, the Bulldogs, who were going to play against their archrivals, the Arcadian Spiders. It was going to be a big night for them.

At the back of the hall, Mike Sinclair walked in from behind, carrying a box of random items. He was the school’s journalist and photographer, and he was planning to cover the event for the school newspaper and website. He had his laptop and his camera with him, and he was looking for a good spot to set up his equipment. He spotted Mason, sitting on a bench, reading a book. He walked over to him and greeted him.

“Hey, Mason. What’s up?” Mike said, putting the box down next to him.

“Hey, Mike. Not much. Just killing some time before the party,” Mason said, looking up from his novel.

“Are you excited for the game? The Bulldogs are going to crush the Spiders, right?” Mike said, sounding optimistic.

“Yes, we are. But to be honest, I’m more interested in the party afterward. There’s going to be music and dancing and food. And maybe some girls,” Cole said, winking.

“Ah, I see. You’re looking for some action, huh? Well, good luck with that. Maybe you’ll find your soulmate tonight,” Mike said, teasing him.

“Or maybe I’ll just have some fun. You never know,” Mason said, shrugging.

“True, true. Well, I’m here to work, not to play. I have to take some pictures and write some articles for the paper. Maybe I’ll even interview some of the players and cheerleaders. You know, get some juicy stories,” Mike said, smiling.

“Wow, you’re such a professional. I’m impressed. Maybe you’ll be the next Pulitzer Prize winner,” the redhead said, admiring him.

“Or maybe I’ll just have some fun. You never know,” Mike said, echoing his friend.

They both laughed and high-fived each other. They were happy to be there, together. They were looking forward to the night, and whatever it might bring.

"Hey, you."

Betty turned, she saw Mike, she smiled and quickly stepped down the ladder after helping Jimmy hang the banner.

"Why didn't you tell me about our family's Thanksgiving dinner together?" Mike asks

"WHAT?" Betty replies, surprised and confused at the same time, to what is Mike talking about?

"Your mom, this morning, just tackled me in the parking lot, to invite my dad and me over for dinner together." Said Mike.

"Did you not know?" Mike asks again because, to him, Betty seemed to don't know what he was talking about.

"No, no, of course, I know----I've, just, you know, got so many things, ahem--- hanging stuff," Betty replies, acting really weird around Mike, but to Mike, he just thinks, maybe Betty just too excited for their first family dinner.

"Right now, I am a little terrified by the social experiment of it all, ---- but I think it is good for our families to get to know each other--- I think it is important for us, you know?

But after that, later at Betty's house, Betty rushed into the house and went straight to the kitchen, where now her mom is just casually washing the disc.

"I know what you're doing mom, you can't go after Prescott because they are too powerful, and you also can't go after Mason's dad because he is the Mayor, but you surely can go after my boyfriend's dad, who you think is Mayor Blossom dirty job man?"

"Whatever you think I am doing? I can surely assure you now honey, I am not,"

"Do you expect me to believe that, mother?"

"What got into you at school, Betty? I am just at home, washing the disc and cooking food for our guest this evening, and that is all I have been doing for the last five hours."

"No, you're laying out some kind of trap for Mike's dad."

"On the contrary, Betty,--- I took what you said to me earlier to heart."

"So you're not going to question Mike and his Dad about the Blossom and the Prescott then?"

"I mean, only if it happens to come up as a casual dinner conversation."

"I am not playing this game with you, Mother, and neither is Mike--- not after I tell him what you're planning here."

"Are you sure that is a good idea for your investigation, Betty?---- you know darling, when I invited Mike, he seemed very excited---like it really meant a lot to him that our family was going to get to know each other.

Back to Betty, she keeps silent for a second but continues to eye her mother nervously.

"That's all that matters, Darling."

"Mr. Anton is innocent, Mother---Mike said so, and Mike, he is very good at reading people, so I trust him with all my heart."

"Yeah, Darling, but I am sure the question of Anton's guilt or innocence won't even come up at dinner." Joyce grins at her daughter. Betty then turns back to move a dirty bowl from the dinner table to a counter beside the sink, where her grin slowly fades away.

"Yeah, I know," Betty replies, the two lovely teens share a smile back at each other.