Tremble

2

2

“WHERE’S MOM?” I ASKED, walking into the cabin. It was after ten o’clock and my arches were killing me. I took off my shoes and began rubbing the soles of my feet.

Nathan was sitting on the couch eating a large bowl of cookie dough ice cream. “I think she’s at Caleb’s again,” he said between bites. “How’s the car running?”

I shrugged. “It’s running, okay. It kind of hesitated when I started it tonight, though.”

“Hmm... I’ll take a look at it tomorrow. It might just need an oil change.”

My mom had graciously loaned me the money for a used Honda Civic she’d spotted in town last month, when I’d turned eighteen. It had needed some work but thankfully, Nathan knew enough about engines to make it drivable. With the rust and scratches, it wasn’t the most attractive vehicle, but it got me where I needed to go.

“Thanks,” I said.

He stood up. “You going out tonight?”

I shook my head. “No, I’m too tired.”

Plus, it wasn’t like I’d had made a lot of friends in school as of yet. There were a couple of girls I sat with at lunch, but after what had happened last summer, and the things going on with my mom, I still had a hard time getting close to anyone.

“Okay, well I’m going out with Duncan and Celeste later. If you need anything, you have my cell phone.”

My jaw dropped. “You’re actually hanging out with Celeste, too?”

“Yeah, she’s a nice girl. Plus,” he grinned, “she has some really hot friends.”

I looked at him incredulously. “She’s a vampire, Nathan! I can’t believe you don’t remember anything that happened last summer with Ethan. Celeste was involved with all of that, you know.”

He let out an exasperated sigh. “Let it go, Nikki. Seriously. Ethan was just a loser who wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. You know, you’re starting to really scare me with all of this vampire talk. Jesus, don’t you know how ridiculous you sound?” He headed toward the kitchen and I followed him.

“Listen to me, Nathan. Celeste is dangerous and so are her friends. I wish you’d believe me.”

He snorted. “The only thing dangerous about Celeste is her choice in clothes, which,” he said with a devilish grin, “is dangerously sexy.”

“You’re so naïve,” I mumbled.

He turned on the faucet and began rinsing out his bowl. “For the love of God, Nikki! Celeste is Caleb’s daughter. You know, the sheriff; Mom’s boyfriend? Jesus, we’re practically family now.”

I scowled. “Don’t even go there. We are not family and never will be. Caleb and Celeste are both vampires, and the sooner you realize that, the safer we’ll all be.”

He headed across the room, to the staircase. “I don’t have time for this. You obviously need help.”

That hurt. My twin brother didn’t believe me and thought I was a total nutcase. From how things were sounding, there was nothing I could do to persuade him otherwise. Feeling overwhelmingly defeated, I decided to take a shower and go to bed. I was tired, crabby, and totally on my own for the night. After grabbing an apple from the kitchen, I went upstairs to my bedroom and turned on the television. The news was on and the story being covered left me totally breathless.

“Two teenaged girls’ bodies were discovered in the woods early this morning near Bearpaw Cove, a private beach located in southern Shore Lake,” the reporter said, standing outside of the Sheriff’s Department. “The girls, Ashley Caruthers and Jenny Friedley, both longtime friends and seniors at Shore Lake High School, were last seen by their parents shortly before nine o’clock Friday night. Although officials are not commenting on the condition of the bodies, foul play is suspected. Unfortunately, no other information is being released at this time. Back to you, Jim.”

I stared at the screen in horror. Ashley and Jenny were two of the most popular girls in school. They also had a reputation for partying with college students and sneaking into trashy bars. Even with that, however, there was no doubt in my mind of what kind of evil befell them.

Vampires.

Nathan stuck his head into my room as I turned off the television. “Later, Twerp.”

I looked at him, unable to form any words.

He studied my face. “Okay, what’s wrong?”

I cleared my throat. “Ashley Caruthers and Jenny Friedley were both found murdered,” I said, my voice hollow.

He eyes widened in shock. “You’re shitting me?”

I shook my head and sat down on the bed. “Their bodies were found near Bearpaw Cove. They think it’s foul play.”

“I wonder if Caleb will give us any more details,” he said, running a hand through his brown hair. “That’s just crazy. They seemed like nice girls, although I heard they liked to party pretty hard; must have caught up with them.”

Nice wasn’t the word I’d used to describe Jenny. Ashley was friendly, enough, but Jenny was a total snob. Or, rather, she used to be.

Nathan’s phone began to ring and he answered it. From the goofy grin on his face, I could tell it was a girl.

Probably Celeste.

He stepped out of my room, to talk in private, and then returned after a few minutes.

“Listen, I’ve gotta fly; you going to be okay?”

I nodded.

The truth was that I was more worried about him than anything. Hanging out with a vampire, whose intentions were probably not in his best interests, didn’t sit well with me. The only thing keeping me from going totally insane was Caleb’s promise to keep Nathan and our mother safe. I hoped that included being unharmed by Celeste.

He walked over and sat down next to me. “Hey. Cheer up. Don’t let this thing drive you crazy. Obviously, those two got themselves in over their heads with someone or something. Who knows, maybe they were into drugs?”

My eyes bore into his. “Or maybe...”

“Don’t even say it,” he interrupted.

I folded my arms under my chest. “Why won’t you ever believe me?”

He threw up his hands in exasperation. “Because there are no such things as monsters, werewolves, or vampires. You have to wake up. Whoever got to these girls is just some sick f**k. A creeper who needs to be locked up. Hopefully, Caleb can stop whoever’s doing this s**t before anything else happens.”

I laughed harshly. “Caleb, right.”

He shook his head. “He’s a good guy and you just keep ripping him to shreds. Look, I’m finished with this conversation. Keep the doors locked and call me if you need me.”

“Fine,” I muttered, looking away.

Nathan stared at me like he wanted to shake some sense into me. In the end, he just left me alone to sulk.