x
I told my Aunt about the trip but she said Jake had already filled her in on it the day we were to leave.
"Just buy me a souvenir on your way back."
"So," Jake began as we entered the taxi. "Are you excited about the trip?"
"Maybe." I move away from him. "This is the first time I have been on a plane."
"Yeah. It will take hours to get there by plane but it will take a week if we took a bus." He said as the driver started the car.
'Wow. He's chatty today.' I thought looking out the window
"Do you like traveling?" he asked closing the gap between us.
"Yeah."
"Me too especially by car. I love the fact you get to enjoy the scenery."
I look away. 'It's clear he was trying so hard to know what I like so we can have something in common. It scares me.'
The distance between my place and Andrew's house was short so I wasn't surprised to see we were the first to get there. We got off the taxi, rang the doorbell, and Andrew's mom came out to greet us.
"Good morning ma'am," I say politely. "Andrew told us to come here."
"I know he told Me," she said smiling sweetly. "Well don't just stand there, come in."
She opened the door wider and we walk into the living room while she rushed back to the kitchen.
"The cupcakes will be done shortly," she called out. "But please help yourself by watching television."
I thank her and Jake turned on the television but my mind was not really on the program. Andrew's place wasn't a mansion but it was relatively big to accommodate a lot of people. Despite the difference in size and taste in decor, its homely feeling gave me a sense of nostalgia reminding me of my childhood before the event that claimed my parents' lives.
'I never had friends growing up but I didn't care because I had my parents. I remember my favorite activity with my mom was baking cookies with her while she told me silly stories about her childhood. Then dad would sneak up behind me, swoop me up in his arms and spin me around until I got dizzy. Mom would playfully slap him on the shoulder and kiss him while I try to get my balance back.'
I force the tears back into my eyes. 'It was a strategy they used to have a few seconds of intimacy when I was around but it did work because I always saw them kissing. We were so happy then.'
The tears in my eyes were threatening so I wipe them off and get up.
'I know we are supposed to keep happy memories of the ones you love.' I thought walking into the kitchen. 'But when all you have are memories, it does little to heal the pain.'
I spot Andrew's mom struggling to cut some onions. "Excuse me but, do you need any help?"
She sniffs and looks up at me with eyes red and full of tears. "Yes. I know this is embarrassing to ask, but can you help me to cut the onions while I take the cupcakes out?"
I nod and take over from her while she brought out the cupcakes which made me feel even more homesick than before.
"Oh thank you." she happily said. "You know, Andrew would be here to help me cut them but he is absent and..."
"It is okay. I understand how hard it is." I reply with a smile.
"And you are doing it with such skill," she said admiring my work.
I beam with pride. "Years of practice."
"Are you Emma Cross-wood?"
"Yes, I am."
"My son told me a lot about you." she grinned. "I thought he was joking when he told me there was an adult-sized girl in his school. How old are you again?"
"I am sixteen."
"Wow, you look like you are twenty."
This shocked me. "D...do I really look that old?"
She laughed. "I am sorry dear. I was just joking."
Then she leaned closer and winked. "You know you can use this to your advantage. No one would suspect ever you are a teen when you get a driver's license."
"I can't do that. It is illegal."
"It is only illegal if you get caught and your boobs are bigger than mine an average woman so what kind of trouble would you be in?"
'I don't know where to begin?' I look back at the kitchen door.
"Well, my son knows Martial Arts. Do you want him to teach you?" she asks turning the electric whisk.
I smile. "No thank you. I am already in the Martial Arts club in school."
"That is good but," she moved closer and whispered, "I can get him to organize private lessons between both of you."
I keep a straight face because what she was trying to do was crystal clear. Andrew is handsome, confident, and brave but I already see him as a big brother, not a lover.
So I smile politely at her and shake my head. "I am sorry ma'am but I do not see your son that way."
She hummed in disappointment and started the process of dividing the frosting into three bowls. "We will give it time."
"Mind if I join you?" Jake asked startling me.
"Oh yes. Can you help me bring out the steak from the fridge? Emma, please help me wash the carrots and the potatoes?" Andrew's mother said.
We did all that and by the time Andrew arrived with our friends, lunch was ready.
"Mmm, this smells good ma'am," Brianna said drooling.
"Thank you Dear but I would not have done it without a little help from my two chefs," she said looking at us. "Now do not eat too much because I have dessert waiting for you."
"Is it your famous chocolate fudge cupcakes?" Brianna happily asked.
She smiled and gave a nod. "Yep with extra frosting and there is plenty to go around."
"Thank you, ma'am," Ralph said covering up for his sister's playful attitude.
"We will be looking forward to it." Brutes formally said and she walked back to the kitchen.
While we ate, we talked about the trip, video games, and movies but I did not engage in their conversation because the song I heard was still playing in my head.
'Oranges and Lemons sold for a penny,
all the school girls are so many.
The grass is green and the roses are red,
remember me when I am dead, dead, dead, dead, dead.'
'I have heard it before but where?' I asked myself over and by the time Andrew's mom came with the dessert, I was squirming with a terrible headache.
"So Andrew, how is your online girlfriend?" Jake asked out of the blue.
Everywhere went silent and tension hung in the air. Brianna was in the middle of grabbing another cupcake with Ralph reaching to grab her hand while Brutes had a forkful of his cake hanging in the air. On the other hand, Andrew turned pale but his mom planted her hands on her hips.
"Well, got anything to say young man?" she asked in a hostile tone.
He scratched his head sheepishly. "Okay. There is this girl I met online and we have been dating for a while now."
"How long?" she asked.
"Two months?"
'He didn't tell his mother about his relationship.' I looked at Jake who had his hands on the table and laced fingers covering his mouth. 'He...he is smiling! Does he want Andrew to get in trouble?'
"Umm, ma'am. Please don't be mad at him. He didn't know when to talk to you about it that's why he kept it a secret." He said.
"I see," she didn't take her eyes off her son. "But he knows I hate secrets. What if this girl is a criminal or worse?"
"You don't have to worry about that. After all, I was the one who helped him discover her true identity."
I could hear the 'victory' in his voice.
Brutes pushed his glasses up and looked squarely at Jake. "And how did you do that if I may ask."
He removed his hands revealing his hidden smirk and stared at Andrew who looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Should I tell them?"
"I was in the arcade playing a game when he caught me chatting with her," Andrew said. "So he came over and asked me about it and I told him about her. I wanted to break things up with her because she wasn't willing to meet in person but he helped me."
"Oh," I look at my plate. "H...how did he do that?"
"I gave him advice and looked her up." Jake winked at me. "Her name is Gloria and she is a student in Peterson High..."
"Peterson High?" Andrew's mom put a hand on her chest. "That school is a prestigious school."
"Yeah. She is a junior in her third year and a strong introvert too with a stable family. Her mom is a housewife and her dad is a pilot. She has an older sister who is a senior in that school and both have good grades and who knows," Jake thumped at Andrew. "She might be a good influence on him."
"Are you telling us Andrew is dull?" Brutes asked in a hostile tone.
Jake looked him in the eye. "No. I am saying she can influence him to fall in love with studying since he hates it."
"And who told you he hates it?" he asked again.
"He told me himself."
The change of tone in Jake's voice created tension in the room and goosebumps appeared on my skin as they stared at each other in the eye.
Then Andrew's mom coughed. "Well then, when do we get to meet her?"
Andrew shrugged. "I asked her to spend the summer with me but she told me she and her family were going to Dubai."
"But you did meet her in person."
"Yeah! We went on a date twice. Nothing special. We just grabbed smoothies and talked. She is unbelievably cute when she is shy."
The blush on his face said it all and his mom looked at me with disappointment in her eyes and sighed. "Well, when she comes back, I would love to meet her. Okay?"
Andrew heaved a sigh of relief. "Okay, mom."
"But no more secrets. Understood?"
"Yes, mom. I understand."
Silence took over so I ask, "Aubrey isn't coming with us?"
"She canceled at the last minute. Said something about staying for her mom's remembrance ceremony or something." Ralph said while his sister grabbed another cupcake.
"Oh."
Nothing more was said until we finished our meal with Andrew emotionally sore because of the incident. Jake made it up to him by helping him beat the final boss in a popular video game 'Dark Souls' later in the evening before retreating to our rooms to sleep.
They were four rooms in the house, the master bedroom, Andrew's room, and two guestrooms. Brianna and Ralph were sleeping in the first guestroom, Brutes and Andrew took his room leaving Jake and me to sleep in the second guestroom. We took turns taking a shower and slept in the same bed with his arms wrapped around me.
"Emma,"
"Yes?"
"Do you like Classic Music?"
I sigh inwardly. "How do you know I like Classic Music?"
"The taxi was playing it on our way here and you were humming to the tune. Not only that, I saw you smiling at the band as they played during the play but..." he tightened his embrace. "I was too angry to pay attention that time."
This sent chills up my spine because I remembered that day like yesterday. "I have been in love with Classic Music since I was a baby. It was like a permanent lullaby to make me sleep."
"I also noticed you like Musical Plays too. Is that why you joined the Drama Club?"
"Yeah," I was lying again. "I do not think they are going to sing there with Mr. Indigo in charge."
"I don't think they are going to sing at all after what happened." He said.
Irritation flowed through me when he said that. 'Eric didn't deserve that. None of them deserved that.'
'Really?'
"Are you fazed by the murders in the school?" he asked.
"Not really. It is better than my old school after all and I swore to never go back there."
"Really?"
I hummed in response and close my eyes. After calling my name twice, he snuggled closer to me.
'I feel like he wants to rip me piece by piece until he is satisfied.' I tighten my eyes. 'But I can't do that! I just can't.'
The next day...
The sun's rays forced me to open my eyes and the first thing I see is his face.
'He looks so peaceful.' I take my time to observe his features. 'No wonder girls fall for him so easily and if I am not careful, he might steal my heart despite what he did.'
Then he smirked and open his eyes. Embarrassed, I quickly shut mine and pray he didn't catch me.
"Aww, does my Beloved find me attractive?" I felt him caressing my cheeks and playing with a strand of my hair. "To sleep and wake up with you in my arms has been my dream and that has come true!"
I blush madly wondering which choice was the best; waking up or playing dumb. Luckily, someone made that decision for us but knocking on the door.
"Umm are you awake?"
It was Ralph, the only one polite not to barge into the room. "Andrew said we are leaving early today and his mom has breakfast waiting for us. You do not want yours to get cold do you?"
Jake released me and scrambled to the bathroom. I got in after making the bed and when I was done, we went downstairs to have breakfast which was pancakes with whipped cream and fruits. Jake and I sat adjacent to each other and no matter how much I tried, it was impossible to avoid making eye contact with him. Soon, Andrew's mom took us to the airport and waved goodbye as we walked into the building.
"It going to be a long trip," Andrew said as we sat waiting for our plane. "We should arrive there by seven o clock in the evening."
"That's good because I am going to do a live stream on my Instagram page for all my followers," Brianna said taking a selfie with her phone.
"You can't use the phone on the plane," Ralph said flipping through a magazine. She groaned and turned it off.
"Look at the bright side, you can do a Live Stream on how cool the party is going to be," I said.
"Yeah, I heard there are going to be fire dancers." She squealed. "I am so excited to see that. The party is going to be rocking!"
"Keep your voice down!" cautioned Ralph.
I look at Jake who was listening to music from his headphones with his eyes closed. 'I wonder what he is listening to.'
"Well, well, well, look at what the cat dragged in." We looked up to see Valarie wearing a flowery dress with a matching sun hat, sunglasses, and a diamond bracelet. The little boy with her, probably younger than us was wearing a polo shirt with grey shorts that complimented his glasses. He had big brown eyes that made him cute like a baby deer.
Brianna wasn't happy to see her. "What are you doing here?"
Valarie shrugged. "I am catching a flight to Sunset Beach."
We except Jake who was still engrossed in his music were stunned because that was our destination. "What?"
"Did you hear me or did you have wool in your ears?" she snapped.
The boy sniffed drawing her attention. "Oh, this is Simon, my cousin. Say hello Simon."
"H...hi" he whimpered looking away and blushing madly.
"Aww, he is shy." Brianna cooed.
Valarie scoffed, and sat next to Jake who snapped out of the trance the music kept him in and stared at her in surprise.
"Hi. How are you doing?" She latched on to his arm. "It's a good thing we are going to the same place because we all need a vacation right dear?"
We stared at her for a minute before Andrew asked her why she was going there.
"Because I want to go there. Duh!" she stuck her tongue at him. "And I am flying first class. Care to join me, babe?"
I cringe because her reason for following us was clear. So I look away to avoid any more drama.
'With her bothering him, I would have some alone time to myself.'
'You aren't bothered about her taking him?'
'Not really.'
'It could lead to disastrous results.'
That made me look back at them. Jake was looking at her with eyes filled with disgust and it worried me.
'You may be right.'
"Oh hello!" another familiar voice startled me.
It was Taro Yamada and he was with the woman I met the night before, Ayano Aishi.
Ralph smiled. "Oh hello, Mr. and Mrs. Yamada! How are you?"
'Mr. and Mrs. Yamada?' I connect the dots. 'She is his wife.'
"I am fine thank you." He replied while his wife grabbed his arm and sent me a glare.
"Are you leaving the airport sir?" asked Brianna the ever-talkative one.
"Oh no, we are going a vacation." He said.
"Oh! To where?" she asked again earning a nudge from Ralph.
"To Sunset Beach!"
Something pricked me when he said that. "Oh...well...that's a surprise?"
"Darling, are you sure you can carry all the suitcases by yourself?" another familiar voice asked.
"Yep! I can manage." came the reply. We looked behind the couple and his mother-in-law with another man.
She looked at us and spread her arms wide. "Ayano!"
"Mother!"
Mother and daughter embraced each other and smiled.
"I thought you wouldn't make it!" Ayano said.
"Oh, there was traffic on the way here." She said but took one look at me and glared.
"Wow. What did you do?" Brianna asked.
"I wish I knew," I replied.
'Why did she tell you her name was 'Ayano Aishi' instead of 'Ayano Yamada'?' asked my inner voice.
'I do not know but it is none of my business and I want to keep it that way.'
An older man probably Taro's father-in-law was standing a few meters away typing on his phone.
'Wow, someone looks uninterested on the trip.'
'But that's not the only thing that's off. The man standing next to him wearing a white shirt, black pants, and carrying a red duffel bag looks sketchy.'
I look at them then at the two women who stared back in a creepy way. It sent chills up my spine so I look away but got a scarier look from Jake. Fortunately, it wasn't for me or Valarie.
"I think you should take a seat, Mr. Yamada." He said in a cold voice.
"Ah yes. Of course." he proceeded to sit next to us but Jake stopped him.
"Further."
Confused he picked another seat two seats away and Jake nodded in approval despite the look he got from my friends. To distract myself from this awkward situation, I whip out a manga from my bag and start reading.
"Oh, Emma! You read manga!" Ralph asked taking a peek.
I nod.
"Tch lame." Valarie snuggled up to Jake. "What kind of idiot reads manga these days?"
"I do?" Jake said taking Valarie by surprise.
But she shrugged and her hand on his chest. "Then you are my idiot!"
I had nothing to say.
"Anyway, did you guys hear of what happened at Madison's mansion?" Ralph asked.
My hair stood on end. 'Shit!'
'Hey!'
"It burned down again." He said.
"Again?" Brianna was shocked.
"Yeah and this time it burned completely." Ralph continued with his story. "According to the police, the fire started at 6 AM on a Sunday morning. A man was jogging nearby saw smoke and thought it was a forest fire."
"Was it that huge?" Andrew asked with a lot of curiosity.
"Yes, it was." Brutes pushed up his glasses. "I heard it took three firefighter trucks to quench the flames but that was nothing compared to what they saw inside."
"What did they see?" Jake asked while I played the role of a silent spectator.
"Well, they saw human skulls and skeletons and something arranged like a ritual at the place. This means people were actually living there. They saw something like Halloween decorations around the place but when they checked, it was actually corpses of human beings!"
Brutes paused as Simon started sniffling. "But the police were still unable to get the gender of the corpse and the skeletons but from the number of burned corpses it looked like a mass suicide."
"Mass suicide?" I ask.
"Yeah, but they could didn't know who started the fire." He added.
"I heard the fire destroyed all the evidence in there.' Ralph said.
I sighed inwardly when he said that. 'That means that they won't find any evidence indicating I was in there but that's bad because they would not find out that Malcolm. Wait what I'm I saying? I need to find him before the cops do to catch the demon.'
"Heat and liquid destroy fingerprints which is why they tell you to dry your hands before taking a thumbprint." Jake said.
"Ugh, will you guys stop talking about that?" Brianna squirmed in her seat. "It is scary."
Valarie cackled. "Scared?"
"What she is trying to say is that it is bad luck to talk about a tragedy before boarding a plane." Simon calmly said. "We could have an accident."
"Umm that phenomenon works on ships not airplanes." corrected Jake.
"Actually it works if you believe them," replied Andrew.
The more they talked about it, the more I was starting to reconsider going on this trip.
'Hey guys. I am sorry about this late chapter. I thought I published it but when I read the book, I discovered I didn't. I hope you can forgive me for this little mistake.
Have a nice day!
ns 15.158.61.48da2
