Scarlett The Devil's Daughter (16 page)

I help my Aunt with the
dinner and soon Gabe returns from football practice. Aunt Sarah
throws him a can saying,
“
How was it?
”
Sinking heavily into his chair
Gabe shrugs.
“
Ok I guess, although we need all the practice we can get
before the big game.
”
I look at him with interest.
“
What game is
that?
”
Gabe
looks worried.
“
With Freyview High. It
’
s still a few weeks away but the
rivalry runs deep. We have to win for honour
’
s sake.
”
My Aunt laughs.
“
You and your
honour.
”
We all
sit down to eat and I relish being part of a family for once. This
is all I have ever wanted really. I don
’
t have any brothers and sisters
and have been raised an only child. I don
’
t have any family just two
guardians who took the place of my parents and I love them as such.
Any friendships that I have made are short lived and all I have
ever wanted is to be part of something loving and nurturing. This
is the closest to it that I have ever got and I feel extremely
protective of it.

After I have helped my
Aunt with the clearing away I head to my room to study. Finally I
am alone and stretching out on my bed I savour the feeling of
peace. Taking off my school clothes I put on more comfortable
joggers and a sweatshirt. Finally I can let my hair down and enjoy
brushing it, feeling its silky smoothness as I go. This is more
like it. I can be myself again in the confines of my own room.
Fingering the locket I pull it from around my neck and place it on
the bedside table. I instantly feel the rush that accompanies the
move. It is as though I have been set free. My true self is
released and I feel the power surge through me. Peace descends upon
me and the feeling of power that it releases in me lights up my
very soul. I bathe in its cleansing waves as it rejuvenates me. As
I lie here enjoying feeling myself again there is a sudden knock at
the door. Before I can say anything though it opens and Gabe comes
in.
“
Grace I
forgot
…”
As
though frozen he stares at me in wonder. His eyes look at me in
disbelief and then they fill with tears. Sinking down into a nearby
chair he puts his head in his hands. In a faltering voice he
says,
“
Please
Grace, put the locket back on, somebody might see
you.
”
Guiltily
I reach for it. I always forget the effect that I have on people
and feel cross that I didn
’
t lock the door. As soon as the
locket is in place I feel as though I am being once again drawn
back into my own body. It makes me feel oppressed and dare I say it
- normal. Looking up Gabe says softly.
“
It
’
s like the sun rising with the
moon after having captured the stars. It
’
s just too much to look at
Grace. Promise me you will wear the locket at all times. Nobody
must see you like that, they wouldn
’
t understand.
”
I nod sadly.
“
I
’
m sorry Gabe,
you
’
re right I
forget that
’
s
all.
”
Coming
over Gabe sits on the bed.
“
Look Grace, I know
it
’
s hard for
you but you will find a way. It must be difficult being you and we
forget that sometimes. You know that I am here for you though
don
’
t
you?
”
Hugging
him I can feel the tears pricking my eyes.
“
I know Gabe, I love you and Aunt
Sarah and am so grateful to you both. I promise to try and keep
hidden.
”
Gabe
nods and then pulls away awkwardly. Clearing his throat he
says,
“
Anyway,
I meant to say that I forgot to warn you about
Ash.
”
Looking
interested I say,
“
Go on then.
”
Gabe looks at me with a solemn expression.
“
He is evil Grace. He
doesn
’
t care
who he hurts and what he destroys.

He does it all to amuse
himself. Anything bad that happens in this town always leads back
to him.
”
I look
at him in surprise.
“
But Aunt Sarah told me that Mr Knight ruled this town.
Can
’
t he stop
him?
”
Gabe
laughs hollowly.
“
Not really. Mr Knight is Ash
’
s uncle. He lives with him in
that big house that you can see from the ridge. They probably cook
everything up between them. I just wanted to say stay away from
him. He loves nothing more than toying with
people
’
s
feelings. He
’
ll
pick on a pretty girl and give them attention. As soon as they fall
for him he tosses them aside and leaves them to Skylar to sort
out.
”
Feeling
worried I look at him nervously.
“
What do you
mean?
”
Gabe
sighs.
“
Ash
uses Skylar to keep most of the other girls away. She believes that
she
’
s his
girlfriend and in most senses of the word she is. However he
doesn
’
t care
about her anymore than the next girl. If she feels that he is
interested in another girl she makes their life hell. Her and her
cronies have beaten up, bullied and publicly humiliated any girl
that gets his or his friends attention. He just laughs and carries
on causing mayhem and she gets to call herself his girlfriend for
another day. It
’
s all a game to him as Jessica Parker found out last
year.
”
I can
see Gabe
’
s face
fall as he says her name and I realise that there was more to
Jessica Parker than he is telling me. He shakes himself
saying,
“
Anyway, that
’
s all I came to tell you. Just keep away from them all and
you
’
ll be fine,
ok?
”
Nodding I
smile at him as he leaves the room. Nestling back against the
pillows I think about what he has just told me. I am not going
anywhere near any of them, that much I
’
m sure about.

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