The Misadventures of Daria Pigwidgeon (31 page)

Time eventually snaps back into reality. Our breaths become our own once more. Space and closeness is varied as we both continue to cling to one another. I open my eyes to his brilliant shade of bright blue, but he’s looking at something over my shoulder. I turn to check it out, and notice that the movie has long since ended. Oops. Shutting my eyes again, I snuggle back into his warmth, laughter spilling over the surface of my heated cheeks and swollen lips.

Chance removes one of his hands from me and reaches for something fallen into the couch cushions. He pulls something free and in a matter of seconds the movie is started up from the beginning. A clattering on the floor sounds from where he tosses the found object no longer needed. Then his arm resumes its hold on me, kneading at the soft flesh just between my shifted comfy pants and risen camisole. He curls himself around me so that his cheek is resting against mine and our breaths are almost one.

He nuzzles me, his stubble tickling. “There, now we have more time. Where were we?”

A smile forms on my lips mere seconds before his lips cover mine.

Come Sunday morning, I still can’t get my mind off of the night I shared with Chance. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. And all we did was kiss for the length of a movie! I am such a sap. What a poor excuse for a demon huh? Well, in any case, I suppose my soul is good for some things. Being consumed by pretty boy kisses fits the bill for me. Sleep definitely came easier, regardless of what had me waking up super early. Today is the day I voluntarily go visit my family and hope for the best.

It’s a complete one-eighty from the last time.

What helps though, is the fact that Chance met up with me before I had even begun to start to freak out. Clearly, he must have suspected that my cool no problem demeanor was all a front. Not going to lie, it really was. So in any case, in an attempt to calm my frazzled nerves, he did something surprising. No, not kiss me senseless, not much anyways. He took me to breakfast at this little hole in the wall diner. It was all you can eat, and let me tell you, I totally took advantage. Eggs and bacon never tasted so good, last meal envy perhaps?

Too soon for my liking found us creeping up like creepers in Chance’s mustang about a mile from my family’s motel sometime after noon. My pulse quickens with every move that brings us closer. I cling to the warm hand that is wrapped in both of mine. I wish it steadied me more. I could use all the strength I can get right about now. Then before I can even try to calm myself, Chance is pulling up to the curb and coming to a stop. I can feel his eyes on me as we wait, as I wait…but I can’t risk a glance at him. My eyes are all for my surroundings.

It’s eerie how this once bustling side street is now nothing but a ghost town. That’s not completely true I know, there are people, just not out on the street. Their humanity steers them clear, even if they don’t realize it happening. From what I can gather, it’s all the demonic power usage that does it, or a constant usage to be exact. I can feel it as I sit here. The sickly tendrils reach out beyond their stretch trying to consume any and all things that it can. The flavor is unrecognizable, so I don’t know which of my family is charging it. Could be all of them for all I know. What I do know…is that it’s too strong.

Letting go of Chance’s hand, I turn to him. “I changed my mind. I don’t think you should wait here for me.”

At his surprised look, I push on before he can come up with an excuse to stay.

“Don’t even try Chance Harris, because I’m not falling for what you can come up with. I know I agreed with you staying, but we don’t know the extent to your immunity. The power here is too strong.” I pause as his eyes widen. “I don’t want you affected by it. So…I’m thinking you should wait by the phone at your house. Or heck, just a couple more blocks over, it’s clear there.”

He nods. “So that’s what I’m feeling?” Shocked, my eyes widen. Not good. “Since we pulled up here, pins and needles have been running all over me. It feels like my entire body was asleep and is trying to wake up.”

Dammit.

“Yeah…that’s what your feeling…to an extent.” Do I tell him normal humans don’t even feel anything? What is he? “So you’ll leave then? Wait until I call you for a ride?”

He nods again. I sigh in relief.

With a quick kiss goodbye and promises to call him as soon as I am able, I slip from the safety of the car. I don’t watch as Chance pulls away, but I feel his eyes on me. They follow me as I take that first hesitant step closer to my family. I stumble to a stop when his presence disappears. I am officially on my own now, but strangely I’m not terrified. This is due to the fact that my inner Taser lies quiet inside me. If it’s fine with me walking into the lions den, then I guess I can put on my big girl panties and get too it.

Picking up my pace again, I soon find myself entering the abandoned building of the motel. I make my way down the empty halls until I’m standing before the waiting closed door to where I know my family linger. I’ve barely raised my hand up to knock, when it’s pulled open. It reveals my smiling mother.

She takes a step back and holds the door open for me. “Won’t you come inside…daughter?”

I do as she asks, but when I brush past her my inner Taser thrums to life inside me. The scent of ozone rises in the air. My skin tingles with a charge that leaves all the hair standing on end. I hurry past her as fast as I can and step into the room. She closes the door behind me. Then when she turns to face me, the sudden electrical feeling is gone. And I’m alone once again.

Well, not really alone. There is my mother to take into account…and my sister.

The similarities between the three of us are really striking. It’s like we’re the same person in various ages rather than mother and daughters. I for one think I’m the only one that has something akin to humanity, it softens my expressions, the lack of makes theirs hard. Mother urges me over to a sitting area they have set up in the suit. Ignoring Riana smirking at me from the sofa, I aim for the recliner. Once seated, kind of stiffly, mother joins my sister as they watch me expectantly.

Silence and curiosity is thick all around me.

They wait. I panic.

Irritated at being here, I glare at them. “So you got me here, now what? Should we go into fake pleasantries? Or just get right into the nitty-gritty of it all?”

Riana grits her teeth as she glances away, while my mother looks visibly hurt by my words. I’m…I don’t know. Shocked at my lack of control I guess. Obviously I have some things to work out on the damaged front. Maybe when all is said and done I’ll look into a therapist who doesn’t mind a little weird in her tea.

I sigh and shake my head. “Look…I, I’m just…this is new for me. You guys get that right? I mean, you haven’t exactly been welcoming in the past. So forgive me for being a little leery in trusting you. But I’m here…so that’s a start right?”

Oh for goodness sakes. I’m practically groveling.

My mother beams, with tears in her eyes. “Yes Daria dear, you have every right to be leery of us, me in particular. We have not been very welcoming to you at all. Us being here and you as well, means we are open to change. Can you let us have this opportunity? I for one will try in the upmost promising way to make it up to you, if you’ll let me.”

Hesitantly, I nod. This was what I was waiting for, an in. Then why am I afraid? Please don’t let me screw this up.

“Then daughters let us get to know one another again, hmm?” Mother glances between Riana and I. “Who would like to go first?”

I do, duh. “So…does this mean you’ll all be staying for a while? Permanently I mean.”

“If that pleases you then yes, but for now I’d like to think we’re merely visiting for a duration.”

Um, okay? Now what? This is harder than I thought. It would be different and easier to jump in with all the questions I have if they weren’t watching me so intently. Why are they watching me this way? It’s weird.

“Is it strange having us in school together?” Riana starts with a blush staining her cheeks. “What I mean is I think it’s strange, in a good way. It’s a first for us. Doing something so mundane together…”

My mother and I both stare at her in shock. Who knew cranky pants Riana would like something so normal. Heck, who knew she liked anything at all.

Mother beams at Riana. “I’m proud of my girls getting along so well. It’s all your father and I wanted for so long. Especially after all the hardships we have encountered.”

And by hardships does she mean trying to kill me a handful of times since I was born? Well, that’s one way to look at it I guess…if you’re a freaking sociopath! Ugh, my family…seriously.

Silence hangs in the room as they both watch me again.

“Um…” I pause, glancing away from their penetrating eyes. “So, you know how you mentioned that others might follow you here. What did you mean exactly? Because honestly, I think you were spot on if my run-in was any indication…”

My mother’s eyes go large a second before she jerks in her seat.

Her expression is terrifying. “Your run-in?”

While Riana and my mother both listening intently, I go into the tale of the night I came to visit them the first time. I leave out the good stuff like Chance finding me, or the fact that he’s different enough that he knew about me before I could really tell him anything. When I reach the end, I realize that even though I didn’t tell Chance about the second attack the other night at work, I can confess to the women before.

So I do.

They even take it better than I would have thought. Either that or they are just really good liars.

The two of them bounce ideas around like a ping pong match while I watch them in confusion. Being who I am and growing up the way I did, clearly I missed out on our demonology lessons, because all of what they are saying makes the kind of sense that doesn’t. In a nutshell they basically have no idea who could be after me and at the same time everyone could be. Why? Apparently me being a demon and having a soul, is a real hot commodity in the Hell.

For what though, they have no clue.

Nice right? Oh yeah, just me and my soul hanging out until we get attacked…good times.

The problem, besides the obvious, is that it’s nothing I don’t already know.

After what feels like forever and a day, my mother comes to the conclusion that I probably shouldn’t go out after dark on my own anytime soon. Not going to argue that. She then goes on to tell me that my father and brothers (who’s absence is extremely weird and not likely anything good) will be hearing of this and that they won’t be happy. Shocker. By that point, I’m gearing to make my exit. It’s unfortunately blocked by Riana, who get this, wants to walk me home.

Wonderful.

After a not so tearful goodbye, I flee the motel with my sister in tow. We walk in silence for what feels like forever. The entire time I wonder why we didn’t just take a freaking car, but then I remember the reason. If they had one, it was stolen. It’s funny that Riana never suggested it. Does that mean she might be growing a conscious or being sympathetic of mine? Ugh, who knows? It’s an interesting theory though, one I might have to look into at some point.

It’s not until we’re nearing home that Riana finally speaks. “So…today wasn’t too bad right?”

“Surprisingly enough, no it wasn’t.”

She nods. “Good. It was killing me to be on my best behavior. Mom told me if I slipped and pissed you off I’d be finding my own place to squat in.” She laughs. “Anyways, I’m glad I stuck it out. It’s weird…I never thought I’d like your little half-breed loser butt.”

I come to a stop at the end of the Harris’s driveway and stare open mouthed at my sister. She did not just say that. Did she? Sweet. Baby. Jesus.

She rolls her eyes at my expression. “Don’t go thinking my indifference to you is more than tolerating, because it’s not. I’m only being nice because I have to, and if I have to, I figure why not find something halfway slightly interesting about you.”

Um…okay?

“Whatever.” She mumbles with a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

This is weird right? Not only did she insult me, but she also in a roundabout way, complimented me. I never thought I’d see the day where my sister would act like a human, because at this moment she is. I can tell it makes her nervous, and that alone make me wonder if she’s hiding something. I’m about to ruin the moment by taking a dig at her, when her attention breaks off to something behind me. I turn around to find Chance lumbering over to us. Oh boy, he does not look happy.

Oh yeah…I was supposed to call him for a ride. Oops. At least he came home…

Before he reaches us, Riana turns to me looking grim. “I’m going to scoot little sister. I don’t think lover boy there likes me too much, and I can say the feeling is mutual.” She pauses. “I’d rather not ruin this thing we have growing, so making him wither in pain from his worst fear is probably not an option.”

She turns away from me then and starts back down the road.

By the time Riana disappears from my sight, I realize that she didn’t
want
to get into a fight with Chance, because of me. Well, that’s a new development. I’m no closer to figuring her out by the time Chance reaches me. His grim expression makes guilt rise up inside me like a storm cloud. I can only imagine what the last couple of hours were like for him, but if his ragged appearance is any indication, it wasn’t good.

I open my mouth before he can. “Chance, I am so sorry. We got a little distracted with catching up and the time just flew by. I didn’t want to make them question me or anything if I called you. Then when I was leaving, Riana wanted to join me. Again I couldn’t let her think something was-”

His hands on my arms cut off my rambling tirade. He moves in close until we are close enough to kiss. My pulse rises in anticipation, but then slows when he doesn’t close the distance between us. In its place is hesitation and panic.

“Rabbit, I’m glad your safe and that things went okay, but there is something I have to tell you. It’s important.” He pauses, visibly shaken. “I came home after dropping you off and fell asleep.”