The Prophecy (24 page)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Monday rolled around faster than I liked it too. I ended up sleeping through most of Sunday, only getting up to eat or use the bathroom. The weirdness I felt had slowly gone away, leaving me feeling relatively normal.

I pulled into the parking lot and raced inside, hurrying to class. I was late, again. I threw open the doors to my history class only to skid to a stop. Jessica Rabbit was standing behind the desk.

She wasn't the actual Jessica Rabbit, but I bet she could pass for a damn good imitation. I felt myself blush as her large green eyes locked onto me. Her body was what every little boy dreamed of in a woman. Curves in all the right places and then some. Her stilettos made her stand over me, though I had a feeling that if she was barefoot we'd be the same height. She wore a simple yet elegant dove gray skirt suit. The skirt hugged her generous hips all the way up to her miniscule waist. The jacket fit to perfection, highlighting her large breasts. Flaming red hair fell in waves down her back. I had no idea what she was doing here but she sure as hell didn't belong in a school. Especially this school.

“
You're late.” She snapped out, her anger seemed to enhance her symmetrical, dainty features.

“
Yeah, sorry.” I was still standing in the doorway, just staring at her.

“
Apologies don't work in my classroom. Come forward and inform the class as to why you are late, and why what you were doing was so important that we had to hold up class.”

I frowned at her and looked out to the other students. Every male in the class was practically drooling over her. I couldn't blame them. The females, on the other hand, were looking at her like she was the second coming of Jesus. I shook my head and stepped forward.

“Okay, Mrs.—”

“
Miss Beckingdale.”

“
Miss Beckingdale. I overslept. Sorry.” I could feel my anger rising along with the darkness. It seemed to be stronger for some reason. Maybe it just didn't like Jessica Rabbit look-a-likes. I clenched my jaw and turned toward my seat.

“
We're not finished yet.” Her voice stopped me short. I breathed slowly, deeply, but the darkness seemed to rise faster than I'd ever felt it. My hands started to shake as I struggled for control. I was starting to panic, it had never came back that fast.

My base emotion was quickly becoming over ridden as the darkness pushed forth, bringing the energy with it. I winced as it lashed across me. Through me.

I turned around slowly and faced her. The anger on her face started to slowly leave, replaced by curiosity. “As far as I'm concerned, we're done here.”

“
Well, luckily for me I am the substitute until Mr. Ridgewood returns. That means that I am in charge and you have to listen to me.”

“
I don't care who you are. I don't have to stand here and listen to this—”

“
Star, don't.” I snapped my attention over to Gabe. He looked at me pleadingly even though his confusion showed through.

“
Yes, listen to your friend. And since he had the nerve to speak up without being spoken to, he can come up here, and join us in our little discussion.”

The shaking had moved up my hands into my arms, slowly working its way toward my chest. I knew this wasn't right, even for me, but I couldn't hold on. I wasn't able to hinder the progress.

I had to do something, had to escape. “How about not?” I practically growled at her as Gabe made his way to the front. I cast him a quick glance as I turned on my heel and headed for the door. I'd had enough of this shit.

I broke free of the classroom only to be jerked back. I snapped around, glaring at the hand that grabbed onto me. The grip was painful, cutting into my arm.

“Listen here Miss—”

I jerked my arm out of her grasp. She was stronger than she looked. I clenched my jaw and turned around again. I was at the breaking point and I didn't know why. As the energy coursed through me I stared deeply into her eyes. I couldn't hold out much longer.

“No, you can't be—” her eyes widened and a small smile appeared on her face. Her distraction was what I needed to escape. I started running, hell bent on getting out of there. Maybe if I was fast enough I could escape the darkness too.

I slammed the door as I got home, not caring who would hear. I thought about everything that happened, but none of it made sense. Things had always been bad, but there had always been a lead up. It never hit me this fast before, almost like it had a fury all its own.

“Starlette.” The edge to my mother's voice made me stop my fidgeting. I turned toward her. I knew I must have looked like I felt, raw and panicked.

“
You're principal called. Feel like telling me why you skipped school and attacked a teacher?”

“
What? I didn't attack anyone!” I took an automatic step forward. Where the hell had she gotten that at? If anything Ms. Beckingdale grabbing me could be considered assault.

“
Well you obviously skipped school because here you are! What in the world were you thinking? Haven't we taught you the value of education? I don't know what has gotten into you!”

I started laughing. It just came out of nowhere, startling me as much as it did her.
“Well that makes two of us. When you uncover that great mystery, please let me know.” The bite in my words should have shocked me, made me feel something, but I was beyond anything at that point. All I knew was that I had to be alone for a while until the darkness passed. I couldn't stand it if someone else got hurt.

I shoved past her and stomped to my door. Her voice was like the sound of buzzing insects, lost in the myriad thoughts of my own mind. I was losing it. This had to be the final break.

I slammed the door and went downstairs, locking it behind me. My hand twisted my hair around and around and around. I couldn't seem to stop the motion, my agitation breaking out into a physical manifestation. Damaging my hair seemed like a better prospect than hurting those around me. The images were back, playing in my mind like an all-time matinee, and the reel on loop showing the grisly scenes over and over again. I tried to stop it, to shove it to the back of my mind like always, but they refused to be moved. I sank down onto the floor, my head in my hands.

“
What the fuck is your problem!” I didn't even look up as I heard my father's shout. I couldn't face him, or any of them.

“
Just go away, please.” I muttered. I squeezed my head, trying to force the images to stop. I shut my eyes, but the images only became more vivid, more intense.

“
I am not going away! You are not going to just storm off and get out of this!” He yanked me to my feet, the pressure of his hands biting into my arms. I relished in it. Pain meant that it was real, all of it. It was something physical I could hold onto while everything else seemed like a dream, separate from what had been my reality.

He shook me. I was so consumed with my own mind that I didn't realize he had been yelling the entire time. My father, who was always lighthearted and never serious, was staring at me like a condemning highlander. Ready to strike down on all those who hurt his family. The darkness was rolling inside of me, a storm cloud full of electricity. There was so much darkness, I almost expected lightning to shoot from me.

I remained silent as he laid into me. There was nothing he could say that I hadn't already thought myself. I've thought much worse.

“
That's it, isn't it? You're trying to punish us for this move! You've turned into nothing but a spoiled, selfish pyro!” Tears began streaming down my face. I didn't wipe them away, even though his words sliced through me. They were a direct jab at Becca. Becca—

“
I don't care what we have to do! You will get over this shit, do you understand me?”

I started laughing. I couldn't help it. There was too much inside me, too much emotions,
and too much darkness. I had to release the pressure. His face reddened until I thought he'd have a stroke.

He released me quickly. I kept laughing, while the tears kept streaming down my face, looking into his enraged eyes the entire time. His hand drew back and he slapped me full force across the face. My head whipped to the side with his blow, the momentum causing my body to follow until I was nothing but a heap on the floor. I looked up at him through the tangled mess of my hair, blood streaming from the corner of my mouth. I'd stopped laughing. A small piece of me seemed to shrivel up and die at that moment.

His face was pale and I thought he'd be sick. I stood up, flinching as he reached out to me. He backed away, slowly shaking his head like he couldn't believe what he did. I pushed my hair out of my face and wiped the blood from my mouth. The hit had finally ceased the images in my mind, but it caused the darkness to rise up along with the rage.

“
Baby girl— I'm— my God.” He shook his head. It was a nice try. I've learned that no matter how much you shake your head, or wished what you did hadn't happened, that it would never go away.

“
I'm leaving now.” I stated simply. I would have been shocked at how level my tone was, but I couldn't feel anything besides the darkness. It was almost a relief.

“
No, you don't have to—”

I just looked at him and he stopped talking. I could feel my eyes changing, and by the look on his face he must have noticed it too.
“Yes, I do have too. Don't worry about me,” I smiled bitterly, “I'll be home when I'm home.” I turned around and ignored his useless ramblings, leaving them behind.

C
hapter Thirty

I drove endlessly with the darkness leading the way. I was on autopilot. I was surprised I didn't crash as I found myself in front of The Nook. I looked at my phone and was shocked to see that school would be out by now. I didn't know why my body automatically brought me to Rose and Mary Beth. Maybe my subconscious knew something I didn't.

I got out and walked into the store. The familiar scent of caffeine and books embraced me, calming some of my madness. Mary Beth was behind the counter and looked over at me with worried eyes.

“Hey, Mary Beth.” I greeted weakly as I walked over.

She peered at my face, her eyebrows drawing closer together.
“Hello, dearie. What happened to your face?”

I placed my hand against my cheek, wincing at the tenderness.
“Nothing, just a little accident.”

She didn't look convinced but dropped the subject.
“You want your usual?”

“
Yeah, that'll be—”

“
Rose should be coming down in a minute to help out. If you want I can see if Michael will stay later so you two can talk.”

“
No, that won't be—”

“
I know how you girls get. Always wanting to gossip and such. I remember when I was—”

“
Mary Beth!” Her shock mirrored my own. This was the first time I ever yelled at her. Guilt consumed me, mixing in with the darkness. “Sorry. I was saying that that won't be necessary. I would just like to sit by myself for a while, okay?” 

Something in my face must have told her to leave it alone. She nodded and finished making my coffee. She was unusually quiet as she handed it to me.
 

“
Thanks. I really am sorry.”

She just nodded and turned away. I hoped that I didn't do any lasting damage. She was already frail the way it was, mentally at least. I sighed and went to a corner table, trying to hide within the store.

I stared down at my coffee, letting my mind empty for once as I looked internally to the darkness. It seemed to speak to me, begging me to let it loose. It wanted, needed something, but I didn't know what. I turned my mind away and looked out the window right as Andrei walked passed. I froze as I watched him, my heart beating heavily in my chest. 

He stopped outside the window, and the look he sent me seemed to freeze me in place. It was cold, almost frigid in its intensity. There was no warmth in his gaze, no heat, none of the fire that I had become so used to seeing. He was the polar opposite, like instead of looking at someone he almost kissed, he was looking at the enemy.

Another piece of me died in that moment. I was slowly losing myself, losing everything that mattered to me. I was becoming lost within the darkness. Would anyone even care? Or would they just lock me up in some asylum, away from the world, a best forgotten memory.

I looked away from those chilling eyes that used to hold me captive so easily. I watched as his shadow passed by and didn't look up as I heard the store's door open. He said all he needed to in that one look. I didn't know why he changed, but in that moment I didn't think it would matter. He wasn't the only one who had changed.

“What did you do?” I looked up into Rose's enraged eyes. Looks like I was going to lose everyone today.

“
Nothing. I did nothing.”

She crossed her arms, her eyes staring daggers into me.
“You sure in the hell did something! I haven't seen Mom this quiet in years! All she told me was that you were here then walked away. What the fuck, Star?”

“
Look, I already said sorry to your Mom, okay? I didn't mean to snap on her. I was just tired of not being able to get a word in.” I shot back. Her anger was no match for mine.

“
You know how she is! You should have just nodded and walked away after she was done rambling! Do you know what you could have done?” Her emerald eyes were lit up like green fire. At that point I knew that she wasn't just angry, she was furious and scared.

I shot out of the chair and stood toe to toe with her. I wouldn't be cowed down by her. I'd had enough of people's shit for one day and didn't need anything else from her.
“Yes, I know fully well what I could have done,” a bitter laugh escaped me as I thought about what could have happened if the darkness broke loose, “you, on the other hand, have no fucking idea. Just stay away from me, Rose. All of you should just stay away.”

I moved past her, knocking her out of the way with my shoulder.

“What happened to your face, Star? Your parents finally get tired of your shit?”

I froze and turned to look back at her.
“Yes, actually, that's exactly what happened.” The shock that crossed her face was almost priceless. She wasn't expecting to be right.

“
God, Star. I'm so—”

“
Don't. Just don't, okay?” I turned and walked away, leaving her to stare after me.

I almost made it to the door when Andrei stepped in front of me. God, why now?

“Did they really hit you?” he asked. There wasn't any concern in his voice, no compassion. It was empty, and flat.

I shot a glare at him. Even though his face didn't show any warmth to me, I was still attracted to him. For a moment I was tempted to throw myself into his arms and sob while he held me. But he wouldn't hold me. I knew that.
“What does it matter to you?”

He looked at me for a moment, then seemed to shake himself out of his thoughts. He flashed a cruel smile my way and stepped back.
“Yeah, it doesn't matter.” That simple statement seemed to pierce through me to my very core. I rushed passed him and out into the chilly afternoon before the first tear fell.

******

I was aimlessly driving again when my phone rang. I grabbed it from the passenger seat and answered without looking to see who it was.

“
Yeah.”

“
Starlette?” I cringed. It was James.

“
Yeah, it's me. What's up?”

“
You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago.” There was a no nonsense quality to his voice. Mom must have called. Great.

“
Look, today is really not a good day.”

“
All the more reason for you to come in.”

I rolled my eyes as I weaved effortlessly down side streets.
“No, it's not. It's more like ‘you wouldn't want me to yell at you’ kind of things.”

“
If you yell, that's fine. We're supposed to be working on your emotions anyways. That's what this is all about, helping you work through your feelings.”

“
Well I'm pretty sure I know what my feelings are, so no need.”

“
Be here in five minutes or I'll come looking for you.”

I stared at my phone as he hung up. He couldn't be serious. Well, he probably was. I threw my phone back onto the seat and turned around. Looks like there was another stop today. Why not just ruin everything in one fell swoop?

I stormed past the receptionist again. She barely spared me a glance. I slammed the door behind me and fell down into my chair. “Well, I'm here. Now what?”

He looked up at me, and for once he wasn't working on his laptop.
“We're going to finish today.”

I narrowed my eyes.
“Seriously? This last session and that's it?” This was too easy.

He laughed and eased back in his chair.
“No, not with the sessions. Rather we're going to finish talking about Becca today.”

My heart stopped. Over the past few months we've been talking about my emotions and how I've felt about everything. I thought he had let go of talking about Becca. Apparently, I was wrong.

“What do you mean? I already told you everything. How we became enemies, how I came to be here.” I shrugged, forcing my body to relax. The darkness was like background music to me now. The pulsing energy almost like a lullaby. I didn't know whether or not it was a good thing that it was completely merging with me. Or maybe I was merging with it.

“
True, you've told me all of that, but you never actually told me what
happened
that day. Why you were almost arrested.”

I shifted in my seat.
“Why does it matter to you anyways?”

“
Because it's my job and I'm one of the people that actually care about you.”

I laughed at that. Care. Yeah, sure they do.
“Whatever. I think I'm done with everyone’s 
care.
”

“
Is that what happened to your face? Someone caring a little too much?”

“
What the fuck is with everyone today? This is my face, my life, and my problems. Everyone just needs to keep their fucking noses out of it.” The darkness rose, beckoning to consume me. I went to it willingly.

He stared at me while I felt the change within me. I didn't want to hurt anymore. I was so tired of being scared. If the darkness wanted me so badly then it could have me.

“Star— what happened to Becca?”

I sat up straight and smiled. Embracing the darkness was almost freeing.
“Do you know what today is?” My question caught him off guard, startling him out of his serious demeanor.

“
Yes, it's the second of November.”

“
That's right.” I nodded and smiled brighter. “And what happens on the third of November?”

“
I don't know Star, what happens?”

“
I turn eighteen. And do you know how I'm going to celebrate that?”

His frown deepened as he leaned forward.
“Star, you don't want to do anything you'd end—”

“
Oh just for once shut up! All you do is sit there and make me face things that are better left forgotten! But do you listen to me? No! You think this is helping, well it's not! It's getting worse! All of it is fucking getting worse and I'm tempted, oh so tempted, to give into the darkness you have no—”

“
Darkness? Star, what are—”

“
What am I talking about?” I stood up and started laughing again. This wasn't regular laughter, nothing about this was funny. “See, all this time you haven't been listening. None of you do. You want to know what happened to Becca. Everyone wants to know what happened to Becca.” I was becoming manic now, talking faster and faster. My heart beat erratically against my ribs, almost painfully.

“
I have been listening, Star! But apparently you haven't been telling me everything! How am I supposed to help—”

“
That's just it. You can't help. None of you can help me.” Tears started to form in my eyes. I willed them back, welcoming the burn that it created. “You want to know what happened to Becca? Sure, I'll tell you.” I sat back down in my chair and brought my knees up to my chest, holding them to me as I rested my head against them.

He looked startled, the abrupt change in my mood setting him on edge. At least I wasn't the only one.

“It was a couple of months after my seventeenth birthday. We were all in the cafeteria at school. I was sitting by myself, of course, and Becca was holding court three tables down from me. They were all laughing, talking about me. They made sure I could hear them.

“
I tried my best to ignore them, but my rage kept growing, the darkness that went with it consumed me. All I could think about was how much Becca's viciousness spread like a fire, consuming everything in its path. How, for once, I wished she would get burned the same way she'd burned everyone else. Including me.

“
I guess I must have been muttering, because a guy sitting at the end of the table heard me. I don't remember his name or even what he looked like. Next thing you know, there was screaming. God awful screaming that seemed to echo throughout the cafeteria. More people screamed and panic ensued.

“
All I could hear was the screaming. I couldn't see anything through the smoke and had to leave the room because I started gagging on one of the most horrible scents I've ever smelled. I knew the smell of burnt hair, but I didn't know the second scent.