A Night of Flame and Blood Read online

  I kicked the blankets off of me and jumped out of bed. The room was dark; I suddenly felt uncomforting being in a dark room alone. The chills from the recent dream had me running for my door. I needed company. I needed to sleep in bed with someone.

  I tip toed out of my room and made my way to Rebecca’s room. I climbed in under the covers and felt my fear ease away when I felt her warm body against mine.

  I didn’t dream of demons and murder. Rebecca was like a balm to me. I fell into a normal dream, one that was fuzzy, and you hardly remember what it was about when you wake up.

  The next week flew by fast. As soon as we went back to school I kept close to Rebecca and for once she did not say anything about it. It was like she wanted me around. She even sat next to me in our first period. The first day she did it came as a big shock to everyone, but once the days passed everyone seemed to accept the fact that Rebecca had claimed that seat for herself. It was not news-worthy after the first day. Also, Rebecca sitting next to me meant that creepy Derik could not.

  Something changed about creepy Derik as well. He seemed to have turned back into the old Derik from before. He would not look our way; he did not bother Rebecca and I. He did his work, packed up when the bell rang and left quietly. I disliked his quietness more than his creepy attitude. At least when he was talking to me, I knew there was something. Now I was completely out of the loop.

  My week with Robert was worse. To an outsider everything seemed normal. We sat in our usual table and talked about random things, but everything was completely wrong. The trust was no longer there buzzing between us like electricity. Our conversations were hollow because we were both purposely leaving out important details of our life.

  Besides Robert and I think exactly alike. Just like I was playing him for a fool by pretending that everything was normal he was doing the same to me. We were both playing each other. The phrase keep your friends close and your enemies closer danced in my head.

  Also weird, Jackie and Robert were not talking anymore. At least as far as I could see. She sat in her usual table far from ours and did not glance our way. Same for Robert. I did not buy it. It was as if they were being too careful to act like if nothing was going on between them.

  Robert and I did not mention Jackie, demons or the book. I think we both noticed that we were avoiding the topics but neither of us said anything.

  On Friday Robert reminded me of something I had completely forgotten. We were eating lunch when he brought it up and I nearly choked on my food and cursed myself for forgetting.

  “So, everyone’s going to the party today, right? I mean everyone but us of course.” Robert’s lips curved up in a secret smile. It was one we shared whenever a party came, we both knew there was a strict no freaks allowed.

  “The party.” I said, shocked. How could I forget about the party? Rebecca kept talking about it nonstop last week. Of course, she was going. And what was I going to do, wait at home and pray that Derik didn’t dig his disgusting fingernails into her.

  “Yes, Brianna, the party. Or did you forget that that’s what everyone’s been talking about. Aside from Michelle’s murder of course.” Robert bowed his head slightly to show his respect. The act almost made me smile. You could always count on Robert to be respectful to the dead. Too bad he was a backstabber.

  “Oh shit.” I knew what I had to do. This party was about to have an unwanted freak in its mist. It was bad enough that I still could not get the visions to come at will. Maybe if I could, I would be able to keep Rebecca safe without having to stalk her, but for now being with her constantly would have to do.

  I caught up to Rebecca after lunch and told her about my plans to go with her to the party.

  “Let me see if I heard correctly. You want to come with me to the party.”

  I nodded.

  “You, Brianna, want to come with me Rebecca to a party that most of the school will attend. Do I have that correct?”

  “Yes.” I exhaled annoyed.

  “And why would that be?” She asked me skeptically.

  “I don’t know. Guess I just want to see if the grass is greener on the other side.”

  “So, you just want to come to a party to experience it, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, why didn’t you tell me before? Of course, you could come Bri Bri.”

  I winced.

  “And we’re going to have so much fun. Now I have a designated driver so bring on the beer pong.”

  Great, I’ve been bumped from freak to designated driver, but I was ok with that. I was not planning on drinking. Not when I needed to keep my eye on Rebecca.

  “Oh, and guess what. I have the perfect dress you could wear. It was a little big on me so you could totally have it. And I could do your hair and make-up. You’re going to look so good, trust me.” She smiled showing me her milky white teeth. But nothing about her smile was comforting. I knew she was going to sneak the makeover on me. Some things never change. Only this time I was going to let her. I have to fit in with the cool people somehow.

  The rest of the day passed quickly and by the time school was over I was more nervous about the party than ever. For the first time I was going to be alone with the cool people. And I was actually going to try to fit in. Maybe even make small talk. The thought alone was making me nauseous. What were they going to say when I arrived?

  Arriving with Rebecca was sure to grant me an entrance but the scrutiny I would receive was inevitable.

  I went inside the car and nearly shook it with my nervous jitters. I could not control them.

  Rebecca approached the car, and I was just about ready to tell her that I was ill and not able to go to the party. Until I saw her face. She came into the car looking nauseous. Her creamy skin held a tint of green a light shade of sweat covering her forehead. Immediately I was alarmed.

  “Rebecca, what the hell is a matter with you?”

  She clutched the steering wheel tightly, but she made no move to turn on the car. “Oh, Brianna, it was awful, you should have seen it. It was just lying there dying, all wounded and defenseless.” She shook her head, trying to erase the images.

  “What? What was dying?” I had never seen Rebecca so distraught. I was starting to panic.

  “The bird, Brianna, the bird. It died right in front of me.” I knew it was awful, but I could not help the relief I felt. When she mentioned death, I was imagining a person dying in front of her. The person clutching on Rebecca’s shirt before giving their last breath. Now, I felt slightly better.

  “So, you saw a bird die.” I replied more calmly.

  “Yes. And it was horrible. My friends and I were just walking out of school when we saw it.” Her face held the traces of compassion that were buried deep within her; funny how a bird would be the one to bring them out of hiding.

  “You should have seen it Brianna, it was a beautiful white dove, but something must have pierced it because blood was running down its middle. The beautiful white feathers stained crimson in less than a minute. And his wings, they gave desperate flaps before they became still. Oh, it was just awful, Brianna.” She sniffled. Real tears glimmering behind her sea blue eyes.

  “Are you going to cry?” I squeaked in shock. Rebecca was very much like me in the sense that neither one of us were criers. Sure, she had temper tantrums here and there but never something that lead to tears.

  “I’m not going to cry.” Her voice was a bit scratchy. “It was just very sad. And then that bitch Jackie came up and grabbed the bird like if it was nothing.”

  “Jackie grabbed a bird?” I squeaked.

  Rebecca nodded weakly.

  “A dead bird?” I asked disbelievingly. “Are we talking about the same Jackie or is there another Jackie I don’t know about.”

  “Unless you know of another blond bimbo, who wears tons of make-up and looks like she’s made of wax.” Nope, that was the same Jackie, alright.

  I broke into a wide grin. “You know what Rebecca. I think yo
u and I are going to get along just fine.”

  We turned to look at each other and when hazel met blue, we both busted out laughing.

  “I guess this means your crying fit is over.” I said once we calmed down.

  “I wasn’t going to cry.”

  “Sure, you weren’t.” I laughed again, but my mind wandered somewhere else. Why did the dove sound so familiar?

  Rebecca started driving, it was not until we were halfway home that it suddenly clicked. I read about bad omens in the book Robert originally found, it said that a white dove pierced through the heart was a sign of great evil. Rebecca had been the one to see the bad omen.

  ∆∆∆

  “You can’t go to the party today.” My mother told Rebecca for the upmost time. Rebecca slouched dejectedly on the couch and scowled at me. She was angry because I told mom about the party. I might have also mentioned the fact that there was going to be tons of alcohol. My mother freaked at the thought of uninhibited teenagers when there was a murderer on the loose.

  Mom displayed the reaction I wanted. After the dove incident I could not allow Rebecca to go to the party. It would be too risky. She would never listen to me. Mom on the other hand, she would have to listen to her.

  “And you, Brianna.” Mom said turning her steely gaze at me, “You were actually planning on going to this party with Rebecca.”

  “Yeah, I thought it’d be cool since there wasn’t going to be any parents. I wanted to see how wild drunk teens got.” I was laying it on a bit thick, but I really wanted to make mom worry. I could not let mom concede to Rebecca when she groveled for permission.

  Rebecca shot me a dark look. I knew she was going to hate me for this, but I was left with no choice.

  “You thought it’d be cool to see teens out of their minds drunk?” Moms voice was rising. “Why would you want to see something like that? They could get hurt. They could end up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning. That is no place I want you two to be at, got it.” She gave us both a hard look before dismissing us to our rooms.

  Rebecca did not look at me as we went upstairs. As soon as she got to her room, she slammed her door shut. The do not disturb was implied.

  I did not like it. I felt like Rebecca and I had accomplished so much in our relationship this past week and now in one swift motion it went back to how it was before. With Rebecca and I both locked in our rooms, not speaking. We were back to our old routine.

  I wish I could tell her that it was for her own good, but I could not, not unless I wanted her to think I was deranged. I hoped in time she would forgive me for making her miss one of the biggest parties of the year.

  I stayed in my room for the next couple of hours trying to think about all the research Robert and I had made throughout the years about catching demons. There was the circle of salt you drew around them to keep them trapped in one spot. Or the ruda leaves dipped in pig’s blood that was supposed to disorientate the demon.

  I glanced towards the bottom of my bed. It was time to take it out, I walked towards my bed and reached underneath, pulling out the box I never thought I would need. Robert had a box identical to this one under his own bed. He thought it was smart if we had the tools we needed to fight a demon close at hand. In the box he put packets of salt, ruda leaves, a jar of pig’s blood—I did not ask how he got it, I did not want to know—and a silver knife. There was also a flask of holy water in the box. We never found anything in our research that proved holy water burned demons, but Robert thought we should keep it in our box, just in case.

  I felt safer with all the tools splayed out in front of me; like I actually stood a chance.

  I knew Rebecca needed time alone. She needed her anger to fizzle out, but I could not help inching out of my room and heading towards her door. I needed to let her know that I did not mean to ruin her night on purpose. I wanted her to see somehow that it was because I loved her so much that I did it.

  The sun had recently set outside leaving the hallway in a dark shadow. I switched on the light switch and stood facing her door. My hand trembled before I knocked. She did not answer, I was expecting this.

  “Rebecca.” I whispered at the door as I knocked again. “Rebecca, I know you’re mad at me, but let me in.”

  She still did not answer. “Please.” I said, giving it one last shot. Nothing.

  Rebecca’s door had a lock, but if you picked it just right with a bobby pin it was able to open. I knew this because I use to do it all the time when I was smaller. I took off one of the bobby pins from my hair and proceeded to pick the lock. A chuckle escaped my lips as I found myself kneeled down in front of her door, it reminded me too much of my childhood.

  I heard the little click easily and turned the knob, opening the door carefully. I knew an angry Rebecca was waiting on the other side of the door and I did not want to alarm her.

  I stepped inside. The room was empty. “Rebecca.” I called out. She was gone.

  I walked towards her window and saw a little sliver was left opened. It was enough for someone to be able to stick their fingers in and slide it open. It was exactly what Rebecca would do if she were sneaking out. She would need and entrance route back to the house without getting caught.

  I nearly punched the wall. Rebecca was out there alone, unprotected, and worst of all a demon was on the prowl tonight. I needed to find her.

  ∆∆∆

  I kept thinking about my vision; the one where I heard Rebecca screaming for help. It was coming true. I had to get to her before it could happen. I knew she went to the party. I just had to hope she was still there when I got there.

  Rebecca had taken the car. It was not parked on the curb anymore. The house party was in the other side of town. There was no way I could get there on time.

  I looked around it was dark. I did not trust the darkened streets. My mom and dad should be watching T.V. in their room at this time. Do I dare go ask them for help? And who is to say if they would even take me. My mother would most likely drive to the party herself and leave me behind.

  I made a quick decision. If I ran, I would be able to reach the house in an hour, maybe less. That would have to be enough time. It was still early. Rebecca should still be at the party for a good three hours more.

  I had packed everything I had in the box inside my backpack, feeling more secure when I felt its weight.

  Getting my feet ready I started to run, fast. The pounding of my feet on the cement was the only company to the night sounds.

  I ran for several minutes when a loud rumble interrupted my concentration making me almost trip. A car going at a high velocity roared past me in a frenzy before turning on the driveway in front of me, blocking my path. The brakes screeched when they slammed on them.

  I should have been afraid, but I knew that car far too well to fear it. The person emerged from inside, and when I finally saw his face it was as if I could finally breath.

  Daston looked at me murderously angry. The hard lines on his face looked harder, as if they were carved by a knife. I nearly threw myself at him, but his fierce words sobered me.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Do you have a death wish?”

  I made a quick decision and pushed myself past him, jumping inside the car without answering his question. We would have time to talk in the car but right now he was taking me to the party. I had already decided it and I was not going to take no for an answer.

  It took him a couple seconds to recover but when he got in the car, I thought he looked impressed.

  “Where to?” He asked avoiding my stare.

  “I want you to take me to Bethany’s party.”

  He gave me a look that said you are crazy if you think I’m taking you there.

  “Please.” I begged. “You got to take me. Rebecca’s at that party and if I don’t get her back home, she’s going to get hurt.”

  “If I don’t get you back home, you’re going to get hurt. Didn’t you see the warning? It’s not safe out there.”


  “Daston.” I pleaded.

  “No. You can’t go. I’ll go to the party and get Rebecca out of there but I’m dropping your butt home first.”

  Hot blood flowed through my veins and I shot Daston a venomous look. “If you take me back home, I’ll run off again. Trust me, you can’t keep me there.”

  “Brianna, please.” His voice sounded vulnerable and there was something in his eyes that were practically begging me to listen. I raised my chin an inch showing him my resolve. I was not about to let him take me home while Rebecca was out there.

  “Fine then,” he snapped. The look in his eyes changed suddenly into unreadable blank slates, and when he spoke again his voice was cold. “You’re going to regret it though.”

  Daston drove fast. We got to Bethany’s house sooner than I expected. Neither of us spoke throughout the ride. Daston went out first and opened the car door for me before I even had a chance to undo my seatbelt. I stumbled after him and purposely placed myself behind him when he knocked on the door.

  Bethany’s house was a large white square shaped manner with a cobblestone pathway leading up to the brass door. There were rose bushes on each side of the pathway making it seem elegant, but the loud party music practically shaking the house from within ruined the affect.

  When no one answered the door Daston opened it and went in, holding it open for me so I could slide in before shutting the door.

  The party was filled with teens from my school chatting with each other. All of them had red plastic cups in their hands, and I had an inkling that it was not punch that they were drinking. Bethany’s large living room was transformed into a dance floor where couples were grinding all over each other. Some of the moves seemed to belong more in a private bedroom than in a crowded dance floor.

  Daston and I moved through the party quickly, most people seemed too intoxicated to pay us attention. I wondered why I was so afraid to come to this party. Now looking into the faces of my classmates I realized how illogical my worries were. They were all too drunk to realize anything. And even the ones who were sober were in their own world, not even sparing us a glance.