Dark's Descent (10 page)

Announcements

      Cassie ran inside the door and hopped on the couch. With Stella around, Cassie didn't think she was going to make it home in one piece. Neither of Cassie's parents were home yet, which wasn't unusual, but Cassie thought they would have been waiting for her given what happened. Nevertheless, Cassie helped herself to an after-school snack. By the time Susan was home, Cassie was finishing her cookies.

      “Cassie!” Susan exclaimed, running to give her daughter a big hug, “I'm so happy you're safe!” “Squeezing too hard,” Cassie groaned, and her mom released the death grip, “At least I can't say I've never been to Philly now!” Susan laughed, rushing to make dinner. They were having Chicken and Homemade Dumplings and it was already five. Five o'clock was when they usually ate, but her husband was running late too, so it was alright.

      At 6:56, Officer James Smith waltzed through the door. Since he became the chief, James often got home late. “I'm home!” he announced. When he saw his daughter, he was so happy. He had thought that he might never see her again. He did exactly what Susan did, and this time, Cassie almost passed out.

      “Dinner's ready!” Susan called, putting Cassie's plate on the table. The two scrambled to get to their seats. With Cassie gone, her parents had some alone time, but really missed Cassie at dinner.

      Dinner was like their family meeting. It was where they announced anything big going on in their lives, and talked about their days. Susan thought it was a necessity to a strong family bond. That night, Cassie had a lot to talk about.

      When they were all eating their dinner, Susan asked, “So other than the obvious, how was your trip?” Cassie beamed. “It was great!” she asserted, “In fact, I have an announcement!” “Before the announcements,” James cut in, “How did you get lost, anyways?”     

      Cassie cringed. What would her parents say if she told them that a student tricked them? Should she tell them? “Just a mean rich girl who doesn't like me,” she shrugged, “Mrs. Spencer knows.”

      Cassie's parents looked at each other. They had to tell her sooner or later, and there was no delaying announcement time now. Susan spoke up.

      “We have two announcements ourselves.” Susan began, “We can take turns, you go first.”

      Cassie looked confused. They barely had one announcement, let alone two! What could have happened while she was gone?

      Without a filter, Cassie blurted out, “I have a boyfriend!” James stood up and yelled, “What!?” Susan told her husband to sit. “I had my first boyfriend in fifth grade,” Susan reminded him, “You should know, it was you!”

      James and Susan had been together since they were ten. It was your classic love story. They told it to anyone who asked how long they've been a couple.

      “What's his name?” Susan questioned, “Do we know him?” Cassie answered their questions with a huge smile on her face. She was so in love, but she didn't tell them that.

      “Have you had your first kiss yet?” her mom quizzed. Cassie went silent. Yes, she had her first kiss! That's how the relationship started! She didn't want to tell them that she made-out with him, on three occasions!

      James knew that look, he invented that look! “YOU KISSED HIM?!” he demanded to know. Like any other dad, he was overprotective of his daughter, not that it was a bad thing.

      “I'm sure it was innocent, right honey?” Susan was the kind of optimistic who believed in the best of everything. Cassie nodded quickly. “Didn't you have an announcement?” Cassie changed the subject.

      “Oh, yes,” Susan answered, “I got a job. As your new principal!” Cassie gaped, “How did that happen?”

      Susan explained how Mrs. Spencer hired her, since she was already the head of the board and there was an opening.

      “Anything else I should know?” Cassie badgered. Her parents nodded as smiles lit up their faces. “Cassie,” they began, having rehearsed this moment for a while, “You are going to be a big sister!”

      Cassie looked at her mom. She's pregnant! She was Cassie's new pregnant Principal Mom! Cassie got dizzy. She was going to lose it. She left for three days, and she misses everything! She excused herself from the table and wobbled to her room. She couldn't handle it! She was going to be a big sister! She walked as the room swirled around her, becoming a dark mass. Then everything went black.

      Cassie opened her eyes on a bed. She was soaking wet. Just after she passed out, Susan flipped. She knew they should've told her differently! She jumped up from her seat and grabbed the pitcher of water from the refrigerator and poured it on her, like they did in the TV shows. “What was that for!” James had said, “That'll just make her cold!” Susan was calm in every aspect, except for emergencies. James picked up the soggy girl and took her to her bed. Cassie was always different with news. When her dad got promoted, she first cried, and then did a somersault because he wouldn't be in as much danger.

      Cassie yelled, “You're PREGNANT!!!” The Smiths ran in. “You don't need to know all the details,” Susan stuttered, “but yes, I am pregnant.” Cassie asked if it was a brother or a sister. She didn't really care, either way she was probably going to do their hair and make-up.

      “We don't know, we just found out ourselves.” Susan explained, “We'll find that out later.” Cassie gasped. She had to tell Charlie! And Will and Skyler too! She reached for her phone and texted everyone she knew. She was so excited! Cassie loved babies and kids, and now she was going to have one of her very own! Not really hers, but same difference. She grabbed a cookie, crying tears of joy and gave it to her mom. Susan didn't notice the small tear that sparkled as she put the cookie in her mouth.

      Cassie couldn't wait to take selfies with the baby. She was kind of addicted to them. She took selfies with her friends, her family, her food. When she went places, she always came back with at least one selfie. Considering she only had her phone for some months, three memory cards full of selfies was a lot. Charlie didn't even have that many selfies!

      The next few hours were filled with texts and calls from her friends. They all were excited that there was going to be a new baby to talk about! The only one with younger siblings was Sky, whose brother was already eight.

      That was when she told Charlie her mom was the principal. The only thing he said was 'cool'.

      Stella got an announcement of her own. Due to the high demand for Miracle Hair in a country called Athea Guana, Stella's father was moving his company headquarters there. He was also looking to move his family there as well. Stella didn't want to move. If she moved, all of her work for Charlie would be for nothing!

      Mayor Sanders was going to stay in NYC to finish his term, and then join his family in a year. He was a very rich man, who could afford some extra pounds. He rode a personal transporter everywhere he went. The mayor was known for his ability to waste money on things he didn't need. After all, he always wore the finest clothing, and thanks to his personal stylist, put other mayors to shame.

      The mayor tried to coax his daughter to go along with the movement. Seeing no other choice, he told her where they would be living. “Stella dear,” he bellowed, “Athea Guana is a monarchy, who would love to have us there. They gave us our very own castle, and have agreed to name you Duchess Stella Sanders!” Stella perked up. “I would be a Duchess?” She questioned, “Of what, exactly?”

      Mayor Sanders smiled, “You would be the Duchess of the whole Athea Guana country! Less than the Royal Family, but you would be able to rule over the common folk, and receive a weekly allowance from the Treasury!”

      Finally, someone recognized her talent for being better than everyone else! “I accept!” she squealed, “Have the staff start packing my stuff!”

      The old man laughed. He knew that would do the trick.

      Stella ran to her mirror.

Stupid mirror that doesn't lose,

Tell everyone in school the news.

Blow up their phones with my rejoice,

And make my love regret his choice!

      Stella had gotten good at making rhymes quickly. She watched as the mirror sent thousands of messages that read:

'Students of Ezekiel Jacobs Middle School, your favorite girl in school is moving to a beautiful country by the sea where she will rule as the Duchess. She may or may not miss you! And she definitely won't miss Lassie Smith!'

      Charlie grabbed his phone as it rang with messages. He saw one from a number he didn't recognize. After reading it he was hysterical with joy! He ran down the stairs and out the door. Down the street he flew, screaming “SHE'S LEAVING!!!” for the world to hear. However, his excitement didn't last long before he realized he wasn't wearing any pants.

      Cassie showed her mom the message. “Now do you know who sent me to Philadelphia?” Cassie hinted. “Lassie?” Susan grimaced, “She calls you a dog?” Cassie shrugged, “Don't fret, apparently she's royalty now. At least she'll leave me alone.”

      Sky lived a few blocks away from Charlie, so she snapped a picture as he ran by screaming in his underpants. “Cassie has to see this!” Skyler thought aloud, sending Cassie the photo.

      “Do you think Charlie's excited?” Cassie read. She saw her friend running down the street pants-less. Only Charlie would forget to put on pants before going for a happy run.

Summer Camp

      Cassie enjoyed the rest of her sixth grade year, overjoyed that Stella was gone. She graduated with straight A's, of course. On the last day of school, there was presentation.

      “What are you planning to do this summer?” the man asked. Cassie had no idea, her summers were usually uneventful. “How about a week long, Coed Summer Camp!” he suggested. Cassie thought that was a cool idea, and for once in her life, didn't zone out.

      Cassie was sitting next to Will and Charlie, who seemed generally interested in the idea. What Cassie didn't know was that she sparked their interest. When they saw Cassie perk up, they were willing to do anything.

      “Grab a paper and sign up today, and for only $457, you get to join me, Mr. Henderson, on a week long journey in Paradise, Montana at Camp Silver Shadow!” Cassie ran up and took a flyer as soon as the presentation was over. So did Will and Charlie.

      Seeing Charlie's interest, Sky grabbed a flyer as well.

      That night at dinner, Cassie showed her parents the flyer and begged them to go. Seeing how much she wanted to go, Susan agreed.

      “You can go,” she began, “Only if someone goes with you.” Cassie nodded and texted Charlie. She also texted Will and Sky. To her amazement, all three already had their parents’ permission!

      Showing her parents the texts, James sighed and agreed. It was official, Cassie was going to spend a week 2,500 miles from home!

      The day for her to leave came up fast, and Cassie was ready. She got a big suitcase and filled it with everything she was going to need.

      When it was time to get on the plane, everyone said their farewells.

      “See ya!” Sky yelled to her dad as she ran to meet up with the others.

      “Remember to watch Miss Smith and don't tell the king I allowed this when he comes.” Mr. Braddock whispered. Will agreed and walked over to Cassie. He never did tell him that he was dating Cassie. He figured he'd find out on his own like he always did.

      Charlie kissed his grandma on the cheek and said, “I'll see you in a week!” Betty smiled her old, loving smile.

      Cassie thanked her parents again for letting her go. It was July and Susan was already showing that she was pregnant. “Be good!” Susan called as Cassie met up with the others.

      “Are we ready to go?” Cassie asked the group. When everyone nodded, they got on the plane and took their seats. Will with Cassie, and Charlie with Skyler. As the plane took off, a chill filled the plane, and Cassie shuddered.

The Eeshilno

      Everlanon was in chaos with the recent death in the royal family. Evangeline looked down from her tower, and saw the dirty rats.

      The Dragon had done no use to her, so she tried a newer approach. She recently had grabbed a young boy from the streets and changed him to her liking.

      As she looked into the frightened boy's eyes, Eva chanted a spell.

That little boy,

Shall become my toy,

To send to my daughter's land!

He will become an ungrateful one,

To show off to my little hun.

Young and scared shall become grand!

Here I now speak to you!

I now pronounce you, the Eeshilno!

The boy screamed as his heart was melted and distorted, so he could no longer love, and be the most ruthless of all mortals. Evangeline had blown him to the Realm of the Foretold with a message. Find Cassie and report back how she is.

      Today was the day the Eeshilno arrived. Eva looked at the child and asked, “What did you find out, Mr. Sowards?”

      Garrett looked up and babbled, “Cassie had a pathetic crush on me. The Dragon died. Sir Arthur is a teacher named Mr. Braddock, who's pretending the prince is his son. The Prince's name is William Braddock and he knows about Everlanon. He is currently dating your daughter, but doesn't know her true identity.”

      Evangeline roared, “SHE'S DATING THE PRINCE!” Eva lived by a motto. 'Love is weakness.' was that motto. The prince would surely have her turn good! Or maybe this was good! If their relationship lasts until they found out who she was he would have to break up with her! That would smash her lovey-dovey heart into a million pieces, surely turning her dark!

      Evangeline turned to the Eeshilno, and crowed, “I no longer have a use for you!” She tossed a fireball at the miserable thing and roasted it. All that was left was a hardened mangled heart. Eva swiftly picked up the stone and put it on her shelf.