Rise of the Fallen 1 - My Soul to Keep (19 page)

"Everything okay, honey?" I looked up to see my mom staring
at me from the other side of the couch.

"Yeah. I've been having a problem with milk. It doesn't seem to
want to go down right."

"Huh. You're Uncle John is lactose intolerant. Maybe you are,
too.

"Just my luck," I said and my eyes focused on the television.
"What happened?"

"Another kid was killed by that wild animal," Dad said.

I walked around the kitchen counter. "Turn it up?"

My dad thumbed the volume control on the remote. The reporter actually
looked sad. "This is the third brutal killing of a young female in the area.
The Sheriff's Office has been canvassing the surrounding woodland areas for sign
of the bear, but no tracks have been found as of yet. People are urged to use caution
and stay indoors when possible."

The image flashed over to EMT's wheeling a zippered body bag on a stretcher
into the coroner's wagon. "Wildlife experts are unsure if it is a bear attack,
however. Claw and fang marks are consistent with a smaller bear, but no parts of
the body were consumed. It would be highly unusual for a predatory animal to kill
and not consume its victim unless it was defending itself. Sheriff's are also telling
us that massive blood loss from the victims was evident, but no signs of blood at
the scene were found. With WPTP channel Seven News, this is Juan Rico."

The news switched to a story about seven people winning the Power Ball.
I stared at the TV and had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Three
female teens killed. By an animal? I think the wildlife experts are right. If an
animal had done it, there would be pieces missing. If it
wasn't
an animal,
then what the hell was it?

My father hit the mute button and said, "One thing about living
in Santa Carla I never could stomach, all the damn vampires."

I recognized the quote. My parents had their list of favorite movies.
Most of them involved vampires. I remembered the one he quoted and laughed. Until
the word vampire echoed in my head.
Oh, shit.

"Good night. I'm going to bed."

"Good night, honey," Mom said

"Night, kiddo." Dad smiled and waved without looking.

I took the stairs three at a time. As soon as I was in my room I locked
the door, opened the window, and stepped out onto the roof. Without even thinking
about it, I spread my wings and launched myself into the night sky. I concentrated
on Clarisse. I got a flash of her on her Harley on her way to grant somebody's wish.
I flew as fast as I could.

* * *

I looked down and saw the bike pulling to a stop outside a house not
too far from my own. I dropped out of the sky and landed in front of her without
showing off at all. My legs absorbed most of the impact. I stepped out of the two
Sketcher shaped holes in the pavement and gave her a grim look.

"Worm? What are you doing here?"

"Houston, we have a problem."

"What are you talking about?"

"Is there someplace we can talk?"

"I don't have time right now. We'll talk on the way to school
tomorrow,” she said and made to walk around me. I grabbed her arm as she tried to
pass me.

"We can't wait that long. Please, Clarisse. It's serious."

"So talk. What's the matter?"

I took a deep breath before I started. "Have you heard about the
girls who were killed? Two of them went to our school?"

"Briefly. The one's attacked by a bear?"

"No. They weren't. They were attacked by a vampire."

"No they weren't, Connor. I can promise you that. If any of the
humans who are changed by us breaks the rules, we are the first to know. None of
mine killed those girls. You've only made one. Did you feel it?"

"Feel what?"

Clarisse sighed and seemed to think about it for a moment. "Remember
when you felt Brett light the candle and burn the contract?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"It's like that but stronger. The moment he killed anybody, you
would have felt it like a blow to your heart. I would have too because I was there
at his making. Trust me, he hasn't killed anybody."

"But what if he did?"

"He didn't."

"Clarisse, bear with me. What would happen if he did?"

"Then it would be your responsibility to call the Reapers. They
would come for him and take his soul."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. So don't worry about it. Okay?"

"I'll try not to. It's just weird. All the girls were supposedly
attacked by a wild animal, but none of them were eaten. Just drained of blood."

"That is weird. But trust me, if it were Brett, you would know."

"Okay. Thanks. See you tomorrow."

"Bye, worm."

Chapter 22

The school day passed without much of anything happening. The third
victim of the bear attacks didn't go to our school. Even still, the grief counselors
had their hands full. Everyone seemed sullen and depressed. I wasn’t too happy either.
Something just wasn’t right about the whole thing. I bought the bear story about
as much as I believed my sister could suddenly develop redeeming qualities.

The only thing saving the day was the fact Jessie was coming over to
my house again for dinner and to change for the dance tonight. If it weren’t for
that I might have just skipped going to school.

I waited outside the girl's bathroom while Jess did whatever it was
girls do in there. A few people smirked at me as they passed but other than that
everybody pretty much left me alone. Until the vampire twins showed up.

I nearly jumped out of my pants when they snuck up behind me and Jenny
whispered, “Hi, Connor,” in my ear.

I spun and nearly attacked. “Don’t do that!”

“You should have been paying more attention. Especially to us, silly.”

It suddenly hit me. I was looking at two vampires. Not two human girls.
“Why aren’t you wearing your human disguises?”

They looked at me and then at each other. “We are. You feeling okay?”

I blinked twice to clear my head. If I concentrated
really
hard
I could see them just as they'd always been over their vampiric forms. “Sorry, it’s
getting harder to see.”

“Why?” Beth looked confused.

“Long story. Let’s just say I’m getting used to things again.”

“Wait a minute…You have parents. You have a sister. You’re not one
of the Fallen! What did you wish for?”

I scrambled to get them to keep their voices down. “I’ll tell you later,
I promise. Keep your voices down.”

“Just answer one question, are you one of the Fallen?”

“I am now.”

“You suck! Why didn’t we think to wish for that?” Jenny shrugged at
Beth’s question.

“I suck? You’re the vampires.”

“Har har har, Connor. If I could take it back I would. It’s not easy
being a vampire. The movies make it look so glamorous.”

“Look at the bright side, at least you don’t sparkle.”

My joke earned me a hiss. I looked around at the students in the hall
passing us. They didn’t notice. “We’re clouding their minds, Connor. Quit being
so paranoid.”

“Ah, that explains it. We need to talk. Maybe we can help each other
out.”

“I like the sound of that.” Beth stepped closer and ran her finger
down the front of my shirt. I heard her sharp nail catch the fabric a few times.
When I looked down, sure enough, there was a line running from my collar down almost
to my jeans. “Why don’t you dance with us tonight?”

“Because I’m going to the dance with Jessie. We’ll work together, but
that’s it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Quite sure.”

“Your loss,” they both said and walked away. They even looked over
their shoulder at me at the same moment.
Creepy.

“Are you ready?”

I turned and saw Jessie standing behind me. “Whenever you are, Jess.
Let’s go. It’s not exactly a short walk to my house and it’s getting colder.”

“I don’t mind. You can keep me warm.”

It amazed me how warm I felt right then and there. We walked outside
and instead of holding her hand, I put my arm around her. She moved closer and leaned
while she walked. I smiled. Until we heard the horn honk behind us. Without looking
I knew we were being followed by a little pink bug.

“You kids need a ride?” Clarisse’s voice rang out into the afternoon.
I made a shooing motion behind my back, but she ignored me. “Connor, do you and
your little friend want a ride? It’s cold outside!”

I sighed and Jessie started to giggle. “Is that Claire?”

“Oh, you sensed the presence of evil, huh?”

“Come on, Connor. She can’t be that bad. Plus, she’s right. It is cold
out here.”

“Okay, but you’re riding up front.”

“Well, duh. I don’t trust her with your manly body.” Jessie turned.
“Is that you, Claire?” Apparently she was going to ham it up for Clarisse.

“Yes it is. The one and only. Come on, hop in!”

Jessie pulled my hand and I led her to the passenger’s side of the
bug. “Hold on, Jess. Let me get in the back.” I flipped the seat forward and slid
easily into the back seat. From the outside the bug looked like a shoebox. Its interior
never ceased to amaze me.

“Hi, worm.”

“Hi, Claire. Thanks for the ride.” I stuck my tongue out at her. Yes,
I know it was childish, but so was she.

Jessie slid into the front seat and shut the front door. “Thanks for
the ride, Claire.”

“My pleasure, Jessica,” she said and patted my girlfriend on the leg.
She stopped after the third pat and gasped. I looked at her funny, but she didn’t
say anything about it. I’d have to ask her later, when Jessie wasn’t sitting right
next to her.

“Are you going to the dance tonight, Claire?” I tried not to giggle
at Jessie’s question. It didn’t work out so well. Clarisse flipped me the bird over
her shoulder. My giggle’s turned into full out laughter.

“Yes, I am. I’m taking Matt Briarson.”

“The quarterback?” This time I piped in. Okay. I was going out with
Jessie, but knowing Clarisse would be going to the dance with the quarterback of
our football team…Yes, I got a little jealous. No, I didn’t want to take Matt to
the dance. I just didn’t want Clarisse to either. “That should make for some interesting
conversation. Word has it he learned all his ABC’s last week.”

“Connor!” Jessie sent me a very disapproving look over her shoulder.
The effect was kind of lost behind her sunglasses, but I got the gist of it.

“It’s okay, Jessica. He has a penis. They’re all naturally challenged.”

“I guess I’ll have to train this one better. So far he seems to be
a keeper.”

“He is, but he can get a little moody.”

“Don’t they all? Whine, whine, whine. Thank goodness for girls' nights
out.”

“Oh, we need to have one! What are you doing tomorrow? Come with me.
We’ll go shopping.”

“Sounds good to me. You want to pick me up?”

“Sure, but meet me out front. That way I don’t have to meet any parents.
They usually don’t approve of me.”

“Okay. Pick me up at noon?”

“You got it.”

Suddenly I regretted my decision to sit in the back. And get in the
car. And show up for school. My regret ended up going all the way back to lifting
the covers off my sleeping body this morning. Claire and Jessie being friends would
never end well

“What’s the matter, Connor?” I looked up at Clarisse in her rearview
mirror. I could see it in her eyes. Something was wrong.

“Nothing, just worried about dancing tonight. I’m not very good at
it,” I lied through my teeth.

“I know what he’s worried about, Claire. Don’t worry, sweetie. We won’t
talk about you. Too much,” Jessie said with a grin. I stared at Clarisse in the
mirror.

“Just leave out the bad stuff, please,” I said and tried to keep the
worry out of my voice.

The car jerked to the right as Clarisse pulled to a stop in front of
my house. “You two want a ride to the dance?”

I opened my mouth to say, “No,” but Jessie beat me to the punch.

“That would be great. Thanks, Claire. I’m sure Connor’s parents will
be happy. Come on, sweetie. Let’s go get dressed.”

“And eat. I’m starving.”

“You ate a mountain of food at lunch! What is with you lately?”

“Maybe I have a tapeworm?”

“Sure, let’s go with that. Come on. Thanks, Claire,”

“My pleasure. We’ll see you two at eight.”

I nodded and gave her a mumbled, “Thanks,” as I exited the bug. I grabbed
Jessie’s hand and headed to the house. I didn’t have to pull her along, but she
was having trouble keeping up. “Are you okay?”