• Chapter 1: Jessica

    “Why are you being so unfair?” I yelled at my mother. My mother, Janet is very beautiful and also very young. She had wonderful blonde hair that she always wore in a bun, and she never seemed to change out of her suit. When I was a little girl, I couldn’t wait to be like her and now, that’s the last thing I wanted.

    “I am not being unfair,” she said sternly. “I told you I needed you home by 6 so you could baby-sit your sister; and now its 9, what do u have to say for yourself?”

    “It’s not my fault. I tried to get home on time, I just got distracted.” I said quietly.

    “Distracted? What could get you so distracted that made you forget to be home on time?” she asked. She was beginning to get upset; this was going to end badly. I couldn’t answer her. What was I going to tell her, that I went with my friends to a party; right that would go over well. “That’s what I thought” she said smugly.

    “IT’S NOT MY FAULT!” I yelled. I was beyond pissed off.

    “No, it’s never your fault is it. It’s always someone out there in the world to get you.” She said sarcastically. “Just like what happened last week; when someone who looked exactly like you got into a fight with the teacher but everyone blamed you. It’s always like that isn’t it? The world is just evil.”

    “The teacher was asking for it. She was being a b***h; besides… it wasn’t me” that was it. I was screwed. My life was officially over.

    “Don’t you dare take that language with me” she said with strictness in her voice. “And I don’t care whose fault it is or who started it. You are grounded, end of story. Now go to your room.” She said pointing behind her to the staircase. I didn’t move; I wasn’t a child anymore.

    “No” I hissed. I folded my arms and glared at her.

    “Excuse me? What did you just say missy?” she said, looking surprised from my response. I knew she was expecting that I would be the good daughter and listen to whatever dear mommy says. Well, all that is going to change, and NOW. I turned to face the front door and kicked it down. It shattered into pieces. My mother’s face went from surprise to shock. I was running before she even had the chance to compose her face.

    * * *

    Why couldn’t she understand? My life wasn’t as perfect as her life is. I was constantly surrounded by troubles; and the stupid chemistry teacher had it coming. I was so sick and tired of her being such a b*****d. She kept thinking she was top dog. It was like she expected us to know the answer to every ******** question. There was a reason we had to go to school no matter how much we didn’t want to.
    Who really cares if I punched the teacher in the jaw anyways? Everyone was so tired of her talking s**t. Well, now the teacher became the student. I was now in the city. I wasn’t in the mood to smile to anyone, even a fake smile in my case. I decided to walk the most abandoned street, my favorite street. Every time I needed time to think I would come to this street because it was always deserted; but tonight was different. I could feel another presence there with me but when I turned around there was no one there. It’s just my imagination I thought.
    I couldn’t shake this feeling and it was making me paranoid, which makes me pissed off. I wanted to turn around and yell at whoever was behind me to leave me the f**k alone and get a life, but that would be stupid. Who in their right mind would listen to a 12 year-old girl? Dressed as I was, wearing all my black clothing, black tang top and black pants with boots to match. Who would listen to someone that looked like me? I tied up my black hair, I was getting so tired of everything.
    I stopped in the middle of the street. My stomach was growling, I guess it was time to go somewhere and grab a bite to eat. I turned around and headed to the most beautiful café that could exist in a town like this, Vampiric. Of course, everyone believed that vampires didn’t exist in a town like this, but it didn’t hurt to have fun every once in a while, and maybe dream that they were. If anyone was feeling down and wanted to escape reality, this was the place to go. Everyone, well, almost everyone was the same. The lights were always down so the place had a dark feeling to it and everywhere you looked there would be black. It was my personal heaven. I went and sat in the back of the café, pondering how long I should stay out.
    If I stayed out too long, father was sure to come and get me; which could not happen. I figured I would worry about that later, for now, I would think of ways to make my parents mad as hell. Maybe I would come home drunk, which would really piss them off. While I was thinking of other ways to make them mad a waiter came up, distracting me from my thoughts.

    “Excuse me Jess, but what may I get you tonight?” he asked. O came here often, so most of the employees knew me.

    “Just the usual for now Eric.” I said. Eric is 4 years older than I am, yet he looked like everyone else here, wearing all black. The only difference would be the white apron with a black “V” on the pen pocket.

    “Of course, ill be right back with your mocha” he said. He stared at me for a minute then left. I was grateful that it was always dim in here. I could always clear my head and not have to worry about the bright lights giving me a headache.
    I laid my head back on the chair and closed my eyes. Why didn’t I live here? Nobody would yell at me for punching the teacher, instead, they’d throw me a party. I sighed this would be a perfect family. Eric brought me my drink without a word and left. I was happy that I could be alone. I needed to think. I opened my eyes and brought my head forwards. The place seemed pretty empty tonight. Only 10 people;
    Then the door opened and in walked a middle-aged man, he looked very suspicious; he had a long black trench coat on and a hat that hid his face; well, at least he fit in, even if he did look suspicious while doing so. All the while it was different; the café was mostly run by teens around my age, except for the manager, but he’s a pretty cool guy so he doesn’t count. When he first walked in, everyone stared at him, and then went about their business when he sat down. Another waiter went to him. I couldn’t make out what he said and neither could the waitress, he was so quite that he had to repeat it.
    The whole time that he was ordering he never took his eyes off me. I felt like I couldn’t look away, everything was going blurry, like I was tired. But I knew I wasn’t tired. Then I realized. It was the old man; he was putting me to sleep. No I fought against the sleepiness that was beginning to overwhelm me…
    Someone was saying my name, but why? I was fine. The voice sounded like Eric. Why couldn’t I make out what he was saying?

    “Jess! Wake up, come on Jess wake up!” he said. There was panic in his voice. I opened my eyes; I was on the floor, Eric was bending over me. Everyone else was watching.

    “What…what happened?” I said, sitting up.

    “You fainted” Eric said. What happened before I fainted? I couldn’t remember. I closed my eyes and pinched the brim of my nose using the tips of my thumb and forefinger. I recalled everything in my mind. Then I remembered the old man. I opened my eyes and looked around the café, but he wasn’t there.

    “Eric, where is the old man that was in here?” I asked, looking at him. He was also looking around.

    “I don’t know he was here when you fainted… but now…” he paused and looked back at me. “I guess he left.” Everyone was back to doing whatever it was before I fainted. A truly perfect family; I thought.
    Eric picked up my chair that fell when I fainted and helped me back into it. He sat in the chair next to me, watching me with eyes full of caution; I guess he was wondering if I was going to faint again.

    “Thanks so much Eric, I don’t know what happened… but thanks.”

    “No problem, are you hungry?”

    “Yea, a little.”

    “Then let me get you a bowl of soup,” he said, getting up “is there a certain kind you do not prefer?”

    “No, any kind will do.” I said, letting go of my nose. I took a sip of my mocha, trying to clear my head. What happened? The last thing I remember was the strange man staring at me. I do remember a voice in my head that said sleep. But I wasn’t tired; why did he leave after I fainted? Was it his fault?

    “Here you are Jess” Eric said, placing a bowl of Tuscan chicken in front of me, it smelled really good. I couldn’t remember the last time I had this soup. He sat next to me again, except with paper work to occupy him.

    “You don’t have to sit with me, you know.” I said, “I just fainted, I haven’t had much to eat today that’s all” I began to eat the soup.

    “I know, but I don’t have much to do and it’s my break time anyways. So I figured id keep you company and make sure you eat.” He said, looking at the soup then at me. I took another bite.

    “Thanks.” That was all I could say.

    “Did you have another fight with your family?” he asked.

    “Yes” I said. I always came here whenever I fought with my family. No matter whom it was. Whether it was my mom, dad or my annoying perfect little sister; there was only one family member that I didn’t fight with and that was my big brother, but he died when I was 5. That’s when everything changed.

    “What happened?” he asked.

    “I was home late, so my mom flipped and grounded me, although that would be nothing compared to what is soon to come.” I said. I fiddled with my brother’s ring; it was the only thing I had left of him. I kept it around my neck.

    He chuckled. It surprised me. “What did you do?”

    “I…” I had to look away when I answered. “Kicked down the door and it shattered.” Everything was silent for a minute. Then he started to laugh.

    “That sounds awesome; I wish I was there to see it.” He said he looked at the soup again “eat. And don’t worry you can stay here as long as you need. We won’t kick you out.

    “Thanks” I said. Again.

    “Its no problem so don’t keep thanking me.” He said. I blushed and he started laughing again. He went back to his paper work and I sat there eating my soup. It was awkward how quiet it was. I’m usually fine with silence when I am on my own, but when I’m with someone it feels weird. I finished the soup and pushed the bowl away, taking a sip from my mocha. Yuck it was cold now. I pushed that away too. Eric looked up from his work.

    “Is there something wrong with your mocha?” he asked.

    “It got cold” I mumbled.

    “Let me get you a new one then” he said, getting up grabbing the bowl and the cup of mocha.

    “No that is quite alright” I said, getting up as well. “I need to get going anyways.”

    “Are you sure? I said you could stay as long as you needed.”

    “Yea, I’m sure. Nobody wants to see my dad walking into this café.”

    “Well then I guess we’ll have to lock the doors.” He said grinning.

    “I don’t think that will stop him” I laughed. It would be funny, just to stay in this café forever and watch my dad try to break in. but I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to this amazing place.

    “That’s true” he laughed too. “Well, our offer still stands; you can always stay here and make this your new family.”

    “You have no idea how much I wish that to be.” I whispered. I walked out the door; I didn’t realize how chilly it was out here. I decided to walk down a normal street this time, not wanting a repeat of earlier. I wanted to know who was following me, but part of me already knew who it was; part of my mind wanted to say it was the strange man that came into the café. But that wouldn’t make sense. I decided to put in the back of my mind, for now.
    There weren’t a lot of people out tonight; a lot of help that did me. For once I wanted to be surrounded by people and there are none around. I started to feel that same presence again. What the hell is wrong with this person? I thought. This time I wasn’t going to take any s**t. I turned around to yell at the person, but the presence disappeared. I stood there for a minute wondering what the hell just happened, and then decided I’d better hurry home; so I ignored it. But the minute I started walking I felt the presence again. That was it; I had it I turned around.

    “GO THE HELL AWAY” I yelled. I still felt the presence. “LEAVE ME ALONE.” I wasn’t going to let some stupid idiotic person get the better of me. I turned around and ignored it. This stupid presence was getting on my last nerve. I was going to lose my patience with it, and maybe my sanity while I’m at it. I wasn’t going to speed up and run home like a child. I just kept walking and tried to think of other things.
    Maybe I could turn around and live at the café like Eric said. Screw everything else. I thought. I could feel the presence closer. That was it, which set me off. I turned around to walk back to the café when a car came around the corner and stopped right in front of me. Oh s**t, I’m dead. The front door on the driver’s side opened and out stepped my father.

    “JESSICA MARIE JAMESON, GET YOUR BUTT IN THIS CAR THIS MINUTE” my father bellowed. I never saw his face so red before. The presence was very faint now. I figured if I wanted to get rid of this presence then id have to get in the car. I slowly walked over to the car and opened the back door behind the passengers’ seat. I instantly regretted not running for it when I saw the car.
    In the back seat sat my 9-year-old sister, still wearing her tutu from her dance recital. In the passenger seat was my mother. I got in the car and sat down, closing the door and putting on my seat belt. My father got in and started the car. I looked between my mother and father. Neither of them turning to even glare at me; I was in major trouble they were going to save the yelling until we were home.

    * * *
    We finally reached home. I looked at our house and could see that someone had cleaned up all the shattered pieces. Apparently someone in the house had lost a door to their room and I didn’t have to guess who it was. All the signs that were on my door were in the garbage. I opened the car door and ran to the garbage cans and saved as many signs as I could. I grabbed an armful and started towards my room. I got as far as the first stair before my mother stopped me.

    “You might as well put those back in the garbage” Janet said

    “Why?” I asked.

    “I’m not allowing those back into the house”

    “But, but…”

    “No buts. I don’t care what you do with them, but they are not coming back into this house.”

    “I thought you said no buts.”

    “Don’t you dare talk back to your mother like that child. You’re already in enough trouble” my father said.

    “It’s alright Richard; I can take care of her. Why don’t you take Angie in the house and get her some cake.” Janet said.

    “Alright darling. Come along Angie” said Richard. Angie followed right behind our father like a ballerina.

    “You’re in trouble. You’re in trouble” sang my sister as she danced into the house.

    “Shut up you little BRAT!” I yelled.

    “Don’t you take that tone with your sister, she’s been a good child, she reminds me of you when you were young, what happened?” I didn’t answer her; instead I began to fiddle with the ring again. She sighed. “I know you miss him, but you should behave yourself.”

    “Why do you care, you never cared when he was alive, and you still don’t care after he died. He was the only one who cared, the only one that ever watched out for me.”

    “That is not true and you know it”

    “It IS true, when he died you started paying attention to Angie, you never once asked how I was doing. You just paid attention to poor Angie”

    “She lost her brother too, she’s younger than you, and of course we went to her.”

    “She barely knew him; she was only a baby when he died. But I had 5 years of him always watching out for me. Do you remember the first day of school I had.” I said. “Remember I came home crying because everyone was picking on me.” She didn’t say anything. “Do you remember?”

    “Yes” she said quietly.

    “Who was it that comforted me? Who was it that went to the school to report what happened” again, she didn’t answer. “WHO” I yelled; I was on the verge of breaking down.

    “I know what you’re getting at, but you have to understand, your father and I were very busy, we couldn’t do it.” I shook my head. We both knew very well that was a lie. They didn’t care for me then why should they start now.
    “You asked what happened. Why I changed, well now you know; if you want someone to blame, look in the mirror.” I ran up the stairs to my room. I threw the signs on my dresser and plopped onto the bed. I wanted nothing more than to be alone. But since they took my door, that wasn’t going to happen. I knew they were going to come in and check on me, make sure I didn’t try to run away. I lay in my bed, trying to make it look like I was asleep. It didn’t work.

    “Jessica” my father called. I didn’t answer. “I know your awake, answer me, or you’ll lose more than a door.” I had no choice now; I didn’t want to know what else he could take from me. I sat up in my bed, still under the covers facing him. “Thought so,” he said with a smirk on his face. “I know you’re under age, but we still need a door and I’m sure you’ll want yours back, correct?”

    “Yes”

    “Then get a job to pay for the door”

    “You have the money, why don’t you do it?”

    “Because I’m not the one that shattered the door and besides you need to learn a few things.”

    “Like what”

    “Like responsibility and respect for your elders.”

    “Fine” I said laying back down “ill go to work tomorrow”

    “How, you need to go through interviews”

    “Not the place where I’m going”

    “Which is…?”

    “The café, Vampiric.”

    “I THINK NOT!” he yelled.
    “Why not?” I said, sitting up, shocked.

    “They won’t make you work, they’ll just give you the money and free food, and you need to learn responsibility, not how to take advantage of people.”

    “I will work.”

    “I highly doubt it.” He said laughing.

    “Watch me, I will work and ill get enough money to pay for the damn door” Lying back down and putting the blanket over my head.

    “Fine we will see. And when you fail then you have to do it my way” he said walking out of my room. I could hear my little sister skipping across the hall, why was she such a goody goody two shoes? Why couldn’t she be more like me? Then maybe I’d respect her more. I looked up through my window above my bed and for a minute I could have sworn I saw someone in the tree outside the house. But when I looked again, there was nothing except branches and leaves. I must be really tired and my mind if just playing tricks I closed my eyes and went to bed, deciding first thing in the morning I would go and visit Eric again, you will see father, I will get a job on my own but I don’t think it will make me respect you anymore. I laughed and then lost consciousness.