𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 | J. Black

Chapter 3 - T is For Trauma

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Jackson explains all about vampires and what Annabelle is now: a hybrid.

Now, a hybrid has never been heard of before so everything they learn is always new.

Like how they discovered her gift. Jackson's is manipulating water and all it's forms like liquid water, ice and snow. Annabelle's power is the same; manipulating water and all it's forms like liquid water, ice and snow.

She's basically a mixture between Elsa and Katara. She's got the blonde hair going already, so she's practically there.

They've been traveling together for a couple of days on the road. Now, you're probably wondering, 'Why are two kids traveling with a man they just met?' That's a good question.

Seeing as they can't exactly stay with their mother anymore, and Annabelle is now a hybrid, it would be unsafe to have her be with humans at least until she learns to control her thirst. She also doesn't have one, they learned, so Christian and Simba are safe.

Plus, Jackson is teaching her about the world of the supernatural so she doesn't get surprised with anything.

On the road, the car broke down once and Annabelle jumped into action, repairing the engine.

"Where did you learn to do that?" Jackson questions.

She shrugs, "My Dad and I rebuilt the entire car after he bought it. I know my way around mechanics."

"'Know your way around mechanics'?" Chris scoffs, "Yeah right, you built the entire damn engine by yourself."

"Language."

"Whatever."

Jackson just chuckles at the kid's antics. Silence falls in the car again, the only thing that can be heard is the car's engine purring as they drive down the road or the whisper of the radio that is flowing.

"I miss Dad," the boy sniffles, cuddling into his sister.

"I do too," she grabs him and pulls him into her side, hugging him.

"What happened?" the dark-skinned man questions softly, not wanting to upset them even more.

"He died of a heart attack about 7 months ago. That's when our mother snapped and showed her true colours. Them being that she only married him to get to his family's money. In Texas, we're pretty rich with multiple ranches owned across the state and holding racing competitions. After Dad died, his will stated that I would get everything when I turn 18 and our mother completely lost it."

"What did she do?"

She looks down at her sleeping brother and sighs, "First it was verbal insults but then it got more... violent. A couple slaps across the face and then she moved onto Christian after I was too stubborn. He showed up to my bed in the middle of the night with bruises littering his face. And then when I caught her hand as she was about to hit him, and I got-"

She stops herself.

Jackson quickly realizes she doesn't want to talk about it. "You do not have to say if you are not comfortable," he reassures.

She smiles softly at him, "Maybe later."

"Of course."

"So, how old are you exactly?"

He chuckles as he looks at the road ahead, "About four hundred years."

Her eyes widen. "Jeez," she mutters. "So where were you in the Civil War?"

"Civil War, that was when?"

"April 12, 1861, to April 9, 1865."

"How do you remember these?"

"Eh, photographic memory, plus my Dad and I used to have history competitions to see what we could remember. I would win every time," she shrugs in reply.

"Now that's jeez," he mutter making the girl lightly laugh. He noticed she doesn't do that as much as she should. Same thing with smiling, only if her brother is around. "Alright, mid-1800's. Um... I was actually in the war as a spy for the Union and helped with the Underground Railroad."

"You're joking! I have a great great grandfather who fought for the Confederate."

He chuckles and shakes his head, "No, I am not. I met some other vampires in that time. I am pretty sure they're dead now."

"How do you kill a vampire?"

"You have dismember the body and burn it before it can regrow."

"Wait, a vampire can regrow parts? Like a lizard?"

"Yes, just like a lizard," he laughs.

"So, if you like, lost a leg for example, it will just grow back?"

"Yes, are you planning on making me lose a leg?"

"No, just curiosity," she says sheepishly.

"Curiosity is not a bad thing; however, you must be careful as the saying goes 'Curiosity killed the cat'."

"And satisfaction brought it back."

"Indeed."

The rest of the car ride is in silence. Not an uncomfortable one, but a nice one where you know nothing can touch you. Christian is snoring softly on Annabelle's shoulder, slightly drooling. Simba is sleeping on the passenger seat. Annabelle is looking out the window, wondering what's going to happen now and if her mother will make her threat real. Jackson is driving the red Mustang as they go through states- New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, all the way up to Washington.

Specifically, to a place called Forks.