Criminal

Chapter 9: Trouble

Instead of being scared, this intruder annoyed me. I followed them to the backyard. Seeing them clumsily walk over my mom's grave turned my annoyance into rage. I calmed down when I saw the intruder's blonde ponytail. Why was the school nurse spying on me? Then I remembered that creepy joke I played on her.

I yanked her top down to meet her at eye-level. Even though I was short, I intimidated those around me, especially in this stronger vampire form. "Why did you come here?"

"Is it t-true that you're d-dead, but alive?" The poor woman shuddered in my grip, but I couldn't let her know too much.

I'd tell a partial truth, so she'll leave me alone without being terrified. "Some form of witchcraft made me alive in a dead body, but I'm reversing it as soon as I can. Don't tell anyone about this since people are keeping it a secret, and they will kill you if you tell."

She ran the moment I let go of her. I thought about what I said. This vampire magic was incredible, but it would be dangerous in the wrong hands. People wanted to keep it hidden, just like Nick told me to keep quiet. Fay must've known about vampires and wanted that power. It explained why she didn't mind the dark rooms in the house. Perhaps my mom would've shown off her abilities, causing someone to want her dead. That was the most likely occurrence, but that only limited the culprit to everyone I've met since the incident. I went to bed to sleep on my latest idea. For a being that didn't need sleep, I slept a lot.

At school with the attractive teacher, I couldn't keep last night's realization to myself anymore. I texted Nick if Fay knew about vampires and wanted to be one. Of course, the teacher had to make a fuss over a quick message. "You're not supposed to have your phone out in class." He grabbed my phone, but Nick replied. I needed answers to my mom's death, so I yanked back. Upon doing so, I accidentally bent his arm the wrong way. He grimaced in pain, and everyone stared, horrified. I scurried out with my phone, feeling the same way. I must reverse this before I hurt more people.

Sitting in the bathroom stall, I took deep breaths to calm myself. Between the nurse and the teachers, I may have to stop attending school. People were afraid of me, and I was becoming an unintentional menace.

I read Nick's responses. He sent them one sentence at a time. "Yes, she knew and wanted that power. She knew ever since I left. She was so upset because she lost out on that power. I'm surprised she felt so strongly about it. This Saturday, I'll have the results and will tell you. Don't accuse anyone or investigate this until then. Also, don't text while in class."

I rolled my eyes at the last sentence, but he's right. Soon, my answers would come, so I could put this behind me. It was strange my mom was so interested in becoming a vampire. She seemed like a kind woman with no dark desires. My powers were only for intimidating and hurting others. I felt more useless than ever.

After what I did, I waited in the stall until lunch. I sat next to Kari, and to my surprise, Darren sat next to her. "Darren, you're attending school now?" My high-pitched voice annoyed him.

"Yeah, today's my first day." He sounded apathetic, as usual.

"Do you like it here?" I calmed myself to not bother him, but I couldn't help but be excited.

"No, everyone's annoying." He glanced around the noisy cafeteria.

"Yeah, I figured you'd hate school, sorry." I tried to do something nice, but I always fail at that.

"No, it's fine. I spent more time with Bridgett, which makes it worthwhile."

It's interesting to see them like each other. "So, you saw her today. Did you tell her about me?"

"Yes, this Saturday, we'll meet at the restaurant, and she'll look into turning you back."

I nodded, looking forward to getting everything I've been longing for since last Saturday. At that moment, a teacher told me to go to the principal's office. Darren and Kari gave me a mischievous grin, but I shrugged and sighed. This was about my mistake with the nurse and that teacher.

Across the cafeteria was the main office. My father stood next to the principal as I walked inside. I tensed at seeing Nick's tight shoulders and eyes shifting between me and the principal. She placed complaints from the staff on her desk. "Is this true, Shelly?" The principal asked as I sat across from her and read my mistakes. Even the late night meeting with the nurse was there. At least it only said I threatened her, and it had no details of witchcraft or me being partially dead.

I watched my dad's expression, which showed how nervous he was about being caught as vampires and Fay being dead. "Yes." As I was about to apologize and offer to quit school, she interrupted me.

"How did you do all this?" She looked over the notes, acting more curious about my abilities than just doing her job. She turned her attention to Nick. "I tried to call Fay three times before I gave up and called you. She hasn't called about Shelly for a while, which was something she did often. Is she okay?"

He shrugged. "They're having a hard time. Could she take time off from school?"

"How long would this break last? She's almost halfway through her last year. Do you think she could stay and behave normally for a few more months?" She turned toward me. "What do you think?"

Her attitude of pushing me to stay here after what I did surprised me. I guess it was her job to make kids stay. She didn't understand that my behavior was my new normal. Darren said Bridgett will turn me back soon. I have to wait until then. "I can take a week off. It won't be too much time."

"I guess." She faced my dad one last time. "You're excused." Nick grabbed my wrist and bolted out of the school. We didn't bother putting our hoods up because it'd be less than a second before we're in the car.

"Relax dad, there's nothing about me being a super-powered zombie." I kept up with him as I got into his car.

He stepped inside and began driving to Fay's house. "I can't believe it. In a few days of your new form, you traumatized a woman and nearly broke a man's arm."

It sounded bad, so I didn't blame him for being angry. "I'm sorry. I messed up, but I can't undo it."

He sighed. "It was probably best if you didn't go to school after changing so recently. Darren had years of experience of managing his abilities, while I should've known you would mess up."

He figured I was a volatile teen without understanding how hard this was. Fay wanted me to be the perfect student, and I ruined it for her. I knew what I did was stupid, but foolishly went through with it. I punched the seat cushion.

"Don't get too upset. Darren has a friend that can turn you back. She should be able to change you within a week, and Darren will help you get caught up. Soon, everyone will forget this."

He's right in that I should calm down before Ineed more blood. I've been growing weak since the Cecil incident. That stillbothered me. I ruined their comfortable family circumstances. It must be weirdfor Cecil and Darren to have me at their home. Nick must still be upset about fightingwith his girlfriend. He dropped me off, and I maintained my composure to notneed to attack animals like what Darren used to do. I must do better than whatI did, or I'd become like my attacker. My mom would be disappointed in me, andI already failed to protect her