The Lost Girl

Three

The Boys and I decided to hit up the boardwalk tonight. This would be the first time being surrounded by people since my disappearance. As I rounded the corner to the common area, I saw Paul and Dwayne speaking. 'I felt something before I turned her' was the only thing I managed to get from their conversation. Paul still kept his distance from me, but not as much as he did before initiation. "Let's hit the boardwalk!" David yelled. The four boys pushed and shoved each other as they left the cave while Star, Laddie and myself kept a few feet to prevent getting hit by mistake. Once we made it out of the cave, Laddie ran to Dwayne, and David waited for Star by the mouth to escort her to his bike. Marko gave me a warm smile, his head discreetly nodding towards Paul. "May I?" I questioned, walking up to his bike as I gave him a small yet warm smile. There was a moment of hesitation. "I suppose this one time won't hurt." He responded, reaching his hand out to me. I took his hand in mine as he helped me onto the back. A warm sensation rippled through my arm before Paul quickly snatched his hand out of mine.

Once we arrived at the Boardwalk, the Boys left Star, Laddie and myself alone to do as we pleased. He gave us strict orders to return once we've finished.
"You're sired to David correct?" I questioned. "Yes, I am." She replied, almost like she didn't care. "Does he hate the fact that he turned you?" I added. "David took a liking to me after a couple of weeks. He turned me to be his little pawn when he needed something done initially. If this is about Paul, he doesn't hate you. In fact, he likes you more than he'd rather admit." She reassured. Her reassurance made my thoughts dance more than they normally do. As we walked past the video shop, I saw my mom. 'Shit.' I quickly walked by the store front, not being seen by her. "We are only here to watch one thing." I heard Paul tell the video shop employee in a flirtatious tone as I waited for Star to catch up. I don't know why him talking to someone else hurt, but it did. He's barely spoken a word to me since he turned me.

"Avoiding family has been the hardest part of this."
Star told me, picking up on my emotions after seeing my mother. "Does it get any easier?" My tone full of hope. I miss my family, especially little Sam who isn't all so little anymore. "It does, in time. Everything happens for a reason though. I'm sure Paul had a reason behind turning you. They don't really just--" "I know." I cut her off, knowing where she was going with the remark she was about to make. I quickly apologized, realizing how rude it was.

I had lost Star about thirty minutes or so ago. David told us all to meet up at the bikes once we were all finished with what we were doing. So, that's what I decided to do. As I was making my way back to the bikes, I saw Marko resting on his. "Why are you back so soon?" I questioned, propping myself on Pauls bike. "They are out with tonights conquest. Not really my style." He responded. 'It's a chilly night tonight.' My thoughts quickly cut off by Marko removing his denim, exposing his toned biceps. He handed me his jacket before sitting back on his bike. "Thanks? So, we can read minds?" Finally questioning with how much they respond or do based around my thoughts.
"It's a skill that takes time to master." He laughed.
"Your jacket is beautiful." I told him after studying all the fine details and art work; slipping it on once finished. "Thank you. It's the only thing I brought with me from Italy, which is my homeland." His tone sorrowful. "Is that where you were turned?" My curiosity getting the best of me. Before he had the chance to respond, the rest of the boys showed up. "Looks like you're riding with me again, Sweets." Paul whispered, resting his arm around me. Blood and booze had coated his breath. "Where's Star?" David questioned. "I don't know, I lost her awhile ago." We were all taken aback by the sound of another bike engine roaring towards our direction. 'Shit.'

"Boys, this is Michael." Star called as she peaked her head around my brother. I quickly tucked my head behind Paul in attempt to hide. He grabbed my thigh, letting me know that I was safe if anything were to go down. "Claire?" I heard Michael question. I peaked over Pauls shoulder, only to find Mike glaring at us. My attempts at hiding very clearly failing. "You've been alive this entire time and didn't think once to come home?" Michael shouted. "Mike, I'm sorry." I responded to his shouting in a calm, collected tone. Before Michael had the chance to ask any further questions on my whereabouts, David diffused the situation by asking him if he knew where Hudsons Bluff was, overlooking the point. Star hopped off Mikes bike and made her way towards David. "I can't beat your bike." Mike stated in an annoyed tone. "You don't have to beat me, Michael. You just have to try and keep up." David returned cockily. Mike rolled his eyes and restarted his bikes engine. Paul slapped his handlebars excitedly before telling me to hold on tight. "Goin for a ride." I heard Dwayne whisper to Laddie. With that, the race to the Bluffs commenced.

Paul and the rest of the boys ramped their bikes down the boardwalk stairs, earning them a head start. It didn't take Mike long to play catch up though.
Marko, Dwayne and Paul laughed amongst themselves, David still taking lead. Paul sped up, passing Marko, which left drawings in the sand. "You alright back there, Sweets?" Paul yelled. I gave him a nod into his shoulder to let him know I was okay. We began zipping through the woods as we came closer to the Bluffs. The Boys reduced speeds, leaving Mike and David racing towards the edge. "Come on, Michael." David taunted. Michael sped up, only to lean his bike just enough to get it to come to a sliding stop. His back tire now hung over the edge of the cliff. "What the hell is wrong with you, huh?!" Michael shouted before landing a punch on David. The Boys quickly came to their brother's aid, leaving Laddie and I on the bikes. "Just you!" Mike shouted again. "How far are you willing to go, Michael?" David finally responded, his tone daring.
__________

We all made our way back to our retreat with Michael in tow. Paul lit up a joint while Laddie grabbed the rock box. "Marko, food." David ordered as he took the joint that Paul offered. Marko left as ordered. "Claire, this is where you've been cooped up this entire time?" Mike began questioning again. "Yes, but I'm safe." I responded, a reassuring smile on my face. "Why didn't you just come home. Mom is destroyed. Sam hasn't spoken. Everyone thinks you're dead." His tone full of distress. "Appetizer?" David asked Mike as he handed the joint to him, diffusing the tension once more. "You know, you guys aren't actually related." Before Mike or myself had the chance to question what he meant, Marko arrived with Chinese takeout. "Feeding time, come and get it!" He called out as he stepped down from the rocks he came in on. "Ladies first." Marko insisted, handing me a takeout box of rice. I went and made myself comfortable behind Paul with Marko following behind. He took a seat next to Paul, covering more of myself from Mike. "What, you don't like rice? Tell me, how can a billion Chinese people be wrong." David teased Mike after he turned down his offer. Mike finally took the box, and took a bite. "How are those maggots?" "Hmm?" Michael hummed, his mouth still full of food. "Maggots, Michael. You're eating maggots. How do they taste." Davids tone annoyed but still teasing. Michael quickly spit out the food, only to learn he wasn't eating maggots at all, but rice. "No hard feelings?" David questioned. "Yea." Mike responded. As they continued to poke fun of Mike, a vision was bestowed upon me. I saw a young platinum blonde boy and myself playing together. We were about five. After recollecting what David had said about Michael and I being related is when the truth hit me and boy did that truth hurt.