The Dangerfields

Chapter Eighteen

When I wake up, my body is shaking uncontrollably, and I am screaming and sobbing. I am lying in a bed, with everyone around me, watching me with worried eyes.

I sit up quickly and swipe my hand across my face, moving my hair out of my eyes. "I'm okay," I say shakily, "It was just a memory." Ryder and Mom nod, understanding, but Hudson and his family look confused.

"It's a curse," I explain, taking deep breaths as I try to calm myself, "With Temerarys having powers, we are superior, so we have curses to make it more even. My curse is memories. They haunt me. I've relived Livia and Grandpa's deaths, and now the accident."

Everyone's eyes widen, except for Rick, who doesn't know about my accident.

"When I was seven my grandma and I got into a car accident, we were hit by a drunk driver," I tell him. His eyes widen and he looks at me with pity. "Grandma died, and all I had was a concussion, and an empty spot where she used to be. I don't need your pity." I look directly at Rick as I address him. "Everyone has their demons, and everyone has lost a loved one. My story is just worse than others."

Rick just stays silent and tears his gaze away from mine. It is all quiet, and I look around the room. It is painted light blue with the same dark floors and white trim as the rest of the house. Behind Mom and Ryder is a large window, with white curtains pulled to the very edges of the rods, so more light can be let in during the day. I had been unconscious for about half an hour, and outside of the window, the sky was black. It is still bright from all of the streetlights, and the lights in other people's' houses light up the world as well.

Ryder holds my arm, but I pull it from his grip and stand. I wobble a little, but when everyone rushes to steady me I hold up both arms, telling them silently to stand back, and that I don't need help. "Really, everybody, I'm fine," I say, walking to the bedroom door.

There is a staircase outside the room, and I climb carefully downstairs, and walk back into the kitchen.

I sit at the counter, which faces the spacious kitchen. Everyone follows and watches me with cautious eyes. I look away from their concerned faces and trace the brown veins that run through the white countertops. It amuses me for a few minutes, and everyone seems to relax as they realize I am alright.

Ryder and Mom sit at the dining table, along with Hudson's family, and Hudson sits next to me at the counter. Emma, however, goes to the oven, which I didn't realized was turned on.

I inhale deeply, and decide that whatever she is cooking smells delightful. She opens the oven, and pulls out a gigantic apple crisp.

She quickly cuts the apple crisp into huge pieces and puts them in bowls before handing one out to everyone.

I nearly moan as the taste of the perfect combination of oatmeal, apples and cinnamon melts on my tongue. "Oh my goodness," I say, swallowing the bite of heaven.

"What is it? Do you not like it?" Emma asks, a worried expression on her face.

"Emma, this is the best apple crisp I've ever had!" I exclaim, and take another bite.

She grins and says, "Why, thank you, but I don't think it could possibly be the best you've ever had. I just finished writing this recipe myself yesterday and thought I'd try it out."

"You're too modest," Mom says, "You're a very talented cook and I've never had better food than when I was at your house."

Emma just blushes and waves the comment away.

It is silent for the next few minutes, as everyone enjoys the magnificent apple crisp. The quiet is only broken every once in awhile so someone can say, 'This is so good, Emma.'