A Tattooed Destiny

I am a What?

It was Friday, the best day of the school week because Jane only had a half day she went home at midday leaving me and the rest of us in peace. I rolled over to the side of my bed and sat up, the sun was bright and the sky clear, I quickly dressed as best I could with my slinged arm. I went down stairs to breakfast. My family were there to greet me with smiles on their faces but worry in their eyes. But as it was the world won't stop for one person, my morning went along as usual. I only felt dread when it was time to leave. Blazer carried my school bag for me until we caught up with Marlene. I was happy to see that she only had a bruised hand from stopping the blows she received last night. When she saw me however her face dropped my broken arm, a limp and bruised jaw were the visible injuries that I had obtained and anyone who saw me now would know  exactly who did it.

"Indi what did she do to you? Poor mouse" Marlene exclaimed in horror, she called me mouse because I'm always quiet and I'm small just like a mouse.

"well you were the first hand witness so you tell me Mar" I answered taking my bag from Blazer and bidding him goodbye.

" Yeah I guess I was but it's the first time she has broken anything" Marlene stated pointing at my sling,

"everyone keeps saying that" I replied shouldering my bag on my good side.

" I can't wait until this afternoon" I said sounding more excited than I intended,

"why?" she inquired turning her head on the side like a confuse puppy,

"because one its Janes half day and the competitions on tonight , the whole town will be there it will be tons of fun!" I explained

" oh that yeah you need someone to provide the music don't you" she said

"good cos we have had our names down for weeks" I stated triumphantly

"yes well are you still going to be able to dance?" she asked tapping my arm and gesturing towards my leg

"Ih no I'll have to forfeit won't I" I replied very disappointed.

"this was going to be my one big chance to show everyone how good I can be and it was snatched away by Jane" I continued

"yeah she knew it too, because she's entered as well " Marlene added to my misery.

"wait lets go to the indoor stage at lunch and we'll see if I can manage something that is as good as my other version" I said cheerfully.

"yeah lets try at least" Marlene agreed. I looked up and along the path 'oh no we were almost at school' I though to myself what am I going to do, Jane is right beside the door. We continued in nervous silence, I reached out my right hand to Marlene and she took it, Yes it was hard to keep my bag this way, but we both felt better holding onto one another. One step , two , now were through the gates, and everyone was staring and whispering. Then things got a whole lot worse Jane came forward sneering with pleasure at my arm.

"oh ugly duck broke a wing" she teased

"so sad you can't compete at tonight's concert I would have loved to beat you, oh wait I already did" she taunted. Jane circled round us once then went in for the kill, she tripped me and shouldered Marlene out of the way so she could have me all to herself. I couldn't stop myself I was going down and I was going to land on my bad arm, the ground was coming to meet me, but suddenly it stopped I stopped, I was caught by someone who came from no where. Or by something  I should say because I saw the vampire girl step between us and another stood between Jane and Marlene the other three Kept Molly and Terrence back.  I couldn't see who was holding me but i felt this tingly aurora comming off them. All the school kids watched in astonished silence for vampires generally keep to themselves and they never help their 'prey'. Jane looked from the girl to me, who was still partially held by the one who caught me he or she lifted me back up but never let go, so I couldn't turn around to see who it was. Jane made a rush to the side of the girl at me, but I was quickly picked up by the waist and spun to the side so I wasn't there when she reached out with clawing fingers. They closed on thin air instead, she let out a squeal of frustration. Turning she rushed again the girl was now pre-occupied with helping to keep the other two away from Marlene who was trembling with fear on the ground, she hadn't been caught in time. The vampire protecting me let go and turned to face Jane fangs bared, eyes glowing bright crimson red, now I could see who it was. As I swivelled around he was pushed back and my shoulder made contact with his back i felt the aurora again, but noticed vampires were actually warm blooded. He was grasping both of Janes wrists as she used her size to push him. I side stepped out of the way but I still stayed within his protection, it was that boy, no one had ever seen his tattoo properly because it was low on is neck and hidden by is collar. But from where I was I could see all of it, it was 'thunder'.

He must have tightened his grip on Janes wrists for she yelped with pain and pulled back. As soon as her wrists were released Jane retreated to a safe distance and yelled back to me

"you're lucky storm, that its last day of term" and she left her posse close behind. I stared after her and tears welled up in my eyes, Marlene's arms closed around me

"that was so close Indi, lucky he caught you" she whispered into my ear

"yes I know" I whispered back

"thankyou" I said to the boy and the others

"it's the second time you have saved us" I stated to them

"yes you in particular, I'm Dylan by the way, this is Clair, Travis, Arkie, Rose,  and Lana" Dylan introduced. Lending us a hand to get up from our now kneeling position. I took his left and Marlene his right, he pulled both of us up with out effort. Clair came forward, she put a hand on either side of my head and looked directly into my eyes, I felt her presence in my mind and I tried to hide my pain but she picked up on this and searched even harder, I couldn't hold back any longer. Clair wanted to find something so I let her in, I unblocked my mind an relaxed. I let her search through my mind, Clair scanned my memories all of them even unlocking my earliest childhood memories that even I had forgotten, the moment I started into the doctors eyes, when my parents tilted my head to the side to examine my tattoo, my WHOLE tattoo!

 "what?" I said out loud. 'its only half, they covered it up, but why?  what is it really then?' I continued to question but in my mind directed at Clair,

"I can't make it out completely but I swear its, its "she answered

"it's what?" I pressed for an answer

"never mind it's too blurry" she replied and took her hands away. she was lying I could tell.

"you  are very interesting Indira Storm, you have had a hunted life the smog blood Jane has despised you from the day she saw you and I know why" Clair recited to everyone.

"for some reason I felt strongly to protect you, not knowing why, two others as well felt they needed to protect you as one of their own because you are a vampire, you Indira are my full blooded cousin" Clair announced

"your mother Lindy is full Vampire and half sister to Arkie's  father, your father Maximum is full brother to my mother , and you are also related to Rose because she is first cousin to Arkie's mother" She continued to surprise all of us. I stood wide eyed looking from Clair to Rose to Arkie.

"Wait so it is you three that are related to me so why did Dylan protect me the way he did?" I asked puzzled

" that is also hidden yet seen to me but I must not say what it is for it could lead to deadly consequences" Clair replied putting a hand on my shoulder.

"but you are also very special, you are a vampire whose powers and traits lying dormant, your fangs retracted and the beast in hibernation". 'oh my god' I thought to myself. Clairs fingers were on my lip

"please open" she politely asked so I did, she ran her fingers  over my teeth,

"yes I thought so they are sharper than usual human  teeth. Your fangs are there but they are small for now but when you finally find your true nature, they will break through". she explained her hands were soft and warm as they touched my skin.