Vial Happiness

Chapter Thirteen - Heartless

The following weeks were a blur. Brianne let me move in with her, Derrick avoided complete contact with me, and I publically became a Heartless. The stares that my classmates gave to Brianne were now given to me. I could see a look of disappointment in Professor Elkgreen’s eyes every time he looked at me.

I hadn’t spoken to Mother since the outburst, and I hoped to never see her again. I was slowly on my way to a new life now.

“What do you think about dropping out of school?” I asked Brianne. We had just got back from another excruciating class.

“I’d love to,” She began. “But we need to graduate to qualify for jobs. No jobs, no money.”

“You’re right. At least we only have three months left.”

“Yeah, three months of complete hell.”

I sat down on the leather sofa in the living room. Brianne walked to the kitchen. I gazed at the sky. It was getting grey and gloomy. A storm was brewing. Father was still on my mind, the emotions were in the past though. I did a lot of crying that week, but everything felt fine again.

Brianne returned from the kitchen with a sandwich and glass of water.

“Want any?” She asked as she started taking a bite.

“No thanks.” I smiled.

Life was finally good, the nightmares passed, my emotions settled, and I truly felt human.

The front door opened and we got up startled. An aged, smiling woman with red hair walked in.

“Bribri!” The intruder screamed excitedly.

“Who’s that?” I asked.

“My Aunt.” Brianne groaned.

“Who is your little friend Bribri?” Brianne’s Aunt asked.

“Prescott.” Brianne replied.

“Well hello there Prescott! Nice to meet you!” Her smile made her look almost insane.

“What do you want?” Brianne asked stubbornly.

“It is pretty obvious what I want.” Her Aunt reached inside her purse. “It’s been a month since my last visit. You need to take your happiness!” She pulled a clear vial out of her purse.

Brianne jumped up, “When will you understand? I will never drink that!”

“Oh Bribri, I know you want to!”

“You don’t know shit, Gail!” Brianne screamed.

Gail walked over to Brianne.

“Now Bribri,” She continued. “Do this for Mother and Father, they would want you to.”

Brianne took a deep breath. “You better get out of this house.”

Gail took the cap off the vial, “Prescott, hold her down for me please.”

I didn’t respond, her gaping smile was disturbing.

“Go away!” Brianne yelled.

Gail put her hand on Brianne’s jaw and tried to push it open. Brianne put her arms around Gail’s neck and kicked her in the stomach. I got up and had no idea what to do.

Brianne grabbed the open vial, stood up, and threw it onto the floor. It smashed and Gail’s eyes opened wider.

“Why on earth would you do that Bribri?” She asked as she got up the floor.

Brianne glared at her menacingly, “Get. Out.” She pointed to the door.

“But Bribri,” Gail stood there, still holding onto her smile.

Brianne walked up to Gail and took her purse out of her hands.

“What are you doing Bribri?” Gail asked.

Brianne did not reply, she searched through the purse and then pulled out a blue key.

“Now you’re going to leave and you will never come back.” Brianne demanded.

Gail stared at her silently. “Why must you be a Heartless” She whispered and then walked out of the front door. Brianne shut and locked it and watched Gail walk away.

“Sorry about that.” Brianne said.

“It’s okay,” I replied. “She doesn’t affect us, she’s gone now.” I tried to console her.

The phone began to ring.

“I’ll get it” I told her.

I walked over and picked it up. “Hello?”

“Hello Prescott.” A familiar voice responded.

“Who is this?”

“You really don’t remember?” The voice replied.

“No, sorry.”

“It’s me, Caesar Macklin.”