The Dark Hearts

Chapter 3: Clarke

Once I touched up my make-up, I changed out of my flannel and donned a short black dress. My mother said the place where we were going to eat was semi-formal. I slipped my black converse back on as I forgot my other shoes in the car.

When I left the bathroom my mother was putting on her boots and my sister was slumped in a chair playing with her phone. My dad was nowhere in sight.

"Where's Carl--Dad?" I caught myself saying my dad's real name. It was still hard to get used to having "parents."

My mother responded, "He's getting coffee in the lobby."

Of course. I should have guessed. Once Sarah, my mother and I exited the room and locked the door behind us, we met up with the Hart family and made our way down to the lobby.

Sure enough, my dad was sipping coffee and reading a newspaper as he waited for us.

The group gathered and I felt Octavia close behind me. She has been watching my behavior closely for the past couple of hours. It made me uncomfortable, but I couldn't help that it was so close to the full moon. I only had a few days before boarding the boat. A few days to change how I react to the moon's light.

Octavia, to my surprise, took my hand and began to play with my ring by turning it in her fingers. I looked down and smiled.

Mr. and Mrs. Hart followed me and Octavia outside where there was a horse and buggy waiting for us. Perfect. Right on time. The clerk from the front desk was holding the door open for us to enter. He winked at Octavia and smiled at me.

"Hook me up, sometime sister?" He whispered to me.

I shook my head and smiled as I sat down. I reached out to his mind and responded, "Another time, dear brother. See you in a few days."

"Of course, my sister. I will be where Father has stationed me when the ship leaves the dock. But I wonder what the purpose of having this girl here?"

"Another time I will explain, Orion. I have a plan for this one."

Our unspoken words rang against the corners of my mind. He was the first of my kind I have spoken to for 500 years. Hearing another voice in my skull was rather strange.

With that, Orion shut the carriage door and the big white horses began to clomp out of the hotel plaza.

"Well this is nice," my father said, awkwardly. Mine and Octavia's parents barely knew each other, but I was able to use my mind to make them submit to the idea.

I hate blinking people, but sometimes it is easier than persuasion. I learned from the first few years on this planet that the human mind is easy to manipulate and change and that I had to be careful not to completely disintegrate the mind when I used my blinking abilities.

My dad touched my mom's leg and she took his hand. Their love story is older than time itself. Sometimes I wished that I could find someone like that. I wanted love just like anyone else in the universe, but that couldn't happen. I am dangerous.

By being Octavia's friend and constant companion was dangerous for her and for me. But my mind, heart, and body told me it was imperative that I keep this girl alive and that I protect her with every ounce of my being. Yes, I had a plan for her, but that plan was selfish and would take years to fully carry out. And I still have the first step to complete.

We arrived at the pier around eight o'clock. By the time we sat down, mine and Octavia's parents began to chat about our futures. While mine was completely fabricated, Octavia's parents were absolutely sure that Octavia would spend the year at sea, and then spend the remainder of her undergraduate experience at a university.

I was saddened by the notion that that would never happen if my plan worked. Who was I to take this beautiful young woman away from all that she has known? But I was going to do it anyway.

I ordered my favorite seafood dish: popcorn shrimp. Octavia ordered chicken tenders. Of course. She never liked seafood, but someday that will change.

Our table overlooked the coast. The sea sparkled as the town's nighttime lights bounced off the water. The soft gleam of white light from the mostly full moon was enticing and I could feel its pull even now. I felt a strong urge to leap into the water and just swim, but I knew that if I did that, I would not be able to return for a long time.

"So Clarke," I heard Mr. Hart say. "You'll watch out for our daughter, right?"

"Yes, sir. I will protect her with my life."

"I don't need protecting! I am perfectly capable of handling myself," Octavia chimed in. "Dad, you are so embarrassing!"

"Can't blame an old man for worrying. I'm sure you will be fine! You are bright and your smile can charm anyone who takes a look at you!" Mr. Hart took a bite of his scallops.

"Don't worry, sir. I would take a thousand bullets for Octavia." I took a nibble of my popcorn shrimp and dipped my fries in barbeque sauce.

"Glad to hear it," Octavia's father said.

The chatter continued as I continued to daydream and think about what my future would hold. It was a dangerous life and will forever be a dangerous life, especially if Octavia got involved in the way I thought she was supposed to.