The Sorrows of Midnight

Chapter Six

Chapter SIX

Momma had her back to me, her hair bright with copper highlights as the sun touched it with warm fingers. I pushed my self harder, my legs burning and my breaths came in quick little gasps, my heart thundering in my ears as I got closer. She turned and scooped me up, a groan slipping out as my heart feel into my stomach. I thought I had her that time! She laughed, spinning us in a quick circle s the crunch of gravel announced that Daddy was home.

I pulled in a quick gasping breath, remembering that I was Eliza, and not Scott; but it didn't last long because I that feeling was back. I was being pulled deeper into his memories, and there wasn't much I could do now. Please, let it be good memories? That's all I want, good memories.

I pushed Scarlett, and she laughed as she went forward, her hair looking exactly like Mom's did under that sun. I grinned, the sound of her laughter swirling around us as I pushed her again. I would do anything for this little girl, my little sister. She was more innocent than the rest of us, Mom and Dad raised her blind. She didn't know about the other world, and I was happy about it. She liked coming to the park, not staying at home and hiding from the things that pulled at my mind.

"Higher, Scott!" she called, laughter making her voice higher and younger sounding than she was. I sighed, giving her a big push, and she squealed with laughter as she went forward. "Again, again!"

"No, you don't need to get that high," I said, not wanting her to fall and hurt herself. I frowned, the back of my neck prickling with unease as a cold and dark feeling crawled up my spine. I glanced around, not able to see anything in the darkening park. I grabbed Scarlett's swing, pulling her to a stop as the cold feeling spread through me.

"Scott," she whined at me, "Why'd you stop me?"

"We have to go, Scarlett!" I told her, just as a high and terrified scream echoed through the park. Goosebumps hit me hard, raising all of the hair on my body as I scooped Scarlett up and started running in the opposite direction, away from the scream.

Oh god, oh god. I wasn't moving fast enough. There was no way I was going to out run them! They were just playing with me, and I couldn't do anything about it; not with Scarlett this close. It would break the sill on her magic, and Mom would have to explain things way too soon. But I couldn't let them catch us! I threw a quick glance over my shoulder, a grinning vampire ten feet back.

Panic crawled up my throat, trying its best to choke me as I run harder, ignoring my protesting legs. No! I had to get her home; I just had to get her over the barrier and she would be safe. That's all I had to do!

A hand slammed into my back, knocking me off balance.

I fell out of that memory, feeling the tears falling down my face with Scott's panic and fear swirling all around me, tying me to him. I couldn't breathe, his panic was clogging my throat. And I was yanked backwards again, almost able to hear the snapping of the rope tying me to Scott.

It was quiet, just the sound of the rain hitting the ground keeping me company as I fell to my knees, barely feeling the jarring impact. My throat was tight with tears, and I blinked so I could see again though that was the last thing I wanted to be able to do. Tears streamed unchecked down my cheeks, and I couldn't seem to stop them.

I should have came. I was more than strong enough to handle the guilt that would've battered me, that is battering me. But I wouldn't have been able to handle the looks and the whispers. No, that would have been the end of me. I had failed her, I had failed my baby sister and let her down in the worse way possible. What kind of brother does that?