Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 12

Part 12 Of The First Draft

“Perry....what if they follow us to where Carlita is?”

Perry laughed.

“They won’t. Carlita is much more than just a vampire.”

I didn't ask what else she may be. The only thing that I'm worried about is getting my mom and dad home. I pled with Perry,

“Bring me to her. I need to hear what she can do for my parents.”

Perry didn't argue with me, and Becky, Renee, Lana, and the both of us all got in his car. It was late, and I wondered what day it was. Perry had to have Grace call the school and tell them I was sick. I simply have no time to waste in finding my parents. When we finally made it to The Weekend Freak, Carlita was standing there smoking a cigarette with another person who looked as if they could be kindred folk as well. We got out of the car, and the beautiful vampire Carlita put out her cigarette, crushing it against the ground. Her tight black top and short skirt left nearly nothing to the imagination and the one thing I noticed the most was how lean and muscular she is. Carlita will be a valuable ally in finding my parents.

“Hi Mindi. Looks like you're in one heck of a bind.”

“Yeah, Carlita. Please, help me.”

“Oh, we will. Have you met my associate, Ben?”

Ben drew forward. He is a muscular man with short hair and chiseled features, making him look as if he were a figure cut out of stone. His long black cloak reeked of antiquity. He beckoned me,

“We do not have long. I will eliminate who may be blocking the way, and you, ah, will help your parents flee. You will be taking them back to our stronghold, and please, keep any details you give them to a bare minimum, alright, mate?”

I nodded, seemingly paralyzed by Ben's words. Carlita motioned to us, and we all followed her and Ben. She related,

“We cannot risk going onto the corrupted watchers' territory in a vehicle. They'll sense that a mile away, quite literally. Becky, please do not take any risks. Your courage is often your downfall.”

Becky nodded, and together we all moved as a group. We made our path through barely lit allies and into what was the heart of the outer rim of Knoxville. Homeless people were everywhere, paying us no heed as they drank the night away. When we finally made it to what looked like an old park with dying trees, I noticed a large cemetery in the distance. Ben held up his hand, giving us the command to keep quiet. He whispered,

“Move around the edge as Carlita and I do what we do best. You are to ask no questions later. Let us handle the dirty work, mates. You are way too young to do what we do, especially you, Rebecca.”

Rebecca shot a dirty look at Ben and we silently split into the two groups, Ben giving us our final instructions,

“When you hear the shout ‘For the Resistance!’ I want all of you to move to the back of the graveyard and find your parents. Take them back to The Weekend Freak and wait for us. I know they have already dived deep into our world, but please, do not tell them what we or the watchers are.”

What we or the watchers are? Are the corrupted watchers also vampires? This is weird...how many could dwell in our city? Who would have ever believed that there is a whole underground of kindred ones that war against one another? These vampires....I had thought that Nel was unique. When she and Judge Jackson tried to drive out the Eisens and Lana,  I thought that she was something special. I mean, how common can bloodsucking night worshippers be? It's absolutely mindboggling, just as the idea of lamia and lycanthropes were normal to me. Now, all of this somehow seems even more unreal.

“For the Resistance!”

Perry took off at blazing speed, followed closely by Becky. Renee told Lana and I,

“Keep up, you two! I have a feeling we are going to need you!”

I breathed heavy as I sprinted, trying my best to catch my breath. When we made it all the way to the back of the cemetery, we found my parents chained and gagged to a pole nearby some broken headstones. Becky struggled with the chains, and somehow picked it with a bobby pin. She cut the gags covering my mom and dad’s mouth, and I rushed to their side, hugging them. Renee nudged me, and she and Perry grabbed up my mother and father respectively, then told Lana and I,

“We will make sure they stay safe. Lana, Mindi, please, cover our escape.”

We took a combat pose, and prepared to fight as three male watchers approached us, each one covered with gross charred skin and disfigured faces. Lana and I stepped forward, lashing out at our assailants. I brought one down with a kick to the midsection, calling out,

“That one is for my dad.”

Lana followed suit, throwing one into the ground, crying out,

“That one is for mom!”

We then descended on the third, easily overwhelming him. We then fled, eventually catching up with Perry, Renee, Ben, and Carlita. Ben glanced over us all, and proclaimed,

“Right. Looks like we are all here. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson, I'm sorry for the long delay. Don't worry, they won't be able to hurt you again.”

My mother stared at all of us, and caught the image of Carlita. She remarked,

“Carlie, how long has it been?”

Carlita laughed, and noticed,

“I should have figured you would be Mindi's mother. I hope that you will not mind your living arrangements for the next few weeks. It's too dangerous for you to go home, as you might have already guessed.”

My mother laughed, and happily stated,

“I’m sure you'll be a good host....but may I ask for one thing?”

Carlita smiled, and said,

“Of course.”

My mother asked,

“They didn't let us eat or drink anything for the last few days. Gosh, we hardly even slept. May you provide something for me and my husband to dine on?”

Carlita motioned for us to enter The Weekend Freak, and informed us all,

“You can have anything you want, and I’ll give you the best seat in the house to top it all off. Come. We have a lot to catch up on, Serah.”

My mother laughed, and told us all,

“Don’t you just love this gal?”