Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 13

Part 13 Of The First Draft

“You have quite the place here, Carlie.”

Carlita smiled and placed a pitcher of soda and a basket of chili fries down on our table. Carlita then put a hand on my mom's shoulder and told her,

“Thank you. I bought this building right after I had invested in the stock market. Psychic ability has more than a few good uses.”

Carlita left, and Ben cleared his throat and asked my dad,

“How much do you know, Mr. Jacobson?”

“Well, Ben, after what I've seen the last few days I'm willing to believe in anything. Mindi.....are you like them?”

Ben looked at me, and gave me a nod of approval. I confessed to my dad,

“I’m a lycanthope....a werewolf. Soon, I'll be like Perry, a lamia. Only forever will do when it comes to him.”

My dad sighed, and my mom smiled. He turned to face my mother, and my dad admitted,

“I’m sorry for doubting your words. I should know better than to call my wife crazy.”

Carlita returned, and asked Renee,

“Can they stay with you? I can send Becky to stay with you, too. The more protectors they have, the better, right, Serah?”

My mom sighed, and I knew she didn't want to be away from our house. Either way, she had no choice,

“Fine. Renee, I hope we won't be too much of a burden on your family. At times, I fear we already are.”

Renee shook her head, and confided in us all,

“I feel responsible and place no blame on you. Come on, guys. It's late and Perry, Becky, and Mindi have to return to school tomorrow.”

School will be horrendous tomorrow. All I want to do right now is to sleep as long as possible. After a short car trip back to the Eisens, I collapsed on the couch, drifting instantly to sleep. Tomorrow morning came fast, and the only good thing about the day was the weekend was coming soon. After gym class, I felt as if my legs were jelly. Perry walked with me to my next class, and told me before we separated,

“At least we will be able to spend each evening together for awhile. I know you miss your home, but sometimes you got to see the good in the bad. I love you, Mindi. I'll see you at lunch....”

He vanished as he always does, and I was left alone with my wavering memories and bad thoughts. Now that my parents know about what we are, I fear that they are even in worse danger. My parents have seen both the good and the bad of our own hidden world. They will be forced to live in our world if they wish to survive. The problem is that our world offers only two things for certain: torment and pain.

When lunch rolled around, Perry already knew what I was thinking.

“It does sorta suck that we will always have your parents around. We won't be able to do, well, normal things teenage couples do when they’re alone.”

I sighed loudly, and I laughed, trying to make the best of it,

“Yeah, but I'm sure we’ll still find plenty of chances to make out either way....”

My comment did not seem to catch Perry offguard at all. Becky joined us at the table, and she seemed to be lost in her thoughts. For some reason, I could hear them almost...I asked her,

“Are you feeling okay, Rebecca? The day is young, and you're in good company!”

Becky looked at me funny, and then told me exactly what was bothering her,

“My sister....she can't make ends meet anymore. She had to sell her car...and what she got will only cover a few bills. She might lose custody of me....and I don't want to go anywhere else...”

Perry sat there, and seemed to be contemplating what she said. I know he wants to take her in...once again I can sense his thoughts. Is this the power of a lamia, or something else?

“Perry, let her stay with us. Veronica will be able to visit Becky anytime she wants, right, baby?”

There. I made his decision for him, like any good girlfriend should do.

“Oh, of course. Becky, how long has your sister been in debt?”

“For way too long. I appreciate it, Perry. Veronica will hate it but I'm sure it'll be okay. Ronnie may be emotional but she sure isn't unreasonable.”

After school we gathered, Perry being gracious enough to drive Becky home so she could get her older sister's approval on our proposal. Perry and I waited in his car, and I leaned over to kiss him, sharing a few moments of what seemed like heavenly bliss. It's so weird. His skin was always so cold, yet his breath was hot like fire, making the hairs on my neck stand up. When Becky came back outside, I got off of him, and said a silent wish. One day, I want high school to be over, and our future together set before us.

“Hey, Perry and Mindi! Guess who's going to be living with you?”

Becky seemed relieved. She got in the backseat, and Perry explained,

“Don’t worry about your clothes. My mother will buy you anything you desire. We have only one rule in our house.”

“Oh? What's that?”

Perry smiled, and told Becky,

“Mind my mother, and excel in your studies. My mother won't ask much of you but she does sort of own our house. She wants nothing more than for us to all grow up and become someone like my sister, or better yet, her. We have more than enough money for ten lifetimes, so if you need anything at all, you merely just need to request it.”

Perry’s house was crowded, as if it were a refugee shelter or something. I loved spending time with Perry that evening, even if I had my parents nearby. I'm so glad that we have a moment to breathe, although I know that this pause from the chaos of our strange life again. Later on, Carlita came by, and announced to us, as she stood before us covered in black leather, medallions and occult symbols hanging off of her, spiked choker and all,

“We won't be able to hide from the corrupted watchers forever.”

Grace, who was standing in attendance, dressed in a somewhat casual cloak, shirt and skirt, her hair done up and out of her eyes, said,

“That’s where I come in. I have just the plan to help conceal ourselves, if you will.”