Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 19

Part 19 Of The First Draft

“You can’t be serious....”

Becky was frustrated beyond a doubt. She had been running around the backyard for hours, not able to achieve any of the previous sprinting speeds she had once obtained. She turned to me, short of breath and drench with sweat, and asked,

“Is this it? I'll never have my power again?”

Perry drew forward, and asked her a question of his own,

“Was it really your own power?”

Becky knew exactly what he implied. She answered him, herself both physically and mentally drained,

“I suppose you’re right. Freedom really does come at a great cost.”

We helped Becky inside, and I was grateful to get out of the bright sun. Veronica had tried to contact Becky several times today and Becky had told her also several times that she is okay and that she doesn't want to come home. Veronica had even threatened to call CPS but Becky didn't care. She had told Veronica that she doesn't feel safe at home. After an argument over the phone, both of them had agreed to leave Becky's safety up to us. When Becky had relaxed, she asked me,

“Mindi...do you think that I made the right decision by finally giving in and staying with all of you? I just don't want my sister to worry.....”

I smiled, and reached down and gave Becky a tight hug. After giving her a kiss on the cheek, I told her,

“It’s better to worry her than me...and the rest of us. We love you, Becky...we need your help....you’ll die out there.”

Becky and I released our embrace, and she blushed, admitting,

“Yeah...I forget that I am weak and helpless now. Thank you, Mindi, really.”

I walked back into the kitchen, where I had been earlier. I looked down at my homework, and realized how boring it really is. I've been blinded by our hidden world, where dangerous adventure filled with hormones and emotions are at every turn. After I had finally finished some difficult advanced algebra, I went to find Perry, who was with Renee in their study, looking at some archaic looking-books with illustrations in them that resembled none other than the corrupted watchers. Renee noticed me, who was wearing a black shirt that really showed off her neck and everything else with its lowcut neckline. She asked me,

“Can we have your opinion on this, Mindi? Are these foul creatures really them?”

I glanced over the sketch in the book, which looked exactly like what we've been fighting, just as grotesque as I've seen them up close. One thing was wrong, though.

“That’s them alright, but there's something off. It says these are controlled by vampires....”

Renee nodded, and then commented,

“So that's why Carlita and Ben had no trouble fighting them....please don't talk about this with Becky. I'm glad we got her away from Carlita.....she’s behind all of this, I'm sure of it.”

This isn't all that surprising to me. Carlita has always had the hint of deception about her. I'm very worried about Becky, though. It was as if Carlita had some very sinister plan for her. She meant to sacrifice Becky for her own dark and evil plan. I have to protect Becky. Even if I am incapable of protecting her, I will not let Becky die....or worse. I told Renee,

“She won’t hear it from me. She's already went through enough....I have to be considerate to her feelings.”

Perry smiled, giving me what hope I needed. As I left the study, I closed the door behind me, and was surprised to see Lana. Lana was dressed in a simple dark green shirt and tight jeans, seemed to be distraught. She asked me, her voice showing confusion,

“It’s about her, isn’t it? Ever since you came up here, Becky hasn’t spoken a single word. Please go help her. If you need me, I'll be up here with Perry and Renee. I thought I could find a boring book to fall asleep with up here...”

Lana’s wit did not hide her onsetting depression. She misses the former freedom she had before she tried to kill herself. She had gotten worse with everything going on and had been asking for my pills. Every now and then, I give her an antidepressant. She often regrets her decision to try and end her life, asserting she was merely stressed out. Sometimes, I wonder though. It seems as if she just wants to be home constantly. I believe that she has became sick of the formerly busy life she had been involved with ever since she became an orphan. When she was adopted by my parents, she showed her strength. After we had defeated judge Jackson and the vampiress, Nel, Lana had begun to decline. She had her childhood friend Franklin die, and had been involved with a bogus murder case regarding his death. After all that, she tried to juggle a job and school. All that had proven too much for even a strong woman like Lana.

“I’ll check on her, Lana. We should hang out some time.....I mean, when everyone isn't so busy. I miss you....”

I went downstairs quickly, concealing tears of my own from Lana. If she sees me as weak, I don’t know what she would do. Somehow, I have became the focus of everyone, a young and broken heroine. People around me have all these gifts and great talents, and yet I’m the one who is supposed to save them all. How strange fate really is, making no sense to anyone until all is said and done.

When I returned to downstairs, I sat down next to Becky, who was staring at her phone, despite the fact that there was nothing on the screen. I leaned over, and asked,

“How you holding up, kid? Everyone’s real worried about you.”

Becky started to cry, and I grabbed her, holding her close. She cried for a good twenty minutes before I let her go. After she had dried her eyes, Becky asked me,

“You need to defeat Carlita. The Resistance is merely a front for her creation of ghouls and watchers. All we are to her are disposable tools. Please, save me, Mindi, and the others. They won't be free until Carlita is dead. Don't let me become one of her playthings again...please.....”

I nodded and assured her,

“I figured. I may not be a superhero, but I promise you that I will save you and the others.”

There was no need to be in denial. We got our work cut out for us. I sat next to Becky, now silent. The television was drowned out by my loud thoughts. I need to come up with a plot to take Carlita out of her own element. Maybe Grace can think of something. She's the best chemist I've seen. If anyone can defeat a vampire’s powers, she’s the one who has the best chance of discovering how.