Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 24

Part 24 Of The First Draft

There's nothing that can describe how I feel now. School has now came to a conclusion, as has the school week. Perry was driving us back quickly to his house, and I kept dwelling upon one thing. Becky was feeling better these days, but has developed a fear for ever leaving the house. I can't blame her, but if she doesn't go to school, teachers will start asking questions. When we got home, I tried to bring forth a solution to her problem.

"Becky?"

"Yeah?"

Becky laid down on the couch, her shirt being soaked in sweat. Her hair was unkempt, and I wondered if she's given up on styling it. It's a shame, because she has beautiful hair that really brings out her eyes. I asked her,

"How long are you going to run away from your problems? What happened to the original Becky I met, the strong and independent one?"

Becky scoffed at me.

"She left when I lost my powers. You must surly understand."

I don't have what Lana had when she changed me, but I have watched my fair share of werewolf flicks. I have to do what I am about to do. I ran my nails down her arm, scratching her and drawing blood.

"Hey! What's your problem, Mindi?"

I laughed, delighted by my boldness.

"Becky....welcome to the pack. Live like a Wild Girl....forget about your former weakness, forever."

Forever......

Becky looked down at her hands, and then up at me, locking her eyes on mine. In her astonishment, she smiled, and thanked me,

"I don't know what you've done, Mindi, but....thank you. I don't feel so bad now. I feel.....I feel...."

Becky rose from the couch, and smoothed back her hair, which seemed unnaturally soft to her touch. She walked up to the mirror, looking herself up and down. She remarked,

"Everything....is so sharp...."

She then returned to the couch, and laid down on her side. She opened up her mouth, and her teeth were elongated and razor-sharp, as if they could easily pierce flesh. Her eyes then shut, and before I knew it, she had fallen into a deep and peaceful slumber. Lana, who just walked into the room, dressed casually in some sweats and a loose fitting shirt noticed Becky, and then came to my side, silently. We both looked down at Becky, and after a long moment, Lana asked, in a whisper,

"You did it to her , didn't you?"

I nodded, and Lana continued,

"I'm glad you did. She had grown very depressed. Now, she can seek her own destiny, and maybe even revenge......"

Lana put her arm around me, and pulled me into the kitchen. There, Lana explained,

"Let her become one with the wolf. Do not wake her until dawn breaks. Then you will see fully what lycanthropy can do to her. She's young, yes, but so were you when you received the gift. My sister....let's go outside. We musn't disturb anyone here..."

Lana obviously has regained her former poise. We stepped outside and into the Eisens' spacious backyard which had a spansive view that allowed us to see for what seemed like miles. We sat down, and Lana put her arm around me, explaining,

"Renee and Brad are out front. Perry is elsewhere....don't ask me what he is up to. I'm sure you know more than me. We have to watch for those darned walkers. They could be absolutely anywhere.....it drives me bonkers having to do this but...I kinda don't want to die."

I laughed, and after a long moment, I realized that the night's sky was already quickly forming above us. I leaned back, and Lana followed suit. She calmly laughed, and said,

"The skies above Knoxville.....is there something truly out there beyond our little world? We are so stressed from what we are living through....but what lies ahead, truly? If we defeat Carlita, what's to say that someone will not rise up after her and challenge us afterwards?"

I continued to look up at the sky, and explained to Lana, being honest to the most extreme degree,

"Our lives will never be what you call free. We will be always fighting evil in our secret lives, placed aside and away from the prying eye. We'll just have to cope with all that has happened and will happen to us."

Goodness. How deep of a thinker have I really became? Lana's response to me was one that spoke of hope,

"Whatever you go through, I wish to go through as well. Don't let me die, Mindi. Everyone seems to think you're the one that has it going on these days. I'll watch your back if you can watch mine."

I just wanted to kiss her right now. Instead, I leaned over, and grabbed her right hand, squeezing it tight before letting it go. I then told her, with much zest,

"Sisters never let each other down. I'm with you for life until the bitter end and even after."

Around midnight we returned to the inside of the house. Renee saw us, herself looking as if she had been ran ragged. She told us as she assumed her posistion out back,

"Why don't you two get some sleep? We'll need you fresh for what we are going to be trying tomorrow."

We both took her suggestion and laid down on the furniture in the living room alongside the still resting Becky. What does tomorrow hold, I wonder. Whatever it may be, I'm toast. I haven't been this excited to sleep for awhile. As my body drifted and my vision faded to black, I escaped into my own inner world, one away from both the bustling world and our own secret hidden place. My parents were there, who lately had been spending each day at the Eisens' with much anxiety. My father urged me,

"Please, Mindi.....free us. Make sure we live to see you get married. We will stand by you each moment, but please....don't let us stay here forever. We don't want to be in your mind, but instead your heart."

My mother then spoke, sharing,

"Carlie's weakness is obvious. She is poor in combat, and if you find her...ha ha ha...."

My eyes sprang open, and I got up, noticing it was still night time. My parents were still asleep in the room they were staying in, at least I think so. Actually.....is that my mom in the kitchen? The same figure passed back through the hall, a shadowy apparition-like figure that appeared to have the shape of my mother. Was it her? I then fell back to sleep again, as if I had no control over my body. What a bizarre night.