Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 36

Part 36 Of The First Draft

Although we have been safe since we saved Carlie from the evil grasp of Mr. Paulson, we knew that he would gain notice of us soon. Carlie was his, and I can almost sense his anger. We will not be able to live in our own happy world for much longer. From everything I've gathered from Becky, this Mr. Paulson is a real evil man and is the brains behind the watchers and all the evil vampires he employs. No one, not even my mother or Grace, have control in this situation. It belongs to him alone.

We do have one thing going for us, something that will aid us against his dark and sinister plot. We have both Carlie and Becky with us, two people that once belonged to Mr. Paulson. They may hold the key to defeating him. We don’t want Carlie to remember the last decade or so that she has worked for Mr. Paulson as the evil entity Carlita, but heck, we need anything we can get to defeat such a foe. Because of our delicate problem, I sought out Grace, where I also was able to visit my wonderful boyfriend after school. Perry was pleased to see me, as was Grace,  who already knew why I was here,

“It was good that you came looking for me, Mindi, my dear. I can help recall what Carlie cannot remember with hypnotism....she won't recall a thing afterwards, and please, don't worry. It's completely safe.”

There was only one thing I could manage to say, something I've said to Grace many times,

“Thank you.....”

Perry realized the situation, and asked me,

“Would you like to come with me to the study, Mindi? Surly you didn't come to our house just to ask for my mother's help...”

I smiled, and admitted to him,

“You know me only too well, Perry.”

I grabbed his arm and we quickly made our way up into the study. He grabbed two drinks out of the mini fridge in the study, and I wondered when he had that installed. He handed me an orange soda, which I gladly accepted. After we had sat down and spent some time catching up, Perry pressed the question,

“Carlie is pretty bad off, isn't she?”

I didn't deny the fact,

“She’s definitely at a loss. Her confusion only increases each day....”

Perry held me close as I sat on his lap in the large leather chair, and he tried to reassure me, failing as he did,

“I’m sure she'll come around...”

I cried quietly, my stress overwhelming me. He sensed my despair, and stroked my back, his soft touch being welcomed by me. I came up, and wiped away my tears, kissing him softly. It was not long after that we began to passionately makeout, and after a good five minutes I recoiled from him, saying as I remained within his grasp,

“Now, now. I don’t want us to do anything we might regret later.”

I got up and stood before him, asking Perry as I straightened my top and skirt that I had worn today,

“Call me later. I want to arrange a date with you for this weekend, if that is okay.”

Perry didn't seem to sense my true intention, confirming that he can no longer read my mind as he used to. Whether that is for better or worse, I count it as an advantage, as I have something to talk to him about later that requires his absolute ignorance. Thank goodness for my powers surfacing early.

“I’ll make sure to call you at eight, Mindi. Want me to walk you home?”

As I left the study, I threw a hand up, and told him,

“No, that is not necessary. I have some thinking I need to do.”

That will get him wondering. I laughed after I got outside, and let my small victory over Perry's power carry me home. After I had ate some baked chicken and potatoes with my parents for dinner, (I was really hungry: I had nearly starved myself all week long,) I ran up to the shower, standing underneath it for nearly a whole hour. I just felt so dirty. What I had thought about Perry in his study is something I shouldn't have even considered. I plan on giving myself to him only after we get married. I don’t want to lose what little innocence I have left. I know Perry wouldn't leave me, but there is just so many reasons why a girl should wait. It makes me sort of unique in this day and age. Perry wants me, but will always be a complete gentleman as long as I want him to be. If we became soiled before our wedding I would feel as if the forces of love would leave me. No one wants to turn into just another teenager who engaged in a lustful carnal act but I know that it happens to many teens. I don’t want to be like them, whether I'm bisexual or not. Being bisexual doesn't mean that I am a slut. I'll never be that.

After it had felt like I had scrubbed every square inch of my body, I changed into my pajamas and laid down. I patiently waited for Perry's call, and after it had gone past eight-thirty, I realized something must have came up. I called Perry, and he didn't pick up. I then contacted Renee with telepathy, knowing I would get an answer that way. Renee explained after she had heard my plea,

“We are at the hospital. My mother was assaulted when she was outside in the garden. She's injured badly, but her powers are healing her quick. If she wasn't a lamia, we know she'd be dead right now. None of us know who exactly attacked her, but we aren't for certain on who it is.”

Carlie was gone earlier. It couldn’t have been her that attacked Grace? That's impossible. Carlie wouldn't hurt anyone. I know that everyone already expects that she did it. I need them to talk to Carlie. Grace mentioned that she could hypnotize Carlie...if she did that they could erase their suspicion that she hurt their mother. Honestly, I'm almost suspicious that Carlie attacked Grace, too, but I have to have faith in my mom’s own friend. She needs it. I fear that I am the only one who trusts Carlie, and that must be a very cruel fate for one who has been a prisoner in her own mind as long as she has. Don't worry, Carlie. I won't let anyone hurt you anymore.