Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 40

Part 40 Of The First Draft

The cafe was packed with various couples and families enjoying their evening. We had been lucky enough to have grabbed a booth by the back of the joint. Perry and I had both ordered a caramel latte, and mine was very sweet and especially delicious. I sipped at it, and then returned to the conversation with Perry,

“How much longer is this school year going to drag along? I feel that each day is going by so slowly...”

Perry smiled, mildly amused,

“We all wish that we were out of high school.”

I looked at my latte, wishing for more. I summoned the waitress, a young blonde, who happily obliged to my request for more. I continued on with Perry, speaking low and dire,

“So what makes this Mr. Paulson so powerful? Is he like Judge Jackson was, or maybe even something a little bit more?”

Judge Jackson had nearly put Lana in prison and killed me last summer with his manipulation of organized crime. I wonder if Mr. Paulson is more of the same.

“He has to be different. Judge Jackson was more....direct. Mister Paulson seems to want to use us against one another. He is by far more sinister than Judge Jackson ever was.”

This realization sent shivers down my spine. How long will Mister Paulson continue to play with us like we are obedient toys? His marionette had led even the Eisens to mistrust Carlie, someone who had been at one time his pawn. If he continues to play with our minds and influence us, then we will only end up destroying one another. We cannot let this happen.

“Perry....let’s hope that we never fight again. We shouldn't ever do that, even with Mister Paulson pulling our strings.”

I knew that what I was asking for is fairly impossible for a couple but it really was our first disagreement. I hated it. No one ever wants to be at war with the one that they love.

“Okay, Mindi. I didn't like it either. This Mister Paulson thug is one bad dude.”

Perry’s look was one of determination, and when he got up from the table, he left a generous tip with the money for the lattes and proceeded to be a total gentleman while we exited the cafe. He drove me home, letting the radio play. The music he has always liked seemed like one from some old, forgotten age. Sometimes, I wonder how old he really is. His face was one of a sixteen year old, but his features and behaviors were that of a venerable old coyote, a trickster of the desert. Although he is no wolf, I could swear I hear his soul yip and howl at night, making the air thick with his pain. Someday, for his sake, I hope he can move past just being a lamia and find something that interests him about everyday life. These recent months neither one of us can say we have been living normally. Someday, I want to change all of that.

All forlorn wishes and desires aside, I had a great evening, and I let him know with a hot kiss on the cool and chilly Knoxville night.

“Mmm, Perry. Your lips are always so soft.”

Perry pulled away, and grinned, commenting,

“I’m glad. Their perfect for you.”

“As all of you is for me. Drive safe, Perry. Tonight was one of the best nights we’ve had in awhile. Thank you.”

As I made it to my house's door, I turned around, watching Perry drive away. Then, just like that,  he wad gone. He's always good at the disappearance acts. I figure that he has a lot on his mind. It's best that I leave him alone the rest of the night. Maybe I'll do some studying....I’m not all that tired yet.

My parents had already gone to bed, and I had the house all to myself. I grabbed a can of orange soda, and brought it with me up to my room, where I proceeded to dig out my textbooks. What I needed to work on was none other than math. I'm in geometry this year, and I'm currently only at a 78 percent in the class. I'm not going to settle for a C+. My parents expect more from me. Besides, they said if I keep my grades up they'll buy me a new phone. What girl can resist an offer like that?

A couple hours passed before I was tired enough to call it a night. Lana hasn't made it home yet, but I'm sure she is okay. Besides, she's an adult, and can handle herself. I avoided taking sleeping pills or my anxiety pill, feeling just too tired to bother. I lulled myself into a deep slumber, where I found myself in a disturbing dream. Each of the Eisens were there, strung up from a barbwire fence in a horrific display. The area was dark, with only a few lanterns illuminating the place. A large and tall man dressed in a black suit was there, laughing loudly. He taunted me,

“Can you stop me from making this nightmare become a reality?”

Perry’s corpse fell to the ground, limp at my feet. I screamed, and stepped back, seeking to run. At the exit from the dark forest I was in, stood two females, young and dressed in black leather that clung to their bodies. One had short black hair and the other had long red hair draped over her shoulders. They pulled out long machetes, and approached me. I had nowhere to run, and I fell to the ground. Before they could kill me, I heard the sound of Lana's melodic voice, and I was yanked out of my dream.

“Time for breakfast, Mindi.”

I got up from my bed, and hugged Lana tight. I told her, as she stood there confused,

“I owe you one. I was having the worst nightmare I've ever had.”

Lana kissed me on the cheek, and ran her fingers through my hair. She told me, soothingly with a hint of cheerfulness,

“That’s what big sisters are for, right?”