Pure Beauty 'Cailyn's Chronicles' Book One

Chapter Twelve Aftermath

I walked into school Monday morning with caution. I was thankful that Ayden was there with me. Nothing seemed overly different except me and my view of the world now. I huffed at my own paranoia as I opened my locker to get my things for class.

When I turned around Jen was walking towards me and my heart skipped a beat. She was talking to one of the guys that were with her on the night of the dance that had assaulted me. She looked at me then and just ignored me and kept on walking by as she talked to the jock. No recognition on her face at all. That was so strange.

“I told you they don’t remember anything. Jen still hates you but she has no memory of any plot she might have had and carried through with,” Ayden whispered so close to my ears that it made me jump.

“It is just strange is all,” we made our way to my math class. I went and took my seat and Ayden followed and sat down across from me. I looked at him confused at first.

“Ohhh that’s right, I forgot,” I laughed. Of course he was able to get into all my classes. It made more sense how he was able to accomplish that now.

Josh entered the class next. He searched me out and gave me a sad smile and came up to me looking at Ayden, who nodded at him.

“Are you ok?” he asked hunching down on his knees to talk quietly to me so we were not overheard. I smiled at him. I knew he would always be my friend. Josh and Ayden also had some kind of guy understanding thing going on. Also, Josh did not know exactly what had happened just that I was taken.

“I am fine Josh,” I reassured him and squeezed his shoulder.

“Its just weird, Jen is acting like nothing ever happened, like she never had a plot in the first place,” I sighed slightly. Josh was actually quite observant. I glanced over at Ayden he was definitely listening.

“I don’t know Josh she acted like that when she walked by in the hall today to,”

“Well ok then it’s just weird and I was concerned all weekend but I didn’t want to bother you in case anything happened and make it worse,” he said not completely convinced.

“I’m ok Josh really thank you for warning Ayden,” I gave him a reassuring smile. He gave me a hard look then nodded and went to his desk. I watched him my poor geeky friend, I still felt he had his part to play yet.

The bell rang for the start of the class and I let out a breath I had not realized I was holding. Ayden gave me a look that was almost apologetic but I think he knew as I did that Josh was not completely convinced, another minor problem that would have to be remedied.

It seems as though the day was not starting out as easy as I had hoped it would. I was also curious as to why I had not seen Beth yet. She wasn’t in the parking lot or at my locker this morning and I wouldn’t see her until fourth period. When Ayden and I settled down in biology, I had to ask him.

“Have you seen Beth at all with your other senses?” I lowered my voice on the last part. Ayden went still for a few moments and a blank look in his eyes, then his brow furrowed.

“She is here, but something is wrong or off,” he said. My eyes widened in worry.

“Could Darius have done something to her?” I asked fearfully.

“It looks as if he has,” he said quietly. “He’s used mind control to have her do what he wants and I believe he has fed on her,” he said the last part cautiously. Heat rose to my face. I was angry at Darius for doing this to my friend, though I was not overly surprised. I felt helpless like I couldn’t do anything about it anyway since he was a strong vampire.