Beyond the Veil

A Grim Beginning (Or Not?)

Every single nerve in my body was lit with pain and agony. So much regret. I can't go through this again. Not again. "Grandma, no!" I shouted. "Please, please, please," I panted and pleaded, but no matter how many times I said it, it wouldn't stop. "I didn't mean to. I don't want this to happen again. I love you. I need you here with me. What can I do to stop this?"

"Nothing, Jax. It's all your fault. You ruin everything. Everything you touch, you kill. You're poison and there's nothing you can do about it. You're a monster. Now let me die. Anything's better than being stuck here with you." I can see the remaining color drain out of her eyes and skin as everything goes dark.

Aw shit. I'm sick of these damn nightmares. I'm drenched in sweat, my head's pounding, and to top it off I'm not even sure where I'm at. This is definitely not my room. And judging by the warmth radiating from my side and the distinct lack of clothing on my body, I can guess what I did last night. After leaning over to check, I'm not even sure who this is. Remi's gonna be so pissed. I told her I wouldn't do this again. Fuckkk. I can deal with this later. I gotta find my phone.

I have no idea where I would've put it. That is at least until it starts ringing. Very loudly. Booming music blares out, "I think I'm cute. I know I'm sexy. I got the looks that drive the girls wild."

"You sure do, babe," I hear come from the bed, "But turn that off, I need my beauty sleep."

Damn you, Shawn Michaels. I scramble over a vanity full of makeup to grab my phone. What girl needs that much bronzer and highlighter? I shrug, to each their own, I guess. I dismiss the blaring alarm quickly and try to find my pants.

"Trynna leave so soon?" I glance over at the voice to see one banging chick staring back at me. Even if I make bad decisions, I still have good taste. I look her up and down before noticing a very prominent bulge in the pretty pink panties she was wearing. Drag queen? Damn, I'm good.

"It's initiation day, I can't be late on the first day." I shrug while I shimmy my jeans on.

"Wait, how old are you?"

"Sorry, gotta run!" I yell as I head out the door. Now, where on Earth am I? I whip out my phone to pull Google Maps up. It froze. Calibrating...Calibrating...Calibrating... Forget it. I'll figure it out on my own. That seems to be the main road up ahead. Yeah, here we go. Blossom Street. Just a bit away from my house. I jog for a while until I get onto Odon Way. I look at the deteriorating house. Shingles hanging loose, paint chipping, and a lawn full of dead, or dying, grass. Home sweet home.

"Gram, you up?" I hollered as soon as I opened the door. The question is followed by silence. I know she's awake. I didn't really expect an answer. I just wanted her to know I was here.

Please tell me I packed the night before. I dash up to my room to see. There are 2 ratty old suitcases and my bookbag laying on my bed. Much obliged, past me. I grab the suitcases to roll to the front door and slide my book bag on. After whistling a quick tune I call out, "Nudge! Nudge, get out here." The little red Indian scorpion scuttles onto my shoe and crawls up my pant leg. "You know I hate when you do that."

"Gram, where are you?" I dart around the house looking for the little old lady. There she is. Sitting in her rocking chair working on her story quilt. It would have to be at least a couple 100 feet long by now. She's been working on it since she was a kid and her mom passed it down to her. It's been passed down from generation to generation, and I can tell she wants to give it to me, but I don't really know what I'd do with it.

"Sandy will be here soon to help you. Take care of yourself while I'm gone, and call me, or email me, or whatever. Just contact me alright?" She didn't look away from her quilt and her eyes seemed to be glazed over, but I knew she heard me.