Lying Bloodlines

Chapter Four

“Aj! Guess what, guess what, guess what.” I smile down at Mandy as she jumps around happily.

“What?”

“Ms. Tucker came to school to talk about the library and she gave me this and a cupcake. I’m the only one in my class to get something. Ms. Allie says that’s because I’m special and got the question right.” I stare at the note in her hand.

“Is the note for Nonna?” She nods skipping over a piece of cracked sidewalk. “Can I see it for a sec?” She hands it to me with a small, I frown. She’s so innocent, why are they using her for these notes? What if a hunter approaches her and she just give it to them because she’s so trusting?

‘Nineteen thirty three, lost. Far, hunt behind.’ I give the note back. The last one said ‘seven twenty, found. Close, hunt here.’ They must be talking about the hunters. They were almost caught but they’re safe now. What did the one Margaret had say? Why wasn’t that one given to Mandy to pass along?

Both notes were in Shai’s handwriting. But Margaret said Alina back in the shed. Can she not contact Shai that way?

“How was your day, Aj? I heard you go out in the shed earlier. Find what you were looking for?” I look up startled.

“Uh, I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, was just bored.” Nonna nods watching my expression, “But I did notice how old and dirty it is in there. Would it be okay if I cleaned it up? You know remodel it and maybe throw some things away?” She freezes.

“Oh, I um, maybe not right now. It has many memories you know? A lot of history we can’t afford to lose, it’s too valuable.” I nod.

“I understand, maybe I could redo the yard then, there’s a lot of weeds.” Nonna relaxes into a smile.

“Of course, what a wonderful idea Dearie. And maybe Mandy can help you when she gets home from school.” I nod as Mandy starts talking about all the things she wants to plant. I watch Nonna as she listens to Mandy with a new found interest.

I smile down at my plant, one point for me, Nonna told me all I need to know.

Back in my room I’m printing pages off of every website even remotely related to Curryos, watchers, and hunters. When I finish I stare stare at the pile in my hand, ten papers one side.

“Hey, Aj? I want to plant these flowers.” Mandy walks in looking down at the book in her hands, I quickly hide the papers.

“Hmm, Aster is nice for the border. And then you want to grow vegetables, sounds good” She nods running out the room while calling for Nonna. I stare after her for a second. Books. That’s it.

“Come on, Mandy. You’re going to be late.” Small footsteps race around the house as doors open and close.

“Are you coming home right after dropping Mandy off, dearie? Get started on the yard?” I smile at Nonna behind the stove.

“No, I’m going to stop at the library for a couple of books to improve my green thumb.” She stops stirring.

“Oh, the library. Have you checked with margaret maybe she has some gardening books, dearie. So you won’t have to make a unnecessary trip.” I smile leading Mandy out the house.

“Don’t worry Nonna, it’s on the way.”

At the library I notice Ms. Tucker watching me careful, Nonna is quick. I walk to the front desk with a smile.

“Good morning, Ms. Tucker.”

“Morning Ms. Annalynn Joe Carter. How are you doing on this fine morning?”  I answer quickly before getting to the point.

“I need some gardening books, and could you show me where the mythical history section is? I hear Roman gods are fascinating to read about.” She smiles watching me tensely.

“Of course right this way Ms. Annalynn Joe Carter.”

I grab three garden books that Mandy can look at before going to row six b. Half the shelf is mostly covered from top to bottom with Roman and Greek mythology, there’s a few sections on other history though. Like Curryo history.

The first book I find looks like an old journal, Curryo history, very straight forward. I check around the corner for Ms. Tucker before starting to read the first few pages.

“Curryo walked the Earth long before humans, they were civilized despite the popular belief that led to them being called ‘cavemen’. They were strong and spoke to one another in what was said to be hand motions, snorts, and yelling. But they really communicated in their minds. They had many marking across their skin, said to prove they tortured one another and themselves. But the markings were the true source of their power.”

I close the book with a snort. Okay, I was expecting something weird, but not this crazy. ‘True source of their power’? Come on, it’s not like their Samson with his long hair or something.