Lying Bloodlines

Chapter Five

Walking back home I hold the gardening books to my chest. That book back there can’t possibly be true. Why does Nonna and Margaret believe in it, believe that Shai and Alina are one of these ‘Curryo’. I shake my head, maybe I missed heard, I must’ve missed heard.

Someone knocks me halfway off the curb.

“Whoa there, sorry. Sorry I didn’t see you. Are you okay, miss?” I look up once I gain my balance.

“Yes, I’m sorry I wasn’t watching where I was going.” The boy smiles, his green eyes stare down at me.

“It seems we’re both at fault, safe to say we’re both forgiven. Right?” I nod, “Great. My name’s Aster by the way, new to town.” I shake his outstretched hand.

“Aj, nice to meet you.” He laughs.

“Aj? Does that stand for something or did your parents just like those letters?” I shift my feet slightly moving the books to my other arm.

“Uh, yea. Just Aj.” Walking around him I start walking again.

“Wait.” Footsteps increase as he runs to catch up. “Where are you headed? I have no idea what there is to do for fun around here.” I look over at him as he practically skips besides me.

“I’m going home, and maybe you should check out the library back that way. It usually has information about events lying around.” He nods looking around.

“Can you show me? To the library?” I frown.

“Uh, no. Sorry, I have to get home. I’m late actually.” He grabs my arm pulling me to a stop.

“Well, hey. Since you’re already late why don’t you be later, yeah? Late is late after all.” I stop trying to move my arm and stare up at him.

“You’re trying to distract me from going home. Why? Who are you?” He quickly hushes me tugging me into a small alleyway.

“Look, I’m sorry for all this. But you can’t go home.” A car door opens and I’m being pushed inside before I can respond.

“What the- what the hell is going on? Let me go, you psychopath. This is kidnapping!” Aster grimaces slightly as he gets in besides me and a man I didn’t notice in the front starts driving.

“Yes, I know it seems that way. But we are really trying to help you. Where’s the school Mandy goes to? We need to get to her before they do.” I freeze, they know about Mandy, this isn’t a coincidence.

“How do you know me? Who are ‘they’?” Aster shakes his head.

“I’ll answer all that later. Where’s the school Annalynn?” I grab the door handle pulling roughly. “Annalynn, Annalynn. Aj, please just tell us, tell me-”

“This is the one.” I ignore the man in the driver’s seat as he pulls up at the elementary.

“No no no no no. No. Stay away from her. Don’t you touch her, no.” Aster looks at me pleadingly.

“Please Aj, you have to go in and pick her up. You don’t understand you all have been in danger for quite sometime but it’s too late now. They’re here, they already got your Nonna, Ms. Margaret, and Ms. Tucker. We’re trying to protect you.” I shake my head.

“No, no. This is not happening. You are crazy, both of you. What are you? Hunters?” Aster looks out the window cursing.

“They’re here.” There’s two black vans pulling into the parking lot, two men and a woman jump out. “Shit, let’s go.” Aster pushes me out the car running into the school. The people behind us start running as well, the driver gets out and tries to distract them.

“Who the hell are they?” Aster shoves me into the school.

“Go get Mandy, hurry.” One of the men run in behind us. “Go!” I race to her class.

I ignore all the questions picking Mandy up and running out. Her small size is a blessing at the moment.

“Aj? What’s going on? Where are we going?” I hush her running out onto the playground.

“Quiet.” I wrap her arms and legs around me like a monkey, the way I used to carry her when we were younger. “Hold on.” With my arms free, I pump my arms to run faster. I hear shouting behind me.

“Aj! Aj!” I look back not slowing, dammit. He’s gaining on me. “We’re trying to help you.” He appears next to me pulling me to the left. “This way, the car’s waiting for us.” I follow him as the people start gaining on us.

We both jump into the car, the man from earlier drives off before we close the doors or buckle the seat belts.