Rachel Stanton and The Darkest Night

CHAPTER 12: THE DOWNFALLS

12. THE DOWNFALLS

“I’d better be going now, Rachel,” he murmured in my ears as he pushed his lips to kiss my cheek. “I love you,” he added as he had taken back already, holding my cheekbones with both hands.

I smiled weakly. “Me too,” I said under my breath as I held his hand and feel the warmth in it.

“Sweet dreams . . . I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.” He got to his feet and the couch creaked. The master’s bedroom opened and Carmen stepped out, smiling to us both.

“You’re going home, Jared?” she said enthusiastically, marching down in front of us.

“Yeah, I think I should be home now, Mrs. Stanton. Thanks for giving me the time to talk to her.” Jared heaved a deep sigh and his head turned to face me once more. “Tell Katie I said hello.”

“I’ll get you outside then,” my mom said, beckoning the door and marching towards it. Jared followed after her and as Carmen turned the knob and swung the door open, he looked into my face and mouthed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I nodded.

Mom and Jared disappeared behind the door and I waited until his car revved up and drove out of Union Square. Mom came after a moment the roaring faded. She narrowed her eyes and she raised one eyebrow at me.

“Your boyfriend told me to watch over you. He also told me I should not be alone—that I should have my companion every time I’m going outdoors. Why? He’s worried for the family, isn’t he?”

“I don’t know, Mom,” I muttered weakly. “He doesn’t want me to know the reason either. He neither told me the reason why he’s acting like that. I’m worrying for him also. Maybe he’s saying good-bye in advance. I hope not.”

Carmen locked the door and walked to me. “He won’t leave you. And if he does, I’ll forget about me and his mother. I won’t let you be hurt.” She flung her arms around me and squeezed me tight. When she took herself back, she said, “Go to bed now, honey. School’s tomorrow still.”

“Good night Mom,” I said, smiling weaker than ever because I was still worrying for Jared.

“Good night Rachel,” she said.

I walked up to my room. Two voices came into my ears. And I became curious about it. Katie’s voice was as low as a murmur as I pushed my ears into the door.

“—doing everything I can to protect her.”

“She’ll be all right. Almirante won’t be arriving these coming weeks. Matilda’s—”

I pushed the door open. Katie and Zac were talking in their lowest voice so that no one could hear them. Zac stood beside the window, leaning towards the wall next to my bathroom door while Katie sat onto the edge of the bed, arms folded on chest and looking anxiously to Zac.

“Hello Rachel,” Zac greeted, waving his hand and leaning forward. “We have news for you.”

I closed the door behind me, scrambling in front my television and looking anxiously into his eyes while feeling a bit excited inside. I hoped Matilda lost the battle and I hoped she’s dead already.

“It’s about Matil—”

“About Matilda, yes. I’ve heard it a while before I got here,” I broke him off, nodding and a smile spread across his face. A look of disapproval. “What about her now? Is she lost? Are we going to be safe?”

“No,” he said shortly, and his expression was serious now.

“What? She w-w-win?” I said, hardly pronouncing the words from my lips. But—