Shadow Embraced (Haven Academy Book 1) [Completed]

Chapter 2

I jerk upright, my heart pounding in my chest as beads of sweat drip down my face. It feels like a vice is gripping my chest. The tangled sheets connect my feet and my fingers dig into the mattress.

I flick on the bedside lamp and turn my attention to the time. 5:02 p.m. My gaze darts around the room and a jolt rolls through my chest. The words 'no escape' cover every inch of the posters, blasted in black marker. My lungs burn as I gulp down mouthfuls of air. I move my sight to the table beside me; art supplies lie strewn upon its surface. My sketchbook is open and a picture I don't recall drawing now fills the once-blank page. It's an image of the mirror from my dream, but instead of the dark emptiness, a shadowy figure stares back with blood-red eyes.

I jump out of bed and rip the posters from the wall. This isn't happening.

Footsteps sound on the stairs. I can't let Mum or Dad see this. They'll flip out, especially if they learn my sleepwalking spells are back. I shove all the posters under my bed and throw myself under the blankets. Closing my eyes, I wait.

"Scarlet, are you awake?" Mum knocks on the door before opening it and pokes her head into the room.

"Yes." I sit up, forcing the fear from my face.

"I think we need to talk." She moves to sit on the end of my bed. Her eyes move around the room before resting on me. "What happened to all the posters?"

I shrug, trying to play nonchalant. "Guess I got bored with them."

Her gaze narrows on me. "We were worried last night," she chokes out in a soft voice. "Going to an illegal club with alcohol, fighting and God knows what else. Do you know what could have happened if your dad wasn't called there?"

I can't answer. All I can manage is a nod.

"Your dad and I had a talk." Her glance drops to the floor. "Perhaps it's best if you don't hang around with Alex anymore."

"No!" My voice comes out in a high shrill.

"Every time you're with her you end up in a fight. We don't want you seeing her."

"You can't do this." I fight back tears.

"Yes, we can." Her voice sounds harsher than I've ever heard it before. She stands up and starts moving towards the door when a girl's scream, my current ringtone, fills the room. She stops and turns to face me. "Who is it?"

I reach for the phone and stare at the caller. "Alex."

"Give me the phone." She holds out her hand.

"Please Mum, let me tell her."

She continues to hold out her hand until I give in and give it to her. She presses the answer and holds it to her ear. "I'm afraid Scarlet can't go anywhere today."

Mum remains silent as she listens to the reply. Alex's voice comes through clear as if she's standing right next to me.

"I just wanted to see if she was alright after last night."

I shake my head. It has to be my imagination, or my phone is turned up too loud, either way, I still focus on what's being said.

"That's sweet of you," Mum says.

"Tell her I'll see her in school tomorrow."

"I'm afraid Scarlet is no longer allowed to hang out with you. She has to come home straight after school, or her dad will be forced to pick her up."

Thanks, I can imagine what people will think if I'm dropped off and picked up in a police car.

The other end of the line remains silent, so Mum continues. "Goodbye Alex." She hangs up and tosses the phone on the bed.

"Mum, I'm sorry," I say. "I won't do it again. Just don't ask me to-"

"Enough. You know we worry about you. What happens if you have an episode when you're out?"

"I haven't had a fit in three years." I definitely can't let her find out about my sleepwalking.

"Just do this one thing for me." She leans in and kisses my forehead, before standing up and leaving the room.

I fight the urge to scream. They always threaten to ban me from seeing Alex, but they never have. I don't know what I'll do when I see her tomorrow. Even though they won't let me hang out with her, they can't stop me from being friends with her.

Looking around my room, I seriously want a shower and to get out of these sweaty and blood-stained clothes, but I don't want to face Mum. I pull on a fresh pair of jeans, tee shirt and hoodie and take a glance in the mirror at the damages from last night. My short dark-red hair sticks out in odd places like I've stuck a knife in the toaster. I run a hand through it, but that only makes it worse. Faded purplish-blue blotches on my cheek and a swollen nose are the only remnants of last night. With all the punches I took, I'm surprised there's not more, but no wonder Mum says Alex is a bad influence.

Taking a seat on my bed, I pull my sketchbook and flip over to a blank page. I grab a hold of a pencil and stare at the paper before finally writing the first stroke. At least I'll be able to keep my mind busy.

* * *

"Are you feeling okay?" Mum places the back of her hand on my forehead. "You feel hot. Maybe you shouldn't go to school today."