Blood Secrets

CHAPTER 7

BEFORE/ANDY

I blinked from my daze when I heard my name.

"What?" I looked at Emma.

"She said she wants you to explain all that she needs to know." Rob told me. I never did like this guy, still don't see what my sister saw in him but then again, I don't really know my sister anymore, do I?

I remember her bringing him home for the first time. Obviously, I knew he existed before that but I'd never met him. He was definitely an improvement. Her taste had always needed... changing. Changing, that's a way to put it! All her previous boyfriends either had ADHD or an ASBO. Luckily, he had neither, but he wasn't perfect. His stupid hair irritated me. I mean, how much gel does a guy need? but I knew that wasn't what was important, it was whether he'd last or not!

I'm not embarrassed to say that as soon as he walked in, I judged him. I didn't like his hair, the way he walked so confidently or his support for Liverpool. I'm an Arsenal guy myself, obviously.

I'd always been overprotective of Valerie and I guess that's why I was so judgemental. My parents weren't that different either. They were understandably wary that first night but they warmed to him. I'll admit I did a bit, too.

Seeing him now I can see how much he's changed. The wrinkles on his face evident and deep like craters. I sympathise though, he's had a harder time than most. His eyes, blue as ever, were a dead giveaway to all the shit he's had to deal with. On top of that, his stress lines aged him beyond his years.

I must admit, seeing him in my house so suddenly and after all these years was a shock, a big one. I wasn't as prepared as I'd like to have been for the benefit of Emma. If I'd known, I could've prepared her, though nothing could prepare her for this.

"Right then. I'll skip the unnecessary shit - I know everything, just assume that. Your mum, my sister, was part of a cult. She became a part of this cult in high school. She left when she met Rob, your Dad. We never really thought much about it; the we being my parents and I. Rob never knew that side of her. But I did. She was completely compelled and fascinated by what they did - too much so. She was a reporter for the school paper, you know. She was always looking for the next big scoop-"

"Really? You never told me that." Emma gave me a sad, hurt look with her big puppy eyes. I hope she doesn't blame me got the lack of information - I find it hard to talk about my sister even know, knowing what I know. Especially with what I know.

"Oh... Sorry. But anyway, she always wanted to impress our shitty principal so she might earn a scholarship for uni. She came across a killer opportunity - a cult. Valerie worked her way in from the inside, becoming a close friend with Ashton; the leader. I don't know what their relationship involved exactly but I know it wasn't good for her. She began to change. Her behaviour was off and she became exclusive, antisocial. My parents and I became really worried and every time we tried to confront her, she became defensive and sometimes even violent. It was completely out of character. My parents thought it was just a phase and I hoped it was.

Most days she'd be out all night, sometimes she wouldn't come home til the next day and obviously I was anxious, so I decided to investigate. I followed her once after school to a derelict house in the middle of nowhere. There were these candles all around and the whole get-up in general was just creepy. I didn't go inside but you can't blame me; it was scary as fuck.

What I did do was I snuck round to the corner of the run-down house and looked through the shadowed windows to get a better view. All I could see was a dark portal-like outline and I didn't get a good look before a swarm of creatures descended. They were big, hideous monsters with huge claws and revolting breath that seemed to travel through the moulding wood of the house out into the streets. It was nothing like I'd ever seen before..."

I stopped when I saw Emma. She looked really uncomfortable and spooked. Leaning back in her seat, her eyes widened and she couldn't keep eye contact with me.

"Emma? What's wrong?" I put my hand on her shoulder. "You can tell me".

"It's just... I don't know, it's too weird. I sound crazy but I've seen them too". She squirmed at her confession but only encouraged my curiosity.

"What do you mean? You've seen them? The creatures?"

______________________________________________Thanks for reading! I hope you liked the different point of view! btw, if there are any chapters that don't say whose point of view it is at the top, it means it's Emma's!

Also, I've got an editor! She's on wattpad and hoping to write a book herself (if you're reading this, it means you have to now! lawl) so please follow her and give her some love! @AkheraWilliams