Farecrest Academy

CHAPTER IV

“Where have you been?  I drove all  the way to your competition looking for you!” Mom shouted. 

            I sighed, rubbing my tired eyes.  “I dropped out of band, Mom.  Mr. Helsen gave my solo away and I...spazzed out.”

            The woman scoffed, shaking her head.  “That still doesn’t explain why your car isn’t here!  Why you’re wearing that outfit!  And why Lana’s upstairs passed out!  You know you need to tell me things!”

            “I wrecked the car.  I went to hang out with Lana.  Holton invited me to a Halloween party.  Lana let me borrow some of her clothes.  And she got drunk, okay?” I finished, throwing my legs onto the mahogany tinted leather couch. 

            “Claire...” Mom breathed.  “You dropped out of marching band?  Claire, band was the way: to college, to becoming a professional musician, to composing your very own music.  Now what’re you going to do?”

              My eyes watered up as she threw the reality in my face.   I sighed taking off those wretched, ear bruising heels to hide my face from her. “I don’t know anymore, Mom.”  She was right.  Band was the beginning, the start of my dream; and now it’s a stupid memory.  That was when I felt 2 warm arms wrap around me. 

            “It’s going to be alright, honey.” She unwrapped her arms from around me, wiping the tear away.  “We’ll get you back on track.”

            I smiled lightly, happy she’ll always have my back.  Though, I knew it would take much work to find another major.  Music is the only interest I have.  With me out of band, my career is basically ruined.  But that was when my head began to pound in pain.  I grunted, pacing towards the kitchen’s medicine cabinet. 

            “What’s wrong, honey?” Mom asked, following me. 

            I intended on answering, but pain overcame me.  I grunted once more, mumbling, “M-My head.  I-It’s killing me.”

            From the corner of my eye, I could witness her eyes widen.  “Did you drink anything at the par—

I screamed in pain, falling to the floor.  The agony increased by the seconds.  Mom dropped to her knees, dragging my head into her lap.  She called my name over and over, but the torment prevented me from answering.  That was when I felt a strong, tingling sensation emerge from the palm of my left hand, but only to realize it was simply the start of an excruciating, stinging pain.  Something evil, wicked, abnormal carved a basic triangle in the palm of my hand causing me to scream.

            “It’s gonna be okay, honey,” Mom soothed with tears falling from her eyes.  “It’ll all be over soon.”

Though I’d like to believe in everything she said, I simply couldn’t.  Nothing was going to be okay.  This was absolute torture.  All of a sudden, I saw an unfamiliar old man literally pop into my living room.  His eyes were big, saggy, and a bright, chilling blue; and his pale white skin contrasted well with his tan skin.  The strange man wore a thick, black trench coat, red platted scarf, dark brown mud boots, and saggy, dark jeans.  He carried a black, sleek staff supporting a big, blue diamond wrapped with 2 silver snakes.  The man walked towards my mother, squatting near her as he looked at me.  I struggled to warn her, but an ear-bleeding shriek beat me to it.  My entire body shook, fidgeting as I grabbed my left wrist and viewed the evil sketch.  In addition to the triangle were two thin circles boardering it; rather similar to the sketch on Abby’s neck.  Does she have anything to do with this demonic event?