SALEM

Chapter 13

Max

May has been avoiding me for days now, I'm still concerned about her wellbeing and I'm sure I saw blood stains on her turtleneck shirt.

Mathew has become a permanent fixture in my life, he attends all my football practice and games. He's always smiling and waving back at me and I find myself unknowingly searching for him during practice.

"What's on your mind?" Mathew asks as we take a short stroll after my practice had ended and I had washed off all the dirt that had accumulated on me.

"Nothing just wondering where all these is going...you and me-" I trailed off

"We're just getting to know each other, I don't think there's anything wrong with that" Mathew smirked but this whole situation with him was making me tense. I've always been closed off and kept to myself especially when it comes to relationships cause I'm really not ready to deal with my feelings or sexuality and that's why I dated May, it was simple for me and there were no questions and confusion but anytime I stared at Mathew, there's always this warm fuzzy feeling in my chest like chills and I'm having them right now as I we ventured closer to each and I didn't realize we had gotten so close to one another that I could see the whirlpools in his beautiful hazel eyes with some tiny flecks of gold that seemed to enchant my very soul.

But like all good things, my senses returned and I backed away.

"I'm sorry, I can't do this-" I turned and took to my heels, ready to leave this awkward encounter but my knees felt like mustard and I slowed into a jog, trying to catch my breath.

"Max" Mathew whispered but his voice was so clear and I could hear it like it sounded in my head.

"I'm sorry but I-" I was quickly cut off by Mathew's lips, the kiss was so soft and tender but I couldn't but lean into it and I captured his mouth with full force. I held unto the kiss like my entire life depended on it, it was a breath of fresh air.

"It's okay Max" Mathew said pressing his forehead against mine as I took in large gulps of air, it felt like the kiss lasted for just a minute but with the way my lungs demanded oxygen, it felt longer than that and I was flustered.

"How did you even manage to catch up with me" I asked seeing as he looked perfect like he didn't break while me on other hand looked a complete mess with my uneven breaths and flushed face.

"It doesn't matter, I don't know what you are going through but I'm here for you if you ever wanna talk or not" he grinned clearly referring to our life saving kiss.

"I know but I think I need to figure this whole thing out on my own" I sighed.

"You don't have to be alone" he grabbed my palm and locked his fingers with mine as he grinned.

He decided to walk me back home and we made small talk about school, family to our aspirations. I was standing at my front porch but still holding unto his hands like my life depended on it. I never realized I was so needy but he too didn't want to let go.

"I guess I'll be heading back home" he offered

"Yeah, I wish I could invite you but-" he cut me off

"Don't worry about it and everything's going to be fine" he winked as stole a quick kiss on my cheek.

I opened the door and walked in but mom wasn't in the kitchen as usual.

"Max is that you?" My mom came out of her room in her night gown and I could see the eye bags beneath her eyes.

"Yeah, are you okay" I asked with concern.

"I'm fine, just stressed with all the work and everything in the office" she rubbed her eyes.

"There are some leftovers in the fridge, if you'd want to eat anything before you head for bed. Also don't forget to lock the door" she turned back and headed into her room.

My mom was clearly fatigued and I didn't feel hungry so I closed the door and headed upstairs to my room. I didn't realize I was grinning until felt the muscles in my cheeks already strained from all the smiling.

Mathew really makes me happy, I've never been this happy for as long as I can remember. I turned off the lights and took off my pants as I climbed on my bed ready for a goodnight rest or so I thought.

My dreams were erratic and I couldn't make sense of it but something was terribly wrong, I could hardly make out the faces but the voices sounded so familiar like I knew them but the place was eerie dark and I couldn't make out any features. The voices were beginning to sound distant so I followed them as I struggled with my vision.

The voices were getting clearer now but there was this distortion like an echo but worse than that. I could make out the words and they sounded like that of a female, so familiar but yet different and there was another voice but that of a male.

"Are you ready" the male voice asked

What was going on here, there was this bright light all of a sudden and I could make out the environment but the light got brighter and I had close my eyes.

"Max you have to stop her" I heard his voice and my body shook

"Dad, dad...dad what's going on" I yelled at the emptiness except for the bright light that threatened to blind me.

"Stop her Max, she's trying to trick your sister, stop her before it's to lat-" my dad's voice was immediately cut off and the bright light dimmed but I could still make out the distinct voices.

"Annie! Annie what are you doing" I yelled in shock as I saw her right next to a familiar face and they stood next to what appeared to be my Dad but the smirk on his face said otherwise.

The next I know I felt like I was been flinged but I woke up in complete shock and shaking. I got up and ran to Annie's room and it was empty.

What had she done!