A Rose as Black as your Heart

(21) Fight Or Flight

Chapter 21

August 17th

This is the first time Leopold and I have arranged to meet. Other times, we have simply met by coincidence. Right now, I am waiting for him by the river, wondering when he will come.... soon, I hope.

August 18th

Oh, how nice it was to see him again! We talked for hours, Leopold and I, and there was no one there to bother us or interrupt us. Father did not find out- he does not know that we still talk. No one does, though I am considering telling Maria, just in case. I hate writing those words, but it is true that something very bad could happen. I know I am silly for being so trusting of Leopold, but I am desperately hoping if, God forbid, he goes through a Phase, I shall be able to protect myself.

I heard Matt come thumping up the stairs as I turned the page, and he pushed open the door.

“Alexis. Laundry duty, remember?”

I scowled up at him from where I was lying, sprawled on my bed, reading the diaries. “I hope you get struck by lightning.”

Matt just laughed. “Come on, get moving. I’m the one who has to make dinner.”

“Yeah, and I’m your poor, innocent sister!” I hopped off the bed. “I’ve just had a long hard day at school-”

“It’s a Friday- I doubt it was that bad,” Matt interrupted. His eyes zoned in on the diary in my hand. “What’s that?”

I shut it hastily and shoved it under my pillow. “Nothing.”

If there’s one good thing I can say about Matt, it’s that he respects my privacy. His eyes narrowed a little, but then he shrugged. “Whatever. Dinner in ten.”

As I was gathering all the laundry, a voice, as smooth as velvet, suddenly blossomed in my head.

Alexis?

I whipped my head up automatically and peered around the room like a startled meerkat. It took me a few moments to realise the voice was Daniel’s.

Yes? I tried to reply in the same way, but I didn’t know if he could hear me. I’m listening.

Alexis, I don’t know if you can hear me- I’ve never tried sending mind messages long distance- but there’s something you need to know.

I stood there, frozen. For a minute, I honestly thought he might tell me that he felt the same way I did-

Harrison’s going through a Phase. He’s in town. You’ve GOT to stay inside, okay? He can’t hurt you there. We’re dealing with it.

My hands fisted in the bunch of laundry I was holding. I couldn’t imagine Harrison going through a Phase- crazy black eyes, yearning for blood...