Monster

C3: Carter

Chapter3-Carter

Mom was frantically running around in the kitchen when I walked inside. She was talking on the phone to someone, rummaging through her purse at the same time.

“Mom, are you okay?” I asked hesitantly, afraid she'd snap at me or something.

She looked at me, her eyes wide and sitting above dark circles. “Cora, oh my gosh.” She ran to me and scooped me up in her arms, the phone falling to the floor.

“Mom, I can't breathe.”

She let go just a little bit. Her face went from scared and frantic to angry. “Where have you been? I've been worried sick! And where's your brother? You two were supposed to be home no later than eleven last night.”

“Sorry, mom. I left the party with Isaac and stayed with him last night.”

She turned her angry gaze to Isaac. “So this is your fault she isn't home.”

“Mom, stop-”

Isaac laughed softly, talking over my protests. “It's alright, Cora. I lived just down the street from the party and didn't want her leaving after the amount of alcohol she consumed.”

“You should have called me, Cora.”

“I-I'm sorry.” I mumbled.

“Where's Carter at? He didn't come home either.” She sounded more annoyed than angry or scared. Which was a good thing, I figured.

Isaac spoke again. “I saw him leave with a girl. I would assume they are still together.”

Mom knelt down to pick up the phone then walked into the living room. We followed her silently. “He never called either. Honestly, it's like I never even raised you two.”

I smothered a smile and headed for the steps. “I don't really know why he didn't call but I'm sorry I didn't.”

She nodded, mostly to herself, then sat down on the couch. “We'll talk later.”

I sighed and walked up the steps, Isaac following me. “Thanks a lot.”

He laughed, noticing my annoyance. “For what?”

I sat down on my bed. “My mom's probably going to ground me now. Not only because I didn't tell her I was staying out all night but because you said I'd been drinking.”

“Well, weren't you?”

I glared at him. “She didn't need to know that.”

“She was obviously looking for a good reason and I gave one.”

I rolled my eyes and laid back on my bed, my hair fanning out around me. “What are we going to do now? I can't get rid of you. I can't tell anyone anything. How am I supposed to go on living?”

Isaac laid down beside me, on his side. “I've been thinking about that since I got you back to my apartment. With your brother being turned... I think it's best you tell your mom. If she knows, you won't have to hide things all the time.”

“But what if she doesn't take it so well?”

“I don't think it'll be a problem. Her son isn't a human anymore. There's nothing she can do about it but accept it. She has no other choice.”

I frowned. “I wish I didn't have to do this.”

Isaac took my hand in his, moving his thumb in a circular motion on the back of my hand. “I'm sorry, Cora.”

“Can you take me to see my brother?”

Mitchell's sister was short, around 4'9. Her hair, though, was not short. It hung down to her waist, threatening to extend longer, most of it rolled into dreadlocks. Just a few pieces, like her short bangs, were left alone.