Carlisia combed through her hair embarrassed about last night. She glanced at the full length mirror looking at her reflection and taking a deep breath. Her cheeks turned crimson as soon as the smell of strong cologne filled her lungs.
Gabriel had left early in the morning leaving her alone so he could get ready for his day. She couldn’t help but feel happy a bit about her meeting with him at the end of the day.
But the million dollar question on her mind was,
Where were Ruben and Elijah?
Had something happened to them?
She was close to them but they never let out to where they were or what they were doing but this was beyond the line. Her mother and Ben had left her in the care of her brothers who had decided to disappear after skipping school too.
Carlisia frowned; she was going to give them a piece of her mind when she saw them.
Grabbing her bag Carlisia quickly made her bed and opened the window to get the smell of the cologne out before anyone suspected anything disgusting.
Carlisia shuddered at the thought and went straight to her car, not bothering for breakfast as she carefully got in the car.
She was sore but felt better after taking a few painkillers as soon as she woke up. To be honest they were doing their job pretty well. She could barely feel any pain and even though they could not hide the bruises, her clothes did that work.
She felt completely okay and would until the effect of the painkillers wear off too.
Carlisia slid out and zoned out as she drove to school thinking of the scary red eyed guy who gave her those bruises. Something about him seemed inhuman, to be honest, everything about him seemed inhuman but that cant be possible, could it?
Carlisia was brought out of her reverie to her cell phone ringing. She looked at the ID and her breathing stopped.
Zane
Her uncle’s words went through her mind as she heard her ringtone. On the last bell she picked up and heard the shallow breathing at the other end.
“Carly?” She hears Zane’s voice say but she doesn’t reply.
After a few minutes of silence she finally whispers,
“Yeah.”
“H-how are you?”Zane whispers wheezy and Carlisia knew he was holding back tears.
“Fine.” She whispers and just as the words left her mouth Zane breaks down crying.
“I’m so sorry Carly! I didn’t meant anything I said that day. I’m sorry. I was just angry and sad. I don’t know what got hold of me!” Zane says sobbing Carlisia sniffles and wipes her eyes.
“It’s okay. I’m sorry too. I was just a bit shocked and I took it out the wrong way. I just don’t want you to get hurt.” She replies and parks her car in the very empty parking lot of school.
“No Carly. Everything you said was true and I was being a dickhead. I just didn’t want to admit it.” Zane replies and Carlisia laughs halfheartedly.
“No you weren’t. I was being too hard on you. I was being selfish. I want you to know that I am okay with it. I’d rather you be a hero like you’d want to.” Carlisia says smiling and taking a deep breath.
“You’re too nice, Carly and someday someone might use that against you.” Zane says out of the blue and Carlisia shrugs.
“Can we be friends again Zane?” She asks and she hears him laugh at the other end.
“Always Carly bear.” Zane replies and Carlisia smiles checking the time.
“Zane I’ll text you later. I’ve got to get to class.” Carly says and hears him reply an ok before she ends the call.
She felt a bit at peace, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders as she stared at her i-phone screen for a second before placing it back in her pocket.
So she and Zane were finally friends. But deep down she felt like they were drifting away. It pained her to finally admit it but that was the bitter truth. They were miles apart and so was each other’s presence.
Carlisia jumped in her seat as soon as she hears tapping on her window making her jerk her head to the source, as her breathing got heavier.
Outside her window stood a man no older than twenty seven with pale skin. Those were the only things she noticed in her shaken state as she rolled down her window.
“H-how may I help you?”Carlisia says as she looks at the man but her main concern was the emoty parking lot.
Why was it so empty when there were on twelve minutes to class?
“Oh, I really don’t need any help, love. The question is do you? You seem awfully lonely here at the premises of this empty school. Are you sure it is open?” The person and Carlisia nervously chuckles as she looks behind the man.
Something about this stranger screamed danger.
“I can assure you the school is open. In fact my classes start in twelve minutes. I should get going.” Carlisia says and the man gives her a smile, which looked more sinister than friendly.
“Oh, Of course. Of course. I wouldn’t want you to get late but however may I ask you a favor?” The guy says and Carlisia nods just wanting to get away from the guy.
“Oh lovely! I want you to give this to Gabriel Kane. I bet you know him?”The guy says as he extends a neat envelope towards her through the window.
“I’ll give it to him. He’s our supervisor.” Carlisia replies and the guy smiles.
“I am very thankful for your kindness.” He says and is about to go when Carlisia realizes the envelope had no name on it.
“Excuse me, but you forgot to write your name on the envelope.” Carlisia says and the guy turns around.
“Don’t worry sweet Carlisia, I can assure you he will recognize me.” The guy says before continuing to walk out of the parking lot and Carlisia carelessly nods when suddenly her breathing stops as the guys words finally register in her mind and she quickly whirl around to get a glimpse of the man as her face goes pale from fear.
She never told him her name.
