Bound in Blood 1 Clandestine (10 page)

She stared at the driveway for a moment trying to think of
her next question. It would have to be carefully chosen if she had
any hope at an actual answer. Absently, she noticed the driveway
was getting some pretty dangerous looking cracks. They would
need to repave soon. It was totally weird that she would think of
that right then but the cracks really were a serious tripping
hazard.
“Who are you really?” I’ve never seen you around here
before and I have lived here my whole life.” There was that short
time she and her dad were out of town after her mom died, that
didn’t really seem relevant though.
“I haven’t lived here very long but I have gotten to know
my way around fairly easily. It’s not like Lakeview is a big city.
I read maps well.” He was still evading her questions. His
answers were vague as if getting to know Emily would be
horrible or something.
Fine, if that was the way he wanted it, she didn’t need to be
his friend. It’s not like she cared if he didn’t want to exchange
friendship bracelets or anything. There was no point in getting
close to anyone anyway. She would just be leaving for school
anddidn’t have time for personal relationships, platonic or
otherwise. Emily had distanced herself from her family and
friends after her mom had died. She had inadvertently severed all
ties not wanting to strengthen any bonds that may break leaving
her alone again. She missed her mother so much it was hard to
breathe sometimes. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing
another person that was close to her. That problem in her life
was at least easy to solve. Don’t want to get hurt then don’t get
close enough to be hurt. The only problem with that was that it
left her spending an awful lot of time by herself.
“Oh, and to answer your other question, my name is
Sebastian.” As he spoke he gave her a slight bow as if in formal
introduction to a Queen.
Did he really just do that? What time warp did he come out
of? Well, she guessed it was kind of cute in a dorky sort of way.
“Well Sebastian it’s nice to meet you. Thanks again for helping
me the other night with the” What was she supposed to call her
attacker? Should she reveal her suspicions to this guy? No way.
She hardly knew him he would think she was nuts. “Uh, thanks.
Youknow, for helping with that guy the other night.” Giving
Sebastian no further chance of getting under her skin she turned
and headed up the walk. When she glanced back to tell him
goodbye more politely he was already gone. Damn it! He did it
again.
How does he do that? Whatever, she thought as she turned
back to go inside. He was a very frustrating person, who seemed
to be quite self-assured. Emily hated arrogant conceited people.
It’s great when people have confidence as long as they
understood there were boundaries. Her mom always said that no
one person is better than the next and that had always stuck with
her. Logically she couldn’t be too mad at him though.
Technically, she had turned from him first trying to immaturely
gain the upper hand. Somehow even in doing that, he still
managed to one up her. Emily couldn’t figure out what it was
about him that drove her so crazy. He seemed to bring out a
competitive drive in her that had never been awakened before. It
was so maddeningly annoying, yet for some reason she liked it.

The kitchen in her house was bright and cheery. There was
a large fluorescent light fixture overhead,but that wasn’t what
brightened up the room. Its main color was a pale blue. It wasn’t
dull, and it wasn’t so annoyingly bright it hurt your eyes. It gave
it a real homey feel. Honestly it was kind of adorable, in a
cheesy kind of way. The scalloped white lace curtains were
homemade. Emily’s mother never thought it was a good idea to
purchase curtains from a store. Melissa always said with the
right sale at a fabric store, someone could purchase the perfect
material. Which could be used for curtains and allow their
personal flare shine through.

As much as it may have seemed like it, her mother wasn’t
cheap. Or at least she didn’t have to be. Back then Sam didn’t
drink that much, so they had plenty of money. Her mom just
figured if they cut corners that would leave them money to do
other things. One of those things was a college fund for Emily.
Between medical bills for her mom’s hospital stay, funeral costs
and Sam’s binges, it was totally deflated. Emily knew her mom
would roll over in her grave at the thought of the savings fund
that was no more.

The big pot was in the top cupboard where of course, she
couldn’t reach. She had to use a stool her father had made for
that very purpose for her mom. Melissa was not graced with a
models height,that’s for sure. Unfortunately, Emily was stuck
with the same vertically challenged fate.

She had decided on making spaghetti for dinner. It was easy
enough. Sam would return home from his busy day at the bar
totally inebriated. That meant he wouldn’t notice if she didn’t
make a gourmet sauce. The jar kind would have to do. Once the
meat was simmering and the noodles on boil she got to work
cleaning out the fridge. It hadn’t been done in a while. If she
didn’t do it they would surely have months old leftovers in there
growing more mold than there was food.

The jingling of keys sounded outside from the back door.
Why on earth was he coming in the back? She never even heard
the sound of the garage door rolling up. It was old and partially
rusted so it made its presence known quite loudly. Emily liked to
think of it as its own personal alarm system. Even in her
bedroom she could be woken from a dead sleep when her dad
came stumbling in late.

Boots clomping on the hard wood floor broke into her
thoughts. “Hi Emily…” He slurred and then his voice faded
out. Sam gave her a sloppy version of a warm smile, making
Emily nervous.

Sam was never in a good mood after a whole day at
Moody’s Tavern. He would n
ormally consume enough liquor to
kill an army. Maybe Janice convinced him somehow to take a
cab, which would have been a miracle. It had always scared
Emily to think of her father driving home so intoxicated but it
did her no good to say anything about it. As he would say,
acting
like his mommy would only get her a fat lip.
Her lips were too
thin,but that wasn’t the way, she wanted to make them full and
pouty. She plopped a big helping of pasta for Sam on a plate and
sat it down in front of him.

Her dad looked at the meal in front of him and asked,
“What’s for dinner?”
“Steak and potatoes dad,if that’s okay,” she replied
sarcastically. She tossed the towel she used to keep his plate
from burning her hands onto her shoulder as she grabbed her
soda. Pepsi was truly the greatest beverage ever invented. The
caffeine was speaking to her from within the confinement of the
can.
“That’s good darling I love spaghetti.”
He shoveled a bite in his mouth so big, Emily thought for
sure he’d gag. It was kind of evil, but she figured at least if he
did, then he might pass out early. She didn’t feel like babysitting
him and it was only a matter of time before his temper reared its
ugly head.
“How was your day Em?” Sam still slurred, though he
managed to speak in between bites.
What is this? Since when does he care about her day, or
anything about her life in general for that matter? She noticed a
single bead of sweat drip down her dad’s forehead. Whisky
always made him sweaty. His body’s probably trying to purge
out his overconsumption of poison,
yuck
.
As they ate, she found herself staring at the lines of her
father's face. Sure he was middle aged, but the years since her
mom died have been etched into his skin like several grief
tattoos. There were permanent creases on his forehead. Lines
fanned out on the outside of each of his eyes like spider legs.
Instead of smile lines, his were indented into a grimace. Sam
was still handsome in his own way, but his face definitely was
weather beaten. He had acquired an unattractive spare tire, which
hung over his belt. Even still, she could see the lines of his
muscles along his chest and arms. With each rise of his fork, his
muscles rippled slightly, as though trying futilely to wake up.
She normally didn’t make it a habit to gawk ather dad’s
physical appearance. It just pained her to see how much he had
let himself go. Plus,usually Emily couldn’t look at him for long
because he would get paranoid and think she was plotting some
conspiracy against him or something. He was a very paranoid
man who thought there was a reason for everything and in his
mind that reason was never good.
Breaking into her mind babble he said, “Baby, I need to talk
to you.”
Seriously that’s two terms of endearment in one sitting. She
didn’t think she could take much more. Somewhere along the
line the shoe was about to drop. “Um, sure dad what’s up?” She
hedged timidly.
“Well,it’s about that boy…” Sam’s voice trailed off. His
face was reddening,but Emily couldn’t tell if it was
embarrassment or anger.
Seriously was he going to give her the birds and the bees
lecture? She couldn’t believe this was happening to her. Besides,
he was late mom had already told her about that. Plus she did go
to public school. Where did this interest in being a parent come
from, because however it got there Emily wanted to kill it.
“Dad I told you,I don’t even know him. He just offered to
walk me home so I wasn’t alone that’s all. I promise.”
“No no, I believe that you just need to stay away from him I
mean it.” Sam shoved another bite into his mouth.
He believed that? Daddy dearest sure didn’t seem to believe
that the other night when he was smacking her around. She
would sure hate to see what would happen if he didn’t believe
her, she thought while she chewed hiding her annoyance. He
didn’t even ask about the marks on her face. If he even
remembered he could have said sorry but that wasn’t his style
she supposed. If he didn’t remember, he could have at least
shown some concern. Isn’t that what a typical parent would do?
That’s what her mom would have done. He’s so paranoid about
everything and everyone,she’s surprised he didn’t try and get a
mob of town folk together with flaming torches to start a riot.
Then again, that would show he cared which up until tonight,
just didn’t happen.
“Dad really, I don’t even know the guy…”
“Damn it Emily,I’m serious! He’s dangerous. All of them
things are,you don’t understand and I hope you never do.” He
interrupted aggressively.
She started to respond,but Sam didn’t notice he just kept
right on talking.
“There are forces at work in this world that are alien to you.
Not everything is peaches and cream and the Brady Bunch little
girl.”
That’s funny, Emily thought. She didn’t think there was
such a thing as peaches and cream in the real world. If there were
dads out there like Mike Brady, then she got ripped off royally.
Except didn’t Mike have an alcohol problem in real life? Also,
she thought she remembered hearing something about Greg and
Marsha doing it behind the scenes. Clearly even the Brady’s had
drama.
Her dad’s voice rose and regained her attention. “Will you
focus?” His slur turned into great steady conviction. He slammed
his fist down on the table so hard it shuddered under his blow.
“There are killers in this town, probably everywhere. It’s not like
in the books and movies either. What you would normally expect
isn’t always the rules.”
“Dad you’re not making any sense.” Unintentionally, her
voice came out sarcastic.
“Good. It’s time you see the truth and don’t believe in the
fairytale cuzthat’s just not the way it works. I’d tell you not to
go out after dark, exceptthat doesn’t seem to make a difference
all the time. Not that you would listen to me anyway, you never
do. I couldn’t fix things for your mom.I’ll be dead before I sit
back and watch the same thinghappen twice.” He didn’t yell for
once, which made him sound all business. When he mentioned
Melissa, his eyes took on a distant star struck quality. It
genuinely softened his features.
Here we go, Emily thought as she gave a mental eye roll.
The alcohol must have been kicking in again. No one killed her
mom. She had gotten pneumonia and her body became too weak
and couldn’t fight anymore. He always thought there were other
factors involved. Though he had never came out and said what
those factors were.
Switching gears completely Sam said, “I got you something
in town today. I had to special order it.” Sam took a little black
rectangular box out of his pocket and slid it across the table. “Go
on, open it.”
Emily did as instructed. When she lifted off the lid, her
mouth dropped open with an audible snap. So much actually,
that she thought her chin banged on the table. In her whole life,
her dad had never personally gotten her anything that would
constitute as a gift. Well, there was last Christmas when he
bought her a pack of socks from the thrift shop in town. Oh, and
she couldn’t forget how they were repackaged in a Ziploc bag
and the zip part was broken. Second hand stores in Lakeview
spare no expense on their value finds,that’s for sure.
Laying inside the box on white padding, was a necklace. It
was a silver cross that appeared to have silver rope braded
around the inside corners, with her birth stone in the middle. It
was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. The fact that he
had given it to her only made it that much prettier. She felt her
eyes sting and well up with tears that threatened to spill over at
any moment.
“Thank you. I don’t know what to say. It’s beautiful.” She
wiped at her eyes to catch the tears before they betrayed her.
Emily worked hard to gulp down the baseball sized lump in her
throat.
Sam didn’t even seem to notice her barely contained flood
of emotion. “Now Emily, I want you to wear that always. No
matter what. It’s very important that you take this as the one time
in your life thatyou listen to your old man.”
Emily couldn’t remember her dad ever being religious. In
fact, after her mom Melissa died he threw away their Bible. It
wasn’t like he just casually dropped it in either. He threw it in
with everything he had. Emily had to fish it out of the trash after
he fell asleep. He had said no God would take such a wonderful
woman before her time, so there must not be one. Emily’s mom
always told her when someone died, it was because God needed
them for a greater purpose than their work on Earth. Personally,
she liked that idea much better. It helped her to know there was
something bigger out there than the Hell on this Earth. She may
have been angry with God when her mom died, but like with the
unbearable agony of grief, that too passed.
“Okay dad. I will I promise.” She felt she was telling the
truth. The moment of generosity would never be taken for
granted, no matter what his reasoning might have been. She
wouldn’t ask either, she thought as she clasped it around her
slender neck. The answer might not be as nice as the one made
up by her imagination.
After she was done doing the dinner dishes her cell phone
chimed, signaling that she had received a text. When she flipped
it open to check she saw that it was from Lucy. Big surprise, she
wasn’t even going to give Emily a chance to call.
Lucy’s text read,
I’m patiently waiting for your call… NOT!
Lol
.
She’s such a pain in the butt, Emily thought as she typed a
message back.
I’ll call in a sec
, Emily replied. Shutting her
phone, she grabbed the trash from under the counter. “Be back in
a minute dad. I’m gonna take the trash out and get some laundry
started,” Emily called to Sam.
From the other room, the only response was a grumble. So
much for the quality bonding over dinner. That moment was
evidently long gone. Oh well, back to reality.
Once in the garage, she got her phone back out and dialed
Lucy’s number. Noticing the mountain of laundry that was piling
up, she let out a loud exasperated groan. It would probably be a
good idea to throw a load of towels in the ancient washing
machine while she waited for Lucy to answer. Emily seriously
detested doing laundry. If it wasn’t for the fact that it was
considered unacceptable to walk around naked, she would never
do it. Lord knows Sam wasn’t about to break up his trend and
clean anything.
“Finally!” Lucy’s voice sounded frantic into Emily’s ear.
“So, what’s up? Spill it girl.”
Emily wasn’t really sure where to start. “Well, I had a bit of
a run in with a guy in the alley the other night and then with
another guy last night.” Emily paused a moment and waited for
the explosion on the other end.
“Wait, what? Start from the beginning. What do you mean
you had a run in? With who?”” Lucy didn’t wait for a response
before continuing. “Em were you like mugged or something?”
“Luce, calm down. I’m okay. No harm, no foul and all that.
Yes I was attacked,but someone saved me.” Emily’s voice
sounded strained as she bent to dig through the hamper for the
rest of the towels. How on earth did her friend know to go there?
Anyone else might have interpreted Emily’s words as
hey I met
two different guys and got their numbers. We’re going out next
Saturday
. Not good old Luce. She was nothing if not observant.
“Oh my God Em! Who saved you? Did you call the cops?
Oh my God!” Lucy’s words were panicked and more than a little
worried.
“Hey, just stop a minute and breathe. Hear me out, okay?
Let me get it all out before the interrogation begins.” Emily
started the wash and then hopped up on the machine to prepare
for the onslaught of questions.
Lucy sighed. “Okay I’m listening, no more interruptions, I
promise.”
Emily swallowed deep then went for it. “Okay, so I don’t
know who attacked me. He pushed me down in the alley and it
was dark,so I didn’t get a look at him. Before he could really
hurt me, someone came out of nowhere and saved me. He got rid
of the guy, I mean literally the bad guy disappeared and I have
no idea what happened to him. I didn’t go to the cops because
there’s something weird about it Luce. I mean seriously, like
with the pod people. I’m not sure why, but I’m pretty sure that
it’s all connected somehow. I saw more of the pod thing on the
bus yesterday. There was this couple… who kinda seemed to be
controlling some of them. A bunch of the passengers followed
them off the bus. I tried to ask someone what was going on, but
they wouldn’t answer me and then started ignoring me all
together.” Emily sighed. She was relieved to divulge all the
information. However, it was stressful to explain everything in
such a short time.
Lucy took the breath as an opportunity. “Wow, Em. This is
some kind of Twilight Zone script or something! Are you okay?
Oh, andwhat about the second attack?”
“No I’m fine I swear. A few scrapes and bruises, but
nothingpermanent.” Except for her sanity, Emily thought to
herself. Absently, she hoped it wasn’t that weird voice again. It
didn’t seem to be. Thinking about that voice, reminded her oddly
of Sebastian. That was ridiculous. It wasn’t like he was talking to
her in her mind or something else equally disturbing. That kind
of stuff only happened in the movies. “Anyway,” Emily finally
continued. “The other attack was a different guy I’m pretty sure.
I was walking home from Wal-Mart…”
“Why were you walking home from Wal-Mart?” Lucy
interrupted angrily. “That’s a long walk back to yourhouse.”
“I know mom, I know,” Emily responded sarcastically.
“Anyway,” she continued with more emphasis. “On the way
home I fell and this guy helped me up. Nice right?” Emily
answered herown question. “Nope, not at all. Dude turned out to
be a total creeper. Oh and Luce, here’s more of the weird part.
His eyes were a bright green, but that’s not the weird part.
Around the green was a ring of bright red. Seriously, like KoolAid red and when he got mad they glowed even brighter. It was
freaky.”
“Oh my god!” Lucy sounded stunned.
Emily took a second to be utterly relieved that as usual, her
friend didn’t doubt her. As crazy as the eye thing sounded, she
showed no sign that she didn’t believe her. “I know right? The
other thing is that he almost seemed to put me under some kind
of trance thing. Seriously, I knew it was wrong, but I wanted to
be near him even though not more than two minutes before, I
thought he was going to kill me.”
Before Lucy could freak Emily said, “Don’t worry, nothing
happened. Something growled at him and he took off after it. I
took the opportunity and got out of there as fast as I could.”