Creatura (21 page)

“Where are you going, and who are you going with?” Claire asked, scrubbing the walls of the oven with her yellow rubber gloves on.

“Over to Andy’s. We don’t know what to do just yet, but I’ll let you know if we go into the city.”

“Be careful,” she said with a warning tone.

“Thanks, Mom.” I smiled and nervously shuddered at the same time.

“Oh wait!” she said, moving the hair out of her eyes with the back of her hand. “I have a thing to go to this afternoon, but I don’t need the car. One of the girls from work is picking me up so, I’ll probably leave before you do. If you call me and I don’t answer, leave me a message or text me.”

“Okay,” I said whisking up the stairs to wash my hair.

Mom left around two thirty. I kept making up excuses to not leave for another hour until the anxiety was so much that I just rushed out the door without thinking about it. I circled the block a few times, and then finally decided I was doing this. I practiced what I was going to say as I purposely drove five miles below the speed limit.

I stopped the car when I reached the entrance to the green path and saw a half hidden sign that said “The Ebony Preserve”. My stomach swirled round and round. I was extremely nervous.

I turned the gear to reverse and decided I couldn’t do it. Then I retracted and shifted back into drive. My foot wouldn’t lift off the brake pedal, so I shifted to the park gear and waited to calm myself down.

I slowly exhaled and inhaled.

“I can do this,” I told myself. “What’s the big deal?”

I shifted to drive and slowly drove along the paved curve. I reached an open space where the path ended and the driveway began. David’s car was parked under an Ebony tree. My hands started to sweat. I didn’t know what would happen when I saw him. I felt like it had been weeks since I last saw his beautiful smile and flawless face.

The twins’ truck, Nyx’s car, and two other cars I didn’t recognize were in the driveway. I hesitated in getting out of the car and knocking. I didn’t want to inconvenience them, seeing as they had visitors.

I sat in the car contemplating the idea of knocking anyway. I either had to knock and get it over with or leave because the sun was baring down on me so hard inside that car with the windows rolled up that I was capable of getting heat stroke. I looked at myself in the visor mirror. I looked flushed, either from the heat or the nerves. It might have been a combination of the two.

“It’s now or never,” I told myself

I stepped out of the car and rang the doorbell. Nyx answered the door in a beautiful red flowing dress. She looked so radiant that I literally gasped when I saw her.

“Hello, my dear girl!” She kissed my cheeks. “How are you?”

“I’m well, thank you. How are you?” I timidly asked. I knew she had company and I was interrupting.

“I was wondering when your next visit would be,” she smiled.

“Well, I’m sorry I showed up unannounced. I’m actually looking for David.” I tried not to gawk as I spoke. Her beautiful porcelain skin stood out so vibrantly against the scarlet of the dress she wore. It was inevitable to stare.

“David and his brothers had to leave town for a few days to set some matters in order, but they should be back by tomorrow or Monday, if all goes well.”

“Oh,” I said glumly. “I saw his car outside, and I thought he’d be here.”

“Will you excuse me for just a minute while I fetch something?” She said, already leaving the anteroom.

I could hear chatter coming from deeper in the house. Several people were talking and laughing.

It wasn’t long before I heard the sound of descending footsteps. Nyx walked down the staircase with something in her hand. She held it out to me. It was a piece of papyrus paper.

“David has asked me to deliver this on his behalf.” Her eyes glistened. “You must promise to guard it with your life.”

“Yes, of course,” I nodded, noting her seriousness.

I took the paper and unraveled it. Within it, there lay a golden six-point star. It seemed to subtly glow in the palm of my hand. The note held another of David’s poems:

“A tearing thrusts this vacant heart

Brutal agony does prevail.

Incessantly battling for Victory’s love,

Its resolute intents to no avail…

But this singular army will not retreat,

It is obligated by penance-

Ravenous for Her emotional defeat.”

It was clear by his own word that David was not letting go of me. A burst of happiness filled me, and I could see that Nyx was using her empathic skills to scrutinize me.

“He
is
requited.” The words barely escaped her lips as she spoke. “Thank you, My Lord.” Nyx clenched my hands, closing her eyes.

Nyx wiped a tear from her delicate skin and pulled off a leather string from her wrist.

“Here.” She took the star and made a simple necklace with the string. She placed the necklace in my hand.

“You must guard it. Carry it with you at all times. Promise me this, Isis.”

“I promise.” I held on to the paper and the charm.

Nyx looked at herself in the foyer mirror and wiped carefully under her eyes, wiping the black makeup smudges away.

“I am having a small tea party, dear. I’d love for you to join us.”

“I really shouldn’t. I feel like I’m imposing already.” I reached for the door.

“Please, stay.” Nyx took a hold of my hand. “It would mean the world to me if you did. I don’t know anyone in that other room. Grace me with your company for at least a few minutes.”

“Sure,” I nodded. “I’ll stay.”

We walked into a room I had never been in before. The room was lined with windows that overlooked the beautiful white pavilion and tropical landscaping. Three women sat on a beautiful, voluminous white wicker chairs. My mother was one of them.

“Oh, snap,” I mumbled through my teeth.

“Isis?” Claire narrowed her eyes, puzzled. “What are you doing here?”

Nyx’s eyes widened.

“I’m… err… invited for tea.” I looked at Nyx hoping she’d go along with my story.

“Oh,” Claire lifted her eyebrow. “Where’s Andrea?”

“She couldn’t make it.” My answer sounded more like a question.

Claire frowned. “Didn’t I tell you to call me if you left town?”

“Technically, we’re still in town, Mom.”

Nyx interrupted, “Isis, dear, I forget how you take your tea?”

“Cream and sugar please,” I smiled at my mother.

“Do you remember Elsa and Mary from the office?” Claire asked.

“Yes,” I nodded. “How are you?”

Small talk was the afternoon’s highlight. I got snaps from the ladies for being on top of my game at school. I was very proud of myself, to be honest.

“Isis, would you help me with the canapés?” Nyx called for me from the kitchen.

“Excuse me,” I said walking away from the enclosed patio.

“I’m so very sorry that I got you in trouble,” Nyx apologized in the kitchen. “I knew your mother’s name was Claire, I just did not think to put two and two together.”

“It’s okay. She’ll get over it.” I took a platter of the finger foods in each hand.

“Nyx, is David out of cell phone range?” I asked before leaving the kitchen.

“Why do you ask?” She said placing down her trays.

“He doesn’t answer his phone. I was just curious, that’s all.”

“I do not believe he has his phone with him.”

“Oh,” I crushed my lips together and smiled. “I thought something else.”

“I know,” she smiled. “Well let’s get this soirée going.”

“Wait.” I grabbed a napkin and asked Nyx for a pen. She found one for me in a credenza in the den. I wrote down my home phone number and a short note—nothing like his poems. I kept it simple: “please call me”. I left Nyx my cell phone number, just in case, also.

After saying goodbye to Nyx for the eighth consecutive time, my mother finally boarded the car.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming here?” My mother immediately questioned me.

“I didn’t know. I got a call after you left.” I lied through my horrible rotten teeth. I stayed quiet for a while afraid Claire would notice the guilt in my voice.

“How’d you meet Nyx?” I asked as we approached a red light. Claire was driving.

“She came by the court to ask about the deed to her house. My co-worker slipped her a Plasticware catalog and asked if she’d be interested in having a demo party. Nyx mentioned she was new to the area and had no one to invite. We got to talking and she ended up inviting us to tea.”

“You knew who she was,” I laughed. “You wanted a first-hand account of the estate and the family didn’t you?”

“I was being neighborly,” she replied with a sly smile.

I saw her eyebrow lift—I knew the questioning was about to begin.

“So, David, huh?” She glanced over at me with a smirk.

“What about him?” I acted unconcerned.

“I thought you didn’t like him?”

“I never said that.” My voice developed a defensive tone.

“So you
do
like him?” She pressed.

“Mom, I barely know him.”

“That doesn’t matter. The first time I laid eyes on your father, I was head over heels in love.” She sighed deeply.

“Love at first sight? How original.” I rolled my eyes in disbelief.

“Absolutely. When you know, you know.” My mother smiled as her eyes gazed blindly over the steering wheel. I could tell she was thinking about my father—might he rest in peace.

Claire left on her date with the Judge roughly around eight. I stayed up and watched television for a while in my room. Sometime between reruns of
I
Love
Lucy
and
The
Honeymooners
, I fell asleep.

I observed the sun’s rays breaking through the window, announcing another day’s beginning, as my eyes meekly opened. A faint ringing had woken me. I clumsily reached for my phone.

“Hello,” I said in a raspy voice.

“Good morning.” The voice on the other end was ideal.

I sprung my body to a sitting position.

“David?” I asked surprised.

“Yes.” I heard a smile in his speech.

“Where’ve you been? I’ve been going crazy trying to find you.”

“Have you?” David sounded baffled.

“Yeah,” I sighed. “Um… I wanted to apologize for that incident.”

“It’s not your fault.” David countered my apology. “I overreacted. Besides, I shouldn’t have pressed you so much after you had clearly expressed your feelings. I’m the one that should apologize.”

“No, David… I shouldn’t have spoken to Gabriel. It was inconsiderate of me.” I continued my apology.

“Stop, Isis,” David implored me. “Had you not spoken to him, he might have started a brawl. Something we both know is simmering in that little brain of his.”

I relaxed my back against the bed’s headboard.

“Does that mean I’m forgiven?” I persisted with the issue.

David laughed softly. “Tenacious, aren’t you?”

“I guess, I am,” I answered.

Again, he chuckled faintly.

“So, I was wondering…” he paused, “do you think your mother would allow you to come out with me for the day?”

I squinted my eyes to focus on the time on my wall clock. It was only a few minutes past seven.

“I don’t think she’d mind,” I assured him.

“May I pick you up in an hour for breakfast?”

I jumped out of bed and skidded into the bathroom.

“Okay,” I said trying to sound cool while reaching for the shower knob.

“See you then,” his voice was soft.

“Bye.” I hung up and jumped into the shower.

 Chapter 9

UNREQUITED

DAVID
CHIOS

Enraged, I raced to my car and drove past the security guard at the school entrance. I was cloaked with disillusionment.

What did she think I was—a mere plaything for her own sadistic pleasure? I cursed the day I laid eyes on her enchanting round face. Surely, she must think I was her own private jester, entertaining her raw humor.

And I so stupid to think she would have me as her own. I loathed her with a passion, yet my heart yearned for her a million times more. Her wicked emerald stare bewitched me every time, and I held no cure to her curse. She was the most incomprehensible human I had ever met. I did not understand her quick to change moods, or why she stared at me in such a way that made me think she held feelings for me.

A fool she must see me as and, rightly, I must be to digest her apathy for me. She gives me no sign of affection. A dying leper would be more likely to receive, at the very least pity, from her than I any type of concern. And, yet with all her coldness, she thrives through my veins like wildfire.

Her soft pink lips, her sweet breath… oh, how my soul beckons hers.

But if there were a way—a way to gain her frail poisonous heart—I would not hesitate. I care nothing for those imposed rules of the council.

Mother had warned me against growing aggravated for her affection, but this was impossible to avoid. I needed recourse—some means to sway her emotions—but what? The only thing my right mind could clearly see was her face—that which should belong to me along with the rest of her.

Many times, my friend, Eros, had recounted stories of lovers in his daily routine of archery. At the time, I was ignorant of the meaning of the word “love” and far more ignorant of the words he spoke in reference to humans: “Their prayers seek me out asking to pierce my arrows upon the hearts of their unrequited halves because it is so great—their love—that they fall physically ill.”

“Ridiculous!” I judged their request. But now, I was the one to be ridiculed by my own wits for being so boorish. I had become a hypocrite to my own views.

As I thought deeper about it, I knew that this would be a task only for one individual to handle. I would waste no more time. Eros would be my recourse.

I parked the car under an Ebony tree and ran inside the house.

“Mother?!” I cried out.

My mother appeared at the staircase.

“What’s wrong?” She sounded concerned. My tone must have been desperate.

“I must take leave of this place for a few days, but I need you to do something for me while I am away.”

“Where are you off to?” Her eyes reflected her angst as she tried to scan my emotions.

“Mother, please do not question me. I need your help.”

I turned away from her. I took a deep breath, and then pierced my own torso with my forefinger and thumb. The pain was unbearable. I dropped to my knees in excruciation. My mother cried out my name and attempted to stop me. I pushed her away and continued with what I had to do.

My fingers searched for the sacred object buried deep in my chest. I tried not to breathe as I took the life within me and extracted it. It was a small, luminous six-pointed star. I held it out to my mother to take.

“Make sure she receives it.” I let the Star Crest fall in her hand.

“David, no!” My mother protested with desperation. “You don’t know what you’re doing!”

I slowly rose to my feet, unable to stand erect from the steady and sharp pain that enveloped me.

“Yes, I do,” I gasped as the wound began the scarring process.

“Now, please, Mother, I beg you to deliver this in my name. I ask you to think of my feelings for her. She is my only desire. You can feel the physical and emotional pain writhing within me. I beg you, I beg you, and I beg you.” I held my chest attempting to lessen the pain as I spoke.

She looked at the vibrant gold star in her hand and wept. “I will honor your wishes.”

“There is one more thing,” I said. “Wait here.”

I climbed the stairs as fast as the pain would allow me to move. I prepared the article to be delivered and threw my mobile phone on the bed. I didn’t need distractions.

I wrote a few phrases on papyrus paper and rolled it. I descended the staircase and handed the note to my mother.

“What shall I say if she comes soliciting you?” My mother asked.

“Tell her I have left no word, but that which you hold in your hand.”

“Are you certain of yourself, my son?” She asked examining the ancient emblem with consternation lingering on her face.

“Yes, mother.” I took her face and kissed her head. “I’ll return in two days time.”

“Ite cum Deo.” Her voice was broken as she gave me the ancient blessing in Latin, “Go with God”.

“Thank you, Mother. Thank you.” I hugged her. “And Mother… tell her not what it signifies.”

With those last words I left the estate in search of Eros. In pain, as I was, I spread my wings and headed to the airport. I had not eaten or slept in days, therefore, I already felt famished and weak, aside from the pain of the lesion. I could not fly over the Atlantic in these conditions. I boarded a plane in a nearby city. The flight would be long, but well worth the wait. I slept the majority of the way arriving in the crisp and chill early morn at Eros’ primary city of residence.

Eros possessed the power to tamper with the heart. He was not one to slew me. I was certain he would aid me once he saw the heartache on my semblance. Another plus: Eros was a sucker for love.

Eros lived in Paris. Very cliché, I know, but it was his city of choice so I would start my search for him there. I hoped luck and my mother’s blessing would be with me as he was a hard individual to find. His love for travel would make the search especially effortful for me.

I arrived at the Café de Flore, one of Eros’ favorite spots. Fragrant European coffees and the scent of freshly baked pastries filled the crisp morn’s breeze. I surveyed every person in the restaurant walking through the table isles. Eros was not to be found at the café this morning. I took a seat at an empty table and ordered a double espresso and waited patiently to see if he would appear. Almost two hours I waited, and I never did see him arrive.

I pondered upon the places where Eros would most likely roam. I knew him well enough to know these sites, and so I set pace to an antique bookstore named Shakespeare and Company, a short distance from the café.

As I walked among the rues of Paris, I wished one day I would be able to show Isis the City of Love. I came to the street where the bookstore was located. I prayed to Deus that I might find Eros.

The shop doors were opened wide with books stacked on tables on the sidewalks. I stepped in to the smell of vintage paper coming from the antiquities. A numerous collection of works were scattered upon tables and arranged on shelves. I examined the literary hunters, which were but a handful.

Next to one of the book tables by a window there stood a blonde, tall young gentleman in a grey trench coat and spectacles. I recognized him instantly; it was Eros rummaging through a book pile. Deus had heard my cry.

I approached him discretely, as if I too were searching for literature. I purposefully leaned across his way to spy his face.

“Bonjour,” I bid him good day.

He raised his head to view me.

“Alas! My brother!” Eros was surprised to see me. He shook my hand as he embraced me with a one armed hug.

“How are you my friend?” he asked in a thick French accent. “Have you come to visit as you did last time… for pleasure?”

I shook my head. “No, dear friend.” I hesitated to divulge the purpose of my visit. “Actually, I’ve come across a circumstance that requires your assistance.”

I paused and retracted, “But where are my manners? How have you been? Do tell me of your whereabouts and adventures?”

Eros paid no interest to my queries regarding his life, but was intrigued by the reason I was there.

“A favor you say?” He set the book in his hand down and quickly led me out of the store.

“Tell me what I can help you with. You know I am at your disposition.” He sounded sincere.

“I would rather discuss this in a more private place, if you don’t mind.”

“I see.” Eros understood that it was a matter of absolute secrecy for the both of us. “Let us retire to my current residence then, shall we?”

“That would be perfect,” I grinned, content with his willingness to aid me.

Eros flagged down a cab on the sidewalk. “La Reserve. Place du Trocadero.” Eros furnished the driver our destination as we turned a corner.

During the cab ride, we spoke of my family. He was surprised to learn we had moved to a small town instead of a fast paced city.

“Paris is where you should be. The women here die for our kind,” he laughed. “I jest, of course. I should be so ignorant as to put myself in that position.”

I forcefully smiled and avoided the topic of conversation. I could not let him know yet the circumstance behind my visit until he knew the entirety of the story. He would be more inclined to help me if he understood the degree to which I was now emotionally engrossed.

We walked through the lobby of the hotel as a familiar classical number by Chopin pleasantly played in the background. We took the elevator to the penthouse. Upon entering his elegant and contemporary suite, Eros removed his coat and offered me a drink. I took a seat on a sizeable white leather couch and watched him walk to the bar.

I modestly declined the drink and waited for him to prompt me to tell him the reason behind my appearance.

“I will assume this concerns a female,” he smiled and raised his brow.

“You assume correctly.” I straightened my back.

“Is it someone I know?”

“No.” I hesitated, avoiding his eyes. “She’s not of our kind.”

“What?!” Eros dropped his glass of wine. “Please don’t tell me this concerns a mortal?”

“Let me explain.” I said taking him by the shoulder.

His face was hard with opposition. He took a seat on a chair and anticipated my rebuttal. I deliberated on how I should approach his empathy.

“I love her.” My voice was filled with torment as I recalled my sacrifice. I saw Eros’s eyes widen in disbelief of what my lips had confessed to him.

“I thought this was a case of lust!” He scoffed. “You? In love?” His laughter pierced the room.

I remained silent as he embraced an attack of merriment. My face was hard as stone as I watched him with disgusted irritation.

“Shall I return when it is no longer humorous?” I asked scornfully.

“No, no.” Eros held his stomach trying to subdue the pain of laughter.

“I do not appreciate the mockery of your guffaw,” I warned him.

Eros collected himself.

“Forgive me, friend. It has just come as a shock from you, of all people—and in love with a human girl, to say the least.” His voice still held amusement in it.

“May we speak in a civilized manner now?” Impatience was digging at my core.

Eros sighed and closed his eyes. “I can’t help you. I’m sorry.”

“Yes, you can, Eros. You must. You have no idea what it’s like to need someone like you need the flow of your own blood.” My voice was agonizing even to my own ears.

“David, you will never be able to procreate from this relationship. It is against the law,” He paused, “My answer is firm. I cannot help you.”

Eros pressed his temples as if attempting to release the pressure of my petition.

“Eros… I have done something that has proven my love for her. But I suppose it is too much to ask of you,
brother
. I shall take leave.”

“No! Wait!” Eros interjected me.

“Forgive me, but hear my thoughts on the matter. To be in love with a human… that is impossible. You know the prohibitions of such acts. The law is impenetrable.”

He walked to the bar again to serve himself another glass of wine.

“You mentioned you had done something to prove your love. What exactly have you done, Romeo?” Eros took a sip from his wine glass and gawked at me.

“Must you really have to ask that question?” I sighed.

“I need an answer if you want my help.”

“I gifted her something of mine.”

Eros dropped his drink for a second time. He held his fist clenched to his mouth.

“Please, brother, do not tell me you have done the unthinkable?”

I stared at the hardwood floor and nodded. “It is done.”

“For the love of Deus! You’ve gone insane! It’s suicide!”

He took his hand to the rim of his nose mumbling inaudibly with his eyes closed.

A knock came at the door.

“Don’t move,” he warned with his index finger. “Stay. Right. There.”

Eros turned the doorknob and cracked the door open enough to show his face to whomever was on the other side. He exchanged a few words in almost a whisper. He fully opened the door and stepped aside giving me an expression of worry.