The Crescent (10 page)

“Bye Grant. See you tonight.” I yelled over my shoulder as I ran downstairs. Alex was already at the curb.

He didn’t give me his normal greeting. “How’s your friend doing?”

“He’s good.” I gave a generic answer trying to figure out if Alex’s greeting meant something or if I was being paranoid. I didn’t know what Brandon meant for my relationship with Alex.

Alex wrapped me in his strong embrace and pressed his lips firmly to mine. I felt relieved at first, but that’s when it happened. The horrible smell that disappeared and reappeared as often as Brandon, now radiated from Alex. It consumed my entire body and it felt like my skin was detaching itself from my muscles and bones. “NO NO NO NO!” I screamed as each of my joints pulled in two. Hands on my skin that weren’t really there started tearing and ripping at my skin. My body convulsed and I threw up several times, half my stomach was on the grass.

“SHIT. Sara! Jack! HELP!” Alex’s screams were muffled with my own. My parent’s ran from the house towards us. My body sprawled on the lawn while the hands still felt like they were pulling me apart. Alex tried to pick me up, but the pain rushing through me intensified and caused me to scream and thrash more violently.

“Get away!” Dad yelled as he shoved Alex back and looped his arms around me to carry me into the house. I was only half aware that our neighbors had come out of their houses to witness the scene. I would’ve covered my face, but I didn’t think I had arms anymore.

“It’s already happened! I told you that you were too late!”

“Who can it be? There is no one else!”

“THERE HAS TO BE!”

Their voices blended together and seemed worlds away. I could no longer feel any pain directly; the memory of the pain was enough. My body started to shut down; I really wished I wasn’t aware of it. I was having an out of body experience, like I was dying or I guess I wish I was, at least then I’d know there would be an end to this.

“I can’t smell the difference on any of her friends.”

“Alex! Think damn it! You are the only one she’s been with. I thought you said she loved you!”

“I thought she did!” Alex yelled back.

Mom interjected, “It’s too late if her mate found her. She won’t be eighteen for another three months!”

My body twitched as I struggled for any oxygen I could get. The world melted away again and not in a
great dreams ahead
kind of way. “He’s found her, if she reacts to your touch this way. We can’t stop it now.” I concentrated on my heart, trying to will it to keep beating.

When I thought I couldn’t throw up anymore… I did. Alex and my dad both stepped back. I tried to focus on what they were saying, but the pain was vibrating through every inch of my body again. “Make it stop…” I begged my mother as she pressed a cool rag to my head.

“Alex you better go.” She said coolly as she dismissed him.

“But…” He objected.

“No buts. If she is reacting this way to you that means only one thing.”

“We’ll leave tonight.” Dad said as he took Alex from the room.

“It’s ok baby. Things will be better soon. I promise.” Mom was right; things got better the instant Alex left the room. Everything went black.

The dreams started the instant my eyes closed. Brandon and I were walking hand in hand next to a stunning stream, the water lapped over various rocks. I could hear birds singing a wonderful melody overhead. Brandon helped me cross the stream, carefully maneuvering over several of the rocks jetting just above the surface. The area was lined by beautiful trees full of green leaves, providing plenty of shade under their canopy. I sat on a blanket under the trees with Brandon at my side. He pulled food and drinks from a picnic basket. “After we eat, do you want to play in the stream?”

Wanting to make him happy, I nodded. We talked and laughed for what seemed like hours, but it was truly only minutes. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” I barely whispered to him; a nervous wave had come over me.

“Remember, it feels funny at first. You will be tired and you’ll want to sleep. But you can’t.”

I nodded again, pretending I knew what he was talking about, but I didn’t.

“Ok, I’ll do it first. You have to clear your mind, let yourself go. Let it overtake you and surround you…”

“Like a blanket?” I asked trying to become more aware of what he was expecting from me.

“Yes, well, sort of. It’s more like your body will become the blanket, protecting you.” Sensing my nervousness, he adds. “It doesn’t hurt, I promise.” Brandon rubbed his steady hand down my cheek trying to comfort me. “I love you. Always. Remember, we have to do this to be together.”

My heart fluttered and butterflies overtook my stomach. “I love you. Always.” I responded easily. I’ve never loved a boy before, but he was the only reason for me to breathe.

“Ok. Don’t be nervous. Just follow my lead.” Brandon smiled and stood from the blanket. “Let your mind go. Let it over take you.” He stepped into the few rays of sun that were beaming down through the canopy. He pulled off his shirt and then his jeans, standing there in front of me like Adonis. Wonderful images of our dream life replayed in my mind until I couldn’t think straight. Brandon tilted his head back for a moment and rolled it back and forth like he was preparing for battle.

I lifted onto my knees anxious for what was coming; excited for the new experience he would bring me. He leaned slightly forward and rested both of his hands on the ground. He let out a blood-curdling yell and arched his back. I watched motionless as his ribs and body lurched and twisted out of socket; just the way I had felt when Alex had touched me. Brandon would be ripped apart if I didn’t do something. I jumped from the blanket to stop his pain. I barely felt my feet touching the ground as I fought to get to him, to make it stop, to save him. Brandon’s body continued to contort and mangle into itself as I tried in vain to get to his side.

Then he stopped.

And I stopped.

Standing before me was the largest wolf I had ever seen. My dream just turned into my worst nightmare as my reason for living morphed into this ferocious creature that was now baring its teeth at me. The beautiful forest blackened; the lush trees now dark and baron. My heart pounded in my chest; I panicked and scrambled backwards. I wasn’t sure if I was more amazed or terrified. I couldn’t escape as the forest closed in around me. The wolf’s eyes shined like two golden coins in the dark as it stepped forward. I lost my footing and fell with horrible force to the ground. I kicked my feet against the moss and the leaves as I tried to go backward. The wolf slowly advanced on me as if I was his prey. I wanted desperately to wake up.
It’s just a dream.
I repeated to myself over and over again.

Then the wolf leapt towards me.

“No!” I screamed and threw out my arms hoping to stop the attack. My heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest and my ribs restricted the air to my lungs. I jerked straight up, safe in my bed; there was no wolf, no stream, no trees and again- no Brandon. It was already dark outside and I was still dressed in the clothes I put on the day before. Maybe I hadn’t gotten out of bed this morning, or maybe this was just another series of strange dreams overtaking my mind.

Every movement hurt worse than the one before as I climbed out of bed. I turned on the light in the bathroom and stared at the beaten and bruised reflection looking back at me; most of my skin was a muted shade of purple or green, like a bruise fading on the surface. I ran my fingers down the length of both of my arms and across my collarbone. Cool water on my face and hands didn’t make the bruises go away and didn’t make me wake up for real. The bruises were here to stay; they were real.

I shrugged into my robe and headed back into my room. I hadn’t minded the dreams about Brandon, at least until today; his gorgeous body thrashed and contorted into a wolf or I guess werewolf is a more appropriate term. I don’t understand why my subconscious would turn him into a monster; my other dreams of him were kissing him and loving him. But in real life, I was in love with Alex. Then again, if it was all a dream, why would I dream that Alex’s touch caused me so much pain, so much agony? I’d have to confide in my mother; she would have sound advice and maybe she’d be able to tell me why the hell I’m bruised everywhere.

ELEVEN

Went to dinner with Aunt Jamie. Don’t wait up. Love~ Mom

That’s what the note said.
Don’t wait up
, so much for confiding in her. The episode with Alex couldn’t have been real; if it were my parents would have never left me alone. I shuffled to the fridge to get myself some dinner. I consider reheating leftovers, but that didn’t sound good. I decided to make my best dish- mac n cheese. The phone rang just as the water started to boil and I considered not answering it. Instead, I dumped the box of macaroni into the pan and grabbed the phone on the fifth ring wondering if the caller would hang up when I answer. I hoped it wasn’t Alex calling.

“Hello?”

“Hey, how are you feeling?” Jillian said.

“A little dazed right now.” I watched the churning and twisting water in the pan. I stirred it as the water started to remind me of Brandon turning into a werewolf.

“Well that’s what you get for sleeping for a week.”

“What?” The dreams didn’t seem like they lingered that long.

“Yeah you’re mom said that you had a really nasty cold. I got all your homework for you.”

“Thanks.” I replied looking around the kitchen to see if anything had changed; but nothing seemed out of place. The cold had to be worse than I thought.. “Hey, have you talked to Alex?”

She fumbled something and a thump echoed through the phone. “Yeah, he is really worried about you. I met his friend Gavin. He is super nice and out of this world gorgeous. I’ve been hanging out at Alex’s place every night.” Her voice hitched when she said Gavin’s name; she was in love.

“I can’t wait to meet him. Did Alex seem… mad at all?” The look on his face the last time I saw him haunted me.

“No silly!” More rustling. “He has been like a lost puppy this week. Courtney has tried so hard to move in on your territory. It’s been classic watching him dash her hopes day after day. He even got detention this week for mouthing off in Mr. Thompson’s class. It was bad when it happened, but it’s kinda sweet that he’s all broken up over you being gone.”

I interrupted her. “Has he come over at all?” The phone grew silent.

“Umm... no.” I waited for her to add more.

“Why not?” I asked. If he missed me so much at school then why wasn’t he beating down the door everyday waiting for me to get better?

“I’m not sure. He said that he went over there once and your parents were mean to him.” She hesitated.

The last time he came over my mother threw him out… a week ago now. If he hadn’t returned, then maybe it wasn’t a dream.

“Lacey?” Mom walked into the kitchen carrying a take out bag from the steakhouse. “I brought you dinner in case you were up.” She held out the bag like a peace offering. “How are you feeling?”

“Jillian, I have to go. My parents just got here.”

“Are you going to school tomorrow?” She sounded hopeful.

“Yeah.” I disconnected and watched mom put my dinner in the microwave. “Mom…” I didn’t know how to ask her what I wanted to know.

“What’s wrong honey? Are you still feeling sick?” Mom rested her hand on my back as dad walked into the room.

“Hey! Look who’s up!” Dad claimed the seat next to mine at the table. “I was starting to think we lost you to narcolepsy.”

I half grinned, but didn’t really appreciate his sarcasm right now. My question for mom would have to wait. Dad would overreact to my dreams and probably try to send me to counseling or an asylum.

Jillian showed up to take me to school the next morning; but Alex didn’t. Maybe Courtney had talked to Alex about Brandon coming into the office, but I wasn’t sure if that really happened or not. I had to tell someone about my dreams and what I thought had happened a week ago. My body still ached all over and my head wasn’t quiet right.

“Did Alex mention anything about going to my house last week?” I waited impatiently for Jillian’s response as she adjusted her seatbelt and fussed with the keys in the ignition.

“No.” She finally replied. “Why? Did something happen?” Jillian winked.

“I’ve been having these really weird dreams.” I hesitated almost loosing my nerve to confess to my friend that I’ve lost my mind. The dreams were so real, for all I knew this conversation could be another one.

“Are you going to finish that thought?” Jillian interrupted my mental debate.

“I think… I think I’m having a nervous breakdown.”

Jillian laughed. “You are too young for that.”

“No, I’m serious. I can’t tell what’s real and what’s not anymore.”

“Ok… What are you talking about?”

“These dreams I’m having… they are so real. I dreamed that Alex picked me up last week and his touch...” I looked out the car window trying to stop my body from shivering at my too real memories of the pain. “His fingers felt like they were burning through my skin. I threw up all over the yard and Alex smelled… awful, like my nostrils were being soaked in acid.”

“EWW… that is a little graphic don’t you think?”

“I’m being serious. It didn’t
feel
like a dream. The pain was real.” I pulled up my sleeves. “Look at these.” I showed her the purple and green markings. “I don’t know how I got them. You don’t usually get bruised in your dreams, do you?”

Jillian shook her head and pulled the car into the parking spot at school. “Have you told your mom about this?”

“No, I was going to last night, but dad came in and I didn’t want to talk about it in front of him… he’d tell me I was being silly.”

Jillian brushed one finger down the length of my forearm over the bruising. “That looks terrible.”

“I know.” I pulled my sleeve back down and glanced around the parking lot looking for Alex’s Camaro, it wasn’t there. “I know my parents know they are there. They saw them last night when I was eating dinner. Neither of them said a thing about them.”