The Emerald Talisman (20 page)

I didn’t have to work, like I’d originally
told everyone. My boss had to make cuts in everyone’s hours due to
declining business. But after Nicholas’ and Phil’s mysterious
disappearances, none of my friends brought up finding me another
date. I think they all started to suspect I was cursed.

It was just as well anyway. I only wanted to
go with Nicholas, who I’m sure would have been my date, if his
situation wasn’t so complicated.

Sam and Todd were doubling with Dena and
Morgan, as I hoped. Katie was going with Erik, her new boyfriend
and lineman on the football team, separately from the group.
Cameron was more than happy to skip the dance to play a Magic
tournament with the chess club.

“I wish you were coming,” Sam said with a
sigh while I worked on her hair. “I have an extra dress you could
borrow.”

Her beautiful brown locks, elegantly piled up
on top of her head in a French twist and dangling ringlets, were
under assault as I sprayed every last strand with glitter filled
hairspray.

“You’ll have a good time with Todd.” I tried
my best not to sound jealous, because now I wanted to go. “Plus,
I’m grounded.”

“Oh, I forgot,” she said as she wrinkled up
her nose. “But you’re here…?”

“He fudged since he knew you’d kill him if I
didn’t do your hair and ruined your dance.”

“Smart thinking,” she said with a wink, while
she turned in front of the mirror.

I slumped down on her bed and thumbed through
a magazine.

“I wasn’t going to say anything, but you
seem… different… happy even. You finally doing better?” she asked,
looking at me through the reflection.

I tried to hide my smile. I wanted to tell
her I felt a hundred times better now that I knew the truth, but
couldn’t.

“I am,” I said quickly, so I wouldn’t say
anything more.

Overnight, everything changed and every time
I almost said something, I had to bite my tongue. The problem was I
didn’t know where to begin. Nicholas’ situation forced him to tell
the truth after I witnessed his heroic acts and he was right – you
couldn’t just blurt it out. I contemplated making up a story, but
didn’t want to lie to my best friend. I had no choice but to keep
it to myself for now.

I checked the time again. The limo was
scheduled to pick Sam up last so her mother and I could see
everyone and take pictures.

Sam’s dress was a lilac strapless A-line
knee-length number with a sequined bodice and tulle skirt. She wore
open toe heels with sparkly sequined straps. The whole ensemble
with her ringlets trailing down the back of her neck was
breathtaking.

She spun around a few times in front of the
mirror and I’d never thought she’d looked more radiant. She stopped
when her mom knocked at the door. Nervousness hit me from all
different directions. Todd must have arrived.

“They’re here, Samantha,” Sam’s mom said.

“Don’t worry,” I said in response to Sam’s
newly horrified expression. “I’ll go down and talk to him. Come
when you’re ready.”

Sam gulped hard and nodded.

I bounded down the stairs in front of Sam’s
mom and greeted a petrified Todd in the foyer wearing a black suit,
holding a corsage.

“You look really nice,” I said with a smile
to give him courage.

He weakly smiled as he rocked back and forth
on his heels.

“Mrs. King,” he said with a nod.

“Samantha will be down in a minute,” Sam’s
mom said, amused.

I had a feeling he’d already greeted her
formally when she opened the door and was stuck for something else
to say.

The foyer felt crowded with everyone
anxiously waiting for Sam to join us downstairs. I could sense her
hesitation, but she finally appeared. We all watched in silence as
she sauntered gracefully down the stairs.

“You look so… beautiful,” Todd said when she
touched down on the ground floor.

“Thank you,” she said and blushed.

Todd slid the corsage on Sam’s wrist just as
there was a knock at the door. I left the three of them to see who
was knocking, while Sam’s mom snapped away on her camera. I opened
the door to Dena and Morgan holding hands with huge smiles on their
faces.

“Hey guys,” I said feeling smug in my
matchmaking abilities.

“Hey, Jules,” Dena sang as they stepped
inside the house.

I winked at Morgan.

Dena wore an exquisite white chiffon
knee-length gown with an empire bodice and a black ribbon sash that
tied around her waist. The dress bounced in slow motion when she
walked. Morgan also wore a black suit and I commented on how he
cleaned up well.

“Okay, you guys need to hurry up or you’re
going to be late for dinner,” I barked while trying to shoo people
out the door.

Sam shot me a wistful glance, but obediently
filed outside with everyone else. However, before the group could
make it to the limo, Sam’s mom insisted on a group photo in front
of the rose-covered terrace. Sam’s mom primped, preened and
positioned everyone for the shots and the group didn’t know who to
look at as we both snapped a ton of pictures. Before long everyone
got antsy. I watched Sam’s mom fuss over Sam and give Todd the
lecture about when to bring her home. Sam appeared embarrassed, but
I found the gesture very loving. I felt a pang of jealousy. I’d do
anything to have a mother who would dote over me.

Watching Sam and her mother and feeling their
unconditional love for one another, brought home the finality of my
own mother’s life. I could feel tears threatening to break loose.
The last thing I wanted to do was ruin their evening, but inside I
unraveled. And as if they’d read my emotions, they got into the
limo and left.

Sam’s mom hugged me goodbye. I held it
together until I got into my car, then I let the tears flow. I
never realized how much I missed her, counting on the hope she’d
return. Thinking of my mom made me want to be with Nicholas again.
He was the only one who could understand my pain, could comfort me.
Where was he? Would this constitute as an emergency?

On my way home, I decided I needed ice cream
– double fudge chocolate ice cream to be precise. I pulled into the
Safeway grocery store parking lot. I didn’t even need to look in
the mirror to know my eyes were red again, so I put on a pair of
sunglasses before going inside. I didn’t care how silly I looked. I
needed chocolate.

I made a beeline to the frozen foods section,
pulled out a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie and
headed to the check out stand. As the checker rang up my purchase I
averted my gaze, hoping she wouldn’t ask any questions. I was
relieved when she gave me my change without giving me a second
look.

Evening had descended while I was inside.
Without the sunlight, the temperature had dropped and felt
noticeably colder. I pocketed the sunglasses, wrapped my arms
tightly around myself and headed towards my car. I just wanted to
be home, in my jammies, eating my ice cream, watching a good
mind-numbing movie.

“Julia.”

I turned around, unsure if someone called me.
No one was there. I shook my head and continued on towards my
car.

“Parker.”

This time I knew I wasn’t hearing things. I
recognized Phil’s voice, even though tonight it was raspy and
barely more than a murmur. I spun around, but he wasn’t there.
Weird.

“Phil, where are you?”

I saw movement in the shadows at the corner
of the store, just outside the light. That’s when I saw him. A gasp
escaped from my lips.

He leaned against the wall, with a black
sweatshirt hood over his head, shifting his eyes from me to the
other patrons who left the store. His skin was no longer tan, but a
creamy white and if he hadn’t called me by my last name, I wouldn’t
have recognized him. He appeared agitated and I could feel his
extreme hunger – the unmistakable hunger – the hunger of a
vampire.

My eyes widened and my pulse increased as I
tried to remain composed, frozen in my spot.

“Parker, I need your help,” he said soft and
slow, sounding like he was hurt.

My mind screamed and told me to run, but my
feet stayed firmly rooted.

But how did this happen?

The only thing that crossed my mind was the
bites from his attack must have been vampire ones. Is that how
vampires are created? I didn’t know, but whatever happened he was
one of them now and more than I could handle. I needed Nicholas’
help. This was a true emergency.

“Phil,” I whispered. It was all that would
come out.

“Please come over here for a minute. I want
to talk to you in private.”

His hunger overwhelmed me and I knew without
a doubt what he wanted. I wasn’t going to fall into his trap.

“Phil, I know someone who can help you work
through this change,” I said, talking from complete ignorance, but
hoped Nicholas would know what to do.

He gave me a wicked grin.

“Clever girl,” he hissed and the leaves at
his feet spun up as if caught in a whirlwind and he was gone.

I looked around the parking lot for any
evidence of his presence, but he was no where to be found.

Phil and his hunger had vanished.

. . .

14
– FASCINATION

U sure of whether Phil was still lurking in
the shadows waiting for me, I darted back inside the store and took
out my phone.

- I’m in trouble. Where are you?

As I clicked
send,
I watched the
parking lot with trepidation waiting for his reply. Nicholas had
said I was safer around people, but I would feel better if he were
here instead. Someone touched my shoulder and I jumped.

“I’m sorry to startle you. Are you okay,
dear?” asked a store employee with a name tag that read “Pam.”

“Oh, yes... I’m… I’m just waiting for my
ride,” I stammered as I lied, feeling self-conscience about my
demeanor and tear-stained cheeks.

“Well, if you need anything, come see me,
okay?”

She pointed to the flower shop in the store.
I thanked her, plastered a happy grin on my face and moved to a
more secluded area of the store lobby.

My phone vibrated.

- I’m here. What’s wrong?

How was I going to tell him in one text
message all the details about what’s transpired with Phil?

- Long story, but my friend who had an
accident, just confronted me in the parking lot. He’s a vampire
now.

The wait for the reply text seemed to take
forever. What would he think? Did he already know?

- Walk out with the next person and go
straight to your car. Don’t go home. I will follow you. I want to
see what he does.

With gritted teeth, I flipped my phone closed
and shoved it in my pocket. I didn’t like his brilliant idea that I
be the bait to lure Phil out of hiding.

I stood at the double doors pretending to
read the labels on the kitty litter and waited for a tough dude to
walk out with. When the third old lady exited the store, I gave up
and started to head out until I spotted a security guard.

“Um… excuse me,” I said, as I approached
him.

“Yes ma’am?” the gray-haired gentleman
said.

I spied his name badge.

“George, I was wondering, would you be so
kind as to escort me to my car?”

“Is there something wrong, ma’am?” he said,
instantly on guard.

“Oh no…” I stammered. “It’s my tire. I think
it’s flat. Can you look at it to see if it might need some
air?”

The old man straightened his shoulders and
pulled down his jacket. “Why of course young lady.”

He motioned for me to lead the way.

The guard made small talk about the
importance of car care and how he always had to remind his
granddaughter to check her oil as we walked towards my car. I
claimed complete ignorance and promised to have my dad give me some
lessons on basics while I scanned the parking lot.

He examined the tire and made mention that it
was a good thing I asked for his help. The tire was low on air and
he directed me to go straight over to the Gas-n-Go the next block
over.

I gave him the sweetest smile I could,
promised to get air immediately, got into my car and hit the lock
switch. My heart was pounding so fast it made my hands shake.
Luckily, the guard didn’t notice.

I drove out of the parking lot as instructed,
firmly grasping the steering wheel so my hands would stop
trembling. Unsure of where to drive, I headed towards the
highway.

I could feel Phil was somewhere close by
because the hunger feelings were back, but I wasn’t sure which car
was his. In my side-view mirror, I saw the familiar shape of
Nicholas’ black Chrysler and watched him pull directly behind me. I
felt relieved to know he was nearby.

The crooked road required all of my attention
to traverse, my concern staying in well-populated areas. I felt
Phil’s feelings come and go and my nerves responded accordingly.
Then I received another text.

- He’s following you. Go ahead and go home
now so you’ll be safe. I’ll deal with him.

I slammed my phone closed in frustration. Go
home? Was he insane?

Incensed, I reopened my phone and dialed his
number.

“Are you crazy?” I yelled as soon as Nicholas
answered.

“It’s the only way I can get him away from
you where you’ll be safe,” he said with a tense voice.

“I’m not leading him straight to my
house!”

“It won’t matter. I plan to deal with him
tonight anyway,” he said, determined.

“No. Find another way.”

Nicholas let out a huge sigh. Through the
phone, I couldn’t sense anything, so I had to pay attention to his
voice inflection to know what he was feeling. I didn’t want to
anger him, but I wasn’t going to let him put my family in
jeopardy.

“Why are you being so difficult?”

“I’m worried about my family!” I barked,
irritated he didn’t consider their safety.