"Hunter?"
There was a long-running joke about my name. Since dad was in the business of buying and selling companies, ripping them off their money, some of the people in San Frease liked to call us Hunters scavengers.
I looked up and there was a tall, slightly pudgy lady with wavy blonde hair. She was pretty and she had a nice smile but tired brown eyes.
"Mrs. Storm will see you now," she said.
I smiled in return and followed her down a well-lit narrow hall with 2 well-polished doors and windows on one side, probably offices with educational administrators inside. She led me down the end of the hall to a short flight of stairs that lead to a double door of mahogany with paneled glass at the top. She knocked lightly on the door and gestured for me to go in with a nod. The interior of the office was dimly lit with the shades drawn tight. Somewhere a radiator hummed lightly. I didn't know what to expect but the Principal's office I had in mind was the stereotypical one of drape and dull furniture, not this well-furnished room. And the Principal wasn't exactly what I had in mind too.
The figure sitting behind the huge mahogany table wasn't any overweight Mr. Anthony of the school I had previously attended at San Frease. She was elegant, her long neck graceful, her back straight up on the plush seat of her chair. She looked like she belonged in some medieval time castle with a crown on her head while she looked down her straight nose at her poor subject with her cold eyes. But her eyes were far from cold. She had hazel-colored eyes that reflected the smile on her lips, making her look so young I thought I walked into the wrong room.
"Transfer student Jackson Hunter?" she asked in a voice that was as light as feather, pushing a strand of glossy black hair back into the tight bun on top of her head.
Her mistake jeered me out of my admiration for her as I gritted my teeth.
"It's Shawn Hunter, ma'am," I corrected politely.
"Pardon me."
She reached out a hand and with graceful, beautiful fingers gestured for me to sit and took my letter. She opened it and read through it slowly. I could see her pupils move slowly from one word to another and in the time she took to read through the letter mom had gotten for me four days ago I looked around at my surroundings.
The nameplate on her table read: Mrs. Storm. Mr. Storm is one hell of a lucky man to have a wife so beautiful.
Aside from the lights overhead, there was no other light source in the room. The walls were painted a dark beige color and most of the furniture was either dark polished mahogany or more shades of beige.
Mrs. Storm looked up from the letter and smiled again, "Your scores are good enough. We hold very high expectations for our students and I hope you'll keep your good grades up."
"I'll do my best"
"Your dad, that's Jackson Hunter, right? He made a very huge contribution to our management. A very generous man".
I resisted the urge to scoff. Trust dad to make some 'small' effort to make rejecting me impossible.
"You can have your schedule, map, and guide from Linda out there. I don't suppose you want to start classes today." I started to interrupt her but she held up her fingers. "So you can spend the time looking around, get used to East WhiSare school. Although, if you insist you can join your classmates in class."
"Okay, ma'am." I could help the thought that I was getting some special treatments because of dad's generosity. The old man always found ways to meddle.
Mrs. Storm went back to work and I left her office and went to the secretary's office to get my schedule. She had a harried expression on her face when she looked up from her computer. Her brown eyes were struggling to focus.
"The internet connection is a little slow," she said and waved her hand absentmindedly. "All that snow from these past few days is really slowing down my work". She smiled as she keyed in some commands into the computer. "Here we go. Shawn Hunter?", she raised a brow to accompany the surprise in her voice. "I've heard about you before. Goodness, what are you doing here all the way from paradise?"
I winced. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck with a chatty gossipy secretary who seemed very interested in telling me facts I already knew about dad and rumours I didn't care about. It was almost like she was reading the hot news off the screen of her computer instead of filing my information and printing out my schedule. She was also way too invested in knowing why I left San Frease.
Finally, the printer groaned and she pulled out some sheets and passed them to me.
"Have a nice day, Shawn. And I hope you like it here."
I nodded and with a smile of my own collected my papers and went out into the cold air.
The cold breeze was relentless as it beat upon my face and jacket as I rushed towards the school's main building to escape the harshness of the weather. The interior was warm as the administrative building had been and there were symbols of academic achievements all over the place; on the walls and there was even a secured glass shelf at the very far end where many trophies and medals were displayed from academics, athletics and maybe even musical achievements.
Navigating the maze of corridors was frustrating. Since the hallways were empty there weren't many people I could ask for help. Rounding another corner, I ran head first into a slender figure. A girl so tall, easily the tallest girl I ever saw in my life and I am 6 ft 1. More shocking than her height was her appearance. From information contained in the flyers given to me by the secretary, certain dresses were prohibited from school grounds. But this girl was scantily dressed. Her tight leather shorts were accompanied by fishnet stockings and high black leather boots. Her light sweater hung loose on her shoulders and was raised at her torso to reveal a pierced navel and the end of a tattoo that looked like a curved tail. Straight black hair cut razor-sharp short at her chin framed the most perfect face, one without a hint of imperfection. Her nose, lips, and three parts of each of her ears were pierced with studs and hoops hanging from them. She frowned, staring me in the eye. Then with a cocked smile shouldered past me and walked away, leaving me there, standing and staring like a fool.
Well, what was that all about?
When I finally regained my senses I looked back but she already disappeared behind one of the many corners East WhiSare high possessed. Confused and feeling like a drunk sailor I walked on.
Mr.s Storm was right though I could have waited before deciding to start classes since classes were already in session and only a handful of students who probably had nothing to do or were either skipping classes were in the main hall. I followed my vague map through the corridor to a small sitting area where I sat down to browse through the schedule and the three-page activity pamphlet Ms. Linda had given me. It contained a list of sports and other extracurricular activities I could join to increase my chances of going to the community college and even the university in the next state. A few students were seated there too. I recognized one or two faces from the bonfire.
After sitting down and doing nothing for probably 2 hours or more, the bell rang and students poured out of classes. Somehow I was able to recognize Cara as she came out of a room and started walking towards the sitting area. She waved and came over.
"I knew I just might find you here. Every new student ends up here because it's the only place they can feel safe in a new environment," she said. Her shyness seemed to have taken a trip.
Her beaming smile and the twinkle in her eyes were contagious. I stood and held up the maps. "I think these would be useless without someone to tail after."
She started to stutter but held herself and shrugged. "I will be happy to be of help to you. I have one more class before lunch you can either join me or use the library. I can get you when I am done with class." she said.
"Anything but the library."
The class wasn't as boring as I had expected. The only thing expected though was the curious glances I got.
Before long the lunch bell rang and everyone packed their stuff together and started walking towards what I assumed was the cafeteria. I joined the group of students in the very hot cafeteria as it was packed full of sweater-clad bodies.
Cara picked trays for both of us and passed one to me. She dropped a box of juice on my tray and picked another one for herself. There were hamburgers, chili, and some other things but with the steadily rising temperature of the cafeteria, I couldn't take more than a hamburger and the juice.
We joined the table with a group of students, Cara's friends, and she seemed to be very comfortable with them that she didn't stutter much. She introduced me to them. There was Nora with the brown hair and eyes, Jeff with the brown hair with highlights of gold and light brown eyes, and some others whose names got lost in the jumble as students shouted conversations over each other's heads.
"So the rumours are true. Famous DeShawn Hunter what brings you here?" Jeff asked.
Before I could answer a sudden hush fell over the cafeteria like a heavy blanket and my ears nearly rang from the silence. Most of the students were staring at the door and I looked too.
The first to come in was a guy in a loose gray sweater and black pants and boots. The second was a redhead almost as tall as the guy. She was leaning towards him to speak but smiled at a few people and in passing glanced at our table, looked right at me and a strange feeling ran through me from the crown of my head to the tip of my toes. Before I could register anything the last one walked in. It was the girl I met in the corridor. Easily taller than everyone else, she walked with a gait of a predator. Each one of them perfect than the other. They moved towards the only unoccupied seat in the cafeteria.
"Who are they?" I asked Cara.
Without taking her eyes off them she answered. "The Storms. Mrs. Storm's children."
My head snapped around "Children? Mrs. Storm as in the principal? " at Cara's nod I looked back at them again. The redhead was nodding and smiling at one of the students at another table. The boy had gone to get a tray and joined the queue at the front of the cafeteria.
"They must be really popular around here", I said.
"Because they are the Principal's children. Also, they've been away for a while."
I snorted. I know the type, snobby kids, children to the school head. No wonder they made quite the entrance.
People went back to eating and talking. I couldn't keep myself from looking. The dark-haired girl whispered something to the red-haired who shook her head and barely moving her lips replied to the dark-haired.
Jeff parted my shoulder. "We all have the same reaction towards them, man," he laughed.
Everyone else at our table laughed and I joined them reluctantly. But I couldn't help the feeling creeping in my veins. It wasn't just their physical appearance and perfection that drew me to them. There was something.
Shrugging it off I turned back to my tray, picking at the sesame seeds on my burger when I felt a tinging sensation, the kind you get when you're being watched.
The hairs at the back of my head rose urging me to glance back at the Storms' table. Yielding to that urge I found the redhead staring right at me.
What is this feeling?This feeling creeping on my skin like a snake leaving a trail of water on a rock.Insidious. Cold.Under the fluorescence of the lights, her eyes reflected flecks of gold in a pool of lime green. Her dark brows lowered over piercing eyes that burned right through my flesh, searing my soul. Her mouth opened slightly. My eyes followed. The tip of her tongue pushed through her lips briefly but just as quickly it was back in the cavern of her mouth. She frowned.The dark head nudged her and the moment was interrupted.Suddenly laughter boomed on our table jerking my consciousness back to the present. Cara was laughing behind her hand. It was Jeff whose laugh interrupted whatever that moment I had with the redheaded Storm was.Heat crawled up my neck, flushing my face red. "What is so funny?""I told you, everyone has the same reaction to them but they are out of bounds for the likes of us." He scoffed. "Who am I kidding, you're a Hunter I bet Kayla would go for you."
Cara dropped off at the stop that divided our blocks, waved goodbye, and walked home. Mom was putting away her shovel after clearing up some snow around her tires and was just heading in when I arrived. She waited on the front step and waved when I got out of the car."Nice day at school?""It wasn't bad," I replied. Our neighbor next door waved at mom and me on his way in with his huge husky with its thick grey and white fur.I followed mom inside. The sitting room was warm and the smell of boiling pasta wafted from the kitchen. "Smells good, mom."She smiled. "It's strawberry spaghetti. Have you had it before."The look on my face as I halted in the process of hanging my jacket and scarf on the rack made her laugh."I take it you've not had it before?""It sounds terrible already."She gasped and laughed. "How dare you judge my food before tasting it? It's delicious. It's my grandmother's recipe too."I wasn't convinced but I was ready to try it and see for myself. While I went ups
The Storms arrived in a monster jeep that crunched gravel as it rode to a barely free parking space where it stopped. First to hop out was Mrs. Storm, tall and shrouded in a thick sweater and black wool skirt. Behind her was Kayla dressed in black jeans and a dark red sweater. The only similarities between mother and daughter were the height and gracefulness, the similarities ended there. Mrs. Storm climbed the low pavement that led to the shop and went in to speak to the owner. Kayla stood with her back resting on the jeep while Silver jumped out of the driver's seat to join her. The two of them stood in the shadows away from the rest of the group and seemed to watch and observe the crowd of students like they were searching for something. Something about the cold calculated way they observed the crowd seemed odd to me. Silver, who from all Cara said about her and my short encounter with her was easy to smile and outgoing, was stone-faced. Kayla was the same beside her. Her da
It was another hour and a half before mom and I made our way home. We weren't alone. Logan's truck was right behind us. He was concerned for mom as much as I was. Mom's eyes were puffy and red and tired by the time the town hall meeting was over so I offered to drive but Logan was still worried about her. I wasn't opposed to it. Yes, I am protective over my mother but Logan was too and he offered a kind of comfort that I couldn't. The night was quieter than ever. The howls of dogs broke the silence. I nosed the van into the drive and Logan packed right behind me. Mom came out of the car and went inside immediately. Logan came up behind me and patted my back before following her. The laughing huge bear of a man wore a long grim face. I could tell that mom's mood affected him as much as it did me. Snow was beginning to fall again so I rolled the windows of mom's van up and threw the plastic cover over it. Inside, mom was putting away our half-eaten dinner. Logan was slumped on the c
"Shawn?" Mom said softly. Her hand was pressed against the side of my face. "Are you alright?"Remnants of my nightmare echoed around me. The scream had been so real that my ears rang from it. But looking into mom's tired face I couldn't bring myself to tell her about it. She would worry about me and I don't want that, especially when she had the candlelight service to think about. Logan who had rushed in with her when they heard my scream moved away from the door and went to open my windows. For the first time since I moved here sunlight flooded into the room. It wasn't overly bright like a hot summer day at San Frease but it was bright enough that I could see the clear clouds.The irony of it all. On a day when the dead was to be mourned, the sun shined the brightest."Did you have a nightmare?"I shook my head and attempted a smile. Her lids were puffy, her eyes were rimmed red, and the green irises didn't sparkle like they used to. "I'm fine.""If it's a nightmare...""I'm just
The Choc-It car park was almost bare. Only Jeff's car, a bicycle, and a few cars were parked when I drove my car into the lot. The neon lights outlining the name of the shop were almost invisible in the warm sun. I got out of the car and walked up the curb to the small steps in front of the door. A bell above it rang as soon as I pushed the door open. The interior was done in vibrant colors. The wall on one side was painted lemon green paints on the wall with a dark shade of orange on the opposite side. Bar stools lined a high bar. There was a coke machine on one side, straws, a menu, and a bowl of candy. Tables and chairs and private booths completed the layout. Only a few patrons enjoyed glasses of soda or melting ice cream on a rare sunny day in WhiSare."Over here, Shawn."I looked and Cara was waving me over from a private booth. The high back of the upholstered chair was slightly worn. Jeff, Liam, Kelly and Nora waved as I joined them."Hi." I slid in beside Cara.Jeff nodded
“Hey.”I could see the curiosity in Cara's eyes as she moved closer to me. It was late afternoon and the sun was still out, the sky was free of clouds, the air was still drafty but the sun provided enough warmth that we took off our sweaters to avoid sweating. We were in front of Tessa’s home where the procession was supposed to start. A couple of cars lined the streets, friends and neighbors came out in numbers to support the grieving family. There were boxes of candles and Tessa’s personal items that her mom had placed out on the drive. People picked candles and lit them, awaiting the start of the procession.I glanced at her as I picked a candle for myself. Since we left Choc-It all she wanted to know was what Charlie called me out for. Even Jeff was curious although he wasn’t as obvious as Cara. “Yes?” I answered vaguely.She nudged my rib with her elbow. “You know what I want to ask. Spit it out.”“It was nothing.” That was the same answer I told her throughout the drive from th
Shrouded by the night Logan leaned on one hip with his hands crossed on his massive chest. His extended right feet tapped the wet grass rapidly as he waited.“Logan,” I called out.He uncrossed his arms and came forward. “Great. Did anyone notice you slip?”“I told Cara I had to pee. That should hold the fort until we are done.”“Good.”“What did you find?” I asked impatiently. My blood was feverish with excitement at the possibility of revealing a murder plot and apprehending the murderer. Vampire or not, Tessa’s death implies foul play and I want to play detective.“You will see for yourself. Are you up for a ride?”“Sure.”I followed him to his truck which was parked a few feet away from the church. The mourning crowd was off the left side from where Logan's truck sat. A tall hedge concealed us as we entered the truck. Logan zoomed off onto the high road. The passenger seat had a toolbox which he moved to the back with an apologetic grin, the truck smelled of beer and grease and a