My Soul to Keep

CHAPTER 25



I opened my eyes and saw futuristic running lights above my head. Oh, good. The mothership came to get me. I blinked a few times and realized I was staring at the interior roof of the limousine. At least it’s not an ambulance. Hey! I can see!

Clarisse’s face filled my vision. “Are you okay?”

I sat up and realized my head had been in her lap. Jessie sat across from us and looked like she was sleeping. “I’m fine. Jessie!” I slid across the limo floor and gently shook her.

“Don’t bother. As soon as we left the dance I told her to go to sleep. She’ll be fine until we get her home. What the hell happened?”

“I saw him. Well, I didn’t really see him, he clawed my eyes out, but I heard him. He’s not human. And it’s not a bear.”

“I know. I heard him, too. Just as we were walking outside, you kicked him off of you. Nice move.”

“Learned from the best. It didn’t stop him from kicking my ass though.”

“I’m sure it would have been a little different if you weren’t blind when you fought him. You don’t have to worry about it anymore. He’s a problem for the Reapers. I talked to Darius. He’s well aware of the situation and knows whatever is attacking and killing people, it isn’t one of ours and we’re the only two Seekers in the area.”

“How long was I out?”

“Long enough. We’re pulling up to Jessica’s house. I’ll wake her.”

I watched Clarisse close her eyes and focus. A moment later, Jessie’s eyes fluttered open. She smiled sweetly at me. “Hey, handsome. Did I fall asleep?”

“Yes, you did. You sort of blacked out after Kelly Richards was attacked. I let you sleep. I hope you don’t mind.”

She sat straight up with a horrific look on her face. “I remember that. And you running out of the gym to see what had attacked her! Stupid!” She slapped me in the arm for good measure.

“Sorry, I just wanted to see what it was. Jeremy didn’t see what attacked her. I wanted to help.”

“Next time just stay with me.”

“I will, I promise.”

That seemed to settle her a little. She hugged me for good measure. I didn’t want it to stop.

The driver got out of the front and walked around. He opened the passenger door and stood there. I got out first and helped Jess outside. I looked up at the driver and saw the blank look on his face. Seriously blank. Like nobody home, blank. Creepy.

“Come on, Jess. I’ll walk you to your door.”

Instead of holding my hand, she wrapped her arms around mine and leaned on me. I didn’t mind in the slightest. In fact, I walked slowly and enjoyed every moment of it. “What are we doing this weekend?”

I looked down at the top of her head and kissed it gently. “Whatever you want.”

“Let’s go to the park. I want to swing on the swings with you and do stupid things like that.”

I laughed. “Anything you want.”

“Sweet. Pick me up at noon. Don’t be late,” she said as we reached the stairs to her front porch. Her dad had put one single solitary pumpkin by the front door. It had a simple face carved into it, nothing ornate. It was still the scariest pumpkin I'd ever seen.

“Here you go,” I said and helped her up the steps. We paused at the front door and she leaned in for a kiss. I didn’t want to disappoint her…so I gave her one. It started slowly and built, but before I could really enjoy it, the front porch light flicked on. I gently pulled away.

“Dad,” I whispered.

The door opened and Mr. James stood there. I looked over at him and had every intention of being nice to him…

He stood there, framed by the door, the vastness of his feathered, white wings filled every available inch. His eyes shined blue with inner fire. His normally brown hair, kept in a ponytail, flew free and was eerily white. He stared into the depths of my soul. His mouth opened to speak, but a screeching noise erupted like the cry of a hawk.

“Hi, Daddy. I’m home.”

“Hi, pumpkin. Come on inside before you catch a cold,” he said in his normal voice.

What the hell? There’s no way she didn’t hear him…

“Night, Jess,” I said, playing along.

“Good night, Conrad.”

“Good night, sir.”

I turned and walked back to the limo. Slowly. If her dad was a Chosen…

Clarisse’s explanation of the Cursed came flying back into my brain. Offspring of a human and either a Chosen or a Fallen are doomed to suffering from the time they are born. They shall either pass on or inherit their parent’s form at their death.

The knowledge was a blow to my heart. Jessie’s life flashed before my eyes. Her blindness, the death of her mother, the death of her grandparents…it all made sense. She'd suffered more than anybody I'd ever met. Hot tears started to roll down my cheeks. I entered the back of the limo without even looking at the driver.

“I see you figured it out. I’m sorry, Connor.”

I looked up at Clarisse. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I wanted to. I just couldn’t catch you alone long enough. It sucks, I know.”

“So what happens now?”

“Enjoy spending time with her while you can. The Cursed never live past their second decade. I think her father knows that. It's probably why he’s letting her spend time with you. If she weren’t a Nephalim, you can bet your sweet butt he’d have kicked your ass to the curb by now.”

Even that made sense. If Jess had so little time left…he wouldn’t want to do anything to make her sad. He was probably going crazy wondering when. I know it’s all I could think about now.

“It’s just not fair,” I whimpered and started crying. Clarisse actually moved across the limo and wrapped me in her arms.

“I know, Connor. It’s why they’re called the Cursed. We were never meant to breed with humans. Only the most selfish of us would put our needs and wants over the lives of our children. If anybody is to blame, it’s Jessie’s father. Hate him.”

“If I feel anything for him, it’s pity. I really like, maybe even love Jess, but I can only imagine what he’s going through.”

Clarisse opened her mouth to say something else but ended up snapping it shut. She did say, “Well, you’re almost home. You can think about it all night if you want. If you need me, call me.”

I looked her in the eye. She might be brutal to me most of the time, but I could see she really cared I was hurting. I leaned over and planted a chaste kiss on her cheek. “Thanks, Clarisse.”

She reached up and touched the spot I kissed. “Yeah, well. You’re just lucky things suck right now, or I’d a punched you for kissing me.” She blushed.

“I didn’t punch you when you kissed me. That’s not fair,” I said with a wink. She blushed even more.

The limo pulled over in front of my house. Most of the lights were on. Mom and Dad must have waited up for me. “Goodnight, Connor,” Clarisse said with a tiny little smile.

“Night, my friend. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I didn’t wait for the driver. I just opened the door and stepped out into the night. I put my hands in my pockets and walked to my front door thinking mostly about Jess. I wanted to do something, but I didn’t know what. I really didn’t want to go up to my room and pout or play video games. I should go look for the bad guy. He has to be around somewhere.

The front door opened before I could turn around. A very worried looking female parental unit stood in the door looking like she would start crying any second. “Oh, thank God you’re okay. Get in here. Your sister told us what happened at the dance.”

She threw her arms around me and yanked me inside. I looked at the couch and Dad was holding a very red nosed, crying Caelyn. I almost did a double take. When did she get emotions. Other than hate. And snottyness.

“I’m fine. Why were you guys worried?”

“Because you ran after that thing, you moron!”

I nearly fainted. Caelyn was worried? About me?

“Uh, I just ran to see what it was…I wasn’t going to fight it. I swear. I’m not stupid.”

“If you ran out of the safe gymnasium, I’m going to have to agree with your sister, Connor. That was monumentally stupid.”

I looked at my father in shock. He rarely called his kids stupid. He must have been pissed. “Sorry, Dad. It won’t happen again.”

“You’re right. You’re grounded.”

I almost started stamping my feet. I don’t need this right now. “Dad–“

“Don’t ‘Dad’ me. I mean it, Connor. You could have been killed. Your sister and mother have been worried sick. I’ve been worried sick. You’re done,” he said and stood up. He crossed his arms which told me the discussion was over.

Or was it?

My rents really liked Jess. I knew I could play the blind card. Especially if I explained it would only be for our date at the park tomorrow. “Dad, Jess and I–

“Have all the time in the world to spend together. This isn’t open for discussion. I’m sure Jessie would agree with me. This is for your own good. How else are you supposed to learn from your mistakes if you don’t have time to reflect upon them?”

Oh, no, he didn’t. He went there.

“I promise I’ll think about it at the park tomorrow–"

“End. Of. Discussion. You’re in your room for the night. Don’t even think about turning the PlayStation on. Tomorrow you’re helping me clean the garage and the cars.”

I growled in frustration. My parents looked at me funny. I opened my eyes really wide. I really did growl. Oops. The growl made me realize one thing. I was one of the Fallen. I had a few tricks up my sleeve. I didn’t look my father in the eye. I stared at his forehead. “Dad, I’ve learned my lesson. I promise I won’t do anything stupid again as long as I live.”

“If you’re sure, I’m good with that.”

“What?” My sister sounded outraged.

“What?” My mother sounded confused.

Dad just smiled like a kid who got a puppy at Christmas.

“Thanks, Dad. Boy, I sure learned my lesson.”

“Good. Hey, you wanna go shoot some hoops?”

“Not tonight, Dad. I’ll catch you tomorrow night though, okay?”

“Sure, son!” He sat down on the couch next to my sister. She looked like she wanted to slap the stupid out of him.

I gave her a poop eatin’ grin.

Mom looked like she was going to give birth to kittens. “Oh, no you don’t, mister! You march your butt upstairs right this minute! And you,” she spun on my dad, “what happened to ‘I’m going to kick his butt?’”

This was going to get ugly, real quick. “Mom, I–“

“Connor, room!” She gave me “the look” over her shoulder. I couldn’t let her kill Dad. I needed him. For allowance.

I looked straight at her. “Mom, I really did learn my lesson. I promise nothing like that will ever happen again.” I saw the emotions fighting on her face. “I promise,” I said again and watched her relax. She sat down on the other couch and smiled.

“Well, I’m convinced. I made some cookies. They’re in the kitchen if you want one.”

“Thanks, Mom!” I turned to do just that, when my sister started yelling.

“O-M-G, W-T-F? This is sooo not happening. He screwed up! You were both set to ground him until he turned thirty!”

“Caelyn Alyse. I don’t think I care for your tone, and quit talking in text,” Dad said and crossed his arms.

I laughed all the way to the kitchen.