Feathers (6 page)

             
Maybe I should have told him the truth that night.  But that the time, I was more then determined that I would handle all of this myself.  The only problem was, I had no idea of how bad all of this was going to get.

Four

              My next week was filled with more night terrors.

             
To be completely honest, I was starting to worry about myself.  It even got to the point where I asked Michael to let me have darker curtains in my room.  He’d been a bit surprised by my strange request, but he went ahead and did it for me.  I don’t think Michael could ever deny me anything I wanted, though I never took advantage of it until then.  But by then, I could take no more.  Every night was the same thing.  I would wake up to the terrifying feeling that I was being watched.  And the scary part was, it was starting to happen even before late night too.  Just like that one night, I would be sitting in my room working on something when I’d feel the eyes on me.  But every time I looked, nothing would be there.

             
By the time the week was over, I was seriously considering seeing a shrink.  Perhaps my mother’s mental illness was being passed to me.  I even tried to call my mother, but no one answered.  It shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise really, considering I’d been kicked out, but it still hurt.  Still, I tried to suck it up some.  I wasn’t seeing any more unusual things.  So maybe I would be okay.  Maybe it was just anxiety.  It would pass.  I was just trying to settle myself into this new life, and that had to be somewhat stressful on my mind.  Yes, anxiety seemed pretty logical at that point.

             
My school life continued normally enough though.  Sean Morrison did show back up that week, though we didn’t speak.  Raziel was making sure of that one.  But then again, Sean wasn’t really attempting either.  He’d glance at us here and there, but that was it.  In a way, it kind of bothered me.  The truth was, I wanted to talk to him.  I just felt drawn to him for some reason.  There was something about him that I just couldn’t resist.

             
Sitting in the art room that afternoon, I couldn’t help but reflect on that.  It was after school, but I had stayed because I wanted to finish a painting I’d been working on there.  Art had always been my favorite subject, and I found it as a release for me.  But as I sat there working, I found my mind wandering.  Something felt funny with all of this.  Especially after the one night a week earlier.  I knew that I’d seen something that night.  I was sure of it.  And my thoughts of this were only compounded by markings I was beginning to find outside of several of my windows. I shivered as I thought about them.  They were cuts made into the wood.  Almost like claw marks…

             
The sound of a door slamming made me jump back to attention.  I looked up and was shocked to see Sean Morrison standing by the art room door.  “Did I startle you?” he asked as he walked over to me.  There was a small, knowing smile playing on his face.  I’ll admit, it made me feel a little more then uncomfortable.

             
I managed to suck in a breath and speak.  “Yes, you did.  What are you doing here?”

             
“I had something to finish up.  But I noticed the art room light was still on when I walked by, so I got curious.  Are you by yourself here?” Sean asked, looking around.

             
“Yeah, but it’s okay.  I like working in solitude.” I admitted.

             
At that, Sean walked behind me and looked at my painting.  “That’s very beautiful.  You’re quite talented, aren’t you?” he commented.

             
I shiver a little as I felt him pull my hair back over my shoulders.  He was being awful bold.  But I wasn’t sure of what to do.  “Thanks, but please don’t do that Sean.” I said, managing to bat his hands away.

             
“Sorry.  I have a bad habit of doing things without thinking at times.” Sean replied.  He didn’t sound too sorry though.

             
“Really?” I said absently, still working on my painting.

             
“Yes.” Sean answered.  “You have very beautiful hair Mia.  I’ve never seen a blond this close to the color of the sun before on a teenage girl that’s natural.”

             
At that, I stood up and pulled myself away from him.  Now he was making me thoroughly uncomfortable.  “Sean, don’t you think you should be going?  Raziel is coming to pick me up very soon.” I warned him, though it was really a lie.

             
The sad part was, I think he knew it too.  “Don’t be so wary of me.  I wouldn’t hurt you.  I was simply commenting on how beautiful your hair is.  You’re a very beautiful girl Mia.  But I suppose I should expect no less from a Renaldi.” He said, a small smile still playing on his face.

             
I felt my heart beat a little harder.  Something felt very wrong here.  “What do you want Sean?” I asked, though I sounded very unsure of myself now.  I could even hear my voice shaking.

             
“Only to know you better.  After all, how can I pass up such an opportunity?” Sean asked.

             
“Opportunity for what?” I dared ask.

             
“You don’t know?” Sean asked, moving back in front of me.  I felt my back hit the wall as he moved closer.  “How interesting.  You are a Renaldi.  You carry their aura, yet you do not know anything about this?”

             
Now he was talking nonsense.  I quickly pushed him away and slipped back to my station.  “Leave me alone!” I said, grabbing my bag and hurrying out.

             
I had to admit, I was terrified at that point.  Something inside of me just knew he was going to hurt me in there.  But as I came out of the door, I felt someone grab my arm.  I screamed as I was pushed back against the wall.  Looking around quickly, I realized that I’d run out of the wrong door.  This was the back of the school building.  Not good.

             
Sean stood in front of me, and I could feel a pressure on my collar bone.  It took me a moment to register that he was holding me in place there.  And he was very, very strong, despite using only one hand.  “Now, now.  That’s no way to act.  Running like some scared kitten.” Sean commented.

             
“What do you want?” I managed to whisper.  I was scared stupid at that point.  I just knew my life was in mortal danger now.  Raziel had been right to warn me about him.

             
“Honestly, this is a bit much.  I can’t believe he wouldn’t tell you.  But then again, maybe I’m over estimating the Renaldis.  Anyways, I don’t believe in my prey not knowing anything that’s coming, so I suppose I’ll have to give you a little hint.” Sean said.  With that, he blinked his eyes.  To my shock, they turned golden.

             
“You’re… not human?” I whispered.

             
Sean just smiled.  “Nope.  I may just be your worst nightmare.”

             
I struggled hard against the pressing hand that had me against the wall.  “Let me go!” I screamed.  It seemed really dumb, considering no one was around, but I had to try just about anything.

             
“Forget it.  There’s not a soul here to hear you.  Besides, all I’m going to do now is devour yours.  I promise, I’ll make it quick.” Sean said coyly.

             
I closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable.  I was going to die.  I was sure I was going to die there.  But then, something strange happened.  I felt like something in my mind flexed.  I opened my eyes wide, and heard myself scream for him to stop.  All at once, Sean fell back as if something had hit him.  He sat on the ground, holding his head tightly.  I was still leaning against the wall, breathing hard.  My heart was pounding.  I had almost died.  I was sure of it.  But something had happened.  Something had stopped it.

             
After what seemed like forever, I realized that I heard Sean’s voice.  To my surprise, he was looking up at me from where he’d fallen to his knees.  He looked like he was horrified at what had just happened.  “Mia?” he said in disbelief.

             
Once again, the horror of the entire situation came back to me.  “Stay away from me!” I yelled, running away quickly.  I had enough forethought to grab my purse from the ground as I did.  But that was about it.  I didn’t even look back as I raced to my car, pounding the button to unlock the doors.  I quickly hopped in and turned the ignition, praying as I was crying that it would start.  Thankfully, it did.  I didn’t even think about it as I flew out of that parking lot.  I didn’t know where I was going.  All I knew was that I wanted to get as far away from Sean Morrison as possible.

             
I don’t know how long I ended up driving before pulling to the side of the road and crying my eyes out.  I’d never been so scared in my life.  I was shaking like a leaf, and my knuckles were white from where I was holding the stirring wheel so tightly.  I had no idea of what had just happened back there.  But I was certain he’d been trying to kill me.  What the hell is he?  I thought.  He’s got to be some kind of monster!

             
I was so upset that I didn’t even notice the car pulling up behind me.  I almost screamed again when I heard the tap on my window.  But relief came over me as I looked up and realized that it was Raphael.  I don’t think I’d ever been so glad to see him in my life.  I slowly reached over and unlock the door.  “Mia, what in the world are you doing out here?” he asked as he knelt down by me. 

             
I couldn’t answer right away.  I was still crying so much.  But I managed to get out a little bit.  “He… he tried to attack me.” I cried.

             
“Just calm down.” Raphael said, holding me close.  “Now who tried to attack you?”

             
“Sean.” I managed to whisper.

             
I felt him tense up a little.  A part of me wondered if he knew more about this.  After all, didn’t Sean mention something odd about the Renaldis?  But I couldn’t make myself think straight enough to ponder it.  I was far too scared.

             
After a few minutes, Raphael made me pull back.  “Come on.  Let’s get you in my car.” He told me.

             
“But… but what about mine?” I asked as I got out.

             
“Don’t worry about it.  I’ll have Raziel pick it up and bring it home.” Raphael assured me.  He was as calm as ever in all of this, yet, I had this distinct feeling that it was really bothering him.

             
After putting me in the passenger’s seat of his car, I watched him walk over and climb into the driver’s.  By then, he had his cell phone out.  No doubt he was calling Michael.  And I was proven correct when I heard my dad’s voice over the sync with the car speakers.  “I think you’d better stay at the office a little longer.  I’m bringing your daughter to you.” Raphael told him.

             
“What?  Why?  Did something happen?” Michael asked, clearly concerned.

             
“Apparently, Sean Morrison tried to attack her.” Raphael answered.

             
I heard the line go silent for a moment.  I halfway wondered what he was thinking.  Finally, Michael spoke again.  “Bring her here.  I’ll handle it.”

             
“It’s your call.  I’ll be there shortly.” Raphael replied.  He reached over and handed me a few tissues as I wiped my eyes with my sleeves.  “Just calm down.  Everything will be fine now.” He reassured me.

             
I nodded, wiping my eyes.  “Thanks.” I whispered.

             
It didn’t take us long to get to the office where my father was working.  As I expected, he’d been waiting for us outside.  I don’t think I’d ever been so grateful in my life to see him though.  Once we were inside, he shut and locked the door to his office to speak with me privately.

             
“It’s all right now.  Just tell me what happened.” Michael said, kneeling in front of where I was sitting.

             
I wiped my eyes again, trying to bring myself back.  I had no idea how to even begin explaining what had happened.  But I was determined to try.  “I don’t know what was happening.  He just cornered me outside, and his eyes… they turned a different color.” I whispered.

             
“A different color?” Michael said.  He looked surprised, but I had the feeling it wasn’t over the eye thing in particular. 

             
I managed to nod.  “They turned gold.  And he said that he was going to kill me.” I whispered.

             
“We really shouldn’t have sat on this one Michael.  I think you see that now.” Raphael said from where he was standing nearby.

             
Michael sighed, standing up.  “I’m calling Sara.  We’re going to get to the bottom of this.” He said quietly.  Honestly, I don’t think I’d ever seen him look so mad before.  The Michael I knew was always laid back before.  But I guessed that when it came to me, he probably could lose his temper.

             
I sat still as I watched him go over to the phone on his desk and dial a number.  He put it on speaker as he waited.  “You think she’ll pick up?” Raphael asked him.