Inside the Fire Book One in the Warden's Series (14 page)

“Anyway back to my story. Greta was a
special person. She was pure in spirit and mind but she was still
sick.  All the events Greg witnessed pointed to the
possibility of a severe mental condition. They managed to get her
medicated, and then set up with a shrink, even had her hospitalized
for a brief period. She did best in the hospital. The doctors felt
the psych ward was not meant for her so they let her go.  He
said about six months after that he woke up one morning, and his
wife was dead in the bed beside him.  She died in her sleep.”
She stopped for a moment. This was hard for her. She had found out
another person that meant so much to her had passed on.

“There were a few odd bits in his story that
made me wonder about some of the things he witnessed.  He said
she would cower away from Wesley’s girlfriend.   He
couldn’t understand why she did this since they both thought this
girl very sweet. She was an exchange student from Germany I think
is what he said.” She brightened for a moment. “Wesley is a very
knowledgeable young man. He can speak several languages fluently.
Did you know that?” I nodded remembering the whole incident in his
bedroom as if it was yesterday.

“Anyway, he said Greta would walk away
muttering that the girl was a child of the devil towards the
end.  She had seemed well enough to him, very polite always
offering to do things for the family.” She shrugged.

I have to admit the one thing that bothered
me was the idea Wesley had been with another girl. The thought of
it made my heart hurt. I knew it was before he knew I even existed
still I couldn’t help it. There really is no point in getting
jealous over there being someone in his life before me.

 “
After Greta died he
said Wesley was distraught for a few days then out of nowhere
managed to pick himself up, brush off the dirt, and move on with
life as if the whole incident had never happened. Shortly after
that the girl just disappeared. One day she was there and the next
day POOF, gone.  Wesley went on as if it was nothing, hardly
spoke of her again.  They moved here to get away from the
memories. Much like how you and I did by coming here.” She gave me
a small smile.

“Melissa was having nightmares and Wes was
sleep-walking. Greg knew he had to get them out of there before
they both mentally combusted.  He moved into the old house and
fixed it up. He paid a fortune to have the whole place
redone.  First night there Wesley went missing.  The
authorities found him in the woods behind the house half frozen. He
didn’t even remember how he got out there.”

She was looking at the ground. “He had some
troubles last year in school, fighting mostly.  Wesley was
having a rough time until you showed up apparently.  Once you
two started dating it was like a switch had been turned on. 
He is forever grateful that you were able to give him new meaning.”
My mother paused, she wasn’t telling me something.

“It’s so funny though, Greta used to joke
about how our children were destined to be together. That there was
a force strong in nature that would work to keep them close and an
even stronger one Hell bent on tearing them apart.  She really
was a special woman, but there was no way that she would know that.
Not without having something non-human in her blood.” My mother’s
giggle was anxious.

“You’re not telling me something, mom.” I
said eyeing her suspiciously.

“I’m not telling you a lot actually. I have
my own questions that need to be answered about Greta and a few
about Wesley, but before I can tell you what the answers are. I
need to find them myself.” She started to stand.  “But for now
go about life as usual.  Don’t ask Wesley anything. I will
have all the answers you need soon enough.”

“Mom?” I asked eyeing her closely.

“What is it honey?” The smile on her face
had faded.

“Thank you.” It was the least I could
say.

She had done what she said she would. It’s
just amazing how more entwined into each other’s lives Wesley and I
find ourselves. There was a past even before we could create a
present.

It nagged at me for days though. The plot
holes that were missing from her story. Something awful must have
happened to Mrs. Jensen. Something so horrible that the family
never speaks of it or her. It took every ounce of courage for me to
be able to ask Wesley how his mother had died. I figured she had
died in her sleep, but what had killed her?

****

I was sitting in the living room watching TV
when my phone began to ring. Grabbing it I hit the green button
without even looking at the screen.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Hey Dawn.” The male voice on the other end
said.

I pulled my phone away from my ear and saw
Adam’s name across the screen.

“Hey Adam.” I said thankful that I had
looked.

“What are you doing right now?” He asked. It
sounded like he was in his car.

“Watching TV.” I said dryly.

“Sounds fun. Hey I’m going to be in your
area in the next ten minutes. Have to drop something off for my
father. Want to hang out for a bit?” He sounded in an extremely
good mood.

“Yeah. I live off the main drag. The white
house with the pink mailbox.” I groaned.

My mother’s idea. She had always wanted a
pink mailbox for some reason and when we moved I had made sure to
give it to her. I don’t think I had ever seen her so thrilled in
her life.

“Pink mailbox huh?” I heard him
laughing.

“My mom.” I said.

“Enough said.” He muffled his laughter.

“How long?” I asked looking down at my ratty
sweatpants and tank top. I had changed clothes already.

“Give me about twenty minutes.” He said. I
put my hand over the receiver.

“Mom, my friend Adam is going to come over.
Is that ok with you?” I called out.

“Yeah honey. Does your friend want to stay
for dinner?” She yelled back at me and I rolled my eyes.

Taking my hand off the receiver I grumbled
in her direction.

“My mom wants to know if you want to stay
for dinner.” I said.

“Sure. My dad is going to be at the diner
all night for some reason. I could use a home cooked meal.” He
said.

“Alright I will tell her. I guess I will see
you in twenty minutes.” I said.

“See ya soon.” He hung up.

“I didn’t know you made another friend.” My
mother walked into the living room wiping her wet hands off on a
towel.

“It was an interesting event to say the
least.” I said standing up. If Adam was coming to the house I
wasn’t going to be greeting him dressed like a slob.

“Well that’s great. What’s her name?” She
was pushing.

“Adam.” I said simply walking by her.

“Oh, another boy?” She raised her eyebrow at
me.

“Wesley doesn’t mind. He says that he trusts
Adam.” I rounded the corner and entered my bedroom.

I changed clothes quickly and walked back
out into the kitchen putting my hair up in a sloppy ponytail.

“So what’s this boy’s last name?” She asked
me.

“Snyder I think.” I said stopping mid walk
and looking at her. “Why do you ask?”

“Just wondering. He must be Henry’s son.
Sweet boy always filled with compliments.” She smiled. “His list of
sins is quite low. If he keeps it up he will be welcome to Heaven
with a band of trumpeters.”

“You and your analogies.” I grumbled as I
picked up walking back into the living room and sitting back down
the couch.

“I hope he likes pork chops and mashed
potatoes. I was feeling a little culinary tonight.” She laughed and
proceeded to get back to her cooking.

I sat on the couch for a few more minutes
till I hard Adam’s car in the drive. It was more like ten minutes
than twenty. I had a feeling that this was the norm for Adam he was
extremely punctual.

“I think your friend is here.” My mom said
from the kitchen.

I got up and walked out the front door to
greet him.

“What’s up Weathers?” He asked the second he
was out of his car.

I raised an eyebrow. Nobody had ever called
me by my last name. At least not in the way that he was. I mean it
was normal for my PE coaches to call me by that. Hearing someone
like Adam say it though it kinda felt nice. I mean different but
nice.

“Not much.” I said crossing my arms. “That
was fast.”

“Yeah, my dad sends out meals for the
elderly I was just dropping off for him. Nice old lady but she
isn’t one for much conversation.” He laughed as he walked up to
me.

“Your dad owns the Diner then.” I pointed
out for some reason.

“That he does. He has a big heart too.” He
smiled at me as I led him inside the house.

My mother was standing by the door with a
huge smile on her face. I should have known she would be ecstatic
that I had a new friend.

“Mom this is Adam. Adam this is my mother.”
They looked at each other and both of them laughed.

“Honey I know who Adam is. Welcome to our
home.” She said nicely.

“Good evening Ms. Weathers.” He said
glancing at me.

“Good evening Adam.” She laughed again. “I
hope you like pork and potatoes.”

“Oh yes ma’am. I love them.” He said as I
rolled my eyes.

“Please do come in then. I have some cheese
and crackers I’ve been dying to try.” She ran off to the kitchen,
and I motioned for Adam to take a seat.

“She always so welcoming?” He asked after a
second of silence.

“Yeah. She has this thing about meeting my
friends.” I shrugged.

“Why’s that?” He asked.

“Because I don’t bring many home.” I said
not looking up at him.

“Well then I’m honored.” He said.

Dinner went well. My mother and Adam had
quite a bit to talk about concerning religion and politics. I was
actually quite amused by how much knowledge Adam had about things.
He was able to keep my mother talking most of dinner and for the
most part she seemed to enjoy it. I said a few things here and
there just not enough to be a third member of the conversation as a
whole. Adam left at nine that night saying he needed to get home to
his father.

“We still on for Saturday?” He asked as he
was getting into his car.

“Yeah I think it should be ok.” I
smiled.

I was actually looking forward to doing
something with him. Wesley didn’t even seem so bugged about it when
I had talked to him earlier.

“Great.” He grinned. “I will pick you up at
six. We have to drive into the city to see the races.”

“Sounds like fun.” I said.

He gave me a wave and backed out of the
driveway.

“Such a nice boy.” My mother said when I
entered the house again.

“Yeah, he’s pretty cool.” I said as I helped
her finish loading the dishwasher.

“It’s a good thing that Wesley doesn’t find
him a threat.” My mother pointed out.

“Yeah.” I agreed. “Mom?”

“What honey?” She asked me.

“Do you think he is just saying that it
doesn’t bug him? I mean it really could right?” I questioned.

“No, I think Wesley is pretty straight
forward with his feelings.” My mother said as she started the
machine.

“Well I think I’m going to head to bed.” I
stretched.

“Tell Wesley good night for me.” She teased
as I walked into my room.

I pulled out my phone and texted my
boyfriend a good night text.

Me: I’m heading to bed. Love you.

I fell asleep, but I did not receive a
response. I usually receive a response before I pass out. Oh well,
maybe he was just busy.

Carnivorous Red Heads

I was sitting in a bar facing a red headed
woman with the most patronizing green eyes.  She was glaring
at me, her stare attempting to burn me to cinders. There was so
much hate and disgust in her that it made my skin crawl.  She
smiled a toothy grin.  I could see her fangs extending as she
glared at me. A chilling smile was spreading across her face.

“Such a pretty princess. You with your black
hair and red lips. A beautiful reminder of all things pure. I must
admit even I would be tempted if it was allowed. I just have one
simple thing to say. The thing is you cannot have him.” She spoke
slowly and with a thick German accent. She then stopped grinning
and stood.

“I don’t exactly see your point here.” I
said coldly. She was talking about Wesley I knew that much.

“Er gehört mir!” Her eyes turned black her,
fangs lengthened completely and her hands were sparking. Two black
orbs formed above each palm.  I shot to my feet willing the
fire to ignite, my hands burst into flames.

“He will never be yours!” I screamed
determined that this was one battle I was not going to lose.

“He was mine before he was ever yours. I
will not let you take him from me.” Her German accent was harsh but
her eyes were harsher.

I pushed at the power in my hands willing
the flames to shoot higher until suddenly I was standing inside the
fire itself. The flames were lapping at my skin. Amazingly there
was no pain and for a moment I was mesmerized at this new
development. My hair was waving in black ringlets around my face,
untouched by the flame as well.

“Welche Kreatur sind Sie?” She seethed.

“I am the creature that you should fear. I
am your death. I am your salvation.” The words flew out of me
before I could think of anything better to say.

“I fear nobody Raven Princess!” She
screamed.

I saw the orbs flying towards me.

I felt confident in what was happening.
Those orbs were not going to harm me in the least. Fire shot from
my body causing my back to arch and my head to fly back.  I
could hear her screaming but I was blind to what was happening. A
manic laugh escaped my lips.

I shot up and out of bed sweaty, my mother
standing over me holding the fire extinguisher. Just by the look on
her face she was obviously angry.  I glanced at her confused
then finally understood as my eyes shot around.