Sharp

“Alright, so I was thinking. My older sister could drive her car while you show us the town. You can direct her different ways and definitely don’t miss the creepy mansion. My sisters are super excited to know where that place is in town. As so am I.”

“Of course!”

I told Alexis that my mom said yes to me traveling around town with them, just as long as I go home by 8. She said that would be more than enough time.

The both of us walked from gym class and headed down the hallway towards the front of the building. Students flushing through the hallways at different speeds and trying to meet up with friends last mintue or try to catch their ride or bus. I never had to rush after school since walking home only took my pair of feet to do so.

“We’ll have to walk to her car in the student parking lot.” Which was across the street in the parking lot assigned for students. They normally are sold out immediately, crazy how they were able to snag one this last in first trimester. Though, not surprised.

“What kind of car does Anastasia have?”

“Oh gosh, she has some type of BMW. It’s all black and the inside has a ton of red and pink interior. It’s pretty cool but it almost has too much of a girly vibe for my taste.” She lightly tuck her toungue out in disgust.

“I’m sure it could be worse. She could have an all pink car.” I admitted.

“True. I saw a few of those in the parking lot. The girls that come out of them aren’t much of a surprise either.” Alexis laughed as she shut her eyes for a second longer than normal.

The both of us exited the building and headed down the large sidewalk leading to the street. The same path all the students took to go to their cars. I took the bath since it was the way to get home.

As we walk, I could hear the clicks of every step she took. Her pumps sounded oddly loud for being outside on cement side walk. The way she walked beamed confidence and her hips dove to one side everytime she took a step. Excessively drawing attention to her round hips.

I wasn’t feeling the confident like I did prior, I felt like the day was getting gloomier for me and I almost just wanted to go home. Forget about showing them anything around town. I didnt have anything to fear since I warned Tiffany, but there was something inside me that still feared. Intuition maybe?

We stood at the edge of the side walk waiting for the light to say green for pedestrians. Out of no where, Alexis begins to walk before the time was present. Since it was at the end of the day, cars were trafficking through the streets. For that split moment I worried for her life.

“Come on, Becca. I don’t have all day. Plus if someone hits you, take them to court and get bank!” I hustled to her and we walked across the streets. Cars began honking, but then the rest of the students waiting began walking as well. Silencing the car honks.

As if student pedestrians took over the street and the cars were in submission. Since the rest of the students heard what she said, they were brave enough to cross the street against the light’s orders. I’m sure it was giving them rebellious vibes through their bodies.

The car was clearly parked in one of the spots closest to the school. Possibly the most difficult spot to get. Knowing that, I was still yet to be surprised. I wasn’t sure if I should have mentioned or leave the comment to myself. It wasn’t something super important and would be hardly a compliment. If I did mention it, she would have to deflect a true answer or possibly compel me. Even though I needed to flatter them as much as possible, in the most sensible way possible. I also needed to make sure not to set myself up for being compelled. I wasn’t ready to act that part just yet. Though it would be a simple task for something so simple. I could easily slip up.

“Here’s her car. I can’t tell she’s already in it.” We approached closer with every step.

At the moment, I could have asked how she knew. I visually could tell and wasn’t able to hear the engine. The glass windows were completely tinted. To the point that it looked like a mirrow for windows. If I had asked, I’m sure it would have put her in a spot to deescalate the question. If not, I probably would have been compelled. Since it clearly had to be her super vampirism hearing.

She opened the rear door behind the drivers door which was facing us. Gesturing me inside, just how Tony did for me. Was this a vampire thing? Or did she fancy me a similar way?

“You can sit here and I’ll be on the other side.” I smiled to her kindness.

“Thanks.” I walked to the door and the instant smell of iron hit my nose.

The red leather seats were that color for a reason and the smelled make me want to skip the ride. I needed to endure. If anything, I’ll say I have a stuffed up nose. I needed to try and deflect stupid questions. Not matter how badly I wanted to ask why it smelled so weird in the car. The footing of the car was made of red velvet, making it incredibly hard to detect if spot were wet of blood. The leather seats had small holes in them, assuming for ventilation for the seats. Or places for the blood of their kills to absorb into the structure of the seats.

There was plenty of room for the three of them to enjoy a snack in the back seat where I was sitting. I can’t imagine lunch was long for any other things. Plus I could that the smell was very fresh. Not giving off any a decaying after scent.

Alexis comes in from the opposite door of mine. She smiles and I could instantly tell with the wrinkle of her nose that she smell that same exact irony smell that I was just thinking about.

“Girls, I think we’re going to have to air the out the car. It wreaks in her.” Alexis spoke up then turns to me. “Do you smell it?”

I wasn’t sure if this was suppose to be a hard question but there was no way that I was going to ask it truthfully.

“Honestly I can’t smell anything. I’ve had a stuffed up nose for a few days now. Why? What’s does it smell like.” I could almost hear the two sisters in the front seat take a singular breath.

“Oh. Well, I guess if you can’t smell it then never mind.” While in midst of her sentence, she turns to her sisters and they silently nod their heads.

I’m sure the smell would ease away over time but it still was leaving a weird taste in my mouth. As if my mouth was bleeding.

“So where is this creepy mansion, Becca?” Amelia in the passenger seat turns to me with her question.

“Oh yeah! You have to take a left out of the parking lot, then a right at the light.” I say with smile

“You hear that captain?” Amelia turns her head to Anastasia in the driver seat.

“I’m not deaf you idiot.” She said with a strict tone.

“Jeez, clearly someone woke up on the wrong side of the cof...”

“Shh!” Alexis interrupts Amelia. Making sure I didn’t hear the word coffin.

Amelia turned her head to me again and pinked her lips together. As if she had immediately forgotten I was in the car. And the fact that I was human.

“Whoops.”

I look out the window, trying to be as oblivious to the comment as much as possible. Trying to play as if I couldn’t catch onto anything. Sometimes that spoke true. Right now though, I felt my hearing sharpen to make sure I heard everything and understood what was being said. Plus I already knew they were vampires.

As Anastasia was reversing the parking spot then heading forward to the exit of the parking lot. I thought about how Tony would forbid this moment right here. Me. In a car full of vampires. Not just any vampires either. The three sisters that wouldn’t to force him into married. A married that would benefit them.

Even though I’m very skeptical of Alexis being interested. I’m sure she wanted part in the marriage for her own benefit. Arranged marriage didn’t always work out. And highly doubt she wanted Tony for other things besides the land and the families connecting as one.

I’m sure if Alexis wanted happiness, she would probably go after a girl and choose her happiness that way. The way she presents herself is starting to come across that she is truly a lesbian. Which made me fear her less.

I still had no idea about Amelia and Anastasia though. So far, Amelia seems snarky but intelligent. At least her glasses provide that type of suspicion. Anastasia seemed like a cold bitch, unhappy with almost about everything. Neither of them have said anything about Tony yet and I started to be concerned that today wouldn’t hold much value for information.

“Alright. Where to now?” Alexis turned to me after Anastasia make the right turn at the light.

“On Menton Drive, you’ll make a right turn. Then after that, you’ll make a slight right onto Bernard Street. The mansion will be on the left. It’s filled with trees and you can’t see the mansion. It’s just the property. Which also is surrounded by a fence with a big metal gate.”

“Thanks for the specifics. Even though it isn’t necessary. The directions is all I need.” Anastasia bitterly said to me. The way she spoke to people felt nothing nice. I understood her being described as rude, just like Tony and Tiffany have mentioned. The other two, I have yet to see their true form of being rude. I couldn’t imagine it being just as bad. Or worse.

Anastasia takes the direction I said to her and I could see the gate in the horizon of the end of the street. I wanted to constrict my breathing but my need to act for the sisters around me prevented that.

Anxillion was out in front on the fence of the property next to the street. Raking up leaves. The exact thing I didn’t want to see him doing. Tiffany completely disregarded my warning. Possibly did the complete opposite. My imagination could see it now. Her calling Anxillion, telling him that the property right outside of the gate looks like a mess. I’m sure he would go along with something like that and clean up the displeasurable feature of the property.

Deep down, I wanted to cry. If they did anything to him. I don’t know if I would be able to fake it.

“Well, look at that. The old man is waiting for us.” Amelia laughs deviously. I tried my best not to let my heart beat faster than it needed to. Not like I had much control of it. I tried to keep my breath flowing even as possible and counted each breath in my head to make sure it didn’t seem out of place.

“That, or he’s so stupid.” Alexis spoke in the same tone as her sister did. I only looked outside, pretending as if I couldn’t hear them.

As Anastasia drove past the mansion. Anxillion paid no attention to the passing black car. Continually raking the leaves and placing them into a brown paper lawn bags. Then she began making a three point turn in the street. Going back to the old man next to the metal gate.

Anastasia slowly creeped the car up to him and then came to a complete stop right next to where Anxillion was standing. His face showed confusion and he was also wearing the same shirt brimmed basket hat that he did yesterday. All I could do was stare at him. Keeping the memory of his living body. Since I knew he wasn’t going to be alive much longer.

“Alright, Alexis. Stay with Becca while we have a chat with this him.”

“Sure thing, Anastasia.” Alexis grinned at me as the two sisters left the vehicle.

I saw her eyes do the same thing that Tiffany was showing me before school started. Alexia’s bright blue eyes began to flood into a ting of red. Her pupils began to fluctuate and change in shape very quickly. My attention was hers but only because I forced it. Her eyes were getting me nauseous since it seemed no natural to see blue eyes turn turn red. Her eyes looked like blood was filling up a lake.

I did my best not to look outside, to see what was happening. I wanted Anxillion to be okay, for Tony. I could tell he appreciated and loved his grandfather. The way he talked about him possibly dying of old age broke my heart. I could almost see the way his face deepened with sadness. His human grandfather wanted only to have peace and live his life and it was made to progress. For any average human, this wasn’t how life should end. With two vampires coming to your property to have a chat.

Alexis’ eyes continued, “You will not remember any of this. You won’t feel pain for this unknown man to you. As far as you know, we turned around an headed a different way. If you look outside and see something that upsets you, you will not remember it.” She tried to fill my mind with her words.

All I could do was nod and keep my eyes on her. I was too scared to look away. In fear of getting caught and to catch a glimpse of outside.

“Also, you will direct us straight to your house afterwards. You’ll remember showing us a complete town tour. You will be at home for the rest of the evening. We will be gone for awhile after today. Just to get somethings figured out. If anyone asks where we went, say we took a visit to Tennessee, to visit our mother.” She added.

“Okay.” I nodded in false agreement. “When will you be back?” I ask in a way that made me look like I was still in a trans.

“We will be back on Saturday. We’ll go to the Halloween festival with you. Since we’re thrill seekers, we can’t pass up an opportunity like that.” She smiled. Her eyes began to fade back into a bright blue. Back to her oceanic colored eyes. I tried to ease my muscles and still continued to keep my attention within the vehicle.

“That’s exciting! I can’t wait for you guys to go with me. I’m so used to going by myself and watch people’s reactions. Just like I told you earlier.” I genuinely was excited to go with someone this year. I really wanted to take Tony as a date, but I’m sure going with Alexis and her sisters would make it more fun than romantic.

“Can I ask you something?” Alexis asks. The way she did seem like something all of a sudden upset her.

“Sure. What’s up?”

“Is there any chance that it could be just you and I?” Her face started to show sorrow.

“Of course. Can I ask why though?”

Alexis gulp her dry throat and I began to figure out her body language. The way she relaxed her shoulders told me that..

“I was actually wondering if, we could make it a date.” Then she stood up straight, “Unless you don’t want to. Which I will completely understand. We could just go as best friends.” She quickened her voice in fear that she was going to get rejected before I even answered her.

“Stop.” If I was going to try and get answers I needed. I needed to really play along. “I don’t mind it being a date. I’ve never been with a girl before. But it doesn’t hurt to test the waters.” The words came out like fluid. Even though I didn’t feel the words were genuine to me. The thought of being with a girl, even as simple as a day, didn’t seem right to me. I was never against it for other people but I don’t see it for myself.

I needed to act as best as I could. This is the closest I can get to getting answers that would be of great benefit to me.

Alexis’ smile was the largest I’ve ever seen it. I then turn my eyes ever so slightly to the window. Looking outside. The two sisters were still talking to Anxillion. From what I could grasp for body language, it looked like they were probably asking him where Tony was. His flailing arms showed that had no idea.

Amelia turns to the car and then uses momentum with her arm to slap Anxillion in the face with her hand. Sending him straight to the ground. The blow of her hand was quicker than I’ve ever seen before and sent in flying a few feet behind him. Which at that point I could see him anymore I flinched to the sight.

Alexis noticed and sent her right hand to my thigh. Grasping onto it very firmly.

“Do as I say. Forget about what is happening outside. Don’t look outside if you can.” She didn’t try to compel me again. Since she shouldn’t have to if it had worked. Since the vervain concentrate was still flowing through my body, it wasn’t working. I acted though as if it had been.

“Oh.” I blinked my eyes a few time. “So, what time will we be going to this date on Saturday?” I asked.

“Well, since it’s the weekend before Halloween. I’m sure plenty of people will be there which will make it even more fun. Possible more towards the night so it’s filled with more of an older audience than the sweet innocent children.” Then Alexis’ eye began to do the thing it did before. Signifying that she was trying to compel me. “By the way, what is your blood type.”

“O negative, why do you ask?” She pouts as her eyes adjust back to normal in much quicker time.

“No reason at all.”

I was still avoiding looking outside and staring at Alexis. I started to describe to her how the festival was last year and how there was only two haunted houses posted. Then all of a sudden o felt a big thump on the trunk area of the car.

I felt myself start to panic but quickly had to remind myself not to feel that emotion. Since Alexis was trying to pay attention to me. To distract her from my realization, I forced a fake sneeze. Then did it once more. To me it sounded fake and was worried if it was too much. The way she giggled made me think it had appeared to seem very real.

“That was a cute sneeze.” That same intrigued smile, the one she would do everytime she looked interested in me. I returned a similar smile.

Then both Anastasia and Amelia entered the car at the same time. Introducing no new smells. Which made me settle a little that they didn’t feed off of him.

“Alright, Becca. Where’d do you live?” Amelia quickly asked while facing me.

“Go back to the same direction we came. Except turn left on West ave. It’s the quickest way to my house. The make make a right on Jackson Drive. I’ll then show you which house is mine.”

“Alright.” Amelia turned to the front of the car and the car began to move.

Everyone was quiet and didn’t say a single word. I was looking out the window the whole time. Thinking about about if Anxillion was dead or not. I did in fact knew that he was in the truck on the car. The thump couldn’t have been anything else.

I also wondered how many other people could possibly be in there. Especially since they weren’t for a long lunch earlier today during school. I can imagine they had a feast during lunch. I’m sure they left their discards in their trunk as well.

I almost wanted to her some type of movement in the trunk to know if he was still alive. Yet, I didn’t hear of feel anything behind me. I did my best to calm down every emotion that wanted to release. I could break the act now. I could easily let loose once I got home. Around this time, my mom was probably just getting out of work. Since on the time clock of the car it said 4:16.

My mom would think that I got stood up or that I decided not to give the new townies a tour of the town. When in all actuality, they just wanted to visit that one house and that was it.

I already knew that I was going to have to text Tiffany. Maybe she didn’t warn Tony or Anxillion in time. That could have been possible. Deep down, I felt like that couldn’t have been true. There was something about Tiffany that seemed so truthful. Yet another part of me started to suspect something else was going on here.

Lost in my mind, we were already taking a right hand turn onto my street. I could already see the yellow house approaching.

“Slow down, it’s that double story yellow house on the right. The one with the narrow driveway.”

“Oh.” Anastasia slowed the car down then stopped the car on the other side of the street right in front of the house. “Alright. Thanks for your help today. If you need anything, you only need to ask.” She said nicely for once.

Since I did something for her, I’m sure she felt like she owed me something else in return some day. Which I might have to take up on. Or leave the offer waiting forever.

“Thanks for a fun day girls! See y’all later.” I turned my head to Alexis and gave her a wink, “And see you Saturday.”

She grinned from ear to ear as I opened the door and let myself out. I made sure to grab my belongings and not to forget my phone. There was no way I was going to forget those things. If I did, not sure when I’d be able to see them again or when I would get them back.

Right when I shut the door back into the frame of the car, she was then off. I turned around and headed for the house.

I could no longer hold the tears in anymore. The self induced headache from keeping the pain inside was really starting to hurt. The iron like smell in the car resembling the same as blood was starting to really make me nauseous and constantly suck on my own mouth in fear that I was bleeding inside of it.

I rushed up the patio steps and opened the unlocked door. Letting myself inside. Then paced quickly up the stairs and forward to my room. I flew my body into my bed. Diving into it with my stomach and arms.

I needed to tell Tiffany immediately what had happen. Even though I felt like Tony deserved to know first before her. The only problem was that I could get my hand to do my biding. I couldn’t go against what Tiffany asked of me. Which began to make me sad.

I clicked on her name, which wasn’t her actual name in my phone. I dialed it and the phone rang two times before being answered.

“Hello?”

“Tiffany! The Huntington sister have him! They have Anxillion and I couldn’t do anything about it. I was in the car when it happened. He’s in the trunk.”

“Woah, woah. Slow down there partner. What happened?”

I was talking quite fast but I though since she was a vampire she would be able to keep the pace with me. I took a breath in and out slowly.

“They have him in the trunk. I had to pretend to be compelled and could looked outside to see what was happening. The only glimpse I got was Amelia slapping Anxillion so hard that he flew to the ground. After that I didn’t see anything else.I heard a large thump from the trunk, which I assumed was his body. After that the two sisters outside then got into the car. I had to pretend and I do think I did a good job. It was just too much for me to handle.” I paused and began to quick my eyebrows together. “I warned you to tell Anxillion and he was still outside, why?”

“Sorry, the time slipped my hands today at the school. Being a nurse isn’t an easy job. Plus there were so many students coming into the office. I’m sorry you had to witness that. I’ll have to talk to Tony about it. I should have passed on the warning. I’m sorry.”

Her words sounded try but I almost could hear her voice fluctuate. As if she was consistently lying. At that point I needed to text Tony.

“Alright. It’s okay I guess. Not much we can do now I suppose.” Feeling defeated.

“Right. Well, is there any other information you’ve got so far?” Tiffany asked.

“Not yet. They will be gone for a few days from school. Other than that, I have a date with Alexis.”

“A date?” I could hear a very quite chuckle from the phone.

“Yeah. A date. It’s very possible that she’s actually a lesbian. Which is fine. I have plans on taking it as an advantage to find out more information. What better person to ask questions than a love interest?”

“Very smart! Don’t ruin it. Let me know if you need anything. Okay?”

“I’ll let you know. Thanks.”

“Alright. I gotta go. I have to let Tony know what’s going on.”

“Okay. Thanks Tiffany.”

“Anytime, Becca. Remember I’m a call or text away. Bye.”

“Bye.”

She hung up on me and I stared at my phone.

I scrolled through my phone trying to find the blocked call list in it. It took a few minutes longer than I expected. But I saw Tony’s name. I wanted so badly to unblock his phone number but my body was resisting the urge. Tiffany asked me to do this and I was keeping up with my side of the bargain. Even though I so badly wanted to go against her wishes.

Tony deserved to know what happened. Deep down, I had a feeling that Tiffany wasn’t going to tell him what happened. Or better yet, the truth.