Sharp

“Since we’re away from your sisters for a moment, can I ask why our date had to end so soon?” I bravely ask.

“Well.” She turned her head enough to take a quick glance of the car and back at me. “Just need to go fetch something. Something went missing and it’s our time to act. I know it ended our date early. I’m sorry. This is just really important.”

“I get it, either way I had a blast.” I smiled and grabbed her hand. “Never would guess that my first date would be with someone who’s already taken. Yet I couldn’t have imagined it better. Thanks Alexis.”

“Of course. I’ll let my girlfriend know that she’s got nothing to worry about. Or else she might kill both of us.” She laughed. I tried to match my laughter but it came out fake. Since her girlfriend was clearly a vampire and could kill me easily.

“Well. See you later then.” I grinned.

“See ya, Becca.” Alexis was off down the step off the patio and back to the car.

I turned around and opened the locked door with my keys. No one was home. That would be enough privacy to open this secret note from Tony.

I quickly flew up the stairs after locking the door behind me. Time didn’t seem to go fast enough and seemed as if I couldn’t get to my room fast enough.

Once I finally did, I shut the door and dove my hand into my bra to get the wadded note out. The anticipation was killing me and I need to know the information now.

Unfolding quickly and the note filled the white paper from top to bottom. Similar handwriting that I’ve seen before in the note at school. The one that cut my hand.

My dearest, Rebecca;

I couldn’t talk to you but I need you to know this important information. The sisters will be out to find me. Tiffany isn’t on our side. She rid of me from the property and I couldn’t find my way back in. Once Anxillion died, she took the opportunity to make sure I couldn’t be home anymore. She’s going to try and invite the sisters over. If it doesn’t work, she’s going to tell the sisters I’m missing and find me. Don’t listen to my sister anymore. I beg you. I know you’re compelled to do as she says. Which makes this so difficult. Please don’t let yourself get caught by them. I worry that they’ll figure out you’re with me. Even worse, if Tiffany tells them herself. I’m worried about you and will do whatever I can to keep you safe. I’ll run to Tennessee if I have to, to make sure you’re alive and well. You should be able to go to school, they’ll be too worried about me to want to attend.

Last but not least, please text me to say your safe at home. I’m worried giving you this note might have done more harm than good. Make sure to burn this letter as well. You don’t need a trace.

-Tony

He knows about Anxillion. I didn’t know he was dead, he confirmed that part for me. Reading that part sent a simple tear streaming down my face. His life was destined to end soon, I just couldn’t imagine the torture he probably had to endure before he died. In the hands of the sisters.

Also reading about Tiffany working with the Huntington sisters seemed correct. I wasn’t getting the notion that she was actually helping. Everything she was doing seemed to not actually help our surviving cause. Her perseverance to just know about the sisters seemed unsuccessful. What exactly did she need to know about them?

Everything Tiffany has done so far doesn’t make sense to help the sisters as well. It seems she’s on her own accord. She’s doing stuff for her own benefit, not the sisters. Why would she have me take vervain infused water and try and befriend them if she was on their side. Why would she have had Tony at the mansion for safe haven until now. Yet Anxillion would had stood in the way. If Tiffany tried to remove his access to the land, Anxillion would have known. He would have reversed it.

Since their parents aren’t in town, she could easily remove his access and he would be forced to run. The last place I wanted him to run to was Tennessee. He could stay in my closet to be safe. It would also make me feel safe.

Even though I wanted to keep the note as a safe keeping, I needed to obey the order. The note could be an issue in the future and that could put my life on the line. As well as Tony’s, more than it is now.

I changed my clothes really quickly into pajamas, I didn’t need my mom seeing me in the costume. We’re doing good with our relationship and I don’t need a silly costume ruining it. Once I was done I headed to the kitchen. The silver stove was my main focus and the sink that was a few feet to the right.

I turned the knob and set the wrinkly note to a flame. Then holding it above the sink to give the note enough air to keep the flame going. Once the flame was close to my finger tips, warming them up too much. I dropped it in the sink to finish the job. Luckily the sink was dry and could finish burning into ash. I watched it burn until it no longer could from the lack of paper. Turning on the water to try and wash down the ashes down the sink, to rid of its existence.

Buzz buzz...

My eyes lit up and grabbed the ringing phone out of my jogger pajama pants. I didn’t know who it was going to be and I was scared who it could be.

Tiffany. What does she want?

Tiffany: Still no sight of Tony? Now the sisters are out looking for him.

Me: No sight. I was with Alexis until a few minutes ago.

Tiffany: If you’re lying to me, you regret your own existence.

Me: I have no reason to lie. I’ll make sure to text or call you if I see him. Maybe I could text him and meet up with him. He’ll come out of hiding for me, I think.

Tiffany: That’s a good idea. You have until midnight to get him out of hiding. Or else we’re going to hunt you down too.

Before I could even say anything back, she hung up. I was a hundred percent Tony would come out of hiding. It was worth a try. Even though it was probably safer for him to stay in hiding. The only problem is my life is on the line now. It’s only 6 o’clock and I have 6 hours left. I didn’t want them to find him but maybe him and I could find a way.

I went to his contact information and unblocked his access to my phone. After that I called him. The way who countless times gave me butterflies, is giving me them now. Worried if he wouldn’t answer. Also worried about what I would do if he did answer.

Tony: Rebecca? Are you okay?

He sounded concerned.

Me: I can’t even tell you how wonderful it is to hear your voice. Besides that we have a problem.

Tony: I know they’re looking for me, I will...

Me: If they don’t find you before midnight, they’re going to hunt me down.

The silence deafened.

Tony: Oh. I can honestly say I didn’t expect that.

He paused again. I didn’t know what to say either. I felt like a complete damsel in distress. Tony was going to have to go out of hiding for me just to save my life.

Tony: We need to meet up. Where are you?

Me: I’m at home.

He hung up on me just like Tiffany did. The disruption to our conversation was bitter. I followed my feet back to my room upstairs. I’m sure Tony would call me back with details, or at least I hoped. While I waited, I needed to get all of the makeup off my face before it breaks me out.

My makeup remover and cleanser is on my room. The last time I left it in the bathroom, it all went missing. As I entered my room, the tree outside was knocking on my window. Yet it was much more impactful and consistent. The butterflies were back and I no longer suspect it being the tree. Since the knocking got louder:

I took my index finger and pushed one of the plastic blinds down to peek outside. His face was in front of mine and the world seemed to pause for a moment. His face was as handsome as I last saw it. His hair was messier than normal but I found it more attractive.

I pulled the curtains up and opened the window.

“Move out of the way.” He alerted me. I shifted towards my bed and he practically flew inside the house. The rush of wind from him let in a strong wave of his cologne. The cologne that I smelt at the festival. The one that lets me know it’s him. The one that eases my mind and just makes me want to be cradled by him muscular body.

All I could do was smile at him. His arms flew to my waist side and her threw me into his chest. The very thing I wanted him to do. The smell could easily make me fall asleep. His cool temperature body was so unnatural but felt as perfect as a cold pillow hitting your sleepy face. The grip he placed onto my body was comforting and welcoming.

“I’m going to have to turn myself over. I can’t let any harm come your way. Before I do, I need to do something.”

Before words came out of my mouth, his rough hands pushed my jaw upward to his own and his lips pressed against mine. I could feel the facial hair against the area of my mouth, something that seemed strange felt so right.

The butterflies were gone at this point. It was true desire pulsing through my body now. I wanted him to do anything he wanted to me. His passionate kissing was starting to make the room spin and I wanted nothing more than having him stay beside me until he no longer could. Just kissing me. For it being my first kiss, it felt so natural and instinctual. As if our lips were made to be together.

When we slowly pushed away from each other so I could take a deep breath. I didn’t want it to end. I tried to guide my head back to his for more but he placed his finger on my lip. Preventing me from moving any further.

“Trust me, I want to kiss you all night too. The problem is we need to act now. I needed to make sure I kissed you before anything happens to either of us. There had been so many interruptions that I couldn’t wait any longer.” He stared into my eyes. His brown eyes seemed darker than normal. Maybe it was the dim lighting in my room but he looked intense.

“I need you to text Tiffany that I’m at the high school. I will head over there and call truce. I’ll leave in a little bit to make sure that you’re safe. The sad part will be that...” He paused suddenly. “This will be goodbye for us.”

“What?” I shock my body away from him. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t you see. Once they have me, I will never be able to be with you. I can’t even risk it. Or else your life is in dangerous and that must not happen. I care for you so much that I’m going to let myself go. To make sure that you’re safe.”

My mouth ajar and my eyebrows are frowning. I didn’t want him to be gone forever. The only person that ever made me feel safe. The guy who I’ve fallen for so fast and would do anything for. As he would do the very same for me. This couldn’t be.

“I’m sorry, Rebecca. This has to be goodbye. Our lives aren’t meant to be together. It was fun for the time we spent together. Unfortunately, your safety is too important.”

“There has to be another way. I can’t have you be gone. I need you with me. What happens...”

He held me firmly on both sides of my arms. Which made me stop talking.

“This is the only way. I thought of different ways this could play out and the only way for you to be safe is if I go back to Tennessee with them. I have to.”

“No you don’t.”

“For you. I do.”

He kissed my lips again before I could say another word. I felt his body release away from me. When I opened my eyes he way next to the window, ready to fly back out.

“Make sure to text her that I will be at the high school.”