Lilburn, Georgia 1992** Candice **In a manner of minutes, I'll be walking into my fourth high school and everyone will be staring at the new girl. We've moved so many times in the past three years, I'm nauseated before I even leave this crappy apartment. This time, we've landed in the middle of small town Georgia because Mom ran out of money and needs a job. Again. Thank God this is my last year in high school. "Candice!" Mom screams from downstairs. "Where's my tip money?" The bite in her voice practically slaps me in the face. Mom's already pissed and it's only seven thirty in the morning. That might be a new record. She must have forgotten where she hid it again, but I can't tell her that or even admit that I can usually find it within minutes. I'm pretty sure I know why she's been more on edge than normal. Every penny she had saved was eaten up by having to pay our first and last month's rent and now we're living on her leftover tips.Clearly, I need to be more car
"Welcome to Parkview High! I'm Mrs. Stephens," the overly enthusiastic counselor says, gesturing me into her office. Her periwinkle blue jumpsuit is my first clue that a '70s hippie wardrobe is alive and well in her closet. I don't think I've ever seen so many bracelets, ear piercings, or necklaces on one person before. Eccentric doesn't even cover it. I smile back, even though I know it's not quite reaching my eyes, and take a seat anyway. I notice right away a large framed diploma from The University of Georgia hanging just above the credenza and what look like framed family photos neatly placed below. I close my eyes for a second and swallow. Family. Wouldn't that be nice?Opening the manila envelope I handed her when I walked in, Mrs. Stephens takes out my transcripts and places them on her desk. She begins to look over them as if double-checking the contents. The constant popping sound she's making with her gum is annoying the crap out of me. Seconds later, she glances u
After finding a seat in the back of the class, I can finally get a deep breath. I know the hardest part about being the new girl is the being new part, but my stomach still has some catching up to do. It's nothing new; I pretty much stay in a perpetual state of uneasiness thanks to the unpredictable world I live in. The first few weeks are always the worst though.I manage to clear my head long enough to take a few notes in between the occasional stare from a guy next to me and again from a girl on my left. I swear it'd be easier if I just wore a freaking nametag saying, "I'm new, not an alien." When the bell rings I bolt out of the room as quickly as I can. My only focus is to find my next class before I have to ask for help. I don't want favors and I don't want charity because nothing in my world is free. Everything is conditional. I thought by now I'd be used to the way we live but what I really do is fake it. Just like my mom. Most of the time I feel like I'm on autopilot, trudg
** Brad **It was a stroke of sheer luck that the seat next to me was empty. And when Candice Crawford sat down, it was hard to keep my eyes off her. She caught me by surprise and I felt like shit watching her fall outside the restroom. I instantly began picking up items tossed from her backpack and was curious when she didn't take my hand when I stood up. I wasn't expecting that kind of response. We stayed frozen in an awkward silence for a split second before she jumped to her feet, unaware I was still watching her. I didn't like how her face contorted and I knew without question she was in pain. I immediately got rid of the assholes doing nothing but laughing, yet somehow my small gesture wasn't enough. I wanted to do more, but when she looked up at me I couldn't think.I offered my help when the bell rang because I was pretty sure she didn't know where her next class was either, but she turned me down. I couldn't help but laugh, even though she was a complete stranger to me;
** Candice **All during chemistry, I felt Brad's eyes on me and it seemed like forever before class was over. I wish I were like other, normal girls, excited to have the attention of an attractive guy. But I simply can't have him right now-not when my life is shit. My head won't allow it even though my heart doesn't understand. I've never had roots and I sure as hell don't think we'll stick around here long enough for them to grow. I wait for most of the students to leave before I try to stand because I'm pretty sure I'll need a second. I have no doubt I'll look like I'm a hundred for the first few steps. The pain in my lower back isn't as bad as it was at the beginning of class, but the last thing I want is to draw attention to myself. I'll risk being tardy.As I leave the room I see Brad standing outside the door and I make the mistake of looking up at him. His lips curl up and for a split second, I can't remember why I told myself to stay away from him."Need some help fin
If it weren't for my desire to go to college, I probably would've bailed on Mom already. But I need her, even if she is a complete mess. There's no way I can get an apartment on my own and also support myself. So I'll follow her rules until May. I don't have a choice, no matter where we end up. I promised myself a while back that I would bust my ass and keep up my grade point average. I just hope it's enough to get some kind of academic scholarship. I know I won't go to Princeton or anything, but any state college will do. And whichever one puts the most miles between my mother and I will be the one I choose.I'm a few blocks away from the school, looking up at the enormous pine trees, when I hear what sounds like a voice or maybe my name-I can't be sure. But I definitely heard something. I stop and scan the area, searching for someone who might have called for me, trying to figure out who would even know me. But there's no one around. The house I'm stopped in front of looks like
I sit with my back against the wall for a while, adjusting myself to stay in the light as I watch the sun move across the room. I'm so relaxed I have to fight to keep my eyes open; I can feel myself drifting in and out. It doesn't take long for my lids feel like lead so I give in, feeling completely tranquil until my mind begins replaying the events from this morning with Mom. I can even smell the cigarettes and booze on her breath. I'm bracing myself for another smack when the scene suddenly changes and I see my father pushing me on a park swing. I'm maybe only five years old and I'm laughing as I beg him to push me harder. When he does, I instantly fall off, his voice screaming my name, becoming its own echo. I look up and can't see my dad anywhere because a black mist forms from the ground up, blacking out my vision. It's so dark that panic starts rising in my stomach because I know I'm alone. I hear my name and watch as the mist slowly begins to morph into the shape of a man. My
** Candice **I race back to the apartment, hoping-no, praying-my mother isn't home. Or at the very least, passed out from a night of drinking. But no such luck. The kitchen light is on and I can see her through the window, sitting at the table with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other. My stomach drops. I'm in for it now.I want to turn around and run but I know I'll have to face her eventually. I slowly open the door and calmly walk over to the table, scooting back a chair as I sit across from her. Hopefully there will be enough space for me to avoid a slap-or worse.She doesn't say a word; she simply stares at me, cocking her head to the side as if in serious contemplation on how to murder me. I'll try my best not to set her off; I don't want to say anything she could use against me. She's already fond of that little trick, but I have to come up with something. Anything to break the solid block of ice hanging between us. She reaches for her whiskey glass, pulling
Brad sucks in a breath when the nurse yanks his arm to strap on the blood pressure cuff. Several layers of white compression bandages are around his ribs and I'm having a hard time believing she didn't notice. I give her a concerned glare. She looks at me then back to Brad. Apparently she finally realized she's been a little aggressive and apologizes, releasing his arm. Clearly, Brad's unscathed because he immediately reaches for my hand. I'm about to get on my knees and beg his forgiveness for putting him here in the first place when there's a knock on the door and we both look up.Two people walk in and it only takes one second for me to realize they're Brad's parents. The concerned looks on their faces pull at my heart. His mother instantly rushes over to him, gliding her palm over his face. Brad's dad follows her, standing behind, as if allowing his wife to have the first moment with their son. "Baby," is the only thing Mrs. Davis gets out before she starts to cry. "I'm okay
Mrs. Stephens starts the first cup and the heavy smell of coffee hits the air. A couple minutes later, she walks back and places two cups on the table before pulling out a chair. "Thanks," I say, taking a sip. She laughs when I make a face. It's the crappiest cup of anything I've ever had. "Yeah, it's pretty bad," she admits, pushing her cup away. Then she cocks her head as if she's sensing my emotions. And she probably is. I'm getting used to it, I think, her reading me."Well, at this rate, the hospital should probably set you up a cot." She laughs, trying to lighten my mood.I'm sure she knows I feel like shit for putting her and Brad through hell. I take another sip, glad it tastes terrible. It's exactly what I deserve.Mrs. Stephens reaches for my hand across the table and I look up to see the kindness in her eyes. I try not to lose it and bawl my eyes out again, so I look away. She squeezes tighter. "You've got to stop beating yourself up about this, Candice.""I can'
When we stop at the front desk of the ICU to check in, the nurse asks us to wait for Dr. Calloway. Apparently, something new has developed with my mom and he wants to talk to me about it. To say I'm nervous would be an understatement. I'm sure she's gotten worse; I'll be an orphan by tomorrow, I just know it.Five minutes later he walks out of the double doors and sits down across from us. He looks at me, then to Mrs. Stephens, asking permission to talk freely in front of her. I tell him it's okay and he scratches his head like he's confused."I'm not sure how to tell you this, but..." He pauses, looking down at his clipboard as Mrs. Stephens takes my hand. Doctor Calloway looks back up at me and says, "Thirty minutes ago, your mother woke up from her coma." His brows push together like he's still in disbelief but then a smile slowly washes over his face. Mrs. Stephens instantly gives me a hug and whispers, "She's free of him, too." I smile back at her, wiping a tear from my ch
**Candice**Mrs. Stephens called Brad's parents immediately after he was admitted, telling them what happened and to come to the hospital as soon as possible. I stood next to her at the pay phone, listening to her story, nervous and shaking and out of my mind with worry for him all at once. She glanced over at me for a split second and rubbed my arm as if she knew I was consumed with guilt. Then she cleared her throat and continued, telling Brad's parents that we'd been investigating the Emory house for a class project at school. She paused, I assume to listen to their concerns, before agreeing it was a really bad idea that we snuck into an abandoned house. She effortlessly described how Brad "lost his balance" at the top of the already dilapidated stairs. Fortunately, she was very convincing and never gave out too many details. Apparently, when parents find out their kids are hurt, how it happened isn't all that important. And the fact that she's an adult who works at the school de
** Brad **BanishmentMrs. Stephens is walking the perimeter of the room, repeating her words as she tips the vile, allowing the black water to drop on the floor. Without warning, what sounds like hundreds of voices fill up the room, making it impossible to hear, while millions of black, dust-like specs swirl around the room.My eyes are drawn up when I realize the black shadow creatures are back, turning in circles above our heads. Bloodcurdling screams and horrific, demonic cries reverberate around us as if they're having a war with one another. Shrieks fade in and out until every last creature finally vanishes into midair, silent. I shift my eyes back and forth, looking for Atticus, but there's no sign of him.I don't know what the hell Mrs. Stephens is doing, but it's working. She's shouting her words, chanting them louder and louder, shaking the vile of black liquid in the air. I can actually feel the negativity being forced out of the room. The room is still smoky but it fe
** Brad **Man to Man"You had a chance to leave, yet you chose to stay," Atticus says, looking genuinely curious. "Do you love her?"Ignoring him, I attempt to get back up but he stands over me, demanding my answer. I slowly look up at him, trying to keep his attention away from my hand, gathering some of the fallen salt."Answer me!" he shouts as animal-like shadows begin crawling along the ceiling.If I weren't in so much pain, the horrific show above my head would be terrifying, but I'm finally able to get a full breath and force my legs to pull me up. Immediately, my hand tosses the last bits of black salt in his face. He disappears again but this time, I'm ready for it. I know I only have a few seconds to get Candice down. "Brad, run!" Candice shrieks.I turn around to see Atticus flying straight toward me, both hands stretched out, aiming directly for my throat."Stop...I love him!" Candice cries out.Atticus whips his head at Candice and I watch her take what looks like a g
** Brad **I check my pocket again, touching the small lump of black salt. It's my only defense. I have no idea if it will work but I have to do something. I just hope like hell I'm not too late. I'm instantly nauseated just thinking about it.I make a right on Oak Lawn, parking two houses down before cutting the engine. I sneak out, barely clicking the door shut as I duck and run, sneaking across the lawn like I'm about to rob the place.The house is quiet but as I get closer and slip through the broken out window, I can hear talking in the distance. I try to be as quiet I can, but my heart is practically bursting through my chest, requiring me to take quick breaths. If I'm not careful, I'm sure they'll hear me coming by that alone. I want so badly to call for her but force myself to stop and listen. A few seconds go by before I hear something. It's faint but it sounds like a male voice coming from upstairs.Atticus.Ducking behind the staircase, I close my eyes and stop to con
** Brad ** The back door opens and I already know it's Mom. The Family Law office she manages closes at five thirty every day, even though most of the attorneys stick around longer. Sometimes Mom stays after too, picking their brains about class action suits and indictments. Especially if there's a case she's interested in. Even without going to law school, it wouldn't surprise me if she could pass the Bar exam."Hey," I call over my shoulder."Hi, honey. What are you making?""Mac and cheese." I pause because I think I hear Candice. Maybe she's awake? "How 'bout I make us a couple sandwiches to go with it?" Mom suggests, opening the pantry door.I better tell Mom what's going on before Candice beats me to it. If she walks out of the guest room looking like she just woke up, it might be a little bit of a shock. The good thing is, Mom prides herself on helping others, so there's a pretty decent chance she'll be okay with it."I need to talk to you." "Sure. What's up?" She s
"Hello, Candice." His voice is still so beautiful and I reach out to him. "How did you find me?" I don't know why I asked; I already know the answer. He's part of me now."You must come with me." It feels like cool fingers are tapping on my cheek. When I push up on my elbows and look around, he's not there. I turn to look out the window and see the edge of the sun resting just above the horizon. I've been asleep for a couple of hours."Atticus?" I call out, but I he doesn't answer.Lifting the covers, I step out of bed to get a better look and I'm right, I'm alone. Instantly, my head begins to throb again and I hear his voice. But it's not coming from inside the room; he's in my thoughts. "If you want the pain to stop, you must return to me." Every time he speaks, the pain eases a bit, then returns with a vengeance-worse than before. I'm having a hard time trying to think, but I know I have to leave as soon as possible. I rush over to the window, hoping I can sneak out witho