3: JUST LIKE HIS

SEVEN YEARS LATER 

CELESTE'S POV

The cold air fanned my face as I ventured deeper into the woods. The howling winds echoed in my ears, dampening my other senses. My eyes fought to see as the gigantic trees cast a dark, shadowy pathway for me to run.

I glanced behind me as I trudged forward, looking for somewhere to hide. The footsteps behind me got closer and closer the more I ran. I made a left turn and collided with the shadowy figure that had been chasing me. The impact of the hit made me land on my ass, and before I could regain my composure, it lunged at me. Its eyes gleamed golden, and its teeth sharpened to points. It looked like a man, but it wasn't. It was a beast in the skin of Dominic.

*Beeeep Beeeeeep*

The sound of my alarm clock woke me from my nightmarish slumber. Feeling groggy and disturbed, I hit the snooze button on the noisy instrument and threw the bedcovers off my body. I'd been having the same nightmare every night for years now. My belly protested as I made my way to my small bathroom. Turning the tap on, I ran my hands under the flowing water to test its temperature. Cold, as always. That was the downside of living in Oxford, England. It was always cold in my opinion.

I splashed the water on my face before turning off the tap. I examined my reflection in the mirror as my cheeks instantly came to life. I ran a hand through my dark brown hair and leaned in closer to the mirror to assess my features. I threw my hair over my shoulders, revealing the scar on my neck, leading down to my left shoulder. I used my forefinger to outline the scar that remained there. A scar that was a reminder of a night that I would never forget, a night that I would classify as the worst night of my existence.

Over the past year, I had been contemplating getting a tattoo to cover up the scar, but for some reason, I had never gotten around to doing it. Not that the scar was hideous. In fact, it looked like a tiny wolf howling at a tiny moon. I always wore clothes to cover it. People reacted differently to it. Some wanted to know if it was a birthmark, while others wanted to know if it was a tattoo. But honestly, I didn't know what it was myself. All I knew was it had formed the day after Dominic bit me. The memory of that night sent shudders up and down my spine.

Just then, I heard my cell phone ringing, and I knew who would be calling me at 7 in the morning.

“Good morning, mother,” I answered in a cheery voice.

“Hello, sweetheart,” she returned.

“Mom, don't you ever sleep? It's like 2 am in America.”

“I know I should be sleeping, but I can't. They found another body. This time it's closer to us.”

“Wow really? How close?” I questioned with concern. Five years ago, my mother informed me that Sheriff Black was killed during a stand-off with the persons who were doing the killings. Apparently, a group of men who were part of a gang called the Rogues were slaughtering people for reasons still unknown to the public. The place got quiet after that. There were hardly any murders like those until a year ago.

“Do you remember Mr. Garvey from your high school? They found him today behind the school. The authorities think it's the same killer from the previous murders several years ago.”

“That's terrible,” I let out. Mr. Garvey was a good man. “But why would they think that, though? Didn't the late Sheriff kill the serial killers responsible?"

“Yes. So people are saying we are looking at a copycat killer. Because this time around, the killer left a note written in Mr. Garvey's blood," My mother explained. “I'm glad you're coming home but I still worry for your safety knowing that your agency is sending you here on the case.”

“Mother, please don't remind me. I can't wait to get there to figure out what's really going on, so I can get back home as soon as possible.”

“Celeste," my mother sighed. “I know you never really told your father and me what really happened on prom night, but know that we are here for you.”

“Thanks, mom, and I can't wait for you guys to meet DJ.”

“How is my grandson doing? He is so smart and handsome, too.”

“He's fine. I was just about to go wake him.”

“Still haven't told him where he's going, huh?”

“Nope, but I will. I'm just waiting on the right time.”

“When is that? Remember it's in a week. Are you waiting until you are on the plane?” My mother sought. 

“Maybe,” I laughed.

“Either way, he will be happy, and hopefully, you will agree to go on a date with the Sheriff when you get here.”

Oh, no, here she goes again

“Mom, let's not go there. My son is fine, and I'm all he needs. Plus, I don't do blind dates.” My mother had been telling me about the hot new Sheriff and how good he was to her and dad. She said she told him he would make the perfect husband for her daughter. 

“I'm just saying, a child should have a father figure around," she paused. “Honey, I'm sorry you don't know who he is.”

“Mom,” I nearly shouted. “I said not to go there.”

My parents thought I was raped that night and left for dead, but I couldn't come to terms with what I saw. I packed my stuff a day later and left for England to live with my aunt Bev.

“Okay, okay.”

“I am doing what is right for my son.”

“Alright sweetie, I love the both of you regardless of how he got here. I'm going to try and get some rest now.”

“We love you too. I'll call you later.” I said, as I ended the call.

I grabbed my robe from a rack and threw it around my body, and headed for my son's room. I knocked on the door before slowly pushing it open. He was already up and playing his video game.

“Good morning, DJ,” I chimed as I placed a small kiss on the top of his head.

“Morning mom,” he replied with his eyes focused on the TV screen.

When I found out I was pregnant seven years ago, I thought that my life was ruined. Being in a new country, even though I had aunty Bev, I still felt all alone. That was one of the scariest times of my life. I thought about having an abortion. I didn't want to carry that son of a bitch's child, but when that doppler picked up his strong heartbeat, my love for my son outgrew the anger I had towards his father. So, I mustered everything I had and endured and persevered through college. I got a job at one of the most famous news stations as an investigative reporter, which I was grateful for. I met a lot of good and helpful people here, such as my best friend Darcy. Unfortunately, Darcy was only here for a while and a year ago, she had to go back home to America. We kept in touch and called each other almost every day. DJ loved Darcy and was very sad when she left.

“DJ, don't you think it's too early for video games?” I asked as I sat beside him on his bed.

“Nope,” he simply answered.

“Well, it is,” I stated as I observed the TV screen and saw two wolves devouring what seemed to be a hippopotamus.

“OK mom, but please give me 10 more minutes. I only need a few more points to level up.”

“I don't know why you find these vulgar games fun. Who wants to see animals eating each other.”

“The wolves are cool and fascinating and besides, they are just protecting themselves,” he explained.

“Well, you have five more minutes. Hurry and come down for breakfast,” I said while ruffling his dark hair.

Fifteen minutes later, and we were both seated at the small round table in our dining space. I made toast with eggs, bacon, and brussel spouts, which was DJ's favourite.

Just like Dominic. Why did DJ have to be the splitting image of him? They had similar personalities too. The same shiny dark hair, the same oceanic blue eyes, and even though DJ was just a child, I could see the small cleft forming on his chin. Just like his.

Everything about my son reminded me of the man I had always tried to forget. They said time heals all wounds, but I guess time cannot erase memories.

I watched as my son popped a sprout into his mouth and began chewing. He even chewed like him. How could two people bore so much resemblance? I thought as I studied DJ.

“Mom, why ya looking at me like that?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.

“Nothing, finish your meal,” I ordered as I took a sip of my ginger mint tea.

“I'm trying, but you're acting weird.”

“OK, I'll stop being weird and finish my food, plus we have to get a move on because we need to finish packing. Time is winding down slowly for us to leave here.”

“But I don't wanna leave,” he whined.

He was hesitant because I didn't tell him where we were moving to. I thought it would be a delightful surprise for him, especially since he had been longing to see his relatives.

“I know, sweetheart, but it's just until I finish a project for work. Mommy got a promotion, so she will make more money and I will have better work hours, so we will get to spend more time together and you wanna hear the cherry on top,” I smiled and embraced him.

“What's that?” he asked sceptically.

“We will be going to your grandma and grandpa, plus you will get to meet your cousins and other kids to play with.” I finished.

DJ paused eating and looked at me with wide eyes. “What!” he exclaimed with glee. I smiled and nodded. “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," he got over-enthused. He dashed out of his seat and ran up to hug me. I stood, so he could get his tiny hands around me better. DJ almost hugged the breakfast out of me.

“DJ, honey. Too tight," I warned. He definitely got his strength from his father. He pulled back and looked up at me.

“Sorry, mom. I guess I'm a little too excited," he giggled. I wanted to smile back but my lips slanted downwards as I stared at my son's smiling face. I stepped back, tripping over my chair. Terror crept up on me as I saw his pupils. They flashed from blue to gold. Just like his.