No one calls or comes to Your Portion's office. All weekend, I sat there reading for hours, then once I got home, I read some more. I'm trying to focus tonight, but I can't. My thoughts are going haywire.I'm on my deck, transfixed by the full moon. My neighbor exits, saying, "It's beautiful, isn't it?"Without responding, I rush inside and close my blinds. I slam the book close, thumb through the index, and find the chapter titled "Reversing Curses."Flipping through the pages, I see the heading, "werewolf curse." It seems pretty easy until one of the ingredients is human blood. Again, I slam the book closed and shove it to the floor, whispering, "Ajay, what's wrong with you?"The weekend ends. Dawn texted and called, but I ignored her messages. I'm not upset with her. I'm just trying to suppress my urge to rid Chiara of her power. The following day, I replied to Dawn. There is no need to look suspicious.Wednesday's meeting couldn't come soon enough. Everyone is happy and vibrant. C
They're all seated when I ask, "Would anyone like anything to drink?"Dawn answers, "No, thank you. We're only here for the book."Lifting the book off my table, I hand it to her. She hands it to Lucy, and she leaves. Empty-handed, Lucy returns to her seat, and Dawn says, "Tell us which spell you were trying to use and why.""The spell against my enemies.""One of us is your enemy?""Of course not! All my affirmations speak of destroying my enemies, so...""So what? You know that we don't take revenge. The spirits do our bidding.""I didn't realize that.""Ajay, I've been a witch for thirteen years, so I know that book like the back of my hand. The chapter you're reading is called Reversing Curses. Your enemies aren't cursed...""You don't know my enemies! I'm sure more than one Knight is cursed!" "Who is Knight?"Instantly, I look at Chiara and stutter, "N-No one. My enemy."Glancing across the room, Dawn sighs, "We want you to stay in our coven, but you're on probation. If we find
"Hey," I whisper."Ajay, aren't you going to introduce us?" asks Dawn.Coming out of my trance, I face them, saying, "Everyone, this is Jude. Jude, this is Dawn, Lucia, Karen, Danica, Lucy, Ellie, Phoebe, Margot, Noor, Aurora, and Rayshawn."They all watch Jude, mesmerized. Jude says, "Nice to meet you all."With his hand on the small of my back, he leads me away while Wilson says, "It was a pleasure meeting each of you. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart."Dawn shouts, "Ajay! You're leaving us?"My brow lifted, and I said, "I thought I wasn't invited."Gazing at Jude, she answers, "Well, as fate would have it, you're here now."Jude never acknowledges her but says, "Wilson, let's go."Wilson jogs over to us, asking, "Can Lucy come with us?" Suddenly, Dawn stops me, holding onto my arm. All of the others are right behind her. She says, "Jude, we're sorry to hear about your mother?"Face frowned up, Jude asks, "What about my mother?""Oh? I heard she passed?""Passed where?"
Wilson returns home for a night. He has obligations to keep, so he asks his neighbors to watch his house. The two boys closest to him promise to protect his things while he's away. One of the boys, Wilson, even gives his house key.Once we reach Miami, Wilson asks, "Can we hang here the weekend? I need female companionship. Your call wrecked my flow.""Sure." I yawn."Cool. Let's hit the closest bar.""I'm not hitting shit, dude. I'm resting."Noon the next day, Wilson says, "I'm headed out. Do you want anything?""Where are you headed?""Probably grab a drink, then go watch titties on the beach.""Alright. I want to travel south. After your voyeuring, we need to rest, but I'll come to find you.""Bet."We give each other a dap, and then he leaves. Needing iced coffee, I walk down to the nearest coffee shop. Heading toward the beach, I feel eyes. As I pan my surroundings, I see a gorgeous woman. She's blatantly watching. Rolling my eyes away from her, I put on my shades and continue m
Early the following day, Wilson picked me up. While I was dressing, he asked, "Where are your clothes? This is how we met, with you naked in the woods. What's this about? And tell me the truth.""Remember, I said the less you know, the better?"Wilson nods, and I continue, "It still stands. You're my friend, Wilson. At the right time, I'll tell you everything, but today, please get me as far away from Knight Island as possible. If some college girls can find me, the authorities will.Use your fake ID to get us a rental car. We'll drive to another big city, get a new rental, and then drive until I feel safe." Our road trip is calming during the day, but my mind goes to Ajay whenever Wilson's asleep. She's a witch like Mama. Then I'll hear Melanie warning me Mama had me under a spell. Am I only attracted to Ajay due to some spell she's cast on me? Next, my thoughts drift to Chiara. Everything about her is erotic, exotic, and beautiful, but I wasn't attracted to her. Seeing this woman
"What?" I frown. "Have you seen me before?" Mimi asks and then jumps out of her seat, grabbing her children. The kids look terrified. Motioning for them to calm down, I say, "I only want to help." "Why?" Wilson stands, and Mimi screams. Now, her children are hugging her and crying. Walking backward, she pushes her children towards the door. As they exit, I say, "At least take the food." I follow her, but Wilson grabs me, saying, "Dude, this is too weird. Let her go!" Snatching away, I jog after her, calling, "Mimi! Wait!" She starts sprinting away with both kids in her arms, but I catch her. Out of breath, I ask, "What's wrong with you? It's dark, and you're in the fucking swamps with two toddlers! Stay the night, and then leave while it's day. If not for your sake, your children's!" There's rustling in the trees. We all stand frozen. It stops, and she says, "Louisana backwoods aren't the most holy places to stay, so my running is mainly for my children's sake. We'll stay, but
Once Chiara tells me Jude asked her to join him in Blue Luna, my heart stops. The entire table watches me in silence. Before a tear falls, I stand, and Dawn asks, "Ajay, where are you going? Sit down."Shaking my head, I walk away, but Dawn and Rayshawn catch me. Breathless, I whisper, "Please, let me go.""Please, let's talk." Dawn pleads. Soon, they all follow us outside the diner. There's a park behind it, so I walk towards the pond. I stop and stare straight ahead. Behind me, from over my shoulder, Dawn says, "Tell us why you're so upset with us. You told us Jude was deceased. I don't remember you revealing his location or anything. Chiara's spirit guide led her here, so how is this b.s. to you?"Now facing them, I answer, "Because my spirit guide told me I've been deceived.""You're a newbie, Ajay. You don't have a spirit guide yet.""Yes, I do!""Who is it, and when did they reveal themselves?""My mother and last night."Huffy, Dawn sighs, "Everyone sees their mother at first,
Ellie pulls up in a beautiful luxury car, and I say, "Nice wheels.""I'm an accountant by day," she giggles.She stopped at a gas station, and we grabbed coffee. While waiting behind an older gentleman purchasing gas, she whispers, "Can you guess his name?""Huh?""Take a guess.""Uh, Harry," I chuckle."I'm guessing it'll be Rick.""Okay, how will we know?""He left his wallet in the car.""What?" I laugh again.The man approaches the counter and reaches into his pocket. Clicking his tongue, he says, "I'm sorry. I left my wallet in my car. I'll be back."The cashier smiles and says, "No problem, Rick. ... Is that it for you two ladies?"Ellie answers, "We're in no rush. We'll wait."Wide-eyed, I'm staring into space. Facing away from the cashier, Ellie whispers in my ear, "Rick's having an affair with the cashier. He lied so we'd leave, but now he has to play it off since we stayed."Eyes squinted, I glance her way. Rick sighs and then nods as he walks past us. The cashier asks, "Wil
The same night I googled Dr. Houseman. He has a private practice across town. I schedule an appointment, but he's not available until next month. Uncomfortable going to anyone else, I keep the appointment and buy a home pregnancy test.My sweaty palms wet the box, while my trembling hand held the stick steady. I waited the instructed time, and it came back inconclusive. I run to the drugstore and purchase three more tests. They all yield the same result.Justine told me Delilah was discharged from the ICU and apologized to Zelma. Delilah told Zelma, "I've been consumed with Jude and finding his truth for so long that I haven't even lived. These days I grieve for Mama. She was so deep into this that there was no way she could walk away and live a normal life.I've had Eve only a few weeks, and I love her as my own. Mama loved Jude. She did what she thought was best. If Jude ever comes for Eve, she's his, so I'd have no choice but to return his daughter. But until then, I'll love and ra
I left Floyd perplexed. Soon, I heard Jude questioning me about the short story Eve wrote about Samuel and his brother. Plopping onto my couch, I close my eyes and concentrate, hoping to remember anything significant.Suddenly, I recall Mr. Knight saying, "I hear my mother's singing in my head and whisper, "Dreamers? No, filthy dreamers. My bloodied fingers thumb through my Bible. Weak and dying, I circle the chapter at the top of the page. My shaky hand draws an arrow, and I write, This is his name."Immediately, I rushed and opened the small suitcase I had taken from the island. It has Jude's Bible inside. I remove it, go to the table of contents, and find the Book of Jude. Jude had circled the title in blood.As I stare at the encircled name, I realize that Samuel VII and Mr. Knight are the same. Samuel is the baby's father. The story instructed the Knight's lineage to name his son and the next Alpha, Jude.Soon I'm wondering why Samuel slaughtered his students. Did he hope to be k
Paige offers to go with me to see Mrs. Freer. I decided it was best to go alone. Walking on campus was strange. It seems like eons ago this was where I spent most of my time. Upon entering the administration building, I see familiar faces. Some greet me while others walk by, oblivious to who I am. I exit the elevator on our floor and see Mrs. Freer talking with two coworkers.Seeing me, she does a double-take. Quickly, she ends her conversation and heads toward me. "Ms. Vernon. This is a bewildering surprise.""Hi, Mrs. Freer. My name's Mrs. Knight now, and yes, I'm sure seeing me is surprising.""Mrs. Knight, wow. Well, congratulations. Now, may I know why you're here?""I need to speak with a professor, preferably one knowledgeable in astronomy.""Professor Floyd was a friend of Phyllis's. She asked for the same help right before she passed.""Mrs. Freer, it's terrible what happened to Phyllis. I'll admit, I was pretty heartless in the past, but I'm a new person. If possible, I'd a
I decide to wait in the car and let Justine handle everything. Once Zelma opens the door, she sees me. Instantly, she gripes, "What is she doing here?"Justine says, "She needs our help, Zelma.""From the moment I first helped her, it's been nothing but tragedy for those I love. You promised me you wouldn't go to Knight Island.""If we hadn't gone, Ajay would've been stranded there.""I don't care!" Zelma shouts."We're not like that, Zelma." Justine sighs.As much as it hurts, Zelma is right. Since the moment I stepped on Knight Island, it's been nothing but devastation and death. Once we get to their home, I retrieve my suitcase and leave. I tell Justine, "I promise I'll be in touch."Before I exit, Zelma stops me, saying, "I don't hate you, Ajay. And I understand the hold Jude has on you. I know you're worried and want to find him, but have you ever considered maybe he wants to be lost?Delilah attacked me over some books with mathematical formulas that no human could possibly deci
I'm hiding in what's left of this burned cabin when I hear voices. Realizing they're women, I rush out into the open. I see a woman running, and two chasing her. Then I hear, "Shellie, stop running!"I see Justine and cry out, "Justine! Over here!""Ajay? Is that you?" Justine shouts.Immediately, Shellie stops and runs toward me. Dottie and Justine come to me as well. They all stood staring my way, speechless. Slowly, Justine reaches to touch me and asks, "Are you okay?"The only thing I could do was cry. All three of them huddle around me. These strange sounds in the distance make Dottie say, "I think we need to go.""Are you alone? Where's Jude?" Justine asks."I'm alone, and Dottie's right. We need to leave."They have food and liquor on their boat. All three care for me until I'm no longer trembling from fear. We're miles away from the island when Justine asks, "Do you want to talk about it?"How do I explain this? Honestly, I don't know what happened myself. Coughing to clear my
Zelma doesn't know. I've been looking for Ajay forever. After I learned she practiced witchcraft, I told Zelma. Zelma warned me, "Knight Island was demonic. We just didn't know it. Dad was privy to some information but tragically learned it wasn't just superstition and ghost stories."I'd called Ajay but she never called back. Then, I decided to wait for her in the library's occult section. Afraid other students would see me and think I was a witch, I started asking about her instead.The student aid at the desk knew who she was. He told me, "Ajay is great. I haven't seen her in a minute, but sometimes she'd go to the coffee shop down the street."Cafe Sheol made me look more sketchy than sitting in the library. Only the barista and I are present. I go to the counter, order a tall latte, and ask, "Hi Cecily, I'm Justine. Do you remember a girl named Ajay being a customer?"Before I can describe her, Cecily answers, "Of course. I love Ajay. Why do you ask?"I explained how we lost cont
My life flashes before me as we drop to the ground. I open my eyes and am in the top bunk bed at my foster home. It's a clear night. As I gaze out into the stars, I think, I wish someone loved me.The Michaels have four foster children. All four of us are girls. We're all around the same age. I climb out of bed to use the toilet and overhear my foster parents discussing how one of the girls has been adopted.I hurry back to my room, crying. Now, staring into the night sky again, I whisper, "Please let someone love me." The following morning, Aunt Irene adopted me.It's my senior year of high school. My boyfriend, Benjamin, and I ditch prom and drive to the marina. We sneak in and lie in someone's boat. Lying beside each other, we gaze up into the sky, and he asks, "Do you think anyone's truly out there?"I answer, "Look how beautiful and vast the sky is. How can it not be?"Nodding, Ben says, "I agree. So, is it God or aliens?""Definitely, God. Aliens are techies, according to what t
After weeks of sailing, we find nothing. We return to Brazil, and Jude says, "Let's just go home."The closer we get to Knight Island, the more uneasy I feel. Early morning, we leave Florida. Soon, the island appears, but it's no longer the paradise I knew. It's burning wasteland. Wide-eyed, I look at Jude, but he's expressionless. I stammer, "W-What happened?"Knight Island looks exactly like the island I spent a night alone on. Had I swam all the way here and then returned to another location near Columbia? Our boat hits a rock behind this burned-down villa. Jude anchors our boat and then stretches out his hand. Nervous, I lightly place my palm in his. He helps me to shore. Once he releases me, I stare into his eyes.Exhaling, he pans across the island, saying, "They would've told my secret. I start to panic, but a still voice calmly says, "Agree with him."Through a shaky voice, I say, "You're right, babe."Jude cuts his eyes at me and says, "Come here. I'll carry you."He lifts
Mrs. Dotson taps her ruler on her desk, saying, "Sit down, students. Class is in session. It's October 30. Today we will explore stories of myths and monsters."A crisp autumn breeze gusts through the room from the opened window. The ten children are prim and proper for school, in their uniforms. Each innocent face intently gazes at Mrs. Dotson, anticipating her reading.She looks up and sees me standing in her doorway. Her eyes light up, and she says, "Kind day to you, Mr. Knight. Is there something that you need?""I'm celebrating my birthday. I hoped to leave a tad earlier. Will you see to it that my class leaves on time?""Anything for you, Mr. Knight.""Thanks."I enter my mill and chain myself in the dungeon. Everyone I love dies. It's been 500 years, and I'm still here. As the sun sets and the full moon rises, I begin my change. Though I can control my inner beast, tonight I'm frustrated and want to kill. But killing will attract unwanted attention. Once I'm transformed, I let