Virginia is a blast. Chris's apartment and roommates are very nice. They have their religious moments, but for the most part, they're genuine, fun-loving people.Being there with Chris, it was peaceful. The only time I felt negative energy was when I was alone. Most of the weekend I was with Chris and his friends. But when it was time for me to leave, I felt anxious.I'm fidgety walking into the airport. Chris kisses me then asks, "Are you alright?""Not really, I feel a really strong presence. It's so dark and negative."Instantly, he grabs my hands and starts praying. A little embarrassed, I keep my head down and mumble, "Thanks, babe.""Well, this is as far as I can go. I enjoyed you. I'll try and get to you in a month, okay?"I say okay then lean in for a kiss, but I think I see Jude. I jerk away, Chris shrugs and I chuckle, "I'm not big on public affection, sorry.""Uh, we're not slobbing each other down. It's a goodbye kiss."I do a quick pan of the room and then peck his lips.
Hearing Ajay telling some man she loves him decimates my ego. I block and delete her number as I fight my rage and humiliation. Is that why she denied me the last time I saw her?Chiara busts into my room infuriated. She charges me, but I grab her and start ripping off her clothes. We're destroying my room while having sex and fighting. Within seconds she succumbs to my will. Wilson heard the commotion and rushed inside my room. Seeing us, he stands gawking when I yell, "GET OUT!" We can hear him hurrying down the stairs. Chiara is passed out on my bed when I enter my shower. Although Chiara is pleasing I'm far from satisfied. Head beneath the faucet, I try to drown out my anger. However, Ajay's voice telling Chris she loves him repeats in my head. I'm so jealous I can't see straight. After I shower, Chiara is gone. I enter the kitchen and she and Wilson are whispering. Wilson looks upset. I challenged, "What's the problem?"He stutters, "N-Nothing.""Wilson, I promise, if you lie
I collide with an officer. He grabs me saying, "Whoa! I got you." "It's in my living room! RUN!" I shout. The officers obey my command and sprint back to their cars. Guns cocked and pointed at my front door, I watched wide-eyed. More cop cars arrive as my neighbors begin gathering around. Several officers enter my home and I cover my ears hoping to drown out the torturous screams I'm anticipating. Soon my home fills with light. One officer starts motioning for me and I enter. My storm door is destroyed, but Jude is gone. The officer says, "Well something was definitely in here. We've called animal control and the wildlife department." All I can do is nod. He continues, "Do you have somewhere to stay?" Still shaken, I stammer, "Uh, somewhere to stay? Uh, yeah." "Are you alright? Maybe you need a paramedic or want to go to emergency?" "No! I just want to rest." The police make a report and watch me pack an overnight bag. Animal control is searching the area. I'm not familiar wi
"Eve, where are you going?" Mama asks."Mama, it's the fourth of July. The island is packed. Julius said celebrities are staying at The Mason's.""Eve, you're six months pregnant. This isn't wise.""I'm pregnant, not dying. Let me enjoy the holiday."Suddenly, there's a knock at my bedroom door. "Hey, are you ready?" Julius asks."Mhmm," I answered."Julius, what are you doing?" Mama scolds."Letting Eve see the sun. You have her cooped up in this villa like a prisoner. Let her enjoy the holiday.""I agree," Dad interrupted."Ettore, please don't," Mama huffs."Go instruct the others for the guests, woman. Julius and I will handle this." Ettore demanded.Mama rushes out as Ettore embraces me, asking, "How do you feel?"Nodding, I answered, "I'm okay, I guess.""Your brother will be right beside you. All will be well, okay?"I hug Ettore tighter and then we leave.The Mason's home is packed and I see a familiar face. Julius gasps, "Is that who I think it is?"Grinning from ear to ear,
Deena stretched out her arms as her emerald eyes rolled back in her head. The ocean's waves are billowing as thunder and lightning fill the sky. I'm morphing at the same time. Deena begins to levitate, but I ram into her midsection, knocking her across the beach.I hear Uncle Julius and Micah screaming in the distance, "Stop!" and "Don't do this!"Quickly, Deena rises, and I'm in an invisible choke hold. While I'm fighting for my freedom, she stealthily walks my way. Once she's beside me, I break loose and open my mouth as wide as I can to decapitate her. Then I hear guns shooting.It feels like fire is burning inside me. Someone's shot me with a silver bullet. Deena's smashed under my feet as I regenerate, but she says a word and I become paralyzed and fall to her side like a brick.Sitting on top of me, Deena whispers, "Time to mate," then tries to have sex with me against my will. Her spell leaves, and I flip her over, but instantly she flings me off of her.Another bullet hit me i
I repeat, "A cure? How does it work?""It's not a potion or medicine. It's how you and Deena operate.""The cure is through witchcraft?" "No, it's deeper than that."Jude pauses and I say, "I'm listening."I tried to write it down but I'm sure I missed some key components. Maybe she'll reveal herself to you.""Who?""My mother.""As in your deceased mother?""No, my living mother. Of course, Ajay. What other mother do I have besides Mama and Eve."Sighing, my eyes daze past him. Gently, he grabs my chin and turns my head to face him, asking, "You don't want to help me?""I do, it's just I don't trust those supposedly helping from the other side. How do we know they are who they say they are?""Ajay, I know my mother.""I thought I knew mine, but then she turned into someone else."Watching me a moment, he says, "Funny you say that. Deena took me down her rabbit hole but my mother was there. She spoke but it was Deena's voice. Everything she had told me she contradicted in Deena's wor
"Izzy, what are you going to say? Shouldn't we wait until he returns home? Or maybe he doesn't need to know? Eve said it wasn't his child, so we'll leave it as that.""Zora, Zee told us that family wasn't right!""Well, neither was Eve. So who can we trust?""So if there's any chance Jude is our grandson, you want to leave him in Lorain's and Ettore's care?""Of course not.""Well, what other option do I have?"Zora agrees, so I return Lorain's call. Lorain answers, "Hello, Isadore. I'm so glad you decided to call.""Why the change of heart, Lorain?""Jude needs to know his father.""Zee said you were pretty adamant that he wasn't the father.""I'm not afraid to admit I was wrong." Lorain sighs."How convenient," I sneered, but Zora caressed my arm. Calm, I informed her, "Zee will be home for another week."Lorain replies, "Zebedee doesn't have to be present. I doubt he wants to see me.""He'll be present. I won't allow it any other way.""I understand. Thanks for your kindness. See y
Although Jude is in love with me and is willing to give up everything to be with me, things are different. It seems this is when we should've been intimate, but Jude slept on the couch and I went to bed. Unable to rest, I'm up as soon as the sun rises. Entering my living room, Jude was sitting up, deep in thought.I say, "Good morning. ""Morning.""Do you want breakfast?""Sure. Do you want me to cook or grab takeout?"I grin, "Finally, you're my guest. I'll cater to you."With a faint smile, he nodded. Upon returning with our breakfast, Jude had already called over a contractor to measure and fix my wall. The contractor says, "I'm who this complex uses exclusively, so I'll let the office know it's been paid in full by the owners. We'll start promptly on Saturday morning."Jude thanks him and then escorts him out. He leans against a dining chair as I empty the contents of the restaurant bag onto the kitchen table. "Smells good.""This is a Motown exclusive, so you've never had chi
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