Today, our residents are allowed to retrieve all their belongings. It's also my funeral. Andrew and Toro enter the room dressed in all-black tailored suits, looking like supermodels. I joke, "Where's the photoshoot?"Frowning, Toro loosens his tie. Unamused, Andrew answers, "You were right. This is a dumb idea. Mourners are flocking to the villa. Mama and Micah are actors, but the rest of us aren't. Half the family isn't here, so Bruce has a trillion questions. I have a fucking headache, so I walked away." "So you two left your areas unsecured?""Mama told the people it was time for the repast. Phyllis fainted, and that's when I left."My eyes rolled up in my head, and I blew out a loud sigh.Putting his shades back on, Andrew says, "Well, we better go and make sure things are still in order."I laugh, "Shades? That's a nice mask."Lifting his, Toro says, "We're all wearing shades.""Yeah. This is Melanie's ideal. It hides our crocodile tears." Andrew chuckles."Oh, Melanie's here?" I
Being suspended was fate. I never believed in fate much, but my new book is big on it. It had me write out affirmations and say them several times daily. I also have a vision board. There's not much on it, but the book says I can add as often as I like. Dawn told me her name means "light." The book expounds on knowing your name's meaning and changing it if you don't like it. Ajay means "unconquered and invincible." I love it. I would have never known my name's power had it not been for this book.Since I'm friendless and unemployed, I finished reading my book in four days. The moment I finished, I emailed Dawn. Immediately, she emailed me her phone number and asked me to call."Hi, Dawn.""Ajay, what a powerful name. You are a leader and a warrior. That's magical. Tonight is special, so if you can wear all black and be at the meeting a little before ten, that'll be awesome.""I can do that. See you then."I'm super excited about tonight. All day, I've been primping. Their office is on
The repast ends, and I need to be alone. Micah says, "Jude, the coast isn't clear. Yes, the ferry left, but who knows if someone is lurking."Micah should know that I no longer respect anything he says. Not acknowledging him, I walk outside. Andrew and Toro block me. Andrew pleads, "One more night, okay?""Whoever is lurking wants to die. Enough people know what I am, so please, give me my space." I enter my dark lakehouse and grope my way to my bedroom. Undressed, I crawl into bed. Suddenly, I hear, "I knew you weren't dead."Phyllis cuts on the light, but I leap out of bed and flick it back off, saying, "You're trespassing.""Why are you acting like you're dead? Well, I'll play dead, too. I love you, Jude. I never meant to harm you. I wanted to prove to them it was Micah, but then you changed. You could've always told me the truth."Breathing slow and deep, I whisper, "Phyllis, you can't be here.""Let me stay, please? Jude, I love you." She keeps whispering she loves me each time
Dawn sits watching, waiting for a response. Plastering on a fake smile, I say, "Thanks for enlightening me. If his family ever contacts me, I'll tell them to bury me with him, along with all the lies and deceit."Momentarily, we sit gazing through one another before she says, "See you next meeting. Enjoy your night.""You too."The following day, Mrs. Freer called to let me know they had decided to keep Lana and fire me. I deleted her voicemail and just screamed. Infuriated, I headed to Aunt Irene's, and Ted opened the door. Ted is a stay-at-home husband. Aunt Irene pretends as if he has this flourishing business, but any fool can see he's a drug dealer. Or shall I say "street pharmacist." A terrible one, but he earns his keep by making a few thousand per month. Giving a sleazy grin, he greets, "Hey, niece. Your Auntie's at work, but you know that.""Hey, Ted. And yes, I know. I'm here to see you."He grins harder, asking, "Me? Well, come inside. You wanna hit this?""You know I don
Micah runs off, and I ask, "Where's Deena?""Here I am! Yes, Jude.""You and Sammy go get Melanie. Tell her I said I need her!"Face scowling, Deena grabs Sammy, saying, "Let's go!"Within the hour, Micah has a boat to take us to Florida. Mama's still unconscious. I instructed Deena to stay behind with Toro and Sammy. Melanie, Micah, and Andrew will accompany Mama."Excuse us. We need to talk." I say.Andrew nods while Micah stares into the ocean, ignoring me. Acknowledging Andrew, I then drag Melanie away with me. Once we're alone, I lightly smack her. "The fuh!--"Before she finishes, I smack her again. "Jude, are you crazy!"Collaring her, I grit, "Shut up! How can I depend on you, and you're doing stupid shit like this? What if Mama doesn't recover?""Are you slow? She has you under a fucking spell!""I'm not under a spell! I killed Phyllis!" "What?"Glancing back, I whisper, "Everything Mama said was true. I was being guided, and it helped me.""You really killed her? Ajay aske
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?"
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