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Chapter 62: Hey, Hey, We're Here to Stay
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The True Nature Series Chapter 63: Wedding Announcement
RUTHIE THREW HERSELF ACROSS my bed as I grabbed a photo album and wiped off the dust that blanketed the tops of the pages. "I know it's in here somewhere," I said, sinking down next to her and turning the pages. "I used to look through this album all the time as a kid. Oh, here it is." I pointed to a group of people. A bright blue banner stretched across a backyard patio, indicating that it was Dad's thirtieth birthday party. While I didn't recognize the place, I did recognize the people. And one person in particular grabbed my interest and confirmed my suspicions. Dang it. Sometimes it sucked to be right. I sighed. Time to introduce Ruthie to the whole family, I thought. But I'll leave that woman for last."This is Mom." I pointed to the people as I said their names. "And Dad." They looked so different, younger and happier. And they had better hair back then, which was something Ruthie couldn't resist pointing out. "Wow," she gushed. "Hair really does change their look." Mom'
The True Nature Series Chapter 64: Aunt Caroline
SHE SET ASIDE THE announcement and photo album and perched herself on the edge of the bed. "So, you think that the wolf you saw in your backyard was, in fact, your Aunt Caroline?" "Yeah. It makes crazy sense." Another thought popped into my head. "Oh, and I almost forgot. Dante said 'the fixer' was different, that she was usemi, you know, a wolf shape-shifter. But she used to be idimmu. Idimmu are hybrids - a mix of human and something else." I air quoted "something else." "And that makes her way more unusual than just being usemi." If my aunt was Dante's "fixer" then I had as much reason to pity her as I had to hate her."No way! Your aunt is a werewolf?" Even Ruthie's extensive limits of believability were being stretched thin, but her voice said she had already accepted it. "Your dream about the fight between the wolf and vampire, where the girl was bitten by the wolf. You think it's her, don't you?" she said. I shrugged. "What about the vampire guy?" Ruthie asked. "Do you
The True Nature Series Chapter 65: Bobby's Warning
I PLOPPED DOWN ON my bed, letting its softness comfort me. It was my safe place and the site of many conversations with Ruthie. We told each other everything here. And now we could add supernatural secrets to the list. Rubbing a hand along the yarn tied into the quilt, I thought of my mother making it. I realized she was wrapped up in the sense of security I felt here, making my bed like sacred ground to me. And as our lives had taken such an ominous turn, I drew strength from both the blanket and my best friend. We batted around the implications of this mysterious cousin and where he or she could be. Perhaps the child had been adopted. Maybe the kid was dead. I hoped not. The upside was that I might not be the last hope for my family's gene pool. Maybe it wasn't all up to me.Ruthie's phone cackled suddenly, startling both of us. It was the laugh of the wicked witch from The Wizard of Oz. I smiled and shook my head at Ruthie. Her mom was a lot cooler than she gave her credit for.
The True Nature Series Chapter 66: VX
IN THE MORNING I was surprised to hear the doorbell ring instead of Ruthie's car horn. I zipped up my backpack and headed downstairs, following the voices to the kitchen. Dad and Ruthie huddled around the counter."What are you two up to?" I called out, already guessing.Ruthie whipped around, a toothy grin on her face. "It's hot cocoa day!" she quipped, holding out her paper cup. I looked out the window to see a bright sunny day awaiting us. Last night's cold fog had disappeared and been replaced with brightness and warmth. It didn't seem cold enough to warrant hot cocoa, but this was Ruthie Robles we were talking about."Every day is hot cocoa day for you," I countered, with a knowing smile. Dad stocked up on disposable mugs just for Ruthie's requests."It's the least I can do for Ruthie since she won't take any gas money," inserted Dad, topping her cup with a large helping of whipping cream.Ruthie's head vibrated with excitement. "Thanks Mr. Parker! You've got the best recip
The True Nature Series Chapter 67: Flowers-in-the-Attic Scary
MY SLEEPLESS AND DREAMLESS night suddenly caught up with me, and before I knew it, I was snoozing.**I was in an unfamiliar house, furnished with denim and suede fabrics, heavy draperies, and shiny crystal chandeliers. Clearly this was another vision. My eyes followed the patterns along the hallway rug until I noticed Zena pressing herself against the wall beneath an ornately framed Monet-like painting. She bent her ear toward the sound of voices arguing in the next room."How much longer do we need to prove ourselves to the Kasadu? I'm sick to death of this nowhere town. We're stuck here while our friends back home are getting blessed. Millisande must laugh every time she thinks of us.""Your sister would never do that," said a man."I can't believe it! You still have a thing for her," accused the woman in an acrid voice. I recognized the voices now. They belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Tayler. Zena's parents."We have a good life here," Mr Taylor said. "Why can't you be happy?""B
The True Nature Series Chapter 68: Vexed
ON MY WAY HOME, I weighed the pros and cons of telling Ruthie about the Taylors, because it led to another secret I'd been sitting on. Should I tell her that Zander's father was the Collector, too? How much could I divulge if I didn't? I wondered again if I was risking her life in some way. Before I stepped out of her car, I casually dropped the first bomb, as if it was simply another item on our list of things to bring to the beach. She gasped dramatically. The car lurched forward before she remembered to slam on the brakes and put the car in Park."You think the Taylors are freaking spies for the Collector?" she screamed at me.I nodded, shut the car door, and walked off toward my front door. The hum of the car window rolling down had me spinning back to see her raising a shaking fist. She didn't leave without extracting a promise of details once she returned from grabbing all her beach gear.She showed up twenty minutes later with the top down on her convertible and her bodyboa
The True Nature Series Chapter 69: Beach Day
"IT'S COLD!" WHINED RUTHIE. We were piled high with our towels, bodyboards, food and sunscreen. Ruthie was disappointed to see new clouds forming in the sky, obscuring the sun. And without the naked blast of sunlight, the cold air caused goose bumps to spread along our uncovered legs. I was glad I brought a sweatshirt. "I thought it was going to be a nice day." Ruthie scrunched up her shoulders and made a face."It will heat up soon. Positive thoughts.""I hope so," she whined."It usually does. I bet the water is warm, though. Well, warm-er." Movies like Blue Crush or Point Break built up expectations of bikini babes, hot sun, and bath temperature water. That was southern California, not up north in the Monterey Bay. More often than not the fog didn't dissipate until late morning and then it crept back in by mid-afternoon, providing a short window of warmth. "It better be warmer than last time," grumbled Ruthie, referring to our last foray to the sea when we hadn't thawed o
The True Nature Series Chapter 70: When Seals Pop ...
NOW SHE UNDERSTOOD WHY I was so worked up. "Exactly," I said."Does anyone else know? Besides us and Bobby?" asked Ruthie. I knew what she meant by it. We had to contain the knowledge that Dante drove me home from school that day."Zander does, of course. I don't think Bobby told anyone other than Shrina, at least so far. I'll remind him to keep his gob shut when we get back to school. And to tell Shrina the same thing."Ruthie nodded. "Well, his eyesight getting better is kind of odd."I clenched the blanket tighter."Do you think Dante changed him when he knocked him out?" asked Ruthie."He didn't change me." I met her gaze as she raised an eyebrow. "You know what I mean. Anyway, what if I did something to Bobby, that day at lunch when Dante first noticed me? Dante said I fixed him. He could tell I was doing something, through my aura. Man, I wish I could jump back in time and do things differently."I flopped down and I tried to move back into the body mold I'd burrowed into
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