Chapter Twenty-Six

 

"Bye Lauri, I'm going out for a bit." I called. It's been two weeks since the party, my scars have healed and I've begun to think more and more about what Blu had said to me. I had never put much thought into my family history, my parents never told me anything, so I figured the library was the best place to start digging.

As soon as I arrived I turned on one of the prehistoric computers. The city kept an ancestry website to keep track of all of it's citizens, why they have this, I don't know. I typed in my surname 'Matthews' and waited for the page to load. My parent's images jumped up almost instantly and I watched as a huge tree snaked it's way up from them. But I never showed up. I glanced through the images of all of my family members, I shared no characteristics with any of them. No striking green eyes, no white hair, no pale skin. I turned off the computer, suddenly thinking of a better source.

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 "Yeah I'm pretty sure Axel's parent's have your parent's old things. Diaries, letters, you name it." Kaya said, suppressing a yawn. "You need this why?"

"Just...curious." I lied. Kaya shrugged and led me to the study, pushing open the large wood doors I stepped in.

"I'm gonna go back upstairs and get dressed and...whatever." She said, slipping out the door and leaving me in peace and quiet. There were boxes shoved into the corner labeled "MATTHEWS", I grabbed the first few boxes and began my search.

My mother's diary was the first thing I saw, I immediately flipped to the beginning and saw the date: December 16, 1985...

    "You came." I whispered, pressing my face into the back of David's jacket. He inhaled sharply at my touch and turned to face me.

"Maddie, we can't do this, I'm 22 for crying out loud." He sighed, his breath visible in the cold.

"I'm almost 18!" I cried defensively.

"Yes, emphasis on 'almost'. Why can't you just find some boy your age." Hot, angry tears splashed down my cheeks.

"I don't want some boy my age! I want you! I-I've saved myself for you. Not anyone else?" I sobbed into his chest. True, I am only seventeen, but I loved him. His finger found my chin and lifted it so he could stare into my eyes.

"Do you really want me to be the one?" He asked. I nodded and grabbed his hand.

"Yes. You...tonight." His eyes widened slightly but he leaned down and placed his warm lips on mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he lifted me off the ground, carrying me to my bedroom. I slipped out of my clothes, feeling slightly self-conscious, I'd never undressed in front of a boy before. David nodded and smiled, holding out his arms. I straddled his lap and continued kissing him, the intimacy growing each minute.

   I didn't care that I was seventeen and he was twenty-two, all that mattered was that we were together.

I couldn't help but smile as I flipped to another page, feeling tears pricking at my eyes.

January 8, 1986

David and I are finally married. It was in the backyard of my childhood home and snow fell around us while we said our vows. Although I didn't wear heels, I felt beautiful and completely amazing with David.

I skipped ahead a few years, hoping to see a mention of me. Just reading the words that my mother wrote made me feel somewhat better, though not entirely.

October 5, 1992

 The ride home from the hospital was hauntingly silent. The moment we reached the house I collapsed on the couch and sobbed for two hours. What's wrong with me? This baby was supposed to be the finishing touch to our family, and....and I ruined it. David said it wasn't my fault, but I know it is. I carried it. I nurtured it. I failed as a mother. I guess we could adopt, but I am going to try and convince David to try again. Just one more time.

I flipped ahead even further and spotted my birthdate.

October 25, 1995

 Around 10:00 at night, David and I were watching TV, when a loud bang sounded outside our front door. I screamed into a pillow and David went to investigate.

"Maddie! Jesus Christ! Get down here!" I raced down the stairs and outside, imagining there to be a dead body, but I saw David, holding a baby girl.

 "Read that note." David instructed as he held up the baby. I looked down at the note.

Dear Maddison & David,

 You do not know me or my child, but she is in a desperate need of a home. I cannot take care of her for I will be dead soon. Do not worry about me. Here is all you need to know about my beautiful daughter, Her name is Vivienne and she will need immense protection. Our family is...special. In her future two men will come for her. DO NOT no matter what let them take her. They WILL kill her. Please, love and nurture her as though she were your own. Do not tell her that she isn't your own, she must believe that she is yours.

 Thank you.

"David." I said.

"Hm?" David cuddled the baby and she giggled.

"We have a baby." I smiled, walking over.

October 25, 1999

 "Happy birthday sweetie." Vinnie smiled up at me, her shock of white hair still confused me, but we loved her anyway. She was a true blessing, some days I think about her real mother and father and wonder if she has siblings or what her life would be like without us. But all that matters is that she is my darling daughter.

I dropped the diary, my hands shaking and tears spilling over. My parent's weren't...real. They weren't mine. Everything, everything was a lie. I cried out and sobbed into my hands. Who am I?! Who are my parents?! Who are these people who raised me.

I hunched over, my breaths were shallow and my throat hurt but I couldn't stop. With a scream I threw the diary away and hugged my knees to my chest, falling into hysterics. All these years...NO ONE ever told me. Not Mom. Not Dad. Not Lauri. Hell, they aren't my mom and dad, Lauri isn't my goddamn aunt! A hand touched my should and I shrunk away. The hand moved to my chin, pulling me up to face someone.

"Vinnie, what's wrong?" Reece sat in front of me, his gold eyes filled with concern. My voice wobbled.

"I-I-everything is a lie!" I cried, fresh tears spilling out. I thrust my arms out and pulled him close, crying into his t-shirt. He wrapped an arm around my back and held my head to him with his other hand.

"Why...why didn't they tell me?!" I sobbed quietly. Reece said nothing, he just held on and kissed the top of my head. I felt the necklace sting my skin slightly as a voice drifted into my thoughts.

"Thank you Harold, I just had no space for their old things."

"Don't worry Lauri, it must be hard." 

I squeezed Reece tighter.

"Shut up! Make them shut up!" I nearly screamed.

"Calm down Vin, just focus on me okay? I'm here." Reece said softly.

The question still lingered in my mind:

Who am I?

Chapter Twenty-Five

I stirred slightly, keeping my eyes closed but slowly waking up. Reece breathed quietly beside me, I felt his skin beneath my hand.

I wiped my eyes and sat up halfway, Reece's hand slipping off my shoulder. Blinking as sunlight streamed into the room I sat up. I looked down at Reece then down at myself. All of last night's activities came tumbling back into my mind.

Oh shit.

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I crawled off the bed and over to the dresser. My dress, shoes, and necklace lay in a pile beside the bed. I pulled the draws open as quietly as I could, and pulled out an old sweater of Reece's. I slipped it on, inhaling his scent.

Feeling a small rumble in my stomach I decided to look for the kitchen. If they had one. Did Reece eat? Shaking the thoughts away I pushed the door open into the living room.

"So you're sure?" A voice drifted out of the..bookcase. I stopped and moved forward, curiosity getting the best of me.

"Yes brother, Vivienne is most definitely dead." I froze at the mention of my name. My heart began to pound. It couldn't be.

I looked through a small gap in the bookshelf.

"Thank God, we don't have to worry about that silly prophecy." The unknown man said. Prophecy?!

"What was it again?" Koran asked lazily.

"What the prophecy? It was

Black and White

Green and Gold

Different as Night and Day

But when brought together,

Will combine the

Night Children and the Mortals.

Bloodlines will be lost."
The man who I guessed was Reece's father said. My stomach dropped.

"Well it's damn good that she's dead. How'd you even figure out it was her?" Koran walked over to stare out the window.

"Reece told me about some girl he was infatuated with. Then he showed me a picture. The white hair next to Reece's black. Not to mention the eyes." He explained. Koran turned back with a sneer. "Honestly I didn't expect Rohan's daughter to get involved, but then again she is his daughter."

"That girl was a piece of work that's for sure."
"So how is the boy?" Koran asked.
"I don't know. He's had that warlock friend of his enchant his door so I couldn't hear inside. Thankfully I had that boy's father do the same to my office. Not sure how well it works."

I didn't listen anymore. They think I'm dead?! And there's a prophecy?! I stepped forward uneasily before making a break for the door, and Reece's bedroom.

I threw open the door and slipped back inside. Looking around Reece was no where in sight. I let out a shaky breath, do I tell him? A pair of arms wrapped around my waist and tickled my sides.

"Gotcha!" Reece's warm breath on my neck made me shiver.
"Ack! Let go!" I laughed, swatting at his hands. I turned around in his arms and wrapped mine around him.

"That sweater looks much better on you." He said, touching his nose to mine. I couldn't help but smile.Staring into the gold of his eyes I couldn't help but think of the prophecy that his father had mentioned. Since I'm not dead does that mean, it will come true?

"Whatcha thinking about?" Reece murmured.
"Nothing." I lied. "I should probably be getting home. You know how Lauri is." Walking over to the pile of my things I pulled my dress on underneath his sweater and headed towards the door. Reece followed.
"Just...let me know when you get home." He said, kissing me softly. I nodded and closed the door behind me.

And then I ran like hell.

Chapter Twenty-Four

I stared into the mirror. I can't believe I let Kaya talk me into this. It was Saturday evening, the day of Axel's party. I had said I'd come but now I couldn't keep my mind on it. I kept thinking of when Maria appeared. And the burn from my necklace. I sighed and stepped out of the bathroom.

"Hey Vinnie." I stopped at Lauri's voice. "Remember that thing called school?"

"Yes." I mumbled, turning to face my aunt.

"I know you were injured but I can't let you off the hook for much longer."

"I-I know." I couldn't tell her the truth. I was utterly terrified to return to school. Koran or Maria could be around any corner. 

"Can we just talk about this later?" I groaned. Lauri nodded and I left the house.

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Axel's house was certainly impressive. It sat on the top of a hill, lakes and waterfalls behind it. The majestic house overlooked all of Bridgeport. 

The heel's of my boots clicked on the smooth pavement as I headed towards the front door.

Reece was leaning against a pillar. The grin dropped off his face when he saw me.

"Reece? What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing, nothing." He said shaking his head. I stepped closer.

Reece took my hand.

"Come on, let's go enjoy the party." He smiled and led me inside.

The moment we walked in I could tell his parents weren't home. A pair of drunk girls sat laughing and crying on a bench in the foyer. Reece snorted and moved towards the living room.

"We should say 'hi' to Kaya and Axel." He said, poking his head through the doorway.

"They might be a bit busy." I said, pointing to a couple in the back of the crowd.

"Why don't we go somewhere else." Reece suggested quietly. I smiled and let him lead me to an abandoned study.

"I feel like such a rebel." I joked as he pulled my mouth to his. He ran his hand over my back and hips. What had been bothering him earlier was obviously in the back of his mind by now. I tightened my grip on his neck, he slipped his hands onto my thighs and hoisted me up higher.

I closed my eyes, letting his kisses fill my head and send tingles down to my fingertips. A loud knock on the door startled us apart, I slid back to the ground.

"Occupied!" I yelled, moving to kiss him again before a second knock sounded.

"It's Blu." Reece whispered under his breath before darting behind the wall. The door opened and a befuddled looking Blu stepped in.

"What happened to your hair?" I asked suddenly, noticing the stark white tips.

"Uh..hair dye gone wrong." He muttered. Blu moved closer.

"What are you even doing here?"

"A few days ago I picked up an odd thing." He said with narrowed eyes. "It was a time-trail. Only a few seconds long but it was there."

"I don't.." I was confused. What is he talking about?

"Do you know where it came from?" He growled accusingly. "That." He pointed to the necklace.

"I don't understand. What are you talking about?" I said, glancing down at my necklace and back to him.

"I wanna know, why didn't you tell me?" 

"Tell you what?!" I cried, frustration taking over.

"That you're a time-jumper."

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"A...what?!" I stared at him. "I'm not..."

"There's no other way it could have happened. I know the necklace burned you, don't lie. I went back and made sure." He said, crossing his arms. My hand flew to my necklace, the burn mark hidden beneath my dress.

"Look I have to go. But you should've told me." And with that he left the room.

I stood still and silently for a few moments. A..time-jumper? ME? Reece slipped out of his hiding place and over to me.

"What the hell was that about?"

"I don't know." I mumbled, Blu's words bouncing around in my head.

"Come on, let's go get some drinks." Reece said.

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A few hours and a few drinks later, we staggered out of Axel's house, laughing our asses off. Both of us were teetering on the edge of drunk. We decided to head over to Reece's house.

He ended up carrying me into the appartment, and into his room.

"Have fun tonight?" He asked, sitting down on his bed.

"Mhm." I said, staring into his golden eyes. He placed his hand under my thigh and pulled me closer.

Gently laying me down on the bed he asked,

"So what was Blu on about?" I shook my head, not wanting to talk about it. We both dropped back onto the bed, kissing heavily.

 Reece hovered over me, his hand holding me up to him while we kissed. I don't know if it was the alcohol or just our own need for each other that caused us to press even closer, kissing harder.

 I kept my arms tight around his neck, his arms around my waist. And one thing led to another. 

That 'another' ended in both of us falling asleep against each other in nothing but our underwear.