Chapter Thirty

After I'd been living with Scarlett and Edalyn for a week and a half I began to feel happier. I fell into a routine with them and even bought some new clothes. On a Friday morning I came downstairs, the smell of waffles wafting through the house.

I came into the kitchen just as Edalyn was pulling the waffles out of the oven. She kicked the oven shut and I slid into the seat beside Scarlett. 

"Eat up ladies." She said, placing plates in front of us.

"Jesus, it so hot today." Edalyn moaned, fanning herself with her hand. I took a bite of the waffles.

"If your so hot then go jump in the water, it's right over there." Scarlett said with her mouth full, rolling her eyes.

"Oh! I forgot, my boyfriend's visiting in a few months." She exclaimed, the mouthful swallowed.

"Which one?" 

"Hey! I'm totally monogamous now." Scarlett snapped, Edalyn rolled her eyes. The sudden ring of a phone startled me.

 "Hello?" Edalyn flipped out her phone. "Mhm."

Scarlett mumbled something and went back to her waffles. I finished my first waffle and look up at Edalyn.

"Seriously? I swear, I've never met a more needy pregnant woman in my whole life." Edalyn snorted. I stiffened. She payed no attention.

"Yeah Brooke, be there in ten."

"Gotta run, see you around dinner." She said, stuffing the phone back into her pocket and heading for the door. Scarlett and I finished our waffles in silence. I couldn't stop thinking about my pregnancy. How long could I hide it? Would they kick me out? I pushed my plate away.

"I have a phonecall to make, but we can go shopping afterwards." Scarlett said, standing up.

"Yeah, sure." I watched her leave before following up the stairs. Her laugh could be heard outside of her door. I pushed open my door and it swung shut behind me.

I screamed, jumping backwards. A ghostly figure sat in the chair beside the balcony. My heart hammered against my ribs.

The ghost looked up. A look of sad delight crossed it's face and it glided over. Looking closer the ghost began to take on a more feminine shape. It hand long hair and wore a skirt and tank top. 

It placed it's hands on my shoulders.

"Vinnie..." Lauri's voice sighed.

"Oh my God." I said, my voice quivering. "Your-you.."

"I know. I left you." She frowned. 

"Who did this to you? Who killed you?" I demanded. Her lips moved but her voice was gone. She tried to yell but her form disappeared.

I wiped a few tears off my cheeks. I'd come this far without crying, and I knew if I started I'd lose myself completely.Catching my breath I moved over to the mirror, running my thumb over my necklace. Voices began to play in my head.

"It's happening again!"

"Reece, there's something else you need to know."

"What?! Just what the hell what?!"

"Lauri's dead. Her body was outside the house."

 "Holy shit. I need to get out there, I need to FIND HER."

"Reece, all her stuff was still there, her phone and all her clothes."

"No, no, NO!"

The voices blurred away. I pressed the heels of my hands into my eyes to keep from crying. Glancing sideways at the mirror my eyes rested on my stomach. Would our baby ever know it's father? I placed my hands on my stomach and rubbed it gently.

"Vinnie is everything okay I heard a screa-" Scarlett walked in. I spun around. Silence filled the room. We stared at each other, neither saying a single word.

"Oh God," I whispered.

"Vinnie, are you...pregnant?" Scarlett asked slowly. I was quiet.

"Yes." I said, bursting into tears.

"You weren't ever supposed to know!" I cried, burying my face in my hands. She stepped closer, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

"Honey, I think we oughta talk." I let Scarlett lead me over to the edge of the bed. We sat down together and I kept my face covered. Her hand rubbed my shoulder.

"Who's the, er, father?" She asked.

"My boyfriend. I haven't seem him for about a week and a half." I mumbled.

"How long have you known?"

"A week and a half." I cried.

"Is this why you left?" Scarlett said.

I looked up.

"Partially."

"What's the other reason?"

"I don't think I can tell you." I said, gulping to catch my breath. She opened her mouth as if to say something but closed it and squeezed my shoulder. Scarlett brushed her hair back with a sigh.
"When you're ready you can tell me."
"I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready." I mumbled, too quiet for her to hear.
"And don't worry, we won't kick you out." She said, seeming to read my thoughts.
"You won't?"
"Of course not! What kind of people would we be to throw a defenseless pregnant girl out into the streets of a town she barely knows?"

I wiped away my tears, hunching over.

"Have you thought any names?" She asked. I turned to look at her, the smallest smile forming on my lips. Maybe things would be okay.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The train that I caught dropped me off in the big city of Los Aniegos, but I'd had enough of cities for a lifetime. Too many memories. As soon as the train let me off I hopped on a bus that took me hours away to a tiny fishing town called Pounawea. I wandered the main street for a moment before heading over to the nearest house I could see.

I halted at the front steps, there was a truck parked in the grass so someone was home. It sent a pang into my heart, reminding me of Blu. Shaking away my doubts I marched up to the front door and knocked on the wood.

I waited patiently. Right before I turned away I detected the clicking of heels from the inside. The door swung open and a beautiful young woman stepped out. She brushed her dark curls out of her face, tucking them behind her ear.

"Can I help you?" She asked, her voice was quiet and soothing. Her eyes gazed over my hair for half a second.

"I'm a bit...new to the town. Is anyone here renting out a room? Or is there an inn?" I wrung my hands together nervously. She tapped her chin with her finger for a moment, thinking.
"Well, we don't have any inn's per-say," My heart sunk. I didn't have enough money to make it to a new town.

 "Oh! The Peterson sisters are renting out a room in their house." She said suddenly.
"Really? Where do they live?" I asked eagerly.
"Go down to the beach and follow the waterline north. You'll know it when you see it."

"Thank you." I sighed, picking up my backpack.
"Good luck," She called as she disappeared into her home. As I retreated down the steps I heard a man's voice and her giggles. I picked up the pace, wiping my eyes on my sleeve.

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The house was huge compared to the others I had seen, it reached far into the water. With a deep breath I walked up the steps and made my way to the front door. The quiet rang in my ears, I was so used to the hustle and bustle of the city, not the quiet countryside. Gathering my courage I knocked on the door.
"I got it!" A feminine voice called. The door swung open.

 

 "Hey there." She said breathlessly, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. Something about her struck me as familiar, but I couldn't tell if it was her looks or her outfit.

"Um hi, I heard you were renting out a room. Are you one of the Peterson sisters?"

"That'd be me." She smiled. "Yeah, we're offering up a room."

"I'd take it off your hands but...I don't have any money." I sighed. She looked me up and down.

"Here, come inside."

"Please, I'll do anything just to have a place to sleep." I pleaded. "I don't have anywhere else to go."

"Alright, you can have the room. But I won't charge you." She said.
"Oh thank you!"
"Why don't you drop your bag in your new room and meet me in the living room." She suggested, pointing to the spiral staircase.
"Up there and all the way at the end on the left." She said, spinning on her heel and heading to a different part of the house.

I found the door easily enough. The doors clicked when I pressed against them, swinging open. I gasped. This one bedroom was nearly the size of my old house. My old house. Lauri.

It was lovely, warm browns and a pretty green on the walls. I walked over and dropped my backpack on my bed. Brushing my hair back I hurried out of the room and down the stairs, retracing her path.

I came into the living room and kitchen, a second woman was on the couch. Probably the other sister. The girl I met first looked up, she turned off the TV.
"Find the room okay?" Her sister righted herself. I sat down on the couch.
"Yeah."

"Well, I'm Scarlett and this is my twin."
"Edalyn." The brunette said.
"I'm Vinnie."
"Just Vinnie? No last name?" Scarlett asked, a sly smile. My throat tightened. Would I really go on using the name Matthews? It wasn't even my last name. My mind quickly traveled to right before I left Bridgeport. And what Blu said.
"Oh, Vinnie Matthews." I blurted out. I internally kicked myself. It was just habit.
"Dang, how long does it take to get that hair dyed." Edalyn asked. The same urge that appeared at the train station came back, but I repressed it.
"I don't dye it, it's natural." I said. Both girls eyes widened.
"Well, where are you from?" Scarlett said.
"Bridgeport."
"So are you a runaway, parents didn't understand you?" Edalyn said, a hint of a mocking tone.

 "My parents are dead." I said. All I could think was Lauri, Lauri's dead!
"I...I'm so sorry." Edalyn sputtered. I shrugged. I glanced out the window at the darkening sky. Scarlett yawned.
"I bet you're tired, we'll let you go up and rest." She said. I stood up and turned to exit the room.
"There's some clothes in the dresser if you need anything." Scarlett said.

Heading upstairs I found an over-sized shirt and pulled it on. I unclasped my necklace, holding the clock pendant in my hand for a moment.
VINNIE! A pained voice screamed. I jumped and glanced around the room, it was empty but the voice seemed so clear. I dropped the necklace on the dresser and hurried over to the bed, collapsing on top of the blankets.

It had been a long, terrible day. I was just thankful to be alive and in a safe place.

At least I hoped it was safe.

Hi, I'm a terrible person

AGH!

I haven't updated WITW in SO LONG. I have like half the pics for the next chapter, but also barely any poses. It's a whole long story that I don't want to get into but for now just consider this:

WITW WILL BE BACK SUPER SOON

Once again, so sorry dears.

~E 

Chapter Twenty-Eight

-listen-

I stared down at the small piece of plastic in my hand. This can't be happening. I'm 17. My hands shook so hard I nearly dropped the test. What do I tell Lauri? What do I tell Reece?! I braced myself on the sink to keep from collapsing. Lauri had come home from work not too long ago, and I'd locked myself in here saying I felt sick again. At least I know why now. I took a deep but shaky breath and opened the door.

The house was eerily silent.

"Lauri?" I called to the empty room. Leaving the  bathroom door open I stepped outside into the front lawn.

I turned another corner and felt my heart drop into my toes.

I screamed. Lauri's body was slumped against the house, a clear knife wound stained her clothes red. 

"Lauri! No!" I screamed again moving to get closer.

A pair of strong arms caught me around the waist, holding me back. Fear pummeled my stomach into the same place as my heart. I screamed again, my voice cracking into sobs.

"LET GO, LET GO OF ME!" I shrieked trying to twist out of the man's grasp. The arms turned me around.

"B-Blu?" The familiar face stood before me. I couldn't help but glancing down at my last family remaining family member.

"No, no, no, no, no." I sobbed, starting to sink to the ground. Blu and his arms followed.

 "Vinnie...don't look-" His arms held me again as I shied away from Lauri's body, burying my face into his vest. I cried into his chest, my lungs and throat ached.

"This isn't happening. This isn't happening!" I cried over and over hysterically.

"Vinnie you need to get out of here." Blu said firmly.

"My aunt is dead! What are you talking about?!" I felt so utterly destroyed and he didn't seem to care. The time-jumper pulled my chin up.

"You. Need. To. Leave." His green eyes stared into mine. "You are in incredible danger and if you don't leave right now, you'll never see anyone you love ever again. Do you understand me?" I nodded, gulping in air to breathe. He pulled me in for a tight hug.

"You'll be okay." He murmured. I felt a tear from him hit my neck. "Go to the train station, there should be a backpack there for you." I didn't respond.

"You can do this." He said, pulling away. "Goodbye little sis, just run." I stood up. He whispered something in my ear before disappearing.

And I ran. I didn't stop to think about what he had just said to me. I didn't grab anything from the house. Not my phone or anything.

 I love you. He had said.

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I had found the backpack alright, I dropped onto a bench. Pulling Reece's sweater closer I inhaled his scent. I missed him horribly.

"Excuse me?" An elderly woman stood in front of me. "May I sit here?" I wiped my eyes.

"Sure." I responded hoarsely.

The woman and what seemed to be her granddaughter sat beside me. 

"My dear, are you alright?" The woman leaned over. 

"Oh yes, I-I'm fine." I replied, sitting up.

"You seem like a sweet girl, you got a nice young lad back home?" The lady said with a smile. A tear raced down my cheek as I thought about Reece. I shut my eyes, fighting back a sob.
"I do. I mean, I did." My fingers ran over the fabric of his shirt.
"Oh, did you break it off?" She wondered. "I don't mean to pry."
"No, he's..." I wiped my eyes again. "Dead." She gasped, her dark green eyes widening. I don't know why I said it, but it felt right. I'd probably never see him again. VINNIE! A voice screamed in my head, startling me.
"Dear, I'm so sorry to hear." The woman said.

"You remind me so much of my daughter. Maddison was her name." She said. I raised my eyebrows. "She and her sister ran off to Bridgeport many years ago. I haven't heard from them since." I gasped, my heart rate spiking as I pieced the clues together.
"Maddison? Was..was her sister named Lauri?" I asked, my voice breaking.
"Why yes. How do you know?"
"I-" Something in my mind told me to lie, so I did. "knew Maddison's daughter." A smile grew across the woman's face.
"A daughter? My Maddy had a daughter? Oh do you know where they live? Do you know the girl's name? What does she look like?" She gushed, wanting to know every detail. Part of me wanted to tell her they were living happily, but the other cried for the truth.
"Her name's Vinnie. She has brown hair and green eyes. They live in Bridgeport." I lied smoothly. "I haven't seen them in some time so I'm not sure of their address."

 "This is just wonderful news!" She cried. "What's your name-" She was cut off my the sound of the train. The woman stood up to board the train, giving a wave as the door closed.
"My name's Vinnie." I cried to no one, waiting for the next train.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"You know what I haven't thought about in awhile?" I said from my spot on the couch. It was Friday night and the three of us had gathered for a girls night.

"What? Or who?" Lauri asked, her blue eyes glued to the screen.

"Abbey."

"That bitch." Kaya grumbled.

"I mean, we had our whole lives together and she just threw it all away to be popular with Maria." 

"What...what do you think she would say if she heard about...you know." Kaya mumbled as she pulled her knees closer.

"I don't-" I sat up suddenly.

I wrapped an arm around my stomach and slapped my hand over my mouth. My stomach churned and I scrambled off the couch. Lauri and Kaya watched as I tripped over my feet rushing to the bathroom.

"Vinnie?" Lauri called as I shut the door behind me.

After emptying the small contents of my stomach I propped myself up on the rim of the toilet, arms shaking. Kaya banged on the door.

"Vinnie are you okay?" 

"Uh yeah. Must have caught something from someone." I called weakly. I moved away from the toilet and sat against the wall, breathing heavy.

It felt like someone was punching my stomach repeatedly. I ran a hand through my hair, white strands twisting around my pale fingers. Lauri shouted something through the door but her voice felt so distant. The tiles beneath my feet sent shivers up my legs and I shakily stood up.

I opened the door to two serious faces.

"Jesus Christ Vinnie, you look like hell." Lauri exclaimed, looking me up and down.

"Maybe you should lie down." Kaya said worriedly. I sighed and stumbled over to the couch.

"I'm fine," I lied. "Must be some 24 hour bug." I let Kaya and Lauri fuss over me for a few minutes before shooing them away.

I pretended to be asleep, listening to their conversation on the back patio.

"Lauri what's wrong with her?"

"I don't know! I highly doubt she has a 24 hour thing, the only people she's been around for weeks is you, me, your boyfriend, and-"

"Reece." Kaya gasped. "You don't think?!"

"No she...she wouldn't. She isn't."

"I don't know, it all adds up."

"Oh my god. Look just, be normal around her okay?"

"Alright." The door slid open and they stepped inside.

"Get some sleep." Lauri whispered. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. They think I'm pregnant! Do they really have that little faith in me?

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The next morning I put myself back together. Threw on a dress, tights, and a hat. Lauri had caught the first train into Twinbrook for a family problem and Kaya was spending the day with Axel, so I was finally alone. Just as I left my room there was a rapid knock on the door.

"Coming." I groaned.

 The second I opened the door Reece threw himself against me, kissing me fiercely. I pushed him off gently, his gold eyes searched my face worriedly.

"Well hi." I gasped.

"Are you okay?" He sputtered. His hand brushed a stray hair away from my eyes. I grabbed his wrist and lowered his hand.

"I'm fine." I reassured him. Reece sighed and leaned his back against the door, running a tired hand through his hair.

 "Calm down, I don't need saving every ten minutes." I joked with a smile, sliding my hands around his waist. His eyes narrowed for a moment before his expression relaxed and he pulled me closer.

"I know, I know." He sighed, placing a gentler kiss on my lips.

"Wanna move over to the couch?" I murmured.

"Yes." His breath mixed with mine as he lifted me off the ground.

I kissed him again in agreement as he stepped toward the couch, lowering me down to my knees.

"I've missed you." He said between kisses. I closed my eyes and pulled him closer, I didn't want to talk about the weeks earlier events. Reece moved his lips down my jaw to my neck and I slid off the couch, I felt his fingers tense at my waist. Instead of the kiss I was expecting, a hot pain slid into my neck.
"Reece..?" I said, not hiding the fear in my voice. He didn't respond. The pain grew slightly worse and I tried to push him away, but he was too strong.

"Reece!" I felt blood dribble down my neck, I'd never seen this side of Reece. His grip tightened, crushing my body against his. 
"Reece! Stop, you're hurting me!" I screamed, pushing against him. My cry seemed to snap him out of it and he let go, I dropped to the ground.

"Oh my God. Oh my God!" I cried, holding a hand against the bite. Reece fell to my side, his hand hovering by shoulder.
"Vinnie, I'm so sorry! Oh my God, I just....I just bit you!" I looked up through tears at his face, watching as streams of red faded out of his eyes. I jumped back and kicked him away.
"Get away from me!" Reece stood up in shock, a stream of blood my drying on his mouth.

"Vinnie I didn't mean-"
"Get OUT of here!" I shrieked. When I looked back up at him he was gone, I pulled my hand away from my neck.

It came away dark red. I closed my eyes, exhaling heavily. The bite itself was shallow but my neck was smeared with blood. I hurried to the bathroom to clean up before anyone got home.

I couldn't get the image of Reece's eyes out of my head.