Chapter 6 The Library

The whole school was talking about Tom and how he miraculously survived an attack. Attack? Oh please. If he had dodged he would be fine. I'm not defending myself or anything but you've got to cut me some slack, I didn't mean to hurt him.

Ok maybe I meant to hurt him a little but I didn't mean to put him a hospital. Everywhere I went the other kids either gave me a wide berth or looks of disdain. I heard whispers of how I brutally went after Tom and assaulted him.

"Poor Tom didn't see it coming. She just attacked him for no reason at all", I heard a kid say as I walked to class.

"All this just before the big game against Winchester High. We can't win without Tom" another kid said.

"She should be expelled. I'm surprised Principal Mayfair didn't do anything about it. She might come after us next"

I stopped walking and glared in the direction of the kids. They quickly averted their eyes in fear and hurried away.

I sighed. What is to become of me? Everyone is avoiding me like a plague even Chloe. It's been twenty four hours since the incident and she hasn't called or texted. Was she afraid that I will hurt her too? Well can't say I blame her. If I were her I would be scared of me too. Even the teachers avoided making eye contact with me. The she devil was nowhere to be seen. She's probably waiting on Tom hand and foot spewing lies about me. What did she tell everyone that made them behave this way?

I was surprised that the principal didn't call my dad to tell him what happened. I was expecting him to come at me with rage and lectures about self-control. To be honest I kind of enjoy the solitary confinement I was getting. It gave me time and space to think about everything going on. I no longer have weird dreams about the girl in the woods or appearing in places I shouldn't be and having no memory of how I got there. Was the gym incident the end of it all or was it the beginning of something worse? Although deep down inside me I knew it was the latter. I needed to be prepared for what's coming but I had no idea on how to do that. Someone somewhere has to know what's happening to me. Or was it all in my imagination. I need to find someone who can help me. I can't go to my dad. I don't want to add more trouble for him and I just can't ask grandma about it either considering what happened the last time. I felt like a fish out in the desert with no sign of life anywhere.

I practically ghosted through the day. Going in and out of classes like I wasn't even there, eating lunch alone in the corner. I hadn't seen Chloe all day so I asked Mr. Reed about her after class.

"She called in sick today. That is so unlike her. She has never missed a class not even when she had the flu" he said giving me a pointed stare like he was blaming me for it.

My heart sank at the news. So even my best friend thinks I'm a freak she had to stay home to avoid me. I ran out of the class and headed towards the girls bathroom. I burst open the door. Some cheerleaders raised their head up in surprise.

"Hey can't you knock?" one of them said.

"Get out" I gritted.

She raised an eyebrow. The others laughed.

"What did you say? Who do you think you are? I'm not scared of you like the others"

I took a step towards her, the inside of me boiling like a furnace.

"You should be"

It must have something in my voice or my face that made her turn pale with fear. She hurried out of the bathroom, the others scurrying behind her.

I turned towards the mirror and gasped.

My eyes were black. Like black smoke were coming out of them.

"Wha.......?" I couldn't form complete words. My head was spinning with confusion and abject terror. Chloe was right to stay away from me. Is no one safe around me? Dad? Grandma? I can't let anyone see me like this.

I hurried out of the bathroom and ran to my locker to collect my things then I ran out of the school. I didn't hear what anyone said. I didn't care. I just wanted to get out.

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I ran and ran and ran. Where to? I had no idea. I just ran. I don't know how long I ran or how far I went, l just kept running. Hot tears burned my eyes momentarily blocking my vision. I stopped running and bent down with my hands on my knees. I breathed heavily letting the tears run down my cheeks. I screamed and fell on my knees crying hysterically.

Why were these things happening to me? Why me? Why couldn't it be someone else? What was so special about me? Was this a blessing or a curse? I pounded my fists on the floor. Pain shot through my arms going straight to my brain. Surprisingly it felt good. It made me calm.

Eyes still close I pounded my fists on the ground over and over again until the tears stopped flowing, until all I could feel was anger. This wasn't a blessing it was a curse. A curse I didn't ask for. A curse that ruined my life; not that my life was any better before. I was angry. Angry at my father for not telling me who I really am. Angry at Mirabel for poking the beast inside me and making me the ridicule of the whole school. Angry at Chloe for abandoning me when I needed her the most. And most of all I was angry at myself for losing control.

I opened my eyes and I saw the deep indentation of my fists on the ground. I stood up and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. I looked closely at my knuckles and saw that it wasn't broken, there was no blood not even a scratch. I should have been scared but given what I have been through for past few weeks it doesn't surprise me anymore.

I looked around trying to figure out where I was. I saw the main road a about fifty feet away from me. In my blind rage I must have veered off the road path into the field leading to the forest. And yes our small town was actually built in the middle of a damn forest. It's a wonder the streets aren't flooded with wild animals. I walked steadily (or at least I tried to) towards the road.

Getting there, I looked behind and saw I was about 30 blocks or so from the school. Wow. I never knew I could run that fast but then again it doesn't surprise me.

I turned and walked forward going into the town.

I was tired. Tired of everything. Tired of the strange happenings in my life. Tired of being an outcast, of being feared and laughed at by my peers. Most of all I was tired of the secrets. I'm sure that whatever thing my father and grandmother refused to tell me about my mother was somehow related to what was happening to me. Was she some sort of witch or magician? Or maybe she was an alien who fell in love with a human but couldn't stay with him. I laughed at the ridiculous thoughts. Somehow some way I had to know the truth. Maybe finding out all about who my mother was will explain who or what I am. Going to my father was useless so I have to seek help elsewhere.

I stopped walking and looked around. There were some shops and the streets was bustling with people. The sound of a horn startled me. I jumped and turned around. A car was behind me with the driver glaring angrily at me.

He brought out his head through the window, "What do you think you're doing standing in the middle of road? You wanna get yourself killed or something?"

"Sorry", I apologized and left the road.

The driver shook his head and zoomed off.

Some people were looking strangely at me.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I needed to get myself together. As I was looking around wondering where to go from here, I spied my reflection on a glass window. Sheesh I looked like a zombie.

My cheeks were stained with tears, my eyes and face red. I brought out a bottle of water from my backpack, opened it and rinsed my face. Then I dried my face with the hem of my shirt. That's much better.

I looked around again and saw the town library up ahead.

Of course! The library was the perfect place to get any information I want. They probably have the history of every family in Bayersville.

I walked towards the building determined. The library was a one story building made of stone. Almost every building in this freaking town was made of stone. Jeez. Did the founder have an obsession with stone?

I opened the door and entered the library. There was a heavy smell of hazelnut and honey in the air. As I drew closer to the reception desk, the smell grew stronger. I scrunched my nose. Eww! Who on earth wears so much perfume that saturates the air like air freshener?

The receptionist was a plump lady in her early forties. She wore a white blouse on a grey skirt. Her light brown hair was pinned up in bun and a pair of sliver glasses covered her brown eyes. OK first thought she wore too much makeup. The bright red colour of her lipstick clashed with the obviously too much foundation.

She smiled at me, "Welcome to Bayersville library. How may I help you? "

Really? Did they pay her to say that?

"Uhm do you have any books that has the history of every family in town?"

She gave me a look.

"It's for an assignment", I said.

She smiled wider, "The history book of our lovely town is on aisle five. You'll find everything you need there"

I thanked her and moved towards the shelves.

I felt eyes on me. I looked around but saw no one. I found the shelf I needed and started looking through when I perceived it. That intoxicating wonderful scent that only he emits. I looked around again but there was no one there so I turned back and continued searching. When I found the book I was looking for I headed towards a desk sat down then started flipping through looking for the Black family history. I think I searched for about 30 minutes before I finally found it. I went through my family tree looking for clues. When I reached the bottom I saw my grandfather and grandmother's name and underneath was my father's name. But the space where my mother's name was supposed to be was blank, my name wasn't even written yet.

What the hell?! I was relying on this book to find all the answers I needed. I covered my face with my hands. What do I do now? Who do I ask? I have to know the truth. Maybe there's a book that can explain the weird things going on with me.

I decided to go in search of said book when I perceived the scent again but this time it was stronger. I looked up and there he was in all his dark beauty sitting opposite me studying me with those intense green eyes of his.

We sat in silence staring at each other. I wonder what was going on in that head of his. So many questions bubbled up in mine. How did he know to find me here? How long as he been following me? Why has he been following me? Is he somehow responsible for what has been going on? So many questions.

"You won't find what you're looking for here" he said breaking the silence.

I sat back with hands folded, "Oh yeah? And what is it that you think I'm looking for?"

"Answers", he answered with an expressionless look.

I gulped. How much does he know? I have to be smart with this guy. From what I have seen him do in school with the teachers, he is not easily intimidated and loves to be in control. I have to show him that I can't be intimidated either (even if the mere presence of him makes me feel week in the knees; in a good way).

"Ok Mr. know it all, answers to what?"

He tilted his head a little, "You want answers to questions you have been asking yourself. About things you can't explain. Well I'll tell you this. You won't find them here"

I was right. He did have answers. My bait worked, time to reel him in.

"So you can read minds in addition to the creepy things you do"

He raised an eyebrow "Define creepy"

"You. You are the definition of creepy"

He sat back "Oh really?" the side of his lips lifted slightly.

Oh wow. Heart melting. Knees weakening. If he's this hot with a barely there smile, imagine what he would look like with a full one. Hubba hubba. Focus Jade. Focus.

"Is that a smile I see? I thought you were allergic to smiles"

Just like that the smile vanished and the expressionless look returned. Wow. Talk about bipolar. I have to take control of the situation if I wanted answers from him.

"Why have you been following me?"

"What makes you think I have been following you?" he said with his eyes fixed on me almost like he was trying to peer into my soul.

I shrugged, "Oh you know I'm just an expert at detecting stalkers"

He gave me a blank look. O..... K. No sense of humour either.

I cleared my throat. "I sense you almost everywhere I go. Whatever perfume or spray you put on anytime you want to stalk me, stop it. It's annoying".

He was silent for a while. A long agonizing while. Finally he said, "You sense me you say"

I rolled my eyes, "Are you hard of hearing too? Yes I sense you. You and your amazing...... I mean annoying smell".

He rubbed his jaw. "Interesting"

"Ok this is getting boring. I'm out of here"

As I got up to leave, he grabbed my hand. His hand was surprisingly warm. I felt electric bolts run through my veins, goosebumps appeared on my skin. He quickly withdrew his hand as if he got shocked. He frowned, looked at his hand and then at me. Did he feel the electricity too? He quickly reverted back to his expressionless look.

He dropped his hand and said, "Be very careful tomorrow. Don't do anything that will upset or anger you. Stay home if you can. Just be careful".

I stared speechless. Tomorrow he said. Tomorrow was my birthday. I will be turning eighteen. What will happen tomorrow? A sudden wave of fatigue overtook me. I wanted to go home and sleep. I bent to pick up my backpack from the floor. When I looked up he was gone. That didn't surprise me. Nothing surprises me anymore. I got up and made my way out of the library.