Vixen

Chapter 4

Haunted

Carol

After the fight with Noelle I needed another drink. I felt helpless. All I did was for her own safety but I wasn't ready to tell her that she might be a mutant... While she was growing up she showed signs that she isn't a human. She has her instincts always at the edge, no one could lie to her because she knew it immediately. Noelle is incredibly intelligent and fast, not only in sports but with learning as well. It broke my heart whenever I had to tear her out of the places she liked, I knew my daughter was lonely and I knew whose fault is this yet I had my hands tied. I sent down my vodka orange and fixed my makeup before leaving to work. While I walked along the street I glanced at my reflection in a shop's window. I changed my appearance million times in these eighteen years. The Carol who arrived to New York back then was gone. A stranger stared back at me, she had my face, my eyes, my body, yet she was so different. The shine and hopes disappeared from my eyes, my hair now it was red like Noelle's and curly. My phone suddenly rang and my heart skipped a beat. I looked at the caller ID and sighed in relief. I grabbed the phone and a so familiar voice greeted me.

- Hey Carol! - I smiled.

- Hi Sashel! What's up? - I was glad that I still had her. My only friend, Sashel was also the only person who knew the complete truth about what happened to me nineteen years ago.

- I'm angry with you Carol.-she said in a mocking way.

- Why? - I asked her while I opened the door of the hairdresser salon I worked in.

- You haven't told me that is this complicated to raise a child!-I laughed and the room echoed.

- Sashel! What did they do?

- You should ask what they didn't do? I asked them to bring in the clothes before the strom... - she said and I heard at the background that she was trying to squeeze water out of the clothes into the bathtub.

- Let me guess, they forgot.

- Ding ding ding! The winner is Carol. Now I have to dry them more or less but it will be easier to simply wash them again....

- They are luck that you have a washing machine! - after a few seconds of silence Sashel said.

- Carol you are a genius! - I started to unpack everything and turn on the lights while we talked.

- Why?

- I'll make them wash these clothes with their hands!

- Isn't this a bit cruel? - Sashel laughed.

- Not cruel enough! This way they will learn to appreciate the hard work I do for them.

- Fair point of view. How is Omar doing?

- Wait a second Carol. OSCAR, STELLA COME HERE NOW! - I laughed while I heard Sashel giving out the job for her kids. They also complained about their mother's punishment but she lied that the washing machine was broken. I heard Sashel closing the door and the murmur of the kids.

- Great, washing is done. - Sashel said and I giggled.

- So how is Omar doing?

- He is exhausted. We thought that having our own security company will make his life easier, but honestly it feels like we have 32 kids... Anyway how is Noelle doing? She will turn eighteen today if I remember well.

- She is okay. We just had a fight but that is quiet usual.

- You should try to stop drinking honey.

- I know but it helps with my anxiety.

- Why don't you tell her the truth? - I swallowed hard.

- What should I tell exactly? That we were parr of an experience? That she might have animal DNI?

- Yes.

- Until I'm not sure she isn't human, I won't say a word. She has enough to worry about.- Sashel sighed

- At least you should go to a therapist. - I shook my head, like my friend was able to see it.

- If I tell this to someone two things could happen. The therapist won't believe me and he/she sends me to a sanatorium. Option two, they will believe me and start to experiment on Noelle. I can't risk either of the options.

- I understand, just think about it.

-I will. Now I have to go. Talk to you soon!

- Bye honey!-I hung up the phone and waited for my clients to arrive. Today was Friday, the worst day of the week. Everyone wanted their hair done for the parties and events for the weekend, in a large city like New York something always happened. We only moved back here for a year. I wanted Noelle to be able to finish her senior year at the same school. Tony was in jail, so I had nothing to worry about. It was already eight pm and my last client left as well. I tried to call Noelle several times but she didn't pick up the phone.

- Stubborn girl... - I said it out loud when I heard the tiny bell rang above the door. I kept cleaning the floor and only said over my shoulder.

- Sorry we are closed.

- Even for me Carol? - I shivered in my whole body and my blood froze. In my fear the broom fell from my hands. I looked around, grabbed a scissor and turned to face my worst nightmare.

- You supposed to be in jail. - I hissed between my teeth.

- Yet here I am. - Tony said opening his arms like he was about to hug me. I extended my hand which hold the scissor between us.

- Don't come closer!-he laughed and put his hands on his waist.

- Come on Carol. Is this how you greet and old lover? - I grimaced and said.

- This is how I greet the satan himself! Leave now or I'll call the police!

- Carol... Sweet little Carol. - he said approaching me. I dialed in my pocket 911 but the next second Tony swapped the scissors out of my hand. He tried to catch me but I screamed and ran away from him. He followed me, but I managed to get to the door and close him inside the salon. Tony banged at the glass door and shouted at me.

- Do you think this is over Carol!? I found you once I'll find you again!-that moment I heard a voice coming from my phone.

-911 what's your emergency?-I grabbed the phone without taking my eyes off of Tony, who still tired to get out.

- My name is Carol and my old lover tried to kill me. He was supposed to be in jail! He found me. I need help now please!

-Calm down please and tell me where are you. - the lady said but Tony suddenly stopped hitting the door and he grinned. My eyes opened wide and felt a huge pain in the back of my head. Then everything went black... The last thing I heard was the salon door open and Tony's laughter. When I woke up next time, I found myself in my apartment, tied to a chair in the kitchen. I steal a glance at the clock on the wall and I gave thanks to God for Noelle's rebellious character. She did what she shouldn't do so many times, but luckily she did it in a great moment. It was already ten pm and she wasn't at home yet. I needed to get rid of Tony before Noelle arrives. Tony leaned closer to me and asked in a slow, threatening voice.

- Where is the child? - I frowned and put on my most sincere grimace.

- What child? - Tony slapped across my face so hard that I ended up falling with the chair to the floor. My head hit the floor and it hurt a lot, I felt dizzy and my vision blurred for a few seconds. Tony grabbed me by my hair and pulled me up. I felt how the skin on my head gave up the fight and in several places ripped. Hot blood poured down my neck and forehead slowly. My glance met those piercing blue eyes which once there were full of mystery and curiosity. Now those shines were gone and replaced by anger and hate. He leaned closer again and I groaned in pain.

- I won't ask you again. Where is the child?

- Which child? - Tony laughed.

- The one you were pregnant with when my whole life fell apart! It was all your fault, b***h! - he slapped me again and my nose cracked a bit. I received another punch in my right eye.

- That child is dead! - I shouted before he could've hit me again. I was running out of time and needed him away from here.

- Don't lie to me Carol! - he shouted.

- I'm not lying! - I gathered all my strength and shouted back at him.

- That child was alive only for a few minutes! He was born deformed, without a face, with tail and a heart the size of a grape! - Tony looked at me with anger and also pain. But I knew that he wasn't pained because of the child I lost. He was pained because his attempts failed. I felt tears running down on my cheeks. I wasn't lying to him. Noelle had a brother but he died almost immediately.

This is why doctors were so amazed by Noelle's health. We got new identities and our story disappeared from the public.

- Show me the grave. - Tony hissed.

- If that is what it takes you to leave me alone! - I sobbed and he looked at me with all the hatred in the world. He cut the tapes he tied me to the chair and pulled me after him. While we were going downstairs Noelle came across us. Her eyes opened wide and Tony gave her a hundred bucks saying.

- You haven't seen anything kiddo. - Noelle looked after us. She was about to say something but I glanced at her and she stopped. Tony looked at her and she kept walking up the stairs. "Clever girl" - I thought and followed Tony to the cemetery to show him the last of his creations.