Nephilim

Chapter 7: If only you were real

Chapter 7: If only you were real

Amara

I love it when he wraps his arms around me. I look into his gorgeous brown eyes and bald head as he leans close to whisper. “I love you, baby.” As I lay a kiss on his luscious lips, he gives me a wicked smile and deepens the kiss. “I love you too, Sophie.” He whispers back. I feel confused, but I continue to kiss him. It’s as if I’m me, but not me. It’s happening again; another girl and I are occupying the same space. It’s obvious, considering that I know my name is not Sophie, but I continue to kiss him because I’m just a part of her conscience. As the boy kisses me harder and pulls me tight into his arms, I think about how I don’t feel anything. It’s an odd experience. After a moment, I pull back and gaze lovingly into his eyes. A strand of hair falls across my eyes, obscuring my view. Giving me a gentle smile, he gives me an expectant look and pulls back a strand from my face. My─her, hair is red. Not a natural red, but a cherry red that only a salon can create.

After a few moments, I rise from my chair and look at my surroundings. I don’t recognize the area. All I can see are trees. My hands run down my tight tank top, ripped jeans and scarred, leather hiking boots curiously. Sophie’s boyfriend rises to stand behind her and kisses the top of my─her head. “Ready to go, babe?”

Sophie nods her head in agreement and follows him out the door as he digs into his pocket and pulls out a set of keys. “Man, I’m ready to go home already.” I nod my head in agreement. I’m ready to get back home too. I miss my home and my own bed. The mere thought makes me shiver.

“I’m cold,” I whisper in my warm, husky voice. He offers his arm to me in a gentlemanly fashion. “Let me warm you then.”

Smiling happily, I wrap my forearm through his and let him lead me to the waiting SUV.

The street is quiet as we make our way to the vehicle. Tree branches dance in the wind, and shadows dance in every corner. Sophie’s body shivers again, but this time it’s with trepidation. She can’t help but feel that she’s being watched. These are Sophie’s thoughts at this time. Unfortunately, she ignores her instincts as she laughs at her own fanciful thoughts. Her boyfriend opens the car door and gestures for her to get inside. She about to thank him when a sharp pain strikes her back. A scream builds in our throat…

As quickly as it happened, I come back to reality. I blink my eyes at first, feeling confused to find that I’m back in my room and in my own body. Somehow, I rose from my bed while I was sleeping, and now I find myself standing in front of my mirror again.

My mouth is open wide in a silent scream as if it’s lodged in my throat. I then look down at my body, checking for wounds. Even though I only felt her pain second hand, I can’t help but feel that it was happening to me. I search my head, but there is no wound anywhere.

My chest is heaving wildly as I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. I had never been this close to a vision. It’s terrifying to know that I can get this close to the victims in my vision. The coldness of the night before seeps into my body. I shiver and close my eyes as I rub my palms up and down my arms to stave off the chill. But it doesn’t work. If anything, the cold seems to permeate my body faster than usual. My hands stiffen and become numb, and my breath fogs in front of me.

I don’t know what to do. I feel like I’m going crazy. A thought flits through my mind. Maybe I can find out who this girl is and stop her death. The idea scares me, but I know that there’s something I need to do. Maybe I’ll do some research during study hall to see if I can find any information on the girl in my vision. My mind settles at my resolution. There is hope. Perhaps there is something I can do.

Stepping out of the mirror’s way, I gaze out the window, wrap my arms around my shoulders, and take a couple of deep breaths. The sun beats down on me from my open window. I can hear birds singing from the tree branches and the sound of retreating vehicles rushing up and down the street.

I groan at the thought of having to get up for school. I usually like school, but lately, it has been a strain. I refuse to admit that it’s because I’ve been tutoring Kell for the past few days. It has been t*****e sitting next to him and dealing with his flirting. He’s so naturally sensual that it keeps me on edge. It drives me crazy when he doesn’t understand something and bites his bottom lip. Or how he runs his hands through his hair and furrows his brow when he’s in deep thought. The guy is a walking temptation. I find myself constantly thinking about running my hands through his silky hair and having his big strong hands caress my body.

It’s only Thursday, and I feel like I’ve been tutoring him forever. What really makes me crazy is that he doesn’t even notice that he’s doing it. I take another deep breath and close my eyes, trying to clear my mind.

At that moment, my cell phone chirps with a text. I reach over my bed stand and look at the screen. It’s Haley. I read her text and smile. Hey, can you give me a ride? I respond quickly. Glad to get a distraction from thoughts of Kell Cross. Sure, be there in half an hour.  

I place my cell phone back on the table and throw back the covers to start my day. Haley must want to talk about something. She usually calls me for a ride when something is on her mind. I wonder what it’s about this time. That’s one thing about Haley, that girl always has some interesting things to talk about.

Stretching out my arms up in the air, I step into the closet and rifle around until I find what I’m looking for. I choose my favorite emerald green hi-lo halter dress. The top is dark spandex, and the skirt is a silky material with paisley graphics. Whenever I wear it, I feel trendy and comfortable.

I slide my feet into my green platform heels and flex my toes. Today is senior picture day, and I want to look good. Senior pictures are front and center in the yearbook. The last thing I want is to have crappy pictures immortalized forever. I rush into the bathroom and run a comb through my hair and curl it into wavy romantic curls. The voluminous waves fall wildly around my shoulders, making me feel sexy.

My mother’s make-up artist, Jazy, shows up a few minutes later to do my makeup. Thankfully my mother doesn’t question my need to have someone make me up. She’s just happy that I won’t embarrass her.

Jazy adds some mascara and eyeshadow across my eyes and runs a lip-gloss wand over my lips. I avoid the mirror as best as I can. Fortunately, Jazy doesn’t seem to notice.

Once she’s done, she steps back tells me, “You look great, doll. You’re going to knock the socks off all the boys in school.” I smile at her enthusiasm. “Thanks, Jazy.”

She moves a few strands around and gives me a stern frown. “Okay, we’re done. You don’t need blush because of your natural golden color. Just don’t rub your face or do anything that will make you sweat.”

I nod my head in agreement. “No worries, Jaz. I promise to be careful.”

Jazy accepts my reassurance and leaves a few moments later. Once she’s gone, I reach into my closet for a black silk messenger bag and place my books inside.

As I make my way down the stairs, I can hear my mother talking to the maid and my father speaking harshly into the phone. I hate mornings at my house. The mere thought of having breakfast with my parents makes me nauseous. Before they notice me, I sneak out the door and make my way to my mini cooper. I feel bad for our maid Mimi. She always has a large spread prepared in the morning. Either way, breakfast usually sucks. It’s not because we don’t have a great cook, but because my mother pretends to eat, and my father sits there with his cellphone glued to his ear.

Let’s just say it’s a very poor attempt to bond as a family, and this is just one of those days where I just don’t want to deal with them.

It takes me five minutes to get to Haley’s house. She lives in a middle-class neighborhood with small Victorian-style houses with large windows with wraparound balconies. Her house is all white with a white picket fence surrounded by deep red roses.

Haley’s mom and dad are the nicest people in the world. Every time I come over, her father has a huge plate full of pancakes smothered in syrup. Her mom is a Martha Stewart type who likes to make these elaborate decorations every holiday. She always has freshly baked cookies and cupcakes on the counter. She’s like a baking queen.

Stopping the car in front of her house, I honk the horn. Even though her parents are nice, I don’t have the patience to deal with parents today.       Haley rushes out of the house a moment later, looking cute in a pink halter top, white silk skirt, pink flats, and pink and green Prada backpack.             Smiling, she slides into the car and gives me an excited smile. I smile back as I pull into traffic. “You look chipper today. What’s up?”

She rubs her palms with a buoyant grin. “Oh, Amara. I totally gave Carrick Cross a ride home yesterday. He was so cute.” She says with an excited shudder.

My brow quirks in surprise, but Haley is too excited to notice my reaction.

“Anyway…he asked me out.” She squeals out in excitement. “What do you think?”

I gaze into her twinkling eyes and cheerful grin as I try to stifle my envy. “I think that’s great,” I reply steadily. “You should definitely go for it. Carrick is a seriously nice guy. Too bad his brother is not like that.”         Her smile deepens with glee. She has some really cute dimples. She and Carrick will definitely make a cute couple. I honestly meant what I said about Carrick being a nice guy. Too bad his brother isn’t.

Even as I think this, I can’t help but wonder what he might think of my dress. I remember last year I wore this really hot red dress with the foolish hope that he’d notice me. Unfortunately, that was also the same day that the police arrested him. He was ten times more desirable to girls after that. I can’t pretend that I didn’t feel a twinge of heat when they hauled him away. I mean, what girl doesn’t love a bad boy?

Haley and I arrive at school within minutes. The sun’s up, there’s a gentle breeze stirring in the air, and the smell of fresh roses permeates the campus.

Our school is very beautiful. The grounds are groomed and nicely landscaped. And in the center of the commons, there’s a statue of a Warrior Angel dressed in full battle gear, a leather chassis, and a spear with a shield. His head is covered in a metal helmet that obscures his jaw and cheek. He looks like the really hot king in the movie 300, but with wings. The school has a gothic castle façade with white marble buttresses supporting the front entrances. The building is made up of Ivory stucco. The doorways are arched, the doors are glass and metal, and the windows are tall and picturesque with stained-glass depictions of warrior angels in various stages of a battle.     

I gaze around the crowded sidewalks to see that all of the seniors are dressed to the nines as Haley and I make our way up the school stairs to meet Juliet; who looks incredibly gorgeous in her high ponytail, a tight navy blue dress that falls mid-thigh, and short black leather jacket with six-inch black spiked heels.

“Wow, you look great.” We say in unison. Our laughter reverberates across the grounds as we pose in front of each other. Once we’ve complemented each other’s outfits, we make our way across the hallway until we reach our lockers.

Juliet turns her lock and opens her locker door. “Okay, so pictures are next period. Don’t forget that we have to take club pictures too.”  Haley claps her hand cheerfully. “I can’t wait to take my drama pictures. Mr. Christensen says that she wants us to pose for…” Her voice drifts off, and her eyes focus behind us. Juliet and I turn to see who she’s looking at.

The world around me shifts, and my body heats at the sight that greets us. Kell and Carrick stroll down the hallway, unaware of the gaping stares that follow their every move. Carrick is wearing a jean button-down shirt and black jeans with shiny black boots, and Kell is wearing a fitted black Henley, dark blue jeans, and black all-stars. From a distance, you can see the tattoo on his strong chorded neck and the shadow of another tattoo on his chest. He’s wearing a silver chain with a talisman around his neck. The talisman looks like wings inside a circle. As he moves closer, my mouth dries, and my heart speeds up with excitement.

I try to keep my cool and continue to put things in my locker, but every part of me is honed to his every movement. Haley, on the other hand, is pretty obvious with her feelings. As soon as Carrick is within sight, she moves closer and greets him with an excited smile.

Carrick returns her smile shyly and stops in front of her. Kell follows behind him and hovers on the side like a perfectly formed shadow. Turning away, I try not to gape at the gorgeous sight that Kell presents. However, I can’t help but look at him from the corner of my eyes. It’s like he’s a strong magnetic force luring everything to its atmosphere.

As if feeling my discomfort, Kell finally notices me. His eyes roam over me, making my body heat up. My pulse beats an erratic tune through my ears, and my mind fogs with need. I can almost feel my heartbeat through my throat. Our eyes connect for a moment. His eyes becoming heavy-lidded as if communicating his desire. I don’t know what to say.

Unfortunately, the spell is broken when Tiffany Gibbons steps in front of him. “Hey, Kell.” She whispers sexily. Bile rises in my throat at her sickly sweet tone. I have to admit she looks gorgeous in her tight silver dress with tall strappy heels. The dress is sleeveless and too short for the school dress code, and her hair is stylishly done up into a messy bun.

Juliet leans into my ear and mumbles, “I thought today was class picture day, not half-n***d picture day. What a slut.”

I don’t respond. I can’t. My eyes are glued to the scene before me. Tiffany stands in front of Kell and runs her hand, seductively up to his chest.

Kell gives her a charming smile and tilts his head when she whispers something in his ear. “You look really good, Kell. Do you like what I’m wearing?” She asks flirtatiously.

Blood rushes to my face, and sadness overwhelms me when he smiles and responds. “Oh, you know I do, Tiff.”

Unable to bear another moment, I turn around and walk away. It really angers me that I let him have so much power over me. Juliet follows behind me.“Hey, what’s wrong?” She asks, concerned.

I shake my head and step into the bathroom. “It’s nothing. I just want to make sure everything looks good.” I pretend to look into the mirror and run my fingers through a few loose strands, keeping my eyes above the mirror. I just need a moment to collect myself. I don’t want to examine too deeply why Tiffany and Kell’s conversation bothers me. It’s not as if Kell is mine. I mean, we barely talk to each other.

Juliet slips next to me and adjusts her own hair. “Did you see how hot Kell Cross looked? Man, I’d like me a piece of that. It looks like he and Tiffany have something going on, though. Who knew he had such bad taste?”

I swallow down my depression and ignore her comment. “We better go to the auditorium and get in line before it fills up. I’d hate to stand there in these heels.”

Juliet frowns. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re acting a little weird.”         I shake my head. “I’m fine. Let’s go.”

There are at least twenty people already in line by the time we get there. Juliet stands in front of me and practices her poses. Feeling emotionally worn, I lean my shoulder on the wall and close my eyes. Thoughts of Kell and how good he looked plague me. I wish Tiffany had not interfered when he was about to talk to me. My lips tingle at the thought of being near him. As if I was projecting my thoughts, goosebumps break out through my body. Swallowing hard, I look through the corner of my eyes to see who it is, but I’m sure I already know. I don’t know how I know that it’s Kell, but it’s as if my body recognizes him.

Taking a couple of deep breaths, I try to gain control of my emotions, wrap my arms around me, and turn slightly.

As I thought, Kell is standing there, leaning his shoulder in the doorway. His crystal eyes roam my face caressingly. “You look really good, beauty queen.” He whispers heatedly.

I resist the urge to blush and lick my lips nervously. “Hey, Kell. You look good too.”

His eyes hone in on my lips. We are so close that I can almost feel his breath. Kell leans closer and whispers sensuously. “What are you wearing under that dress, beauty queen?”

I give him an incredulous look as I pretend that his words are not sending shivers down my spine. The guy just doesn’t know when to filter his thoughts. Sometimes I’m not sure if it infuriates me or makes me desire him more.

Playing it cool, I answer him with a superior smirk. “That is none of your business, Kell.”

But he doesn’t let my attitude deter him. Oh no, not Kell. Instead, he chuckles lightly and wiggles his eyebrows. “I’ll tell you if you tell me.” I roll my eyes and face forward. “I don’t think you can handle me, Cross.”

His smile widens, and he runs a finger down my arm and twirls me back to face him. Playing along, I turn to him and give him a questioning frown.

He bites his lower lip, which makes every part of my body shudder before he answers. “Trust me, it would be a pleasure to handle you.”     My heart speeds up with excitement, but I don’t let him see it. Instead, I roll my eyes and scoff at his comment before I pull my arm away hesitantly. I don’t know what this is between Kell and me. It’s as if I crave him when he’s not around, and I need to keep him at a distance when he’s close. It’s so confusing.

He's about to say more when Tiffany walks up to him again. What is it with this girl that she knows the exact right moment to interrupt? I have to grit my teeth when she smiles and wraps her arm around his forearm.             

“Hey, Kell, thanks for saving my spot. Maybe we can take a picture together.” Her words hit me like a gunshot.

I don’t know why her words put me on edge. Once again, I find myself feeling moody. Unaware of my turmoil, Kell smiles in response, which makes my body tense further. “Anytime, Tiff.”

My lips tremble, and my eyes haze with tears. Unable to bear anymore, I turn away from them and face forward. My body is strung so tight that I think I might break.

I can feel his eyes on me, but I refuse to turn around. At that moment, Juliet is called up for her pictures. Smiling brightly, she waves at me and blows kisses in my direction. Somehow her playful manner seems to relieve some of the tension in my body.

Before I know it, it’s my turn to take pictures. I walk up to the photographer’s spot, desperate to get it over with. It’s almost ironic how I love taking pictures, but I hate to be the subject of the photographer. I wonder what Freud would say about that?

Unfortunately, the little bit of control I attain is shattered when Kell moves into my line of sight and gives me a smoldering smirk.

Sometimes I wonder if he knows how much he affects me and uses it as a weapon to keep me off my game. It also irks me to no end that I don’t have that kind of effect on him.

Not letting him get to me, I look toward the camera and prepare to put on a show. The photographer makes suggestions that I can’t hear because my attention is still focused on Kell.

He waves and winks at me as if noticing my attention. But I refuse to let him see my consternation and pretend to ignore him.

I’m so engrossed by his presence that I don’t notice when the photography assistant steps in front of me with a mirror in her hand and aims it in my direction. She says something, but all I can see are her lips moving before a vision is begins to overtake me. I blink my eyes and try to look away to stave off the vision, but it’s no use. It’s too late. My body freezes, and the world begins to fade until I’m sucked into my own personal hell. There’s nothing that I can do at that point, but I hope that it will be over with soon. I try to reach out my hand to steady myself, but my knees buckle, and the world goes black.

“Sophie…Sophie.” A creepy female voice whispers in the distance. I look around desperately, but all I see is darkness. Tears of terror fall down my face as the voice moves closer, making the hairs on my neck stand on end. My breathing quickens with dread as I try to move, but I can’t. I look around and struggle in place to find that my hands and feet are tied to some kind of column. It’s completely dark in the room. I try to blink my eyes to adjust my vision to the darkness, but it’s a harrowing task. Eventually, my vision adjusts, and I can see a sliver of light in the distance. I blink again, trying to get a better view, but all I see are colors vibrating inside the light.

After closer inspection, I notice that it’s some kind of stained glass. I must be in a church of some kind. That’s the only time that I’ve seen stained glass. The voice moves closer this time, making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. “Sophie. You have to be the one. I need you. You have to be the one I’ve been looking for. I need your power!” She screeches out in anger.

I hold my breath, trying to stifle the sobs that are rising in my throat, hoping that somehow she’ll go away. Suddenly, a cold breeze stirs over my face. It feels like when I open the refrigerator door and stick my face inside. My breath forms an eerie fog in front of me, and my chest shudders with terror. Just then, a hand grips the front of my shirt and rips the front of my top.

“No!” I scream out and struggle desperately in my bonds. The form cackles with glee as her nails claw down my chest.

She presses harder on my chest and spits out. “This has to work, little girl. I need this.” I close my eyes and try to pull away from my attacker. I had never been so terrified in my life. To my relief, the claws disappear. However, my relief is short-lived when the hand reappears, and I feel cold metal settle over my skin. I gasp in shock and open my eyes to come face to face with blood-red eyes and sharp teeth. I open my mouth to scream, but no sound comes out. I watch helplessly as the knife rises over my head and plunges back down into my chest. I scream out as excruciating pain flows through me. Blood spurts from my mouth and runs down my chin. I cry as the knife twists in my chest, and my death follows.