Part 14

Hazel eyes sprung ajar suddenly as if some unknown force had harshly pried them apart, an abrupt gasp was released from my full lips drowning on the staleness of the stifling air, death and a sense of dread that I couldn't explain comingling in the atmosphere. I rose tentatively in the darkness my gaze widening unable to shake this unwanted feeling that somewhere, somehow, someone lied in wait watching. Through the crack barely visible between the slightly parted curtains I could see the darkened sky slowly illuminating, its once gloomy appearance going from ebony to navy's midnight hue as I peeled back the shabby covers that lied over me. There was a thick substance covering my skin, a substance that remained a mystery to me in the be-stilled darkness as I swung my naked legs onto the coolness of the beige carpet. My body scantily clothed in only my white bra and panties I quietly stepped over my discarded pink dress and sweater lying in shambles next to dirty timberland boots, a blue and white plaid shirt, and a blue baseball cap on my way towards the brightness of the bathroom.

I pierced the white door back, the light illuminating all it touched as my eyes took in the blood that lined my hands, traces of it now lingering on its white surface. My legs covered in the same scarlet liquid lead me towards the sink and there unashamedly sucking the trucker's life-force from my fingers I met little Marie's dismayed expression. Cheeks damp with tears, eyes blazing in fury sat my angelic other half, my conscience I couldn't seem to escape.

"What have you done?" Anna cried, her eyes horrified by the blood I callously washed from my skin, its appearance almost pink along the white porcelain as it swirled down the drain. "He's dead!"

"Don't you mean what have we done?" I mocked loving the horror on her childlike features. I saw identical hazel eyes frantically searching for answers from a blank mind, my amusement only growing at her inability to find any.

"Why can't I remember what happened last night? The last thing I can recall is you leading us from the bathroom!"

"That's because it's the way I wanted it to be," I smirked condescendingly. "I'm protecting you Anna as I always have. You could have never survived last night if you knew all that had happened." I allowed the cool water to wash away all evidence of last nights festivities while blatantly ignoring Anna's livid gaze piercing into my skull.

"Fuck protection," she muttered just as an unknown force regained power over our shared limbs coercing my unwilling palm against the cool glass of the mirror. "I'm tired of secrets," Anna yelled just as her hand collided with mine and I found myself once again compelled back outside the diner's bathroom...

I sauntered slowly towards the old rusted pickup, my hips swaying, my body radiating unstated lust. I could feel his eyes gazing at me longingly, his desire pouring off him in delicious ripples, and oh how I ached for him. I felt this unwarranted need to have him covet me, to blindly want me so intensely that all normal clarity was omitted for I knew without penetrating his mind that he was not far from that point already, and that once desire transformed into pure horror the darkness inside that consumed my very being would finally be sated, would finally be replete. The old car's door squeaked as I closed it, my attention solely on Gary's leering view of my exposed legs instead of my nagging doppelganger screaming danger inside my skull.

"I already have us a room," he whispered, one hand quickly steering us away from the diner as if to prevent me from changing my mind, the other busy taking repeated mouthfuls from his can of beer.

I slid sideways with my back to the door, my eyes intent on my prey which only seemed to cause his desire I could clearly see in his eyes to increase as a smile slowly crept upon my lips. I found it so easy to manipulate those who were already so desperate for attention... and what can I say?

I guess I've always enjoyed playing with my food.

"So, tell me something about you," I asked, my mind already slipping inside his. "Are you married?"

His grin was slightly forced, "Hell no. What kind of man would I be if I was married but here with you right now?" Even If I couldn't enter his thoughts so easily I would have seen the falseness in his words; if it were impossible to hear his darkest secrets so plainly his lies would have been transparent for his increased heart beat would have still betrayed him.

"You would be Gary," I replied with a condescending smirk upon my lips watching the frown appear on his. "You forgot to remove your wedding band."

He absentmindedly touched his ring, his thoughts on his wife naively waiting for him at home, "does it bother you that I'm married?"

"Not at all, in fact I quite like the idea of you going home tasting of me," I teased, my tongue reaching out to moisten my lips. Amused, I watched him shift in his seat as if slightly discomforted, his foot accelerating the truck that much faster. Men were just so easy to... toy with.

"Oh, really? I think I'd like that too."

There wasn't much he didn't like if the sick images in his mind were anything to go by. I was not the first young girl he had managed to pick up nor would I be the last. I was only the most willing of victims, something for which if his brain wasn't so clouded by stupidity he surely would have questioned.

"Does it bother you that I'm only sixteen?" The shoulder of my sweater slipped down along with it the strap of my dress exposing bare golden skin, the sight causing sweat to trickle down his cheek and the truck to swerve chaotically onto the other side of the road. His beer fell to the floor in his haste to straighten the car, the sound of another irate driver spilled out into the night as my body fell forward across his lap. I remained bent over him, my hands gripping his thighs, my hazel red trimmed eyes focused solely on the incessant throb in his neck. Down girl, I whispered to my inner thirst, the irrepressible craving to shred his revolting figure into pieces was almost a temptation too compelling to resist.

His gaze slid downwards to meet mine, "I don't have a problem with it if you don't." I made a motion to move back to my seat and yet his hand was quick to grab mine to stop me, "You can stay right there if you want?"

My smirk screamed seduction even while I controlled my urge to gag at the mere thought as I slowly slid from within his reach, "Funny, I've been told being on my knees becomes me." I watched in amusement as he swallowed with obvious difficulty, "but I believe you swerving onto the opposite side of the road proves that being on your side of the car isn't such a good idea."

He smirked, "And what, your always the good girl?"

The tips of my fingers rose leisurely tracing the length of the edge of fabric along my chest knowing how much he yearned to make his desires reality, how much he ached to possess me. "I guess I have daddy issues. I've always had a thing for needing attention." I watched this middle aged pervert continue to undress me with his eyes while I continued to morbidly dream in secret fascination of the moment when life itself would cease to exist in his lust filled gaze, when his rose colored cheeks would grow pale as the blood is extracted from his skin.

"Gary, do you have kids?"

Desire instantly decreased in his stare as anger became its replacement, "Now what kind of fucking question is that?"

A simple one, you fucking Pedophile. You sit there having no problems corrupting me while your sweet little daughter sleeps innocently at home.

It was so clear in his mind. I could see his daughter no older than seven or eight sleeping in her bed clutching a stuffed teddy bear, daddy's photo lying on the night stand beside her completely oblivious to what her father truly is.

"It was just a question."

The motel came into view, a two story cheap hole in the wall, paint peeling, shabby cars lining its parking lot, and the lace in the words palace motel lights had went out long ago and yet still no one had attempted to repair it. Gary's truck almost toppled over at the speed in which he flew into the lot, his foot barely hitting the brakes once in his allotted spot. He killed the engine, "no more questions."

His hands were rough as he pushed me towards the room, his palms shaking in anticipation as he unlocked the door fumbling for the lights, and as I began to take a step inside I felt myself for the first time tonight hesitate. He looked back obvious annoyance lining his features, his fingers already quick to remove his boots.

"Don't tell me you're having second thoughts, honey?"

"I", I began only stopping as I felt the beginning traces of Anna trying to take over. I could feel her pull, her force preventing me from taking another step.

"You said you wanted to come here," he furiously raged as he hastily moved back towards me, his hand quick to snatch uncaringly at my wrist to force my body up against his, "And one thing I hate more than anything is a fucking tease."

Shoving Anna into the back of my consciousness with a energy I never knew I would need when dealing with her I quickly regained authority, my features mere inches from his, the smell of beer pungent in the diminutive space between us, "good thing I'm not one," I whispered just as disgusting lips crashed down on mine, and my small form was snatched from the ground into his roughly vicious embrace.

The door was slammed shut behind me, my legs brutally forced open as my back crashed against the entrance's wooden surface, Gary quick to push his form against mine. I could feel the softened and hardened contours of his body pressing into me as I struggled to breathe let alone think of a way to gain some space. His fingers grasped my sweater hurling it away at such a speed I barely had time to notice its descent over his shoulder.

I yanked my swollen lips from his, the feel of his tongue on my neck enraging me enough to grab a handful of his hair to force his gaze to meet mine, "don't you know a lady likes a gentle touch."

His grin was pure malevolence, his aurora a furious garnet, "good thing you're nothing like a lady."

Callous fingers yanked the dress from my body; uncaring hands were now sadistically aggressive as they twisted harshly into my curls forcing my neck to bend back, his fingers and lips wandering across naked once unblemished skin now reddened slightly bruised beneath his touch. Our bodies crashed brutally into the surrounding walls as he slowly maneuvered us closer to the bed, my hands still determined to create some space, his hunger for me almost to the point of suffocation.

I could feel the worry and fear within me but now as my body hit the mattress and palms quickly imprisoned my wrists I wondered if it was Anna's or my own fright consuming me. This was not what I had pictured; had envisioned happening, and I knew if I didn't gain control soon this would become no different than the scene that had transpired between my stepfather and Andrea. I heard him undo his pants, his grip still unyielding on my own as I blindly struggled beneath him, his fingers now sliding along my thighs, pure unadulterated panic now besieging my entangled limbs. His lips slid towards my ear whispering as I felt his now free, unclothed skin against my own, "Girls like to pretend they don't like it rough, but trust me you'll learn to love it."

A lone tear trickled down my cheek unbeknownst if it was for me, Anna, Andrea, or any other girl who found themselves in this petrifying position, I didn't know. All that was clear to me was that I was quickly growing beyond pissed, that dark shadows now slithered from inward playfully sliding across my face. I could feel the sharp sting of scarlet slicing uncaringly into my pupils as my tears turned red and was once mere anger turned into unmitigated rage.

My palm slid easily from within his grip hastily grasping his neck with such a force that it instantly caused him to gag, his eyes to water uncontrollably at my unexpected burning touch, "I've think you've had enough fun for now."

Gary's eyes held panic, surprise, luscious terror as I rolled him over easily until I sat straddling his stomach, his breathing still shallow within my ruthless clutch. With a minor shove of my wrist I felt his heavy form vault from underneath me descending quickly forward until his head smashed violently into the headboard, the oak wood cracking from the vigorous force, blood trickling down his face.

I climbed off the mattress standing beside it clad in only a bra and panties as this husky broad-shouldered man still dizzy from my tiny push, scorched finger indentations on his neck scrambled to remove himself from the bed only to stop at the effortless wave of my hand. His body ceased all moment, all motion halted, all except the ever resounding pounding of his heart, and the terrified shifting of those horror-struck eyes. I walked slowly from the side of the bed, my hips once again swaying, my ravenous gaze on my prey, my footsteps deadly and yet silent as I stepped over the clothes he so callously ripped from my body.

As I came to a stop before him I slowly bent over his useless form, his eyes nervously watching my every move as I allowed my fingers to gently brush the length of his lips permitting mobility to revisit. "Somehow I really don't think this is exactly how you pictured tonight going, Gary."

Fat useless tears ran the length of his face, its sight adding to my detestation of him instead of appealing to my sense of sympathy. "Please, I have a daughter and a wife at home."

I smirked, "Both of which you left eagerly to approach me."

His eyes widened in undisguised fear, "I just wanted a little fun. No one got hurt. Please just let me go," he pathetically begged.

I swung my legs over his stomach sitting atop his body again, my fingers rising to brush against his chest watching as he winced against the pain as darkened angry red welts lined his skin. "Shhh," I whispered gently while once again easily removing his ability to verbalize the agony of my touch, my mouth close to his ear, "Don't worry, sweet Gary." The tip of my nail ripped into the softness of his neck like a knife into butter, blood rushing up to meet the surface, my hunger now in total control. "Men like to pretend they don't like it rough, but trust me you'll learn to love it."

My tongue unhurriedly licked at the scarlet surface, his fear lingering inside its scrumptious flavor only making my craving to devour him that much more inexorable, all-consuming as I uncaringly sunk porcelain incisors into muscle, callously ripped pass tissue loving the sight of skin shredding jaggedly as sweet nectar exploded on my tongue as a feeling so close to ecstasy finally rippled throughout my body. The fact that even within my inescapable compulsion he still managed to feebly struggle only made the taste of his inevitable surrender that much more...

... Appetizing.

My limbs felt as if suddenly it was engulfed by turbulent seas, battered by tumultuous blows, as if consumed by a temperature so arctic my body would never be warm again as my eyes closed at the sudden chill in the air, my breathing coming out in shortened pants until abruptly my gaze was released and once again I found myself faced with the livid expression of my carbon copy.

"You killed him," she replied brokenly.

I smirked; a grin devoid of any genuine humor, "You saw what happened. It's not like he was truly innocent." I grabbed a discarded rubber band quickly bundling my curls into a high ponytail before washing the blood from my face.

"Innocent or not he didn't deserve to die. You choose him from the moment we walked into that diner so don't act like what you did was for the greater good!"

Rolling my eyes at her holier than thou act, "I'm tainted, is that what you want to hear? I'm no where near an angel."

"That's an understatement."

"My point is darkness recognizes its own kind. I instantly knew who to ... eat," I said laughing at my own choice of words.

"Don't lie to me. Even if you hadn't sensed darkness you would have attacked one of those customers last night! Don't even try to deny it."

I grinned dropping the towel back onto the sink, "If you know that then why do you look so surprised?"

My feet was silent as they sunk into the carpet on my way back into the bedroom, unfortunately the voice trapped inside my mind was not so soundless.

"Don't you feel even an ounce of remorse for what you've done? You've killed a man."

I pulled my dress back over my head, my gaze uncaringly wandering back to the body lying across the bed, "his chest is still moving. He's clearly not dead."

"He's dying though. We have to go get help."

I grinned unkindly as I slipped back into my sandals, "we don't have to do anything. Look, we needed a place to rest unseen, I got us a place to crash," I said gesturing to the blood soaked sheets. "We needed cash, I got us money," my hands already going through Gary's wallet discarding family photos but reaching for cash and credit cards. I slipped on my sweater, "And we needed a ride, I got us a car." Gary's keys dangled from my fingertips as I headed towards the entrance, the sight of Marie in the dresser's mirror causing me to pause at the doorway.

"But he'll die if we don't help."

I groaned, looking back at the useless excuse for a man struggling to take in oxygen, "why should I care? He would have forced himself on us if he had picked a more defenseless girl."

"We can't just leave him."

"Fine," walking swiftly back towards the bedside table trying not to look at the side of Gary's gashed open neck as I grabbed the sign beside the lamp. Stalking back towards the door I stuck the housekeeping sign on the doorknob. "There, Mother Teresa. Help is on the way."

With a disgruntled Marie still worrying in my head I hopped into the truck pealing out of the parking lot leaving behind all thoughts of Gary and feeding on him, hell if I could have I would have left Marie behind too. Picking up discarded sunglasses I found between the seats I placed them over my hazel-scarlet eyes, my fingers reaching for the radio.

"Sit back Little Marie, this is going to be a long ride," I whispered, just as the music invaded the silence. Cranking the volume, I thought to myself how perfect this song was as I drove towards home singing along.

"Hello daddy! Hello mom! I'm your ch- ch- ch- ch- ch- ch- cherry bomb! Hello world I'm your wild girl! I'm your ch- ch- ch- ch- ch- ch- cherry bomb!"

...............................................................................

If the dull ache in my head wasn't bad enough Marie's constant nagging would have drove anyone insane not to mention her abrupt unexpected continual spurts of power-plays. I'd be driving along and suddenly lose consciousness and when I finally came back into control I'd find the car heading back towards Glover Dale instead of home. And so it wasn't seriously surprising to find that after four hours of driving I still hadn't reached Bay Ridge yet and was now running out of gas. I pulled into an old gas station, my eyes quick to meet the gaze of Marie's angry expression in the rear view mirror.

"It's no use Marie. You're not going to win this fight."

"Funny, you don't sound nearly as sure as you use to," she taunted.

"Don't fuck with me, little girl. Don't make me force you to do something we both know I won't regret," I spat back, my hands quick to release myself from the truck while trying to ignore the slight tremble in my limbs. Fighting Marie was taxing my strength. She was getting stronger meaning my time was running out.

I walked quickly towards the store ignoring the obvious looks my appearance normally received as I stalked up towards the counter. "Can I get fifty on pump eight?"

A middle aged, overweight, acne having red head, more intent on watching TV than tending to a customer turned towards me. Her blue and tan uniform tight on her rotund form, "aren't you supposed to be in school?"

I snatched my change from her fingers, "aren't you supposed to be less ugly?"

Ignoring the outraged expression on her face I headed towards the restrooms, it was only as I was contemplating a muffin did I hear the breaking news interrupt her program.

"Oh, great like I care about some fucking breaking news, I'm missing my show!" she complained as I glanced back over my shoulder, frozen at the sudden sight of my face.

"If you have seen this girl you are to alert the police immediately. Missing, Anna Marie Cortez is considered to be dangerous. A reward will be issued to anyone with any tips that leads to the capture of this escaped convict. Once again please call..."

Stationary, wanting to move but unable to I watched as the gas attendant turned horrified eyes back towards me before she quickly picked up the phone, other customers seemed to step further from where I stood, some even going as far as to run from the store, while other more greedy ones quickly used their phones to make the call themselves. Common sense finally donned on my immobile limbs enough to quickly move to the back of the store. I grasped the restroom door hastily locking myself inside.

"Great plan Anna. No one will look for us here," my saintly identity said from my reflection, her grin grating on my already overstretched nerves.

"Shut up, I just need a moment to think."

"Yeah you do that, and while you take that time I'm sure the cops will only be too happy to escort us home."

I grinned ominously, "Glover Dale isn't home Marie. God, you really have lost it in that psych ward! I was trying to get us home!"

The grin was instantly wiped from Marie's expression, "that place was never home, and you know it. I don't know what happened... that night, but I know what you're capable of and if I could I would turn myself in just to stop you."

"You still don't get it Marie. I didn't become a true manifestation until you touched hands with darkness and awakened this half of yourself. Whatever happened before the night the demons attacked you, you did on your own."

Tears puddled in her hazel eyes, "You're lying."

"And you're in denial. I don't have time for this," my eyes searched frantically for a way out as I quickly climbed onto the toilet seat pushing at the small window above me.

"Tell me you're lying!"

Fresh air embraced my face as finally the window gave in and I began to lever myself out. I gazed back at Marie's tragic expression before I was at last immersed into freedom, "Marie, I can only protect you from the truth for so long. Eventually reality catches up with fantasy and we all have to own up to our own demons."

Unable to watch her face crumple I jumped the short distance to the ground already hearing the distant sound of sirens. My gaze scanned the parking lot knowing I couldn't return to the truck in the front without virtually handing myself over to my lynch mob, my eyes quickly landed on a woman not too far from where I stood. She was standing next to a red Lexus convertible, her mind more on the conversation she was having on her cell phone than her surroundings. I watched her leisurely replace the gas nozzle, her back towards me, idiotically the keys still in the ignition. Without thought I ran full speed towards the car, not even bothering with opening the door I hopped over the side, my hand quickly turning the keys, my fingers yanking the gear into drive, my foot already on the gas. I heard her outraged scream just as I roared out the lot. It wasn't until I hit the highway that I allowed myself to release my entrapped breath.

I fixed the angle of my rear view mirror almost jumping out my skin at the sudden appearance of Marie staring back at me.

"This is pointless and you know it. We can't run forever."

"Thought I'd left you behind," I said with a grin, my curls wiping around my face.

"You mean you wished."

"You just don't want to go home."

"It's a bad idea. You do realize this car draws even more attention to us, right?"

"But it is much more my style," I replied in authentic appreciation of this gorgeous vehicle as I sped effortlessly that much further from where we had come. "Dumbass didn't even fill up the car."

"We should just turn ourselves in now."

"We only need enough gas to make it to Bay Ridge. Now relax Marie. I have this all under control," I replied calmly, my lead foot accelerating the car down the open highway, everything around us nothing more than a mere blur.

A voice almost lost within the wind whispered, "Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of."

The miles disappeared quickly as did the time as corporate buildings blurred into countless vast structures until what was city turned into farmland, what was cement turned into grass, and then finally after what seemed like endless moments of equivalent normality the view transformed into subdivisions and the sign welcome to Bay Ridge stood before us. I could still hear Marie's worries clear in my mind practically screaming for me to turn back and yet I found myself blocking her ramblings. Impeding her rationality from coercing my need to reach my destination while trying to hide the fact that even though Gary's blood had fueled me; gave me more power and courage to do things Marie cringed at the mere idea of doing, my strength was dwindling and I didn't need my better half to take advantage of that fact.

The gas light lit up and even as I reached in my pocket to see what little cash I would find frustration instantly devoured my sense of calm as I envisioned the stolen cash currently lying inside Gary's glove compartment. The car rolled slowly down a cherry blossom tree lined street, identical middle class houses lining its road before finally stopping completely by the curb next to a elementary school.

"Now what?" Marie gloated.

"Now we move on to plan B."

"What? We steal a plane?"

"Why don't you do us both a favor and go back to pathetically crying some-."

The radio interrupted my insult silencing us both, "A fire raged on Matthews drive at the palace motel this morning injuring several while managing to kill one-," My fingers were quick to turn it off.

"He's dead?!"

"Yeah, by a fire we had nothing to do with." Leaving the keys in the ignition I rose from the car, my annoying companion unfortunately coming along with me.

"You said you didn't kill him! What aren't you telling me?"

Walking quickly from the street I tried to block my thoughts from hers but at my weakened state it was virtually impossible.

"You knew they were coming! You felt them watching us! You felt their presence!"

"You're starting to sound as crazy as they claim you to be," I lied while trying to ignore the eyes of morning joggers watching me oddly as I talked to myself.

"You left him there knowing that those demonic creatures would come finish what you started! Don't bother denying it; I can see it clearly in your thoughts!"

I began walking away from the car, my dress swaying playfully around my legs, "and so what if I did? Gary asked for it. For once in his selfish pleasure seeking life he did the one generous act of feeding us both, and the demons cleaned up the mess."

"He was a man-."

"He was a monster. The world should be giving me a medal not condemning me."

"No, you're the monster! And I'm not doing this anymore!" Marie raged, her words instantly shutting down our body. "What, can't control your limbs anymore?" she mocked.

"Stop it."

"No, this ends here!"

I grinned sadistically, my eyes traveling to the playground of the school watching as the kids played innocently; completely oblivious to what the world really was while their mothers waved them off utterly naïve, trusting that those hallowed walls would keep their children safe. My gaze took in a little girl with golden curls and big blue eyes being tickled by her mom, her rosy chubby cheeks shaking with laughter, her small legs kicking out around her before her mom freed her tiny form from her hold and she ran happily to her friends, ball already in hand.

"Marie you know where I want to go. It's only a matter of time before I defeat your pathetic stall tactics." I watched the mother turn to speak with the other parents, her kid now forgotten and yet protected behind the silver fence.

"I won't go back there."

"Fine, we'll go somewhere else," I conceded, my power pushing my legs forward directly towards the school, my fingers trailing the fence's metal surface, laughter and excited voices surround me. I pause beside that same little girl, the fence separating us, "are you ready now Marie, or must I force your hand?"

"I won't go back."

The little girl continues to dribble the ball but with a flick of my eyes the ball bounces out of her grasp and bounds over the fence.

"What are you doing?" Marie asks clearly panicked.

"Playing."

I watched in sick amusement while Marie watches in silent horror as the little girl leaves the safety of the school grounds opening the fence to chase down the rolling ball, a ball that is progressing directly towards the street. I could feel Marie's influence channeling towards the ball's momentum trying to halt it before it hits the road but I am still in control, and although weakened Marie continues to be completely blind to the full potential of her powers and so I find it easy to push pass her pathetic display of control and propel the ball that much further just as the kid would have grasped it in her finger tips.

A car is approaching at a rate that is no where near the allotted speed for a school zone. The mother finally turns back to her daughter but sees she's no where near her friends anymore. Her eyes take in her child wandering into the street, the vehicle speeding towards her and I could practically taste her fear from here. She knows she won't make it in time but still she drops her purse running towards her child.

"I do believe that, Dear Sweet Mommy has finally noticed her daughter is missing," I mocked as time slowed as if in a movie as I watched the mom run towards the little girl, the girl now in the middle of the road; ball in hand, but stopping to turn towards her mother's screams. "What's it to be Marie? You face your fears or the kid faces her death?"

"Stop it!"

"Oh no, Marie that car's brakes seems to mysteriously not be working," I mocked laughing crazily as the impending car began to swerve chaotically down the street still aiming for the now frozen kid. "It's getting closer..."

"Fine! Stop! We'll go!" Marie screamed just as the car came dangerously close, mere feet from making contact.

"I knew you'd see things my way," I taunted as finally I allowed time to adjust to its normal setting as I forced the car to veer off the road, straight into a telephone pole. The mother finally reached her child snatching her into her arms, both crying uncontrollably as I walked pass, my eyes on the mangled car wrapped around the pole, the driver clearly dead. I looked at all the blood pouring from his skull, glass sticking through his skin thinking what a waste of food as the crowd from the school surrounded the crash sight. Tears and screams filled the air that had once filled with laughter as parents and teachers tried to shield the children's eyes as I continued walking.

"You're sick" Marie cried from within.

"Hey, you made your decision now live with it," I replied with demented logic as I casually picked up the mother's discarded purse indifferently leaving the chaos I had initiated behind me.

"Really, Anna?"

"What?" I asked with a smirk upon my lips. "We're gonna need bus fare."

..............................................................................................

Apartments and stores rolled pass the window while houses grew in size as we drove closer to the heart of higher society of Bay Ridge. Mansions sat off in the distance surrounded by ivy covered gates intent to keep the unwanted from glimpsing the true secrets behind such sacred lifestyles money allocated them. I watched as my travel home grew closer, my destination almost within sight with a slight dread inside me at the mere idea. I seemed surrounded by such glitter, such sparkle and yet all I saw as I gazed out was corrosion. And the sight of little Marie's tear lined image fresh inside my mind through the reflection on the bus's window did nothing to lift my spirits.

But then again...

"Don't even think about it," Marie instantly scolded.

"You are absolutely no fun," I mumbled just as a figure took the empty seat by me, his thoughts already transparent to my mind before he appeared at my side. "Save your breath I'm not interested," I muttered my eyes still on the view rather than the guy intent on getting my number.

"Completely understandable Beautiful," he complimented, the arrogance in his voice setting my teeth on edge. "I mean guys must hit on you daily, but you see that's not what I'm trying to do."

My golden eyes finally swung towards his green gaze, beaming slowly as I took in his blue hoodie and jean clad body that hid a clearly muscular form, gorgeous tousled blonde mane, smirking easily with full red lips, lips made for sin, and yet when I gazed upon him all I saw...

... was grinning idiotic cuisine.

How easy it would be to feed on him...

"You already killed two people today! Leave him alone Anna! You got what you wanted, we're almost home."

"And what are you trying to do?" I teased.

"Exactly, what I've done. Make you smile, and let me tell you. It was well worth the effort."

"Marie..."

Laughing lightly at his tired swagger with a bite of my plump reddened lips knowing his eyes stared mesmerized, "Can you do me a small favor?"

"Anything."

My grin dropped as quickly as it had formed, "get the fuck out of my face, and while you're at it make sure you go back and tell your eager friends that you sure as hell didn't score." Then I dismissed his stunned features turning back towards the view. The last I heard of my new little friend was a muttered curse as he stomped back to his seat.

"Happy now?" I whispered to my virtuous twin as I alighted from my spot intent on getting off at my stop. I strolled off the bus standing on the walkway of a street I knew so well, my new little friend giving me the finger as the bus roared pass me while allowing me the first glimpse of my house. A house I hadn't seen since the night I was accused of attempted murder.

"Oh, I'm just ecstatic," Marie replied, sarcasm dripping from her every word.

"Home sweet home."

Twigs tore at my unmarked skin as I maneuvered my way over our neighbor's fence. Irritated and more than a little pissed I snatched them from my curls as I levered myself over the black gates. "Why must everyone insist on such security?"

"Probably to keep out crazy nut jobs like you. Tell me again why you're sneaking over the neighbor's fence and not our own?"

I blew a stray curl from my face dusting my hands off after my jump, "You can not be serious? For one this house connects to ours with the forest that lines our property and considering we're certainly not in the cover of night the less chance of people seeing us the better. Not to mention who knows what dear step daddy Rick has in store for us. For all I know the fence surrounding ours could have electrocuted us at first touch."

I walked quickly through the lawn trying to ignore my cuts as fucking Fido came out of no where, growling and barking something fierce at my stationary form. I glared at the beast grinning as it howled in pain before toppling over in silence.

"Tell me you did not just kill that dog?"

"Of course not. It's sleeping." I began striding quickly through the woods, my sandals almost sliding from beneath me through the mud.

"Then why isn't he moving!"

I groaned as I finally came to the opening of our property, "who cares you always hated that mutt anyway."

"That's beside the point, Anna-."

Ignoring the righteous indignation screaming in my head my gaze finally took in the grey ivy covered mansion before me. Its black tiled roof, its rose covered trellises', its many windows; white curtains blowing in the breeze onto its wrap around veranda, its glistening pool, tennis court, and its many balconies. So much privilege, and yet so little love.

"Ready for another climb?" my innocent self taunted as I gazed at the tree that would lead me to the safety of the balcony that was once my room.

I groaned as I glanced down at my mud covered sandals already making my quickened move towards my target, "Not really."

Once inside unseen I quickly ignored the sight of my youth. Ignored the band posters that lined my walls, the expensive stereo equipment that I used to block out the pain of my mother's obvious abandonment, ignored the expensive trinkets she lavished Andrea and me with to make up for her shortcomings. My eyes landed on a framed photo of Andrea, my father and I. My hands trembling even as I picked it up, tracing my fingers over our once happy faces before my darker self retook over my body and the frame fell from my fingertips back onto my lavender colored covers.

"Enough sentiment. This is not why we're here." Listening for voices straining my ears for a clue to if my presence had alerted the masses I paused listening for distant sounds before moving quickly towards the closet, grabbing a towel.

"What are you doing?" Marie asked in confusion.

I walked inside the white marble bathroom, our reflection in every surface, my hand gripping the gold lined bars to cut on the shower. "What does it look like? I've been trapped in scrubs and this freaking pink dress for what seems like forever. I say we take advantage of the opportunity."

"Are you freaking serious?"

"As a heart attack." I smirked as I undressed quickly before immersing myself inside the warmth of the shower, "but if it makes you feel better you can keep lookout."

Moments later I stood before my reflection clad in dark skinny jeans, knee high black flat boots, and a black graphic tee brushing my curls down my back.

"You came here to change clothes?" my angry reflection asked as my image morphed into Marie's exasperated expression.

"No, you know exactly why we came here, but unfortunately from what I heard from downstairs daddy dearest has not arrived home yet."

Marie's eyes were troubled, "you can't defeat him. He's too powerful."

"No Marie, you can't defeat him," I replied calmly placing the brush down on the dresser beside us. My eyes blazed a fire that could never be extinguished contained only by my hazel irises'. "I haven't even begun to fight."

"So time spent in an asylum really has turned you insane."

I smirked at my reflection the sight of my older step sister lounging serenely against the doorway filling the glass. "Hello Adriana," I said softly moving slowly to face yet another person who had so easily deemed me guilty. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

The grin on her pink tinted lips held little pleasure as did her grey eyes as they bore into mine, "I could ask you the same thing. Are you so absentminded now that you have forgotten the court order that bars you from this house, or was the padded walls not clue enough that you're no longer allowed here, or on the streets at all for that matter?"

Taking in her short red dress that barely covered her ass, the high heeled black boots, her russet golden highlighted loose curls falling around her shoulders barely concealing the skin the plunge towards her navel revealed, "speaking of streets does Dear Step Daddy Rick approve of the hooker wardrobe your currently rocking?"

Her grin made me want to bash her face in, as if she knew a secret I remained ignorant to as she sashayed further into the room, her dress rising as she walked. "Oh come now, Anna. Even someone as naively innocent as you should be able to see pass the façade by now," she ridiculed. "I heard of your showdown with Andrew. Him not being here... not really how I thought the outcome of that would go." Stepping closer Adriana gazed into my eyes with open wonderment, "But I must say red really becomes you, little sister."

Shuffling pass all the bullshit I realized quickly the true meaning behind her words, "you're not his daughter."

Clapping, "Bravo," She laughed in amusement like a parent laughs at a foolish child, "as far as the public is concerned I am, and I play my part well."

"And in private?"

Her smile turned seductive, her fingers trailing slowly down her stomach stopping at the top of her thighs, "let's just say Andrea's bedroom wasn't his only stop."

"That's fucking sick," I raged almost gagging at the mere thought.

Anger replaced her amusement so quickly, red capturing grey, shadows creeping across her face, her expression so devoid of human sentiment that I almost took a step back as she took a step forward. "No, the only thing sick is his ridiculous obsession with your family!" She began her unhurried walk around me, her eyes on every inch of my body, her fingers trailing inside my curls, "his fascination with you." She returned to glare into my eyes, her expression livid on her pretty features, "I just don't understand it. Why everyone seems to have this uncontrollable fixation on fucking gutter trash."

"Wow," I smirked, "for a minute there you actually sounded jealous," I unwisely taunted.

"Why would I be?" her grin was patronizing at best. Leaning in closer she whispered, "You're no longer in my way." I watched her smile turn menacingly sinister just as I felt the sharp sting of a needle into my arm.

A gasp was released from my lips as I felt my limbs instantly become rendered useless as if slowly falling into a deep sleep. My vision grew hazy and yet still I could clearly see Adriana's smile as I fell. My mother stood by her side dressed in her high priced finery, pearls lining her neck, waves pulled back into a bun, her makeup flawless, the syringe still in her hand, her hazel eyes so identical to mine; pained.

"Goodbye sweet Anna. I do hope you enjoy your future drooling, drugged out of your mind in a padded cell," Adriana said happily as she stepped around me leaving the room.

"Why?" I could barely whisper through my sluggish lips, my eyes already closing, my brain shutting down.

A tear hit my cheek that was not my own as I heard the words whispered, "I'm sorry baby girl, it's not safe for you here. It never was..."

My mind fought the forever inky blackness, memories colliding with reality. Visions of Gary's horrified cries blended into sounds of the elementary children's laughter like a chorus from hell, the sight of the driver's blood soaked features transformed into Adriana's angry glare as my body still motionless confined once again to that fucking moving bed as it progressed quickly down the darkened halls. The air smelled of dust, deterioration as the breeze rushed up to greet me and lamp lights above danced along the wind casting shadows upon walls. Shadows taking shape of dilapidated creatures welcoming me home as voices around me sounded too indistinct to make sense of and a serious case of déjà-vu fell over my inactive form. My chest heaved in a quickened progression as my orbs rolled further back behind my lids as I continued to fight the impending unconscious state that pursued me. In that moment all I seemed aware of was the fact that my darker side was no longer present, that she no longer controlled my every waking move. Inwardly I could feel her essence finally encaged where she belonged, and as my mental recall seemed inclined to showcase my past mistakes and unwanted memories my mother's face as she drugged me took over my every thought.

Her final pleas for absolution seemed to linger in the air, "forgive me sweetheart. The only way to protect you is to keep you locked away."

A quote from the past became fresh in my mind, "fallaces sunt rerum species."

The appearances of things are deceptive...

..........................................................................................................

Hope you liked it! It was fun to write. Also will be working on part 15 this coming weekend since I'll have more time with the holiday. See I almost have a writing schedule ;)

Vote if you liked it....

Comment if you want...

Add to your library if you're into the story...

But always come back for more...

Until next time...