"I'm almost ready!" I screamed down to my mom. I was half an hour early but that didn't stop her from rushing me. As the mayor's daughter I've always been held to a higher standard than other's. It's rough trying to be the perfect version of my mother. She thinks I'm just a carbon copy of her.

"Order is important Shanie!" She always says. So much that it might as well be written on the walls of this house.

Actually it is in the bathroom. 

I hurried and grabbed my backpack for class. My senior year and I literally only have one class this semester. I pretty much have finished high school, but mom is making me take an extra elective to "keep me on my toes" as she puts it. As if I need to be on my toes any more. I'm practically a ballerina.

I took one last look in the mirror as I adjusted my backpack. My curly black hair adjusted in a perfect afro, lighting up my smooth dark complexion. I add a touch of my favorite dark brown matte lipstick and smiled to myself. "You're beautiful Shanie!" I said to myself, grabbed my phone off the charger and made my way out the door.

"What in the world was taking you so long?" My mom asked, her eyes told me everything. Something was worrying her. "I made breakfast for you. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a yogurt bar." She smiled trying to hide the worry in her eyes, no doubt. My mom only cooks when she's worried. Usually my mornings consist of Cocoa Puffs and toast with peanut butter and honey after she's left for the office.

"Thanks Mom. Are you not going into work today?" I asked studying her face for any inkling that she might be lying.

"No. Actually I'm not. I thought it would be fun if I stayed home and spent some time with you. How would you like that?" She asked.

Like I would tell her what I'm really thinking..."Sure mom, sounds fun." I said with a smile.

Truth is, since she took office as the Mayor she's been way too busy for me. With the loss of my father, she buried herself into politics.

Don't start feeling sorry for me, my dad's not dead or anything. I think he just got tired of my mother's endless expectations. Sad thing is when he said goodbye to me at 6 years of age, I knew I wouldn't ever see him again.

"Good it's settled then. I'll see you at home around 12:15 sharp. I can't wait to spend some girl time with you." She said and kissed me on my forehead. I took the keys to her car and ran out of the house.

School

Once I got to school the day went by kind of quickly. I only had one class but it was 3-hours long. I know what you're thinking... "W.T.F. (Wow that's fantastic)" No, it is not.

This class has two 30 minute breaks and is intense as WWIV. What's the name of this insane class...

Combative Militant Martial Arts Training or C.M.M.A.T. for short!! "The classical art of human weaponry" is what's listed as the class description.

You heard me right.. some ancient self defense crap that my mother thought would look good on my college application. Ummm why? I have no clue I just live here. The good thing about the class is that my best friend is taking it with me. Skye Blu, my best friend since we were chillaxin' in the crib. Seriously, we've known each other since we were in diapers. I love everything about her. Her positive outlook on life and her carefree spirit. She's the complete definition of a bohemian bombshell. Her father is Laos and her mother African and they came together and created my beautiful caramel delight of a best friend. I feel like I'm describing desert and to be frank I am getting hangry!

Her crazy yet over protective self decided it would be best if we took it together and our parents agreed...

Another crazy fun fact about this class... We're the only two students! Yep! It disturbed me at first, but after a while the class actually became fun, especially with Skye there with me.

"What's up sis!" She shrieked when I entered the class. I was surprised her shrill scream didn't startle our instructor, Mr. Gibson. An older bronzed toned man who should really get a girlfriend but who am I to judge...

"Hey beautiful!" I wrapped her in a tight hug. "How was your weekend?"

"It was kind of weird. Haven't you heard about the murders?" She looked at me, studying my face.

"Murders? Mom hasn't mentioned it and I pretty much spent the weekend in bed. I've been having off and on fevers. Finally stopped last night. I told you that's why I couldn't come over." I told her.   

"I know, but I thought your mom might've mentioned it at least... Come with me. We'll be back in a few Mr. Gibson potty break.." she said to Me. Gibson as she snatched my arm and pulled me into the nearest bathroom.

"Look, I'm not trying to freak you out." she said to me, "I heard my mom and dad talking about how the murders might be connected to your dad!" 

"What?! No way mom would've said something.. but she has been acting weird and wanted to have a girls day today."

"Maybe she plans on telling you today." Skye said.

"maybe..." I couldn't help but be a little angry. If my father was back my mom should've told me about it the moment she found out. And murders, really what the hell is going on?

Class went by pretty quickly. Mr. Gibson didn't have us do any moves. He just taught us the history behind the Capoeira fighting style and said that we would be studying this for a month or so. It really is a beautiful afro-brazilian fighting method. It's now looked at as an art or dance. Why my mother wanted me to learn this? I had no clue. All I knew is that after my talk with Skye, I need answers.

After school

I practically raced home like I was some Fast and Furious stunt driver. I got home a littler early, 12:07, to be exact. I rushed into the house to confront my mother.

When I got into the house I noticed something was off. The smell in the house was off. I couldn't quite put my nose on it but the smell was unfamiliar. I heard voices coming from the kitchen, my mom and another person's voice...

I tiptoed in, gently placing my backpack down on the floor. I listened as hard as I could but I could only make out some words. "She should... I can't...Not enough time..." 

I decided to grow some balls, cleared my throat and stepped into the kitchen. At the table sat my mother and a man I hadn't seen before. 

"SHANIE!" she nearly choked at the sight of me. "You're home a little early. I wasn't expecting you for another couple of minutes."

"No worries mother. I was so excited for girls day that I rushed home to see you." I said confidently. "Who is this?" I asked as my eyes went to the dark haired man across the table from her. He looked friendly, but gave a sense that he was dangerous at the same time. Dressed in all black, he smiled up at me. I couldn't put my finger on it but this man gave me an uneasy feeling that made my stomach knot up.

"Shanie, you're much more beautiful all grown up..." He spoke with a low husky voice, almost as if he were growling.

"Um ok..." I said awkwardly to him and then directed my attention to my mom. "Mom who is this?"

She looked shaken. "He's an old friend from my college days. He last saw you when you were a baby but after he moved to California we loss contact. But he's just visiting and was about to leave." She put some authority on the word leave as she stood up to escort him out.

"Yes of course. I was on my way out. Sorry Shanie I will definitely let you continue your mother daughter day." He said with a sly smirk. After taking another look at me he proceeded to leave.

My mother came back and seemed to have loss the nervousness she had in the presence of "her old friend". I didn't believe him to be an old friend for anything. My mother was scared of him and it showed, now I'm scared.

"So, movies or nail shop?" She asked like the situation before didn't just transpire.

"I want to know who that was before we do anything." I said adamantly.

"I already told you," she paused as if shaking an old memory from her mind. "He's an old friend from college."

"If he's an old friend how come you've never mentioned him. And what's his name?" I questioned.

"His name isn't important." She said, clearly annoyed with me.

"But it is. You're obviously bothered by his presence. Just be honest with me for once mom" I pleaded.

She stared at me, almost as if having an epiphany that she should tell me. But instead she kissed my forehead and gave me a hug. "You have nothing to be concerned about love. Everything is fine."

But everything wasn't fine. And it wouldn't be from that moment on.

To be honest, I don't know if it was ever fine at all in my life. That man did something to my mother in the past. He was someone important and I needed to know who. After a somewhat fun filled mother daughter afternoon my mom passed out for one of her naps. I crept down to the basement, where she kept all her college stuff and found an old journal. I took it to my room and read. I wasn't expecting what I found though.
The journal was relatively empty aside from one sentence in the back of the journal.

"Matthew is a demon." --Jenny Gibson.

"He's a what?" I said to myself. "My mother's maiden name was Gibson?" I couldn't help but wonder if that meant she was related to Mr. Gibson. But who is Matthew and what the hell does she mean he's a DEMON.

As I closed the journal at my desk, my neck started to get hot and I couldn't help but feel something was near me. I adjusted myself in my seat and rubbed my neck and when I looked up I saw HIM. In my room with his finger to his lips and my heart stopped...