Seth's Mess 9- Negative Space

Day 9- Negative Space1

Be-be-beep! Be-be-beep! Be-be-beep!2

My hand slammed down on the off button on my alarm clock before I realized that I had even fallen asleep. It was still dim outside reminding me that I had hours ahead of me before I would be able to see Seth.3

Getting up, I hurried to make the bus not wanting to start out the new week even more disoriented than I already was.4

The ride itself was slow and depressing as the sun rose at a speed equivalent to the bus. I was dreading the day ahead of me and all the awkwardness that was going to come along with it. I found myself wondering if I was going to be able to hold it together if I ran into Seth’s younger brother Eric.5

As the bus slowed to a stop in front of the school, I collected my bag and took my place in the isle to wait for the line to move. Once inside the florescent lit halls, my anxiety seemed to tug at my insides a little stronger making it clear that today was not the day for high school dramas. If anything else is added to my plate I might just break. 6

“Kailey!” Rae called from the other end of the hall. Heads turned at the loudness of her voice but I knew that she didn’t care. 7

I blushed a little, slightly embarrassed for her, as I made my way down the hall. Once I had dropped my bag, she gave me a full blown bear hug and squealed in delight.8

“I would seriously be in a funk about school starting back up if it weren’t for the fact that I missed you so much!” 9

Rae finally let me down letting me breath again. “Hey, it hasn’t been that long.”10

“Oh, right. Shopping.” She smiled broadly. “But seriously, I should come over this week or something.”11

Once again with the bad timing. There was no blaming her for the fact that I was indefinitely booked though. “I’ll see what I can do.”12

Soon enough it was time for my classes. With English first block, I was successfully distracted for a full eighty minutes. Though a discussion on the ending of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby wouldn’t have been my first choice.13

As my teacher began collecting our books she introduced the next one. “Everyone will have until Wednesday to finish their thesis paper on their Gatsby character. Papers need to be on time so that we can dive into Dracula.”14

You have got to be kidding me.15

“It’s a slightly tougher read, but I know you kids must be much more interested in vampires than secretive neighbors from the 1920’s.” Coming from a balding middle- aged divorcee.16

Mr. Flac would have been right if not for my recent involvement with the species though. Vampires are interesting.17

Leaving my English class, I headed to my locker to change notebooks and grab my calculator for Algebra II when I ran into Shaun. He had math with me so we headed up to class together as we chatted about our vacations. Mine was quite muted.18

“I can’t believe that I have homework on the first day back from vacation.” Shaun whined once more as we took our seats.19

“Shaun, we got homework on the first day of school.”20

“Yeah, but still,” The teacher walked in and Shaun lowered his voice. “At least on the first day is was mostly parent signatures and light reading. Tonight I have a history section to read, the section questions and you know we’re going to get a math set.” I laughed at Shaun’s dramatics as he slumped in his seat. “They could cut us a little slack.”21

Unfortunately, Shaun was right and we did get a math set. We walked to lunch together after going to our lockers, which were only two apart.22

At the table, Rae joined us looking bothered. “Have you guys seen Seth today?” And it starts. “He was supposed to be in my gym class with me.”23

Most everyone at the table began confirming that they had not seen Seth either. I didn’t say a word. 24

The bus dropped me off at my house after school had gotten out. Everything that followed lunch had been in a fog for me. All I could think about was Seth and how much I still didn’t know. How did I allow myself to get so lost?25

In another attempt to distract myself, I called my mother, a long overdo errand.26

“Are you okay? Did you go to school?”27

“What? Yes Mom, I went to school. Why?”28

Her voice was more strained than I had predicted. I couldn’t tell if it was from the emotions of the funeral or her contempt towards me. “Well, then why haven’t you called? I’ve been worried.”29

I felt stupid for not taking the time to think up my story before hand as I did so then. “I’m sorry. I spent a couple of nights over at Rachel’s house and forgot the number.” Never again would I be so careless.30

“Just remember to keep in touch every few days from now on, Okay Sweetie?” I could feel her need for my comfort and compassion as strong as ever, even threw the phone.31

“I promise.” Hesitating before putting myself in the strenuous position of asking her about the welfare of the family and herself, I missed my chance.32

She cleared her throat slowly. “I will talk to you later than. Love you.”33

“Love you too.”34

Halfway through my math homework, I became impatient with the clock. I had another hour before my ride would be here to pick me up and no interest in the formula to ‘Create a Square.’35

I closed my math book and piled up my work before getting up to stretch. A half an hour on the floor hunched over a textbook was not a very comfortable. 36

Mid- toe touch, headlights hit me. It was definitely not time to head over to the Sigismund House. I was hardly up before there was a knock at the door. I’m not stupid, and whoever is on the other side of the door isn’t human.37

“Kailey? It’s Jason. Open up.” I recognized his voice and though I was still skeptical decided that if it had been someone I didn’t want in on the other side, they would make it in, one way or another.38

I unlocked the door to be greeted by my usual chauffeur. “You’re early.”39

Jason’s face hardened. He took a step just inside the door causing me to take a step back. “I wanted to talk to you before we head over to the House.” 40

“Sure, why the hell not?” I sat back on my couch but Jason didn’t follow.41

“Not here.”42

I stood slowly to meet Jason’s hard gaze once again. When he began to head back out towards the car I grabbed my coat and followed. No need to lock up, I suppose.43

Once in the car, we took off towards Harrington. “So,” I began. “You want to tell me what this is all about.”44

Jason sighed deeply before he answered. He truly did have a boyish look about him. Even aside from being one of the youngest appearing vampires, he also acted the part. “I want to explain some of what Dem didn’t, and probably won’t.” We sped up over the bridge. “I’m not even sure what Seth is planning on telling you.”45

“You might want to hurry up and tell me something before I decide I don't want to hear it. I might even start to hyperventilate if you're lucky.” My coping humor wasn't working as well as I had hoped, but Jason seemed to get the picture.46

He sped the car up to a speed that could make my breathing speed all on its own before beginning. “No hume has been allowed to stay at the house as you will for... a long time.”47

“How long?”48

“That doesn't matter. What matters is that there is something that someone wants from you.” Jason looked at me for only a moment, but still long enough to see he was enjoying my racing heart.49

Again. “I wish you wouldn't do that.”50

“Do what?” I knew he knew what I was talking about but wanted to hear it right from my mouth. I was only in the mood to get my point across.51

“Do enjoy it when I'm scared?”52

Before I could realize anything the car was speeding out off control and then shrieked to a stop with the lights off onto a side road. How we didn't end up flipped over in a ditch I couldn't fathom.53

Jason's breath was on my neck, his body over mine. “Anything to make your heart beat like that.”54

Just as fast the car was back on the road only twenty over the speed limit. I knew it would be a while before I would compose myself. The only embarrassing part was my ragged breath. I couldn't deny that Jason was extremely attractive, and he knew how to get a girl going.55

“I think we look good together.” Jason gave a broad smile; an expectant smile.56

“You know that I love don't you?” Seth was the man of my dreams and though Jason had his strengths, no man could replace him.57

“A boy can dream.” And Jason could appear as such. When he was turned, it was no doubt of mine that he was about my age. “You want to hear the rest of my story or what?” A little more bitter, but just as playful, Jason continued.58

“I've heard things in the house about the Council coming here. No hume would obviously be around at that time, so if you are there, it's you they're here for.”59

I contemplated that possibility for a moment. “What could they even want from me?”60

I waited for Jason to come up with a feasible answer. “I don't know. I've never heard of this happening before. I don't even know how they would know about you already.” He cleared his throat before continuing. “Truthfully, I've never met any of them, but I would know if I met one.”61

“How would you know?”62

Jason looked back over to me. “Kailey, an old vampire is nothing like me or anyone you've met. It's law that the oldest vamp in a community be on the panel, but the oldest you've met is nothing compared to a Council vampire.” 63

“So Seth, knows about this?” I was pretty sure that this was the biggest news that Jason had been trying to getout to me, but more important to me was what pertained to Seth.64

“I don't think so,” He turned the car around. “But there are a few things you should know about Seth and his situation.” A smile perked up on Jason's face again as my heart raced. “Seth is in a very touch situation right now. What he signed away the other day was a whole different life opportunity. Sigismund only allows entry to anyone who relieves themselves of, what we refer to as 'going rogue.' And it's a good thing.”65

“Why?”66

“They get hunted.” A chill went down my spine as Jason brushed off the notion of his own kind being hunted down like animals. “Anyways, what Seth has agreed to is the typical 'No Harming Humes,' and such, but also that he become a legal resident. This entails that he will do as told if from a higher up in the community and with no question.”67

Done no questions asked.68

I didn't want to think about what things Seth might be forced to do. He was a moral guy and though Jason was earning my trust, I still held no respect for the organization we had been dragged into.69

Jason continued. “The good thing though is that Seth will be taken through professional training.”70

“I remember hearing about his classes but what are they really?”71

“Strength training isn't what you would think. Its about controlling the strength not heightening it. There is a quick dietary course on his limits from blood and types. He will learn vampire self-defense and also have a therapy session to help him cope with the changes.” Jason caught my attention with a dazzling smile. “We are sort of human after all.”72

I had to laugh at his remark and was surprised to see that I was back at the Sigismund house. “Who is Sigismund?” I asked realizing it was bad timing as we had to go our separate ways.”73

“He is known to us as the first real vampire. But not like a Dracula or something. He was a hume but had the power to create vampires.” Jason stopped for a moment seeming dazed and mesmerized. “They were known as the Order of the Dragon-”74

“Welcome back!” Ashe sat on the steps up to the door with a cigarette in her hand. She noticed my attention to detail and responded in polite distort. “I love these things. Greatest vampire discovery.”75

I short out a laugh. “Vampires invented cigarettes?”76

“Your species is stupid, but you really think they would invent something this harmful? Then you might have also invented alcohol!”77

I learn something new everyday.78

Jason moved me forward with a light hand on my lower back. I had started me and I hid my face from Ashe knowing she would detect my speeding heart. “Let's go find your man.”79