Red Dust

Chapter 1 1

I remember just too clearly when I first went to my group home, one year ago – after my parents were killed, it still remains a mystery how their deaths occurred, I cried myself to sleep for six months after the incident. Although I am stronger now, but I suppose that’s the least you’d expect after what has happened. 2

I recounted the story in my head as I walked through the barren desert…3

I was walking along the rocky dirt road back to my group home which I had been living in for the past five months and as I walked I saw my enemy looking – or more, glaring – at me from the bus stop. I started walking towards her and decided that her hitting me, pushing me, shouting abuse and ganging up on me was enough reason to get revenge. She called out in a teasing voice “Yo, Anastasia! Remember me? Your good ol’ buddy Lorna! Are you ignoring me?” She knew my usually routine as well as I did; she’d tease and I would disregard her comments as I paced past her, but not this time. I started walking over to the bus stop where she stood. As I walked over I analysed her expression and features; she looked smug – finally getting a reaction out of me I assumed. Her dark body was covered in an unclean and unwashed red shirt with thoroughly worn jeans to match. She had familiar shoes on, the only girl in the small neighbourhood who did. It was impossible to get a decent pair of shoes in the centre of Aus, I was the only girl who had a pair but now (like practically everything else I owned) it was hers. She had taken my lunch countless times, $20 (my pocket money for a month), clothing and of course in the process my self esteem and respect, but I was getting it all back now; even the sneakers…4

“Hey Lorna, I’ve come to retrieve the stuff you, uh, borrowed back.” I emphasised the word ‘borrowed’ so she had an easy escape, if she wanted to choose it.5

“Ha-ha! I was actually thinking of keeping ‘em!” She leaned into my face and laughed a shrill, foul sound before spitting at my feet. “And trust me; you wouldn’t want to take them back…” She sounded capable of killing someone but I was furious at the disgusting habit she had demonstrated so close to my feet that I persisted. 6

“But that’s the thing Lorna, I don’t trust you.” My voice even topped hers, I was proud. She looked stunned for a moment but I could see in her eyes she wasn’t giving up without a fight. 7

“Anastasia, silly girl…You really shouldn’t test my temper.”8

“That’s lucky, because I don’t have a thermometer!” My pathetic joke made her livid, she snapped back at me and dug deep, she wasn’t use to been talked back; her questions were almost always rhetorical. 9

“Maybe your parents had someone kill ‘em because they couldn’t stand you? Or maybe it was suicide? Is that why the police wouldn’t tell you?” She smiled at my horrified expression, I had considered this possibility before but someone saying it made it even that much more real. In my heart though, I knew it couldn’t be true, we had undergone money problems in Broome but we’d always been close, I think. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind and locked it up, I composed my face and answered innocently; 10

“What could I have done that would have made two full grown adults kill themselves, if what you say is true then surely you should fear me?” Her expression was empty with not an emotion showing; the face of the devil! My dad used to tell me stories of the devil and his obsession to posses people, if an evil person gained the spirit of the devil they would become terrible, faceless and not feel any emotion but hatred. He also said the only way to defeat such a creature and release the victim was to chant the words “Acuma, arovo, totoro” so I did, but nothing happened until she spoke again;11

“What did you say to me?!” I suppose the devil hadn’t possessed her…yet.12

“I asked you to, uh, give me my stuff back!” I was angry but pleading, she had won…again. 13

I sulked at the memory as I continued to amble along the red, dusty road which now looked purple in the light of the sunset. I couldn't see anything approaching soon so I let my mind wander and continued replaying the story in my head…14

As Lorna and I stared at each other minute after minute passed and the silence was becoming quite tedious. Finally she turned her gaze away but unfortunately her eyes were the only things that left my mind, I could see all the cruel things she had done just by looking at the clenched fists that hung by the side of her body. She looked back at me with a restrained smile “Anastasia, Ana, you really don’t know what you’re getting yourself into...” Her voice was soft but her suddenly stern features said otherwise.15

“Lorna, Lorny…” I imitated her fake friendliness with thickly layered sarcasm. “Why do you steal from me, treat me badly and then expect me to forever ignore it? Or have I simply misunderstood your intentions?” I smiled slyly and let her reply.16

“Ana, don’t be selfish, share, let others have as much joy from your possessions as you do…” She trailed off suddenly noticing the small group which had gathered around us, I smiled at my audience, they were mostly my group home friends, the people I spent all my time with; the people I loved. My besties where standing on my side, closest to me; Max, Sharni, Taylor and my absoloute best friend Lucy. The rest of the group was made up of a few of Lorna’s friends and other random people who had come to see what the commotion was about and had stayed the moment they saw Lorna and me standing opposite each other in defence positions. No one ever questioned Lorna unless they wanted a death sentence or free food from the hospital. The first movement came from James as he stepped to Lorna’s side; he was Lorna’s boyfriend, he was gorgeous, fearless and horribly cruel. At the same moment he joined Lorna, Lucy came to my side almost in sync with James. 17

An unfamiliar voice broke the silence. I looked around and was surprised another ten people had come to watch! As I searched for the voice I heard two more shout the same word the first had – “Fight.” The one word I dreaded, the one thing I knew was inevitable and the one action that would get me kicked out of Marley; my group home. 18

I could walk away right now or I could be a hero and stand up to the person everyone feared, I looked at Lucy for support but she simply stared back at me, trying to hide the pity in her eyes. I realised she wanted me to make my own choice and not do what she wanted more than anything; leave now, unscratched. I knew no matter what I chose my friends would support me, but I didn’t know what I wanted. I was fairly sure it wasn’t peace with Lorna. I realised there was only one way to decide, and I hated to do it but I could see no other option so I breathed in and out and whispered just loud enough for Lorna, James and Lucy to hear;19

“For once I am willingly asking you to decide for me, the choice is entirely yours Lorna.” I knew immediately she understood, and I knew what her decision was as soon as that cheeky smile crept onto her face.20

“We shall fight tomorrow then, if you win,” She paused to giggle at my slim chance of victory before continuing; “I’ll give you your stuff back” 21

“And…?” I prompted.22

“What?” She looked at me one eyebrow raised in confusion. 23

“You’ll be nice and polite to me…if that’s even possible” I tagged quietly on the end. She pondered for a moment and then looked directly at me.24

“Fine, but if I win, things will get a whole lot worse!” I pretended to contemplate before meeting her gaze and replying jokingly – 25

“I think I can handle that.” I watched a smile creep onto her face and then she spoke once more, the word that gave me all my hope;26

“Perhaps…” Lorna then spun round 90° and her gang regrouped around her as she walked off, some throwing their arm over her shoulders and others walking and gossiping behind her. At the same time my friends had wandered over and were all hugging me and telling me how they’d be there if I needed them tomorrow. By the end of the argument another five familiar faces had joined the audience. But it was Max standing by the side that got my attention; he was usually the one that everyone’s eyes were turned to, instead he was standing by himself. His blonde hair was waving in the wind (he was from Sydney and his white body stood out as much as mine did in this rural area). I walked over to him, and everyone followed so I put my hand up to stop them, they obeyed and turned to stroll back to Marley. I looked at Max’s sullen face; he really was beautiful, even his mood couldn’t change that. But what really stood out most in his appearance were his bright blue eyes that were now filled with sadness. 27

“What’s wrong?” I questioned, concerned. 28

“Please Ana, don’t hur-“He took a deep breath and carried on “Don’t hurt yourself tomorrow, okay? Cause I couldn’t bear it if you did” He looked sincerely worried.29

“Don’t worry Max, I won’t! And I certainly don’t need you being concerned about me!” I hugged him, his face lightened at this. 30

“Alright Ana, but if you need any help; just ask.” 31

“Sure.” He seemed more content as we walked home together. 32

I smiled at the memory of Max; I would have loved to have known him better. It was dark now and I didn’t know what to do, for the last two nights I’d had a lighter but it’d been used up, so now I roamed in the dark. I couldn’t see a thing! I tried to think of anything in my small back-pack that might help me, but as hard as I tried I could only remember the pocket knife, pen, paper, hat, tissues and thin blanket I had packed. I sat down in the sand and sulked, a snake would come and bite me in a minute and then I would die, having done nothing with my life. I sat there for hours with my backpack in my lap and tears coating it. I saw something in the distance; a faint light. I tried to see what it was but I couldn’t make it out. Suddenly the light spoke in an unfamiliar male voice “Who are you?” His voice was amazing, like nothing I had heard before; like velvet. I decided lights can’t talk but angels could, I had always thought angels were female though, so I considered that perhaps someone was holding the light. I strained my eyes and answered -33

“My name’s Anastasia, who are you?” I waited patiently for the man to answer, but he didn’t. Still the light drew closer. I asked again, perhaps he couldn’t hear me? 34

“Who are you?” I yelled it, there was no way he couldn’t hear me now, yet still no reply. The light drew closer each second and I was starting to worry, had I lost my mind or had my last sin been so bad I would now go to Hell for it? I pleaded with the man – 35

“Don’t send me to Hell, please! I am sorry, I will serve you forever just please don’t kill me!” I was sobbing now, what else could I do? The light was so close to me! The man spoke again – 36

“Gees, don’t cry little lady! I just didn’t wish to be improper by yelling to you. I am Simon and this is my brother Lucas.” A hand outstretched as relief flew into me. I held onto his hand as he hoisted me up. As I looked directly at him I realised he was not much older than me. He gasped at the sight of me. His brother Lucas was standing there with his mouth open, did I really look that atrocious? I blushed. Lucas was gorgeous and I looked a terrible state in front of him, so much his jaw dropped open! But I didn’t care; Simon and Lucas aged about 17 and 15 respectively were my saviours! 37

“Thank-you for saving me, I may not have made it through the night if it weren’t for you two!” The two boys beamed and Simon replied–38

“It’s the least we can do for a pretty girl like you!” I was very confused, me? Pretty? I hadn’t seen myself in a mirror for ages and I couldn’t remember what I looked like. Was it possible? No, I refused to believe it until I could see it for myself; they were probably just being nice. 39

Lucas smiled politely at my very confused expression but turned to his brother with badly hidden worry, Simon’s face mirrored his. Lucas then mouthed something to him, Simon nodded once before turning to face me. He spoke courteously; “Anastasia, my brother and I would be delighted if you could join us for dinner…” I assumed by the short exchange of expressions between them before, that they were more concerned about my sanity than health or company but the thought of food made my stomach rumble and I quickly accepted. Then I noticed that neither of the boys carried anything, where and what were we going to eat? More confusion swept over me. Lucas looked at my face again and sighed, “What’s wrong?” He looked even more worried then before. 40

“Where and what are we going to eat?” I was very serious but they both cracked up in fits of laughter, although Lucas’ laugh was more like music, I gasped at the sound and blushed, would I ever get used to that? As they straightened up and recollected themselves I waited, smirks still creeping onto their face. “Sorry, we didn't realise you were so oblivious to your location – we are only a thirty minute walk from the closest village. And I'm not sure yet, what do you fancy?” I tried to look away from their face – how stupid could you be?! So I looked down at their clothes and realised for the first time that they were very (and I mean very) well dressed; I looked at Lucas first; his clothes looked as though they were made for him, they fit perfectly and clung to his contour emphasising his fit body. He had a plain t-shirt on but a pricey leather jacket covered it. His jeans looked like they were brand new and even the denim that covered his legs seemed to belong on a catwalk. I ogled at the sight until Simon quickly cleared his throat, a wash of embarrassment covered me, and I sneaked a look at his face afraid he would be angry at me but he simply smiled his gorgeous smile back at me. I beamed back at him and he gasped, what was wrong with him? His breathing went back to a more normal speed within a few seconds so I decided he was ok. My tummy rummbled again – louder this time and the two boys laughed, then Simon spun around and started walking in a southern direction; I followed, accompanied by Lucas on my right. I was so happy to feel safe that I could have run to the small town! Unfortunately my clumsiness got the better of me and I tripped, wrecking the moment. I groaned and tried to get back up; blushing like a beetroot - but I couldn’t, I stared down at my foot and was shocked to see it turned in the wrong direction! I yelled – 41

“Oww!” Why hadn’t I felt the pain before? I didn’t worry about that though, I felt a terrible ache coming from my foot as I stared down at it in disbelief; the gods must really hate me I thought, as I felt tears stream down my face and heard my scream escaping my mouth; it was an awful scream; the sound you only hear from a dieing person. But these things weren’t me, just my actions - I tried to stop them but they were subconscious. I stared at Simon and Lucas-they looked down at my ankle in horror. They were frozen for seconds before their brains kicked into gear and I was swept off the ground. I looked up at Simon, his face was filled with agonisingly strong anxiety as he carried me – jogging towards where I asumed the town was. Lucas was leading the way, carrying the light and shouting back at him; “We need to get her to a hospital and as fast as possible before she loses too much blood.” Blood? There was no blood last time I had looked at my ankle; I stared down at the top of my leg and realised in utter horror that I had tripped on a rock and sliced the side of my leg and it was bleeding very fast! Why I hadn’t noticed that was very strange but I noted I hadn’t even looked at my leg because I was so worried about what I had seen first; my ankle. I now felt terribly sick; the slightest sight of blood often made me faint and my whole leg was covered in it! I looked up at Simon to take my mind off it and tried to stay conscious. But I couldn’t hold onto reality anymore, it was too much and I slipped, falling into the blackness the awaited me…42

Chapter 243

I felt as light as a feather and I couldn’t see anything, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable feeling, it was pleasant, I liked it. 44

My throat suddenly felt as though someone were choking me (a quick change from my last sensation), I automatically put my hands up to take away whatever was causing me the pain but when I felt my throat there was nothing there; yet the strangling continued, then suddenly my hands were down by the sides of my body! I tried to move them back up to try and find whatever was stopping me from breathing easily but my hands wouldn’t move. As suddenly as the ache around my throat started, it stopped, but in its place something much more painful came, it was near my ankle but it moved all the way up my leg, till my thigh was throbbing as well. I shrieked as the pain increased and at the same time heard in the distance, a familiar voice, he sounded as if he were in pain too, I couldn’t make out what the silky voice was saying but slowly it became clearer. I could only make out a few simple words – 45

“Awakening…do…get...nurse?” I knew immediately who the gorgeous voice belonged to; Lucas. Then yesterday came flowing back quickly. I tried to speak but I couldn’t, then I heard his velvet voice again – 46

“Ana? Can you hear me sweetie? Everything is going to be alright…” I used all my energy to nod my head, I realised then that I was horizontal; when I was in peace before I had thought I had been standing. I heard a women’s voice clear and close to me. “She’ll be awake very soon, I’ll give her some more morphine and hopefully she’ll be in less pain.” I was very relieved at that. I opened my mouth and tried to speak; 47

“Lu-Lucas?” It was very quiet but he still heard me.48

“Ana! Are you alright?” The throbbing suddenly increased terribly and I shrieked. I yelled at the top of my voice “Ow! Stop, please, please stop it! Help me!” The women spoke kindly “It will stop soon dear,” The pain continued but then a light disrupted the black that surrounded me and I blinked furiously trying to bring the distant light forward, it worked and I immediately noticed Lucas and Simon looking down on me, Simon spoke; “Ana?” He sounded very cautious. I opened my mouth and did my best to form a sentence but the only thing that escaped my lips was a whimper. I sounded pathetic, I tried to imagine my expression and failed miserably, whatever it looked like now was how it was going to be until I could control my body properly again.49

I noticed that the women hadn't lied, the throbbing was easing, and then just as I felt I was recovering I lost concentration and fell straight back into unconciousness...50

When I awoke – for the second time – I had no pain and I could see clearly. I observed the room around me and noticed the details; white bed sheet covering my legs, rails on the side of my bed, lots of machines and wires connected to me, curtains pulled right around me, and bright lights; obviously a hospital. It wasn't for a few seconds that I noticed faint voices and as I concentrated they became clearer, I heard one voice that was just plain beautiful, speak - “When will she be alright again? My brother and I need to leave, we have already spent too much time here, if she doesn't come with us – and chooses to stay – we'll be very short on time.” I was very disconcerted, what were they talking about? Why did they have to leave? But I pushed the questions to the back of my head and listened in again, a male voice spoke;51

“She should be awake very soon now” He sounded almost frightened as though someone's life depended on him delivering his sentence. 52

“And you have never heard of us, seen us and in general, know nothing about us, correct?” The sweet voice said it with such authority it was impossible not to agree. But even though I tried to lock up any thoughts or questions I wanted to ask so I could listen I couldn't lock up one thought – that I knew exactly what the two people were speaking about, one was Lucas and the other was helping me recover - probably a doctor - and Lucas was on the run with his brother Simon. I decided (after hearing the helpful man agree) that it was time for me to 'wake up officially' so I yawned and went “Lucas? Somebody? Where am I?” I checked my appearance (or rather what I could see without moving too much) and put on my best frantic face, just as the curtain was pulled back. “Ana!” Lucas shouted, he rushed over and then reached my bed, not sure what do next, he decided to sit in the chair and grabbed my hand which was leaning over my bed rail to hold, “How are you feeling?” I couldn't really get a sentence together; Lucas was holding my hand! 53

“Uh, um” I stuttered, he looked concerned as he turned to face the man who had walked in just after Lucas had, “She shouldn't be suffering any problems with her head, she obviously had complications with her leg but she didn't lose that much blood that it could cause problems at the other end of her body!” He must be the doctor but he didn't sound like he knew much, he wasn't using all the complicated terms doctors usually use; he fixed me though, didn't he? I felt fine when I tried to move my arms and head, but the minute I attempted to lift my leg the sharp pain - as bad as when I originally sliced my leg – came back again, I cried out, forgetting that I shouldn't be trying to scare him. Lucas looked scared anyway. I bit my lip as the pain settled back down to a low throb before once again disappearing altogether. I could feel myself shaking but I couldn't control it, I was so scared I might break something if I tried to move again. I tried to keep my voice level as I spoke, looking straight ahead so I wouldn't lose focus. “Why is it that when I move I am in so much pain? Hasn't someone fixed my leg?” My voice waverred at the end but I was generally pretty proud I had kept it together so far. The 'doctor' replied;54

“Well, Mrs Deffel, um, you should be able to walk in a few days, in the meantime you can have an um, wheely thing, you know, wheelchair!” I turned to him in outage and he looked back at me and beamed, like he'd achieved some enormous victory. I glared back at him with my 'I can't believe this' expression which I had practiced in the mirror regularly to avoid getting detention at school as often as possible. His smile faded and he replied “Well, you see I am not a qualified doctor Mrs Deffel. I am assisting your friend in his travells, he is, um, leaving soon and cannot get you to a proper doctor in time and now, well, here I am getting you better-ish!” He laughed loudly before seeing Lucas' death stare and stopping immediately. Lucas looked at me and gave me a look of sympathy, like an animal would give it's pray before it killed it. He spoke before I could even ask what was going on. “Anastasia...” His silky voice begun and immediately I closed my mouth and listened. “My dear, listen, I am not quite as perfect as you think...” I knew it! He was a vampire, like in Twilight, he was supernaturally beautiful, he had killed a few people and was on the run from vampire hunters but in fact he actually wanted to be a clean vampire and only eat animals, there could be no other explanation! I looked admiringly up at my new 'Edward' and smiled. He looked very confused. I decided to let him speak, I had a habit of jumping to conclusions. So I put on my most serious face on and looked directly at him, he shook his head but continued anyway. “When Simon and I said before that we needed to talk to you we were quite serious, you see my brother and I are on the run from the law...” He looked deeply into my eyes, and for a short moment I was memorised but I used all my effort and looked away. I started to speak as though I was talking to the light above my head and asked “So, um, what was it you actually, uh, did?” I turned my head and decided to risk looking at him, he smiled kindly back, but even that couldn't calm my fears, what if that was the one question I wasn't supposed to ask and I would now die for it? He was still smiling at me when he answered; “My brother and I are freedom fighters and what we did on our last quest was possibly too extreme...” I gasped, that was not what I had expected at all! “Simon had a plan which I told him was too far, but he's always been like that - 'a one track mindset' and he's my bro so I had no other option than to go along with it...” I started to get more concerned, good cause or not there's only so far you can go, right?