The Inhabitant: Chapter 4:Early Visit

6:20pm 1

I pull into the driveway of the house and park my bike beside the car in the garage, locking it up with my combination code. I head into the house, and at first, I can’t hear anything but the blaring TV in the living room. I turn it down and head into my bedroom, where my belongings are all in the same areas as before I left. I look suspiciously around the house for any sign of Brian, but don’t see anything or anyone. As I walk into the kitchen, I see nothing but dirty dishes and left over Spaghetti. 2

I frown and make the climb up the stairs, where I see red droplets of blood leading to my parents’ room, where the door is cracked and blood stains are issuing from right around the doorknob. I slowly walk over to it and open it only to see that my parents are on the bed, uncovered, fucking each other. Brian is thrusting on top of Leah and she is moaning in a soft tone, like they are very pleased about something. 3

“Mom! Dad! What the fuck are you doing?” I ask, yelling, closing the door, turning my back on them. They didn’t even close the door, much less lock it. It’s like they wanted me to see them having sex. 4

A moment later, Leah exits the bedroom, now fully clothed, and asks me, “What are you doing home so late, sweetie? Did you get caught in traffic or run out of gas? You should have called.” 5

My eyes shoot up at the second suggestion and I turn around, whispering, “Yes, Leah. I ran out of gas. That doesn’t give you an excuse to fuck Brian with the door cracked, with bloodstains on the door.” 6

Leah turns toward the door, looking at it, thoughtful. “This may make you feel unsafe, but I didn’t see those bloodstains on the door when I first went in there to ‘fuck’ your father.” 7

I stare at her, bewildered. “You didn’t see them?” I ask her and she shakes her head. 8

“Someone must have snuck into the house and spread the blood there, sweetie, because it was inexistent thirty minutes ago,” she says and leaves me pondering what she means exactly. Is she saying that someone broke in and she didn’t even realize it, or is she suggesting that she has a bad memory? I mean, she could have a bad memory, I guess. She hasn’t failed in that area before, though. 9

I say, whispering, suddenly furious at her, Brian and myself, “I don’t know what it is, but it’s weird. You can continue with Brian if you want, Leah, but don’t tell me how you feel when you’re done. I don’t want the sick image in my mind.” 10

Leah frowns at me, furious, and goes back inside, slamming the door behind her. I hear giggles soon thereafter, both of them enjoying themselves yet again. 11

I look closer at the blood on the door and notice a word is inscribed: Dodge. I frown at the word and slowly head into my bedroom, and spot a very familiar, handsome face, with a gorgeous body to go with it. Dodge is lying down on my bed, reading a magazine and chewing something, most likely a candy bar—as a wrapper lies next to his head. 12

He sees me and sits up, motioning for me to join him on the bed. “Hey, baby. Are you feeling good, relaxed and happy? I sure hope the others told you about what you are and all.” 13

I frown and ask him, “What do you mean by with others?” 14

He laughs. “I never told you, did I, S?” he asks and softly kisses my neck, moving my hair behind my ears. He smiles at me and continues looking, waiting for my response. 15

“You must have not told me something. What is it that you didn’t tell me?” I ask him and look into his eyes that— even though I’m upset and confused— look just as beautiful as ever, glimmering in the sunlight. 16

Dodge whispers, “I’m also a Werewolf. I know you had the talk with Sophia, Jessica and Jorge. They all messaged me as soon as they did tell you and they said you were convinced enough to break the news.” He laughs in my ear and pulls me closer to him. 17

I back up, uncertain, and ask him, “Can you prove it or do I just have to believe you?” 18

He smiles. “Do I lie to you? Have I ever lied to you?” he asks and wraps his left arm around my waist, pulling me closer, and though I think of resisting, I can’t go up against his strength right now, because in truth, I also want what he wants. 19

I shake my head no and smile at him as he pulls me closer. “No, you don’t lie to me. You’ve been truthful from everything you’ve told me in the past.” 20

“You should believe me when I say I am also a Werewolf, then,” he says and pulls me in for a long kiss on the mouth, metaphorically sucking the breath out of me, making me gasp and softly moan. 21

He pushes me down on the bed after he’s behind me and I wrap my arms around his waist, kissing him deeply on the mouth and trailing my lips down his throat and to his upper chest. I smile at him as he pulls off for a few seconds and continue kissing him in different places, and as he kisses my upper chest, he removes my jacket, finally noticing it is still on me. I sigh and pant as he lies on top of me and touches my stomach as he pulls my shirt off over my head. Before it’s been completely removed, I yank it back down. 22

“You’re in a wild mood,” I mention. 23

“This ain’t nothin, baby,” he replies and laughs. “Just wait for the big one when we marry.” 24

I playfully frown and we continue kissing, my lips staying on his neck for about thirty seconds, until a loud knock comes at the door and he sits up from his place, leaving me lying down. I spread my legs on the bed as he answers it, and it’s Brian. 25

Brian says, as he sees me sprawled out on the bed, “You kids having a bit of fun?” he smiles and motions for me to follow him. “I really hope I didn’t interrupt something. Your mother wants you.” 26

Dodge shakes his head and looks at me. “No, sir; we were not doing something that you would call something you could interrupt.” He sounds entirely unconvincing to me, but to Brian, it sounds about as convincing as it ever has—since he doesn’t catch the lie in Dodge’s voice, as I can. 27

I sit up on the bed and lift myself up off of it, heading toward the door. I whisper to where only Dodge can hear it, “I’ll be back later for some more talk and maybe some more smooching.” I laugh and as I exit the door, I close it behind me and look into the eyes of Brian, who is giving me the skeptical look. 28

“I may not know your boyfriend well enough to be able to tell his expressions, but I can tell you’re upset that I came in there,” he says and pats my shoulder, fatherly. “I hope you don’t mind helping your mother with the work she has to do outside. It’s a big mess, but nothing compared to what you had to pile into your room in the span you did yesterday.” 29

I smile at him and shake my head, meaning I don’t mind and that I’m willing to do the work. “I don’t mind a little work. I might need to change into some cooler clothes, but I’ll do the work.” 30

He nods. “The cooler clothes would do you good, seeing as how she is doing the work outside and it’s almost a hundred degrees and all,” he says and motions for me to change my clothes by pointing at my bedroom door. “Don’t make a stop in your room for Dodge, though… I know how he can get into things, as can you. If anything, just a short kiss would be okay.” 31

I look at him, furious. “Brian, could you please let me be and stop trying to get inside my life in the areas you aren’t concerned?” I ask him and head to the bedroom, closing the door behind me as I head to the closet, the eyes of Dodge following me with every step, seemingly looking me up and down. 32

I grab a pair of short red silk shorts and a white sleeveless blouse. “Yes, I am aware there are other colors besides black and red,” I tell Dodge, who is giving me a skeptical look, as if he’s never seen me wear white. Though it is rare, I do wear white sometimes. 33

I strip in front of him and he can’t help but look, but as I don’t strip my thong or bra off, he frowns in disappointment. I smile at him and softly shake my head, changing into the clothes as quickly as I can without looking like I’m in a hurry. It’s hard to do, but I’ve been able to do so for years. I’ve gotten pretty good at it, so to speak. 34

Dodge mentions, “You look amazing in white and red.” 35

I nod. “Thank you, Dodge,” I tell him and smile. “I wish you could touch me right now all over, but Brian told me to be back in a hurry and not to make a pit inside of here.” I shake my head and whisper, “It’s not like he cares, anyway.” 36

Dodge suddenly pops up from the bed and drops the magazine he had been reading, quickly zipping in front of me, and using his newly confessed Werewolf speed. “You don’t think he cares, but he really does,” he says and the words have no meaning in them to me, because as far as I’m concerned, they’re just honest lie, him trying to be nice to me. 37

I shake my head and shoo him away. “It’s okay. You don’t need to tell me lies to make me feel better,” I tell him and look into his eyes, and as he notices I am silently crying, he pulls me in for a snug hug and brushes my tears away as swiftly as he can. 38

He shakes his head. “No. I am not lying, Skye. I am telling you the truth as your father knows it. He truly does care, and I am not trying to be nice. I’m trying to defend his love for you.” He continues to hug me and smells my hair. “Your hair smells even better than when you left, baby.” 39

I laugh and wrap my arms around him, too. “Thank you, Dodge. I really appreciate that,” I say and realize that he’s saying what he knows to be true, as his voice is not lying to me at all. It’s as truthful about Brian as it is about how much he cares for me. 40

Dodge says to me, looking into my eyes, concentrating on me, “Make sure you are aware of your surroundings outside. I know who lives on the hill and you should be wary of her. She’s a Vampire, in case you didn’t know… and most Vampires can’t hold their desire in.” He shakes his head. “I really shouldn’t have worried you about it. Maybe she’s a good Vampire. Also be aware that Vampires may look young, but they’re usually rather old and the sun does not affect them as it does in movies. They can only be killed by stakes or chopping off their heads.” 41

I nod and smile at him. “Thank you for telling me, Dodge. I really didn’t know what she was… though I did have suspicious thoughts about her as I saw her teeth glimmering in the light,” I tell him and walk toward the door, looking back one more time at him, and his eyes look fearful as I do look at him. 42

He says, in warning, “When their teeth glimmer like that, it means they desire to suck your blood. Most times, a human—such as yourself—will feel aroused with the blood being sucked out, but with you, I think you’re different. But just in case, make sure you are careful around anyone who makes you suspicious and who you think may be like her. Also with most Vampires, they give you a present to say they want you.” He shakes his head. “They’re kind of weird, but that is how they’re said to be. I’ve only met one myself.” 43

I ask, “Who was that?” 44

He shakes his head. “You’ll find out soon, if he keeps his promise,” Dodge says in reply and shoos me. “You should go and help your mother. She needs you.” 45

I nod and walk out of the room, closing the door behind me. “I’ll talk to you when I come back in, if you’re still here.” 46

He calls from behind the closed door, sounding like a smartass, “Oh, sure. I’ll be here for a while, just so you know.” 47

I laugh and head outside, where I find Leah, watering the backyard, sweating as if someone has dumped her with water around the edges. 48

She waves at me and yells, smiling, “I bet you’re feeling happy, Dodge being here and all!” 49

I nod and pick up a rake, and start shoveling leaves into big piles. I take a deep breath and ask, “Do you know anything about Dodge, about his past and about his life?” 50

Leah doesn’t say anything, but nods. She hands me a small book and tells me to read it at night only, not during the day. “I know what’s in that book is about you, him and the rest of them. I know that you should really be informed about it, but I also know that you should learn most of what you haven’t learned already by yourself, as you are destined for greatness.” 51

I nod. I know what she means. I am destined to take control of the world, save it and I am supposed to see dead people who can’t find their way to their destination. I really hope it all comes true, because with someone like me, even if it involves deadly situations, I would be pleased not to be bored and living bored all the time. 52

I flip my hair over my shoulders and look across the lawn, where it looks beautiful, green and healthy. I smile at Leah’s work and continue raking leaves, a pile currently reaching my waist. I look at the sky and see something streaking across it—or so I think. 53

I continue to look and see that it’s heading toward where I came from the hours before—from school. I frown and continue working, remembering all that my family and friends have told me today. What’s funny is that Brian hasn’t said anything about it, and he’s talked to me today, just as much as Leah has. I don’t know what that’s all about, but it does seem weird. It also seems weird that just as soon as I turn eighteen and as soon as we move to a different place instead of my birthplace, all kinds of weird things start happening. I find out my boyfriend is a Werewolf and make friends with three more Werewolves and I also discover that my next door neighbor is a Vampire. I mean, that seems to me like a lot of new discoveries for just one day—twenty four hours. Was it all planned or something? 54

I see that the sun is slowly heading down, and even though it’s a beautiful sight to my eyes, it’s also an eerie sight, because as I continue looking, I seem to see a shadow cross over the house and appear in front of the lawn out of nowhere. Leah doesn’t seem to see it, and as I notice this, I ask it, “What are you?” at a volume where Leah can’t hear me, so that she won’t think I’m insane or something for talking to nothing. 55

A face starts appearing out of the shadow, its eyes setting on me. I notice it’s the shadow of a young, seemingly deceased girl of about my age, who looks to be crying and whose hand is placed over her stomach, stopping further blood flow from a gaping wound. 56

“Help me,” she says and forwards herself toward me. “I need your help to cross over. You can see me, can’t you?” 57

I nod and ask, “Who are you?” 58

“I’m Lydia.” 59