Blood is Red - Prologue

It was the evening of Jayde’s eighth birthday, a day commonly thought to be a joyous celebration for the birthday child and their parents. For the D’Frian family however, it was not. A recent dispute had arisen between Jessica and Ian, driving between them a thorn that drove the latter out of the D’Frian residence. Doing her best to abstain from future conflict with her husband, Jessica D’Frian had kept herself from filing for a divorce. Her interests rested with the thought that, with time, the thorn could possibly be pulled free. With it being nearly a year’s time since the said night, however, the thorn had only burrowed deeper.1

From the wood door of the cozy house resounded an urgent knock, stirring Mrs. D’Frian from her reverie of the love once shared between herself and Ian. With a reluctant nibble on her thin lips, she rose to her feet. Light danced off the walls and furniture as the animated characters on the television held rapt Jayde’s attention. The faintest of smiles surfaced momentarily as she tugged her gaze from the child, a pale hand lifting to hook stray wisps of hair behind an equally pale ear.2

Again, came the urgent knocking. Pressing the wrinkles out of her plain black dress, she moved towards the door, stopping to give an affectionate rub to her daughter’s head. As she neared it, the incessant knocking grew into a pounding. Audibly, the person on the opposite side growled. Jessica already knew who stood there, and she also knew that his impatience was what had brought their marriage to its unnecessary demise. Slowly, her right hand alighted upon the brass knob of the front door, her sea-hued eyes resting upon the lock as her left hand rose to twist it.3

“Open the damned door, Jessica. I know you’re there.” Ian’s impatience was rising.4

“I’m working on it, just give me a moment. The lock isn’t working right,” she lied through her teeth; she wasn’t good at it.5

“I’ll make sure of that,” the male muttered, sarcastically as the door finally opened. A scowl lined his own thin lips as he placed his hands in his pockets. Stringy jet hair fell across his eyes which were the hue of lush green grass. Some of it even obscured his sharp featured countenance. Jessica found him breathtakingly beautiful, in an odd sort of way.6

With a distasteful grunt, Ian pushed past his wife, taking only a moment to study her. Once that moment had passed, he picked up an eager gait and made his way towards the living room where another sweep of the room had graced his eyes with the form of their child sitting on the sofa. My Jayde, he thought to himself.7

A faint ‘ding’ was heard and Jessica muttered a curse, shutting the door behind the male before traversing to the kitchen. From the depths of the oven rose the enticing aroma of a most delicious chocolate cake. Clattering could be heard in the adjacent room as the woman busied herself with taking the cake from the oven and letting it cool before icing it. Her ears strained to hear whatever words might be exchanged from father to daughter and vice versa.8

Ian settled himself comfortably on the couch alongside their daughter, “Happy birthday, Princess.” The words were soft and inaudible to Jessica as she continued with her current occupation in the neighbouring room.9

Reluctantly, Jayde drew her emerald eyes away from the television set a slow grin spreading over her small, full lips. “Daddy!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms about his neck and hugging him tightly. “I missed you so much! Mommy said you were coming, but I wasn’t sure to believe her!” The child buried her face against his neck, inhaling the scent of his cologne. From the kitchen ensued a grunt that was ignored by father and child.10

“Jayde Elaine D’Frian!” exclaimed Ian, a playful pout forming across his thin lips that were in the process of releasing a seemingly hurt sigh. To himself, thoughts of hate were triggered towards his wife. His gaze lingered on their child. His child. He enveloped her in a fatherly hug before gently holding her at arm’s length. “I would never miss my Princess’ birthday, understand? You’re my everything, pumpkin.” The words were spoken with a firmness that assured Jayde of their truth. He planted to her forehead a kiss.11

“But you missed Mommy’s birthday. And Thanksgiving, too! Daddy,” she whined. Her voice was somewhere between sad and shameful for merely mentioning her father’s absence.12

Biting his lip, Ian held back the urge to strike Jayde simply for her words. “Daddy was busy and couldn’t get free,” he explained. Turning his gaze towards the television screen, he observed the dancing figures with a sneer. “Damn it, Jess! Can’t you teach her something better to do than watch cartoons? Something more educational? Like hunting?” The words were shouted towards the kitchen.13

“No, Ian. Hunting is too violent and you know that. My angel doesn’t need to know about how to kill animals!” Jessica practically shrieked as she finished icing the cake. ‘Happy Eighth Birthday, Jayde!’ was written elegantly before being decorated with eight elaborate birthday candles. She was hurrying. She wanted Ian out of the house. Lifting the dish, she carried it out of the kitchen and into the living room, placing it on the coffee-table. A cold glance was given to her husband as she looked towards him before returning to the kitchen for plates and utensils.14

Hungrily, Jayde's emerald eyes settled upon the cake, lips parting for the joyful exclamation of "Cake!" Readily, she slid from the couch and sat on her knees in front of the coffee table, hands clapping together. "Mm mm!" After what seemed, to Jayde at least, hours, Mrs. D'Frian finally returned with the plates and silverware and settled them next to the cake. Afterwards, she lit each of the eight candles.15

Jessica's hand reached for the knife needed to cut the freshly baked cake, only to find Ian's clasped over her own.16

"Allow me, Jess?" His voice was soft as he asked this, green eyes studying her intensely. Reluctantly, the female's grip was relinquished and her hand withdrawn from beneath Ian's. A dangerous smirk snuck its way onto his lips. "That's a good girl, isn't it?" he sneered lightly, taking a tight hold on the knife. "But, we must not forget to sing Happy Birthday, right dear?" The term of endearment was spoken with an odd coldness.17

Jessica's head inclined in the slightest of nods. "Of course," she managed, voice barely kept in check. Then, they began to sing; Jessica's voice off-key and Ian's angelically immaculate:18

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Jayde, happy birthday to you.19

A pause sounded before Ian added, "And many more..."20

Jestingly, Jessica also added to the song, "Or we'll kick you out the door on channel four where the monkies are." A wink of her eyes was offered to the child and she erupted in giggles. However, Ian's gaze took on the sharpness of daggers.21

With a nod of cue from her father, another wide grin stole over the young girl's features and she quickly inhaled a huge breath before exhaling it, easily putting out the measely eight candles. Her mother reminded her softly to make a wish before it was too late. Out of habit, Jayde waited for the wax candles to cool before plucking them free of their brown foundation and licking the icing from their bottoms. Jessica lifted the first of a quartet of plates for her to deposit the slim givers of light upon.22

Afterwards, she lifted the next plate and held it out for Ian to place cake upon. This was followed twice more until all three had a good-sized chunk of the cake. Jayde wasted no time in beginning to scarf down her own piece.23

Moments flew by as they ate their cake and, upon finishing, Jayde immediately brought her verdant gaze upwards to meet her father's equally lush eyes. "Where's my presents?" It was an innocent question and sounded oddly sweet as it fell from the girl's lips. She had noted that the said items were no where in sight.24

Simultaneously, both adults rose to their feet. Jessica was first to speak, "I'll go get them." No sooner than these words left her lips did she turn and exit the dining room, stepping into a small hallway to the side.25

Ian followed.26