WHISPERS FROM THE PAST

Y'S

ure smile. We walked side-by-side through the hallway, the day's classes finally ove

piercing green ey

ally is a

s jawline was sharp, giving his face a perfectly chiseled, square look. And that hair... long, wavy, and effortlessly falling just right every single

mine. My

ly snapped out of my daze. I hoped he hadn't not

riving all the way from New Castle to Smyrna just to pick

" he said with a shrug. "Still, it wouldn't b

way that always made my heart clench. His voice, deep

to press a soft kiss to his lips

that devastating smile ret

said, his thumb absentmindedl

mples, no effort-just

he intertwined his fingers with min

I said, curious about

basketball game against the New Jersey team this Friday with her most esteemed presence

lord. How could I possibly refuse?" I

me on during my track events. Yep, you guessed right-I'm part of the school's female track and fiel

His eyes locked onto mine for a moment before he leaned in and kissed me softly.

t to say so

, love

e Chris and the rest of the boys grabbed h

exaggerated French accent, flashing me a cheeky

ed as they dragged Brian

door, Brian glanced back, mouthi

ower lip to stop the ridiculous smile sprea

vement. I didn't even need to turn ful

you?" Frannah pouted as she came to stand beside me.

"Years of training, babe. Years.

into place. "You got any

Ellen's office before she leaves.

eyes dramatically. "

might tak

." She crossed her arms, tilting

er with my elbow, "but I don't think Dr

t Drew, leaning against a nearby wall and pretending

ghter. Of course

f that witch stresses you o

. Go ha

straightened up like he hadn't just

to myself. Frannah and relatio

d always say. And when things went south? "He was ni

r worth and never let anyone-especially som

ly wanted to check in, asking if everything was okay since she w

d, adjusting her glasses, "you'l

dragging my dad to s

to do better, and she finally let me go-after

*****************

sneak in and catch Dad off guard. I knew

tartle Dad was forgotten as my feet carried me straight to the kitchen-naturally, the source of such deliciousness. I knew my dad was a gre

st by feeding Hitler one of your meals." I inhaled

uckling as he expertly diced an onion. "

iced his car parked back in the

asleep?"

handle dinner while she catches a nap." He sm

deep, rumbling growl-like a miniature earth

g board. I glanced down at my stomach, then back at

Allen-my little brother-coming down. I smiled and held out

bro," I said, genuinel

you." He grinned before head

as already set and the whole gang was gathered around it. Mom's face li

*****************

EN'S

scream jolt

ing as I leapt to my feet. I didn't want to wake her mom

as too quiet for that kind of chaos. But

pushed it open and sw

rt slam against my ribs and

****************

Y'S

unks and sprawling branches. Bushes dotted the ground, but a carpet of damp gra

st instantly,

ver skittered down my spine, and goosebumps prickled my sk

wl

n Delaware since the 19th century. I tried to convinc

unded behind me

there?" I asked, voice

le

direction of the noise. My pulse t

ent. I whipped my head around. Nothing. But

t took over. I ran. Hard. The ground

the fog-a way out. I pushed t

sounded. And

ull, and I crumpled to the ground with a scream. Warm, sticky blood trick

growl. Deep. L

d a massive shadow stretched across it. I di

did. S

unged, claws b

y. Pr

I opened my eyes and gasped. I was i

elief, but a sharp pa

him. My nightshirt clung to me, drenched in cold s

whispered, his hand rubbing my b

there was raw-he looked

"Just a nightmare. My h

ts later with NSAIDs and a glass of water. As he ha

rd my scream and had rushed to my roo

I noticed his expression shift. His brows knitted together, and

ftly, pulling him

aid, blinking rapidly a

sked, his fists had relaxed, but

rt stuttered as the fear crept back in, icy and relentless, raising goosebumps on my skin.

iff quietly, though he kept his face turned away. I could feel his fe

d, voice thick with worry despite the

feeling his heartbeat steady and sure, while he held me close and kissed

****************

realized my dad was no longer beside me. Slowly, I

hen up. My mind still felt a bit foggy, and as I brushed my teeth, the

st in case my dad or brother barged in and g

Who was Dad talking to? I heard m

throom door, and I couldn't help but smile. Two days until my eighteenth

hen I saw who Dad was speaking to,

? Who had called him?

ad being so c