Chosen Read online

  “Leave us alone, Dexter. We’re not here to cause trouble,” he growled.

  The guy—Dexter, apparently—just smirked even more.

  “I’m afraid I can’t. You see, I need the girl—so get out of my way.”

  Jay stood taller and gave his own smirk.

  “Nope,” he said popping the p. Dexter frowned and looked at his men, pointing towards us. The men nodded and walked towards us.

  No. No. No. No. No. Did I just get involved with a gang?! Jay didn’t seem like the type.

  “Clara,” I snapped out of my thoughts to listen to Jay. “Take off the bracelet. Now.”

  I frowned. We were about to die and that was his last request?

  I did what he said anyway and I gasped at the voices ringing in my head.

  Get the girl!

  I love a good chase.

  Another kill for me.

  I love a good game of cat and mouse.

  Clara, listen to me.

  Oh no, they were back! My ears began to ring as I calmed myself down. I was relieved when the ringing stopped. I quickly shoved the voices away until one stood out to me.

  Clara. When I say go, you need to run home. I got these guys, just go.

  Confused, I looked at Jay. What did he mean?

  I saw a hand grab my wrist, and I couldn’t help but let out a scream. Get him off!

  I heard a sickening crunch and saw the man holding me fall. I looked around and found a fierce looking Jay bearing down on him before kicking another guy in the gut.

  “Now!” Jay shouted.

  I hesitated, not wanting to leave him. But the look he gave me told me to move my behind.

  Without another delay, I ran.

  9 - Goodbye

  Curse my short legs!

  I panted hard while running as fast as I could to my house. Fortunately there was a shortcut to get there quickly.

  There she is!

  I almost yelped at the sudden intrusion and ran faster. Maybe these voices could be useful. I placed my bracelet back on my wrist when the voices stopped.

  What?

  I struggled to take it off and the voices appeared again. Hmm... I decided to keep the bracelet off for now. I placed it in my pocket and kept running. Eventually I reached the exit of the woods. Thank heavens!

  I got you.

  Before I could react, I felt someone crash into me. We tumbled onto the forest floor and I felt him press his weight on my body. The breath was knocked out of my lungs from the sudden crash. Regaining my breath, I tried to struggle but he grabbed my wrists in one hand and held them above my head.

  “Gotcha.” The man smirked, showing me rotten yellow teeth. Ew!

  Maybe I can play with her a bit...

  My eyes widened, and I began to struggle helplessly. I felt his hand trail down my side, making me squirm even more.

  The man growled and smacked me across the face. I whimpered but was grateful that it only stung momentarily.

  “Stop moving and this will be quick,” he growled.

  Not happening!

  I did the only logical thing that came to me—I kneed him where the sun didn’t shine.

  He squealed and rolled over, holding his private parts. I couldn’t help the smirk that grew on my face.

  Served him right.

  I hastily got up and kept going.

  Right there!

  After her!

  I hid behind a tree and longingly looked at the houses by the woods. So close! I searched for a weapon, moving leaves and twigs. I found a large stick and stumbled, trying to grasp my weapon.

  I could barely hold it with my small hands. When I heard them get closer, I jumped out and quickly hit one guy as hard as I could. He immediately fell to the ground, out cold.

  I heard a growl and looked at the other guy standing near me.

  “What are you, a dog? You should get your throat checked out,” I said with a fake smile.

  Apparently he didn’t like that comment and charged after me.

  Feeling confident, I used the stick to whack his hand, which tried to grab me, and hit him in the gut. He doubled over in pain, giving me the height I needed to give the final blow to the head. He fell to the ground, unconscious. I listened to see if there were any more voices and found none.

  I did a quick happy dance and dropped my stick.

  Small People – 1, Tall Giants – 0.

  I ran out of the woods and into my neighborhood.

  ***

  I dashed down my street. My head was throbbing from the extra voices in my head, but I tried to control it as much as I could by remaining calm. I made the sharp turn into the court and froze.

  I looked at the front of my house in horror.

  The house was completely destroyed. It was almost a miracle the roof was still holding up. All the windows were completely shattered, and glass scattered on the lawn. Some pieces of the house were missing. It looked like World War III happened in my front yard.

  I cautiously walked to the door (or entrance, since it was missing) and was careful to not step on glass or other debris. I tried to listen for any voices, but they were very faint.

  I entered to see the interior just as wrecked as the exterior. Furniture was tossed and torn to pieces. Rain was dripping through the ceiling. I gulped and stared at the wall to find pictures broken on the floor. I grabbed a frame of a picture with me and my foster parents. They were chasing me at the park. I was three when that picture was taken.

  We may not have had a lot of pictures, but this was one of the times when we were happy together—it showed that we did care about each other. I took the picture out of the shattered frame and placed it in my pocket.

  I climbed the stairs and went to my room. It was completely destroyed. My bed was turned over and my clothes were torn to shreds. I stepped forward and heard a crunch. I looked down and saw broken toy microphones on the floor.

  I heard the faint voices again and focused to pay more attention to them.

  Clara...

  As I listened, the voices grew. I quietly followed them and they led me to Irene and Herbert’s room. The door was cracked open and I slowly pushed it forward with my fingers.

  The door opened all the way and the scene in front of me made time freeze over. My heart completely stopped.

  Lying on the floor in a puddle of blood were Irene and Herbert.

  I ran to them and examined them. They looked completely out of shape. Some limbs were twisted the wrong way and scratch marks covered their bodies. I shook Irene to get a response but received no answer. Bile rose in my throat when I saw a knife lodged inside her chest.

  I shook her harder and let out a sob.

  “Wake up!” I screamed. “This isn’t funny. Wake up!” I wailed.

  This couldn’t be happening.

  Clara...

  My eyes snapped to Herbert, who was lying just across from Irene; his breath labored. I crawled over to him and placed his head on my lap.

  “Herbert! You’re going to be alright! Please stay here. Don’t go!” I cried, tears streaming down my cheeks.

  He gave me a weak smile.

  “Sorry kid, it’s too late. I need to see Irene... the record on my dresser... play it,” he whispered weakly. I followed his request with a soft nod. I quickly and gently took his head off my lap and grabbed his record. I put it in the player and turned it on.

  I shook my head with teary eyes once I heard the familiar tune. Irene and Herbert loved this song. When they weren’t fighting, I would catch them dancing to the tune.

  I stumbled back to Herbert who was closing his eyes.

  “No! You can’t leave me too. Please don’t go,” I whispered.

  “I—I have to,” he said slowly, a tear leaving his eye.

  I shook my head stubbornly, but he placed a shaky and bloody hand in mine.

  “They will keep you safe. I tried to protect you, but I failed...
I—I am sorry I w—wasn’t a good dad,” he coughed, blood bubbling out of his mouth.

  I looked at him with blurry eyes.

  “I forgive you,” I whispered, trying not to choke on my tears.

  He gave me a smile and shakily kissed my palm before closing his eyes, looking at peace.

  His hand soon lost its grip and slipped away from mine. I cried out as I mourned the people that had sheltered me my whole life. It became too much for me. Everything that had happened. I didn’t know how to feel anymore. Eventually, I felt numb and let everything pass me by.

  Darkness soon consumed me.

  ***

  Echoes. I was vaguely aware of the voices calling out to me.

  Clara!

  You’ll be okay…

  We need to cover the bodies…

  The police are coming…

  Get her back to the mansion…

  Please wake up Clara... for me.

  I wanted to wake up, but my eyelids were too heavy.

  I gave up and let myself be in limbo.

  ***

  “When is she going to wake up?” a whisper asked.

  “I don’t know, Adam,” another voice responded. “Everything over-stimulated her. People forgetting her, getting chased, and finding dead foster parents tend to do that to you.”

  “She’s been out for days! She needs to wake up soon!” a distressed voice said.

  “Cool it, lover boy,” another person voiced. “Your girlfriend will wake up soon. We need to start training her. She may have handled her own, but Vlad will just send more.”

  I heard a sigh.

  “I know that.”

  I finally could open my eyes and let them blink a couple times. Everything was blurry, so I kept concentrating until everything focused again.

  I looked up to see all the guys looking down at me in relief. I looked around and saw that I was in the same room I was in last time.

  Same people. Same place.

  I looked out the window. I could see the sun setting, dew collecting on the window and plants outside.

  “All that did happen, huh?” I said with dread.

  I felt Adam gave me a hug and pulled back. I turned my head and barely saw him nod his head. I closed my eyes and put my head down to regain my composure. This wasn’t the right place to mourn.

  I looked up and glared at all of them.

  “Someone better start talking now, or else you guys are going to have a whole lot of trouble on your hands.”

  Adam reached his hand out to me.

  “Girl Sc—”

  “Stop!” I cut him off in anger. “Tell me the truth right now Adam! I’m sick of your lies and secrets. I was attacked by a bunch of men and saw my parents die. I’m confused, scared, and angry. I barely know who you are anymore, who any of you are,” I said as I looked at him with fear and anger.

  Adam looked at me with teary eyes, and I looked away as my own started to blur with tears.

  “Clara—”

  “Truth. Now,” I demanded.

  Everyone looked at each other and Adam sighed.

  “Come on, Girl Scout. There’s someone you need to meet.”

  10 - Mansion

  Before we left the room, Adam told me to close my eyes so I could be “surprised.” Adam was always the eager one, but I was too paranoid to listen to him. After a bit of pleading, I reluctantly closed my eyes as he guided me through the house. I heard the crunching of leaves, which indicated we were now outside.

  “Alright Girl Scout, welcome to your new home!” Adam cheered.

  I opened my eyes and frowned. I scanned around in disbelief as I turned to everyone looking at me expectantly.

  It looked like it hadn’t been lived in for years. It was a small cabin made of stone and wood. Dirt and mold covered the house and twigs had been used to cover the roof. There were two windows that looked like they were about to collapse any second.

  I registered Adam’s words and disbelief filled me.

  “What do you mean ‘my new home’? I already have a house. There is no way I’m living here. It’s disgusting!” I exclaimed, raising my hands up. I glared at all the guys, who were looking at me with amusement. I scowled at Adam, and he looked down at the ground in discomfort.

  “Ah ah ah,” Drake sang. I rolled my eyes at him. “You have to go inside first. What happened to ‘never judge a book by its cover’?”

  Adam pushed me inside. Everyone else joined us, which was a hilarious sight to see. I covered my laugh with a frown. The guys were too tall for the ceiling and had to crouch down uncomfortably. But I, being small, could stand up straight without a problem.

  Small People – 2.

  Giants – 0.

  “So, why are we here? To see how many giants we can cram into a house?” I asked sarcastically.

  Adam shoved his way through the guys and glared at me.

  “Enough, Girl Scout, we just want you to open the door,” Adam scolded.

  “What door?” I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

  Adam gestured to the blank stone wall, and I looked at him like he was a lunatic. He did realize there was no door, right? He needed to go to the mental institution instead of me.

  “Uh, Keller, hate to break it to you, but there’s no door,” I said to him cautiously.

  Adam rolled his eyes at me.

  “Close your eyes and picture a door. Then it will appear,” he instructed and pointed at the wall once more.

  I looked at him like he was crazy.

  “What? After all the hell you’ve been through, this seems bizarre?” Adam said after looking at my expression.

  “Yes. Absolutely yes,” I said, bewildered.

  “He has a point, Clara. Give it a shot,” Luke added, banging his head on the roof. The guys snickered and Luke glared at them.

  I looked at everyone else, who looked like they were encouraging me.

  I knew we weren’t getting anywhere close to my answers unless I cooperated.

  “This is ridiculous,” I muttered as I close my eyes.

  I imagined a door in my head. It had a smooth wooden surface and a golden doorknob. I thought of cherry wood and the cold surface of the knob. A ghost of a smile forms on my lips.

  It was the same door from my house.

  Your old and destroyed house.

  “Open your eyes, Clara,” Adam whispered. I could hear the softness in his voice because he recognized the door.

  I listened and slowly opened my eyes and felt them widen. Right in front of me was my front door. I gawked and looked at everyone.

  “H—how did that happen?” I stuttered as I backed away from the door.

  Jay smiled and gently moved me so that he could open the door.

  “Isn’t it obvious? Magic, of course,” he stated simply.

  The guys snorted.

  “That was a really lame line,” Drake said.

  “I don’t know why I consider you as my older brother,” Jay said, shaking his head.

  “You know you love me!” Drake sang. Jay just rolled his eyes but smiled.

  I looked at the guys, who seemed perfectly relaxed. How could they all be acting like this was normal?

  “Girl Scout, I can sense your fear. You need to calm down,” Adam said softly.

  I closed my eyes tight as I took a deep breath to calm myself. Everything was becoming too overwhelming. Adam put his hand on the small of my back and nudged me inside.

  “This is where we were originally. I just wanted to show you the tour. And here we are,” Jay whispered when he could sense my unease.

  I lost my jaw somewhere at the door.

  This place was huge. Large white walls were covered in different paintings, giving the room a warm feeling with couches surrounding a large TV. Different antiques and valuables were placed on shelves, which gave me the feeling this house has been well lived in. I turned my head a little and saw a grand stairc
ase.

  There was no way this could fit in a small cabin.

  “Wow,” I whispered.

  “Come on, let’s get you acquainted with Eric. He can tell you everything since Jay can’t say zilch,” Adam muttered and dragged me up a staircase.

  He led me through the halls full of twists and turns. I could tell right away that I would get lost if I stayed here. Adam stopped dragging me and set me in front of a large door. I looked up at him, and he nodded his head at the door.

  “Knock,” he mouthed, giving me a reassuring smile.

  I knocked gently, more than a little nervous about who was on the other side of the door.

  “Come in,” said a deep voice on the other side of the door.

  I quietly opened the door and let myself in. Adam closed the door behind me, leaving me by myself.

  Oh boy. I kept my eyes on the door, hoping Adam would magically come back.

  “So, you must be Clara Evans. Adam has talked highly of you,” the voice chuckled.

  I turned around to finally see his face. In front of me was a man who looked like he was in his mid-forties. As every other person I had met this last week had been, he was tall and built. He had sandy ruffled hair and stubble to go along with it. He had grey eyes, similar to Jay, but they were a darker stormy grey. His eyes wrinkled when he smiled warmly at me.

  “I’m Eric, Drake and Jay’s uncle. I have a feeling there’s a lot you want to discuss, no? Have a seat.” Eric gestured to the couches across the room.

  I nodded shyly and walked to one of the couches in the room. It was more like an office.

  He sat on the couch across from me.

  “Ask me anything you like, Clara.”

  I looked at him thoughtfully as I tried to figure out what I wanted to ask him. I felt my shyness start to kick in but I tried to push it back. There was actually too much stuff I want to know. I couldn’t be shy now or I’d never get my answers.

  I went for the one that was eating at me.

  “My parents really were killed today, weren’t they?” I asked quietly, feeling my tears build up. The reality started crashing into my head. I wiped them away, embarrassed to cry in front of a stranger. My heart ached for them. They may not have been the best parents, but they still cared for me. I dug into my pocket for the picture I’d grabbed at the house. I unfolded it and stared at it longingly, not even bothering to wipe away the tear that escaped.