HOME | DD

Description

I collapsed back on my bed, taking a long deep breath, as if I’d been holding it in for hours. I pulled my phone out and returned to my photos, pulling the picture up. The same gaping space where Vlad should be was staring me in the face.

Was I crazy? I had to be. But I couldn’t be. Henry seemed to know more than I did. I thought about giving him a buzz.

The wound was too fresh. I had to let it sit for a while.

I kinked my head backwards and stared out my window, my whole world upside down. Leaves were still falling from the trees, and the autumn sun shone in, not enough to blind me. I could see Vlad’s window, shut and covered in curtains. We’d had some good conversations through these windows, and now I wondered if we would ever speak again.

I rubbed my scalp, trying to relieve my sudden headache, when I heard a knock at the door and stopped abruptly. There was only one person that could be.

Correction—one of three people.

I heard my mother’s footsteps crossing the floor. In a state of panic, I leapt from my bed, flew out my door, and hopped on the banister, sliding down at mach speed. I practically toppled into my mother when I catapulted myself off, but I grabbed her and dragged her down the hallway leading to the washroom and the basement.

“Jeanette, what are you—“

“I’m not here,” I interrupted. She looked at me with the blankest of stares, “Whoever’s at the door, tell them I’m not here.” She shook off the firm grip I still had on her arm.

“Jeanette, I—“

“Please.”

She was hesitant, but agreed. I crept back to the washroom and stood just outside the door to be sure I could A) Hear everything and B) Jump in if I had to. The front door swung open, and heard my mother say hello to whomever was there.

“Greetings, Mrs. Snow. Is your daughter here?” I practically threw myself on the ground at the sound of Otis’ voice, “Vlad would like to speak to her for a moment.”

Did he know I was there? Could he sense me?

“I’m afraid I don’t know where she is. She ran I and ran right back out. Would you like me to have her call when she gets home?” my mother questioned. No Mom. Absolutely not.

“That would be wonderful,” Otis commented, “thank you very much. Sorry to bother you.” I heard the door begin to creak shut, “You have a good day.” There were fading footsteps, followed by the complete closing of the door, before I showed my face again.

“A phone call will NOT be happening."

“Jeanette, would you please tell me what’s going on?” I sped to the dining room table and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl, her steps close behind me.

“I can’t,” I lashed, “you’d just think I’m crazy.” Her footsteps ceased, and I went back up the stairs to my room. Maybe I really was crazy. Maybe I was hallucinating. Maybe I needed to be locked up.

I shut my door and threw my phone down on my pillow. Just as I did, the screen lit up with a text message. I let it sit, unsure of how to respond. It was a text message from Henry.

Vlad and I are outside.

We need to talk.