Chapter 2 The Mysterious Necklace

Laura was still sleeping when little Ashley entered her room, she walked furtively to her bed without making a sound. She sat down beside her sister as she began her experiment. She touched Laura's hair, then brought it up to her nose and smelled it, "smells nice but not as nice as mine". She commented while perceiving her hair too. She then went to Laura's eyes and opened one of her eyes with her hand. "Golden-brown eyes. I guess she's got Mom's eyes while I got Dad's.". As if that were not enough, she walked towards Laura's nose, snooping in her nostrils and making Laura sneeze slightly. "Hello," Ashley smiles briskly. Laura turned around to get a good insight into her sister who was dressed for school and didn't let her enjoy the rest of her sleep. "Seriously Ash! Must this be done every time?" "I couldn't find anything better". She shrugged. "Mummy and Daddy need you downstairs". She moved to the door before she left, and she said to Laura, "You better shower first, you stink". Laura quickly grabbed a pillow and threw it at Ashley but the little girl was too fast, and the pillow fell to the ground. Ashley peeked at her sister. "You missed". She mocked, sticking out her tongue. "Get out of my room Ash!". Laura grunted. Ashley knew her mission was successful so she left, shutting the door behind her. Laura looked at herself in the mirror not believing that she slept and had no nightmare. I hope all my nights end up like this. She thought to herself. She went into the bathroom and heated the water a little. Looking out the window of her bathroom, she could see the snow melting and the sun was finding its way to shine despite how snowy it was. Ashley was set for school. "No fighting in school today Ashley". Her mom warned, handing her the food flask. "And less experiment". Her dad- Jones added, his eyes not leaving the newspaper he was reading. Ashley gave them a strange look, but still, she said, "I'll keep that in mind". Before her parents could say anything, she had zoomed off and the only sound they heard was the sound of the door shutting. Laura came downstairs, but was surprised to see only her mom and dad so she asked, "Where's Ash?". "Good morning sweetheart". Both parents greeted sending Laura warring looks. Laura smiled when she realized she didn't greet her parents. She walked up to her dad and pecked his cheek. "Good morning dad". She greeted. She went to meet her mom who was setting up breakfast in the kitchen. "Good morning mom". She pecked her mom's cheek as well. "You look and sound better than you did a few days ago". Her mom remarked. Jones took his eyes off the newspaper to look at his daughter and he asked, "No more nightmares?" Laura took a while before she replied. She thought for a while if she had any dreams or maybe she did but forgot about it but nothing, her mind was blank." I slept well, I guess". She said, taking a bite of her pancake. "I'm glad you did, " her mom said happily. "It's been a long you were this cheerful," she added Laura wasn't that much of a foodie so she only ate two pancakes and she was satisfied. "I will go to the shop now,". They own a flower shop where they sell different kinds of flowers for different occasions and they have lovely cards too made by their daughter, Laura. ".... Besides, I still have to make more cards". She said as her parents nodded. "I'll join you shortly," said Madeline. Laura nodded as she pecked her parents goodbye. "You should come sometime to see it to dad," Laura said but her dad just laughed it off. " I can tell you guys are doing a good job even without seeing it". They all laughed at Jone's remark. "Be careful on the way there, OK?" Her mom advised. "I will".Laura said as she shut the door behind her. "You should come to check out the shop". Madeline told her husband. Jones knew where his wife was going with the discussion and he wasn't ready to argue with her so he pulled her close, cupped her face in his palms, and said, "I don't need to check it out because I know how amazing of a florist you are. You know the right flowers for every occasion..." he paused. "... Remember when I came to you and told you I needed a flower for my mom's birthday?" Madeline smiled because she remembered vividly that moment. "... Without knowing, you gave me her favorite flower, that's how I figured you're an amazing florist". After he said that, he looked into his wife's eyes and planted a kiss on her lips. Madeline had a lot of questions, she couldn't understand why her husband wasn't interested in coming to see her shop. He doesn't even go out with the kids for family picnics. It's more like he was hiding, but she couldn't tell why. She decided not to push on with the matter and just go on with it. If there's something he wants us to know, he'd tell us about it, right? She asked herself. She decided to forget about anything and focus on her husband's lips on hers. The kiss gave her a new assurance that her husband has nothing to hide and all she needs to do is believe him. She pulled away from the kiss, took the plates, and was about to do the dishes when her husband stood behind her and grabbed her waist. "You can leave for work now, I'll do the dishes".Jones offered with a smile. Madeline pulled his face closer and kissed him, "You are such a darling." she said before leaving for work. . . . . . . . . . . ************ . . . . . . . . . "I am serious Theresa, I slept like a baby". Laura said in a video call with her friend. Theresa was Laura's favorite customer when they opened the shop. She helped Laura boost her mom's business by telling people about it, she and her boyfriend Jason has been amazing to her and they are like the only friends she's got in Texas. "I just can't believe you were able to sleep without waking up in the middle of the night screaming. Did something happen last night?". Theresa asked. Theresa knew about the nightmares and she felt sorry for her. Laura thought about last night, "Nothing much happened." Laura finally spoke up after a few seconds of thinking. "Well, maybe you weren't meant to have those nightmares in the first place". Her friend said as she nodded in agreement. Laura looked at the time and saw that she needs to do something first so she told Theresa she would call back, as she was about to end the call, someone brushed past her, hitting her on the shoulder, making her almost drop her phone on the ground but good thing she was quick enough to grab it. "Hey! Watch where you are going, will you?". She turned to face the guy. The guy turned to face her when he noticed what he had done. The moment their eyes met, Laura froze. She couldn't believe her eyes. The shock was so great that she didn't even know when her phone fell from her hand, her eyes were still fixed on the guy in front of her. She remained motionless and her mouth was left agape. His fair skin, green eyes, black hair, slim body with prominent shoulders, and his small face made Laura take a step back. How can he look so familiar? She thought. The guy walked up to her and helped her pick up her phone. He was about to give the phone to her when he noticed she was motionless. He waved his hands across her face multiple times before she blinked her eyes, returning herself to reality. "Are you OK?" he asked He tried coming closer to her, but Laura took to her heels. She didn't know why, but she knew she had to leave, without looking back, she took to her heels, straight to the shop. She shut the door after her while her back rested on the door with her hand over her beating chest, Why does it feel like I know him? Like I've seen him before. She asked herself. She needed someone to talk to and the person that came to mind was Theresa. "She will know what to do." She muttered. She looked in her hand for her phone but was surprised to see it wasn't in her hand. She checked her pockets and on the floor, but no phone. She got a flashed back and she remembered her phone fell off her hand when she saw that stranger which means that she left it with that stranger. How am I going to get it from him now? She asked herself as she opened the door to check if he was there but he wasn't Reed looked at the phone in his hand and wondered why she ran off like that. He had better give the phone back to her, but how would he get it across to her? He didn't even seem to know her name or anything. Then suddenly her phone rang revealing the caller to be Theresa. He was doubting whether to pick up the call or not. After the call ended, he decided to start searching for her. He was about to begin his search when the phone rang again and this time the caller was Jason. He mustered up the courage to pick up the call. "Hello". He answered. There was a long silence on the other side of the line. " Who the hell are you and what are you doing with my friend's phone? Where's the owner of the phone? What did you do to her?". The question came from a girl. He was shocked that he had to look at the caller again, but it was still Jason that was written there. Is Jason a girl? He thought. He placed the phone to his ear, he spoke gently saying, "I have no idea where your friend is, she ran off and left her phone behind. I was thinking of getting it to her, but I have no idea where she is". Theresa became silent as that voice calmed every wrecking nerve. She cleared her throat and asked, "Who are you?" "I'm Reed Fletcher and believe me, I do not have any bad intentions towards your friend, I just want to return the phone to her. Can you tell me where she is?". Theresa became silent. How was she supposed to trust a stranger? "How am I sure I can trust you?" she asked. "If I don't return the phone to her, you're free to call the cops". He suggested. Theresa felt it was a good suggestion. If anything should happen to her friend, she can call the cops besides she knows his name. "She should be at her mom's shop. It's a florist shop, in fact, the only florist shop you'll ever come across around the Town coast". "Thanks. You can call her later to confirm". Reed hung up and began his search. Theresa prayed silently hoping that this Reed guy isn't a bad person. She can't risk the life of her friend by doing something so stupid, but what if he's really a good guy and he meant well? A lot of questions and doubts were rising, but the only thing she could do was hope for the best. ...... ******...... Somewhere along the Town coast, Evan was receiving a call from his human friend Max Newton. Max knew all about Evan's secret and he's even planning to become one, although distance has been an issue. Max was very good with information about some people in the town. Evan was inquiring about Laura and Max knew her. Max gave him some basic information that could be of help to him. "Her mother owns a flower shop?". Evan asked. "Yeah, I'm at the town coast". He told Max. "Is it the only flower shop I'll see across town?" As he walked a little bit further, he saw a flower shop just a stone's throw from where he was standing. "I think I've found it, I'll call you back". He ended the call and walked to the shop. "Good morning and welcome. This is L.A florist, how can I be of service?". Laura asked without looking at the person in front of her. She was too busy arranging some flowers into their vases. Evan and Reed looked at each other, it was as if they were examining themselves. Evan could feel something strange about Reed and Reed could feel something strange about Evan but both said nothing to each other. Evan broke the stare first. He walked to Laura, who was still busy. "Who attends to customers without looking at the?" Evan asked That voice. Laura turned only for her to see a strange person next to her. I have heard this voice before. "I came to drop your phone". Reed placed the phone on the table and left. Despite the fact he had many questions to ask Laura, he decided now wouldn't be a good time. Laura turned to watch Reed leave. She didn't understand why, but she was short of breath. The appearances of the two guys made her breathless. She clenched her chest tighter, hoping to breathe fine but she couldn't. She slumped and Evan was quick to grab her. Evan looked at the lady in his arms. He studied her features, her brown hair with a fringe covering her forehead, her oblong face, her pointed nose, and her V-shaped pink lips. She looked skinny, but she weighed a lot. Evan quickly unbuttoned the top of her shirt, he was moving to other buttons when Laura groaned. He looked at her and saw her eyebrows furrowed. He didn't understand why. Could she be dreaming? He thought. Laura's eyes were closed and she was having that nightmare again. Without knowing, she clung to the hem of Evan's shirt making it impossible for him to move. She held it so tight that Evan had to give up escaping. He could see she was scared, but of what? Only one way to find out. He looked around and shut the windows and doors. It's dangerous to use his powers during the day, but he didn't mind besides this is all part of protecting her. He thought. He placed his right hand on her forehead and closed his eyes, images started flooding into his very eyes. He could see every scene. He saw Laura running, but he couldn't see what she was running from. He decided to focus his attention more thereby using more power, that was when the sights of hungry vampires appeared. She's been chased by vampires? He asked himself. He opened his eyes and removed his hand from her forehead. He placed her gently on the sofa. "What exactly are you?". He asked her, but she didn't respond to him. He knew what he had to do. He placed his right hand on her chest and the left hand on her forehead, he closed his eyes, and every dream she had about being chased by vampires, was erased. "This is for your protection," he said. He brought out something from his pocket, it was a silver necklace with a pendant shaped like a full moon and he put the necklace around her neck. He looked for a sharp object that he could cut himself with, he found a knife and cut his palm with it as the blood was rushing, he poured a drop of blood into the moonlight necklace and the necklace glowed with a red light, after some time the necklace went back to its normal silver color. Evan needed some time alone to heal before he could use any of his powers again. He stared at Laura one last time before deciding it was time to leave. Without moving, he stretched forth his hand to the windows and doors and they opened. Evan could hear footsteps so he quickly jumped out of the window at the back and used his speed to leave that area. Madeline came into the shop only to see her daughter sleeping soundly on the sofa. "I thought she said she slept well last night?". Madeline asked, but decided not to disturb her daughter. She took care of the shop while Laura slept. A Few hours later, Ashley returned from school and went straight to the shop. "Mom, I'm back". She screamed. "Be quiet!. Your sister is sleeping". Her mom cautioned. Ashley's eyes widened in shock. "I'm going home so wait here till she's awake and you both can come home together." "Sleeping?". Ashley asked. She took some steps closer to the sleeping beauty. "That's so unlike her". She said as her mother nodded in agreement. Madeline left the shop. Ashley took care of the shop and watched over her big sister, it was almost eight, she looked back at her sister and decided to wake her up, but before she could wake her up, Laura woke up, holding her head as she moaned in pain. She had no idea why her head was pounding so much. Her visions were blurry, it took some time before her visions became clear. Her eyes caught her sister who was standing in front of her with folded arms. "Ashley". She called but it sounded more like a question. "Why aren't you in school?" She asked. She tried to stand up but couldn't find the strength to. "Who stays in school till around eight in the evening? ". Ashley asked. Eight? Did I hear that right? Laura asked herself. She stared at the clock and it was five minutes after eight. What the hell has she been doing? She thought. "Why didn't anyone wake me?" She asked. She finally found the strength to get up and start closing up. "Where's mom?". "She went home and told me to wait here for you to wake up". "What?". Laura asked. "why didn't she wake me up?" "She didn't want to disturb you". Ashley answered. While she was still staring at her sister, something caught her eyes. She moved closer to her, but Laura was giving her weird looks. "What's that?" Laura asked. "What's that?" asked Ashley with her finger pointing to the necklace around Laura's neck. "What's what?". Laura couldn't understand what Ashley was saying. She felt it was one of her jokes so she said, "Listen, Ash, if this is some kind of a joke, I'm not in the mood for it right now." "I'm serious. There is something around your neck. It's like a kind of necklace". Ashley said. Laura finally looked down and there it was the necklace. "What the heck!" she exclaimed. "How did this get around my neck?" She rushed to look for a mirror. She was fortunate to see a transparent glass. She looked at her neck and she saw the silver-moon-shaped necklace. "How did this..?" She paused. "It suits you perfectly. Where did you get it?". Ashley smiled. Laura thought for a while about the necklace getting around her neck but she had no idea. "I don't know, can you get it off me?". "Okay". Laura scouted so Ashley could get to her neck. Ashley looked for a look around the necklace, but there was none. "Um..there seems to be a problem., she said. "What now?". Laura grunted. She was fed up with everything that had happened to her today. First, she had to meet two strangers that triggered something in her and now a necklace finds itself mysteriously around her neck. What more does she need to expect in one day? "There's neither a hook nor a knot". Ashley said, still looking at the necklace. "What?? How's that possible?". Laura asked. She tried to pull the necklace above her head, but it didn't work. She tried to cut the necklace, but she injured her neck in the process. "Stop Laura, you're injuring yourself. Let's go home first, we'll think of a way to get it off". Ashley said while holding her sister's hand. Laura felt it was a good idea, that way she can focus more on how to get the mysterious necklace off her. "Don't tell mom and dad about this, I don't want them worrying, understand?". Ashley nodded as they went home. Immediately they got home, Laura greeted her parents and ran straight to her room. Her parents looked at her then at Ashley where it lingered. Ashley knew her parents wanted explanations, but instead, she shrugged pretending not to know anything. "I'll be in my room in case you need me." She quickly went to her room before they could ask her further questions.