The Awakening (Sample)

All Rights Reserved for New Haven: Awakening © by Tajanara Scott aka Afrodite107.

Under no circumstances must this book be copied, vandalized, stolen, changed, or translated (without permission), ask and you shall receive. I don’t tolerate plagiarism; everything you see is what pops out of my big-headed brain. Thank you and enjoy.

N/A: this story contains violence, blood and gore and offscreen abuse.

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I could see through his goofy smile and his stupid jokes, though he tries to hide it, it wasn’t hard to see the hatred he harboured within himself for what he did—and what he couldn’t prevent. There’s a part of me that clings to my resentment towards him for his infidelity but the other wants desperately for him to make this pain and fear go away. This debilitating fear and the self hatred that accompanied it. My tears rolled down the bridge of my nose and onto the page of the photo album on my lap when I dropped my gaze.I wiped my face into the sleeve of my oversized hoodie as they approached the car, not wanting them seeing my tears.

“That’s all thats left.” Dad told my twin brother, Lucas, and slammed the trunk shut.

I looked at Lucas when he climbed into the backseat beside me, meeting his baby blue gaze. He hid his sadness behind a hesitant, wary smile which only made him look as exhausted as I felt. In his hand was the first and only gift he had gotten me, a worn out teddy bear with mismatched eyes and a flattened arm, Mr Peterson. “I found this when I was going through the boxes in the attic.” He said softly. I stared at it with tears welling up in my eyes. I felt like an idiot letting something so small affect me so greatly. In truth, the effect came from the memories of me holding him to my chest as a kid, hoping Mr Peterson would protect me from the unknown lurking in the dark. “You don’t want it?” He asked with a hint of sadness. I nodded and took it from him with shaking hands. It was as soft as I remembered it would be but it stunk of dust and dirty gym socks. Lucas laughed when I wrinkled my nose.

“I should have washed it before I gave it to you,” he said with a sigh. I met his gaze with what I hope could resemble a smile.

“Thank you.” I said in a small, weak, hoarse voice that made my throat ache in effort to force the words out. It’s been a few days short of a year since I’ve last used my voice and using it now, for someone I trust, felt like the best time. Hearing my voice in so long surprise him and for a brief moment I thought I saw a hint of tears in his eyes but the smile that grew against his lips masked it. It felt like ages since I’ve last seen his goofy smile and…I missed it. So much. It’s hard to believe I use to hate it.

I gave him a coy smile which fell the moment my father climbed into the driver’s seat. I lowered my eyes when he looked at me in the rearview mirror. Last year may have repaired my relationship with Lucas but it couldn’t repair what I had lost with my father. It wasn’t from lack of trying, on his end at least, I just couldn’t face him after I caught him with someone who wasn’t my mother. Lucas noticed my grip on Mr Peterson and pulled me into his side and pressed his lips against my forehead.

“You promised you’d try,” he whispered into my ear. I know but it’s too hard to forget and worst of all he’s making us go…..there. Just the thought of it made me shiver. I haven’t been to our old house in a year and I had no intention on going back but I have to go—for Lucas. I shrugged sheepishly. “You can’t hold it against him forever, Dev. He’s suffering too.” I knew that as well as anyone but forgiveness is a strength I do not yet possess

“Are you ready?” Dad asked lifelessly. He was looking ahead, his fingers digging into the steering wheel. My heart sunk into the pit of my stomach and for a second I forgot how to breathe. Lucas sensed my tension and held me tighter.

“The faster it’s done the better.” Lucas replied just as lifeless. Dad’s gaze flickered to my grandmother’s twilit house when he started the engine. We had said our long goodbyes the night before. Grandma Eda would have loved to house us longer but it was two cramped in her small 2 bedroom house. I watched the small house disappear into the distance before I nestled my face into Lucas’s neck, preparing myself for what was to come next.

The ten minute drive to the house was gruelling. I was shaking before we even hit its turnoff. The memories came rushing back with a vengeance, capturing my lungs in its chokehold. I was fighting against the memories….the pain but it was too much. Too fast in its loop. I winced when Lucas released me sending me whirling down the tunnel of bloody, brain covered walls. ‘Don’t come out until I tell you to’ she whispered urgently. I covered my ears as her piercing screams filled them. Stop. Please. ‘There you are’ he purred. I grind my teeth when his face flashed over me. ‘No!’ I screamed fighting to get him off me.

Someone touched me and I screamed and swung my fists in every direction. “Devin!” Lucas yelled shaking me out of the tunnel. I looked at him wide eyed and gasping for the air that was evading me. I burst into tears the moment I was able to catch my breath. He pulled me into his arms and held me tight enough to hurt. “Shh, I got you.” He promised. I went limp against him as the tears kept coming.

“I’ll make it quick.” Dad said shakily. His footsteps disappeared a second later. Lucas kept holding me even after I had cried myself out and fell asleep exhausted from the many nights without a solid nights sleep.

My eyes sprung open when her screams filled my ears. I flinched when he tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. “It’s me.” He whispered. I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. “You’ve been out for most of the drive.” He added when I looked out the window at the miserable gloomy, wetness beyond the car.

The gas station’s empty parking lot was surrounded by a vast array of tall, moss and ivy covered trees. The dark grey sky and pouring rain couldn’t take away from its oddly beautiful greenness. Being in the middle of nowhere was something I never expected to appreciate or even fall in love with—especially this quickly. I’ve always hated the thought of life outside of the city but this felt…..right. This felt like home. I gasped at the sight of a deer walking from one side of the narrow road ahead of us to another. Wow. I smiled at Lucas when he moved forward for a better look.

“This is better than being at the zoo,” he said with a wide smile. I nodded in agreement. There’s a sense of tranquility watching the deer going about its business, not being confined in an enclosure. “Don’t think too hard….your brain will pop.” He teased and pressed on the crease growing between my brows. I slapped his hand away and glared at him. He snickered.

It was then I realised what he was holding in his left hand. He followed my gaze to the album and showed me the picture he was looking at. It was Christmas, we were thirteen and were forced to wear thee ugliest sweaters on the planet. I shuddered at the memory of the itchy fabric against my skin. The hatred we had towards one another was evident as we embrace one another for the photo. This photo felts centuries old, like a different lifetime. He flipped the page and my stomach tightened. It was a photo of me with my friends at the spring formal five months before my world got crushed into a billion pieces. It feels like looking at a completely different person. The girl I saw was confident, fearless and some would argue….a bitch. I wasn’t the best person in so many cruel ways and it makes my stomach turn to think about it. I turned away and looked out the window.

“Boy! You were a bitch back then,” he began. I winced. Don’t remind me.

“Remember the time you—“ he trailed off when dad climbed into the driver’s seat. Dad’s baby blue eyes met mine in the rearview mirror.

“How are you feeling Devin?” he asked when I shifted my gaze and pressed my lips together. Lucas squeezed my knee.

“Fine.” I forced out in a weak voice. Dad paused

“Glad to hear it,” he said with a sad smile. He reached into the paper bag he had placed on the floor and handed me a box of tropical flavoured Mike and Ike’s. I took it with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

“How far are we from New Haven, Dad?” Lucas asked as he stole some candy from my hand. I glared at him.

“About twenty minutes—no thanks Devin,” he said when I offered him some. I sat back and offered Lucas the rest. He took it and tossed what was left into his mouth.Dad smiled absentmindedly at Lucas and I before he started the car. Seeing us like this without us being at one another’s throats must have been confirmation that moving out of Baltimore was the best thing he’d done in a long time. I don’t care where we live as long as we’re safe that’s all that matters. It took a little over fifteen minutes before a large sign welcomed us to New Haven. The sign depicted a sunny sky and the sun partially hidden behind twin peaks. It’s pretty ironic considering they’d be lucky to get five days worth of sunshine a year.

The town itself was something out of a postcard. The rain had stopped and the setting sun was peaking from behind the clouds casting a orangish-pinkish glow in the sky. It’s absolutely breathtaking. I’ve never seen such a beautiful sunset before. We drove past the town square where stood a bronze statue of a man with an axe and two large dogs at his feetin the middle of the road. Next, we past by a wilted wisteria covered gazebo where a man had gotten down on one knee to propose to his unsuspecting partner. A few minutes later, we took a left at a post office and then a right at a Starbucks, where a group of smiling teens were pouring out. One caught me staring and her eyes followed us down the street. I turned my attention ahead and gasped. Ahead of us was a greyish blue, three story, ivy covered mansion straight out of the 20th century. It looked out of place in its modern neighbourhood.

“No way,” Lucas breathed, “is that ours?”

“No, this is us.” Dad replied and pulled into the driveway of a decent size two story home to the right of the mansion. My guess is whoever own the mansion must have sold at least ten acres of their land to build this neighbourhood.

“I was hoping you had won the lottery or something.”

“If that were the case I’d be retired and we’d be living somewhere dry and sunny,” he cornered. I rolled my eyes. Dad already has enough money, he enjoys his work too much to retire at 46 years old. Even if he did win the lottery he wouldn’t buy an extravagant house anyway. Dad is well….cheap.

Lucas snorted. “As if,” he murmured.

“Whoever lives there must be loaded. Hm, don’t rich people like their privacy? They’re living rather close to us peasants,” he asked as he peered out the window.

“Usually.” Dad began. “The word is the people who owned it a few decades back had to sell the house when they couldn’t afford its upkeep. The mayor was going to turn it into a community centre after he built this housing scheme but the current owners bought it before he could.”

“It’s a waste of money, kind of. I mean, It’s a good thing the mayor did what he did but at the same time the family has no privacy….no doubt everyone in this neighbourhood are watching to see what the rich people are doing.” Dad shrugged.

“Maybe, maybe not.” Dad said and got out of the car. Lucas looked at me for validation. I shrugged. If they were worried about privacy they wouldn’t have bought it in the first place…besides they still have 3 acres of high fenced yard in the front. Lucas muttered something under his breath before getting out of the car. I followed him, my feet crushing the cobblestone as I stretched. I shivered when a strong gust of wind blew through my double layers of clothing. I rubbed my arms and made my way to the trunk. Dad handed me my backpack and purple suitcase before shutting the trunk and made his way up the steps to the small porch which had a white, wooden porch swing covered in fake ivy.

I looked ahead when dad opened the door. Once the door was opened I was hit with the smell of freshly baked muffins and cookies. Inside the white foyer was warm and empty except for the lone white and gold console table. When dad closed the door behind us a statuesque woman in a navy pants suit came rushing around the corner. She’s pale, blonde with steel grey eyes and a perfect smile. Around her slender, long neck was a necklace of tiny diamonds. Dad stepped passed Lucas and me to shake her hand. “You’re twenty minutes early.” She said with a seductive smile. In her heels she’s almost as tall as dad. He’s 6’2, two inches taller than Lucas.

“We got ahead of the traffic thanks to your suggestion.” Dad said, smiling ruefully. She raised her hand to touch his chest but thought against it.

“See? All good things happen when you listen to me,” she teased before her eyes fell to Lucas and me. Dad snorted and stepped aside.

“This is Devin and Lucas,” he said gesturing to us when he called our names, “kids, this is Claire Massey. She found this lovely home for us.” He added as Claire shook our hands.

“Pretty bracelet,” she said when she saw the bracelet mom got me for my birthday. I smiled weakly. “If you’d be so kind as to follow me,” she turned on her heel and walked through the archway into the large white living room with Cherrywood floors. The seating area is white with a vast array of blue throw pillows, a faux fur Afghan that matched the area rug. Its glass tables and colourful, artsy wall hangings made the room look and feel cohesive. The next room we entered was the stainless steel kitchen and on the island was the baked goods that gave the house its mouthwatering aroma. Lucas and I snatched a muffin from the golden tray and bit into it. It’s blueberry.

“Best muffin. Ever.” Lucas moaned. I nodded franticly. Claire smiled.

“I’m glad you like them,” she said and walked towards a glass door a few feet from

the oak dining table and opened it. We followed her out to the renaissance patio. Beyond the patio was the darkening forest with a small footpath. “Ready for upstairs?” Claire asked once we had finished our muffins. Dad’s room and office were the first doors on the right, next was Lucas’s which was bigger than his room in Baltimore. Dad and Lucas had disappeared into their room’s to look around leaving Claire and me. Claire stopped at my door and looked at me.

“Ready?” She asked. I gave her a small nod. What was behind the door took my breath away. It was perfect. Surrounding the contemporary canopy bed was the wall bookshelf. It also had a hanging egg chair in the corner next to the bay window. Everything else was either hidden beneath the dozens of boxes or needed to be unpacked. “This is the real reason your father got the house,” she divulged. I glanced at her in surprise. Really? Claire and I looked to the hall when we heard a knock on the front door.

“That would be the neighbours,” she said and made her way down the hall. “You should freshen up and join us downstairs,” she said over her shoulder. I grimaced. That’s the last thing I need—a room filled with unfamiliar faces. Couldn’t the neighbours wait until we were settled or come when I’m not home to be cordial? I would hide but Lucas would hassle me for not staying true to my promise. I sucked in a harsh breath and tossed my bags onto the bed and rummaged for clothes and my bag of toiletries. Once I was showered and decent I made my way down the stairs. The living room was far more livelier than I had anticipated. A wave of unease rose in the pit of my stomach causing me to stop on the final stair. I was able to see at least seven new faces talking, eating and drinking either wine or beer. I flinched when someone laughed. Nope. I shook my head and turned to go back upstairs.

“Devin.” Lucas called. I looked over my shoulder at him, beside him was a pretty, petite girl with glasses. She pushed her overgrown, strawberry blonde bangs out of her face and smiled at me. “We’re going to chill on the porch….wanna join us?” I chewed on my lip. I guess that’s better than unpacking. I nodded and kept my eyes low as I followed them out the front door. “This is Rebecca by the way,” he said as he held the door open for us.

Rebecca smiled at me. “Becca is fine,” she insisted before letting me go ahead of her. It was dark outside and the neighbourhood was well lit except the mansion. Under the moonlight the mansion look haunted, like a ghost was going to float out of a window at any second. “So….Lucas tells me you’re into the classics. I have a first edition of The Catcher in the Rye I can loan you—if you’d like?” she asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. She sat next to Lucas on the swing, beaming at me. I nodded swiftly.

“Isn’t that the one they banned?”

Becca nodded. “Yup, it’s too ‘vulgar’ for us impressionable youth,” she said in a posh tone and rolled her eyes. He snorted.

“What was so bad about it anyway?”

She thought about it. “There some violence, a prostitute—“

Lucas laughed. “You’re kidding!” he chortled.

“Nope, nothing happened though….he chickened out.”

“Damn, if they allowed books like that more kids would pass literature,” he said and smiled into is bottle of coke. Becca made a face.

“You mean the guys,” she said, grimacing. Lucas grinned. Becca gagged.

“Why don’t you sit with us? There’s enough room,” she said when her chocolate brown eyes met mine. “I won’t bite, I promise,” she added when she sensed my hesitation. I stared at the small space between them. It would be a tight squeeze if I tried to wedge myself between them. I shook my head not wanting to be that close to her. I had nothing against her…I just prefer to limit my contact with others especially people I barely know. The last thing I wanted is Lucas having to make up an excuse when I freaked out because her skin accidentally brushed mine. Freaking out when touched is one of the many quirks I developed after that night. Having to force myself to shake Claire’s hand was bad enough, I can’t handle that and being that close to someone all in the same day. I can’t embarrass Lucas in front of his new friend.

“It’s been a long drive, the last thing she’d want is to sit.” Lucas chimed in to my rescue.

Becca glanced at him then back to me. “Right,” she said, “I guess that makes sense.”

“Oh you mentioned a fair earlier.” Lucas said changing the subject.

“Oh right!” she exclaimed then began telling him about the fair her church is holding next week. Later their conversation switched to school and she told him about his track rival, Lance Guthrie, being on the school’s team. The news excited him, he could barely contain his excitement. Lucas whistled when a Grey Porsche parked on the curb.

“Oh….the del Rossi’s are here.” Becca breathed.

“Who?” Lucas asked.

“They own the mansion,” she whispered when the doors of the Porsche opened. The hairs on the back of my neck rose. “They moved in a month ago. The woman is Imane, our Vice Principal. That’s her daughter, Amalia, and her husband, Vincent.” I moved toward Lucas when they climbed the steps with food in their hands.

“I hope we’re not too late.” The woman said with a breathtaking smile that complimented her breathtaking face. She’s pale and her face was perfect in every way imaginable, from her catlike dark eyes to her full lips. She’s a picture of elegance, every movement she made was graceful and sensual.

“No Mrs del Rossi, you came just in time—Mr Greenberg is probably still telling one of his stories.” Becca informed. Imane grimaced and looked to her husband whose face wore the same expression.

“I wish we had come later,” she muttered. Vincent gave his wife’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

“Unfortunately, that wouldn’t have made a difference,” he said. Vincent wasn’t the best looking man, his features are too sharp for his narrow face but his gunmetal blue eyes made up for what he lacked in the looks department. Imane groaned.

“Let’s get this over with,” she said and sauntered into the house. Vincent flashed his perfect teeth at us before he took a container from his daughter.

“Welcome to the neighbourhood,” he said and followed his wife inside. The moment he was inside Amalia stepped onto the porch. Like her mother she’s beautiful perhaps even more beautiful. She had her mother’s wavy, auburn hair and delicate features coupled with her fathers eyes and sharp nose. She was average height and slender.

“You must be Devin and Lucas,” she said with a smile that could melt anyone’s heart. I looked at Becca when I saw her nudge Lucas’s side at the corner of my eye. Lucas snapped out of his trance and swallowed a lump in his throat.

“Y-yeah,” he spluttered.

“Cool. Well…I’m Amalia. We moved here a month ago as Becca has probably mentioned by now,” she said and walked closer. She paused when I shivered. I met her gaze and shivered again.

“She has—where did you move from?” Lucas asked.

“Alberta,” she answered. “You know how it is—parent gets a new job and moves the entire family blah blah.”

“That sucks, do you miss your friends back in Alberta.” Becca asked. Amalia shrugged.

“I’ve never stayed anywhere long enough to make friends,” she confessed.

“You have it easy, ” Lucas began, “it’s hard saying goodbye to friends you’ve known almost your entire life.”

“Hm, I guess you’re right—I’ve never thought of it that way.”

“I can’t imagine leaving my best friend behind…” Becca said then laughed, “knowing him he’d probably threaten to come with me.”

“That‘s exactly what mine would have done if he wasn’t grounded.” Lucas said with an absentminded smile.

“What about you Devin…do you have anyone special you’ve left behind?” Amalia asked and looked at me. I pressed my lips together and looked at my feet. My friends ditched me the moment I got weird. I shook my head. “So you’re a loner like me? That’s cool.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed you were a loner—you’re so….” Becca took off her glasses, pulled her hair out of her high ponytail and puckered her lips, “….posh, intimidating.” Amalia laughed a laugh that was like birds singing.

“Is that the way I come across?” Amalia asked in disbelief. Becca nodded and pushed her glasses up her nose.

“Yup. When you first moved in I was terrified of talking to you,” she began, “I thought you’d want nothing to do with me.” Becca confessed softly. “I’m glad I was wrong though….you seem chill.” That made Amalia smile.

“Thank you. You too.” Amalia said.

“Honestly, I thought I was being spurned because I’m an outsider.”

“Trust me, you guys,” Becca began gesturing to Amalia, Lucas and me, “are a breath of fresh air from the wannabes in this boring town.”

“Who said we’re not wannabes too.” Lucas teased. Becca rolled her eyes and nudged his shoulder playfully. “I could be the self proclaimed next Micheal B. Jordan for all you know.” Becca snorted.

“Right and I’m Margot Robbie,” she said laughing.

“That means I’m Kate Moss.” Amalia said and slowly caressed her high cheekbones. They laughed and began doing their best impression of the celebrities they mentioned while I stood there awkwardly with my hands folded at my back. We all looked at Lucas when he stood up suddenly.

“I don’t know about you ladies but I’m getting hungry,” he said.

“Yeah me too actually.” Becca cornered. “If we hurry we can get some of my mom’s goulash before it’s finished.”

“I’m down to try anything but we got to be sneaky about this because I seriously can’t handle another one of Mr Greenbergs stories.” He said.

“We can sneak in through the back door.” Amalia suggested.

“Good idea, hopefully they haven’t move their conversation to the kitchen.” Lucas said and draped his arm around my shoulder. We walked around to the back of the house and jumped the fence. Amalia manoeuvred her way over the gate without Lucas’s help unlike Becca and me.

“Must be hard being short.” Amalia teased once Becca was over the fence. Becca stuck her tongue out at her, the two of them laughed and waited on the step for Lucas and me. In the span of less than an hour they’ve managed to become fast friends while I was fading further and further into the background. I wish I had stayed in my room instead of failing horribly at trying to be normal like I’d promised.