Mine Forever
TW: Graphic Gory Descriptions.
"Move faster, Cam."
We held our heels as moist foliage from fresh rain quietly squished under our barefooted steps, carrying us deeper into the woods. My grip tightened around my little sister's hand as my heartbeat thundered against my chest.
The downpour on the way to the party should have been a sign—a dark omen of the storm that now raged within me.
We shouldn't be here.
Instinctually, I put my worries aside to keep Cammy safe. I must protect her from him.
Popular jock Jake Thompson never said a word, but when he glared at me with those haunting blue eyes, it felt as though he was silently blaming me for crushing his dreams. I never understood why he stared at me like that. We shared a few classes during freshman year but never spoke to each other. As far as I knew, I didn't exist in his world—until the start of our sophomore year a few weeks ago.
One day, while studying in the courtyard, a tired, sore feeling suddenly engulfed me like a looming lousy cold. Immediately, it felt like someone was watching me, but I couldn't pinpoint where until I connected to Jake's piercing electric blue gaze.
Jake stood rigidly, ignoring the lively conversation amongst his elitist circle of friends. They were doting on the new freshman tight end from the football team, oblivious to Jake openly glaring at me. I ignored him, returning to my studies until that strange feeling washed over me tenfold. I met his eyes again and saw a sickly smug expression on his face. It was like he'd won some game; when I looked back at him, his eyes fluttered, relishing my attention---feeding off it.
His twin sister Brittney addressed him by touching his chest, breaking up our weird exchange. Jake recoiled and stormed off. She sneered a condescending glance at me, and I took that as my cue to leave. I don't know what's happening and don't care to find out. Avoiding them, I opted to study in the library for the rest of that week. But after that encounter, wherever I went on campus, Jake was there menacingly, watching me from a distance.
I was shocked when Cammy told me we were invited to one of their notable gatherings, The Parliament Parties. Being personally invited to such an event is a rare honor granted to only a few people on campus. However, after witnessing what I saw tonight, I can't help but question the sinister motives behind each party.
"Wait, Tye," Cammy panted, her breath coming in quick gasps. The haunting glow of the full moon illuminated her deep brown face and neck, which glistened with sweat. I noticed strange dark stains speckling her crimson-fitted dress. The tight, short red dress clung to her lithe, athletic body, now sweaty.
I glanced at my calf-length navy blue overall dress, which comfortably fit my shorter, pear-shaped frame. Unlike my sister, Cammy, I felt neither sweaty nor breathless. Usually, it's the other way around since she is on a full-ride track scholarship at Bounty-Cove University.
"Are you okay, Cam? We've only walked a few minutes." I placed my hand on her feverish forehead. "You're burning up. Did they give you something?"
"I didn't drink or take anything," Cammy snapped, slapping my hand away firmly. "I just need a break." She found a rather large stump in the middle of the clearing and slipped on her heels.
Cammy wiped fresh sweat from her face and fixed her dress." Now, tell me what you saw."
"I promise I will tell you everything once we get out of here—"
"No! I'm not following you this time, Tyler. I need answers first—good ones—or I'm going back, "Cammy threatened.
"Cam, I will explain everything once we're safely in the car. Please trust me on this, alright?"
Images of blood and mutilated flesh clouded my mind. I could still hear the horrified screams of Jake's victims. Thankfully, I managed to get proof on my cellphone. Now, all we need to do is get out of here. I won't feel completely safe until we do.
Cammy frowned, her expression filled with worry.
"You're scaring me, Ty. I followed you because you looked like you'd seen something terrible. Why can't you tell me what it is?" Cammy crossed her arms, determined to get answers. I knew she wouldn't move until I spoke. After our mother passed away, I promised to protect her and always be honest. Cammy deserved an explanation; she trusted me enough to follow without question.
I took a deep breath, piecing everything together within my frantic thoughts.
"After you left with Brittney, I searched for the Thompsons' library and thought I found the basement-"
"Hold on a minute, sis," Cammy frowned, raising a hand. "Their mega mansion has two elevators, a spa room, a bowling alley, and many other things I'm too poor to understand. But you actually went looking for their library? I mean, damn, can you act normal for once."
I rolled my eyes, ignoring her rudeness.
Since starting college, Cammy has been colder than usual. I chalked it up to the growing pains of being a student, but her snide remarks were beginning to bother me.
"Don't be mean. I was bored and—."
"You were bored during a Parliament party? Which is one of the biggest and most exclusive parties on campus. Do you know what I had to do to—" Cammy inhaled sharply. "They had a foam pit on the top floor and a drunk bounce house near the entrance! And did you see all those hot football players? Are we even related—"
"Do you wanna know what happened or not, Cam?" I snapped.
"I'm sorry...continue."
"Anyway, I discovered a strange room. It had a large altar with odd markings on the walls, and chains bolted to the ground. The smell was terrible, like something had died."
I swallowed hard as I steeled myself to reveal the worst part. "When I tried to leave, I heard screams from another room. I thought someone was hurt, so when I checked it out, I saw Jake—"
I noticed something that caught my attention.
Small orbs of light flickered in the distance, moving through the trees.
Flashlights.
"We have to go," I demanded, yanking Cammy's arm.
My sister firmly swatted me away.
"I'm not playing, Cam. Why are you so aggressive?" I reached for my sister, but she jerked away.
"Don't touch me..." Cammy muttered, grinding her teeth. Fresh sweat formed on her neck and forehead. Her fingers tightly gripped the edge of the stump. "Finish...your story."
"No. What's wrong with you? We need to leave—"
"WHAT HAPPENED!?" Cammy shouted, startling me. The dots moved toward us. My sister moaned and held her head, mumbling unintelligibly.
"Cammy, are you okay!?" I panicked, bending down to check on her.
"I said don't touch me." Cammy rasped deeply in a voice I didn't recognize with an odd stoic expression. Then she rigidly stood up, pushing me back sharply. I landed on my butt with a stunned gasp as her deep brown eyes glowed white.
Cammy giggled.
"You're so fucking pathetic. I can't wait for them to destroy you."
My sister's harsh words cut into me. I'm hurt and confused. Why would she speak to me like that, with that tone and those eyes? What is going on?
"Cam..."
Cammy grinned, revealing two rows of sharp teeth. Her slender shoulders hunched forward as she took a menacing step toward me, making her appear larger than life.
"We're over here!" Cammy called over her shoulder.
Rowdy hoots and cheers echoed in response. Outlines of dark, hooded figures carrying flashlights and torches approached us.
"What the heck is going on, Cam!?"
I'm so lost. Betrayal filled my gut, but a stunned denial kept me rooted to the ground.
"Hello, Tyler," A smooth baritone bellowed, causing goosebumps to cover my skin.
Jake Thompson stood almost as tall as the trees around us. A black fitted hoodie with a red stitched horned owl cloaked his broad, muscular chest and dirty blonde hair. Those haunting electric blue eyes shimmered, peering at me, his plump lips stretched into a sinister grin.
"I held her here as you instructed, Jake," Cammy said, batting her eyes. She seemed normal now. Where did the demonic version of her go? My mind struggled to catch up with her words.
"Wait..you planned this with him? I'm your sister, Cam. I thought...I thought we told each other everything? What is going on?!"
Cammy rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by my distress.
"Your sister wishes to join The Parliament," Jake revealed. "To do so, she must make a meaningful sacrifice."
"And... I chose you," Cammy added with a shrug.
"Cam, I'm your sister. I'm your only living relative. I love you!" I cried, and my heart ached. I couldn't believe this. Nothing made sense. Does she know about Jake? Does she know his secret!?
Cammy shrugged." The Parliament must make sacrifices even against thy blood."
Jake's gaze remained on me, but he addressed my sister, "You've been reading some of the literature."
Cammy smiled.
"Of course. I can't wait to serve my purpose."
"Me too," Jake smirked.
In two steps, he was on me. Jake grabbed my arm tightly and yanked me to my feet before I could escape, pressing my body against his built torso.
"I've waited a long time for this." He groaned, sniffing my hair. "So sweet..."
The mob filled the clearing. I hadn't noticed until now, but the surrounding area is far from natural. The pine trees formed a perfect square with four carved totems blending into the foliage at the corners.
"Ugh, I hate coming out here!" Brittany Thompson whined, wobbling over the wet leaves in spiked stiletto boots.
Jake rolled his eyes.
"I told you to stay and watch our guests," he said, incredibly annoyed at her presence.
Brittany gave her twin brother the finger, then focused on Cammy and me with a menacing smile. "I love a good show with my dinner," she said.
A few disguised people cheered, urging to begin whatever was about to happen.
Jake nodded, and two cloaked figures grabbed me. I struggled to break free, but it was no use. I pleaded for Cammy to help me, but she ignored my cries as they tied my wrists and legs and placed me on the stump. I noticed for the first time that the carvings on it were the same as those in the altar room, revealing that it wasn't just an ordinary stump but a makeshift altar.
Jake approached me and carefully checked the knots before quietly whispering, "This is all for you, Tyler." I felt his teeth tug at my earlobe before he turned to address the group.
"Welcome, honored Parliament members. Thank you for witnessing my first time leading you all through the season of sacrifices. I am truly honored that you've chosen me to lead you in practicing our tradition this year."
The group cheered.
"The teachings said The Great One sacrificed much before bestowing his gift to us all. So, in keeping with tradition, I have arranged our first feast. A virgin sacrifice like The Great One. A tainted virgin. Someone who was tricked and betrayed..." Jake's gaze lowered to me. "Someone ...weak-minded."
He opened his palm, and a hooded figure carefully handed him a long silver dagger. Tears welled in my eyes as the group surrounded me. Glowing white eyes peeked out from their dark hoods like cloaked monsters. It felt surreal; I felt like I was in a horror film.
"Please...Cammy. Don't do this! I love you!" I sobbed, pouring out my heart and hoping my little sister was still there.
Jake wrapped an arm around Cammy's waist, and she looked adoringly at him.
"Cammy, since you've been reading The Great One's teachings, you know what we honor above all else."
Cammy beamed, turning in his grasp and rubbing her hands against his massive chest.
"Of course, I do. It's loyalty".
Jake smiled, and the hooded monsters mimicked, displaying wide, salivating, sharp-teeth grins.
"Ah, yes. Loyalty." He chuckled. "You know...you missed an essential part of the passage you recited earlier. Do you remember?"
Cammy frowned, confused before Jake roughly grabbed her by the throat. His eyes changed into a glowing red hue as his mouth grew unnaturally, displaying two long fangs as he peered into my terrified sister's face.
This is the horrific sight I had witnessed in that room. This monster is what I tried to protect Cammy from. The very thing that proved all the weird rumors about this school were true. I had witnessed him cut open a poor girl before ripping her heart out of her chest and devouring it while staring at me. He didn't care that I caught him. He smiled with pieces of organ dangling from his teeth. I saw the bodies of women with ripped open rib cages and missing hearts lying on the ground. Their faces were frozen with shocked expressions.
"Wait...What are you doing!?" Cammy choked out. Jake quickly lifted her slim body in the air with his hand wrapped around her neck. Her feet dangled, kicking and scratching to break free.
"The Parliament must make sacrifices even against thy blood when they betray us, for we are nothing without our family and brethren," Jake growled in a deep, otherworldly voice.
Before Cammy could respond, Jake plunged the dagger deep into her chest and dragged it down her sternum. Her blood sprayed as he released her body. She slammed against the altar beside me as blood splattered my face and poured out of her wound. Cammy's face was frozen in shock as she stared at me. She reached for me, but two big hands pulled me away before the monsters pounced on her body. They ripped into her flesh and gnawed on her limbs as she let out blood-curdling screams.
I couldn't breathe. My mind was blank. All I could do was helplessly watch as the crowd ripped my little sister into pieces and consumed her. I couldn't speak. I couldn't move. I didn't protect her, and now she's gone forever.
I'm alone.
"Don't cry, baby." Jake cooed, wiping my tears with my sister's blood on his fingers. His features had returned to normal as he carried me like I weighed nothing toward the distant giant mansion on the hill. Cammy's screams had stopped now, but they continued to mutilate her, with sickening sounds as they consumed her. Her horrific death played repeatedly in my head as Jake quietly carried me through the woods.
"Where are you going with her?" Brittany appeared beside him. Blood covered her mouth and exposed cleavage.
My sister's blood.
Jake tightened his arms, supporting me.
"I'm going to clean her up and take her to my room," he mumbled as if talking to Brittney bothered him deeply.
"She's a loose end, Jakey." Brittany placed a hand on his shoulder, and he became rigid. He stared at it as if it violated him." She saw too much we need to kill her—"
"Don't fucking touch me or her. Do you hear me? SHE'S MINE!" He shouted in her face.
Brittney stopped walking, stunned to silence as Jake calmly returned to his journey to the house. There was an odd energy in the air as my thoughts drifted back to my sister and the horrific look in her eyes as they mauled her.
Cammy didn't deserve that. No one deserved that.
I need to escape from this place... I must take action! But my hands and feet are bound and in the arms of a terrifying monster. How will I survive? Can I even survive?
The world I once knew is gone. I doubted my ability to fight this for the first time, especially since I couldn't protect the one person I lived for. I know that thing wasn't my sister.
"You'll be better without her, Tyler," Jake said as if reading my thoughts. "Cammy was an opportunist willing to throw away her family for fame."
"But...Why? Why did you do this?"
"Can't you see? I did this for you, Tyler. I needed you to see the truth, and now that you've made your sacrifice, you can be part of your real family. This is just the beginning. I will protect you from this moment, and you will be mine forever."
Meya Kaye:
Jake and Brittany Thompson are side characters in my book Reunion: Mallory's Story.
If you're interested in this creepy story with hints about what happened to Tyler, check it out. I am thinking about writing a separate book on Jake and Tyler, but it's one big, toxic mess.
However, if you don't like creepy, secret, societal dark romances, I promise the next story won't be dark!
