Chapter 3

            Jade opened her eyes, the sun shining through her curtains. She rolled her eyes and sat up; she could use more sleep. Her head hurt less today than it did yesterday, but she wasn't ready for an all-day outing with Darla. A small knock on the door startled her.

            “Come in,” Jade said yawning, trying to get her body to wake up faster.

            “Jade are you going to get ready it’s past 9,” Darla said poking her head in.

            “Yeah, in a moment, I was just getting used to my surroundings is all,” Jade said looking around the room. “This is a lot to take it.” She said shaking her head.

            “Yeah, I know, I am sorry that this is hard. It will get better.” She said clearing her throat. “Well hurry up we're going to be late.”

            “Okay.”

            Darla shut the door, Jade tossed the covers over and swung her legs to the side. She rubbed her eyes, and stretched her arms, and got to her feet.  She decided to wear a black tank top and blue jeans. She combed her hair and examined her face again. The bruises were darker, but the cuts faded a little. She walked down the stairs; Darla was on the phone. She decided to grab a glass of milk, she sat down at the kitchen table.

            Darla put the phone on the receiver, “Sorry about that. You ready to go?” She asked.

            “Yeah, I guess.” She said drinking the rest of her milk. She hoped today was quick, she wanted to retreat to her room and stay there.

            “What’s wrong?” Darla questioned.

            “Nothing, I just need some more sleep,” Jade said shrugging her shoulders. She didn’t want her Aunt to worry. Maybe Darla was right and this would be all over soon and the pain in her heart would fade.

            “We won’t be out all day; I have to stop by my shop for a couple of hours. You can lay down in the back if you'd like.” Darla said getting her purse and keys.

            “Okay.”

            Jade put her glass in the sink and looked at Darla. Jade followed Darla out to her car. She got into the car, and relaxed, Darla started the car and put it in reverse. Jade looked out the window and watched the town more closely this time. She saw a woman walking her dog, another playing with her children in the park. Jade frowned; she missed her mother each time she'd see a mom with her kids. It only took ten minutes to get into the shopping mall of the town, it was small only two shops carried anything.

            “You ready?” Darla asked turning the car off.

            “Yeah, you mind if I pick up some stuff while we're here?” Jade said looking at the store.

            “Sure.” Darla half-smiled; she wasn’t sure how to talk to her niece. She wanted to be as close to her as she could. But she didn’t know much about Jade. Rachel always kept Jade’s father’s side away from her.

            Jade walked beside Darla. Darla waved to people on the street, Jade just counted her steps. Once they were in the store, she took a deep breath, the aroma of fresh bread greeted her. She looked up, a few people stopped what they were doing, and starred at her.

            “Why does everyone stare?” She whispered.

            “Because you're new to the town sweety.” She whispered back. “Don’t worry most of them are harmless.” She smiled.

            Jade and Darla did a little shopping for dinner, Darla made her way to the front of the store to ring up her purchases.

            Two boys approached Jade, “Hey you're the new girl in town.” One spoke.

            Jade looked at the two boys, she was hoping they would be nice, and help her adjust. “Yes, and who might you two be?” Jade said. “I'm Jade.”

            “I'm Ricky, this here is Stephen,” Ricky said.

            She turned to walk to the front of the store. “Nice to meet you two.” She spoke. “I need to find my Aunt.”

            Catching up to Jade, “Hey wait a minute, why are your eyes gray?” Ricky asked.

            “Huh um no they are blue; you should get your eyes checked,” Jade said shaking her head. She wasn’t sure why the boy was so interested in her eyes.

            “No, they are gray Jade.” He challenged. “There’s only ever been one person with your eye color. You should be happy that you’re different.”

            “Whatever, I have to go,” Jade said rolling her eyes. She was hoping her Aunt was already waiting for her.

            “Should we tell her about the legends?” Stephan whispered to Ricky.

            “What legends?” Jade said turning to face the two boys.

            “Oh, never mind, we have to go,” Stephen said trying to walk away from her.

            “No, tell me what legends,” Jade said grabbing his arm. “You can’t just say there are legends and not tell a person about it.” She hissed at them.

            "Okay but if I scare you it’s because you asked for it." He cleared his throat. "About thirteen years ago Mr. Hewsen got bit by a venomous snake, he supposedly died and then somehow got up and started living again. He hadn't been seen since then up until two years ago. He then suddenly had someone living with him. The boy’s name is Garrett, he's kind of psycho. Another year went by and they adopted a girl named Lena. We're expecting them to adopt another someone in a few months." Ricky said. “He’s the one that has the gray eyes like you.” Maybe he is related to you?”

            “It sounds like he was very lucky. He also sounds like a nice man helping out a couple of kids.” Jade said. He did have her same last name, but she didn’t know her father so she couldn’t be sure it was him.

            Jade turned to walk away; Ricky grabbed her arm.

            “Let go,” Jade said looking down at the hand gripping it.

            “Listen they only come out during the night. They were condemned from coming into town because people fear for their lives.” Ricky whispered. “You better not be out when the sun goes down, they might murder you. Some say they are vampires.” He said looking around.

            “So?” Jade said. “Do you really believe in vampires, guys you two watch too much TV? There are no vampires.” She said shaking her head.

            “Jade, you don't find this odd?” He spoke. “They act like vampires, read the stories about them,”    Ricky said. “I believe it.”

            “Maybe,” She said. “But like I said vampires exist in movies and stupid shows on TV.”

            Darla stopped near Jade; Ricky released his hold on Jade's arm.

            “You ready to go?” Darla said. “You two always causing a scene. Come on Jade we need to go to the shop now.”

            “Yes. These boys are trying to tell me we live among vampires. I hate stupid stories.” Jade said looking at Darla.

            Darla looked at Ricky and Stephan and glared at them. “Of course, vampires don't exist. You two need to stop telling the stories.”

            “Sorry Mrs. Hewsen,” Stephan said.

            Darla handed Jade her bag, and the two of them walked out of the store and to the car. Jade looks a deep breath before getting in. She looked at Darla.

            “Are the legends true?” She asked.

            “Of course not, this town has had some mysteries happen, but I don't think vampires were involved,” Darla said looking at Jade.

            “Where's Mr. Hewsen’s place?” Jade asked. “Are we related to him?”

            “You stay away from there you hear. He will kill you if you go onto his property.” She said shaking her head. “No, we’re not related.” She lied.

            “Okay I won’t go; I was just curious.” She spoke. “I don’t believe the stupid story anyway.”

            “Curious will get you killed Jade.” She warned.

            “Don't worry I don't plan on going out on my own. I feel totally lost here.” Jade complained. She wanted Dani to come and visit, but she can’t. Jade hated they lived so far away from where she was from. She knew Darla was going to make her go to school, and she would be forced to make new friends.

            “I know, but you will feel welcomed once everyone knows you’re my niece.” She said half smiling. “Besides a fresh start is always a good thing. I mean if you felt outcasted at your old school think of it as a new start. People don’t know you, and will want to get to know you.”

            “Hmm,” Jade said looking out the window.

            “What?” Darla said glancing in her direction.

            “Oh nothing, I was just thinking about what the two boys said to me,” Jade said without looking at Darla.

            “Jade like I told you before those are just stories don't let them get to you,” Darla said shaking her head. She didn’t want Jade to find out the truth. Jade wouldn’t understand what all of this meant.

            “Oh, I won’t.” Jade glances at Darla.