Chapter Seven

Ashe and Nia wonder about their relationship, but a strange visitor arrives with a connection to Nia. Ashe learns his identity and Nia's.

Ashe drummed his fingers on his desk, staring at the clock until third period was over. Ashe grabbed his bag and rushed out of the room when he heard the bell. The hallways were crowded with people reaching into their lockers, talking to their friends or hurrying to their next class. Ashe sided stepped and squeezed by all of them with one destination in mind. He finally made it to the other side of the building and through the large oak doors into the library. Once inside, he sighed. The peace inside the library was quick change from the chaos out in the hallway.

 

Ashe shook his head and let out a deep breath. He wanted to talk to Nia, but he had no idea what he was going to say to her. After last night, Ashe wasn't sure what to think. Were they boyfriend and girlfriend now? Should they go on a few more dates first? Did she think he was weird? Are they going too fast? Too slow? Should they stay friends?

 

Ashe shook his head again and headed toward the back. After going through all the shelves and columns he found her in the back corner of the poetry section, sitting on the floor with her CD player out, swaying to whatever song she was playing.

 

She took of her headphones and looked at him with a smile. "Hey."

 

"Hey." He took off his backpack and sat next to her. "What's up?"

 

"Nothing much," she said.

 

"Hey, I was wondering if, since last night was cool, if-"

 

"I can't," she said. "Not tonight."

 

"What? Why not?" he asked.

 

At first Nia glanced at Ashe and bit her lip. "My brother is coming home tonight."

 

"You have a brother?" he asked.

 

"Yeah. It's not that I want to hide you or anything, it's just that he's not very...welcoming."

 

Ashe arched a brow. "Welcoming?"

 

"Yeah," she said. "He doesn't like guests."

 

"Oh, well maybe later then?"

 

Nia grabbed her bag and stood up. "We'll see," she said walking away.

 

 Ashe leaned forward as Nia disappeared from his view. "A brother?"

 

After ignoring the rest of the day, Ashe ventured off to the Blackberry after school. He didn't feel like putting up with his uncle just yet. Once he was there, he seemed to doze off. The Blackberry was uneventful without Nia. He left after a few drinks and saw that it was dark outside. He was on his way home when he stopped by the park he usually passes by. The swings and playsets rocked back and forth as if the ghosts of children were still riding them. Ashe shivered at the sight. It's always the nicest things that look scary in the dark.

 

Before he could continue, he saw Nia marched through the brush and disappear. Ashe sped across to track her down. Going into the park, he went through the brush after her. He fell forward after crossing and looked up. In the distance was a decrepit two story house with a large broken window on the second floor. Nia stood in front, looking up to a dark figure that moved from the window.

 

Ashe lept from where he was. "Nia!"

 

Nia snapped around, eyes wide with shock and horror. She turned back to the house yelling, "Don't."

 

Ashe reached out to Nia until someone grabbed his arm. Ashe yelled in pain from the strong grip. He looked up to see a tall dark haired man wearing a black suit with white shirt and gloves.

 

"What are you doing here?"

 

Ashe trembled as he stared into the mysterious man's white eyes. "What the f**k are you supposed to be man?"

 

The man opened his mouth bearing fangs. "Guess." With one arm he threw Ashe over him, never removing his glare. Ashe looked up from the ground and saw the man in front of him. He picked up Ashe by the shoulder and squeezed.

 

Ashe struggled in the man's grip. "Nia, run."

 

Nia cried, "Don't. Stop it."

 

The man glared Nia, never losing his grip on Ashe. Instead, Ashe swung his leg as hard as he could up at him. The man winced in discomfort and tossed Ashe at the house. However before slamming into the building, Ashe felt another force catch him. Ashe fell on his butt and grabbed whatever piece of wood he could find, swinging it in defense.

 

"What the f**k is going on?" he yelled. The man sauntered towards Ashe. "Hey back off freak."

 

"Or what? You'll hit me with a stick?" The man snatched the stick and shattered it in his hand. His hand reached out to Ashe's neck until another force flung him backwards.

 

Nia ran to Ashe, "Are you okay?"

 

Sweat drew from Ashe as he looked up. All he could see was Nia's white eyes.

 

"Hey, are you-"

 

"Get away." Ashe grabbed some dirt and threw it at Nia's eyes. He got up and bolted out the other way.

 

Nia shook and tried to rub the dirt out of her eyes. The man tried to follow Ashe, but Nia dashed in front of him. "Denzel, leave him alone."

 

"He's not coming back."

 

Nia blinked. "What?"

 

"He's not coming back."

 

Ashe sped across the streets until he ran into the apartment door. He swung around looking for any sign of being followed. He slowly slid down the door and sucked desprate gulps of air. His hand shook as he held himself in disbelief.

Author's Note

I think I'm getting worse. I'm slowly learning how to NOT write. There are some problems with this one but I'll fix them when I finish the others. I can't believe it took me a month for this. Well this was the big revealing chapter with Nia's brother, Denzel. He's a vampire, but what does that make Nia? What should that make her?

Reviews

[Emily B]

Why did he throw dirt in her eyes? Seemed like she was trying to save him. . .

Hmmm . . . looking forward to your next chapter.