Chapter 17: Raven

The longer I stayed at the Jacobson's house, the more I felt they were my family.  Zella grew to love me as a sister and Penny and Jacobson treated me as their own daughter. I felt right at home, going on family outings together, helping Penny clean the house or cook and being active in Zella's home schooling. On Halloween, Zella and I dressed up and went trick or treating with the family.  Zella went as a princess and I went as a purple crayon.  Zella had picked it out.

            "You look cute Raven!" Penny beamed as she took pictures of Zella and me. I felt stupid in a crayon costume, but then again, I had never gone trick or treating before.

            "So, I just knock on the door and say trick or treat?" I asked as we headed out the door, Zella and I both carrying plastic pumpkins.

            "Yup! Just follow my lead!" Zella skipped across the street, pulling my arm as well. We followed the walkway and Zella rang the doorbell. The door opened and a old woman in her 60's smiled at Zella and I.

            "Trick or Treat!" Zella exclaimed. I mumbled it, a little embarrassed that we were doing this.

            "Here you go girls!" The old woman beamed and we left the house. That night, Zella and I got a butt load of candy that we collected together. Afterwards, we all piled onto the couch and watched cheesy horror movies before bed while eating some of the candy we had collected.

            By now, it was early November and Zella and I were making very good progress with her change.  I had figured out that she was a zebra which was actually made sense with the white streak in her hair.

            "Ok, remember to relax and just let it wash over you like water." I advised. She nodded and took a deep breath.  Her body grew bigger and black and white stripes began to cover her body. 

            "Keep it up Zella!" I encouraged. "You're doing great!" The full change took hold. She was now a full Zebra.

            "Ok! Now just relax and walk around." She took a shaky step and stumbled, but I was there to catch her.  "You're doing great," She took another step and didn't stumble this time.

            "When you feel ready, you can trot, but only when you feel ready." I advised. She took a few more steps and then ran around the yard. I beamed with pride. She was doing amazing. The sliding door opened as Penny came outside, wrapped in a small blanket.

            "Wow, you did it Raven! You taught her how to do it."

            "She just needed to relax. We don't think about it now since we do it so well."  I smiled.

            "You know, Winter Formal is coming up and I got a call from Derek that he'll be coming to take you back to the academy soon."

            "Am I cleared?"

            "Apparently there was another death, a girl this time and you couldn't have possibly have done it because you were here."

            I rubbed my temples. "Another death,"

            "I was thinking we could go shopping and find you a winter formal dress. It sounds like Derek is very fond of you."

            I blushed heavily, but used my hair to shield it. "He-He is very fond of me. We're dating."

            Penny broke into a grin, "I thought so. Poor Jane, she's never had a boyfriend. Apparently her friends' say she's too opinion oriented." By now, Zella had trotted over to us and was nuzzling my hand.

            "Ok, to end the change-" But she had already completed it. I smiled with pride.

            "Let's go shopping." Penny nodded and we prepared to go.  When we were ready, we piled into Penny's car and drove to the mall.  I had been to a mall before, but I had stolen stuff, not actually paid for it. Penny parked and we hoofed it inside. 

            "Where are we going to find Winter Formal dresses?" Penny only grinned.

            "Follow me. I found Jane's here as well." We went up an escalator and swerved to the right and into a small store named Lola's dress shop.

            "Hi Lola!" Penny called into the store. A Hispanic, plump woman waddled from behind her counter. She had black, styled hair and golden eyes.

            "Ah! Penny Jacobson! Welcome back!" She noticed Zella and then myself.

            "Did you adopt?" She pointed to me.

            "No, she's just a friend of Jane's. We're looking for a Winter Formal dress for her."  Lola outstretched her hand for me to take. I stood in front of her and she examined my body.

            "Hm...I think I have just the dress for you." She hustled into the back. She returned with with a teal dress with a jewel strap and heart neckline. The bottom flowed as the dress moved with Lola.

            "Try that on," Lola handed it to me and I did as I was told. I walked out and everyone gasped.

            "It looks amazing on you." Penny breathed.

            "It does indeed," A girl's voice purred. I looked behind Penny and I saw Caroline with Tanya standing there, both hands on their hips. What the hell were they doing here?

            "Why the hell are you here?" I spat. Penny gave me a glare.

            "Just looking," Tanya replied smoothly. They walked into the shop and began to rummage through dresses. As they browsed, I dragged Penny's arm as well as Zella's.

            "They're demons," I hissed. "We need to get out of here now." Penny looked at me with shock as she held Zella close. 

            "Don't do anything yet. Get out and I'll distract them. They're after me anyway. I'll meet you at the house."  Penny nodded, but commented.

            "I'm going to buy that dress for you."

            "You don't have-"

            "I'm buying the dress for you," She repeated. I knew I wouldn't win here, so I nodded and changed out. I handed it to her and she acted normally, paying for the dress.  When Penny and Zella walked out safely, I made my move.

            "So demons, did the Father send you to fetch me?" I taunted. Caroline and Tanya whipped around.

            "How do you know about the Father?" Tanya hissed.

            "I have connections." I placed my hands on my hips and waited for their move.  Caroline bristled with anger and anticipation, but Tanya placed a hand on her shoulder.

            "Not here Caroline. You wouldn't want to leave Wyatt alone now would you?" Caroline thought for a second and then shook her head. "This is not the time and place." Tanya then sauntered up to me. "I have a message for you." She hissed, her breath smelling of strawberries.

            "Go on, b***h,"

            She laughed harshly, yet her fists clenched with anger, "Drake is looking for you. Your time to join us is coming soon. The Father is ready to take you back." I squinted my eyes.

            "The Father is not claiming my soul." I spat.

            "I could do it for you. Get it over with, because he'll drag it out. I'd be quick." she grinned.

            "Go to hell."

            "Been there already," She laughed loudly and then sauntered off with Caroline by her side. I glared at them as they left.  Once they were long gone, I called a thank you to Lola, who was missing and then booked it out of the mall.  I clambered down the stairs, not even bothering with the escalators and slammed through the doors. I looked left and then right before darting into an alley. 

            "Good memories," I muttered as I remembered the alley behind the bar where I almost died.  I didn't have Whitney to save me this time round.  Once I was in the shadows, I relaxed and let the change happen to me.  I felt my bones hollow and watched as feathers covered my small, light body.  I felt the wind in between the feathers and took flight, flapping as hard as I could to get back to the house.  I needed to make sure they were safe.  I didn't want them to get hurt because of me.  When I saw the car in the driveway, I felt a small wave of relief.

            "We're not certain yet Raven," my conscience chimed in and I agreed with it.  I landed in the backyard and changed back, feeling sweaty and wanting a shower so bad. I jogged around to the front again and knocked on the door. Zella opened it and I hugged her tightly.

            "I'm so sorry I got you into danger." I whispered.    

            "But we came out safe!" She protested. "The demons didn't get us."

            "Good." I told her.

            "How could you tell?" She asked me, her eyes wide with innocence.

            "Red rimmed eyes sweetheart." I answered, "Plus I've seen them before." She thought about it for a second.

            "Raven!" Penny came out of the kitchen with two other people following her. "Thank god you're safe." She hugged me and kissed my cheek. She felt like my actual mother.  "Did you get scratched? Did they beat you up?"

            "No. I'm ok." I reassured her.

            "Darling, if she was scratched, she would have turned by now." One of the figures said. Jacobson.  The two figures came into better light and I recognized the other person easily.

            "Derek," I breathed. It had been such a long time since I had seen my man. We had talked over the phone, but talking over a phone is nothing compared to the real thing. Zella let go of me and I ran into Derek's arms. He buried his face into the crook of my neck, smelling me deeply.

            "God I missed you." He breathed, his voice muffled by my hair.  I couldn't even speak; I just didn't want him to let me go. My fingers clenched on his shirt. A tear fell from my eye. I don't like to cry, but I couldn't control my emotions.

            "I have lunch ready." Penny coughed. "We'll leave you two alone for a minute until you're ready." I glanced to her, mouthing thank you. She smiled warmly as she corralled Zella and Jacobson into the kitchen.  The door was closed shut for ultimate privacy.

            "How are you?" Derek asked, now removing his face from my neck.

            "Much better that you’re here." I silently kicked myself. That sounded so cheesy.

            Derek didn't seem to mind. He chuckled as he guided me to the couch. He pulled me down onto his lap and the grabbed my legs and swung them up onto the couch as well. He positioned me on his chest so my ear could hear his heartbeat and my legs were curled up.  He hugged me.

            "Derek," I whispered.  I needed to tell him about the dream I had weeks ago. It kept coming back to me, night after night.

            "What's wrong sweetheart?" He cooed.

            "I had a dream about Drake. He told me I'm destined to go demon.  Those demons I spied on keep telling me I'm going to go demon. That "The Father" wants to take me back." Derek shushed me gently.

            "You won't go demon as long as you're with me." He told me. "If any demons touch you, I will kill it so it's sent down to hell again."  I nuzzled my head into his chest and breathed an ok.  "Let's go eat lunch. Then we have to shove off.  Our friends are waiting for our glorious return."

            "Our friends?" I asked, stunned.

            "Yeah, I joined your little group. You've missed a lot. I'll have to fill you in once we start driving." I slid off his lap and pulled him up.  He wrapped his arm around my waist as he guided me to the door.

            "After you, my Raven." I smirked as we entered the kitchen.

                                   ***

            After lunch, we gave our goodbyes.  I told Zella, who was tear-stricken, that she could call me anytime to talk and I told her if she walked into any interesting demon's dream, to let me know. I quizzed her how to identify a demon and she passed with flying colors.  Penny hugged me and told me she would miss my company. She also let me know my dress was in Jacobson's trunk and to not let Derek see it. We both smirked at our little joke. Derek, Jacobson and I piled into the car as Penny and Zella waved us off.

            "I'm blocking you love birds out," Jacobson called as he stuck his ear buds in. I smirked.

            I turned to Derek, "What did I miss while I was gone?" Derek informed me about the other death, which was a girl.  He told me about what happened to Flora and how she has demon venom coursing through her veins. He explained that she had to fight the demon soul out of her. 

            "She's still in the infirmary recovering, but she's doing great." I laid my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

            "Two deaths, who's next?"

            "I don't know sweetheart." I closed my eyes. "Why don't you take a short nap?" I didn't want to, but my eyelids were starting to close. I allowed them and carry me away as Derek kissed the top of my head.

            When I woke up, we were in front of the Academy's gates. I never thought I would be back here. Derek escorted me out and Jacobson popped the hatch.

            "Don't forget your package Raven." Jacobson called. I laughed as I grabbed it as Derek talked to Jan to open the gates. The gates swung open and I waved as he drove away. When Jacobson was gone, Derek took my package in his hands and had me jump onto his back for a piggyback ride to the infirmary.

            "We're aren't going to check in?" I asked, astonished that Derek didn't even mention doing that.

            "Nah, Williams knew I was going to get you." I grinned and kissed his cheek. He smelled of faint aftershave. He carried me to the infirmary where he placed me back on the ground right before we entered.

            "Flora does have some bruising on her face. While she fought the demon, all the injuries that she suffered in her head, affected her body as well." I acknowledged it and we entered.

            "Guess who I brought?" Derek called warmly. I smirked as I walked over to the group. Whitney was the first to hug me.

            "We missed you." She said. Rhett and Ethan smiled as they nodded at my presence. Betty clapped her hands and Jane just smiled. I looked at Flora and understood what Derek was warning me about.  Her face had a large black and blue splotch.  Her arm was in a sling and her hair was ruffled.

            "Hey there," She croaked. I smiled and sat in the seat next to her bed.

            "How are you?"

            She shrugged her shoulders, "Wish I felt better."

            "You're still very pretty Flower girl," Ethan cooed. She slid her good hand into his and squeezed.

            "Guess what?" Betty announced excitedly. "The dresses arrived today!"

            "No way!"  Whitney's face lit up.

            "Good thing I got mine as well." I smirked.

            "You know what we should do?" Whitney added. "We should model them for all the girls."

            "We can't see them?" Rhett asked as he wrapped his arms around Whitney.

            "It would spoil the surprise." Flora answered.

            "The boys can have some guy time." Betty announced as Derek chuckled.

            "Come on guys, we've been kicked out." Rhett and Ethan kissed their girlfriend and Derek sauntered up to me. I kissed him lightly on the lips.   "See ya soon sweetheart," he breathed before the trio of guys strolled out. 

            Whitney clapped her hands together, "Who wants to start?"

            "Why not Flora?" Jane suggested.

            "I'll help you get into it." Betty volunteered. Whitney and Betty helped Flora out of her bed and I noticed strange marks on her ankle, like deep nail marks.  The poor girl. I thought to myself.  About ten minutes later, Flora stepped out of the bathroom in a strapless red satin dress. It was so simple, yet so divine and beautiful. Our jaws dropped. It showed off her slimness easily.

            "You look stunning in that Flora." I commented. She blushed, but it mixed with the bruise.

            "Thanks," She shuffled with Betty's help to change back into her hospital gown. When she was snug in her bed and the dress was hanging beside her, Betty wanted to go next. She stepped out in a strapless purple dress with a heart neckline. The top was a pretty design that reminded me of a butterfly wing.  The fabric reminded me of water as she twirled around in it. After Betty, it was Whitney's turn. She stepped out in a strapless, pink high low dress a strip of jewels going down the middle in a slant down the front of the dress. I didn't think Whitney would pick a dress like that. I knew Rhett would do a double take.

            Jane went next because I wanted to go last. She stepped out in a peach, strapless dress with a jewel in the middle of her waist. It actually looked very nice on her.  At last it was my turn.  I slipped on the dress and stepped out.

            "I didn't see that in the catalog!" Betty exclaimed. Flora smiled. Jane smirked.

            "Lola's right?"

            "Yup." I winked. Our little secret. I changed back and we sat with Flora, catching up on what we missed. It was nice to be back with friends and I couldn't believe I was happy to be back at the academy.

Author's Note

ignore grammar