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Post by LexingtonDeville1984 on Jul 25, 2018 10:54:08 GMT -6
Once the front door slammed shut and Bella left the house, Ryan walked over to the window, still muttering the words "Murderer." over and over again once his gothic stepsister had vanished from view. His migraine started to worsen, severe stabbing pains thudding away at his temples.
"Murderer. Murderer. MURDERER!" Ryan roared, his voice sounding less human and more demonic, like a creature from a bottomless pit. He turned away from the window, blood stains spattered all over his grey shirt. A taunting and high pitched laugh left his lips, seemingly changing him from suffering stepbrother to monstrous vessel for possession.
Grimacing in agony, he fell to a knee, trying this fight this evil feeling that surged through his soul. He dropped to his other knee, clutching at his head with his hands. The pain was unbearable, like a bonfire was raging in his head and slowly killing him from within.
"We’re going to have so much fun, boy! You’re weak, just like your pretty little sister!" IT’s voice promised, delighting in controlling Ryan’s body as he lay in a foetal position on the floor, unable to move or fight back.
"Get out of my head, you bastard. GET OUT!" Ryan roared, finally showing some fight as his normal voice broke through. With renewed vigour, he unfurled himself from his foetal position and slapped himself across the face, hoping to fearlessly drive out this influence. Again another slap, which suddenly caused Ryan to fall forward on his haunches and vomit yellow strands of bile on the floor, stomach contracting.
Blinking his eyes, he suddenly scrambled backwards upon seeing the words KILL HER forming into bile shaped letters as a trio of rats scuttled around in the disgusting mess, feasting on whatever they could find.
One rat spotted the stricken teenager and lunged forwards, fanged teeth ready to tear into Ryan’s jugular. He screamed....
Ryan bolted awake in bed, breathing heavily. Another nightmare. Trembling hands clasped his throat, checking for any wounds. His eyes glanced at his digital alarm clock, seeing that it was only 9:00 in the morning. Ignoring his temperature, he gingerly limped out of his bedroom and descended downstairs to the kitchen.
No pools of vomit. No rats. Everything was in order. With a heavy sigh, he hobbled back upstairs, completely defeated and unwell. He realised that once Bella had left the house, he simply went back to bed. This nightmare was still troubling, but he refused to let it affect him.
"I need more than just sleep." He mused.
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Post by Bella Raven - Crow Woman on Jul 30, 2018 2:36:38 GMT -6
During my lonely journey to Derry High School, I walked across the bridge, oblivious to the real world, listening to Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People” through my earphones, that were attached to my iPhone, avoiding the sounds of water below me, draining out across the small river that leads towards the Barrens on the other side of town.
Suddenly, I turned my head and screamed, my widening eyes witnessing a young man with a helmet covering his head, riding on a black Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle that was speeding in my direction. Thankfully, I flinched out of the way within a split second before the rider could’ve turned me into roadkill.
The motorcycle screeched to a tight halt, leaving black tire marks on the wooden boards of the bridge. The rider turned its head to face me from behind, the engine still running.
“You could of killed me, you moron!” I yelled, unaware that it was actually Jack Payne from school the other day?
“You should’ve watch where you’re going……” The driver paused. realising who he was talking to before removing the helmet off his head. “Bella?”
“Jack!?” I asked in shock, blushing, feeling embarrassed for calling Jack a moron after he revealed himself by removing his helmet. “You nearly scared me to death!”
“Sorry about that, Bella.” Jack admitted, watching me pick up my messenger bag that I accidentally dropped onto the other side of the bridge from the incident, removed my earphones frommy ears and placing my iPhone back into the front pocket of my bag.
“You never told me you owned a motorcycle.” I smirked sarcastically, walking towards him.
“I wanted to test it out. And don’t worry, it’s not to show off.” Jack smirked back at me.
“It’s not that…..It’s a really nice bike.” I admitted, blushing shyly and observing the model of the motorbike.
“Thanks. It was a birthday gift from my old man last month. My dad owns a small auto-shop across town. He’s a real grease monkey.” Jack spoke, revealing that his father owned a small business: an auto-shop in Derry that repairs and sells automobiles and motorcycles.
“So you work at the coffee shop instead of working for your old man? Bold move.” I smirked sarcastically, but in a confident way.
“Yeah, he wanted me to join the family business, but I’m saving my money to leave this town so I can go to collage after graduation.” Jack admitted.
“What do you want to do?” I asked.
“I’m not sure, but I’ll know when I’m ready." Jack smiled, “What about you?”
I paused for a moment, looking back at my street in the far distance, considering leaving my family behind just so I could leave this cursed town. Ar the same time, I know that I would deeply regret leaving my only family after all we’ve been through and how many sacrifices that Anna had made for both Ryan and myself throughout our childhood.
“I’m…….Not sure……..” I huffed deeply, unsure of what my future will hold for me if I do survive before graduation after everything that’s been strangely happening ever since we moved into this town. The last thing I want is for Jack to call me crazy too.
“But I want to leave this town just as much as you do.” I admitted, checking the time on my iPhone, less than 10 minutes to get to school before the first bell.
“You look like you need a ride…..If you like.” Jack offered, requesting to give me a ride to school, without pressuring me and without being a show off about it. Unlike most men that own any kind of automobile or motorbike. After all, Jack did look trustworthy, unlike most people in this town.
“Sure.” I smiled warmly, climbing onto the back of the motorbike’s saddle behind Jack. He offered me his helmet to protect my head. I blushed at the offer, deciding to be safe for safety’s sake..
“By the way…….Where’s your brother?” Jack asked.
At first, this puzzled me. But I knew who he was talking about before I sighed deeply. “Oh Ryan? He’s in bed and sick. I’ll tell you about it later.”
“Hang on.” Jack warned as I placed the visor down over my eyes., nervously wrapping my arms around his waist for extra safety before he started up the engine of the motorbike again and we roared across the bridge towards the town of Derry.
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Post by LexingtonDeville1984 on Jul 30, 2018 12:57:23 GMT -6
While Bella was enjoying a relatively happy start to her morning, the same just couldn’t be said for Ryan. Relieved of the nightmarish images that were conjured forth last night, he inevitably settled down to sleep. His migraine still pounded away in his skull, causing him to toss and turn while audibly grumbling to himself. Small flashes of anger flared up, then dissipated. He hoped the aspirin he took would make him feel some form of sanity and erase this morbid feeling that hung over him like a black cloud.
The hours passed until it was 12 in the afternoon. With little disruption to Ryan’s sleep pattern, his short 3 hour slumber came to an end as his green eyes slowly opened. Ignoring the pain, he climbed out of bed, almost staggering over until he managed to right himself. Opening his bedroom door, he decided to head downstairs to try and prepare some lunch. Upon entering the kitchen, he opened the fridge and was greeted by a variety of foods - all of which left him uninterested. He closed the door.
"I’m not hungry." He muttered, pouring himself a glass of water. At least some ice cold H20 would make things better. Downing another two aspirin, he poured himself another glass and silently disappeared upstairs, pausing to lock the front door so no intruders would disturb him.
It was going to be long day until he would feel any sort of relief from the crippling pain that had struck him down for the second time in 4 days. And even then, he hoped Bella would stay out of his way and not bother him. For if she even dared to push her luck, she would get her comeuppance.
Closing his bedroom door, he placed the glass of water down on his bedside table, climbed back into bed, closed his eyes, and went back to sleep. He just wanted today to be over and done with. He didn’t care if Bella was being met with more hostilities from bullies.
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Post by Bella Raven - Crow Woman on Aug 3, 2018 0:28:16 GMT -6
4 hours ago....
The speed of Jack’s motorbike increased as the warm autumn morning breeze blew wildly across our bodies, my face shielded from the wind while wearing Jack’s helmet with only my black hair billowing up in the wind behind me. The morning sun was briefly shielded by the grey clouds in the gloomy skies above Derry. As we drove across the bridge, I could briefly detect the Barrens far across the river underneath the bridge, wondering where it leads to.
Across the bridge into the main town, we passed the town hall and the library across Costello Avenue
It seemed like the fastest way to travel, despite the fact that I’ve only known this kid for two days and he already offered me a ride to school. Just as we drove past the Psychological Service center, my heart raced. I could only hope that my mother hadn’t spotted me riding on a motorcycle with a complete stranger.
With only 5 minutes until the first bell, we pulled into the parking lot in the back of the school, away from the crowded front lawns and groups of preps, jocks, goths, punks, nerds, etc.
We slowly roared to a stop in an empty parking spot close to the sidewalk, Jack turned off the engine of the motorbike. He was the first the climb off the bike. He noticed me struggling to get off the bike without harming myself. Jack rested his hand on my waist, allowing me to lift myself off the saddle until my feet were touching the ground. Jack’s touch around my waist caused the cheeks of my pale face to blush red underneath the helmet before he released his grip
“Thanks, but I can handle myself.” I blushed, shaking off this strange feeling like I swallowed butterflies for breakfast
“You’ve never rode on a motorcycle before, have you?” Jack asked.
I removed the helmet off my head and shook my head, waving my hair in all directions, stroking a few locks out of my face.
“No…..But beats taking the bus.” I smirked sarcastically, failing to notice that Jack had watched me remove the helmet off of my head and that he somehow found my gothic appearance more stunning then the first time we met in the coffee shop two days ago.
“Jack?” I asked, noticing that he was staring me awkwardly. I sighed and rolled my eyes, walking towards him with his helmet in my hands.
“Look, if you’re going to give me your opinion. about the way I dress, don’t bother. Here’s your helmet. And thanks for the ride.” I snarled, shoved the helmet back to him, walking past him onto the side walk. Jack turned around. following me before briefly standing in front of me.
“Bella! wait! I’m not like that, I promise.” Jack said, trying to convince me that he’s not like most kids in school that judge me by my appearance.
“Sure you’re not.” I sneered, rolling my eyes. “You were staring at me like a weirdo.”
“I mean it. I was staring because it’s nice to meet someone who’s different from everybody else.” Jack admitted.
“Really?” I asked, puzzled by Jack’s confession about my appearance.
“Absolutely, Bella. People take one look at me and think I work at Hot Topic.” Jack chuckled.
“But you work at Starbucks.” I recalled.
“Exactly. But I don’t let that bother me either. I admire people who are not afraid to stand out and be themselves.” Jack admitted with a confident smile, building a hidden love interest for me. Just like I secretly have for him too.
“You obviously don’t know me that well, Jack.” I sighed, deeply wanting to tell Jack about my secret life as s half Wiccan. I didn’t want to ruin my friendship with Jack over that subject at the moment.
“What’s there to know?” Jack asked.
The first bell rang, echoing outside the school grounds that startled both of us, knowing that we’ll have to cut this conversation short.
“I’ll tell you later.” I promised.
Jack and I ran towards the set of stairs, through the double doors, and across the hallways of the school.
Although, I couldn’t tell Jack about Ryan’s condition and why he truly felt sick after last night’s another strange paranormal episode, the last thing I want is for Jack to also call me crazy if I dared myself to reveal about encounters with the clown from Neibolt Street.
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Post by LexingtonDeville1984 on Aug 3, 2018 14:14:22 GMT -6
6 hours later....
It was now 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Ryan had slept for another 3 straight hours, the pain in his head slowly subsiding after dosing himself up on more aspirin in the hope that he would feel some form of release from this recurring pain that always seemed to return whenever Bella would find new ways to piss him off and become less of a stepsister and more of an arch enemy to him.
Maybe he was homesick. Maybe he truly missed his family. Maybe he needed anger management. Whatever the case, he was now beginning to awaken from his undisturbed sleep. His green eyes opened, adjusting to the daylight that hung in the afternoon skies outside his window.
Ryan’s left hand touched his left temple. No pain, no sweltering temperatures, no nauseous feelings. Confused, he sat up, moving the covers off his body as his feet touched the hard wooden floor.
"Looks like that aspirin worked." He huffed, walking over to his bedroom door. He opened it, stepping out onto the upstairs landing, stretching his arms after a decent hours worth of sleep. The bruise from his fall 2 days ago still dotted his left thigh, but he ignored the pain with every step forward.
After a brief series of arm stretches and gradually waking up, Ryan trotted downstairs to the kitchen. He still wasn’t feeling hungry, so he picked up several letters that lay on the mat beside the front door. There was nothing but junk mail.
"Typical junk mail crap." Ryan muttered, crumpling each letter in his hands as he threw them in the bin. Ever since he was whisked away from the relative comfort of real home in London, his parents, specifically his mother, never bothered to write to him. She turned to alcoholism following the divorce, and Ryan even shunned her at his brother’s funeral, knowing that his father was the only honest person in his family. Each year, his father sent a letter to him across the Atlantic, which only made his homesickness grow day by day.
"The least Mum could do was try and write to me. If she’s not busy stinking like a drunk organising a piss up in a brewery." He grumbled, still recalling how she stunk of cheap whiskey and spirits at the cemetery on that fateful day. How she was escorted away by embarrassed police officers, and how Ryan snatched one bottle out of her hands and poured it down a nearby drain, telling her that he never wants to see her ever again.
It was there that Ryan’s cynical, rage-filled and short-tempered personality was born. Once he returned with Anna to New York, something slowly began to change inside of him. And he felt no regrets. The combination of James’s funeral, constant rejection by society, and Bella’s disrespectful attitude towards him had made him this way.
Ryan headed back upstairs, pausing to glare into Bella’s bedroom. He knew that last night’s nightmare was her fault, so he slammed the door shut with a very loud bang. Loud enough to shake the house as he returned to his bedroom. He switched on his PS4 and decided on another round of Mortal Kombat X to pass the time.
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Post by Bella Raven - Crow Woman on Aug 8, 2018 2:02:24 GMT -6
3:00 PM
The last bell was like music to my ears once high pitched ringing sound echoed after History class for 3 seconds. Most of the class. started to rampage towards the door like a stampede, once again leaving me as the last student to leave.
But before I could escape from this prison, I felt myself being tripped on the three steps outside the school. Thankfully, I used my hands to break my fall before I could fall land on my face.
“Had a nice trip, witch?” Came a snotty voice from behind me. I rose up to my feet again and turned around to see the three snobby cheerleader stooges, Chloe, Samantha, and Tiffany.
It was Chloe’s tanned barefoot that had tripped me. She was wearing high heel white sandals with a small light blue diamond in the center of them, her toe nails had light blue nail polish to match her white skinny jeans, light blue tank top and white leather jacket, carrying a matching designer handbag like she was a wannabe celebrity.
“The wicked witch of the west called. She wants her wardrobe back!” Chloe sniped, insulting my appearance which made her two other minions giggle along with her. “Is it Halloween in October?”
“I’m not in the mood, Chloe! Leave me alone!” I warned, gripped onto my messenger bag, about to pass her. She had the nerve to snatch my bag off of my shoulders.
“Hey! Give it back!” I yelled, trying to reach for it, being hold back by Tiffany and Samantha, who restrained my arms.
“You can have it back when I turn it into ashes!” Chloe warned me. ‘What’s the matter? Late for your witch school?”
“I’m warning you, Chloe! Give it back!” I threatened.
“What are you going to do about it? Perform your evil black magic?” Chloe taunted.
I clenched both of my fists, on the verge of showing my new enemy real magic……But I saw Jack walking out of the school. He also witnessed me in distress, but I couldn’t perform spells in public. The last thing I want is to be sent to a mental hospital or worse.
“No……” I finally sighed deeply, recalling Ryan’s last advice to me on dealing with bullies back in New York when we were kids. He told me stories about how he dealt with his own bullies from his homeland in England. “Because you know what? You’re not worth the time. So I’m just going to be a bigger person and walk away.” .
But despite my bravery, this forced Tiffany and Samantha to drag me to the back of the school towards the dumpster. They lifted me up, despite my struggling., “I’ve warned you about disrespecting me, witch! You talk trash, so we take out the trash!” Chloe smirked.
She ordered Tiffany and Samantha to dump me into the dumpster……
“Put her down now!” Jack yelled from across the parking lot. This startled Chloe, Tiffany, and Samantha while they were still holding me up like a rag doll.
“Well, well , well, ladies……It’s the witch’s Prince charming coming to her rescue!” Chloe insulted.
“Leave her alone, Summers. Don’t make me report you for harassment.” Jack warned.
This forced Samantha and Tiffany to let go of me.
“We should leave, Chloe!” Samantha warned.
“We’re just about to. Besides, we don’t want to get our hands anymore dirty.” Chloe insulted, referring to me before they left, mocking kicking clouds of dirt at me before leaving. Jack helped me up to my feet again.
“Are you alright?” Jack asked.
“I’ve been through worse.” I sighed, shaking off some dirt off my shoulders. “I had it under control.”
“Didn’t seem like it from where I was standing……Still think you can handle yourself?” Jack reminded me. He handed me over my messenger bag.
“Funny.” I huffed, rolling my eyes sarcastically.
“Don’t let that skank get to you, Bella. Chloe’s father is Derry’s mayor, so she thinks she owns this town. Including this school.” Jack informed me, walking me across the parking lot towards his motorcycle.
“That explains a lot.” I sighed.
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Post by LexingtonDeville1984 on Aug 8, 2018 5:48:26 GMT -6
After another round of Mortal Kombat X, Ryan switched off his PS4 and decided to make himself look presentable when Anna and that Wicked Witch of the West reject of a stepsister return home. One quick 5 minute shower later and he returned to his bedroom, wearing nothing but a grey towel. The migraine that had plagued him earlier was completely gone, meaning his old personality had returned.
Another 5 minutes passed and Ryan emerged from his bedroom, dressed in a pair of jeans with a spiked belt, and a black Judas Priest t-shirt with the album cover for British Steel emblazoned on the front. His hair was wax free, seeing that he wasn’t going anywhere for the rest of the day, and his brother’s dog tags remained around his neck.
"Don’t think I can stomach anymore meatloaf or broth tonight. And I know just what to do next." Ryan smirked, heading into the kitchen. He collected several pots and pans, a white colander, two tins of kidney beans, a tin of sliced tomatoes, mince, sweet chilli sauce, chorizo, and a bag of white rice. Chorizo chilli was a specialty he enjoyed cooking whenever he was home alone. And he always knew how to cook it well.
"Anything’s better than having to listen to Bella and her victim card." He chuckled, switching on the gas and beginning to prepare his favourite teenage snack. There was two hours to kill - more than enough time for his sullen goth stepsister to be tortured by boredom at her therapy sessions with Anna.
Ryan was unaware of what had happened to Bella at the hands of an entitled, narcissistic, and vain trio of cheerleaders. He surmised, that if Bella would stand up for herself more than often, she wouldn’t get bullied. It would have to take an incredible swerve for Ryan to finally accept Bella as his stepsister.
That day will come. Just not now.
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Post by Bella Raven - Crow Woman on Aug 15, 2018 1:04:57 GMT -6
Across the town of Derry, Jack offered me a ride on his motorcycle. The cool wind continued to blow past us by the speed of the two wheele, while I wore Jack’s helmet for protection 5 minutes later, we briefly stopped at a empty slow business gas station. Jack parked the motorbike beside a gas pump.
“D**n it! Near E. This will only take a minute, Bella. “Jack promised.
We climbed off the motorbike before Jack returned with a full gallon of gas in his hand and poured it into the gas tank of the motorbike.
“Are you sure you don’t want anything?” Jack asked, offering me anything to snack on from the gas station. I blushed and shook my head, “No thanks, Jack…..I’m fine.”
“Everything alright?” Jack asked, noticing that I’ve been quiet since my second encounter with Chloe. "You’re not still worried about Chloe, are you?"
“No…..It’s not that…..It’s just….Why are you being so nice to me?” I asked Jack. “You didn’t have to do what you did back there.”
“What? I can’t be nice?” Jack asked.
“No! I’m just not used to having anyone stand up for me, that’s all. I’ve never had much friends.” I shyly admitted, looking at the quiet streets of Derry. Only a lone school bus, driving less than 10 children across town, passed the gas station.
“Me neither…..Everyone in Derry is very careless and rude.” Jack admitted.
“I agree…..” I huffed.
A Derry police cruiser pulled up to the kerb across from us. An officer in his early 30’s with short brown hair and brown eyes climbed out of the car and walked toward us, which made me feel nervous. My first thoughts were that Chloe probably called the police on us for the fight at the back of the school.
But Jack advised me to be calm and act normal. So we did, “Can we help you, sir?” I asked the officer.
“I’m looking for someone…..Have you seen this young boy?” The officer asked. He revealed the same missing child poster that I saw across town the other night. The missing boy was Joseph Miller, who was last seen a week ago.
“I’m sorry sir…..We haven’t.” I sadly admitted.
“Do you know him?” Jack asked.
“Yes, he’s my son. I’m Officer John Miller of the Derry Police Department. Joseph was last seen at Neibolt Street last week at 3PM before his disappearance.” Officer Miller admitted, “If you find him or know anything at all, call me.”
He handed his card towards me.
“Yes, sir, we’ll let you know.” I promised.
“Thank you. You two better head on home now.” Officer Miller advised us. He climbed into the cruiser and drove away, leaving both Jack and I briefly speechless.
“Did he say….Neibolt Street?” I asked Jack.
“Yeah but….Wait…..You’ve been there?” Jack asked.
“Jack…..I have to tell you something……” I breathed heavily, the horrifying memory of the clown from Neibolt Street returning to haunt me. “The other night when I was walking home from Starbucks……” I paused.
“What is it?” Jack asked, standing beside me to comfort me.
“I didn’t imagine it…..But I saw something…..” I startled.
“You saw the boy?” Jack asked.
“No….Not the boy……” I inhaled and exhaled deeply, “My dad…….”
“What are you walking about?” Jack asked.
“My father died when I was five…..But…..That day……I saw him…..Covered in blood and broken glass……It seemed so real…….” My voice choked, the mere image of my deceased father chasing me across the backyard of that abandoned house returning again..
“I mean….It seemed like it, but than there was this……” I paused.
Jack confessed. “The Clown.”
“What?” I asked Jack in total shock and fear, turning to face him again.
“Yeah, I saw him too.” Jack confessed.
“Don’t pretend like you know what I’m talking about, Jack. Forget it…..You probably think I’m crazy just like all the others.” I hissed, about to walk away when Jack grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me back gently to face him again. “No Bella, I believe you….” Jack sighed, “Last night i had a nightmare. I saw my mother being raped and murdered by a burglar who robbed our house 10 years ago. My dad shoot that f***in monster dead.”
Jack’s confession that his mother was raped and killed when he was 6 years old and that the clown used that haunted memory of his to frighten him stunned me.
“I’m so sorry, Jack.” I apologised, comforting Jack with my hand on his shoulder. “I have a confession to make…..My father died because……”
I was about to confess to Jack about me being half Wiccan before I felt my iPhone vibrating in my massanger bag. I picked it up to see that it was Anna calling me as I answered it, “Mom?”
“Bella, where are you? Remember, you have another therapy session. Are you alright?” Anna asked on the other line.
“I’m fine, Mom…..I didn’t forget…..I’m on my way from school now…..I’ll be there soon.” I disconnected the call.
“I’m sorry Jack, I have to go meet with my mom at the Psychological Center.” I sighed, feeling embarrassed.
“What for?” Jack asked.
"Long story. I’ll explain another time.”
This forced Jack to drive us across Derry towards that building. He pulled over his motorbike to the kerb nearby the sidewalk.
“We should meet each other at the public library after school, Bella.” Jack suggested, hoping that we could continue investigating the connection between the missing children and Neibolt street.
“I’ll think about it, Jack. I always knew I wasn’t the only one.” I said.
“What do you mean?” Jack asked.
“I believe Ryan saw IT too. I’ll see you later.” I promised, waving goodbye to Jack before I watched him take off, heading to my next pointless appointment with my mom. All I could think about was the missing boy, the clown, and how Jack surprised me with the fact that he also saw the clown a few nights ago.
Just like I strongly believe that Ryan had seen something last night too. Only he’s too in denial to admit it.
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Post by LexingtonDeville1984 on Aug 15, 2018 11:45:26 GMT -6
Back at the family home, Ryan had finished preparing his chorizo chilli. Having stolen several recipes from rude and less than pleasant chefs in New York during many awkward and failed family meals out, he soon began to develop intense cravings for this new snack whenever he was home alone or bored.
After draining the rice in the colander, he placed a white seed grain onto the plate, then added the mince, chorizo slices, kidney beans, and chili sauce. With a few pots and pans stacked by the kitchen sink, he decided to wash them later and leave a decent impression for Anna.
"Anything’s better than f**king meatloaf." He chuckled, sitting down at the table to eat. Amidst his early evening snack, Ryan spotted something out of the corner of his eye. It was an unpacked box in the corner of the kitchen, the words Family Memories inscribed in black ink.
Curious, Ryan left his seat and opened the box. Inside were items of sentimental value that Anna had secretly collected since the death of her husband. A death that even Ryan didn’t know about - lest he use that as ammunition to break Bella during one of her sob stories that her victim complex always seemed to use during many of their storied arguments.
Ryan’s hands rested on a photo album, it’s red hardback covering ingraved in yellow letters. "Must of slipped through the crack. She won’t mind if I take a peek." He surmised, sitting at the table and opening the front cover to the first page.
The first photos were of Anna and a 6 year old Bella on Christmas Day, opening various presents. Despite the smiles and warm atmosphere, it was a year removed from the incident where Bella killed her father in self defence. Not once did Ryan see a smile from his stepsister, even when she was a child.
"Guess it really does kill her to smile." Ryan grumbled, downing a mouthful of chili and swallowing. He never got a smile from Bella. Not even when he at least tried to make an effort as he grew up from innocent 10-year old to short-tempered and headstrong teenager.
One Christmas incident saw a 12 year old Bella consistently try to seek attention from her less than interested aunties and uncles, which only served to annoy the 14 year old Ryan, who was incredibly rude to everyone. Any sense of Christmas cheer was lost after he reacted to a less than pleasant comment from Bella about his mother’s alcoholism - a sensitive secret he kept to himself until she overheard him talking about it to Anna on Christmas Eve- which made him snap and launch himself at Bella, almost trying to strangle her for her comments until, eyes laced with angry tears, Ryan stormed off to his bedroom and refused to return for the rest of the day. Bella never apologised, which heightened the hatred between them.
Ryan turned another page, finding more photos of Anna, Bella, and himself at various places like the park, downtown NYC, the Central Park Zoo, and even Halloween. Deep down, he felt bad for having to open a box that had mementos, especially ones that Anna held close to her heart. Each page he turned briefly made him feel guilty, so he closed the album and put it back in the box, returning to his chorizo chili.
"That’s enough for one day." He grumbled, hoping for a better evening tonight.
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Post by Bella Raven - Crow Woman on Aug 23, 2018 4:28:06 GMT -6
As I walked back into the Derry Psychological Center, I noticed a woman with short and blonde curly hair walking out of Anna’s office in tears. wiping her eyes with a tissue in her hands. Anna placed her hand on her shoulders to comfort her before watching her leave her office.
“Everything’s going to be alright, Mrs. Miller. Your son will return. Until then, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Anna advised.
Sarah Miller left the building, walking past me. Anna turned her attention towards me standing across from her office.
“You’re 10 minutes late, Bella.” Anna reminded me, pointing down at her watch on her left wrist.
“I’m sorry, mom……It was a long walk……” I lied. My mom gestured her hand for me to enter her office and I waked inside, passing her before she closed the door behind us.
I walked sat myself down onto the chaise longue and sat down my messenger bag.
“Bella…..I saw you….Who was that young man on the motorcycle?” Anna asked calmly.
This caused a sinking feeling in my stomach, my eyes widening in shock. She had actually saw Jack dropping me off through her office window just before he drove away.
“Just a friend, mom……He was kind enough to drive me here……” I spoke, slightly startled.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t tell me while I was on the phone with you, Bella. You should of told me. He could’ve been a kidnapper.” Anna warned me, believing that Jack could of been a kidnapper or something worse if I wasn’t careful on who I trust.
“Mom, don’t give me that overprotective crap! Jack’s not like that! Besides, you always told me that I should make new friends, and now you’re telling me I can’t trust anyone?” I asked.
“That’s not what I meant…..” Anna calmly stopped, giving herself a moment to think a logical way to explain the difference between making friends and trusting those I know. “I’m glad you made a new friend, but you should get to know Jack first before you trust him the right away.”
“Fine…..Jack’s a junior in Derry High and he works at Starbucks. Happy?” I asked.
“It’s a start.” Anna improved, “But right now, we’re here to talk about……”
“Yeah, yeah….My personal issues…..” I huffed, rolling my eyes.
“Actually, I want to discuss about last night.” Anna said, referring to Ryan’s strange and disturbing nightmare last night that I was unaware of. Which was why I was confused, but shocked at the same time by this theory.
“What are you talking about?” I asked Anna.
“Bella, I’m serious……What happened last night?” Anna asked, assuming that I was lying about something that I didn’t do this time.
“No, I’m SERIOUS too, mom! I don’t know what happened last night!” I said.
“Ryan was sleepwalking. I found him by the basement door in hysterics. He convinced me that he saw his dead brother being devoured alive by rats in the basement.” Anna informed which caused me to gasp by this disturbing theory.
“You don’t think that I have something to do with this, do you?” I asked.
“I know that you and Ryan have issues with each other in the past, but going so far to create a disturbing illusion for Ryan to be traumatised and in tears this morning is inhumane.” Anna informed me.
“But mom, it wasn’t me! The other day, I saw Dad covered in glass and blood and he chased after me in Neibolt Street before……”
“Stop right there, Bella.” Anna calmly warned me, “Not another word about the clown.”
I felt defeated yet again.
“This just like the time when you made an unnecessary comment about Ryan’s mother and her personal problems. That wasn’t your place to mention something personal in his life to the public.” Anna reminded me, “You nearly ruined that Christmas for Ryan.”
“But that was a long time ago! I would never make Ryan hallucinate and see his dead brother! I swear!” I pleaded, desperately tryimg to convince Anna that despite my hatred towards Ryan’s hot-headed temper, I would never go that far to torment his mind like that.
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Post by LexingtonDeville1984 on Aug 23, 2018 13:27:48 GMT -6
"Do you know what hurt me the most that day, Bella? Having to return Ryan’s Christmas presents because he didn’t want to open them." Anna lectured, recalling the moment that a still upset Ryan told his adoptive stepmother to return his presents and leave him alone.
"It’s not my fault his mom has a drink problem." Bella coldly retorted.
"That is enough. What you said that day was unacceptable. He never spoke to us for five days." Anna spoke. "It was only out of the sheer honesty in his heart that he apologised."
"I didn’t make him hallucinate, Mom! Why won’t you believe me?!" Bella pleaded, slightly raising her voice.
"The more you keep this up, the longer we’ll be here. Now, please. Let’s just try to have a peaceful session without any accusations." Anna lectured again.
Bella felt defeated - still feeling like she was the only one actually paying attention to the darkness that enveloped this town every night. No one believed her at all - and it would only get harder for her.
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At the family home, Ryan opened a kitchen cabinet and put away his plate, having washed the pots, pans, and cutlery before neatly putting them away. Unlike most teenagers, he always tidied up after himself. Having learned this trait from Anna during a day of chores back in New York, he was someone who preferred a neat and tidy house over a messy house.
"That hit the spot." He smiled, referring to the tasty snack he had hungrily devoured, knowing that he won’t need any of Anna’s culinary dishes tonight. Or worse - another round of Bella’s grim stares and victim complex.
Deep down, he still resented her for eavesdropping a personal conversation with Anna regarding his mother’s battle with alcohol. The fact that she even dared to broadcast such sensitive information, let alone crush any hope of Christmas cheer inside his soul, was enough to send him into a murderous rage during present opening. Ryan recalled how he lunged for Bella, his hands briefly grasping her neck and strangling her until Anna defused the situation.
2 years later, Ryan had learned how to control his temper in the face of Bella’s naivety and attention-seeking persona. However, this sometimes pushed him into taking out his frustrations on bullies at the New York high school that he and Bella attended. Part of him yearned to meet someone who could take all his pain away and make him a better person.
"Guess I’ll kill some time." He mused, darting upstairs for a brief moment of rest, catching up on the hours missed from last night’s nightmare.
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Post by Bella Raven - Crow Woman on Aug 29, 2018 4:21:11 GMT -6
“Whatever…..Nothing I ever say matters anyway.” I muttered, a mixture of both anger and sadness in my voice as I remained seated on the therapy couch across from Anna, who was sitting on a separate chair with a clipboard and a pen in her hands.
“You cannot suspect anyone to take you seriously with your denial of your own illusions. I believe that this whole story about this clown is just another excuse to crave attention and avoid new changes in your life. Deep down, you believe so too, Bella.” Anna assumed.
“I’m not denying anything, mom!” I muttered, “I didn’t do anything to Ryan last night!”
“If that’s true, you should tell that to Ryan and assure him that you had nothing to do with Ryan’s nightmare last night.” Anna suggested.
“I don’t think I can.” I nervously admitted.
“Why not?” Anna asked.
“Because this morning……” I gulped, “He looked at me with this dead eyed stare like I was crap on his boots. I could’ve sworn that he called me a murderer as I walked out of the house. If you don’t believe me, he sure as hell won’t either!” I finished, folding my arms across my chest.
“Ryan doesn’t mean it, Bella……He’s been sick. You know that. It’s up to you to decide to tell him the truth. He may not accept it now. But once he realises that you weren’t lying, he’ll come around and regain your trust again.” Anna suggested.
“Fine…..I’ll try……”I sighed deeply, accepting Anna’s advice. I already had this disturbing sinking feeling inside me that it won’t be pleasant to convince the truth to the last person in the would who would ever believe me in anything I say or do.
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Post by LexingtonDeville1984 on Aug 29, 2018 15:15:46 GMT -6
Anna wrote down several notes on her clipboard, still sitting on the chair across from her less than interested daughter. She had already placed a blank tape in a tape recorder that she kept to keep track of her clients, recording each session to fit her understand the root of their deep seated psychological problems.
"Family Therapy session #2. Second day. Isabella is still unwilling to accept that her illusions are a way of seeking approval and attention from those around her. It seems that she is trying to avoid new changes in her life." Anna spoke, recording the conversation.
"Just stop, Mom. Enough of this crap." Bella sneered, already fed up of being stuck inside the office like an inmate from an insane asylum.
"Less of the language, Bella. I’d like to understand why you feel the need to avoid changes in your life." Anna spoke.
"Why should I change? So I can be like those skanks in high school who get everything handed to them?!" Bella raged, her voice taking on a more angered tone.
"That is not what I meant. You are my daughter. And i am proud of the way you choose to express yourself. But holding a grudge against Ryan because you believe that he has ruined your life has to stop. He has done nothing to you." Anna spoke, trying to remain calm.
"He’s done EVERYTHING to me, Mom! Whenever he told the truth or got detention, you never grounded him and let him get away with it. Do you remember that time he deliberately got suspended from school for knocking out a bully because he didn’t want to go to prom?" Bella retorted.
"Ryan was going through some personal problems, Bella. I was disappointed in him that day, but that does not give you the right to hold this grudge for the last 5 years." Anna lectured, still trying to make her daughter see sense.
Bella sat with her arms folded, still channelling the dark side of her personality. The dark side who hated Ryan and wanted him to leave this country and let her win back her mother’s approval.
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Post by Bella Raven - Crow Woman on Sept 2, 2018 4:22:32 GMT -6
“What about MY problems, Mom?” I snapped, pointing my thumb at my chest, as if making a drastic point.
“Have you forgotten that Dad almost killed me just because I was not the child he wanted? Ryan thinks he has a hard life? Try living with someone who always hated your guts so much that you had to defend yourself before that monster could kill you!” I yelled, almost loud enough for other people outside the office to hear.
“Shh…..Bella…..Lower your voice, you’re going to worry other patients.” Anna calmly warned me, despite my outburst.
“Whatever. You didn’t seem to ask me what I would think about moving to Derry before you forced us out of our real home!” I snapped, referring to our former home in New York. “Have you ever stopped to ask me about what I want?”
“Bella…..You always get what you want, that was the main cause for your behavior. This is partially why we’ve moved to Derry. To teach you how to accept new changes. You can’t expect things to just stay the same because you don’t like it. It’s not all about you, Bella. That’s how you’ll learn something new everyday. Through new changes. It’s up to you to decide to make the best of it. You have to learn to take the bad with the good.” Anna wisely advised me.
At first, this sounded far fetched to me. Even though I never wanted to admit it, but Anna was right. I was used to things being the same with just me and my mother before Ryan came into our lives 3 years after my father’s death. Ryan’s parents insisted that he deserved to be raised by a loving and responsible parent like Anna. Out of all people that they could’ve chosen in the world, they chose my mom.
“Yeah, well, its going to take a lot more than your cheap therapy advice to get me to change. Derry is not the best place to start!” I complained.
Anna sighed deeply and shook her head, “I think we’re done for today.”
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Post by LexingtonDeville1984 on Sept 2, 2018 10:44:53 GMT -6
"Whoopee." Bella grumbled, folding her arms and peering out the window of her mother’s office.
Anna silently switched off the tape recorder, collecting her paperwork and filing it into her handbag. As she put on her brown jacket, she momentarily glanced at her daughter, who was scrolling through her phone, disinterested with everything.
"Could you please stop playing with your phone, Bella. We have to leave. The center is closing." Anna politely requested.
The half-Wiccan huffed audibly, sliding her phone back into her messenger bag. An offended look crossed her face. She rose up from the chaise longue, folding her arms. Her mother breezed past her, opening the door to her office. Bella followed, the door closing behind her.
Many other doctors, therapists, and psychologists were beginning to leave the building, leaving it in the care of the head security guard. This guard was in his mid forties, with a slightly balding haircut and a small paunch that hung over his trousers.
As Bella and her mother left via the front entrance, he stared at the young witch, noticing her dark clothing. This set her off, her magic on the verge of being exposed.
Bella stared back. "What are you looking at, pervert?" She hissed, being ushered out of the building and into the parking lot by Anna before anything bad could happen.
"What is wrong with you, Bella?" Anna asked, aghast at the anti-social and confrontational personality that Bella was showing.
"He was staring at me like I was a weirdo, Mom!" Bella scowled, jerking her arm away from her mother’s reassuring touch. "Men like that are creeps! You can tell by their eyes!"
"Alright. That is enough. Not a single word from you until we get home. Understand?" Anna declared, her voice strict and stern as she finally lost her paitence with her anti-social daughter.
"Fine. And make it four." Bella coldly retorted, referring to being grounded for an extra week. She stomped off towards the grey people carrier, not even looking back at her frustrated and internally upset mother.
Anna silently followed, unlocking the driver’s door.
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Back at the family home, Ryan had already woken up from his small nap and was passing the time with various sketches in his sketchbook. Drawings included logos of various heavy metal bands, bullies being knocked out by himself, and memories of his life back home in England.
"Guess that’s enough." He sighed, closing his sketchbook and climbing off his bed. Boredom had set in, and it was beginning to show as he paced back and forth across his room, before he grabbed five darts and threw them at his dartboard.
Several struck the magazine cut outs of the pop music artists he hated. The boredom began to alleviate itself from his system.
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