Chapter three. Part one.
After putting my keys on the key rack and hanging my sweater on the coat hanger, I walked into the living room. My father was watching the football game he asked me to record on Monday. The Bears against the Cardinals and it was half time. There were a few beer cans on the coffee table with one tipped over.
This should be interesting.
He muted the television and turned to face me. “A boy, Selena?” he asked. He seemed kind of angry, but he is normally an angry drunk. I don’t date, never the less hang out with guys. It is easier on him when I stay away from them.
“He is a new kid at school. I was just being nice and I showed him around today.” I said, trying to get some brownie points but failing miserably.
“I don’t care if he was the King of England.” His words were almost a slur. “I do not like putting boundaries up for you but when you go around hanging out with boys, you leave me no choice.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. He loved giving me limits and boundaries and rules. That way he can still control every aspect of my life, from a short distance of course.
“I mean, we are going to put a few new rules into play. First of all, I want a note saying where you are going, who will be there, and when you are going to be home. You have to stick to those plans too; I don’t want a phone call saying that you are going to the movies when the note said you are going bowling. I need a time frame, none of that ‘I’ll be back later’ bullshit. Understand?”
I nodded.
“And since you are slacking on both your chores and your school work, I will add things to your list of things to do. The normal routine: laundry, dishes, clean your room. Plus I want you to sweep and wash the floors and vacuum tomorrow. Does this sound fair?”
The house is perfect besides what he messes up. Ever since my mother passes away I have been taking care of him instead of him taking care of me. I cook and clean for him. I’m like his damn wife, besides the relationship part.
“Yes.”
“Okay then, you are dismissed.” He always days that I am ‘dismissed’ when he is done with a long speech or he is just sick of seeing my face.
I turned to walk out of the room, but I paused, “Hey Dad, I have work tomorrow morning form six to three. Then I was thinking about going up to Boston for some shopping. I should be home by eight or nine depending on traffic.”
I didn’t bother staying up online. I went straight to bed. I had the strangest dream. I was in school walking down the hallway and I saw Kevin standing at the end of it. He was calling to me, asking me to follow him somewhere. I have to admit, I was a little curious to see where he was going. So I walked over to him. I asked him where every one was but he didn’t answer my question.
“I came here to warn you, Selena,” he finally said. He seemed so serious, but scared. “He’s not a good guy. His family isn’t good people. Don’t see him again. Come with me.” He floated away.
I awoke with a jolt of panic when my dad pounded down my door. “You’re going to be late for work. Let’s go!” he shouted. I looked at my clock and it was five thirty.
I got up and took a shower, threw on some jeans and a t-shirt and pulled my hair back into a pony tail. I looked horrible. I stared at my reflection for a while. Looking back was a stranger. My cheeks were flushed and my pale green eyes were too wide.
Late for work again.
The manger at Lilith’s Book Shop was behind the counter when I came through the front door. He is a skinny, nerdy boy who is obsessed with anything Wiccan. He tried to get me to join his coven a million times but I always say no.
It’s not that I don’t believe in this stuff, much, but Jake is mediocre and it’s obvious. He tries to hard to memorize moon cycles and herb combinations for potions. When you are a true witch, things like that are supposed to come naturally, right?
“I over heard some of my fellow witches conversing last night at our meeting.” Jake said while stacking new books on the shelves. I was behind the counter reading this month Which Witch is Which magazine. “They said there is a new coven in town. They call themselves The Bounty Hunters. What a stupid name for a coven. They are a bunch of high school kids and they are amateurs. “
I shrugged, “If they are no big deal, then why are your ‘fellow witches’ talking about them?” I asked in a teasing tone half interested.
“They say that this coven hunts vampires.”
