Dance with Darkness

Prologue

You’ll probably think everything I’m telling you is a lie, something made up by a child, dreaming one night while in bed, but it’s not. It’s something completely true that happened to me and although you might not believe it, maybe you will by the end. Maybe you’ll give me the benefit of the doubt. It’s the least I can hope for, right? I mean, here I am and telling you a story that you may or may not believe, but the most important thing is that I’m telling it to you. I’m being brave and taking a stand for what I believe in. The truth is what matters; honesty.

To be honest, it doesn’t matter whether you believe me or not. I don’t know you and you don’t know me, but here you are, picking up my book and reading it, hoping to find something, maybe hoping to believe in something.  I don’t know what you think you’ll find here, but I know one thing... You might not find what you’re looking for. You won’t find the secret to a long life or how to get a boyfriend. You won’t find the answers to life or how we all began. You won’t find me telling you that there’s life beyond this one. All I’m telling you is my experiences. I’m telling you what happened to me, or... I will be once I get done here.

With that being said, let’s begin. I guess the best way to start is at the beginning of the day where everything changed. This is the official recording of what happened to me, Emmaline Vettel.

Chapter One

I don’t know exactly what happened. One minute, it was just a normal day in high school like always, although I always had a feeling that it would be an off day, but I thought that was just the idea of a pop quiz in my chemistry class or one of my friends going through a mini crisis. I was the popular one. I was the one with the long blonde hair that fell in perfect waves, the bright blue eyes, the perfect complexion, and the quarterback of the football team as my boyfriend. I was the one that was not only the head cheerleader, but I was section leader of the flute section in marching band. I made the perfect grades. Most people loved me, but I knew I had my enemies. Well, I called them enemies, but the worst they would have done is open my locker and throw all my things away, but even that didn’t affect me so much.

I woke up that morning to my cell chiming the chosen alarm that was obnoxious enough to wake me up. I crawled out of bed and fell to the floor, waiting for my legs to wake up enough to hold my weight. Yawning, I got to my feet to get ready.

The first thing I did was showered and dried my hair. The shower felt good and was a good wake up call, allowing the blood to circulate in my body. When I finished my hair, I put on my makeup which was nothing more than eye liner with wings and brown eye shadow to counteract my blue eyes and make them pop.

It took me a little while to choose my outfit which today was a yellow top that was kind of like a peasant shirt with green and pink flowers. It fell off my shoulders and had the big, poufy sleeves and everything. It was that and a short jean skirt with silver embroidery patterns on the pockets and around the bottom. The swirls always intrigued me, drawing me into it, but it was just a skirt. It was just that I always liked to look my best.

Emmaline, you’re going to be late! I heard my mother shouting from behind my bedroom door. I rolled my eyes and ignored her, taking my time to get ready. I went over to my purple desk with a white top and shut my laptop then grabbed all the papers that I needed for school today. Putting them in their respective folders, I placed them in my binder and put them into my backpack, ready for the day. After slinging it onto my shoulder, I left my bedroom, closing the door behind me.

Emmaline, are you ready? my brother called out this time. I don’t want to be late!

I moaned and turned to face him. Our bedrooms were across from each other at the top of the stairs. There was another set of stairs, but that one only led to the attic.

Nearly, I replied. Lemme grab something to eat and we can go.

I heard him moan as he stamped down the steps, heading to the kitchen.

After I reached the bottom of the stairs, I looked around. Everything looked normal, but something felt different about today. The three couches were still in the same position, making the near appearance of a three sided square. Two were facing each other while the third faced the entertainment center that was nothing more than a television on top of our fireplace with shelves around it, holding books and movies that we all liked. I shook my head and carried on to the kitchen after my stomach growled.

My brother, Emerys, was already there and he sat down at the table. Pulling a book out of his bag, he opened it and began to read, ignoring the fact that I was even there.

Taking him in, I noticed just how much he had aged. He was only two years my junior, but he was getting bigger. Now standing, he towered over me at a stunning six foot and he was only a sophomore. He liked wearing jeans, faded shoes, and band T-shirts. God how he loved his band T-shirts. It was just about all he wore nowadays.

Em, what would you like for breakfast? my mother asked as she was busy scrambling some eggs in a pan. The smell of burnt eggs wafted through the air and hit my nose, immediately making me feel nauseous. Okay, so my mom wasn’t the best cook.

I’ll just grab some toast, I replied as I took a piece of butter coated toast off the plain white plate. After taking a bite, I realized why it was smothered in butter. It was burnt, so I threw it away and turned to my brother. You ready to go?

He jumped at my voice, slammed his book shut, and grabbed his backpack.

Emmaline, a word before you go? my mom asked. I looked at Emerys and sighed silently.

I’ll see you in the car, he told me as he gave me a shrug to tell me that he didn’t know what it was about. After the white door with the pale blue curtains closed, I turned back to face mom and placed my backpack onto the wooden table.

What’s up, mom?

I wanted to ask you if you reconsidered your college options? she inquired. You know going to Italy for art isn’t the best option and I know it’s so far away...

Mom, it’s what I want to do. Are you having second thoughts on letting me go? I’m not a child.

You’re my child! she shouted as she slammed the pan down on the counter. I’m the one responsible for you. You don’t get it! You’re too young to be on the other side of the world without me, without us. Emmaline –

You don’t have to be for long, I pointed out. My eighteenth birthday is coming up and I’m graduating in a one more month. After that, I’m leaving.

You will not! I forbid it! You’re just a child!

I’m not a child! I screamed at her. You don’t get what it’s like to be a teenager nowadays.

That’s just ridiculous. I went to interrupt her again, but she stopped me by holding up her hand. Emmaline, one of these days you will have to become a mature adult and take responsibility.

Don’t you think that’s what I’m trying to do?

I didn’t wait for a reply as I grabbed my backpack and left the house, the side door slamming behind me. I stopped on the brick stairs and wiped my eyes. Emerys couldn’t see me like this. I wouldn’t be weak or show signs of weakness in front of him. I couldn’t. Besides that, I really needed to get to school. Emerys was already ticked that I wasn’t going fast enough for him.

Chapter Two

What was that about? Emerys interrogated me as soon as I got into the car. I didn’t ignore him, but I didn’t answer with words either. Instead, I shook my head as I put my hands on the steering wheel. Ev?

I let out a sigh and looked over at him. Here he was, my little brother, taking care of me. Wasn’t I supposed to be the one taking care of him? Wasn’t I supposed to be the one that asked him if he was okay and to tell him that everything would be okay? Instead, I have overbearing parents that won’t let me do the things I want.

Looking up at the house before I left, I took one good look at it. It was beautifully built with bricks and white shutters on the windows. It was three stories high and I could see the front door made of glass as it stood smack in the center of the first story. I knew behind that door led to the living room and the main set of stairs. The couches were to the left of the door and my parents’ room was behind the stairs. The kitchen was to the right of the front door. It wasn’t like it was all big and fancy, but it was still nice. It was home. Could I really leave them all next year?

Ev? my brother was still trying to get my attention. Are we ready? Mom’s creeping me out by staring out the window.

Looking at the big window that was in the living room, sure enough, my mom stood with her arms crossed, her straight blonde hair falling perfectly into place, and her icy blue eyes glaring at me. I didn’t want to take any more of it though, so I started the car and began to drive away.

About this morning... Emerys began, but I cut him off.

It’s nothing, I lied.

I know mom and dad don’t want you to go to Italy, but I think it would be good for you. Don’t worry about leaving me here with her. I’ll be fine. You go and enjoy yourself, okay?

I was taken aback. Never had my brother ever thought about saying something as nice as that to me. I smiled, taking in his words and repeated them in my head.

Thanks, I replied. It really means a lot to me that you think that.

You’re a good artist. You deserve the shot.

You really think I can make it there?

He let out one of his geeky laughs that was mainly blowing air out of his nose and a squeaky sound that followed, but then he spoke.

Yeah, he admitted while looking forward. I think you can make it anywhere, but when you become a famous artist...

I glanced over quickly before turning back to the road just in time to lightly press on the brakes to stop at a red light.

Go on, I prodded.

When you become a famous artist... remember that I want a huge house and a fancy car to drive, something like a 2014 pourche, okay?

That made me laugh out loud and he followed suit.

You know, Em... We might night always get along, but when we do, you always know how to cheer me up.

What did I say about calling me Em? It feels like a girl’s name. Anyway, I can stop being nice now that you’re in a happier mood. Are we almost at school? I have people to see...

He carried on, but I rolled my eyes and ignored him. It was so typical of him to turn such a sentimental moment into something comical or something he pretended that he didn’t care about. I knew that if I went away, he would miss me. He wouldn’t be able to show how much he missed me, but he would miss me. Emerys and I had a strong relationship. We were always there for each other and could tell each other everything, no matter what.

Carefully, I pulled into Hamilton High School’s parking lot and parked my 1995 Geo Prizm into one of the spaces. Yeah, there were better cars out there, but honestly, my Prizm got good gas mileage, so I never saw the need to exchange it to anything else. It was that and the fact that it was built like a tank, able to withstand just about anything... except... getting ran over by an actual tank.

Thanks! Emerys shouted as he quickly got out of the car the second I pulled into the parking space. He left me alone to get my things out of the backseat where I threw them without realizing it and walk to the building.

I took a deep breath before I made any move. The days where mom and I argued were always the hardest. Those days dragged on forever and there was nothing anyone could do to change it. At least now I knew why today felt different than all the other days. It would be hard, not to mention that I had an AP Calculus test today. How would I be able to concentrate?

I shook my head, trying to clear it. I could see some of my friends already gathering at the front of the building. We had about forty minutes before the first bell rang, but we usually all hung out and gossiped until then.

The first friend I saw was Emily Hardin. She was tall, brunette, and extremely thin. Her breasts weren’t small, but they weren’t big either. Probably not important, but she liked shirts that showed them off. It was just how she was. Rumor was that she had daddy issues.

The second girl there was Leeann Daniels. She had straight blonde hair that I was always so jealous of. It always fell into place whenever she turned or flipped it around. She had green eyes and thick black glasses. She was more like my brother and loved to wear band shirts. Today she was sporting on of Evanescence. I had to admit that I loved that band too.

The first guy there, Seth Richards, was a geek, but he was amazing too. He loved all the right things like Harry Potter, different bands, The Hunger Games, Doctor Who, and so much more. He loved math and was always available for tutoring, which came in handy for my boyfriend, Andrew. His long, black hair was always hanging in his face as if to hide from the world. He was always hanging out with Andrew. Andrew was kind like that. He wasn’t like other jocks.

Andrew was muscular. He had short blonde hair and brown eyes. He could always be seen wearing different jersey shirts of different colors. They weren’t sport jersey shirts, but just the thin jersey fabric. Underneath of the shirt I knew he was sporting a six pack of abs. He soon caught sight of my car and me and waved. Everyone else followed suit and I knew there was no turning back today, even if the thought of heading home since my mom had already left for work crossed my mind.

Grabbing my bag, I left the car and locked all the doors, closing mine behind me. I slung the bag over my shoulders and checked the powder blue watch I had on my slender wrist. Thirty minutes before the bell.

Em! Leeann shouted! She was bouncing up and down with excitement, just bursting to tell me something.

He, LA, I used her nickname we gave her. Emily came over and gave me a tight squeeze and then it was my boyfriend’s turn to press his lips against mine quickly.

Hey, Emmaline. He liked using my full name, even though he knew it bothered me. Bad morning?

I leaned up against him after Emily let me go.

Clearly mom was at it again.

Really? Why can’t the woman just let you go where you want to go? he asked me. I shrugged, not knowing what to say. It was something I didn’t know the answer to.

It doesn’t matter, I told him. I’ll be eighteen soon and I’ll be graduating this year too. It’ll be okay.

I have no doubt in my mind that it’ll all work out for you, babe, he whispered against my ear. I smiled as he placed a kiss on my neck.

Can’t you two get a room? Seth questioned as he made