A Shade of Halloween

  “May, Ryan will have red wine.” Ros stated.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Because you made the no special abilities rule.” He replied.

  “How is drinking a special ability?” I asked in frustration. “I’m hungry!”

  “Well, too bad. You said to be completely human on the trip. Humans don’t drink blood.” He replied, gulping down his glass of blood slowly.

  I swallowed, trying really hard to suppress my craving and anger at the same time. My eyes were fixed on the glass of blood Ros was slowly torturing me with.

  “Come on, Ry. Wait it out. It’ll only be a few hours before this trip is officially over.” Ros smirked.

  He lifted his glass to his lips one more time and took another slow, deliberate sip. I watched the liquid flow from the glass into his mouth, my craving growing in leaps as each drop rolled off the tip of the glass.

  “Listen, Ros. You’re being ridiculous. The vacation is over. It’s been cut short and I can drink. Besides you’re drinking. Aren’t you supposed to follow the rules too?” I asked.

  “No. We’re still at the Heavenly Calabasas, aren’t we?” He asked.

  “So why the hell are you drinking?” I yelled a little louder than I should have.

  “Because I didn’t make the damn rule!” Ros retorted.

  “You know what? I’m done with this conversation. This vacation is officially over, now give me that glass, May.” I spat.

  May looked to Ros who shook his head, signaling her not to. At this point, I had taken just about enough. His argument was ridiculous. I needed a drink and I sure as hell was going to get one.

  “You can have mine.” Trina offered, noticing my annoyance. “My glass is still half full.”

  “Thanks, Trina but you can drink yours. I want mine.” I replied.

  “Give me that glass right now!” I ordered May, turning my eyes red to show just how pissed I was.

  May gave the glass over, turning around and muttering the word ‘jerk’ to herself. It was obvious why she got along with Ros. They were both annoying little freaks. What on earth made her think I was the jerk in this situation?

  “Your knight in shining armor is a bigger jerk.” I snapped.

  I only said that to annoy her. I never expected her to go all crazy on me. Before I could move the glass of blood to my lips, she slammed into me, causing the glass to fall off my hands and shatter. I was so furious I didn’t even think about it. My hands wrapped around her neck and snapped it before I could catch myself. Selena’s scream forced my eyes to return to their normal green color and I regretted my actions almost immediately. I turned to her and caught a hint of disappointment in her eyes, upsetting me even further. How could she get upset with me when they clearly pissed me off? What was I supposed to do when they were getting on my last nerve?

  “Strap in, guys. We’ll be taking off in 5... 4...”

  “Let me out!” I yelled at Ros who had a satisfied smirk on his face.

  “Now, why would I do that? So you can prey on those innocent humans outside?” He asked, sarcastically.

  “Since when did they become innocent to you?” I yelled.

  I activated my enhanced speed and launched myself at him. A series of punches, kicks and angry screams followed, turning our disagreement into a pretty intense scene.

  “...3... 2... 1.” The pilot’s voice completed the count.

  The plane lifted off the ground, sending me crashing off to a corner.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Selena’s POV

  The plane took off, sweeping Ryan to a corner. His fall looked painful and I immediately felt sorry for him. Maybe I should have stopped their fight earlier but the transition happened pretty quickly.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, sitting up on my chair.

  Trina immediately unbuckled her seat belt and rushed to help him up.

  “I’m fine.” He replied, turning around to glare at Ros who had a smirk on his face.

  He began walking towards Ros again but Trina held him back.

  “I think that’s enough, you two.” She chided.

  “He attacked me!” Ros protested, raising his hands into the air defensively.

  “Whatever, Ros. You started it.” I stated. “Besides, this is not the time to fight. We have a real problem on our hands. Someone warned me about an evil force that I had to stop right before the event at the resort happened.”

  “That sounds like you have a problem. No one came to me.” Ros grinned.

  “I’m serious!” I snapped.

  “Fine.” He replied. “What’s this evil and how do we stop it?”

  “I don’t know. She was still talking when Trina knocked and she literally disappeared.”

  “Okay. Do you know how to contact her? Perhaps an innate feeling telling you how just like the way you know your spells?” He asked.

  “No. I don’t feel anything inside that points me to her.” I replied.

  “She’ll probably contact you again because what we saw at the manager’s office was pretty serious.” Ryan stated.

  “I hope she does.” I replied.

  “So, what are you girls going to do when we get back?” Ros asked, changing the topic.

  “I’ll like to go see my family. I think I’ve put it off enough.” Trina replied.

  “I don’t know, really.” I replied.

  “Will you like another drink, Ros?” May asked, after snapping her neck back into place and getting off the floor.

  Ros waved her off with his hand and I almost snickered out loud. Wasn’t it obvious we were having a discussion that didn’t involve her? Could she exist for five minutes without saying something to Ros?

  “I think you should go back to college, Selena. Both of you, really. Forever is a long time and you’ll need something to reminisce about. Besides, college is fun and you’ll have tons of memorable times there.” Ros stated.

  “I don’t know if I want to go back.” I replied. “I pretty much took off after my mum’s death. So did Trina. They should have removed us from the program by now.”

  “Well, that’s why you have us. We’ll compel you back in.” Ros grinned.

  “You know what? Just stop!” Ryan yelled from his seat. “She doesn’t need you to do anything for her. I’ll compel her back into college.”

  “Take a chill pill, brother. I said we’ll do it. Besides, Trina can do it herself.” Ros replied. “Okay, let me guess what this is. Someone’s sulking because I whipped his butt!”

  “You didn’t! The plane took off and I fell!” Ryan yelled.

  “Guys, I haven’t even agreed to go back yet. Don’t make it something to argue about.” I interjected.

  “I’m not arguing. I was having a civil conversation until Ry here decided to butt in. If you wanted her back in college, why didn’t you suggest it? Let me guess. You were too busy sulking over the fact that I whipped your butt.” Ros grinned.

  “You did not whip my butt!” Ryan yelled, his eyes turning red for the second time on the plane.

  “Whatever, brother! Everyone saw you careening across the floor like a ball.”

  Ryan charged off his seat, ripping his seat belt off in the process. I held my hand out and stopped him from moving. I was done with the fighting. They needed to learn how to talk things over instead of exchanging punches every time they disagreed on something.

  “Ros, stop talking. You’re upsetting him.” I stated.

  “I’m just playing with him. Did I hurt your feelings, baby Ry?” Ros teased.

  “Ros, I said stop talking.” I reiterated.

  “Like he’ll listen.” Ryan scoffed.

  “You too, Ryan. I’m sorry, but this needs to be resolved.” I replied.

  They both turned to me as I addressed them, showing areas where they could have avoided the fight from both ends. When I was done, I let go of the force holding Ryan in place.

  “Okay, Ry. I’m sorry. In exchange for a peace treaty, I’m offering you
two glasses of your favorite drink.” Ros smiled.

  “Whatever!” Ryan scoffed, earning himself a glare from me and Trina.

  “Fine.” He replied. “I’ll take the drinks.”

  Ryan had barely finished drinking when the pilot announced our final descent. Everything went pretty smoothly until we landed. We moved our luggage into the waiting car and drove out of the airport.

  “You guys want to come home with me?” Trina asked on the way.

  “Sure.” I replied, not needing to think about it.

  She’d been there for me through it all, giving up her chance to go home just so she could come on the trip with me. It was my turn to return the favor.

  Ros stopped the car across the street from Trina’s house and we were all in shock at the frenzy going on out there. A number of police cars were parked outside, giving off their characteristic red and blue lights. A small number of reporters spoke into microphones held in front of cameras, and a small crowd of what I suspected to be neighbors gathered some distance from the house. We got out of the car and ran after Trina as she raced towards the house.

  “Mum! Dad!” She yelled.

  One of the uniformed men stopped her and when she identified herself, he let her through.

  “I’m sorry, but you all can’t go in there.” The man told us with a sad face.

  “What happened here?” Ryan inquired.

  “It’s pretty unexplainable at the moment but once we know for sure, we’ll...”

  “That’s my best friend!” I stated as calmly as I could manage, interrupting the policeman. “At least let us know what’s going on in there.”

  “I understand ma’am, but you need to calm down.” He replied. “You’re going to think I’m crazy if I just tell you without proof.”

  “Officer, we understand your concern. We’re like family to Trina. We need to know.” Ros interjected.

  “A frantic neighbor reported an impossible event. We’re currently investigating.” He replied.

  “What event?” I asked.

  “According to the neighbor, she was having dinner with the Bayles and half way through, black hands appeared from nowhere. They grabbed every member of the Bayle family while she passed out from shock. Another neighbor heard her scream and called the police. By the time we got here, we were able to revive the lady and she gave us a statement. We have no proof of the said hands and no one else...”

  “A similar event happened at The Heavenly Calabasas. It’s the reason they shut down. You can verify that because they caught the incident on camera. The neighbor isn’t crazy. Something weird is going on.” Ros interrupted him.

  The policeman looked at us like we were crazy for a brief second. He pulled out a notepad and pen from his pocket and scribbled something down. My attention was drawn away from him when Trina raced back out of the front door with blood falling down her cheeks. I ran to console her but she activated her enhanced speed and ran even faster.

  “No!” I yelled after her but it was too late.

  Her enhanced speed had surely been captured on camera because there were reporters there. In that moment, I had to make a decision. I barely had time to think because all I could think of was how hurt Trina felt. I created a replica of myself right in front of her new location and hugged her.

  “It’s okay, Trina. Please. Stop and just talk to me.” I tried to console her.

  In the distance, I saw reporters running towards us with their cameras. Ryan and Ros activated their enhanced speed and picked us up in their arms. They raced out of the arena, leaving behind stunned witnesses and multiple camera flashes.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Selena’s POV

  We all sat in Ros’s living room with solemn faces and broken hearts. Trina continued to ball her eyes out, sending droplets of red down her cheeks and onto her clothes. I held her in my arms, saying all the soothing words I could think of, without getting much success. I understood the way she felt. When a person had to deal with that much grief, there was little or nothing anyone else could do about it.

  “They... took my... family.” Trina hiccupped the words out of her mouth, her body shuddering and her eyes pouring out more red droplets than I had ever seen her shed.

  It was the first time she had spoken since the incident at her house and her words completely shattered my heart. Tears made their way out of my eyes and I could see the boys were struggling to keep theirs in.

  “Trina, whoever or whatever did this is going to pay. We’re going to find them and we’re going to make sure they get what they deserve.” Ros said with clenched fists.

  It was obvious he was just as hurt as everyone else in the room, except Trina. I couldn’t describe how devastated she was. She continued to wail and hiccup, pouring rivers of red down her cheeks. She looked like she was drowning – drowning in grief, pain and immeasurable anguish.

  “I just... want... my family... back.” Trina cried. “Please... Just bring... them back.”

  Ros and Ryan wrapped their hands around us. I looked up at their faces and broke even more. Seeing the boys cry for the first time touched me deeply. While it was surprising to see Ryan cry, it was almost unbelievable to see Ros shed those red droplets.  

  “I always knew he had a heart deep inside.”

  We allowed each other the time to grieve. Several minutes passed but it felt like no time at all. We just held each other in a group hug, belting out our frustration in blood and tears.

  “If I had acted faster after the warning, maybe I would have been able to stop this.” I spoke up, breaking off the group and wiping my tears with the back of my palm.

  “Selena, stop. This isn’t your fault.” Ryan stated, wiping his tears as well.

  “It is! I should have taken the warning more seriously.”

  “Selena, this is not the time to break. Trina needs you!” Ros stated firmly.

  I turned around and walked away from the group.

  “Selena, stop right there!” Ros snapped. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “Out to find whatever did this!” I balled my hands into fists beside me.

  “You have no clue where to find them! Besides, you can’t go out just yet. Don’t forget we used our abilities in public. They have it on camera. They’re probably out there looking for us right now.” Ros controlled the tone of his voice before continuing. “I know how hurt you feel. We’re all hurt. Just stay here and we’ll come up with a plan together.”

  “We need to act fast.” Trina said, suddenly wiping the blood off her cheeks and getting up from the sofa. “They might not have much time. We need to get to them. We need to save them.”

  I understood that if there was a chance the victims were still alive then time was of the essence. We needed to act as quickly as possible if we had any chance of getting them back.

  “I’ve wasted enough time crying.” Trina continued. “They don’t want me to cry. They need me to get them... They...”

  She crumpled to the ground and let out even more violent sobs. Her body trembled from the grief that shook her. I rushed to her and held her again, rubbing my palm up and down her back.

  “Shh.” I pleaded. “You’re going to be okay. We’re going to do all we can to find them.”

  “We need to assess the damage and start acting. All major news channels should have our abilities splashed across people’s screens by now.” Ryan stated, getting up and turning the TV on.

  I didn’t know what he wanted to assess. It was pretty obvious our cover had been blown. I could have thought of the repercussions but I really didn’t care. All I cared about was Trina and whatever I needed to do to get her family back.

  The TV came on and the first thing I saw splashed across the screen were the words, “Breaking News!”. This really didn’t come as a surprise to me. What surprised me however, were the words of the president who was on air, giving what sounded like a national address.

  “The world is at a standstill as humanity
experiences what we now believe is our first alien attack since the beginning of life here on earth. Several people have been reported ‘taken’ by these alien attackers and at this moment, their reason for attacking us remains unclear. Surveillance tapes from around the world show hands darker than the night sky snatching up innocent people and pulling them through what we believe to be portals, into thin air. There has been no particular distinction in the victims of interest as men, women and children have been ‘taken’. This is till date the biggest threat we’ve faced as a species but as with all challenges we’ve faced before this one, I say we stand up and fight. I understand this might sound unreasonable right now especially because these aliens do not come at us with weapons or anything we understand, but fighting back is our only shot. Intelligence agencies here in the US and around the world are coming together to analyze the information we have on these creatures. We also believe might have a silver lining in this dark time. A young girl named Trina Bayle was reported missing by her family three days ago. She showed up at their home with a couple of other friends on the day of the massive alien attack. While her entire family was ‘taken’ on that day, we have reason to believe Trina and her friends were ‘taken’ by these aliens before that date. They must have found a way to escape these aliens because they exhibited some unbelievable abilities as captured by the different video footages from reporters at the Bayle residence that day. We believe Trina and her friends have answers and abilities that may be our biggest fighting chance in this attack. If you can hear me, Trina please come to us. The world needs you. We need to spring into action as quickly as we can, to form a formidable defense before these aliens return. So far, five hundred people have been reported ‘taken’ from different parts of the world. A staggering two hundred and fifty-six of them are American citizens. We cannot afford to lose more people. As such, we request your prayers and vigilance in this trying time. If you have any information that can help us stop the aliens or find Trina and her friends, please call the emergency number, 911. We urge you to remain watchful as we relentlessly search for the answers we desperately need.”

  The news channel cut back to the studio reporter after the president’s speech ended.