Bleeding Rose

1. Family time
St Valentino high school, South coast of Virginia USA, proud gifted school for the advanced growing minds of the state. Together we will mould the children of a new brighter generation. We will strive as one to enlighten and instruct the geniuses of tomorrow. My eyes skimmed over the poster on the wall as I looked at the old silver clock. The luminescent colours of the active brain that dominated the poster as caught my eye as I checked the time. It was 12:15 pm July 10th I groaned internally, I still had 45 minutes to wait before the bell would ring for lunch. Mrs Burke stood at the front of the class as she explained the steps of analysis for our next English task.
“Use a wide variety of analysis and comparative techniques to explore the texts and collate your analysis in an unbiased evaluation.” We were tasked with analysing and comparing two articles both on the same leading story, each one taking on an opposite side of the argument. The broadsheet “News Daily” was dedicated to sophistication and relaying the article as it is and taking the side of logic. While on the other hand there was the tabloid “ Valentino Daily”. I’d advise you skip pages 2-5 if you are under the age of 18. But in this instance both papers offered an article of the same topic.
Recently there was a case in Seattle where gang wars were wreaking havoc for the peace of the city streets. Police were just under the impression that it was a turf violation; the main drift of the articles is, whether the police are doing the right thing. I replayed Mrs Burke’s lecture in my head as I gazed sleepily at her, she had such a monotonous voice that I could see in my peripheral vision how Antony’s head jerked back and forward, then swayed as she continued. I smiled and let my eyes wonder around the familiar room, Danny Gargonza was third seat from the front, and his head was tilted to the left resting on his right hand, obviously staring at Mary Carmike.

She had been the point of his growing fascination ever since she offered to help him with his geography homework at the beginning of the year. I shook my head wondering how long it could possibly take for someone to build up the courage to talk to the girl of his dreams. I sighed and continued to rove the classroom. Somewhere in the distant part of my brain I felt my consciousness ebbing away. Mrs Burks’ droning suddenly became louder and my eyes felt very heavy. I drifted off staring at the back of Matthew’s head deep memories driven up at the reminder of his name. Memories I’d prefer to forget…

The lunch bell rang and everyone stormed out of the classroom, I was in 4th grade Valentino junior high for gifted and talented children. I was always ahead for my age, 9 at the time. Matthew and I were the same, almost like two parts of one entity we started school at the same time and have been inseparable ever since. He was waiting for me at the door onto the playground as I packed up my new Nike sports backpack. A gift from my dad he had brought it back from his last business trip. I zipped it up and walked toward the door. Matthew shook his head at me and smiled a very toothy grin. “Why do you always take so long? All the good food in the lunch hall will be gone if we don’t hurry up!” I smiled and we ran to catch up to Ernie, Zack and Callum. When we finally caught up they were saving places for us in the lunch queue. As the two of us stepped into the line I heard a pesky nagging voice behind us leer,
“Hey, you are not allowed to push in the line. I’m going to tell the lunch lady what you did.” It was Larisa Maconroy I smirked, and nudged Matthew in the arm; he spun round and smiled slyly.
“Just because you are not best in the class anymore, you are just jealous and want some attention.” He said in an imitation of her sour voice. She spluttered and tears welled up behind her glasses. Matthew laughed and we both turned around chortling. We got our lunch and walked around the hall looking for an empty table, there was one free near the back door. Ernie and Zack slipped in first then Callum took the head of the table. Matthew and I sat opposite Zack and Callum. We ate our meal in silence; all of us enjoying the new menu. Zack had a chicken, lettuce and mayo bagel with a mineral water, Ernie; a slice of Hawaiian pizza and a coke, Callum had a tuna sandwich, chocolate muffin with a milk carton. Matthew and I had the same; pepper steak pie and chips, with a small chocolate Swiss roll and lemonade. I scanned the lunch room and found Chris, my older brother surrounded by a group of his friends. He caught my gaze and grinned I gave him the thumbs up.
Once we had finished our meal we took our trays back to the trolleys and made our way outside to the playground. Zack and Ernie were talking animatedly about a new PlayStation game.
“Did you see the graphics?” said Zack
“Yeah, I know it was so much better than War Heads 3.” answered Ernie
“What are you guys talking about?” Callum chirped in, he had always been inquisitive and wanted to join in with the conversation. Matthew looked only mildly interested he cupped his hand over his eyes to stop the glare of the sun as we walked toward the lawn, away from the courtyard where some seniors were playing basketball.
“It’s called ‘Total Overdose’” Zack said “It’s this Mexican spy game. It is so cool.” He exclaimed.
“Yeah,” Ernie agreed “I played it till 12’o clock last night.” He chirped excitedly.
“So that’s why you fell asleep in Howard’s lesson?” I said. “I was wondering, because you said Chemistry was your favourite subject.” We all laughed because in fact it was his least favourite subject, because Roxanne kept surpassing him in every test. Ernie blushed scarlet. Matthew came to his aid,
“To be honest I don’t know what the big deal is all about? I mean I finished that game in three hours.” Zack shot him a scathing look. Matthew was and always will be by far the best gamer in our group. Something that Zack could only dream of becoming. He continued with Ernie who had returned back to his pale pallid complexion.
“What level did you get to?” Zack asked
“I got to the level of the festival day of the dead.” Ernie answered relieved for the change of subject. Callum started, as if he had just remembered something exciting.
“Hey you guys guess what. Last night I watched this really scary movie. It’s called ‘Night of the Living Dead’. It’s about Zombies and werewolves and vampires!” the other three moved closer to Callum but I backed away, there was a strange dryness in my throat. Like I was dehydrated, I turned around I thought of heading to the water fountain when Callum’s words reached me.

“Yeah, it was so cool. They were killing everybody; there was blood everywhere…” his voice cut off sharply, my ears were ringing with the same word. “Blood… blood…blood!” There was no time for the water fountain; I ducked behind the big, blue bins and clutched my throat. My mouth was on fire, my teeth felt like they were being ripped out. As I moved my tongue forward, I felt a sharp pain as if something had pierced my tongue. I raised my shaking hand to my mouth and felt that four of my teeth had elongated and curved into sharp deadly fangs like the fangs of a snake: thin, but powerful. I heard a distant voice, someone calling my name. He came around the side of the dumpster and was mid-sentence when he spotted me, crouched on the floor my hands covering my mouth.
“Hey are you alright?” he said and as he spoke, I looked up at Matthew, I saw his open neck. The blood rushing by and, for a moment, I lost myself to the crazed monster within. I pounced, like a jungle cat with him as my prey. Everything was moving in slow motion. I was airborne, and we slammed against the dumpster. I snarled like a monster, my fists clenched one over his mouth to stop him screaming and the other gripped his shoulder. My head lowered over the nape of his neck, I could smell the sweet smell of his blood inches away; that substance rushing under his thin layer of skin was the thing that would quench my aching thirst. Closer still, I moved ready to suck the life out of my prey. I jerked and stopped my teeth gazing his neck, I froze in the act of harming my best friend. Horrified, I retracted my fangs and slowly, I pulled away from his exposed neck. His eyes were shut and his body was limp….

“Raziel… Raziel… Raziel Andrews, would you please pay attention!”
I jerked, abruptly returning to reality. I swiftly lifted my head off my hot desk and looked bleary eyed at Mrs Burke.
“Huh? What?” I said dazed. The whole class was staring at me, Ernie and Zack shock with silent hysterics. Callum was blinking too, obviously he had also just returned to reality as I had. Matthew looked reproachful and Mrs Burke looked murderous.
“So sorry for disturbing your little nap, Mr Andrews,” She spat. “But if you’d be so kind answer me this question, to show the class that you really deserve to be in this academy. ‘In your opinion, what is the most dominant factor discussed in both articles?’” She looked at me cynically, clearly expecting me to fail at answering the question.
“Err…” I stammered and Ernie and Zack relapsed into more fits of silent laughter. Mrs. Burke looked triumphant. I heaved a deep breath, regained my relapsed train of thought and continued.
“The most dominant factor discussed is the police and government’s negligence in dealing with the continuing gang wars. Also, their unwillingness to take action before the problem is driven to extremes, this being the crisis we are in. Both articles mention this to some extent and also, both are seen discussing it in-depth. Highlighting on not only one but both sides of the argument, this therefore leaves the reader unable to discern which side the article is really supporting. Leaving us with two gaping questions: ‘Is the government doing the right thing now, and why haven’t they done anything about the problem before?’”

I finished my answer calmly and continued to gaze at Mrs. Burk, enjoying her reaction eminently, the shock in the air was tangible and there was a loaded silence that filled the room after my answer. Mrs Burke recovered eventually.
“Well, Raziel your answer was well phrased and concise, but in future, it would be better if you would actually pay attention in lessons.” She then turned her gaze away from me and addressed the class.
“Please, can you all write your own answer to that previous question and no one is allowed to use the answer Raziel has given, even if the wording is rearranged. I will know because I am taking you books in for marking over the midterm break.” There was a general moan as everyone turned around and began to write their answers.
I looked up at the old silver clock and was surprised by how much time had elapsed. It was now 12:50 only 10 minutes left till the lunch bell would ring. The after math of the dream was still fresh in my mind. I could feel the light sheet of sweat on my forehead and the back of my neck. Every so often I felt a cold shiver as I remembered the details of the memory. I bent my head low over my book in front of me as I scribbled down my answer. My mind however was returning back to that day almost 5 years ago.

Matthew was still stony faced when we began to return to our group of friends. Susan Aker saw us emerging from behind the dumpster and came hurrying over to us half way to Callum and the rest. She gave Matthew a concerned look and then directed a question at me.
“Raziel? What did you do to Matthew? He looks horrible.” She asked concern lighting her face as she looked again at Matthew. I fumed.
“And why would I have done anything to him? He is my friend after all why would I want to hurt him?” I snapped defensively. She looked taken aback at my tone and instead looked at Matthew; her voice was softer as she addressed him.
“Matthew, what happened?” he looked at her and smiled a weak smile.
“Nothing happened, don’t worry I just slipped on a banana peel and hit my head. Raziel helped me that’s all.” I squirmed internally as the guilt enveloped me. It was a sign of the bond between us that he still defended me even though I had attacked him.

I pulled myself back from those painful recollections, another five minutes had elapsed. And as I sat watching the clock after finishing my task I dwelled on the promise I made that day. A vow that I would do all within my power not to embrace the monster within me, that I would not see my fellow human beings as a food source. They are not my pray, I am not a beast, I wouldn’t be.
Zack, Ernie, Callum, Matthew and I all went to sit on our usual table near the backdoor. It felt oddly of de’javu, although it was probably just the relapse of the dream I had in class. In truth, there was a noticeable difference between the boys who had once occupied these chairs almost 5 years ago. Zack, Callum, Matthew and I had all shot up during the summer of our 7th grade. Ernie was the late bloomer only catching us up in height around our high school freshmen year now in the first semester of our Junior year we all varied in height from 4ft6 to 5ft8, Matthew being the tallest and Callum the shortest. Zack, Ernie and I all three stuck at 5ft 6. Zack had a gold honey toned skin that had darkened over the summer. His dark brown hair was cropped and he had a long rat tail leading off to the back of his neck- this was a recant development which his mother couldn’t stand for. Apparently she had snuck into his room as he was listening to music and tried to cut it off, and it was a close shave according to his telling. Ernie on Zack’s left was dark skinned, almost black with thick black dreadlocks hanging to just over his shoulders. He could have easily passed for a true Jamaican. He idolised Bob Marley. At the head of the table sat Callum, he had an afro of shockingly ginger hair. And his green eyes were bright and quick. His voice was slightly higher pitched than the rest of ours; he was frequently the subject of one of our most favourite taunts. I smiled and shook my head; Matthew who was sitting next to me turned to face me. Behind his small square glasses he had dove grey eyes. He was olive toned and had black messy hair that most of the time looked like he’d come to school with bed head. He had a small gold stud in his left ear- he’d got it in the second semester of our freshmen year. He and Callum had made a bet that Matthew wouldn’t have been man enough to have the piercing done. Well the stud was solid evidence that he’d won the bet, and Callum had gone home with his savings greatly depleted.
“What are you laughing at Raz?” Matthew asked.
“Oh just remembering the good old days.” I answered with a grin. Matthew frowned and shook his head.
“Man you make us sounds so old.” He was grinning back now,
“Well my young lad, we are in the prime of our youth why should we stay here in this abysmal purgatory where our talents could be put to the test in the wide world of wonder?” I answered dramatically, he laughed and wiped his hand across his forehead.
“Mrs Anne will be happy to see that you’ve studied your character for drama so well Raz.”
“Well at least Mr Arnold White is not a helium filled ginger midget, or you should have taken a leaf out of Callum’s book.” Chortled Zack, - Callum flushed, for the joker of the group he didn’t take to well to jokes made about him. All around the table we laughed as Callum grew a deeper shade of red.
“Hey you guys said you wouldn’t call me that anymore.” Callum mumbled, Ernie sighed and stopped laughing first.
“Come on Cal it’s just a joke stop sounding like such a girl.” Ernie said trying to stop himself from laughing again. Callum buried himself in his hands and we all finished the remains of our lunch. Just then Mr Burry walked passed our table with some new students. There were five of them, two guys and three girls. Zack looked up as they passed and smaned. He leant close to us and whispered.
“Hey take a look and the newbies… that one in glasses should be a perfect match for Callum. Then we would have the world’s best mini leprechaun couple.” He broke off in a tirade of laughter. We all joined in except for Callum who hastily stood up from the table and walked across the lunch room to deposit his tray in the conveyer belt to the kitchen.

The rest of us followed on after him and dropped off our trays then made our way back out of the lunch hall to the field behind the school. We gave Callum a wide berth to calm down before we caught up to him near the outside basked ball court. Zack withdrew from his bag the basketball I’d got him for his 13th birthday. It was now browning with age. He threw it at Callum who caught it at the last moment scowling back at Zack.
“Oh come on man…” Matthew called at Callum, “Are you going to sulk forever? Just get over it already. Here let’s play some hoops.” This finial put a slight smile back on his face. Even being the shortest he was also the quickest and best dribbler, we all threw our bags to the side and began to play. It was always the same teams, even with an odd number of players there was no disadvantaged side. Team A Callum best dribbler, and Zack best defender and second best shooter. Team B Ernie best attacker and me the best shooter, Matthew was the tallest so he was best at defending the hoop from long high throws. Once we started there was no stopping us, my team was up by two points when Callum managed a terrific three point shot, dodging both Ernie and Matthew just as bell rang across the field. We all gathered up our bags and left heading back toward the school.
“Raz what lesson do we have now?” asked Ernie
“PE, with Mr Henders.” I answered. Zack and Matthew groaned.
“Erg that means we have Maths with Wilks…and I forgot to do my homework!” Zack exclaimed. “Do you think she’ll go easy on me because it’s the last day of the semester?”
“Not a chance.” The rest of us answered. Then suddenly there was a light glint in his eye as he looked at Matthew.
“Say Matthew you’re good at math…” Zack started
“Forget it.” Matthew cut him off.
“Aww come on its just homework, only give me that answers please.” Zack begged.
“No.” Matthew said “And anyway she’ll know if you only have the answers without the method. I told you last time you are not copying my work again.”
“Damn it if I get detention on the last day of the semester it will be on your conscious.” Zack warned.
Chortling we went our separate ways. Zack sulking with Matthew to the maths department on the east side of the school, while Callum Ernie and I headed to the west for the gym.

An hour and a half later; Ernie, Callum and I left the changing rooms in the gym and headed toward the school courtyard to meet up with Zack and Matthew. Callum and I had tried of no of ale to surpass Ernie in the tennis matches set up by Coach Martin in the last PE lesson. Being junior champion of the Valentino state area held him as the strongest player in the school and now still he clutched on to his famed title.
Halfway across the courtyard we met Matthew and Zack, Zack looking stony faced.
“I take it Mrs Wilks wasn’t too pleased at you not doing your homework.” I said, Matthew laughed a short bark of a laugh and Zack flushed.
“Couldn’t you have gone easy on him just this once?” I asked while trying not to laugh as Zack grew steadily redder. Matthew grinned a truly evil grin.
“Nope. He should at least suffer the consequences of his own stupidity.” He said confidently.
“Thanks for the life lesson ‘Dad’” Zack spat at Matthew scowling mutinously. “This was one of those lessons I’d love not to have learnt on the last day of the semester. You know what? She’d given me extra, homework thanks to you.”
Zack was still fuming when we walked to the car park, muttering curses and constantly damming his maths teacher as well as the rest of the world.
“Zack how are you getting outta here?” I called after him, he turned and answers me briskly.
“My mum just passed her driver’s licence and dad bought her a Toyota convertible.” He turned his head and spotted his mother Sarah in her new shiny silver car.
“And there she is. Catch you guys later.” We said good bye to Zack and Callum who were soon to follow. Ernie left in his brothers CRV ten minutes later. Then it was only Matthew and I left waiting. Matthew and his sister Harriet were getting a lift from My brother Chris. He and Harriet had been dating for two years now. Matthew and I had just been discussing our holiday plans when Chris appeared across the courtyard; leading Harriet as they walked leisurely toward us. Their intertwined hands swung slowly between them as they walked. Matthew looked away from them and groaned.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing…” he answered, he shook his head and his eye fell to the ground. He answered me then, speaking to the floor.
“It’s nothing…it’s just that well it’s kinda weird to have my sister dating your brother.” He stopped short and looked up at me with apologetic eyes. “I don’t mean there’s anything wrong with your brother, but you know” he finished weakly. I shrugged.
“Yeah it’s weird but if you think about it if they continue like this we could become brothers in the near future.” He scoffed at my hopeful tone.
“Yeah I’m sure she won’t mind being the bride of Dracula. On their wedding day let’s just cover Chris in glitter and baby powder, it will be a dream come true for her.” We laughed.
“I’m sure he’ll make it just Fangtastic… literally.”
“I take it she’s a ‘twilight’ fan?” I asked between renewed laughter.
“Yeah, wouldn’t she be thrilled if she knew that she really did have a vampire boyfriend?” he said. Of all my friends only Matthew knew my secret. A few weeks after the incident where I almost attacked him and the guilt I felt became overwhelming. On Friday before the Independence Day weekend I told him what I was. At first he was horrified; I was worried he would never be able to forgive me that I would lose my best friend. When I left his house I had no hope of ever seeing Matthew as my friend again. Yet here we stood, he’d come to me the following Monday at school and said he didn’t care what I was because I still was the same me. To be honest that was one of the greatest moments of my life.
Matthew sighed and I looked up at him.
“Matt, what’s up?” I asked
He sighed again and answered morosely. “Nothing, I’m just thinking about what it’s going to be like with them in the car…” his question trailed off because his sentence in its self was self-explanatory. Chris and Harriet mushy together- I shivered internally-disgusting even to think about. I felt a sudden wave of pity for Matthew, she would surely give all her friends the details and their house walls were too thin. He’d be forced to hear every word. The two love birds in question arrived and we all began to walk towards Chris’ Civic C3. Harriet and Chris had moved passed up and got into the front seats, while Matthew and I slid into the backseats. The black leather that lined the seats squeaked commercially as we slid in, Matthew and I laughed while Harriet blushed and Chris flashed us a glare in the rear-view mirror.
“What?” I said laughing. “You know these seats have built in sound effects.” All the way to Harriet’s house Chris shot us malicious glares; clearly he blamed us for embarrassing Harriet. While we drove Matthew and I made plans to meet up at the arcade a week from today.
“So the 22nd?” he asked as we rounded the corner to his house. “Hey we could drag Zack, Ernie and Callum along.” He said as he got out of the car.
“Yeah sounds good, see ya” I called from the window.
“See ya Raz, thanks for the ride Chris.” He answered back from the front door. Chris nodded and I climbed over to the front seat as we drove back down the road. I gave Chris a sideways look as we drove. “So have you told her yet?” I asked suddenly. He started and I laughed. This was the only subject that could ever make him nervous.
“No, I haven’t told her, to be honest I’m not sure I’m going to tell her.” He answered.
“Why not? Haven’t you two been dating since the dawn of time?” I asked sarcastically
“It’s only been two years you know.” He retorted.
“Exactly.” I said and he breathed a heavy sigh.
“Well I can’t just blurt it out to her, there are a lot of things to consider you know. We are only 18 I’m not ready to settle down yet. Plus what if she doesn’t want this life? I can’t just tell her on a whim, there are too many aspects to consider.” He finished
“Wow, sounds complicated. To be honest I think it’s too much trouble for what it’s worth. But you know what; I don’t think she will mind this life. It’s kind of every girls dream at the moment.” I said cheeringly, he smiled slightly at this.
“Yeah, I heard. And don’t even think of coming near me with baby powder or glitter. I’m not a fictional character.” He laughed and punched my arm.
We drove in silence for another five minutes before Chris said. “Now it’s your turn to fess up. When are you going to tell mom about you? I mean Matthew knows, don’t you think mom and dad should too?” he looked at me questioningly for a moment before turning his eyed back on the road, which had become more treacherous since we entered the Andrews estate, sharp curves and bends at every 5o yards. I groaned.

“I'm actually dreading telling them.” He smiled at my whining tone.
“You know they’re going to find out sooner or later and you had better hope it’s you telling them and not them finding out by some other means.” He put distinct emphasis on the last three words of his statement. And I knew perfectly well what those other means were, only too well. They significantly meant our younger sister Maria. Maria had made it her soul purpose in life to torment me. What I had done to deserve this I do not know, but Chris was right I would have to tell them about me soon. We were driving up to the front of the house now. It was an old barn restoration with most of the main structure still intact; the west side was remodelled to look exactly like the original structure. Because the rear of the old barn had collapsed it had to be entirely remodelled, it was now extended at least 25ft and had a wall of filed limestone slabs. The long glass sliding doors lead onto an oak porch, the lawn expanded from the porch and lead straight to into the forest. The arched mahogany front doors had black bolts set in it at proportioned intervals, this style made the door seem very medieval. The hinges squealed as I swung it open, the corridor beyond was long and lit by lamps on the wall on either side. Photos and portraits of art hung between the lamps. There was a coat hanger by the door and small table that had all the family’s mail propped against a bowl of scented leaves set on the table. The smell of lavender was overpowering. The oak floor boards creaked as I walked down the passage. Off to my right was the dining room and to the left the lounge, Maria sat on the couch watching TV, she looked up as he passed and smiled a wicked smile. At that moment I knew something was wrong. I walked towards the staircase and was halfway up when Maria called.

“Raziel, were you talking to Matthew earlier close to the parking lot?” I froze with dread. Damn you Chris I thought; his throw away words had jinxed my plan.
I slowly turned to face my sister, she stared up at me with a victorious grin, time to use the poker face. “Yeah and what if I was talking to him?” I asked calmly, her grin stretched as she answered “Well I overheard what you were saying before I got into the car with Becky and I caught some interesting information.” I scowled at her “Were you spying on me?” I said furiously. “So I happened to be listening? What’s wrong with that? And from what I’ve gathered you have some explaining to do to mum.”
I had to think fast, to avoid her threat.
“I’ll tell them about Jonathan.” I whispered. For a moment she flinched before she controlled her expression.
“Who’s Jonathan” she asked coolly, and I leant in closer to her ear and whispered faster and more urgently. “A week ago I caught you; I saw you drinking from his wrist during break in your homeroom.” I had her hook line and sinker. She smiled sweetly and turned her back on me, her figure disappeared back into the living room and the heavy door slammed.
I sighed and headed up the stairs to my room. I opened the door to my room and looked around. My clothes littered the floor and the bed still unmade, posters of victoria secret models plastered the walls. I walked over to my bed and dropped my bag on the floor by the bedside chest. I fished my phone out of my pocket and dialled a familiar number.
Matthew answered on the third ring. “Hello?” I could hear Eminem in the background.
“Hi, erm, I’ve got a problem.” I said miserably my voice muffled in my pillow. The music was turned down on the other end of the call and Matthew sounded more attentive when he answered. “What’s up Raz?” he asked sounding mildly anxious.
“Maria Knows.” I groaned. “Wait what?” he asked “I couldn’t hear you.” I sat up. “She knows, Maria. She heard us in the parking lot and now she knows. And it will only be a matter of time before mom finds out too.” I said. There was a beat of silence. Then Matthew smaned. “Shame.” My temper peaked. “This is not funny!” I growled my fangs extended and I had to take a moment to calm down.
“I think I’m gunna go to the lake. I need some space.” I sighed. “Ok, I might meet you there.” Matthew said. I ended the call and stomped out of my room. Downstairs I ran into mom. She was sitting at the dining table with a new book. She looked up as I entered and I smiled guiltily. “Hey mom” I said. She smile back at me flashing her dimples, “Hello darling, how was school?” “It was good, Zack got extra work for not doing his maths homework.” I said laughing. “Hey mum, is it alright if I go to the lake?” I asked “But you just got home.” She said. “Come on mom please?” I begged. She sighed and nodded. “But just be back by six ok.”
“Ok thanks mom.” I leant down and kissed her head and she patted my face, before I walked out the door, across the lawn and into the forest.