Chapter 9: 9- What A Birthday
"Nicole, can I have a hand in the kitchen?" Moms voice echoed up into my room. "Just a second," I yell, quickly throwing on some clothes. As I stumble down the stairs, I noticed all the lights were off. "Happy Birthday, Nicole!" Everyone yells as the lights turn on.
A big smile forms across my face, everyone was happy and wanting to celebrate my birthday with me. At the table, everyone sung to me; of course they had to sing the monkey version. "This was definitely a surprise, thank you all so much!" I said, blowing out my candles. I made a special wish, I wished that Leo was okay, and that I would see him in the future.
Mom passed out a piece of 'surprise cake' to each of us, every section was a different flavor; so you never knew what you were gonna get. As we finished our pieces of cake, mom gathers everyone in the living room. "Birthday princess, please sit down on your thrown." Dad says, guiding me to the rocking chair. Nate comes running up first, he hands me a small bag with hair bows on it. "A little mouse?" I ask, he nods his head. "I love him, Nate. Thank you!" Nate comes close for a hug, "it's a her, not a him." I smile, "I love her."
"Here," Sophia says, handing me a small wrapped box. "I made it myself." She exclaimed, jumping up and down. As the top popped open, I was amazed at what she made. It was a picture frame made out of popsicle sticks and macaroni. "I absolutely love it, Soph, I'll put it on my nightstand." I grinned at her, she kissed my cheek.
Mom comes from behind me, "close your eyes." I gently close my eyes, feeling something cold rest on my neck. "Open." I look down to see a dainty necklace, an angel dangling at the bottom. "With this necklace, you'll see the world differently." Mom says, gently touching my shoulder. "Go get ready, we're going out to Dinner." Dad said, walking into his
Quickly getting dressed, we head out to dinner.
Dinner was amazing, perfect. We went to Olive Garden, my favorite restaurant. Once we all got back inside, I saw Leo sitting on the couch. I drop to my knees and sob, dad bent down next to me. "Nicole, what's wrong?" Dad questions. "Kids, why don't you go play in your rooms for a bit?" Mom said, they all nod, running into their own rooms. "I see Leo, dad." Mom gently touched my shoulder, "I told you, don't you see the world differently?" I nod, wiping the tears from my eyes. "That necklace will help you see the spirits that are too scared to ask for help." Dad smiles, "your mom always knew you were special, and mom couldn't pass up something you'd love to have."
Mom and dad both hug me before leaving, they were giving me some space. "Leo, why are you here?" I ask, confused. "I wanted to check up on you, I miss you." I blush, missing him too. "The night I was murdered, I went to go make sure you were okay. When I came back home, Robert was there. He stabbed me ten times before I took my last breath, and all I wanted was you." Tears stream down my face like a waterfall, I wished I could've saved him. "I'm so sorry, Leo. I didn't know." Leo pulled me in close, "I know you didn't. It's okay, I'm just happy to see you."
I close my eyes, imagining Leo still alive. He was happy, full of life. "I want to set you free, Leo. I need to know what you desire? What will set you free?" Leo smiles, pink covers his pale cheeks. "One last kiss, something I'll always remember." I smile, pulling him close. Closing his eyes, our lips meet once again, the fireworks still there. When I opened my eyes, he was already gone.
I sat on the couch in silence for a while, Leo wasn't leaving my mind. Making my way to bed, I pull the blankets up to my neck, my eyes droopy. The night sky was bright, the moon as beautiful as the stars that glowed around it. Mom always said that meant good luck, and I hoped she was right.
As the clock struck midnight, I shot straight up in the bed. I didn't have a nightmare, but I couldn't go back to sleep. Sighing softly, I go to the living room and sit on the recliner. Dane must've slept walked again, he was passed out on the couch. While watching TV, I heard a small tap on the window. Thinking it was just the wind, I went back to watching the movie.
'Tap, tap, tap.' The noise continued, making me anxious. Feeling paranoid, I pull the blankets over my legs and try to ignore the sounds. 'Scrape, scrape, scrape,' now I was scared. Grabbing a knife from the kitchen drawer, I pull the door open. A red mask laid on the balcony, someone was here. "Dane, someone is outside." I say, shaking him. He nudged me to the side, looking irritated. "Nobody's out there, Nicole. Go back to sleep," Dane growled at me. "What is this then?" I threw the mask on his chest, his eyes open completely.
"Where did you get this?" He asks, holding the mask toward me. It was like he had saw the mask before, he had a look of fear in his eyes. "You've seen it before, haven't you?" I question him, my heart racing. "Yes, I have. I know who's behind this mask, and he's no good." Dane sat the mask on the table. "Who is it?" I ask.
"Ace." Dane said, staring out the window. "Tell me about him, why is he at our house?" Dane sits back, holding his knees.
"Ace was my classmate in middle school, he was different than the rest of us." Dane sends shivers down my spine. "He was always in trouble, picking fights with kids that couldn't stand a chance. Soon, we found out exactly why he was acting out. Ace was being physically abused by his dad, so he acted out to feel better about himself. Once the news leaked out, Ace had other plans at the school." Dane cleared his throat, staring at the mask.
"After Christmas break, he came back, wearing a mask. The mask sitting on the table." Goosebumps form on my arms, scared to know what he did. "Ace started killing other students, causing a lock down at the school. Apparently, I was on the kill list they found after Ace disappeared." I glared at him, "what did you do?" Dane threw his hands up in the air, "nothing, I swear!"
Now that I knew my brothers name was written in a kill list, I knew Ace would come back. "What are we going to do?" I ask, throwing the mask across the room. "Nothing right now, the kids will be up soon. Until then, get some rest." I wasn't going to sleep knowing someone was out to kill Dane, I chose to stay up.
"Sissy, a bad man was in my closet last night." Nate jumps in my arms, his body shaking. "It was probably just a bad dream, kiddo." I said, shooting him a small grin. "No, it wasn't. He said that he'd hurt us if I told." Then I knew, it wasn't a dream. It was Ace. "Please don't make me sleep in my own room tonight?" He gets down on both knees, pleading. "Nate, my bedroom is yours tonight. Deal?" He smiles, hugging me tightly. "Deal." Nate smiles, falling asleep with Dane on the couch.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone