Half Blood

By Aaliyah Boyer

For a seventeen year old Eliena Nelson, life could be cruel when you are just a teenager. When her parents are missing while on a vacation in Brisbane; she has no choice but to live with her aunt. Things get more complicated when she discovers that she has the ability to see the future. She knows then that she is not a normal teenager.
Going to a new school during a difficult time is not a wise choice. She struggles to fit in with her new family and to make the matter worst; her uncle accepts a new position in Switzerland. The whole family has to move and this time it is not nearby but all across the world, to Montreux.
She never has expected that waiting in Switzerland is her real family. A family - she knows nothing at all.
But when she meets the dashing looking, Benjamin Smart, her life starts to change. But they can never be together for every time she touches him, scary visions of the future flash in front of her eyes.
That’s when things start getting dangerous for her. Her life is at stake...and so is the life of her new found love.....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aaliyah Boyer
• Release date: Nov 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301802111

Aaliyah Boyer

Write during free time. Love fiction,thriller, fantasy and a bit of romance. Currently live in Australia with husband and five kids.

Book preview

HALF BLOOD

By Aaliyah Boyer

Copyright © 2012 Aaliyah Boyer

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this ebook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

For information about permission to reproduce selections from this e-book, email to

[e-mail]

Cover by Laura Shinn

To my family; thank you for your support.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 - THE FAMILY

CHAPTER 2 - CAT AND MOUSE

CHAPTER 3 - THE WHITE KNIGHT

CHAPTER 4 - THE RESCUE

CHAPTER 5 - THE HOSPITAL

CHAPTER 6 - MARKUS KAELIN

CHAPTER 7 - FAREWELL

CHAPTER 8 - SWITZERLAND

CHAPTER 9 - THE CONTRACT

CHAPTER 10- - THE NEW SCHOOL

CHAPTER 11 - MARKUS

CHAPTER 12 - BEN

CHAPTER 13 - MAG

CHAPTER 14 - THE ORPHANAGE

CHAPTER 15 - EAST LANE STREET

CHAPTER 16 - THE COMPETITION

CHAPTER 17 - KLAUS KAUS

CHAPTER 18 - AMBER CORPORATION

CHAPTER 19 - THE DINNER

CHAPTER 20 - THE JOURNEY

CHAPTER 21 - THE TRUTH

CHAPTER 22 - RUNAWAY

CHAPTER 23 - NEW FAMILY

CHAPTER 24 - RUN

CHAPTER 25 - THE REVELATION

CHAPTER 26 - THE GALLOWS

CHAPTER 27 - DEAD OR ALIVE

CHAPTER 28 - NEW BEGINNING

CHAPTER 1 - THE FAMILY

I stared in disbelief at the opened drawers. The contents had been thrown down on the floor. My favourite blouse was ripped into two and was tossed up on the bed.

The books which Jess had lent me were scattered on the floor; some paper balls carelessly kicked under the writing table; it must be pages that were torn from my books.

My eyes widened with incredulity and comprehension when I saw the opened books had torn pages. Not Jess’s books! I felt the adrenalin shooting up to my brain, my face flushed with anger. I could feel my breathing slowing down. This is war!

Swirling on the spot, my feet headed to the door. My feet stomped the wooden floor which made creaking sound in protest. My room was on the left after the stairs and her room was on the right. The door yawned open when I slammed it with my fist. It must have hurt but I didn’t feel anything at that moment. She turned her head towards me slowly and took off the earphone from her head and smiled. Slightly shifting her body on the bed, she eyed me like the hawk.

Why did you tear the books? I was screaming at her. I lost my self control at that precise moment. They were not mine. They belong to Jess!

What are you talking about? Mag snapped back. What book? She shrugged her shoulder to dismiss me. She plugged back the earphones.

You know exactly what I am talking about. I hissed back, taking two more steps in front.

By now, I was prepared to attack her. My hands were clenched into fists, hard as a rock. I could feel my hot breath slowly making it way out from my nostril. For a split second, the urge of sprinting towards her and slapping the smirk from Mag’s face was so overwhelming. My adrenalin must be bursting like lavas. But then, the footsteps downstairs stopped me abruptly.

Mag!Elie! my auntie called out from downstairs. What is the commotion about?

My auntie May was a soft spoken person. She was always very polite and quiet all the time. If she just asked you something, it must have been very important. In this case, my voice had travelled downstairs. Hearing her voice made me abandoned whatever that I was contemplating just now.

Ohh - nothing Aunt May, I answered back. We were practising some lines from the school year end drama.

Mag gave me a winning smile. She knew I would never act anything out of the ordinary around her parents. She knew me like the back of her hand. I hated her for that!

You will regret this, I hissed back to Mag.

Yeah - right Mag laconically answered across the room.

I wondered why she always finding faults to dislike me – since the day I stepped foot in this house a year ago. Like I had a choice, I did not have other relatives. I only had my Aunt May - my mother’s only sister. Both my parents were reported missing since their last vacation together to Brisbane. They never came back.

The authorities in Brisbane were notified but nothing had happened. They were never found. Not a trace…The Malaysian authorities helped as much as they could. But , nothing happened. The news that I was waiting for never arrived. It had been two years now since the incident. I was fourteen when it happened.

In the end, I ended up living with my Aunt May. Her full name was May Lee. My real name was Eliena Nelson. Everybody just called me Elie; of course, my cousin, Mag – Magdeana Lee never addressed me properly. It was always, "hey, you or cousin" when she talked to me. I didn’t mind, and just could not be bothered at all with her.

Mag was two years younger than me. I knew she hated me for coming here and I wasn’t interested to make her as my friend either. Thus, I always stayed out of her way – but not today when she tore my best friend’s books.

It was her way of getting even with me, as a result of my report to Aunt May that Mag had been ditching school for a week already. Her teacher had called Aunt May about the matter. She was scolded and reprimanded for it. Aunt May also insisted that I informed her on Mag’s whereabouts for the past week. I wasn’t interested on her activities but I knew she was hanging around with her friends in the shopping mall all the while. So I told Aunt May; and she was so furious, with me.

I closed my bedroom door slowly. One by one the paper balls, books, hair pins, pens, papers and my note books were neatly arranged back in the drawers. I held my favourite white blouse that was ripped in my hand. A wave of sadness started creeping into my conscience. This was the blouse that my mother bought for my last birthday that we celebrated together. I still remembered the warmth of her body when she hugged me and the strength of my father’s arm when he squeezed my shoulder before I blew the candles.

"Make a wish- make a wish, before you blow the candles." I heard her voice excitedly urging me when she lighted the candles on the cake.

"Oh, Mom, I’m too old for that!" I exclaimed sheepishly.

"Hurry up, let’s take a picture." My dad squeezed my shoulder and put his right arm on my mom’s shoulder. Then, without warning, he snapped a photo there and then. We were not ready. I was about to blow the candles; my mom was still holding the lighter and trying to light the last candle.

We were very happy - as a family. I wished I had more of the reminiscent of the happy moments - but the day they didn’t come back was too strong in my memory. It inevitably erased all other memories of them.

I turned to look at the photo on the dressing table. It was perfect! How I missed them so much. I wished they were here instead of my Aunt May, Mag and Uncle Roy.

The bell rang trice downstairs. It was dinner time.

The wooden stairs made creaking sound. I tried to step softer but the sound was unavoidable. This house was old already. It had sheltered two generations so far. I wondered how long it would last. The stairs descended straight into the cosy living room.

The soft orange curtains were drawn to stop the penetrating eyes of our neighbours. On the right, my Uncle Roy, as usual, reading in his favourite corner near the ceiling height book selves. His rocking chair creaked slowly when it moved to and fro. On the left, more books lied carelessly on the off white sofas which Aunt May cherished so much. Some of the books had fallen to the brown carpet on the floor. The console table near the main door was also piled up with books. I could not see the photos on it anymore.

Uncle Roy must have felt my presence. He lowered the book that he was reading before he smiled cheerfully and said, Oh there you are, Elie.

Yes, Uncle Roy? I was puzzled to hear the cheerfulness in his voice. Normally, he was always serious and did not like interruption when he was reading.

I have some good news! he said.

Not now, Roy. Can you announce it when everybody is here. I heard Aunt May said from the kitchen. I guessed she was referring to Mag who was still upstairs, in her room.

Oh, ok. I can’t wait to tell them the news. This sure is a surprise. Uncle Roy winked at me, put on his glasses and pushed his greying hair from his forehead before continuing to read. He was in his early forties but he looked ten years older. His unkempt grey hair did not help in this matter at all.

I walked to the kitchen to help Aunt May set up the table.

A small thud like something had landed,; came from the living room- it must have been Mag. She loved to skip the last two stairs and jumped straight to land on the floor. My conjecture was correct for her oval face was now facing opposite me at the dining table. Her cat black eyes glared at me once and then turned to face Uncle Roy that was striding in, humming a song which I could not figure out. He sat at the end of the table on my right.

Aunt May sat on Uncle Roy’s right side. Mag was sitting beside her, which meant I was the only one sitting on the other side of the table. The dining table could accommodate for six but there were only the four of us. I wished I was back sitting with my family, in my own house, around the round dining table.

What do you want to tell, Dad? Mag suddenly asked. She was twisting the spaghetti with her fork before scooping them up to her mouth.

I heard you from upstairs.

Ahh- you eavesdropping again. Uncle Roy smiled.

No I’m not. Can’t help it if I have such good hearing, can I. Mag was talking with her mouth full. What is the good new?

Can I tell them now, honey? Anyway it will be very soon. He was asking Aunt May.

What so soon? Mag was impatient by now.

Oh- Mag, do you remember that we always dreamt to give you the best education. Well-. Aunt May tried to clear her throat.

All the while, I just sat there and listened to the conversation. Normally I would talk when it was necessary only. However, I was also impatient to know the news. Maybe, they were going to send Mag away to a boarding school. For a moment, I felt relief. No more Mag. Then, the bomb shell dropped.

We all are moving to Switzerland! Isn’t it great! I was offered one of the senior researcher position at the Company there, and the Company offers to support your education and we will be moving in another one month.

Uncle Roy gleefully announced the good news. He was smiling from ear to ear as he savoured the moment. Aunt May was squeezing his hand now. Both of them were looking at each other, which meant that they missed seeing Mag’s face turning bright red.

I thought I saw some fumes coming out from her nose.

What! I don’t want to go! All my friends are here. Malaysia and Switzerland is very far away! She was screaming now. Why did you never asked me? She stood up. Is she coming too? She was pointing to me.

Both Uncle Roy and Aunt May were shocked. They had never anticipated this reaction, I supposed. Their announcement also caught me off guard. I had not predicted this coming. What if my parents come home? I would want to be here when they come home. I was speechless for a moment but Mag’s reaction was something else.

I am not going, Mag announced.

Now Mag, let us talk this rationally like adults, Aunt May said softly. Your father was really looking forward to this in his career. It is a big acknowledgement for his work- and of course, Elie is coming as well. She is part of the family now.

No, she is not! She is not your daughter or my sister, Mag spitted out.

Well now, you should not be talking like that. It is already a year Elie is here Aunt May tried to control the situation.

Apologize to her, Aunt May continued. The moment she said that I already knew what was coming.

I will not! Mag said, glaring at me through the corners of her eyes.

Mag! That is so rude of you. You apologize now, said Uncle Roy. He seldom interrupted in our bickering. The lines on his forehead were now more visible than ever. Aunt May looked worried. Unwittingly, she tapped her spoon slowly on the plate.

I said- I will not! Mag stomped out from the kitchen. Her pile of spaghetti bolognese left untouched.

Mag, you come back here. Uncle Roy was raising his voice now.

All I heard was a loud bang, like the door being slammed upstairs. I kept on stirring the spaghetti. Aunt May let out a sigh. Uncle Roy kept on eating, as though nothing happened. Aunt May’s cat eyes looked at me with apology. Her small frame slumbered to the chair. Her shoulder length wavy hair partly covered her pale face. She looked unhappy. I seldom see her like this. She was always jovial and very vigorous.

These past two years had been very difficult for her also. First, she lost her sister; my mother and since I came to live with them, Mag was becoming more unmanageable each day.

I looked at Uncle Roy. He was eating - but his black eyes gave him away. They were turning darker now. It only happened when he was thinking or when he was distressed. He was tall from any other men that I had known. Even my father was shorter than him. Thus, he looked like he was cramped on a small chair compared to any of us. Dinner was very quiet after that.

May I be excused, Aunt May? I asked.

Oh-uh, you haven’t finished your dinner. Aunt May sounded a bit startled. She tried to clear her throat - however, her voice still sounded hoarse.

I am not really hungry. I had a lot during lunch in school today.

Oh, that is alright then - I’ll clear the plate for you. You may go, Aunt May said without looking at me. I caught her watery eyes. They were brimming with tears.

No movement or sound came from Mag’s room. There weren’t any light coming through underneath the door either. She must be sleeping already. Mag was becoming very unpredictable lately. Her temper easily exploded out – at anyone and she did not bother at all.

Earlier, when I arrived to live with them, she tried to hold and contain her temper. However, nowadays- her temper was becoming uncontrollable and easily provoked by the slightest insignificant event.

That night I could not sleep. The room smelt stuffy, thus I opened up the windows to let the breeze in. Still, I tossed left and right on the bed. After what seemed like an eternity, I gave up. I decided to grab some late midnight snacks. An ice cream sounded like a good substitute for my sleeping pill.

I slipped downstairs quietly. I walked pass the living room and about to enter the kitchen when I heard voices – strained voices coming from inside the kitchen. Immediately, my conscience whispered ‘stop’ and I was frozen two feet away from the entrance. I lurked into the darkness in the living room closer to the kitchen.

Maybe, it is not a good idea now, May. The kids are not ready – maybe I should not have accepted the offer.

Oh, honey, there will never be the right time – there is always something that will stop you from grabbing the opportunity that comes along.

I know. I am waiting for a break like this in my career. At last, I had the opportunity to explore more in this area – they are even sponsoring my research.

Honey, let me worry about the kids. You just concentrate on your work.

But, I can’t leave all to you to handle. Mag is getting more difficult – and Elie; she will need to visit Dr Ong.

Don’t worry about that. I had spoken to Dr Ong. He will refer Elie’s case to one of his friend in Switzerland.

Oh, I am not sure May.

Trust me, honey – everything will just be fine.

There was a long silence after that. Then I heard, Aunt May giggled and some shuffling of feet. Then, there was a small thud noise from the other kitchen door heading to the study room at the back.

I waited in the darkness – breathing slowly. There was only silence. They must have gone to the study room. I emerged slowly from the shadows and peeked through the key hole – no one was inside in the kitchen now.

Later, crossing my legs on my bed in the sanctuary of my room, I slowly indulged myself in the ice cream. I took the whole ice cream jar – hopefully, it wouldn’t be noticed missing from the freezer so soon.

I knew Uncle Roy was involved in some kind of hazardous disease research. He was working together with my dad before he disappeared. Uncle Roy also gave lectures to the medical students. Before this, I had never asked dad on his work. It must be very important then, since Uncle Roy said his research now being financed by whoever that hired him in Switzerland.

I felt happy for Aunt May. Maybe, it would now turned better for her with this new job for Uncle Roy. She deserved it.

Drowsiness took control of me. Yawning, I put away the ice cream which was melting now. I stretched my arms and climbed into the bed. Blackness took over me.

Same images started flashing in front of me again. It was blurry but getting clearer. Faces that I never met; a man with blond hair was staring incredulously – he waved the small bottle, then there was bright lights streaming through, and then - the groaning. A woman was groaning heavily. It was faint at first but it was getting clearer now. A blurry figure was hovering on top of my face. The disturbance strained that I could feel in the voices - or was it my own voice? They sounded familiar, and the whispers around me– what was it? I could not understand. I was waving my hands now. But the pains were getting unbearable. Please, could someone help me? Nobody did anything. No one moved.

There were footsteps coming down the stairs. I was screaming now. Breathing hard, I tried to get up. I could feel my hands trying to reach for something or someone. Please… someone was pleading for me. No!! Someone screamed or was it me?

There was a sudden bright light basking on my face. Chill breeze gusted in. My eye lids fluttered, trying to adjust to the brightness. The windows were opened. Apparently, I had forgotten to close them.

Cousin! Wake up you sleepy head – we’ll be late! Mag was banging the door now. Get downstairs in fifteen minutes!

Grunting, I lifted my feet down to the floor. My pyjama was wet from perspiration. I reached out for my head. It was still probing with pain. The dream was too real this time. It was more frequent now. I wondered why?

CHAPTER 2 - CAT AND MOUSE

After taking a quick shower, I quickly dried myself up with the enormous green towel that Aunt May had bought for me. I chose to wear something simple. After all, it was Saturday. Searching through the scantily clothes that I owned, I ended up selecting a white laced blouse to be paired with the blue jeans.

I was ready in three minutes after that. One last check in the mirror; my short brunette hair was combed neatly and my heart shape face was dabbed with loose powder which was also bought by Aunt May. My medium fair skin didn’t compliment the white blouse at all. I sighed, I looked rather plain. Maybe, I should add colours to my eyes. They were light brown. A little bit of eye liner should do the trick, I thought. One thing that was good about my chiselled features; I was tall and slender. Thanks to my father’s gene.

Immediately, I rushed downstairs. Skipping three stairs all the way, I was downstairs in a split second. Mag was already waiting with arms crossed across her chest. Her mouth was protruding forward whenever she was annoyed. Her cat eyes only glared at me.

Hi, Mag, I tried to strike a light conversation. After all, it was still early morning to get into an argument with her.

You’re late! she replied and tossed back her long black hair that was covering half of her face.

Aunt May was holding some clothes in hangers and heading towards the car. I guess we would stop at the launderette. I could not see Uncle Roy anywhere. He must have gone to the lab as usual or buried himself under piles of books in the study room.

C’mon, girls. We will be late – and Mag, please don’t forget to bring your taekwondo clothes. Aunt May signalled to us to hurry up.

Mag made a disgruntled face. She was hoping her mother had forgotten all about the taekwondo lesson. Pivoting on the spot, she headed to her room.

Aunt May had started the engine. The Honda Civic roared and puffed before the engine steadied at a monotonous sound. The car was still running well after eight years of service. One thing about Aunt May; she was very affectionate with all her belongings which I found that was very contrast to her daughter.

Elie, c’mon now – where is Mag?

At the mention of her name, Mag came and slipped in front to the passenger seat. She had a small black bag with her. Her taekwondo attire must be in there. I sat at the back, as usual.

As Aunt May manoeuvred the car passing the gate, our neighbour, Mr. Devan approached the car.

Hi, May. You’re early today – going anywhere special? he was peering through the window now.

Oh, the usual. Need to do some errands. How are you, Devan?

Fine - we are hoping to invite your family over for dinner tomorrow

Let me check with Roy. You know how busy he is.

I already knew the answer. This conversation had taken place many times. Uncle Roy would always be busy. I believed he was avoiding Mr. Devan. The dinner had never taken place so far.

Mag was getting impatient now. Mom, we’ll be late.

Oh, got to go Devan.

Ok, don’t forget to ask Roy.

As we were leaving the house, I could not help the butterflies in my stomach. Mr. Devan kept on staring until the car disappeared around the corner. He was always very strange.

We lived in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. The family house was in Kota Damansara and it was very close to Sungai Buloh. It was Uncle Roy’s family house. It was passed down from his parent to him on his thirtieth birthday as a gift. His parents were now retired in Melbourne, Australia. They ran a small family business there. Mag was born when they first moved in; that was what I had been told. Thus, the family had lived here for fourteen years.

It was a small bungalow house with very few neighbours. Most of the areas were still surrounded with old monumental trees and small lake on the east. Unlike the rest of Kota Damansara, this small area was still under development. Soon, a housing developer would buy out the land here and start a housing area.

Aunt May drove in silence; Mag was looking passed through the glass outside. I was looking at the same landscape which appeared countless of times before. Aunt Mag dropped Mag first at the taekwondo centre in Sunway Giza. Then, she manoeuvred the car towards Tropicana Hospital. My appointment with Dr Ong would start in another fifteen minutes.

We reached there on time, another ten minutes to go. Aunt May and I took the lift to the fifth floor, where Dr Ong’s office was. As the elevator doors opened, we turned right along the corridor before stopping in front of a room. Dr Ong’s name was on the door. Aunt May opened the door and stepped inside.

Mary was there, as usual. She stopped arranging the files in the cabinet and turned to smile at us. Dr Ong is waiting for you. You can go in, Elie.

I turned to Aunt May. I’ll wait outside here, Elie, she said.

I nodded and pushed another door going into Dr Ong’s room. He was sitting