Fallon Mansion (Rakshasa Series, Book 1)

By C.M. Chidgey

Hungry, exhausted and suddenly homeless it seemed things were hopeless until it became apparent that her Mother was keeping secrets about who she knew, which was why it was surprising when they were suddenly living in the mansion like house of the Fallon family.
At first things seemed somewhat bearable until a cheating boyfriend was the beginning of a whole lot of things going wrong that would change her world. Way too many near death experiences, secrets coming out that may have been better unknown and heartbreak that was sure to destroy her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.M. Chidgey
• Release date: Oct 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311331809

C.M. Chidgey

C.M. Chidgey published her first book, Fallon Mansion in 2013, but did a lot of writing long before that knowing that she wanted to be a writer since she was younger. She has now published nine books and will soon be publishing the fourth book of the Zombie Apocalypse series.Her books are influenced by her love off all things paranormal and many of her ideas comes from dreams she has had. She then uses them to create characters before using her imagination to make them into novels.Spending time with her family and writing are her favourite things to do. She has lived in England for her whole life and is thankful for all the support she receives from her family on writing her books.

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Fallon Mansion

(Rakshasa Series, Book 1)

By C.M. Chidgey

Copyright 2015 C.M. Chidgey

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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 book 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.

Discover other titles by C.M. Chidgey at Smashwords.com:

(Gladden Halya Saga, Book 1)

Shades Of The Iris: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/331726

(Hidden Descendant Series, Book 1)

One Of The Enemy: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/331736

(Zombie Apocalypse Series, Book 1)

Demon Hotel: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/331683

(Zombie Apocalypse Series, Book 2)

To Hell And Back: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/387857

(Zombie Apocalypse Series, Book 3)

War And Darkness: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/539092

Chapter 1

Hey, you coming to the party later Megan? Lydia asked me as we made our way through the school hallways.

I shrugged. Depends how my Mum is I guess.

She frowned and begged. Please, please you have to get out more.

I shrugged again.

It wasn’t like it was my fault that my Mum got so drunk every night that she didn’t even know her own name by the time I helped her to bed or the couch, which was always more convenient than getting her upstairs. She had always liked her alcohol, but ever since my identical twin, Mason had left to join the army, which still confused me considering he wasn’t even eighteen yet, she had upped her intake of alcohol to absurd levels and smoked like a chimney not seeming to care that we were so short of money at the moment that we had been missing a lot of meals.

I could understand her desire to want to escape the real world though, Mason and I had been inseparable and we had done everything together. He had wanted to join the army for as long as I could remember and a few days after our seventeenth birthday almost six months ago he had done exactly that. When he had left a piece of my heart had gone with him, that day I had lost my best friend, my brother and a part of myself.

No one could have predicted how badly my Mum had taken it and now I had to pick up the pieces. Anyone who knew us well was very aware of the fact that she had always seemed closer to Mason despite him trying to convince me that I was wrong. My relationship with my Mum had always been rocky at the best of times, but now it was like two enemies had been forced to live together. She yelled at me about anything and everything when she was sober enough to do so and our arguments only got worse, but she was still my mother and I felt that I owed it to Mason to look after her when he wasn’t here to do it, so I did. Every night I found her in a sobbing heap I would help her no matter how many insults she threw at me at that particular time.

Carl will be there. Lydia said as if the mention of my boyfriend would magically make me do anything in my power to be there.

She wouldn’t be using his name to bribe me if she knew how much Carl and I had been spending apart.

We had been together for five months and Carl kept pushing me to go further, but I just didn’t feel anything for him no matter how hard I tried or how many times we made out. I had told Carl this, but he seemed insistent to get me to like him, but I was pretty sure it was hopeless when Mason had left nothing seemed to matter anymore, our bond as twins had always been a strong one, but I had never realised how strong until it had shattered my heart with his departure.

Hello! Lydia shouted snapping her fingers in my face.

I shook my head and looked at her questioningly.

I said that Carl will be there. She said again sounding frustrated.

I just shrugged in response.

She pouted and put her hands on her hips. She always used this stance when she was annoyed with me and her golden eyes would flash angrily at me. She was just as short as me, but had a slim figure that my body didn’t seem able to match even though I was barely eating. Her white blonde hair finished off her appearance and most guys would practically drool over her.

I don’t know what’s wrong with you, it’s like you don’t even care about anything since Mason left! She said to me with a stamp of her foot.

Mason had always found her annoying and his presence had usually kept me away from her, but when he had left she was the only friend I had.

I shrugged again pretty much confirming her theory about not caring.

She scrunched her face up at me as if she was trying to figure me out.

Fine, if your boyfriend isn’t enough to convince you to go, I’m going to have to pull out the big guns and tell you about the eye candy. The Fallon brothers will be there.

I couldn’t help, but roll my eyes at her.

The Fallon brothers were practically celebrities in this town. This school was even named after them plus the private school they went to and not to mention the huge Fallon Mansion they lived in.

I mean don’t get me wrong the brothers were gorgeous and extremely sexy, but I could never understand the way the girls drooled over them and fell over each other just to get them to notice them first. It was difficult not to laugh at how pathetic it was when it was seen in action. Mason and I had often collapsed into fits of laughter at parties when it happened only to achieve scowls from the two brothers, but now when I saw it, it just made me feel sick.

How can you be immune to how amazingly handsome they are? She asked, her voice gaining a dream like quality when she spoke about how totally awesome they were just like it always did.

I’m not immune to how attractive they are, I just don’t worship the ground they walk on like everyone else seems to. I said dryly.

The absence of Masons’ chuckle that would have usually followed a sentence like that just made me feel more depressed.

Lydia just glared at me as we stopped outside the school gates, her house was the opposite side of the school from mine so this was where we split.

Please, you have to come. She whined in one last desperate attempt to get me to go.

I groaned. If I can get my Mum to bed early I’ll come. I said giving up.

She grinned and clapped her hands together before spinning on one foot. Yay! She shouted.

Damn, if this is what she acted like when I said maybe, I was sure glad I hadn’t just said yes, she would have probably had me jumping around with her like we were two Jack in the Box’s.

I groaned inwardly at myself. When had I become so boring and grumpy? Oh yeah, when Mason had left I answered my own question.

We said our goodbyes and I headed home. Our house was a small two bedroom, we had downgraded our house three times since Mason had left and Mum had lost her job after repeated absences and a couple of alcohol induced coma’s occurring from her on the premises, despite our tiny house we were still struggling to live on the few savings we had. They would have lasted a lot longer if she hadn’t been smoking and drinking away most of them.

I unlocked the front door and made my way to the kitchen, to my relief she had already passed out going by the loud snores erupting from her throat as she half sat in her chair and half lay across the table. She had a frame similar to my own and I was so used to this by now that I easily pulled one of her arms over my shoulders and pretty much dragged her to the ugly couch with the stuffing coming out in the small lounge and lay her down on it before pulling a blanket over her.

Sighing I ran my fingers through my hair and tossed the empty alcohol bottles from the table into the trash.

I gulped down two glasses of water one after the other before looking through the empty cupboards. I was starved, but my stomach was beginning to get used to the lack of meals and only having the occasional meal if I was lucky enough when my Mum topped up on her alcohol.

Rubbing my empty stomach I ran upstairs to change into jogging bottoms and a t-shirt. I retrieved my ipod from under a hidden floorboard. I kept it hidden there when my Mum had begun to ransack the house for items to sell in order to buy more alcohol and cigarettes. Mason had bought it for me on our last birthday, it was the last thing he had given me and there was no way I was losing it so I kept it out of sight from my Mum.

After running back down the stairs and out of the front door I stuffed my ear buds into my ears, turned my ipod on and began to run. I know that it probably wasn’t a good idea to go running with next to no nourishment in my body, but if I didn’t I felt like the stress would rip me apart from the inside out. Most people had those little balls they squeezed to relieve their stress, but I had to run. Mason and I had often gone running after school and maybe it was connected with that, but everyday since he had been gone I had been running at least once, sometimes more on a bad day. I ran for different lengths of time, it just depended on how long it took for my aching muscles to get more painful than my aching heart. When he had first left I had been able to run for hours, but the less food I consumed the quicker I could return home. My time limit was now down to about an hour so when I returned back to my house I knew that I would have time to change before the party that I really wasn’t looking forward to going to.

I half hoped that my Mum would have woken up when I walked through the door, but to my disappointment she was still snoring away.

Now that was something I never expected to be disappointed about I thought as I climbed the stairs, hid my ipod, went into the bathroom and stripped my clothes off my numb body before climbing into the shower.

The shower never stayed hot for long here so I had mastered the ability to have a quick shower and still be able to wash my hair, shave and wash everywhere else.

Now came the job of deciding what to wear, if I wore black like I had been wearing lately to reflect my mood I had a feeling Lydia would have a head fit so I reluctantly browsed through my clothes. To my surprise they all seemed to be present. I hadn’t really cared enough to look lately and I didn’t want to argue again so I had just been grabbing the first black clothes before slamming the wardrobe door shut.

The first time I had found my Mum snooping in my room for things to sell it had been one of our bigger arguments and I had told her to never step in here again.

Of course, I had expected her to ignore me hence the hidden ipod, but there didn’t appear to be anything missing.

Shaking my head still feeling surprised I grabbed some black leggings and my low cut long green sparkly top that matched my eyes and clung to all of my curves in the right places although I wasn’t quite as curvy as I had been due to my eating habits or more my lack of them. It wasn’t as clingy as it used to be, but I still thought it looked good when I pulled it on over my leggings. I put on some boots to finish off my outfit before blow drying my long auburn curls and completing the look with a little make up.

My skin seemed to be getting paler by the day and I began to think that I might become translucent if it carried on. A little foundation covered most of the bags under my eyes and added a little colour to my face, but even then I could still see how exhausted I looked in my pain filled eyes.

Making sure I had my cell phone I took a deep breath and left the house. Even if I didn’t have a good time I could at least raid the food table if they had one and I damn well hoped they did.

Don’t look so miserable, you’re seventeen, we should have fun. Lydia whined when I reached the house as if my sadness was somehow offending her.

I had realised I didn’t know where the party was and after a few exchanged texts between Lydia and I she had promised to meet me outside the house of the party that I now knew the location of.

Sorry, but you’re the one who dragged me here. I muttered as she led me through the door and we navigated our way through the house packed out with people.

She ignored my comment and instead said. Well, you look good so stop complaining about being here and have fun.

I bit my tongue to stop myself from continuing to do just that and instead said. Thanks, is there a food table anywhere here?

God, you’re always hungry. She groaned in an exasperated voice.

Tell me about it. I muttered low enough that she couldn’t hear me.

She seemed reluctant, but led me to the food table when I kept asking. She only waited a few minutes; I only managed to eat a few Doritos and a couple of those mini sausage rolls before she dragged me away by my arm. My stomach still grumbled and I groaned feeling like I had just been food teased.

No one eats at parties, they just drink. Lydia said as if it was some kind of unwritten rule.

I didn’t care if it was.

It’s not attractive to eat in front of guys. She continued.

I really didn’t care one bit.

And you were stuffing your face, you looked very unladylike. She finished.

I really, really couldn’t have cared about anything less.

I really wanted food, but I tried to ignore it to prevent myself from looking like some kind of psycho by running to the food table and shoving the items down my throat. Too busy looking back at the food table longingly I didn’t realise where she was leading me until it was too late.

I felt cold and unfamiliar arms wrap around my waist despite the fact they had been wrapped around me many times they still made me shiver all over and not in a good way.

You look super hot tonight. Carl whispered in my ear.

Thanks. I murmured resisting the temptation to pull away from his grip.

I looked up to see Lydia abandoning me to flirt with some random guys. Carl began to grope my arse and run his hands over my body making me feel like something disgusting was crawling over my skin.

How about we find a free bedroom upstairs? He suggested.

How about we don’t? I replied unable to stand being in his arms any longer and pulling away.

Oh, come on Meg, it’s been five months. I think I kind of have the right now.

I turned and glared at him. Being my boyfriend doesn’t give you the right to do what you want with me.

He shrugged. Whatever babe, I’ll go get my fun from someone else.

He had just basically admitted that he was going to cheat on me and despite not having any real feelings for him I can’t deny that it stung a little. If he wanted someone else then fine, but he could have at least dumped me first.

I shrugged. Fine, get another girlfriend.

He grabbed my shoulder when I turned away. I didn’t mean it babe, I want you.

I sighed still not caring before turning to him and shrugging. Fine. As if it made any difference anyway.

So, what do you want to do? He asked, his grin wide.

On closer inspection I saw his eyes were a little crazy and his smile looked kind of manic, he had clearly been drinking, but wasn’t quite drunk yet and I didn’t really want to be around to see it.

I had barely been here an hour and I was ready to leave so I shrugged before saying. I’m pretty tired Carl, I’m going to head home. Can you tell Lydia I went home?

He shrugged and still had that stupid grin on his face when he said. Sure babe, I’ll see you tomorrow.

I nodded and he leaned down to kiss my lips, I didn’t return the kiss, but he seemed happy enough to do all the work not caring that I wasn’t enjoying it at all.

When he pulled away my green eyes met grey ones across the room. If I hadn’t known he was Tyler Fallon by sight I would have known it was one of the Fallon brothers by the girls stumbling around him trying to get his attention. He usually had a scowl on his face when he looked at me due to my usual amusement at the silly girls surrounding him, but my lack of entertainment that I used to get out of his situation had in turn erased his scowl and turned it into a frown.

I sighed and broke our gaze by turning away and heading away from the party and back home.

Wow, I was so glad Lydia had made me go to that I thought thinking that Lydia wouldn’t really like my sarcasm even in my head. It had been a complete waste of time and the highlight of the night had been the few minutes that I had, had to devour as much as I could from the food table. In my opinion I didn’t think that I had eaten nearly enough and my stomach agreed with me, but it was too late to go back now.

When I walked into the house I checked to make sure that my Mum was still sleeping before walking up the stairs slowly and into my bedroom. After pulling off my party outfit and leaving it on the floor I pulled a baggy t-shirt over my head and fell on my bed without even cleaning off my make up uncaring of the fact that it would be smudged all over my face in the morning.

It didn’t take long for me to fall into a fitful sleep as I dreamt of Mason, seeing him behind my eyelids as he put his life in danger. He was shooting at people, people were shooting at him and the injuries I saw were almost unbearable to look at, but I couldn’t turn away. There was so much agony around me and I was stuck there suffering right along with them.

Chapter 2

I woke up panting and covered in sweat, the images had continued to haunt my sleep right up until I had been jolted awake by my alarm clock. Feeling worse than I would have if I had stayed awake the whole night I rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Mascara was smudged around my eyes giving me the appearance of a panda and I quickly cleaned the make up off of my face.

I rubbed my sore eyes as I returned to my bedroom and replaced my t-shirt for black skinny jeans, black vest top and the same black boots I had worn last night. Most of my clothes were loose on me now and these were no exception. After brushing out my hair I looked at my face seeing how unhealthy I looked at the moment, I gave it up as a hopeless job before I even started to attempt an improvement. Taking my jacket off of the back of the bedroom door, and yes that was black too, I ran down the stairs to find my Mum hung over and sitting at the kitchen table with some coffee, at least she waited until I left for school before pulling out the drink.

Hi Mum. I said plonking down on the chair opposite her.

She looked up at me with a fake smile on her lips before nodding in response.

My stomach protested loudly despite my little snack that I had managed to grab the night before. It was probably around time I had a meal and after a few minutes of begging my Mum reluctantly handed over a little cash for some lunch. By the time I had managed it I knew that I would be late for school so I picked up a little speed and jogged there still only just managing to reach my classroom door before the teacher arrived.

Classes were slow and I struggled to stay awake throughout them, Lydia had told me I looked like I was on deaths doorstep just to make me feel better because she was just so kind and all. A few of the teachers even asked me if I was feeling ok or had to see the nurse, which I declined of course. There wasn’t anything a nurse could do for exhaustion and I was pretty sure that they didn’t have all day buffets laid out in there so I sucked it up and waited for lunch.

When it was finally lunch time I walked to the cafeteria quickly and despite only being able to order the cheapest meal on the menu I ate every last bit. It had tasted disgusting, but at least it filled my stomach for a little while. Lydia had looked like she wasn’t sure she wanted to sit with me anymore when she saw what I had, but for all I cared she could leave if she wanted to. She didn’t.

When it was finally the end of school I was thankful that it was Friday and I planned on spending most of the weekend in bed. Lydia actually suggested that I go to the Doctor, but I knew what the problem was so I didn’t either deny or confirm that I would be going to the Doctor since I didn’t have the energy to argue with her, instead we just said our goodbyes and I made my way home hoping that my Mum was already passed out so that I could just crawl into bed.

When I unlocked the front door, my first reaction was to think that we had been burgled, but there were a few boxes lying around, which just confused me. After another survey of the hall I found my Mum sitting on the stairs, bottle of alcohol in one hand, cigarette in the other alternating between using both. She had tears streaming down her face as she looked up at me. I looked around at the boxes again before asking.

Mum, what’s going on?

She sighed. We lost the house Megan.

What? I exclaimed. How?

She shook her head helplessly. Rent was due last week, we don’t have enough money and the landlord said we need to be out by the end of today.

I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. Great, we were now officially homeless. This was just too much for me to handle and without warning I kicked the wall before letting out a scream from between clenched teeth.

No need to get like that. My Mum muttered calmly.

What the hell are you talking about Mum, don’t you care that we now have nowhere to live? I growled at her.

Oh, nonsense. She slurred. Ceaser has offered us residence in his house.

Oh really Mum and just who is Ceaser? I asked in agitation, I was used to her drunken ramblings by now.

Ceaser Fallon. She said confidently.

I let out a humourless laugh. Of course Mum because I mean why wouldn’t he let us stay?

Why do you always have to be so sarcastic? She whined.

Because this is serious Mum, we have nowhere to go! I exclaimed at her trying to make her understand through her alcohol fogged brain.

So much for coming home and spending most of the weekend sleeping I thought. I grabbed a few empty boxes and manoeuvred around my Mum to climb up the stairs. I might as well start packing since we had to leave anyway, I just wasn’t sure where to yet.

I pulled my hair into a ponytail and started throwing my clothes and things into boxes. Luckily I didn’t have a lot anymore after having to sell so many things so it didn’t take long for me to pack everything. When everything was packed I picked up my ipod from under the floor board and lifted it up before tracing my finger over the engraved words on the back.

Best Sister Ever

Happy Birthday

I Love You

xoxo

I wish you were here. I murmured out loud struggling to hold tears back before I shoved it in my pocket so that it wouldn’t get lost in a box and made my way back down the stairs.

Luckily we didn’t have to pack Mason’s things since we had left them in boxes after we had moved the second time, which meant that everything was packed. Now the hard part was getting somewhere to stay. Feeling completely drained I climbed down a couple of stairs before sitting down and closing my eyes to help prevent the headache that I could feel coming on between my eyes as I tried to figure out what to do.

You look pale dear.

I sighed. Since when do you call me dear, Mum? I asked opening my eyes slowly.

I did a double take when I saw a tall handsome man who must have been about my Mum’s age. He had shoulder length dark blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes, he looked like a movie star. I wasn’t usually rude, but frankly I had, had enough for one day so I just blurted.

Who the hell are you?

Megan, be polite. My Mum scolded, well at least this was one of her better drunken moods.

I groaned before looking at her and seeing that her gaze was fixed on Mr Handsome. Mum, I have a lot on my shoulders right now ok? I don’t have time to be pleasant.

She didn’t respond so I looked back at the stranger and said. If you’re the landlord, don’t worry we’ll be out by the end of the day.

He raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow. Where are you headed? He asked in a deep voice that didn’t give any room for disobedience, he would have made a good leader in the army I thought thinking of Mason.

I shook my head and stood up. I don’t really know yet, but we’ll find somewhere so don’t worry we’ll be out of your house.

This is Ceaser Fallon. My Mum said proudly.

I groaned running my hands through my tied hair before reaching the bottom of the stairs and grabbing the bottle of alcohol out of her hands. Please Mum, this isn’t the time for this, just please go and pack something ok?

She pouted like a child. But there is nothing left to pack.

I almost screamed in frustration, but barely managed to hold on to my control. Mum, please go into the lounge.

She shook her head as she still pouted like a child. My headache was becoming considerably worse and I stumbled when my vision blurred for a second. I felt a cold hand on my shoulder to steady me and I glanced up into brown eyes.

Are you feeling alright? The stranger/ maybe landlord/ Mum’s imaginary Ceaser asked with concern in his eyes.

I nodded before saying. I’m fine thanks, just the stress of moving.

He gave a warm smile. Well, as difficult as it is to believe your Mother at the moment, I am in fact Ceaser Fallon and you are invited to my house as guests.

I stared at him for a full two minutes, my first thought was how the hell could he call that mansion a house? Before I shook my head and asked. Why would you do that?

That slight smile stayed present on his lips as he said. Your Mother and I are old friends and it is the least I can do to help you both out until you can get back on your feet.

I’m very happy about the fact we aren’t going to be sleeping on benches tonight and all that, but how do you know my Mum?

That ever present smile was still glued to his face. That my child, is a story for another time.

I was still in shock about how narrowly we had missed having to live on the street so I nodded numbly and sat down on the bottom step heavily knowing that my pounding head was working against my efforts to stand up.

I told you it was Ceaser! My Mum said happily having watched the whole exchange between us.

I sighed and nodded. I know Mum.

I have a truck outside, is it ok to start putting the boxes on? Ceaser asked.

I gave a slight nod in response.

Ok Dudes, let’s get us some boxes on that vehicle! A loud and happy sounding voice exclaimed.

I missed being that happy I thought before looking up to find Shane, the younger Fallon brother rubbing his hands together and seeming to be deciding which boxes to pick up first. His haircut was very close to his head and it was a dark brown, but his brown eyes were identical to his fathers I realised as I saw them standing side by side. I wasn’t sure since he went to private school, but I thought that he was my age and rumours had it that his older brother had almost two years on him.

Loading boxes is not that fun. Said a deep, sexy voice before appearing in the doorway and slapping Shane over the head.

I had never realised until then that I hadn’t heard him talk before now and boy had I been missing out? His hair was the same colour as Shane’s, but it was longer and styled messily. The same grey eyes I had seen last night landed on me and seemed to take me in. At one point I would have been worried about what a mess I looked, but right now it was the last thing on my mind. I tried to hold it back, but I couldn’t stop the yawn that escaped my throat before asking Ceaser.

Are you sure about this? I glanced at my drunk Mother nervously. Do you know what you’re letting yourself in for?

Of course, everything will be fine. He assured me.

Too tired to argue I nodded and stood up to grab a box, but before I could three pairs of eyes glared at me. Feeling uncomfortable I looked behind me thinking maybe something behind me had caused them to look like that.

Shane snorted. Yeah, this look is totally directed at you.

I frowned in confusion. What did I do?

"Try to pick up a box, the