The Awakening

By Angelica Rivera

Christina is used to feeling invisible. Orphaned at the age of five, she can barely remember her parents. All that is left of them is a faint crumbled up picture and her mother's necklace, both left with her on the orphanage's doorstep. Passed around from foster home to foster home, the only stability in her lif

• Language: English
• Publisher: Franklin Publishers
• Release date: Jan 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9798893240023

Book preview

THE AWAKENING

Angelica Rivera

Thank you for taking the time to go on this adventure with me. I will forever cherish all I have encountered. Even more the family I've made along the way.

A special thank you to my mom, family and friends who have closely endured the tragedy of love with me. We were indefinitely altered but forever strengthened. For this we will live connected past death.

May all your love be as sweet.

-A.R.

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

Chapter One

HER BREATH CAME in short gasps as sweat trickled down her back. HELP!! PLEASE, SOMEONE, HELP! The cry came out in a choke. She ran as fast as she could as tears streamed down her face. They were gaining on her. GOD, PLEASE NO!! The night brought on a crisp cold, not that of shivers but of death. She couldn’t think straight; the adrenaline in her body set a flush throughout. Tears clouded her view, but with no other choice, she just kept running. Her legs felt like heated rubber, ready to collapse under her. Pushing herself to keep going, to lose them, she swung left down an alley.

The alley was dark, with only a single dumpster dead in the middle. Christina dove behind it, allowing her body to collapse in the shadows. Sharp jabs of pain to her chest accompanied every breath, sobbing silently as she tried to regain her strength.

It was the presence in the air, the shift of darkness spreading thick, that sent every nerve in her body into a frenzy. Christina slowly looked up from her huddled corner to meet the gaze of this dark and hideous skeleton like body. Between them, its heated breath held a stench of rotting flesh that seemed to cling to the air. He yanked her arm, pulling her closer, his bony fingers cutting like razors into her wrist. Victory is ours. Christina’s stomach knotted as his wicked grin seeped a pungent green liquid.

Christina could barely regain her nerves, sobbing uncontrollably, her body shook in fright. Please... Then without warning, a sharp pain encompassed her—like a knife coated in acid stabbed right through her heart. She looked down in horror—a pool of blood-soaked her clothes—a gaping wound where her heart once rested now exposed the brick wall behind her.

Ahhhhhh! Christina awoke screaming, drenched in sweat. It was justa dream. It felt so real. Her arm and chest felt inflamed. In pain, her arm still held the mark of someone shackling her wrist, and her chest bledwith a slight cut.

It wasn’t the first time this had happened, but who could she tell? People would think she was insane.

This was just another crazed dream. One of many filled with deadly spirits, vampires, werewolves, witches, and ghouls. Each seemed to have all taken turns playing on repeat for the past few weeks. The dreams would be understandable if she ran deep into such topics or were even so much as intrigued by them. As it was, she lived a normal life.

With her eighteenth birthday arriving shortly, Christina felt accomplished. She’d earned a scholarship to one of the top schools in her state. At the top of her class—well, one from the top. Christina rolled her eyes, thinking of her rival Karla Harrison, an accomplished young lady who’d had her every wish hand delivered, as opposed to Christina herself.

Coming from Christina’s background, that she was graduating at all, let alone with such attainments, felt amazing! And maybe it was just that— graduation, it was her anticipation of the other shoe. The one that was bound to drop before her dreams could finally come true. The pressure of keeping the scholarship, the realization that everything she’d ever worked for—everything was finally coming into play. With this thought, Christina brushed the dream aside and lay back in bed, covering herself with her thick, warm blanket. She stared out at the night sky, realizing she was probably the luckiest girl in the world right about now with all the privileges she had at her feet. She snuggled deeper into her sheets and allowed sleep to drift her away.

Nicholas stormed into his room, infuriated to the depth of his core. The room was dark, books and papers were scattered around the floor. Nicholas stood covered in dirt and sweat, his veins almost popping out of his skin. He grabbed the closest thing to him—an empty bookshelf and threw it across the room. All he could see was red. His adrenaline furiously pumping his frustration through his body.

Uncle! Nicholas screamed at the top of his lungs, Uncle! His incisors had extended at their full length, his eyes blood red with rage.

Uncle!

Dressed as a business man must, his uncle stood in a corner in a black suit with a blue collar shirt and of course, the usual tie. He looked to be in his mid to late-forties, with gray hair brushed back and piercing ice-blue eyes. He had this aloof manner about him.

Stop shouting, son. You’ll ruin your cool demeanor.

Nicholas turned with a jolt. Where have you been? he shouted. Handling business. His uncle fixed his cufflinks as he sat in the nearest chair by a window overlooking the city.

Nicholas lived in a small, beat-up apartment equipped with missing floor boards, rusted sinks, and holes in the walls where bricks once laid. No doubt, many had Nicholas to thank for their existence.

They attacked me! It was like a herd of wild animals! Nicholas paced from one side of his apartment to the other. They are only growing in numbers, Uncle!

His uncle’s face showed no expression. He simply stared out the window.

I have found the solution to defeating your sister. He said casually. Although, I have a feeling you would rather stand more attacks and die trying to defend our ways than go about my plan. His uncle looked at him with an icy stare, eye to eye. My plan will collapse the army, regain our control, and my plan will kill your sister.

Nicholas took a deep breath. He loved his sister more than life itself. She and their uncle practically raised him. He didn’t want to kill her. He grew up with her. If anyone should die, it should be the mortals. They were the reason she had become so insane.

Nicholas, you know it’s for the best. His uncle used their inner mental connection to communicate. You know that if it’s this easy for me to read your mind, your sister can, too. We share the same blood, the same energy, the same love. Even as corrupt as this world is, it cannot tear our connection apart. We can only block it from each other. You have to learn to close your mind, Nicholas. Or my plan has already hit a complication.

Nicholas’s emotions were running rampant, infuriated with his sister, the war, the mortals, as well as himself. No. No, Uncle. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.

I love her, too, Nicholas, but she will not listen to reason. She is just as hardheaded as your mother was. May she rest in peace. The mortals kill what they fear. They fear that which they do not know. Our kind cannot and will not rule the world. It would be utter chaos. There would be no food left. They would feed like animals who have nothing to lose, leaving no time for humans to reproduce. Eventually, we will all turn on each other. Nicholas knew his uncle was right. After the humans had found their parentstobevampires,theykilledthem. Veronica,oncealoving,caring, and joyful little girl, turned into a protective and stern adult as if she weren’t a child herself, raising Nicholas practically as her own. Growing up under Uncle, she never sought revenge. It was after they killed the love of her life that she turned. He tried and begged his sister to live as if nothinghadhappened,althoughheknewshecouldn’t.Howcouldheblame her? But for Veronica to die?

Are you sure there is no other way, Uncle?

You and I both know her heart has turned to ice. No, Nicholas. There is no saving her now.

Nicholas knew what his uncle said was true. She had torn the Vampire world in half, those who were for the change and those against it, although Veronica’s army was much larger than theirs. Everyone was tired of hiding out. Nicholas thought to himself, ‘They just don’t see why we, who are so much more powerful than mortals, have to cower in the shadows like prey. When, in fact, we are the deadliest of predators the world has to offer.’

At this point, Nicholas had calmed down. What is your plan, Uncle? With just a thought, he stood, cleaned and fully dressed. Unlike his uncle, Nicholas took a more laid-back approach to his appearance. Wearing a white V-neck shirt, blue jeans held up by a black leather belt, and the latest black and white Nike high tops, he looked more like a freshman in college than a cold-blooded killer.

Follow me, his uncle said in a low voice. Within a calm blink of an eye, they now stood a few miles away in a rundown neighborhood.

What are we doing here, Uncle?

Look into that window.

His uncle pointed to a small house with overgrown grass, missing shingles, and a fence that was practically falling over. In the window, Nicholas saw a young girl. Her long black hair waved and flowed down her petite figure. She looked frail and clumsy, almost like her body had not yet grown into itself. She held a book in one hand and a journal in the other. She seemed to be studying.

What am I looking at, Uncle?

That young lady right there—she is my plan.

Nicholas chuckled. You can’t be serious. Didn’t you just feed? Really, what are we doing here?

I am serious, Nicholas. His uncle’s voice was stern.

Nicholas searched for some sort of expression on his uncle’s face. As usual, he found none. Just as stern and unreadable as always.

This I’ve got to hear. How could this mortal girl, who looks no more than sixteen, help us at all? Are we planning to make my sister laugh to death? Nicholas gestured toward the window. "When we place this in front of her? She looks like she’d fall over if a leaf fell on her. A gust of wind might blow her way!"

Nicholas’sangerwasbeginningtoboilupagain.Heranhisfingersthroughhishair,brushingitback.‘Whatcouldhisunclepossibly be thinking?’

Though she lives and breathes as one, she is no mortal, son. And just as much as it is a shock to you, she too will find out she is no mortal. She has the Kingston bloodline in her.

Nicholas quickly turned his uncle’s way in disbelief. But they are all dead, Uncle.

So many think. Neither she nor anybody else knows of her existence. I have watched her grow into the young lady she’s become. She will be eighteen soon, and her powers will come into effect.

I’mlost,Uncle.IfsheisfromtheKingstonbloodline,whyareher powers not already in effect? How could she not know she is a vampire? She is not only Kingston-born, but she is also the famous tale you hear so much about—the tall tale of the witch and vampire that fell in love and died such tragic deaths.

Youmeanthestoriesaretrue?Nicholaswasshockedathisuncle’s revelation. Then everyone knows of her. No. Everyone knows a story, a tale.

She is Kingston and Zeldene born? The words escaped Nicholas in a whisper.

For the first time in a long span, his uncle’s face held a smirk. Just as quickly, it was gone. Something about this girl was more than his uncle let on, Nicholas saw now. It was something more than her already unique story. That’s great, uncle, but if not, even she knows of her powers, and they are not yet in effect. How can she help?

As of now, she should already be experiencing dreams that tell her of her true self. Her powers will come into effect on her eighteenth birthday, which is in a few days. Her mother cast a spell over her when she was born, allowing her to live better in hiding. When her powers finally come, that’s when our plan begins. I leave it to you, nephew, to watch over her and help her learn what she must.

Uncle, even when she does get her powers, they take years to master. Shedoesnothaveyears.Itisyourjobtoteachherandteachherfast. She is our only hope.

Nicholas took a deep breath. I understand. You have a few days of business.

His uncle looked at him. Do you trust me, Nicholas?

Yes, Uncle, I do.

As I, you. I also trust that you can handle this while I am away. Are you ever going to tell me where you go on these business trips?

His uncle stroked his chin and took a few steps away. Maybe someday, but as of today, you need to gain the trust of a young lady. Then, giving a small chuckle, his uncle swiftly disappeared.

A chuckle and a smirk, Nicholas said to himself. Yes, something aboutyou,mortalgirl,isveryinteresting.Somethingmorethanjust your bloodline.

FREEDOM LIES

Chapter Two

CHRISTINA WOKE EXCITED for this new day. It was finally her eighteenth birthday! Her best friend Sam had been planning this day with her for a while now. However, it couldn’t be much because her foster parents didn’t have much. Mark and Patty were the first foster parents she didn’t want to run away from. Only living with them a short two years, they were the best Christina had ever lived with. They were the only ones worth staying in touch with once she went off to college.

Christina stopped her dazed thoughts and realized time was ticking away. She jumped out of bed and scrambled to get ready for school. Sam was already downstairs, shouting for her to hurry.

I’m coming. Hold your horses! Christina yelled. She finished getting ready and ran downstairs. Good morning, everyone!

Well,goodmorning,beautiful.Pattysmiledatherandhandedher some toast.

Thanks, Pat, but I’ve really got to run!

Well, then, just take it with you. How did you get dressed so fast? Icould have sworn you woke up five minutes ago.

Christina laughed as she grabbed her backpack and the toast from Pat. I don’t know. It’s my birthday. I guess I have superpowers for a day.

Christina and Sam ran out the door and started off for school.

Sam looked at Christina with raised eyebrows and a mischievous grin.

What? Christina questioned. Nothing.

No, seriously. What? You’re looking at me like you’re up to something.

No. You’re just a dork, Sam said as she gave a small smirk. You always have your backpack all packed and everything all set to go.

Sam had always had a more laid-back approach to life. To her, whatever happens, happens, life was just a wave to ride. Nothing mattered much, and everything was meant to be. Unlike Christina’s planned approach to everything, she was more tomboyish in her ways. Sam didn’t even plan to have her socks match. She wore her long, curly blond hair kept up. In truth, when she did decide to let her hair down and get dressed up, she was rather pretty. Her skin was fair and porcelain-like, her eyes a dark blue anyone could get lost in.

I’msorry.Ismycarryingthisbackpackexhaustingyou?Wouldyou like me to carry your pencil for you and take some of the weight off?

Ha Ha, Miss Sarcasm. Joke’s on you because I don’t have a pencil today!

Oh,God.You’resomethingelse.Youknowthat?Whydoyoueven bother coming to school?

Sam simply shrugged in her nonchalant way, Ehh... to see people, get out the house, not have to pay tickets, walk you around. Any of those reasons sound good enough?

Well, I guess the last one is a logical answer. Christina couldn’t help but smile. Life was always a big laugh around Sam.

Sam jumped in front of Christina, stopping her in her tracks. Let’s just skip school today!

Oh, okay!

"No, for real. It’s your birthday! Who goes to school on their birthday?

Everyone knows it’s an expected, excused vacation day!"

Christina allowed a mock grin to play across her face. You’re impossible! You know that?

Come on, Christy. It’s just one day. Live a little. You’re eighteen! You’re free! No more court dates, no more foster homes, no more getting tossed around like paperwork! Sam raised her arms in the air and shouted, You’re free!

Christina stopped and contemplated everything Sam had just said. She was free. She hadn’t even thought about it. Free of everything and everyone. With a sigh of hesitation, Christina allowed the excitement to sink in.

What do I do with my backpack?

Ahh! Toss it in the bushes. We’ll come back later!

You know, you always get me into trouble. I don’t even know why I listen to you.

Because I bring out the fun in you!

They walked around the city all day, going to the mall and a few parks, enjoying the freedom and all that came with it. Christina really did feel relaxed for the first time in a while. That’s why Sam was her best friend. For all these moments of doing absolutely nothing and discussing even less.

As they lay in the park feeling the cool breeze of that fall day, Christina watched as the wind carried the colorful fall leaves dancing across the park, the clouds seem big and pale white across the blue sky. They lay right in the sun’s rays so that just a touch of warmth could heat their skin. Everything was perfect, but still, Christina could feel a heavy weight settling in her heart. She took in a deep breath and slowly let it out, biting her lip as she did so.

What’s wrong? Sam asked as she looked over. She always seemed to know everything about Christina, especially when she was disturbed.It’s nothing really. I just keep feeling like something is starting to happen. It’s been a great day and one of the most relaxing days I can remember, but I can’t shake a feeling something big is fixing to happen. There was no other way to put it.

Like what?

I don’t know. Christina pondered. But it’s huge, life changing even. Maybe it’s just today and the new freedom it brings.

No... That’s not it. It’s bigger than just my birthday.

Well, whatever it is, it better not be so life changing that you leave me behind. Wherever you go, count me in for the ride!

Christina smiled, I’d never leave you. Is that what this day was about?

Sam sighed as she propped herself up to face Christina. It’s just going to suck when you have to leave. This is our last year before you go off to college. I’m not graduating.

Well, wherever I go to college, how about you just move with me and go to school there? Christina chuckled.

New place. New people. Sounds like a plan. Sam smiled.

It was good to see that smile, Christina hadn’t told Sam everything. Someone had been watching them all day. She felt it. She hadn’t yet spotted them, but someone or something was definitely there.

Areyoureadytogoback?MarkandPatwantmetobringyou home by six for your surprise party. Sam jumped up and gave her hand out to Christina.

Oh, well, thanks for that little tidbit.

Sam gave Christina a smirk and led the way back home. Come on, I told them I’d get you home before dark.

They knew we skipped school?

Well, they knew I wanted you to. They just told me good luck trying to convince you.

They were still blocks from home. Christina shook her head in disbelief. You know there’s no way we’ll make it back before dark.

Well, lucky for us, I know a shortcut. Sam walked up to an alley, dim now in the later hour.

Oh, no! There’s no way I’m going in there!

Stop being such a prissy princess. It’s perfectly safe. Come on. And with a turn, she moved deeper into its shadows.

Yeah, safe until a random rapist jumps out from behind a dumpster! Christina yelled at her back.

She felt hesitant, but like usual, she put her trust in Sam, hearing her say, Well if that were to happen, I’d push you in front and shout ‘she’s prettier,’ then I’d run!

Christina scuffed. Oh, you’re so sweet. You’d go get help while I tried to defend myself?

Ummm... Sure, let’s say that’s what I’d do. Sam pushed playfully at Christina, now at her side.

They walked through the dark alleyway, but the further down they moved, the darker, colder, and foggier it got. For some reason, Sam’s footsteps sounded farther away.

Sam, don’t walk so far ahead. I’m losing you.

How can you lose me? It’s one way. Just keep walking, Sam shouted back.

Christian’s nerves were on overload. The hairs on the back of her neck began standing up.

Sam, something’s not right. Someone’s following us.

No one’s following us. You’re letting the alley freak you out.

All of a sudden, Christina saw a blurred shadow pass in front of her.

Sam?Sheyelledasfearbegantosetin,Sam!shelistened,butshe still couldn’t hear anything. Sam, don’t play around. Answer me! Nothing.Ican’tseeathing,Sam!Christinashoutedasterrorbegan to take over.

Christina felt cold breath right behind her neck, then, Shhh... Sam can’t hear you right now. Chills ran through her spine, making her breath catch in her throat.

Are you scared? The voice chuckled.

Her heart was pounding so hard, it was all she could hear.

Who...areyou?Whatdoyouwant?Christina’svoicewasjagged, less than a whisper.

I want you, my sweet.

A strong arm grasped Christina’s neck, encompassing her in its tight grip.

All she could do was stand there almost in tears.

Where’s Sam?

She’s just right outside the alleyway calling for you. Don’t you hear her?

Christina listened, she did hear something, but it sounded so far away.

I know who you are. This is the first of many meetings. Happy eighteenth birthday, Christina.

Christina was shocked. Who was this? She did a quick turn to see this captor, but as fast as she turned, whoever it was, was gone. And just like that, the strange fog dispersed, and she could see Sam at the end of the alley shouting for her.

Christina!

Sam! Christina was sobbing, her mascara making streaks down her face and her body trembling. She couldn’t move until she felt Sam’s touch.

Christina! What happened? I kept calling you?

The man...Sam could barely understand through Christina’s intense sobbing. The man behind the dumpster grabbed me.

SamgrabbedChristina’sshoulders.Christina,thereisnoman!What are you talking about? But Christina was still sobbing uncontrollably. He knew my name! He knew it was my birthday! He knew how old I was! He... he... he said... it was the first of many meetings!

Sam was baffled hearing all this. She never knew Christina to joke around, lie, or even be this hysterical. She had to be telling the truth. Something happened.

The sobs slowed enough for Christina to ask, You... you... didn’t hear me screaming your name?

Sam looked at her in desperation. Not sure how to help. No... I kept calling for you. I couldn’t see you or hear you. Let’s just go home. We can tell Mark and Pat what happened.

Christina suddenly got very serious. We can’t tell them. We’ll just go home as if nothing happened.

Sam’s brows wrinkled in confusion. Christy, we have to tell them. He said he’s coming back.

No! Christina straightened up and looked Sam straight in the eyes. We tell no one.

Sam didn’t know what to make of her sudden change in expression. Are you okay, Christy?

Just fine, Sam, why? Christina’s face suddenly did look fine—as if she hadn’t been crying at all. She started walking down the alley, smiling as she went. Are you coming, Sam?

Sam was a little shook up. What just happened?

Yeah... I’m coming. Now her voice sounded more curious than scared.

They walked the rest of the way without another word. They enjoyed the party with her family and friends just as Christina said... as if nothing had ever happened.

The entire time Sam stayed to herself, standing in the corner staring at Christina,changingonlyherexpressionwhenChristinaturnedtosmileat her. ‘The fog had disappeared out of nowhere.’ Sam thought to herself. ‘If Christina did call her, why didn’t she hear her? They weren’t that far apart.’ Sam... Sam!

Sam snapped out of her thoughts, Christina now standing right in front of her.

Party’s over. Everyone’s going home. Do you want to spend the night?

Umm... Sure.

They went up to Christina’s room after helping Pat clean up. Sam watched Christina as she brushed her hair in the mirror. Her long black hair was such a contrast to her pale white skin. Christina shifted so that her hair moved, exposing her neck a little.

Whoa! What’s that? What’s what?

Sam jumped out of bed and picked up Christina’s hair. What the hell is on your neck?

Samliftedherhairtoseepurpleandbluemarks fingermarks.Like someone had grabbed hold of her with force.

It’s nothing. Christina grabbed her hair back, yanking it out of Sam’s grasp as she walked over to the bed.

What do you mean nothing? We have to tell someone! Whatever happened to you in that alley is real!

Sam was panicking, pacing back and forth. Leave it alone, Sam.

How can you be so calm about this, Christy? This man left a mark on you! He knows your name and your birthday! For all we know, he knows where you live, and he’s watching us as we speak! He’s planning on coming back, Christy!

Christina’s voice was low and calm.

Sam, I’m warning you just this once. Leave it alone and go to bed. No,Christy! Atthispoint,Samwantedtoscream.I’mnotgoingto let you be this stupid! This obviously isn’t a game! I’m going to tell Patty! Samturnedtothedoorandthrewitopen,butbeforeshecouldeven takeastep,thedoorswungclosed.Christinawasstillinthebed,just staring at her.

We tell no one what is going on, Sam.

Now Sam was the one trembling. Christy... How did you... What’s going on?

Why so serious, Sam? Christina sat there, a blank stare in her eyes. Christy,thedoorjustslammedclosedinmyface,butyou’restillsitting on the bed. Some guy comes out of nowhere and leaves a mark on you. Tell me what the hell is going on. Now!

Christina was just as baffled as Sam was. She didn’t know what had come over her. I don’t know what’s going on! You know as much as Ido about the alley. I just have a strong feeling we can’t tell a soul! I was just getting so mad that you weren’t listening to me. I didn’t want you to walk out, the next thing I knew, the door was slamming. Christina just knew she needed more time to figure things out before anyone else was dragged into it.

Sam watched Christina explain calmly. She looked so innocent. She’d looked innocent the entire night. But something was different. Sam knew her friend too well, but for some reason, the usual sweet innocent little girl seemed to have an edge of darkness about her now. Something almost cynical and scary. Did anything else happen in the alley, Christy?

No, just what I told you. Come to bed. I’m just as confused as you are, but we’ll figure it out tomorrow.

Sam felt reluctant, but she walked over and laid down. Desperately trying to calm her nerves.

You’re looking at me weird, Sam. You’re being weird, Christy.

Christina fell right asleep, but for Sam, sleep was the last thing on her mind.

She stayed up most of the night just watching Christina. Trying to figure out what was different. Before