Chapter 14: Fourteen

“One more day,” I realised I was walking on thin ice here.

“This might be a joke for you, right?” He glared at me. “My life is on the line.”

“What does that mean?”

“Roughly translated, it means if you don’t sign...” he shook his head, the knife disappeared.

“And I’m guessing my brother’s life depends on you now? Oh how fortunate.” I glared at him. “I don’t even know what I’m getting myself into.” But I realised I had no choice. It was either me or Zack. My life wasn't worth living if Zack wasn't in it. It would be Zack, always. He had so much to live for. I would lay down my life for him

“What’s there to know?” he snickered. “Do you always have to over analyse everything. You’re a smart girl; I don’t need to explain trivial things to you, do I?”

I shrugged.

He marched into the room and glared at me. “Mm... Now now, I know you don't want to disappoint me." When he spoke a chill rolled down my spine and I gulped. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled.

“You humans are so naive!” he banged his fist on the kitchen counter, hissed and walked out with long powerful strides. But before he could leave, I saw his eyes flush, his face change, I blinked and his face was back to normal. “Then you leave me no choice.”

I ran after him as he rounded the corner.

“Benjamin, wait.” I couldn’t let him kill Zack.

He stopped, his rigid back turned towards me.

“Okay,” I whispered

“Okay what?”

I let out a shaky breath. “I’ll sign.”

“Good” his uninviting tone made me nervous. “It’s not like your soul is pure anyway. You were damned before you were born.”

“What?”

“Human...” he drooled. “You’re attracting the wrong crowd.

“For a witch you’re irrational.”

“And yet that very witch just tricked you.”

"Just give me the damn knife!” I whispered, defeated. What was the use in fighting? I wanted Zack alive and if that were to happen then I had to sign. It seemed easy enough.

He laughed humourlessly. “You’re not giving up your whole life; it’s just your soul.

“What?” I was frozen in anger. Did that mean I was going to die? I felt so stupid, of course it wouldn't be as easy as signing and my brother would be ok. He'd said there was no catch and I was stupid enough to trust him. I felt as though the whole world had dropped to my shoulders. Would I be the same again without my soul? I couldn't help my emotions from running wild. A sharp pain pierced my heart and I stumbled with the force of it. I felt so weak as if my legs could give up on me any second. “You said…”

He glared at me over his shoulder. “I know. Get over it.”

I shook my head weakly. I still didn't I could be so easily tricked. What would become of me now? Yes Zack would be alive but if I wasn't myself again who would take care of him? “I won’t do that.”

“Then you can get some funeral policies ready.”

“Whatever.” I cried, tears running down my face now as I ran back to the house. I gave up on making dinner and made my way upstairs to my bedroom, where I cried myself to sleep. I’d done it. I sold my soul to a witch. I didn’t even know what tha

The weeks that followed the incident were uncomfortable, stressing, and to be honest embarrassing. To my dismay, I found myself in Christopher’s study on more occasions than in my classroom. It was a dark and stormy month and I lost a few pounds. I could hardly keep anything down. My trembling body refused to stomach anything. I preferred to sleep with the lights on. Distressed, fearful and frightened, I woke in the middle of the night with thunder roaring and couldn’t sleep for the rest of the night. The bags under my eyes were starting to look purple.

To make my weeks even more horrible, Bradley and Benjamin were constantly glaring daggers at each other. At least Bradley ignored me, which if I’m being honest with myself, annoyed me more than the fact that Benjamin was making it impossible for me to enjoy my lunch breaks. Even the other kids at school had started noticing, he was following me around, always too eager to accompany me around the school. And so, rumours started - apparently Benjamin and I were officially dating and he made no effort to deny that to anyone that asked.

Annette and Gwen – the senior who knew everything about everybody except the Carters they remained a mystery to everyone –were always crowding me, asking me what it felt like to date Benjamin. They were making me uncomfortable. When I refused to answer they naturally assumed that I was being secretive. And Janice was the worst; she actually insisted I ask him to dinner, she was persistent. Last Friday of the month she came by at school and asked him herself to join us Sunday evening. Of course he said yes.

Bradley usually spent time with me only in the study and the minute the storm had passed he would leave without a word. I found myself enjoying the stormy days more than I should have; it was an excuse to be close to Bradley. And I was actually looking forward to them. I realised with great horror that I was starting to hate perfectly raining days. I wanted the excruciating sunny days because I knew that they guaranteed a storm later on. How pathetic.

During science he sat in the same usual seat he always had, face down. He was the first to come to class and the last to leave. Every time he walked through the door my stomach would feel weird as though butterflies were crashing against its fragile ramparts. I thought that he wasn’t paying any attention to what Mr Watson said and so I was immensely amazed when he’d been asked a question and he’d answered without even looking up. He was busy with his sketch book, words failed me when my eyes wondered down and sneaked a peek at what he was busy with. I thought I recognised that face, so sad, so frightened. But I wasn’t sure where I’d seen her before. My heart ached for the nameless face.

Benjamin, though, was pleased by the obvious tension between Bradley and me. He’d naturally assumed that given that he’d tricked me I would be upset with him but I simply didn’t care, at least my brother was safe and Janice was happy.

Sunday evening came and my mother was practically jumping up and down with excitement. Pity she was more concerned about me looking good for Benjamin than I was. When she called me down I had my hair in a messy bun and I wore faded jeans and Uncle Miles’s old t-shirt that had seen better days. She sucked in a breath.

“Ben will be here soon.”

I shrugged.

“Never mind, go get ready.”

I looked down at my choice of clothes and smiled. I was comfortable, that’s all that mattered. “I’m ready.”

She frowned, horror written all over her face. “You can’t possibly sit next to Ben dressed like that.”

I laughed. “Yes I can and I will.” My smile vanished when I saw her frown. “What would you have me wear?”

“Something more ladylike,”

I frowned thoughtfully. “I have a long skirt and some converse.”

“Over my dead body!”

That could be so easily arranged, I joked inwardly.

“Jan – mom,” I wasn’t allowed to call her Janice to her face. “...don’t you think you’re being a little too dramatic?”

She glared at me.

“Mom, even my ...friends know I’m no fashion icon.”

“You don’t have any friends.” She reminded me. “And if you did, they’d teach you a thing or two about trends.”

“You’re my friend.”

She frowned. “Honey, that’s unhealthy.”

She took me to her bedroom and covered my face with so much make up that my face felt extremely heavy. She forced me to wear one of her old revealing dresses which I kept pulling down on impulse.

“I’m practically naked.” I complained. “And my lips are too red.”

“Don’t be silly. You look amazing and that dress is too long. It goes past your knees.”

“Ugh.”

“You can’t always wear jeans and hoods.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, “And why not?”

“How do you expect boys to notice you?”

“I don’t want any boy to notice me.” I wasn’t being completely honest with her. There was one boy in particular, with black eyes and a flawless face. The most beautiful creature I have ever laid my eyes upon. I watched him, unable to control myself, whenever he walked through my classroom door.

Janice simply puckered a brow and gave me a look that said she knew better. The doorbell sounded and I groaned.

“Elizabeth, go get the door.”

I shook my head.

Janice sighed and went downstairs. I followed her a few seconds later.

“…you may sit.” Mom was saying as I entered the dining room. “I’m sure Elizabeth will be down soon.”

Benjamin laughed. “You have such a lovely home.”

“Can I interest you in some cranberry juice?” Janice asked, when Benjamin nodded she continued. “Oh, well thank you. It was designed by my late husband.”

“He had such impressive taste.”

I took the only seat available, next to Benjamin; I knew mom had purposely hid the other chairs.

“Elizabeth.” Benjamin greeted. “You look stunning.”

“Uh...thanks.” I said awkwardly. I was sure my cheeks were rosy.

During the next two hours I was quiet. I never said a word. Benjamin and Janice behaved like best friends. I found myself thinking about black slick hair and beautiful black eyes. I tuned them out. I didn't even know what they were talking about. Zack too seemed immune to Benjamin’s charms.

That is, until I heard Zack’s name.

“He’s fine now.” She mumbled. “One day he was on his death bed and the next he’s upstairs looking as healthy as ever. It’s puzzling.”

Benjamin looked up at me with a menacing smile. “Elizabeth didn’t tell you?”

Janice frowned. “Tell me what?” she looked at me with confused eyes.

“I...” I glared at Benjamin, his smile never wavered.