Witness: See Series (Volume 1)(63)

The tutor nodded to agree. As my eyes met Monroe’s, I smiled. I knew how it felt to be so far ahead in school. For me, though, it was really weird because I went to school; at least by her being home-schooled, she wouldn’t always feel like the baby or out of place, like I did at school.

“Mom’s looking for you,” Kara said as she handed me a pate with a waffle and strawberries.

“So I hear,” I mumbled as I took a bite of my waffle. I knew talking to her would be my biggest challenge today.

“I was really worried about you – long before Monroe showed up in your car,” Kara said in her firm mother tone.

“Sorry – really,” I said as I took another bite.

Kara nodded her head toward the living room; I knew she didn’t want Monroe’s tutor to overhear the speech she was about to give me. I squeezed Monroe’s shoulder as I walked by in an effort to tell her that I was OK, determined and clear headed right now - even though I was sure she already knew that.

I took a few more fast bites of my waffle as I walked to the living room. Kara waited for me to chew before she began her impending speech.

“I know you’re going to be eighteen in a few days, that you’re way more mature and responsible than what that number reflects - but disappearing like you did yesterday was uncalled for. Now is not the time to be rebellious; there’s too much going on.”

My father’s guitar erupted as if to agree with her. I swallowed my last bite as I glared at the open room and the sound that seemed to surround me.

“Kara, seriously, maybe if you and mom hadn’t kept me in a glass box my entire life, I wouldn’t be so messed up right now. I needed time alone yesterday, and when that was over, I was with Draven - just like I was instructed to be by you and mom. I really don’t think a few hours in the middle of the day is anything for you to be mad at.”

At that moment, the guitar grew so loud, I dropped my plate and covered my ears. “Enough! I hear you!” I screamed.

The sound of the guitar dwindled down to almost a whisper. Kara picked up the plate as she smiled nervously and glanced at the tutor in the kitchen, then she urged me closer to the stairs.

“Apparently, those few hours have someone upset.”

“He’s upset because I figured out that he and mom have been keeping a big secret from me – that someone finally pulled the veil from my eyes.”

“Who is this someone? Britain?” Kara asked in an alarmed tone.

“No, but he was quick to divulge information, too. Listen, Kara, don’t worry about me. I’m gonna figure this out – figure me out.”

“Are you and Draven fighting? Who were you with yesterday?”

“We’re not fighting. I’m not gonna let this darkness take him over.”

“Who were you with?”

“Someone from my past.”

“What past, Charlie? Who?”

“Not this life. You don’t know him.”

“Him?! Charlie, this life? What are you talking about?”

“Listen,” I said as I began to climb the stairs. “This is bigger than you think. I’m gonna figure it out. Don’t make me explain what I don’t understand now.”

“Call Mom,” she said as I began to run up the stairs.

When I reached my old room, I saw Madison sleeping soundly on the floor, holding her sketch pad. I thought about waking her, but there was no telling how long she’d slept, and I needed her to be clear and well rested if she was gonna help me find Austin – and that Landen guy.

I let my bag fall to the ground silently, then I gathered some clothes. I wanted to take a shower and sift through what I’d say to my mom before I called her.

As the steaming water poured over me, the words I would say to her escaped me; instead, I moved my head to the rhythm of the sound I was working on, trying to hum to life lyrics – perfect lyrics. It wasn’t until I began to dry my hair that that I brought myself out of the intolerable creative block I was fighting and thought about calling my mom.

I played out the conversation we would have, the prepared speech I was sure she had, and worked my way around it by coming up with comebacks and sarcastic remarks for my defense. The more I thought about how blind she’d kept me, the angrier I became. I mean, I know parents are supposed to protect their children from making the same mistakes they made, but that gave her no right to hide who she was – what I was – from me.

I pulled on my dark denim jeans and fastened my skull belt buckle before I layered on a few tank tops, covering them with an oversized T-shirt that fell to my waist.

When I opened the bathroom door, Madison rolled herself awake. I was sure she wanted to join in on the speech of how I shouldn’t have disappeared yesterday, but I was too focused on the impending argument I was about to have with my mom. I grabbed my bag, then pulled my charger from the wall that was lying next to her.

“I’m calling mom – then you and I are gonna track down Austin; we’re out of here, one way or another.”

She didn’t seem surprised by my boldness or offer an argument; instead, she stood and made her way to the bathroom. As I walked up the stairs to my new room, I held on to the words I’d prepared to say to my mother, growing less confident by the moment.

My father’s guitar was still scolding me when I reached my room. My eyes moved to the rock lamp Monroe had given me. It was glowing in the dim light of my room, but I didn’t see an image of my father anywhere. I walked over to the lamp, knowing I needed a plug if I was gonna bring my phone back to life.