...𝕽𝖊𝖒𝖊𝖒𝖇𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊...

...Part One...

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

Tick. Tick.

The clock hanging above the classroom door ticks away, drowning out the monotony of casual movement within the classroom.

Tick. Tick.

A rustle of a backpack—the screech of the old classroom chairs as they scrape against the cold linoleum tile.

"Del-, Delp-, Delphine!"

My eyes shoot up, flicking over my teacher's scrutinizing gaze–her stern blue eyes grip my attention only breaking eye contact to look at the tip of her ruler pressed against the hard wood of my desk.

I let out a smooth sigh before meeting her eyes again, bowing my head slightly. "I'm sorry. I'll make sure to pay attention" 

faint snide and giggles from the back of the class break the tension between me and my teacher Mrs. Murdell. 

"I'll take your word for it Ms. Listeria." Mrs. Murdell's tone was about as piercing and cold as her lifeless, detached blue eyes.

I almost think the years of teaching have eaten away at her soul like maggots on stale food.

Mrs. Murdell's lifeless voice billows through the classroom once again lecturing us on the importance of college applications and resumes.

I clutch the sleeve of my black cardigan before my gaze drifts back up to the clock.

Brnggg.

The dismissal bell rings through the classroom as the muggy atmosphere comes to life, students jumping up from their seats howling and lauging.

Today is the last day of our senior year. My eyes dance around the classroom at all the familiar faces before I clutch my bag, throwing it lazily around my shoulder—trudging towards the door. Opening the classroom door the hallways cloud with vibrancy and banter.

Students trample through the hall—excitement of summer break lingers in the air. A shove from behind leaves me stumbling a few feet forward and breaks me from my daze

"Well if it isn't charming, one of the kind Delphi!" it takes me only a moment to register his voice before I glance over my shoulder

"Haha, very funny Calvin." Mustering as much sarcasm as possible into my voice—my annoyance apparent.

"As sweet as always I see." He snickers, snidely in my direction.

Calvin—my childhood best friend. Even as we teeter on adulthood, I doubt his boyish charm will ever leave him.

I stare at him for a moment watching his messy brown hair sweep over his face, parting just enough to see his foxlike hazel eyes. His full lips parted, threatening to make another snide remark or crude joke. His tanned hand grips my shoulder to grab my attention—facing me toward him, standing in his shadow as his tall figure looms over me.

My eyebrows tent slightly, "when did you get so tall?"

His emotion plays across his face—complex, as he tries to decide whether to laugh or gripe

"I guess while you were day-dreaming." he replies, opting to give me a deadpan stare instead. Rather than humoring him any further I turn my back to him walking hastily towards the doors.

"Wait-" he calls out from behind me as I grip the cold metal door handle in my hand—sun shines through the glass door reflecting off the silver rings on my fingers.

His heavy footsteps pad towards me with loud thuds as he brushes past our peers

"your as aloof as always." he jeers with mild annoyance. His gaze hardened—as I felt the weight of it pressed against my back.

"I guess so" my reply was cool and unwavering.

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

Swinging open the heavy door with practiced ease I took in the hot, humid temperature of the early summer breeze.

With a quick motion I grab car keys out of my pocket—jingling as they glint in the sunlight. I toss a glance back in Calvin's direction already aware of what he's going to ask.

His smooth playful voice breaking the silence, "My dearest Delphi, would you please give your best and only friend in the whole wide world a ride home."

His eyes soften and his full lips curl into a playful pout.

A long sigh drifted past my parted lips as I shifted my bag more comfortably on my back. A few long strands of red hair fall into my face.

"I don't have all day." I retorted very matter-of-factly, walking at a leisure pace to my run down car.

His voice perked up behind me, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

I rub my temples as his presence brings on a headache.

Swinging open the driver's side door, heat pools out of the car. I sling my bag into the back seat and climb in. The passenger side door swings open a moment later, Calvin plopping down in the seat beside me.

Droning out his mindless ramblings I shut the car door, tug my seat belt around me, and stick the key into the ignition.

"Do you ever know how to be quiet?" I chirp coolly as I watch his expression shifting from his usual boyish charm to a mild irritation.

"Sorry Ms. Buzzkill." he laughs out, shifting awkwardly in the seat. I turn the key over as the car engine rumbles to life.

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

I smell the salt in the air as I drive through the small ocean town passing a sign that looks a tad worse for wear

Welcome to Coos Bay.

I spare a side glance to watch as the lazy ocean laps at the pale, crystal-like sand until Calvin's smooth voice echoes throughout the beat-up Honda Civic

"So– have you been applying to colleges?" My knuckles whiten as I grip the stirring wheel with a bit more force than necessary, he spares me a concerned glance which I can see out of the corner of my eye.

"You know, college has never been an option for me." I feel the car stutter a bit as I increase my speed. Calvin rustled his hair before shifting around in his seat to face me

"there's always scholarships–" He pipes up carefully, sensing my displeasure. 

I stare at the road, narrowing my eyes

"Stop insisting, my answer won't change." A tense silence falls over both of us—it always has when we discuss the future.

He mumbles some curses under his breath as I slow the car down to a stop.

"Here." The finality in the word deafening.

My gaze shifts to him as he shuffles out of the seat grabbing his tattered backpack from the floorboard. His white t-shirt a tad too small struggles against his muscles as he exits the car.

As I begin to start the car, I feel his weight press against the door followed by tapping at the window.

Rolling down the window—he pokes his head back into the car, his face only a few inches from mine. I look over the features of the once snotty little boy.

"Please just think about it." His words are breathy and soft, laced with concern. He pushes off the car—bringing his hand to my forehead, flicking me.

A red spot bloomed where he flicked, I brought up my hand cupping my forehead.

"You brat! I should have never taken care of you all those years!"

I hear a chuckle come from him and watch his retreating form as he lazily waves a hand over his shoulder walking towards the medium size townhouse.

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

I lingered on that townhouse a moment longer, remembering the sniveling little boy who once stumbled up to me. His hands were smeared with dirt and something sticky, fingers jabbing in my direction.

"Hey, you!" He demanded.

"Be my friend!"

I sat under a maple tree with a book clutched to my chest, pretending not to hear him. My small fingers fumbled over the pages, though I wasn't really reading.

"Did you hear me?" he asked again, his voice cracking.

Finally, I looked up, scowl puckering my round five-year-old face. But the sight of him softened it: hair in his eyes, nose rubbed raw, arms and legs scratched like he'd fought off a stray dog.

"No," my squeaky voice chimed, sharper than I meant it to be.

His little fists balled at his sides, eyes narrowing. "Why not?!"

I pressed my lips into a line, staring at him for a long moment before dropping my gaze back to my book.

But the crunch of leaves gave him away—he wasn't leaving. His awkward little body plopped down beside mine under the maple tree.

"My name's Calvin," he announced, scrubbing his nose with the back of his hand. Then he stuck it out toward me, palm smeared and damp.

I pulled my hand back quickly, scrunching my face. No way was I touching that.

"Delphine," I muttered instead, peeking at him from the corner of my eye.

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

The memory faded as quickly as it came. I shoved it away and locked it back into the treasure trove of the few good ones I had.

With the twist of the key, the car rumbled back to life. As I drive through the pothole covered streets of Coos Bay—letting the ocean breeze tickle my nose, focusing my eyes on the road as the kiss of dusk looms in the skies.

A tourist might say this is one of the prettiest places they have ever seen, but I would beg to differ.

I slow the car as I round the corner pulling into the run down motel-turned-apartment complex.

I park with a long sigh, leaving my bag behind. After locking the car, I drag myself toward the steps

I press the numbers 0851 into the worn keypad and a whirring buzz follows with a short click I press open the door.

"I'm home!" I call out into the messy apartment, my nose scrunching at the open cans of beer and abandoned pizza boxes on the glass coffee table.

I lean down peeling the tattered black and white canvas shoes from my feet discarding them onto the shoe rack.

"Ryan?" I call out into the empty apartment once more before coming to the conclusion he's not home yet.

I walk to my bedroom at the far back of the apartment, my feet padding against the cold wood and throw myself into my bed launching the new book I was reading across the room.

"Dammit-" I moan into a pillow before lifting my sore body off the bed and grabbing the book. I thumb through the crisp pages. I hiss as a drop of blood splatters onto the pristine page.

Perfect.

Even my books can't escape ruin. I drop the book pressing my papercut finger against my tongue and walk over to the bathroom.

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

...𝕽𝖊𝖒𝖊𝖒𝖇𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊...

...Part Two...

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

I run my finger under the cold tap, watching the blood dissolve into the clear stream. Then I cup my hands, splash the icy water across my face, and brace against the counter as my head clears.

I stare at my reflection. Narrow golden eyes flecked with orange glared back at me—scrutinizing, just like my mother's.

Freckles line my cheeks and nose. My long, wavy red hair is swept behind my ears. A few strands cling stubbornly to my wet face.

Before turning away my full lips press into a scowl at my own reflection. I mouth silently to myself an insult that's been hurled at me for a lifetime

"You're just like your mother"

I shut off the bathroom sink, slipping out and shutting the door behind me. I hear a whirring noise and then a click as the apartment door peels open.

"Delphi?" I hear Ryan's voice echo through the apartment.

"Coming!" I call out racing down the hall to greet Ryan. We are polar opposites if I resembled the sun he was the moon.

His sturdy frame bent to untie his shoes, shoulder length black hair threatens to fall into his face as his black-framed sunglasses push the obsidian strands back.

His gaze drifts up to mine no doubt feeling my presence. His eyes are a deep blue, more beautiful than the seas that surround this dainty port town with swirls of seafoam green.

If I didn't know any better I would assume a power lurked beneath those ocean eyes.

His gaze softened after seeing me. Still, a restlessness flickers there, crawling beneath his sharp features.

My lips curl into a slight frown sensing his unease "Everything okay?"

I watch him carefully as his shoulders slacken with a sigh as he straightens.

His outfit catches my attention – layers of black leather and his boots, laced tight, now lay discarded on the rack. Odd, even for him.

"Am I happy to see you," he says, opening his arms for a hug. I pace over to him, wrapping my slender frame into his arms.

He's Burlier than I remember, his muscles relax around me while I hold him. I take a deep breath, the scent of salt and soot clinging to his pale skin.

I pull from his arms, taking a step back, then watch as he throws himself on the couch with a groan of relief, the tension melting away from him.

Before I walk off he calls out to me, "Delphi have you spoken to dad-" he starts.

"And why exactly would I speak with him?" I cut him off, my tone cool and pointed, daggers in my stare.

"Del-" he pauses, and for a moment a hint of pity swims in his blue eyes.

"He cares about you in his own way y'know." empty beer cans rattle falling to the floor as I slam my hands down on the glass coffee table, Ryan's shoulders tense—he knows he's crossed a boundary.

"What! Like how he cared about mom?!" Venom laced my every word and for a heartbeat I didn't even recognize my own voice.

The mention of mom sends him flying off the couch, his knuckles turning white at his side as his muscles tighten under the black leather

"She's Dead, Delphine! Dead!" his voice crackles with anger"

"Your hate–your anger–it's eating you alive. And frankly? I'm sick of it!"

My face darkens as the metallic taste of blood spreads across my tongue. I drag it over the fresh imprint of teeth feeling the swell of my lip.

A knot the size of a golf ball rises in my throat as hot tears threaten to fall from my eyes.

"You weren't there–" my voice fractures, barely more than a murmur "you... you didn't hold her lifeless body in your hands!"

The last sentence stung him like a bee. His head dropped, his shoulders heavy, the fire which was raging in his eyes iced over to something distant... unreadable.

The room was thick with emotion and tension– but something felt wrong, as if a cold winter breeze swept in and froze us to the bone.

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

...𝕽𝖊𝖒𝖊𝖒𝖇𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊...

...Part Three...

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...

In an instant, the sharp crack of shattering glass split the air. I threw my hands up to brace for impact— but the impact never came.

Silence.

Stillness.

The shards hung suspended around us, glinting in midair like raindrops caught just before the fall. My breath hitched in my throat, eyes widening in shock and horror as I took in the impossible.

The shards still hung in the air motionless, suspended like stars in the night sky.

With a trembling hand, I reached out the tip of my finger brushing against one jagged edge of glass—cold, solid, unyielding.

I flick my head toward my brother—the only moving piece of this shattered puzzle still in motion.

He stared back at me, eyes wide and unblinking, his face stripped of emotion. For a fleeting moment, I swore he knew something I didn't.

"Ryan-" fear laces my voice—trembling, on the edge of sound—then a smooth, chilling voice cuts through the room.

"Well... this just got interesting." I snap my head to the source. Standing on the edge of the shattered window is a man, seemingly around my brother's age.

His red, piercing eyes lock onto mine. Cold and unrelenting a stark contrast to the color of them as brilliant as flames—sending shivers crawling down my spine.

"Crow.." My brother's voice cuts from behind me, low and menacing, carrying a weight that makes the air thrum with danger.

The once-frozen room breathes back to life. Shards of glass tumble from the air, falling like jagged, pointed rain.

The sudden surge of the room snapping back to life sends me stumbling, as if whatever just happened—whatever I just did—had drained the very life from me.

The man in the window steps towards me, every movement dripping with confidence and arrogance, as if he were untouchable

"Stay away from her crow!" My brother's voice cuts through the air—but even he finches under the man's presence

"know your place Ryan" The man hisses, a smug smile twisting across his face, his velvet, plump lips curling into something sinister, sharp as a predator's grin.

As I try to back away I find my feet feel glued to the floor, my arms stuck rigid at my side, I struggle against the invisible force, muscles straining, but it's nearly impossible to move.

"Now, Now little bird." The man says, slinking his arms around me with lazy, predator ease.

"Crow—" My brother's voice booms, but he is abruptly, brought to his knees, powerless against whatever invisible force binds me in place.

"Ryan who would have thought you were hiding something so precious—" his voice is like velvet, warm and smooth, yet laced with danger his breath wisps past my ear as he leans in closer, pulling me toward him

"it's rude... not to share"

"Get off of delphine!" My brother shouts— his voice like a knife cutting through the tension like butter. I hear the man's tongue click sharply against his teeth before he lifts a finger to my jaw, forcing my head upward to meet his gaze

"so the little bird's name is Delphine..." Each word slow, drawn out, predatory. He jerks back, and I feel the invisible force lift from me like a heavy veil.

"A letter from the headmaster" the man speaks slowly, twirling it between two fingers before pressing it flat against the glass coffee table.

My brother snaps, his voice low and sharp like a hiss "you destroyed my apartment!"

The man only shrugged, gliding back toward the shattered window. He cast a glance over his shoulder at my brother, silver bangs slipping into his face—a silver so brilliant it could rival the moon.

"You know how I love to make an entrance," he said, his voice carrying a teasing lilt. And then, as quickly as he'd appeared, he was gone—vaulting out the window.

The night air rushed in to take his place, cold and restless, swirling through the room.

...─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───...