Corruption - Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

I stood there tears, still falling down my face. I watched Mike as he watched me. He too, was crying. I don't really know why, but for some reason I knew he wasn't going to say anything. He reached with one hand toward me, and then stopped. I turned on my heel and stormed off the balcony.

Mike's bedroom was still dark, making it a little hard to find the double doors. When I pulled on them, they were stuck. I grunted as I finally freed the doors and went into the hallway. I didn't bother to close the doors behind me. The doors didn't matter.

I ran down the hallway to my room and flung the door open. I pushed it too hard, making a loud bang on the wall as it swung back. I sat on my bed and wiped at my eyes. It didn't help much because tears spilled over my eyes again, making my cheeks, once again, wet.

I thought about what I had said to Mike. Everything I said was true, I had just never talked about it before. That is what I do. Bottle all of my emotion up until they explode on some unsuspecting person. It was never pretty, but it was always the truth, what I say.

I looked over at the picture on my end table. Light was coming in from the hallway. I didn't close the doors to my bedroom either. I picked up the picture and examined it. I was so angry I almost ripped it to pieces.

I threw it in the direction of the front door. It slowly floated to the ground, landing face down. As I watched the picture fall, I saw someone in the doorway. I could only see their outline, but I knew who it was. It was Mike.

I turned away from the door, looking out the window. Aden's house was visible, almost all of the lights on. Now I wished I had gone over to Aden's house tonight. The bed shifted under some new weight. I didn't look away from the window.

"Candace..." Mike said quietly.

I sniffled, wiping my nose again with the back of my hand.

"I'm sorry."

I shifted my body, facing my back to Mike. I was so mad and hurt by him, I didn't even want to look at him.

"I just didn't know what to say."

After a moment of silence, the weight had shifted, then was lifted off the bed. I sighed relived, thinking he was finally going to leave. He walked around me and sat down, blocking my view of Aden's house.

I looked down at my comforter, plucking at one of the loose strings. I was not going to look at him, nor speak to him, no matter what he said. I could hear Mike sigh. He knew I was angry, and I knew he was angry too. It made the silence even more awkward.

"Candace..." he began again. He put his hand on my knee, but I pushed it off. He fiercely grabbed my chin, bringing it up to look at him. “This is not your fault.” The tears came again, rolling down my cheeks. This surprised me because I didn’t think I had any moisture left in me.

He let go of my chin, seeing the tears on my cheeks. He thought he brought them on, but it wasn’t him; it was me. I looked into his eyes, trying to find out what he was thinking.. I could tell he really meant what he said, but that didn’t help me much.

“Yes it is! I was the one that left you. I hurt you.”

Mike put his hand on my knee again, this time I didn’t shove it off. “No,” It was Mike’s turn to look down from me. “It’s mine.”

I just stared at him. What he had said didn’t make any sense. “You aren’t the one who did it. It was me. I was the one that started to like you, making it grow.” Mike grabbed my hand, rubbing his thumb over the ring.  “If I hadn’t given you the ring, you wouldn’t have known that I liked you. If you didn’t know I liked you, you wouldn’t be beating yourself up about it.”

What Mike had said did make sense. The only problem was it didn’t make me feel better; it made me feel worse. Mike was beating himself up inside just like I had been. “I’m sorry, Mike.” I murmured.

“It isn’t your…” Mike began. He sighed in frustration. “I forgive you.”

I looked up at him, noticing he was looking at me, once again. I heard what he had said, and could tell he meant it, but that didn’t matter. I knew he didn’t believe I was to blame, but he was. I also knew that he wouldn’t change his mind.

I crawled up the bed and pulled the covers back. I buried myself underneath, sitting up in my bed. I turned to look at Mike, but he was gone from the side of the bed. He was in the middle of the room, going out the open door.

“Mike?” I called after him. He turned around to look at me with sad eyes. I patted the bed next to me, trying to tell him to join me. He smiled weakly at me, then turned around again.

The smile that had formed on my face, disappeared, only to be plastered back on once I realized what Mike was doing. He went over to the double doors, closing them quietly. The only light source now was the window behind me.

Mike climbed in next to me on the king size bed, scooting close to me. I smiled sweetly at him, only for him to return it.



I stayed up much later than I normally would. Mike had told me all about his trip home, and everything that had happened since he last left here. As he talked to me, I was growing more tired as the minutes past. There was something very soothing about Mike being there with me. I felt safe. It wasn’t hard to fall asleep as he kept talking.

I woke up the next morning feeling the sun on my face. I had never closed the blinds to the window last night. The blanket was warm from the suns rays. I was so comfortable, I didn’t want to get up, but I knew I had to. My eyes fluttered open and almost gasped, but held it in. Mike’s face was only inches from mine. His hot breathe on my face.

His arms were holding me tightly to him, so I couldn’t really move. I tried to move back a little, but found Mike had a firm grip on me.   It was nice and a little wierd to have Mike so close.  We use to sleep in the same bed when we were little all the time.  But now that we were older--it felt sort of awkward to have him here half naked.

A small giggle could be heard from behind me. “Hello?” I whispered trying to figure out who was in my room.

Gloria appeared at the end of the bed. “Yes miss?” She had a very large grin on her face. She was the one who was laughing at me.

“Help me!” I said urgently.

She giggled again. “Yes miss.”

She came over and helped me pry Mike’s arms off of me. Thankfully, he didn’t wake. I crawled slowly off the bed and swung my legs off the edge. Mike stirred a little, but didn’t wake once again. I thought back to the night before. The last thing I remember was Mike telling me about the last day of school. I was wrapped up in the blanket, laying down, while Mike was sitting up. I don’t remember anything from then on.

I didn’t quite get how we got that way we were, in the bed. Gloria was smiling at me from the end of the bed. “Oh shut up!” I hissed. She giggled again and left the room. I slinked over to the closet and got some nice clothes I could wear to Aden’s. When I returned to the bedroom, Mike was still in the same position. “Heavy sleeper.” I said aloud.

The shower was cold when I got in, making me shiver violently. After a few moments, the water got warm, then hot. The steam filled the room as I washed my hair, staying in longer than I should I have. The clock above the counter said I still had thirty minutes before I had to be at Aden’s when I got out. I quickly changed into my clean clothes.

I peered out the bathroom door before entering. Mike was now awake, sitting up in bed. He was looking at the picture I had thrown on the floor the night before. He looked up at me as I closed the bathroom door with a click.

“Good morning.” He jeered.

“Good morning. You might want to go get dressed. We have breakfast at Aden’s this morning. Well—if you want to go.”

Mike looked at my outfit in aw. He had never seen me in a dress before. The dress was a light yellow and white print. A white belt high on my middle, and small straps to keep it up. The hem just barely passing my knees. My hair bundled in a loose bun on the back of my head, left my neck to feel the breeze.

“I’d love to go.” He stood and looked down at himself. He seemed a bit embarrassed that he was only wearing pajama pants. “I’ll go get dressed and meet you downstairs.”



Trevor answered the door. This was usual. Aden and Amy were usually in the kitchen, and Ryan and Clark were usually in the front yard playing soccer. Trevor was the only one left. I really don’t know what he ever does, but it never is anything exciting. That I know of, anyways.

Trevor welcomed us inside and talked with Mike for a minute. I stayed with him, not wanting to leave him by himself in this large house. Trevor led us to the kitchen where Amy and Aden were. Aden had a towel over his shoulder, cutting us some apples. Amy was at the oven, checking on something.

“Good morning!” I called to everyone. I sat on my normal stool at the counter. I dragged Mike along, making him sit down as well. Aden came over to me and kissed me on the cheek.

“Good morning.” He looked me up and down. “Is that a new dress?”

“Yes, why, thank you.”

Aden and Mike nodded at each other. “Good to see you.” Aden said.

Mike returned his greeting. I couldn’t really hear them because Amy had come over to me, practically screaming. “How cute are you! Stand up, stand up!” I stood up, showing off my dress. She took my hand twirled me around. “How darling.”

“Thanks Amy.”

“…pretty surprised.” Mike was saying. Aden laughed as he clapped Mike on the back. Mike laughed too. They both seemed at ease with each other. I was surprised. I would think they would be hostile towards one another. They both did love me after all, didn’t they?

Aden took the towel off of his shoulder and put it on the counter. He sat down in my seat next to Mike. They were talking in hushed voices, so I came closer to them. They both side glanced at me, and then stopped talking.

I took the towel Aden had put down and went to where he was chopping up apples. They both watched me as I picked up the knife. Aden was just about to say something, but I talked before he could. “I can do it. Don’t worry. I won’t chop off my finger.”

Aden relaxed back into his chair. “Alright, go ahead.”

“I didn’t know you could cook.” Mike said, surprised.

“I’m learning.” I answered, slicing an apple in half. The whole time I was cooking with Amy, Aden had one eye on me. He was still really protective about me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was outside my bedroom window last night.

They started to talk once again in their hushed tones. I still couldn’t understand what they were saying. I gave up and put my full attention into helping Amy. If I asked Mike or Aden, they would tell me.

“So what are we cooking this morning?” I asked Amy. She opened the oven to show me. A wave of heat hit my face, making my eyes water, but I still saw what was in the oven. Rising cinnamon rolls were centered in the oven. I could taste them already. The thing I was making with the apples was a fruit salad. There was melon, apples, grapes, and an assortment of berries.

Aden and Mike kept looking at me and watching me as i helped in the kitchen. This seemed to be a new routine of mine, helping in the kitchen. I found that I really liked to cook, and always wanted to learn more. It was an exciting feeling. I kept trying to listen in on Mike and Aden with no luck.

Before I knew it, we were done cooking and we were setting at the table. Mike helped me with this as Aden and Amy went to go get the food. “So…what were you guys talking about?”

Mike didn’t look up from the plate he was putting down. He knew I was going to ask this. “We were just catching up on some things, that’s all.” Mike smiled at me before disappearing back into the kitchen. I stared after him, wondering if he was telling the truth.

Amy came back carrying the salad, Aden behind her carrying the cinnamon rolls, and Mike carrying the glasses. Trevor, Clark, and Ryan came in just as we all sat down. We all dug in as the chatter between us all got louder and louder. It was like we were one, big, happy family.

I was the first to finish. I excused myself to go to the bathroom. I fixed my hair and unwrinkled my dress before going back into the dining room. When I came back, Aden and Mike were the only ones left at the table. “Where did everyone go?” I asked.

“Mom went to work, and the others went out.” Aden said matter of factly. I could tell that something was bothering him. How could I not notice it before? His eyes seemed to be sad, but the color of them bright green. His posture was more slump than usual.

I sat back down on my chair. I watched Aden as he finished his fruit salad. Mike picked up his dishes and left to bring them to the sink. “What is wrong?” I asked Aden as soon as Mike was gone.

Aden looked up startled. “Nothing, why?”

“Don’t lie. I can tell. What is it?”

Aden looked down at his plate. He pushed his food around a little before he spoke. “Do you remember my dream?”

I shuddered. How could I forget? “Yes.”

“Well—I had it again, only it went a little farther than it had before.” Aden looked up at me to see my expression. He obviously didn’t see anything he didn’t like because he continued. “It was much worse.”

Aden’s Dream continued and P.O.V ~

As she watched me come closer, my mouth watering with anticipation, her eyes got wider, more frightened. She screamed as i sunk my teeth into her neck. Marissa, Mike, and Addison joined me, feeding on some part of the warm body. The blood was warm in my mouth, better tasting than I thought it would have been.

In no time, her body went limp, and she was dead. Drain of all her delicious blood.

I let go of her head, letting it lull to the side. Marissa clapped her hands with delight. “Finally!” she said. She went to the small table on the side of the room, coming back holding a book. “Now they are mine!”

The book was old, and had a page that was torn out. I had only seen it too often. “It isn’t your’s, Marissa. We all had a deal. We would share it. That is why we all killed the human.”

“I don’t care about some dumb ass deal!” Marissa spat at me. She stood with Mike at her side. “We are going to share it.” She gestured toward Mike, then herself.

Addison stood and got in Marissa’s face. “I don’t think so!” Marissa brought her hand up and slapped Addison on the face.

“Well I do, now get out of my way.”

I bent down to help Addison. She got up quickly, not fazed by the slap. Together, Addison and I followed them outside. It was a full moon. Marissa gave a small wave and two large black wings popped out of her spin, making her take flight with Mike on her heals. We followed her, not too far behind.

She didn’t go far. We followed her to Candace’s house and inside. The place was trashed. Things thrown everywhere, doors off their hinges. We followed her up the stairs and into Candace’s bedroom. There was a large pool of blood on the floor by the double doors that lead out to the balcony. A knife was sitting beside it.

“Give the book to me.” I said. I couldn’t stop staring at the pool of blood. I could smell it from here. It smelt like Candace’s. It didn’t make any sense.

“What book?”

I looked back at where Marissa had been standing, but she was no longer there. Mike and Candace were on the couch, holding each other close. Both had red eyes. I was so confused. “Addison…” I started to say. I turned around and Addison was gone too.

“You broke my heart Aden, you broke my heart.” Candace said, standing in front of me. Her eyes were no longer red, but were sad and seemed to be broken. I could almost feel the despair coming off of her body. I did this to her?



I couldn't believe the things Aden was telling me. He seemed so shaken up about it, I didn’t know what to tell him, once again. I didn’t know he was so scared about everything.

I got up from my chair and sat next to him. I took his hand in mine and made him look at me. “You haven’t hurt me, Aden. You don’t have anything to worry about. They are just nightmares. I have them too.”

“But theses are different, they almost seem real!”

Mike walked into the room, holding some grapes in his hand. “What seems real?”
He asked, popping another grape into his mouth. Neither one of us answered him. I could hear foot steps coming toward the dining room and waited for them to enter.

Ryan walked into the room with a very large grin on his face. “We are setting up a soccer game. You guys want to play with us? You can to Candace…if you want.”

They always set up a soccer game, always asking me if I wanted to play, but I usually didn’t. They would beat me anyways.

“Sure.” Mike shrugged. “I’ll play.”

“I’ll stay here with Candace.” Aden replied.

I let go of his hand and stood up. “No, you should play. I’ll come watch.”

“It’s fine Candace.”

I made a pouting face. “I want to watch you play.”

He smiled at me. “Alright.”

I sat in the warm grass and watched as the boys played their normal soccer game. Mike was better than I thought he would be, but he wasn’t as good as the others. I couldn’t keep my mind on the game however. My mind was traveling to what Aden had been telling me. As I sat there, I got an idea. Maybe those dreams he was having aren’t really dreams. Maybe they are sort of like his hunches, but he can actually see them.

I had to dismiss this idea because it would be impossible. Marissa and Addison were dead, the book was destroyed, and Mike and I were no where near being vampires. He must be really scared for me.

Another thing I thought about was him and Addison. He kept talking about how they were always together in his dreams. I didn’t know what that meant but I think I had a pretty good idea. I knew he loved Addison, but not that much. It was getting me worried myself, so I focused on the game instead.

I watched Mike and Aden together. They were on the same team, against the other three. Aden was the better player of all of them, so his team only needed two. Aden and Mike worked well together, always passing the ball at the right times, making sure they had each other covered, and never getting mad when one of them lost the ball.

It seemed too weird to me that they would be so close. Was it the love for me that brought them together? I sure hoped that they weren’t pretending for me.



It became routine that we would go to Aden’s for breakfast in the morning, then play soccer afterwards. On the fourth day, I actually got in on the action. I made my first ever goal, but I think they let me. I didn’t fret on it. I was proud of myself no matter what.

We were now keeping score, and had named the teams. Our team was The Dominators and were up by seven; all thanks to Aden. Mike had gotten a couple, but not as many as Aden. I pretty much just kicked the ball away from the other team when I could. I didn’t really care what I did. I was happy to be playing.

The other team called themselves The Kings. It was all Trevor’s idea. He said he looked like a king and deserved to be called one. We all laughed at him for the rest of the day, calling him ‘your majesty.’

After soccer was over, Trevor and Clark would go to work in the city. They had found some job at a small business where they would drive around and deliver special packages. Ryan would leave to go be with this new ‘friend’ he met one day when he was in the park with Trevor.

That would leave me, Mike, and Aden to do what we wanted. Normally we would watch a movie, but Aden suggested that we go swimming since it was so hot outside. We ran back to my house and grabbed our swim suits.

We met Aden back at the indoor pool I didn’t know he had. He was already in his swim suit, waiting for us. The large room smelt of chlorine, and musty air, but was very cool inside which felt nice.

Aden jumped in with Mike as soon as we got there. I stood there by the edge and watched as they surfaced. It was still really amazing how much they bonded with each other. I couldn’t get the dream Aden had told me out of my head. Every time I thought about Aden and Mike ‘feeding’ off of me, I shivered. I never wanted that to happen.

I wondered if Mike ever thought about who he really was hanging out with. Maybe he never did because he was so close to Aden now. In some way it bothered me that they got along so well. Sometimes I felt like I wasn’t there, like it was just the two of them hanging out.

Mike got out of the pool and came over to me. “Aren’t you going to go in?” he asked me.

I dipped my big toe into the water. I shiver ran up my spin. “It’s freezing!” Aden had a large grin on his face. He looked mysterious. “What?” I asked him, throwing my towel on the pool chair by the wall.

“Come in!” He said. He still had his smile on his face. I looked at Mike. He too had the same smile on his face.

“What?” I asked Mike.

He shrugged then said, “Nothing.”

I backed away from him as soon as he came closer. “No! No! No!” I yelled, trying to escape from him. His hands were cold as he grabbed me. “No!” I yelled one last time before he jumped in the pool with me. The water engulfed me as we hit the surface. It wasn’t as cold as I thought it would be.

“You assholes!” I yelled at them as I surfaced. They both watched for my reaction. When I smiled sheepishly, they both burst out laughing. I laughed with them too, glad we were having a good time.

I swam underwater, opening my eyes to see the bottom. Aden did the same, trying to talk to me under water. Large bubbles of air came out of his mouth each time he tried. It always made me laugh, making me choke on some water. Mike came up behind me as I tried to get all the water out of my lungs and hoisted me on his shoulders. I didn’t protest because it helped me to get the water out of my lungs.

I didn’t see who it was at first, but there was a large splash behind Aden in the deep end of the pool. When the person surfaced, I saw it was Ryan with a girl. The girl looked to be about my age. They swam over to us, and Ryan introduced the girl to us all.

“Hey, this is Jasmine.” He told her all of our names and again I tried to get Mike to put me down, but he wouldn’t. The girl and really dark hair and eyes to match. She was wearing a light blue bikini. She reminded me of Jasmine the Disney princess.

“You want to play chicken?” Jasmine asked. I looked over at Aden. We didn’t really have enough people to play. I didn’t want to leave someone out of the game.

Jasmine climbed on Ryan’s shoulders. “Um…” I said, looking at Aden.

He smiled at me. “You go on. We’ll switch off.” Aden became the referee as me and Jasmine battled it off. She was way more aggressive than I was, so I always lost. Aden was a little easier than Mike. He was way stronger and could easily move through the water.

Once we were done with the game, Jasmine said she had to go. Ryan went with her to drive her home.

The rest of us stayed in the pool. We mostly swam around, playing Marco-Polo. Aden always won because he could sense us, but I was pretty good too. Mike was the one who had the trouble. We would laugh at him every time he would try to grab thin air.

We finally got out of the pool when Amy told me my dad called and told me we should be getting home for dinner. We were all standing by the edge of the pool when I got a brilliant idea. I waited for Aden and Mike to dry themselves off before saying, “Pay back is a bitch isn’t it?”

“What?” they said together. With all my strength I pushed them both over the edge of the pool. I wasn’t quick enough to pull my arms away because they both grabbed me and pulled me along.

We all laughed once we got to the surface. This was the most I had loosened up since I had left Georgia. It felt good to have Mike here. He some how got the old me back. The crazy me was breaking free once again.