Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

all kinds of junk we’d collected over time, most of it in boxes.
    I looked around for something I could use to make into a stake. In the corner was a broken old broom. I ran over and picked it up.
    Perfect.
    I removed the hacksaw from the wall and after much elbow grease, managed to cut the bristly end off.
    “What are you doing?” Luke asked, holding a huge bowl of ice cream.
    With a squeal, I dropped the stick. I felt he was close by, but didn’t realize he was in the room.
    “You scared me! Geez!” I barked, embarrassed I was so jumpy. I nonchalantly retrieved the stick from the floor. “I’m just sharpening this stick.”
    “What for?”
    “Because,” I said defensively, struggling for a reason. “It’s—it’s to garden with.”
    He paused mid - bite and blinked. I remained composed.
    “You aren’t going to be able to sharpen it with a hack saw. The sandpaper is in the drawer over there.”
    He pointed to the workbench.
    “Thank you,” I said, marched over, found the roughest sheet and went back to the workbench stool. Luke sighed, leaving me alone in the garage.
    After a few minutes, I transformed the broom into a vicious weapon and practiced a few jabs in the air against an invisible assailant. An old song my dad listened to came to mind.
    I am woman, hear me roar.
    There was something very rewarding in being proactive in my protection efforts. I figured since I’d be home a lot, I’d just workout to a Taebo DVD with it. That way, if I ever got into trouble, I’d already have practiced and could just stake the monster in one smooth motion.
    I managed to sneak by Luke, while he watched the end of his sickening TV show, and headed upstairs. Nicholas’ need for a trench coat suddenly made sense. I didn’t own one or anything remotely useful to conceal the stake, so for now, I’d have to store it in my backpack. I just hoped it wouldn’t accidentally fall out during school or I’d have some serious explaining to do.

18 - FEAR
    I arrived at school Monday morning feeling numb and annoyed. I hadn’t slept soundly because of the recurring nightmares. And sometime during the night, I’d changed my mind about needing Nicholas’ help. His behavior still angered me, and I wasn’t ready to forgive him yet.
    “You didn’t call back,” Sam said a little perturbed when she caught up with me as I walked alone to first period P.E. class.
    Instantly I remembered listening to her voicemail message and felt bad. She called late Saturday night, but I hadn’t listened to her request for me to call until early Sunday morning, just before Nicholas came to pick me up to go to the beach. I’d completely forgotten to call back.
    “Sorry, how was the dance?” I asked, trying to sound interested.
    “It was magical,” she said, anger melting, her face suddenly all aglow.
    I looked at her happy expression as she continued to fill me in, and softened. I was thrilled she had a good time and decided not to let my “Nicholas woes” interfere. Fight or no fight, my weekend was magical for me as well, but I wasn’t allowed to say a word. Yet another unbearable secret to keep. I never felt more alone.
    My classmates were also semi-excited and a little depressed, maybe because it was Monday, but I also sensed a general fearfulness. As I half listened to Sam, I scanned the faces around me to see if I could figure out why. Was this vampire thing affecting more people than just me?
    “What’s wrong with everyone?” I finally asked Sam.
    “Huh? I don’t know,” she said, suddenly paying attention to the people around us. “Everyone seems fine to me.”
    We changed our clothes and headed towards the basketball court, where I overheard two classmates ahead of us.
    “That’s so sad about Justin,” Mia said to Erika.
    “Yeah, isn’t it awful?”
    I touched Mia’s shoulder to stop them.
    “What about Justin?” I asked.
    “You haven’t heard?” Mia gave me a look like I was a complete idiot. “He’s missing too.”
    Her words sent ice down my spine. My last interaction with Justin played through my mind as I continued listlessly into the gym, grieved. He quite possibly could be another victim and I felt responsible.
    Why is this happening?
    The epidemic was spreading like a disease and I couldn’t allow it to continue. Desperate times called for desperate measures. I needed to do something, but what?
    The fortune teller’s words came to mind, but I pushed away the thought. I didn’t care what