Mated Enemies

Lately I’ve been feeling too out of sorts and didn’t think it wise to get too far away from home. So it’s been school and home for me. Zoe honked the horn at some of the elderly town’s people as we drove by and they all called out warm greetings as they went about their business.

Our town is a little picture perfect paradise in the Northeast well off the beaten path. There isn’t much to do here, but it’s been perfect for us. The miles of woods surrounding our home is just the perfect place for us to exist without bringing too much attention to ourselves.

One of our ancestors had found the place a few hundred years ago when it was still new and undeveloped. It hadn’t changed much over time, again thanks to a little bit of magic on our part.

We have homes all over the world like this one, where we retreat to-to pass the time while the people we knew lived and died. It was something we had to do to hide the fact that none of us ever aged. It could be stressful and repetitive as was obvious by Annalise’s new attitude, but there was no hope for it.

As we drew near the school I got that feeling again, the feeling that something was hanging in the air just above my head. Something I could not see, nor touch, only feel.

“Nat, are you alright? You seem a little pale.”

“I’m fine Patrice, as you three reminded me earlier, it’s almost that time of the month that’s all.”

I hate lying to them but there is no way I’m going to put a damper on their carefree days. For all that they’re as old as I, inside they’re little more than the eighteen year olds they appear to be. With their heads in the clouds and nothing more stressing on their minds than what to wear to the next school dance.

I wish for them always to remain that way, that they never lose that light and laughter. No, I will carry this burden alone, whatever it is. Or maybe I will put a call in to my mom later and get her thoughts on the subject. Though opening that can of worms may very well bring the elders running.

I thought of nothing else all day and wished by the end of it that I could put it all down to just premenstrual distress, but I knew better. There’s definitely something more at work here, and the stress of having to keep it hidden is beginning to wear on me.

That night I went to bed a little earlier than usual and I cast a spell over my sisters so that they too would feel tired enough to retire. This way I wouldn’t have to worry about them getting up to mischief while I was upstairs asleep leaving them unattended.

I blamed my tiredness on my coming period, and they bought it, since I do tend to have a miserable time with this human malady that is part of my cross to bear while living in this realm. It was someone’s sick joke I think, but none of the elders has ever shared the story behind it.

Probably penance for something one of my female ancestors had done in the past. I made the rounds and fed Patrick who was looking perturbed at being left alone all night. The ornery bird had a look on his face like he knew the real truth behind my sudden ennui but thank goodness he kept his thoughts to himself this time. Who knows what he’d bribe me for if he does find out.

After the house was settled, I was the last one to make it to my bed, grateful once again that I was able to hide my unrest from the others. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to do, not with the powers they have, and I’ve found it a bit more than straining trying to keep up the charade to keep things hidden from them.

I won’t be able to hide it for much longer though I’m sure, not feeling the way I do. Still, I won’t feel comfortable sharing with them until I figure out this new malady myself. But I have no words, no explanation for the strange feelings that have been plaguing me more and more here of late.

I looked up at the ceiling restlessly as my mind searched for something, anything. It wasn’t so much a sense of danger I felt, as it was some strange kind of excitement that simmered just beneath the surface.

I didn’t get the feeling that it had anything to do with my sisters either, or I’d have packed them up and left the first time I felt it. It’s my responsibility to look out for them in every way after all, and maybe that’s why this thing has been bothering me as much as it has.