Then I was on the ground on all fours, gasping for breath myself. My skateboard rolled lazily away from me at the end of the hallway. Staggering to my feet, I quickly looked around to be sure no one had seen. New blood dribbled down my lips. I wiped it away and dashed after my skateboard with my heart in my throat.
◆◆◆
My uncle found me on the couch, watching a documentary on killer whales and chomping on some Captain Crunch cereal. He didn’t say anything at first, just sat down next to me and stared at the TV.
Jasmine had pelted me with questions as soon as I’d stepped out of the elevator, but had given up trying to get answers from me after a few minutes of the silent treatment. She and Anthony sat in their “school” corner now, their heads bent over a chemistry textbook and a few sheets of lined paper.
“What happened to your nose?” Uncle Victor asked as if he didn’t already know.
“Some guy slugged me at lunch.”
“Why?”
“Because I hit his best friend.”
“Why?” he patiently repeated.
“Because he threatened my friend.”
“I see.”
Silence.
I spooned more cereal into my mouth and waited.
“The dean said you’re suspended for two weeks.”
I finished chewing and lowered the bowl onto my lap. “Sorry.”
“This friend of yours,” Uncle Victor said. “Does she happen to have red hair?”
“Technically it’s red-orange, but whatever.”
He turned away from the TV to purse his lips at me. “Should I be concerned?”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to be jumping to her defense again anytime soon.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m oddly proud that you have a friend to defend”—I scowled up at him. He made me sound so lame—“but this girl is starting to sound more and more like trouble. I can’t help wondering if you’re better off friendless.”
“Yeah.” I turned back to the TV. “Me too.”
Jasmine rose from her desk, drawing both of our gazes. She was trembling in rage, her nostrils flared, as she stared at us.
“Nobody is better off friendless, Uncle Vic. I should know,” she said through stiff lips. “Charlie’s been alone for too long. You all have!” She made a sweeping gesture that included her doctor and tutor. “What do you do? You work, you take care of me, and you hang out in here where it’s quiet and safe and convenient. You use our abnormal situation as an excuse to shut out the rest of the world, including people who care about you.”
Anthony shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
“I may not have a choice in the matter, but the three of you do.” She waved a hand at me. “Live a little more! Get into trouble. Keep talking to people. Find out what you like and what you don’t like. Experience.” She scowled at Uncle Victor, who cringed into the couch. “Date. Hang out with other detectives when you’re not on the clock. Visit your family for heaven’s sake. When’s the last time you saw your mother?”
“Well, I—”
“And you,” Jasmine said, spinning around to glower at Anthony. “You wonderful, selfless man; how could you give up your life for me? I’m so thankful I want to cry whenever I look at you, but I’ve never been angrier in my entire life. Fight for your family, dammit! I know you still love Georgina. Those boys need you more than every other weekend. Would you make amends and steal her away from that worthless fiancé of hers already?”
Uncle Victor and I both sat up. “Fiancé?”
Anthony sighed. “Jasmine—”
She held out a hand. “You all need to forget about me and start taking care of yourselves. What happens the day I don’t come back from the dead? What will you have then? Nothing!” Her voice cracked.
Then she burst into tears and the rest of us rose from our seats, reaching out to her, offering words of comfort.
She backed away from us, summoning another reproachful look even through her tears. “There’s something really wrong with this family and it has nothing to do with the curse.” She stumbled over to the bathroom and slammed the door.
We stood there and stared at each other, two grown men and a guy with a broken nose, thoroughly scolded.
Then the door flew open. Jasmine poked her head out. “Charlie, if you stop talking to Esmer, I’ll never forgive you!” Then she slammed the door again.
February 25th, 1934
Hungary this time of year was once pleasant but the world has changed. We’ve seen wars. Many huge and many insignificant battles in the records of history. They all tend to run together. One massive blurry vision of gore, fear, and destruction. But this is different. Wars are fought for land, people, freedom, enslavement. These massacres done simply from hate are just—there are no words to express it. It’s spreading through Europe, perverting the land we once loved so much. Chaos, devastation, ruin. It is no wonder the whole world is in an uproar over the injustice. I cannot bear it.
We are fleeing yet again. It is nigh impossible to leave the country, but fortunately for us, we do not fear Death. She did make us a promise, one we are living to the greatest capacity. We are heading first to Africa, then Mexico, and eventually back to America. It would seem America is the safest place to be at the moment. But time changes everything and we will return someday, when Europe heals and reverts to its original beauty. Although, no one and nothing reverts. There is no going back from any decision once made.
The paragon of this truth: our immortal brethren. We still tremble at the thought of meeting them. For three immortal couples the world is too small. We could find each other on any given day and it would not be unexpected. But what choice do we have? Stand and fight? Against our own kind? The thought makes me ache. I have no doubt we could if necessary and it may very well come to that. I still pray
