Heaven's Children (Earth Totem)

be reading my mind, maybe it’s a group thing. Amber never pulls any punches. It’s Jo-Jo’s fault that I’m even friends with Amber.

I can’t believe this is happening. This is like one of those horror movies – If. If Jo-Jo had not betrayed me, I would not have made friends with Amber and her group, and I obviously would not be where I am now.

I’m definitely sinking, it feels warmer.

‘Nevaeh.’

Hey, is that light real?

‘Nevaeh!’

What? Give me a break will you?

‘Can’t do that – sorry!’

I feel my body tense - it’s Hawk and he’s talking inside my head again. This was how everything started.

Did you hear that? You started this.

‘I told you not to leave your house.’ Hawk’s voice sounds defensive.

I can’t believe this guy – is he listening to himself? Ever heard of a phone? I must have called you a dozen times. If you cared at all, you would have answered. If I hadn’t fallen out with Jo-Jo, I wouldn’t be part of your group.

‘Don’t get so huffy…’ Hawk interrupts.

Huffy? Who speaks like that? I am furious, with him, with myself, for trusting him.

You aren’t even interesting, just weird. Don’t you know Wicca and vampire stuff is the latest thing? Never heard of totem groups holding much interest – I mean really, totems?

‘We’re not having this conversation.’

Ha! No, we’re not. I’m having it with myself.

I can feel something wet dropping on my leg, is it still raining? So why am I still outside?

Where is everybody?

I’m moving again. Why am I moving? It hurts. Please stop! You’re shaking everything up. I can’t concentrate.

‘Nevaeh, my name’s Shaun. I’m a paramedic, can you hear me?’

Ow! Do you have to shout? You’re giving me a headache.

‘We’re going to move her into the ambulance. Did you drive here? Would you like a lift? One of you can join her if you like. Her vitals are stable, so she might be able to hear you.

Hello? I am here you know. Mum? Dad! Mum’s crying, tell her not to worry...you know how she gets.

‘It’s alright querida, don’t worry…be strong.’ My Dad’s voice was sad.

I can feel her, Dad…Mum’s calmer now.

Querida sounded so much nicer than sweetheart, especially the way Dad rolls his r’s. I always loved his voice and the fact that we were a little different. Mum called us her spicy family, a mixture of English, Spanish, Turkish and a drop of something extra special – I was the extra special.

Tired…

‘Then go to sleep Nevaeh. Rest...’ Hawk’s voice sounds distant.

Maybe I’m already sleeping. Maybe this is a dream. There is no Ford, and you’re not real Hawk.

Hawk?

'Still here, still connecting with you. Remember? Like before?’ he replied.

You’re still not real, this isn’t real; I’m unconscious that’s what this is - a bad dream!

‘Partly true I suppose…’ he answered.

I felt cold fear wash over me; I’d been having bad dreams lately. There’s something unseen, a heaviness on the edge waiting, watching.

I just want to wake up.

‘Nevaeh…I’m sorry.’

His voice does sound sad, but I’m not ready to forgive him yet. He didn’t have to run off like that. Why didn’t he call me? Why did he think I knew about totems or any of that other stuff?

Help me Hawk. You did this. You fix it.

Hawk?