Heaven's Children (Earth Totem)

‘You always wanted to be Snow White, and if I could find a prince to kiss you and wake you up I would.’

A soft breeze startled her when it moved the curtain. She sat up at the strong smell of perfume.

‘Nevaeh?’

Her heart raced, thinking again of ghosts. It can’t be, she isn’t dead, is she?

She nearly screamed when her mobile buzzed, the light flashing – it was a text. She picked it up, her body shaking with dread and almost fainted at the smiley face that stared back. For most people who read this, it won’t mean anything, but to Jo-Jo it meant everything – it was their way of saying hello; hers and Nevaeh’s. She bounded off the bed, her breath heaving as she texted her back. The word ghost screamed at her over and over again and she felt like her feet were rooted as she waited. When the mobile vibrated, she thought she was going to be sick. Part of her wanted it to be her and the other didn’t.

Please don’t be dead Nevaeh, please.

Another waft of perfume curled towards her again, and she stared wildly round the room, then at her window. It was half open, maybe it came from there, she reasoned to herself. Or, it meant something else; her brain screamed back. Maybe, she’s awake. She gasped then at the obviousness of it and almost laughed out loud. She wasn’t a ghost, she’s awake! Snow White had woken up.

Jo-Jo felt her muscles give way and sat back on her bed, texting frantically. Her heart thumping, threatening to explode, before damning herself.

Don’t be an idiot. If she’s just woken up, she’s not going to be allowed to text you - is she? Jo-Jo thought of all the movies she had seen of coma victims waking up and imagined doctors and nurses rushing around her. The thought galvanised her into action and she jumped up, grabbing her jacket before racing to the door. If Nevaeh was going to wake up – she wanted to be there, before the weirdoes got there.

‘Mum!’ she screamed pounding down the stairs, the image of the smiley face overwhelming her.

‘Mum, its Nevaeh, she’s awake, Mum!’

Tears poured down her face, and she struggled to see properly. Jumping the last two steps, Jo-Jo almost knocked down both her Mum and the person next to her.

She stopped in shock, ignoring the weak smile of the person opposite.

‘What the hell do you want?’ She growled.

‘Jo-Jo!’ Her Mum gasped. Jo-Jo felt all her anxiety explode.

‘Mum, Nevaeh was at her house when she had the accident. She shouldn’t have even been there. I hate her for what she’s done.’ She narrowed her eyes until they were slits in Amber’s direction. Amber stepped back, visibly shaken. The action didn’t go unnoticed.

‘Look at her Mum; she knows it’s the truth.’ Amber flushed red and Jo-Jo looked triumphant. Her Mum looked at Amber with undisguised horror before pursing her lips. Her parents had been more than good friends to her.

‘Amber, I think you had better leave.’ She nodded towards her daughter.

‘I’m sorry, but it’s the right thing. I don’t want my daughter more distressed than she already is.’ she added, holding her arm out towards the door. Amber continued to stare up at Jo-Jo.

‘We have to talk.’ she said stubbornly, and then looked at her Mum. ‘I promise, I won’t be long, but I have to talk to her, please.’ Her voice wavered and it didn’t go unnoticed by either of them.

Jo-Jo frowned.

‘Sorry?’

‘Talk, I have to talk to you – it’s extremely important.’ Amber’s voice barely rose above a whisper.

‘What’s wrong? Is it Nevaeh? Has she woken up?’

‘Can I talk to you,’ she looked at Jo-Jo’s Mum. ‘Alone’.

Jo-Jo was agitated, she wanted to go to the hospital not sit here and talk with the person who had taken her place, even if some of it was her fault. She nodded to her mother and led her into the kitchen.

‘You have five minutes – tops.’ She almost growled.

‘I need your help.’ Amber blurted, sagging onto the kitchen chair. Jo-Jo stared at her like she was mad; watching the way Amber rubbed the back of her neck nervously. Her eyes darted to the bruises on her forearm, they looked deep and recent. She’d heard the same stories as everyone else about Amber’s mother. She glanced at her mobile.

‘I have to go, she’s awake you know, Nevaeh.’ She looked at Amber then, biting her lip. ‘And I’d prefer it if you weren’t there.’

Amber looked at her like she had two heads.

‘No she isn’t – believe me – I would know.’

All of Jo-Jo’s anger bubbled out. Who the hell did she think she was? She shoved the text image at her and Amber flinched like she was about to be hit. Jo-Jo shook her phone again.

‘Really? Then how did she do this?’

Amber stared at it blankly.

‘It’s from Nevaeh’s phone, it’s our secret message.’ Amber continued to stare at her, replacing confusion with pity. The look made Jo-Jo seethe.