Cold Moon High

The year was 1987 and Nikki Barnes was walking to school. She clutched a book to her boobs she wished she had. Her blue eyes shone like wet marbles. Her red hair shimmered with a sheen so brilliant it could blind passersby. She wobbled a bit while she walked. She could smell wet leaves as she walked. Orange leaves clung to her tennis shoes.

Nikki wiped her feet before entering Cold Moon High. Black lockers lined the hallway. She walked by the trophy case. It was filled with trophies won by people she never knew and for sports she did not play. She passed Marnie Miller in the hallway.

“Hi Nikki,” Marnie said giving a gentle wave and a warm smile.

“Hey,” Nikki said.

Nikki passed John Waters, the quarterback of the Junior Varsity team. He was a sophomore like her. He has green eyes and brown hair. He walked with confidence but also as if he was still trying to figure things out. He had a rocket arm but lacked accuracy. Devin Baker was the main quarterback on Varsity. He had great precision but no arm power. He was a scrambling quarterback. They were two and eight this season. He was previously a junior and was coming back for his senior year. He walked with a strut. All the junior and senior girls were in love with him. The other girls were always whispering to their friends.

Nikki entered the classroom. She sat near the front because she desperately needed to see the chalkboard. Her best friend, Lisa green, sat next to her.

“Hey what are your plans tonight?”

“I’m baby sitting tonight,” Nikki whispered.

“Why are you whispering?” Lisa asked wrinkling her brow. Nikki’s eyes shifted back and forth.

“I don’t want anybody listening in.” Lisa chuckled and shook her head.

“You’re such a nervous Nelly.” Nikki blushed.

“I just don’t like people knowing my business,” Nikki said.

“Who are you babysitting tonight?” Lisa asked.

“Jamie and Alan Raven,” Nikki answered.

“Don’t they live atop the hill?” Lisa asked.

“That’s the one.” Nikki nodded. Lisa bit her lower lip.

“Don’t they have a cemetery behind their house?” Lisa said. Nikki nodded.

“What’s the big deal?” Nikki said.

“It’s Halloween,” Lisa stated. Nikki raised an eyebrow.

“What’s your point?” Nikki said. Lisa’s eyes shifted back and forth.

“The veil is always the thinnest between the living and the dead, on Halloween night.

Their place could be haunted.”

“Be serious, would you?” Nikki said.

“It could be,” Lisa said. Nikki let out a sigh.

“Don’t put that thought in my head,” Nikki added. The teacher walked in; everyone fell quiet.

When the final school bell rang Lisa and Nikki walked home together. Nikki’s eyes occasionally fell to Lisa’s tight pink sweater. She filled it out well. She was what her mother would refer to as a full-figured girl. She had a round tight butt. Also, Lisa wore pink ribbons in her blonde hair. They came to Lisa’s house first.

“Bye,” Lisa said.

“Later,” Nikki said.

The doorbell rang and Erica opened the door. She greeted Nikki with a bright and genuine smile. She stepped aside and let Nikki pass. Erica called up the stairs.

“Alan and Jamie, Nikki is here.” Tom Raven entered the room with a serious expression on his face. He gave Nikki an acknowledging nod as he fidgeted with his cufflinks. Nikki averted her gaze from his. He had a stare that could intimidate a grizzly bear. He was a CEO and had no problem dealing with cut throat people; he had no problem looking through somebody.

“We’ll be back around midnight,” Erica said. “I want Alan and Jamie in bed at ten.

“No problem,” Nikki said. “Have a good evening.” The Ravens said their goodbyes as they headed out the door. The house seemed larger without Tom and Erica.

Alan and Jamie came down the stairs. They practically took the steps two at a time. Jamie is seven and Alan is ten. Jamie is wearing bib overalls and Alan is wearing sweat pants and a black t-shirt. His smirk indicated he was up to no good. Jamie held her doll. The black hair is braided and her green eyes seemed to follow Nikki where ever she went. It’s slender porcelain face wore a mask of civility and quiet dignity. The doll wore a proper bonnet and a yellow dress. She had a red ribbon around her neck.

“Hi guys,” Nikki said, smiling and waving. Jamie squeezed her doll’s tummy nervously. Alan slapped Nikki a high five. Jamie looked up at Nikki with big eyes.

“Did you want something?” Nikki asked. Jamie thought about it for a minute. She shook her head.

Next Jamie and her brother headed into the living room. The boy turned on the television and sat on the couch.

“What’s your doll’s name?” Nikki asked.

“Lily,” Jamie answered in a voice as sweet as rain.

“Hello Lily,” Nikki said. She shook the doll’s hand and made Jamie giggle. This made Nikki chuckle as well.

“Made you smile,” Nikki said. Jamie covered her mouth and shook her head.

“You tricked me,” Jamie said.

“I didn’t trick you Nikki said. Jamie stuck out her lower lip and started pouting.

“Stick that lower lip back in or a wood pecker will peck it off,” Alan whispered. Jamie put her lower lip away retracting it immediately.

“Don’t scold your sister,” Nikki scolded. Alan rolled his eyes.

“I was only having fun.” Nikki folded her arms across her chest and raised her eyebrow.

Nikki took a seat in a nearby chair, the recliner. She pressed the lever and propped her feet up. A movie started playing; a man walked on to the stage. His hair was black and he wore a tuxedo. He carried a ventriloquist dummy. The sea of people observed the ventriloquist. He seemed to be pausing for dramatic effect. The crowd held their breath. A smokey haze filled the night club on tv. He began his routine. Soon the place was rolling with laughter. The kids even found themselves laughing at the movie as well.

A rain began to batter the house. Nikki raised an eyebrow.

“The rain seemed to come out of nowhere,’’ Nikki said. The sound lulled Nikki into a sense of security. She listened to the sound of rain pelting the house. It made her think of car rides with her parents to r grandmother’s house. Three knocks jostled her out of a daydream. Nikki turned her head; she was almost contemplating on whether to answer it or not.

“Don’t be lazy she mentally scolded herself as she headed to the door. Three more knocks rang out.

About halfway to the door, it swung open. A floating pighead drifted toward her. Her mouth pop open in shock. She grabbed a fire poker and swung at it. The weapon went through the pighead.

“Pig, I banish you back to the cemetery,” Alan said. The pighead vanished. Nikki dropped to the floor, she curled up into the fetal position, and began crying. Then Jamie raced over and shut and locked the door. She leaned up against the door and let out a relieved sigh. Nikki sobbed and trembled like a wet poodle. Her sobs were gentle but audible. The boy knelt down and gently patted his babysitter on the arm.

“He’s gone,” Alan said.

Nikki looked and everything was seemingly back to normal. Alan helped her up.

“What was that?” Nikki whispered.

“The cemetery behind our house is active,” Alan stated. “The dead tend to wander.” Nikki stared at the boy as if he had three heads.

“What does that mean?”

“Spirits and zombies will try to get into our house,” Alan explained.

“How is that possible?” Nikki asked. She hugged herself.

“That cemetery is a portal to the spiritual world,” Alan said.

“Why didn’t your parents tell me this?” Nikki shrieked.

“Mom and Dad probably didn’t think about it,” Alan said.

“It seems like an important detail to forget to mention,” Nikki groaned.

“Don’t get mad at our mom,” Alan protested. “It’s not like you would have believed her anyway.” Nikki waved her hands in the air.

“You’re right about that,” Nikki said. “She still could have told me not to open the door.”

“Fair enough,” Alan said.

“I just hope no grabbers got in the house.”

“What’s a grabber?” Nikki asked.

“They take over a personal body and possess you,” Alan said matter of factly.

“Oh my God!” Nikki exclaimed. “Why do you guys live here?”

“We don’t mind,” Jamie said speaking for the first time.” Nikki looked at Jamie and a couple of thoughts crossed her mind.

“How can you not mind?” Also have you ever been possessed?”

Alan and Jamie exchanged looks.

“Our dad was once,” Alan said.

“How long did it last?” Nikki wanted to know.

“Four hours,” Alan said. “He chased us around the house threatening to kill us in Aramaic.”

“Oh my God,” Nikki said, her mouth drying out.

The phone rang and Nikki answered it.

“Hello,” Nikki said. There were a few moments of silence at first.

“It’s Erica,” she said. “How are the children?”

“They are fine,” Nikki said. “Would you like to speak to them?”

“That won’t be necessary” Erica said quietly. She hesitated for a moment.

“I had forgotten to mention it; don’t open the door for anyone.”

“Alan already told me,” Nikki replied while rolling her eyes.

“Good,” Erica said. “Talk to you later.”

“Yep, bye. They hung up.

The moon hung high above the cemetery. Weather beaten tombstones were lined up in endless rows. Wind whistled through the cracks in the tombstones. It created its’ own music. The wind began speaking. Voices of the dead started talking to each other. Their wails were remorseful.

An old man wandered out of his grave. He wore a hat, a beige jacket, and slacks. He wore a collared shirt. He snapped his fingers and the rain stopped instantly. He whistled and walked amongst the tombstones. The ghost walked up to the gates. It towered overhead. He never batted an eye as he walked through the fence. He appeared as solid as any flesh and blood person. His only give away was his feet or shoes remained dry despite the grass being wet. He continued to whistle as he drew nearer to the house.

Jamie, Alan, and Nikki surely heard this. They snuggled up close on the sofa while watching some charming cartoon. It was a Halloween story of course, keeping up with the Halloween theme.

“Walter must be awake again. Time for bed children,” Silvia said.

“Yes Silvia,” Jamie and Alan said.

“Who is Silvia?” Nikki asked.

“She’s our sister,” Jamie admitted.

“Why didn’t your parents mention anything to me about her?” Nikki said.

“She wasn’t feeling well. Since she couldn’t be around us it was like she wasn’t here,” Alan said.

Nikki shrugged it off, figuring it was the best reason a ten-year old could come up with.

“I’ll go up with you all,” Nikki said.

“That’s quite alright,” Silvia said. “I’m fully capable of putting my sister and brother to bed.” Her green eyes stared at Nikki. She tried to stare into Nikki’s eyes, but Nikki looked away. Silvia ushered the children up the stairs. However, Nikki followed behind her.

“You’re persistent,” Silvia said. Her smooth voice had a soothing quality. There was a contradiction to her. She had a rigidity and a guarded quality about her despite her soothing voice.

There was something familiar about that slender face and that attire. Silvia wore a yellow dress and had a red ribbon around her neck. Nikki noticed the doll was dressed like a little version of Silvia. Even the resemblance was uncanny.

“Your sister looks just like Lily the doll,” Nikki said. “Why is that?”

I made the doll as a gift for Jamie,” Silvia stated. “Can we stop with the interrogation now?” Silvia asked. Nikki blushed and fell silent.

They came to Alan’s bedroom first and Alan went into his room. Then Silvia, Jamie, and Nikki made their way to Jamie’s bedroom.

“Can Nikki come into my room?” Jamie asked.

“But what about me darling?” Silvia asked, her voice was sickly sweet.

“Um, I’d prefer if Nikki came in alone,” Jamie said. Silvia’s eyes flashed wild for a moment before returning to normal.

“Sure, baby sister,” Silvia said. “She is your babysitter after all.”

Jamie and Nikki hurried inside Jamie’s room and closed the door behind them. Jamie locked the door. Then she hurried over to the bed and gripped Nikki’s hand.

“Please sit down,” Jamie asked. Nikki obliged. Jamie spoke in a gentle whisper.

“Silvia isn’t like a normal sister.” Nikki tilted her head to one side.

“What do you mean by that?”

“She’s a vampire,” Jamie said.

“What? Are you sure?” Jamie nodded.

“Definitely,” Jamie said.

Should we get a stake or garlic?” Nikki asked.

“No,” Jamie said. “She hunts outside the house.”

“Hunts?” Nikki asked. “You mean for victims?” Jamie nodded.

“We had been keeping her in the attic, but…” Jamie said.

“Go to sleep little one,” Silvia called out from the other side of the door. Jamie sighed and laid her head on her pillow.

“Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?” Nikki smiled and Jamie scooted over to allow her babysitter to get into the bed. Then Jamie wrapped her arms around Nikki’s waist. Nikki’s heart melted. She started running her fingers through Jamie’s hair. They could feel the warmth of one another. Jamie let out a yawn and soon she fell asleep.

The darkness and the comfy bed worked its’ magic on Nikki and her breathing slowed way down. Her eyelids suddenly burned. She felt the waking world slip away. The dream world beckoned to her. She soon found herself in the cemetery behind the house. The wind was at her back. She wore a dress that provided little protection against the wind. A powerful looking man stood in front of the confused babysitter. He handed her a shovel.

“Dig,” the man said. Nikki looked at him.

“No way,” she protested, folding her arms across her chest after dropping the shovel. He looked at the defiant teen and let out an annoyed grunt. The material on his jacket gently moved. The creaking of the fence made a chill climb up Nikki’s spine; she shivered. She started to walk away but the man grabbed her arm and forced her to go with him. They came to a grave and he handed her a shovel.

“Dig,” the man said again. He towered over her; his hulking frame made him seem like a giant in her eyes. Nikki let out a sigh and started digging. He folded his arms across his chest. He eyed her and his expression softened.

“You’ll make a fine grave digger,” the man said.

“My arms feel like they are going to fall off,” Nikki whined. The man chuckled.

“You’ll get used to it,” the man said.

“Whose grave is this?” Nikki asked. The man shoved her in the hole and started shoveling dirt on top of her.

Nikki’s eyes popped open. She felt Jamie’s arms around her waist. The room was lined with stuffed animals. There was a booked shelf lined with children’s books. The carpet was purple of all colors and the walls were white. She gently removed herself from the sleeping girl’s clutches. She almost wanted to kiss little Jamie’s forehead, seeing as how she looked so sweet and angelic. Nikki tiptoed out of the room and ran into Silvia. Her eyes glowed in the dark.

“Enjoy your nap?” Silvia whispered?

“What time is it?” Nikki asked.

“11:30,” Silvia said.

“So, your parents should be home in about a half an hour,” Nikki informed.

“My parents never show up when they say they will,” Silvia said rolling her eyes.

“I hope you’re wrong,” Nikki said after biting her lip. Silvia smiled.

“Come into the living room with me” Silvia said. She motioned for Nikki to follow her downstairs. Silvia walked with feminine grace and ease of motion. They made their way over to the sofa. Silvia sat down first and patted the cushion next to her. Nikki reluctantly obliged.

Silvia watched this teen.

“You’re scared of this place, aren’t you?” Silvia asked. Nikki nodded.

“Particularly I’m afraid of the cemetery,” Nikki answered.

It’s quite active, but I can control the dead,” Silvia said.

“What?” Nikki said sounding nervous. “How?”

Silvia tapped the front of her tooth with her red finger nail.

“There are certain advantages to being a vampire.” Nikki’s eyes widen and her ears perk up.

“A vampire?” Nikki asked. Silvia smirked and nodded.

“I am lord of the undead,” Silvia boasted. “I can transform into fog, bats, and werewolves.”

“Are you going to kill me?” Nikki whispered. Silvia chuckled.

“I’ll spare you if you let me hunt,” she said. “Let me walk right out that front door and feed.”

Right at that moment Erica and Tom Raven come home. Their eyes widen when they see that their daughter is free.

“How did you escape your coffin?” Tom asked. Silvia smirked.

“No coffin can hold me,” Silvia said. Suddenly, a shuffling horde of zombies breaks down the front door and they quickly gobble up Erica and Tom. Down the stairs come Jamie and Alan. Jamie tosses the doll into the fireplace. The zombies and Silvia burst into flames. Nikki and the kids run to her car. Then Nikki takes Jamie and Alan over to her house. Nikki’s parents, Bill and Irene were watching an old movie. Nikki locked the door behind her and then leaned against it.

“Mom and Dad,” Nikki said. “Jamie and Alan are the kids I was babysitting tonight. Can they spend the night?” Bill and Irene exchanged a look.

“Sure,” Irene said. She stood up and walked over to Jamie and Alan. Then she took them by the hand and lead them up to the guest bedroom.