Broken (The Siren Series #1) Read online

  Broken

  Chapter One

  I was dragged down into the dark. My mind was blurry, darkened figures roamed around me with talon like claws. Scratching and stabbing as my bare flesh succumbed to the brutality. I screamed out in pain, pushing the figures away, until hot agonizing pain shot through my chest.

  “Ellie Laveau, please pay attention.” The teacher asked.

  I was torn away from the dark and brought back into the reality.

  “Ah crap.” I mumbled under my breath. Quickly I raised my head.

  Mrs. Clayson face was stuck in a constant frown. She wore it nearly every day. (Cheer up woman).

  “Sorry.” I said. She gave me a quick nod and turned her back on the class and continued to write on the board.

  I really hated maths. My brain could not keep up with all the stupid numbers, but like my dad says, I have to stick it out until the end. I looked over to my right and saw Lilly heavily reading her text book. Lilly was one of the pretty girls, but she never really thought about herself as being pretty. She had long flowing blonde hair, but today it was high up in a ponytail to show off her high cheek bones. She loved maths, and even tried to teach me at one point. I love Lilly very much, but the girl she can be such a know-it-all.

  As I was about to finish some of the answers on my page the bell rang and my heart jumped for joy. I slammed my books shut and threw the rest into my backpack and zipped it up. I quickly caught up with Lilly outside the class. She turned to face me and she had her motherly look plastered onto her face. (Here we go).

  “You were sleeping again weren’t you?” Lilly’s tone was not happy one.

  Lilly was one of my best friends. I have known her since I came to this school a few years ago. We hit it off quickly and have been friends ever since. She has become the mother of the group, always knew what was best.

  “Um, just a little. I’ve been having trouble sleeping that’s all.” I replied.

  “Again? what’s going on with you Ellie? Are you sick or something?” she asked.

  “God I hope not, I hate getting sick,” I said while feeling my forehead. “No, no temperature.”

  I really did hate getting sick. I always felt like I was on deaths door, and, It was so not attractive, always blowing my red nose, coughing up nasty phlegm. Ugh I just didn’t want to think about that right now.

  “Well maybe you should see the schools nurse?” Lilly suggested. “You do look a bit puffy.”

  “Don’t lie. Anyway let’s get something to eat maybe that will help.” I said to change the topic.

  We arrived together at the dinner hall, and as usual everyone had their own little group and sat at same table every day. The hall had a white high ceiling with long circular lights hanging down low along with a wooden tiled floor that had seen better days. We quickly bought a sandwich and a drink from one of the vending machines.

  I looked over and saw Becky wave at us from our favorite table, shaking her many bangles at the same time. Rebecca (Becky for short, as she hates being called Rebecca) was also one of my other best friends and I adore her.

  Becky has a cute little mole on her right cheek, (she calls it her beauty mark, but Lilly and I sometimes tease her about it), Becky’s hair was black as night, and cut short that showed off her long slender neck, she had a thin nose with soft full pink lips that was covered with too much lip-gloss. I sat down at our small table and started to eat my sandwich I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I took my first bite.

  “So Becky.” Lilly asked “How was Matthew then?” Lilly gave Becky a cheeky little wink.

  “No, nothing happened.” she sadly said. “The teacher didn’t give us a chance, and you know that’s the perfect time when he’s alone. When he’s not in class he’s surrounded by those friends of his.”

  “Do you want us to go with you” I asked. I knew what her answer was going to be straight away.

  “No way, I’m not a kid anymore Ellie,” I quickly stop talking and continued to eat my sandwich. “It just drives me mad, we give each other looks, now and then, but none of us can pluck up the courage.”

  “You’ll get him next time, how does the saying go?” Lilly asked

  “Absence makes the heart grow stronger?” I said.

  “Um no, I don’t think that’s it but I know where you’re coming from,” replied Lilly. “Oh yeah Becky, Ellie has something to tell you.”

  Uh oh I knew what this was going to be. Was it gang up on Ellie day, and with that I had a major headache going on.

  “Don’t tell me she’s been sleeping in class again?” Becky said, like I wasn’t even in the room.

  “Yep.”

  “Ok, can you two get off my back please!? I haven’t been sleeping well and I’ve got a thumping headache and you are not helping,” I felt the anger bubbling deep down. “I’m sorry girls it’s just that today hasn’t been a good day.”

  “Sorry Ellie, you know we’re only joking.” Lilly said.

  “Yeah sorry.”

  Both of them just stared down at their food feeling ashamed. I took a deep breath. What was going on with me lately, I’ve been snapping at them a lot, and I was acting quite bitchy lately. I tried to give the girls a little smile to ease the tension.

  “Fine, but you owe us now.” Becky said immediately.

  “Deal” I accepted. The awkwardness soon disappeared between us. I took one last bite of my cheese sandwich and washed it down with some lemonade when the bell rang.

  “Let’s go Becky, we’ve got class together.” I told her.

  “O.M.G. I totally forgot about Mr. Drop dead gorgeous.” Becky said.

  I gave her an eye roll. “Let’s just get to class or Mr. Thomas will not be so drop dead gorgeous and please do not call him that to his face” I asked.

  Becky bit her lip in a sultry way which needed another eye roll.

  “Behave!” Lilly said by playfully throwing a rolled up paper napkin at her.

  I threw my rubbish into the bin and brushed myself off. Becky shot a raised eyebrow my way.

  “What? I don’t want crumbs on me when I go to lesson.” I said.

  “Yeah, whatever.” Becky giggled.

  We walked together amongst the crowd of teenagers. It didn’t take us too long to get to our English class since we knew a short cut up the side stairs. We climbed up and just around the corner was our English class. We found our seats, Lucky enough I was sitting next to Becky, but sometimes we did slack off and just chatted and gossiped about our teacher (well Becky did I just agreed now and then.)

  Becky was right, he was drop dead gorgeous, all the girls had major thing for him. Mr. Thomas had short sandy colored hair with two day stubble that looked great on him. It defined his strong jaw line and in the right light made me go weak at the knees. (I know, I know. It’s just wrong).

  Today we were reading Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. I didn’t really know much about it, but I knew that it was sad. Why did Shakespeare write such dark tales? I mean did he ever look on the brighter side of life? I looked over at Becky and saw she was completely enthralled with Mr. Thomas as were the other girls. Now and then Mr. Thomas gave us his famous crooked smile that everyone loves.

  Mr. Thomas held up the book. “Right class, for a few days we will be reading Romeo and Juliet” His voice was soft yet commanding.

  He flipped open the pages and started to read. His soft manly voice flowed naturally as he began to quote the words of Romeo to his imaginary Juliet. He asked some of the students to read passages from the book and he then asked them what they thought it meant. Some of them gave stupid answers while others gave deep analysis to the meaning. Thank god he never asked me to read, I hated reading out loud, too muc
h pressure.

  “Isn’t he gorgeous?” drooled Becky.

  Now and then his eyes would meet mine and I would blush all over and I would then stick my face straight into the book.

  What had seemed like minutes had turned into a full hour. It was time to pack up and head home. Becky was fast to put her things away and zoomed out of the class, but she turned back and said.

  “I’ll wait outside for you ok.”

  I nodded to her and went back to packing my stupid overly packed bag. One of these days this bag is going to fall apart. When I was done, I noticed that I was the last one in the room except Mr. Thomas. He was tidying some papers away.

  “Don’t you want to go home Ellie?” asked Mr. Thomas.

  “Yeah just packing this stupid bag, it keeps jamming all the time.” I replied.

  He came around each table to collect the books that he had provided. There was one of the books sitting on my table and without thinking I kindly passed it to him and for a split second my hand touched his. (Oh crap).

  I knew what would happen and I slowly looked into his deep brown eyes. Mr. Thomas’s pupils doubled in size. I could feel his heat flowing through his body and into mine, it felt wrong and right at the same time all muddled up in one heat of desire. He came closer towards me and I immediately pulled my hand away and ran straight to the door.

  I quickly ran down the stairs so fast that I nearly fell. I had to sit down and take a breath. My head was spinning, I couldn’t breathe. I undid my buttons on my blazer to let cool air through. I sat on the cold rubber floor with my back to the wall. Tears began to flow down my face (crying at school was such a big no, no) I tried to get my breathing under control when I heard footsteps coming up the stairs.

  No, don’t come up here, please. I thought.

  I was just about to get up and leave when I heard a familiar voice calling my name. The two girls came up the stairs with worried looks.

  When I saw them I began to cry again. Becky and Lilly rushed over to me on the floor and was about to hug me.

  “Don’t” I yelled and they backed away.

  “Sorry Ellie.”

  “Don’t worry, we know it’s not your fault, don’t cry we’re here now.”

  I was so lucky to have them as my best friends; they mean the world to me. But the sad thing is I can never touch them. They never once judged the things that happen to me. They just accept me and that’s why I love them.

  “It happened again, didn’t it?”Lilly asked.

  I gave her a quick nod.

  “Who was it?” Lilly’s voice was soft.

  “Mr. Thomas” I replied.

  “Not Mr. Drop dead gorgeous.” said Becky.

  Lilly gave Becky a slight nudge.

  “Sorry Becky, I know you like him.” I said. “But he didn’t do anything to me. I ran out of there quickly.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself,” said Becky “it’s not like you have any control over it, it just happens.”

  Becky was right. I had no control over it what so ever when I accidently touch people. The people I touch, they change, and I don’t know why or how, they just do. Even my friends, I have to watch who I touch, like last year.

  I tipped over some idiot’s bag in class, and I fell, lucky the teacher caught me. (Well not really lucky). As soon as he grabbed me, he started to change. His eyes went wild and crazy. He tried to rip my clothes off in front of the class while saying real horrible graphical stuff to me. He forcefully tried to kiss my face. Thankfully if it wasn’t for the other students and the teacher’s god knows what he would have done. Unfortunately for him he’s no longer working at the school, and, it was my fault.

  “Let’s get you home Ellie.” Said Becky

  I wiped my wet face with the back of my hand. Lilly and Becky were the first on their feet. I grabbed onto the stairs banister and pulled myself up.

  The three of us walked down the stairs and into the darkly lit carpeted hallway. It felt a bit weird being in school after hours, normally there are kids pushing and running down the halls. Now it just felt spooky and empty.

  I followed the girls as we exited the building and into the warm June sunlight. The fresh air whipped around me in playful blows. It felt good against my skin, cooling and refreshing me at the same time. We walked out of the school grounds in awkward silence. I stood by the school gates ready to say goodbye.

  “Do you want us to walk you home Ellie?” asked Lilly.

  “No thanks, it’s only ten minutes away, I’ll be fine.” I replied.

  “Are you sure?” Becky asked.

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’ll speak to you tonight.” I answered.

  I turned my back on my friends, and I began to walk home. My girls were always there for me. I don’t know what I would do without them. They always knew what to do and how to it, Becky and Lilly were all I had. Well except my Dad, (crap). I am going to be really late getting home. He worries about me at lot.

  I quickly picked up my speed when something caught my eye. I felt the hairs on the back on my neck raise and my whole body shivered as if a sharp wind rippled through me. My mind was shouting at me, telling me not to look, but it felt as if a stranger was controlling my body. I slowly begun to turn around and I expected something really bad to happen, but what I saw was more breath taking then anything. A beautiful woman stood in front of me with a gentle smile.

  Chapter Two

  The woman was beautifully stunning. She had long red flaming hair that flowed in waves down to her breasts. The woman’s eyes were a bright fiery red and they were aimed right at me. She walked towards me, closing the short gap, one step at a time. My mind was frozen, as well as my body. It was like I had turned to stone on the spot. As soon as she got within arm’s reach she smiled the most heartwarming smile, showing a set of white teeth. I just stood there looking at her. Staring, like an idiot. Her face looked like it was carved from smooth stone. There were no blemishes, no uneven skin tone, just her beauty. Her dark rouge lips had the perfect cupid’s arrow I’ve ever seen. This woman looked like she was created from the gods themselves.

  “Ellie?” She asked.

  I was taken aback when she spoke my name. Her voice was smooth like melted chocolate so soft and alluring.

  I gathered myself and said “yes, that’s me.”

  The woman gave another angelic smile. “You’ve grown so much.” She said.

  I immediately took a few steps back which she noticed. I did not know who this woman was.

  “There’s no need to be afraid Ellie,’’ she gave a slight giggle” I’m sorry if I’m scaring you.” Her smile died and a serious looked took its place.

  “Who are you?” I said. I noticed that my voice was not steady as it should have been.

  “My name is not important right now.” she replied. I could listen to her voice all day.

  I began to find my own voice. “Then I think we’re done here.” I said.

  I was about to turn and walk away when she called out my name again with her seductive voice “Ellie, be careful please.”

  I continued to walk away from the beautiful woman, ignoring her words and headed quickly home.

  When I saw my house I nearly ran to the door but decided against it. My house was not big or fancy but it was ideal for me and my Dad, it was kinda’ small but that’s what I liked about it. It was just the two of us since my Mother died when I was young. Our house was in fact quite plain except the beautiful rose designs on the glass windows and the door, the roof was tiled in a dull gray color, some of the roofing slates were either missing or were badly discolored. I crept by the window and peaked in and saw my dad sitting there with a cup of his favorite drink, tea. Seeing him put a huge smile on my face.

  I opened the front door to see my Dad staring at me. Uh oh I forgot that I was late getting home.

  “And where have you been?” he asked. His tone wasn’t angry but very concerned.

  My dad gets worried about me very easily. “
Me and the girls lost track of time that’s all.” I lied.

  My Dad wasn’t stupid at all and he’d know if I was lying. But he’s one of them Dads that never push, he’s the best.

  “Is that true?” he started to stare at me while sitting in his chair. I did not dare move.

  “Don’t do it again” he asked.

  “I won’t Dad.” I replied. He went back drinking his tea and reading something in the paper.

  I left my Dad in the living room while I ran up stairs and threw my bag in my room and changed into my oversized lazy clothes I wiped some of my make-up of with a wet wipe. (I wasn’t going anywhere else today anyway) I grabbed a quick snack from the fridge and sat lazily on the sofa watching TV.

  “Are you watching anything?” I asked him.

  “Watch what you want.” he replied without moving his head from his paper.

  I scanned through the boring channels, cooking shows and poorly acting soap operas with crappy plot lines flew across the screen. I finally settled for an action TV series that I only just caught the end of. My Dad put down the paper and entered the kitchen. A familiar smell sneaked its way towards me that I knew very well. I inhaled deeply. The yummy smell of garlic and basil shot towards me. Dad was making my favorite food, spaghetti and his famous (well not really famous) tomato sauce that I loved. Italian food was my favorite. I have always enjoyed it since I was a little girl.

  “Smells good.” I said.

  “Yeah I was in the mood for spaghetti, and I know it’s your favorite.” He called out.

  “When’s it ready?” I impatiently asked.

  “It’s nearly ready just a few more minutes,” he replied “so how was school then?”

  My heart skipped a beat. “Yeah same as always.” I said nonchalantly.

  I expected him to say something else, or to ask more question, but luckily, he didn’t. I could hear plates being taken out and utensils making annoying sharp sounds.

  I felt guilty, so I got up and went into the kitchen to lend a helping hand. I took the knives and forks from my Dad and placed them onto the small kitchen table while he strained the spaghetti. I helped myself to the grated cheese in the fridge and placed it in the middle of the table. I pulled back the wooden chair and sat at the table waiting. The delicious smells toyed with me while I sat. He dished the spaghetti onto two plates and topped it off with the garlic and basil tomato sauce. In less than a minute of it being in front of me, I forked mouthfuls of spaghetti straight into my mouth. Dad sat across the kitchen table from me enjoying his meal. I was about to eat another mouthful when I noticed that the kitchen was very quiet. Normally the TV would be playing loud in the other room or Dad would be talking (or more likely blabbing about something), but there was silence and it was weird.