Second Chances

By Alexander Kung

Rich and privileged Ryan Thomas enjoyed the powers and perks of being the mayor's son, bullying everyone he deemed inferior to him. He took a particular sick sadistic joy in torturing one boy in particular, Jessie Taylor. One day Ryan's bullying goes too far, inciting the wrath of Jessie's magic using Roma grandmother, who twists the very fabric of reality in revenge. As punishment, Ryan now finds himself in the body of “Creepy” Kelly Daniels, the school outcast, a lonely troubled girl with a miserable life.

A/N: Here's an edited and revised chapter. I hope you enjoy ~ Alexander

Second Chances — Part 1

It was a slow day in Felicia Lupescu's curiosity shop, The Relic. It was a humble little shop nestled in right in the middle of the town of Tyson’s Cove . It stocked various antiques and oddities from around the world. From an actual Egyptian mummy(not for sale), rare ancient books and everything in between seemed to pass through her shop. However anything that was rumored to be the least bit magical or legendary seemed to get bought up very quickly by a crazy looking older man in a bathrobe.

“He can't be too crazy,” the woman thought with a laugh as she dusted the display cases “He's one of my best customers.”

She was an elegant looking older woman with beautiful turquoise eyes and raven black hair with streaks of silver to give just a hint of distinction. She got a kick out of the looks people gave her when they found out she was a Roma. She was far cry from the stereotypical 'Madam Inga” gypsy fortune tellers in the movies To put it in some perspective, she was more like an exotic looking Raquel Welch.

“Actually, I think I’m a bit better looking than she is” Felicia thought, allowing herself just a tiny bit of vanity.

However she strictly drew the line at any anyone asking her age, a true lady never reveals that. Besides that was just plain rude.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed a kind of strangely dressed girl looking at the various items in her store, particularly a silver ring with a gem cut blood stone. The girl with the short blonde hair was a common sight in the store, almost daily really. She spent most of the time just window shopping, killing time the older woman surmised.

“Hello” Felicia said warmly “Can I help you with anything today?”

“Just looking around” the girl replied flatly “It's gonna be the last time I'll be able to.”

“Oh? Are you moving?” asked Felicia.

“Something like that” the girl said sadly.

“Well it's a shame to see you go” Felicia said, opening the case and handing her the ring.

“I...I can’t afford this” said the girl “I don’t have any money.”

“It's a gift, to remind you of us wherever you move to ” Felicia said with a warm smile “No charge.”

The girl stared at the ring for a few minutes before her eyes started to well up with tears. Muttering a quick thank you she quickly rushed out the store leaving the kindly store owner slightly bewildered.

“What was that all about?” she thought in confusion

~O~

Jessie Taylor slowly limped home from school, his face bruised and bloody and his clothes in tatters. Ignoring the stares of the passerby’s on the sidewalk, he shuffled on, trying to walk as painlessly as possible. Pain caused by yet another vicious beating at the hands of Ryan Thomas and his cronies. It was a common occurrence, happening almost every day.

“What did I ever do to deserve this?” he thought to himself

Ever since middle school, Jessie could remember being bullied by Ryan. Now a junior in high school and he was still getting beatings. What was his crime this time? He was caught talking to Jessica Sanders who was Ryan’s girlfriend. Granted it was just a conversation over third period philosophy but to Ryan it was equivalent to high crimes against humanity. The punishment was delivered by a repeated salvo of swift boots to the body and head.

“Stick to your own kind and stay away from my girlfriend, mutt” Ryan sneered before kicking him hard in the ribs.

'Mutt', that was that asshole’s little pet name for him ever since middle school. It was a thinly veiled jab at the fact that Jessie was biracial. The bully seemed to take great pride in reminding him how less than human he was because of that fact.
He shook his head trying push the negative thoughts out of head, he didn’t need to care what that asshole thought of him. What he did need to care about however, was how he was going to explain this to his grandmother who was none too keen of him fighting.

As he racked his brain as to what excuse he could get away with, his mind drifted as he zoned out. Failing to pay attention on where he was going, he found himself blasted in the face by a fast opening door of his grandmothers shop. As his world spun around, he reached out a grabbed the closest thing he could to try and stop his fall. It didn’t work and whatever he grabbed came tumbling down on top of him, landing on the pavement with a thud.

As his blurry eyes finally started to focus, he realized that in trying to stop his fall he had just pulled a girl on top of him. He recognized her almost immediately, ‘Creepy’ Kelly Daniels. She was kind of an outcast at his school, a quiet loner spending most of her time by herself. She would almost be pretty if she didn't have a seemingly permanent scowl on her face.

But today was different, the scowl was replaced with a pair of the saddest green eyes he ever seen on a person. The kind of eyes of a person that had completely given up on everything

“Uh…hi?” Jessie stammered, slightly embarrassed at in the position they were in

The girl muttered quick sorry as an odd look came over her face. Leaning down, she kissed him quickly on the lips. Scrambling to her feet, she rushed passed him, running quickly as she could. She disappeared into the crowded streets, leaving Jessie feeling very confused.

“What the hell was that all about?” he thought

“Jessie!” yelled Felicia from the doorway of the shop, crossing her arms as she saw her grandson. “Do you mind telling me what happened this time?”

Without missing a beat a stupid looking grin appeared on his face. Felicia hated that look, because she never knew what was going to come out of his mouth next. Usually something very outlandish and idiotic.

“Would ya believe, masked dwarf ninjas?” Jessie smirked in his best Inspector Gadget voice

“Just get inside so I can fix you up.” she said rolling her eyes, despite her anger at him she couldn't help but laugh at her grandson's sharp wit. "Seriously, what am I going do with you?"

"Give me a raise and a vacation to the islands?" Jessie said making cute puppy dog eyes

"Oh, will you shut it!" Felicia said, desperately trying to hold back a laugh.

Damn him. She hated her grandson's humor due to the fact that she could never stay mad at him for long when he used it. Sighing deeply, she lead him to the storage area of the shop, sitting him down on a nearby stool as she got the first aid kit.

“Fighting again?” Felicia sighed as she gently wiped his face with wet wipe “You know my feelings on that, don’t you?”

“Gram, I don’t want to get into it” said Jessie “And you don’t have to do this, I can take care of it myself.”

“Be quiet” Felicia replied, dipping a cotton ball in a mix alcohol and iodine then dabbing his face with it

“OWWW!” Jessie yelped in pain “ Have you ever heard of peroxide?”

“This works better” Felicia smiled.

“If I didn’t know better, I think you doing this on purpose” Jessie snorted, still reeling from the new stinging pain.

“Oh I wouldn’t dream of such a thing” Felicia grinned dabbing his face again.

“OWWWWWWWWW!”

“Oh yeah, she’s doing it on purpose” thought Jessie.

~O~

The Sun had begun to set on the beautiful shores of Norman’s Beach, bathing the sky in lovely oranges, blues and purples. The sound of the waves coming in as well as the squawk of seagulls added to the incredibly peaceful atmosphere. It was funny how something as simple as a walk on a beach could soothe a soul if you let it.

Taking off her shoes, Kelly Daniels slowly walked the on the soft wet sand letting the gentle waves slap her bare feet before going back out to sea. There was no way the beach could work its soothing magic today. She felt completely numb to everything, fully fed up with her life. It just wasn’t worth living anymore.

So it was today she that planned to do it. She had to, it was just too unbearable to go on. Her abusive home life, the constant bullying at school both verbal and physical, the loneliness of not having any friends, and last night… She couldn't even finish the thought without retching in disgust as tears flowed down her eyes.

As the sun disappeared over the horizon, she made it to her special safe place, specificity underneath Pier 17. It had been her special spot for years, giving her a feeling of safety she never felt at home. Here she could think and try to convince herself that things would get better.

But today it gave no sense of any sort of warmth or sanctuary. Nothing would anymore...anything except... going away. She laughed bitterly at the almost quaint sounding term for what she was about to do.

Pulling the ring out her pocket, she looked at it sadly. It was one of the last two things on her mental B-list. She always wanted it but never could really afford to buy it. She felt a twinge of guilt as she remembered how she planned to steal it today. When the woman just gave it to her, it was just too confusing and she really didn’t know how to react. Nobody was nice to her, much less gave her anything for free.

Then when she ran out the store, she ran right into her crush. She liked him because it seemed like he was just like her, a victim of cruel fate. She didn’t really know him but to her it seemed like he was a kindred soul. Maybe one of the few people who could possibly understand her.

But when she stole a kiss from him today, she felt nothing. She felt no love, no lust, nothing but a numbing sad feeling that engulfed her entire soul. If was as if her spirit died last night and was waiting for her body to catch up.

Climbing on a pile of drift wood she slipped a crudely tied noose around her neck. She thought about leaving a note but who would care? Honestly, who would really give a shit? She doubted anyone would actually grieve for her when she was gone. She softly hoped that boy would but even that she doubted.

Her lip trembled as she prepared herself, hoping it wouldn't hurt too much. Closing her eyes, she grasped the ring tightly and jumped... She needn’t have worried, it was quick...

All was quiet as the ring slid away from her limp fingers and dropped into the sand beneath her feet. Sadly her death had been just as her life, lonely and tragic

~O~

Jessie made his way to the school cafeteria, his face still a bit bruised and swollen from the massive beating and his ears still ringing from Grandma Felicia's 'riot act'.

“Who the hell says riot act anymore?” Jessie thought shaking his head.

There was a reason why she didn't want him fight though Jessie passed it off as just old Roma superstition. Apparently she had a dream of him dying quite violently during a fight. So she expressively forbade him to be involved in any sort of physical conflict.

“Easier said than done” Jessie thought as he started to eat his lunch “It wasn't like it was my choice.”

“Hey nerd boy, mind if I eat with ya?” yelled a voice with a distinctive southern twang.

It was Max “Tex” Caldwell one of Jessie's rare and closest friends. Despite being from two different so called cliques, Jessie being the nerd and Tex being the Football player, they were the best of friends.

Tex was the epitome of a young southern gentleman which was a bit out of place in the coastal west town. He was a big chubby boy with wild red hair, blue eyes that just sparkled with mischief. More often than not he was the voice of reason in most conversations. You just couldn't ask for a better friend than Tex.

“Go ahead cornbread!” said Jessie as Tex sat down.

“So what's new in your..........Jesus H Christ!” Tex exclaimed, seeing all the bruises on his face "What in the holy hell happened to ya?"

"Wanna take a guess?" sighed Jessie "But don't worry I showed him, I smashed my face into his fist a few hundred times. I think he got the message"

"How the hell can ya joke about something like this?" Tex said

"What else can I do?" Jessie said softly

“Well, I'll tell you what I'm gone do" Tex said getting pissed "The next time I see that summa bitch, I mo kick his ass”

“Smart thinking Tex” Jessie sighed “You lay one finger on the school's golden boy, they'll expel your ass in a heartbeat. You'll kiss that scholarship that you worked so hard for goodbye. I can’t and won’t let you do that”

“Aw shit” Tex said in defeat “So what? We just let him get away with this happy horseshit every damn day? Ya know he only pushes everyone around because he's the damn mayor’s son! There gotta be something we can do.”

“Well right now it’s my problem. You don't need to mess up your life on my account” said Jessie "I'll figure out some way to deal with him, so don't worry about it. Better yet, let’s just change the subject.”

“Fine, fer now” Tex said in a teasing tone “So I wonder where ya 'girlfriend' is today. She’s not in her usual place.”

“What girlfriend?” Jessie said raising an eyebrow “Who are you talking about?”

“Oh come on don't act like ya don't know” Tex smiled “Hell, she damn near followed you around all last summer like little lost puppy. That little blondie that dresses all gothamic like.”

“Kelly Daniels?” Jessie said “I don't think she goes for nerds”

“How do ya know unless ya try?” said Tex

“I guess I don't” Jessie said looking down at his food

“What are you two dumbasses talking about?” said a very sexy sounding voice.

It was Ericka Jenkins, Tex's girlfriend. She was very beautiful ebony skinned girl with long copper colored hair and light topaz colored eyes. Beautiful both inside and out, she was brutal in her honesty, but had a sweet way about her that endeared her to Jessie. She was like the big sister he never had. Both she and Tex were the only friends Jessie had but they were enough, he’d take quality over quantity anytime.

"Holy shit!" Ericka exclaimed "What the hell happened to your face?"

"Hang gliding accident" Jessie said flatly “Crash landed on face first on Ryan's fist”

"Damn you need to learn how to defend yourself better!" Ericka lectured “ Did you ever hear of bobbing and weaving?”

"Thank you, mom. I’ll have to try that next time " Jessie said sarcastically “Can we please talk about something that doesn't involve my face or Ryan Thomas?"

“Oh fine, Let's talk about yer love life then” Tex said “Or lack thereof. Hell ya ought to do what I did to get Erika.”

“As I recall you grabbed my ass on dare!” Ericka narrowing her almond shaped eyes “And if I also remember correctly, I damn near separated your jaw for it.”

“But oooh damn, was it worth it” Tex said giving his girlfriend a sweet kiss. “Because I ended up winning yer heart.”

“Oh so,very true” Ericka smiled kissing him back “I just love my Texie poo.”

"Okay now!" Jessie said playfully "Some of us are trying to eat here without all this PDA happening."

"Ya don't like then don't watch" Tex smiled "Hell if ya git off yer ass, maybe try to find yer balls and ask that girl out then ya wouldn't have time to worry about our PDA."

“A girl? Oooh do tell, Jessie” teased Ericka "Who's got you all hot and bothered?"

“Kelly Daniels” Jessie shyly said with a slight blush, thinking about that kiss she gave him “I'm thinking about asking her out. I haven't
seen her today though.”

Erika's face grew a bit pale as her smile melted into a more sullen expression. Her mouth went a bit dry as she tried to find the right words.

“What's the matter?” Jessie asked "She’s not that bad. Hell, I really don’t know what is so ‘creepy’ about her."

“You guys haven't heard have you?” Erika said sadly

“Heard what?” said Tex

“It's all over school guys” Erika said “She killed herself yesterday. They found her underneath the pier on the beach this morning.”

~O~

The rest of the day went by in a blur. Each little clique had their own opinion on the death on “Creepy Kelly” and none of it good. Sadly she didn't have the best of reputations and so the rumors abounded as to why she killed herself. That she was a slut that got pregnant and couldn't deal with it, she was druggie that took some bad stuff, etc. It was disgusting, a person died and they didn’t even give a shit.

Sick to his core, Jessie just wanted go home. He quickly packed his books from his locker, hoping to get home before running into any trouble.

“YO MUTT! Where do you think you’re going?”

“Aw fuck” Jessie muttered to himself "Not this shit today!"

It was Ryan Thomas. He was the pampered son of the Mayor which afforded him a lot of power over people. At a tall 6’4 he towered over Jessie who was just barely 5’11. He was built like a large muscular tank, sporting close cropped blond hair with steel gray eyes and a chiseled jaw line.

He had considerable clout in the school and most of the town, being both the captain of the football team and the son of Mayor Thomas. He could he could get away with just about whatever he wanted, because the mere threat of him going to his father was all he needed to strike fear into people. Bottom line, nobody messed with Ryan.

With him were the McQueen twins, Billy and Bobby. About just as tall as Ryan, they both had greasy gelled black hair with scary looking hazel eyes. To call these guys gorillas would be insulting...To the gorillas. If Ryan was the brain they were indeed the brawn, following anything the guy said without question or hesitation.

Why they picked on Jessie was unknown to anyone but Ryan. He seemed to get a particular sadistic sick thrill on seeing him in any sort of pain. When he started on Jessie, nobody in the hallway stepped in to help, they weren't that stupid. Most just turned their backs, pretending nothing was happening. It was just easier that way.

“I heard that little slut that was following you around killed herself” sneered Ryan as he slammed Jessie into his locker.

“Don't talk about her like that” said Jessie shoving him back

“Oooooooh I think we touched a nerve on the little nigger mutt” said Ryan as he slammed him back in the locker following up by a vicious punch to the ribs

Jessie dropped to the floor holding his sides in sheer pain. He gasped as The McQueen brothers followed up with merciless kicks him to the ribs. As Jessie curled up in a ball, writhing in pain, Ryan couldn't help but gloat a little bit.

“Maybe the little creepy little bitch couldn't take the thought of you asking her out. Let's face it, no woman could” Ryan whispered in his ear with a sick smile

There’s a rule that every hiker or camper follows when in the woods, never provoke a coiled snake. Well, the same rings true with nerds in the fetal position. With his anger reaching a boiling point, Jessie finally snapped.

Balling up his fist, he lashed out and hit Ryan in the groin with everything he had. A high pitched squeak was heard as Ryan fell to his knee in unbearable pain. Popping to his feet, Jessie threw a hard right to the bully’s face.

The McQueen boys said nothing as Ryan held his face in disbelief. It was as if he was genuinely surprised that Jessie had had the outright audacity to defend himself. His disbelief turned to rage as he slowly rose to his feet, his gray eyes clouding over with anger and hate.

“What are you two fucktards looking at?” Ryan growled still holding his groin and face “Get him!”

“Get him?! Like hell!” Jessie thought as he ran off down the hallway

Looking over his shoulder, he could see the McQueen's right behind him and gaining. So in a mix of clumsiness and sheer brilliance, he kicked over a nearby janitors mop bucket. The slippery soapy water sent the bullies slamming hard into the nearby lockers with a satisfying thud much to the amusement of the rest of the school

They slid and fell over each other for a good minute and a half before finally getting their footing on dry floor. By that time Jessie was long gone.

~O~

After school Jessie helped out at The Relic as he always did. It was an interesting job especially when the rare and obscure items came through the store. Jessie would never admit it aloud but as weird as the place was, it brought a sense of peace he couldn't find anywhere else. Most of the time anyway. Case in point, like right now. He’d rather be anywhere else but in the shop getting chewed out again by his grandmother.

“Again, Jessie?” Felicia yelled in annoyance while dusting some vases “What have I told you about fighting?”

“It's not my fault!” Jessie said while itemizing some rare books “I try everything I can, but he won’t leave me alone.”

“Then try harder!” Felicia said angrily

“*sigh* I wish you could understand what it's like Gram.” Jessie said lowering his head “It's not like I'm the one picking the fights.”

“I know hon” Felicia softened in a more motherly tone “You do know why I don't want you to fighting. I don't have to tell you twice how
disturbing my vision was.”

“I don't believe in those Roma superstitions.” Jessie said skeptically “Look, it was a dream and nothing more. Stop freaking out over nothing.”

“I am not freaking out over nothing! I take it seriously and so should you” Felicia pleaded “Try to make friends with the boy or something but promise me no more fighting okay? Please? Can you do that for me?”

“Only because you asked so nicely.” Jessie said kissing his grandmother on the forehead

“Good now, go clean up the upstairs store room.” Felicia smiled

Outside a classic 68 camero inched slowly down the street like a wild tiger searching for prey. Inside it, three teenage punks still steaming from their embarrassment at school and seeking revenge. Looking in the rearview mirror, Ryan sneered at the black eye given to him by the nerd. As soon as he found him, oh was he was going to suffer.

“There!” Ryan pointed from the driver seat “That's where that little shit works.”

“Dude, I don't think this is a good idea man” Billy McQueen said looking across the street from the passenger seat “I heard some weird shit about this place."

“I didn't ask your damn opinion” Ryan said, annoyed that Billy would have the nerve to question him “He embarrassed all of us and bottom line, he needs to pay.”

“Man what is your obsession with this guy?” asked Bobby McQueen from the backseat “What the hell did he do to you that was so bad?”

“That's none of your fucking business!” Ryan yelled in sheer anger “Now are you with me or are you a bunch of little pussies?”

“We're with you man” Bobby said quickly “Right, Billy?”

“Yeah” Billy said fearfully

Getting out the car the trio headed across the street and walked inside The Relic. Ryan turned up his nose at the place. It was a creepy place full of old worthless junk. Inside was an older woman dusting the old things, she was definitely milf material by any standards.

Perhaps he and the boys would give her a whirl when they were done with the mutt.

“Hey old lady!” sneered Ryan “Where's the mutt at? I know he works here”

“What a disrespectful young man!” Felicia said in a very annoyed tone “There is no mutt here! Now if you have no further business here, I suggest you leave”

“My business is with Jessie, bitch” Ryan said “Do you know who I am or who my father is? Do you?”

“No, I do not” Felicia said crossing her arms at the much larger boy completely unafraid “Nor do I care. Leave… NOW!”

“I don't think so” Ryan said roughly picking up a nearby vase and dropping it to the floor. “Oops, clumsy me”

“That was a $5000 dollar vase!” Felicia shouted angrily

“Oh you stand to lose a lot more than that” Ryan said slapping the woman across the face “Show her that we mean business guys.”

With a sadistic smile Billy and Bobby started to smash everything in sight, destroying priceless antiques, ripping valuable old books to shreds without a single care of its significance or worth. To them it was just old moldy junk.

“Stop it!” Felicia screamed holding her cheek

From the back room, Jessie heard all the commotion on store floor. Rushing out to see what the problem was, he gasped in horror as the bullies were destroying everything in the shop.

Disregarding his earlier promise to his grandmother, he rushed into the fray fists balled up. Ryan found himself tackled to the ground from behind with Jessie punching him viciously. He knew he promised but no way was he going to let anyone lay his hands on his gram or her shop.

It was an uneven fight as Jesse soon found himself completely at her mercy of the much larger boy. His legs turned rubbery as Ryan landed punch after punch to his face. A nasty sounding crack was heard as Jessie took shot to the ribs.

“Jessie, NO!” Felicia screamed as Ryan grabbed him by the shirt and sent him flying through the air with ease.

She watched helplessly as her grandson slammed hard into a nearby suit of armor, with a sickening wet sounding thud followed by the clatter of the suit falling apart.

“That was too much fun! Maybe it will teach you not to disrespect your betters.” laughed Ryan and the other boys

The laughter soon died into silent horror. A nasty gurgling sound was heard from where Jessie had landed. A large growing puddle of blood appeared under his body. When he crashed into the armor, the sword in its outstretched hand had impaled him through the chest. There was no doubt about it, he was dying.

Not caring about anything else, Felicia quickly raced to Jessie’s side. Cradling his head, she tried to keep him awake and maybe, just maybe he’d be alright. There was just so much blood and it wasn’t stopping.

“You're going be okay sweetie” she cried not quite sure who she was trying to convince more “Just stay with me okay?”

“I'm....so...sorry … Gram” Jessie gasped weakly

“Shush…. Don’t talk” said Felicia “Save your strength”

A nasty rattling noise came from Jessie as his chest fell and failed to rise. His eyes formed into a blank stare as the rest of his body fell limp. He was gone….

“No no….Jessie..Oh please no” Felicia pleaded as tears streamed down her cheeks “Don’t play your stupid games with me. Wake up! Please wake up?”

The three boys who previously stood motionless in utter shock at the sight before them finally snapped out of it, realizing the full severity of what they had just done. They killed him….They killed Jessie Taylor….

“We got to get the fuck out of here man” Billy yelling in fear “This is murder! Even your dad can't get us out of this shit!”

As they ran to the exit, the heavy wooden double doors slammed shut of their own accord. No matter how much boys struggled, they wouldn't open. It was if they were wielded shut

“Where do you think you’re going!?!” hissed a thickly accented almost demonic sounding voice

Turning around slowly in fear, the boys saw the old woman slowly walking toward them. Her heels echoing with a loud haunting clack with each step on the hardwood floors of the shop. Her tear stained face was now twisted in a mix of anger and grief, her eyes glowing like red coals and her hair whipping around wildly as if in a windstorm while the store started to go unnaturally dark. Soon the entire store was bathed in the choking blackness, leaving nothing but an endless void with the four of them illuminated by only the woman's evil looking eyes.

“You three have FUCKED with the wrong family” she growled “And you shall pay dearly for it!”

“What …. What the hell are you?” Ryan stammered fearfully

“I'm a chovihani” growled Felicia through gritted teeth “A gypsy witch, if you prefer. Never have I used my powers this way, for no one has ever given me a reason to do so until now. But now, I'm going to make an exception and an example out of you three for causing the death of my grandson.”

"It...It was an accident!" Ryan argued "I swear! I didn’t mean to kill him"

"SILENCE!!!" Felicia boomed “IT IS TOO LATE FOR EXCUSES.... FAR TOO LATE!”

She relished the fear on the boys faces as she inched closer and closer there was nowhere for them to run to and they knew it. She would have her revenge and there was nothing they could do about it.

“Billy and Bobby McQueen” Felicia growled “You two have been mindless followers your whole life, even though you should had the sense of mind to do otherwise. Perhaps you should have used your brains more. I punish thee to a life where those attributes shall fit you better”

As Felicia snapped her fingers, the McQueen brothers screamed in pain and terror as their bodies cracked like glass before shattering into nothingness

“And now what to do with you, Ryan Thomas” mused the Roma witch “A young boy of privilege and power, someone who could go on to do great things and yet you only wish to abuse what you were given. Doing harm to others while hiding behind your father's title, it must make you feel like a big man doesn’t it? I think a special punishment is due for you. What shall it be I wonder?”

An icy chill flowed Ryan's body as he locked eyes with the woman. He shuttered at sight of the woman's eyes which seemed to burn brighter with anger. Tilting her head curiously, it was as if she was reading his mind and soul like a complicated book

“Indeed I am. I'm looking very deeply” Felicia said “Such shameful secrets you hide, even from yourself. I must say it would be quite amusing if it wasn't so pathetic. The richest, most spoiled boy in town, who could have anything he wanted except the one thing all your money could never buy. So he becomes a cowardly bully instead. It's pretty sad actually”

“I...I don't know what you’re talking about” Ryan said unconvincingly "You don't know anything"

“Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel any better” Felicia said with a malevolent smile “But I know the truth”

“Are... you going to kill me?” Ryan said fearfully

“No...” Felicia said flatly “Death would be too easy and too good for you. Instead, I will take everything that you hold dear from you, your money, your power that hid behind, everything that had made you the person that you are. You will suffer as you have made others suffer. I punish thee to a life that is the complete opposite as the pampered life you knew. Hopefully it'll make you a better person but I truly doubt it.”

As she snapped her fingers, Ryan’s eyes widened in horror as felt his arm stiffen like brittle glass. It then started to crack, spreading along his whole body. He opened his mouth to try to beg for mercy but all that came out was a eardrum shattering scream as his body shattered. The pain he felt as his body ripped apart was indescribable but it was over as quickly as it began. The pieces shattered upon themselves until there was nothing left.

Feeling that justice had been done, the glow started to fade from her eyes as she closed them sadly. Revenge was that bitter sweet desert, because she knew that no amount of vengeance or magic would bring her grandson back. To have to bury her grandson wasn’t right, it wasn’t the nature of things. Tears streamed down her face as the choking darkness faded away bringing her back to the shop floor.

Opening her eyes, she gasped as the store was in immaculate condition, everything that the boys had broken was back to the way it was. There was nothing to show that anything violent had ever had happened.

“Yo Gram?” yelled a voice from the back store room “Where do you want me to put these vases?”

Felicia's Jaw dropped as her grandson appeared from the back room, placing various items in nearby display cases, completely fine with not a bruise on his face and completely oblivious to the carnage that happened just a bit ago

“It’s not possible” thought Felicia “How?”

“Are you okay?” her grandson asked seeing her tear stained face “Wait a minute, did someone die on your soaps today?”

Without any hesitation she snatched him into a big hug trying hard not to cry but failing. It shouldn't be possible but she wasn't going to complain. She was just glad she had him back and that he was fine.

“I almost lost you!” Felicia sobbed softly

“You almost lost me?!?” asked a confused Jessie “What are you talking about?”

“Never mind...” Felicia sniffed wiping her tears “It’s nothing”

~O~

Ryan groaned as he woke up in the morning. His body felt sore and stiff as if he just got sacked and slammed by the whole football team. Everything was so blurry as he opened his eyes. He must have had a rough night last night

"Gah,what a weird dream" he thought. "Magic and gypsy witches? Yeah right!"

As his vision cleared he noticed he wasn't in his normal bed room. Gone were his football trophies, his car chick posters and his giant plasma screen TV. He didn't even have his king sized bed. Instead it was just a dreary bare room with a small mattress on the floor.

“Where the hell am I?” Ryan thought ,still half asleep.

Weird his body didn't exactly feel right, but whatever. It wasn't the first time he drank too much and woke up in a strange place. Though this wasn’t the type of place he usually partied, it was too dreary and depressing.

Sleepily he made his way to the bathroom of this unknown house really needing to pee. As he slid down his sweat pants to drain the weasel, he was in for a very rude awakening...he couldn’t find his cock. He must have be more out of it than he thought. Even a blind guy with no hands could find his dick.

“I must have drank some heavy shit if I can’t find it!” he thought groggily, swearing never to drink again

Pulling his sweats down to his ankles he tried again with no success. Looking down, his eye grew wide as he snapped completely awake. His penis was indeed missing, in its place was a smoothly shaved hairless vagina. Pulling his hand back he noticed it wasn't his normally large masculine hand either. Instead they were small almost delicate hands with the short nails painted a dark blue.

“What the fuck?” he yelled and almost immediately covered his mouth. That wasn't his normal masculine sounding voice; it was a higher toned and very feminine voice.

Scrambling to the mirror, he gasped in disbelief. That wasn't his face looking back at him either, it was a girl's face. A kind of tomboyish type girl but a girl none the less. She had short cut blonde hair with bangs that came down to her small delicate nose, haunting emerald green eyes, pale cream colored skin with a hint of freckles across her pierced nose.

“Oh shit! I'm Creepy Kelly” Ryan thought starting to feeling dizzy “No...No this has got to be a fucking dream!”

Sitting down on the toilet, he absentmindedly slid his used the bathroom as a girl would have. It was weird going as a girl, as he had nothing to aim with. Finishing ,he then folded a few sheets of toilet paper and wiped himself dry again as if he did it a hundred times before.

“What the hell?” thought Ryan/Kelly “How the hell did I know how to do that?”

She then grabbed her clothes hanging off the shower rod and slid them on . A pair of tattered jeans, a band t-shirt and a well worn leather jacket, somehow knowing that it was one of her most cherished items.

She then went back to the mirror, her hands again moving of her of their own accord. He tried to fight it but to no avail. Grabbing her makeup, she proceeded on applying heavy mascara and black lipstick. It was weird but at the same time it felt so normal. Just as she was finishing up, someone started to pound on the bathroom door.

“Open the damn door!” growled a very angry voice.

It was a voice a brought fear to her new body; she found herself unable to stop shaking as her hand reached for the doorknob. Her new memories knew exactly who the voice belonged to, her stepfather. Opening the door she gulped as a huge bear of a man stood over her, reeking of booze. He may have been a decent human being sober but she'd never know because he hardly ever was.

“This ain't no damn Hilton, you little bitch!” yelled the man pointing a fat finger in her face “You better hope to hell that check from your mothers insurance comes pretty soon or else you're out on your ass. Now get the fuck out of my face!”

Ryan/Kelly didn't need to be told twice as she raced out the door of the house determined to find some way to reverse this. Skipping school she made her way toward her real house. Yeah that's it, if she could explain it to her dad everything would be all right. He could get that gypsy bitch with to change him back, she was sure of it. Her dad could get her out of anything.

After a two hour trek, she made it to the house but something was wrong. Stuck in the lawn was a big for sale sign. Rushing to the windows she peered in finding only empty rooms. It had to be a mistake, somebody had to be here. They had to be, they just had to.

“No” she thought “I’m at the wrong house or something”

“Can I help with something miss?” said a well dressed man with a clip board, obviously a Realtor “You seem lost.”

“The family that lived here…Where did they go?” Ryan/Kelly asked weakly

“You must not be from around here, I take it” said the Realtor “This used to be Mayor Thomas' house. They moved about…Oh...I’d say about month ago. Right about the time his son Ryan passed on. I guess he couldn't take the death of his only son. It was really no surprise to anyone when he stepped down from his position and retired somewhere out of state.

“H.....His son?” Ryan/Kelly asked feeling very nauseous “How did he die?”

“Tragic, I’m afraid” said the Realtor “From what gathered, he was speeding his car on Willow Pass Rd. If anyone knows that windy stretch of road, those curves are not to be taken lightly; especially at 90 miles per hour. He lost control of his car, skidded off the road and crashed into a tree. They said he might have survived had not gas tank ruptured and caught fire. It's not exactly a way I'd choose to go.”

The Realtor almost immediately felt bad as he saw the young girl turn various shades of green.

“I apologize for my insensitivity ” the Realtor said gently “Were you a relative?”

“I'm nobody" Ryan/Kelly spat, now feeling extremely sick to her stomach.

She ran off not caring where she was going. This was just too weird, how do you wake up a girl and then find out you died in a fiery car crash? Her mind wandered as her feet walked almost of their own mind. An hour later she found herself at the doors of The Relic. Of course, she would force the old lady to change her back.

“Old lady! Where are you?” she screamed out as she entered the store

“Young Lady, where are your manners?” an annoyed Felicia said coming from the back store room “That is not a way you address your elders!”

“Fine, how about old bitch?” Ryan/Kelly snorted “Look whatever you did to me, I want it undone, NOW!”

A look of realization formed over Felicia's face followed a wide smile. Motioning the girl to follow, the older woman took a seat behind a nearby desk

“Have a seat” she said flatly

“I don't want to take a seat” Ryan/Kelly complained defiantly “I want...no I demand you fix this...NOW!”

“I SAID SIT DOWN!” Felicia yelled, which made Ryan/Kelly quickly comply with soft fearful gulp.

“I have to say that this is pretty surprising, Ryan Thomas. But Roma magic is so chaotic and unpredictable” said the older woman “Had it been up to me, you would be nothing more than a worm dangling on a fish hook. But I think this is a more satisfying alternative. Now you get to see firsthand the same type of pain you've inflicted on others”

You...you have no right to do this!” Ryan/Kelly shouted “Do you know who my father is? Do you know what he’ll do to you?”

“Your threats ring a tad bit hollow now. Gone are the days where you can hide behind your daddy” Felicia sneered “As for my right to do this, I have every right to. You bullied and killed my grandson”

“I...I didn't mean to. It was an accident” said Ryan/Kelly “Anyway, you killed me too so that makes what you did just as bad!”

“Don't you dare argue morality with me” Felicia said crossing her arms “Besides I did nothing, Ryan killed himself; he shouldn't have been driving so fast. Everyone knows how dangerous Willow Pass is”

“But I'm.......Kelly” Ryan/Kelly said in frustration “No I mean I'm …..Kelly.... why can't I say my name? It’s really Kelly”

“That is your name” said Felicia “Kelly Daniels, a poor lost soul unable to bear the hardships of life and so she took her own. The magic
has decided to give her a second chance, though why with you is anyone's guess. You’ll find you’ll have her emotions, her memories as well as your old ones.

“But I don't want this... life” Kelly sniffed “I don't want to be a girl”

“Well the word doesn’t revolve around you anymore. I could honestly care less what you want or don’t want.” Felicia said starting to feel bit of empathy “ But I'm not a cruel woman. If you can prove that you can change your hateful bullying ways, I might be inclined to undo what was done. Just not now."

“Why not?” Kelly asked

“As I said Roma Magic is chaotic and unpredictable. There is nothing I can do until it has run its course and stabilized” Felicia said bluntly “To do so will only make it worse”

“So how long is will that be?” asked Kelly

“A few months at the most” said the older woman

“A few months?!? Are you fucking kidding me?” said Kelly “I... can’t do this for a few months!”

“You can and you will” said Felicia coldly “You seem to forget that this is a well deserved punishment that you brought on yourself. Accept it and deal with it”

Getting up she led the young girl toward the doors. Near the front of the store they passed the familiar suit of armor. She stopped to stare at it, feeling a large amount of guilt. She never meant that to happen. She just wanted to scare him

“Um...about” she stammered not really know how to ask "Is he....."

“Why do you care? Are you worried about the 'Nigger Mutt?' ” Felicia spat in distaste at the term “Jessie is fine, no thanks to you”

Kelly stomach turned in disgust at the terms. While Ryan used that term quite liberally, they never left Kelly's lips. Ryan felt all of her disgustful emotions, Kelly could never think of someone that way.

“Strange” said Felicia “It seems like your new body doesn't like the type of person Ryan was. Maybe there is hope for you yet”

“What do I do now?” Kelly asked softly “You can’t leave me like this”

“Yes I can” said Felicia shooing her out the door “Besides I have things to do, I have a trip to go on and I'll be gone for a week. But I'm sure you can handle yourself”

As the door shut behind her, Kelly spun around and pounded on it almost desperately. No answer. Sighing in defeat, she started to walk again her mind again going blank as her feet moved of the own accord.

A half an hour later she found herself beneath the pier at Norman's beach. Somehow the solitude and crashing waves had a calming and soothing effect on her, just not today. Sitting on a nearby piece of driftwood Ryan started do the one thing his father said that only girls and sissies did.... Tears dropped down her face as she started to cry

It was dark by the time she got back to her house. Her stomach twisted in fear as she entered the house and with good reason. Sitting on the couch, reeking of beer was her stepfather. He was as always, shitfaced and in a bad mood.

“WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN?” he yelled causing Kelly to jump back in fear

“No...Nowhere” Kelly stammered in fear

“DON'T FUCKING LIE TO ME YOU LITTLE BITCH!” yelled her stepfather getting even angrier

“I'M NOT LYING OKAY?” she yelled back " JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!

“DON'T YOU FUCKING TALK BACK TO ME!” her stepfather said angrily snatching her by the arm and tossing her over the arm of the couch. As he held her down with one arm he removed his belt with the other. Pulling up her shirt, he laid into her back with everything he had, brutally beating her back. Screaming in pain, she cried for the second time face as the hard leather belt dug into her skin…

~O~

“Hey nerd boy” Tex smiled “Where did ya run off to? You've been gone all week”

“I had the flu, cornbread and I still feel like shit” Jessie groaned “So what did I miss?”

“Oh man” said Tex “You know the McQueen twins? Well apparently they got caught blowing the whole damn wrestling team. Woo boy was they momma mad! Rumor has it she's sending them to a convent. Damn shame, those girls had some nice asses”

“Who's got a nice ass?” Ericka said playfully slapping her boyfriend on the shoulder “You better be talking about mine”

“Of course, hun.” Tex said pinching her butt “You know nothing compares to that beautiful nubian booty of yours”

“Hey Jessie, it looks like your girlfriend's at her normal spot ” teased Ericka “Go talk to her.”

“I....I don't know what to say to her” Jessie said bashfully “Besides she wouldn't go for a guy like me”

“Well how the hell would ya know if ya don't try” said Tex “So go on and git, the worst thing she'll do is say no”

“That's what I'm afraid of” Jessie sighed

“You'll do fine” said Ericka “Just be yourself”

He looked over at the girl eating by herself and he had to admit, she was kind of pretty. But no way would she be into a guy like him. Taking a deep breath he got up and almost immediately sat right back down

“I…cant” Jessie said getting cold feet “I don’t even know what to say to her”

“Ya big baby!” Tex said in slight annoyance

“Aww don’t be mean to Jessie” Ericka said giving Tex a sweet kiss “My little sunggle bear

“I wouldn’t dream of it” Tex said rubbing noses with Ericka “My little sweety pie”

“My pookie wookie”

“My snookums”

“My lammy whammy”

“My widdle wookums”

“Okay, Okay!” Jessie snapped; glaring at the two and honestly about ready to lose his lunch “Fine! I am going to go talk to her, even if the only reason being is that I don’t have to hear that mushy shit anymore. That’s low guys…real low, even for you two!”

Tex and Ericka smiled what could only be described as true shit eating grins as he left the table. Never underestimate the power of cute pet names in sweet sounding baby talk. Results are guaranteed every time.

It was a rough week for Kelly (as Ryan thought of herself now, it was just much easier that way), She wanted her old life back instead of this pathetic existence she was forced to live. She hated every bit of it, the loneliness of not having any friends, the other prettier girls bullying her over her looks, the fact that she was poor and let’s not forget the nightly beatings form her stepfather for any reason he could think of. Her back still hurt from last night.

She sat alone in the corner of the cafeteria nibbling on a cheap baloney sandwich, happy that she could at least afford that. Thanks to her stepfather's beer drinking, lunch was pretty much the only meal she got.

“Um...hey do you mind if I join you?” a shy sounding voice asked

Looking up from her table, she locked eyes with Jessie Taylor. She didn't see him at all during her week of hell. Not that it would have mattered if she did. For all she knew he was somehow responsible for the shit she went through.

"Great" she thought "He's probably going to rub it in.”

“Whatever” Kelly sighed just eager to get it over with “I don't own the table.”

As he sat down, she got a chance to really look at him. Normally she was too busy kicking the shit out of him to notice. When he wasn't bruised up, she had to admit he was kind of cute. His warm baby brown eyes, his dark braided hair that he had tied back, the smooth light mocha coffee with just a hint of cream colored skin, those cute little dimples in his cheeks when he smiles.......

"WHAT THE FUCK!?!" she thought “There is no fucking way I'm attracted to him! NO WAY!”

“I'm Jessie” he said holding out his hand “Jessie Taylor"

“What do you want?” Kelly asked suspiciously

“You seem a little lonely” Jessie said with a smile “So I thought...”

“So you thought you'd shoot 'Creepy Kelly some pity right?” Kelly angrily snapped “ Well get this asshole, don't need any fucking pity, not from you, not from anybody!”

"He's playing with me!" she thought getting angrier and angrier

Though she was not exactly sure why she was getting so upset. Either the obvious feigned pity or it was the....the way he started to look to her.... how her body was reacting to him, as she felt her nipples harden. She couldn't take it, it was just too weird.

“Look I didn't mean to offend you" Jessie started “I was just trying to.....

“I don't give a shit what you were trying to do!” Kelly said storming off “Do me a favor and just leave me the fuck alone, okay?”

Kelly stomped out of school, running as fast as she could. That woman would have some explaining to do. Making her way back to the Relic, her anger was averted slightly with small sense of relief, though not by much as the woman who caused all this was finally back from her trip.

“Ah Kelly” Felicia asked “How did your week go?”

“You think this is funny? How the fuck did you think it went? I'm poor, I'm weak, I have no friends, everybody hates me and....... ” Kelly yelled unable to finish the sentence, talking about her stepfather was something her body never felt comfortable doing

“I told you this was a punishment.” Felicia stated “What did you expect?”

“Was making me attracted to your idiot grandson part of all this shit? Your stupid magic has got my head all screwy” Kelly spat out “I bet Jessie is having a fucking ball, enjoying seeing me squirm.”

“What are you talking about?” Felicia said cocking a curious eyebrow “ First off only you and I truly know what transpired that fateful day. Everyone else, including Jessie knows only the reality that is now. As for your other problem, while powerful is Roma magic, it has no power on the human heart. Whatever you’re feeling reflects what Kelly is feeling or..What you yourself feel”

“You're lying!” Kelly shouted “I'm a guy..I can’t be attracted to him...I...I'm not supposed to!”

“Look at yourself” Felicia said leading the frustrated girl to nearby mirror “You are a girl. There is nothing male about you. Ryan Thomas is gone, you are now for better or for worse, Kelly”

“Please?” Kelly begged in a slight whimper “Please, just change me back...I...I can’t take this life...Please, I promise I'll leave Jessie alone and be a nicer person, just please make it stop.”

“I can't” Felicia said firmly “As I told you, Roma magic is chaotic and it will take a few months to stabilize. Until then you are stuck like this.

“No...” whimpered Kelly “There's no way I can take this shit any longer. You don't know what it’s like”
“There's nothing I can do” Felicia said softly “I'm sorry”

“Well.....There's something I can do…. ” Kelly cried running out of the store “See you in hell bitch!”

Felicia looked on in slight worry as she left. She saw those sad eyes before....

~O~

The sun was setting as Kelly made it to her safe place on Norman's Beach under the pier, numbly looking at the waves, normally so soothing to her. She couldn't take it anymore, not a life like this. She slid a crude noose over her head, propped herself on a pile of driftwood and prepared to jump. Her lip trembled as she closed her eyes hoping it wouldn't hurt too much. Taking a deep breath............... she jumped.

It didn't hurt at all. In fact it felt like she was floating. Actually more like a clumsy drifting feeling.

"So this is what dying is like" she thought “It doesn't seem so bad.”

Opening her eyes she was mildly disappointed to see she was still very much alive. Looking up she noticed the rope had a great deal of slack to it. Looking down she saw the reason for her floating feeling, underneath her was Jessie with her legs on his shoulders.

“What are you doing?!?” Kelly yelled struggling to get free

“I should be asking you the same thing” Jessie yelled back hanging on for dear life trying to keep her from kicking him away “What the hell are you thinking?

“It’s none of your fucking business. Just let me go!” she said hitting him in the head trying to get free “Let me just die!”

“Like hell I will” Jessie said gripping her legs tighter “I'll let go when you take that thing off your neck.

“Fuck you!” she yelled “Don’t you tell me what to do! Now let me go!”

“Uh, no!” Jessie said in frustration “If you want to play it that way, then I'll just keep holding you up there. You're not that heavy so I could hold you up there for hours and hours”

“Let me go now, you fucking asshole!” Kelly screamed

“Take the damn fucking thing off your neck!” he screamed back “I’m not asking anymore, I’m telling you!”

Sighing defeat, she slid off the noose her neck, it wasn't like it was going to do her any good now. True to his word he let her go. Her body tingled a bit when she felt his hands on her hips as he gently set her on the ground. Hopping up, he then grabbed the noose, ripping it down from the pier and tossing it aside.

She was still pissed off though, now for a new reason. It wasn't bad enough that he ruined her only chance of escape from this crappy life but now...he was taller than her. In her old body she towered over him and now, she barely came up to his chest. It just pissed her off even more...

“Why are you following me?!” she yelled punching him weakly in the chest“ Why did you stop me? Why didn't you just let me die?”

“I'm not following you!” the boy explained “I had a delivery to make by shops over there and I saw you dragging some rope underneath the pier from the boardwalk."

"Yeah right!" Kelly yelled

"It's true!" Jessie explained "I probably wouldn’t have given it a second thought. However you weren't exactly subtle screaming ‘I’ll show you, you fucking bitch!” at the top of your lungs. For some reason, it just didn't look right. You're just lucky I made it to you in time.”

“I didn't fucking ask for you to” Kelly sniffed “Don't you get it? I don't want to be here anymore. I hate this shit. Everything about my life fucking sucks!" Nobody gives a shit about me!”

The heavy mascara around her eyes slowly streamed down her cheeks as she started to cry. She hated the fact she was doing it in front of him. He was probably enjoying it, seeing Ryan Thomas in Kelly Daniels body crying like a sissy little bitch. He probably only stopped her to just so he could see her suffer more and rub it in that he was bigger than her now.

“Hey, it’s okay” he said pulling her into a gentle embrace “Just cry all you need to”

“Why.... Why are you being like this?” she sobbed “You of all people should hate me the most!”

“Shuuush” he said gently “Why would you think I would hate you?”

“Because....... Because......” she sobbed unable to finish the sentence crying harder

She struggled at first in his embrace but he held on tight. It was weird feeling but slowly she surrendered to it sobbing softy into his chest as he gently shushed her and stroked her hair. She didn't know what to think. She should have been disgusted by some guy holding her like this but she didn't. It felt.. so right.

The warmth of his arms around her, the sweet sound of his voice and even his smell was appealing to her. It made her feel the first time in a long time...safe. The only thing she hated was that it was far too short because as soon as her sobs started to subside he let her go.

He looked at her with those warm kind eyes as he gently wiped her tears away then to her utter surprise, he gave her a soft kiss gentle on the forehead. A deep shade of red appeared on her cheeks as looked at him wide eyed in confusion.

“Uh..sorry” Jessie said shyly “I guess I overdid it, huh?”

Not knowing exactly what to do, she bolted away from him. She just needed to get away, sort things out. Things were not making any sort of sense at all.

“Hey wait” he called after her but she was already gone, disappeared into the darkness of the night

~O~

Kelly made it home a short time later, a bit fearful as she opened the front door. A sigh of relief washed all over her as her stepfather was passed out on the couch. The check must have come today. A herd of elephants couldn't wake him up after one of his insurance check benders. So at least tonight she didn't run the risk of pissing him off.

Taking great care sure to disturb him, she tiptoed it to the bathroom. Itchy form the sea spray and sand of the beach, she undressed and started a hot shower. Walking past the mirror she stopped to take a good look at her new body in all its naked glory. She had a small petite but toned athletic frame, a heart shaped ass and small but very perky pear shaped breasts. She couldn't have been anymore than about 5'4. A far cry from the large football playing frame she once had

As she stepped into the shower her thoughts drifted back to the events of today. Yeah trying to kill herself was a stupid idea but seemed like a good one at the time. After calming down, she was pretty glad she was stopped. But it left another problem weighing on her mind, Jessie Taylor. The nerd she beat up relentlessly had just saved her life, comforted her and kissed her. Even worse was the fact that she kind of liked it, a lot

As the warm shower water massaged her tired and sore body, her mind escaped into a wonderful fantasy. A wayward hand slid down her body, making its way between her legs. As she massaged her already swollen clit, she gave in to the fantasy, far too tired and weak to fight it.

It was so vivid of a fantasy, two strong arms wrapping around her from behind, as she felt someone nibble on her neck. Turning around, she should have been surprised, but after today she would have been surprised if it was anyone else.

Of course it was Jessie Taylor and he was naked in the shower with her. If she thought he was just cute before, he was completely gorgeous now. His braided hair was let down brushing his broad shoulders, that yummy colored skin of his, all wet and shinny from the shower, those baby brown eyes of his filled with lust, that dimpled warm smile, and that cock, mmmmm

She had seen it before, they both had. Ryan had pantsed Jessie in the hallway which Kelly just happened to be in. A warm blush came over her face as she remembered every decadent detail. She never forgot the sight, it was beautiful cut perfection curved ever so slightly like a delicious light chocolate brown banana with cherry colored tip. She bet it tasted just as yummy as it looked

“Do you want me?” asked the fantasy Jessie nibbling on her ear

“Yes” Kelly moaned softly rubbing her almost painfully swollen clit harder “Oh hell yes”

He smiled as he picked her up. As he slowly lowered her down, her quivering pussy dripping her hot juices on his rock hard cock, she gasped in anticipation. Feeling his hot breath her lips, tingling wonderfully as he inched closer and closer and then.....And then............

“MMMMMMMMMM” moaned Kelly biting her lip as a hard orgasm rocked her body

Breathing deeply, Kelly basked in the afterglow as the warm water from the shower stared go cold

“I can’t believe I did that” whispered Kelly to herself finding it hard to catch her breath

Dressing in a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, she sneaked into her room and collapsed on her makeshift bed. She didn't even have time to contemplate who she just masturbated over or why? Within a few minutes she was fast asleep, it was a long day.....

Second Chances
By Alexander Kung
Former bully Ryan now finds himself in the body of “Creepy” Kelly Daniels, the school outcast, a lonely troubled girl with a miserable life. Compounding the problem is she now finds herself having feelings for the boy she used to bully so badly.

Second Chances — Part 2

It was their special place nestled in Old Man Frank's apple orchard, a crudely built tree house. The old farmer didn't mind. He even supplied the tools and lumber, happy to see a couple of kids willing to play outside and not have their brains rotted out by those newfangled video games.

“So you want to try it, Jay?” asked a cute little girl about ten or eleven

“Try what, Rani?” asked a cute little boy also about ten or eleven

“Come on, you know” Rani said nudging him while blushing a bit

“But I don't know how to do it” Jay said turning bright red “What if I suck at it”

Sighing in frustration the little girl grabbed the little boy’s hands and put them forcefully around her waist. She then wrapped her arms around his neck, puckered her lips and kissed him on the lips.

“See was that so bad?” Rani asked

“No, not really” Jay said shyly

“Good” smiled the little girl “Let's try it a different way. Open your mouth a little bit. Okay, tilt your head a bit. Now close your eyes”

Different was hardly the word to describe this kiss. As they made sloppy smacking sounds, It felt like a tingling jolt of electricity was being passed through their bodies. It felt weird but in a really good way. Breaking the kiss they both opened their eyes, stepping away from each other with a deep blush on their faces

“WOW!!” Jay said softly

“That was Awesome” Rani said turning even a deeper color of red

“So..um..” Jay stammered “Do you want to do it again?”

“Oh hell yeah!” Rani said with a smirk

~O~

Ryan/Kelly woke up with a big yawn. “What a weird dream” she thought as she stretched out over her bare mattress. It wasn't Kelly's first kiss because the little girl looked nothing like her but it still felt oddly familiar.

“Whatever” Kelly thought looking at her alarm clock “I don't have time to dwell on it. I better get dressed and out of here before HE gets up”

Quickly, she got up, got dressed and applied her makeup. In the week she had lived as Kelly, she noticed the makeup part got easier and easier to apply as was her lack of embarrassment of wearing it. She only hoped that she would get back to her old self soon before she started to like it too much.

The sky was still dark as she sneaked out of her house, leaving her a couple free hours before school. It was a small annoyance but it was worth it to avoid her stepfather. Plus it gave her time to think, which may or may not be a good thing.

As she walked down the empty streets lost in her thoughts, she found herself thinking about Jessie, the boy she bullied relentlessly as Ryan Thomas. Lots of confusing and conflicting thoughts raced through her head as she made her way to school. Feelings that should be so wrong but felt so right.

On one hand she still wanted to punch his face into hamburger for the suffering his grandmother was putting her through. But on the other hand, she wanted to him to fuck her until she couldn't think straight. She groaned in annoyance as her body reacted to that thought, her nipples hardening and slight wetness in her crotch.

“NO WAY” she thought to herself angrily “ THERE IS NO CHANCE IN HELL!”

Distracted and not paying attention to where she was going, she found herself knocked to the ground scattering her books and her money all over the sidewalk. In a flash, the person that knocked her over quickly scooped up her money and ran off down the street.

“Hey! That's mine!” she screamed in frustration but the guy was already gone

Trying hard not to cry, she gathered up her school books from the street. She wondered what she was going to do, that was all the food money she had for the entire week . Finishing up, she sadly trudged on toward school.

“Just fucking great” she thought “Now what am I going to do?”

~O~

The day just went progressively shittier and shittier. Jessica Sanders, her old girlfriend as Ryan turned out to be one snotty little bitch. Kelly truly dreaded first period gym class. Normally, Ryan would have given his right nut to be in the girl’s locker room, being surrounded by some of the most beautiful girls in school, walking around buck naked. But as Kelly she felt nothing sexual from seeing the girls, instead finding herself contrasting and comparing the more popular girl's bodies with her own.

“What are you looking at you little dyke bitch?” sneered Jessica Sanders puffing out her chest “Trying to see what a real woman looks like?”

Keeping silent and her eyes to the floor, Kelly hoped the more popular and prettier girl would leave her alone. She wondered what she ever saw in the girl as she was never like this with Ryan. Maybe she used her fake sweetness with the boys only.

“Hey bitch, I'm talking to you!” Jessica said grabbing the smaller girl by the hair and slamming her into the lockers

Why are you doing this to me?” Kelly asked painfully “What did I do to you?”

“It's real simple” Jessica said cruelly “I just don't like freaky little, tiny titty, trailer trash like you”

“Just please leave me alone!” Kelly pleaded softly

“When I feel like it” Jessica said throwing Kelly to the floor

Miss Tyson, the gym teacher rounded the corner just as Kelly hit the floor. She willed herself not to cry as the stinging pain of her knee cracking on the hard locker room floor shot up her leg.

“What the hell is going on here?” asked the stocky woman

"I tripped and fell" Kelly said holding her knee as Jessica glared at her threateningly"

“I see" the gym teacher said unconvinced “Ms Sanders, get dressed and get to your next class”

The more popular girl strutted past Kelly, scoffing in disgust before walking off

“Are you okay?” Ms Tyson asked

“I’m Fine!” snapped Kelly as she got dressed quickly, a skill that she was becoming very proficient at.

Slamming her locker shut, she pushed past the teacher and raced to her next class. She just wanted this rotten day to just end already

~O~

“Yer gonna try it again?” Tex asked during lunch "Are you a glutton for punishment?

“I think I broke the ice with her yesterday.” Jessie said shyly

“If breaking the ice meant her telling you to fuck off” teased Ericka

“Yeah, well” Jessie said looking over in Kelly’s direction “Still I want to try again. If she shoots me down today, then I'll leave her alone”

A cute pair of knowing smiles appeared on the face of his two best friends.

“What?” Jessie asked “What are you two smirking at?”

“We're just so proud of ya” teased Tex

“Our little shy boy is growing up so fast” Ericka snickered

“Oh bite me, the both of you” Jessie laughed

Seriously though” said Tex “It's good to see you show a bit of confidence”

“So what are you waiting for? Go talk to her” Ericka said with a smile

“Wish me luck” Jessie said taking a deep breath and getting up from the table

Kelly sat in her usual place in the corner of the cafeteria. Unable to buy anything to eat, she tried to keep her mind off her stomach by working on some homework from Art class. She noticed she had a gift for pencil art. Within a few moments she transformed a blank sheet of paper into a beautiful landscape of the boardwalk of Norman's beach.

“Hey there” said a sweet sounding voice “Do you mind if I join you?”

She didn't even look up from her drawing to know who it was. Her face felt a little hot as a bit of red appeared on her face. She hadn't forgotten that little fantasy from the night before, and she found it hard to look at him in the eye.

“*sigh* Whatever” she said trying to appear nonchalant while her heart starting beating rapidly

Her stomach growled as he set down his tray of food from the school snack bar. She tried not to look like a pathetic beggar, but it looked so delicious and she was really hungry.

“You didn't bring anything to eat today?” asked Jessie noticing her body language “Here you can have some of mine.”

“I don't need any pity or charity from you” Kelly snapped

“Whoa calm down” laughed Jessie as her stomach growled louder “Let me guess you’re one of those types that gets snippy and grouchy if she doesn’t get anything to eat.”

“Har dee har har” Kelly said dryly “Now If your done trying to be funny, please leave me alone”

“Hey I get it, you’re prideful” Jessie said gently “How about a trade then?”

“Lemmie guess, I have to blow you for it, right?” Kelly said with an icy glare “No fucking thanks”

“Uh... WOW ” Jessie said surprisingly “Not that I wouldn't mind that but I'm not really into paying for sexual favors, least of all with cheap food”

“Then what is it you want then?” Kelly scoffed crossing her arms

“How about this drawing right here” Jessie said pointing at her boardwalk drawing “I'll give you this swiss and salami sandwich, this apple, a bottle of fruit punch and to sweeten the deal $20”

You’re full of shit!” said Kelly unconvinced “It just a crappy drawing for art class, why the hell would you want that?”

“Because It’s not crappy to me. It’s beautiful and I want it, plain and simple” said Jessie “So do we have a deal?”

She signed the boardwalk drawing and slid it to the boy who gingerly put it into a folder and put it in his backpack. He then handed her the food and a folded up 20 dollar bill. He smiled as she quickly ripped the cellophane off the sandwich and started to wolf it down, looking like a cute little chipmunk with its cheeks full of food.

Kelly didn't care how she looked; she was far too busy enjoying her lunch. Who knew that a simple sandwich would taste so damn good? She also felt relived, thanks to the $20 dollars that replaced the lunch money that was stolen from her earlier that morning. All thanks to the boy she used to bully. Sneaking a quick look at him found it harder and harder to hate him. It wasn't bad enough that he was so cute looking to her but he was so.... nice.

“Hey...Um...” Kelly started “About yesterday...”

“Sorry about that” Jessie blushed “I got caught up in the moment and it looked like you needed a little kiss. . I guess I sort of invaded your personal space, huh?”

“No, not that” Kelly said not quite minding the gentle hug and sweet kiss on the forehead “I meant why did you stop me?”

“Because i didn't want you to kill yourself, isn't that enough?” said Jessie “Not to sound corny or anything but I kind of knew what you were going through”

“Yeah? How so?” Kelly asked

“It’s not easy to talk about” Jessie said sadly “But It wasn't that long ago I wanted to kill myself too”

“What?” Kelly asked slightly surprised

“Yeah” said Jessie simply

“Why?” Kelly asked genuinely interested “What was so bad?”

“Two words: Ryan Thomas” said Jessie “He made my life a living hell making sure to beat the hell out of me every day. Being the mayor's son he threw his weight around and got away with it. I don't know what I ever did to him to make him hate me so much, maybe he was just an asshole. Anyway I just couldn't take it anymore”

A small knot of guilt formed in Kelly's stomach. Even she forgot the reason why she brutally handed daily beatings on Jessie. Now herself on the receiving end she started to truly feel genuinely sorry for all the hell she put him through. The image of him dying on the floor of The Relic made her feel even worse.

“I bet your glad he died instead huh?” Kelly asked softly

“Not really, no” said Jessie “He was an angry hate filled asshole and I don’t miss that he’s gone but I'm never glad for anyone to die.

“So....what stopped you..from you know..going away?” Kelly asked actually shocked at his forgiving nature.

“I had friends” Jessie asked nodding toward Tex and Ericka “Without them, I'm sure I would have done it”

“Well,I don't have any friends” Kelly said sadly

“That's not true” said Jessie “You got at least one if you want it”

“Oh yeah who?” Kelly asked

“Me” Jessie said flashing his cute dimpled smile

“And why would you want to be my friend?” Kelly asked narrowing her green eyes

“I like cute, foul mouthed blondes that wear black lipstick” Jessie said with a blush

Despite herself Kelly felt her mouth form into a sweet shy little smile. He was so sweet and charming. Wait, did he say she was cute? No it had to be a mistake; nobody could like 'Creepy Kelly'. It just wasn't possible, why should she be happy about something like this?

“You should do that a lot more often” Jessie said as the bell rung signaling the end of lunch

“Do what more often?” Kelly asked raising an eyebrow

“Smile more” said Jessie softly and shyly “You really look pretty when you do. If you want, I’ll bug you after school, okay?”

Her face turned completely red. There was no mistaking it now, he thought she was pretty. She felt her heart thump as walked away.

“Okay” she said softly almost a whisper

~O~

It had been a trying few weeks since he bugged her at lunch. True to his word, Jessie made every effort to be a friend to Kelly. At first she considered him a bit of an annoyance but soon grew to look forward to him being around her.

Despite her life still being hard but it was becoming bearable due to him. Getting up early she would wander around a bit, meeting him at a 24 hour mini mart before walking together to school. Ignoring her objections to it, he would always buy her a blueberry muffin or danish for breakfast. It was funny how the little things like that made such a big difference.

As they walked to school, she found herself starting to enjoy their conversations; his playful chiding was a perfect foil to her sarcastic wit. She found it kind of nice to have someone to talk to, as Kelly she never really did.

They didn’t have any classes together but he always made time to eat with her during lunch. He tried to get her to eat with Tex and Ericka but she shyly refused, making the excuse that she was ready yet to make new friends. Truth be told, it wasn’t that she wasn’t ready to make new friends but she just liked their time together. There was just a slight familiar nostalgic feeling about it and she didn’t want to share it just yet. It was a bit selfish perhaps, but she just liked it just with him and her.

“Hey cutie” purred a sexy sounding voice “Jessica said you were the guy to go to help us pass the philosophy final”

“If you can help us get a passing grade” purred her twin sister “We'll definitely make it worth your while”

Kelly heard the commotion from her locker. Looking down the hallway she saw the McQueen's. Formally his two Knuckle-dragging goon friends, they were a now a pair of sexy well stacked and curvaceous brunettes. They were never a bright bunch to begin with, but now they were a couple of slutty airheads that occasionally joined Jessica in her bullying of Kelly.

Apparently the rumors were false about them being sent to a convent much to her chagrin. When they weren’t helping Jessica making her life hell, they could usually be seen trying to fuck anything in a pair of pants.

“Not my problem” she thought as she grabbed her books for the next class

“Look I’m a tutor” said a familiar shy voice “I’m just happy to help”

As she saw the boy they were shamelessly flirting with, Kelly gritted her teeth. Slamming her locker loudly, she stomped toward the two girls pushing her way toward the boy they had cornered. Without a word, she snatched the boy by the shirt and dragged him away, much to the displeasure of other girls.

“Hey!” Billie shouted “We weren't done with him!”

“Fucking flat chested bitch!” sneered Bobbie

Kelly ignored the two girls as she dragged the boy by his arm down the hall.

“Uh Kelly, what are you doing?” Jessie asked in confusion

“Saving you from 120 unidentified STDs” Kelly flatly “You’ll thank me later, I guarantee it"

“What?!? I’m a tutor” Jessie said “I just help people pass their tests,that's it!”

“Sure, that how it starts” Kelly said with a glare “Then next thing you know, they’re giving you a scorching case of Bering Sea King Crabs”

“Wait a minute!” Jessie said raising an eyebrow “You’re jealous!?! You are aren't you?"

Stopping dead in her tracks, she saw how she was holding him by the hand and immediately dropped it like it was a red hot piece of lava. A confused look came over her face as she realized how she was acting. It was idiotic, she wasn't Kelly she was Ryan damnit! Wasn't she? Needing to sort her confusing emotions, she again ran off

“What the fuck?” thought an equally confused Jessie “Why does she keep running from me?”

~O~

“Ciao! Buona sera! Felicia” said a well dressed Italian female “How are you today?”

It was Ms Forelli, a regular customer and connoisseur of fine art. She was an elegant dark haired older woman in her 60’s who owned the Northern Star galley on the north side of Tyson’s cove.

Though she rubbed elbows with the so called elite of society, she kept her values and ego quite grounded. She had been coming to the Relic for many years and not only were the prices right but she adored Felicia and Jessie.

“I'm doing fine” Felicia smiled “It looks like have a little tag along today”

“Oh yes” Ms Forelli said warmly “This my little granddaughter Maria, she always wanted to come here”

“Hello” smiled the little girl “I saved up all my money to buy something special today “

She was a cute little girl no more than about 7 with jet black hair pulled back into a ponytail and ice blue eyes that just were filled with an innocent mischief.

“Well, I'm sure you'll find something special here” Felicia said patting the little girl on the head “Jessie? Could you help Ms Forelli load her purchases into her car?”

“Yeah no problem" Jessie said as he led the older woman into the backroom.

“Felicia, would it be alright if I asked you to look after my little Maria while I gather my things?”

“Of course” Felicia said “So what I can I help you with Maria?”

“I want a ring” the little girl said “A real pretty one”

“Well we have lots of rings” said Felicia “Anything in particular in mind?”

“Actually I do” the little girl said walking over to a nearby glass case, with a familiarity of someone who had been in the store many times. “I want that one”

The older woman's eyes grew wide as she saw the ring the little girl was pointing at, a beautiful silver ring with a gem cut blood stone. The same ring she gave to Kelly as a gift right before ….

“I always knew this place was magic” the little girl said with a knowing smile

“You have no idea kid” Kelly said as she entered the store “When you have a moment, I need to talk to you. Please?”

“Why Kelly, you're so polite today” said Felicia

“Hey! I've always been polite”the little girl blurted out; quickly clasping her mouth after her outburst

“Kelly?” asked the older woman incredulously “Is that you?”

The little girl nodded much to the shocked older girl and older woman.

“My name is Maria now” the little girl said trying hard not to cry “I love my new life now, I have a wonderful family that loves me. I don’t know how you did it but please I beg you, don't send me back to my old one”

“So I get to live out your crummy life instead?” Kelly said snottily “I don't fucking think so!”

“Ryan” Felicia said sternly “Don’t start!”

“Ryan? Ryan Thomas? You’re in there?” the little giggled “HAHAHAHA! I got to admit it weird see my old body from the outside. I guess fate truly is a bitch isn’t it?”

“It is not funny!” growled Kelly

“Oh but it really is” Maria said laughing even harder “The big bully knows now what it’s like to be on the other end. If anyone deserves my old crappy life it’s you!”

“It's not fair” Kelly said as she started to cry “This life sucks”

“No it’s not fair” Felicia replied sharply “But was what you did to others any better?”

“No...” Kelly said truthfully

“Well, at least you weren't driven to kill yourself” the little girl said softly

“ I was…I mean..i wanted to get away so bad…” said Kelly softly “until he stopped me..”

“He?” asked Felicia

“Your grandson” Kelly said with a slight smile “He's been so sweet to me ever since then”

“I have noticed you two spending a lot of time together” Felicia said

“Yeah” Kelly said blushing a bit “He’s been a good friend”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think that you're starting to fall in love with him. You are aren't you?” asked Maria "Because it sounds like it"

“I...I don't know. I don’t know what to think or feel anymore. He’s a boy and I’m a boy” Kelly said turning bright red “I just want my old life back where shit makes sense. Please just change me back!”

“I told you, I can’t do anything for a while” said Felicia “This situation with Maria complicates things further. You’re going to have to deal with it”

“Hey” said the little girl “Did it ever occur to you that maybe you were meant for this life? You seem to be doing better than I was”

“Maybe you’re just saying that because you got such a better one now?” said Kelly bitterly “I have no desire to be a girl! None!”

“Maybe" the little girl asked “But were you really happy with your old life? Honestly?”

“I don't know what you’re talking about” Kelly said uncomfortably “Of course I was! I had everything I wanted!”

“You'll make it even worse if you keep being dishonest with yourself” said Felicia “You didn’t have everything you wanted, there was always one thing out of your grasp. Remember I saw into your soul.”

Before she could reply, both Jessie and Ms Forelli appeared from the back room

“Do you think you bought enough?” huffed Jessie obviously exhausted from packing her minivan with various pieces of art

“You can never have enough, caro mio” said Ms Forelli “But enough about my shopping habits. Here you are a strapping young man and you don't even have a girlfriend yet, it's not right“

“That not true, there's this one girl” said Jessie with a smile “She’s beautiful, has this wonderful sarcastic sense of humor, and the way she smiles though she doesn’t do it enough. But I don’t think she likes me the same way.”

“Does she have blonde hair, wear black lipstick and dress in a leather jacket?” Ms Forelli asked narrowing her eyes

“Yeah she does” said Jessie “Do you know her?”

“Look behind you, idoita” said Ms Forelli

He spun around to see his grandmother with a weird smirk on her face, Ms Forelli's little granddaughter with a huge wide grin on her face and Kelly Daniels her face completely flushed red. Jessie couldn’t even look at her in the eye, turning bright red himself

“Aw, Nonna” said Maria “Look, you embarrassed both of them”

“Never you mind that” Ms Forelli said with a smile “Did you find what you wanted?”

“Un huh” the little girl said opening her coin purse “But I don't have enough”

“You know what we agreed upon” said Ms Forelli “If you don't have enough you can’t get it”

“But” whined the little girl “I worked really hard”

“Gram ,can I?” Jessie asked patting the girl on her head and taking her money

“It'll come out your you next paycheck” Felicia said approvingly

“Now you know I can’t refuse a cute little girl such pretty eyes” smiled Jessie looping the ring on the counter with a silver chain. He then slipped it over the little girls head “I gave you good deal so you have to promise to take care of it okay?”

“You are going to spoil my little Maria, Jessie” Ms Forelli said as she looked around the store

“No he won't!” Maria said holding two little fists “Hey? Pick one, Jessie”

Humoring the little girl he picked the right fist and a large smile appeared over her face. Grabbing a chair she climbed up on it and gave the boy a quick little peck on the cheek

“That's where the kiss was hidden” whispered the little girl “Take care of blondie okay? She likes you a lot"

“And how do you know that?” Jessie said cocking an eyebrow

“I'm a girl and girls know everything” Maria said matter of factly

“You've taught her well, Ms Forelli” Jessie said patting the little girl on the head

“But of course” smiled the older woman looking at a framed piece of art “How much is this pencil drawing?”

“Um that's not for sale I'm afraid” said Jessie

Kelly was still getting over her embarrassment of Jessie out right calling her beautiful. Nobody ever said that about her out loud before .As she turned her attention to the piece of art they were talking about, she was surprised to see her pencil drawing that she sold him a few weeks ago. It was in a nice antique brass frame which honestly made it look all the better.

“Oh come now” said the older woman “I must have it. How does $500 sound?”

“That very tempting” said Jessie “But...

“Just sell it you idiot!” Kelly said a frustrated tone “You can always get another”

“And you are, miss?” the said old woman

She is the talented artist that drew it “said Jessie making quick introductions “Kelly Daniels. This is Monica Forelli owner of the Northern Star gallery.

“Pleased to meet you Kelly, this is very impressive work. What an amazing and wonderful use of light and shade. He’s right, you are very talented. We should to talk sometime about any future pieces.” said the woman to Kelly as she handed Jessie the money “Maria! It’s time to go!”

“Okay, Nonna” said Maria giving Kelly a quick hug and whispering something in her ear before taking off

“What was that all about?" asked Jessie

“Girl Talk” said Kelly with a slight smirk

~O~

It was dark when Kelly started her trek home but she wasn't alone. Felicia insisted that he walk her home. It was a quiet walk as both were still too embarrassed to say anything to each other. About a block before her house, she stopped in her tracks.

“Okay I can make it home from here” she said almost sadly

“Are you sure you don't need me you walk you to your door?” Jessie asked

“I kind of have a bad home life" said Kelly “I don't want to get into trouble by having a boy walk me home”

“I understand.” Jessie said dejectedly

“It’s not you” Kelly said gently “It just …

“It’s cool, I don’t want to get you into any trouble. Oh before I forget, here. ” Jessie said handing her an envelope “This is yours”

“What’s this?” Kelly said opening the envelope “$400?!?”

“Payment for your drawing” said Jessie “Not counting the price of the frame”

“But...” said Kelly “I thought I you already paid me for it”

It was worth more than some food and $20” Jessie said “It’s yours, you earned it”

“Thanks” Kelly said folding the envelope and putting it in her pocket

“Anyway, I should be heading home” Jessie said turning to walk away “Goodnight, Kelly

“Hey” she said grabbing his arm “Wait”

“Yes?” asked Jessie gently

“Why are you so nice to me?” she asked

“The truth?” Jessie asked looking away

“No, fucking lie to me!” Kelly said with a playful sneer

"Okay, I just plan on trying to get you in bed and never calling you again. I hope you are not upset or anything”

“The real reason smartass!” she said slugging him in the shoulder

“Ow, I bruise easily” Jessie said in a mock hurt voice

“Jessie!” she said “Come on, tell the real reason! It’s not pity or anything is it?”

“Well maybe at first it was but…” started Jesse uncomfortably

“But?” asked Kelly “But what?”

“I like you” said Jesse shyly “I like you a lot. That’s the honest truth I swear”

A small smile appeared on her face as she grabbed both his arms, wrapping them around her waist, and slowly encircled her arms around his neck. She wasn't sure why she did but it just felt like, she needed to do it. She found it amusing as he started to turn a bit red as she looked into his wonderful inviting warm brown eyes.

“So you think I’m beautiful huh?” she asked slowly closing her eyes

“The most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen” he whispered slowly closing his eyes

“You…are..so.. full.. of… shit” she whispered moving closer

“No…I’m… not..” He whispered back, moving closer

A familiar feeling tingling shot through her body as felt his hands on her hips, but that was nothing compared to feeling she felt when their lips touched. It was if a bolt of lightning passed between them, each jolt feeling a thousand times stronger as they made soft smacking noises.

If being held by him made her feel safe, this tender kiss made her feel loved and she never wanted it to end, it just felt too damn good

~O~

Back at The Relic a huge wave of pain hit Felicia knocking her to floor causing her to curl up in a ball. As the pain subsided she put her hand to her mouth and pulled away blood.....
It was what she feared, the magical backlash was starting. It was one of the oldest rules in Roma magic; whatever you cast in anger will come back 3 fold.......

Second Chances

By Alexander Kung

Former bully Ryan now finds himself in the body of “Creepy” Kelly Daniels, the school outcast, a lonely troubled girl with a miserable life. Poor choice of words, hurt feelings and a serious accident finally force her to be honest with herself and her feelings but will it be too late? P.S special cameo from a certain wizard from Bill Hart's Universe

Second Chances — Part 3

It had just started to rain as Rani and Jay started to walk home. The storm had shown up so suddenly that they had to cut their time in the tree house short. However nobody said how long they could take on the walk home. Since they were next door neighbors, they could get away with taking the scenic route.

“So, Jay” Rani asked with a slight nudge “Do you have a girlfriend?”

“Not really” Jay replied “I guess girls don't like me”

“One does, all you have to do is ask her” Rani said hoping he’d get the hint

“Oh yeah, who?” asked Jay

“Ugh, you are so frustrating! Me, you dummy!” Rani said smacking her forehead “The girl you've been kissing,
remember?”

“But” blushed Jay “I'm not that cute... are you sure you want to be my girlfriend?”

“I wouldn't have said anything if didn't want to, stupid!” Rani said “And for your information, I think you are very cute!”

“I think you’re really pretty too” said Jay turning red

“Good!” the little girl said with a smile “Since we are now officially boyfriend and girlfriend, I think we should go out on a date”

"What? Now?"

"Yes, right now!" she said hooking her arm in his

Even though they knew they would get into a bit of trouble for staying out in the rain, they decided to take a detour toward the busy downtown area of town. Stopping first by the local ice cream shop they shared a banana split ice cream sundae. It was funny how not really much changed, going from best friends to boy friend and girlfriend. They still joked and played around, giggling as they flicked the cherries at each other. After Having their fill of ice cream they went up to pay.

“I guess we can go dutch” Rani said pulling out her money from her pocket

“No we can’t!” Jay said pulling out his money and paying the cashier “I got this”

“You never had a problem going dutch before” said Rani crossing her arms

“Well we were best friends before” said Jay “Besides; Dad says a gentleman never lets a lady pay for the date”

“And why is that?” asked Rani

“I don’t know” Jay said “I guess it’s just what boyfriends do, you know take care of their girlfriends”

“So, you are you going to take care of me, huh?” asked Rani sweetly cuddling close

“Ummm…..urrrr” stammered Jay shyly, grabbing Rani by the hand “Lets finish our date”

It was so nice and romantic. People thought it was so adorable when they walked down the street holding hands. Jay blushed as Rani snuggled close, as best friends they never held hands but now it seemed like the most natural thing in the world to do.

Walking past a bridal shop, Rani sighed as she spied the beautiful white gown in the window. Looking down at her feet and her shoulders slouched in defeat.

“I’ll never be a beautiful bride” Rani said sadly

“I don’t know” said Jay “I mean you’re pretty now, I bet you’ll be a hottie when you’re older”

“Oh Really?” Rani asked turning bright red “You think so?”

“Yeah, I mean when…” started Jay “Never mind”

“When what?” asked Rani instantly curious

“Nothing” Jay said “It’ll never happen”

Tell Me! Tell me! Tell me!” said Rani twisting his arm

“OWWW! Okay, Okay…Yeesh!” Jay said as she let go

“So tell me already!” whined Rani “Come on!”

“We’ll..um.” stammered Jay “If you wanted when we got older.. I. you know.. could marry you! I mean .. if you wanted to that is…”

“Well duh!” said Rani secretly glad “Who else would I want to marry?”

“We better get home before we really get in trouble” Jay said noticing the sky getting darker and the rain getting heavier

“Yeah, I guess” Rani said kind of disappointed they have to go home so soon

“But we have to finish the date, right?” smiled Jay “Come on, close your eyes.”

Rani smiled as she slowly closed her eyes, giggling a little bit as she felt his arms wrap around her waist.
When his lips touched hers, her heart thumped so hard she could hear it in her ears. Dropping the umbrella, she wrapped her hands around his neck, not caring one bit if she got sick from the rain. If she did, it would be totally worth it.

Sure they kissed lots of times before but this one seemed more special than all the others combined. Maybe it was because they were now boyfriend and girlfriend or maybe it was because it was that they had their first date, who knows. But to Rani, it was the best kiss ever and she never wanted it to end.

Breaking the kiss, they softly touched foreheads, looking into each other’s eyes, not saying a word. Words weren't needed now; they pretty much knew what the other was thinking. Picking up the umbrella, they continued their walk home holding hands.

“I really like you Rani” whispered Jay

“I like you too” said Rani resting her head on his shoulder “You’re really gonna marry me when we get older?”

“Yeah” Jay whispered shyly “I mean if you want to anyway.”

“I’m holding you to it” she said squeezing his hand tight “Don’t ever break your promise’

As they finally rounded the corner on their street, there was a big commotion from Rani's house. The police were there as well as a big limousine parked in front of the house. Rani's mom was being lead out of the house in handcuffs.

“Mom?!” Rani asked in complete horror “Why are they taking my mom away?”

“I don't know” Jay said “We better go see what’s going on”
On the front lawn were Jay's parents, Rani's Mom and a man Jay had never seen before yelling at the top of his lungs.

“Where is my boy!” screamed the Man at Rani's Mom snatching her by her shirt “I want my son home with me where he belongs!”

“Hey! Let her go! You have not right to treat her like this” Jay's mother said coming to her friends defense

“Mind your own fucking business you nigger loving bitch” shouted the man shoving the woman aside

“I got your nigger right here, you sorry piece of shit!” yelled Jay's dad being held back by both his wife and the police “Don't you dare disrespect my wife again”

“Let my mommy go!” screamed Rani “Don’t take her away!”

“What the fuck?” said the angry man looking at the two kids holding hands under an umbrella “Ryan?!? Is that you?!?

“My name is Rani” shouted the girl to the angry man

“You fucking bitch!” the man screamed at Rani's Mom “It isn't bad enough you try to steal my son away from me but you turn him into a FUCKING FAG!?!”

“You’re going to have to go come with us” said an officer to Rani

“No!!” Rani screamed loudly; completely freaking out “I don't want to go! I want to stay here! I want to stay here!”

Rani screamed and pleaded as the officer pulled her and Jay apart. To their credit they struggled and fought to hang on to each other. But it was in vain as they finally separated the kids, accidentally knocking the Jay in the muddy grass.

Rani kicked and screamed even harder, tears streaming down her cheeks as she was loaded in the limo. She couldn't stop crying as it pulled away from the only home she knew, away from her mom and away from Jay.

“Mommy...” sniffed Rani “Jay....”

“Quit crying!” growled Ryan's father “You're a boy and boys don't cry. Your bitch mother and that little mutt may have turned you fucking queer but I'm going to fix that shit good and proper. No son of mine is going to turn faggot”

~O~

Kelly woke up from her dream in tears, a mix of the revelation of the dream and the dull pain in her back from last night's beating. Sadly she had found herself getting used to the drunken beatings, growing numb to the violent abuse.

Her stepfather accused her of stealing money out of his wallet. When he forced her to empty her bags and pockets, he found the remainder of the $20 that Jessie paid her for the drawing. She got it double that night for compounding her “stealing” with 'lying” She shuddered to wonder what he would have done to her if he would have found the $400 she had tucked into her shoes.

Not bothering to worry about it now. She quickly got dressed, applied her makeup and sneaked quickly out of the house. It was still dark, and again she found herself was lost in her thoughts. She really started to despise her life.

Ever since that woman put that stupid curse on her, her head was all screwy. Hell even last night was so confusing. She had kissed Jessie Taylor...and she liked it! Come to find out it wasn't her first time doing it either!

“No” she thought “It's not possible. It's the spell that's making me feel like this. Yeah, that's it, it was just a dream”

Feeling dizzy she sat down on nearby bench to compose herself; it was a lot to take in. No, it couldn't possibly be real. But if it was just a dream why did it feel so real, why did she feel so happy when she kissed him and so sad when she was yanked away? Was Jay really Jessie? No it wasn't possible, it couldn't be. Boys aren't supposed to like boys, much less kiss them. No... She wasn't Kelly she was Ryan...Ryan damn it!

“I need to put a stop to all this crap, so that I could get back to my old life!” she thought angrily

Gathering her book bag she headed toward the beach. Normally she would meet Jessie at the mini mart but not today. Because the more time she spent around him the harder it was going to even want to be changed back. No, right now she needed to be by herself and think really hard.

~O~

Felicia opened her shop bright and early at 7:00 am as she did every morning. The pain from last night’s event had subsided and the bit of blood never came back. Still she needed to be on her guard until the backlash was through with her. The true torture was not knowing what was coming next but she'd cross that bridge when she had to.

The little bell on rang as someone entered the store. Looking up from her desk she saw that it was one of her regulars, Mr. Smith.

He was an odd sort of gentleman; his silver hair was unkempt and messy as was his shaggy beard. Dressed in a ratty bathrobe and bunny slippers, he was definitely an odd man. One would at first glance think, he was a one the random street crazies but looks could be very deceiving. For as eccentric as he was, he was very knowledgeable in the way of fine antiques and unusual artifacts.

His golden eyes surveyed the shop drawing the slight similarities to his own. It had a woman's touch to be sure, the many items dusted and meticulously cataloged. Normally he would have considered her shop as competition but he was willing to coexist with the owner as she sold him rare items on a semi-regular basis at a good fair price. It also didn't hurt that she was very easy on the eyes.

“Good day, Felicia” said Mr. Smith

“Ah, Mr. Smith” said Felicia “According to my records, your order won’t arrive for another 2 weeks”

“I'm not worried about that right now” the old man said waving his hand dismissively “To be honest, I'm bit more worried about you”

“Me?” Felicia said coyly “I'm truly flattered, but I assure you, I’m doing quite fine.”

“Is that so?” the old man asked “Then would you care to explain the excruciating pain and coughing up blood that that happened to you last night?”

“How could you possibly know that?” Felicia asked suspiciously

“I'm a wizard” said the old man with a smile “It's my job to know”

“Aren't you a little bit old to believe in wizards and magic?” Felicia said with a sly smile

“Let's cut the false pretenses, shall we?” said the wizard gruffly “Don't insult my intelligence and I won’t insult yours. You're a chovihani and while I applaud you for hiding it so well all these years, it would appear that you used powerful magic here recently. A very old and very dangerous kind of magic.”

“Let me guess, you wish to punish me for misusing my magic, am I right?” Felicia said narrowing her eyes “I assure you, I’m not pushover”

“Oh no, you can put the claws away. I'm not here to fight” chuckled the old man “I myself have occasionally bent or broke a magical law or two to give someone what they richly deserved. Oh the stories I could tell.”

“Then why are you here, then?” Felicia asked growing uncomfortable “To tell me to make things as they were? I can't do that either”

“It is not my place to tell others how to use their gifts” the wizard said studying a nearby suit of armor “Had I been in your shoes, mad with grief; I doubt the result would have been much different. I just wouldn't have used such a chaotic magic, that's all.

You didn't answer my question” Felicia said sharply “Why are you here?”

“I have no desire to involve myself in your situation; if that's what you’re worried about” the Wizard said gently “You and your grandson have always been decent to me, so I feel obligated to give you a warning of what’s coming”

“I already know the three fold law” Felicia said confidently “I'm fully willing to take my lumps for what I've done. But I don't regret it one bit”

“That you may be, but I doubt you understand the full severity of your actions” said the wizard “It's possible that the backlash from your anger may also hit those close to you as well”

“What? How is that fair?” Felicia said "It was my doing!"

“Since when has chaotic magic been known to be fair?” the old man said walking out the door "Just please be careful and stay alert"

~O~

“So come on, don't leave ol Tex here hanging” said the larger of the two boys hanging out on the by Jessie's locker in the main hallway before first period started

“Well I walked her home and she..... Gave me a kiss goodnight” Jessie said with a blush “She is really a good kisser.”

“Well, wonders never cease” teased Tex

“Gee thanks” Jessie said “It’s nice to know that even my friends think it’s amazing that I could ever get a girl to like me”

“Aw, quit whining ya little wuss. I'm just teasing ya” said Tex smile “But look alive 'cause here comes yer sweetheart”

Kelly walked down the hallway with a large knot in her stomach. She thoroughly she had convinced herself that this was truly the right thing to do. It was better this way, it had to be.

“Jessie can I talk to you for minute” said Kelly not making eye contact with him

"Yeah, of course" smiled Jessie "I'll always have time for you"

“Ugh, why does he have to be so damn sweet?” she thought in frustration

He tried to move in for a quick kiss only for her to lean away. Her heart dropped from the confused hurt look on his face. No matter, she reasoned, he'd get over it. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to not show one ounce of emotion on her face. There was no avoiding it, it was going to hurt

“What's the matter?” Jessie asked completely confused of her attitude toward him

“Look, what happened last night was a mistake” Kelly said coldly “It shouldn't have happened”

“It was a mistake?” Jessie said with a bit of hurt in voice “That all it was to you, just a mistake?”

“Look, it’s not you...” Kelly said her voice breaking a bit “Besides there are other girls...”

“Don't give me that it's not you, it’s me shit!” said Jessie “I don't want any other girls; I wanted you. Look, maybe we're moving a bit too fast and if so, I can pull back. We can start back as friends see where it goes.”

“I'd rather not have you as friend either. It's too complicated for me to deal with” Kelly said “Believe me its better this way”

“Better what way?!?! What the hell? I don't fucking get you!” Jessie said his eyes welling up and voice breaking

“You act like you like me, and then you pull away? Why bother playing games with me?”

“Look I never meant to”.... Kelly said trying hard not to cry herself. She was hurting him, far worse than any beating that she ever gave as Ryan.

“Yeah right!” Jessie said angrily slamming his locker "You know exactly what you're doing!"

“I'm really... sorry” said Kelly as she started to cry

“Yeah? Me too!” said Jessie “Sorry I wasted my fucking time with you. But don't worry I'll give you what you want and I'll make sure you don't see me again. Fuck you!”

As she stood in the hallway watching him storm off, her heart twisted and throbbed with a dull ache. She got what she wanted; she got rid of Jessie, supposedly to make getting back to being Ryan a lot easier. If that was the case why did it hurt so badly? Why did it feel like someone twisting a knife in her heart when she saw the hurt on his face? Why did she feel like the biggest heartless bitch in all creation?

“Yeah, it was better this way” thought Kelly sadly “Now it'll be so much easier to go back to being, an ego inflated, hate filled asshole….”

She stopped in her dead tracks. Did she really think of herself that way? No, it had to be the spell making her act that way. She was sure of it. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she walked to her next class hoping to put it out of her mind.

~O~
Kelly hated gym class, even more so now. She just couldn’t get that look of Jessie’s heart breaking out of her head. She tried to convince herself that this was the best way but she felt so guilty. It was funny as Ryan she never felt any sort of remorse for anything she did to him, but as Kelly she felt so rotten about it.

“No, he’ll get over it” she thought as the opened her gym locker and started to change her clothes “I hope…”

From around the corner, Jessica Sanderson and the McQueen sisters strutted into view. A sick and cruel smile appeared on her face as she saw Kelly Daniels.

“Well, Well, Well” sneered Jessica “If it isn’t the little tittied trailer park trash”

“Not today” said Kelly gritting her teeth, wondering what he ever saw in this girl as Ryan “I’m not in the mood for it!”

“Awwwww” mocked Jessica as she shoved her into the locker “Did your ugly ass boy friend dump you?”

“That’s not nice” said Billie shifting uncomfortably

“Yeah, Jessie’s kinda cute” Bobbie said with a small smile

“Will you two stupid sluts just shut the fuck up!” sighed Jessica rolling her eyes “He’s an just an ugly little ner…..

Jessica never got to finish the sentence as a fist came crashing into her nose. Kelly snapped as she started to slam the girl into the nearby lockers and knee her in the stomach.

“LEAVE…ME..THE…FUCK …ALONE!!” she screamed as Billie and Bobbie pulled her of the Jessica whose face was just covered in blood. Shaking her former goons off of her, her eyes narrowed in a wild crazy look.

“If any of you bitches decide to fuck with me again; I will fucking kill you, got it!” she growled as Jessica cowered in the corner. Grabbing her things, she stormed out of the locker room in a huff just as Ms Tyson walked in the area.

“What the hell just happened here?” she asked as Jessica whimpered covering her bloody nose

“I fell” Jessica cried as she glared at the twins

~O~
“Okay class” said Mr. Apter the, art room teacher “Today's assignment, I think will be a fun one”
He passed out large sketching pads, charcoal pencils and kneaded erasers. Kelly found that she really liked art class. It was the one thing she really felt that she was good at. When she worked on her drawings, her problems went away for a little bit. For that short period of time, nothing else mattered but piece she was working on. After this all the shit that happened this morning, she could really use this class.

“What's the project?” asked another student in the class

“I want each one of you to draw your definition of happiness” said Mr. Apter “It can be whatever you want. You
have until the end of the class to finish”

“Happiness…what a fucking joke” thought Kelly as she started sketching her outline “There’s no such thing”

Happiness, huh? Being Ryan made her happy. Playing football made her happy...sort of. To be honest, she never really liked football. Her dad said to be a man she had to play football, she had to like football. Anything to please dear old dad, right?

Having lots of money and pushing people around that made her happy. Not really, honestly after dealing with Jessica and the McQueen’s, it just made her as Ryan seem like an asshole. Her dad said to be a man you had to crush the weak peons beneath you. Maybe she liked it before, but not now.

Being a ladies’ man surely that must have made her happy, right? No, it not really didn't. Her dad said that a man who wasn't popular with the women wasn't really a man. Half the time she had to force herself to do it, if she could get it up at all. There was hardly any attraction at all. Of course all the macho posturing and grandstanding was not for him but for his father. Everything was just to please him.

Looking back, none of the shit when she was Ryan made her happy, absolutely none of it. Nothing about her former life made her the least bit happy; it wasn’t her life but her father’s and living up to his expectations. Not that her life as Kelly was any better but why the hell would she want to go back to life as Ryan? Under all that bravado and bullshit, she was fucking miserable.

“Okay pencils down” said Mr. Apter as he walked past each student “Good”

As he walked by each drawing he was slightly disappointed in some of the students. Not their art of course, because some were completely outstanding. They had perfect anatomy, flawless shading and light. However most were woefully materialistic, consisting of cars and houses and money.

“Sorry Mr. Apter” Kelly said, sadly closing her sketch pad “I couldn't finish mine”

“Well, let me at least see what you have done anyway” said the Teacher kindly opening up her sketchpad

On the large piece of paper was an unfinished collage of memories flowing into each other. First it was a little girl kissing a little boy in a tree house. Below it were the same two kids walking in the rain holding hands. Below that was an older girl crying in the arms of a boy who was comforting her. Beneath that was a scene of those same kids smiling in the cafeteria and the last drawing in the collage, the two kids kissing beneath the moonlit sky”

“It's beautiful” said Mr. Apter “May I ask what is the inspiration of this piece?”

“It's just a few memories” said Kelly softly “But I never felt happier then when they all happened”

“Well done, Ms Daniels” said Mr. Apter “A+”

As the bell sounded signaling the end of class, Kelly quickly gathered her things and raced out the door. It was never clearer then now. She was happy when she was Rani; the sweet little girl that was yanked out of her mother’s care and turned into a mean and cruel boy. Why was he so mean? Because he could never be Rani, that is, not until fate stepped in and made her a girl again.

Gah, she was so stupid for not seeing it. She finally realized that she fell in love with Jessie Taylor and that she always was in love with him. And like a complete idiot once she had what she really wanted, she threw it away. She crushed his heart like it was nothing.

She needed to find him and talk to him; somehow make this right.

~O~

"Nothing makes a day goes worse than getting your heart ripped out of your chest, then having it jumped on and seeing someone punt it down the hallway" Jessie sighed as he changed classes.
Maybe he was being melodramatic but it sure hurt like hell. Rejection was always the worst, but normally he could deal with it. It was the toying with his heart that hurt the most, making him think he actually had a chance with somebody like her.

“Yeah, Right” sighed Jessie sadly “Like I ever had one”

His next class was across the street in building two. Lost in his thoughts, he wasn't looking where he was going and crashed into a pair of girls spilling both their books all over the street. Of course, it just had to be the McQueen girls.

“Sorry” said Jessie leaning down to pick up the books and scattered papers

“Aw, what's the matter, sweetie?” Billie purred with a sexy little pout “You look so sad”

“Girl problems” Jessie said sadly handing her books back to her

“Awwww” Bobbie said seductively while gingerly touching his arm “You poor little thing. You know, Billie and I could help make it all better”

“I'm sure you could” Jessie sighed “Believe me it’s really tempting, but I'll have to pass. I really just need to be alone right now”

“It's Kelly isn't it? We heard you two broke up.” Billie said raising a slight eyebrow "Did she break your widdle heart?"

“I knew it!” Bobbie exclaimed “That why you’re so mopey”

Without any warning the boy pushed them in both the chest as hard as he could, knocking them away from him, causing them to fall on their hard on their asses.

“Hey, you asshole! It was just a...”

Billie's anger was turned quickly to horror as Jessie was plowed by a runaway drivers ed car. It happened so fast. The loud screech from the car's failing brakes filled the air followed by the sickening crunch as it hit him sending skidding along the pavement like a rag doll.

“Oh my god ...oh my god...” Bobbie said trembling

“HELP!!!!!” Billie yelled at the top of her lungs “SOMEBODY CALL 911!”

A rush of students crowded the scene as the ambulance was called. Following the others outside, Kelly covered her mouth as she saw the horrific scene. He was lying motionless on the ground a few feet away from the car. There was a quite a bit of blood on the street from the cut his head.

“Oh no!” thought Kelly hysterically “Not again!”

“Everybody keep back!” school security yelled trying to keep some sort of order

“Like hell I will. We're first aid certified, so move yer fucking ass” said Tex pushing past them racing toward Jessie. Ericka was close behind carrying a first aid case that she had snatched from a nearby wall.

“Be careful not to move him, babe” said Ericka using all her will power not to freak out “We don't know how bad he's hurt and we don’t need to make it worse”

“Gotcha, don't move him” Tex said snapping on a pair of latex gloves

Checking for a pulse, he was relieved to feel one as well as see his chest move up and down. That didn't mean he was out of the woods yet though. His breathing was ragged and who knew what internal injuries he had. The least he could do was try to stop the bleeding from his head.

“Shit!” Tex said in frustration “He's bleeding through the gauze, do I add more pressure?”

“No” Ericka said handing him thicker pieces of gauze “Just use more until the ambulance comes

“Hang in there bud” said Tex not sure if Jessie could even hear him “Help's a coming, Just hang in there”

The EMT's came pretty quickly and took over from Tex and Ericka, moving a still unconscious Jessie from the hard ground onto a gurney.

“I'm goin' to ride along with em” Tex said as they loaded him into the ambulance

“Sir, are you a family member?” one of the EMTs asked

“Hell yeah, I’m a family member” said Tex “Don't ya see the family resemblance”

“Uh...right” the EMT said unconvinced but allowing him to hop in the back

“Babe?” Tex said kissing his girlfriend “I need ya to go and git Jessie's Nan and meet us at the hospital”

“Already on it” said Ericka

As the Ambulance pulled away, the crowd dispersed leaving Kelly standing there all alone feeling completely guilty. It was like she couldn't help but hurt the guy. This was the second time he almost died. And worse, she dreaded what his grandmother would do to her this time when she found out

~O~

Tex paced back and forth through the waiting room as the hours ticked by. He was relived as he saw Ericka and Felicia finally arrive. She tried to compose herself like proper lady but failed miserably. There was no way she wasn't going to lose Jessie again.

“How's he doing, Max?” Felicia said trying hard not to cry

“Don't know yet” said Tex giving the woman a comforting hug. “They haven't told me shit since we got here.”

“So what exactly happened?” asked Felicia

“I don't know fer certain” Tex said “According to the McQueen sisters; He shoved them out of the way of a speeding drivers end car. Why it was going so fast I don't know”

“The McQueen sisters said that?” Ericka said with a cocked eyebrow “Why are they even here?

“They're being treated for shock” said Tex “I overheard them talking to the cops that were taking the report”

“No....It's my fault” thought Felicia "Jessie doesn't deserve this"

“Taylor family?” said a doctor from the hallway

“Yes, I'm Jessie's grandmother” said Felicia “Please tell me, how he is doing?”

“Your grandson's very lucky, all things considering” said the doctor “2 broken 4 cracked ribs, 20 stitches in his head, a bruised spleen and a mild concussion. If it is alright with you, we'd like to keep him a few nights for observation.

“Whatever you think is best” Felicia said much relived “Can I see him?”

“Of course” said the doctor “I warn you though, he's unconscious at the moment. He was in a great deal of pain so we had to give him some pretty strong medicine.

“Are you two coming?” asked Felicia of the two teenagers

“Nah, this is family time” said Tex “You go first”

“We'll visit when you're done” said Ericka “Right now, I’m just glad he's okay”

“He's so blessed to have friends like you two” smiled Felicia

“We're just as blessed to have him” said Ericka

“Yep” said Tex

~O~

Kelly sat in her usual spot at lunch; the past days were a blur. She hadn't really slept much in the past few days. For the first time since becoming Kelly, deliberately started a fight with her stepfather. She willingly took the beating as some sort of sick penance for all the pain she caused. It didn't help as much as she thought it would.

Nibbling on her cheap baloney sandwich, she ate alone for the first time in weeks. She missed having someone to talk to and to laugh with. She missed that way he’d flirt with her and they way he’s make her tingle all over when touched her. But what she missed most of all was that charming sweet nature of his, the way he’d try to make her laugh or feel better when she was feeling her lowest. How could she ever have been so cruel to him as Ryan? How could she be so cruel to him as Kelly?

“I fucked up royally!” She thought pushing her sandwich aside “How the hell do I make it all right?”

“Mind if we sit here?” asked a sweet feminine voice

“Go ahead” Kelly said as two students sat down at her table

“I’m...

“I know who you are” interrupted Kelly “You're Tex and Ericka; Jessie's friends”

“Yep and we know all about you too” Tex said “Hell, Jessie wouldn't shut up about you”

“That's not exactly making me feel better” Kelly sighed “He's hurt because of me”

“Well unless you were behind the wheel of that car that hit him” said Ericka “Then it’s not your fault”

“You don't understand” said Kelly “I....I told him I didn't want to see him anymore with him and then he got hurt”

“You did what? No wonder he'd been actin' all heartbroken that day” asked Tex “Why'd you do it?”

“I… Iwas scared” Kelly said softly “I've been going through a real confusing stage in my life and I didn't know how to deal with it. I hurt him but I swear I didn’t mean to”

“Well feeling guilty isn't going to do you much good” Ericka said “What are you going to do about it?”

“What can I do about it?” asked Kelly “I fucked it all up”

“Yeah ya did” Tex said bluntly “But do ya care about him or are ya just feeling guilty because he got hurt?

“I ...I care about him” Kelly said matter of factly “I really do!”

“If you mean it then we’ll help you fix it then” Tex said “Just don’t dick him around, he’s been through enough.

“Why?” Kelly asked “Why would even want you help me?

“Because we're his friends” Ericka said “And he was never happier than when he was with you”

“He..He really said that?” Kelly asked with a slight blush

“Yeah he did” said Tex

“Hey, he thought enough of you to consider you a friend” said Ericka sweetly “We’ll be yours too, if you want it”

A pair of girls wearing very conservative turtle necks and jeans with very tastefully done makeup and simple ponytailed hair approached the table. Kelly stiffened and glared as she recognized them, the McQueen twins. What did they what?

“Don't worry, Kelly” Bobbie said noticing her body language “We're not here to fight or harass you anymore”

“We’re not friends with Jessica anymore” said Billie remorsefully “In fact, we're really sorry being such bitches to you”

“What do you two want?” Ericka asked curiously

“You guys are Jessie's friends, right?” Bobbie said handing her a small package “Could you pass this along to him?”

“It's a get well gift” Billie explained “We tried to send it to the hospital but he got discharged and we didn't know where to send it”

“I'll make sure to pass it on to him, thank you” Ericka said kindly

“Hey ladies what’s with the toned down look” Tex asked curiously

“After what happened” Bobbie said with slight grin “We took some time to rethink the way we lived our lives”

“We thought about all the people we hurt” Billy said “And the bitches we've been”

“I guess what we’re saying is we're trying to be better people than we used to be” Bobbie explained

“We got a second chance now” Billie said looking directly at Kelly “We're not going to waste it”

“Anyway” said Bobbie sweetly “Can you guys tell him that we hope he gets better soon?”

“We will” smiled Ericka

As the two girls walked off Tex couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.

“Do you mind sharing with us what’s so damn funny?” asked Ericka

“I believe Jessie is going to be in a heap more trouble when he gets back” said Tex

“And why is that?” asked Kelly

“Can ya just imagine how many pissed off guys are gonna be after him for un-hoochie-fying those two?” said Tex

Kelly allowed herself a small chuckle along with the other two

“They got a point though” said Kelly “Maybe I should take their lead”

“Oh come on girl. I know ya feel bad but fucking the wrestling team won’t make ya feel any better!” Tex said receiving a hard hit in the shoulder from his girlfriend

“Not funny, you dickhead” Ericka smirked “Okay it was a little funny, but you’re still a pig!”

“That wasn't exactly what I meant” Kelly said getting up “But I think they’re right about not wasting a second chance. I have a lot of apologizing to do; I just really hope it’s enough”

“Good luck” smiled Ericka

“Yeah” she said “I’m gonna need it”

~O~

Kelly choked down a huge gulp as she stood in front of The Relic. She felt so guilty; if she wasn’t such a fucking bitch to him none of this would have ever happened. Drawing an all her nerve, she took a deep breath and stepped inside. The store was relatively empty. Near the Felicia's desk were the same two people from the other night, Ms Forelli and her granddaughter Maria.

“Go on” said Ms Forelli gently chiding her granddaughter

“Um...this is for Jessie” Maria said sliding a fruit basket as big as she was on the desk “A feel better soon gift"

“I'll make sure he gets it and lets you know he appreciates it” Felicia said kindly

“How is he doing?” asked Ms Forelli

“He's doing better” said Felicia “Right now he just needs rest”

“Nonna?” asked Maria “Is it okay if I ask?”

“I don't think it's a good time right now” said Ms Forelli “Perhaps some other time”

“Oh...” said Maria obviously disappointed

“What was the question?” asked Felicia genuinely interested

“Well, I was wondering if I could work here an hour or two a week to help pay for my summer vacation?” asked
Maria “Please?!”

“Hmmmm” mused Felicia “I could use someone to help me dust the items in the store and do a few odd jobs. When can you start?”

“How about right now?” Maria asked “See, I'm already in my work overalls and ready to work”

“Are you okay with this?” Felicia asked Ms Forelli

“Only if it's okay with you” said Ms Forelli

“You’re hired” smiled Felicia

“Okay Maria” said Ms Forelli kissing her granddaughter on the cheek “I'll be back in an hour to pick you up. You do everything Felicia asks you to do, okay?”

"Okay Nonna” smiled Maria

As she walked out she recognized Kelly from the other night

“Hello again” smiled Ms Forelli “You're Jessie's friend right? The artist?”

“Yeah” said Kelly softly “Sort of”

“Can I take a look?” said Ms Forelli taking Kelly's sketch book “This is Beautiful. Here take my card; we need to talk some time about a personal piece.”

“Thanks” said Kelly as she took the card. “If I'm around later, maybe”

As the woman left Kelly gathered her courage and made her way toward hoping her apology was enough. Somehow the phrase ‘im sorry’ doesn't seem to cut it when it comes to almost killing a witch's grandson not once but twice.

“Yes Kelly?” said Felicia firmly “What do you want?

Whether it was the tone of her voice, the massive guilt she felt over all of what had happened or just plan fear of what was going to happen, she completely lost it. She remembered those vengeful evil red eyes of hers and she was frightened to her core of what the woman would do to her now.

I'm......I'm.....so........” she sputtered through crying gasps“It'sallmyfault.Inevermeantforittohappen. Notlikethis. Ididn'tthinkhe'dtakeitsohardandgetrunover. Ihadthesefeelingsandthey'resoconfusing. Ididntknowwhattodo.Ididn'tmeantohurthimIswear,Ididn't. Pleasedon'tpunishmethistime,I....I....I...

Felicia and Maria both looked at each other in confusion as the poor girl babbled incoherently and sobbed hysterically. It got to the point where the girl actually started to hyperventilate. Leading the hysterical girl to the desk, she sat her down and grabbed a paper sack.

“Calm down” she said gently holding bag over her mouth “Breathe slowly, easy”

As she started to calm down, little Maria handed her a glass of water. Her hand was shaking in terror as she brought the glass to her trembling lips. Her pretty green eyes were red from crying and they were full of guilt and pure fear.

“Easy” said Maria “It's just water, just sip it slowly”

“It's okay, Kelly” said Felicia “Calm down, try to take some deep breaths and relax”

“I'm....so.....sorry” sniffed Kelly “Really I am...for everything. I know you probably don't believe me but I am”

“Please slow down Kelly” said Felicia gently “You going to make yourself sick if you keep carrying on like this”

“After all the fucked up shit I've done, you’re worried about me getting sick?” sobbed Kelly harder

As the girl cried harder, Felicia found herself both conflicted and confused. The girl was completely frightened out of her mind and showing actual signs of remorse. What did she do that she thought was so bad this time?

“Relax, take your time and just tell me what’s the matter” said Felicia kindly

Looking at the desk Kelly grabbed a small framed portrait of a handsome black man, a beautiful light skinned Roma woman and in the middle their young son.

“That was my daughter's family” said Felicia gently taking it back “It’s an old wound i don't like talking about much”

“Nadia and Darius Taylor and their son Jay.....Jessie” sniffed Kelly

"How do you know that?” asked Felicia cocking an eyebrow

“I used to live next door to them when i was little” sniffed Kelly as she started to cry some more

“Maria, is that one of your old memories?” asked Felicia

“Nuh uh” said the little girl “I never lived by Jessie”

Felicia walked over to the front door locked it and flipped over the open sign to closed. Kelly stiffened as she walked back not sure what her fate was going to be. But she just knew it was going to be bad.

“I just wanted you to know I didn't mean for Jessie to get hit by that car” she sniffed crying harder “I thought that if I told him I wasn't interested in him anymore that maybe it would be easier to go back to being Ryan. I didn't know he was going to react that way, then i realized i made a big mistake. He got hit by that car and I saw all that blood...it was just like what happened...here...."

“It's okay, Jessie is fine....well he's hurt but he's going to be okay” said Felicia noticing the relief on Kelly face

“Really?” said Kelly calming down “He's really gonna be okay?”

“Yes but I think you two and I need to have a little talk” said Felicia handing Kelly some tissue

“Okay” she said wiping her eyes “I’ll take my punishment, whatever it is. Just please make it quick”

“Oh, no. It will be long and drawn out” said Felicia handing her a feather duster “You can start by helping Maria and I dust the shop. While you’re at it, you can tell me everything and I do mean everything”

Kelly looked in confusion as she took the feather duster, not sure if it was going to turn her into a mouse or something

“It’s just a plain old duster” said Felicia

~O~

“Mom and Dad had a really messy divorce” said Kelly as she dusted the paintings “So mom took me and we tried to start a new life somewhere else. She dressed me up as a little girl to make it harder for dad to find us. I kind of liked being a little girl; I guess I liked how I got treated special”

“So what happened next?” asked Maria dusting the lower item on the shelves

“I met my best friend, Jay” Kelly smiled “We used to do everything together, rode our bikes together, got into trouble together, built a tree house together. We were partners in crime so to speak. He was also... my....

“He was also your what?” asked Felicia dusting the top shelves

“My very first kiss” Kelly said almost ashamed “Kind of gross huh?”

“Not really” said Maria “You were a girl”

“Correction, I was a boy pretending to be a girl” said Kelly “Still I liked him, I liked him a lot but of course it couldn't last”

“Your father found you didn't you” said Felicia

“Yeah” said Kelly softly “He had the better lawyers the better private eyes and being a city councilman, more friends in high places. I was ripped from everything I knew, my mom, my friends, and my...first boyfriend”

“I take it your father wasn't too thrilled to see his little boy in a dress” said Maria

“That's putting it lightly” Kelly said in disgust “He was going to unqueer me, damn it. He shoved a football in my hand, I wasn't allowed to cry, and I had to be a “man” if it killed me”

“How does one go about so called “unqueering” somebody?” said Felicia

“Easy” Kelly said bluntly “Find someone else to blame.’It wasn't my fault the way I was I was, it was my mom's and that little nigger mutt that made me that way'. That was my dad's words exactly”

“So that's where you got it from” said Felicia

“I guess I could lay it all at my dad’s feet if I really wanted to, just someone else to blame” said Kelly truly ashamed of herself “Yeah he planted the seed but I let it grow. It wasn't long before I started believing his bullshit. I'm just as much at fault, i just didn't realize it until that day Jessie got hit by that car.”

"So what else happened?" Maia asked

“A few years later I ran into Jay/Jessie when he moved into this town” Kelly said gritting her teeth in anger “I think it was about middle school, 8th grade maybe. He acted like he didn't even know me! I still cared about him all that time. All that time that I suffered under my dad and he just tossed me aside like I didn't even exist! So that's when I started hating him and swore I would make him suffer”

“Kelly?” Felicia said sadly “Jessie couldn't have remembered you”

“What are you talking about?” Kelly said tossing her duster down in frustration “Of course he could have, I mean sure we couldn't have been lovey dovey anymore but we still could have been friends! But no, he just cast me aside like I was nothing. I bet he was just ashamed that he kissed a boy!”

“No, I mean there is no way he could have” Felicia said “All that time is a complete blank to him.”

“Let me guess, it’s your magic right?” scoffed Kelly

"I wish it was” said Felicia “It might have been easier to fix”

“What happened?” asked Maria “If it wasn't magic, then what was it?”

“Drunk driver, probably not long after you were taken by your father” Felicia said looking at the picture sadly
“Some idiot decided to leave the bar hammered, his truck jumped the meridian and crashed into their car head on. They never had a chance. Had he not died at the scene, I would have made that driver suffer for the rest of his days”

“And what happened to Jessie?” asked Maria

“Alive but hurt very badly” Felicia said her lip trembling “He was in a coma for two weeks. When he woke up,
everything that he was up till that moment was gone, erased. Things that everyone else took for granted, tying your shoes, walking, and even talking were things he had to learn all over again.”

“You’re kidding right?” Kelly asked in surprise “Amnesia?”

“It’s not like the movies” Felicia said her voice cracking a bit “ It took three long agonizing years before he could even remotely function in society. But the important things, the memories he cherished are gone forever. He can’t even remember what wonderful people his parents were much less his first 'girlfriend.' It’s as if Jay died that day”

Kelly felt nauseous as it all sunk in, all this time she hated him for acting like he didn't know her when she was Ryan. She had always assumed it was because he was ashamed or that he hated her. Come to find out it was just because he truly didn’t remember anything.

“Can you two please take those bags out to the dumpster out back” said Felicia motioning to four large bags of garbage on the floor “I…I need to check on a few things in the back room”

“Yeah” said Kelly “No problem

She saw through the old woman’s lie. There was probably nothing in the back room but a place to break down in private. Reliving that old memory must have been extremely hard on her. Grabbing her bags, she walked toward the back door with the little girl following right behind.

“Was that the only reason you hated him” asked Maria dragging her bag behind her

“No” said Kelly sadly tossing her bags into the dumpster “ I hated myself too, I knew I could never be the girl
I wanted to be and at the same time knowing that it was 'unnatural” to think that way. I figured if couldn't be happy, nobody could. So I made everybody's life as miserable as mine was”

“Miserable? Please, spare me the rich kid blues” scoffed Maria “You were rich, you had anything you wanted, and you never got in trouble because of your daddy. You are only now learning what misery is”

“Speaking from experience?” asked Kelly

“Damn right I am!” said Maria “I couldn't take it anymore it was so bad”

“Why?” said Kelly softly “Why did you kill yourself?”

“I...I don’t want to talk about it!” said Maria “If I talk about then I have to think about it and I refuse to”

“I don't understand” said Kelly

“Because it never happened to you yet and I hope it never does” said Maria crying “But I just couldn't take it anymore after it happened”

“I'm sorry” said Kelly giving the little girl a hug

“I'm not. I have to be a little girl again but that's okay” said Maria “I got a loving family now and I am truly happy. I don't want it taken from me. You’re more than welcome to my old life and body. Though I have to admit, I am a little jealous”

“Jealous?!” said Kelly “Why?”

“I only had a little puppy love crush on him, I guess kind of I still do now” smiled Maria with a slight blush “But you, I think it obvious....It’s been more than obvious”

“What is?” scoffed Kelly

“You only bullied him because you were in love with him” said Maria “But you couldn't show it, not with all that macho bullshit your father tried to pound into you. Now you got a perfect chance to make things the way you want and you still mess it up”

“Thanks for reminding me” Kelly said feeling even worse

“Come on” Maria sighed grabbing Kelly by the arm “Let’s get back to work”

Walking back into the shop the girls went back to dusting and adjust the various items in the shop. Felicia had returned from the back, her eyes a bit red but the girls didn’t press it. Instead they worked in an awkward silence trying to find the right words to say.

“So what happened?” Felicia said finally breaking the silence “What happened between you and my grandson?”

“A couple of nights ago when you had him walk me home” said Kelly “I kissed him goodnight”

“So what was wrong with that?” asked Maria

“Nothing....I mean” said Kelly “I don't know, I liked it but I hated myself for liking it. And then I hated him for making me like it”

“Wow, your head is really messed up” said Maria

“Maria” Felicia said sternly

“Sorry” said the little girl sheepishly “So what did you do”

“I told him it was a mistake... all of it and maybe we shouldn't have anything to do with each other anymore” Kelly said looking down on the ground “I thought by pushing him away it would make it easier to go back to being Ryan”

“Uh ...wow” said Maria “Did you also kick him in the balls while ripping his heart out then end the festivities by doing the Mexican hat dance on it? I told you not to break his heart!”

“I fucked up okay?” Kelly yelled hysterically “I can't seem to do anything without hurting him! You know what started all this shit? I bullied him because i thought he hated me, that he was ashamed of me. So i hated him back and then right here in this store, I KILLED HIM! I FUCKING KILLED HIM!"

She had been crying off and on the whole time, but she didn't care not anymore. To hell with Ryan's asshole father and his stupid exceptions of what a so called man should be. She was Kelly now. Kelly was a girl and girls could cry all they wanted.

Running over to the suit of armor she angrily yanked the sword from the outstretched hand and slid it into the sheath on its side. She wanted no more memories of that event.

“And then I almost kill him again...” Kelly said sobbing to her knees “ And for what? What did he do to me except treat me with kindness I didn't fucking deserve? He gave me the one thing I really wanted and what do I do, I tell him it was all a mistake.”

The older woman lifted the girl off the floor and gave her an almost motherly hug. Pulling back she gently wiped her tears

“Do you truly care about my grandson?” Felicia said softly “Please, answer me truthfully”

“Yes.....I don't want to be Ryan anymore...I just want to be with him. He really did make me happy” Kelly said with a trembling lip “but it’s too late...he hates me now... I know he does”

“Here” said Felicia handing her a sheet of paper “This is his address. Talk to him, be honest with him”

“He doesn't live with you?” Kelly in surprise

“I travel a lot, maybe 2 to 3 weeks out of each month give or take. When I'm not traveling I live in the loft above the shop” said Felicia smiled “I guess it's the nomadic Roma blood in my veins. Sadly Jessie, doesn't share my wanderlust. I had an old apartment that I never used that i was going to rent out and Jessie thinking he was grown asked to live there”

“You didn't just give him an apartment? Did you?” asked Maria in surprise

“Of course not!” said Felicia “At first I refused, I'm mean at the time he had just barely turned 16. But he was real persistent about it. So I decided to humor him. I told him that he had to pay me rent, cover the bills and take care of the store when I was gone. I figured he would be overwhelmed within a month”

“I take it he wasn't” Kelly said with a slight smile

“The little bastard actually turned a profit on the store and kept up with his payments” Felicia huffed “At first I was upset that maybe he wanted to get away from me as if I did something wrong. But as time went by I realized there was a different reason.”

“What was it?” asked Maria

“He wanted to prove to me he could stand on his own two feet” said Felicia “I guess he felt guilty for being a burden on me, even though he never was. He tries to be so damn independent; I guess he gets that from his mother. He's definitely my grandson”

“He really is special” said Kelly “Are you sure you want me to go talk to him? Even after everything I've done?”

“Let me answer that with a question of my own” said Felicia "If you could take what you have done back, would you?"

"Honestly?" Kelly said trying hard not to cry "I don't know. I mean i never wanted him to die but.."

"But what?" asked Felicia

"I liked the relationship we have now" Kelly said sadly "or should i say had"

"Then go to him" Felicia said kindly "Be honest with him"

“Why are you guys helping me?” asked Kelly “Even after everything I did”

“You have another chance to make things right” said Felicia “Not everybody does”

“Yeah” said Maria giving Kelly a hug “You got a chance, so don't mess it up again or else”

“Or else what?”

“Hey” smirked Maria “ I won’t be a little girl forever, when I turn 18 I might just steal him away from you!”

~O~

The old man felt another magical ripple through his shop. The backlash narrowly missed taking Jessie but it wasn’t done yet. He wouldn’t get involved but he was still interested to see how this would play itself out …………

Second Chances

By Alexander Kung

Former bully Ryan now finds himself in the body of “Creepy” Kelly Daniels, the school outcast, a lonely troubled girl with a miserable life. Finally accepting of her new life and feeling, she now tries to win the heart of the same boy she used to beat up. With the help of a new friend that just might happen

Second Chances — Part 4

The following morning, Kelly read the directions from Felicia’s note to Jessie’s apartment. As she walked along the sidewalk, she pondered through her mind what she would say to him. Somehow trying to explain that the girl that broke his heart was the same jerk that terrorized him for years would probably get her sent to a padded room by the nice guys in white coats.

“Hi Jessie, I know I’ve been a bitch to you but there was a good reason for it. You see I accidentally killed you, and your grandmother used magic to turn me into a girl” she thought with a slight bitter chuckle “Oh and by the way, I used to be Ryan, you know the guy that used to beat the shit out of you? Well I realized that I was really in love with you and that was my fucked up way of showing you. That’s cool right? Can we kiss and make up?"

Yeah that would go over so well. Still she realized that she cared about him and at the very least owed him an apology. But would he even take one? She just didn’t know.

Walking up to his complex she noticed it was small complex by the beach, no more than about 10 units. Her stomach did back flips the closer she got, not knowing what to expect. Walking up the stairs, she looked at the piece of paper again just to make sure, Apartment B-17.

“Here goes nothing” she sighed as she knocked on the door

“Who is it?” said a slightly pained and depressed voice

“It’s Kelly” she said “Can I talk to you?”

“Look, I really don’t have time for your games.” Jessie said through the door “How the hell did you find out where I lived anyway?”

“Felicia gave me the address” Kelly said softly “Come on, can you at least open the door so that I can talk to you face to face? Please?”

a long sigh, she heard the steps to the door followed by the clicks of the locks. When the door opened she tried not to gasp as he looked in rough shape. His face was still a bit swollen with a bandage across his nose and on his right cheek, his right bicep was bandaged up and his ribs were taped up tight. There were various bruises all over his body but they were starting to fade.

He looked like shit and Kelly couldn’t help but wonder if half of it was due to her actions that day. He had the saddest looking eyes and she could tell that he had been crying a bit, from which pain though she couldn’t be sure.

Um…Hey” Kelly said not exactly know what to say

“Hello” he said coldly “What do you want?”

“I…Just wanted to say I was sorry, I didn’t mean for all this to happen” said Kelly

“Is that why you’re here? You feel guilty?” Jessie said flatly “Don’t flatter yourself, I didn’t hurl myself into a car because of you”

“Please just let me explain, okay?” Kelly pleaded

“I don’t think there’s anything to explain” Jessie said “Everything is a mistake, right?”

“I shouldn’t have said that” Kelly said starting to cry “Jessie, I do care about you, I really do”

“Do me a favor and save the tears” Jessie sadly “Save the lies, save the tears and the games”

“Jessie? I…..” Kelly begged

“Just go away” said Jessie closing the door in her face “Please just go away”

She went to knock on the door again but paused before slowly dropping her hand. No, she hurt him enough already. Sniffing and wiping her tears she turned to leave.

“Jessie, I know you probably don’t believe me but I love you...” she said sadly at the door “I’ve been in love with for a long time”

She ran off crying just as the door opened. Jessie looked on just as she took a corner unable to say anything.

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he wanted to chase after her but he couldn’t. Maybe it was pride over his wounded heart or the fact his ribs hurt like hell

~O~

Walking down the street Kelly felt like the biggest piece of shit in the world. Wiping her tears, she thought about going back to being Ryan just to kick the crap of him for making her cry like that. She laughed bitterly at the thought, knowing that’s what got her in trouble in the first place.

*HONK HONK*

“Who the hell could be honking at me?” she thought looking up

Driving up in a jeep wrangler was Jessie’s friend Ericka. She flashed a beautiful smile as she slowed down next to her.

“Hey, Kell” said Ericka “Do you need a lift?”

“Not really” Kelly said her face red and a puffy from crying “I just need to think”

Ericka went forward a bit and pulled the jeep on the sidewalk effectively cutting her off. Kelly eyes grew wide as she never saw anyone do that before. The girl was obviously crazy.

“Girl, get your ass in this car!” Ericka said sharply hopping out the jeep “I’m not playing!”

Grabbing Kelly by the arm she quickly threw her in the passenger set. She then, hopped in the drivers seat, peeled out in reverse and tore off down the road. It was a textbook broad daylight kidnapping. Kelly was surprised Ericka didn’t flip the damn thing over as aggressively as she was driving.

“So, Kell” Ericka said “I heard you were going over to Jessie’s house. Were you two able to work it out? Come on, I need details!”

“Not really” Kelly said hanging on to the roll bar for dear life “I tried to apologize but he just told me to go away.”

“HE DID WHAT?!?” Ericka snapped as she pulled off the road with a screech “OH..HELL..NO!!”

“Look...um, it’s okay!” Kelly said not liking the crazy look in the other girls eyes “Really, it is!”

“Do you want him back?” Ericka asked “Yes or no?”

“Yes, of course I do” Kelly said “But I don’t think feels the same way about me anymore”

“Tsk tsk tsk” said Ericka with a smile pulling out her cell phone “Let me give you a little tip on how to handle boys.”

Dialing a phone number and turning on the speaker phone; she looked at Kelly and put a finger to her lips. The phone rang a few times before a painful groaning voice picked up.

“Hello?” Jessie groaned

“Good afternoon sunshine!” said Ericka cheerfully “How are you feeling?”

“Lousy! What do you want,‘sis’?” Jessie said in grouchy tone

“Well ‘little bro’, I just ran into your lady friend” Ericka said in a lecturing tone “I gave her a lift home and guess what? She was a miserable crying wreck! What did you do to her?”

“Me? I didn’t do anything! Are you sure it wasn’t your driving?” Jessie said

“Hey, Fuck you! I am a perfectly safe driver!” Ericka said while Kelly tried hard not to laugh

“Safe? Is that what they call bat shit crazy drivers who drive on the sidewalk to avoid traffic?” Jessie said dryly

“I only did that once… okay maybe 20 times” Ericka said in mock anger “But fine, I was going to tell you the juicy details but since you want to be that way..”

“Okay okay, I’m sorry” Jessie groaned “What did she say?”

“Well as I said she was a crying wreck.” said Ericka “Did you really slam the door in her face and tell her to fuck off when she came over to apologize? Did you, you little asshole? After that poor girl walked all that way to say she was sorry?”

Kelly eyes bugged out in disbelief, she didn’t say it happened that way. Why the hell was she lying like that?

“Look I was upset” Jessie said “I’m just not in a rush to get hurt by her again”

“So you’re saying you’re done with her then, right?” Ericka asked

Kelly’s heart flipped over and over as he paused to answer. It may have been a few minutes but to her it seemed like an eternity. She put her hands in almost a silent prayer hoping he wasn’t through with her.

“*Sigh* No, I’m not over her if that’s what you mean. It wouldn’t hurt so bad if I was” Jessie admitted

“Wow, It sounds like you’re in love with her” Ericka teased “Are you?

“Ericka….. Don’t make me say it!” whined Jessie “It’s embarrassing!”

“Come on its just you and me” Erica with a evil smile “…and nobody else”

“*sigh* yes I’m in love with her, I wasn’t lying when I told her that I thought she was the most beautiful girl
I had ever seen. I just wish I knew what I did to make her tell me it was all a mistake.”

Kelly turned bright red as she heard his confession; he really was in love with her. There was a chance after all then.

“Hey get some rest ‘lil bro’ Ericka said sweetly “There something important I want to talk to you about later.

“What is it?”

“I’ll tell you later” Ericka said gently “You just try to get some rest”

Hanging up the phone she smiled widely at a very impressed Kelly.

“So do you feel better, Kell?”

“Yeah, I do” she said honestly "I still feel bad for hurting him though"

“Boys are like that” Ericka said "Run then over with a car and they seem to bounce back. Break their heart and well, they whine like babies.

“I know but I don’t know what to do to get him to forgive me” said Kelly sadly “I mean I’ve done so much wrong to him”

“Well I got an idea” said Ericka cocking an eyebrow

“Yeah?” asked Kelly “What’s that?”

“Let’s go shopping”

~O~

It was an exhilarating experience to say the least. Ericka in a car is a complete and utter lunatic. But on two feet one of the sweetest girls you’d ever want to meet. After tearing through the parking lot and skidding sideways to a stop, they arrived at the Sunny Valley Mall.

“Okay Kell, I have to ask one last time..” Ericka teased “Do you really want to be with Jessie?”

“For the last time, yes” Kelly laughed “I just don’t know how being in a mall is going to do that.”

“Oh how little you know, grasshopper!” Ericka said in her best kung fu master voice “First we need to tweak your look a bit"

“A make over?” Oh no, I’m gone!” Kelly said trying to walk away “I’m perfectly fine with what I got”

“Hey get back here! Don’t get me wrong, a leather jacket and jeans are good for school but for what I’m planning it just won’t work” Ericka said pulling her back

“And just what are you planning?” asked Kelly curiously

“You know the Boardwalk festival? Well that’s this weekend, tomorrow actually.” Ericka explained "And you’re going to be Jessie’s date”

“Just how are you going to convince Jessie to go at all much less with me?” Kelly asked skeptically

“Just watch” Ericka said dialing her cell phone

“*groan* Now what?” said an annoyed voice at the other end

“Hey Jessie I hope it didn’t wake you” Ericka said sweetly “I have a question, what are you doing tomorrow?”

“Probably just going to veg out here, why?”

“Well, Tex and I were going to the boardwalk festival and we were wondering if you’d like to tag along”

“That’s sweet but three’s a crowd. You two should have a good time without me souring the mood ya know.” said Jessie

“Well that’s the thing” said Ericka “We found you a date”

“What!?” Jessie asked “I don’t remember asking you to hook me up!”

“Well, I did anyway” Ericka said “She really wants to go with you. Now, you wouldn’t stand a pretty girl up would you?”

“*Sigh* It’s Kelly isn’t it?” Jessie asked suspiciously

“Maybe, but you better be there to find out” Ericka said kindly “Now for real get some rest”

“I would if somebody would stop calling me!” Jessie groaned “But thanks for thinking of me”

“Jessie, I know you’re hurting babe but I think she’s really sorry” Ericka said gently “Give her another chance”

“We’ll see” said Jessie

“So will you come?”

“Yeah, now will you just let me get some fucking rest?” Jessie said in slight pain

“Get better soon grouch” Ericka said sweetly "You act like you got hit by a car or something!"

"Good bye, Ericka!"

"Later"

“Do you always talk to him like that?” asked Kelly as Ericka hung up her phone

“If I didn’t give him a hard time, he’d think I’d didn’t love him” Ericka said “Come on, let’s go shopping!”

~O~

Jessie grumbled as he entered The Relic. As soon as he got off the phone with Ericka and settled into a somewhat peaceful sleep it rang again. He learned quickly that it isn’t a good idea to answer the phone with ‘WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT NOW?!' Felicia wasn’t exactly amused and let him know with a mix of Romani curse words and good old fashioned grandmother guilt.

“Sorry, Gram” Jessie said kissing her on the cheek “Ericka was bugging me nonstop this morning and I couldn’t get any rest”

“You’re forgiven” Felicia gently slapping him upside the unhurt part of his head “Now I need you only for a few hours than you can go home and rest okay?”

“What’s up?” asked Jessie

“The computers are down again" Felicia sighed in frustration “Can you please fix them?”

“I can fix anything' Jessie smiled

Looking around, he noticed the new little addition to the store. Like a tiny mouse on speed, Maria was zipping around dusting and adjusting the various little displays in the store as well as emptying the trash bins.

“Oh I see how it is” Jessie smiled “I get hurt and so you replace me with sweatshop labor”

“Jessie!” Maria smiled giving him a big hug “How are you feeling? Did my little basket help?”

“Easy there I’m not quite healed up yet” Jessie said sweetly with gasping in slight pain

“Sorry” Maria said softly

“It’s okay, I’m just a little tender that’s all” Jessie said patting her on the head “But yeah, it helped a lot, that was really nice of you”

Getting to his desk, it turned out the computer problem was actually quite easy an fix. Just a quick shut down and reboot got all the systems up and running. So didn’t he didn’t waste his time coming down to the Relic just for just an easily solved computer problem, he decided to go over a few invoices and online auctions he had going. It was mainly to keep his mind occupied, the more time he worked the less time he had to think about her.

“Yeah” he thought himself “Like she’s easy to forget about”

“Hey, you look parched” Maria said sliding a tall glass of yellowish liquid toward him “Here, have some homemade freshly squeezed lemonade made with hard work and love”

“Aw, you’re so sweet!” Jessie said taking a sip “It's not that bad, it’s really good to be honest”

“Good” she smiled holding out her hand “Because that’ll be about 5 bucks”

“$5 bucks for a glass of lemonade?!?” exclaimed Jessie in disbelief “Are you insane, little girl?”

“Hey, love is expensive and so is summer camp. Besides that is the best tasting lemonade you’re going to find anywhere” Maria said almost proudly

“Damn shakedown artist” Jessie grumbled handing her a 5 dollar bill

“So did you and Kelly kiss and make up, yet?” Maria asked putting her money in her coin purse

“I don’t think I should be talking about my love life to a little girl” Jessie said defensively

“Fine you meanie, gimmie back my lemonade then” Maria said taking the glass back and sticking her tongue out at him

“Hey I paid for that!” Jessie argued

“Well, then tell me then and I’ll give it back to you” Mara said with a wily little smile

“*sigh* No we didn’t make up.“ Jessie said

“Why not?” Felicia asked sitting down at her desk “I thought you liked her”

“I do, but… ” said Jessie

“But what?” Maria said in a chipper tone “You know she was in here yesterday, bawling her eyes out telling us how much she was sorry for breaking your heart and how much she cared about you”

“Yeah, sure she was!” Jessie said in a dismissive tone

“It’s true” said Felicia “I really think she’s sincere”

“Well, Ericka and Tex are dragging me to the boardwalk festival” Jessie said feeling a little bit guilty
“Knowing her, she probably going to try to set me up. My guess it’s going to be Kelly.”

“You are going, right?” Maria said not quite asking "Right?!"

“Yeah,…Maybe..I..dont..know!” Jessie said “Now can I please have my lemonade back?”

“Sure!” Maria said holding out her hand “That’ll be another 5 bucks”

“Are you kidding me? You’re charging me again?!?”

"It's for a good cause" said Felicia "Just give her another $5!"

Jessie grumbled handing her a 5 dollar bill “This better be some damn good lemonade for 10 bucks”

“Thank you, Jessie” Maria said kissing him on the cheek “At this rate I’ll have enough in no time”

"Yeah well i hope you wind up at camp Crystal Lake, getting chased by a psycho with a hockey mask and a machete!"
"Jessie!"

"I'll be totally safe when that happens!" said Maria sticking her tongue out at him "Everyone knows he only goes after hormone raged teenagers! So when are you showing up as a camp councilor?”

"Maria!"

~O~

It was an exhausting experience trying to keep up with Ericka as she zipped from store to store picking up various items. Kelly had set some ground rules regarding the makeover, don’t mess with her hair. She liked her short hair with the long bangs

Despite the energy it took to keep up with her, she found it fun, actually. It was a really wonderful to have a girl her age to hang with. Stopping in the food court they both sat down and had a quick bite to eat. It was nice just talking while munching down on nachos and smoothies.

“Let’s see… we got our makeup, we got our bathing suits, and got our shoes.” said Ericka

“”I think that’s about it“ Kelly said “ You really think this will work ?

“Oh yeah,” Ericka said with a smile “Once I’m done with you, you will having him eating out of your hands”

“I just hope he will even show” Kelly said softly

“He will, trust me.” said Ericka finishing off her smoothie “I wasn’t going to say anything but I snuck a peak at you while we were changing. Is that really all the underwear you have?”

“What exactly are you getting at?” Kelly asked raising a curious eyebrow

“What I’m getting at, is that you’re wearing a shitty little sports bra and granny panties” Erica said causing
Kelly to choke slightly on her smoothie

“Do you want to say that a bit louder?” Kelly said embarrassed “I don’t think the last two tables heard you”

“Oh come on” said Ericka grabbing her bags

She followed the other girl to a large lingerie shop on the far end of the mall.

“Victoria’s secret?!?” gasped Kelly turning beet red “Oh no, I am so out of here!”

“Hold it right there, missy!” Ericka said grabbing her arm “What’s the problem now?”

“I don’t have the body for that kind of shit” Kelly said self consciously “Plus I really can’t afford it!”

“First that’s bullshit, you got a nice bod, you just need to learn how to show it off better”
said Ericka whipping out her debit card “Besides this is on me, no arguments!”

As they walked inside the shop, they found that the McQueen sisters worked there. Acting real out of character of their normally air headed slutty ways, they still dressed sexy but a bit more toned down and they were... studying. Apparently they were really taking the whole second chance thing to heart

“Okay ,Bobbie” Billie said reading a book from the counter “What does R.I.C.E stand for?”

“R.I.C.E” Bobbie explained as she hung up inventory “Rest. Ice, Compression and Elevation”

“What are you two doing?” asked Ericka in surprise

“Getting a head start for our Emt courses we’re taking this summer” said Bobbie

“After what happened we felt so helpless and we never want to be like that again” said Billie

“But enough about us” said Bobbie “What can we help you two with?”

"I need you two to help my friend here with a sexy little set of under wear" Ericka said while Kelly looked down at her feet

“We know just the thing” said Bobbie grabbing one of Kelly’s arms

“Just trust us” said Billie grabbing the other and dragging her into the dressing rooms

Kelly was toughly embarrassed when she looked into the dressing room mirror. Wearing a simple black bra and matching skimpy panties, there was no way in hell she could see herself wearing this in front of anyone. She had to admit that she did look rather sexy, her pale skin contrasting quite nicely with dark fabric. The bra really accentuated her smaller breasts giving her a nice set of cleavage and the panties with a g string back that just showed off her heart shaped ass.

“Whoa” said Billie walking in the dressing room “You look wonderful”

“I told you black was the right choice” Bobbie with a knowing smile

“Thanks for the help” Kelly said quickly getting dressed

“Are you gonna make up with Jessie?” Bobbie asked

“If he’ll let me” Kelly said “I haven’t exactly treated him as well as I should have”

“None of us have, really” said Billie “But he was still nice to us, and always helped us with our work”

“And he never treated us like sluts. Even though we kinda were” Bobbie said “Then he saved our lives. He really is a good guy”

“I know” Kelly with a smile

~O~

Leaving the mall Kelly hung on tight as Ericka screeched around the corners. She was a cool friend but a crazy driver. Mercifully the trip was short with her coming to a screech in front of a nice modest house.

Outside there was two three guys working on a classic 63 dodge charger. One she recognized as Tex but the other two she assumed were members of Ericka’s family.

“Hey babe!” Tex lifting his girlfriend off the ground giving her a big kiss “I missed you!”

“Hey boy, get your hands off my little girl!” the big man said in a mocking tone play fully slapping Tex on the back

“Dad!!!” said Ericka hugging the bigger guy “Dad? This is our friend Kelly Daniels. Kelly this my dad”
“Jake. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kelly” the said bigger man holding out his hand warmly. Despite his size there was gentleness to him that Kelly wished all dads had

“That knucklehead by the car is my stupid older brother, Tommy” Ericka said “Are you guys still working on that damn thing?”

“Yeah” said Tex sheepishly “We tried everything but it’s just not going”

“We’ll figure it out” Jake sighed “I hope so at least, the car show contest is tomorrow”

“Mind if it take a look?” Kelly said walking over to the car looking under hood

“You’re a gear head?!?” Tommy asked surprisingly

“I dabble a bit” she said with a smile remembering all the time she spent under the hood of her camero “5/8 wrench please”

Tommy handed her the wrench as she expertly adjusted the timing wheel.

“Try it now” Kelly said wiping her hands “It should work now, just a loose timing belt”

“Leave it to a girl to fix a problem in 5 seconds that takes a guy a whole day” Ericka laughed “Come on Kell. I want to introduce you to my mom”

As they walked inside the tastefully decorated house, and into the kitchen, Kelly saw where Ericka got her exotic looking good looks from.

“Mom this is Kelly” Ericka said “She she’s our friend and Jessie’s girlfriend”

“Oh Really?” Ericka’s mom smiled “Where are my manners anyway, I’m Alex. It’s a pleasure to meet you”

“Likewise” said Kelly

It was really nice spending time with a real loving family. Erika’s father Jake was the bear huggy type and it showed, lifting her off her feet in appreciation for helping fix the car. Her mother Alex was a very loving mother, but also had a playful inner teenager vibe to her. They insisted that Kelly and Tex stay for dinner and made her feel like she was part of the family. When the sun started to go down, and Tex went home, Ericka insisted she stay the night. Kelly tried to argue about imposing but Ericka and Alex weren’t having any of it.

“You are not imposing in the least” said Alex “Besides, it’s nice to have another girl in the house

After taking a nice hot shower and changing into a comfy pair of borrowed Pj’s, she crashed on the spare bed in Ericka’s room. It was pure heaven not getting beaten before bed or crying herself to sleep.

“Hey Ericka?” Kelly said yawning and getting comfortable “Thanks for letting me stay over”

“It’s what friends do” Ericka said sleepily “Goodnight Kell”

“Goodnight

~O~

“Save me!” Rani yelled as she hung from Kelly’s right arm for dear life

“Fuck that little shit! Save me!” Ryan demanded as he hung from Kelly’s left arm

The situation was dire, both we’re dangling over the edge of a cliff gripped tightly to one of Kelly’s arms. Try as she might to pull both up it was no use; she just didn’t have the strength. Making matters worse, with each attempt, she slid closer to the edge herself. To keep from going over, she had to let one of them go…..

“Please don’t let me go” Rani begged crying as she started to slip

“To hell with that little shit!” Ryan yelled angrily “You save me, you get your life back! Money, power, and better yet no more beatings! It’s a no brainer”

“What about Love? What about being happy?” Rani pleaded “What about Jessie?”

“Fuck that little nigger mutt!” Ryan screamed “Look what he did to you, to US! He made us fags!”

“No, he didn’t!” Rani screamed “He liked us! He loves us!”

“Shut up! SHUT UP!” Ryan howled kicking at the little girl “I don’t give a fuck about him! In fact I’m glad I killed him!”

“What did you say?" Kelly asked

“I said I’m glad I killed him!” Ryan said smugly “In fact if you get me back, Jessie will never bug you again and Dad will keep us out of trouble like always”

“You know what your right!” Kelly said slowly pulling him up “You are absolutely right!”

“Kelly what are you doing?!” Rani cried desperately trying to hang on “Don’t do this! Don’t let me go!”

“Sucks to be you, you little bitch!” Ryan said with an arrogant smile “She knows that going back to me is for the best”

His cocky smile disappeared as he locked eyes with the girl holding on to him. It was a cold angry icy stare filled with pure disgust and self hate

“You’re right, it is a no brainer” Kelly said gritting her teeth “I can’t believe that I was ever someone like you! I’d never want to be you again, especially if Jessie wasn’t around. I love him”

“You’d give up a life of utter luxury and power for him?” Ryan said in disbelief “Stop playing around! Obviously you still want to go back or else you wouldn’t have pulled me up”

“Oh you still don’t get it, do you?” Kelly said coldly “I just wanted to look you in the eyes before I told you how much I hate you, how much I despise you. I finally realized that i was never happy being you!"

“You wouldn’t give you up life as me! You couldn’t!” Ryan said in fear

“I already have!” Kelly said with a smile “This is from Rani, Jessie and of course, Me…FUCK YOU!”

Without any more hesitation she loosened her grip letting Ryan fall over the edge. His screams were cut off quickly as he smacked on the rocks below with a sickening wet thud

“I really thought you were going to let me go” Rani sniffed as she was pulled up to safety

“No,I never would have let you go” Kelly said hugging the little girl “You’re the part of me that loves Jessie the most”

“But you remember what Felicia said, He doesn’t remember me!” Rani cried “Jay doesn’t remember me anymore!”

“Then we’ll have to make him fall in love with us all over again, okay?” Kelly smiled wiping her tears “You’re just going to have to help me though”

"Really?" The little girl asked incredulously “You really mean it?”

"Yeah"

~O~

The next morning Kelly woke up with a wide grin. That little voice that in her head was finally silenced. There was no doubt in her mind now. She wanted Jessie back, she wanted to be the girlfriend to him that she really couldn’t be all those years ago.

“You’re awfully chipper this morning!” said Ericka

“I think today is gonna be a good day” Kelly smiled

The Jenkins’s household was a hustling and bustling one. Breakfast like dinner was truly a family affair and they made every effort to include Kelly in it. After breakfast Tommy left early to meet his girlfriend and Jake had to go to work for a few hours. That left the house all to the three women. They all grinned mischievously, immediately racing up stairs to get ready for the festival.

*sigh* Maybe I shouldn’t do this!” Alex said almost depressively looking in the mirror at her body “I’ll just embarrass myself “

“Mom you look fine!” said Ericka

“Yeah I’d kill for your body” Kelly said honestly

“That sweet you two but when you get old like me you get a bit self conscious” Alex said another sigh. “Maybe your father just isn’t attracted to me like he used to”

“Mom don’t start that again” Ericka sighed “You are barely 35, look pretty damn hot for your age and you know Dad thinks you’re beautiful”

“Yeah, I just wish he’d tell me every now and again” said Alex softly

“Well lets remind him” Kelly smiled “If I’m getting a makeover so should you”

Before Alex could argue the girls dragged the mom into the large master bathroom. As they undressed both Alex and Ericka gasped as they saw Kelly’s back. Long faded scars with very slight recent bruising

“Oh my god!” Alex said covering her mouth “What happened to your back, baby?

“It’s just an old injury” Kelly said sweetly “It’s fine really.”

Ericka and Alex looked at each other and then at Kelly deciding to drop it for now. She was lying, that was plain obvious, those were belt marks and they had been happening for quite some time. Poor kid. They’d both would talk to Jake later about this.

“Okay let get dolled up” Ericka said trying to change the subject

~O~

“Hey Jessie, pick up the damn phone!” Tex said in frustration as Jessie’s phone rang over 8 times

“Yeah, I’m here” Jessie answered in slight annoyance

“How ya feeling bud?” Tex asked

“I’m doing better thanks” Jessie said “Still a little sore but okay

“Ericka said that if yer you still in bed, I’m supposed to drag ya kicking and screaming to the boardwalk” Tex said

“Have you ever considered being the poster boy for whipped boyfriend magazine?” Jessi asked with a smile

“Have ya ever been considered fer one handed digest?” Tex shot back with a smile

“Touché, cornbread” said Jessie “So what’s up?”

“Well, I’m going to pick up the girls right now” Tex said “Where are ya?”

“I’m on my way to boardwalk now, I’ll just wait for you guys there” Jessie said “You guys are bringing Kelly right?”

“Sorry bro!” Tex said imitating static “Yer breaking up!”

“You’re an asshole you know that!” said Jessie as he hung up the phone

~O~

Jake and Tex both arrived at the Jenkins home at about the same time.

“Hey, you all set for the festival , Max ?” Jake said walking up to the doorstep

“Ya know it, Mr. Jenkins” Tex said with a smile “ How about you?”

“Oh yeah” said Jake “Just as soon as I get out of my uniform”

“I thought detectives didn’t wear uniforms” Tex said

“Only for special occasions” said Jake “The mayor had one of her long winded speeches and they were short on security. The good news that unless something truly earth shattering happens, I got the rest of the night off”

The front door opened and three ravishing looking women stepped out, Ericka wore a Modest blue bikini to with a matching sarong and flip flops. Tex thought she looked so beautiful. Kelly wore a red bikini with a matching sarong, flip flops and a Hawaiian style shirt open in the front. Oh, Jessie was going to flip when he saw her
But by far the eye catcher was Alex, wearing a sexy black bikini top that accentuated her womanly curves and generous cleavage with a matching sarong that teased small peeks her well shaped ass. Jake couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

“You girls have fun tonight okay?” said Alex with a smile feeling sexy for the first time in a long time “Kelly?”

“Yeah?” Kelly asked

“Our door is always open to you” said Alex giving her a gentle hug “We are here for you, okay?”

“Thanks, that means a lot” said Kelly

"Hey Pop!” Ericka said giving her father a big hug “Can I have a little bit of money for the festival?”

“Uh sure” Jake said not taking his eyes off of his very sexy looking wife

“Dad?” You just gave me a hundred!” Ericka said in surprise

“Oh I’m sorry!” said Jake handing her another “Um, your mother and I will meet you guys later on..”

Alex couldn’t help but giggle like a little girl, Jake was just so speechless like when they were first dating.

“Wow!” Jake said taking his wife by the hand “You look so beautiful. I..I mean you always look beautiful but.. just Damn!”

“Have fun guys” Alex said as she lead her husband inside the house with a knowing wink at the girls “Don’t wait up."

As the door closed, the three just stood there with their jaws open.

“Okay..Um…let’s get the hell out of here before I get a mental image of my parents fucking!” Ericka said a bit of distaste

~O~

“Hey there he is!” Tex said driving up to the parking lot

“I’ll be damned” said Ericka “He really did show up”

Getting out of the car, they met up with Jessie. Ericka gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek, and Tex gave his bud a huge hug.

“It’s good to see you up and about” said Ericka sweetly “How are you feeling?

“I’m okay” said Jessie “I guess my date didn’t show up, huh”

“Sorry” Tex said “She had other plans”

“It’s cool” Jessie said a bit disappointed “Anyway, like I said before three’s a crowd “

Feeling a soft tap on his shoulder, he turned around. Behind him was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Her makeup was done a bit differently, subtle tones and red lipstick. A couple of barrettes that kept her bangs out of her pretty green eyes and whoa, did she look great in a bikini.

“I think we should leave these two alone, don’t you?” Tex said kissing his girlfriend

“Yeah” Ericka said snuggling on his chest “Besides I need some alone time with my man anyway”

Kelly shyly looked at Jessie. He wore some board shorts and a Hawaiian shirt opened in the front, his ribs and arm were still bandaged and taped. She noticed that despite all that, he really had a nice looking toned body, not overly muscular but just right. The swelling was gone from his face as well as the bandages. He looked really cute

“Hey…” they both said softly at almost the same time

“I know I have no right to ask” Kelly said shyly “But can we..um…can we start over?

“Are you sure you even want to be with me?” said Jessie self consciously

“Ugh! You are so fucking frustrating!” “ Kelly sighed “Of course I want to, you dumbass!”

“I’m frustrating? You’re the one who can't seem to make up her mind!” Jessie argued

“*Sigh* Get this though your thick fucking skull!” she shouted “I care about….”

Her angry outburst was stopped short by a pair of lips pressing against hers softly and quickly

“I care about you too” he said softly with a smile taking her by the hand “You’re right, no more fighting. Let just enjoy today, okay?

“Okay…” she whispered softy

If she had a happier time in her life, it paled comparison to today. From going on the rides to acting stupid in the photo booths, it was wonderful. Just being able to spend time with him, she couldn’t have wished for anything more. She couldn’t stop laughing as Jessie argued with little Maria who was running a small lemonade booth on the board walk with Felicia.

“Well, well, well” Jessie sneered “If it isn’t our friendly neighborhood scam artist”

“l’ll have you know that my prices are very fair!” Maria said proudly

“$5 for glass of stinking lemonade is fair?!?” said Jessie "What, are you pitting cocaine in it?"

"Oh please!" scoffed Maria "I'd have charge more if i added that. its just made with sweetness and love"

"Your up to something little girl" Jessie said "I can just sense it!"

“Jessie, you do realize you are arguing with a 7 year old? “ Felicia laughed

“I’ll be back, I have to use the little boy’s room” Jessie narrowing his eyes at smiling little girl “Kelly, keep an eye on this one, she’s sneaky!”

“You look wonderful, Kelly” Felicia said with an approving grin as Jessie left

“I take it you two finally made up?” Maria said wiggling her eyebrows

“Well, we’re taking it slow but …Yeah” Kelly blushed “Um..Maria? Were you serious about what you said? You know about being welcome to this life and body?”

“I’m positive” said Maria “I’m really happy now and as an added bonus, I get to annoy Jessie to my little heart’s desire! It’s so fun, he’s like the big brother I always wanted”

“I take it you made a decision?” Felicia asked curiously

“I don’t want to be Ryan again, not ever” Kelly said giving the older woman a hug “Yeah my life is still hard, but it’s getting better”

“Hey don’t I get a hug too?” Maria pouted

Kelly smiled giving the girl a bug bear hug whispering sincere thanks. As Jessie came, back she lovingly grabbed him by the hand.

“Don’t break her heart Jessie!” Maria warned

“I wouldn’t dream of it” Jessie said with a smile

“Well don’t hang around here!” Felicia said shooing them away “Go have fun!”

“Bye, guys” said Jessie kissing her on the forehead and patting Maria on the head

~O~

The sun went down as the festival started to wind down. Jake and Tommy won second place in the car contest but Jake could care less. He had an increasingly hard time keeping his hands off his lovely wife.

“Well lookie here!” smiled Alex approvingly “What a lovely young couple!”

“Alex? Wow, you look amazing!” Jessie said

“Hey now!” said Alex blushing at the compliment “Is that anyway for you to talk in front of your date?”

“You ogling my woman, boy?” boomed a deep voice behind him as a large hand rested on his shoulder

“Uh..no..sir..i was just admiring her lovely flip flops!” gulped Jessie in a obviously faked fearful voice

“I didn’t expect you to be up and around so soon kid” Jake laughed squeezing his shoulder gently “How are you feeling?”

“Better” Jessie said looking at Kelly “Thanks to her, much, much better”

Kelly blushed as Ericka’s parents smiled sweetly.

“Well, we are going to let you two enjoy your evening!” said Jake wrapping his arms lovingly around his wife “I think we need to have some fun of our own don’t you hon?”

“Ohhhh” Alex purred seductively “What did you have in mind?”

“Oh, I could think of a few things” smiled Jake

“Wow I never seen them that lovey, dovey!” said Jessie as they walked off holding hands like love struck teenagers

“Who knows” said Kelly grabbing his hand “Maybe, the festival is magic”

“Maybe”

Meeting up with Tex and Ericka, the 4 walked toward a large outside dance party. Jessie and Kelly not being fans of dancing sat it out on nearby bench as Tex and Ericka decided to get their grove on. They both laughed as the duo bumped and grinded, almost x-rated. Say what you will about those two but they were perfect for each other.

“Today has been really wonderful” Kelly said leaning her head on his shoulder

“It has hasn’t it?” Jessie said with a smile watching all the other couples dancing to fast paced music

“Okay everyone!” The MC said as the song ended “It’s the last song of the festival, an oldie but a goodie. So grab your girl and head to the dance floor!’

As the opening notes of the Flamingo’s song “I only have eyes for you” started, Jessie got up and gently took Kelly’s arm.

“Ms Daniels?” Jessie asked in his best Billy Dee William’s voice “Would you do me the honor of the last dance of the night?”

“You are an idiot with that cheesy impression” she laughed “But yes, Mr. Taylor, I would be honored”

As he led her to the dance floor, she had to admit the song, while not exactly her taste in music, was the perfect choice.

“Jessie?” she whispered putting her arms around his neck “I don’t know how to slow dance, though”

“Me either” smiled Jessie resting his hands on her hips “I guess we’ll just have to fake it.”

As they slowly rocked in a circle, he couldn’t help but gaze into her hypnotic emerald green eyes. She was really pretty but he always thought she was anyway. Yeah she was rough around the edges but honestly there was no girl like her, none could compare to her.

My love must be a kind of blind love… I can’t see anyone but you….

She looked into his gorgeous baby browns with a sly smile. Even with his face a little bruised, he was so handsome. She was always in love with that dimpled smile of his and the way he just made her feel so special.

Are the stars out tonight?..... I don’t know if it’s cloudy or bright …..

“You know what would make tonight end perfectly?” Jessie asked in a husky whisper

“What?” Kelly whispered back softly

I only have eyes.....for you....

Taking a hand off her hip, he gently tilted her chin upward. She closed her eyes slowly as he moved in for a passionate kiss. She took a hand off his neck, gently caressing his cheek. He was right; this was the perfect way to end the night.

Breaking the kiss, they realized the song had long ended as the other dancers clapped in approval causing both to turn bright red.

“I didn’t think you two were ever going to come up for air” the Mc teased as the crowd laughed

“Wow! So are you two now finally going to make it official yet?” Ericka whispered sweetly as they left the dance floor “You’d better after that!”

“I don’t know yet, we're gonna take it slow” whispered Kelly with a smile “But I want really want to”

“Well, I’ll let you two work it out” said Ericka devilishly “Tex and I have some alone time of our own to spend”

~O~

The festival was over but neither was in any real rush to go home yet.

“Jessie? If I was totally honest with you,” Kelly said holding his hand tightly as they walked down the beach “Would you still like me?”

“What?!” Jessie said in surprise “Oh no, please don’t say you’re having second thoughts and you think today was all a mistake again.”

“No not that” Kelly said soothing his doubts “Today has gone totally right! It’s just…..

“It’s just what?” Jessie asked with a cocked eyebrow

Sitting on a piece of driftwood, trying not to cry she told him everything. The bullying as Ryan, the way she killed him, the punishment, the dreams, her feelings toward him.... everything. She didn't want to hide anything from him anymore

“Wait a minute?” said Jesse trying to take this unbelievable story in “ So let me get this straight, you are really Ryan Thomas who was secretly in love with me but in his fucked up way could only show it by kicking the holy hell out of me whenever he felt like it? Do I have so far?”

“Pretty much” Kelly said looking at her feet

“Then somehow you kill me by impaling me on a suit of armor in the shop” Jessie continued “Inciting the wrath of my grandmother who just happens to be a gypsy witch. My Gram, who can hardly use a computer, yet has somehow found a way to warp reality. Not only bringing me back from the dead but somehow bringing you back in Kelly’s body while letting your old body die in a fiery car crash?”

“Well when you put it like that it does sound crazy!” Kelly replied

“That's because it is crazy!” Jessie said

“I swear it’s true!” Kelly said

“Okay, this is just too much for me” Jessie said throwing his hands up in disbelief “I don’t have the patience for any more games. I’m out of here”

“That scar on your shoulder?” Kelly said her voice breaking “I gave you that in 8th grade when i stuffed you in your locker. You had to get 10 stitches and a tetanus shot. The tiny scar on your forehead in between your eyes? That’s when I slammed you face first in the water fountain …..

Jessie stopped dead in his tracks. Turning around slowly, he roughly grabbed the smaller girl laying her across his lap. Snatching her bikini bottoms he pulled them down, exposing her pale soft ass cheeks.

“Do have any idea how much I suffered because of you?” Jessie yelled slapping her ass as hard as he could “DO YOU!”

“Jessie, please believe me I am so sorry!” pleaded Kelly as tears streamed down her cheeks

This is for all the times I had to hide from you” he yelled hitting her ass again “And this is for all the times I had to go to the hospital because of you! And this is all the times you called me a worthless nigger mutt!”

Kelly whimpered as he hit her ass. But at the same time it didn’t really hurt that much anymore, in fact it started to feel kind of ….good

“And this is for……Oh my god!” Jessie said realizing that he had just became exactly what he despised, a bully

”Kelly…..I.I..holy shit..I’ll stay away from you..I’m so sorry!”

Kelly watched sadly as he ran off in horror at what he had done. She called after him but he didn't even look back

~O~

It was late before she got home. Her eyes were a bit red from crying but hopefully she could smooth things over with Jessie tomorrow. At least she hoped she could

“Stupid, stupid, stupid! It was all going so perfect!” she thought as she opened the door “Why didn’t I just keep my stupid mouth shut!”

“Where the fuck have you been?” her stepfather growled drunk as usual

“The boardwalk festival” Kelly said

“Where the fuck did you get money?” he accused “You better not have taken it from my wallet!”

“I don’t need to take anything from your sorry ass!” Kelly shot back feeling remarkably brave

“WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME!” he roared getting right in her face

“Nothing” she said wrinkling her nose in disgust at the man and his liquor laced bad breath

“Well, lookie here” He said tracing her breasts with his disgusting fingers “The little freak cleans up nice…real nice”

“Don’t fucking touch me!” she said slapping his hand away

His eyes lit up in anger and he responded by backhanding her across the face. Grasping her face, he squeezed her cheeks making her look at him in the eyes

“I think you need to be taught who’s king of the castle around here!” her stepfather said “Its high time for you to learn a woman’s place”

“You touch me and I swear I’ll go to the cops!” Kelly threatened

“Who do you think they’re gonna believe?" he laughed flashing a badge “A little punk kid or one of their own? Now get on your knees!”

“Fuck you!” Kelly said defiantly

“Fuck me?” Her stepfather said pulling out his service pistol and pointing it to her head with a heart stopping sounding click “No, you're the one that’s gonna get fucked! Now get on your knees…NOW!”

“OH my god!” Kelly complied fearfully as she realized what was happening “This is why she killed herself!"

“Yeah, I think I’m gonna train you to be the best little cocksucker in town” her stepfather said unzipping his pants “In fact you’re gonna give me head when I come home from now on!”

She gagged in pure disgust as he forced his thing into her mouth. But she couldn’t fight it, not with that gun at her head. Tears fell down her cheeks as she had to suck on that retched nasty thing.

“Oh shit, you're good!” moaned her stepfather “I think I’m going to have to break you in after you're done cleaning me off! You'd like that wouldn't you you little slut!”

Her eyes widened in anger then. Gun at her head or no, There was no way in hell he was going to do that to her! It was bad enough he was forcing her to suck his nasty fucking cock and even that was too fucking much. She was not going to let this continue, even if she did die tonight.

Snarling in pure hate, she bit down on him with everything she had. He screamed in pain as he dropped the gun, holding his now bleeding crotch. Kicking the gun under the couch, Kelly turned to run only to get tackled by him. She tried to fight him but he was just too big.

“You fucking bitch!” he screamed getting on top of her wrapping his big hands around her throat “I’ll fucking kill you!”

Gasping for air, she grabbed the closest thing she could, his badge. Feeling herself starting to black out, she slashed him across the face with it causing him to let her go. Coughing as her burning lungs got the air they needed, she kicked him in the face as hard as she could and quickly bolted out the door leaving him writhing in pain on the living room floor.

~O~

Thunder shook the sky and heavy rain fell as a sudden storm hit town. Kelly walked aimlessly avoiding the main streets. She didn't know if he called his cop buddies on her or not but she was not taking a risk of them finding her. Her clothes were in tatters from the fight and soaked from the rain. She had already vomited in a nearby dumpster and that made her feel a little bit better but now she really had nowhere to go. Ericka and Tex were probably at a hotel or something. Jake and Alex were out. Jake was a cop, they’d never believe her. But maybe… Just maybe…

It was about 2 in the morning when Jessie was woken up by a loud almost desperate pounding on his front door.

“Who the hell could be knocking at my door at this hour?” He thought groggily, having taken a pain pill earlier for his ribs

Opening the door, Kelly stood there on his door step soaked to the bone. She had a cut on her trembling bottom lip. Her make up all smeared and ruined and her hawaiian shirt was buttoned up tightly in a failed attempt to keep warm

“Kelly?” Jessie said bringing her inside “Oh my god what happ....."

“Shut up!” she cried burying her head into his chest “Just shut up and hold me! Please?”

He held her until she stopped crying, just like he did when she was at the beach. Walking back into the bedroom he grabbed an old t-shirt and a pair of sweats. Kelly whispered a soft thank you before going in the bathroom and taking a well needed hot shower

“It could have been worse” she thought as she soaped her body “It could have been a lot fucking worse!”
Gargling with some of his mouthwash, she felt a bit cleaner. This was just so fucked up! The most wonderful amazing evening she ever had was now tainted by that asshole. She hoped his fucking dick got infected and fell off.

Looking in the mirror at her face, she didn’t feel like a victim anymore. In fact, she felt pretty empowered actually. She finally stood up to that bastard and made him hurt for once!

Walking out of the bathroom in Jessie’s over size sweats and t-shirt, She noticed him pulling out the guest sofa. He winced in pain as he did so. She tried to help but he just brushed her aside, assuring her he could handle pulling out a sofa. She noticed his attitude was different as if he was trying to keep her at a distance. Could it be that he thought less of her now? Did he really hate her now?

“Um…I’m gonna head to bed now” said Jessie almost sadly “If you need anything just ask, okay?”

“Thanks” Kelly said as he went into his bedroom

“No problem” he said clicking off the light “Goodnight”

“Goodnight”

~O~

Between the loud sudden heavy thunderstorm, nightmares of her stepfather try to force himself on her and Jessie's distant behavior, she found it almost impossible to sleep. It also didn’t help that the sofa bed was uncomfortable as hell.

Getting up, she went to the fridge and grabbed herself a glass of cold milk. As she drank it a small smile grew over her face. Setting the glass in the sink, she quietly tip toed toward his room. She really didn’t need to as the thunderstorm was quite loud but she did so anyway. Peering in, she saw him sleeping soundly, kind of adorable looking really. she noticed a small pile of clothing by his bed. His pj’s that he was wearing earlier and his…boxers

“Hmmm” Kelly thought with a smile “He sleeps naked? Interesting…..”

Jessie felt the covers of his bed pulled back and felt something small soft and warm cuddle up close to his body. Opening his eyes, he noticed Kelly making herself very comfortable, laying her head on his chest. Under any any other circumstances he would have been in heaven but now.. it wasn’t right

“Ryan?” Jessie said sleepily “Look I don’t think…..”

“Let me fucking stop you right there!” Kelly said silencing him with a single slender finger to his lips “ Ryan is gone…he’s never coming back, ever! All that's left is someone that cares about you very deeply, okay? So please don’t call by that name, ever again”

“But, you said..” started Jessie

“My name is Kellyanne Millicent Daniels, got it?” Kelly said glaring at him when he snickered at her middle name
“Though if you ever and i mean ever, call me by my full name, I’ll kick your fucking ass!”

“Okay, Kelly..” Jessie said “God this is so weird!”

“Yeah it is. I fought it for a long time, and I almost lost you because of it.” Kelly said cuddling close “but I realized how much I’m in love with you, I guess how much I always have been.”

“I don’t exactly deserve it” Jessie looking away “I hurt you just as bad”

“What?”

“I hit you!” Jessie sadly “I got so angry, and I couldn’t stop myself”

“You’re kidding me right? That's what you’re so upset about?” asked Kelly laughing softly “Hahahaha”

“I'm failing to see the humor in that” said Jessie

“You could have punched me in the face, kicked me in the ribs, clubbed me with a piece of drift wood or done something else so much more horrible” Kelly smiled tracing his bandages “But instead you tried to spank me like a little girl and to be honest, didn’t even hurt that much.”

“Gee, thanks” Jessie said sarcastically “I guess is comforting to know that I suck as a woman beater”

“Believe me, that’s a really good thing” Kelly said flatly sitting up lifting her shirt “Take a look at my back, that’s from my stepfather. He's someone who’s really good at that shit.”

“Oh, my god!” Jessie said tracing the scars on her back

“Yeah” she said resting her head back on his chest enjoying the soft thump of his heartbeat “So if you still feel bad, don’t. Besides you spank like a girl anyway.”

“I don’t know if I should be glad or insulted” Jessie said gently stroking her hair “Still how can I make this up to you?”

“After everything I’ve done to you,” said Kelly gently with a smile “I can deal with a little spanking from you. But only if I’m a really naughty girl!"

“I'm trying to be serious...” Jessie said

“Hey,” she said softly tracing his cheek “Just…Just love me, okay? Just love me as much as I love you”

“Oh that's easy” he said kissing her gently on the lips “But still, this is all just so crazy..”

“But you have to admit, it feels so right” Kelly said yawning and snuggling close fully enjoying his arms wrapping around her “Mmmmmmmmmm, you’re really comfy”

"Well i try to please" Jessie said yawning himself

“You succeed” Kelly whispered as she closed her eyes

She felt so wonderfully safe in his arms and it wasn’t long until both were soundly asleep, both with content smiles on their faces

~O~

Felicia woke up in a cold sweat. This time the pain was even more excruciating than last time. Racing to the bathroom she coughed up bit of blood as violent spasms shook her body. As they slowly subsided, she had this deep feeling on dread in the pit of her soul that something terrible was coming……

Second Chances

By Alexander Kung

Kelly Daniels, formerly the hate filled bully Ryan Thomas, finds herself madly in love with boy she once bullied. Now fully accepting of her new life, she now finds she has a dangerous problem…her stepfather’s wrath

Second Chances — Part 5

Kelly’s eyes fluttered open as the soothing sounds of the waves crashing on the beach along with crisp sea air floating through the nearby open window. Shaking the sleepy cobwebs from her head, she fully awoke with a smile on her face. She had spent the night cuddling with Jessie, in his bed no less and loved every moment of it.

“Leave it to you to always make me feel so much better” she thought as she traced his face with a slender finger “My handsome prince”

Kissing him on the nose, she slowly slipped out of bed taking great care not to disturb him. He really did look so cute sleeping and he seemed to need it more than she did. Walking into the bathroom, she gingerly slid out of the borrowed t shirt and sweats she had on.

Facing the mirror, she looked at the face that had been hers for little over a month. It was funny how used she had gotten to it in such a short time. From the pampered big asshole on campus to a sad lonely girl with a rotten home life.

"And when I needed somebody…he was always there for me” Kelly thought as her eyes started to water up “Even when I didn’t deserve it”

When she was Ryan she beat Jessie almost sadistically over something so stupid and even worse ended up accidently killing him. Then as Kelly she treated him pretty badly, fighting all the confusing emotions the she secretly wanted all these years and ending up breaking his heart. It was only just a stroke of luck that their friends helped them wonderfully make up at the board walk festival.

“It really was wonderful” she thought as she washed her face in the sink “Until he ruined it!”

He, of course, being her sick asshole stepfather. But she got him good for both herself and Maria. Quickly she took another swig of mouth wash as the mental image of him shoving his nasty putrid thing in her mouth at gunpoint filled her head.

“I hope that fucking thing falls off” she smiled evilly reveling in the pain she put him in “There is only one…..”

She stopped and looked in the mirror as she really thought about what she about to say. Looking at the tomboyish, blond haired and green eyed girl in the mirror, it made it so much easier to complete the thought. Gone was that little voice that told her that it was so wrong to like another boy. She was happily a girl now, like she was all those years ago. Only now she a very sexy feeling one.

“There’s only one cock allowed in my mouth” she thought as she licked her lips sensuously “and only one allowed in me and that is Jessie’s”

A bright red blush covered her face as she thought about his delicious looking cock. And it was so close by too. She remembered that he was naked in bed in the next room. All ready for her like a fresh piece of sweet fruit just ripe for her to pick and savor slowly.

“Why the hell not?” she whispered to herself in a husky sounding voice as she touched herself “I could have him now the way I always wanted to….”

Leaving the bathroom bare naked, she sauntered toward his room feeling a bit silly but sexy as the same time. Her stomach was filled with butterflies as her breasts bounced and her hips swayed as she made her way to his room.

Tip toeing to the foot of his bed, a small sly and mischievous smile appeared on her face as she gripped the large comforter on his bed. With a strong quick yank, she promptly pulled it off revealing him in full nakedness. It didn’t even disturb him as he continued to sleep pretty soundly

“Ohhhhh” she thought approvingly as she revealed his yummy naked body “Just my luck, rock hard morning wood!”

Crawling softly on the bed, she made her way to the object of her desires. It was so different from that nasty one forced into her mouth, Jessie’s was beautiful. It was just like it was in her fantasy with a nice little surprise….he was shaved nice and smooth down there, just like she was.

“Fuck coffee” she thought with a wicked smile “I got a better way to wake up in the morning”

Gently gripping his cock in her hand, she was surprised by how warm it was. Softly stroking it up and down, she slowly brought her lips to the delicious mushroom shaped head….

~O~

Jessie felt a strange but not at all unwelcome feeling as he woke up. Cracking open his eyes; he snapped almost imminently awake as realized what was going on. Kelly Daniels was giving him the best blowjob he had ever felt in his life.

She seemed to be enjoying herself as she bobbed her head up and down while sucking in her cheeks. She softly moaned in pleasure as she licked him

“Kelly?” Jessie said between gasps “You need to stop; I’m almost ready to pop!”

“So pop! Don’t worry, I want you to” she said before starting to suck even harder and moaning even louder

“But…” Jessie argued unable to hold back any longer

Kelly smiled inwardly as he exploded in her mouth. She happily gulped all of it down, licking her lips very sexily after she was done.

“Kelly? Not that I didn’t enjoy this but do you think we should be doing this?

Not answering him she lustfully crawled on top of him, kissing him tenderly on the lips and then gently laying her head on his chest.

“Jessie?” she said “I want only good memories now. I want to fuck someone I’m madly in love with… and that’s you!”

Jessie shoved her off of him and she looked at him with a hurt look on her face. I guess he was still upset at the revelation that she used to be Ryan. It was understandable

“Look…um..I’ll just go “Kelly said sadly, feeling rejected and moving off the bed

“No! You are going to stay right where you are and you’re going to shut your eyes” said Jessie flatly

“But why?” Kelly asked in confusion “Did I do something wrong?”

“Just do it!” said Jessie forcefully “Turn over and close your eyes, I need to get something!”

“What do you need to get ?” thought Kelly a bit fearfully as she shut her eyes

“A nice little toy to punish you with” said Jessie leaving the room “I haven’t forgot all the mean shit you’ve done to me both as Ryan or as Kelly”

Her lip trembled and yet she felt herself getting ever wetter by the second as she raced through her mind what he would be getting. A dildo? A whip? Handcuffs?

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE” she yelped as an unexpected cold sensation slid up her spine

Opening her eyes, she sighed in relief as not only had his demeanor changed back into the sweet boy she fell in love with but his punishment toy turned out to be an ordinary ice cube, silk scarves and his yummy looking cock wrapped in a condom.

“Let’s play a game shall we?” said Jessie with a sly smile gently tying her to the bed with silk scarves

“Ooooooh and what sort of game it this?” she asked curiously biting her lip shyly

“Very simple, I’m am going to tease you mercilessly and you can’t touch me even though you will want to”

“Humph! That’s it?” sneered Kelly dismissively “You call that a punishment?”

She may have scoffed at first, but it didn’t take long to change her mind. It started first with him gliding the ice cube all over her naked body, slowly circling her nipples then taking the time to breathe on them with his hot breath making them harden almost painfully but a very good feeling pain. He would tease her by licking them only once before moving elsewhere.

She struggled against her silken bindings wanting to wrap her legs around him, kiss him deeply and dig her nails into his back. But she could do nothing but struggle as he continued to tease her more. She gritted her teeth as he slowly pulled the ice cube between her breasts, bringing it down her stomach and then gently to her already swollen clit.

"Oh my god, You wouldn’t dare…” she gasped "... would you?"

Not bothering to answer her he slowly took the cold ice cube circling her clitty. Gasping in pure pleasure, she felt his warm tongue licking her roughly driving her to the very brink. She wanted to grab, him run her fingers through his hair but ….but…..

“Jessie! i…ughhhhhhh oh….god…..mmmmmmm ” she whimpered as powerful orgasm shook her body.

Her body stiffened and shuddered as waves of pleasure washed over her. As she gasped and fought to catch her breath, Jessie slowly kissed his way back up her body, taking great care to be as tender as he could. Gentle kisses and nibbling on her stomach which she giggled a bit at it. She moaned deeply as he firmly grasped her breasts, sucking on them just enough before moving up and nibbling her neck. It was the sweetest torture.
She felt his hot breath on her lips, teasing ever so softly keeping her just inches away from a wonderful kiss.

“You’re a fucking asshole” she said with a sexy pout “Why would you tease me so?"

“What was that? You want me to fuck your asshole?” Jessie said with a smile “Okay!”

“Oh don’t you fucking dare” laughed Kelly as she felt him untie her "I will hurt you!"

As soon as she was free she grabbed his face and pulled him into the most passionate and deep kiss she could muster. Driving her tongue deep into his mouth, she slowly melted into the kiss as she felt his tongue wrap around hers. She never wanted to let him go, never wanted to be unable to touch him again.

Breaking the kiss, he noticed her she had been crying the whole time. Gently wiping them away, he kissed her gently on the forehead

“I’m sorry” said Jessie touching his forehead to hers “I didn’t mean to make you cry”

“I’m not crying because I’m sad” Kelly said looking into his eyes “Believe it or not, I’m happy. I’m not lonely anymore and with you I feel safe, warm and…and…

“And what?” Jessie asked with a smile, again wiping her tears

“Loved.” She said softly looking away “I know it sounds stupid but…I always wanted to be loved by you. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted it”

“Yeah?” said Jessie

“Yeah” she whispered

“You got it” he smiled “I love you, Kelly”

The tears really started to flow now as Kelly started to cry again. It was as if all her wishes as Rani was finally granted. When she was Rani she used to pray to god to make her a real girl so that she could marry Jay when she was older. When those dreams and wishes seemed to be farther and farther out of reach that’s when she became cruel as Ryan. Looking back she felt extremely guilty, of all the hell she put people through, especially Jessie.

“Jessie?” she sobbed burying her face into his chest “I’m so fucking sorry for everything I’ve ever done to you! I swear to god I am ”

“Hey, look at me” he said tilting her head toward his “Let’s forget about the past okay?”

“Really?” she asked softly “Even after all fucked up shit I’ve done to you?”

“Really” he smiled kissing her gently “Look, even if what you said is true, maybe this is the way it’s meant to be. I’m alive and so are you. Ryan, Kelly whoever you are now, I care about you. I …I..really do”

“Just call me Kelly now” she said snuggling close “As I said before, Ryan’s dead and gone. As far as I am concerned, good riddance to him. I’d rather be a girl with you than a hate filled bigoted bully with issues”

“So… do you want to go all the way?” Jessie asked while nibbling on her ear “I mean we can stop now if you don’t feel comfortable.

“You’re fucking kidding me, right?” Kelly said in pure sexual frustration while wrapping her legs around him “You don’t know how long I have dreamed of this moment. If you don’t fuck me hard, right now, I swear I’ll beat the shit out of you!”

“Well nice to know there’s no pressure” said Jessie with a very big grin “Though I don’t know if I should, being you’re so violent and all”

“Oh, you teasing little bastard” thought Kelly as she felt her body throb. “You’re not the only one with a few sneaky tricks”

Batting her pretty green eyes at him she gave him the sweetest looking pout she could muster and started biting very seductively on her finger. She giggled softly as his face turned bright red. Oh, she had him right where she wanted him.

“Please fuck me?” she said in the sweetest voice she could muster “Pretty please?”

It was so funny just how feminine she became is such a short time. But honestly she didn’t care, she’d far rather be feminine than to be a fake macho posturing boy again. Not only did she like being a girl now but also the fact that she was finally his girl.

“I want you so badly” she said slowly spreading her legs

It was a weird feeling, like a hot throbbing intrusion as she felt him enter her. The heat was amazing as his wonderful cock slid in and out of her.

“Oh fuck yeah!” she growled as she dug her nails into his chest as he pumped into her harder and harder “mmmmmm”

A fighter Jessie wasn’t, not by a long shot; but as a lover? Kelly had no complaints at all, he was everything she ever fantasized about and so much more. The feeling wasn’t weird any more, but starting feeling good….oh so very good.

“You are so beautiful” he said looking her in the eyes “I love you”

“I love you too, my handsome prince” she said bringing him in for a deep kiss while her legs wrapped hard around him around him squeezing tightly

Groaning in slight pain, Jessie had no choice but to pull out. At first Kelly thought he had came but seeing the slight tears welling up in his eyes and griping his side she noticed something else was wrong

“My god, how could I be so stupid!” she said pushing him off of her “I totally forgot about your ribs. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll be okay. It's just really tender” he gasped holding his side and rolling on his back “I guess I spoiled the mood huh?”

It was just like him, always thinking of others first. He was sweet almost to a fault sometimes, but she really liked that about him. She gently rubbed his bandaged ribs, making the pain go away a bit.

“I think you’ve done enough, baby” Kelly said sweetly, loving how the word baby rolled of her tongue

“Damn” sighed Jessie in disappointment “I really wanted to finish with you”

“We still can” Kelly smiled as she started to straddle him “Just let me take care of you now”

She lovingly started to grind on him, riding him oh so slowly savoring every wonderful motion as he slid in and out of her. Gritting her teeth as she clawed on his chest, she felt herself completely at her limit. She smiled widely as she heard him start breathing hard; she knew he was also at his limit too.

Sitting quickly up he roughly grabbed her heart shaped ass firmly as he kissed her passionately. She clawed at his back and sucked hard on his tongue as they both came hard together, collapsing in each other’s arms.

“How could I have ever wanted to be Ryan again?” thought Kelly as she rested her head on his chest, feeling completely satisfied.

“So..” said Jessie with a sly smile, running his fingers through her short blond hair “Did ya cum?”

“Jerk!” Kelly said playfully slapping him but thoroughly enjoying the nice afterglow

"Sorry" smiled Jessie "i couldn't resist"

"You're still a jerk anyway" she said with a smile "but yeah i did"

Getting off the bed she took Jessie by the hand and led him to the bathroom. She quickly turned on the shower and stepped in while gently pulling him in with her.

“MMMMMMM” she sighed as he soaped up her body, massaging her pale breasts with his wonderful strong hands
It was so wonderful; it was as if he was washing all the bad things away, making her feel so good. Turning around she stood up took the soap from him washing all the places not covered by the water proof bandages.

“If this is a dream” thought Kelly as she soaped his chest “Don’t ever wake me”

Standing on her tip toes, she kissed him again, feeling the wonderful tingle just like when she was little Rani kissing Jay.

“This may be a stupid question, but does this mean you’re my girlfriend?” asked Jay wrapping his arms around her

“If you want me to be” Kelly said as she softly as she leaned into his chest “I will be”

“I do” Jessie smiled

“That’s good” said Kelly with a smirk “Now I don’t have to kick your ass then if you said no”

“Ha”

After the water started to go cold, they got out and dressed into some t-shirts and shorts, though Kelly wouldn’t have minded being naked with him just a bit longer. But she was content because she would get more chances to be with him intimately now.

It was nice having breakfast together as boyfriend and girlfriend. It was a bit bitter sweet though, because while she had a nice feeling of déjá  vu when she was Rani, Jessie had no memories as Jay and probably would never would.

After eating a wonderful breakfast of fruit filled crepes they both cuddled on the couch for a bit as it was still an early Sunday morning. Being careful of his ribs she snuggled close laying her head on his chest, she loved how his soft beating heart was so wonderfully soothing. She smiled as he started to run his fingers through her hair again.

“Kell?” Jessie asked in almost a whisper “I need to know something and I need you to be honest with me”

“I promise” she said worried about serious tone of his voice “What’s bugging you?”

“Well” Jay said “When you were Ryan, why did you hate me so much? What did I ever do to you that you?”

“You really want to know?” she said sitting up and walking to a framed picture on the wall. Smiling weakly took
it off and sat back down on the couch. “Felicia told me about the accident, you don’t recognize any of these people, do you?”

Looking at the picture, Jessie had a pained look of his face as if he really wanted to remember but just couldn’t. In the picture were three adults smiling, 2 light skinned women and a black man along with 2 children in the front, a small blond headed girl with grey eyes and biracial boy with their eyes crossed and sticking out their tongues

“I know those are my parents, only because gram told me about them but the others I can’t remember anything” said Jessie sadly “and besides what does this have to do with you hating me as Ryan?”

“A lot actually” she said scooting closer and laying her head on his shoulder” That’s your mom Nadia and your father Darius. The other woman is my mom, well Ryan’s mom, Dina. The two kids were Rani and you..Jay

“Jay?” asked Jessie

“It was our nickname for you” said Kelly sadly “and Rani…she was really me..I mean Ryan”

“Ryan the huge ass foot ballplayer was this little girl?” Jessie asked softly “How? Magic too?”

“No” said Kelly “Ryan’s parents had a very nasty divorce. Ryan’s Dad had better lawyers and got custody but mom took me away to southern California to start a new life. She had me live as a little girl to make it harder for him to find us.”

“So that’s why your name was Rani” Jessie said “So what happened next?”

“I met my best friend in the whole world… You” said Kelly “We did everything together, learned how to ride our bikes, got into trouble with our parents together, and even building a tree house. But then something started to happen.

“What happened?”

“I started to like you, a lot” said Kelly “I didn’t feel like a boy pretending to be a girl but a girl that just happened to have boy parts if the makes any sense”

“Kind of” said Jessie

“Anyway, you were my very first kiss and…. she said starting to blush “My first boyfriend, we even made a promise to get married when we got older. I know it sounds stupid”

“I don’t get though” said Jessie “If all of this went so well why did you hate me?”

“Because it couldn’t last” Kelly said sadly “He finally found us, had mom arrested and took me away it was. I was never allowed to be a girl or show feminine traits again. Dad said it was mom’s and your fault that I was “queer” and he was gonna make a man out of me.”

“Oh joy” Jessie sighed “What happened to your mom”

“Dad dropped the kidnapping charges under the condition that she never contact me again” Kelly said her voice breaking “To sweeten the deal he paid her a half a million dollars which she took and disappeared”

“I’m sorry” he said putting his arm around her “Look you can stop if you want”

“No” said Kelly gritting her teeth, breathing heavily “3 years later I was molded into the boy that my father always wanted, though I always held some sort of hope that you would keep your promise and I could go back to being Rani. Then one day you showed up at my school….”

“Kelly?” Jessie said worried at her tone “You need calm down”

“Calm Down!?!” she growled pushing him away “Are you fucking kidding me? I loved you! I wanted you be with you and I couldn’t. All the time we were away from each other, I never stopped caring for you! And what do I get? You act like I didn’t even exist! You act like you didn’t even know me!”

“I didn’t remember! I swear!” said Jessie pulling her close

“I know.. I know... now” she said finally calming down in his arms and angry with herself for getting so mad “But at the time I didn’t and it hurt, hell it still hurts. I thought you hated me or was embarrassed that you kissed a boy. So I decided to hate you and make your life as miserable as mine was.

“I’m sorry”

“You have nothing to be sorry for” said Kelly leaning in and kissing him on the lips “if anything, I owe you apology upon apology.

“I guess I’m starting to understand why you bullied me” Jessie said

“Yeah” she said softly “It’s no excuse really, but my head was so fucked up. On one hand I was angry at you for making me feel this way, I was a boy and I liked a boy. On the other hand I was really mad because the more I became Ryan the less chance I could ever go back to being Rani. So I guess the only way I could be near you was to bully you. I called you all those rotten names; I hurt your wonderful face. I’m so sorry”

“It’s okay” he said tracing her face “We won’t talk anymore about the past, okay?”

“But…”

“I can’t remember anything about your time as Rani or mine as Jay. I really want to but I can’t” Jessie said gently “But I care about you as Kelly, okay? Will that be enough?”

“More than enough” she said pushing him down on the couch and snuggling close, laying her head on her favorite spot, his very comfortable chest. It was amazing how he could always make her feel so much better.

“How can forgive me so easily?” she asked in a whisper

“Because I care about you” Jessie said with a smirk “and you give great head”

She quickly lifted her head of his chest and gave him the coldest look she could muster but couldn’t keep it, not with the stupid looking smirk on his face. It wasn’t long before her lips melted into a smile of her own

“Not funny, you asshole!” she said playfully hitting him and resting her head back on his chest

She yawned a bit before closing her eyes and drifting into a peaceful slumber. He was so wonderfully comfortable.

~O~

*Ring Ring*

“Ugh, it never fails” thought sleepily Jessie as he picked up his cell “Hello?”

“Jessie, I’m so glad I got a hold of you!” Ericka said almost in a panic “Please tell me you’ve seen Kelly!”

“Seen Kelly?” asked Jessie looking at her who frantically shook her head “No, I haven’t seen her”

“Her stepfather reported her as a missing person” Ericka said “According to my dad, her stepdad said she stole $1000 bucks from his wallet, and ran off last night. Dude, I’m not buying it”

“Why?” asked Jessie

“She spent the night over our house, she didn’t take shit” said Ericka “Mom and I saw her back, she had scars all over it. He had to have been beating her”

“If I see her, I’ll let you know okay?” said Jessie “What does Jake think?”

“He isn’t buying it either” Ericka said “When he filed the report, dad said he had a black eye stitches on face and was limping. I can only guess but I think when he tried to beat on her again, she had enough and beat the shit out of him”

“If I see her I’ll let you guys know okay?” said Jessie

“Thanks” said Ericka hanging up

“I have to get out of here!”said Kelly freaking out and racing to the door.

“Hey wait!” said Jessie grabbing her arm “Please, just tell me what’s going on”

“I cant!” she said tearfully “You wouldn’t believe me!”

“Believe you? After all the other crazy shit that has been happening?” said Jessie sitting on the couch and pulling her on his lap “Look, I've been a bit more open minded lately. So let me help okay”

“Okay…” she whimpered “After you ran off last night, I went home. When I walked in the door, he was drunk like always. We had a fight and he pulled his gun on me and made me suck his thing.

“Oh my god” said Jessie softly wiping her tears

“Then he said he was going to break me in so….I bit him as hard as I could! Then I fought him off and ran. I had nowhere to go and so I came here.”

“Well you’re not going back there” said Jessie stroking her hair “Until we can get this straightened out you can stay here with me, okay?”

“I don’t want to get you in trouble!” Kelly argued “And there’s one more thing, he’s a cop”

“A cop?” Jessie asked “Then let’s talk to Jake about this!”

“You don’t get it do you? They look after their own.” she said going to her old clothes pile grabbing the badge she took from her stepfather and tossing it to him “See? I’m so fucked now, nobody’s going to believe me”

“Hey, I believe you and so does Ericka!” he said looking at the badge closely “Wait a minute! Something’s wrong with this badge. I don’t think he’s a real cop”

“What are you talking about?” said Kelly raising an eyebrow “I’ve seen him in uniform and driving around in a cruiser”

“I know but something’s not right” said Jessie looking at the badge “Get dressed. If you don’t want to go to Jake, then we’re going to the Relic. If my gram is really into the hocus pocus like you say that she is, then maybe she can help…”

~O~
It was a very slow day in the small shop as Jessie and Kelly walked through the doors. At first Felicia asked to speak to Kelly in private. But Jessie wasn’t having any of it.

“Gram, she told me everything” said Jessie “And I do mean everything!”

“That’s not exactly what I meant when I said to be honest with him Kelly” said Felicia crossing her arms

“I…I’m sorry!” she said looking down at her feet “I just didn’t want to hide anything from him anymore.

“Gram she’s been through a lot” said Jessie “

“Wow” said Maria popping seemingly out of nowhere “You know everything?"

“Beat it squirt! Don’t you have over priced lemonade to sell?” said Jessie patting her on the head “Besides this is a grown folks conversation"

“Well I guess a little kid like me wouldn't know anything. huh?” said Maria “ But let me ask you this; If Ryan got Kelly’s body, what happened to Kelly? She had to go somewhere didn’t she?”

“How did you….Holy shit!” said Jessie looking at the little girl who was smiling sweetly “You’re the original Kelly? The lemonade bandit?”

“Will you stop with the damn lemonade!” said Felicia “This is serious!”

“No, Gram, this is too much” said Jessie leaning on the desk “Okay let me get this completely straight, I get killed and you go batshit using your mumbo jumbo. Then I somehow come back normally, but Ryan becomes Kelly and the McQueen “boys” become slutty girls and Kelly becomes a little girl. It doesn’t make sense!”

“Chaotic magic rarely does” said Felicia sadly “When you died in my arms, I was so angry and I allowed the magic to do as it wished.”

“You know Jessie your taking all this remarkably well, considering she used to be the bully that kicked your ass all the time” Maria said noticing him holding Kelly’s hand “Did something happen between you two last night?”

They both said nothing be the bright red blush covering their faces spoke volumes.

“Oh my god” said Maria happily “You two went all the way didn’t you?”

“Maria, that’s enough!” said Felicia sternly “Jessie, I will have a talk with you about this later!”

“Yeah I know, and I’m expecting it to be pretty bad” said Jessie sheepishly “But back to the issue at hand, did you not say that you could never use your magic in anger or revenge without a severe karmic backlash?”

“I thought you didn’t believe in that stuff?” said Felicia

“I developed an open mind” said Jessie narrowing his eyes

“Well it has to be over” said Felicia hopefully “The backlash already happened when the car hit you!”

“You always told me that things come in threes” said Jessie “Number two has already happened. Kelly you need to
tell her or I will”

“Last night.. my step father …he... tried to ” said Kelly not wanting to remember

“Oh no” said Maria hugging Kelly “He got you too, didn’t he?”

“No, he tried to but I got away and I hurt him” said Kelly hugging the little girl “I got him for both of us”

“You did?” Maria asked softly

“Yeah I bit him hard and I cut him in the face with his badge”

The grandmother and grandson looked on as the two girls hugged each other while the little one whimpered softly

“Kelly? Maria?” said Jessie calmly looking out the window “I need you to hit the floor and make your way to the back room, as fast as you can”

“What? Why?” asked both

“Please just do it” said Felicia as she saw a police cruiser pull across the street

They quickly did what they were told, making it to the back room just as the cop entered the store. The both recognized him instantly; it was Kelly’s abusive stepfather. He was a slightly overweight and arrogant looking man. With balding black hair and dark almost black eyes. The type of person that loved the power that his uniform gave.

He walked with a heavy limp, he had a black eye and stitches on the side of his face, just like Ericka described. Jessie knew it had to be him

“Can I help you?” asked Felicia politely

“I’m Officer Bill Anderson, I have reason to believe that a runaway and thief in the area” said the man “I’m afraid I’m going to have to search the premises”

“Do you have a warrant to do so?” asked Jessie sharply

“I find those who ask that usually got something to hide!” said the cop snottily ”I don’t need a warrant, I have probable cause, boy!”

“Boy!” said Jessie insulted “Hey, fuck you!”

“What did you say to me! I’ll run you in, you little punk” growled the man “Look at the badge, I’m a sworn officer of the law”

“Jessie?” said Felicia worriedly

“I’d like to see you try, asshole! Don’t worry gram, he’s not a real cop!” said Jessie glaring at the man “He’s one step below a mall cop. Isn’t that right, Mr. Auxiliary Cop? ”

Form their hiding place both girls looked at each other in confusion. He had the uniform and the car he had to be a real cop right? What the hell was an auxiliary cop?

“Don’t think for one second that you can fool me, man” said Jessie narrowing his eyes “Your badge isn’t even a proper Tyson’s cove Officers shield. You can’t even arrest anybody; much less perform any sort of search.

“I…you….little” stammered the man as his ego took a huge hit

“So here’s what’s going to happen, you are going to piss the fuck off and go do what fake citizen cops do, direct traffic and run security for parades. Or, I'm going to call the REAL cops and have your ass arrested for trespassing and harassment, your choice.

Citizen officer Bill Anderson chocked down a gulp as he realized he couldn’t intimidate this kid. More importantly he needed to find that bitch of a stepdaughter. If any of this got out, he could go to jail for a long time

“You just pissed off the wrong person” sneered Bill as he walked out the Relic

“Get fuck out and don’t come back!” yelled Jessie

As he got into his car and drove off, a visibly frightened Kelly and Maria came out from the back. It was obvious that he held the cop thing over their heads to keep them quiet about the abuse. Jessie picked up Maria and she softly whimpered in his shoulder.

“It’s all coming back” she cried “All the bad things he did to me”

“Shuuush” cooed Jessie “I’m gonna make sure he doesn’t hurt either of you anymore okay?”

“Promise?” Maria asked

“Yeah, I promise” Jessie said setting her down and patting her on the head

"Kelly?" said Jessie grabbing her hand “Like it or not we're going to talk to Jake, okay? He's not going to leave you alone otherwise"

"Yeah" said Kelly grabbing his hand squeezing it tightly

“We’re going to go now, gram ” said Jessie “Are you two gonna be alright here?”

“We will be fine” said Felicia “But you two be careful”

"We will"

~O~

The wizard looked on in his scrying glass. A small tear rolled down his cheek as he watched on. Citizen Officer Bill Anderson returned later that night long after the Relic closed. As a powerful wizard, he knew what was going to happen of course but it didn’t make it that much easier to watch. The last backlash was beginning….

Bill Anderson was angry not only was he unable to find Kelly but the little punk had had made him look like a nothing. Well he wasn’t a nothing, he was a cop or at least he would have been if it wasn’t for the politics. Yeah he washed out of the police academy but it wasn’t his fault, everyone was just jealous of him

However tonight he’d teach that kid and his grandmother a lesson for interfering with his private business. He know they were hiding her, the little bitch spent a lot her time here.

“Heh, not any more she doesn’t" he smiled evilly as he reached in the backseat grabbing two homemade fire bombs……

Second Chances
By
Alexander Kung

A/N this is a rewrite of chapter 6. Please let me know what you think _Alexander

Kelly Daniels, formerly the hate filled bully Ryan Thomas, finds herself madly in love with boy she once bullied. Now she finds her new life and everyone she has grown to care about threatened by her stepfather’s wrath

Second Chances — Part 6

It was just past midnight as Felicia was roused from a deep slumber by the loud sound of a fire alarm blared from down the hall. As she made her way down the hallway, the choking black smoke was unbearable.

Despite her misgivings she opened the door to the main floor of the Relic and was horrified at what she saw. The Relic, her beloved curiosity shop was on fire. Everything was being destroyed by the large bright orange flames. Racing back down the hallway she frantically called 911 as she looked for a way out.

“My shop is on fire and I’m trapped upstairs….” Felicia gasped and coughed as the smoke got thicker.

“Where are you located ma’am?” the 911 operator asked

“The *cough* Relic on Main Street; ….. Oh no!!!”

The floor beneath her feet collapsed with a loud snapping crash, sending her crashing to the shop floor below.

"Ma’am? Are you there?”

There was no answer as Felicia was motionless on the floor as her livelihood burned around her…

~O~

Kelly awoke in a cold sweat; a feeling of foreboding overcame her as she sat up in bed gasping for breath. Holding her head in her hands, she slowly recovered from her nightmare.

“No!” she whispered to herself as her eyes adjusted to the dark room

Leaping out of bed, she darted to the bathroom flipping on the flipping the light switch. As her eye painfully adjusted again to the light, she sighed in relief that her reflection was still that of Kelly Daniels, wearing one of Jessie’s T-shirts no less. She smiled a bit at that.

Shutting off the light, she tip toed into the living room. Sleeping soundly on the sofa bed was Jessie completely wiped out. It wasn’t surprising as it had been a long day. None of the Jenkins family was home and it wasn’t safe to be walking around the town with she stepfather on the prowl so against his better judgment, they hid out at his place for the day on the promise they’d go tomorrow.

She slid underneath the covers, laying her head on his chest but taking care not to aggravate his still injured ribs. Brushing a stray braid out of his face, she kissed him on the nose. He was so full of surprises, she never expected him to really stand up to her stepfather like that. Not that she was complaining, of course.

“My brave protector” she whispered as she closed her eyes enjoying his soft heartbeat.

It wasn’t the first time he protected her though. She had first met Jessie when she was about 10 years old. To hide from her estranged husband, Ryan’s mother moved to a small California town and had him live as a girl called Rani which at first she didn’t like.

Adjusting to the new town was hard, and it was made worse by two bullies who tormented her every day. They made fun of her grey eyes, her tomboyish style of dress. One day they followed her home from school and picked a fight, tripping her on her front lawn and then kicking her repeatedly while she was down

It was at that moment that the next door neighbor’s son came flying out of his house wielding a metal baseball bat. He involved himself in the fight, swinging it wildly and cracking both of the older boys with it. After he ran them off, he helped her up and gently wiped the blood off her nose with a towel. That was the first time she met the cute little brown eyed boy named Jay Taylor.

From that time on they were inseparable, the best of friends. At first she just liked Jay as just a friend but over time she started to like him a lot. He’d make her laugh when she was feeling sad, listen to her problems, give her a hug when she needed it. He was a goofball but a sweet goofball and always made her feel special, even telling her she was pretty. It was weird at first, with Jay treating him like a girl.

At first it scared her because she was really boy named Ryan. But over time she started find being Rani was a bit easier than Ryan. Easy enough to have her first kiss with him and liking it. Even if Jessie couldn’t remember any of it, she would. Jessie was so special to her.

“Yeah…” she chuckled bitterly as the smile disappeared from her face “so special I killed you”

She traced his face with a slender finger as she recalled the events of the past few weeks. It would be so crazy if it wasn’t so true. The spoiled mayor’s son messed with the wrong family and was punished dearly for it. Everything was taken away, the money, the power and even his manhood.

It really seemed like a lifetime ago when she was Ryan Thomas, constantly beating him up until he was black, blue and bloody. She bit her bottom lip as a small knot of guilt formed in her stomach. She had done him so much wrong and she even had……killed him.

“Oh god no” she thought feeling nauseous as the memory came back to her

She softly bit her lips she thought about how her life changed from a spoiled rich privileged jerk of a boy to a poor miserable girl with an abusive home life. All from one moment that day in the Relic, the day that Ryan and the McQueen’s trashed the Relic in revenge for the perceived humiliation Jessie caused in school. Then in a moment to stupidity he slapped Felicia which caused Jessie to fight the larger stronger boy. He didn’t mean to do it but he chucked Jessie into a suit of armor impaling him on a sword.

“No…No…No” she thought as a vision of him dying on the floor entered her mind

The last thing he saw was Felicia’s grief filled eyes glowing bright red with hatred and nothing. The next morning he woke up in the body of the school outcast, Kelly Daniels. She wasn’t popular, rich, or even good looking by “normal standards”. It was a miserable existence, the loneliness of having no friends and her nightly beatings from her drunken abusive stepfather.

He saw his transformation into Kelly a cruel punishment at first.Being in the body of creepy Kelly Daniels, the school weirdo was no picnic. She had no Power,no Money,no friends and was constantly bullied by the prettier girls; her existence was hell.

Enter Jessie Taylor, somehow magically brought back. At first she saw him as a bit of an irritating annoyance.But as she spent time with him, feelings that she buried or tried to hide with hate had started to emerge to the surface. As Kelly, she again fell in love with Jessie. It was hard not to, not with those baby brown eyes and dimpled smile of his.

Even with all the things going on with her stepfather, the idea of going back to being Ryan was unthinkable now.

Hearing a yawn and feeling a warm set of arms wrap around her, she sighed in happiness.

“Hey beautiful” whispered Jessie

“Hey handsome” Kelly whispered as she nuzzled a bit closer “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you”

“It’s okay” said Jessie running his fingers through her hair and brushing her bangs out of her eyes “I don’t mind at all”

“How could I have ever bullied you?” she thought as she felt him kiss her forehead.

Through the past few weeks she fought the change wanting to go back to being Ryan. But as time went by, she became more honest with herself. Then she started to embrace all the things her father and even herself tried to forget. Once she came to terms with that it was so much easier being Kelly. Until…. Her stepfather….. He….

The memory of what he forced her to do as that gun that being held to her head. Just the mere memory almost made her retch.

“You okay?” Jessie asked as she cuddled closer

“No I’m not…all this is so fucked up, Jessie! What if they take me away? What if they don’t believe me?” said Kelly sadly “What if that bastard….”

“I’ll make sure he can never hurt you again” said Jessie looking into her green eyes “I promise I’ll protect you”

She chuckled softly as she reached up and mussed his hair

“What is so funny?” smiled Jessie

“Well, a few months ago, I would have never in a million years thought you’d tell me that” she said

“A few months ago you were 6 foot 4 built, like a tank, and kicking my ass” Jessie laughed “Even now it hard to believe you Ryan in there’

Her slight smile melted into a sour frown as her eyes darkened with anger and remorse

“I’m not Ryan anymore, okay?” said Kelly sharply as her voice started to crack “I’m Kelly, got it? Kelly Millicent Daniels! So please don’t call me that ever again. He’s dead and good fucking riddance!”

“Okay Okay” said Jessie “I promise. Don’t get upset. I was just stating what is true, right?”

“I… I just don’t want you to hate me again” she said looking away “I was the worst kind of person and I never want to be him again. I pushed people around and I never really cared about anyone but myself. I bullied you so fucking bad… Hell, I even killed you for chistsakes!”

“Hey look at me” Jessie said looking into her pretty green eyes “I could never hate you again”

“Really?” she asked “Even after everything I’ve done to you?”

“Yeah” laughed Jessie “You’re forgiven”

“But…”

“Kelly?”

“Yeah?”

“None of that matters any more” said Jessie tilting her chin “That was a lifetime ago, right?”

“Really?” she said almost meekly “You forgive me?”

“Yeah” Jessie said sincerely “I do"

Smiling happily she snuggled on his chest. It was so wonderful how safe and protected she felt, with Jessie she truly felt everything would be okay. She closed her eyes and sighed in sweet content as she felt his arms wrap around her.

“Jessie? Um…” she started not exactly knowing how to word it “If things get not so crazy…maybe…we could…

“We could what?” asked Jessie

“Never mind” she said as her face started to turn bright red “It’s stupid”

“You’re thinking about the promise, aren’t you?” smiled Jessie “The one you told me we made as kids”

“I know I know, I shouldn’t even bring it up” sighed Kelly “Like I said, it’s stupid”

“Not really” said Jessie holding her a bit closer “I mean if you really want to…”

“What?!?” she gasped “Are you saying what I think you’re saying”

“I have to keep my promises” said Jessie “Even if I don’t remember them”

“You don’t have to...” argued Kelly “We were dumb kids and…”

“So…” Jessie said slyly “You don’t want to?”

“No… I mean Yes! I mean I don’t know!” Kelly said as she started hit him playfully “Stop fucking confusing me! Yes, you asshole! Yes!”

“Okay” smiled Jessie “After we deal with this crap with your stepfather and after graduation…well… I mean if you really want to...”

“Of course you dummy” she smiled “Who else would I want marry?”

Shifting her weight, she sat up and straddled her lover. A wry and sultry smile appeared on her face as she looked at the handsome guy beneath her. The boy she always had feelings for and finally he was hers. Leaning down, she felt lightheaded as she felt his hands running through her hair. Her heart started beating a hundred miles per hour as she felt his warm breath on hers.

Caressing his cheeks with both hands, she surrendered hungrily to the kiss. She started to feel the familiar tingling though her entire body as her tongue played with his. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he gripped her hips.
Breaking the kiss she touched her forehead to his looking into his wonderful brown eyes as he looked into her green ones.

“I love you” she whispered

“I love you, too” he whispered back

“Jessie?” Kelly asked “Do you hear something?”

The sound of approaching sirens filled the air, cutting through the soundless night. Jumping off the sofa both raced towards the nearby window.

“Oh shit!” thought Kelly as her heart raced “You don’t think they’re coming here do you?

“I don’t know” said Jessie

They both sighed in relief as it was just a few fire trucks and an ambulance heading downtown. As the turned down the corner to Main Street, Kelly’s relief slowly turned to fear. Main Street was where the Relic was and there was a big plume of black smoke rising from the area.

“I want you to stay here while I go check on Gram” Jessie said getting dressed “Shit she’s not answering her phone”

“Um…No!” said Kelly tossing on her clothes "Hell no!"

“What are you doing?” said Jessie “You need to stay here!”

“I’m coming with you! Got it?” said Kelly sharply narrowing her green eyes “Besides I’d like to see you stop me!”

“You still have to bully me don’t you?” sighed Jessie as he took her by the hand and started out the door

“Old habits die hard” She said kissing him quickly on the lips “I promise to make it up to you later. I just want to make sure Felicia is okay”

“Me too” said Jessie

~O~

The two raced down Main Street as fast as their legs could take them. The thick acrid smell of smoke filled the air as they rounded the corner. Kelly and Jessie prayed that their worst fears running through their heads weren’t true.

“No…” Kelly whispered as Jessie stared off in disbelief

The Tyson’s Cove fire department had most of the street blocked off as they battled the last remnants of a vicious fire. It was The Relic, or rather what was left of it. The building was nothing more than blackened skeletonized remains. It was heartbreaking, everything was gone. However both kids were more worried about someone else.

“Gram!” yelled Jessie as he ran through the caution tape “Gram!!!

“Hey you can’t be here!” yelled a nearby fire fighter “Get back behind the tape!”

Ignoring the fire fighter Jessie with Kelly in tow as they both yelled for Felicia frantically. Out of the corner of his eye he saw someone on a gurney being loaded in a nearby ambulance. It was Felicia with an oxygen breather on her face and looking in bad shape.

“What the hell happened?” yelled Jessie as he ran toward the gurney

“She was trapped in the shop” said the EMT “Who are you? Are you a relative?”

“She’s my grandmother” said Jessie “Is she going to be okay”

“I don’t know son” said the EMT “She’s got heavy smoke inhalation. If you are coming we got to go now.”

As Kelly and Jessie climbed into the ambulance, Citizen Officer Anderson watched silently from the nearby alleyway. He
smiled in satisfaction, knowing that by torching the junk store would draw out his bitch of a stepdaughter.

“This has been a long time coming” sneered Anderson

As he shifted his car into gear and followed the ambulance, he finally decided what had to be done about her.

~O~

It was an agonizing hour in the waiting room as the doctors worked on Felicia. Jessie paced the halls as Kelly apologized over and over.

“I’m so sorry” said Kelly “I’m just so sorry. This is all my fault! If I hadn’t…”

“Hey, this is NOT your fault” interrupted Jessie “You and I both know who’s behind this”

“My stepdad”

“Exactly! If he’s capable of doing what he did to you” said Jessie through gritted teeth “I’ll bet my life he’s capable of this. Once I get my hands on him…”

“Lupescu Family?” called out a nurse

“Yes I’m her grandson” said Jessie “How is she? Is she going to be okay?”

“She conscious but she not out of the woods yet” said the nurse “She’s on oxygen but it’s hard to tell in this early.

“Can we see her” asked Kelly

“It’s better if it’s just one of you at this time” said the nurse “Are you Kelly? She has been asking for you”

“You go” said Jessie patting her arm

“Jessie?” asked Kelly

“I’ll see her after you’re done” said Jessie softly” Go

As Kelly followed the nurse, Jessie looked on sadly as he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Jake's phone number.

Kelly walked into the small darkened room where Felicia was recovering. It was a sad sight to see such a vibrant and wonderful woman reduced to breathing through a tube and hooked up to so many beeping machines. Grabbing her hand, Kelly tried hard to hold back tears. She didn’t deserve this

“Kelly?” she asked softly

“I’m here” Kelly said holding her hand

“It’s good to see you” she whispered smiling weakly

“I don’t know why you would” said Kelly “It seems I can’t help but cause trouble for your family.

“Yes, you did” Felicia sighed “But it was my anger and hate that caused this. The day you killed my grandson I hated you with every inch of my being”

“I know you did” said Kelly “I remember….”

“I used my magic in such a hateful way” said Felicia “I knew the risks and I didn’t care because my only thought was getting revenge on you and your friends.

“You had every right” said Kelly “I deserved every bit of it”

“No I didn’t. I had no right to force this miserable life on you just for my selfish need for vengeance” Felicia said

“I killed your grandson, Felicia” argued Kelly “I practically bullied him to death”

“Two wrongs never make a right” sighed Felicia “When your first became Kelly my true intention was to make you and your friends suffer for what you had done. Fueled by nothing but hate”

"Yeah?" asked Kelly feeling guilty

“So I lied to you” said Felecia looking away in shame

“You lied to me?” asked Kelly cocking an eyebrow

"I did" said Felicia in a pained voice “I knew that there was never any way for you to go back to being Ryan Thomas. I just gave you that glimmer of hope just so that I could take it away.”

“What?!?

“I’m so sorry” sniffed Felicia as tears started welling up in her eyes “But I knew there never was a way to turn you back. I had no right to take your life from you. No matter what you did. ”

“Felicia?” said Kelly with almost a relived tone “You didn’t”

“Pardon?”

“You gave me back a life!” said Kelly “I learned that I never liked being Ryan. I was a spoiled rotten entitled brat that hid behind his daddy.I never felt guilty for anything I had ever done to anyone. I murdered Jessie and I’d probably be in jail by now if you hadn’t done what you did! I don’t care what you say, you did me a favor!”

“Kelly…”

“I feel so guilty now” said Kelly breaking down “Because I caused all of this. None of this would have happened if not for me. Me and my buddies tearing up the damn shop, killing Jessie, breaking his heart and him getting hit by that car. And now you’re in the hospital and your whole livelihood is gone. If I had just kept my mouth shut and…”

“You would have killed yourself just like Maria did when she had your body…” said Felecia

“But if I had just...”

“Would have, should have” said Felecia “Doesn’t change the fact of what is”

“I’m so sorry” Kelly said as tears streamed down her face “I bet you hate me even more now”

“No…I don’t” said Felecia “To be honest I’ve grown quite fond of you”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’m proud that you’ve grown into such a wonderful person” smiled Felicia “For what it’s worth to you, I consider you a member of this family.

“I don’t deserve it”

“Yes you do” said Felecia “You’ve more than made up for any wrongs you’ve done to us. I know you love my grandson. If you would, please look after him when I’m gone.”

“Please don’t talk like you’re going to die” said Kelly

“It is the way of things” Felicia said “It’s probably my price that I have to pay threefold”

“Even if the end result was for the better?” asked Kelly

“There are no loopholes in this kind of magic” said Felecia “As said there I knew the consequences and I didn’t care. It the way things are”

“Not this way.” said Kelly “Promise me you’ll get better!”

“I’ll try sweetie” she said closing her eyes “I’ll try”

“No, not try” said Kelly “We both need you.”

“Okay, I Promise” Felicia whispered as she fell unconscious

A nurse entered the room and ushered Kelly out as she checked her vitals.

“She needs to rest” said the nurse

“Will she be okay?” asked Kelly

“I don’t know” said the nurse “but she needs to rest now”

~O~

As Kelly walked into the waiting room, she found that Max and Ericka were there. Seeing Kelly, Erica walked over to her and gave her the biggest comforting hug she could muster.

“Are you okay, honey?” Ericka asked as she heard Kelly sniffle “Jessie told us what had happened. You should have came to us, we would have helped”

“I’m sorry” she whimpered

“It’s okay” said Ericka “We’re here now. Dad’s on his way”

As Jessie and Max finished talking to the ER doctor both girls noticed the sullen looking faces of both boys.

“Guys?” asked Ericka cautiously not sure if she wanted to know

“It’s not good” said Max sadly

“They’re doing what they can but… said Jessie "Her lungs are having trouble processing oxygen”

“But she was just talking to me” said Kelly feeling nauseous

“According to the doc things like this…” said Max “Ya feel fine one moment and next … well ya don’t”

“I really need to get out here” sniffed Kelly “Everything I touch to just turns to shit”

“Hey this wasn’t your fault” Jessie said pulling her into a hug which she struggled at first but gave up and cried into his chest.

“I didn’t men to bring this on your family” she sobbed

“You didn’t” said Jessie sincerely

Kissing her on the forehead and handing her his cell phone “Go get some air; You look like you need it. Jake’s on his way so don’t go too far okay?

“Okay” sniffed Kelly

“I'm going to check on gram” said Jessie as max squeezed his shoulder “Make sure she’s okay"

“We’re here for you both” said Ericka hugging Kelly

“I know but I just need some time alone” said Kelly wiping her eyes “I promise I’ll talk to your dad when he gets here”

~O~

As she walked out on the back on the staircase, Kelly broke down in a mess of tears. Just the weight of everything coming down on her was just too much. Even though everyone told her that it wasn’t her fault, she felt responsible.

She chuckled bitterly as wave upon wave of guilt hit her. During her Ryan Taylor days she practically terrorized the whole damn town without a hint of guilt or remorse. Looking back maybe that’s why things were happening so horrible now. And now it seemed that fate, magic or whatever was punishing that family for all her fuck ups.

“They don’t deserve this” thought Kelly through tears

As Kelly was lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice the figure stepping out of the shadows behind her with a sick twisted smile on his face.

She felt a something hard being press into her back. As she bolted up in surprise, a chill went down her spine as she heard a familiar loud metallic sounding click. It was the sound of a hammer of a gun being pulled back. She closed her eyes in fear, knowing exactly who it was.

“Well Well” said a voice behind her “I finally found you, you little bitch! Thought you could get away from me didn’t you?”

“Oh Shit!” she thought

“Don’t even think about trying anything cute” said Anderson “Make a sound and you die”

“The cops are on their way” Kelly said through gritted teeth

“Well” sneered Anderson shoving her roughly down the stairs “I guess we’ll have to solve our family problems elsewhere”

“I always knew you were a piece of shit." said Kelly “Why did you burn down the Relic?”

“I wouldn't have had to do it if you had just came home, like an obedient girl should have” chuckled Anderson “Besides your little boyfriend pissed me off”

“He’s more man that you’ll ever be” sneered Kelly " How's it feel to be a pathetic woman beating, rapist wannabe cop"

Anderson’s smug expression darkened into pure rage. Without an ounce of hesitation he slapped Kelly across the face.

“Let’s see how mouthy you are when I’m done with you” he growled “Let’s take a drive you little bitch!”

~O~

The wizard looked on in his scrying glass. With a wave of his hand he cleared the vision and focused to returning to his duties at his store. The plight of Lupescu family was no concern of his. After all, he had vowed not to get himself involved. It was their magic and their problems.

As she started to replace the stock on the shelves of his store he noticed a little gold trinket he got from the relic. It wasn’t anything special but one could tell it was very expensive by mortal standards. He remembered Felecia and Jessie giving it to him as thank you gift for all the business over the years.

He wasn’t one to get sentimental but somehow he couldn’t refuse that wonderful smile or the sweet personality of Ms Lupescu.It was hard not to be enamored by her, so despite his better judgment he accepted it. He had to admit he entered the Relic far more often that he should have, though he wasn’t quite sure why.

Sighing to himself, he put the trinket back into its beautifully carved box and walked into the back room. Hanging up his bathrobe and bunny slippers and changing into some casual clothing, he decided to finally involve himself into this chaotic situation.

“Whatever happens” thought the wizard as he exited his shop “This foolishness ends tonight”

Stories of The Relic: The Book of Keilari

Christopher Kagawa aka Chris Tome is a 23 year old Award winning best selling novelist with a problem, he has lost his passion for his craft. He lives a lonely and reclusive existence with a growing disdain for the outside world and humanity in general. His only companions are the rare old books he collects

After buying rare leather bound book in an online auction He finds a out very quickly that it's no ordinary book. Despite being careful, he cut his finger on a page causing a single drop of his blood to drop the book. In a blinding flash of magic, he finds a half nude girl with jet black hair, chalk white skin and fangs appearing out of seemingly nowhere in his living room.

She is a Keilari, an exotic offshoot of the vampire species, neither male nor female but a mix of both. She has had many owners over the many generations the book has existed. All of them tortured and abused her, seeing her as nothing but a pet or toy. Submissive and quiet as she might be, she holds no love for any member of the human species. Still she must obey and comply with her master's desires.

But she has never had a master like Christopher who honestly wants no part of this crazy situation, much less be anyone's master. But he may not have a choice in the matter and to make matters worse, every owner has died very shortly after coming into possession of the book...

Stories of The Relic: The Book of Keilari - Prologue

By Alexander Kung

Bell Air 1991

Michael Sanderson considered himself a man of wealth and taste, The ultimate connoisseur of the finer things in life. Born into an immensely wealthy family, he truly felt he was entitled to the very best, because he could afford to.

“I’m a Sanderson” he chuckled to himself as he walked about his grand estate, “I deserve nothing but the best!”

Opening a secret door,he made his way down toward a private basement, relishing his dirty little secret. Taking each step with anxious anticipation, he could only imagine the fun he would have today.

Wealth was fine enough but it was remarkably boring. What he craved, like many people in his position was power. For most that was a high ranking job or political office, but that was far to pedestrian for him

No for him it, was power over a person ,control and dominance over women to be exact. Oh sure, he could pay a few prostitutes to play the part but that was so far beneath him. It was ridiculous to have to deal with absurd safe words and silly things like personal safety. Worse yet it wouldn’t be real, just childish role play really. No, wanted it to be real, he craved it, he needed it and he deserved it.

He caressed the large leather bound book he had tucked under his arm ever so lovingly. It was a marvelous find, worth every penny he spent on it. He had heard the legend of course, who hadn’t in the circles he traveled in? A live in the flesh Keilari vampire, the ultimate slave. Had he not seen her with his own eyes he wouldn’t have believed it!

She was everything he dreamed she would be, submissive and obedient with just a hint of defiance in her eyes to make it that much enjoyable. She was by far superior to human slaves that broke so easily. With her he never had to pay her, never had to apologize to her and even better…never had to hold back

She healed at a remarkable rate, a fact proven when he broke her fingers slowly one by one and even cut off her thumbs with a pair of gardening shears. By the next morning they were in perfectly fine condition as if nothing had happened.

Her screams were a delicious honey to his ears. Last night was especially wonderful as he tried that new trend on her, body piercing. The best screams were when he slowly pierced her nipples….It just gave him shivers to think about.

According to the legend there was an idiotic curse about the previous owners dying early but that was just pure nonsense. Maybe it was because they unable to handle what they had, because they were weak. Of course, that was it! But he was different, he was stronger, he knew that he was. He had her barely a month and she was under his total and complete control.

As he entered the basement he almost immediately noticed she wasn’t where he normally had her chained down. Reaching for the light switch, flicked the switch up and down but it was no use the light wouldn’t come on. As he walked into the dark basement almost arrogantly without a hint of fear, he licked his lips in delight as he wondered what punishment he’d inflict on her for her defiance

“You’re only making it worse for yourself” Michael Sanderson yelled with authority “ Now get out here where I can see you!”

A broken spiked collar slid into view from the shadows. Bending down to pick it up, he realized far too late that he had just sealed his fate. She was fast, in a half of a heartbeat she was on him. Leaping out of the shadows, she grabbed him hard him by the throat and lifted him off his feet with inhuman strength.

She slowly squeezed, thoroughly enjoying seeing his eyes bulge out as he gasped for air. A wry fanged grin covered her face as he actually had his nerve to try to beg for mercy. It was typical of these cowardly humans she thought. With a simple twist of her wrist she ended his life, breaking his neck with a sickening wet snap.

Dropping his limp body on the floor by the stairs, she tearfully wondered if her suffering was finally over. She wondered if that she’d finally be free of this horrid curse she had to endure for hundreds of years.

As her former master’s heart finally stopped beating, the broken collar on the floor started to emit an throbbing eerie glow. It slid across the floor repairing itself as it did so. It then floated off the floor for a second before flying across the room the room and violently reattached itself around her neck. As she struggled with it, the book opened on its own accord behind her. She let out a desperate scream as she was sucked into its flipping pages.

Soon all was quiet as the book floated into a nearby box awaiting its next owner

~O~

San Francisco 2010

Christopher Kagawa scoffed as he walked past the large billboard on his way home. It read: By bestselling author Chris Tome, the latest in book the popular Dark Fathoms series; Blood rain.

“Boy, they’re shoving that damn book down everyones throat” thought Christopher as continued on home “It’s not even remotely good”

He should know, he was Chris Tome. The enigmatic reclusive author of the highly popular Dark Fathoms’ series of books. He sighed in frustration at the fact the book was out at all. He had worked tirelessly for over two years on that damn book. Then between the various rewrites, editing, condensing and of course the ever present executive meddling from the higher ups at agency, they completely shit all over his hard work The book was now nothing like what he originally wrote, instead completely changed to appease the general masses. Needless to say Chris was pissed

“You have to think from our end” his agent tried to explain “Dark Fathoms is a money maker and we needed to make sure Blood Rain appealed even to the lowest common denominator. Don’t take it personally, it's just sound business”

“Yeah, of course” thought Chris “That's what it was always about,right? Money and appealing to the general idiotic masses”

Chris had started to really despise people. He could count on one hand the few persons he did like, but people, in general he started to greatly dislike. People as mass organism will sway and bend to whatever way the popular wind was blowing. Thinking for yourself? That’s sooo last century!

The mass organism of people have and always will have hypocritical shifting morality, intolerance to anything not in the current norm, and will always be two faced. Always !

He didn’t always feel that way. When Dark Fathoms hit the shelves, Chris was lauded as a literary genius. But as the book gained popularity, so did the hate. Soon he was no longer a genius but an untalented hack. The book still sold well but with each addition to the series brought even more hate, soon it began to become too much. So he started hating them back.

Opening the door to his large loft apartment, he stepped inside and took a deep breath. He had to admit, one of the perks of being a bestselling writer was being able to live well. Not too shabby for a kid that grew up dirt poor in the foster system.

Walking into the kitchen, he unpacked his groceries. A small little meow was heard as a tiny kitten walked into view.

“Hello Kimari!” Chris said “Did you miss me?”

The little kitten purred and rubbed up against his leg as if it was answering him. The kitten was given to him by his neighbor, Denise, one of the rare people he liked. It helped relive the loneliness that he sometimes felt in his life. But most of the time he liked his solitude. And this little kitten was a lot better than people were

Petting the kitten on the head and giving it some food, he went to answer the phone that had been ringing nonstop since he entered the apartment.

Picking up the phone he already knew who was on the other line, His literary agent. And no, he was not on his people he liked list. This guy dwelled more in deep bowls of the shit list. When he first started shopping around Dark Fathoms, this agent was the only bite at the time. But one of the first things he did after signing a contract was to give him a pen name, Chris Tome

“Christopher baby,” he explained “You gotta understand how the business works, your name is just too ethnic for mass appeal”

“What the fuck was too ethnic?” Chris thought “Now, going around pounding a gong where ever I go while wearing a kimono and eating everything with a fucking pair of chopsticks, that might be too ethnic”

“Chris, Baby!” his agent said “It doesn’t look like Blood Rain is selling as well hoped it would, and the critics are taking a shit all over it”

“I can’t imagine why” Chris said sarcastically

“Look, i told you it was business, nothing personal!We took a risk and it failed”

“Who the fuck is we? You and your damn agency take my book that I spent two years of my life on,” Chris said growing angrier “ FUCK IT UP AND DUMB IT DOWN AND I’M NOT SUPPOSED TO TAKE IT PERSONAL!?!?

“I can see your upset but honestly that’s in the past” said the agent dismissively “What we need to talk about is a new book, something to ignite a new trend.”

“Well I have been working on something” said Chris

“Really? That’s terrific!” said the agent excited “I’ll set up the meeting with the publishers…. “

“No, you won’t….” said Chris flatly “ Because I have no intentions of giving it to you”

“But the contract..”

“Was for the Dark Fathoms series only” Chris said coldly “Which you guys totally fucked up! I’m not giving you guys another chance to mess up my work”

“I know you’re upset but this time will be different” pleaded the agent

“You damn right it will be” said Chris “because you’re fucking fired”

“But, you cant….”

“Nothing personal, Just business” smiled Chris as he hung up the phone "Damn that felt good!"

Sitting down at his desk he fired up his computer and opened the word processing program….

There was no new book, just two words “She was…” and that’s it. As the cursor flashed, almost mocking him, he turned to look at a picture he always had on his desk.

A rare warm smile appeared on his face as picked up the small framed picture. In the picture was a rotund older black man in a Hawaiian shirt and a baseball cap with a neatly trimmed white beard and the biggest wide smile you'd ever want to see on a person. Beside him was a Japanese kid about 13 years old with an equally wide grin holding a large fish.

“I wish you were still around, Moedie” Chris said sadly "I definitely could use some advice right now"

Setting the picture back down and turning off the computer, he went back into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of rum

“Hey Kimari” Chris said taking a swig “I think it’s time to celebrate, so let’s get shit faced!”

~O~

*KNOCK KNOCK*

Chris groaned as he cracked his eyes open. Yeah, he was a fucking lightweight. One stinking bottle of rum and he was definitely paying for it the next morning. The knocks at the door echoed even harder against his throbbing head.

“Who the hell is stupid enough to bug me at…” he thought looking groggily at his clock “...the crack of noon!?”

Painfully getting up from his bed, he went and to the door preparing to give whoever was pounding his door a though tongue lashing. Grasping the doorknob he yanked it open in sheer annoyance

“Hiya, Chris-tee- feer” said sugary sweet melodious sing song voice “How are you today?”

It was Denise, his next door neighbor. She was the the ultimate walking contradiction. Being a self-employed fetish photographer, she certainly lived the life style. Her bright red hair styled in two twin pigtails and her perfectly arched eyebrows and high cheek bones enhanced her already exotic Latina good looks. She was always dressed a mix of leather, latex and whatever else looked sexy. To be honest she looked like a ball breaking bitch of a dominatrix.

But indeed that is where the contradiction really stepped in, because she was the most utterly cheerful and sickeningly sweet girl he had ever met, almost to an annoying degree. It was as if someone had transplanted the dna of a hyperactive care bear into her.

He had first met her when he first moved into the loft and due to the idiot mailman mixing up their mail, she quickly deduced he was in fact Chris Tome; whom she was a big fan of. From then on, she had took it upon herself to involve herself into his life as his unofficial personal assistant. At first maybe, it was because he was Chris Tome, but later it was just because she felt the recluse could use a friend.

She truly meant well, but more often than not her antics caused more than few headaches for him. Such as the horrific blind date she set up that almost made him hang himself. Still, her sweet bubbly and almost innocent nature was only reason he didn’t tell her to fuck off and die as he did to many of the other members of the human species.

“*Sigh* What do you want Denise?” Chris said painfully

“Just checking up on you to see if you’re doing okay” Denise said cheerfully “Haven’t you been watching tv? Blood Rain got destroyed by the critics, even Oprah says it sucks”

“Yeah, well I didn’t write it for that fat bitch” said Chris dryly “I don’t own a tv any more, remember I gave it to you? Besides that shit’ll rot your brain”

“Oh, cheer up you sour puss!” said Denise “Are you sure you don’t need one of my tampons?”

“Is there a reason you’re bugging me?” Chris in annoyance “Or did you just come to my door to tell me what I already know and to imply that I’m flowing heavy.”

“Well the mail came and some of your stuff got mixed with mine… again” Denise said “Let’s see, two royalty checks and ooooooooh, a large package in a plain brown box. Are things so bad that we have to resort to the old five knuckle now?”

“Thank you, Denise” growled Chris snatching his mail from her “There is only one depraved sex pervert in this building and I’m looking at her! Besides, since when do lesbians know about the 5 knuckle?”

“I happen to be bi, you moron!” said Denise “And I’m not a pervert, I’m just very comfortable with my sexuality”

“And taking weird pictures of models wearing latex and simulating sex acts with all four basic food groups is called?”

“It’s called art!” Denise said defensively “Don’t give me a bad time about it, work has been slow and my damn camera broke”

“*sigh* Turn around” Chris said

“What? Why?"

“Just turn the hell around!” said Chris using her back to write on something “Here, buy a new camera”

“Dude….This is your royalty check from Blood Rain” said Denise in shock “I..I can’t accept this”

“Correction” said Chris flatly “That is a payoff for that unreadable drek that they decided to slap my pen name to. I don’t want it so I’m signing it over to you. Cash it or shred it,I really don’t care!”

“You are so awesome!” said Denise taking the check and giving him a quick hug “So are you going to tell me what’s in the box?”

“Uh…no!” said Chris slamming the door in her face

“You know, if you were anyone else, I’d be inclined to think you were an asshole!” she yelled at the door

“I AM AN ASSHOLE AND DAMN PROUD OF IT!” came a yell from the other side “NOW GET LOST!”

With an almost comedic humph, she walked away from his door with a small smile on her face

“An asshole huh? Yeah right” she thought “Assholes don’t give their friends a $50,000 royalty check without even blinking”

~0~

It was late at night and Chris still couldn’t sleep. Sitting at his desk, he stared at his computer screen still unable to overcome the metal blocks that hindered his writing. As the blinking cursor mocked him, rubbed his head in frustration, not even his tried and true muses were working this time.

It was a trick he picked up from Moedie, using old books to gain inspiration. Lining his walls were various first editions and handwritten books written by the great authors and thinkers of times past. From Hemingway to Salinger and all the way to Nietzsche and Machiavelli, the books provided a link of sorts to the past that he could draw from.

But tonight they were no help what so ever, as if the old masters were somehow punishing him for compromising his ideals in letting Blood Rain be published. Even if he had nothing to do with that end, it was as they were saying “You’re on your own now”

Sighing he slid his old books back into their display cases. Turning back to the screen, there the words were “She was…”. He could never seem to get past the two words. It was irritating the hell out of him.

Just as he was about to turn off the computer and settle in for the night, his eyes fell on the package he received earlier in the day. Opening it, he was surprised to see that it was the book he won in an online auction. Talk about speedy delivery. It was barely $100 and he was the only bidder but something told him that it was special somehow. Inside the box was a note:

Dear Mr. Kagawa,
Congratulations on your winning bid on our online auction. Enclosed with your purchase is a certificate of authenticity.

Unfortunately there is not much known about this book other than it being roughly about 500 to 700 years old. It was previously held in a private collection of one Mr. Michael Sanderson and came to us via estate sale about 2 years ago.

As for the author and subject of the book in question, I couldn’t tell you as its written in a language I have never seen before. The illustrations are ….Interesting to say the least. Obviously for an acquired taste other than my own as I couldn’t go past the first few pages without getting sick to my stomach. However to each their own I guess.

Regardless, I hope you enjoy your purchase and we look forward to your future patronage

Jessie Taylor

The Relic

Tyson’s Cove California

Ah yes the kid from the little store he visited on one of his many travels. Good enough kid but just too damn nice for his own good. He could remember when he used to be like that. But with the world as nasty as it was, it would eat that kid up if he didn’t toughen up.

“Here I am talking like a crotchety old man” Chris thought “I’m barely 23”

Snapping on a pair of latex gloves, he gingerly removed the book from the box. The kid must have been smoking something fierce, because there was just no way in hell that this book was that old. It was in just too good of condition to be. The blood red stained leather cover was perfectly soft and pliable, the pages were still flexible and smooth. He knew from experience owning old books, that even babied perfectly taken care of books, do not look this good.

Still it was just a 100 dollars and obviously he was still a stupid kid in training, so he was willing to over look this without making any trouble for him. Besides it was a really unusual book anyway even if it wasn’t old. Opening the book, he notice that there was indeed writing he had never seen before. It was a mishmash of symbols, glyphs, and gibberish.

Hmmm, Michael Sanderson why did that name sound so familiar. Oh yeah, the rich televangelist they found dead and stark fucking naked at the bottom of his basement/sex dungeon all those years ago. The scandal was before his time but even when he was a kid everyone still talked about it. Hell there was even a school yard rhyme about it. How did it go again? Oh yeah:

Sanderson, Sanderson was a dirty old man. Was found dead with his dick in his hand. Walking down the hall while pulling his pud. Then he fell down the stairs and landed with a thud.

Chris laughed at the irony. It was no surprise to him that that a televangelist would own a book like this or have a sex dungeon. It just solidified his view of humanity even more. It’s funny how those that those quick to condemn people to hell are not only the ones going themselves but probably the first one there to open the gates.

Shaking his head, he washed the thought out of his mind, he had better to do that to waste thoughts on stuff like that. He had a book to write

Turning the page he saw the first of many illustrations. It was a naked girl ,no more than about 19 he guessed, strapped to a large x surrounded by various people in 15th century clothing. Sometime around the Italian Renaissance he guessed. The black and white illustrations were remarkable, almost photographic. The girl was intriguing to say the least…….

Moving back to the keyboard, Chris cracked his knuckles and started to type as he looked at the illustration. He just might have beaten this writer block thing yet.

“She was intriguing to say the least.” He typed “She had a..dafghuiiphuipd;fbgjipqghbujvbmghbru”

Looking down he saw Kimari, making himself good and comfortable on his keyboard. The little kitten always did that when wanted attention.

“Not now! I’m working” said Chris gently scooting the kitten off and placing him on the floor “I’ll play with you later”

Undeterred the kitten hopped back on the desk which wasn’t a good time to do so as Chris was just turning the page of the book. The slight jolt of surprise caused him to cut his finger on the page,slicing right through the gloves making him drip blood all over the pages.

"Kimari! Now look what you made me do!” Chris said simultaneously trying to bandage his finger and wipe the blood off the book “I hope this….

His words were cut short as the book slammed itself shut. His eyes grew big as the book started to slowly spinning as it emitted an otherworldly glow. It then rose off the off the desk floating in the air.

“What the fuck?” Chris thought in slack jawed awe “This...This isn’t possible”

A tendril of red colored energy shot out from the book, wrapping around his right wrist. Chris screamed in pain as it seared his flesh. The pain was agonizing, dropping him to the floor as his eyes clamped shut. The book wasn’t done yet, it continued to spin faster and faster before erupting in a blinding white flash. Its job seemingly done, it then fell harmlessly to the floor.

Groaning Chris slowly picked himself off the floor, wondering just what in the hell just happened. Taking quick look at his wrist, he noticed he had been branded somehow. It didn’t hurt all that much anymore, but it was still disturbing none the less. On his inner wrist was a well detailed looking Bat bound by a chain that wrapped all the way around his wrist.

But was completely and utterly disturbing was what was on the floor. It wasn’t there before, he was more than sure of it. But it was there now.

“Holy SHIT!” Chris blurted out in a slight panic “I’m the Japanese OJ”

On the floor was a motionless half naked girl. Her skin was chalk white pale with long raven black hair down to her back which had a large bat tattoo similar to what was on his wrist. She wore nothing but a spiked collar around her neck and what looked like a leather chastity belt. She was filthy, covered in dirt and grime but at the same time she looked kind of sexy.

“Oh, no you don’t!” Chris said to himself “It’s bad enough there’s a dead girl on your floor without delving into those kind of thoughts. What the hell am I going to do! I can’t go to jail, my ass is too cute!”

Pacing quickly back and forth he desperately tried to calm himself down.

“Okay, Chris” he said to himself “ You are many things, an anti social asshole misanthrope bastard, that a complete given. No argument there. But you are not a murderer! And besides she might not even be dead…”

He slapped his head in realization that he didn’t even check for a pulse. Leaning down to check on her, he sighed in relief as he saw her bare chest rise and fall as breathed softly. He blushed softy as looked away, not exactly used to being around women so…naked.

Averting his attention to her face, he had to admit she was quite beautiful. She looked just like the……. girl in the book. No this wasn’t possible….As he slowly reached out to touch her face, her hand slapped it away as her eyes snapped open. Chris gulped as he looked into them, they were beautiful a purplish blue but they weren’t human. The cat like pupils were a sure sign of that.

She had such an angry look on her face, growling like a wild animal. The biggest surprise was when she hissed at him. There was no mistaking it, he’d had written about them enough. She had a pair of fangs and she looked like she was well versed in using them

“Oh Fuck she’s a….a Vampire” thought Chris held up his hands showing he meant no harm

As soon as she saw his hands her entire demeanor did a complete 180, acting almost submissive and demurely. Following her eyes, he noticed she was staring right at the symbol that was on his wrist. Was that somehow causing her to change?

"Uh….hi!” Chris blurted out, not exactly knowing what else to say.

Exactly what does one say to a snarling half naked vampire girl covered in dirt and grime?

~O~

She growled in frustration, so this was her new master it seemed. He had the mark so he must be. Strange, that he was so young, but then again they were all young compared to her. Still this one was far younger than any of her former masters, a baby really.

She tilted her head in curiosity as she looked at him, He was strange looking to her. His spiked looking black hair with red highlights was cut short, almond shaped eyes that were a very light brown, and dressed in very strange looking clothing. A top with no sleeves (tank top) and trousers that stopped before his knees (jean shorts).

In another lifetime perhaps she might have found him very handsome despite his strange appearance but he was one of those disgusting humans. Worse yet.. he was her master as the curse demanded. He would be just as cruel and heartless like the others before him were, she sure of it. And he would die just as painfully.

“You’re not going to drink my blood are you? asked Chris

She shook her head quickly no with a look of absolute disgust on her face. While she was a Keilari,and needed occasional feedings, she despised human blood. It tasted sour and rancid, and even if it didn’t, she wanted no part of any human…not anymore

“So you’re not going to hurt me?” he asked

“Only because I can’t at the moment” she thought as she shook her head no “If it wasn’t for this curse, I’d tear you limb from pathetic limb.”

“Not much of a talker are you” Chris finally relaxing “Can you even talk?”

She shook her head no

“But you can understand me right?” said Chris

“Obviously, you stupid imbecile!” she thought as she nodded her head yes

“Okay so you can’t talk but can you write?”

She nodded her head. Of course she could write, she was a Keilari; she was nobility. At least she used to be.

“Wait, right here!” Chris running over to his storage closet

She looked in disgust and slight fear as he went to his obvious torture cabinet. She stiffened in fear as he rummaged through the various items as each one was more scarier then the next. First it was an iron bludgeoning club (metal baseball bat), A giant stabbing spike(basketball pump), flesh biting devices (jumper cables) and the last thing she wasn’t quite sure what it was but she didn’t like the look of it.(scuba gear)

Grabbing a small purple tablet from the scuba gear, he then quickly shoved everything else back into back into the closet and raced back to her. When he found out he wasn’t going to eat him, he felt relived but also excited. A live in the flesh vampire. Perhaps he’d be able to pick her brain before she left, or went back into the book or wherever she went to.

She looked at him very suspiciously. She didn’t know what the little purple thing did but knowing humans it wasn’t good. She was sure of it.

“This is a dive slate” Chris said handing it to her “I used to use this when i used explored underwater caves. You write on it like this and erase it using the lever on the bottom. Here,try it!”

“Stupid! Humans can’t breathe under water” she scoffed “Still this is an odd little device”

It was strange, she’d write with a pen that had no ink and with a flip of the lever the words disappeared. It was kind of fun. Write…*click*…disappear

“Okay” Chris said “Enough playing, I need some answers”

“Ugh, leave it to boring masters to shut down any sort of fun!” she thought “Typical humans, only interested in giving pain!”

“Let’s start with your name” said Chris

“I don’t have one” she wrote “You need to give me one”

“What? Why me?”

“You are my master now” she wrote “ If you want me to have a name, you have to give me one!”

“Whoa Whoa Whoa” Chris said with a cocked eyebrow “Come again? What’s with this master shit?”

“You made the contract when your blood touched the book” she wrote “The mark on your wrist is the proof of contract”

“How long is the this contract?” Chris asked becoming visibly worried, looking at his wrist

“It is a lifetime contract” she wrote

“Or until I’m strong enough to fucking kill your ass” she thought “That can’t happen soon enough”

“Well I have no desire for a slave, so how about this” said Chris “I will emanci….

The mark on his wrist glowed brightly as he dropped to the floor in sheer pain. The vampire smiled slightly as it did so but also seemed a bit confused. Was he really going to free her? No it was a human trick, they’re cruel and deceptive like that.

“A human master cannot break the contract” she wrote “Only a Keilari master can do that“

“What’s a Keilari?” Chris asked painfully “Is that like another name for vampire?”

She huffed in annoyance as if thoroughly offended. He was obviously a baby if he didn’t know what a Keilari was.

“Do not confuse the noble Keilari…” she wrote while glaring at him “With a common vampire. We are very different!”

“Oh yeah? How so?” asked Chris curiously

“We just are!” she wrote looking away angrily; almost pouting with a slight blush

Chris really used to think that idiom of women looking beautiful when they were angry was the dumbest thing he ever heard. But with this girl, it really had some merit to it. She was very distracting, though it might have something to do with her still being topless. His dick didn’t mind as it pressed painfully against his jean shorts.

“Wait right here” said Chris racing to his room

Quickly going through the drawers grabbed the first t-shirt he saw and ran back into the living area. The girl was now on all fours hissing at the kitten, who despite the difference in size was not backing down. With his ears peeled back and shooting back a hiss of his own, the little guy was not about to give up an inch of territory to this weird intruder. Chris stifled a chuckle, because as weird as it looked, it was kind of… cute .

“Kimari, leave her alone” he gently chided patting the kitten on the head

Bored with the game anyway the little kitten trotted off in search of more mischief elsewhere.

“My cat isn’t food, got it?” Chris warned gently to the girl tossing her the shirt “Here put this on”

She looked at the strange piece of cloth in a sort of odd confusion. Having not worn any sort of clothing in a long time, she had no clue as to what it was.

“You don’t know how to put on a t-shirt?” Chris sighed in frustration “Fine, here let me show you”

She sneered as the human took off the top half of his clothing. A baby he might have been but he was in a lot better shape than her other masters. His torso was chiseled quite nicely as if carved from from the finest marble. He had strange black markings on his body not unlike her own. She would almost would be attracted if he wasn’t human. It was a well established fact to her, that humans were cruel, disgusting and distasteful creatures.

“Okay do everything that I do” Chris said demonstrating “Put your arms through the holes like this and slip it over your head like this”

It took a few tries but she eventfully got it, finally covering her generously endowed breasts with the pierced nipples. Not that he didn’t enjoy the view but it was very distracting had he still had tons of questions to ask.

“Okay now that your dressed ..sort of” Chris said not exactly comfortable with any of this “I got a few more questions to ask”

She was highly confused of his inquisitiveness, did he truly not know the rules of the curse? All the other masters did. They were quick to let her know that she was nothing more than their property, and she was sure he’d be no different.
“
Okay where did you come from?” asked Chris

“The book” she wrote

“So you were trapped in the book?”

“Yes” she wrote

“Well now that your free, you can go home now” said Chris “Where do you live?”

“Here” she wrote

“Here in San Fran?” asked Chris “or is it Oakland?”

“What’s San Fran or Oakland?” she thought in confusion “Towns, maybe?”

“No, Right here….with you, my master”

“Hold it… I said you were free to go home” said Chris

“Saying something doesn’t make it so” she wrote “I told you, only a Keilari can release me. I am bound to you for the duration of your life!”

It’s a good thing Moedie was gone now, because Chris could only image his reaction to this crazy ass situation.He could just hear him now:

“What the fuck is wrong with you, boy?! Owning Slaves?!? I ought to kick your little bony ass on general principal alone! I thought I taught you better than that!”

~O~

Chris tossed and turned in his bed. Despite his many attempts to get the girl to leave she wouldn’t, claiming she was bound to the curse of that damn book. She was a defiant and hard headed little shit. He could tell by looking into her eyes she wasn't exactly happy with the situation.

“Well that makes two of us” he thought “I already got one crazy girl trying to intrude in my life I don’t need two”

It wasn’t exactly a situation you could call the cops on. ‘Hello 911? Yeah I got a weird vampire chick who won’t get the hell out of my house! Where did she come from? She magically appeared half naked out of an old book I bought off the internet’ Yeah, that would go over quite well with SFPD

Sighing and getting back up, he went back to the living area. Hitting the light, he noticed her huddled in a corner right where he left her when he stormed out the room in frustration. Annoyed that she wouldn’t just leave he had told her to stay in the spot and not to move. She had complied obediently.

“Hey don’t you sleep?” He asked

“No, I do not!” she wrote glaring at him

“Why not” asked Chris

“I’m not allowed to” she wrote

“Says who?”

“Masters” she wrote

Groaning he went back into his room and grabbed a pillow and a blanket.

“Come here” he said leading her to the couch and setting the pillow on it

“You say I’m your master and that I’m stuck with you right?” he asked her

She nodded as she looked at the floor. She knew it was going to begin, the start of another brutal torturous existence. She knew he’d be no different….

“Until I can figure out what is going on here, I guess have no choice but deal with you” he said roughly “Lie down and put your head on the pillow”

She climbed on the strange piece of furniture fearfully not knowing what sort of horrors he would inflict on her. But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of her tears, she wouldn't even scream.

“In this house everyone sleeps, got it?” Chris said spreading the blanket over her

She was really confused now. Just what sort of game was he playing? She yawned trying to fight the heaviness in her eyes. He was a weird master and even weirder human. She didn’t trust him because humans could never be trusted… again…

Chris shrugged as the girl finally closed her eyes and settled into a somewhat peaceful slumber. He on the other hand wasn’t going to be able to sleep. Not with all this crazy shit going on.

Heading back to his computer he turned it on, illuminating the room with a soft glow. He turned to look at his guest on the couch hoping he didn’t disturb her but she was soundly out. Turning his attention back to the screen, he started to type.

“She was a strange but intriguing girl. Where she came from he didn’t know but she stalked him like relentless prey. She was beautiful, there was no doubt about that but……”

Chris smiled as his fingers typed rapidly as if of their own admission. He got his mojo back! He was writing….

~O~

From the couch, a tiny clinking sound was heard as a small crack was formed on the girls collar. She slowly opened her right eye ever so slightly. It was no longer a purplish-blue but an evil looking blood red color. A sinister smile appeared on her face for just a moment.

“Soon” she thought evilly before closing her eyes and settling back to sleep………..

Stories of The Relic: The Book of Keilari - Part 2 - The Gift of a name

Christopher Kagawa aka Chris Tome is a 23 year old Award winning best selling novelist with a problem, he has lost his passion for his craft. He lives a lonely and reclusive existence with a growing disdain for the outside world and humanity in general. Magically dropped into his lap is a Keliari, a seemingly female vampire who is now bonded to him via a curse.

By Alexander Kung

San Francisco 2010

Chris rubbed his eyes as turned off his computer. It was a long night but he got a lot done, two full chapters of his new book. It just might be his best one yet, it might be a series but as it was, it was turning out to be good enough to stand on its own.

Looking over his shoulder, he gazed at the strange girl sleeping quite soundly on the couch. He still couldn’t believe all of what happened. Seriously who could? A beautiful yet dirty and grimy half naked vampire girl that just magically appeared in the middle of your living room? Yeah, that’s a common occurrence.

If there was still any doubt about it, he only had to look at his wrist for conformation. Burned into his wrist was ‘masters mark’ as she called it. To be honest he’d be happier if she’d would just go way but unless he could find away to undo the contract he was stuck with her, much to both of their displeasure. However there was unusual up side.

Though he wasn’t much for owning slaves, the situation presented a unique opportunity. How often could you pick a vap….er…a Keilari’s brain for information. Might as well take advantage of the situation until he could break the contract.

“Yeah but how?” he thought as she slicked his hair back in frustration

Looking at the floor he noticed the book she came from. Tentatively he picked it up, even after everything that happened it seemed like a harmless old book. Still the treated it with a bit of apprehension, not knowing what else it was capable of.

“Hey, I already got a girl vampire slave against my will” he thought as he opened the book “What else could possibly happen?”

Turning to the first page he noticed that the symbols, glyphs and gibberish start to glow softly, forming into letters of the English alphabet. Before long everything on the page was completely readable. Picking up a can of energy drink, he took a sip as he started to read, soaking in every word. Maybe this book might shed a bit more light on his unusual house guest.

~O~

Venica, Italy 1491

It was her favorite time of year, Carnival. The only time of year when the boundaries between the social classes disappeared. A time to break free of the silly rules that came with being nobility and just revel in the excitement of the moment.

Dressed in her finest gown and clad with a beautiful golden mask, she fully wanted to take advantage of this wonderful night of fun.She licked her fangs in pure excitement as Carnival held such a magical hold over her. The anonymous nature of the masquerade and the hint of sexual tension in the air appealed to her curious and mischievous nature. This was going to be a night she would remember for a long time.

It was a beautiful night of decadence as the streets were full of men and women in masks dressed in their very best. Venica, while always a beautiful city, during Carnival it was like nowhere else in the known world. Fireworks shot into the sky as wonderful music played in the background. This night made Venica all that much beautiful.

“I think it’s time for a nice hunt!” she thought with a fanged grin as she sniffed the air "And i know just what i want!"

She was a Keliari, pure born Vampire nobility. Her family had came to this place long ago and became one of the more influential families in Italy. Of course, she like the rest of her family had to hide her Keilari nature from the humans. It was as if she had to wear a mask, during her whole existence. But tonight it didn’t matter, that was the good thing about Carnival, tonight she could just be herself.

Catching the right scent she raced over the bridge in search of her prey. He wasn’t hard to find, he was right by the canal, watching the fireworks. She slowly sneaked up behind him, her fangs showing as she drew closer.

“You can’t sneak up on me, Gianetta” said the young man not even turning around to look at her

"How did you know it was me?" she asked sweetly

“A blind man could sense such a beautiful woman as you a mile away” he said looking at her with a charming smile

“You spoil me with your kind words, Niccolo” she said wrapping her arms around his neck, giving him a deep kiss

He was an artist’s apprentice from Florence, far below her station but she didn’t care, she was smitten with him. He was everything she desired in a man. She may have been promised to the son of a noble as was custom but she wanted this common boy. He was exciting, charming and such a wonderful romantic. She was so addicted to his wonderful personality as well as his passionate kisses. He was the only one who she trusted to share her deepest secrets to.

Holding hands, they enjoyed the night away, taking in the sights and even sharing a romantic waltz as the festivities started to wind down.
She couldn’t be happier, being with someone she was madly in love with instead of who she was told she should love.

“Gianetta?” said Niccolo smoothly “Would you think less of me if I asked to make love you tonight? There is no one I would rather be with then you ”

“I…..um…Really?” said Gianetta taken aback “I don’t know…I mean I want to but…”

“Do you not love me?” asked Niccolo

“I do but…” she started

“Then there is nothing left to discuss” said Niccolo taking her by the hand and leading down a dark ally toward his place

Her heart thumped in anticipation as she followed his lead. A boy, a human one at that, wanted her and accepted her. She smiled as she imagined her first time making love with him. Sadly her smile would not last...

Rounding the corner, they ran into a gang of the scariest looking men she had ever seen. She looked to Niccolo for help but she was in for a disturbing shock. Gone was that warm smile of his, replaced with a sinister sneer.

“It took you long enough” said the leader of the gang “Were you having too much fun?”

“Niccolo ,what going on?” asked Gianetta in a pained voice

“What’s going on is, that you are a member of a noble family” said the gang leader tossing Niccolo a pouch of coins“ and they’d pay well to get you back in one piece”

“I thought you loved me!” she screamed at him

“As if I could love a nasty little finocchio like you” he said wiping his mouth and spitting in disgust. “I did this for the money”

“Well, you’ll have plenty of time to count it in hell” she said as her eyes turned bright red in anger and she bared her fangs

With lightning fast speed she made short work of the gang, starting by viciously ripping the leaders arm off and beating him to death with it. The others found similar fates, ripping out their throats, crushing their heads, and tearing off body parts. By the time she was done the gang was a unrecognizable mess, parts of them sticking to the walls of the ally. All but one that is, and she made sure to save him for last

Turning her attention to Niccolo, she growled like a wild animal as she walked toward him. She was a hellish looking sight as her beautiful white gown was torn and stained red with fresh blood. Her face twisted in a mixture of hurt and anger as she locked eyes with him. Cowering on the ground in fear and his trousers wet with urine, Niccolo did what anyone with out options would do, he started to beg.

“Gianetta, please? I'll give you anything you want, just don’t kill me. I'll leave Venica forever, you'll never see me again” he begged tossing her the pouch "Here take the money, it's yours!"

Catching the pouch, she leisurely chucked it over her shoulder. Did he truly think that a pouch of a few measly coins would truly save him? No amount of money was going to buy off her wrath. She didn't know what hurt worse, the fact that he betrayed her or that he had blatantly called her a finocchio in disgust. She had trusted him, confided in him and loved him and she had thought that he was different, that he could have accepted her and loved her too. It was all just a cruel lie

As Tears streamed down her cheeks, she snarled she lifted him off his feet by his throat. No amount of begging was going to save him tonight. She would see to that.

“You said you loved me and like a fool I believed it” she said sadly, obviously hurt

“This was just a misunderstanding I swear” he begged with an obvious lie "I do love you, They....they forced me to bring you here. I...I had no choice"

“I‘m beyond believing your lies. I could tell you how your words and actions made me feel but..." she said, pausing as a cruel smile appeared on her face "But i think it's better to show you"

He watched helplessly as her nails on her free hand grew into razor sharp claws. Plunging her hand into his chest, she brutally ripped out his heart. Forcing him to watch as the life drained from his body, she dropped it to the ground and stomped on it, crushing it with a nasty sounding squish.

Tossing his limp dead body aside, she dropped to her knees sadly, sick and guilt ridden that at all this had to happen this way. As she wallowed in sadness, a heavy black sack was quickly draped over her head as two unnaturally strong arms lifted her up off her feet and whisked her away down the dark ally.

~O~

San Francisco 2010

The girl on the couch yawned and stretched out as she woke from her slumber. It was nice to be able to rest and sleep, her new master was the very first to allow her to do so. Still despite that face she didn’t trust him.

Looking around she saw him at fast asleep at his desk surrounded by a couple of strange glowing squares (lcd monitors). Next to him, under his arm was the book, opened about half way. Could it be he was reading it? None of her other masters ever did, they only used to show it to her to remind her who was in charge and who was the master. She was positive that once he realized what he has, he would be no different.

But now that was the least of her problems at the moment, she needed to go and go badly. Looking under the piece of furniture she was on, she noticed there was no chamber pot. She knew that the master would be very upset if she relieved herself on the furniture. In the dungeons she didn’t need to worry as much because she could let go anywhere. Disgusting? Yes but over the years she had gotten used it.

Doing the potty dance she scanned the room looking for anything that even remotely looked like a chamber pot, finally finding one next to the masters desk.

“Ew, why would he have it so close there?” she thought as she grabbed it “and why is it full of paper?”

Chris woke up to an odd sound. It started with a rustling of paper then it sounded like a stream water hitting something with such a strange tapping noise.

“I swear to god if that is another leak in the roof, I’m going to have someone’s ass” he grumbled opening his eyes."And what the fuck smells like ammonia"

His jaw dropped as he saw his uninvited house guest sitting on his porcelain waste basket and pissing in it like it was the most natural thing in the world to do...in the living room

“What the hell are you doing!?” asked Chris in disbelief

“What does it look like stupid!” she thought as she kept on going

"You have got to be kidding me?" said Chris not exactly knowing what to do

With a swift motion he lifted both her and the waste basket up in one swoop. She gasped at his unexpected action but did not fight him. He noticed that she was remarkably light as he took her to the bathroom. Hitting the light switch and looking to the right, he noticed the first myth of vampires was soundly busted, because he could see her quite clearly reflected in the mirror.

“Okay” he said setting her down and pointing to strange device “That is a toilet, now whenever you need to go, you sit on it and go. When you are done, you press this little lever and it goes away, okay?"

He hit the lever and she jumped back at the noise, not liking the flushing sound. Surely he was joking. That thing was a chamber pot?

“You’ll get used to it” said Chris turning on the water to the bathtub “Now, water won’t hurt a Keilari will it?"

She shook her head no as she looked in complete fascination as the water came from the faucet. It was strange to her, she never saw water come out of the wall before.

“Well since I have to deal with you for the time being” said Chris “ I want you to take a bath because you’re covered filth and no offense you stink.”

She glared at him as she felt truly insulted. Looking in the mirror, the first time in many year,s she almost started to cry as she realized how pathetic and horrible she looked. She looked like a complete mess

“Wait here, i have to get a few thing and do something with this” said Chris as he left the bathroom with the waste basket "ugh that shit is foul!"

Going out on the back porch he dumped out the offending waste basked and set it upside down to dry. He then returned quickly with her diving slate, some soap and some clothing. Her heart jumped into her throat as she saw something else.. pair of shears. Screaming loudly in fear, she huddled in the corner sitting on her fingers. She knew he couldn’t be trusted. He just wanted to hurt her just like everyone else did.

“Hey hey hey” said Chris gently confused by her reaction “I’m not going to hurt you, I promise”

“I dont believe you! Why do you have a pair of shears then?” she wrote with a shaky hand

“Oh, these?” he said holding up the heavy shears “Well I noticed you have that leather underwear on, I thought it would be a bit comfortable for you if we got it off before you took your bath”

“It is a chastity belt” she wrote "It has a lock and it wont come off!"

“I think I know how to get around that. Look, I promise I won’t hurt you” said Chris “If you're embarrassed, I promise won’t look either but we need to get it off. All that metal on that leather will mess up the bathtub. Now hold still and let me get that off.”

Her eyes slowly followed him as he walked toward her, she didn't trust him but the curse forced her to obey him. He was surprisingly gentle as he helped her to her feet and raised her arms above her head. He had to admit she had a very nice body, though it was too bad he was so terrible around women.

The chastity belt was indeed locked as she said it was but it was a crappy design that was easily circumvented by sniping it in two places. When he grabbed his shears, she held her breath fearfully, the shears were so close and worse what if he found out? The last master cut off her thumbs, she truly feared what this new one would do...

He made the two cuts and tried to slide it down but it wouldn't move the leather away. He had no idea how long she had this thing on but it had to have been a bit as was stuck to her. If he couldn't slide it of maybe he could peal it off. Pulling gently but forceful it started to give.

“What the hell?” said Chris as she whimpered in slight pain “What sick fucking shit invented this?”

On the inside of the chastity belt were hundreds of razor sharp spikes that dug into deep into her skin. Poor thing, those former masters of hers were real bastards. What the hell were they doing to her? What could she have possibly done to deserve getting this put on her? No doubt about it now, it has to come off of her. Leaving it on would be too cruel.

“Now this is going to hurt a bit but we have to get this off okay?” said Chris gently "okay, on three. 1…2..

With a quick tug he pulled both pieces apart as she yelped in pain. To his surprise, the many small wounds healed up almost instantaneously. Though he promised not to look, curiosity got the better of him and he sneaked a small peak which tuned into a large wide eyed peak.

"Whoa!" said Chris not exactly knowing what else to say

Between her legs was a small 4 inch penis and a vagina. But it didn’t seem out of place on her fully feminine body, in fact as strange as it sounded it looked pretty feminine. Fully embarrassed, she turned bright red as she quickly covered herself giving him an icy glare. She was upset but not at all surprised that he didn't keep his word. He was human after all. Know that he knew it was all going to change now, she was certain of it.

“Um here you go” he said regaining his composure and handing her a bar of soap “Make sure you wash up good and get behind the ears”

She said nothing except giving him a colder glare while taking the soap from him. Taking the obvious hint, he spun around and got out of the bathroom

As he left and shut the door, she hopped into the tub. The warm water felt heavenly as she scrubbed herself . She thought about her new master, he really was strange. Her last master put her in the belt because he hated looking at her thing, he said it was disgusting. But Her new one seemed shocked but not exactly repulsed by it. She wondered why...

~O~

Hearing the splashing coming from the bathroom he couldn’t help but smile a bit. She was turning into quite the water bug. Another vampire myth busted it seems because she was having a ball in the bath tub.

“Well that was… an interesting discovery” thought Chris as he rummaged through the kitchen cupboards “I wonder if all Keliari are intersexual like that?”

He was very confused when reading the book because Niccolo called Gianetta an finocchio, the Italian epithet word for fag. Is it possible that she the really the girl described in the book?

If what he read was true she was around since 15th century, which explained her certain child like behaviors. Being thrust in the 21st century it must have been an extreme culture shock for her. But he believe that she would adapt, she seemed pretty smart.

“What the hell would a Keilairi eat?” thought Chris “Ugh, She’s a vampire you dumbass! What the hell do you think she eats? Now how the hell am I going to get any sort of blood at this hour? Wait a minute….”

Grabbing to the yellow pages, he hoped it fit her palette because it was going to be expensive.

“Oh I hope they’re still in business” he thought as he dialed the number to a Vietnamese hole in the wall restaurant. The hole in the walls were the best as they let the good food speak volumes rather than a mass adverting blitz

“Thank for you calling A Dong Restaurant, will you be dining in or having um, like take out?” said the the girl on the other end in a surfer girl voice

“Gotta love San Francisco.” snickered Chris as he placed an order “ It will be to go, one order of beef noodle soup and 2 orders of tiết canh”
“
Um dude… we don’t like sell tiết canh” said the girl on the other line “ You know,Health regulations and all that shit”

“I know you guys make it, come on don't bullshit me!” said Chris “Look, since you guys can’t officially sell it, how about you give it to me for free and I pay you the gas and delivery charge for your trouble”

“How much?” asked the girl

“How does $250 sound?” said Chris

He heard a rapid exchange of Vietnamese in the back ground and a few seconds later the girl came back on the other end

“It’ll be there in about 15 minutes, three orders of beef noodle soup”

“Wait a minute I ordered ….

“You ordered 3…beef ..noodle ..soup.” said the girl “Got it?”

“Yep” said Chris finally getting it

“Thank you for your business, dude!" said the girl" And remember, when you want something good and warm in your mouth, think of A Dong”

Chris nearly dropped the phone from laughing so hard

~0~

The water was starting to get cold as the girl stepped out. For the first time in a long time she felt like a noble rather than an object. Drying her body off with a towel she put on the strange clothing left for her by her master. Normally a noble women wouldn’t be caught dead in a pair of top and trousers (soft wool pajamas) but they felt so good and soft.

Walking out of the bathroom she peered around the corner as he was at the door exchanging pieces of paper for two bags. Her eyes narrowed as she wondered what was in the bags.

“Probably something bad” she thought as he walked into the kitchen

Her stomach growled as she silently followed him into the kitchen. Looking at the floor she spied a bowl of food. Her heart dropped as she saw it, knowing that he was indeed no different than all the others. He saw her as nothing more than an animal. Dropping to all fours she crawled toward the small bowl sadly.

“What are you doing?” asked Chris “That’s the cats food!”

“Of course it was!” she thought “All the masters beasts eat better than me”

“Get off the damn floor” he said pulling her off the floor and setting her at the table "You just took a bath and you don't need to get dirty again"

She glared at him as she just knew he would just eat in front of her while her stomach growled. She felt so weak as she needed to feed. It hurt so bad.

Putting a bowl into a strange black box (microwave) and pressing a few buttons, is wasn't long before she noticed a very familiar aroma that filling the air. Her pain started to grow worse as the smell got stronger. The bastard was toying with her! Pulling the bowl out she saw the steam rising from it. He blew on it just a bit as he brought it to the table.

If it wasn't for the curse she would have beaten him within an inch of his life with the chair she was sitting on and took the bowl from him. She wasn't expecting what he would do next....

“I didn’t know what Keilari ate so I made a guess and ordered something special for you” said Chris sliding the bowl to her with a spoon “I hope you like it because it was very expensive”

Looking at the bowl and then at him incredulously, she wondered what his game was.

"It's okay! Go on eat" Chris chided

Not needing to be told twice, she dug in with gusto. Forgoing all basic noble manners, she grabbed the bowl by the sides and drank with a loud slurp. It it was as good as it smelled, a very strong fowl like flavor.

“It’s called tiết canh” said Chris as if reading her mind “Raw duck blood soup”

Chris looked on while eating his soup. She was something else, in just the past few hours, she soundly busted quite a few of the set in stone vampire rules. Mirror rule- Busted, Water Rule- Busted, Undead Rule, well considering she could breathe and piss that might be busted too. Obviously the invite rule is shot to hell as well.

Watching her feed was sort of interesting though. While not the over dramatic and highly sexualized depictions you'd see in the movies whenever a girl vampire would feed, he had to admit there was something very erotic about how she ate. It didn't hurt that when cleaned up she was quite the looker, very exotic looking and even in a pair pj's he could tell she had a nice body.

As she finished off the bowl, she was found herself quite full and satisfied. The blood soup really hit the spot. She grabbed her dive slate and began writing..

“Thank you master” she wrote “I really needed that, I was so hungry”

“It was nothing” scoffed Chris “And my name isn’t master, its Christopher or Chris for short”

“But you are my master!” she wrote “ I cannot call my master by their given name”

“Says who?” said Chris crossing his arms "What kind of stupid rule is that?"

“All the other masters had the rule” she wrote

“Well, I'm not them. So from here on out...” said Chris “I would prefer if you call me Chris”

“As you wish” she wrote “Chris”

“Now what do I call you? According to the book, there’s someone by the name of Gianetta. Is that you?”

She looked down at her feet and nodded her head. It had been a long time since she had been called that name.

“Well then how about I call you that or Gia for short then?” said Chris “It sounds a lot better than ‘hey you’“

“Gia is fine” she wrote

“Okay well,now that you're clean and fed why don't you go back to bed, it’s still late” said Chris yawning while looking at the clock “ Damn it's 3 in the morning? Hey before you go i got a question,how often do you need to feed on blood?”

Sitting on the couch she got comfortable and covered up. Grabbing the dive slate, she started scribbling

“Once a fortnight” she wrote

“Good to know” he said as went to his bedroom before shutting off the light “Get some sleep, we have a long day tomorrow and i'm sure to have more questions”

She yawned as she settled back to sleep. She still didn’t know what to think about the new master, Christopher. He was so confusing and strange so unlike any of the other masters. Still he was human and who know what cruelty lied underneath the thin veil of his so called kindness. Humans could change at the drop of a hat and it was only a matter of time before he would show his true colors.

*clink*

Another small crack appeared in her collar as her eyes turned blood red again. An evil sinister smile appeared on her face as got up from the couch. Feeding was not just a way to sate her hunger but it also allowed her to use her vampiric powers. Turning into a mist she floated her way to his room, slipping under the locked door.

While still under the curse of the book, she couldn’t bring any harm to him yet. Still, It was important to know her enemy. Forming back into her normal voluptuous body at the foot of his bed, she found him fast asleep.

“Well, Christopher” she thought ”Let’s see what type of disgusting person you really are”

Taking a slender finger, she touched his forehead and disappeared entering his mind…..

Stories of The Relic: The Book of Keilari - Part 3 - The Boy Nobody Wanted

Gia's short trip through Christopher's mind yields a few things she didn't expect. Could it be she was be wrong about him?

By Alexander Kung

San Francisco 2010 —Chris’ Mind

Mind walking was one of the most dangerous of Keliari skills if the mind was a chaotic one. However, Gia felt the risk was well worth it, if only to prove to herself that Christopher was just as bad as all the others that possessed the book.
Her skills a bit rusty from lack of use, she appeared 4 feet in the air higher than she wanted and promptly landed on her ass on the hard ground below. Dusting herself off, she found herself in a mist filled forest, just before dawn. Making her way through the moss colored trees, she came upon a wide clearing. There she saw her, a pale girl just like her with long fangs sitting on a log , crying inconsolably. She didn’t even try to run or hide as the sun started to rise. As soon as the rays hit the girl,she burst into flames screaming in pain as she combusted into a pile of ash. Her remains were then blown softly away by the morning wind.

“That doesn’t happen!” she thought as the sun’s rays hit her “What kind of idiotic memory is this?”

The morning sun started to turn her blood red eyes back to a purple blue with rounded pupils and caused her fangs to retract leaving her quite human looking. The Sun only weakened her vampiric powers and overall look to blend in with society during the day. Obviously a noble that only came out at night would arouse some sort of suspicion

Still since the sun was only imaginary, she was able to keep her powers and find a door out of this memory. Opening a small rift, she walked though finding herself in a grand hallway with doors that lead on to infinity. Taking a look back at the door she came out of, she noticed a sign that read ‘Dark Fathoms Book 1’

“So, he’s an Author” she thought, glad that she could feel her body changing back, she despised looking human anymore “That explains his stupid ignorance of Keliari or vampires. We burn in the daylight indeed, what utter stupid nonsense.”

As she explored the hallway, she found that his mind was quite tidy as every door had a label and painstakingly organized. Though she wasn’t at all surprised because he seemed the meticulous type. Her eyes narrowed as she finally saw the door she was looking for, marked “Sexual fantasies”.

“Of course” she smiled as she turned the knob “Now I’ll prove that you are no better than the ones before you!”

Whatever horrible thing she was expecting, she was in for a bit of disappointment because it just wasn’t there. There were no dark and damp dungeons, no helpless women tied up and brutalized. No horrible bloody scenes of violence or sadism. If fact there really wasn’t much but a large room filled with a thick purple fog. It had an odd smell, which she recognized as doubt and uncertainty. Taking a deep breath she blew the fog away leaving the area clear.

From the darkness appeared three beds each with a version of Chris very much naked. On the first bed was of Chris making love to a woman she had never seen before. She was so beautiful looking with her hair styled in two red pigtails. The sex was a little rough looking but she saw that the girl was enjoying it immensely, moaning quite loudly as he thrust into her harder and faster while she dug her long nails into his back.

The second bed was him with….herself?!? Humph as if she would ever willingly let a disgusting human touch her in such a way. Still curiosity got the better of her as he looked on, noticing that he wasn’t even close to being brutal with her. Instead he very soft and tender with her, nuzzling her neck and whispering softly in her ears as she giggled shyly while sitting on his lap. As his strong hands massaged her breasts, she gently caressed his cheek, turning her head slightly to kiss him. She noticed that he didn’t seem to be bothered in the least that she was…different.

“Is…this what he dreams about?” she thought in disbelief

The third was all three of them together. She saw the fantasy version of herself and the unknown girl sharing a deep loving tongue kiss before each giving Chris the same kind of kiss. They then pushed him down on his back, cuddling and resting their heads on his chest.

“My two beautiful princesses” said the fantasy Chris while lovingly playing their hair. He smiled warmly as they both closed their eyes and sighed in satisfaction

Typical male fantasy, two girls at once. Still she had to admit prior to her curse that she had entertained the thought of being with a woman but that was before she saw how distasteful humans were. Just as things were starting to get interesting the fog returned, filling the room and causing everything to disappear with as sad sigh echoed in the nothingness

“Yeah like that would ever happen!” said a disembodied but sad sounding voice which she recognized as Christopher’s “I’m not setting myself up for any heart break”

Leaving the room, she shut the door behind her as a slight blush formed on her face at what she saw. Returning to the hallway, she found herself really conflicted. He was a human and while kind of a grouchy one, he was not even close to being cruel. In fact in here in here he seems so sad and distant.

Perhaps delving a bit farther back might shine a light on his nature. Walking deeper down the hall, she ventured back to the memories of his earlier days. Choosing a door, she opened it and stepped inside not sure what she would see…

~O~

Sacramento California- 1999

Christopher Kagawa’s life as a kid wasn’t an easy one. For as long as he could remember he was bounced from foster home to foster home. Some nice and some not so nice. Either way he always got sent back into the system. Good for a paycheck but not quite enough to keep. In time it convinced him that he was somehow damaged goods, something nobody wanted.

He had just got released from the hospital after a vicious beating by his latest foster father. It had been going on for a while until he decided to fight back but a 12 year old had no chance of winning a fight with a 35 year old man. Though the official story is he fell down the stairs, the fist marks on his body said otherwise.

Still due to Christopher’s attitude and demeanor, he was labeled as a trouble maker and gave his social worker massive headaches as she had a hard time finding anyone who was willing to take him in.

“Christopher!” She said “I know you’ve been though a lot but you have to get that attitude of yours in check or you’ll never placed anywhere permanently“

“Oh sure, blame the kid” said a 12 year old Chris with two black eyes “I guess it couldn’t be you placing me with sugar ray redneck who used me as a punching bag or the damn family that felt that I didn’t match their ideal of the American family and promptly sent me back when a nice lighter skinned kid became available. And let’s not forget about Mr touchy Feely, but look on the bright side, he now can pee around corners. ”

“Christopher enough!” said the social worker “I admit I’ve made mistakes….

“Yeah that’s putting it lightly” said Chris

“But you’re getting older and it will be harder to get you placed” said the social worker

“Don’t even act like you give two shits about what happens to me!” Chris spat “I been in the system long enough to know exactly what I am to you”

“And that is?” snorted the social worker

“A file in a folder” said Chris “An 8 hour job and then you go home. Forgive me if my faith in you is bit shaken, seeing as all the “nice places” you sent me to turned out so far”

~O~

Gia’s eyes turned from blood red back to their normal purple blue as she watched on. There were certain things she didn’t quite understand but she got the gist of it. He was an orphan that nobody seemed to have wanted. Maybe it was a human trick to earn her pity..but still she wanted to know a bit more…

Oakland California- 1999

It was a stupid decision but Chris had run away from foster care. Grabbing all the money he could, he packed a bag and headed south. Surviving on the streets was harder than he thought and it wasn’t long before he ran out of money and was in trouble. He was lost, cold, wet, scared and hungry. He sadly trudged though the dark streets as a hard winter storm had hit the city, El Nino they called it.
In an act of pure desperation, hesitantly he broke into a house. It was a nicely furnished house with a lot of nice stuff but Chris didn’t care about any of that. He just wanted get some food as he raced to the kitchen. Pulling open the refrigerator, he stuffed his bag with as much food as he could carry.

Before heading back out into the rain, he quickly scribbled a note and left it on the table. He raced back into the living room to escape out the open window he slipped in… he didn’t make it. He sighed in defeat as a set of flashing red and blue lights reflected in the windows….

“Come out with your hands up!” yelled a voice over a loud speaker

Dropping the bag he opened the front door and walked out with his hands raised above his head, trying hard not to cry

~O~

Never did he feel so alone as when he went to family court. Here he was, all of 12 years old and possibly going to Juvi on a breaking and entering charge. But honestly it didn’t matter anymore, Chris was so broken down that he honestly didn’t even care what they did to him anymore.

“Whatever” he mumbled to himself

“Your honor, the owner of the house in question is declining to press charges” said the prosecuting attorney “However, he would like to speak with you in chambers”

“What?” asked Chris to his legal aid “Why would he drop the charges?”

“I don’t know” smiled his pro bono attorney ”But this is good news for you”

Inside the judge’s chambers was the judge the prosecutor and a big chubby bald older black man with a trimmed white beard.

“Mr. Jackson are you fully understanding what you’re asking?” asked the Judge

“I’m positive” said Mr Jackson with a smile “There not going to be a problem, is it?

“What going on?” asked Chris

“Well, Mr Jackson is dropping the charges and is asking to foster you for a while”

“And why would you do that for someone that broke into your house, Mr. Jackson?” asked Chris not believing his ears

“Well I got my reasons” said Mr. Jackson “ And enough with that Mr Jackson stuff , just call me Moedie, everyone does. Can I ask you question kid?”

“Yeah?” asked Chris

“You want to go get something to eat?” smiled Mr. Jackson

~O~

It was strange at first but Chris forced himself not to get attached. You get attached you get hurt, that’s what life has always taught him. It was just so much safer to keep distant, people were so unreliable. Feed you a line, build up your hopes and then cut you down.
It had been two weeks since he had moved into the house he had broken into. Moedie seemed like an okay guy, kind of a big kid who had just a very contagious joyful personality but Chris knew that people could flip flop real quick.

“Hey Chris can I talk to you on the porch for a minute?” said Moedie popping his head into his room “It’s nothing bad, I just wanted talk to you for a sec”

“Chris followed him to the back porch that had a nice view of the San Francisco bay. Moedie leaned on on the railing as he looked out at the sparkling busy bay as the boats went by.

“You know whenever the world seems to slap me down” said Moedie “I can always come out here and be at some sort of peace ”

“Just by watching some boats on the bay?” asked Chris “How does that help with anything?”

“Eh, I don’t know really” smiled Moedie “It just does…”

“So um…what did you need to talk to me about?” asked Chris sort of expecting the answer

“Straight to the point aren’t you, kid?” said Moedie “Well I wanted to know why you haven’t unpacked yet? Is there something wrong?”

“I appreciate everything you’ve done, Mr Jackson” said Chris truthfully “ But I don’t what to have to pack again when you get tired of me and send me back to foster care”

“So that is what this is all about..” said Moedie walking back to Christopher’s room and unpacking all his stuff

“What are you doing?” asked Chris

“What does it look like I’m doing, boy?” said the older man “Now are you going to help or stand there looking stupid? Come on help me unpack”

“Okay” said Chris with a bit of apprehension

“Look Chris, I know you’ve had it hard” said Moedie “but I’m not like everyone else,if you can believe that. You’re not a broken toaster or a sweater that I don’t like. It's not like I’m gonna take you back to the store and exchange you or get my money back ”

“I heard that before” said Chris flatly

“I’m sure you’ve had” said Moedie holding out his outstretched pinkie “ and I don’t expect you to outright trust me yet but i swear to you I’m not sending you back to the foster system. Pinkie promise?

“What do I have to lose?” said Chris locking pinkies with Moedie

“Not much” smiled Moedie mussing Chris’ hair “You’re stuck with me and I’m stuck with you. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s go get something to eat”

Chris tried to be hopeful but he knew how people could change, still there was a small part of him that hope that Moedie was a bit different than the others….

~O~

Gia appeared at the foot of Christopher’s bed no knowing what to think. She still didn’t quite trust him yet but she breathed a slight bit easier knowing that he was truly unlike her former cruel masters, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't become one. Turning into a mist she slid underneath the door as he slept soundly and the returned to the couch.

Getting comfortable she quickly fell back asleep with a slight smile on her face, Christopher was quite intriguing. It seemed that he was a lot like her, well maybe….

Before she came to any sort conclusion, she needed to do a few more mind walks, just to make sure.

However if she found something she didn’t like…

Stories of The Relic: The Book of Keilari - Part 4 — Ground Rules

By Alexander Kung

The Quietness of the loft was broken by the soft sounds of wimpering and sobbing. Gia growled as she tossed and turned on the couch unable to sleep soundly. After not being able to sleep for centuries, she found herself haunted by the memories of the cruelty shown to her over the years. But the worst was the memory of how it all began..

~0~

Venica, Italy 1491

It had all started with after she had dealt with Niccolo’s betrayal when she found herself abducted and whisked through the back alleys of the city. It was a disorienting trip as her abductor darted through the cobble stoned lined streets. With the bag over her head she could barely tell which way she was being taken; but who ever had a grip on her had to be a Keilari as well.
As she felt the heavy grip and heavy steeps on the ground, she knew it could be only one person who could capture her like this, Silvio, her family’s large hulking servant.

“And if he’s here that means….” Gia thought with a gulp “Oh NO…”

Only when she heard the familiar tell tale sounds of the noisy gates of Villa Fontana had she realized just how much trouble she was in. She struggled with all her might in a last ditch effort to get away but Silvio’s grip was far too strong. She shivered in fear of what punishment awaited her.

“What are you doing?” she yelled as she felt her wrists and ankles being bound to what felt like wood

Silvio didn’t answer but as he removed the bad over her head, she found herself strapped to a large oak x in the dank dark cellar to the family’s villa. It was a freighting feeling as she saw her extended family surrounding her. In the center she saw a very beautiful older blonde woman looking at her with a mix of disgust and hate. It was her mother, Christina de Fontana

“I’m very disappointed in you, Gio…”she started

“That is not my name” Gia interrupted defiantly as she struggled against her bonds

“Of course how could I forget….Gianetta” Christina said distastefully “ I suppose I should have suspected this day would come. Since the
day you were born you have been nothing but a blight on the house of Fontana”

“Sorry I never lived up to your high expectations ...mother” Gianetta spat back “I never asked to be born like this! Father accepted me…Why can’t you?”

“Don’t you dare….Dare…BRING YOUR FATHERS NAME INTO THIS!” Christina shouted as her face and eyes turned red in anger

“Don’t act like you ever loved him!” Gianetta spat back

A thunderous sound echoed through the cellar as Christina slapped Gia across the face with all her might. Gia willed herself not to cry as looked back at her mother with intense hatred

“I’ve made far too made many allowances for you because I loved your father” Gia’s mother growled barring her fangs “From the moment you were born as a deformed freak, I kept you because I loved him. When you refused to drink human blood, I allowed it despite my feelings otherwise. But now, here you are, associating with the lower class humans dressed like a whore! Do you know the embarrassment you have caused this house? That you have caused me?"

“Oh you poor suffering thing” Gia snorted sarcastically

“Silvio?” growled Christina “Hand me the collar!”

Gia’s eyes grew wide as she struggled against her bonds. She growled and gnashed her teeth as a spiked collar was placed around her neck. A soft glow emanated from the collar as it tightened around her neck. It was painful feeling, as if a 1000 white hot needles jabbed right into her throat. She tried to talk and swear but as much as she tried no words would escape her lips

“I finally found something to shut you up” her mother said with a smug smile “You have always been an unruly and disrespectful child. Ungrateful for everything I’ve done for you. I even found a suitable mate for you, one that was willing to overlook your…defects but no, you choose to defy me and saunter around with those distasteful humans.

Gia glared at her mother, growling almost feral at her and the rest of the whole family in pure hate.

“Defiant to the end aren’t you” her mother sighed “Very well, you leave me no choice then. Silvio do it!”

The large mute servant ripped away the remnants of Gia’s dress leaving her embarrassingly naked. Her lip trembled a bit as her flatchested androgynous form was shown to everyone, not quite a girl but not quite a boy. Grabbing a blood red leather book with a golden seal, Christina started a incantation in an ancient tongue. As the rest of the family repeated the words, a red tendril of energy lashed out from the book searing her back with a large mark of a bat almost like a tattoo. Gia screamed loudly as the pain was excruciating.

“So you want to be with those humans?” sneered her mother as Gia yelped in pain ”Then so be it! From this point on, you are no longer part of the house of Fontana and we will never speak of you again. You will be nothing more than a slave then, bound to this book until a Keilari wishes to release you. Though, good luck finding a Kelilari who will ever love you enough to do that!”

Gia screamed in terror as the book lifted from her mother’s hands. As it floated toward her, it opened, flipping its pages wildly. She fought as hard as she could but to no avail, she felt herself being pulled into is pages.

Soon all was quiet as the book closed and dropped onto the floor. Picking it up Christina looked at it distastefully.

“Get this retched thing out of my sight” growled Gia’s mother thrusting the book in her mute servants hands

~0~

San Francisco 2010

Gia woke up with a start, her bottom lip trembled a bit as she tried hard not to cry. As if sensing her feelings, Christopher’s kitten hopped up on the couch. Gia glared at it hissing and baring her fangs at it but the little kitten was unmoved. Purring softly, he started to rub his face against hers.

Gia heart melted a little as she proceeded to pet the little kitten on the head. Wiggling her finger, she genuinely smiled as it playfully batted at it with its paws. Hopping off the couch, it meowed softly beckoning her to follow.

Getting up off the couch she followed it into the kitchen when she found it pawing at a nearby cabinet. Opening it, she found a bag with the words cat food on it. Grabbing a handful, she placed it into the kitten’s empty bowl.

“So, that’s why you’re being so loveable, huh?” she thought as she scratched the kitten on the head

Letting the cat eat, she felt her own stomach growl. Looking around she noticed a bowl of fruit on the table. Apples, grapes, couple she had never seen before and …a peach, the rarest of fruits. Looking around, she weighed her options. Touching any of the master’s property was looked upon badly and punished severely. Still she hadn’t tasted the sweetness of a peach is a very long time, so she decided to risk it.

“He won’t miss one” she though as she gingerly reached for the peach.

A look of confusion washed over her face as picked it up, it didn’t feel quite right but she took a bite anyway. A look of absolute disgust formed over her face as the taste of wax and dust filled her mouth.

“HEY BITCH!” yelled a loud voice causing Gia to stiffen in fear “You holding out on ol Sugga?”

She was frightened even further when she heard a loud annoyed groan from the master’s bedroom, followed by loud hard stomping. The bedroom door was violently thrown open with a loud slam and a very angry looking and disheveled Christopher appeared. Gia suppressed a gulp and quickly hid the strange peach behind her back hoping he didn’t notice.

“Goddamn son of a bitch!” Christopher grumbled “Just when I was finally getting some fucking rest!”

He angrily ducked under the curtains, flung the window open and stuck his head out looking down at the bane of his morning.

“Sugga Bear? Again motherfucker?” Chris yelled “Do you have any idea what time it is? You wanna take that shit elsewhere?”

“Lookie, here slant eyes” Sugga Bear yelled back up “I don’t tell you how to make sweet and sour pork, and you don’t tell me where and when I discipline my bitches”

If it was a bit later in the day Chris might have been amused by the 60-something, white premafried druggie that for some reason thought he was a black pimp. From early morning to late at night Sugga Bear could be found pimp slapping telephone poles that he believed owned him money. However Chris was not amused..Not this morning..

“Sugga, I’m in no mood for this shit!” Chris yelled “Not this early, so you have exactly 10 seconds to be gone before this slant eye dumps some hot bacon grease on your head. And I fucking mean it!”

As he slammed the window shut and yanked the drapes shut he looked over to the kitchen where Gia was standing, and she was literally shaking in fear. Her lip trembled as her eyes shot almost immediately to the floor.

“Damit!” he thought ”I didn’t mean to scare her”

Chris narrowed his eyes at her. He noticed she had something in her mouth and she was hiding something behind her back. As he took a step toward her she took a step back, almost like a little kid when they knew they did something bad.

“Gia?” asked Chris gently “What do you have behind your back?”

She shrugged her shoulders and continued to look at the floor. She knew the kindness from last night was just an act and now he’d show his true colors.

“Might as well get this over with” she thought sadly as she produced the remains of the peach from behind her back

She closed her eyes and braced herself for the brutal beating or torture that she was sure to receive. After a second or two she heard the sound of soft paper being grabbed. Cracking open her eyes a bit she noticed the master holding a napkin under her chin.

“Okay, spit it out!” said Chris in almost a father like tone “Come on, do it or your gonna get sick”

Obeying she spat out the offending waxy substance into the napkin and swished her mouth out with a glass of water he handed to her. She glared at him as he started to snicker as he handed her the dive slate.

“I can’t believe you tried to eat wax fruit!” Chris smirked “I thought vampires didn’t eat anything besides blood”

“I am not a common vampire!” She wrote in a huff, very insulted “I am a Keilari! We are very different! And why do you have fruit made of wax in your kitchen?”

“Its decoration” said Chris “It’s not meant to be eaten”

“That’s….. idiotic” she wrote

“Hey, it’s my house” said Chris”I’ll run it as stupidly as I want to!”

She watched as he walked over to a strange white cabinet with a glowing light inside, opening it and pulling out a large peach.

“Here!” he said roughly handing it to her and patting her head “If you’re still hungry, I’ll cook breakfast..after I take a shower. I guess it’s obvious I’m not gonna get any fucking sleep around here”

Gia stood in utter confusion as she watched Chris disappear in the bathroom. She honestly didn’t know what to think of him. He was again grouchy but not exactly cruel. Looking at the peach in her hands, she smiled a bit. Biting into it ravenously, she savored the sweetness; it was the first sweet thing she had in a long time.

~O~

Christopher striped out of his clothing and stepped into the shower. As the warm water washed over his body, he closed his eyes as he tried to make sense of his situation. A beautiful brunette falls out of a book he bought on the internet, claims she is bonded to him for life and quite conveniently has fangs and drinks blood.

“I couldn’t make this stuff up even if I wanted to” thought Chris “ and I’m a fiction writer”

As he soaped up his body, he couldn’t help but let his thoughts linger on her. She had an almost childlike innocence just like another person he knew. They even had similar well endowed body types…

“Down boy” sighed Chris as he felt himself starting to get aroused “it’s better to figure out how to break this bond thing and send her on her way.”

It was real simple, a creed that he followed for most of his life. You get attached, you get hurt and Chris felt he had been through enough of that in his life. It was one of the reasons he kept a person like Denise at arm’s length. Sometimes it was just better being alone.

As he stepped out of the shower shaved and got dressed he could help but let his thoughts linger on her some more. He knew she had been through a lot if, the book was anything to go by. That was even more reason to break the so called contract.

Heading out of the bathroom he noticed her on on the floor of the living area playing with Kimari with a bit of loose string with her pjs. Though he considered himself the furthest thing from being gay, he had to admit that the revelation of last night when he removed her chastity belt didn’t bug him all that much. In fact just looking at by looking at her he couldn’t think of her as anything else but a girl and a very pretty one at that.

Not wanting to interrupt their game, he silently made his way into the kitchen.

~0~

Gia took the little bit of happiness she could get though she kept a bit of mistrust in the back of her mind. Playing with the cute little kitten brought back a both wonderful and painful memory.

It was her 5th or 6th master, she couldn’t remember for sure. And he like many of the other masters, he kept her in a damp dungeon away from everything. The beatings and the...other things were bad enough but then there was the unbearable loneliness. Until she met the only shining light in her life at the time, a little feral kitten that found its way into her dungon. It used to visit her every day until the master found out.

As she petted Kimari and scratched his belly, she sadly remembered how that master broke her spirit. Snatching the kitten out of her arms, he nonchalantly twisted its neck right in front of her with a sickening sounding wet snap. She cried for 3 days straight and 3 weeks later when her collar finally broke….She smiled evilly when she remembered how she made him pay dearly for it.

She didn’t know what to think of her new master, she certainly didn’t trust him but there was something so confusing about him. He seemed mean but then there was just this rough kindness about him too. She still wasn’t sure if it was an act or not but he was a human and therefore could change in a heartbeat just like all the others

As Kimari had enough play time and took off to cause mischief elsewhere, Gia heard sizzling coming from the kitchen. As she got up and peered around the corner she was in for a shock as she saw him cooking on a strange looking square device. It was strange to her to see the master of the household, a male one at that cooking for himself.

*ding dong*

“Hey, I’ll get that” said Chris, again patting Gia on the head “Breakfast is ready, so go and eat”

He knew that there was only one person bold enough to knock on is door at 6 0’clock in the morning. Sighing he flipped the locks and cracked open the door.

“Hiya, Chris-tee-fer” beemed Denise in a sickenly sweet voice “So who’s the mysterious girl that I heard through the walls last light?

Without any hesitation Chris slammed the door in her face but Denise was undeterred. Almost immediately she whipped up some tears and a sobbing voice

“How could you do this to me Chris?” she yelled at the top of her lungs ”How could you kick me out on the street just because I told you I was pregnant? Is that all I am to you, just a toy that you can just fuck and knock up then just throw away?”

She grinned as the door almost immediately opened up and Chris blushing bright red grabbed her by the leather corset she was wearing and yanked her into the apartment

“Why do you do shit like that?” asked Chris in annoyance

“Maybe if certain people were nicer and not slam doors in people’s faces, I wouldn’t” said Denise sweetly “So are you gonna tell me who’s the special girl you had screaming loudly last night?”

“Can you keep a secret?”

~0~

Gia looked at Chris with almost comical “Help me” eyes. She recognized the girl from the mindwalk but was not expecting her to be so..lovey dovey”

“OOOOOOOOH she’s so adorable!” squealed Denise as she hugged Gia

“Denise, I think your creeping her out” said Chis handing her a plate of eggs and bacon ”Ease up and have some breakfast”

“So run this down again for me.” said Denise chomping on some bacon ”I just wanna make sure I didn’t hear this wrong”

“Okay for the last time” explained Chris “I bought this 500 year old book on at an auction. Last night as I was reading it, Kimari jumps on my lap and caused me to bleed all over the book. Then like some shit out of a damn cheesy b movie, the damn thing floats in the air and she appears bare ass on my floor.

Gia looked at her master in confusion; he didn’t intentionally summon her out of the book? Could it be he really didn’t know anything?

“So she’s a real life vampire?” asked Denise “That’s so cool!”

“I am not a vampire!” Gia wrote angrily while glaring at Denise “I am a Keilari! We are very different from the common vampire!”

“Uh yeah” said Chris “She doesn’t like being called that”

Walking over to the bookshelf in the living area, Denise pulled Christopher’s dusty copy of the Vampire encyclopedia A to Z.

“Hmm Keilari …Keliari…” Denise said as she flipped through the pages “Dude how can you live all cooped up like this? You need some light in here!

Chris’s eyes widened in fear as she started opening the drapes. If vampire lore taught him anything, the sun was a death sentence for them and Gia whether she wanted to admit it or not was one. Diving across the table he tackled Gia to the floor hoping to shield her from the sun’s rays

“Denise what the hell?” Chis said as he felt Gia pressed underneath him, his hand on her large breasts

Looking down he noticed she was perfectly fine and quite human looking in the sun’s rays. Her fangs were gone, the cat like pupils of her eyes were rounded out and the chalk white pallor of her skin was still a bit pale but more normal looking.

“Hey now,” Denise teased licking her lips “I know you two can’t keep your hands off of each other but try to wait until I leave…unless you’re exhibitionists like that

As if the other was made of hot coal, they lept away from each other, each with a deep red blush on their faces.

“Okay’ said Denise with a bit of a smile “According to this book, Keilari are Vampire nobility. More powerful that the common mindless vampire.

“Gia you’re nobility?” Chris asked incredulously

“Not any more, master” wrote Gia wrote sadly “Now I’m just a slave..Your slave”

“I told you before I don’t want a slave” sighed Chris “And don’t call me master”

“Well if you don’t want her” joked Denise “Can I have her?”

“I’m bound to him for life” wrote Gia “The contract can’t be transferred”

“I was only joking Gia” smiled Denise as she dragged Gia toward the window “There’s no saying we can’t go out and have some fun is there?”

“What kind of fun?” Gia wrote cocking an eyebrow

“How about a day taking in the city?” said Denise as Gia’s jaw dropped in amazement.

It had been forever since she saw the outside and was just awestruck at what she saw. Glass and metal buildings stretching out to the sky, people riding strange contraptions, and just so many different things. No master had ever let her outside before.

“Oh no, absolutely not!” said Chris much to Gia’s disappointment “Out of the question, no way!”

“Why not? You plan on keeping her shacked, up so she’s like you?” teased Denise “A grumpy recluse”

“I just don’t want a see a blood bath on the 6 ‘oclock news if she decides to lose her shit” said Chris

“Dude, look at her, she’s harmless” said Denise “Besides I’ll make sure she doesn’t get into trouble, you have my word”

“Denise…” sighed Chris

“Please!!!!” Denise begged “ Come on look at her, she needs a friend too…. If you let me take her out I’ll make it up to you….”

“Oh yeah?” asked Chris ”What could you possibly offer me?”

“How about we leave you alone for the rest of the day!” smiled Denise “Just think all that time to work on your book, in peace and quiet. Think about it!”

Peace and quiet?!?! It was almost too good to be true.

“Gia, do you really want to go out and explore the city?” asked Chris

She nodded her head hoping he would say yes.

“Okay fine, but I got some ground rules” said Chris “Stay with Denise, No publicly attacking people or animals for blood, no baring your fangs at anyone…”

“and give him head whenever he asks” smirked Denise

“Don’t tell her that, perv” said Chris “ And last but not least no killing anyone. Is that clear?”

“Yes, master” Gia wrote on her pad

“Gia… don't call me master! “ Chris sighed “What did we talk about last night? You’re not my slave and I’m not your master. You’re just a guest in my home”

“Sorry…. Chistopher” Gia wrote

“Just go have fun and don’t get in any trouble” said Chris yawning

“Sweetness!” beamed Denise “You’re not coming along, Chris”

“Nah” said Chris “I don’t like people. You two go and have fun, just don’t stay out too late”

“Sure thing ..DAD” said Denise giving Chris a small peck on the cheek “Come on Gia, let me show you how cool San Fran can be. But first we need to get you some new clothes, you cant go walking around with jammies on”

Gia took a few stepes before spinning around and walking back to Chris, standing on her tip toes and giving Chris a peck on the cheek as well. While she still didn’t trust him , he was a lot better than her other masters, and she liked how he blushed for some reason. Following Denise out the door she was looking forward to explore and find out what this new strange era was like.

As they left Chris smiled just a bit as he held his cheek, two kisses from two beautiful women.

“I’ll take what I can get” sighed Chris “It’s not like I got a chance or anything”

Sitting down at his computer, he started to write a new chapter before doubled over in pain. It felt like getting stabbed from the inside out. Soon the episode passed and he shook it off. He was glad that it didn’t happen in front of Denise or she would have made him go to the hospital and he hated doctors.

Just as he weighed the options of going to the doctor the phone rang. Picking it it he mused it was probably his ex sleezeball agent trying get back in his good graces. No fucking chance of that happening.

“Hello?”

“May I peak to mister Kagawa please?”

“Speaking, who is this?”

“Ah yes, Mr. Kagawa my name is Angelo Seacrest of Seacrest antiquities. It has come to my attention that you have come into possession of a very unique item in the past few days. An old book to be exact.

“I own a lot of old books, Mr. Seacrest what of it?” said Chris “is there a particular thing you wanted?

“Straight to the point, I like that. Does a blood red leather book ring any bells?”

“Can’t say that it does” Chris lied growing a bit uncomfortable

“Come now Mr Kagawa, there’s no need for lying. I know you have it”

“Maybe, again what of it?”

“I’d like very much to own that book. And I’m willing to pay a great deal to aquire it “

“Not interested”

“Not even 100 thousand dollars?”

“Not interested”

“Humph, it would be in your best interests to can the tough guy act and sell me the book. I can be quite..persuasive in getting what I want.”

“If I didn’t know better I’d think that was a threat” said Chris “I have no desire to do any sort of business with you and consider yourself blocked from this number”

“Okay that was creepy” he said to himself as he hung up the phone

~0~

Angleo slamed his fist down on his desk in unbridled frustration and anger. Insolent little punk! He probably had already found out the secret of the book if he was not willing to sell. So be it then

“When I’m done with you, kid….” smiled Angelo evily “You will wishing you had just sold it to me. Nobody says no to me and what I want…I get…over your dead body if need be….. ”

Stories of the Relic: The Book of Keilari —Part 5- Ready and Revelations
By
Alexander Kung

As Denise and Gia get ready for their adventure of San Francisco, Chris learns a bit more about his new house guest

San Francisco- 2010

Angelo Seacrest looked out at the beautiful view of the San Francisco bay from his large office in the Trans America Building deep in thought. After many years of fruitless searching, the book of Subjugation was finally in his grasp only to be denied again and again. That didn’t sit well with the silver haired man of privilege who was used to getting what he wanted.

“First that fool Sanderson” he spat with distaste “And now this little punk Kagawa”

Neither deserved such a powerful book he thought as paced the floor. They had not had the pedigree to own such an item. Not like him, a member of society’s elite who deserved to own a Keilari. Waiting was not an option anymore, so he would take what he wanted. If by violent means then so be it.

“Let just hope you haven’t completed the blood binding ritual, Mr. Kagawa” he said to himself touching his chin “That just might complicate matters”

~O~

Chris opened the book with a bit of apprehension not exactly sure he wanted know anything more about his strange guest. Opening the book, the strange arcane writing started to glow and from into English lettering.

He felt his stomach turn as read the twisted and disturbed thoughts of her former masters. From the time Gia was trapped into the book it was as if every master she had tried to force her into submission by brutal force and sheer mental torture. Trapped into dark damp dungeons, forced to live wading in her own filth, fed scraps or forced to feed on the rats. Treated like a worthless animal or sick plaything.

“Jesus Christ” thought Chris.

Her first master was a Keilari named Dragomir, a name meaning peace of all things. It was quite a cruel irony since he was such a heartless bastard. He was a huge stocky black bearded brute of a man with dark almost black eyes. His taste for cruelty knew no bounds. If Gia could talk she would have begged for mercy but it would have fell on deaf ears.

One of his favorite pastimes was flogging his androgynous slave until she was a bloody mess. It was almost a sick and twisted game. He would demand complete submission from the girlish boy with the defiant eyes, and enjoyed trying to beat the resistance out of her. About 6 months later he was found impaled on a pike in his castle.

Chris skipped ahead to master number 14 who was a vile female sadist by the name of Elena Lexoux. She was a vain woman who felt her youth and beauty slipping away and was very bitter about it.

Gia hoped that with this first female master, she would be kinder than the male masters but that wasn’t the case. In fact she was not only as cruel as the males, but maybe even worse. From the beginning she became insanely jealous of Gia’s feminine looks. For a supposed boy to look so pretty was unforgivable.

She had Gia brutally chained in her cellar; beating her daily with a riding crop and cutting her face with a dagger as if to take slice the looks from Gia who she felt did not deserve such beauty. The fact the Gia healed fast only enraged her more.

At night as if to further humiliate her, Elena snatched by the hair dragging her to her horse stables. She tied her down on a down on the feed rack as Gia struggled viciously. She laughed as she watched with a sort of dark glee while Gia screamed in agony as Elena’s prize stallion forced itself on her. 6 months later Elena along with her price horse were found ripped to unrecognizable pieces

Christopher cringed and felt a bit nauseous as he read on. No wonder she acted like she was frightened and distrustful of him.

He again skipped ahead, this time to master number 20. He was a German officer by the name of Reinhart Bauer. Chris held his stomach as he realized that he one of Nazi Germany’s notorious butcher doctors. The experiments he performed on her were nothing short of horrifying.

He dripped chemicals into her eyes to change her eye color only to blind her. Tossed her into a vacuum chamber to see how she would fare with no air. He brutally cut off limbs and performed surgery without anesthesia. After each experiment Gia’s body would heal perfectly but obviously traumatic to the mind. He took a grotesque delight in having a practically immortal and indestructible test rat. No mater what he did to it, it would remain obedient and compliant.

Unsatisfied with Gia’s androgynous form, He performed his grandest experiment. He fashioned himself a Michelangelo of the flesh . Strapping Gia to a cold medical table, he stabbed 10 needles into her arms connected to very large bags of clear liquid.If his theory was correct, by administering a large dose of female hormones to his lab rat it would jump start a second female puberty.

This experiment had killed many others but as Gia survived all the other experiments,he was ghoulishly interested in on how this would affect Gia

It was not pleasant as Gia, felt her body felt as if it was on fire. She fell extremely ill as her body temperature rose to 51 °C. Beads of sweat covered her whole body as her vision started to go blurry. She gritted her teeth as she tried to fight the heaviness in her eyes but to no avail. Slowly she fell under, her only sign of life was her chest rising slowly. For a full month she lay prone, barely alive as the strange liquid cocktail was pumped into her body.

When she finally awoke, she felt her body had changed. She no longer had a flat chested skinny boyish shape. Instead it was formed into a very voluptuous shapely and well endowed female form. A sinister grin formed on her face as she felt her collar break. Growling she ripped off the restraints binding her to the table. Officer Reinhart was found with his heart ripped out of his chest.

Slapping the book shut and racing to the bathroom Chris vomited into the toilet. He was far beyond disgusted. Why… why would anyone do such a rotten things to Gia.

“I’m not like them!!” thought Chris “A grouch? Yes. A Jerk? Yeah I can be. But I’m not like that!”

Looking back into the toilet he noticed a little bit of blood. Taking a deep breath and washing his mouth out. He put the pain out of his mind and headed back to his desk. He’d see the doctor tomorrow… Maybe…

After reading about what she did to Niccolo and her previous masters, he was now hesitant to let her leave with Denise.
However if what she said was true then she would be no danger to due to his ground rules. Still it wouldn’t help to check up on them to be sure.

Picking up his cell phone he dialed her number. It rang twice before an ultra cheery voice answered.

“Hiya Chris-tee-fer” said Denise “How are you?”

“Better” asked Chris hearing a ruckus going on in the background “How’s Gia doing”

“Aww and I thought you were calling about me” said Denise in a pouty voice “Don’t ya love me?

“Um..i ..errr” stumbled Chris turning bright red

“Hehehe” giggled Denise “You are so easy to tease. I can so hear you blushing.”

“Why do you mess with me like this” asked Chris

“Because it’s so fun!” said Denise “Gia’s fine, we are bonding so don’t worry”

From the background a blood curdling scream was heard followed by a feral growling

“What the hell was that?” asked Chris

“I think she found my clowns” said Denise

“Clowns?!?

“Uh gotta go!” said Denise as hung up the phone

A look of confusion fell over Christopher’s face as he hung up the phone. Clowns? Denise hates clowns, why the hell would she have some in her place?

~O~

Gia fell on her ass as she crawled quickly back to a nearby wall. She fanglessly hissed at the three tall and hideously smiling monsters. It was a trap she knew it, she should have known better than to trust those humans

“Don’t worry about the clowns” said Denise looking at monsters “They are harmless statues”

Helping Gia to her feet, she smiled and punched one of the statues knocking it over.

“Go ahead” said Denise gently “Hit one. You’ll feel better”

Gia pulled back her fist and punched the head off one of the statues.

“Awesome!” said Denise clapping her hands “See don’t you feel better?”

“Why do you have such large frightening statues in your house?” wrote Gia

“Well, I have a fear of clowns and I was told that the best way to was to have something like that to help get over it”

“Does that work?” wrote Gia

“Don’t know…. I hope so. Anyhoo, come on Gia” Denise said pulling her by the arm toward a large walk in closet “Let’s get you some clothes”

Gia smiled a bit as she followed the crazy red head girl. She let her opinion of the girl soften a bit for now. Perhaps humans weren’t so bad. Well maybe just this one.

Gia noticed that Denise’s living quarters were a far far cry from Christopher’s. Whereas her master was neat and somewhat orderly, Denise was chaotic and a bit messy. Her place was a mish mash of studio sets, strange art and clothes strewn all over the place.

“Okay” said Denise cheerfully “Let’s get you out of these jammies”

Gia looked a bit hesitant as she wasn’t sure if she should undress or not

“Don’t be shy, Gia” purred Gia “Its Okay”

Without a hint of hesitation Denise pulled off Gia’s oversized woolen pajamas causing Gia to gasp in surprise as she found herself instantly naked. Turning bright red she quickly covered herself from the red headed girl.

“Hey, were both girls right?” smiled Denise grabbing a measuring tape “So it’s no problem right?”

Gia shook her head as she slowly removed her hands revealing her secret. Looking down at the floor she started to sob and cry. This nice girl would probably see her as a freak

“Hey Hey” said Denise gently giving her a hug “Its okay. No need to be ashamed. I know a lot of girls like you.”

“Really?” wrote Gia

“Yeah” said Denise gesturing to her wall of models “See the girls on my wall?”

“They are very beautiful” wrote Gia

“What if I told you that almost half of them are just like you?” smiled Denise

“They are?”

“Yep” said Denise “So let’s get you some clothes and head out okay? Are you looking forward to that?”

“Yes” wrote Gia with a smile

“Ok so let’s make you pretty” said Denise “This is going to be soooooo Awesome!”

~O~

After vomiting blood, the pain in his stomach and the revelation of the book, it was safe to say that it took a bit out of Christopher. However after the pain finally subsided and he mentally digested what he had read, he was finally able get comfortable on the couch. He yawned and stretched out,closing his tired eyes. He was just about to settle into a comfortable sleep, when…

*KNOCK KNOCK*

“Oh come on!” whined Chris as he yawned and shuffled to the door. “Jesus! Is it too much to fucking ask to get some damn sleep around here?”

Half awake he unlocked the door. As he opened the door, it swung open widely causing Chris to step back as two blurs quickly zipped past him.

“Hey sleepyhead!” beamed Denise spinning around “So how do we look?”

As he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, He was thinking of something rude and smartassed to say. As his vision cleared, his jaw dropped at the sight.

Denise, though he would never really admit it to her face, always looked beautiful. Now she looked even more stunning. She toned herself down a bit but wow did she look good. She still had her bright red hair in pigtails, tastefully done makeup and wearing a simple black dress that hugged every inch of her curvaceous body with long thigh high heeled boots.

Looking to his right, he saw Gia. He thought she was kind of cute before but now she looked gorgeous. Her long black hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her makeup done just enough to enhance her pale skin and, wearing a very low cut top with a sheer fishnet sleeves, tight leather pants and high heeled strapped boots. Just wow!

“Why the goth/metal head look?” asked Chris avoiding the question

“Well I couldn’t exactly have her look like a church girl with her wearing a SPIKED COLLAR, now could i?” laughed Denise

“Good point” said Chris

“Now quit avoiding the damn question” purred Denise

“Um you both look very beautiful” said Chris looking away “Extremely beautiful”

“Hear that? That rare” she said elbowing Gia playfully “Chris giving a compliment!”

“Don’t get used to it” Chris said dryly

“And there’s him back to being his grouchy self” teased Denise “Boy I swear you really need to get laid”

“Out! Both of you!” snapped Chris gently pushing both girls on the butt out the door

“OOOOOOH! Getting bold grabbing our asses” squealed Denise “Maybe if your good we’ll have a threesome when we get back”

Gia bit her lip trying not to laugh at the expression on Christopher’s face. It was as if his brain had ground to a halt. He just stopped in his tracks turning fully red unable to look either one in the eyes. She had to admit that all teasing and his reactions to it were kind of cute. Never did she have a master that was bashful like that. And the way he was turning red as a beet was not an act.

“You’re an intriguing one, Christopher” thought Gia with a smile

“Okay enough Denise” said Chris regaining his composure “Both of you go have fun and leave me alone”

“Meanie!” said Denise playfully pouting

“And Gia” said Christopher “Do you remember my ground rules?”

Gia nodded yes. She was hoping he would not go back on his word like all the other masters would. But she doubted he would for some reason.

“Ok” said Chris pushing them out into the hallway and shutting the door

“Just admit it already!” Denise yelled at the door “You wouldn’t mind have a nice little ménage á  trios with us!”

“Just get lost and have fun!” yelled Chris back through the door “Don’t stay out too late!”

Both girls smiled satisfied that they fully embarrassed Chris as they walked off.

“Do you two always talk to each other like that” wrote Gia on her dive slate

“Always! He’s my friend” smiled Denise “Though I don’t know what I'd do if he ever took me seriously!”

“Do you love him?” wrote Gia

“I …. I don’t think he likes me that way” stuttered Denise avoiding the subject “Let’s go check out San Francisco. You ready?

Gia nodded her head and smiled. She was looking forward to seeing this strange new world. She would put her trust in Denise for now. As for Christopher, well she was still undecided..

As the girls left the building, an expensive car occupied by two well dressed men pulled up across the street. Putting the car in park, the driver pulled out a cell phone and punched in a phone number

“Mr. Seacrest , I think we have found what you are looking for” he said with a sinister fanged smile