Chapter 96 Hallucinatory
1290words
I lowered my phone, mentally cursing again as I still couldn't get hold of Kayn. I tried Ember's number too, but I think she blocked me, as nothing went through to her at all.
"I'm okay, just tired," I lied, feigning a smile. "Those look great, Dad."
"I'm trying," he sighed. "You know I'm not the best cook."
"Are you kidding? You're amazing," I exclaimed. "Are you making your famous rice and veg fry with it?"
"Ha, thanks," he laughed. "I sure am."
"Can't wait. Haven't had that in a while."
"So, your mother is on a mission." Dad turned toward the fridge. "Don't think I've ever seen her hyped up about any of her previous jobs."
"She's working for a big company in her field. It's her dream." I couldn't mask the venom dripping in my tone. "It's a great thing."
Dad eyed me. "You don't sound too happy about it."
"I'm happy for her."
"What about you?" he sighed. "You do realize this means we'll make a permanent residence over here."
My mood instantly perked. "Wait, what?"
"Yes," Dad smiled. "Since your mom signed her contract, we won't be leaving for another five years. By that time you've graduated." His smile dropped. "You grew up way too fast."
"Even if I move out at some point, you do know you'll never get rid of me right?" I grinned.
"I really hope not," Dad admitted. "We'd be lost without you."
I pressed the dial to Kayn's number under the table, for my call only to roll straight into voicemail. Again. I frowned. "Dad, mind if I go over next door quickly, I just—"
"Absolutely not." Dad twisted around, crossing his arms to his chest. "Your mother specified that I not let you out of my sight. Even if the doctor cleared you, we're not taking chances."
"But I feel fine," I lied.
"Tell that to your pale cheeks and the fact that you nearly miss-sat your chair a few minutes ago."
"I'll be quick, please?" I persisted. "I have some assignment thing at school I'm not sure about. I just want to ask Ember what we're supposed to do."
"It can wait until tomorrow," Dad said firmly. "Why don't you go watch a movie and relax a bit? I'll bring your dinner to you when it's ready."
I heaved out a depleted sigh. "Fine. I need to take a shower anyway."
"Bath," Dad corrected. "I don't want you slipping and falling."
I rolled my eyes, getting up from my seat. "Bath, then."
"Good girl," he said. "Don't be too long. Food will be ready in half an hour at the most."
"Sure thing." I headed for the caravan, peering over at our neighbor's house for any sign of movement. All the lights inside were on, but there wasn't a single person in sight. Even Hector's usual spot on the porch was left unvacated.
I peered back over my shoulder, considering heading over there, but I didn't have the physical strength at the moment to run over there and back before Dad noticed.
I felt weak ever since I walked out of that place. I didn't know whether it was the side effects of that machine both Katherine and Janice swore was safe or the aftermath of what I'd seen.
It wouldn't surprise me if it were a mixture of both.
I heaved out a depleted sigh, gathering my toiletries and a set of clean clothes, before heading back for the cottage, noting the neighboring porch was still empty.
I passed the kitchen just in time to see Dad cursing at something brewing inside a pot on the stove, black smoke spewing out of it.
"I'm guessing dinner will be a bit longer than half an hour?" my brow quirked.
Dad turned, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, it seems like it might be a while."
"It's no problem. Actually, it's a great excuse now to nap in the bath," I teased.
I didn't think Dad heard me, as he was occupied poking the burnt food inside the pot with a spoon and murmuring a slew of curses.
"Nevermind," I muttered, grabbing my phone and sticking it into the top of my toiletries bag. I could still hear Dad curse as I entered the bathroom and closed the door behind me.
Before following my standard routine of tying up my hair in a high bun and turning on the tap, I attempted to make another call to Kayn's phone.
Again, it rolled straight into voicemail.
"Great. Just freaking great," I muttered, dropping the phone on top of the cabinet beside my toiletries and snatched up my hair tie.
I couldn't hold back the anxiety expanding inside my chest. I tried really hard not to think of what Kayn sounded like the last time I talked to him and the agony inside his voice.
"Please be okay," I breathed, turning to switch on the tap and watch the water fill the bathtub. I began pacing, considering sneaking past Dad while he thought I was taking a bath.
Something was wrong. I could feel it.
"That's it," I murmured, reaching to twist off the tap. "I'm going over there."
In the process, I somehow managed to stick my arm under the spray of water running from the tap, crying out in pain as the scalding heat expanded against the skin on my forearm.
I pulled back, clutching my arm. "Damnit!"
"Carly?" There was a knock on the door. "Is everything okay in there?"
"I'm okay Dad," I forced out, trying to keep it together from the pain searing through my arm.
"Are you sure?" Concern marred Dad's voice. "It sounded serious."
"I'm fine," I half-hissed, reaching for the cold water tap. "It's nothing."
"All right." I could hear Dad linger a few moments before the sound of footsteps faded from the door.
I glanced down at the burn, only to screech out in shock when a patch of pearly scales developed on my skin.
I shook my arm while clumsily grabbing a towel, only to drop it in the process. I cursed, bending down to pick it up and press it to the patch. Only, the scales had vanished. "What the everloving—"
"Carly?" Dad was by the door again. "You're really starting to worry me."
"I'm...I'm okay, Dad," my voice shook as I examined my arm. "I was just, uh...I dropped the towel in the water."
"Oh." Thankfully that was enough to make Dad go away.
"This isn't happening." I rushed back to the tub, planting myself onto my knees. "I'm imagining things. That's all."
Yet, I couldn't push away the panic rising in me as I stared at the water inside the tub. Slowly, I lifted my arm and pressed my hand into the water. A cry exploded from my lips as I tore back my hand. It felt like I stuck it into a pool of acid. I was clutching it in my other hand, glancing down to discover, to my horror, another patch of pearly scales forming across my skin.
"No. No. No." I hissed under my breath, sticking my hand into the towel. When I was done drying it, the patch of scales was still there. "This has to be some kind of joke."
Without wasting any more time, I rushed out of the bathroom. "I forgot something in the caravan!" I called out to Dad.
I stopped by the caravan to grab a jacket and kicked on shoes, heading straight for the next door, uncaring whether Dad saw me or not.
