Page 17 of Act of Brotherhood
What if we had three arms instead of two?
What if we walked on our hands, not our feet?
What if vampires were real?
What if you met a shifter?
What if you added sugar to your daily diet?
“I am. For real. What if you met someone who was more than human? Would you really freak out?” She put a hand up to stop Nicolette from responding right away. “Better yet, what if you found out something about me, for instance. Something that would mean I’m more than human. Would you be scared of me?”
“I’m terrified of your driving. Does that count?” asked Nicolette, again trying for the remote.
“Be serious.”
“I am. I’ve ridden in a car with you.”
With great restraint, Nicolette did not blurt out the fact that Clara was the one being anything but serious. Instead, she pondered the question, giving in to the game. It really was the only way to get Clara to stop.
“I love you like a sister. You could turn into a unicorn and I’d still love you. I would make you stay out back for fear you’d crap on the carpet or accidentally impale me with your horn, but other than that, I’d be good with it. Now can we get back to the movie you plan to torture me with? The sooner we get it over with, the sooner we can put in the chick flick I picked up for us.”
Clara was quiet longer than usual. She then set the remote on the end table near her soda and faced Nicolette fully. “What if someone came along and told you that you, yourself, are more than human? That you’re special. That you can do things others can’t. Would that freak you out?”
“Would this be the result of falling into a vat of some mysterious glowing liquid that then morphs me into a giant turtle with ninja skills? If so, I’m in.” Nicolette gave in to the temptation of the sour gummies and helped herself to a few. The taste exploded in her mouth and she nearly gagged at just how sour they truly were.
“You’re impossible to have a real conversation with,” said Clara, a certain sadness to her voice.
With a groan, Nicolette wrapped her long black hair into a self-contained bun. “Okay. If I found out I was more than human, it would freak me out at first. I’d worry about what it meant. And then I’d wonder what else was out there. You know. Like are vampires real? Or do men with abs like the guy frozen on the screen change into animals? If so, can we order a dozen? I’d much rather see that live than on TV at home.”
Clara smirked. “Trust me, it’s as good as you think it is.”
“Speaking from experience there?” asked Nicolette as she ate another gummie.
Clara opened her mouth to answer just as a sinking feeling came over Nicolette. It wasn’t the first time something like that had happened, and her past had taught her not to ignore it. She put a hand up, silencing her friend, and then tilted her head, listening.
The tiniest of creaks came from the upstairs level. If Nicolette wouldn’t have been concentrating, she might not have heard it. As it was, she caught it clearly.
Apparently, so did Clara.
They stood at the same time. Just shy of six feet tall in her stocking feet, Nicolette towered over most people, but not Clara. Her friend was only a couple of inches shorter.
The noise came again, and there was no denying it was footsteps.
Clara grabbed her phone and Nicolette took off in the direction of the staircase. Clara ran behind her.
“Stop! We’ll call the police,” said Clara, still following as Nicolette took the steps two at a time.
When she got to the upper level, Nicolette stared around, half expecting someone to jump out at her. There was no one.
Clara slammed into her and grunted before righting herself. “You know, there’s a scary movie that’s like this. It ends with the chick dying from being stupid and running at the killer.”
Nicolette glanced over her shoulder at her friend. “What? I thought I heard someone up here, and I came to see who and why.”
Clara sighed. “You’re going to run right to your murder scene one day, aren’t you?”
“Do you think someone could have gotten into one of the rooms and shut a door without us hearing?” asked Nicolette.
She then went to Clara’s bedroom door and tossed it open. No one was there. Ignoring Clara’s continued protests, Nicolette went right for Clara’s bathroom and opened that door as well.
