The End of Innocence: Book 3 of the Kinstone series
Chapter 44: Cracks

The next morning arrived soon and with it the usual rituals of get up, shower, dress, and then breakfast. Lather, rinse, repeat. But today is my free period so that meant heading off somewhere quiet to be alone.

But this still meant I had to get through English and never something I like sitting through even on the best of days. Riley often chose to head to the computer lab to look up new music when not at home.

Right before I head down to eat I hear a ping come from my laptop.

Curious, I step over to it to see that I have a new email. I leaned over my desk and opened it. The screen was blank for a moment until the words, this is all a lie, started to scroll over the screen.

I tilt my head as the text persists. Thinking it’s some sort of prank, I delete the email and leave my room, grabbing my bag on the way out.

The first two periods were a bore, as usual, to get through. While I do love history, it’s English that I can never stand. But once second period ended I head out for the woods.

The air is still heavy with moisture from last night’s storm, and the ground soaked deeply. I’m really glad I chose to wear hiking boots as opposed to tennis shoes. Marron would have a field day if I came home in muddy shoes, boots…she’s fine with.

I climb up into a tree, replaceing a suitable branch after a couple minutes of climbing. The bark was dry for the most part of some patches being soaked. I lean up against the trunk and pull out my book and start reading.

The forest was quiet, aside from the gentle swaying of treetops overhead. The skies were still cloudy but now a light grey. A soft chilly breeze brushes against me, ruffling my hair with it.

Students are allowed to be outside the school as long as we didn’t actually leave the campus grounds. So the outdoor tables and benches that litter the area tend to be filled with students at various points in the day.

The forest however is my domain. No one really ever ventures into it so I claimed it back last year. I prefer the nice quiet of nature and it often gives me a real chance to dive deeper into my books.

I keep a watchful eye on the students sitting just a few dozen yards from me. I know they couldn’t see me, being hidden behind a few trees and numerous branches. I used them as a makeshift clock, letting me know when it was time to head back in for lunch.

I also would watch them to see if a teacher or principal decided to come out and wander the grounds. They did so to ensure there wasn’t anyone around that didn’t belong here in campus, as well as make sure no one did anything outrageous while outside.

Think of it as the high school version of teachers watching over recess. If you weren’t doing anything stupid, you didn’t have to worry about a thing.

I pour through my book, turning page after page. My headphones stayed put in my bag, not wanting to risk them falling to the ground and shattering. Besides, the natural tranquility of the woods made an excellent backdrop for reading.

I then hear my phone buzzing in my bag. I kept the volume low during this time as to not attract any unwanted attention from students or teachers. I mark my page and carefully hoist the bag up and dig through it for my phone.

I figured Marron was sending me a text about ideas for dinner tonight. I turn on my phone and see that I indeed had gotten a text, but from a number I didn’t recognize.

The text read "this is all a lie". It repeats for a few dozen times. Now I’m starting to get a little freaked out.

I receive another text. This was one states, you must remember the truth. Again the text repeats over and over.

I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Someone or something was watching me. I pan around me, first out onto the grounds, wondering if someone had found me. I then stare deeply into the forest. Eyes dart about; trying to discover who or what had set its sights in me.

About a couple dozen yards away I saw deep blue eyes piercing through the darkness. I slowly gaze at the twin pair of orbs, which appear to be hovering amidst the underbrush. The orbs then begin to shift, moving closer.

The formless mass which surrounds them gradually began to take shape, taking the form of the fox I saw last night. I didn’t know what to think, should I hop down and make my way for the school or remain perfectly still and observe it?

It slowly begins to come closer and closer to me. The animal’s fur is dark, black maybe? Whatever the color, it blended perfectly into the darkness of the forest. Most animals, if spotted will dash away, but this one wasn’t.

Fear and confusion are soon replaced with curiosity. I carefully close my book and place it into my bag. I turn on the branch and start to climb down. Each foot silently lowers from branch to branch, not wanting to spook it.

I hop down from the last branch, and turned fearing that a sudden noise would make it skitter off. But to my surprise the fox is still here. I knelt down, as I would when meeting a dog. Its head tilts slightly, almost appearing confused by my act. Another tactic I use is to remove my bag, placing it behind me. This makes me look less threatening.

It sits down onto the ground, eyes remaining locked onto me, while dipping its head a few times. I curl an eyebrow, is it inviting it to come over?

I slowly rise and make little steps towards it, again not wanting to scare it off. But once more to my surprise, it didn’t move, not even flinch the closer I came to it.

I stand within a few yards of reaching it. Its ears stand straight up as it then leans over, peering behind me. The fox stares intently for a moment, only to turn and dash into the forest. I curl my lips in confusion. I know it couldn’t have been me that scared it off, because it had invited me over.

“Miss O’Connor?” I hear a voice calling out to me. I peer back to see one of the vice-principals hobble through the underbrush towards me.

“Yes sir? Do you need me for something?” I ask, now fully facing him.

He comes closer, “The lunch bell just rang,” watching him slip on a moss-cover exposed root. Thankfully he had hold of a low-hanging branch, which prevented him from falling to the ground.

I hop effortlessly over the roots and branches, coming towards him, “Thank you sir,” leaning down and grabbing my bag.

He breathes a sigh, seeing that I’m leaving.

I look up at him, “Maybe you should wear boots sir, just saying with the forest and all.”

He smirks, “I might take that into consideration. I’m still amazed at how at home you are here in the forest. It’s though you were born to it.”

I shrug, “Well my house is surrounded on all sides by woods so maybe that’s why.”

He turns to face towards the school, “I do ask that you are careful when visiting the forest. I know students are allowed access to it during the day, but do not venture in too deeply.”

I hoist my bag over my shoulder, “Yes sir, and thank you.” He nods and starts for the entrance, slipping yet again on a branch.

I smirk to myself, watching him awkwardly exit the forest. I know administrators have to look professional while at school, but given the surrounding area, one might think they’d choose something more fitting to match.

I exit out of the forest and head for the cafeteria. I look back as I walk, pondering my near-encounter with the fox.

My bag then buzzes again. I pull my phone out and see I have received yet another text from the same mysterious number.

Remember the Estate. Remember, you must remember. This is all a lie!

I curl my brow again. Remember the Estate? What Estate?

I then feel a sharp pain splicing into my mind. I hold my head, feeling it throb. I stagger for a moment, nearly tripping over my feet.

An image enters my mind, an image of a huge house, one that seemed…familiar. I see a pair of large open doors, sitting atop a raised porch or landing with each side being flanked by stairs. A figure then begins to emerge from between the doors, but its form is muddled, foggy, distorted.

I groan as the pain increases, feeling like my head is about to explode from the swelling pressure. I look up to see the grounds having become completely empty…quiet, if just for a moment. There was nothing around me, no students, no vice-principal, even the classrooms stood void of all life.

I tilt my head in confusion as it returns to normal, listening to the sounds of students talking. The pain begins to subside. I found myself dropping to a knee, still holding my head.

“Miss O’Connor, are you all right?” asks the vice-principal, running up to me.

I sigh, feeling my pressure subsiding completely. “Yes sir…I’m fine,” giggling softly, “guess I’m just lightheaded from hunger, that or a bad case of mold allergies.”

He kneels down beside me, “Do you wish for me to call your sister to come and take you home?”

I shake my head, “I’m good, plus I don’t want to bother her if she’s busy, which I think she is at the moment.”

He sighs again, “Are you sure you don’t want to at least get checked out by the nurse?”

Again I shake my head, slowly getting back to my feet, “I’m sure sir. Plus…I’m invincible.”

Something else then splices into my mind. It didn’t cause another massive headache, but I did see the image of a child, face and form blurred out beyond all recognition. The words echo in my mind, as I speak them to the child. It quickly faded, causing me to shake my head again.

“You teenagers claim to be invincible but in truth you are more fragile than you know,” he responds. “I also know for a fact how stubborn you can be, Miss O’Connor. That being said, if you feel strong enough to press on for the day then I will allow it. But I will inform your remaining teachers to keep an eye on you. If they determine you are unable to complete the day, then I will call your sister.”

I bob my head, “Understood sir.”

“Good, now go and get something to eat. Perhaps you are correct and just need something to fill your stomach.”

I nod once more, “Yes sir,” and trot off for the cafeteria.

I chose not to meet up with Riley and Ash after school, wanting instead to just hurry on home. I didn’t have any more headaches like I did earlier, so that was a plus.

My afternoon teachers did indeed keep a watchful eye me during all of my classes. They gave me to option to leave the room if I was feeling bad. I stuck through it like the stubborn little teenager that I am. Even Mrs. Alberton referred to me as a “stubborn little fox”, which coming from her is high praise.

Curious that she called me a “little fox”. I know it’s I’m the “fox princess” among the students, but “little fox”? That was a strange one. She’s never referred to me as anything but a pain in her ass. I still remember her meeting with Marron when I complained about her choices in books.

But…was it after the second book or the first? Wait…when was that meeting? I know we had the sit down earlier in the semester because she had railed at me for talking back at her during class. I can still literally feel the tongue-lashing I got from her. But…why can’t I remember when it happened?

As I rode through the mountain trail more questions started to enter my mind, like what were those images I saw during third period? The house looked familiar to me, but I know for a fact that I’ve never been to something like that before. Then there was the figure in the doorway…the child standing in front of me. Who were they?

I feel my heart pounding in my chest as if in mourning. No…not mourning, longing. But…why? Each time I fought to clear up their images, they only became more and more distorted. Something is blocking my memories and it’s freaking me out.

I finally get home and store my bike in the garage as usual, and then head inside.

I place my bag onto the table and crumble onto the couch, feeling the soft cushions press against my face. My head continued to spin from earlier. But I was home, and home felt…good.

I curl up onto my side, staring at the TV stand. Thoughts jump from one to the next, never stopping, and never flipping about in reason. I feel my eyes close, letting the softness of the couch envelop me. I didn’t have any homework, so Marron couldn’t come after me on that when she got home. Soon darkness came over me, pressing me into sleep.

The sound of glass shattering rang through the living room, causing my heart to shudder back to life. I rose up on the couch and look around. I turn towards the curio cabinet, noticing one of the pictures had fallen down.

I climb over the couch to pick it up. It was of Marron and I together when she took me in after our parents died. The glass had a massive crack streaking down the middle.

I then look up at the rest of the pictures. All were of the two us over the years. But…why don't we have any of Mom or Dad? I tilt my head. Wait…what do Mom and Dad look like? You’d think since it’s only been five years you’d never be able to forget what your parents like right?

I roll my eyes, remembering that she kept them in the workroom upstairs. She always said that she didn’t want to upset me anymore by having them out. I sigh, walking over to a side room and replace the covering.

I pull the tab, releasing the back of the frame and pulled it away. I gently removed the picture and set it aside. A smile rose on my face as it stared at it. I used to be so much smaller back then, well smaller than I am now.

Something then catches my eye. Buried deep in the corner was the image of the fox from earlier. I have stared at this photo for years and never once saw it before. But there it was, clear as day. It sat perfectly still, some distance from where the two of us were. Funny how if someone had spotted something like a dark-furred fox they’d have told us.

I lean in closer to get a better look, only for image to vanish from my sight. I pull back, turning the picture over a couple times, thinking I lost sight of it or that it was a trick of the light. I shake my head, replaceing a replacement frame, and placing the picture into it.

Later that night I sit on my bed, still thinking of the day. I still had a slight headache, but nothing compared to earlier. I hear a knock on the door, panning over to see my sister standing in the doorway.

“Hey sweetie, are you feeling any better? The school called saying you nearly collapsed after leaving the forest during third period.”

I pull my legs into my chest, “I’m fine. I think the rain kicked up some mold and just had a bad reaction to it.”

She walks over to the bed and sits beside me, pulling my tiny body close to her, stroking my arm. “Are you sure that’s all?”

I rest my head onto her chest, “I’m sure,” then looking up at her, “you’re late getting home.”

She sighs, lowering her head, “Sorry about that. Had a pair of customers who did not want to leave show up.”

I tilt my head, “I’m guessing they wanted some pretty expensive dresses then. The only time you have customers like that is when they have a laundry list of demands.”

She sighs, “You’re half right. Anyway,” poking my nose, “you should probably get to bed. Oh…and stop by the pharmacy on the way to school in the morning and pick up of allergy meds.”

I nod, “I will.”

She smiles, leaning in and kissing my forehead, “Good girl. Now, get some sleep.” I smile, watching her rise up off the bed and leaving my room.

I kick off my boots and collapse onto the bed. The darkness of my room felt like bliss. Shades of dark blues and purples color around me, letting it lull me back to the peaceful sleep that always calls to me. I close my eyes once more, drifting softly to sleep.

I stood in the middle of a large open space, paving stones surrounded me. A smile rose across my face, tapping the stones with the tip of my shoe, listening as it echoed around me. This felt right for some reason, proper.

I lift my head, seeing a large house standing before me. The house looked old, more like a castle than a house. My smile grew larger, but why? Mirrored stairs curled up from the ground, both meeting in the middle. A stoop or landing sat on top, with twin large doors sitting behind a large stone banister. It felt like home, my home.

My feet started to move on their own, pulling me closer to the stairs. A cooling wind wisps past my face, like a father’s kiss to the cheek. I felt my cheeks burning as I rubbed it. I panned over to discover the source, but nothing was there. The wind persisted around me, pushing me forward, forward towards the steps.

I could hear the click-clack of claws on the stones, seeing a something large and furry slip past me. It easily was my size and held a distinct canine appearance. Not a dog…bigger. No…a wolf. I felt something towards this creature, not fear, but the same fatherly wisp of wind which kissed my cheeks.

I arrived at the base under the doors. The sounds of old metal creaking echoed around me. I stared up, watching the doors begin to swing open. I covered my eyes as a bright light shone from the opening. A figure began to emerge from the light.

The figure, while at first blurred, slowly came into focus. A woman stood in the midst of the blinding light. I stared up at her, lowering my hand as the light slowly started to lessen.

Her face was obscured by her long black hair, which waved softly from a breeze coming from behind her. Even though her face lay mostly hidden behind her hair, I could tell she was extremely beautiful. A smile stretched across her face.

Her hands then rose, held open to me, inviting me closer, inviting me in. I felt a strange familiarity towards her, a deep longing to run up the stairs and into her waiting arms. Her lips began to move, but no words came from them. I tilted my head trying to make out she was saying.

I moved closer, trying to get a better look.

“You must wake up.”

I curl my brow. I opened my mouth the question her. But no words come out.

“You must wake up. You are far from home. This is all but a lie.”

I drew closer still, but then felt myself being pulled back. Ripped away from the house.

I awoke with tears streaming down my face. My heart raced heavily within my chest. I sat up my bed and look around. Sunlight fills my room, peering over to the window.

The room then flickers, at first filled with bookcases and my desk, now laid void of everything, even the room itself appeared hollow, not real. I shake my head and close my eyes.

I open them, revealing the room had returned to normal. I cock my head. A sharp pain then shoots through my mind, forcing a groan from me. I hold my head until the pain subsides.

A chime echoes from my laptop and phone. I roll off of my bed and step over to my desk.

You must wake up. Aria. This world is a lie! You must wake up and remember!

The text scrolls over the screens of both devices and quickly vanishes. Remember…remember what? Another shot of pain rockets through my mind. I hold my head, dropping to my knees.

I pant heavily, feeling the pain quickly subside once more. I stare up at the empty screen. Something didn’t feel right anymore. Why is someone sending me these cryptic messages?

I then hear my alarm go off. My eyes flash wide, knowing I have to get ready for school. I rise from the floor and dash out of my room and into the bathroom.

After school I met up with Riley and Ash at the coffee shop. Since the weather was rather nice, apart from being brighter than I’d prefer, we chose to sit out on the patio. A nice, cool mountain breeze blew around us, causing my friends to snatch some of the loose papers before they fly away. I smirk, watching them scramble about.

I lean back into my chair, begrudgingly going through the latest book from Mrs. Alberton. As ordered, I stopped by the pharmacy and bought some allergy meds. I didn’t have any headaches since this morning, but still took a couple just in case.

The book, as always from her, was a complete and total snore-fest. It was an insanely fast read, something a fifth grader could burn through with ease. I grumble, tossing the book onto table, “I really hate that woman.”

Riley looks over to me, “Are you already done with that book? She just handed that out today.”

I meet her gaze, curling my legs up into my chest, “It’s boring as hell, but I still got through it. I really hope she replaces some new material soon. If I have to read another book from Hydens I’m going to march out of that classroom in protest. The man is a hack of a writer.”

She sighs, “You just have incredibly high standards.”

I cock my head at her, “No…I just know a good author from a bad author, and I’m telling you that Hydens sucks.”

She throws up her hands, “Ok girl, just chill. I get it. Want to give me the cliff notes version so that I don’t have to suffer through it like you did?”

I smirk, “I’ll get them to you by tonight.”

She smiles, “Thanks girl.”

I pan over to Ash, watching her scribble down problems from her algebra class. “Hey, any of you have plans for the spring break?”

I wrap my arms around my legs, “Marron might have me help out in the boutique. Knowing her, she’ll want to use me as model again. Other than that I have no idea. Although,” tapping my chin, “I could persuade her to take us to Nashville for a couple of days. A change in scenery might do us some good.”

She smirks, “You just want an excuse to get away from Daryl Muller.”

I roll my eyes, “Not talking about this again.”

A soft giggle rose from her, “Knew it. Aria, the guy obviously likes you. Stop being your usual stubborn self and go out with him. You do know that he’s going to be made captain of the football team come fall.”

I glare at her, “You know I hate sports, and going out with him just for the fact that he will be captain means jack squat to me.”

She shakes her head, “Your loss girl. Me…I’m planning to go to Japan this summer. Mom and Dad finally saved up enough miles to fly us out there.” A soft squeal come from her, “I can’t wait to go. Walking around Tokyo, visiting Akihabara, maybe even visit a shrine festival.”

I chuckle, “You are such a weeb Ash.”

She puffs up her chest, “Damn proud of it.” I laugh.

I lean back into my chair, resting my head against the backrest. Something rang in my ears as I thought what Ash talked about. Somehow it seems like I had done those same things before. But that can’t be right. I haven’t gone past Chattanooga in my entire life, hence why I want to go visit Nashville.

Even still, the more I think about it, the more it feels like I really did. I don’t watch that much anime, well not nearly as much as Ash does. Her room is nothing more than a string of bookcases filled with manga, anime, light novels, and figures.

And yet…somehow images of walking down the streets of Tokyo floated into my mind. Not like those in anime, but actually walking around. A faint sound of fireworks echoes in my ears. I close my eyes, and take a deep breath. To my surprise, the smell of saltwater fills my nose. No…sea water! The image of an ocean rockets into my mind.

The sound of trees blowing in the wind combined with the crashing of tides onto the shore. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, sensing someone behind me. I look up, gazing at a boy. My heart races in my chest as his arms wrap around me with the two of us gazing out onto the ocean.

Is this memory or just some scene from book I had read? I couldn’t tell.

The sound of chairs screeching back rip me from my daydream. I open my eyes to see people stepping back from something. I look over to my friends, watching as they too gradually retreat.

I pan over to what everyone was afraid of…the fox! This is the first time I had seen it in broad daylight. It sat on top of a fence, just staring at everyone. No…at me!!!

It had dark fur, as I knew from yesterday when I saw in the forest during third period, but now I was able to see more of it. Its paws were silver, which faded up into the rich black fur. My eyes grow wide as not just one tail came into view, but a second, a third, soon a set of eight tails swirl around the animal.

Its eyes peer directly at me, with fierce dark blue eyes, yet…gentle. I slowly unfurl my legs and place them onto the floor. My body rose from the chair, standing up. As in the forest, the fox didn’t try to run from me, in fact its gaze intensified.

Remember…you must remember. This world is a lie. I hear a voice ringing in my mind.

Again…remember what?

I turn to see my friends and fellow patrons standing in fear of the creature. Why? Why are you afraid of it? I pan back to the fox. It still was just sitting there on the fence.

We hear the sounds of sirens raring through into the square. The images of animal control trucks soon came into view with officers hopping out, each carrying a rod. The fox calmly turns to face them, its tails swishing about, with a couple batting against the fence.

The officers inch closer to it, extending their capture poles. The fox tilts its head, curling its lips back into a smile as if challenging them. The creature then stands up, easily straddling the three-inch wide fence, and strolls along it.

The officers lunge to capture it, only for it to easily dodge the first thrust, actually catching it with one of its tails, yanking the officer into the fence. The second officer’s pole nearly loops around the fox’s neck. The fox dodges and leaps onto him, causing him to fall back onto the grass embankment.

The creature leaps onto one of the truck and snorts at them, beating its tails into the truck in defiance. It peers back up at me, eyes twinkling in the sunlight. There’s an almost human aspect to it gaze. Not just that…it’s like staring into a mirror, and seeing myself. I tilt my head and tried to go after it.

Soon the downed officers start to rise from the ground, groaning. The fox rolls its eyes and shakes it head. I step back in shock. That reaction was far too human. What is this thing? It looked like it was annoyed.

Before I could make another attempt to walk towards it, the fox hops off the hood of the truck and dashes away, hearing its claws clacking loudly on the pavement. I stood still, watching it disappear of towards to forest.

I feel a hand grabbing my wrist. I spin my head back to Riley, her face contorted in fear. I raise my eyebrow, “Ok…there is no way you should by that spooked by a fox. Plus…that might be the animal we’ve been talking about for the past couple of days.”

She grips my hand tightly, “How were you not scared of it?”

I shrug, “Don’t know. Just wasn’t, I guess.”

She comes in closer to me, hand still gripping my wrist, “Stubborn as always.”

I smirk, “Yep, and that’s why you love me.” She shakes her head, letting go of me and starts to pack up her things.

I pan over to Ash, who quickly hops over to me, “That…that was a kitsune.”

I giggle, “I guess it was.”

She gazes over to the forest, “I can’t believe I got to see a real-life kitsune, not to mention the fact that it had eight tails. That…that’s just incredible.”

I also look over to the forest, “Yep…incredible.”

The rest of the patrons begin to gather up their things and head in to pay off their tabs. We quickly follow suit. My friends and I then said our goodbyes and each headed for home.