http://slow.writerscafe.org/nocturna The original writings of author Janelle Walden en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776039961 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 ~15~ WhenKole arrived back at their apartment after his strange impromptushopping trip with Raina, it was just past dinner time. Sky had goneto take a shower, while Star was still sitting sadly at the counter,staring down at the glass of soda she was slowly stirring rather thanactua.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2028980/ ~14~ Thatevening Brie and Connor sat down to another dinner where the sound ofthe silverware against the plates was nearly deafening. Brie let outa sound of frustration as she took another sip of her wine, “it'sbeen too damn quiet in this house all week long” she voiced th.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2028499/ ~13~ Bythe end of their first week of college, the three of them finally gotsome sort of update about Crista. However, the news was both goodand bad. The good news was that Brie and Connor had successfullybeen given permission to look after her in their home as long asthere was no .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2028428/ ~12~ Latethe following Tuesday afternoon, Richard Sampson made his way to thenurses' station outside his daughter's room. “Discharge papers. I'm taking my daughter outta here” he barked at the nurse on duty. “Yourdaughter is?” she asked warily. .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2028350/ ~11~ Itwasn't even an hour later when Kole pulled his car into the Sampsons'driveway. He patted his pocket to make sure that the two of Sky'sand Star's crystals were still safely with him, while his otherpocket contained three crystals; one of Sky's, one of Star's and oneof Crista's.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2028284/ ~10~ Cristahad already spent that entire summer dreading what her first day backat school without any of her friends would really be like. EvenAlana, who was more of an in-school friend than an after-schoolfriend, had graduated with Sky, Star and Kole as well. And all ofthose fears.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2028248/ ~9~ WhenKole did get back to the apartment, it was already two am. Despitethe hour though, Sky and Star were once again waiting for him on thecouch with expectant looks on their faces as he made it through thedoor. Kole couldn't help a slight chuckle at those looks as helocked the .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2028174/ ~8~ Aftera moment, and another wary look back at the house, Kole gave her atleast a partial answer. “What we need to do is something I reallydoubt we want any parental units interrupting.” And with thatominous warning, Kole looked back at the house for another momentbef.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2028038/ ~7~ WhenCrista arrived at Sky's and Star's childhood home that Saturday, BrieVargas opened the door to her with more than a bit of surprise. “Crista? Hi?” she greeted the young woman with the obviousquestion in her voice. Theirfather, Connor, soon appeared in the f.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2027983/ ~6~ Afterspending all of the morning and most of that Saturday afternoontrying to get their things all unpacked, Kole's frustration finallygot the better of him. He finished with the box he had been workingon and let out a long breath, causing Sky and Star to look up fromtheir own b.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2027751/ ~5~ Koleallowed the smallest smirk as he made himself turn away from the softkiss Star had placed upon his chest. Though he did take her hand tolead her back to the bedroom where Sky had finally pushed himself offthe bed and had begun looking around the room for wherever he hadleft.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2027634/ ~4~ Itwas nearing midnight when Raina returned to the building to find Koleseated on a bench outside, chain smoking. She just shook her head athis dejected state and moved to a place a few inches down the benchfrom him. “Thingsgoing this well with your new roomies alread.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2027417/ ~3~ Skywaited for Kole to add anything further to the conversation for along moment before his own worry made him speak again, “so, I guessyou're here then to try and convince us to go back further. To fixother things” he added more quietly, eyes still cast down. Kol.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2027337/ ~2~ Cristatook a deep breath as she tried to find the best way to answer Kole'squestion. She already knew she was terrible at lying and hopelesswhen it came to lying to Sky, Star or Kole, which thankfully she hadnever needed to; as they were the only people she had ever been trulycl.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2027042/ THIS IS A SEQUEL TO 'FORBIDDEN DESTINY,' WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON THIS SITE AS WELL-IT IS MEANT TO BE READ AFTER THE FIRST BOOK SO THAT THE READER UNDERSTANDS THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR MOTIVATIONS BETTER http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2026679/ The 4 of them thought their strange bond and abilities would make their future better than their past. But things are never easy when you're in love with 3 people & a just a little bit supernatural... http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2026677/ ~Epilogue~ Afterreading that message from Sullivan, Curt pressed his foot to theaccelerator, tires screeching on pavement. After racing back to hishome, he made a bee line for his dad's den, and the safe whereMitchell kept that gun and all of its ammo. Rushing to pack the.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2016574/ ~112~ Anotherweek and a half passed without Phoebe Spencer admitting to who hadhurt her on the day that her older brother just happened to come homefrom juvenile detention. Now that she was safely tucked away at hergrandparents' house until Curt's trial, which was still ju.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2016441/ ~111~ Cristawas at more than a bit of a loss about any response at all that shecould possibly give to the detective's unspoken question. Trying tobuy time, she glanced warily between Connor and the detective. Sheknew that she could technically explain how she was there but not.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2016324/ ~110~ Thefollowing day was finally that much dreaded eighteenth birthday ofKole's, and a Friday as well. Though none of the four felt much likecelebrating. Aside from the possible future legal ramifications ofhis intimacy with the still fourteen year old Crista, they were allst.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2016238/ ~109~ Thosetwo and a half weeks til November began were filled with more than abit of anxiety for all of those affected by Curt's crimes. Yet, thedays somehow still seemed to speed by too quickly. Then it wasfinally the day of his eighteenth birthday when all involvedworriedl.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2016143/ ~108~ AsSky was only required to go to three counseling sessions orsupport group meetings, it was assumed he would go to one on Friday,Monday, and then Tuesday; the three days of his suspension. However,when he woke up that day, after a particularly long night with hiscompanio.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2016091/ ~107~ Whenthe sun set on the Vargas house that Friday night, Curt's whiteFerrari made its second appearance of the day. He awkwardly got outand moved to just as awkwardly open the trunk. He once again cursedthat arm of his while glaring up at the house where the boy who hadma.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2015915/ ~106~ Itwasn't too long after Star, Crista, and Kole arrived at the Vargashouse that afternoon, that the three of them joined Sky in the livingroom to choose a viewing selection before dinner that night. Brieand Connor were slightly surprised that the four had chosen toremain .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2015709/ ~105~ Oncethey arrived at the school and exited Alana's car, she gave Skyanother worried look, “I won't go to the office and tell them I'mhere til after lunch. So text me if you still need a ride home, ok?”she told him as she gently touched his arm before heading int.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2015635/ ~104~ Ataround ten that same morning was when Sky finally gave up on hisattempt to sleep through his first day of suspension. Though, thatwas a futile hope anyway since he was now required to attend somesort of counseling or support group for at least the duration of hissuspen.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2015594/ ~103~ Itwasn't too long after Star and Crista had made their way out to thecar that lunch period, before Kole had easily tracked them down. Though it was almost the end of sixth period before the girls'nail-biting in the front seat and Kole's chain-smoking in the backseat were .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2015353/ ~102~ WhenCrista made her way to lunch that day, she was more than a littlesurprised to find that the only person at their usual table that daywas Alana, who they had grudgingly given a second chance to now thatthe whole world knew about what had happened to Sky anyway. And Sky.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2015078/ ~101~ Afew minutes after his father had angrily stormed out of the lawyer'soffice, Curt finally looked back over at where Sullivan sat, stilllooking more than a little distraught by the prospect of the entirecase laying before him. Uponseeing Sullivan's look of hopele.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2015035/ ~100~ Thursdaymorning found Star waking in her own bed for once. The night before,Sky had made his trip to the silver room with Crista at around eight. But when he returned, also around eight; he felt more like it wascloser to midnight. Nevertheless, he did stay up with Star a.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2014841/ ~99~ Noteven sure how he planned to retaliate without the use of his dominantarm, Curt's anger nevertheless made him pursue Scott as he left thekitchen. Only, when Curt arrived in the living room, he didn't seethe other boy anywhere. He glanced at the stairs and then moved tot.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2014734/ ~98~ Eventhough Curt was only on the third day of his ten day suspension for'physically assaulting' another boy on school property, he stillfound himself waking up somewhere between seven and eight am. Ratherthan an alarm waking him though, it was the pain returning to his armag.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2014624/ ~97~ Thoughnone of the four of them were all that sure of how well their planwould work, if at all; they nevertheless did decide to at leastattempt it. After all, none of them were sure how much longer Skycould continue to hang on through day after day of having to relivethe m.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2014621/ ~96~ AfterCrista easily agreed to Kole's plan, another ten minutes passed as helooked between Sky and Star, waiting for their decisions. Stardidn't seem to want to say anything either for or against the planuntil she knew what Sky thought about it. But as broken as Sky hadalr.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2014219/ ~95~ Tuesdaywas not much better than Monday. Curt still had not returned toschool, however, the other students were still making life unbearablefor any of those responsible for Curt's arrest; Sky especially. Bythe time Sky walked Crista to their now shared seventh period study.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2013587/ ~94~ Whenclasses let out for the day, Sky decided that it would be easier totake a shortcut through the stairwell and out the fire exit thandealing with another walk through the crowded halls. Only, when heopened to door to the stairwell nearest to Burke's office, he was abit startl.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2012466/ ~93~ Whenthey returned to school that Monday, it was now the 9thof October, and six days since Curt's arrest, three days since hishearing that determined that he would indeed be going to trial. Though none of them had officially been named as witnesses again, yetanyway; they still ha.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2012390/ ~92~ Lewissighed in resignation but nodded her agreement. “That's fine, I'vebeen a defense attorney as well. We can go through this if youwant.” “Shouldn'ttake long” Kole scoffed. Lewisjust shook her head over at him before glancing at her notes .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2012310/ ~91~ Aftera shaky breath, Sky spoke, “so between now and him getting lockedup, if and when that ever even happens; none of the four of us canever be alone. We've always gotta be in pairs if not all four of ustogether. We can't let him ever get access to this power. Or lethim.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2012156/ ~90~ Itwas just past two when Star made her way out to the patio whereCrista and Kole were still sitting and chatting. “Decided not torun for cover after all?” she greeted them as she made her way overto where they each sat near each other a few feet from the edge ofthe .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2012092/ ~89~ Koleand Crista arrived at the Vargas household at just past one-thirty,and only about a minute or so before the actual residents of thehouse arrived. Kole had pulled his little red car to a temporaryspot along the street to allow Connor to more easily pull into thegarage. Thou.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2011951/ ~88~ FollowingKole's testimony, while they still waited on Crista and Sky to givetheirs; Kole was outside leaning on the courthouse steps andpretending that a cigarette could calm his nerves. It was then thatConnor returned from the nearby coffee shop and moved to lean back onthe st.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2011874/ ~87~ Cristaand Sky were both included in the final group of those called totestify at the hearing. Crista was called before Sky was, as thecrime committed against her was much less severe and had a lot moreproof. Once she came in and did her nervous introduction, Lewisbegan with th.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2011654/ ~86~ AssistantCoach Mathis was in the next group of witnesses called to testify inthe hearing that Friday morning. Instead of starting with her usualquestion, Lewis, refusing to look up from her notes, instead openedwith “where were you on Thursday, September 14th,between seve.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2011636/ ~85~ Mostof the student body were just shocked by Curt's arrest. Though a fewseemed less surprised, which made one wonder how many of them alsoknew who Curt really was. Though the four soul-mates, they weremerely numb. After school let out that day, they all were sittingsilently i.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2011615/ ~84~ Sometimewhile Crista waited at the bus stop near the Vargas house, she hadchanged her mind about going home for dinner that night after all. Instead, she took another bus to an apartment building a few blocksfrom the school. After locating the apartment she was looking for,she .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2011583/ ~83~ Lessthan fifteen minutes after Brie and Connor got home that Mondayafternoon, Connor found himself going to answer a knock at the frontdoor of their home; as Brie had already gone to the kitchen for adrink. He looked a bit surprised that Crista was the one knocking onthe door w.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2011535/ ~82~ WhenStar and Sky arrived in their second period study hall that day, Skylooked at Curt's empty seat worriedly. Easily catching the look, asshe too had noted Curt's absence, she gave Sky a questioning look ashe spoke, “Curt's not here?” “Shouldn'tthat be .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2011420/ ~81~ Afterseveral long moments of Kole's sullen silence as he contemplated thetruth of Sky's warning, Sky heard the second bell and sighed. “Iguess I'm missing first, cause I gotta ask; what about Curt'sarm?” Butbefore Kole could offer any explanation, th.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2011347/ ~80~ “Ifit isn't my favorite knife-wielding f****t” was Curt's loudgreeting when his eyes fell on Kole and Crista from about thirty feetoff. Koleglared over at he and Scott, and Chandler and Emily, and Regan andBrandi, who were of course BFF's with Emily. .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/nocturna/2011314/