KOTA
The living room is touched by dim sunlight. The lack of buzzing assures him that the sun hasn’t risen yet. He sits in the oval, watching his parents sweep away leaves. I don’t know if I should leave the circle. Did the cleansing work? What if I get the urge to taste blood? What if I become a demon again? I can’t hurt anyone else. I wonder if my folks figured out a solution.
“Is there any hope?” he asks his mother.
Odina gives a grin. “Yes, my walela (hummingbird). You are free of the blood curse for a little while.”
Her son gives a relieved sigh. “Does this mean I can go to the Pow-Wow?”
“Yes… but don’t roam too far just in case the spell doesn’t hold,” Matto warns.
He smiles. “I won’t.”
Yes! I want to get out of the house and be normal… not locked up in a circle scaring my family. I want to get past that phase. It’s been two days. I could use a distraction… and some fun. This year’s Pow-Wow will be the biggest one yet. All the love will aid my dark soul. I always feel safe at the celebration. The excited smile fades from his face. But… then I don’t want to be out; that vampire is around. No one is safe… no one should be out.
“What about the vampire? Should anyone be going to the Pow-Wow? It’s not safe.”
Odina shakes her head. “All is fine. The creature is no longer in range, according to my locator spell. It has left. Everyone here is safe. Come…” She holds out her hand. “Everything is alright.”
Kota grasps his mother’s hand. “What about school?”
Matto grimaces. “We decided you shouldn’t return.”
“Why not? Mom said I have a few days…”
“I know… but you’re still dangerous… you’re not a normal teenager. If you have a mood swing, who knows what you’ll do? Your strength is dangerous.”
“Plus… school will only remind you of your friends,” Odina chimes in gravely. “It’s all too soon.”
Kota sulks. “Do their parents know?”
“I gave an anonymous call to the police. I thought I’d spare them of hanging missing posters.”
“Has anything been arranged? A service of some kind?” He wonders.
“Not that I know of. I’ll ask around.” If there are burials planned, I hope they’re closed casket for their parents’ sake. He blocks out the image of their mutilated bodies. “Let’s not dwell on it. Come help me with the pudding.” His mom leads him to the kitchen. The shades are drawn to protect him from the daylight.
Kota studies the buzzing from the window. “How long until I can be in the sun?”
“I called your grandad. He says it’ll have to be something you wear… jewelry of some sort. I’ll do some reading on hexing.”
“But we always arrive at noon for the Pow-Wow…”
Odina plugs up an industrial mixer. “Don’t worry, just enjoy the day.” She collects ingredients from the fridge. Cornstarch, sugar, baking soda, salt, chocolate soy milk, and vanilla extract.
Kota helps her pour tablespoons into the mixer. Dyani passes the archway. He notes how fast she zooms by and huffs miserably. “Dy hates me.”
“She doesn’t… this is just an adjustment. She’ll come around.” Odina powers on the mixer and sets it on the third speed limit.
He flinches at the sound, as he’s done before. The machine is beyond loud. A chainsaw in his head. He muffles a yell of anguish, yet a groan still escapes.
His mother realizes his discomfort and switches it off. “Oh, my dear, I’m sorry. I’ll ask Grandad how to ease your senses.” She gathers two whisks and lifts the top of the mixer. They use the tools to churn the liquid.
My ears are too sensitive… that means the Pow-Wow music won’t be enjoyable. The vital part of the celebration is the live band. “How will I enjoy the music?”
“We…can sit farther away, or in the car. Whatever is best for you.”
“But you all will miss the show… we always sit close.”
“Rest your mind.”
“No, he’s right,” Dyani utters from the hall. “How will we enjoy the show from that far?”
“We’ll manage.”
“Will we also manage to arrive late? The sun is an issue for Kota, not the rest of us. The introduction will be over by the time we get there.”
“We’ll make the grand entry.”
“Barely.” Dy snickers hard. “We might as well not go!”
“HOLD YOUR TONGUE!” Dyani sighs and stomps away. Odina annoyingly peers after her daughter.
Kota’s sight lowers, he focuses on mixing the pudding. Tensions are high… all because of me. My sister isn’t wrong. I’m complicating everything. Why can’t I just walk in the sun? Why does sound hurt me? Are there more vampires out there besides the evil one? There has to be others. There has to be vampires who know how to live with the sun. Who know how to comfort the pain of noise.
Within an hour, five bowls of pudding are placed into a deep freezer. Kota finds a casual outfit, only the performers wear ceremonial garments. I wish I could wear headpieces and feathers. Instead, he choose brown pants and a shirt with hanging fringe. His mother wears earth tones as well, a dark green dress lined with yellow. His father is in all black, a loose-fitting top and flare jeans. Dyani chose a simple blue dress, only it’s made of suede. She looks like she’s from another century.
They all gather in the living room. Dy still has a temper still, she watches the curtains, irritated that the sun is out and high. It’s only noon. My sister can’t handle waiting for sundown.
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