Rebellion of the Death Dwellers

Chapter 1 – Harley

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Harley Banks considered her options for an outfit to wear to CJ’s science fair later that evening. She’d spent the morning in the kitchen with Aunt Zoann, making a pie for CJ to surprise him with after he—hopefully—took one of the top three spots.

After cleaning up their mess because Aunt Zoann had started feeling bad, Harley checked on her. Seeing her aunt was resting in bed, she went to the room, inventoried the loose braids that needed tightening, and then rifled through her clothes.

Staying in the privacy of Ryan’s room meant she no longer lived out of her suitcase, so it was easy to see she had a problem and time was running out.

It was just after one, and she had yet to decide on an outfit.

Her very limited selection of clothes stymied her.

She’d brought mainly school uniforms, bedclothes, and comfort wear for home to Aunt Zoann’s. She had nothing cute.

If Aunt Zoann felt better, Harley would suggest a quick run to the mall. Her pregnancy kept her sick, though, and Harley didn’t want to further burden her. She’d also need to ask Daddy for money. Though they talked every day, she hadn’t asked him for cash and he hadn’t volunteered.

Calling Mommie crossed Harley’s mind. Maybe she was up for shopping. Dejection settled into her at that pipe dream. Despite a daily call and text message, Mommie rarely responded. All Harley needed was the chance to make amends.

An incoming message alert broke through her misery. She picked up her phone and smiled at the photo CJ sent of himself, tracing his image with her fingertips. He was still so beautiful with his fringe cut hair, ink dark and messy, and the emerald eyes as familiar to her as her own light brown gaze.

Harley: You got this. Good luck on both your entries.

CJ: I’ll let you know as soon as I talk to Billson.

Harley: I’ll be waiting.

Hopefully, the science teacher didn’t disappoint CJ. He wanted his entry with Molly more than anything.

He’d picked up Skye Ratcliffe this morning.

She was CJ’s new partner, and very pretty, which made Harley all the more anxious to look cute this evening.

She wasn’t sure where she stood with CJ, but she understood Skye was actual competition, whereas Molly had been just a sweet girl and a good friend.

Needing her mother, Harley glanced at the phone still in her hand. She’d been the one to create the chasm, so she’d keep trying until Mommie gave her another chance.

She pressed the number ‘3’. CJ remained number two in her speed dial list.

“What?”

Heat flushed Harley at Mommie’s cry and she floundered, her mouth moving but no words coming out.

“I’m not in the mood for your fucking games, Harley Vivian.”

“H-hi, Mommie.” Her mother’s slurring deterred Harley from asking about spending time together today. Maybe she just wouldn’t go to the fair. No, she had to go. CJ had come to her play. “How are you?”

“Not in the mood to talk to you.”

“I-I understand, but can I come over for a little while? We…I can cook something and—”

“I don’t want to see you.”

“I love you,” Harley responded, not sure what else to say. Except… “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I’m begging you. I need you. Your advice. I miss you so much and—”

“Miss me?” Bitterness rang in Mommie’s tone. “You’re too busy being a grown fucking woman to miss me.”

“I’m not! I’m sorry.” Tears rushing to her eyes, Harley bowed her head. “I never should’ve spoken to you or Daddy like that.” Or CJ. Or any of the people whom she loved and cherished. “I’m sorry.”

“You deserted me.”

Though her mother couldn’t see her, Harley shook her head. The swelling from Nardo’s last beating was nearly gone, but inside she felt as if she’d never heal from the humiliation.

“I wish you’d go away. You don’t love me, Harley? I hate you, too.”

“Mommie, I adore you.”

“Fuck you, bitch. Fuck you. You preferred Zoann to me. Fuck you. I hate you, you disrespectful little cunt.”

A dull ache settled inside her.

“I should’ve aborted you. Your precious daddy didn’t want you. That’s why he doesn’t want me now. Because of you. Because you humiliated us—”

Unable to bear her mother’s vitriol a second longer, Harley disconnected the call, doubled over and sobbed.

Mommie had spoken similar vileness a few days ago after she found out about…

about…them. Today, though, when Harley felt so lost and alone, the soul shattering words made her question her worth and her existence.

Aunt Zoann would soothe her. And, yet, Harley couldn’t be that selfish and burden her any further. She could call Aunt Kendall, but her aunt hadn’t contacted her in the last two days. She had her own problems.

Blinded by tears, Harley crawled onto the bed and curled up, broken inside.

In the aftermath of Nardo’s abuse and Pillar of Earth’s invasion of privacy, she coped as best she could.

Many days, she tried not to consider either of them.

She just wanted her life back to normal.

Rekindling her friendship with CJ helped.

But he was busy too. Nowadays, he fit her into his life. She wasn’t an essential part of it.

Too late, she realized that might not ever happen.

She—

A knock came on the door. Ryan was allowing her to use his room and she didn’t want to inconvenience him if he needed something.

Using her T-shirt to wipe her face, she lifted her head and called, “Come in.”

Devon stuck his head in and scowled at her. “It figures you’re crying again.”

She wouldn’t dignify that with an answer. He didn’t know or care about her heartache. “What do you want?”

“Mom still has a stomach bug,” he said, still not knowing the truth. Harley understood why Aunt Zoann didn’t want her jerk of a son to know. “She won’t be attending CJ’s fair. Ryan wanted me to tell you we’re leaving at five.”

“Thank you for telling me. Anything else?”

He smirked at her and slammed the door behind him, leaving her to her misery.