Bite Me! by Melissa Francis

a sadist who takes pleasure in failing kids and making us miserable. So if there is a mass failing tomorrow, Mrs. Crandall might feel like she’s in heaven.
    I walked over to the mini-fridge next to my bed and pulled out a hemoshake. Exhaustion settled in. My eyes were heavy and my brain was this side of mush. I caved to the realization that there would be no studying tonight. So I flipped on the television and zoned out to some Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns.
    Maybe Angel and Spike would send me into a pleasant night of sexy vampire dreams.
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    Scritch, scritch, scritch.
    It was dark. My eyelids were so heavy, I couldn’t open them, but my heart was racing. Something had woken me from my death-sleep.
    Scritch , scritch , scritch.
    There it was again. My heart pounded loudly in my ears as I heard the scratching on my window. Like an insistent pet, scratching at the door to come back inside.
    But my cat was curled up next to me, and I was on the second floor, anyway.
    Scritch , scritch , scritch.
    Maybe it was a breeze blowing a branch against the window.
    I focused my hearing to listen for the wind. But I heard nothing.
    I jumped up and flung the shades open. Nothing to see, either.
    With my heart hammering in my head, I climbed back in bed and waited for the sunrise.
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    I wish I could say I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when the sun finally rose, but that definitely was not thecase. After jumping out of bed, I hadn’t managed even one ounce of sleep. Whenever I did get my eyes to close, the hairs on my neck would stand straight up, and I’d hear the scratching on my window or a whispering in the distance. I’d check; nothing would be outside.
    Still, I was totally creeped out. So to shake myself awake, I decided to pound my fatigue into the ground with a long run.
    I threw myself into my running gear. I walked through the kitchen to leave a note for the family and, instead, found a note waiting for me.
    Ariel dear,
This necklace is made from red Jasper, mined in Scotland. I hope you like it. I have given your sisters bracelets made from the same stone. I’m so glad you’re a part of our family.
Aunt Doreen
    How sweet. The necklace was a simple gold chain with two interlocking triangles carved in the multi-shaded red stone. I clipped it around my neck and hit the road.
    The sun had barely winked at me over the horizon,but the air already felt heavy and thick like wet cotton. It was definitely going to be “Mississippi hot” today.
    Sweat ran down my face as I sprinted the last block toward home. Even in the light of day I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. I stopped a few times and looked around but saw only the occasional animal or bird.
    The feeling never went away.
    With each step, my lungs felt heavier, my heart stuttered, and the hairs on my neck stayed at attention. Obviously, the fatigue and guilt were getting to me. Five miles felt like five hundred, but on the bright side, I was too tired to worry about anything but a shower right then.
    The house was still quiet, as the rest of the brood wouldn’t start rising for another half hour or so. Hopefully Ryan would make a quick exit like he did yesterday. I really wasn’t in the mood to face him.
    â€œGood mornin’ to ye, dearie,” Aunt Doreen said from behind me. I swear, that woman just appeared out of thin air. “Would ye care for some tea?” she asked.
    â€œNo, thank you. I’m just gonna go take a quick shower.”
    â€œI see ye picked up your trinket,” she said.
    â€œI did! Thank you so much. I love it!”
    She smiled and touched my shoulder. “That symbol isthe Seal of Solomon and it’s verra special, just like you. Ye seem a bit fashed. What’s troublin’ ye, wee one?”
    Wee one. That was funny coming from a woman who stood a good six inches shorter than me.
    â€œI’m just tired from my run.”
    â€œAh, so this running