Not so smart selling out an ally

The smell of bacon wafted through my door and stiffled my nostrils waking my stomach long before it woke me. Leaving bed was usually, always difficult for me especially since I wasn't a morning person. Ask me things I disliked, there was waking up early next to solving math. Sometimes I was sure one person invented both to torment high schoolers. Most of those equations were unnecessary to some people in their general life. People like me that had no intentions of doing any math related work.

Regardless of the matter my morning disease had one cure. Food. So it was rather unsurprising when I appeared like a zombie out of the room suddenly looking for something. Mum knew this secret and she annoyingly utilised it well, not that I would complain since I got to eat.

This morning my route though took me to the bathroom instead of down the stairs. My eyes still sleepy with my hair looking like the little men went to war in it. Scanning my body I quickly peeled off the bandages all over me. Aurora had not been joking about the medical supplies in their family house.

Apparently not just being a doctor her mum mostly did relief center works so at times they seemed to drop off stuff at their place. I rolled the last bandage off dropped it into the basket, then I accessed my body. All the wounds were gone, from beginning to end even the one on my face I had been worried about my mum seeing was gone.

I had spent the night thinking of the best lie to give for it while I waited for mum. Fortunately she'd not made it home, calling instead to send me pizza due to paperwork she had to run through. My relief was unmatched, still was right now as I splashed water on my face and washed my mouth out before heading down.

"Hey mum," I yelled out as I came down the stairs and turned into the kitchen to fetch the plates. Our way of doing things, she made the food and dropped on the center while I came down and got the plates.

"Hey Asher. How was school yesterday?" Her voice floated back to me while I pulled the plates and others out the cabinet with me.

"Hmmh . Just peachy." I replied wondering if my absence was noticed and if she'd been called. Entering the dining area I set the table before sitting my ass down going for some bacon first.

"Sorry I wasn't home last night. Paperwork and pieces of cases that needed fixing." Her voice neared as she appeared out from the door that led out back carrying a laundry basket that she set down in the side and turned to wash her hands in the sink propped by the wall.

"It's cool mum. Sure it was important, so do not fret. How's Donald?. Been a while I saw his annoying face ".  I stated ignoring the frown my mum cast my way. Donald had an uncensored crush or liking for my mum, something that we both, that is mum and I didn't want. But of course it didn't keep the man away, not to say he was a bad guy at all but we just didn't need another man in our lives.

But the guy was desperate, most times dropping mum off even when she was the one that got to hang on to the cruiser and walked the the four streets home. Buying flowers and sending gifts randomly either to her desk or to the house. J usually confiscated the food portion of the gifts leaving mum to handle the other matters. Not wanting him didn't mean I didn't get to eat.

Twice a time he tried to talk me into helping him, proud to say he never brought the topic back up after the second row of bland look I gave him, was certain he got the message.

"He's there son, don't hate the cop he's a nice guy, just.."

"Doesn't know when to stop pushing it". I finished for her. " A smile cast on both our faces before we both cracked up.

*I missed you this past week, was a drive you know didn't imagine this house could get that lonely." She mused  smiling sadly as she sat down opposite me oblivious to the smile that was now gone from my face.

"So anything interesting happen in school?" She asked while serving herself.

"Nope. No. Nothing at all" I replied.

"Heard that your principal had a little bitching in with the guidance counselor. Must have been a hell of a reason for them to duke it out in front of the kids." She spoked a chuckle passing her lips.

*Yeaah.. " I drawled getting uncomfortable cause it was sure if mum asked more questions I was sure to be busted. Thinking fast I decided to distract her first.

"So, what was the case about. You know that had you up all night and still ready to go again this morning" I pried my head nodding to her uniform pants she'd already put on. Her hair had not entered it's official pony duty position but everything else was set Incase she got called. Beretta in it's holster at her hip with the top uniform on the chair to her left ready to be worn.

"Well, quite gruesome don't wanna think about it. " She muttered. I couldn't let up though so I pried more.

"Murder. That savage . Never thought there would be murder here in Riders Crest. " As I said the words I felt a twinge of sadness for Aurora seep into me as her words replayed in my head.

'So  I intend on getting the hang of this, I've got a family of people who's blood call to me.'

"Nope, more like an animal attack, really gruesome too. But get this, the men had little to no blood found at the scene. So we think maybe they got dragged from the actual kill spot since there was a bit of blood soaked into their clothes from where a major wound bled." My mum dropped her coffee after taking a sip.

"Here's the wierd part, forensics say, none of the other wounds bled, if they did there was minimal blood which means the main wound came earlier and why would an animal kill it's prey then slice it up for no reason and still not eat it." She stopped eyeing me as I stared back at her.

"Makes no sense. " I stared my heartbeat almost out the rooftop while my head screamed out Aurora's name. It had to be, it was her kill that mum was describing and she was currently the only vampire I was aware of. In the entire Rider Crest. Plus there was the fact that I was basically a witness to the murders. Oh shit.

Well it wasn't a murder yet. I thought to myself hoping it stayed that way.

"So uhm any leads to what might actually have happened?" I asked.

"Well. Nah. Just maybe one little thing that doesn't add up. You know how most victims, say prey struggles before their death. Well the second got a lock of hair, barely anything but enough. Red hair. Then cops question this lady back at Mama Gina's who says she saw a red hair walk in the bar and out like some scared kitten. Said she looked like crap." My eyes widened elaborately.

"You think the girl did it. Mum.. I know you ladies have a nice set of nails but I doubt it can cut through flesh" I pushed hoping to nudge the thought outta her mind. Once mum was locked on something she never let go till she brought it to light.

"Yeah you right. Same thing all we cops said too, still doesn't make sense though. Plus the bloody print we found on a tree, well I found " her eyes twinkled as she smiled obviously pleased with herself. "Let those bratty head pumped detectives swallow that. " She murmured while I chuckled forcibly.

Bloody print. My mind rolled, what if they got her prints off it, that is if it was Aurora's. I didn't remember her stopping to touch a damn tree.

"Could they get fingerprints of it?" I asked hoping to draw more information. Mum paused her eyes narrowed and for a second I thought she might suspect me already.

"Why didn't I think of that, of course they could". If mum had ears like mine I was sure she'd wonder why my heart sounded like a concert band.

"Woah okay. So you guys haven't tried to yet?. Getting sloppy mum" I queried smartly. She rolled her eyes at me as she wore the black fitted shirt on doing the buttons.

"Geez almost late gotta go prep for school" I fled the dining heading upstairs.

"Come clear your dishes McKnight" she yelled after me.

"Be down in a minute. " I yelled back shutting the door behind me.

"Why wasn't your main line going. Had to get you when you got home via the house phone. " She yelled up again.

"Lost my phone at the cliff. About that could you...?" I stretched out the sentence hooping she could fill it up, but mum never made things easy.

"Could I what?"She hollered back a hidden intent in her voice barely noticeable by anyone else was clear to me. Once I statedy terms she'd pounce like a loan shark ready to scrounge up every not of benefit outta it. I shuddered at the thought. I could practically see the hands on her hips from up here. I brushed quickly before showering and storming out the bathroom my damp hair dripping water down my shoulders.

"Oh come on mum." I yelled down fighting into my clothes.

"Your allowance is on the table. Find me when you clearly know what you think I could do." She yelled back and I hurried for the door as the front door below shut.

I could hear the voice of Donald out front as he and mum exchanged greetings. I burst out fixing my belt and stuffing my allowance down into my bag before I shook my hand through my hair.

"C'mon mum." I tried again receiving a look that could made the devil whimper.

*Don't patronize me " she stated.

"Hey Ash. " Donald waved from the passenger seat he'd reclined in.

"Hey Donald." I replied lazily as I watched her get in the car.

"Pass by the station, I'll need that brain of yours some more" my mum instructed.

"I'll get paid?" I asked hopefully.

" Hmmh. Nice try." She barked a laugh before driving off waving her left hand out for me. Once she was gone the pending issue returned to mind.

"Shit. If they get those prints Aurora's so dead." I mumbled my eyes fixed at the point the car had turned out of the street. 'Way to go dude. You might just have helped them speed things up'. I facepalmed with a groan.