Out of the twilight

"Vampires exist!" The shocking truth came out today, October 19, 2005. According to the statements of the chief physician in the city of Midklow, Nebraska, the existence of such seemingly fantastic creatures as vampires was revealed. Special signs: fear of the sun, cold and pale skin, as well as the absence of reflection. Residents are kindly requested to stay in their homes until further notice. You are safe as long as you are inside, because without permission they cannot go inside. Keep the consecrated objects closer. Sincerely, the authorities of the city of Midklow

***

The mother accompanied Isabella to the airport, lowering the car windows. In California, the temperature reached plus twenty-four degrees, and the sky was clear, like a flawless blue. As a sign of farewell to the city, she put on her favorite sleeveless dress with white embroidery. Midklow, a fairly small town in Madison County, Nebraska, which was Isabella's target, had a humid continental climate. Although it was not as arid as other areas, it was still characterized by cold summers and sultry winters. These contradictory characteristics did not agree with each other, but it was inevitable, since significant seasonal fluctuations in temperature and precipitation are common in Nebraska. In addition, Nebraska is located in Tornado Alley, so in spring and summer there are often thunderstorms, strong storms and tornadoes. Now Isabella was going into exile not to any place, but straight to the city she hated with all her heart-Midklow. While California, where she lived with her mother for a long time, she loved - she adored the sun and the searing heat, she adored this lively, luxuriously located city. But now it's all in the past. Now she will spend her days in the company of a single father, who, no matter what, met her at the airport. He didn't look threatening for someone who works as a sheriff. Even a small belly bulged. With age, almost all the hair disappeared from the head, which left a bald spot. If Ray Barnes really was a heartthrob, it would only be for old ladies of pre-retirement age. — Isabella, — he wanted to hug his daughter, but she repulsed some desire with her displeased look, from which the man hesitated. — Well, you... And it grew up the way. - yes. I'm turning eighteen in two months, as you remember. I'll get the postcard in the mail, there — was a reproach in the words, but Ray didn't pay much attention to it. — Okay, let's go home... — My home is California. There were only a few suitcases out of the luggage. Isabella really did not want to leave her expensive and luxurious outfits. Perhaps there is some place where they can be used for their intended purpose, namely to have a cup of tea or dance in clubs. Well, or brag about the fact that Isabella is from a big city. — Bel, you know... I found a nice car, just right for you, and quite inexpensive," Ray announced as they fastened their seat belts. – Which one? – the girl was alerted by the tone in which he clarified that this "not a bad car" would be "just right" for her. — Well, it's actually a Chevy pickup truck, — Barnes said at the same time. — And where did you get the money for so many cars? His daughter drawled sourly. — You remember Stu Dake from Moonlight Villas. — No. — He used to fish with us in the summer, — Ray reminded, sometimes looking at the road. — Now he's in a wheelchair, – Ray continued, not waiting for an answer from his daughter, – He doesn't drive a car anymore, that's why he offered me his pickup truck. – What year? The girl understood from her father's face: he hoped that she would not guess to ask about it. – Billy spent so much work on the engine, and the car is not old at all... — Well, then why do I need this junk? God, Dad, I was going to buy myself a newer model. Like the guys of my girlfriends in California," Isabella chuckled with displeasure, crossing her arms over her chest, turning her head away, from which her father only exhaled. They spent the rest of the journey in silence, lost in their own thoughts. For some reason, many people said that it was beautiful here without a doubt. That the whole corner is saturated with greenery – moss-covered trunks, a canopy of dense foliage, ferns under the trees. Even the air, as if penetrating through the foliage, began to turn green. It's super-green, as if on a completely unfamiliar planet. And Isabella didn't like it particularly much. And, in the end, her father brought her home. He still lived in a small two-bedroom house, which he acquired immediately after the wedding with the girl's mother. The best time in their family life is the beginning of it. On the street in front of the unchanging house there was a "new" car–or rather, a pickup truck new only for Ray: once bright red, but now burnt out, with large convex wings and a rounded cabin. — I'm not going to go to school on this tin can, — Isabella chuckled with disgust, finishing examining this "splendor". — I just didn't want to embarrass myself on the first day. If of course I get there without accidents on the road... Apparently, the girl was spoiled by her mother. For her father definitely does not remember her like that. But I didn't say anything about it, so as not to spoil the already strained relationship with my daughter even more. There were quite a lot of things, and Ray moved them upstairs several times. The girl got a western bedroom with windows on the street. This room had been her room since she was born. The wooden floor, the blue walls, the high sloping ceiling, the yellowed tulle on the windows – everything here reminded of childhood. Nevertheless, this managed to cause a sad smile from Isabella, who was dissatisfied with the situation. After all, she could have loved this city a long time ago... But that's all in the past. Now she dreams of escaping from here as soon as she turns eighteen. Escape back to the big city, to a prestigious university and meet a handsome, rich guy. Preferably with a personal lock. Her children certainly won't grow up in poverty. To keep in touch with her mother and the civilized world, Isabella put a small, but rather expensive, laptop on an old desk. It remains only to sort out the remaining things and turn this place into a comfort corner, if she wants to live here. But first you just need to ask your father to help with the repairs. Or call the workers. Of the next disadvantages, perhaps, there was only one bath in the house. It seemed like a complete disaster for Isabella. But the whole catastrophe was ahead... What could be worse: to arrive at school in an old tin can or in a police car with a flashing light? Both made Isabella want to just walk, but then she would definitely ruin her hairstyle one rainy day. Without saying a single word to her father on his: "Good luck on the first day," young Barnes headed to the entrance to the school, deliberately attracting attention with a glamorous look: dark-bardic, long, wavy hair was developing behind her back, and on her face was a bright makeup consisting of red lipstick and blue eye shadow. A slender and attractive body is dressed in a knee-length pink dress, and a white fur coat is draped over her shoulders to the waist. The ears were decorated with yellow earrings in the form of stars. Banging her red heeled boots, she pushed the guy standing at the locker, opened it and threw out his things, took them with her own. It is necessary to show from the first days that you definitely don't suck. Yes, she attracted the attention of the gray mass. And she enjoys it to the fullest, because hardly anyone here has such expensive things. — Wow... You look pretty, — a short girl with funny tails on the sides of her head and big eyes tried to find words, with admiration. — Unusual. — I would even say defiantly, — a guy standing next to me with greasy black bangs on the right side of his face chuckled. — This is exactly the effect I was trying to achieve, — she answered with satisfaction, literally shoving her own books into the girl's hands, and everything and walking down the corridor with her. — So, you, dirty, will wear all my things. I can't carry more weights than a Louis Vuitton handbag. —I-I get it, I think,— she replied awkwardly. "You're Isabella Barnes, aren't you?" The new girl? I'm Amy... — That's enough. How are you doing with biology? —Um... well... — You'll do the homework for both of us, bring me lunches and clear a place in the canteen. In short, you will be in my social circle. — good. As I say-... — I need such nondescript gray mice like you against the background to seem even more magnificent. From now on, I'm the new queen of the school. — Bella, wait, are you...? - Emmy wanted to ask something, but she turned sharply to her. —Isabella," she corrected through her teeth, turning sharply on her heels after and walking on. It was necessary to contact the administration in order to find out what items Isabella should have at all. It wasn't a long case, thank God. The man in the waiting room listed her subjects and classes and handed her a card in which each teacher had to sign. She should have brought it back after school. Then the man smiled, but Easy didn't reciprocate him much. Literature was the first on the list. "My name is Isabella Barnes. I came from sunny California. Your town even seems to me... Nice. I hope we will become good friends. Barnes did not tell much about herself in detail, trying to keep a more natural smile. Although her very presence in this class infuriated her. "I should have kept the image on," she thought while she walked to her desk and looked down at the list of literature that the teacher handed her. The list was standard: Bronte, Shakespeare, Chaucer, Faulkner... Boredom is mortal. However, she liked romantic plays. That's why she was not against Shakespeare, knowing every line of his famous tragedy "Romeo and Juliet". How she would like to meet her Romeo and run away with him from these terrible places. Finally the bell rang. Isabella gathered around her table quite a lot of personalities only with her snow-white smile and a cute-looking character, in addition to her defiant appearance. Everyone tried to ask a question or talk to her: — Is it really hot in California? — Yes, very much. Sometimes I even had to open the windows at night. Beaches under every house. — And in which city, specifically, did you live? — Los Angeles. But often my mother and I came to Hollywood. I even starred in one of the scenes for the movie... I can't remember, though, for what. Angelina Jolie left me a dress for when I grow up. — Have you seen the golden Gate? — M, this is not surprising anymore. The bridge is like a bridge. This spectacle was watched from the side by both Amy and the guy with the bangs, who was not particularly satisfied with all this. — Don't you think this upstart is lying? — he wondered. — Jack, don't say that. She's still getting used to it... —his friend drawled, smiling modestly. — I don't like where this is going, — Jack chuckled skeptically.