Chilled air burned her lungs as Kori raced down the residential street. Cars drove by with ease as if to mock her progress, but she pressed on while her legs burned with exhaustion. If she spared herself the humiliation of missing the school bus, she could survive whatever her old bullies had in store for her. Distracted, she caught the edge on an uneven sidewalk edge and slammed onto the concrete.
Groaning in pain, Kori sat up to brush off her hands only to find plush grass surrounding her instead. Wait, when did…? As if stopped by an invisible force, birds and leaves froze in midair while the noise of cars muffled to a silence. Blades of foreign, untamed grass grew from the ground and swayed against an unfelt wind. A white pebble path carved and tamed its way through the growth towards a gateway of light. There, the shadow figure appeared. It’s happening again!
For as long as she could remember, Kori experienced these visions of the shadow form appearing before her. As a child, she used to try to talk to it like an imaginary friend though it never replied. Yet, Kori continued to talk to it oblivious to the fact that everything froze every time it appeared. It wasn’t until it began materializing around other people that she noticed odd things during its visits. As time passed, her visions expanded to include manifestations of a fantastical place.
Kori stood up among the new foliage, catching her breath as she grazed the soft points of the grass with her hand.Her excited anticipation flourished with every passing second. The familiar presence of the figure calmed her anxious mind, but her skin pricked with pulsing energy. Her breath caught. His sleek yet strong frame stood tall as he examined her before stepping closer, caution in his movements.
Why does he come? Her urge to discover more increased with every encounter. I have to know. Kori’s heart hammered in her chest as she reached to hold out her hand. Allowing the rushing sensation to flow down her arm, she formed a ball of light in her palm. Her skin pickled as if ice filled her veins. She reached for him, but the entire sight faded into a puff of vanishing smoke. The projection dissolved. A gust of wind and an explosion of sound brought everything to move again. Dizzy and gasping, Kori allowed the light in her hand to flicker out. She rushed over to where he disappeared, but no evidence of his appearance remained. Still nothing. He came and, again, he vanished. A secret piece of herself, deep inside, cried out in agony.
***
Why does he pull me? And since when did it…? The sound of her name resonated in the distance. She looked down the street to find a young girl with black curly hair and glowing dark skin waving.
“Kori! Hurry, girl!” Clara jumped up and down waving her arms for attention. Relief gushed through Kori upon seeing her best friend, only for panic to replace it as the school bus rolled up. Humiliation soon descended when she caught the other students, who waited to board, looking on in disgust. Like her, everyone dressed in a school uniform of a white dress shirt, a blue knit vest and tan pants or skirt. Kori met up with Clara as the other students boarded first, whispering to themselves and gesturing to her.
“You look pale. You okay?” Clara asked.
“It’s nothing,” answered Kori, while she walked up the steps. She stared at the floor, attempting to ignore the light giggles and scathing words.
“Ew, creepy girl was staring at nothing again.”
“What was she looking at?”
“Don’t know, she just stands there. So weird.”
The girls took seats toward the middle of the bus. Kori rearranged her long brunette hair to cover her hazel eyes and ducked down in her seat, but the whispers continued.
“You saw it again, didn’t you?” Clara asked in a hushed tone.
“Yeah, and the path to the tree arch again.”
“Did you do that thing we talked about?” Clara leaned in closer. “With the light?”
“Yeah, but it didn’t make any difference,” Kori said. “And it was weird this time.”
“Why’s that?” Clara asked.
Kori hesitated. The number of students grew again with the next stop. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Alright,” Clara said, catching on to her concern.
“Everyone saw me,” Kori said, dejected when the bus continued on.
“Girl, forget about it.” Clara waved off her worries. “For all they know, you were staring at a bug or a bird. Don’t start freaking out now.”
“Yeah.” Kori’s stomach churned. Why’s it changing? I’ve been able to see where he was before, but this time I… She shivered. Too much is changing. What’s going on? Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, rolling and unrolling it. She pushed it all down to the pit of her stomach with nauseating effort.
Clara continued. “You worry too much. You got to learn to chill. Getting all worked up is what’s fun for them. Let it go.”
“That’s easy to say.” Kori peeked up over her seat. “Look, there’s a guy in the corner staring at me.”
“You’re being paranoid.”
“Just look.” She ducked down again, hiding her face.
“Cuz you’re acting weird.” Clara glanced around. “I don’t recognize him. Doubt he knows anything about you. I don’t think that jacket he’s got on is allowed. It’s got double zippers down the front.”
“Everyone thinks I’m weird or crazy. I’m Necro, remember?” Kori waved her hands around as if she had a wand. “According to them, I cast spells and curse people.”
“You know that’s nonsense. That’s the rumor mill talking,” Clara said.
“Right,” Kori said. “Say that to the notes they left in my locker in middle school.”
“Just cuz you see something weird once in a while, they go and blow it up just to entertain themselves,” Clara said.
“I know.” Kori sighed. “I figure if I expect the worst, it won’t disappoint.”
“It’s the first day of the rest of our adolescent lives. High school. Finally. It’s a little too early to despair.” Clara patted Kori’s shoulder.
Clara’s right. I can’t dwell so much. A boulder sized pit ground in her stomach. I wish I knew why it changed. Or, better yet, why I’m the only one who’s like this.
“Well, you made it to the bus relatively on time.” Clara smiled. “An improvement from threatening to not come at all.”
Kori snapped out of her reverie. “Yeah, my mom kept yelling at me this morning. Kori! You up yet?! Kori! You’re not dressed yet!? Kori, your back pack dumped again! Put it away!” She rubbed her eyes and temples. “Jeez, I wish she would stop nagging. She used to talk to me.”
“I guess things aren’t improving with you guys, huh?”
“I don’t know,” Kori said. “She’s been working a lot. We don’t really do anything anymore.”
“I’m guessing she still doesn’t know about the shadow?” Clara asked.
“You’re the only one who knows about the stuff I can do. I haven’t said anything to her since elementary school,” Kori said, shaking her head. “I remember how scared she got. I don’t want to see that again.”
“Who knows?” Clara leaned back in the seat. “Maybe it’s better this way.”
Kori ran her fingers through her hair to dispatch the tangles and to spare her hem from the ravages of her anxiety.
“Well, you got me and we’ll figure it out.”
“Yeah,” Kori said, while pulling apart a large knot of hair.
“You know, you should do more with your hair,” said Clara. “It wouldn’t get so tangled.”
Kori shrugged and stuffed her hands under her legs. “I like it down.”
“Only cuz it hides your face,” Clara teased. “Since he transferred to our school, I thought you’d want to look your best.”.
Her ears flushing deep red, Kori spun around. “What?” The fear of being overheard took hold. She leaned in closer. “You mean…?”
“That Richard goes to our school now?” Clara smiled. “Yep.”
“I thought he started at Cantrell High last year,” Kori asked in disbelief.
“Switched schools in the middle of the year,” Clara said. “I’m not sure why, though.”
“Shh!” Kori ducked low to avoid detection. “Someone’s going to hear.”
“I knew you’d freak.” Clara laughed. “People are way too into their own crap to care. Even that staring guy in the corner is playing with his phone now.”
Kori peeked up again to glance around the noisy bus. Cliques of girls huddled together to talk about the beach or about a guy they met. Groups of boys gloated about girls they ‘got with’ and compared the hotness of their conquests. Some knelt on the black vinyl seats while others slouched down and propped up their knees. In the back of the bus, a few guys began arm wrestling matches. They screamed and slapped the seats in excitement.
Kori took a deep breath. “I guess you’re right.”
“You’re gonna talk to him this time ‘round, right?” Clara nudged.
“Umm…I hadn’t…thought about it.” Her heart rolled.
“Oh, come on! You can’t hide for the rest of your life,” Clara said, nudging her. “If you can’t even talk to the guy you like, how are you going to do anything?”
“I know you’re right, but…” Kori tried to mount a defense, but none came to mind.
“Of course I am!” She smiled, triumphant. “If you keep running, nothing is ever going to change.”
At that instant, Zoey’s freckled face propped itself over the seat in front of them. “Are you seriously whispering secrets and talking about hair as if you’re still in grade school?” the girl said with a look of forced pity. She flipped her red curly hair. “You know there’s no chance you’re going to find a boyfriend this century.” She turned to Kori, her eyes narrowing into a glare. “Or, in your case Necro, ever.”
“No one asked you, Zoey,” said Clara with venom. “Why you here? Driver got a cold again?”
“No,” she said with a snort. “Daddy suggested that I ride the bus so I could learn to be more dependable. Like knowing to catch it on time,” she slew at Kori. The bus slowed to a stop and a noisy gaggle of girls entered. “Oh, look! People who matter.” She turned back in her seat to greet the group.
“One of these days, I’m gonna break her surgical crafted nose,” said Clara, as she smacked her fist into her palm.
“I feel bad for whoever’s stupid enough to date her.” She gripped the rolled up edge of her skirt.
“Right. She’d make him and his friends cart her around school or something.” Clara crossed her arms.
A long pause followed their mocking before Kori spoke up. “To be honest, I have no idea what to do about Richard.”
“You’re over-thinking things. You just need to calm down,” Clara said.
“But every time I try to say anything the knot in my stomach chokes me,” Kori said. “I’m such an idiot.”
“If I hear you call yourself an idiot again, you’ll have more to worry about than a knot,” Clara warned. “You’re just shy and inexperienced. Be yourself and be confident.”
“Just be myself, huh?” It sounded so easy, yet the thought of it seemed insurmountable.
***
The smell of fresh mulch filled Kori’s senses as she stepped onto the tended lawns of East Hills High School. A surge of bodies engulfed the girls in a frenzied mass. Excitement and energy flooded everywhere. Friends exploded in shrieks when reunited. Teachers stood like sentinels pointing new students to their homeroom classes.
Clara split away from the crowd with Kori in tow and headed around to the back of the main building. She led the way past the science wing and the student parking lot until they arrived behind the gym. A long patch of sparse grass lined a fenced off drainage creek that flowed by the building. The stream swelled with life from the rainfall from a few days ago. The water bubbled and splashed through the well-placed rocks and logs.
“So, what was different this time?” Clara said, straight to the point.
“How did you know about this place?” Kori asked, wide-eyed at the seclusion.
“There are a few advantages to actually attending the school tour when we enrolled.”
Kori’s hands itched for something to do. They gripped and twisted at the handle of her school bag. “Shouldn’t we get to class? I don’t want to be late on our first day.”
“We’re in the same homeroom class this year, so don’t worry,” Clara said.
“Yeah, but-” Kori tried to argue.
“Something happened more than usual,” Clara interrupted. “So let’s take a minute and talk about it.”
“It’s fine.” Her grip on her strap tightened. “I’m fine.”
“No, it’s bothering you.” Clara stood firm. “Don’t think after two years, I can’t tell.”
Kori sighed. Double checking that they were alone, she leaned up against the cool brick wall. Letting her bag fall to the ground with a thud, she pictured it in her mind. One thing stuck out about her entire ordeal.
“I didn’t notice.” She let the buried words out.
Clara squinched her brows. “Didn’t notice what?”
“When it started.” Kori looked away.
“How’s that possible? You always notice,” Clara said.
“I usually do, but I didn’t this time.” Kori’s forehead creased.
“But why would that happen now?” Clara asked.
“I don’t know.” She shook her head. The comfort of Clara’s clear thinking did little to calm her this time.
“You sure you weren’t being silly and not paying attention?” Clara asked.
“No, I’m sure. I’ve always known when it happened, but this time was weird.” Kori pictured it again. Everything froze in motion long before she noticed. “It was as if I couldn’t tell the difference. I barely had time to create the light sphere.”
Kori’s lips trembled. To her bones, this new development terrified her, but she needed to make sense of it. Unease bubbled up in her stomach.
“That’s weird.” The first bell rang, causing both girls to jump.
“Shouldn’t we go to Homeroom?” Kori shifted, uncomfortable in her skin. The conversation grated on her mind.
“We still got ten minutes. No worries,” Clara dismissed. “The other things you can do, are they still getting stronger?”
Kori nodded. “I don’t have to concentrate so hard, and it’s easier when the shadow comes to form the spheres.”
“And the others?” Clara crossed her arms. “Have you tried them out?”
“I can move my side table now and float as many light spheres around my room as I like. I’ve also stopped the water in the shower. Sort of useful when I shave, but also eerie with all the drops of water floating.” Kori chuckled, but her face creased in concern. “They keep increasing, in strength and in things I can do.”
“You haven’t lost control at any point, right?”
“No, but why is this happening too?!” Kori threw her hands in the air and started to pace. “I go from shifting a book and stirring liquid in a cup to forming light and lifting furniture?”
“At least we’re sure it’s connected to seeing the shadow. We weren’t before,” Clara said, following Kori’s pacing. “It’s progress at least.”
“I guess,” Kori said. She leaned up against the brick wall again.
“Is that all that happened?” Clara asked, changing the subject.
Kori shrugged. “I could see him better.”
“Wait, back up,” Clara exclaimed. “Him?”
“Yeah, the shadowy person.”
“We’re calling it a him now?” Clara raised her eyebrow.
“I don’t understand it either,” Kori said, shrugging. “But when I imagine the figure I feel…him.”
Clara conceded with a nod. “Okay, what about him?”
“It was as if I was looking at a perfect shadow rather than a fuzzy blob,” Kori said. “It’s almost like that place is helping me to see him better or something.”
“You don’t suppose that it’s all connected, do you?” Clara said. “Your increasing talents, seeing him better and not detecting the episodes?”
“I’d say so.” Kori nodded her head. Every new turn sprung more questions. “This is getting so complicated.”
“That’s for sure, but it’s pretty cool right?” Clara said. She pinched her fingers together. “Even just a little bit.”
“I guess, but…” Kori stopped short.
“But what?” Her face fell.
“Is this getting too big? I don’t even know how to find answers to any of this.” Kori hunched her shoulders. “I’ve tried reaching for him, talking to him, and now shining a light in his face. But everything always goes back to normal before I get close or get a response.”
“Keep trying. You never know what’ll work till it does,” Clara said. “Things are changing, so you can say it’s also progressing.”
“That’s true. Why else would it change? It still scares me that I might lose control one day and hurt you or someone else, but I still have to know.” A fire burned inside to see it through till the end, no matter the outcome.
“Well, we’ll try to make sure Zoey’s in the cross fire if it ever does.” They both laughed. “But for now, just concentrate on one thing at a time. Work on your control and maybe the answers won’t be too far behind. Anyways, we should go before the second bell. We still have 5 minut-” Right then, the bell rang.
“That wasn’t the late bell was it?” Panic swirled through her mind.
“That can’t be right!” Clara dug through her bag for her phone. “Class doesn’t start till 8:20, right?”
“No. 8:15,” Kori corrected.
There, on her phone, Clara couldn’t deny the large glowing numbers on the screen. “Oh crap! We’re late!”
