The Secrets of The Soul Wanderer (In

Chapter 4

I awoke with a deep gasp, my head hurt from the fall Beatrice and Zoe were gone. Instead, I saw Frankie mourning the dead crow that was Corvus. I was confused as to how I was still alive but I was grateful. I looked at the Soul String and it was still attached to Corvus' limp body. A weird feeling came over me almost trance-like I picked up Corvus' body and felt his body repair itself. Almost like his snapped neck was being reassembled like a fallen LEGO tower.

I kissed his soft head and within seconds Corvus sprang to life, the Soul String was no longer dim like a dying light but it was shining bright. I felt Frankie tackle hug me, saying through tears "oh thank you, it's amazing both of you are ok. How'd you do that?"
I calmed her down with a shush, we went inside and dashed past four girls on their laptops. I opened my room and went inside as I slammed the door behind me.
I was in a safe place so I sat on my bed and sobbed hard, Frankie embraced me I never cried this hard in years. Corvus wedged himself between us and said, "I'm glad you saved me, if one of us dies the other lives but can revive the dead one through touch." This spooked Frankie, "oh so he does speak more than a few words. I will never forget this day."
I nodded, "he was just shy but now he's confident." There was a short pause, then Frankie broke the silence, "just like you at first, you were shy and reserved. Now look at you you're a fucking badass. You beat Beatrice up good and just for me. Why?"

Knowing this was coming I told her about the visions of Beatrice in my dream and Frankie getting beat up by Beatrice.
I saw Frankies face just smile and nod, it was obvious she enjoyed having me as a friend.
"Well this Beatrice is fucking with you, she killed Corvus I saw you beat her up and it was cool not gonna lie."
I forced a smile I never considered myself violent, suddenly Corvus made a stark sound and spoke. "When I died from Beatrice, I felt like I was stuck inside myself until I felt my body repair myself and just like that I was alive again."
Frankie picked Corvus up and smiled, "well I'm glad you're back Corvus."

I felt her stroke Corvus' head and this made Corvus and I very sleepy. Being aware of this she placed the sleepy crow near me, as I laid down on my bed and saw her kiss my forehead. Frankie left us alone, Corvus and I slept on the bed.
I was falling in love Frankie, despite the odds, today was a good day.

Over the past week, I managed to get back into high school life. I had the guys and some girls scowl at me, Beatrice avoided me like the plague, Zoe hated me more and frankly, I didn't care all I just had to do was avoid being touched. I invested in long sleeve tops and tight-fitting breathable gloves, I thought I was safe that was until I had to pick a partner for drama class.
We were told to do a melodrama act that involved light physical contact.

I went with a guy that I never paid attention to before, he was about six feet tall with a kind face and had thick, short brunette hair. He spoke with excitement, "hey name's Raymond. I know your name Claire Thomas, you got some lady balls beating up Beatrice Curtzer." My face flushed he knew my surname, I was embarrassed in having a male surname regardless Raymond and I acted an argument that was until he dodged my fake punch and held my wrist. I saw his face turn porcelain white, his pupils in his blue eyes dilated and saw his forehead start to sweat.

I gestured him to keep quiet and calm down, soon after everyone else's performances I grabbed my bag that had a sleeping Corvus inside. The drama teacher stopped me from leaving, her voice was ice cold and stern, "Miss Thomas class hasn't been dismissed yet! I was going to give your performance an A+ but now it's a B- learn some manners missy."
The class recoiled from the grade drop, my drama teacher Mrs Lucy Orchard was an old teacher in her late sixties she wore transparent square glasses. Her hair was grey and looked like a birds nest made from a spider web. Make no mistake that Mrs Orchard was a firm woman but she believed in the 'cruel to be kind' saying.

The bell finally rang and the class was dismissed but I heard Mrs Orchard say in her icy tone, "not you Claire Thomas please stay behind. I need a word with you regarding your work."
A group of students made "ooh" sounds, I approached Mrs Orchard and awaited my punishment. I hung my head low, my heart was beating fast and I could feel Corvus awakening in my bag.
Mrs Orchard looked at me and I did too, there was a short pause until I spoke breaking her frozen gaze. "So am I in trouble for getting my bag ready? It sounds kinda silly doesn't it miss?" I braced myself for a flurry of shouting but I was surprised to see her... smile.

I was so confused but before I could say anything she interrupted me, "you're right it is silly, it's also silly to wear see-through gloves in school. I have noticed your mood change Claire. You can share with me you know, I never like to see actresses capping their struggles."
I shook my head, she dismissed me and I quickly walked to the entrance leaving the building. I opened my bag and saw Corvus open up his wings making it obvious he was pissed off with me.
He flew up on my shoulder and began gently pecking my right earlobe, seeing as he had no earlobes I felt his pecks very clearly.

I found Raymond waiting for me at the back of the school kitchens, I expected him to silently freak out but he didn't, I explained everything to him but was careful to keep my voice down.
Raymond kept eye contact with me and just nodded, when I finished he simply said: "looks like you need a bodyguard I can help you, also I think it's cool no worries around me ok."
I pulled a big smile and thanked him, he grabbed my gloved hand and pulled me in for a hug. With this I burst into tears, he let me go looking concerned "what's wrong?" I wiped my eyes and replied, "nothing's wrong I've just never had a guy like you before."

We both giggled and I could tell I was going to be ok. Now with protection, I felt like Raymond and Frankie were becoming less of a friend and more family like to me.