Demons Against Gold

The Wire, the Dryer, and the Spade

I groan and rub my head, feeling the sizable bump that throbs along with my heart beat. Rolling over I look around with bleary eyes.

Ugh, why is everything so fuzzy?

I sit up and blink a few times, which seems to restore my vision. Then I see them. Two items laid carelessly on the floor of the cave. A blow-dryer, like the one my mom uses, and a garden spade. My eyebrows rise up automatically, a reaction that I've honed to a fine tip.

"Well, hello there." I say to the inanimate object, not at all feeling odd about the fact. Then my mind wanders to another point that I had previously glazed over.

Where am I? And how did I even get here, wherever 'here' is?

Scowling at the lack of answers, I shift forward to pick the spade up. Its handle is a dull brown and its blade a worn green. Rubbing a finger across the tip, I wonder at why it seems so familiar. Then I turn my attention to the dryer. It's a pale pink color and normal enough, it even has the cord, though it's an even odder sight than the fact that I'm in the middle of nowhere.

Sighing, I lean back when something pokes my leg. I flinch and reach into my pocket and pull out a spool of sun gold wire.

Bang!

Memories flood through my mind and I gasp at the events that had transpired.

~*><*~

Ten hours ago.

My legs kick restlessly against my chair as I wait for my mother outside of the principal's office. I begin to twist a strand of my long black hair around my finger as impatience clenches my muscles. Half turning at the sound of heated arguing, I cringe.

It wasn't my fault that the kid had started it first! I just followed through with what I'd said I do!

My mother exits the office with a sigh and closes the door behind her. I wait.

She rubs her face and says blankly, "You're expelled.".

I sigh, too, sad that I made things harder for her. Not, however, sorry for what I'd done.

"What were you even thinking?" my mother continues, "Why would you do something like that?". I shrug. She sighs again and begins to walk away. I follow her slowly dragging my feet, no longer bored. We walk through the twisting halls of my elementary school before we exit the double doors at the front.

My mother grabs my arm and drags me to the car, opening the passenger door for me.

"In," she commands. I slide into the leather seat and buckle myself in. I can't bring myself to look her in the eyes. She slams the door shut, then walks around to the driver side of the car and gets in. I still have yet to speak.

She says my name. I look up at her.

"Talk to me, hon. Please.".

I sigh and drag my hair in front of my face before whispering, "I'm not sorry, because she started it first. She was picking on some of the younger kids and I asked her to stop. She pushed me and it just kept escalating. By the time I retaliated, it was just to defend myself. I promise.". My mother looks at me, then starts the car and slowly backs out of the parking space.

Silence falls between us and we drive for a while before my mother says softly, "I believe you.". It's enough to draw me out of my cave of hair. We fall into a more relaxed silence. By the time we get home, the sun is going down and it's well past dinner.

My mother looks at me again, "Take out?" she asks. I grin and nod. My mother nods back and we both step out of the car.

I follow behind her to go inside but she turns to me, "Uh uh, just because I believe you, does not mean you get away with no punishment. Go out back and clean up the yard a bit while I order some food. You can come in when it gets here.". I frown but do as she orders.