Far Away From Home

Part Three

Caleb stopped stroking his hair sideways and turned towards Jackson, tucking his mirror into a black messenger bag.

After giving him a long look, Tony exclaimed, 
"Khatara?" without expressing any emotion, “Why?”

“You've never heard of the myth, have you?” Jackson stated this while straddling the bench.

“Everyone has...” Caleb remarked, “Apparently, you haven't heard even half of the rumor.”

“I believe you chose Jackson, Mister. I don't like Stephanie because she's whiny.” Steph uttered.

“That's none of your concern.” Caleb remarked, looking away from her.

“Oh really?” Steph responded, rising up to the challenge.

"Steph, stop acting like a baby," said Tony.

“What? So, when he talks, he doesn't sound childish, but when I speak, I do.” Steph yelled.

“I'm not doing this here.” Tony mumbled to himself.

He has always believed that Steph is an immature person. She always received exactly what she desired.

She enjoys friendships, love, admiration, and popularity, contrary to him and his brother. While they grew up, their parents were viewed as being incompetent, which caused them to struggle.

He and his brother have only had to put up with her since Jackson started dating her.

Jackson's life was difficult. His parents never acknowledged him until he got matured. He read a lot and experimented with many sports, but his parents never paid him any attention until he matured.

Whenever a light is out and someone wants to use a device, the ability to control electricity can be useful.

Since then, he has gained a lot of popularity and has begun to draw the attention of many girls.

He doesn't believe Jackson likes her. Maybe only to avoid the attacks of every other girl —Steph seems to be the more tolerable one among them —or maybe just to have a popular doll on his arm throughout school.

He would agree that, given her intelligence, she could communicate with anyone, but that fact does not excuse her behavior. Renia is not as well-liked as Steph, which is why he would prefer her. Jackson most likely didn't give her a second glance because of this.

“Okay, everyone. Tell me what you know about Khatara.” Jackson said.

“It's dangerous. A witch who dabbles in cannibalism lives there, and she could eat anyone that comes to her cave. What's more to know?” Steph said.

Tony had to scoff involuntarily. Steph has always wished to be in control. Without Jackson, he is certain that she would have continued to hang out with all of her unreasonable friends.

In a sense, Jackson saved her. Having her in their group back in high school gave off the impression that they were untouchable.

To an objective viewer, they seemed like close friends and that they preferred to accept no one but themselves, and in a sense, that is accurate.

Jackson detested girls in general, while Steph detested commotions and individuals who would ask for things from her. It was a mutual benefit back then, but it was an uncomfortable situation. They were uneasy being a three boy, one girl group, so Renia stayed with them.

With Renia, they achieved a sense of stability.

"No, Steph. Not only that. There was a time when a witch lived among us. Did you realize that?” Jackson remarked.

"That's simple. I already knew it, so why even mention it? You won't be protected from cannibalism by it,” she claimed.
 
Tony was on the verge of calling her out on it, but he held it back. He knows Steph pretends to be an expert in anything because she wants people to think she is knowledgeable, almost as if she wants to inherit her father's power.

Unfortunately, it's clear to everyone exactly when she begins to act like she knows everything, like right now.

“No, it doesn't. I discovered this file that belonged to my father. It's not a myth. It's true. She goes by the name Tara and is supposedly the dream woman for every man. She profited from that and invited men over. She would kill and eat them while doing it. The village became more cautious after noticing that. She was discovered in the jungle just before killing someone when this happened. It appears that her maturity entails eating people.” Jackson stated.

"How so?" Tony questioned. 

“She usually becomes a monster at night. She looked to be a young, flawlessly gorgeous woman during the day who never aged. When she transforms into a monster, it is said that she has up to 56 teeth.” Jackson continued.

“How did they know that?” Caleb asked.

“They tied her to a chair and counted them while she was drugged. It took a while before they could slow her down. Apparently, she's this large monster with a loud growl to match.” Jackson replied.

“Like a werewolf?” Caleb asked.

“Something like that, but werewolves eat animals, not humans. Maybe she's dysfunctional or something. Who knows. I say we check it out as a going-out parade for getting into the university.” Jackson said.

“I'm in,” Caleb said.

Steph widens her eyes in shock.

“What?!” she sputtered.

Tony smirked. He knew that Caleb only signed up for it to make her angry.

But being a reasonable person, he said,
“I don't think that's a good idea, Jack. If they had caught her before, how did she escape?”

Jackson looked around sheepishly, and Tony knew that he didn't know how.

“It didn't say.” he said.

“See! You fools want to walk into danger, blind and smiling.” Steph said.

“Oh, but if I, a blind and smiling fool, catch the night-eating monster, won't I be rewarded as a hero, contrary to your false belief?” Caleb asked.

“Fine. Do whatever you want. All we want is a count. All in favor of Jackson, say aye.”

“Aye!” both Caleb and Tony said.

“Tony? Why are you in favor of Jackson?” she asked.

“I agree that we should catch this monster. No matter the danger, the safety of this town counts,” he said.
Steph stared at him for a while and said,
“Why did I believe in you?” 

Your loss, Tony thought. 

“We don't need Renia's vote. Three is to one, meaning if she votes for me, I win double, but if she votes for you, I would still win.”

Steph massaged her forehead and said,
“She has to know what is going on. You can't just leave her out like that.”

Tony rolled his eyes. He knew Steph meant it, and no matter how much he hates her, she's actually a nice girl on her good days.

She acts unconcerned, but she is actually quite concerned, which is one of the reasons she chose to stick with the four of them rather than invite Jackson to her boisterous former friend group.

“Okay. Let's go then.” Jackson replied.