Succubus

Chapter 4: Peter Lenkov

Chapter 4: Peter Lenkov

Unlike his classmates, Peter was dedicated to one thing: putting balls in the basket. That was his ticket out of Bridgeton. The people who moved into Bridgeton tended to stay there. Generations had been born, grown old, and died saying that they were planning on moving any day now. To Peter, that was a terrifying prospect.

His worn out sneakers squeaked across the shiny wood floors of Bridgeton High's gym. He jumped back and threw a three pointer that swished through the net. Peter dodged around imaginary opponents and shot from every imaginable part of the gym. Once he was too tired to run he loaded all his stuff into a duffel bag and headed home.

The sun had long since disappeared, and fog was beginning to creep from the river up between the streets. The streetlights were just orange halos above Peter as he headed away from Bridgeton High and crossed the train tracks. His white sweatshirt seemed to glow from far away.

It was late enough that Peter hardly saw anyone else out on the streets. That wasn't to say that Bridgeton had no night life, but it tended to only be in certain spots. Both restaurants would still be fairly active, and the riverbank was lined with economy cars filled with teenagers. That was why Peter was slightly surprised to meet someone else outside.

It was another high schooler, maybe sixteen or seventeen, but Peter didn't recognize him. Peter assumed he was a highschooler because he was wearing the uniform, even though it was eleven o'clock on a Saturday. The boy was classically handsome, like a Greek statue. His hair was fair and wavy, and he had the face of a mannequin at a high end store. He was smiling though.

"Excuse me?" he asked Peter. "Do you know which way the school is?"

Peter figured he was visiting from out of town. "A few blocks that way," Peter said with a shrug toward the direction he'd come from. "They're closed though."

"Aw, guess I'll have to try again tomorrow." The boy thanked Peter with a big smile and disappeared down a different street. Peter was left to wonder if someone was playing a trick on him.

Peter's house was a small rancher built underneath several tall evergreens. The year round shade meant that not much grass grew in his yard, mostly it was just moss. Peter unlocked the front door and dropped his bags on the living room floor.

Past the kitchen was a small hallway that led to the main bedroom. Peter knocked softly on the door and heard someone grunt his admission.

Victoria Lenkov had blankets up to her chin. Her eyes opened a crack as Peter came around the bed and took a seat next to her.

"How was school?" she murmured.

"Good. I've been getting ready for the game next week."

"Try not to push yourself too hard."

"Any word from dad?"

Victoria pushed herself up so she was sitting. Peter half stood up to try and help, but she made it on her own.

"His truck broke down three states over. We may not see him for a while." Both of them sat there thinking the same thing. "Have you eaten dinner?"

"Not yet."

"There's some sausage in the fridge. You could pan fry it with an apple."

Peter stood up. "I'll go do that. You get some rest."

"I'll try and come to your game if I feel up to it."

Peter nodded and headed for the kitchen. He thought about tomorrow and how he could squeeze in time after practice to go get groceries.