The Witch's Ichor

Girlhood [13]

The nurse's office at Witchburrow High isn't the most impressive place, but for what it lacks in quality it makes up in quantity. It's spacious.

Ryker is quietly lying down on a bed surrounded by curtains. The nurse took one look at him and sent him over without asking any questions. Ryker feels his phone buzz, and opens his messenger app.

Ryker: That was an accident. Zoe is just the name I used when I was pretending to be a girl for a prank, lol

Tracy: Sounds like a crazy prank, how'd it go?

Ryker: Honestly it kind of flopped. He barely reacted when I revealed it was me, not a girl, he was flirting with. :/

Tracy: Dang that sucks! Probably took a lot of effort, too.

Ryker considers the prank, and wonders if he should tell Tracy about the magic potion he drank. She already saw him call himself Zoe, so it hardly matters.

Ryker: It was hard to wear the girl clothes, thought I was gonna get caught at the mall, lol

Ryker: The rest was easy, because the witch's magic made me look like a girl

Tracy: Wait you mean like the witch in the woods? She's real? You gotta be pulling me leg!

Ryker: I can prove it if you want, after school?

Tracy: Sure, but I'm bringing my pepper spray.

The mention of pepper spray is a painful reminder for Ryker that he's a man. The sheer muscle mass and height difference between him and Tracy is significant. She has every right to worry about some creep showing her 'magic' in a secluded space. There that nasty feeling is again.

I'm dangerous, like a monster.

Ryker sits up and puts away his phone. The nurse comes over, and checks up on him. After a quick vitals check Ryker is sent back to class with a peppermint.

~

The final bell rings. Tracy puts away her things, and double checks her pepper spray is attached to her bag. She pulls out her phone, and texts the guy she befriended today.

Ryker: I'll wait out behind the gym

Tracy: gotcha

Tracy stands, and leaves the classroom. She has to weave between the rivers of students making their way to the front of the building. Not many are headed in this direction, and the halls get quieter and quieter.

She reaches the doors leading outside, and pushes through. A couple turns and she'll be face to face with this odd guy. Tracy clutches the straps of her bag to steel herself, heading toward the meeting place.

I hope this isn't a mistake.

It takes a minute to find him. Ryker is sitting by a dumpster with his head in his hands. The sight is pitiful, but Tracy doesn't let her guard down as she approaches him. She crouches, and cups her hands around her mouth.

"Hellooo?" Tracy greets.

Ryker stiffens up, and slowly looks up at her. The look he's giving Tracy reminds her of a kicked puppy, but she doesn't fall for it.

"So are you gonna show me your 'magic' now, or is it all some sick joke?" Tracy asks judgmentally.

The expression on Ryker's face shifts to one of cold fury. He angrily clenches both his fists, and Tracy clutches her pepper spray with one hand. He stands up, and parts his lips. The sound that comes out stuns Tracy.