Darkening Days

Chapter 4: Convinced

"Fine", I said. "Go ahead, impress me."

"Well", the creep began reluctantly, "I've been tracking down a powerful being. A supernatural. He goes to this school, and he's a...vampire." He paused to shove his hands into his pockets in an awkward gesture. "Unfortunately, though, he knows that I've been following him, and he's had more than enough of me- which is why I need you. You're task is to track him down for me, to be my eyes and ears; don't worry, you'll be able to pull this off fairly easily, for no-one, not even him, would suspect such an innocent-looking girl like you."

He must have seen me smirking, for his face immediately turned stoic, and he continued, "Now, whether you believe me or not, you're stuck with me, and you're going to be stuck with me until you fulfill you're your task- and your agreement."

At that last remark, I laughed. Then, after composing myself, I said, in between giggles, "You are a die-hard role-player. Well, I can't say that talking to you was a waste of time; you amused me so, I think you made my day." At that, I turned around, and was on my way.

For some odd reason, the creep didn't follow me as I walked down the hall. I looked over my shoulder to check what he was doing; from the brief glance that I was able to manage, he seemed to be just standing there, waiting for something to happen. I couldn't help but feel as if he was up to nothing good.

I arrived at the class to which I was late for, and shuffled to my desk. Placing my backpack down on the floor, I looked nervously up at my least-favorite teacher, who I sadly happen to have twice daily.

"Miss Shine, why are you late?" Mr. Simms asked me, vexed as usual.

"I got caught up in traffic on my way back to school." I lied.

One of my big-mouthed peers spoke up. "Krystal, I didn't know you got your license- congratulations!"

The truth is, I hadn't gotten my license yet, and Mr. Simms was able to detect that by my shaky smile demeanor. I could feel his stare burning into me, which made me increasingly apprehensive. Boy, was I going to be in trouble. If only my wonderful peer hadn't said anything; my lie may have gone unrealized.

"Miss Shine, see me after class- so that I may give you your detention." He said out loud apathetically, making sure that everyone in the class would hear my verdict.

When the time came for me to receive my "death sentence", I walked up to Mr. Simms's desk. "Please, Mr. Simms, it wasn't my fault. I just got caught up at lunch-" before I could plead not guilty, Mr. Simms interrupted me to hand me a small piece of paper.

"Saturday, 7:45AM-3:00PM; don't be late." He said as he left the classroom.

I shambled after him, pleading, "please, anything but a Saturday detention". My words had absolutely no effect on the man, for as soon as he reached his office, he entered and slammed his door tightly shut.

Sighing, I turned around; however, as soon as I had done that, I wished that I hadn't- for I was met with a bone-chilling sight. The creep was still standing in the exact same place as he was before I went to class, in the same exact position, with his hands dug into his pockets and an emotionless expression spread across his face.

I began to walk away in the opposite direction. This guy is starting to give me the creeps.

Continuing down the long hallway, I distanced myself from him as much as I can. Ten, twenty, thirty feet passed between us- but as soon as I reached the thirty-first foot, I ran into a wall.

Or so I thought. In reality, nothing was in front of me.

Bewildered, I tried to make that thirty-first foot once more; but to my distress, I was prevented yet again by what seemed to be an invisible barrier.

I looked back at the creep, who was now grinning eerily at me.

What the hell is happening?

I banged my palms against the barrier- it was tangible as any other object would be. Students passing by stared at me, as if I were crazy.

The air shifted behind me, and a voice spoke up. In no-time, the creep was standing right on my heels.

"Didn't I tell you, 'you're going to be stuck with me until you fulfill you're your task- and your agreement'? I did, didn't I? But you didn't believe me."

"What the hell is happening?" I voiced my prior thought.

"You made an agreement with me, an agreement that will forever be sealed until you could abide by it. You have to understand, this agreement isn't any normal agreement; it's a pact. A supernatural pact, at that. And since you consented with this pact, you're going to be literally stuck with me, for you now have a duty to pay to me." He said, still grinning.

"What? Are you saying that magic actually exists?" I said, disbelieving.

"You still don't believe it? Even when there's cold-hard evidence right in front of you?" He answered.

"OK, fine, then. Let's say that magic does exist, and say that this 'supernatural' pact is responsible for this. Does this mean that I'm going to be confided in this hallway forever?" Right now, I'm so befuddled that I'm even beginning to jump to silly conclusions.

"No- it's only confining you so that you won't be able to be more than thirty feet away from me.

"You've got to be joking. I'm going to have to travel around with you?"

"Ah-hah. So now you believe. I have to admit, I didn't think that I was going to be able to get through to an iron-willed girl like you." He chuckled after making that annoying comment, and I wanted to punch him in the face.

"Yeah, yeah, fine. I've always believed other things existed in this world, anyways. So don't get on your high horse and think that you're the one who convinced me."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yeah, I am psychic, after all."

The confession arbitrarily spilled out of me. And I immediately wanted to take it back.