Angels & Shadows

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

It was Monday morning in the music room. Elizabeth and Laura were talking animatedly and the subject was Laura’s first truly meaningful kiss. I had happened at the weekend and was clearly a monumental moment in her life. Their heads were close together in conspiratorial manner.

“Lizzie he’s just adorable.” Laura’s green eyes sparkled mischievously and her skin was flushed with the excitement of it “Mother of course does not approve, he’s from the wrong side of town apparently.”

Elizabeth could see how much it had meant to Laura and she was truly happy for her.

“Are you going to see him again?”

“Am I? You bet I am, he’s picking me up tonight in his car. He’s twenty don’t you know and he’s got a job and everything and his name’s Matt. Isn’t that just the best name Lizzie, so manly?” Laura was going at 100 miles per hour.

“Woo slow down girl, and you are not twenty, no wonder your Mum’s worried about you.”

“Oh Lizzie don’t be so old fashioned. I’ll be eighteen soon and anyway I can look after myself. Besides you’ll be on the date with me, he’s bringing a friend!” Laura’s smile was as innocence itself.

“Oh no Laura, don’t bring me into this, I’ve got enough trouble already thank you very much.”

“That settles it then, we’ll pick you up at six thirty. Don’t be late!”

Before Elizabeth could argue further, Mrs Hyde entered the room leading a rather plain, slightly plump girl with short cropped mousy hair.

“Take your seats. Come on quickly now, we haven’t got all day!”

Mrs Hyde was looking particularly pleased with herself and it had danger written all over it.

“We have a new girl joining us and her name is Katya. She will be sitting at the desk next to you Elizabeth but do try not to infect her with your stupidity, there’s a good girl.”

“Patronising bitch” Elizabeth thought and glared back at Mrs Hyde in contempt.

Katya weaved her way through the desks towards Elizabeth without taking her eyes of her. There was a mocking look on her face and Elizabeth felt ill at ease and somehow vulnerable. Something was wrong she could sense it but she couldn’t think what it could possibly be.

Katya extended her arm towards Elizabeth as if to shake her hand and Elizabeth stood up to reciprocate. At the last second Katya withdrew it and quickly sat down leaving Elizabeth stood with her arm out looking stupid in front of the whole class.

“You’re dead you bitch!” Laura hissed in Elizabeth’s defence but Katya simply ignored her.

After what seemed an eternity to Elizabeth the bell finally rang, ending the painful and humiliating lesson. They all poured out into the crowded corridor making their way towards the exit. In the melee, Elizabeth didn’t see Katya coming swiftly towards her with her arm raised high and her hand clawed. Katya slashed her venom infected fingernails at Elizabeth’s face but Laura had seen it coming and threw herself between them to protect her friend.

Katya’s fingernails sunk deep into Laura’s neck rupturing the flesh and finding the vein. Deep red venous blood pumped from the open wound and the venom from Katya’s fingernails entered Laura’s bloodstream spreading its death quickly through her body.

As Laura slipped to the ground in trauma, Elizabeth thrust out at Katya with the palm of her hand to push her away. Somehow Elizabeth had summoned up a force from deep within her that she had never experienced before. Katya’s breast bone broke with a loud snap against the impact of her hand and the air was forced out of Katya’s body with the sound of a snorting bull. Katya’s broken body flew across the corridor and crashed into the wall where she slumped to the floor, gasping for breath. With monumental effort, the terrified Katya picked herself up clasping her broken chest and flew out of the open door into the sunlit yard.