Skin Walkers

Chapter One

Chapter One

 “Ms. Reed? Are you with us?”

            My seat jerks forward as someone’s feet push against it, and my eyes snap open. I quickly focus on Mr. Shiparo, who is leaning on his podium in the front of the room. His dull eyes watch me as I remember where I am and that stupid smile spreads across his face.

            I clear my throat. “Yes.”

            “Great,” he says, like he’s about to get a kick out of something. “Then come on up here and do number two on the board for us, Tuesday.”

            “Sure,” I say, rubbing my eyes. Cade snickers from behind me as I stand. I walk up the isle somewhat unsteadily, pass Mr. Shiparo and his dumb-ass podium, and uncap a marker.

            “Remember to show your work,” he chimes.

            I bite the inside of my check and start on the problem. As I write, I press my free hand on the board to keep me steady.

            Last night was horrible. I’m exhausted. I don’t know how I didn’t see it coming, but maybe because I thought no, Cleveland wouldn’t do something that bad to me; I’ll be fine, I was just setting myself up to get ambushed. He never offered to give me a ride anywhere before, so when he did I thought it would be like old times, when he actually wanted to be my big brother.

            But when those doors locked as we turned down the dirt road, the sense of betrayal was something that I thought I wouldn’t feel again. As we went further and further into the woods, everything became magically, depressingly clear. The only time anyone actually cared if I went to family meetings was when it had something to do with Declan, and since he’s been gone awhile that could only mean they wanted to talk about him coming back. I can’t help but shudder when I remember how heavy my heart grew then.

            The meetings at William’s house are things that I always try to avoid. I hate being around them all. It’s been getting more and more frustrating to participate in anything the family has planned, since they all give me looks. I know they do. Even when they aren’t looking, I know what they’re thinking. They think Mom and Cleveland and me are the oddballs and even though they’re friendly enough to at least their faces, I knowthey don’t want us here. But they won’t say anything for several reasons.

            Mr. Shiparo suddenly makes a disapproving noise in the back of his throat—one that I’m not meant to hear—and after a quick scan of what I’ve written so far I realize I’ve multiplied something wrong. I rub my eyes again and erase the mistake with my hand.

            The family isn’t really my family. They’re adopted. Or, they adopted us. Now that Dad’s gone, they feel they’re responsible for us now since he’s not able to provide for us. And then there’s Declan. I feel my skin grow hot just thinking about him. I stop myself before the picture of his face emerges in my head because then I know I’ll lose it.

            After a very high Cleveland pushed me from his truck last night, I nearly attacked him. He ran from me, though, and into the house. Mom was waiting for me on the porch, and for once it looked like she hadn’t been drinking. The sun had set long before but the sky wasn’t black yet. The engulfing trees formed a barrier around the old farmhouse that was alive with people. The yard was full of cars and trucks and those who still lingered outside made a point not to look at me as I walked up the stairs to meet my fate.

            My mother was a thin woman, but she was strong. She gripped my arm and whispered, “I’m glad you made it, sweetheart” before shoving me inside.

            The memory angers me and I scribble out the answer to the problem and turn to go back to my seat.

            “You missed the last two steps, Tuesday,” Mr. Shiparo says.

            Nearly lost in the reverie I don’t have time to catch myself before I mutter, “fuck it.”

            “Excuse me?”

            I stop midstride but don’t turn to face him. Cade’s face erupts into a grin as people start giggling. It makes me mad.

            I whip around and say, “Fuck it. Do you really think everyone is too stupid that they can’t add those numbers in their head?”

            Real laughter now.

            “Tuesday—”

            “I said fuck it!”

            Cade’s voice is the loudest as he laughs, and Mr. Shiparo has to boom over everyone when he erupts, “Out of my class. Office. I won’t be talked to like that.”

            I’m already to the door by the time the words leave his mouth. The hallway’s dead as I head there. I’ve had my share of outbursts in that class, just because he won’t give me a break, or because I have to deal with Cade behind me. He’s not as bad as Declan, but then again, he’s around all the time.

            Last night I somehow found myself on a Lazy Boy with Cade on one arm of the chair, and Antoinette on the other. I guessed they sat there to keep me from running, but just the words out of William’s mouth as everyone listened to his news was enough to keep me bound to the chair.

            “My son called last night and said he was on his way home,” he grinned. Everyone got excited at the news of Declan’s return. It’s like they worshipped him.

            Antoinette reached over me to shake Cade, who was already being punched by Jett. I just sat there, staring down into my lap and quite near to having a breakdown.

            Everyone knew what it meant when Declan came home. William would be more willing to let us have group hunts because he’d be in an all-around better mood. We’d go camping in the mountains more, since Declan loved it so much. The family would be complete as long as he decided to stay, because we’d all have the second-in-command again.

            I felt sick. They all knew it. They knew. Knew that William was undoubtedly getting older. In the not too distant future he would pass the reigns to Declan. He was a capable leader, they all thought. He knew the right and wrong way to do things. He was confident in himself and his abilities.

            The impending future seeped into my skin as I sat there, mouth dry.

            Mr. Shiparo called the principal, so he was ready for me when I walked in.

            I sit across the desk from him, waiting for the sentence.

            The old man sighs. “Tuesday, you know you can’t say things like that.” He waits for a comment, but I’m quiet. He continues, “I can’t let this one slide. Shiparo wants you suspended.”

            My heart tightens. School is one of the only sanctuaries that I have where I can have at least a little time to myself without everyone worrying where I am or tracking me down.

            He sighs. “But I can’t do that to you. You’re a good student, Tuesday, you just need to work on your people skills.”

~So yeah, it probably sucks, but if you want I'll put up more~