The Silver Crown

Chapter 2

Caleb

"Hey bud." My dad greets me from the breakfast table.

"Mornin' Dad." I say. My dad pushes a plate of eggs and hash-browns to me. He's wearing a professional suit with a blue tie. His large frame, neatly groomed dark hair, and navy blue eyes cut quite an intimidating figure, but I know him better. A closer inspection shows laugh lines in his face, a cheery light in his eyes, and a calm, respectful demeanor. I know that I can talk to my dad about anything and he'll give me his opinion of the matter, with advice for improvement. "I finished it. Last night." I state shortly. My dad beams.

"That's amazing! I can't wait to see the final product." He said eagerly.

"I'm going to take it with me to school, see how well it works."

"Excellent. I'll pick you up after work and we'll go for a spin together."

"Sounds good." As my dad is about to leave the room another thought occurs to me. "Dad?"

He looks back. "Yes son?"

I look him in the eyes. "I'm going to be going back soon. Probably in a few days." His eyes fill with worry.

"Well, you'll be missed here, but I understand you wanting to go back. Just be sure that you're ready."

Kylee

Tick, tick, tick, tick.

The hands slowly drag themselves around the clock. How am I supposed to focus on algebra after that...that...thing! I tried to tell Mr. Madlon what had happened, but he said I was in shock from the experience. After hearing my story, Anna started thinking I've gone mad. I was somehow uninjured in the explosion, so now I'm stuck in math class, alone, with a demon-placed deadline that I don't understand for a crown I don't have. What am I going to do? I look around the room aimlessly and notice Caleb in the back. I've never really talked to Caleb before. He's tall and broad shouldered, but not heavily built. His dark hair is brushed to the side and his amber eyes, instead of being locked on his papers as usual, are staring out the window and he's absentmindedly rubbing his muscled forearms under his long-sleeved red shirt. No one knows what he does in his free time, but he's definitely in good shape. Caleb and I have gone to school together since middle school, but he's always been the quiet kid at the back of the room that focuses on work and doesn't talk. Every time someone approaches him, he just glares at them and they back off.

He could help me. I don't know why, but I suddenly feel like he's the one to talk to about what happened. There's something about him, his mysterious, antisocial countenance, which tells me he knows things I wouldn't expect. I need to talk to him.

I realize I'm staring at him just after he does. He levelly turns his sharp golden-brown eyes to me. A shiver runs down my spine and I look away. After school, I tell myself.

"Caleb," I call. "Do you have a minute?"

He's standing on the curb, in front of the school. He turns to me and gives me a questioning look and I remember his usual reaction to conversation. Then, surprisingly, he shrugs. "I'm waiting for my dad. What can I help you with?"

His piercing eyes make me shiver again and I realize that I've never spoken to him before. I'm going to sound like a lunatic. "You're probably going to think I'm crazy." I say.

"Tell me first and then I'll decide."

I take a deep breath and tell him what happened in Mr. Madlon's room. "...and when I woke up, Anna was trying to revive me." I pause for a second. He's turned away again, so I can't see his face. "Do you think I'm insane?" I ask timidly.