The End of Summer

Chapter 3

Damn it.

My skin, I could feel, was knitting itself back together. I knew this would happen. It always does - that's why I never go to the hospital. The pain was even more unbearable, but I knew that if the paramedics noticed, I'd be in for a whole new world. Being looked at in disgust. Cameras pointed at me at every second of the day, trying to get a glimpse of the "mutant freak" girl. I always loved attention, there was no doubting that, but I also reveled in my anonymity. Relatively speaking, everyone here knew my name. However, that didn't apply to me when it came to the whole country, or worse, the world.

They attempted to put a needle in my arm, presumably to draw blood. Unfortunately for them, that wasn't going to happen. I whispered a silent plea for forgiveness to The Mother, and then I went into a trancelike state. With the equipment in the ambulance now officially not working, the ones holding me were confused and distracted for just long enough for me to escape.

Seconds later, I was running back along my street, again at the inhuman speeds. I could never wear this outfit again. Why did this happen to me? Had I thrown off my balance somehow? I knew I always dabbled on the edge of the Evils, but in my heart I knew Good always won out! Before I knew it, however, my musings had brought me to my front doorstep.

After letting myself in and allowing a couple minutes to keep from breaking down, I reached for my phone. There was no reason Owen shouldn't know about this, so after a moment of considering my options, I automatically dialed his number. Most people these days texted each other, but he and I always held a special connection over the phone.

When he picked up, I could hear the sigh of relief. "Hello?" he asked, though he knew it was my phone. "Hey, Owen. I kinda... Got in trouble." There was a long pause, after which he said "I know, I was on the phone when it happened. Are you having your visions again?"

So he knew already. Well, considering how small this town was, that's not surprising. But what did he say about being on the phone when it happened? When what happened?! What happened when I wa-

"Hello?" he ventured, probably unsure of whether I would respond. How long had I been thinking? "Hello?" he repeated, presumably because I suck at not being an idiot. "Oh, hey. Sorry, I was thinking." I said, and he sighed again. "Look, Summer, it's not that I don't trust you when it comes to these visions, but it just seems too convenient. I mean, if I got shot, I'd go into shock too, but I wouldn't say I was having a vision!"

He hit me right in the sensitive spot. For far too long I had been trying to convince others of my supernatural heritage, and for far too long I had been shut down. And now, after the only person who has ever claimed to believe me has turned against me, I feel alone. Without realizing, the phone slips out of my hand and with a light thud lands on the floor at my feet. I hear a muffled voice come through, but I ignore it and let the tears fall.

Instead of retrieving my phone like I should, I bolt down the street and back to the park. Back to my real home, back with nature. Just being surrounded by the lush scenery helps to invigorate my spirit. Maybe I really have done it. Maybe I really have gone too far this time. Maybe I should just return to my homeland and forsake this terrible life. I see now why so many of us refuse to stay with the humans.