Blackstone

Chapter II

     “Bryan, breakfast’s ready!” My mom shouts up the stairs just as I finish bandaging my leg.

       “Coming!” I yell, trying to keep my voice from shaking. I’ve changed my sheets and cleaned up most of the blood. I’m sure Mom won’t have any complaints about me wanting to do my own laundry for once.

         I start toward the door of my room. If I put pressure on just the right points, I can walk without limping. I don’t know what happened, but I definitely don’t have time to figure it out now. I make it to the stairs and start down them slowly. Am I going crazy? What happens when I dream again? Could I...

      “There you are, honey! I didn’t hear you coming down the stairs.” Mom interrupts my train of thought. Probably for the best.

         “What’s for breakfast today?” I sit down at my usual place on the edge of the bar. 

         “Your favorite!” Mom flashes me a smile. “I know you have a busy day today, and I wanted to start it of right.” She plops two chocolate chip waffles down on my plate.

       “Thanks, Mom!” I start tearing into my waffles without pause. She walks over to the window and looks out into the woods.

       “So what are your plans for this morning?” She asks me. “You have to be on time to show around those new kids at the high school this afternoon! Don’t forget! 2:00 sharp.”

       My mom’s the guidance counselor at our local high school and is always signing me up to do anything and everything. When we get new kids in town, she arranges a tour of the school for them.  Those tours always seem to involve me. How I’ve made it to the summer before junior year, I’ll never know.

        “I’ll be there! I think I’m going to take Jasper for a walk in the park this morning. It looks like a nice day, so I might stop to sketch some along the way.” With my leg like this, I might be stopping a lot.

       “That sounds like a good plan. I know the kids will really appreciate meeting the mayor’s son on there first day in town. Remember to keep a smile on and let them know we’re always here for them...” I zone out while my mom continues her normal tangent.

       I think about the new kids. My dad’s already met the two new families, and he said they seemed pretty nice. As mayor, anytime someone new comes into town he always goes to offer his help. I’m sure it makes them feel better to know the mayor’s friendly. I can’t imagine how the kids just give up their entire lives and...

    “Bryan. Bryan, are you even listening to me?”

     “I got it, Mom. Make them feel welcome.”

~*~*~*~*~*~ 

      I walk down Main Street toward the park with Jasper. Every kid we see stops to pet him. Jasper’s like a small celebrity in Blackstone. While we walk, I look around at the same old stores that fill in most of my childhood memories. Duke’s Candy, The Written Word Bookstore, Town Hall, Cara’s Coffee, and finally our small diner. There are more stores, but those are the ones most important to me. 

      We make it to the park and start along the small lake trail. Maple trees grow up on either side with small wildflowers beneath. We walk in silence for a long time before I start to look for a place to stop and draw. I’m so distracted that I don’t see what’s moving in the shadows around us.

      Jasper starts barking frantically, and I finally notice the movement out of the corner of my eye. I turn quickly, but it’s gone. I feel eyes on me. I turn in every direction trying to find the source. Jasper whimpers. Suddenly, a shadow beneath a tree darkens and detaches itself. The forest seems to darken around it, and I can’t see it clearly. The figure looks vaguely wolf-like but far too large. The creature steps towards me and sniffs the air. It snarls and two glowing red eyes focus on me. I turn to run.

        “Bryan is that you! What a coincidence! Oh, and is that my little Jasper boy?” The shadow creature dissipates as quickly as it formed. I turn toward the voice. Great. It’s just who I thought.

       “Hey, Charlotte! How are you today?” Charlotte jogs along the trail towards me. Charlotte is the captain of the Blackstone Cheer Squad and does the whole “mean girl cheerleader stereotype” more than justice. She and I used to date until I realized looks only go so far. She finally catches up to me.

        “I’m better now that I’ve found you. I don’t think I’ve seen you all summer. You and I really should get together sometime! I’m pretty sure the cinema is doing a movie marathon tonight, you want to go? Everyone will be there.” The way Charlotte says each word slowly, like it’s an intimate moment makes me want to gag. Tasting the words is how my friend Kyle describes it. 

        “No thanks, Charlotte. I would, but Mom needs my help with some new students. I won’t be done in time to see most of the movies.”

          Idiot. I can’t believe he’s blowing me off again. Who does he think he is? Any guy would be lucky to have me, and all I’ve done is throw myself at him.

       “What was that?” I’m stunned. Charlotte’s never spoken to me like that before. I know I’ve blown her off, but I didn’t think she took it to heart. 

      “Huh? I didn’t say anything. I guess I’ll have to understand. It’s for your mom. Whatever, I know Corey will go with me. See you around!” Charlotte continues her jog down the trail.

      What just happened? I heard her say that. Didn’t I? It didn’t feel the same as when you hear someone say something. I completely understood each word. I could almost taste her bitterness. It was like... Nope. No. Today’s been way too freaky. I’m not going there.

       I check my phone for the time. 2:07. I’m late for the meeting with the new students. After the shadow creature and whatever happened with Charlotte, I need no more reasons to leave the park behind.