The Wendigos

Chapter 1

I rummaged through the crowd, all dressed in perfect black, for my brother Josh. I could no longer stand being here and he was the one who had to take me home.

I took my cell phone out from my clutch and looked at my reflection on its clear black screen. My hair was all messed up, little ones popping out in every direction and mascara had run over my cheeks with all the crying.
First, i used my hand to flatten my hair and then used a wet napkin (that I always keep in my bag) to wipe the black smudges off my face.

I looked decent.

I walked to the side of the road realising that Josh might have gone to bring the car.
Five minutes later, a black SUV screeched to a halt in front of me. I walked towards it and made myself comfy on the passenger seat. Josh drove away without further ado.

"So, how was it?", Josh uttered as he turned at the roundabout.

"It was a funeral Josh". I glared at him for his stupidity . "How do you expect it to be? And where were you all this time. You were supposed to be attending it''.

"I can't stand funerals, you know. Crying and...stuff.... Besides I didn't know the guy, you know."
"Are you okay, Ivy?" , My brother looked concerned, so unlikely of him.

"Ya, I am fine." I lied.

How could i be? A boy i had known practically all my life had passed away. Not just him, people were dying in Alkira since the start of this year. Alkira is no more a safe place.

"Did you have classes together?" My brother's questions hauled me out of my thoughts.

"Um. Yes, James and I had history together". I replied.

James Jefferson's body was found a day ago at the lake in the community park, whatever was left of it atleast. Supposedly, an animal had eaten all his flesh. Oh my gosh! I feel so terrible just by saying it in my head. He didn't deserve that kind of a monstrous death, and also not the other sixteen people who had suffered the same fate. Death is supposed to lead one to peace and release him or her from the pain and sufferings of the world.

"Ivy, please try to forget about it". His voice echoed in my ears bringing me back to reality. I hadn't realised that i had been crying. I wiped my tears off my face as Josh parked the car.

My mom opened the front door.

"Ivy, you okay?"
"Ya, mom. I just need to get some sleep. I have school tomorrow." I lied, once again
Maybe i could become a professional liar. Pun intended, if you know what i mean.

I ran to my room and quickly changed into my pyjamas. Jumping on my bed, i covered myself with the comforter and hugged my little teady bear.
I must have fallen asleep in a few minutes.

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I entered into the hustle and bustle of my school hallway, children babbling, running, chuckling, and making out ( yeah.. that too). As i kept my bag in my locker and took my history book for the first period, the bell rang declaring the start of the period.

As i walked into the class, i realised it was unusually quiet today, needless to say why.
James was an amiable guy, he was practically in the friend list of every student out here. And he topped history; sometimes generous enough to share his notes with the needy ones, you know. I never really talked to him much, but it still hurt me - what had happened with him.

Tears tried to burst out of my eyes, but i had good control over my emotions. But when my eyes spotted Angelina -not Jolie, my best friend on the back seat, i remembered that she had none. She was literally wailing as loudly as it could get. She was quite close to him, i knew.
I rushed past the front tables to her ;  putting my arms around her, i embraced her warmly. She hugged me back and stopped wailing.

"Its okay! Lina don't cry!!". I uttered trying to stop myself from crying too.

Just then, Mrs Georgia our history teacher entered the class. Her teary eyes could be seen through her foggy glasses. James was every teacher's favourite. But life goes on, and so started another lecture on something i don't really remember.

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The school cafe wasn't much crowed today. Good for me.
I loathed crowded places.
I ordered myself a diet coke and a sandwich and started walking toward my usual lunch table.
Ten or so steps away from it, i noticed two more people on the table besides my usual peeps, Angelina and Meryl.
They were obviously guys, clear from their hair and their backs.
I reached my table and took a seat beside Meryl now in front view of the boys.
They were Jesse Walker and Robin Raph.
"Hi". I said looking first at Meryl and then giving Lina a questioning glare.
"Everyone''. I added to sound polite.

Meryl spoke up-
"Hi Ivy!! You must be wondering, why Jesse and Robin have joined us today."

Yeah! I did wanna know why are two jerks sitting on our lunch table with us. No, i am not judgemental. I just happen to know them. They are school's players. And by players i don't mean football players ( though they are that too) but those kind of guys who are popular for sleeping with most girls in school, boys who toy around with girls like they are objects made for their pleasure.

"I and Jesse have started dating!!!", Continued Meryl.

My eyes widened as i took in what she said. "Okay.".

No. Not okay. My friend does not date a jerk. No way. Meryl was a gullible girl but i did not know she was stupid.
I'll talk her out of it, i promised to myself.

Meryl was continuously giving me a be-nice glare.
"So Robin, hows football practice going on?" . I asked finally giving up.
Robin had a better reputation than Jesse so i directed my question to him.

"Nice." He gave a genuine smile.

"And hows...." He did not know me much so he did not know what to ask.

"Library. Books. Classes." Jesse spoke out of turn completing Robin's question.

Now Jesse got his share of "be nice" glare from Meryl.

"Uh!! I mean i know Ivy's kind of a bookworm and I didn't mean it like that!! ". Jesse added.

I ignored Jesse as if he didn't exist and answered to Robin.
" Studies.... Just fine Robin. Thanks for asking. "

Other than that i did not try to make any conversations. The others talked but i was too busy eating my delicious sandwich.

The school bell rang as i neared my locker. I took my bag and started walking toward  the parking lot.
As i was walking to my car, my eyes drifted away and spotted .......
Jesse and Meryl making out in front of their car. Meryl's back was toward me.
Jesse caught my gaze and just as i saw his hand creep up inside Meryl's shirt, from the corner of my eyes I caught his lips curling into a smirk - a wicked smirk.
He was directing it at me.

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