The Child Out For Revenge

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Jezebel’s POV

The moment I turned around and saw Ryder I swear the world could have frozen over, either that or I’d gone to Hell. I felt like my head was about to explode and I was going to faint all at the same time. There was absolutely no way this could be happening. I killed Kyle myself. I watched him die. This just could not be happening!

My stomach churned as I shook his hand and I fought against the rolling in my stomach. I swallowed hard and tried to pull my hand away but he wouldn’t let go. He was a good half a foot taller than me so I had to look up into his eyes. The same eyes Kyle had. The same eyes Josh has. Then he smiled the same sadistic and evil smile Kyle used to give me and I felt a shiver crawl over my skin. He let my hand go and I moved it as far away from him as I could.

I knew I must have looked panicked because he seemed amused at my reaction so I tried desperately to compose myself. Turning my back on him I quickly thanked the office lady and told her I’d give a quick tour and head back to class. She wished us both well and I hastily walked out of the office. I didn’t stop to check if he was following me or not because I could tell he was. I started down the hall and quickly started pointing at doors and spouting out the classrooms behind them.

I hadn’t even gotten passed the first four rooms before he stopped me, “Woah, woah, woah. Could you slow down a bit?”

I couldn’t help but flinch as he spoke because he sounded exactly like Kyle. I tried to hide it but I knew he saw. I was growing increasingly frustrated that this kid was affecting me so badly. I knew he wasn’t Kyle it just wasn’t possible. But then how is it that he looks, sounds and acts almost exactly the same as Kyle?

“Uuhh yeah sorry. Ok, so this hallway is all science classrooms,” tried to keep my voice steady but it was getting harder as I could feel him watching me.

I named all the rooms slowly and he nodded. We moved onto the next hall going through the same process and again through the next halls. We were close to being finished when I finally gathered the courage to dig for some information.

Trying to act natural I asked, “So you’re a Junior too, are you 16 or 17?”

He shot me a dazzling smile before replying, “17.”

I nodded letting this information sink in. My mind spun as I tried to figure out how it was possible that he looks just like Kyle. I showed him the oval and the cafeteria before we started to head back to the English classroom.

I knew my next question was going to sound like I was fishing for information but I needed to know, “What’s your last name?”

He gave me a slightly confused look, but I could tell it was fake, “Hutchinson. Why do you ask?”

I smiled trying to brush off the question. “I had to know in case someone asks me what you name is,” I shrugged even though I was lying through my teeth.

We were almost back at the English classroom and I was thankful for the escape. I hand my hand on the door handle when Ryder reached out and caught my hand, stopping me. I nearly jumped a foot in the air but turned to face him all the same. I raised my eyebrows questioningly and he smiled leaning closer to me.

“You’re married at 16,” he said it so it sounded like a statement rather than a question.

He took my left hand in both of his to examine the beautiful ring that Josh had given me.

I tried to pull away saying, “Yeah, I am.”

I had backed up so I was standing right against the door. He held onto my hand with one of his placing the other one on the door beside my head. Using that to balance himself as he leaned in closer so he was mere inches from my face. His proximity brought back several horrible memories of the time when Kyle kidnapped us in Canada.

“You don’t think you’re too young to get married? I mean how do you know you married the right man? You’re what 16 and you’ve already settled down. That’s kinda stupid, you haven’t even experienced life!” he leaned in closer so he was whispering right next to my ear. “You probably haven’t even experienced another man.”

After that last comment I could have easily slapped him across the face. But I didn’t. Instead I pushed him backwards slowly with my magic before speaking to Ryder slowly.

I wasn’t sure what his game was so I kept my voice as calm and casual as I could, “Everyone has their own opinion. I, however, know Josh IS the right person for me and I know I will not love another like I love him.”

I let him stand there staring at me unabashedly for a few moments before going on, “We’re already late for class so I suggest that we go in now. Ok?”

He smiled his trademark smile and gestured towards the door, “Of course, after you.”

I nodded stiffly and finally opened the classroom door. I introduced Ryder to the English teacher Mr Sanders and then went back to my desk beside Chase. I sat down without looking at anyone and I didn’t say a word. I watched the rest of the class stare at the new kid as he lazily made his way to a desk in the back row.

I could hear mutters from all around the classroom about how good looking Ryder was; how he looked like a star football player; how much people wanted to get to know him. But all I could think about was how this was my worst nightmare come true and the sick feeling I had in my stomach. After the class had settled down a bit and Mr Sanders went back to what he was doing, Chase leaned over to me.

He whispered in my ear, “What’s up? You don’t look to good. Is there something up with the new kid?”

I just shook my head and smiled weakly at Chase. I could tell he was concerned so I tried to make it look like I was paying attention to what was going on. But in reality it took all my will power to not run out of that classroom for the rest of that lesson. I barely heard a word the teacher said the whole time. Once the bell finally rang signalling the end of class I all but ran out into the hallway to find Josh.

I used my magic to guide me to where he was leaving his Maths class. I kept thinking that I was walking in slow motion and that I was dreaming. This all had to be a really bad dream. I spotted Josh just outside the room he was in talking and play fighting with a couple of his friends. I stopped where I was when I saw him, thinking about how happy he looked and how that wonderful smile was going to disappear the moment I told him about Ryder.

It crossed my mind to not tell him and to let him just be happy for a little while longer. But I guess the world didn’t want that. Just as I was about to back away one of Josh’s friends pointed me out to him. It was too late to back out so I tried not to look so worried. Josh started to walk over to me knowing that something was wrong. I know I didn’t have to say anything to Josh for him to understand what I was feeling. It was written all over my face.

“Jez, what’s wrong?” Josh took my face in his hands.

I opened my mouth to explain to him that somehow Kyle had come back from the dead as a 17 year old. Or that he was reincarnated as a teenager or....or, well I didn’t really know what I was going to tell Josh when I felt it. The feeling you get when someone is staring at you, like two holes burning into the back of your skull. I turned away from Josh to see Ryder standing just down the hall leaning against the lockers, just staring at us.

I could tell Josh was following my gaze because I heard him take a sharp intake of breath and his whole body went rigid behind me. He swore under his breath a few times before putting a hand on my waist to pull me closer to him, like that would protect me somehow.

“How is- why does he- what the hell is going on?” Josh sounded equally terrified and bewildered.

I shook my head unable to answer Josh’s questions. I gripped his arm hoping to gain and provide some comfort. I glanced again at Ryder who was now chatting up a bunch of girls. It made me sick to think how his very presence made me feel weak. I had no idea what he was here for or what he wanted or even how it was possible, but from the moment I saw him I knew he was bad news. Ryder Hutchinson was out for something and I knew one thing for sure; he wasn’t going to stop until he got it.