Telluric

Chapter XII: Friendly Shenanigans

XII

Despite the vicious façade of productivity due to homework, Saturday was mostly dull and lifeless. About midway through the day, with nothing better to do, Diego messaged Noah and Mayla, asking them whether they would like to have a social gathering.

And at about one in the afternoon, the trio decided to meet up at the Graywood Bowling Alley. Gathering a coat and hat, Diego speed down the stairs and out of his house, his Uncle sending a small goodbye in the form of words as he went. Passing by the Gray ladies, he looked on toward the seemingly innocent statue. He felt a strange energy flowing from it, somewhat like an air of vigor and energy flowed from it.

Noah had informed him of it when he asked about it, having passed it a time ago. Turning from it again, he found himself walking once more into the blustering winters, the decapitated and unified sisters behind him now.

The bowling alley was a few yards away when something caught Diego's eye. A shadowy figure ducked behind the building, as if hiding from someone. Curious murdering his inner feline, Diego darted toward the shadow. Eluding him further, an air of excitement raced within Diego.

When he finally caught up the figure, he found himself standing face-to-face with a woman wearing a silky black dress. He recognized her instantly, as Ms. Ramona.

"Ms. Ramona?" Diego was confused, what was she doing here? "Why are you here?" Fluidly, Ms. Ramona began stepping towards him, while Diego moved backwards, keeping a dynamic equilibrium of space. She smirked warmly and held her arms to the child.

"My baby child..." She whispered in a sort of tone that reminded Diego of a telluric warmth he used to feel when his mother comforted him. Two arms embraced him in a hug meant to comfort him, though he felt slightly on edge. What the hell was this strange woman doing to him, and who was she?

Then it struck him.

He remembered being told that his father was dead when he asked his mother one day after school, and when his mother sent him away due to his unsettling shadowy powers. A sudden realization made his head feel as though it were floating in diamonds skies.

"You're... a demon." Diego whispered in her ear. He felt her nod solemnly on his shoulder, the coldness of

Hissing in his ear, his 'mother' tightened her hold, and then suddenly let go. She looked at him sincerely, and Diego stared awkwardly back. She told him that 'if he ever needed assistance with anything, she'd be happy to help.' Diego only replied with a nod that seemed to answer the statement completely. And suddenly, Ms. Ramona was gone from sight.

Heading into the bowling alley, Diego walked numbly and briskly. The cold air seemed to become even colder as chills went up his back. Head shaking and blinking couldn't empty the feeling he was getting from his stomach however. Entering, he found Mayla and Noah paying the cashier for a lane, and getting shoes. They motioned for him to come over, and with a smile, he did.

Smiling goofily, he approached and greeted everyone. With a few swift transactions, they were on their way to their lane. The game started roughly slow, with only near-spares and constant splits.

"Yeah, fuckers!" Mayla screamed, scoring the first strike of the game. Noah and Diego laughed, and Mayla got on her knees and butchered out a hardly-recognizable 'We are the Champions.'

"You're singing is incredible." Noah told her sarcastically. Hearing this, Mayla flipped him the bird and sat down elegantly.

Then Noah got up and grabbed a green ball that weighed about eight pounds. Swinging the ball dramatically, he launched it toward the pins as fast as a marijuana-high snail; which is to say not very fast at all. The ball then took a sharp right, and Noah's eyes widened.