Misfits

Chapter 6

            The next few days continued without Daniel or Monica. Dusk was starting to wonder if Francesca’s suspicion of them having a relationship correct. She thought that disappearing for a day without telling anybody was suspicious, let alone for several days. Poe had said that after Daniel had told him to have her microwave the phone, he had left without another word. She and Francesca had decided to practice some of their abilities, trying to put them to the test.

            “Ready?” asked Francesca nervously. Dusk nodded. They were standing in the yard of the house. It was fenced off with a high wooden wall eight feet tall, blocking all view of the road both ways. Dusk had chosen to wear a hoodie as an extra precaution, covering her ears, though her tail was still in view. Dusk gulped, feeling as nervous as Francesca looked.

Dusk thought of a cat, prowling around a scratch post. “A stupid cat,” said Francisca. Dusk changed her thoughts, picturing one of the TV shows they had watched before coming outside. Francesca named it. Dusk quickly tried to change her thoughts, picturing a pink motorcycle. “Mark’s dream car,” Dusk laughed. She couldn’t continue; she kept imagining the male version of Mark on a brilliant pink motorcycle. Francesca seemed to be trying to continue because she suddenly burst into giggles.

“Okay,” said Dusk, regaining her composure. “My turn.” Francesca turned around, and whispered.

“Mark is fabulous,” Dusk heard. It wasn’t clear, but it has audible. She repeated it, just loud enough for Francisca to hear. Francesca spoke again, even quieter, though Dusk still heard it easily. “Daniel’s got a thing for Monica,” she said. Dusk repeated her. “Are you having fun?” she asked Francisca. Francesca turned around, smiling widely.

“I am indeed.” She smirked. “Try to test the scents,” she added. Dusk had almost forgotten that. She opened her mouth and took a deep breath, trying to catch something other than the stench of cars. She could barely taste Francesca on the air, and she couldn’t quite place, though it was familiar. She took another deep breath, trying to recognize it. She searched her mind to recognize it, and a man with dark hair and glasses came to mind.

“Daniel,” she said suddenly, turning to go in the house quickly.

“What?” Francesca asked clearly confused.

“Daniel’s back,” Dusk hastily explained. “I think I caught his scent.” She reached the door and ran into the house, Francesca on her heals. Dusk kept her mouth open, tasting the familiar scents and the semi-unfamiliar scents of who she was sure was Daniel and Monica, but there was something else. There were four new scents, two of which was Daniel and Monica, and two completely unfamiliar scents.

            She sprinted up the stairs to where the scents were coming from, still followed by Francesca. When she reached the top, she saw Daniel, Poe, Mark, Amelia, and two others talking. One of the unfamiliar people was a tall, masculine woman with high cheekbones and a pixy-cut. The second was a weasel looking man with scrabbly cut hair and a face like a rat that had got caught in several traps.

            The questionable woman looked round when Dusk came up the stairs, then jumped almost in joy. She produced a notepad from who-knows-where and a pen, and snapped her fingers. The rat-man lifted a large movie camera and started fumbling with the buttons and pointing it at Dusk and Francesca.

            “Petty girls,” said the woman, clicking her pen and taking notes. “Mind if I record you?” she asked Dusk, then not waiting for an answer, she continued. “How long have you been here? Do you trust your fellow misfits? What’s your thoughts on how the outside world treats you?” Dusk’s wisecracking mind kicked in.