The Unknowables

Chapter 5

For the second time that night I think I go into shock. I freeze and my breathing stops, I even stop blinking, suddenly very afraid of this strange girl. Her hair is cropped short on one side and is a little longer on one side, her lips are thin and pulled into a small tight line. She has a sharp, thin, angled face and long limbs, instead of making her look twiggy it made her look dangerous. Like a human knife. Her clothes are worn and just a little to small for her long arms and legs, but her boots are of the scuffed and sturdy kind.

Her expression is unreadable but the intense look in her dark eyes makes my skin crawl for no apparent reason. In response to my fear I can feel the feathers on my wings start to stand on end, a birds defence mechanism to look bigger. I look away and take some deep breaths, trying to gain control of my feelings.

'She knows what I am? I don't even know what I am. How does she know? Did she see my wings? What is she going to do to me?"  Panic starts to take control again, in the most natural voice I can muster, I lie.

"I don't know what your talking about, please leave, I don't want any trouble." A look of irritation crosses her face but it disappears as quickly as it came.

"Look kid, I'm on your side and I'm trying to help you. I've been where you are and I know it's terrifying, but if you don't accept my help certain people are going to come looking for you. If your going to listen to anything I say then remember this, you do not want these people to find you."

I can't hear the pounding of my blood in my ears over the tumult in my head but I manage to reply.

"I don't know what your talking about, but if this is a game it really sucks."

Her face quickly looses it's stony indifference. Her thin eye brows draw down into a sharp V and for a moment I think I see her pupils turn into slits, but chalk it up to the fading light and my imagination. Her hand shoots forward and grasps the front of my dress, she shakes me a little and I feel my feathers prickle again in fear.

"You spoilt little brat! I'm risking a lot trying to warn you about what's coming for you! They may be watching right now, following you! I know what you are and there is no running away from this, trust me I know."

She lets me go and opens the little window between us and the cab driver.

"Hey I changed my mind, let me off here."

The cab pulls over and she she opens the door. She pauses a moment and pulls a piece of paper and a pencil stub from her pocket. She scribbles something down and throws it at me before getting out of the cab.

"In case you change your mind and want to talk anyway. I'll only be there only the one day, after that, your on your own." She slams the door shut and walks away, disappearing into the crowded sidewalk. I scan the paper as the cab, once again, pulls away from the curb.

Sam's Sandwich Shop, 12:30 sharp, Tuesday

I want to burn the little piece of paper and throw it's ashes out the window. I never asked for this and I don't need help from some scary, crazy girl who thinks she knows what's happening to me. All I want is to go home, crawl into bed and go back to my old life where I was just an ordinary girl living with her aunt and uncle. Despite my confusion and my feelings about the strange girl I just met, I slip the little paper into my purse and close it with a snap.

***********

I open the front door as quietly as possible, hoping to sneak past Nita and any awkward questions about the party. I manage to make it all the way to the staircase but I forgot that the bottom stair creaks. I flinch at the sound and Nita's voice calls my name. Nita pokes her head around the door frame of the living room, concern written all over her face.