The Not Angel

1

Silence, obedience, and isolation. That's what my life's become here, Mother must be so proud. I fix my tie a final time before heading out. If I keep my head down, they won't shock me. If I remain silent, they won't hose me down. People shove me out of the way as they pass. My gaze remains on the ground as I make my way to class. Why does my back hurt so much? It's like a bunch nails just being hammered into me. Right as I pass the office, a hand grabs my shoulder. I turn quickly, making their hand fall off. The one who touched me looks like the man in my dreams. He has the same doe-like eyes and birthmark over his right eye. He gives me a smile and pulls out a map.

"Excuse me, I think I'm lost. Can you point me to room 203?" Seems a bit too peppy for someone in a disciplinary boarding school. Maybe he's crazy like me. He doesn't have a collar though. I grab his sleeve and tug him with me. We have the same first period, may as well tow him. "Oh, do we have class together? This should be fun!" Maybe he was a stalker? A yandere maybe, like in those games people play. I let go and let him skip beside me. When we get to class, girls crowd him immediately, letting me take my spot. No one sits by me, people call me the ghost after all, wouldn't want a curse.

"Sit down maggots! I want you all in a seat in the next five seconds or I'm sending you to the pastor!" Coach Adamson yells. Some laugh but dot-eye sits beside me instantly. I internally groan and wince a bit. Why does my back hurt again? Right when it went away. Whatever. He sends away the ones who don't behave instantly. "Oi! Ghost! Stop staring this instant!" My eyes widen as he presses my button. I grip the sides of my desk as the electricity zaps me. I look back down and stay silent as class goes on. When the bell rings I grab my stuff and leave.

"Hey, I never got your name! I'm Austin!" Dot-eye yells as he races to catch up to me. Why does he want to talk to me? I'm the Ghost of Blackstone, I'm no one. Why is this guy taking to me? I don't get it. "Do you not talk?" I turn to him and pretend to zip my mouth closed. I'm crazy, I'm sure his new fan club can explain. Walking away, I go to the locker room. They have the swimsuits out for us. I ignore my classmates and head to the pool. I like swimming, it's quite peaceful, but not with these people. These people are too loud. I stay at the sidelines.

"Alright, collars come up here." Coach Porter yells. She's nice, she lets me swim after classes, takes off the collar for our safety. I watch as she teaches some how to swim as the others race. There's another person from my dreams, this one is a girl with golden hair and an air of self-righteousness. She's got broad shoulders like me and looks strong. She outswims them all and soon enough, she's got a number of people waiting to become her lackeys. After a short while she seems to get tired of it and turns to face me. She's making eye contact and waving now. That's a no-no. Grabbing my stuff, I head to Mrs. Smith's class. Coach Porter doesn't mention it but apparently blondie doesn't like it. She chases after me and tries to grab my arm. I twist away from her with a glare. She scoffs and glares back.

"Millie, don't mess with her. She's a collar!" One of her new lackeys whisper screams. "Only crazies and very violent ones are collars, besides, that's the ghost." He continues. I fix my gaze on him, making him cower. Before she can try touching me again, I leave. Geez, what's up with my back today? English flies by and I head to lunch. I grab a lunch and head to my tree. Instead of eating with my classmates, I climb into my willow tree to eat and occasionally skip classes.

"Hey! What are you doing here?" It's Austin. With him are the broad-shouldered chick, Millie, and two other dudes from my dreams. Let me explain. Ever since I was little, I've had dreams of these people. All around my age. There's fourteen of them. But they're all just that. "Friend?" I shake off my thoughts. My dreams and episodes are my insanity. Nothing more, nothing less. If this guy's gonna be tailing me, should I tell him my name? Nah. I hold up my sack. He nods and hops along with me. The critters seem to come out to greet him. Weird. His friends are also following, creepy.