The Devil's reflection

Voices of the Entity

 "So how are you getting home?" Rin asked from where she sat at the picnic table. Frank looked down at her from where he sat on the table, his feet on the bench. Joey had gone to take Julie, Susie and Michael home before swinging back to pick up Rin.

"Clive said he was going to pick me up." Frank lied as the girl raised an eyebrow at him before nodding.

"Did he say a time? We can always drop you off." Rin stated as Frank shook his head.

"He said around 5, I don't want him to worry. You know..." Frank grinned as Rin nodded. The rumble of Joey's car came up the drive as Rin got to her feet offering her hand once more in case he still wanted Joey to drive her home. "Seriously, I'm fine. I'll see you both tomorrow." Frank said as Rin said her goodbye before climbing into Joey's car. She waved at him one last time before the car headed out of the parking lot. Frank waited a few minutes until the car was no longer in view and he ran a hand through his crew cut before yanking up his dark green hoodie. He started down the sidewalk heading towards the town hoping to at least find a place to grab something to eat.

It took him nearly fifteen minutes to reach a gas station, the first place he has seen since he started walking. He walked inside and to the counter asking where the bathroom was, the older woman glanced at him before jerking her thumb back towards the drink. Thanking the woman Frank headed towards the bathroom snatching a granola bar off the shelf as he went. Once he locked the bathroom door he tore open the bar wolfing it down as fast as he could before wrapping the wrapper in a towel and tossing it into the trash can. Unlocking the bathroom he headed out snagging another bar on his way before thanking the cashier but she didn't even bother to raise her eyes from the book she was reading. Slipping back outside a small chill seemed to be in the air, small flakes of snow were starting to fall and Frank cursed under his breath heading in the direction of the cabin.

Slowly the woods started to take over the world around him as he headed down the road, the snow flakes coming in heavier now. A gust of wind ripped at his sweatshirt as the freezing wind passed his two layers of fabric and stinging his skin. He fixed his backpack so the straps were over both shoulders and it could block some of the wind but it didn't help much. Frank knew he still had a ways to go to get back to the cabin, it may take him at least an hour if he kept moving. Another gust of snow flew up into his face as Frank rubbed at his skin trying to get the stinging ice off. He yanked the hood further over his head before another burst of ice cold wind rushed against him.

Something caught his attention, as a blur rushed along the tree line just barely in his view. Frank froze as he stared at the edge of the forest but darkness was already covering the trunks. . Swallowing down the uneasy feeling in his stomach he started walking again, but seconds later he heard the sound of a soft laugh. Frank started to pick up speed as more wind slammed into him, and his eyes started to water. A whisper trailed through his ears as he looked at the dark woods once more and he began to sprint. The gust burned against his skin as he picked up speed and another flash of movement came from his right.

Frank! Frank stopped his feet digging into the small layer of snow that was forming. He stared at the dark woods, the voices gone and no sign of movement. The crunch of snow came from behind him and Frank jerked around before being blinded by the lights of a vehicle. Scrubbing at his eyes he heard a pop come from the car as a voice echoed over the engine.

"Frank, hey? You alright?" Frank blinked up as Principal MacMillan, jogged over to him. The older man pulled his coat from his frame offering it to the seventeen year old. Frank hesitantly took the coat pulling it around himself, it was then that he noticed he was shaking. "Why are you walking out here?"

"I... I was trying to get back to where I'm staying." Frank muttered as the man looked down the road, it was getting dark out.

"Here, come in the car and warm up. I can take you." The Principal stated as he gestured back towards the car. Frank nodded following the man to the car as he opened up the passenger side allowing him inside. Frank settled into the seat as Principal MacMillan got inside and started driving. "You're staying with Clive, right?" Frank nodded.