The Broken IV: Vengeance

by A. L. Frances

  A pause.

  “Eve… darling, is it you?”

  Eve squints up at the elegant woman hovering above her face. Like an angel, she’s radiating a golden glow. Eve sees her smile and it makes her feel warm inside. There is something familiar about her.

  The woman tilts her head as she whispers, “Shh.” She places her arms around Eve.

  An overwhelming warming sensation takes over, and in that slight moment in time, Eve feels safe.

  “But my daughter. Please. Help. Me...” Eve whispers.

  There is a loud bang and a blinding flash of vibrant green light.

  Chapter Two

  “The Man”

  Eve throws herself forward, desperately gasping for air. It feels like she has been strangled. She touches her chest and her hand becomes moist; her silk blouse is soaking wet. Her senses on high alert and her heart beating uncontrollably, she peers down her blouse at her chest. Sighing with relief, she sees it is nothing more than her own sweat.

  She’s wearing a knee-length, navy-blue pencil skirt and tanned tights. Her attention is drawn to the huge ladder down her left leg, stretching from her knee to her ankle. One of the buckles on her brand-new shoes has come loose and is hanging on by a thread.

  Eve moves a long strand of hair off her face and tucks it behind her ear. Grazing her fingers across her temples, she whispers, “Argh.”

  Her skin is boiling hot and feels overly sensitive to her touch. Enormous beads of sweat form on her forehead, roll down her skin and drip onto her already saturated blouse. Slowly looking around, Eve sees that she’s alone and is sitting on the black and white tiled kitchen floor inside the staff room of the school where she works as a teacher’s assistant. At the side of her body, the dark oak chair she had sat on just moments ago is now lying flat. Sharp splinters are exposed from the broken piece of wood that was once a sturdy chair leg.

  The ambience is eerie and cold. There is a swift shift in the vibrational energy, and Eve gets the distinct feeling that she’s no longer alone. She tries to gulp down the lump in her throat. Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath in. Upon exhaling, Eve opens her eyes and pulls herself up using the support of the table. Dusting herself off, she stumbles back as the blood rushes to her head. She regains her composure, but her legs feel somewhat wobbly, and so she takes tiny steps over to the sink. Turning the cold-water tap on, she places her hands either side of it and hangs her head. Desperate to feel normal again, Eve cups her hands together and begins aggressively splashing the freezing cold water in her face.

  The modern décor room which Eve stands inside caters for all sixty-two staff members at Grange Park Kindergarten and Elementary, situated in the homely, quaint little village of Morrisville in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

  Grange Park provides education for five hundred and seventy-seven children ranging from six months to eleven years in age. Amongst these children are the school’s brand-new intake of students: Freddie, Terence, Rupert, Hope and Honey, along with fifty other children from the local newly built orphanage across the way. The same orphanage that is run by Grange Park’s very own, brand-new Principal – Principal Jesiah.

  Wiping the excess water off her face using a raggedy looking kitchen towel, Eve turns and picks up the broken chair leg. As she places it on the table, she wonders how on earth this could have happened. Touching her scalp, Eve feels an almighty surge of pain through her skull. Distracted by this, Eve’s is caught off guard when she hears a creak from the wooden door.

  Eve is relieved to see it’s her colleague, Mrs Galinsky. Her bright blue eyes glow through the lenses of her leopard-print-framed glasses, which are perched up on her slight freckled nose. Mrs Galinsky is forty-eight and yet she doesn’t look a day over thirty. She has short, coarse, red hair and a fringe. Seeing the broken chair on the floor, Mrs Galinsky rushes over to Eve. “Oh, Mrs Parkinson, are you okay?” she says in her over-the-top New York accent. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

  “Yeah, sure. Sorry, I’m fine,” Eve replies. She walks across to the broken chair, picks it up and rests it against the wall. Pulling out another chair from under the table, she sits down and rests her elbows on the tabletop as she puts her head in her hands.

  “How did that happen?” Mrs Galinsky asks as she sits down. “Did you hurt yourself?”

  “Not really,” Eve replies. “I’ve got a slight bump on my head, but that’s it. If anything, I’ve just ruined a perfectly good pair of shoes and tights.”

  Glancing at Mrs Galinsky through the gap in her hands, Eve is filled with sadness. She would love nothing more than to share the burden and tell her colleague what’s been happening to her. After all, she and Mrs Galinsky have become quite close in the three months that Eve has been working there. It would be a great relief to have someone whom she can confide in outside of her network, yet the sad reality is, she knows she can’t. The secret must remain with her. A burden she must carry. Her blackouts are becoming more and more frequent, and Eve is getting worried herself. The severity of the visions is the greatest concern, and she’s struggling to ignore the potential message being given to each one.

  “You can tell me anything. I promise I won’t tell a single soul. You have my word.”

  Smiling, as she knows Mrs Galinsky is one of the most genuine women at the school, Eve replies, “I know you wouldn’t and I promise, it’s probably nothing.”

  “Have you eaten today?”

  Just as Eve goes to answer the question, a sudden crackle blasts through the speaker of the tannoy. A distorted, strong British male voice radiates loudly throughout the school. “All students and staff report to the main sports hall immediately!”

  A worried look crosses Mrs Galinsky’s face. “That’s Principal Jesiah. Oh my, Mrs Parkinson. Here, reach out, you can lean on me.” She puts out her hand.

  “It’s okay, I will be fine to walk alone,” Eve replies.

  “We can’t be late or he’ll notice and we’ll be in for it.”

  Standing up, Eve says, “Honestly, I will be fine. You go ahead.”

  Eve walks across the room and opens the door. Without looking back, Mrs Galinsky rushes out. Feeling an icy blow down her ear, Eve turns. Baffled, she sees there’s nothing and no one there. Shaking her head, Eve again steps forward to make her way to the hall, but this time she becomes frozen stiff as the sudden chill travels down her spine and locks her bones tight. Frightened, Eve shouts down the corridor, “Mrs Galinsky, help!”

  Unluckily for Eve, her colleague has already disappeared. Eve’s senses are back on high alert. She once again doesn’t feel alone. The chill develops, taking over the whole room. It circulates around her ankles and travels up her body. As it reaches her face, Eve hears a whisper, “Prohibere.”

  Eve screams as an intense pins and needles sensation shoots round her body. The hairs on her arms stand to attention and tiny pimples appear on her skin. Again, she hears a whisper: “Beware, Eve.”

  Unable to move the middle part of her body, Eve slowly turns her head and scans the empty room behind her. Not a soul can be seen. The energy is dense, and the oxygen surrounding her has been tainted, suffocating her from the inside. Desperate to stay in control, Eve closes her eyes and concentrates on breathing deeply.

  “One.” She breathes in.

  “Two.” She breathes out.

  Five long, deep breaths later, Eve opens her eyes. Something in the far corner of the room piques her interest. A tall wooden bookcase rests against one of the walls. Each shelf is filled with books, all of which have been arranged in alphabetical order. Some are old with tatty covers and spines. Others are new and remain in pristine condition.

  Around the lower part of the bookcase a thick grey mist is insinuating its way into the room, bringing with it an icy breeze. This same mist has become all too familiar to Eve. As it continues to spread, it creates icicles on everything
it touches. Eve is unable to look away. The mist is almost hypnotic. Her eyes travel up the bookcase. There is a seven-foot gap between this sturdy piece of furniture and the ceiling. Suddenly her eyes widen. On top of the bookcase is a man lying on his back, his legs dangling down over the edge. His hair is jet-black, his skin a tone that belongs only to the afterlife. Wearing a white T-shirt and pair of white trousers, he’s got his hands behind his head and is gazing at the ceiling, humming to himself. Without lifting his head, he stops what he’s doing and whispers, “I release you.”

  With a crack and a twinge, Eve’s spine unlocks itself. Relieved that she can once again move her whole body, Eve slowly turns.

  “Hello,” she says cautiously.

  Eve gets no reply.

  “Erm, excuse me, you can’t be up there.”

  Again, the man doesn’t reply.

  Placing one foot in front of the other, Eve carefully makes her way towards the bookcase. Every thud of her beating heart can be heard and felt as she takes one nerve-wracking step after another. She knows that this male’s appearance cannot be a coincidence. Wanting answers, Eve approaches the bookcase. She doesn’t want to scare him off and so, as she reaches the wooden structure, she gently places her hand on one of the shelves and pulls herself up, standing on her tippy toes.

  “What’s your name?” she says with a sympathetic tone, her heart now beating at a dramatic rate.

  The man turns his head and sniggers slightly. “Well, wouldn’t you like to know.”

  Eve is confused. The man appears to be around the same age as her and he has a distinctive British accent much like her own.

  “Well, yes, I would, as a matter of fact. So come on then, what’s your name? Did she send you?”

  He says nothing.

  Frustrated, Eve says, “Fine then, I’ll start the introductions. My name is—”

  “Evelyn Jade,” he interrupts. “I know who you are. And I know that they all call you Mrs Parkinson here, but that’s not your real name.” He laughs.

  Taken aback, Eve replies, “What do you mean not my real name?”

  “You know, the one you were given when you were born.”

  “Oh really? Well, if you actually knew me, then you would know that I was created in this form and not born into it.”

  “That’s what she wants you to believe.”

  “What?”

  “You’re Evelyn Jade Honey and you were born into this world and you better start believing it because he’s coming for you.”

  “Wait, who’s coming for me?”

  The man doesn’t respond.

  “Why are you talking in riddles?”

  “I’m telling you what you already know deep down. She just has it all locked away.”

  “Oh really, now, and how is it you know so much about me?”

  No reply.

  “See, you can’t even answer the question because it’s a load of nonsense and you know it.”

  Lifting himself up, he leans on his right hand as he stares at Eve, smiling slightly. “I know all of the children here say that you’re the friendly teacher. If only they knew your real intentions, aye? Tut, tut, tut, Mrs Parkinson.”

  “You know nothing. And if you did, you’d have no issue telling me your name.”

  The man goes quiet.

  “What’s wrong, cat got your tongue?”

  Silence.

  “Look, I don’t mean to be rude. Just tell me something about yourself. Did you go to school here when you were younger or something?” Looking to the ground, Eve knows this can’t possibly be the connection as he knows what her name was before she married Lewis.

  “Are you from Moycullen?” she asks warily.

  “You know something, Evelyn Jade, even with my unfortunate fate, you did a pretty good job of making them happy during your time with them.”

  “Making who happy? The children…?”

  “You healed their pain and brought them back together. I think you did better than I ever could have. You know what I mean?”

  “No, I do not know what you mean because you’re talking in riddles.”

  “Well, as much as it pains me to say this, you certainly were the correct chosen one.”

  Now even more confused than before, Eve replies, “Bringing who back together? Chosen one? Right, what are you talking about?”

  Laying back on the bookcase, he continues with his ramblings, “If only you knew Evelyn Jade. If only you knew.”

  Placing both her hands on to one of the shelves Eve attempts to pull herself up even more. Deciding against prying too much, she simply asks, “Okay, I believe you do know things about me that others do not. Now can you at least tell me your name?”

  A slight pause. The male then turns his head.

  As Eve makes eye contact with him she gently says, “Please, just tell me who you are?”

  “You really don’t remember me, do you?” the man asks.

  “Should I remember you?”

  “I have never forgotten you.”

  “Well, maybe if you told me your name it might help me to remember who you are.”

  “You don’t need to know my name,” he replies abruptly. “All you need to know is I’m your—”

  “Mrs Parkinson, get yourself to the main sports hall now!” Principal Jesiah’s voice bellows out over the tannoy.

  Eve’s heart begins to race.

  “I have to…” Eve stops herself. The man has disappeared and the mist has also vanished. Looking around the kitchen, Eve doesn’t know if what just happened was real or part of a deeper hallucination. Panicked, she decides against trying to work this out now, as she rushes to the door and heads straight out into the corridor.

  She passes rows of dark green personalised lockers on either side. The lights flicker above and the energy remains eerie. The only sound that can be heard are the thumping of the heels of Eve’s shoes and the clinking from the broken buckle as she stomps her feet against the hard vinyl floor. In a fluster, Eve’s aware she’s going to get an icy reception from Principal Jesiah.

  “Just breathe deep and hold your head high. You have done nothing wrong,” she tells herself.

  Twiddling her fingers, she picks up the pace. The strong oak wooden doors leading to the hall are now in sight and her palms are getting sweaty.

  “It’s going to be okay. Just breathe.”

  Slowing down, Eve takes her own advice and breathes deep as she places her hand on the cold metal handle.

  “Okay, no going back now. Just creep in and keep your head down,” she whispers to herself. “Okay. One. Two. Three.”

  Eve gently pulls the door open in a desperate bid to make as little noise as possible. Unluckily for Eve, the assembly hasn’t started yet. Every single head turns and stares at her. As her face goes bright red Eve looks to the ground.

  “Oh, so glad you could find the time to join us, Mrs Parkinson,” says Principal Jesiah.

  Standing in the centre of the sports hall, he has a very stern look upon his face. His dark brown eyes appear almost black. Even with his slightly aged face, it’s clear to see his steely expression is one that demands respect. Dressed in a mint green shirt, mint green tartan tie, black blazer and black trousers, Principal Jesiah has a thick head of brown hair and stylish stubble upon his face. Standing six feet, six inches tall, his shoulders are wide and his back is straight. Principal Jesiah runs a tight ship. He has full control over all staff members and children at Grange Park.

  Eve slightly raises her hand as she says, “Yes, I’m sorry, Principal. I’m here now.”

  “Oh, you’re here now. So I suppose we should all be thankful that you’ve found time to finally arrive after keeping us waiting for ten minutes. Please, do tell what was so important?”

  “Principal, please, I said I’m sorry. It won’t happen
again.”

  “That is not an answer to my question,” Principal Jesiah responds in his highly intimidating tone as he steps towards Eve.

  Putting her head down once more, Eve chooses not to reply.

  Appearing furious, Principal Jesiah bellows, “Report to my office as soon as I have finished!”

  “Of course, Principal.”

  “Now everyone has arrived, let us begin.”

  Standing next to Principal Jesiah shaking her head, with a smirk spread across her face, is Vice Principal Elisabeth. Principal Jesiah’s personal pet. Eve ignores her glare, and her mind begins drifting off. Principal Jesiah’s voice becomes a distant sound. Gently placing her head on the wall behind her, Eve glances across the space. Her colleagues are all standing to attention, staring intently at Principal Jesiah. They’re spread out around the edges of the hall. Either side are rows of benches, each one filled with children arranged in age order. Eve’s eyes eventually lock with her husband’s. Lewis has an overly concerned expression upon his face. “Are you okay?” he mouths.

  “I’m fine,” Eve mouths back with a smile upon her face.

  Feeling a tap on her shoulder, Eve jumps. She looks to the side and sees the man from the bookcase. Knocking into her colleague, Eve instantly turns and apologises. When she turns back, the man has once again disappeared. Nervous in case Principal Jesiah has noticed her disturbance, Eve looks in his direction. Thankfully, he hasn’t noticed her outburst. He is pacing the length of the hall with his back to her, speaking in his very animated tone.

  “Isn’t he dreamy?” Eve hears from at her side.

  Smirking at Mrs Violet’s innocent, and yet way off the chart, comment, Eve replies, “Huh, if only you knew what I know.”

  Ignoring Eve’s words, Mrs Violet continues to stare at Principal Jesiah with her bold green eyes and her hand to her chest. She has a true schoolgirl crush expression.

  “Your souls are mine!” echoes throughout the hall.

  The shutters on the windows slam down, the doors all lock and the lights go off. The hall is now pitch black.