Tompkin's School (For The Extraordinarily Talented Book 1)

by Slick, Tabi

  I was freaking out! But it was impossible, because I had been dreaming. I distinctly remember being asleep. It was just a crazy dream. More like an insane nightmare. I laughed inwardly at my overreaction, leaning against a nearby counter.

  “I’m sure there’s still some food from last night left,” Lee announced, coming in from the hall, “but I think we’re gonna be heading out soon.”

  “I’m not that hungry,” I said, “but thanks.”

  Soon we were back at the school and most had decided to head back to the dorms, probably to catch up on some sleep. But I decided to head to the café. I ordered some coffee and picked a seat next to the TV, trying to relax. I could hardly remember the night before, but it seemed like everyone had fun. I couldn’t believe I’d gotten so mad last night! And where did that strength come from? As much as I tried to make sense of it all, I couldn’t figure out how I had thrown a full grown, teenage boy across the room. There was definitely something off about that Amadeus guy, Kain was right about that. I was relieved that for once it wasn’t just me who was a bit off.

  “…we interrupt this television program for an important announcement…”

  I glanced up at the television as the program switched to a serious looking newswoman.

  “…Thursday, September 23, at approximately 11:37, a very influential businessman to the Oklahoma City community was murdered…”

  I shuddered as a graphic picture of the murdered man flashed across the screen.

  “…Timothy Bradshaw was found by his wife earlier this morning. We’ve been told that he suffered massive blood loss and it appears that his heart was removed from his body. The authorities have no leads and prints still have yet to be found. These photographs from the family’s personal security system lead us to believe that it may have been a calculated move. Unfortunately this photograph is the only lead that was left…”

  I gasped as the station showed the picture. All that appeared were two blurred figures and dark smudges where their faces should have been.

  My jaw dropped, gaping as they showed a picture of the deceased. I had seen that man before.

  Chapter 6: Truths And Illusions

  I was getting tired of obsessing over the night of the party. I ran the whole entire episode over and over in my head like it was a rerun of some bad horror show that had the same inevitable conclusion.

  Nothing made any sense and I was getting tired of trying to find Kain, who seemed to be playing a disappearing act. Ever since we’d gotten back from the Black brother's party he’d been dodging me. What was up with that? At any rate, I made up my mind that the next time I ran into him I would confront him.

  After having a quick bite to eat and scanning the room for the long lost brother of mine, I headed off to English class. Unless he decided to skip classes for the rest of the semester, he’d have to show up eventually. I picked up my books from my locker and headed into the classroom. Just as I did so, Kain brushed passed me. The back of his hooded figure was all I could see, but I was more than sure that he was drowning everything out by blasting music into his eardrums.

  I squared my shoulders and followed him to the back row. He could pretend all he wanted that he didn’t see me, but I knew better.

  “Kain,” I hissed, grabbing his shoulder.

  He stared at me, his expressionless face sending shivers down my spine.

  “Are you gonna explain to me why you’re avoiding me?” I asked, "It'd save me the trouble of looking all over creation for you.”

  The vein in his forehead was starting to become even more apparent as his jaw clenched.

  “Seriously,” I continued, “what’s going on with you?”

  He just shook his head and turned towards the front, ignoring me all together.

  “Great. That’s just perfect," I said, following his lead and opening my notebook in frustration.

  I saw Kia sitting several seats ahead of me. Now I wished I was sitting next to her instead. She turned, looking around the room. Probably looking for the two of us. She soon caught my eye and waved.

  “Izzy!” She called.

  “Hey,” I waved back.

  “See you after class,” she mouthed.

  I nodded.

  Just then, a note was slipped under my desk. I picked up at the folded piece of paper and slowly opened it.

  I’m going crazy.

  ⎼Kain

  I looked up, his face still turned forward. I grabbed a pencil and scratched down my message.

  We need to talk.

  I quickly handed it back to Kain just before Ms. O’Connor entered the room and started class.

  ‡‡‡

  “What’s going on?” I asked Kain, after class.

  “I don’t know,” Kain replied.

  “Did you see the news after we got back?” I asked.

  “I heard,” he said.

  “And that night?” I asked, “What happened?”

  “Nothing,” he said.

  “What?” I asked, surprised, “You mean, you didn’t have a strange dream?”

  “Well, yeah,” he shrugged, "but it was just a dream."

  “You know what I mean," I replied.

  “Listen,” he began, grabbing my arm, “I don’t know what’s going on, but we can’t talk about it here.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  It seemed like all I knew how to do was ask questions.

  He just raised an eyebrow and nodded slightly to the right. I tilted my head, trying to be as discreet as I possible could. I saw a head of curls and rolled my eyes. Amadeus.

  “He can’t⎼” I began.

  “Yes,” he whispered.

  “That’s impossible," I replied, crossing my arms, “he’s too far away to hear us.”

  “Come on,” he said, leading the way down the path back to the main grounds.

  “How?” I started.

  “Shh,” he ordered.

  I rolled my eyes, but obeyed as we made our way to the café, putting more distance between us and Amadeus.

  “Like I said,” Kain began once we found some seats far away from the crowd, “there’s something off about this Amadeus kid. You’ve noticed, right?’

  “Yeah,” I agreed, “but I don’t get it. I mean how can he predict the future and hear what we’re saying like a mile away?”

  “So, you believe me about the psychic thing?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Now, yes” I shrugged.

  “And to answer your question,” he began, “I did have a weird dream.”

  “Did yours include the man who was murdered?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” he replied, “creepy right?”

  “Do you think we’re going insane?” I wondered.

  “Nah,” he shook his head, “…well, maybe. But that night was different. It was like I was there. But I was asleep, I mean, we couldn’t have done it.”

  “Of course not!” I laughed nervously.

  But then again, it had seemed so real.

  “Wait,” I said, remembering the incident before the party, “you know that girl Tiffany Mazzalai, right?”

  “Yeah, why?" He asked.

  “A couple of weeks ago she stopped me on my way to the café,” I began, “her eyes were completely unfocused and it was just…really weird.”

  I paused, trying to remember exactly what happened.

  “…she said something like “death takes a soul” and “creatures of the hidden world shall roam free”,” I said, shaking my head at how ridiculous I sounded, “and before I left she said that death would take another.”

  “It sounds like the same psychobabble my roommate spouts about,” Kain replied.

  “Does he make you have a huge migraine when you look into his eyes?” I asked.

  “No,” he said, “but I do get a surge of anger when I’m around him. Trust me, having a roommate that makes you want to punch him for no reason is tough.”

  I laughed.

  “You know,” he s
aid, “ever since we got here I’ve been getting this strange feeling. That despite all the weirdness I belong here.”

  “You actually like it here?” I asked, astonished, "I didn’t know that was even possible.”

  “Believe it, or not," he laughed.

  “I don’t know if I agree with you yet,” I said, “but I’m definitely intrigued.”

  “We have to confront Amadeus,” he said, “whatever this is, he and that Tiffany chick have gotta know something.”

  “I don’t know,” I said, “whenever I see Tiffany she acts like it never happened.”

  “Amadeus, then,” he said, “whatever, I just need to know why I had some crazy ass dream about murdering someone!”

  “I wanna know just as much as you do, okay?” I replied.

  We sat in silence for a few moments, both of us equally frustrated.

  “What exactly did you dream about that night?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper, like he didn’t actually want to know.

  “I⎼I was flying," I said, "you were there, too. I can’t remember everything, but I do remember that businessman being there. There was blood, lots of blood.”

  “That’s it?" He asked.

  “I’m sure there was more,” I said, “it’s just kinda blurry.”

  “Same here," he sighed, “…I saw what happened.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “That night when you found Amadeus and Kia," he added, “you threw that guy across the room. How’d you do it anyway?”

  I looked at him, his eyes knowing. I sighed, shaking my head once again in disbelief at what happened.

  “I got angry,” I shrugged.

  “Yeah, but he’s much bigger than you!" He exclaimed.

  “I know,” I replied, honestly, “but that’s nothing compared to what you did.”

  “What did I do?" He asked.

  “You bent a door knob into the shape of your hand!” I said.

  “No, I didn’t,” he said, shaking his head.

  “What do you mean you didn’t?” I asked, “I saw it.”

  He just looked at me with this quizzical look on his face.

  “I didn’t do that,” he laughed, “I couldn’t!”

  “Don’t do that,” I said, “don’t lie. I already think I’m going crazy enough as it is.”

  He stopped dead, his face contorting into a look of horror.

  “It’s impossible,” he gasped.

  “Kain,” I said, bracing myself, “what’s going on?”

  “I didn’t do that,” he began, “I didn’t break any door handle. I dreamt it."

  I just sat there, not knowing what to do. This didn’t make any sense. How could we have the same exact dream?

  “We have to confront him,” Kain said, suddenly standing up from his seat.

  “No,” I said, grabbing his arm, “we can’t!”

  “Why not?" He demanded.

  “How will we control ourselves?” I asked, “Not to mention, my head feels like it’ll split into two whenever I’m around him.”

  “I’ll do it, then,” he shrugged.

  “You’ll kill him,” I hissed.

  “Izara,” he replied, “we didn’t kill anyone that night. We weren’t even there. It was all a horrible dream and we have to believe that. But Amadeus has answers and we need them. End of story.”

  He brushed passed me and headed towards the exit. I sighed, but soon followed him. I wasn’t about to let the two of them alone.

  We headed into the forest, taking the path towards the guy’s dorm. I had never been to their dorms, but as we reached the end of the winding path I saw that they looked exactly like ours. Luckily for us, Amadeus was already standing in front of the dorms, leaning against the porch.

  “Expecting us?” Kain scowled.

  I glared at Kain, hoping that would remind him to chill.

  “Not really,” his liquid voice replied, spilling over my wall of self-control.

  Shivers ran through my spine as my head burst with fire. I grabbed my head in pain. I hadn’t even looked into his eyes!

  “Are you doing that?” Kain demanded.

  “Doing what?" The voice asked again.

  “Causing her to flinch like that," Kain added.

  “No,” Amadeus replied.

  “What are you?” I spat.

  “What do you mean?" He asked.

  “Listen, you mongrel,” Kain roared, “if you can‘t tell us what you are, explain to us what you know. You can deny it, but somehow you have predicted all of this. So, tell us.”

  I looked up after a moment, baring through the pain. I saw Amadeus’ face change, as if he wasn’t really there.

  “There are secrets here,” he said in a monotone.

  “What secrets," Kain demanded.

  “Of death," he continued in his monotone voice, then suddenly his voice darkened, “You’ll find your secrets buried in the history of this place. After all, it was made for you.”

  Kain and I looked at each other, both wondering the same thing. What was with the cryptic?

  “Thanks," Kain said, sarcastically.

  Amadeus blinked, his empty face replaced with a look of confusion.

  “What happened?" He asked.

  “Let’s go,” I sighed, the pressure that was building up inside my head was too much.

  Kain sent a glaring look towards Amadeus, then turned and followed me back down the path.

  “What was that all about,” he muttered.

  “I have no idea,” I replied, "I’m just glad to be outta there.”

  “Me too,” he agreed.

  “You oughta request a new roommate,” I added.

  “I’ve tried,” Kain shrugged, “I’ll just…bare it.”

  ‡‡‡

  The week was soon over and Kain was back to avoiding me. Good riddance. I was finished trying to hunt him down. It was Friday, October 1st, and the first game of the season was tonight in a town about an hour from the school called Pauls Valley. I was planning on going and supporting our school, but beforehand I decided to go back to my room to relax before leaving. I laid down on my bed and stared at the ceiling, hoping that sleep would come. But at the same time I hoped that it wouldn’t. Ever since that strange nightmare, my dreams had been consumed with monstrous images and death. I didn’t know how to get rid of the images of that man being murdered! How could I stay quiet while knowing what I knew? But then again, did I really know what happened?

  We had to do something. Amadeus had said that the secrets were somehow connected with the history of Tompkin's Academy. So, that would be my first task. I would dig up everything I knew, everything that was available to me. I had to know its secrets.

  “Izzy,” Kia said, coming into the room, “the buses are here. It’s time to go!”

  “Okay,” I sighed.

  “You’re the one who wanted to go to this thing,” she pointed out, “I don’t even know anything about the game.”

  “I’m coming," I replied.

  “I‘ll meet you out there,” Kia said, heading back out the door.

  I gathered my purse and shoes, taking my time before heading to the school’s parking lot.

  We filed onto the bus and I took the seat next to Kia.

  “Hey, girlie,” she smiled.

  “Hey,” I replied.

  “I’m excited about watching the team play,” she commented.

  “Huh,” I smirked, “weren’t you complaining not too long ago how I was dragging you along?”

  “Well,” Kia shrugged, “once I realized we would be seeing tons of hot sweaty guys getting competitive I changed my mind.”

  We both laughed at that.

  Once everyone had made it onto the buses, we headed down the road and away from the school.

  “So, how are things with you and Kain?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

  “He’s officially not talking to me,” Kia replied, “I don’t blame him, either.”

  “Yeah,�
� I sighed, “but I think he’s avoiding everyone right now.”

  “You know, I’d rather not talk about it,” she added, “it’s a bit awkward, if ya know what I mean.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed, “so why’d you do it? If you don’t mind me asking.”

  “Izzy, just don’t, okay?" She said in frustration, “I told you the truth that night.”

  “For what it’s worth,” I said, “I believe you, now.”

  She looked at me for a moment, her eyes seemed a bit guarded. I didn’t want our friendship to be jeopardized by something like this.

  “Thanks,” she said.

  “Friends?” I asked.

  “Friends," she laughed.

  We soon arrived in Pauls Valley and pulled into the school’s packed parking lot. We were dropped off and shown to the basketball court. The stadium was already crowded.

  We headed to the guest’s side of the court and found our seats. The guys were already making their way into the locker rooms. I spotted Lee and waved. He winked before following the rest of the team.

  “You and Lee seem to be hitting it off,” Kia smiled.

  “Maybe,” I replied.

  “Second thoughts?" She asked.

  “Not really,” I said, “he’s just…sweet.”

  “And that’s a bad thing?" She enquired.

  “Well, no,” I gave, “just maybe a bit too perfect.”

  “Iz,” she said, “don’t look for flaws when things are going great.”

  “Good advice,” I laughed, “where’d that come from?”

  “Experience,” she replied.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer began, calling everyone’s attention, “welcome to Pauls Valley high-school!”

  The music coming from the band became inaudible as the stadium rang out with cheers from the stands.

  “Please give it up for the Pauls Valley Panthers!” the announcer called.

  Suddenly, the Pauls Valley team burst through the large banner that the cheerleaders were holding. The crowd went wild, cheerleaders cheered, and the band played their war song.