by C. S Luis
“I dare you to talk to him. Go get him, Pocahontas,” Alex suddenly said. Tina frowned, and I knew Alex would talk to him if I didn’t. The guys seemed to ignore her with the exception of Sean.
“Why would she want to talk to him after he insulted her?” He asked, glancing over at me.
“Ah, are you jealous, Sean?” Alex smirked.
“What are you talking about?” He exclaimed from the other end of the table.
“I’ve noticed how you look at Claudia. Like we can’t see it. Are you afraid a real man will get her first?”
I blushed and Sean lowered his glasses looking over at me. Perhaps he was hoping to explain what I had wondered myself. But it appeared Sean couldn’t. Could it be true? His eyes met mine in longing. He opened his mouth to speak, but his words, if any, were lost in Tina’s roaring voice.
“Do you ever shut up?” Tina yelled, rising from her seat. “He can’t, and he doesn’t.”
“Oh really? Why can’t he? Because you do? Or maybe you like Claudia.” Alex laughed. “Well, which is it?”
“Alex, stop it! Please,” I said. “I have to go,” I said rushing away but only stopped when I realized I didn’t see Dr. Black. I figured I’d get out before he caught me and before the disagreement behind me grew into something else. I didn’t want to be part of this any longer. I left even though I heard Sean call after me and then Alex’s voice as well.
“Hey! Pocahontas, I’m sorry, please don’t leave. I’m just messing around,” Alex called over to me.
Sean pushed away his tray and rose from his seat. “Nice going you bitch!” He said to Alex. I was shocked at their reaction as I spun around to watch all three get up and leave the table, leaving Alex alone and shocked. I was about to head back to the table when I noticed Alex’s eyes dart past me, and I suddenly knew he was there standing behind me.
11
Dr. John Black
After all the men had left my office and the movers had done their job, the task of getting all my things out and organized faced me. It was such a chore and all I could think of was young Miss Belle. Bryce must have known she’d be a problem. But then why give me the assignment?
I must concentrate.
The thought that she could be the source flitted through my mind, but I didn’t think it was possible. Why had the idea even entered my thoughts? I didn’t even want to consider it. What an odd thing to think for me.
Had I truly said that to her, I hope that we could become friends? The Man in Blue would laugh at that. John Slater had no friends.
Unable to concentrate, I decided it was time to get to work. Of course, my first thoughts were to go find Miss Belle, a childish thought. After all, I had to apologize for the earlier incident. I kept trying to convince myself, perhaps; a sad attempt to justify such actions.
Concentrate… let’s get to work.
I headed out of the office, closing the door behind. There I stood among the crowded hallways with students, all eyes on me. I didn’t fit in at all; I stuck out like a sore thumb.
The school layout should be easy. The school was big and nothing complicated. I figured a good walk through would be in order just to assure protocol. The library faced me, though small but plentiful from what Michael described. I took a left turn down the hallway, passing a good view inside of the library’s interior. Inside, a few students were checking out books while others were seated at tables studying and reading. A few others were greeting the face walking past the library window.
I continued down the small hallway noticing one or two classes to my left; one was closed while the others were in session. Ahead, a doorway led out into the courtyard where Michael and I had first come through. In fact, I was headed in the same direction we had come. At the end, just before the doorway was the staircase we had both ascended and descended which I took to the top floor into the quiet hallway, but instead, of heading to my left as I did earlier with Michael, I decided to take the other direction leading into the balcony area walkway. It was fairly quiet and less crowded; in fact, there were no students on the second floor. I suspected the bell had not yet rung. It was during the lunch period, where one bell rang to end classes and another rang to begin a lunch period. I knew the procedures.
I continued making my way through to the other end that took me into another doorway and into another hallway. Another stairwell greeted me to my left with a row of lockers to each side of the school walls as well as doorways into existing classrooms. A few classrooms lay open while a few others were closed. I passed the first few doorways, which were closed and curiously took a quick look into one of them on my right as I did. It looked like a productive class as a student was standing at the front of the class giving what seemed to be a speech or a debate. On the opposite side was another student, a girl writing on the chalkboard their disagreements.
I moved on before the teacher caught sight of me and invited me in. For I am most certain she would. Above, the bell rang again just as I started walking. I continued taking my right around the hallway instead of continuing straight ahead from where I could see the hallway curve displaying a railing that, from my diagram, overlooked the auditorium below. It would prove for an interesting view.
The hallway I decided to continue on looked almost like a bridge, mainly because from outside it appeared as if it connected to the other side. There was a row of windows decorated one side to the left so there was an abundance of sunlight pouring through the glass, with one or two doorways to my right. Possibly more classes, but they were both dark from inside as I passed them.
Ahead, the hall extended into a small hallway to my left and continued further down into two more hallways, with one that went in both directions instead of cutting off in one end, and as always, rolls and rolls of lockers on both sides of the walls with one or more classrooms. I had to say, the second floor was fairly quiet for a full school of students. It made for a creepy horror slasher movie.
Could it be a good place for any extraterrestrial life form to hide? Was he here now? Lurking perhaps, or even watching me? I wondered. Could it be fooled into thinking I wasn’t a threat? Did Bryce honestly think it was that stupid? Recalling his words, “We must be consistent. We must play the part. The alien can’t be fooled.” The part of what? I wondered. And fooled? Weren’t we trying to do that to it now? If it were up to me I’d come in with guns blazing and draw it out into the open.
Passing the small hallway, I came to stand before a very large window with a perfect view of the library’s interior from the second floor. I must have made a complete circle because I could see the first-floor hallway that I started from in the other direction. To my left, the hallway’s stairwell would descend into the main office but half way, so I was closer to the cafeteria if I descended that stairwell. And if I chose the stairwell on the opposite side with me facing the library window, that stairwell would take me into the middle hallway that was the opposite of the hallway I had first began in.
Sure it was confusing, but when I pictured it in my head, the diagram was very clear and it made sense as to why the cafeteria and the main office seemed to be just a few steps away from the second floor. But it made perfect sense once you gathered your thoughts.
The windows looking into the library had this tall counter top that one could easily climb upon and have a seat. I could picture students sitting there either in observation of those below or just passing their time.
Now alone, it was time to do what I was sent here to do, and so I retrieved from my pocket a small and flat tiny circular metal instrument the size of a tiny diskette with red flashing lights. The center looked like a swirl, almost like the center of a cinnamon bun. Yeah, I know how that sounds but that’s what it reminded me of. Feeling the swirling with my fingers like edges on its metal body, I activated the device then flung it as hard as I could into the air above me. At once, it stuck to the ceiling and remained there blinking like a tiny smoke detector. The disguise was obvious of course.
&nbs
p; I walked to the other hallway behind and repeated the procedure, coming around to the opposite hall and doing it just once more. Then, I returned to the area where I had been standing before and tossed another far across in the opposite direction. I watched it fly down the hallway, and before it hit the wall, it took a queer turn sideways onto the ceiling where I heard it click and the indicator on my watch confirmed the attachment.
I tossed another; it also took a turn but in the opposite direction sticking to the ceiling just like the other one. I activated it on my watch. If something were here, these babies would alert me of such. They were undetectable to any devices, although clearly visible so that my alien friend wouldn’t even know what the hell he was looking at. As far as he knew, it was a silly human smoke detector.
Any abnormalities would signal the device on my watch. The thing I loved about these was the self-destruct mechanism; there was no cleaning afterwards. No one would ever know they were there.
After putting Nicholson’s devices to work, I walked into the hall where the stairwell led towards the main hallway but only halfway.
I came down the hallway into a small crowd of students instead of walking back to my office. Since I had never had much of a need for an office, I headed towards the cafeteria instead. I don’t know why I did, the layout for the first floor was fairly simple but I did need to get a few inside that cafeteria. And just how was I planning on doing that? I wondered as I was coming to the end of that hallway where students were heading in and out of the cafeteria and all eyes again were on me.
As I thought of this, I walked in cautiously observing the surroundings and looking for the perfect spot in which to plant the devices. It would no doubt have to be something I’d do after school. Obviously, I thought, looking around at all the students. Jesus, there were so many.
I entered the cafeteria, and then I saw her. All logic went out the window. What the fuck? I uttered under one single breath. The work seemed almost unimportant so suddenly. There was that strange sensation in my veins again like nothing was real, like nothing made sense. Like my life had been a dream up until this moment. Strange as it sounded, it felt that way. It was the same feeling I had sensed when I first entered Milton and saw those slender bronze arms when I looked into the library. It was the same sensation I had when I first met her and then the same sensation I had felt coming down the second floor, that I couldn’t quite pinpoint. I felt sick, trying not to think of how obvious it was that I was now there because of her. How odd. I only hoped that would be the extent of it.
Let’s just apologize and be done with it, a part of me said. Easier said than done, you asshole.
What’s gotten into you, John? You tell me.
We don’t have time for this.
I want to apologize.
Liar.
I trailed through the cafeteria feeling so powerful and yet weak and frightened. My excuse was my lack of empathy. The Man in Blue had no emotion to give. It wasn’t John Slater’s fault. I wanted her to see that, to see me, to see the man no one else ever saw. But why?
* * *
You’re delirious. You’re clearly having a nervous breakdown. What else could it be?
I stopped in the center of the cafeteria. Miss Belle wasn’t alone; she had friends with her. I can’t approach her looking pitiful or too apologetic. Why did it matter what I look like? I’ve never asked this. I have never had a problem with approaching anyone, but this was different. Why did it matter and why did it seem that way? What the fuck was happening to me? I wasn’t making any sense.
I stood still thinking of what to say, of how to approach her and how ridiculous I felt for doing so, when along came a teacher. There weren’t a lot of attractive teachers at the school, and I don’t have much of a choice. My selection was limited.
“How are you, Dr. Black? I just wanted to come by and welcome you to Milton.” She was an older woman, with graying locks of long hair gathered into a bundle behind the top of her head. Dressed in a pink long-sleeved silk blouse with a purple cotton sweater and a gray short skirt. She wore thick large round-framed glasses. Her lips were stain in a darker shade of pink and her eye shadow a pastel blue. She wore far too much blush.
I reached to shake her hand; she was faster than me, taking my hand quickly into hers. Odd, I thought as she took my hand and for a moment would not let go of it. I had to nearly pry it from her fingers. She stood awfully close and I had to take a step back.
“I appreciate it, Mrs.?” I politely asked as she reluctantly released my hands. She smiled, blushing foolishly like a teenage girl yet, unfortunately, looking nothing like one.
“It’s Mrs. Whitman. I’m the 10th grade English teacher. And let me just say, it’s a pleasure to have someone as professional as yourself serving here. It’s been too long in the making. Not that the former principal, Dr. Edwards, wasn’t a professional, but oh god, we’re in desperate need of new faces as much as renovations. With you here, perhaps we will get those serious repairs this place requires.”
I glared over at her. Was this woman serious? Did she just insult Dr. Edwards in front of me?
Far ahead of me, Claudia was getting up from the table, and there seemed to be some kind of chaos among the table where she sat. I pulled away from Mrs. Whitman as hastily and as politely as I could do so.
“Will you excuse me, Mrs. Whitman?” I said.
I wasn’t that desperate. I could see the obvious desire and hunger in her eyes.
“It was nice talking to you, Dr. Black.” She said staring away at me in longing.
I waved her away as I made my way around the other end of the cafeteria, hoping to keep any further interruptions at bay. I caught Claudia’s eyes wandering away into the cafeteria; she hadn’t caught sight of me at the other end as she turned to look at a girl dressed all in black, reminding me of an oddity that had been my first encounter with a real vampire.
Yes, they were real, unpleasant ugly creatures, nothing like the romantic and charming Anne Rice characters and far from the ones in Twilight movies. They were more like Nosferatu from Romania, disgusting bloodthirsty beasts.
I came behind her as she stood in front of me with her back to me. The girl in black lifted her eyes towards mine, but I wasn’t looking at her. I was staring at Claudia’s slender back and that flowing brown mane as I tried to figure out why I was standing behind her.
Why are you doing this? Why are we here? I’m not sure, something; something powerful has brought me, something I was yet to understand.
“Miss Claudia Belle,” I called to her, and she seemed to jump up, but refused to turn to me.
12
Miss Claudia Belle
“Miss Claudia Belle.”
I heard Dr. Black’s voice from behind; I must say, I liked the way he pronounced my name. He said it KLAW-DEE-AH instead of CLOUD-DIA. I liked the KLAW-DEE-AH pronunciation because it sounded stronger and more elegant. It drove me nuts getting people to pronounce it right. He wasn’t trying to split my name into two words. My name came out smoothly and boldly pronounced from his beautiful lips, simply CLAUDIA. It gave me chills to hear it, especially coming from him. I didn’t know why. I loved hearing him say my name.
* * *
Nevertheless, instead of turning, I dashed out into the hallway with Alex’s eyes following me out. The expression on her face seemed to ask, what are you doing? Dr. Black’s calls didn’t stop me; what was he going to do, run right after me? Yeah, right. Maybe he’d send for me later, but by then I’d come up with some other idea to escape going to his office.
I looked back at the entrance, quickly walking into the hall and nearly had a heart attack when I found Dr. Black standing in the hall smiling back at me. It wasn’t the fact of just finding him there that startled me, but it was the way he seemed to smile as if he had beaten me at my own game. Appearing sinisterly wicked, he glared back at me in the clean blue suit and striped tie; his handsome stature was perfectly professional, and you’d think the FBI w
as here to take me away.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?” Dr. Black cunningly asked with a grin. The students standing nearby stared back at me and then began whispering. Dr. Black came to stand in front of me as they cleared a path for him. He demanded the eyes and attention of others, at least his stature did. And now, he was demanding my attention, but why?
“Are you trying to hide from me?” He asked. I lowered my head, nearly turning red. How did he know? Was it that obvious?
“No,” I tried saying with a tiny little laugh, perhaps to try and reassure him. “I’m not hiding; I’m going to class,” I said cunningly, trying to keep myself from blushing again. But I could see he didn’t believe me. I didn’t even believe myself. “Am I in trouble?” I finally asked while looking slowly up at him.
Dr. Black curved his lip slightly into a grin, and I realized he had a beautiful smile. When I thought about that, I couldn’t meet his eyes.
“Of course not. Why would you think that?” Dr. Black politely asked, but he didn’t expect me to answer.
“Let’s walk.” He motioned me beside him, and I did reluctantly move, and soon, we left the cafeteria noise behind us and moved down the hall towards the main office. I noticed envy stares of others’.
Dr. Black was quite tall; I didn’t realize it until I was standing alongside him. I felt so fragile in his presence. It wasn’t that I was short, but I guess I was small in frame. I mean, I was about 5’5’’, but he was well over six foot. He wasn’t ridiculously tall, but he seemed it compared to me. He wasn’t at all lanky like the other administrators, he was broad.