Angels and Magic

by E. J. Bennett

  The scene of the accident had been abuzz with talks of the young stranger who'd saved the girl from death. No further information was given on how this 'saving' happened, but everyone seemed genuinely awed by the spectacle. They'd then explained to her that no one knew who the man was. Most of the people hadn't gotten a good look at his face, it almost seemed like he was purposely avoiding possible identification.

  Nevertheless, the police, at her parents' behest had promised to be on the look out for anyone who fit the warped description of the rescuer they'd gotten from a few members of the crowd who claimed to have seen him. It hadn't been much to go on, but they had no other real options.

  The man who'd hit her, Marty Benson, had begged repeatedly. He'd explained the reason for his rush and begged them not to sue him. After a lot of persuasion, her parents had finally decided not to drop charges. No excuse would ever be good enough. Not when it came to the life of their daughter.

  The blue shirt, why did it always stand out? She wondered, sitting up. It was the only constant factor in the dreams, the only thing that never changed. Sometimes it was a woman, sometimes a man, some other times yet, a child. But the shirt remained the same.

  All the time.

  Her stomach rumbled as the smell of bacon wafted into her nostrils. She sat more comfortably, noting the ease with which she moved her legs. She had had several dislocations in both legs and rehabilitation had been slow, but now she could move them with reasonable ease.

  She took a bite of the bacon and closed her eyes, relishing the rush of flavour. She smiled as she realised how she must look, hunched over a plate of bacon and eggs, eyes closed as though in ecstasy. She could almost her mother's voice,

  "You don't know how lucky you are. If I were to eat that much bacon I'd blow up like a hippo. You must get it from your father"

  She smiled again, taking a big gulp of orange juice. Her eyes caught sight of the presents stacked in the corner. Her school teachers and friends had flooded her hospital ward with gifts and moved the flow to her room at home when she did. She smiled looking at the various mysteriously wrapped get-well-soon presents. Even her boss, Hezekiah had visited as well as sent gifts. She wondered how many jugs and kettles were in there, laughing at the thought.

  She'd open them later, right now she needed to enjoy her food and regain her strength, like her mom graciously prescribed. There'd be plenty of time for presents later on. Things could only get better now.

  In days to come, she would realise just how wrong she was.

  ***

  "Is that her?"

  "How does she still look so pretty? I thought her car was totalled"

  "Man, she sure looks good"

  Leila struggled to hold in her smile as the whispers reached her ears while she hurried to class.

  Can't believe I'm late on my first day she thought

  At the door of her advanced biology class, she took a deep breath and stepped in, mentally preparing herself for the multitude of eyes that would be on her. They didn't disappoint.

  "Why, look who's here. Welcome Miss Thompson. So glad to see you up and about again" Mr Kennedy said, smiling amiably. He was glad to have his star student back and was not even attempting to hide it.

  She caught sight of Emma seated at their usual spot and hurried to take her place beside her. Both girls exchanged knowing glances as she sat down, giggling happily.

  "Thought you were going to wuss out and make me go through this day alone again" Emma whispered as Mr Kennedy continued his teaching.

  "You know I wouldn't do that to you. . .voluntarily" Leila said, winking.

  "Yeah yeah, I know. Heard of the new boy? Word out is that he is insanely cute"

  Leila rolled her eyes, not really hearing what the teacher was saying. Just like Emma to bring up boys on her first day back to school. She smiled fondly, whispering back,

  "New boy? Haven't heard anything in the two seconds since I've been back. Give it time."

  Her friend rolled her eyes dramatically and Leila quickly added,

  "Plus, what happened to big bad Jeff?" finishing with a wink

  Emma blushed and stared down at her notebook.

  Leila noted this with amusement. Her friend had always been very confident and for the most part, a talkative extrovert. She was aloof most of the time, very aware of her looks and the effect it had on people. But now, seeing her blush so brightly at the mention of Jeff, Leila couldn't help but wonder just how far under her skin the quarterback had gotten.

  Emma opened her mouth to speak then,

  "Ladies. The action is happening up here" Mr Kennedy interrupted "There'll be plenty of time for gossip later"

  The girls exchanged knowing glances and focused on the lesson.

  ***

  After class, Emma vanished again, off to some rendezvous with Jeff. Leila smiled at her friend's new fascination with the quarterback. She'd always hated jocks. Leila on the other hand, had always been indifferent, noting how obnoxious they could be, but not really seeing why she needed to bother about them. Surely, she had better things to do with her time.

  "Hey Leila" an excited voice piped up just as she closed her locker. It was not one she recognised. Turning, she saw herself staring into two large eyes framed by large framed glasses.

  "Hey" She responded cheerily, smiling at the unknown boy she only vaguely remembered from some of her classes

  "How are you. . .?" she left the name slot open, hoping the boy would fill it in without taking offence.

  "John. It's John" He responded smiling and Leila breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't taken offence.

  "How are you John?" She asked then.

  "Oh I'm good. I was really sorry to hear about your accident. I'm really glad you're okay. I sent a gift. . ." He faltered

  ". . .actually I sent two" He finished

  Leila smiled, not seeing the real point of the prolonged conversation but determined to remain civil and polite.

  "Oh. Thank you so much. I really appreciate the gifts and cards. I haven't gotten around to opening them yet though." she finished with an embarrassed shrug.

  The boy didn't seem affected by it, just happy his surprise was still pending.

  "Okay, I'm sure you had other things to do. What with recuperation and such. It's really a miracle how you survived such a ghastly crash." He continued and Leila responded with an 'I-don't-know-either' shrug.

  He nodded. "But then, it's you right? If anyone could survive something like that, it would be Agnes. Right?"

  Agnes?

  "Sorry? Who's Agnes?" She asked, genuinely confused.

  The boy's forehead furrowed into a frown mirroring her own confusion. He faltered, and then ventured,

  "Agnes? I'm not sure I follow."

  What?

  "You just said 'If anyone could survive something like that, it would be Agnes' so, who's Agnes?"

  The boy looked more confused. One look at him and she knew he had no idea what she was talking about.

  "Okay...okay...my bad, maybe I just didn't hear you right" She said and when he didn't respond, she smiled and walked off in search of Emma. As she left, she could hear him mutter

  'I don't even know anyone called Agnes. Stupid. Stupid.'

  She smiled to herself. Surely he knew there was such a thing as a slip of tongue.

  She started her search at the field, but Emma was nowhere to be found. She checked the cafeteria and gym, getting the same results.

  On her way back to her locker, she saw Dylan, Emma's self appointed stalker. He was a quiet boy and mostly kept to himself, except of course when he was proclaiming his undying love for Emma. The latter always took his proclamations with a smile as she felt flattered by it. He was the only other person who would know exactly where she was at all times.

  The thought, was more than a little unsettling.

  "Hey Dylan" She hollered, smiling.

  He seemed uncertain. She couldn't blame him, she hardly ever spoke to him. Just a nod
every now and then acknowledging his presence, sometimes a smile, but that was it.

  He looked over his shoulder, as if expecting to see that she was referring to a different Dylan and he had just saved himself some embarrassment.

  "You. Dylan, come on" She said, resorting to pointing at him and waving.

  He walked over to where she stood, uncertainty still mirrored all over him.

  "Hey Dylan, how are ya?" She asked once he was close enough

  "I. . .I'm fine" he responded, swallowing

  "Have you seen Emma?" She asked eagerly expecting a 'yes'

  Instead, he shook his head and said "Nope. I don't know where Agnes is, sorry. Saw her leave class, but that's it"

  What did he just say? Agnes? That couldn't be right.

  "Did you just say Agnes? Who's Agnes?" She inquired, slightly alarmed now

  "Errr, I don't even know who Agnes is. You asked about Emma didn't you?" he asked looking at her oddly

  "Are you okay?" he asked when she didn't respond.

  She realised her confusion must have been mirrored on her face

  "Yes yes. I just need some air. Sorry. Excuse me" She said. She walked outside and sat down.

  The weather was pleasant and as she sat down she realised that this was probably all she needed.

  I might have resumed school a bit too early she thought to herself. Her mind returned to her friend who she hadn't found yet. Just then she jumped as a pair of hands reached around and wrapped around her eyes. She calmed down instantly, there was no way she could mistake the smell of that particular blend of jasmine.

  "Before playing this game, you might wanna change your scent Emma" She said as the hands withdrew from her face. Her friend's feigned disgruntled look was short lived as she broke into a smile.

  "I can't help it. It just smells so good. Plus it brings the boys to the yard"

  "What yard?" Leila asked, looking amused

  "My yard."

  "And what does your milkshake do?" She pushed

  "It makes them stay" Emma responded, a wicked glint in her eye.

  Leila threw her head back in laughter. Emma had a way of twisting words in her favor. It was one of the things she loved about Agnes.

  Her face fell.

  "What is it?" Emma asked, noticing the change in expression.

  Leila was quiet.

  Agnes.

  This time, the name sounded like it had been whispered in her ear and she turned instinctively. There was no one else there besides she and Emma.

  "Leila? Are you okay?" the girl asked, drawing closer to her friend who now wore a look that was an odd mixture of confusion and slight trepidation.

  Agnes.

  This time, there was no doubt about it. The name was clear, and it was in her head. Whispered somehow.

  But there's no one around her rational mind took over, making sense of the sound.

  Probably the wind she told herself finally turning to her friend and smiling as the latter gave her a peculiar look.

  But something in her told her that, whatever that was, it was definitely not the wind.

  ***

  ". . .What does that add up to?" Mr Lawrence asked.

  Calculus was her last class for the day, and Leila was more than grateful for that. Her head was banging as a headache had started. She reached up and rubbed her temple casting a sideways glance at Emma. The latter was looking at her with a worried look plastered on her face.

  She turned back to the open book on her desk. The words were blurry and she couldn't make them out. The headache had blurred her vision.

  Agnes.

  She looked up with a start. The name was louder now. What is happening? Is this because of the accident? The thought both calmed and agitated her. If it was because of the accident, then she needed a little more rest, but at the same time, she had been certified 'ready to return to school', so she couldn't be sure.

  Agnes. Agnes. The name came again. More urgently, demanding her attention. Her head throbbed with an alarming intensity and for a second she felt like screaming.

  Agnes.

  She shut her eyes tightly, willing the voice away, but it remained.

  Agnes.

  Agnes.

  Agnes!

  Agnes!!

  She raised her hand and clenched her first massaging her temples with it.

  What was happening??

  Agnes.

  Agnes.

  "Agnes?"

  She looked up. That last one had not been from her head. At least, she didn't think so.

  "Leila, do you mind helping us solve this please?" Mr Lawrence said again, gesturing at the board.

  She realised the entire class was looking at her. Emma looked worried.

  "You raised your hand didn't you?" Mr Lawrence asked

  "Y. . .yes" She said, not really remembering when she did. She squinted at the equation on the board. It was an easy one of course, and she got up to attempt it.

  As she got to her feet, she staggered slightly, holding her desk for balance.

  "Whoa. You don't look too good there. Do you need to see the nurse?" Mr Lawrence asked

  She shook her head. Both as a negative response to the question and also as an attempt to clear it.

  What was wrong with her?

  She walked to the board, feeling each step she took resonate rhythmically with her headache.

  She reached the board and began the calculation.

  AGNES!!!

  She gripped her head, dropping to the floor. Then everything went black.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Mrs Carol Thompson was not a woman prone to excessive worry, but she was worried about her daughter.

  As she made a new pot of coffee, she gazed at Leila as she calmly ate her breakfast. She couldn't help but worry. When she'd gotten the call saying her daughter had passed out in school, she'd rushed to school. Leila had been awake and resting then.

  The doctor said it was completely normal to feel faint on the first few days of school keeping in mind all she had endured. According to him, within a week, she would be back to her normal self. Going to school, he'd added, was optional and at the parents' discretion.

  As far as Carol Thompson was concerned, Leila needed to stay at home and regain her strength fully before returning to school. She had stellar grades and nothing could happen to change that in a week. But Leila had argued that she was fine, listing reasons why she needed to return to school. In the end, she had budged and agreed that she return to school.

  Stubborn girl she laughed inwardly. Gets it from her father She thought fondly, turning to her husband who sipped from his cup casually as he read the morning paper.

  As she began to turn away, her eyes caught sight of an article and her mouth dropped open.

  Leila caught her mother's expression and turned to look at the article. The headline read :

  LOCAL GIRL DIES IN FREAK KITCHEN ACCIDENT.

  She shook her head sadly as her mom drew closer to read the story, muttering under her breath.

  Sad stuff she thought, returning to her meal. She'd never been one drawn to the macabre. She liked to distance herself from stories of death as much as she could. All she could stomach was the base gist of the story, any further details made her feel queasy and uneasy.

  Her mother finished reading, muttering 'What a pity' and 'Her parents must be so sad' under her breath. Then she came to where Leila was seated and gave her a hug before walking away to finish getting ready for work.

  Leila looked after her as she walked, then turned to her father. He'd caught the action as well. He just shrugged and winked before returning to his paper.

  She knew why her mother had done what she did. She hated being a cause for so much worry. Lord knows if she could help herself, she would not cause them any more worry. Not after the accident. That had been too close a call.

  Well, the doctor did say the headaches were normal, the feeling of faintness too.

  What about the voices
? A tiny voice asked her.

  She shook her head, trying to focus on her meal. Voices. That was just the product of the faintness, surely they went hand in hand. Doctors should say,

  'You might feel a little faint, experience headaches. . .oh, and you may hear a single name repeated over and over again'

  She almost laughed at the thought. Well, whatever it was, she was sure it was a one time thing. She was fine now, the doctor said so himself.

  She looked up at her father, he caught her glance and winked, she offered a smile before returning to her food.

  If all that was true, why then did she feel so uneasy?

  ***

  "Hey"

  Leila turned to see her friend excitedly rushing over to where she was. She wasn't smiling, she could sense that she had big news.

  "What is it? You have that 'have you heard' glint in your eye" Leila said once Emma got to her.

  "Well, have you heard?" Emma said, widening her eyes "Something terrible happened"

  "What?" Leila asked, her mind flashing back to the news headlines that morning.

  "It's Jeff. He says he wants to get serious with me, but I don't know. Isn't he still a playboy or something?"

  Leila looked at her friend, and erupted in laughter.

  "You're such a drama Queen," she said after she got herself under control

  "Don't you laugh at my conundrum" Emma said frowning

  " 'Conundrum?' " Leila repeated laughing again. "Who says 'conundrum'?"

  Emma pouted, squinting her eyes.

  "Okay okay. I'm sorry. I don't know if he's still a playboy, but you can't really know if he's serious unless you give him a chance" Leila said quickly.

  "Yeah yeah, I guess you're right" She said. Just then a bell rang in school, summoning all students to the gym.

  Leila and Emma shared looks of surprise, impromptu addresses from the principal were rare. Nevertheless, they moved alongside the throng of equally confused students headed for the gym.

  'What's happening.'

  'Are we hosting an event?'

  'No classes bruh.'

  Various voices lapped and overlapped as everyone offered an explanation for what was going on.