The Gateway Through Which They Came

by Heather Marie

  oren didn’t speak a word about what happened in the chapel. She left a second before anyone else, fleeing before I could get an explanation. First period has come and gone with no sign of her, and in the back of my mind I can’t let go. Maybe she went home, escaping the trouble that awaited her here. I have half a mind to confront Justin in theater and demand he confess. To what? Who knows. Someone did something to Koren, and with their past record, Justin is at the top of my list.

  Clumsily, I make my way through the halls, bumping shoulders with every person I pass.

  “Watch where you’re going, jackass!”

  I don’t know who says it, but I don’t care. I have to find Koren.

  “Hi, Aiden!” Julie Martin waves to me as I pass her locker. If my mind wasn’t so preoccupied, I’d ask her if everything was all right with her uncle, but I don’t. Her smile drops as I pass her without a word.

  “Sorry, in a hurry!” I should say. It forms on my tongue, but never finds its way out.

  I feel rotten. Julie and I bonded over the summer after all the time I spent refurnishing Saint Christopher. Her uncle, Father Martin, persuaded her to help, though knowing Julie, I don’t think it took much. When it came to helping out any way she could, she’d do it. She listened as I droned on about spotting Izzie in a used car lot on the other side of town, and how I swore up and down she’d be mine by the beginning of the school year. Julie even listened as I poured my heart out about Koren, which is definitely not my usual thing. Feelings and all that mushy stuff is not something a guy talks openly about, but Julie has that way about her. You start talking and she listens. By the end of the day, or summer, she knows someone’s entire life story.

  I have to confess, I actually miss talking to her. A part of me has a change of heart and considers turning back, but the other part is more determined and continues on its path. All I can think about is Koren and where she could be.

  Justin never shows up to theater, and I’m stuck seething in my seat as the others practice their roles for the Christmas play. Mr. Townsend made me an understudy for Scrooge, which we both know is a joke. There’s no way in hell Lawrence Young is gonna miss his chance at fifteen minutes of fame. I think he might take this high school drama class a little too seriously. Whatever the case, I’m grateful for getting to sit this one out.

  I sit alone in the third row acting as their audience. Trevor got the role of Tiny Tim and seems to be enjoying it more than he should. He’ll never live this down.

  My mind races. I’m worried about the fact that Koren and Justin are missing, and I have no clue what could be going on. With all the time they’ve been spending together, there’s no telling how much drama has surfaced between them. Their relationship is toxic and it’s not exactly a secret.

  Regardless, they’re both strangely absent and I’m stuck wondering what the hell is going on. How is it that they both happen to be gone on the same day? Was there a senior ditch day memo I missed out on?

  Class ends and I spot Julie at the foot of the stage preparing to leave. I can’t let her go thinking I completely blew her off.

  “Hey, Jules.” I say it like it’s no big deal, like I didn’t give her the cold shoulder before class.

  She shoves the script into her backpack and zips it up. “Aiden.”

  Yep. She’s pissed.

  “I’m sorry about earlier. I was distracted and I didn’t mean to make you feel—”

  “You were looking for Koren. I get it.”

  “How…?”

  Julie tugs her bag from the stage and places it over her shoulder. “Everyone else might be blind, but I’m not. I saw what happened today in the chapel.”

  I’m embarrassed. Not for me, but for Koren. She’s going through enough; she doesn’t need anyone else knowing her business.

  “About that. She’s just having a hard time adjusting to being back.”

  Julie’s not convinced. She lifts a brow and stares at me like I just don’t get it. And maybe I don’t, but that was my business.

  “Don’t be fooled, Aiden. You and I both know that we’re chasing after two people who want nothing to do with us. At least, not like that.” Her cheeks redden a little with frustration. Of course she’s bitter. Her chance with Justin went from hopeful to none the second Koren showed up. All these years, I never expected Julie to go for someone like him. She’s too sweet and innocent, and Justin’s, well, a dick.

  I catch Trevor standing by the door, lifting his hands like he’s asking: What’s taking so long? I wave him off and his shoulders dramatically heave a sigh, but he waits.

  “You’re wrong about Koren.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself. “She’s just confused right now, and Justin is the one thing she’s familiar with. Give it time.” I try to ignore the ping of jealousy stemming from my words. I should be the one Koren relies on, not Justin.

  Julie gives me a look of disgust. “You don’t get it, do you? You don’t see the things in her that I do.”

  I take offense. “Yeah, and what’s that?”

  Julie lets out a laugh, which is at my expense, I’m sure. “You should be careful of the people you let into your life. Sometimes when people leave it’s for the best. Believe me.”

  She shoves past me and I bite my tongue. There’s so much I want to say in my defense, but what would be the point? She’s already made up her mind and arguing with Julie isn’t exactly on my list of priorities. For a girl I’d spent hours upon hours with, never dreading a second, this side of her is one I never thought existed. I want to let it go, to forget this happened, but all I can hear are these words: You don’t see the things in her that I do.

  I almost spit something out before she makes it to the door, but I’m too damn distracted by the vibration thrumming through my skin. The thrum of another Gateway close by.

  “Problems with the girlfriend?”

  It’s strange to hear Evan’s voice as I enter the locker room after school. I’m astonished. Evan being the bigger man? This one’s for the books.

  “Are you talking to me now?” I ask.

  To be fair, it should have been me making the first step. But damn, am I glad he did. It makes for one less thing to worry about.

  Evan scratches the back of his neck, proving he finds this just as awkward as I do.

  “Well… I saw Koren run out of Mass this morning. I thought maybe you two had a lover’s quarrel.” He chuckles like he doesn’t even take himself seriously when he says it.

  I turn the dial and pop open my locker, ready to gear up for a night on the track. The last period of gym is beginning to clear out and some of the guys watch us like they’re waiting for a brawl. It’s not surprising that people know about our drama. In our school, people live for that type of stuff. Guess that’s what you get with a school so buttoned down, even the slightest argument spikes excitement. Mostly, I think they enjoy the idea of Evan beating up the freak who hides away from everyone.

  I ignore their snickering as I change out of my shirt and wonder how much longer they plan to wait. After a few seconds of us saying nothing, the bystanders lose interest and leave.

  When they’re out of sight, Evan finally says, “So, what happened?”

  He straddles the metal bench in front of my locker and looks away as I change into my track gear. Despite the rain, I need a night to clear my mind.

  “Nothing really. I don’t know. She sort of freaked out for no reason.”

  “Something to do with Justin, I assume?”

  I press my foot against the bench and tie my laces. “Most likely,” I say.

  Evan lifts himself off the bench. “We’re heading to Trevor’s tonight. Wanna join?”

  Guess we’re done with small talk.

  Whatever he saw in me that day, he’s forgotten, or he’s pretending that he has. He doesn’t realize I’ve noticed he can’t look me in the eye. I worry how this will change our friendship, but I can’t bother with that now. There’s enough going on in my head a
t the moment. If I know Evan, things will be back to normal in a few days, I hope.

  Evan stands near the exit, tossing his keys in the air like he’s eager to leave. A part of me wants to go and somehow make things right, but I know he’s only being polite.

  “I think I’ll stick around here and practice my time tonight.”

  He removes the keys from his pocket. “Sure, man. I’ll see you tomorrow then.” He sounds a little disappointed and partly relieved.

  I barely have a chance to respond before he turns and walks out the door.

  There are a handful of people occupying the bleachers after school as I make my way to the field. Two guys who look like freshmen are chatting about their disappointment over the cancellation of some space western TV show. The conversation is loud enough to show their inner nerd.

  “I’m telling you. Spaceships and cowboys? It was way before its time. I can’t believe they cancelled it midseason!” The kid throws his hands up in exaggeration.

  His chubby friend says, “Cowboys… in space? It was brilliant!”

  If it weren’t for my crappy mood, I’d ask them the name of this awesome show. Their conversation continues as they climb down the bleachers and head back toward campus. I imagine what other nerd talk could be happening right now and picture the two of them playing some live action role playing game. Wizards and dragons or some shit. I chuckle at the thought.

  I’m almost alone, if I don’t count the couple making out by the field goal post, which is damn right disturbing. The guy looks about ready to eat her face off. I kind of feel bad for her. Near the end of my stretches, the couple leaves, the girl wiping away his slobber with the back of her hand. Gross. I shake it off and begin my sprints as a warm up.

  The movement around campus settles down, and I assume no one’s left but me and the janitor. Oddly enough, I’m okay with that. It’s kind of comforting knowing it’s just me and Old Man Ned. He couldn’t care less about what I do as long as I stay out of his way.

  The air is calm as I take it in, and I wonder then where the other Gateway went. Whoever it is has to be a member of our school, though it’s strange I’ve never felt it before. Maybe it’s someone new. I’ll have to be on the lookout from now on. To not be the only Gateway in school would be a welcomed change.

  After I work up a sweat with sprints, I remove the phone from my backpack that rests along the sloshy grass. A quick text to my mom about practice is pointless, I realize. It’ll stay unread for a better part of a week. But being that I don’t plan on staying too late, I figure it’s no big deal.

  The sun finally begins its descent by the time I’m ready to start my run. Shortly after the last of its rays sink below the horizon, the sky darkens with a thick wave of clouds rolling in like the makings of a storm. I have to do this before the rain picks up again. It would be easier if Trevor was here with his stopwatch to time me, but who am I kidding? I’m not really here to push my time limit. I’m here to forget about Koren, about the cloaked man, and all the other bullshit.

  I shrug it all off for the time being, and count down in my head.

  Ready… set… go!

  After each loop around the track, I stop for a quick rest, then push myself even harder. The increasingly slick track beneath my feet is cause for concern. I’m worried that I might slip and break something.

  I keep going.

  My feet slip every so often, which only makes me run faster. Water kicks up from the track and splatters onto my legs every couple of seconds, but it’s nothing. I concentrate on inhaling through my nostrils and exhaling out my mouth, nice and controlled. The sound of my heart knocking against my chest keeps me company. I run for what feels like hours.

  The field lights flicker on at some point, but I hardly notice. An ache in my lungs from the cold air rushing through builds into a pain so sharp, I feel defeated.

  Just a little more, I tell myself as I round the track to the finish line.

  I’m nearly at the finish mark. The night’s almost over. My legs feel on the verge of giving out as I inch closer. Movement captures my attention, something lingering under the lights, near the end of the bleachers. It could be anything, anyone. Maybe the janitor is waiting to tell me to go home already. He’s done that on more than one occasion. But there’s something about the way the shadow stands still, facing my direction. As I grow nearer, it shrinks out of the light and into the darkest corner, its shape peeking from between the seats. My pace slows as I force my eyes to make out more features, but it’s hidden itself well beyond the reach of my vision.

  The figure is tall, that much I can tell, but everything else about it blends into one solid mass. There are no characteristics to define what or who it is. Though I’m certain this thing is not Old Man Ned. The form is too inhuman to be anyone. My mind is blank. I’m walking as I cross the finish line and head in the direction of my bag with slow, steady steps. Keeping my eyes on the shadow, I fumble for my phone and hike the bag onto my shoulder. With a blink, the shadow disappears from under the bleachers, and the beads of sweat down my back grow cold with fear.

  My heartbeat skyrockets as I turn in every direction, looking for the thing. It could be anywhere. I whip my head side to side, front and back, afraid that if I look in one place too long it’ll take me by surprise. What is this damn thing? Is it messing with me? I can feel something as if it’s wrapped itself around me, circling me in the dark. Before the dizziness can take over, I find it standing at the top of the bleachers, staring down at me.

  I can see my breath in the cold air, rapid puffs one after the other. We watch each other, the shadow and me. What is it waiting for? Words form in my mind, but they’re caught somewhere in my throat. I’m stricken with terror as the black mass begins to descend the steps. It melts with the movement, gliding closer and closer. There are no feet, no legs, nothing that shows any sign of movement. There’s only the realization that it’s getting way too close, and I’m nothing but stone. I can’t move, even though a voice inside of me is screaming: RUN!

  Can this be him? The man from Redhead’s shared vision? But this isn’t a man. This isn’t anything. Just a thick, dark fog. It nears the end of the bleachers. The distinct shape of a head and disproportionate arms are the only things I can make out, until claw-like fingers form at its side. I open my mouth to call out, to ask for a name, but my skin prickles as the sound of its maniacal laughter drifts into the air. The sound is not booming, but like a disembodied voice traveling through an emptiness in the air that’s not quite from this world.

  A long claw taps at its side in rhythmic movement, taunting me. The reality of the scene hits me. This isn’t a person in front of me. It’s not human at all. This realization awakens my body from its stupor, returning the mobility I need to run. As I head toward the school parking lot, phone in hand, I look behind me once to see if it follows. I can almost feel it nipping at my feet, but when I turn it’s not there. The shadow doesn’t pursue me. It’s not even moving.

  I lose my footing, but recover enough to press on. I look back one last time before I reach the lot, and find the shadow staring back at me in triumph, its shoulders heaving with laughter as it evaporates into the silhouette of night.

  slam into Izzie full force and realize my keys are still in my backpack.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me!” I toss it on the roof and rip the pouch open. Another second and I’m safely inside the confines of my car, jamming the keys into the ignition. Whatever the hell that thing is, I want nothing to do with it.

  Should I call the cops? Should I report this to someone? There are about a dozen things I need to do, but getting the hell out of here is at the top of the list. I back out without looking and slam the gear into drive. I can hardly think straight.

  A loud bang hits the driver side window and I’m convinced this is my last moment on earth. The shadow caught up with me. I’m done. My foot hits the brake instead of the gas out of habit. With my heart slamming into my chest, the beginning o
f a heart attack seems likely about now. I shake like a lunatic as I turn to find Koren of all people on the other side of the glass.

  “Aiden! Open the door!” Her palm rests along the glass, her eyes wider than ever with desperation.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” My body is in complete shock. I waver between wanting to open the door to let her in, and wanting to hit the gas and leave her ass behind. For the life of me, I can’t come up with one reason for her being here. Why is she here?

  “Please,” she begs. “Let me in!” She slaps her palm against the window as if her pleas aren’t clear enough.

  What am I supposed to do? Whatever is out there can get to her, too.

  I reach across to the passenger door and unlock it. Her face sets with relief as she hurries around the front of the car and throws the door open. The second the door clicks shut, I hit the gas. Beneath us the tires screech as we barrel through the parking lot and onto Hillsdale Highway.

  Awkward seconds pass between us like two people meeting for the first time. With how much time we’ve spent apart, the truth of that isn’t too far off. I keep my eyes on the road, trying to forget the disturbing shape on the bleachers. I can’t make sense of it. Of the shadow. Of Koren. This is getting seriously weird.

  My heart finally starts beating at a normal rhythm, and I’m able to loosen my grip on the wheel. Each red light turns green as we approach, and I’m thankful they’re on my side. Right now, stopping isn’t an option. Koren stares out the window, her silence becoming more mysterious as time goes on. How much longer does she expect me to sit here with no explanations?

  Seven months ago, I would have sat here with her for as long as she’d let me, never asking much more than that. She could have blown me off for Justin, but I’d forgive, waiting until she needed me again. I can’t do that anymore.