by W.J. May
Chapter 15
November 13 and 14
Ecstatic over figuring out her tatù, Rae couldn’t wait to tell Devon. The rest of the afternoon she touched anyone within reach, wanting to experience everything. During dinner, she looked around for Devon. Slightly disappointed she didn’t find him, she figured it didn’t matter, she’d catch up with him the next day.
Thinking about the next day and what would happen dropped her back down to earth with a resounding thud. Hopefully, Lanford would be there. She trusted the headmaster, and if they had a moment alone, she’d like to ask what he remembered about her mom. She’d gotten the impression from previous conversations that Lanford had barely known her mom. But, any information would be more than she had now.
“Have you been able to figure anything else out?”
Rae heard Maria’s voice and searched across the room for her. She sat by the wall. Maria gave a small wave before turning back to the boy sitting beside her. Amazed at how clear Maria’s voice came through from across the room, Rae wondered if Maria could communicate even further away.
How far away can you talk to someone? Same room or house or further?
“I can reach about a mile away. My father has the same gift. My family’s in Cork, so we can’t reach each other.”
Before Rae could respond, Craig, who sat beside her, touched her arm. Rae lost the ability to communicate with Maria. Her attention shifted, immediately focusing on what Craig’s ability so she could mimic it. She knew it had to do with water, but that’s all she remembered. She stared down at her plate and, using her peripheral vision, glanced at the tatù on his arm – ink art of a lake, an igloo and a cloud. A light bulb went on in her head as the buzz flew through her veins, she realized he could change the state of water from frozen to liquid or gas and vice versa.
“Sorry, what were you saying?”
“Just wondering where you were? Your body seems to be here, but I think you left your brain outside. Nervous for Sunday?” Rae felt a pang of guilt. He sounded genuinely concerned and here she was hiding her tatù from everyone.
“A little. I’m constantly thinking about what it’s going to be like.”
“It’s really cool, and kinda disappointing at the same time. You wait so long to be marked and then when the full marking is there, in plain sight, you have to figure out what it means. It’s a process – a fascinating, hair-pulling one. A process you love to hate and hate to love.”
Rae leaned back in her chair and dropped her shoulders. A dull, tight ache disappeared between her blades. She exhaled a slow breath, enjoying the feeling of letting the tension out. Obviously Craig had thought a lot about this. Might as well learn from him.
“So, Mr. Philosopher, how were you able to figure out what you can do?”
“By accident, actually. I was in the shower.” He raised an eyebrow, his eyes teasing her. “The water was freezing, so I turned it to hot. I turned it too far. Trying to avoid scalding my back, I flung the tap back the other way, accidentally using my ability in the process. I actually froze the pipes in our house.”
“No way!”
“And it was the middle of summer! My father thought it was hilarious. My mother kept calling the utility company. She thought they’d done something to the water pipes.”
Rae burst out laughing, choking on her glass of milk. She managed to swallow it back before spitting it everywhere.
Craig patted her back. “It took me a few days to get the hang of controlling the state of H two oh, but I did try some really cool and crazy experiments. Great way to make a quick cup of tea.” He held his cup in front of Rae so she could see the steam rise from the water in a matter of seconds.
Rae’s mouth hung open. “What’s the largest amount of water you’ve ever changed?”
“Coolest thing I’ve ever done on a large scale?” Craig smiled, rubbing his chin as he pretended to consider. “One time we wanted to have a scrimmage football match on a Saturday morning. It’d rained the night before, so the pitch was soaking wet. It took about five minutes, but I dried the entire pitch so we could play on fresh, dry grass.”
“You’re jokin?” She wished it’d rain right now so she could test this tatù out.
“The best part was the look on the professors’ faces when we came in for lunch a couple hours later – none of us were wet or muddy.”
“I can’t wait to try – I mean, I hope I get something like your tatù.” Whew! That was almost a major slip.
“My father can decontaminate water and works for the country’s treatment center. He’s the only one in the country who can ever save us if we run out of fresh water. He already has plans for me to work with him. His talent is handy. Mine’s boring compared to his.”
“You don’t really believe that, do you?” Rae was appalled. How can anyone think they had boring ink? That’s horrible! Rae felt a strong need to convince him that his ink was special.
“Think about it. If there’s ever a drought or serious
flooding, it’s going to be you who can aid the country, not your
father.”
Craig grinned and rubbed the top of her head. “You’re pretty cool. We were taught about your dad. You know, what he tried to accomplish, and how you were going to finish what he started. You’re nothing like what they said. You’re a good person…pretty cute, too.”
Her face burned and along with the embarrassment came a twinge of guilt. She’d intentionally started the conversation because she wanted to figure out how to use his gift, but she couldn’t wait to show everyone she wasn’t her father.
“I hope I can be half as gifted as the students here.” She played with her empty tray. “I think I’m gonna call it a night. I have a feeling I won’t be getting much sleep in the Infirmary tomorrow.”
Rae stood and cleared away her tray before Craig could reply. She wove her way through the sea of tables to the front lobby to grab her coat, keeping her head down to avoid eye contact with anyone and headed out of the Refectory.
Rushing, she bumped into Julian and fell backward, landing on her butt.
“I’m so sorry. You all right?” Julian bent down to offer his hand. “I was lost in thought and didn’t even notice you.”
“I’m fine. The fault’s mine. I wasn’t watching where I was going.” Rae let him help her to her feet. She looked behind him. “Where’s Devon?” She stepped back, realizing Julian had no idea she’d seen the two of them leave together. He had no clue she’d been an eagle. And no way did she plan on telling him either.
“I dropped him off at the train station about an hour ago. There was a family emergency.”
Her heart stopped. “Everything all right?”
“Yeah, I think so. His mom slipped on some ice by their house. It looks like she mighta broke her leg. He’s planning on coming back on Sunday’s train.”
Her heart resumed its regular beating. Devon was safe. Strange how he created such inner turmoil inside of her. I’m just a caring friend. He has a girlfriend so…I’m just a concerned friend…right?
“Rae?”
“Yeah?” She chewed on the inside of her cheek, nervous he might know she’d already been inked. He did see the future after all, so it wasn’t outside the realm of possibility.
“Be careful, ok?” It looked like he wanted to say more, but just stood staring intently at her, his eyes full of concern. He gave her shoulder a squeeze before walking off, not saying another word.
Rae shook her head, brows furrowed. “O-Okay.” Does he know? Did he see it in a dream and draw it? Wouldn’t he have said something? Did he say something already? To the Dean? With doubts and unanswered questions assailing her mind, she slowly walked back to Aumbry House.
She caught sight of a familiar silhouette at the main entrance to the dorms. “Molls!”
Molly turned and waved. “Hey! Where’ve you been all afternoon? I haven’t seen you since the end of Lanford’s class.”
“I fluttered around and lost track of time.” R
ae grinned at her own private joke. “You heading up?”
“Uh-huh. I want to try to fix my laptop one more time. I had a paper due today, and the only copy I have is on the bloody laptop.”
They quietly walked up the stairs. Rae pulled her key out and reached for the lock.
“It’s not locked. I—” Molly started, bumping hands with Rae as she opened the door.
Once in their room, Rae headed to the bathroom with her toiletries. Molly settled in front of her computer. When she returned from her shower, Rae plopped onto her bed and watched Molly continue trying to jump start her computer.
Molly slapped the keyboard with both hands. “Damn it! This is so stupid.” She shoved her chair away from her desk and grabbed her bathrobe. “I need a break and a shower. I’ll try it once more after. Otherwise, I’m gonna have to stay up all night and rewrite the paper.”
Molly stomped from the room, muttering about curses and how it was all bullshit. Rae stared at the closed door and rubbed her fingers over the pad of her thumb. She’d picked up Molly’s tatù when they had bumped hands and the hum of electricity felt prickly against her skin.
Needing a book, she leaned over the bed to grab her backpack. She spied Molly’s computer and stole a glance at the door. I could give it a try...but what if it doesn’t work? “I’ll just have a peak.”
Sneaking over to the blank-screen laptop, she lightly touched the keyboard. She could feel the electricity inside of it humming against her fingers, begging to be ignited. On a whim, she lightly ran her hand overtop of the keys. The hum’s rhythm changed cadence over one spot. It seemed…out of tune or sync somehow. Rae tried rubbing her fingers together over the spot, like she was trying to smooth out the hum’s cadence. A second later, the hum became similar to the rest of the computer. The unwinding rhythm became steady. The screen lit up and Rae watched the main page start up. Surprised, she quickly stepped back from the computer. Holy guacamole! It worked! She did a quick happy dance, careful to keep quiet. Hearing a noise in the hall, she grabbed a random textbook and hopped onto her bed, afraid she might get caught.
Molly came in a few moments later, her head wrapped tightly in a towel with some fancy name-brand robe draped over her shoulders, but not tied, flopping open with each step. Rae thought she looked like a rich housewife, only missing the blue face cream to complete the effect. Rae had to stifle her giggle.
Molly sighed loudly and strode over to her computer.
“What the --?” She let out a holler and jumped in excitement. “I should’ve just hit the stupid thing a week ago!” She dropped down on the chair, clicking on the wireless mouse. “Had I known that would’ve fixed it, I’d have thrown it against the wall!”
Rae smiled and nodded, not daring to look for fear she’d burst out laughing.
The printer began whirling and spewing sheets. Molly shuffled her report and stapled it. She swung around in her chair. “It’s a shame you can’t be here tomorrow night. I’d love to be the first to see your ink. You know, before everyone else, like you did with me.” She stuffed the report into her backpack.
Rae sighed inwardly, guilt wiggling its way into the area by her heart. Good ol’ Molly. “I’d rather be here, too.”
Molly undid the towel on top of her head and started picking through her hair with her fingers. “Not to sound teacher-ish, but it’s probably a good thing you’re in the squeaky-clean infirmary. The professors will be able to help you better than anybody.” She scrunched her face and grinned. “It’s only one night. Then we’re having that outdoor midnight party.”
“Hmm…” Rae yawned, shut her book and crawled into bed. She didn’t feel like talking about it tonight. She had mixed feelings about the party, about hiding her tatù from Molly and huge stress worrying about being in the infirmary the next night, waking up to Dean Cardell poking and prodding her. Ugh! It’s too much! Thankfully Molly distracted her from the worry circling her mind like vultures.
“Hey, watch this.” Molly twiddled her fingers and switched off the light. The bed across from Rae’s creaked and the sheets snapped about. “I’m getting better with practice. G’night.”
Rae lay there in the dark, her hands clasped behind her head. She felt like she was sitting on a seesaw, constantly weighing the pros and cons of everything. Sleep eluded her but shortly after two, her brain finally gave in and let her slip into darkness.
Morning rolled in with heavy rain and dark, dreary grey clouds that looked oppressive from the dorm window. The weather matched Rae’s mood. She wasn’t looking forward to the evening. Wishing every minute would take an hour, the day rolled by much too fast. Rae tried to act like she was invisible when she sat down for dinner, not really wanting to talk to anyone.
“What’s the dean doing here? He’s never around for meals.” Nicholas pointed to Dean Carter. He stood by the fireplace, frowning.
“It’s ‘cause Rae gets inked tonight,” Haley whispered loudly.
Rae wished she could sink lower in her chair. If she tried, she’d be sitting under the table. Not an entirely bad idea. I wonder if anyone would notice.
Riley walked over during dessert and sat across from Rae. He completely ignored Andy who sat beside her, talking her ear off as usual.
“I thought we had a lunch date? I came by your dorm, but Molly said you were out.”
Oh no! Rae slapped her hand to her forehead. “Did we make plans?” She tried to remember what they’d talked about at the dance, which felt like eons ago, and only came up with a big blank. The one thing she really remembered from that night was the way she had felt in Devon’s arms when they’d danced.
“Riley,” Andy sounded annoyed. “Get a life. It’s her birthday tomorrow. She’s got enough on her plate.” He put his arm around her and rubbed her shoulder.
“Watch it, wolf-boy. I wasn’t talking to you. I had a date with Rae and wanted to make sure everything was all right.” Rae could hear the fury in Riley’s voice. It made her squirm uncomfortably. When will they stop this?
“Guys, please. I can speak for myself.” Rae tried to keep her voice low; heads were already turning their way. “Everything’s fine. I just forgot. Maybe we can go next Saturday?” The last thing she needed was to attract the dean’s attention. He’d love any excuse to have the girls eat at a separate time from the boys. And wouldn’t that just be fabulous? I’d be ostracized forever. So she sighed in relief when Riley accepted her compromise.
“Sure. It’s a date.” He emphasized the last word and shot a smug look at Andy. “Do you want me to pop by and see you at the Infirmary tonight?”
“I’m not sure if you’re allowed.” Rae leaned forward, trying to escape Andy’s over-warm arm.
“I asked Dean Carter yesterday if it’d be all right.”
Rae just barely managed not to roll her eyes. Of course he did. Backed into a corner once again by cheetah-boy, while being smothered by the hairy beast. Andy gripped the table, his knuckles white and the veins in his arms bulging. With her luck, he’d probably shift into a wolf and fight Riley right here. Rae grinned, despite her wariness. It’d be an interesting fight. Riley, with his cheetah tatù, was quick. She pressed her shoulders back. She might like the idea, but had no intention of letting it start.
“It may be kind of boring. I doubt I’ll get much sleep.” Rae hoped she sounded like she was excited. She tried to think back to how she had felt Thursday evening and all she could picture was hanging out with Devon in the library. She wished he was here.
“I’ll come by around nine. Keep ya company.” Riley winked, then stood without a second glance at Andy. He headed to the front where he disappeared into the evening dusk.
“I don’t understand how you can stand that guy.” Andy’s ears seemed to puff with steam like an angry cartoon character.
“He’s such a …a…Richard Cranium.”
“A what?” She blinked, wondering if he’d gone off his rocker.
“You know, a Richard Cranium.” He smiled, then mad
e a face that looked like he’d been eating raw onions. “I’m trying to make up for being an idiot and make you laugh. I don’t think it’s working.”
“I don’t get it.” The name “Riley” didn’t sound like “Richard” to her.
Andy pinched his nose, closing his eyes. He mumbled, “Consider the short forms for the two words.”
“Richard, Rich, Rick, Dick…Cranium, brain, skull…Ohhhh…I get it, a Dickhead!” Rae started laughing.
“Oh, brother, I don’t even know why I open my mouth sometimes.” Andy rolled his eyes but grinned. He straightened, now happy and bright.
“I’m the slow one today. My uncle talks in riddles all the time. I should’ve jumped on that one.” She winked. “I’ll have to save that for the summer when I go home.”
“Just don’t call him one and say it was me who taught you.” He put his hands up to fend off her fists.
Rae threw a playful punch when he dropped his arms.
“Are you going tomorrow night…to the COP?”
“COP?”
“Covert Operation Part --” He paused, glancing behind her.
She froze, scared a professor had just heard and would ruin everything.
“Ms. Kerrigan, are you prepared for the change?” Dean Carter leaned forward as he drummed his fingers against the table. Oh…of course it’s him. A teacher would be good luck and that’s not what I have. Rae made a conscious effort to avoid touching him, afraid his miserable attitude or gift, whatever it was, would rub off on her.
Professor Stockheed came up behind Carter. The dean straightened and pulled on the pockets of his suit jacket. “If you have a moment, Dean Carter, I’d like to have a word.”
The dean sighed. “Of course, Professor Stockheed.” He stared at Andy and frowned before walking away with the professor.
“Creep,” Rae muttered.
“Richard Cranium,” Andy said. They both laughed.
Madame Elpis met Rae at Aumbry’s main entrance and walked her to the Infirmary.
“Have a pleasant sleep.” She patted Rae’s shoulder. “Enjoy the roller coaster ride.”
“I’ll try.” Rae instantly mimicked Madame Elpis’ tatù, watching her leave the room without turning. The headmistress’ gift was pretty handy. No wonder the woman never missed anything that went on at Aumbry House. Talk about eyes in the back of your head. Freaky!
She glanced around. It was a simple white room, like any typical hospital room, with four single beds and a crappy view from the window. The sharp scent reminded her of bleach and some sort of cheap scented cleaner. The buzz from the fluorescent lights sounded like the cicadas back in New York. She wished her uncle were there with her. Even though she was still kind of ticked at him, he was family and he cared.
Trudging to the far bed, closest to the window, Rae dumped her backpack on it and plopped into the ugly orange vinyl chair beside it. She let her head fall back to rest against the chair and put her feet, sneakers still on, onto the white bed sheets.
Dean Carter walked into the room. A lady in scrubs covered with dancing clowns followed behind him. She could sense their movements thanks to Madame Elpis’ gift.
Carter stopped at the foot of the bed and crossed his arms over his chest. A glimmer of a smile made his lips twitch. It looked like it took a great deal of effort for him. I wonder if a full on smile would make his face crack.
“Excited?” Dean Carter seemed to be attempting to have a relaxed conversation with her, but his body language seemed all wrong. Rae couldn’t figure him out.
“Sort of.” Like she was going to tell him she already knew what happens. Or that she dreaded the thought of staying here tonight. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. “Why all the bullsh—crap? Why do I have to stay here? It’s just an ink stamp. No one else has to do it this way! It’s not fair!”
“No one ever said life was fair, only eventful, Ms. Kerrigan.”
The dean closed his mouth when Professor Stockheed and the science professor strolled in.
Rae’s eyes grew big. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Now she felt like the monkey doing tricks at the circus. The lady with the dancing clown shirt was obviously the school’s nurse. She probably treated everyone here like they were five years old.
The dean strolled over to the newcomers, and the three men conferred quietly.
“Let’s check her back now. We’ll photograph and check every hour to see if the ink art appears instantaneously or in parts.” Stockheed reached inside his coat pocket and pulled out a digital camera. “She might be different.”
Rae froze, terrified they’d see the ink already there. She wondered if the bathroom had a window she could escape out of. She was so screwed.
Carter waved his hand. “No need. There’s no documented proof.” He coughed. “We don’t have approval.” He nodded his head at Rae.
“I’d really like to do some blood work,” the science teacher said. “I’ll call her uncle to get his permission. I’d like to see if there’s a change in her DNA from tonight to tomorrow. Let’s see if the markers on the genes differ, or if hers are unique to the others.”
“No needles,” Rae said. The men all turned and stared at her surprised, like they’d forgotten she was in the room.
“I’m just cur—” science-guy started.
“No! I’m not a lab rat. I have a say in this. If I want my genes or DNA or whatever looked at, I’ll ask.” She huffed. “It’s my ink-stamp.” Not my father’s. It took serious effort of press her lips together and not say the last part out loud.
She slid off her chair, grabbed her bag and went into the bathroom. Like any typical hospital, there was no lock on the door…and no flippin’ window. She spied the hospital gown on the back of the door, hanging on a hook. Rae snorted. No way would she wear that. If they saw her tatù before morning, they’d probably slice it right off her back to examine it. She pulled her pajamas out of her bag and changed quickly, not trusting she’d have any privacy if she didn’t hurry.
Rae planted her ear on the wooden door, trying to hear what the dean and professor were talking about. Through the wood, the deep muffled voices were impossible to decipher. She didn’t want Stockheed here. He was creepy and weird in class. Plus, she’d never figured out who left the note at the beginning of the year. She kind of thought he’d written it but wasn’t sure.
The room on the other side of the door became quiet. Rae straightened, her eyes shooting around the room. What if they were listening to her? Watching her? She quickly threw her pj’s on, ran over to the toilet, flushed it and then ran the tap to wash her hands. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped out.
Except for the beds and chairs, the room was empty. Bare feet silent on the cool concrete floor, Rae tiptoed and peered out the door down the hall. Heart thumping erratically, she went back to the bed and organized her backpack. She’d packed a book and some magazines to read and set them on the nightstand. No one came in.
She sat down on the bed, swinging her legs back and forth. Checking her watch, she slid off the cot and went to check the hall again. Empty.
“Weird.” Her voice sounded hollow against the bare walls.
They caged her here like a lab rat, but backed off their “tests” at the first sign of opposition from her? She didn’t trust it. But what else could she do?
The bed frame looked as old as the buildings. It was one of those old metal ones with a crank to bring the head part up instead of by remote. She wondered why something so lacking in technological advancement would be in a school that prided itself on providing students with the best of everything? It didn’t fit. She leaned over and flipped the handle open and began turning. The groan of protest from the hinge made her jump. She gave it a few more turns, hopped on the bed and organized her pillows. Twiddling her thumbs, she watched the door and cocked an ear for the sound of shoes tapping against the floor. Nothing.
It was mildly disappointing really. She’d been expecting s
omething a bit more…sinister for tonight. Well…maybe they plan on doing all their nefarious deeds tomorrow? Rae sighed and tried to relax. She knew her imagination was running rampant.
Alternately curling and uncurling her toes on each foot, she sat on the bed and waited. Before long, her breathing became steady and her lids grew heavy.
I’ll just close my eyes for a moment. Focus on my hearing. A large yawn slipped out, and Rae rubbed her eyes. She could feel her head begin to bob so she rested her chin against her hand. Tired of trying to listen for the dean’s return, she grew weary and let herself slip into the darkness.
She bolted awake, the hair on the back of her neck on end. She blinked rapidly, trying to force the edges of sleep away.
“Who’s there?” She coughed and cleared her throat. She sat up on the bed and glanced toward the door. No one came in.
Kicking the sheet off her legs, she hopped out of bed. She turned her head and glanced out the window, seeing something out of the corner of her eye.
“Crap!” she screamed and jumped away from the window. She laughed when she realized the person she’d thought she’d seen was her own reflection. Grabbing her chest, she tried to stop the crazy stuttering of her heart.
“Everything all right?” A cheery voice called from the door, making Rae leap onto the bed.
The nurse stood by the door, a bottle of water in her hand. She looked as startled as Rae felt. “Sorry, dear. You’d had a visitor but he said you’d fallen asleep.”
“What? Who?” Rae sat on the bed, trying to think who’d been in. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to feel if the hum inside her had changed. There was something new tingling through her veins but she couldn’t tell what.
“One of your classmates.” The nurse set the bottle on the nightstand.
“Devon?” Rae tapped her fingers rapidly against the bed. The hum didn’t feel right. It felt like she’d had too much caffeine, like she couldn’t possibly sit still.
“No, not him.” The nurse smiled. “He’s such a sweet boy. Riley popped in.”
Cheetah-boy. That’s why she wanted to run and felt twitchy. She wished Devon was back.
“Anyways, you try and get some sleep. It can be a long night of waiting.”
“Yeah, I know.” She froze, afraid the nurse would realize her mistake. “I mean, I went through this with Molly. Molly Skye. She’s my roommate. We, uh, she turned sixteen at the beginning of the school year.” Ugh! She sounded like Molly now.
The nurse raised her eyebrows. “I’m in the next room if you need me. Just push the button.” She pointed at the wall behind Rae. “Sleep tight.”
Rae watched her leave and then leaned back into the pillows. It seemed to take forever, but finally she felt herself drifting off. She slept but couldn’t relax. Awful visions and dreams kept her jolting awake. Awaking from the fifth or sixth horrible dream, she vowed to never set foot in the Infirmary again after this night. Turning her back to the window, she closed her eyes tight and focused on abilities she’d like to try out.