“What? Why are you all staring at me?”
The room stayed silent until Patti piped in. “Glad to hear that Heidi will be okay.”
Gina smiled, and they all went back to what they had been doing.
Patti lowered herself onto the floor in front of the three heaping piles of costumes and motioned for Kieran to join.
“Let us know how we can help.”
“Let outs, take-ins, and finishing touches.” Randall pointed to each of the piles explaining what needed to be done.
Patti and Kieran nodded in unison, and then they all got to work. Even Jim joined in when he returned home from work, although he only lasted through one costume. After continually pricking himself with the needle, Patti relegated him to what she called fuel duty, declaring that they didn’t need bloodstains on the costumes. It was his job to keep everyone going—the nutrient supplier.
Soup.
Then sushi.
Then ice cream.
Jim took his job very seriously. Six hours later they were done and had all passed out on the floor.
***
“Do you want some help with that?” Kieran rubbed his eyes as he entered the kitchen.
“I thought you would be passed out for the rest of night,” Patti rinsed off the ice cream bowls and placed them onto the drying pad.
“I woke up when Jim got back from driving Randall and Gina home. I haven’t been sleeping that well lately.” Kieran pulled at the dishtowel that was hanging from the handle of the oven and started drying the bowls.
“Oh, that’s not good. Still not feeling well?”
Kieran shrugged. Patti crossed the room and opened the cupboard that housed her basket of essential oils. “Here.” She held up a glass vial. “This one just came in. I ordered it at the talk we went to the other week. I haven’t tried it yet. It’s a blend of some different oils that are supposed to ward off whatever it is your body is fighting.” She placed it on the counter and picked out another vial. “Let’s use this one too. Lavender—to help you relax and sleep.” She put it next to the first one and stored the basket back in the cupboard. Patti went on to explain the healing and calming properties of the oils, and she instructed Kieran how to use the oils.
“Maybe we should call the doctor. This has been going on for quite a while.” Patti leaned back on the counter, concern marring her features.
“It’s probably just all the end of year projects and upcoming exams taking a toll on me.”
Not a total lie.
“Well, soon enough you guys will be on summer break, so you’ll be able to relax.”
“Looking forward to it. Only a couple more weeks to go.” Kieran nestled the bowls in each other and tucked them away in the cupboard.
“Hey, Kieran.” Patti’s voice faltered.
“Mmhmm.” Kieran turned to face her.
“I was thinking…you can say no and I’ll completely understand.” She was stumbling through her words.
Kieran’s eyes widened.
“I can help you…I mean, I can try and find out about your parents…if you want.”
Kieran’s stomach leapt to this throat. His mouth fell open, but no words came out.
That was unexpected.
He knew there was nothing more to find. But he didn’t want Patti finding out about his recent trip to Laken House—he didn’t want her thinking he wasn’t happy staying with her and Jim.
Too many lies.
Maybe I should just tell her everything. Come clean. Maybe she could help.
“You don’t have to answer me now. Just let me know.” Patti rubbed Kieran’s shoulder and headed out of the kitchen. “Try and get some sleep, I’ll see you in the morning.”
Ten
Getting What He Deserved
“BREAK A LEG, GUYS. I’ll see you after the show.” Kieran waved goodbye to Riya, Randall, and Gina.
In perfect synchrony, their heads swiftly turned to Kieran, and he was met with three sets of bulging eyes.
“What?? Isn’t that what I’m supposed to say?”
“Yah, usually. But not when someone in the performance actually did just that, only two days ago,” Riya snapped back, and then turned away to finish checking her makeup in the vanity mirror.
Kieran raised his hands in defence and gave an apologetic nod. “I’ll just be going now.” He turned and began navigating his way through the backstage area to meet Patti and Jim in the audience.
“Kieran, wait up,” Randall called out, as Kieran was nearing the end of the hallway. Kieran stopped and watched Randall jog toward him. “Sorry about that, back there. Just ignore us—we’re all a giant ball of nerves.”
“No problem. I get it,” Kieran waved it off.
He and Randall continued walking together, turning the corner at the end of the hallway and into another hallway stacked with boxes of old props. “I’m really looking forward to watching the show,” Kieran smiled and told Randall. Randall was a good guy.
“Thanks. I’m excited to see it all come together. But, I’m also looking forward to it being over and me getting my afternoons back. I have so much studying to catch up on,” Randall chuckled. “I’ve gotta get up to the control booth,” he pointed in the opposite direction from where Kieran needed to go. “I’ll see you at the after party?” Randall asked.
“I’ll be there,” Kieran confirmed and parted ways with Randall.
Seconds later, a thundering crash filled the air, followed by callous laughter. “You in a hurry?” A voice mocked.
That voice!
Kieran whipped his head around and saw Terry towering over Randall, who was sprawled on the floor, surrounded by scattered boxes and props.
Kieran rushed over. “Why did you have to do that?” He shot daggers at Terry while offering Randall a hand.
Terry smirked but stayed silent. "I asked you a question." Kieran let go of Randall's hand and glared at Terry.
“What’s it to you?” Terry bit back.
Kieran wasn’t backing down. Not this time.
Maybe it was the anger and frustration that had been building since the morning. When he hadn’t made it to the kitchen fast enough. When he had watched for the second time that day—once in his dream and then again in reality—a large shard of glass from a shattered vase slice Patti’s hand. He ran to her aid, apologizing profusely, and could not accept her insistence that it wasn’t his fault.
Maybe it was the something that had been thrumming through his veins for the past month. The something that had unwillingly become a part of him, giving him an inner strength that had shown him his actions could make a difference.
Maybe it was his pounding head and the pure and utter exhaustion that didn’t allow him to think it through.
Whatever it was had boiled to the surface and he had no intention of simmering it down.
“Why are you back here anyway?” Kieran seethed, pulling his shoulders back and standing taller.
Randall took a step back in disbelief and stumbled over one of the fallen boxes.
“He did it again!” Terry’s laughter rang in Kieran’s ears.
“Get out of here, Terry.” Kieran’s eyes were locked onto Terry.
“I’ll leave when I want to leave.” Terry pushed out his chest and raised his chin in an attempt to lessen the height gap between him and Kieran.
Terry’s invasion into Kieran’s personal space was the last straw for Kieran. He had never before been physical with anyone, but with force and purpose, he placed his hands on Terry’s shoulders to create some distance. Something changed in Kieran when his hands connected with Terry, or maybe something changed around them—Kieran couldn’t tell. Everything seemed to slow down. Kieran felt a loss of control, but at the same time felt completely grounded in that spot. His neck snapped backward, and his eyes rolled to the top of his head, blanketing him in darkness. His grip on Terry didn’t falter. A small bright light formed in the centre of the d
arkness and slowly spread, revealing a scene that played before him.
The sets were coming down. Kieran stood on the stage and watched as his classmates, two by two, carried the brightly painted sceneries through the wings to the storage area behind the stage. It was a group effort to get it done quickly so that the party could begin. One student was stabilizing a tall ladder in the centre of the stage, while another was balanced on the top step, stretching for the large banner that was fastened to the rafters.
“Why don’t I show you boys how it's done,” Terry strolled over, mocking their failed attempt at reaching it. He shoved the guy at the bottom of the ladder to the side and gave the ladder a little shake. The guy at the top quickly descended.
“I don’t have all day,” Terry scorned, but then looked to the group of girls standing off to the side and winked. His motivations were obvious—he was trying to impress.
Terry climbed the ladder, shoeing away an offer to stabilize its base. As he climbed, he twisted back to ensure all eyes were on him. That cocky grin of his was plastered across his face.
His foot missed the next step.
His hands slipped.
He tumbled off the side of the ladder onto the bagged and boxed costumes below.
The room went silent.
Terry swiftly rose and brushed himself off, keeping his eyes glued to the ground. When it was clear he was okay, laughter erupted in the auditorium.
Riya, who was standing closest to where he had fallen, took a tissue from her pocket and handed it to Terry.
“You might want this.” She motioned to his bloody nose.
Terry touched his nose and then examined his fingers. He snatched the tissue from Riya’s hand and then tore past everyone—leaping off the stage and through the double doors.
Terry drove his palms against Kieran’s chest, “What’s wrong with you? You freak!” He pushed past Kieran, leaving him standing there dazed.
Randall rushed to Kieran and gently touched his back. It took Kieran a couple of seconds to register Randall’s presence.
“I’m okay.” Kieran gave a slight shake to his head. “Just a dizzy spell.”
The lights of the auditorium began to flash, signalling the show was ready to begin.
“Thanks, man.” Randall locked eyes with Kieran and then hurried toward the control booth.
Kieran stumbled slightly as he went to take his seat next to Patti and Jim. His head was still spinning.
“Are you okay, Kieran? You look a little pale?” Patti asked and patted the seat beside her.
Kieran slowly lowered himself into the chair and rested his head in his hands. “I’m good. Just felt a little dizzy back there for a second. I think I might need something stronger than that oil blend you gave me.” He looked up and smirked, then turned his attention to the stage. He knew it was way more than that, everything was about to change again—just when he was starting to get a handle on things.
***
The play went off without a hitch, and the audience rose for a standing ovation at the final bows. Parents snapped photos and handed out congratulatory flowers and chocolates. Riya’s eyes became glassy when Jim handed her a large bouquet of sunflowers wrapped in an oversized green bow. And when Kieran snapped a photo of her flanked by Patti and Jim, Kieran watched as she swiftly blinked away the moisture.
When the final family members said their goodbyes, the students quickly got to work. The sets were collapsed and carried through the wings to the storage area backstage. Kieran and Riya collected the props and then the costumes, carefully packing them into their designated boxes and bags. Kieran hadn't yet said anything to Riya about what had happened before the play began—what he had seen. He was waiting. Waiting to see how things would unfold. Maybe it was just wishful thinking on his part. Until now, he had only ever seen anything in his dreams…
But somehow, he knew.
He knew even before he heard the screech of the ladder being dragged against the wooden floor.
Before Terry had sauntered onto the stage.
Before Terry surveyed the group of girls helping to organize the costumes.
But when Terry opened his mouth to speak, “Why don’t I show you guys how it’s done,” Kieran stilled and didn’t say a word. He watched the scene play out, for the second time. There was no guilt. Not like when the teddy bear with the yellow bow stared at him from the television screen. Not like how he felt that morning with Patti, for not being able to heed any warning. He felt only satisfaction that the bully would finally get what he deserved.
“I doubt we’ll see him back here tonight,” Riya stuffed the remaining tissues back into her pocket.
Kieran smiled and nodded. He then packed the final mask into a duffel bag and zipped it shut. His head was pounding.
“What? No comment? I thought you would be elated with Terry’s self-inflicted embarrassment. Especially after what happened today with Randall. He told me all about it. That was really admirable of you, Kieran. I’m impressed.” Riya pulled at the straps of the bag and flung it over her shoulder.
“What did Randall say?” Kieran stood too quickly, the room started spinning. He grasped Riya’s shoulder for support. His earlier vision had taken over his body, physically and mentally, leaving behind residual after-effects that he was still experiencing. He couldn’t imagine how the incident had appeared to onlookers, and he was scared to find out.
Riya turned and her eyebrows pulled together at the sight of Kieran. “He said that Terry got all in his face again and you stood up for him. That you didn’t let Terry get away with it like he always does. Why are you acting so weird? You did a good thing.”
Kieran sighed and leaned over, letting his hands fall to his knees. “That’s all he said?”
“That’s all he said, Kieran. What’s going on with you?” Riya walked the few steps to deposit the duffel next to the others and then returned to Kieran, who was still hunched over.
Kieran lifted his head and whispered, “I had a vision…a premonition…”
“You had a dream that you were going to tell off Terry and you didn’t tell me? I would have shown up for that show.” Riya crossed her arms over her chest, portraying disappointment.
“SHHH.” Kieran carefully raised his torso in an attempt to keep his head—and the room—still. He motioned for Riya to follow him to the back of the stage and mumbled softly in her ear. “No. It happened while I was awake—in front of Terry and Randall, and every other person in that hallway. Terry just got me so mad.” Kieran winced, just the recollection of that anger caused pain to shoot through his head.
“He was all in my face and I put my hands on his shoulders to keep him back. Then it happened. My head flung backward as if I had been punched, and everything went black. Then a bright light appeared giving way to the scene you just witnessed—Terry climbing the ladder and all that followed.”
Riya’s eyes grew wide. “O.M.G. This is huge, Kieran!”
“I know. I’d be totally freaking out if it wasn’t for this raging headache and the feeling of needing to puke that I’ve had ever since.” He slid down the back wall of the stage and let his head hang between his knees.
Riya joined him, spitting out questions as they flooded her mind. “How long did it last? What did Terry say? What did he think was going on?”
“I’m not sure how long it lasted. Couldn’t have been that long, but I was still gripping Terry’s shoulders when he called me a freak and then stormed off.”
“This thing is real, Kieran. It's not just dreams anymore.” Riya stared at him, and with the tissue from her pocket, she then wiped the sheen of sweat off his forehead. “You look awful. You're pale and sweaty…” She stood and grasped Kieran's upper arm. "Come. We're going home."
“No, no. I’m okay, Riya.” He waved her off. “You’ve worked so hard, and you’ve been looking forward to this. We’re not leaving. I’ll be fine,” Kieran insisted, slowly standing himself
up. But he almost fell over when his hands flew to his ears in an attempt to shield them from a high-pitched tone that shrieked through the speakers.
“Sorry about that,” a voice filled the auditorium, followed by the deep tones of a bass.
“You sure?” Riya removed her hands from her own ears, raising her voice so that she could be heard over the music.
“I’m positive. I’m going to go splash some water on my face, and I’ll be good as new.” Kieran looked beyond the stage to where the audience had sat for the performance. The chairs had been cleared, and the students were starting to gather on the dance floor. “Go join the others. I’ll be right back.” Kieran hurried off the stage before Riya had a chance to respond.
“I’m not going to be the reason she misses out on tonight," Kieran said under his breath—even though the only place he really wanted to be was home, tucked into his bed. He pushed through the double doors of the auditorium but continued past the restrooms situated just outside.
I need some time.
He walked past the lunchroom to the other side of the school.
“You stayin’ for the after party, Kieran?”
Kieran jumped, startled by the deep voice. He had been too caught up in his thoughts and hadn’t noticed Glen, the janitor, walking toward him. Kieran let out a breath and paused his steps. “Sure am. They did a great job tonight. Did you catch any of it?” he asked Glen.
“I did. It was a class act.” Glen showed his two thumbs up. “What are you doing in this part of the building?”
“Need to go to the bathroom and wanted to get a little exercise.” It sounded odd, but Kieran didn't know what else to say.
Volume 1: Bailex, #1 Page 7