Shadows in the Dark

by Hunter England

Luke

  “Come on, Trace! You can tackle harder than that!” That’s what I heard every second as I pushed as hard as I could on the tackling sled. Coach Hearse stood on the back, putting more weight on it. Everyone else was inside. But Coach thought he’d keep me out there a little bit longer.

  “I’m pushing as hard as I can, Coach,” I said. He just scoffed.

  “Luke, next week is the biggest game this school has ever had. And you’re my star player. I need you in top shape for that game, understand?” I didn’t even bother to reply. “Now, come on! Push!”

  “How can I be in top shape when I’m sore as hell?” I heard Hearse laugh as he jumped off of the sled.

  “Good thinking, Trace,” he said as he patted me on the back. “Go on up. I think you’re ready.” I nodded my head at him and jogged back up. Some kids were already on their way home, getting in their cars and driving off. I felt like an idiot jogging up so late.

  When I walked into the locker room, it was almost empty. The only people that were in there were Sean Polk and Jason Truet. They didn’t give me any attention when I walked in. They just kept on getting dressed silently.

  It was kind of awkward, being silent and all. But I didn’t really care. I didn’t hang out with people like them.

  I felt the sweat drip down my back as I took my shirt off. I tossed the shirt into my locker and pulled out the shirt I wore before practice. I could hear Jason and Sean behind me as they closed their lockers and started walking out.

  “Hey, Trace,” came Jason’s voice from behind me. I was taken by surprise, considering I’ve never said a word to him.

  “Uh... yeah?”

  “I heard your girlfriend and her friends floated last night at the game,” he laughed. “I guess your girlfriend is a freak!” Before I could respond, I heard the locker room door burst open as he ran out laughing.

  I couldn’t run after him, considering I was half naked. So I could only stand there. I didn’t get too mad. I knew how freaked out Lora was about last night. She ditched the game during half time and no one found her for hours. I found her at my house, crying and scared. It took me forever to calm her down.

  I only sighed and finished getting dressed. Coach Hearse walked in and walked past me to his office. I suddenly stopped and asked him a question.

  “Coach Hearse?”

  He grunted.

  “What do you think that was last night?” I asked. “When... Lora and them floated? Everyone is calling them ‘freaks’. I just want to know your take on it.” He looked up and started scratching his chin.

  “Hmm. I honestly don’t know, Trace. And I’d rather not think about it. It creeps me out more the more I think about it.” I smiled. I knew he’d say something like that.

  “Yeah... same here, Coach. Same here...” I closed my locker and left the locker room. I didn’t bother looking for Lora. I told her she should stay home today because I didn’t think she was fit enough to come today. She still seemed a little shaken up.

  I met up with Sarah and Becca in the hallway. They were sitting on a bench, waiting for their parents to come pick them up.

  “Luke!” Becca waved at me. “Come sit with us!” They both scooted over and made room for me.

  “How’s Lora?” Sarah asked as I awkwardly sat on the bench.

  “She still seemed messed up about it. How ‘bout you guys? Are you two okay?” Sarah and Becca looked at each other.

  “We could be better. But we aren’t that shaken up about it. I honestly don’t even think it happened. Do you, Sarah?” Sarah shook her head.

  “Well, if you two need to talk, I’m here for you guys. Just like I am with Lora.” Sarah and Becca smiled and giggled. They said something, but I ignored it. It was probably them just hitting on me again. I’ve gotten used to it. But I still try to avoid it.

  “Is… is that Lora?” Becca asked, pointing at the front doors. I looked over, and there she was. Lora was standing at the doors, smiling.

  “Lora?” I said as I stood up and walked to the door. She waved at me. I opened the door and got the air crushed out of me as Lora hugged me. “What are you doing here? I was about to come see you.”

  “I just couldn’t wait. I started freaking out again and I needed to see you. Are you mad?” She gave me that look she always gives me when she thinks I’m going to be mad.

  “Why would I be mad?” I said as I wrapped my arms around her. “The quicker I see you, the better.” I grabbed her chin and tilted her head up, kissing her. I felt her smile under my lips.

  “Oh, look at the freak. How adorable!” I looked over as saw Jason leaning on the wall with his hands in his pockets. Lora looked down at the ground and slowly tightened her arms around me.

  “Go away, Jason!” I heard Sarah say.

  “What? If you two can watch a freak make out with a dim witted jock, I can, too.” Lora shoved her face into my chest. I could feel the sobs coming.

  “Jason, just go away before I shove your face into the wall.” I said.

  “Oh, I’m so scared, Luke! Will you have your girlfriend grab me and float up really high and drop me?”

  “Shut up!” I exclaimed. My pulse started to rise. I could feel the blood rushing through my veins.

  “Oh, is the retarded jock going to kill me? Oh, God, no!” I stepped away from Lora, leaving her there with her face full of tears. I grabbed Jason’s shirt collar and slammed him against the wall.

  “You better shut the hell up before I rip your-”

  I was pulled away from him, making him slide down the wall. I looked back and saw Lora sobbing, holding onto the back of my shirt.

  “Just leave him, Luke,” she sniffled. “He’s not worth it.” I looked over at Jason, then at Lora. Sighing, I turned and took Lora’s hand. Sarah and Becca were giving Jason a death stare.

  “Oh, yeah! Yet that freak is worth your pointless and wasteful time?” That’s when something in me snapped.

  I turned around towards Jason and saw his stupid face go from smiling to terrified. I don’t know what terrified him, but it felt good. A sudden rage filled me up and was at the boiling point. I could see, on the side of my eye, Sarah and Becca backing up away from me against the wall.

  “SHUT UP!” It happened so quickly. At first I didn’t believe it. But it happened. A bolt of electricity shot from my hands and struck Jason square in the chest. It sent him flying into the wall, cracking it in several places. He fell to the ground with a loud thump.

  I heard Lora crying from behind me, and I quickly turned. She was crawling away from me, more terrified than I have ever seen her.

  “Sarah, I-” I reached out my hand, then stopped. My hand was shining blue with small electrical shocks running through my veins. I stared at it for the longest time, more confused and scared than I had ever been. I looked back at Jason and saw that he wasn’t moving. Had I killed him?

  I didn’t bother to look back at Lora and her friends up against the wall. I just wanted to run. I wanted to run away and hide. I had just done something that shouldn’t even be possible. I wanted to leave them there and never come back. I wanted to just get out of there.

  And that’s exactly what I did.

  …..