Kori chuckled.
“What a bitch, am I right?” Melinda said watching Brianna make her way towards the girl’s locker room.
Kori sighed. “I think she’s awesome.”
Melinda glared towards Kori ready to protest. However, she stopped herself and instead grabbed Kori by the hand.
“Come with me.”
Chapter-fifteen
Brianna stepped into the showers, her toes curling as they touched the ice-cold ceramic foundation. The anger towards Melinda still tore at her; but she wasn’t going to let the queen bee get her down.
She turned the dial, releasing thousands of lukewarm droplets and she faded into serenity as the steamy water splashed against her. Her mind swirled and it was like standing under an everlasting waterfall, ever so calming, ever so beautiful. However, as she closed her eyes, relaxing in the quietness, a sudden thunderous WHAM pulled Brianna from her thoughts. She switched off the water, grabbed a towel, and exited the shower.
She didn’t have to travel far to find the cause of the loud bang.
The door to her locker had been pried off and laid several feet away from its original placement. Standing by the broken locker was Melinda and Kori. Among them holding onto a crowbar was a massive teenage boy Brianna recognized as Tyler and fourth member to Declan’s entourage. Kori looked more dumbfounded than Brianna.
Within Melinda’s hands were Brianna’s school and gym clothing including shoes.
“What are you doing?” Brianna shouted. She glared from person to person.
Tyler and Melinda laughed. “We’re teaching you a lesson.”
Brianna’s eyes shifted from Melinda to Kori and became glazed with glassy layers of tears. “Don’t do this.”
Melinda grew silent as if to contemplate her request. Then shouted, “nah!”
Brianna bit her lip in attempt to hide any sound wanting to escape. Fist clenched she fought back the urge to hurt them with magic.
Melinda glanced over to the boy with the crowbar. “Tyler. Why don’t you smash her face?”
He chuckled exaggeratedly. “You’re kidding right?”
Melinda glared at him menacingly.
“You’re not kidding...” He trailed off. “I’m only here for the panties.”
She was silent for a moment, then-
“Fine,” she waved Brianna’s clothing in her face. “If you want these back, meet me outside near the gym’s exit... naked.”
Melinda’s laughter echoed throughout the locker room making sure to shoulder check Brianna as she exited. Tyler slowly followed her.
Kori stayed behind.
Eyes flowing with tears and heart still pounding, Brianna felt her stomach churn.
“I’m so sorry. I should have tried to stop them,” Kori said wide-eyed. “But it all happened so fast.”
Brianna remained silent.
“But I’m going to try to get your clothes back for you,” Kori said walking towards her own locker. “Till then you can wear mine.”
“It’s okay.” Brianna protested. She wiped the tears from her eyes. “I’ve been dealing with Melinda’s antics for years.”
She followed Kori to her locker. Once opened Brianna saw it was practically empty except for a set of folded clothes sitting on top of a textbook but what really caught the eyes of Brianna was a withered rose lying next to the schoolbook.
Though shriveled a familiar aura radiated from it.
“Where did you get the rose?” she asked.
“Hayden.” Kori answered, handing Brianna the clothing then shutting her locker. “Wait here till I return.”
Before Brianna could protest, Kori had run off.
SCHOOL HAD ENDED FOR the day and Hayden felt as if he should be rejoicing, but instead he was pacing around the gym impatiently. He was the first to shower and change out of his sportswear after the dismissal bell sounded. Hayden figured by the time he was done, Brianna would have already done the same, yet she ceased to emerge from the depths of the locker room. They always walked home together and if something had changed, she was always keen on letting him know.
Only a few students and faculty loitered about the gymnasium. Their voices overlapping one another, he couldn’t make out what anyone was saying... Not that he cared.
He spotted Ethan sitting alone at the bottom level of the bleachers. Hayden shouted for him to come over.
And like an excited puppy; Ethan hopped to his feet and quickly bridged the gap between them.
“Have you seen Brianna?”
He scratched the top of his head as if to be in deep thought, “I saw her go into the girls locker-room.”
He then frowned, “I wanted to celebrate our victory, but you and Dominic vanished after the game. So, I went to shower. However, the locker room was so packed I decided to wait for everyone to leave.” Ethan laughed nervously. “I’m shy about being naked around other people-”
“I don’t care about your insecurities,” Hayden said tersely.
Ethan wringed his hands, “Sorry I tend to babble at times.” He gave Hayden an apologetic smile.
He glanced back at the girl’s locker room. “I’m going to see if Brianna is still in there...Do me a solid and be the lookout.”
Ethan raised a finger in protest, but Hayden had already scurried inside.
Hayden didn’t have to travel far. Brianna stood a few feet away from the entrance. Though she wore a smile, her eyes told a different story.
“You’ve been crying,” Hayden observed.
“It’s nothing,” she sniffed, managing a wet half-smile. “I’ll be fine.”
“What happened to you?” Hayden demanded forcefully.
Brianna twisted the hem of her borrowed shirt into her fist for a moment she looked undecided as to what to say; then she looked at Hayden and said: “Melinda and her friends broke into my locker and stole my clothes.”
Hayden was about to say something, but he sensed Brianna didn’t want him to pry any further. Instead he settled on: “I will get your stuff back for you.”
“What’s going on in here?” Dominic’s voice echoed throughout the locker room.
Hayden turned to see his brother standing near the exit. “Where have you been?”
Dominic chuckled as he waved to Brianna. She smiled in return still trying to hide her tears.
“If you must know I went to have a chat with my teacher Mr. Edelweiss, but the heartthrob wasn’t there.”
Brianna sniffled as she piped up. “I heard he’s cute.”
Dominic gave her a wary glance before continuing. “I ran into specs out there walking around in circles like some creepy stalker and he told me you came in here looking for Brianna.”
Glancing from Hayden to Brianna, Dominic felt the sense of urgency emitting from them both. “Uh, what’s going on?”
Brianna filled Dominic in on everything that had happened.
“Well let’s go get those bitches,” he shouted.
Neither Hayden nor Brianna chimed in on his enthusiasm. Taking note, Dominic headed towards the exit.
Brianna sighed. “Go stop him.”
Chapter-sixteen
Since returning to Melinda, Kori had pleaded for her to return Brianna’s belongings. But the queen bee refused. She had even managed to amass a group of other students with promises of Brianna exiting the building naked.
Kori’s eyes ventured towards Declan.
“Are you sure Brianna is going to exit through these doors naked?” he asked eagerly.
The Fairly large crowd awaited near the exit of the gym leading to the football field.
“Duh, we have her clothes...she has no choice but to come out and beg us for them,” Melinda assured everyone.
“I still get the panties, right?” Tyler said with a naughty smile.
Melinda frowned. “Yeah, whatever sick freak,” she tossed the clothing to the ground.
“What if she snitches?” Declan asked.
“We’ve picked on her for years and she
hasn’t tattled on us ever.”
“Point taken,” Declan said with a smug smile. “Bring on the nudity.”
The door to the entrance burst outward. Melinda and the others turned to face the entry expecting to see Brianna but instead were greeted by Hayden and Dominic.
Kori exhaled a breath of relief. However, she was taken aback when Hayden shot her with a disapproving glare.
He looked away right as his brother began to speak. “You should know by now, if you mess with Brianna you will have to deal with us.”
Melinda’s eyes widened. “We haven’t done anything to her?” she said innocently.
Hayden held out his hands. “Give us back Brianna’s things.”
“I would love to but, you see, you will have to get past Declan and his squad first.”
She motioned towards the masses. They retreated, while Tyler stayed near the stolen clothing.
“Melinda, we are still on school grounds we could get into major trouble if we fight,” Declan said eyeing everyone.
Melinda scuffed. “You guys were pushing around Ethan earlier and didn’t seem to care if you got caught.”
“We were only goofing off,” Josh retorted.
Kevin nodded his agreement. “Seeing a girl naked isn’t worth fighting over.”
Tyler erupted into laughter. “You cowards can run all you want but I’m willing to fight to keep the panties.”
The others rolled their eyes. Tyler, on the other hand, took center stage towering over Dominic and Hayden.
“Bruh seriously how old are you...like twenty-eight?” Dominic said tilting his head quizzically.
A few people in the crowd snickered.
Tyler ignored the remark. “Take the clothing but leave the panties,” he spat onto the ground while cracking his knuckles. “Or I will cave in your stupid faces.”
Dominic glanced towards Hayden. “He’s so adorable.”
“Let me handle this,” Hayden said as he stepped forward.
Dominic bowed overdramatically and joined Kori on the sidelines. He smirked at her. “I’m still moist.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but instead of words she shrieked. Tyler threw a stiff left, but Hayden smoothly dodged and retaliated with a slap to the temple of Tyler’s skull, which sent Tyler tumbling sideways.
The onlookers gasped expect Dominic.
Tyler got to his feet.
“Lucky shot,” he said while rubbing the side of his head. “But it won’t happen again.”
He took a wide swing at Hayden. His opponent ducked underneath the blow, circled around and then swiftly planted a kick to the big jock’s butt. Tyler faced planted to the earth with a heavy thud. He rolled onto his back glaring up at the bright blue sky. All around him the sounds of laughter echoed.
“Give up bruh, before you seriously get hurt,” Dominic said in between laughter.
“Shut up,” Tyler screamed as he scrambled to his feet. “Or I will...”
Hayden readied himself for an attack however much to his surprise Tyler quickly switched direction and charged at Dominic.
Before Tyler could lift a finger, a barrage of lightning-fast punches connected to his stomach. Right after the last blow landed, Tyler clutched his abdomen and doubled over before falling to his knees.
The crowd went silent for several moments and when Tyler face-planted, they erupted into a frenzy of laughter. A few even had their phone out recording and taking pictures.
Dominic stood over Tyler smirking.
Hayden lowered his head as he palmed his face.
As if he could read minds Dominic spoke, “I held back.”
They watched Tyler roll into the fetal position, wailing in pain.
“Anyone else wanna try their luck against us,” Dominic teased. When no-one stepped up to the challenge, Hayden swooped up the clothing.
Kori reached out to get his attention. “I tried to-” she stammered, but a scornful glare from him caused her to clam up.
He tore his gaze away and strolled passed everyone in silence.
Chapter-Seventeen
“Hey, nerd I got a gift for you.”
Brianna swirled to see her brothers heading her way.
“How were you able to get them back?” Brianna asked beaming.
Hayden shook his head. “Don’t worry about it.”
Brianna took a step back regarding them with a broad smile on her face. “I have to return Kori her clothes and have my locker fixed before heading home.”
Dominic hesitated for a moment, glancing from his brother to sister. “I’ll go find maintenance.” He said ignoring Hayden’s disapproving look; and exited.
“He is definitely up to something.”
“How do you know?” Brianna challenged.
“He never hangs around after school.”
Brianna rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Maybe he misses us.”
With an exaggerated laugh Hayden spoke, “yeah sure he does.” He handed Brianna her clothing. “I’ll be waiting outside.”
“HE KILLED EZEKIEL! And said I was next!” Johann Edelweiss shouted.
He marched frantically around the classroom as his companion Betty Welch sat calmly behind her desk. Every time she would open her mouth to compose him, Johann would unknowingly cut her off with more whining.
“Then he mentioned one of Raiziel’s whores.”
Ms. Welch slammed both of her fists against the surface of her desk. “Johann calm yourself!”
The petite teacher stopped in his tracks glaring at the not so easy on the eye’s educator.
“How do you even know if Ezekiel is dead? The kid could be bluffing. Not to mention how can a mere boy kill a demon?”
“I felt his essence trapped inside the Carcerem orbis the kid had. I don’t know what the boy is but...” he looked away from Betty. “...He isn’t human.”
The pudgy teacher stared at her desk surface.
Why would a fourteen-year-old have a Carcerem orbis?
“Should I report this to Malek or Gaspard so they can inform Giovanni?”
The sound of Johann’s voice startled Welch. With a stern look of disapproval, she spoke.
“There is no need to bother the boss with trivial matters,” she stood from her desk.
“I’ll deal with this Dominic Ashwood.”
Chapter-Eighteen
“You should have seen it, Ethan,” Kori shouted as she bounced around on her brother’s bed like a toddler. “It was like something from those Japanese cartoons you watch,” she paused and sat at the foot of the bed. “Not the ones with the schoolgirls and tentacle monsters.”
Ethan over-dramatically rotated his desk chair around. “It’s called anime,” he said sounding offended.
“You mean the cartoons with girls being sodomized by tentacle monsters?” Kori asked.
Deciding not to entertain the inquiry Ethan whirled his chair back around facing his desk “Shouldn’t you be working on unpacking or homework?”
Kori scanned about the room before rising from the bed. The chamber, like hers was big enough for two people to share. She strolled over to a clutter of unpacked moving boxes.
“I’m done with the unpacking. As for homework, I don’t have any assignments except for the project I’m supposed to do with Dominic.” Kori answered. She began to rummage through one of the open boxes. “You still play with dolls my dude?” she pulled out a few, still in their original packaging, figurines.
“Be easy with those.” Ethan almost shouted. He frantically hopped from his chair and rushed over to Kori’s side. “Those could be worth a fortune in the near future.”
“Right,” Kori said sarcastically as Ethan reclaimed the items. She watched him carefully and neatly placed them back into their respective area.
“Your teacher should have known better than to pair you up with a delinquent like Dominic.”
Kori laughed. “You don’t like him?”
Ethan scuffed returning to his desk. “I don’t like the way
you talk about him as if he’s this amazing person.”
“Thanks to him, Declan and his goonies can no longer bully you,” Kori teased.
Ethan scoffed at the remark, “If anyone deserved the praise, it’s Hayden.”
Kori cooed, “Is he your new crush?”
With another scoff, Ethan ignored Kori’s teasing and turned towards his homework.
“All I’m saying is maybe Melinda is right and we should stay away from him.”
Kori plopped on Ethan’s bed and buried her face into his pillow. She released a muffled growl knowing Ethan was right.
“Tomorrow you should explain to your instructor that Dominic is an unfit partner.”
Kori flopped onto her back ready to reply, however, before she could get her words out, the sound of the doorbell going off echoed throughout the home. Both siblings hopped to their feet.
“Who could that be at this hour?” Ethan whispered.
“The neighbors coming over to welcome us?” Kori whispered back.
“Its nine o’clock at night,” Ethan retorted sourly, “and why are we whispering?”
Kori shrugged as she walked towards the room’s exit. “I’m going to go see who it is.”
The bell rang several more times.
Ethan grabbed the umbrella leaning against a wall near the entry and followed her. Upon reaching the flight of steps, Kori glanced over her shoulder and giggled at the sight of Ethan. Holding the umbrella as if it were a baseball bat, he returned the glare. “Never hurts to be prepared.”
“According to our parents, this is supposed to be one of the safest neighborhoods in town.” Kori insisted.
Ethan sneered. “Safe or not, it could still be an intruder.”
“I don’t think intruders ring doorbells,” Kori taunted.
At the base level, the pair stood in a half-decorated living-room surrounded by awkwardly placed furniture and unpacked moving boxes.
Kori was the first to reach for the knob. Ethan stood close by with his weapon raised.
“Knock’em dead my brave hero,” she teased opening the door.
LAMENT OF PURGATORY (ASHWOOD CHRONICLES #1) Page 6