"Harley! Check this out, it's happened again!" Rachel bumped past Michael, standing beside me at our lockers, to shove a thick newspaper in my face.
Sighing to took the paper from her hands turning to the front page, to discover a photo of pure carnage. Furry limbs doused in shades of crimson, innards torn all across the yard in the photo, the only thing I could fully make out as whole was the head of the mutilated animal.
Michael made a sickened noise in the back of his throat, "Jesus Rach, not something you want to see first thing in the morning."
My nose wrinkled as I shoved the paper into her chest. "That's the seventh dog this month!" Rachel cried, drawing the eyes of passer-by's. "Mrs. Turner's daughter found it in the ditch – she's only ten!"
Michael rolled his big auburn eyes making a goofy face as he was sticking his tongue out; I tried not to laugh as Rachel ranted on.
"Would you relax, nobody liked that mutt anyways, if you ask me that thing did us a favour." The grey locker squeaked in objection as Michael slammed it shut.
I snickered. "Yeah, it's no big deal Rach, they'll catch it sooner or later."
Rachel pushed her round glasses up her nose, stabbing a slender finger at me, about to make another declaration when Stalon interrupted.
"Catch what?" His voice was deep and quiet, my face reddening as he smiled at me.
The same crooked grin I saw everyday, yet it still took my breath away. Stalon's eyes, one of blue the other a caramel brown gleamed as he ran his long fingers through lengthy white hair, his brown roots showing faintly.
"That puppy-eating monster!" Rachel shouted at him as if he should already know all this. Stalon's eyes widened a moment, before a prominent Adam's apple bounced up from beneath the collar of his rugby jacket.
"It got another one, hmm." His already quiet voice lowered to barely a whisper, the three of us straining to hear him correctly. "That's a shame."
His lovely eyes seemed to darken; the beautiful oceanic sapphire of his right eye appeared to thrash deep within. Like the angry waves of the sea smashing up against the jagged black rocks of his pupils.
While the sweet candy brown of his left eye hardened completely, the usually cordial melted caramel concealed wholly. It was a frightening spectacle to watch.
Stalon's warm skin bled of all it's peachy colour to welcome an emotionless, ashen white. He seemed to detach from us, from me entirely, like he'd drifted off to an island all his own.
Michael gave him a hard pat on the shoulder. To which Stalon replied to with a shake of his head. "C'mon Rach, you know he's got a weakness for cute things." Michael winked at me.
Rachel snorted, clutching her newspaper to her chest as she spun on her heels and tromped off, her braids bouncing across her shoulders. Michael sighed and followed after his sister, "See you guys in science."
Reaching out I squeezed Stalon's forearm, my fingers slipping on the slick blue leather of his jacket. "You okay? I know it's not the prettiest sight first thing." I shrugged, tucking choppy clumps of magenta hair behind my ear.
"I think I'll live," Stalon smirked. "Lets go." My cheeks flushed faintly as his arm fell around my shoulders.
We were going to be late anyway. Science was in the south wing and, unfortunately my locker was in the north. I didn't mind being late, Ms. Stewart was never one of my favourite teachers anyway.
The halls were flooded with gossip this morning, until the bell had gone. Rumours floated about Rebecca hooking up with Austin at Michele's party on the weekend. How Ms. Anderson had gone on maternity leave again, there was also discussion about "The Thing," as many were calling it now.
Dad had told me it was probably just a hungry coyote or a bear that had come into town for food. After all, I suppose it wouldn't be the first time, Rachel and Michael lost two sheep because of a coyote issue on their farm last month.
Police were searching for it now; it's become something of a game. Hunting restrictions had been lifted because it mauled one of the men tracking it one night; it was all over TV…I'd never seen so much blood in my life.
Men in the neighbourhood, even some of the guys in school were going after it, leaving bait at night and confining areas around town to try and catch it.
There was one claim, that an officer had shot it, 'right through the thing's shoulder and it just kept on runnin' like nothin' ever happened,' he had said on the news.
I knew whatever it was, a bear or a coyote; I didn't want it to be killed. If it was ever found couldn't they just bring it in and have it put down?
Stalon's arm stiffened around me, his gorgeous eyes carrying with them a curious glint. "Why so quiet?" He asked finally, I only shook my head, "I just feel sorry for it. I mean, it must be like the whole world is after it."
Stalon chuckled, tilting his head back slightly. "You would be so concerned wouldn't you Tink? They won't catch it, don't worry."
I made a face up at him, "How can you be so sure?"
He only grinned, "The common coyote weighs up to about 20 pounds, usually has tan or greyish coats with black tipped tails. They howl, yes, or give out a series of shrill yips, but this creature you're so worried for, has a thicker, more golden brindle hide and is very much larger."
I laughed, gazing up at him peculiarly. "How do you even know all that?"
Stalon rolled his eyes. "Some jocks can read." His voice had become one of mock outrage; I couldn't help but crack a small smile.
I wanted to ask him, I really did, it was just that I hated hearing the same pointless answer, it was always so frustrating. But then again, what do I have to lose?
"Um." I began, Stalon's wide eyes set on mine, awaiting what it was I had to say. "Dad's working late, if you wanted to come over tonight, I'd just have to watch the twins."
Stalon sighed, his arm slipping from me to pinch the bridge of his nose. I worked my hardest as no to allow the disappointment to show on my face.
"I can't" He said, as I predicted. Stalon's eyes apologetic as always and I bit back the need to smack the look right off his face.
Clenching my teeth together I stretched my strides out to surpass his own, my short hair bouncing on my cheeks. It didn't bother me that he always said no, it was that he never told me why.
"Don't be angry with me Harley, I want to." Stalon said, hastening his steps to fall in line with me again. "I just…I can't tonight. How 'bout tomorrow."
"Why?" I demanded, jerking my arm free of his grasp. Stalon's brow wrinkled, his beautiful eyes alive with guilt.
"I've just got so much to do." We said together, my eyes narrowed on him vehemently.
I snorted, laughing humourlessly, "You could at least come up with a good excuse Stalon, what is it that you have to do? Read?"
His big hand fit around my arm smoothly, my purple mesh sleeve chafing on my skin under his hard grip. I gasped, the locker my back met with squealed lowly at the abrupt pressure.
"Don't do this to me Tink; I swear I'll make it up to you." Stalon's hair tickled my temples, his forehead pressed against mine. My nose wrinkled in annoyance, I hated how he could make me crack so easily.
"Tomorrow?" I stated firmly, Stalon smiled softly as he nodded. "You promise?"
"I promise." He replied with certainty. I stared, long and hard into his eyes, seeking the teeniest hint that he was being dishonest. "Now come on, we're really late."
