"Why do I have to go to some dumb elementary class? I've done fine with only you and Uncle Larry..." I grumbled in my seat as I glared at mommy through the side window. She heaves a sigh, replying after when the car stops at a red light.
She turns to me with a stern glare, "Maria, staying home isn't healthy for a growing child like you. You need to make some friends your age and learn how to read and write." I groaned. "Do this for mommy, okay?" The light turned green and mommy turned her attention back to the road. I looked away. Why couldn't I stay home and play like always? Why couldn't mommy or Uncle Larry just hire someone to teach me at home? Is it really that important to go to school?
A few minutes later the car came to a full stop in front of a building. It was twice as big as my house and had a playground on the front lawn. My heart thumped nervously in my chest at the sight of other kids walking into school...without their mommy holding their hands. My ears perked up as mommy unbuckled her seat and I quickly unbuckled myself.
"I can go to the school by myself, mommy!" I chirped opening the door and swinging my legs to jump off the car. Mommy seemed to take it as my excitement as she waved at me from the car.
"Okay, darling! I'll pick you up at 3! Take care!" As soon as I closed the door, she sped off. Leaving me standing there alone.
My skin prickled when I turned to the building.
Well, it's now or never.
"Good morning, class! Today we have a new student. Her name is Maria Jayson." Ms. Cady placed her hand on my head while I looked down at my brand new blue snickers. "Why don't you say something about yourself, Maria?" Blood rushed to myself when she asked that.
"U-Uhmm...hello, my name is Maria Jayson... This is my first time at school so please take care of me." I said quickly and bowed down. Ms. Cady chuckled and told me to sit at the very back desk by the window beside a boy with a haughty look on his face. His name was Trey, I think.
Nothing worth memorable happened that day.
I did make some friends, but no one who I could truly trust like Uncle Larry or mommy.
Somehow, whenever Ms. Cady or the other kids smile at me, their smiles were forced, plastic, fake.
Then I remembered that man's smile. Creepy could have been the definition I was looking for, but it was more of threatening.
Especially the way he looked at mommy and the lady.
Right now, it was play time so everyone was outside in the playground. While everyone else were playing tag or taking turns on the slide, I was sitting on a swing set. It had only one swing so no one could play with me here.
But it was fine. I liked the quiet. It was much better than running around with the others. Laughing aloud.
"Please stop!" Her pleas went through deaf ears as he only laughed.
Pushing each other.
"Can't you get any slower, woman?" He shoved her and the grocery bags fell on the concrete.
I shook my head. No, no more of that. Mommy and I are happy now. No more daddy to hurt mommy or order her around. Uncle Larry was much better, kinder, and more loving to mommy than daddy ever was.
"Huh?" I blinked at the person leaning against a pillar supporting the school. He wasn't an elementary student I was sure. He was too tall, maybe around 2? inches taller than me. I couldn't really tell because of the distance. He had the same square box (which I found out was something called a phone) by his ear.
I got off the swing set with a spring in my step.
I looked at Ms. Cady to see she was too busy stopping a fight between two siblings to notice me leaving. Hopefully.
Quickly, I walked towards the person, sneaking glances ever so often to see if Ms. Cady would notice my disappearance. The person hid behind the pillar once he saw me. Well, I thought he did.
Smiling, I peeked behind the pillar, but saw no one. I tilted my head in confusion as I stood by the pillar where I was sure the person was.
After a few seconds of wondering where he was, I saw him through the open window on Ms. Cady's desk. He wasn't looking at me, but was glaring at the bo-phone in his hand. Immediately, I ran inside and stood on the doorway with a big smile on my face.
"How'd you do that?!" I asked when he put away his phone. The glare moved to me and I froze at the blank look he gave me. My smile dropped and the curious wonder in my eyes faded into discomfort. He muttered something angrily under his breath; some words I heard were 'annoying', 'piece of...', and 'why couldn't Phinx do this?'. I took a step back when he jumped off the desk. Dark black bangs almost hid the glare fixated on me and his mouth and neck was covered by a dark red scarf.
"Who the hell is Trey Williams?" His raspy voice spat out. The venom and annoyance clear by his facial features. My breath hitched at the name. Trey Williams was my seatmate. But why was this dangerous person looking for him? My eyes widened. Trey was boasting about his father completely destroying a rival company. Was it about that?
His glare sharpened at my lack of speech. I wanted to lie and deter him away from Trey, but my throat tightened each time I opened my mouth.
"I don't have the *beeping* time for this. Tell me where that brat is now." He hissed as he took a step towards my quivering form. Not trusting my words, I only shook my head. His brow arch and amusement danced in his eyes.
"You won't tell me?" I nodded. Suddenly, he was right in front of me and I gasped, the scream stuck in my throat. I tried to run, but my feet stayed rooted on the floor. With fear filled eyes, I looked up at him. I flinched when he moved his hand. My stomach churned in disgust when he chuckled darkly.
"You're just a whore! A *beep* in the heat!" His quiet grunts and dark chuckles could be heard through the thin walls followed by repetitive skin slapping skin.
My fear dissipated at the moment. My surroundings slowly turning dark; the black shadows creeping in.
The strange person knelt before me and I finally got a good look on his face. My eyes widened. He was just a kid like me, albeit older. The scarf wrapped around his neck covered the fact that he was but a child.
I took a step forward. The dark shadows surrounded me, us... but didn't get any closer.
The amusement and curiosity danced in his eyes watching my every move. I lifted my hand up, hesitated, then touched his face. Something flickered in his eyes as I trailed my finger on his face. Mindless curiosity was what pushed me to do this.
Even though he was just a teenager (thats what mommy said when I would turn 13), why did his eyes hold so much resentment to the world?
"Why?" I tilted my head in confusion as I stared into his black orbs. His brows knitted at my question and scowled at my constant prodding of his face.
"Where is Trey Williams?" He didn't answer my question, but the venom and annoyance in his voice was gone; it was replaced by a soothing, husky tone. I put away my hand and looked towards the playground outside the window. Ms. Cady had finally took notice of my disappearance as she yells out my name.
The person sighed and stood up. "I've been here too long. I'm leaving." I didn't know why, but I didn't want him to leave. I mean, he stopped the dark shadows from taking over. I grabbed the end of his jacket and he looked over me with a raised brow.
My face heated up as I stuttered out, "Wh-What's your name...?" There was a slight pause in his movements as if debating whether to answer my question or not.
"Maria?! Where are you?!" Ms. Cady's voice rung out. My grip tightened on his jacket as I waited for his reply. He glared at my hand and I flinched when he lifts up his arm.
"Stupid brat..." He raises his arm and-
He pats me on the head. My face flushed at the contact making me let go of the jacket.
Then he was gone.
Just like that.
I looked around the room, but he was nowhere to be found.
"Maria, what are you doing in the classroom?" Ms. Cady was breathless when she arrived.
"I wanted some water?" Ms. Cady sighed, but smiled...the fake one...and helped me get a glass of water.
The day flashed by quickly like I wanted it to. Class wasn't supposed to end until 4:30, but I told Ms. Cady that mommy was picking me up early. Since I was new, she allowed me to leave. Mommy was by the school gate like she said she would be and she drove back to the house.
My thoughts were mainly about the boy though while I watched the trees and house blur past. Blood rushed to my face once more as I touched my head. I wonder if he was coming back tomorrow...
It was 7 pm; the usual time for all of us (Uncle Larry, mommy, and I) to watch some television together.
While we were watching 2002, the TV suddenly changed with a guy sitting behind his desk. Mommy and daddy were very attentive at the guy so I listened to it as well even though I wanted to watch 2002.
"We are sorry for cutting through. This is a broadcast that the infamous Phantom Troupe have struck once again." A picture of a building appeared on the guy's side. It was my school. Mommy gasped.
"Early this afternoon, Ubec Elementary School was held hostage by the alleged Phantom Troupe. While the police awaited their demands, the school exploded causing heavy amounts of damage throughout the area. The death toll is high on this one too. There were no survivors and all were either burnt alive or died by the explosion. The Troupe has yet to be caught and are still in the area. Please put your house on full lockdown. Thank you." I didn't know what that man meant, but the channel changed back to 2002.
"Oh my word..." I looked at mommy in confusion. "I-If I hadn't picked Maria up early, she would have... she would have..." Uncle Larry and I both hugged her. I didn't understand what mommy meant, but I didn't like mommy crying. We continued watching the movie after that.
"...the school exploded..."
A small grin appeared on my face.
I didn't have to go to that dumb, plastic school anymore.
