Chapter 6:

Shocked

When we got back to my dorm, Jodi came inside with me. I unloaded my groceries into my small freezer and I made some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for us. "So tomorrow is Friday, we should go out" she suggested.

"Um like where?" I asked.

"Well anywhere, we should see what the club scene looks like around here" Back home I was never a big club gal. I would stay home and study most weekends. This time I want to do things differently. I'm in college I only have one class tomorrow and what's the worst that can happen?

"Well I don't know anywhere around here. Do you?"

"No, but we can Google it?" she said

"Yes we can"

We logged onto my computer and began doing our search on places. We were limited on most due to the fact that we were not 21 yet. We found a place called 'Venom Night Club' I wasn't crazy about it by the name but it was very local, about a ten minute drive from where the campus was located. This would be my second night club experience. My first time was when I went out with one of the foster kids for my 18th birthday party. I ended up leaving early because we got kicked out due to him fighting some guy over a girl. Since then it never really sat well with me.

Jodi seemed very excited about it and rambled on for about 2 hours as we did homework together. It was almost 9:30 when she decided to call it a night. Soon after she left I picked out my clothes for school the next day, and even picked out what to wear for our "ladies Night" out. I checked the weather for the weekend and was pleased that no rain was in the forecast.

After I got out the shower I cracked open a book and hoped to fall right asleep. The book ended up being very interesting and by the time I finished reading it, the clock said 1:30 am. I put the book away and suddenly felt tired. Maybe I didn't need a sleeping pill tonight. I laid down and began to feel my eye lids get very heavy. I don't think I have been so excited to fall asleep in all of my life.

One second I was laying in my bed, the next I'm crouching behind a tree, watching a dear. The dear was drinking water from a stream and I watched quietly. I then realized I was dreaming again. Every one of my senses seemed heightened. My hearing, my sight and my smell were all stronger then they've ever been. The deer looked up at me startled and then began running. Without any notice or warning, I realized I was running, and running extremely fast. It felt like everything was in slow motion though. I was chasing this dear through the woods. I wanted to catch it and I wanted to catch it quickly. I felt like I wasn't myself, but I was a spirit watching myself act this reckless way. Suddenly I leaped off the ground onto a tree, into another tree and stopped on top of a branch. I looked down and I had passed the dear. I saw it coming straight in my direction, with no clue what he was about to get into.

I leaped from the tree directly onto the bucks back, snapping its spine in half. I then found myself in a crouching position hovering over the creature. The next thing that happened was so unbelievable that I would have probably gagged, but, instinctively, I snapped its neck, and then began to drink its blood…

I shot up in my bed screaming at the top of my lungs. I held my face into my pillow shaking. When I peeked from behind my pillow, my room was a wreck. It looked like a tornado went off through it and tore everything apart. I slowly got off the bed and looked around. I tried to focus on the mess but all I could stare at was the package of ground beef, which used to contain rare red bloody meat…now…containing nothing, Torn apart, on the floor of my dorm room. I looked at the clock and realized I didn't have much more time until Jodie came to pick me up for class. I had to get this cleaned, there's no way I would go to class leaving this room looking like this. Before I could finish my thought I realized I was already almost half way done. I felt like I was moving super fast. Within 20 minutes my house was spotless, and I was showered and ready for class.

I stood in the middle of my dorm trying not to hyperventilate from the thought that I could have possibly eaten raw red meat. I would be sick by now though, however I was still feeling fine. I looked in the mirror to check my hair and realized my eyes went from a somewhat "darker" color like Jodi had said the day before, but now to almost hazel. More golden than ever, but nowhere near as gold as Mr. Paraffin. Once again I began taking deep breaths so that I wouldn't hyperventilate. I then heard the beeping from outside. I came out and grabbed my bags and walked out the door.

Not only having a bad day, I now I have to go to day 2 of this horrible digital photography class. I walked up to Jodi's car and got in. She greeted me and asked if I was okay. I told her I was fine and we began driving.

"Did you get that email from Professor Gasser?" she asked.

"Shit! I totally forgot to check my email, what did it say?"

"well he sent out a massive email saying that we should begin doing research on Washingtons history because we have a huge project coming" she replied

"Wonderful. That's all I need, a project that has nothing to do with my major" I said. This class was really going to be a pain.

We arrived to the Arts Hall. My stomach turned at the thought of having to see Penny again. Especially having the day im having. We got to class and sat down at "our" table. I put my stuff down and realized Penny was not in class. Professor Gasser walked in and asked us to pull out our cameras so that we can do a quick run through on how to put on the lens. This time I was a pro. It definitely helped having some one teach me how to do it. Jodi seemed to catch on as well, but didn't seem half as interested. After the lesson he pulled out a brown box with an opening on top.

"Miss Smith, would you mind explaining to the class again, how I will be grading you?" he asked. Jodi looked extremely embarrassed due to the fact that she slept all through our first day. She didn't answer.

"Exactly… what Miss Smith meant to say was that in this semester I will give you ONE major research project. This project is to be done in presentation form as well as have a research paper done, and pictures to support it as well. You are to pick out of this box what your paper AND presentation will be on and you and a partner will present your final workings to the front of the class at the end of the semester." He explained.

"From the time you choose your project to the time you present it, I will also grading you on how well you are doing with the class. Which means how well you've learned to put on a lens, how to switch settings within your digital SLR. Also how well you are with developing and editing. So start preparing. Let's get these teams together. We already know Barbie one and two will be on the same team, so there's no need to even involve them."

It infuriated me that he talked about us like we weren't even in the room, but also made me feel good because he said I looked like a Barbie. He came over after the teams were picked and dropped off the box in front of Jodi and I. "I'll give you the honors Rena" Jodi said. I reached in and felt around the papers. I picked one and pulled it out. We slowly unfolded it and it read "The Native Quileute Tribe" neither Jodi nor I had ever heard of this tribe before.

"I want you guys to do your research on these tribes and go to their home lands or wherever they originated from and use your photography skills. Take pictures of the scenery, the people, land marks, houses the whole nine! I will be teaching you the main tricks to using your digital SLRs all this week. Remember, professional style pictures. You cant just point, and shoot." He said. "This tribe was chosen as part of this project for a reason. They are part of Washington State's history."

For the next three and a half hours he taught us basic functions of the camera. We even were allowed to do test shots. This class was nowhere near as bad as day ones. Once the bell rang we gathered our stuff and went on our way. On the car ride back to the dorms we talked briefly about the project and designated jobs for each person.

The project will have to wait until the weekend, for tonight, we are going out! We went our separate ways after class. I told her I had to go see Mr. Paraffin, because truthfully I did. I walked to the student center and walked towards the secretary's desk. "Hi, Rena, Mr. Paraffin is in a meeting right now. He said he was expecting you and he would contact you when the time was available" she said quickly. At that point I really didn't know what else to say, so I thanked her and went along my way.

The park area was filled with students either walking to their next class or having study sessions in the grass. I cut across the lawn to get to the main street which lead to the dorms, and I felt like I did something wrong. People were staring at me really hard and I began to feel self conscience about myself. I wet to go rub my face and check to see if there was anything on it, and as my hand glided past my line of site, I noticed a shimmer. It looked like I had rubbed a glitter lotion all over my body. I used my phone as a mirror and looked at myself through the screen. It was on my face as well. The sun made it looked even brighter. It must have been the new lotion I bought from Wal-Mart the night before. I hurried along and made it to the other side.

When I got home I logged into the SPU student website and began checking my emails. I saw and deleted the one from Professor Gasser, read the one from Dr Rivera and there was another from Mr. Paraffin. It was marked as urgent and the subject read "Important" I clicked on it and read the letter.

Miss Wyatt,

I would like to first apologize for the way I behaved the other day in the Library. It was unlike me and I must try and explain myself. However I will not be able to do it via email. We need to meet up and discuss some things not only involving your future, but your present. I would like to meet with you tonight if you can. Please email me back and let me know.
Noah Paraffin.

Noah... I hesitated at first, but then quickly hit reply.

Dear Mr. Paraffin,

It's ok. I unfortunately cannot meet tonight. I made plans to go out with a friend down town. Can we meet tomorrow afternoon?

Rena

I hit send and began to get my things ready for tonight. I ironed my clothes and ran my shower. As the water ran an email pooped up. It was from Mr. Paraffin.

Rena,

Please, call me Noah. Tomorrow afternoon will not work. I will need to meet you in the evening. It is imperative that we meet and talk. Call me if you can we'll discuss a meet up. (206) 555-1234.
Noah

I wasn't sure if I should call. I found myself becoming very nervous yet curious on why he needed to talk to me so bad even though the need to talk was mutual on my end. I grabbed my pocketbook and pulled out my phone. I programmed his number into my contacts list and went to hit send but stopped. This was weird, why was I hesitating to call him? I must have hesitated too long because a call suddenly came through. It was Jodi.

"Oh my god Rena do you have a TV in your room!" Jodi almost screamed.

"Y-yes. Why?" I asked.

"Turn on the news NOW!"

I turned on the set and flicked to the news station. There, plastered wide on the TV screen, was Penny Wilcox's picture. Then I caught word of what the reporter in the background was saying.

such a tragic event for the start of the school year. The body of freshman, Penny Wilcox, was found in an ally, mangled and drained of almost all her blood. She was last seen leaving a Witch craft store in the Down Town district. Store owners say she was greeted by a young woman who looked to be of an African American decent or possibly mixed. Penny was last seen with that woman, who is described to be close to 5 feet tall, with very long curly golden brown hair. No word on whether she knew the suspect or not….

The reporter's voice began to fade as I began to suddenly become very dizzy. It felt as if I was about to black out. Who could have killed her? In such a tragic way, she was so young. "Rena, can you believe this?"

"No, I can't… I don't even know what to say." As I finished my sentence, I heard my email screen pop. I turned to face the computer. An email from Mr. Paraffin was in my inbox. "Jodi, let me call you back…" I said. "Rena wait! I'm just going to come over and get ready there. See you soon." She said as she hung up. I put my phone down still in shock, then opened the email and read it.

Are you watching the news? Where was it you said you were going tonight? Rena, call me please! – Noah.

I didn't do anything. I sat and stared at my screen for a total of ten minutes. I only got up when I heard the door knock. I let Jodi in and she began unpacking her night out bag and sat in front of the mirror and began doing her hair.

"Can you believe this? I've never seen anything like it. What are you wearing tonight by the way? Is that your outfit right there? That's cute! See girl in knew you had a sence of style" she kept talking as I gathered my necessities for the shower. I told her I'd be right back out. If I could cry, I probably would have the entire time I showered. Someone I disliked so much was just murdered, and for some reason I felt responsible. I sat on the showers floor and just let the water hit me. Ive been here barely a week and all this is happening already. I got out the shower and began to dry myself off. I came out of the bathroom and Jodi was watching TV.

"Your email went off like twice. I would have read them but if I'm one thing it's not nosey."

"Thanks" I sat down still wet. Both emails were from Noah.

Are you okay? Where were you after you left the library? – Noah.

I opened the second email, this one was very short.

Rena…?... – Noah.

I didn't reply right away. I decided to get dressed first. I decided to wear my hair half up and half down, straight but with some curls. It turned out really nice. I liked my outfit as well. I had on a tube top form fitting shiny black dress with a silver belt across my waste. I luckily had a pair of 5 inch silver stilettos and a silver clutch that matched the belt perfectly.

"Oh wow Rena. You look really cute" Jodi said. I was feeling really good about myself when I looked in the mirror. Jodi also looked very nice. She had on a yellow cut off jacket with a black spaghetti top shimmery shirt underneath. It was loose fitting and came to the top of her thighs where it then became tight again. She had on black leggings and wore 6 inch yellow stilettos and had a yellow clutch. She took out her camera and we took some pictures together.

I went to the bathroom to put on that lotion that shimmers as well as spray myself with perfume.

"Who's Noah?" Jodi asked from the bedroom. I must have left my email open. So much for her not being nosey.

"Err, its um…Mr. Paraffin." I said…

"you're on a first name basis with Mr. Paraffin? And you are emailing each other?" she asked

"it's not like that. He needs to talk to me about…my class" I responded

"Hm…more like he's trying to get a piece of that a.."

"Watch it Jodi! I don't need rumors like that spreading. It's strictly professional" I snapped back.

"Well, he is waiting for you response." She said judgingly.

I sat down and hit reply.

I am fine. I went shopping with a friend after you almost attacked me, and im going to a club Down Town. G2G – Rena.
P.S. I'll call you tomorrow.

I hit send stood up and packed my phone and keys in my clutch. Before I could zip it up a reply was sent back. The subject simply said…

"STAY AWAY FROM DOWN TOWN!" I shut off the screen, and Jodi and I left.