SECRETS I HOLD
THIRTY-SEVEN
"Reach out…" It said quietly.
"W-What?"
"You can save her…Reach out…"
And so Rae did. She raised her hand again with her palm out and suddenly the whole scene shattered like glass. And before Rae knew anything that was happening everything went black.
Rae awoke with a start, she looked around to see she was back in Jefferson's class with him repeating the same lecture as before.
What the fuck? How…how could…This is impossible… I was in the bathroom…Nathan was there… he shot that girl and…now I'm back here…
"Rae? You ok?" Margo said to her. When Rae swiftly looked at her Margo looked even more worried. "Whoa. Your sweeting like hell. What happened?"
"I-I…" This can't be happening. This just…its…
"These pieces of time can frame us in our glory and our sorrow; from light to shadow; from colour to chiaroscuro…" Jefferson was repeating everything he was saying before. This only happened a moment ago. How can this…it's just…
Rae instantly spotted the paper being thrown and before she knew it her powers were on automatic and the ball was cut short of its travel to Kates face as it instantly hit the ground half way towards Kate. Taylor of course looked confused.
"Rae." Margo placed her hand on her shoulder. "Whatever happened you need to calm down."
"I-I c…I…"
"Rae. Deep breaths."
Rae nodded and tried her hardest to take calm breaths. That was until Victoria's phone went off causing Rae to flinch and knock her camera off the table.
"Now, can you give me an example of-" This is not real this cant…*sigh* ok Rae. Time to face the fact. Can I actually reverse time?
Rae lifted her hand again and as predicted time reversed. It felt strange to Rae, it felt like she was being pulled but not away or anywhere. She was in the same spot as before. Her camera was back to normal on the table when she stopped. I…I did it…
"How the hell did you do that…?" Margo asked. Rae looked at her and noticed that her hand was still on her shoulder. Ok…so if I rewind when someone is touching me then…they come with me…
"Margo…I can't explain…I don't know how this happened…"
Rae had to test something. She had to do things in order as how she remembered it. She picked up her camera and took a picture of herself.
"Shh. I think Rae had taken what you kids call a 'selfie'. I dumb word for a wonderful photographic tradition. And Rae has a gift."
Ok…so that happened the same way…Maybe I can get to the bathroom and save that girl…I can stop Nathan from pulling the trigger.
"Now Rae. Since you've captured our interest and clearing want to join the conversation and you please tell us the name that gave birth to the first self-portrait."
I need to get there now!
"I'm sorry sir but I really need the bathroom."
"Nice try Rae. But you're not going to get away with that easily. We'll be having a long chat after class. Now does anyone have the answer?"
Shit! I can't stay longer!
Victoria raised her hand, once again speaking without being told to. "Louis Daguerre was a French painter who created 'daguerreotypes' a process that gave portraits a reflective style like a mirror." She then turned to Rae. "Now you're totally stuck in the Retro Zone. Sad face."
"Very good Victoria. The Daguerreian Process brought out fine detail in people's faces, making them extremely popular since the eighteen hundreds onwards. The first-"
The Daguerreian Process. That's the answer.
Rae once again raised her hand to rewind.
"Now Rae. Since you've captured our interest and clearing want to join the conversation and you please tell us the name that gave birth to the first self-portrait."
"The Daguerreian Process. Invented by…Louis Daguerre, around eighteen thirty."
"Someone had been doing their homework. Well done Rae."
That made Victoria made. But Rae didn't care.
"Rae. You knew the answer?" Margo asked.
"I didn't then. But I do now."
"The Daguerreian Process brought out fine detail in people's faces, making them extremely popular since the eighteen hundreds onwards. The first daguerreotype portrait was done by Robert Cornelius. You can find out all about him…in your textbook. Or even...online."
The bell rang and everyone left. Jefferson did his little one on one lecture to everyone. Rae didn't pay attention. She had to get to the bathroom.
"Rae. How did you do that?" Margo asked.
"I don't know…I have to go somewhere. Meet me at your dorm."
"Will do." Margo patted Rae on the shoulder and left.
I need to get to the bathroom-
"Rae. Don't even think about leaving until we talk about your entry."
Shit.
Rae turned and headed towards her teacher.
"I'd never let a future photographer avoid handing in her picture."
"I'm not avoiding…just…"
"Biding time? Waiting for the elusive 'right moment'?"
"Exactly."
"Rae. Don't wait too long. John Lennon once said that 'Life is what happens while your busy making other plans' go on now. Don't let me stop you."
Maybe I could rewind and change what I said. I might get Jefferson's approval.
Rae rewound the conversation from the very beginning.
"I'd never let a future photographer avoid handing in her picture."
"I'm on top of it. I think John Lennon once said that 'Life is what happens while your busy making other plans'."
"Rae. Your on fire today. Make sure you finish your work by the end of today. I have faith in you."
Yes! Score on for Rae! Now to the bathroom.
…
Rae managed to get to the bathroom in time. She retraced her steps bit by bit. She washed her face. Tore up her photo. Then the butterfly came in and then she took a picture.
"I can tell everybody Nathan Prescott is a punk ass who begs like a little girl and talks to himself-"
Rae peeked around the corner to see the scene replaying. "You don't know who the fuck I am or who you're messing around with!"
This is my chance. I have to distract Nathan somehow. Rae looked around and saw the fire alarm. Yes! She then stopped as she was about to reached for it. Wait. If I set that off I'll attract to much attention. I have to be able to get the girl and Nathan out without anyone noticing. That was when she saw the mop. Maybe…I can use the mob and hit it against the stall, that way I won't attract any attention from outside. So Rae did just that. She quickly grabbed the mob and turned it around so the bottom without the mop on was facing the stall.
Ok…here we go.
"DON'T ever tell me what to do! I'm so SICK of people trying to CONTROL me!"
Rae pulled her arm back and with all her strength hit the wood against the stall sending a bang and vibrations in the room.
Nathan swiftly turned around. "What the fuck?" The girl pushed him back sending him to the ground.
"Don't ever touch me again freak!" And with that she was gone.
I did it…I saved her…
Rae put the mop back in is original position and stayed hidden until Nathan would leave. Nathan recovered from the push and grabbed his gone. "Another shitty day…" He muttered.
Rae waited until the door opened to signify that he had left. But the door didn't open. Instead the footsteps came her way and shifted, seemingly kneeling.
Oh no…my photo…Nathan will-
"Cassity. I know you're in here."
I can't let Nathan know I'm here…
"Shift…" The whisper in her head returned.
What?
"Shift…"
Into what? He'll see me.
"Become one…"
Become what? What do you…
Rae understood suddenly what it meant.
…how do I do it?
"Think of the blue. Think of the flutter."
Just think of a butterfly…ok then…
Nathan wasn't far now. He was much closer. Gun in hand he instantly turned the corner to find…
No one.
"What…?"
He looked everywhere but there was no sign of the girl called Rae Cassity. A small creature was making its way to the door. Rae had succeeded in shifting into the butterfly, unfortunately she couldn't keep up the form as she suddenly returned to her normal body and fell to the ground instantly catching Nathan's attention.
"Hey!"
Rae got up in a rushed and ran for the door and shut it behind her. She backed away from the door while breathing heavily. The door opened again and Rae ran straight for the Blackwell exit. She was sure David Madsen shouted at her to not run but she wasn't listening.
She was sure that he would be more interested in the fact that Nathan Prescott just came out of the girl's bathroom.
A/N: Please review, follow and favorite this story. Thank you so much for reading this far into the story.