Chapter 2 shadow past, future dark…
Courtney stood impatiently outside Miranda's house, "oh where is she? You don't think she left for school already, do you Winston?" Courtney asked, tapping on the plastic tub in her hands. Winston yawned and glanced at his watch, "I doubt it, Miss…after all it is six in the morning" Winston muttered the last of his sentence but squashed any irritated feelings when he remembered Courtney's distressed state this morning. A butler needs to know his place and it wasn't his to pry into Courtney's privet affaires, though over the years he had grown somewhat attached to the Gripling children, "perhaps you should ring the door bell" he said.
Courtney looked at the small button at the side of the door and reached for it, stopping just short of touching it.
(Courtney's POV)
The facts of the situation became painfully clear, I was standing outside Miranda's house at the crack of dawn about to waken her entire family, and why? Because I had a nightmare that woke me up at dawn and I love her and can't stand being away from her that's why! Not that I can tell her that…the nightmare maybe but not the rest, not yet.
Sometimes I wonder why I'm the way I am, not the liking girls thing just me in general. I've always been self-concuss about my looks and people's opinions of me…I guess that's why I like Ginger so much. She always treated me like a human being and made a real attempt to be my friend. Maybe I could confide in her, after all, she hasn't told a soul about that lice incident and she kept her friend quiet too.
I wonder what Miranda has against her? Now that I think about it, those two have had a lot of bad blood between them ever since pre-school when Miranda use to pull Ginger's hair.
(Narrative)
Courtney let her arm drop to her side, "I don't want to wake her," she said, as she walked away from the door and leaned against the limo. Winston gave her a concerned glance but quickly turned his attention back to nothing-in-particular when Courtney looked up at him, "Master Blake will be getting up in an hour or so for school" he said for no real reason. Courtney forced a smile at his statement, "yes, I suppose he will…" she said, looking back down at the ground when she felt a real smile growing on her face.
Meanwhile, Miranda lurched up on her bed, her head falling foreword and an irritable groan filled the silence, "stupid reflection kept me up all night…" she muttered, not bothering to analyze her statement. She wandered into the bathroom and her reflection greeted her with a toothy grin.
(Miranda's POV)
Hello me, did I sleep well? From the looks of things I didn't…I scowl at myself, I've come to except that my reflection talks to me and I talk back, "well if you're me shouldn't you know?"
Oh, it doesn't quite work that way, really I'm just a part of you…well a part of me is a part of you and the rest is sort of developing on its own!
"What do you mean, developing!" I asked, then I realized that my err, her teeth where different. They where sharp and curved inward like shark's teeth and I could just make-out a second set on each jaw, "what's happening to you?"
I'm changing, becoming something less you and more…me! I know that doesn't make any sense to you but I don't care and you know why? Because for once its just your problem!
I rub me head in an attempt to ease the headache I was getting from trying to make sense of my reflection's explanations, "so when you're you will you leave me alone?"
Maybe, I haven't made this clear enough for you, when I'm me…you die!"I won't let you…" I say as I turn to leave, not sure exactly how I would stop her from doing whatever she was doing but certain I could.
Ginger's going to die today…just thought I should let you know in advance.
The words cut into me like a knife, "y-you now that for a fact? What, you trying to say you know when people are going to die, or something?" I asked shakily, the thought searing into my soul like acid.
No…I just know when she's going to die, and I'm not the only one.
I take a deep breath and compose myself before I turn round, "what do you mean, your not the only one? Are you saying there are more things like you?" the questions where asked but I was terrified to hear the answers.
Like my? No, not like me, but there are things out there that can feel it? Before you ask, I don't know what it is so don't ask! Sigh, look, not that I don't love our little chats but you have places to be and I've got more developing to do so bye bye!
And with that my reflection was just that, a reflection. I sighed deeply and made my way to the front door, it was hours before class but I was up and dressed so I decided to get an early start. Just as I walked out the door I found Courtney's limo parked outside and Courtney herself leaning against the large car holding a small plastic tub, apparently waiting for me.
(Narrative)
Courtney rushed over to Miranda and pulled her into a warm embrace, "oh Miranda, I'm so glad you're alright!" Courtney said in an almost sobbing voice. Miranda glanced at the girl clutching her; "uh…I'm fine, are you alright?" Miranda asked confused by Courtney's emotional greeting. Courtney let Miranda step back slightly, "well, I had a bit of trouble sleeping last night but I can't complain" Courtney said in her normal, chipper tone. She looked Miranda up and down to confirm that she was really all right, trying to ignore the fact that Miranda was wearing the same cloves she had on yesterday and it didn't look like she had slept since then.
Miranda noticed the tub in Courtney's hand as they walked towards the limo, "so what's that?" Miranda asked, trying to break the awkward silence. Courtney looked down at the tub and handed it to Miranda, "guess…oh I can't wait, it's sand-witches! I made them all by my self" Courtney said, beaming with pride at her accomplishment. Miranda smiled at Courtney's statement, she always loved when Courtney displayed her innocent side. She opened the tub, "you mean, sandwiches? Wow, P, B and J my favorite…" Miranda stated in a mater-of-fact way.
Courtney smiled warmly at her, "is it? Oh good, I was afraid you wouldn't like them," Courtney said happily. Miranda looked at her confused, "you mean they're for me? Why?" Courtney's smile faded slightly, "what do you mean, why? You're my best friend, Miranda! And I…read some where that exchanging homemade food is the latest trend in Paris!" Courtney explained, kicking herself for not saying what she wanted too. Miranda gave Courtney a questioning look but didn't bother pressing the mater further when she saw Courtney starring out the window blankly; she had more urgent things to think about anyway.
Courtney shook her head slightly to waken up, when she noticed that they where passing the local graveyard. She squinted at an oddly shaped casket, which she realized was actually a traditional coffin. She starred apathetically at the hexagonal box, allowing her mind to wonder as to why anyone would leave such a thing lying out in the open unattended, coming to the conclusion that it must be empty. Courtney sighed deeply and glanced back at the coffin as it began to disappear into the distance. She clamped down hard on her armrest as she saw the lid being pushed open and the back of a bony, thin-haired head lifting itself into view.
Winston caught a glimpse of Courtney's expression as she opened the window and pushed her head thought the opening, "is something wrong, Miss?" he asked as naturally as he could. Courtney turned to hear what Winston had said and when she looked back the coffin and it's occupant where gone, "no…nothings wrong, I just thought I saw, Ginger! I was going to offer her a lift but it wasn't her…I guess that's what lack of sleep will do to one!" Courtney explained, forcing a smile and a shaky chortle.
Ginger leaned against her locker, deep in thought, "hheelllloo, earth to Ginger…" Dodie said, waving her hand in front of Ginger's face. Ginger shook her head, "wha-oh hey Dodie! Where's Macie?" Ginger asked looking around for her other friend. Dodie shrugged, "I haven't seen her, she must be at band practice or something. Are you ok?" she replied, noticing Ginger's uneasy expression. Ginger smiled slightly, "it's nothing, I've just got this weird feeling something's wrong…ya know?" Dodie nodded, "ya, actually I do…but what ever it is I'm sure it's nothing we can't get through" Dodie said, realizing that Darin hadn't told Ginger about Simone yet.
Dodie tried to think of something else to say but the bell rang before she could say anything, "well we'd better get to class!" Ginger said before walking off. Dodie sighed and was about to head to her first class when Macie stopped her, "what's going on?" she asked. Macie waited for a replay, "you know…stuff. Honestly, I don't know what's going on anymore" Dodie said as she walked off to class, leaving a rather confused Macie stuck wondering what was wrong.
Elsewhere, Carl and Hoodsey both sat irritably in their seats waiting for Miss Zorski to arrive, "so…I wander why Ms Zorski's late, I mean it's weird waiting for a teacher. Ya know, I think this is the first time I've ever been in class and the teacher was late" Hoodsey explained. Carl sighed slightly, "you're right Hoods, this is a first for both of us! But to be honest I can't really focus. Look at him, Hoods. Look at that smug grin on his face. If he only knew…" Carl said, glancing back at Blake who was indeed grinning quite smugly at them. Hoodsey thought for a moment, "knew what, Carl? I don't know anything ether!" Carl smiled slightly, "oh but you do old friend, you do. You said it your self, 'now that we have the eye back, it makes you wander if we really wanted it that bad in the first place.' Wise words…wise words that I've been thinking about for some time know! I mean we're in junior high now, she should be moving on to bigger and better things!" Carl explained.
Hoodsey frowned, "this isn't going to be another time capsule fiasco, is it?" he asked, remembering the last time Carl decided to let go of the eye. Carl shook his head and chuckled lightly, "no, I don't mean we should get ride of the eye and I'm certainly not suggesting that we let Gripling keep it! All I'm saying is that we archive it, as a reminder of a simpler time in our lives. Then we get something better to replace it for our junior high years" Carl said enthusiastically, but kept his voice down so Blake wouldn't hear. Hoodsey thought about it and could find no flaw in Carl's logic, "ok, but what do we get to replace the eye?" Hoodsey asked.
Carl shrugged, "ah we'll think of something…" he said as Ms Zorski rushed in to the classroom, "sorry I'm late class, I had car trouble! Now let's make a start!" she said as she sat at her desk and fumbled with some papers.