Randall here.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I feel absolutely good today!
I've just talked to an old fan….friend of mine I haven't seen in so
long.
Ah. I just feel so better.
Oh right….the chapter. Umm. This one has to deal with when I just
got…err…."home". Dilfert really shows his…..discipline towards me and
you'll get an idea of what I had to put up with him for nine years.
Anyway. Enjoy.
Chapter 19 Threats and Gifts
I had made it to the orphanage before the bus came, which was a big surprise to me, and luckily Vinnie didn't follow heh. As I came in, I noticed that everyone wasn't here. The car was here, which meant either Dilfert or Bellfree had to have been.
The door creaked as it opened, but I didn't mind it, like I cared anyway. I just casually closed it, starting for the staircase. The first thing I wanted to do was get some rest, it's a myth….well….lie that you don't get tired from school.
"Where you been boy?".
I froze. I always was….worried when somebody called to me behind my back. When I become older, it's mainly just an annoyance. But then again, I knew who this voice was. Dilfert was coming over from the living room. I stayed where I was, slightly shocked at the type of moment. I wasn't late…was I?
I felt like I should say something. "I…I was just coming here…" I started, a bit at a whisper because my mouth and forked tongue felt like it was getting drier.
Dilfert came closer, making me back up against the sink. "That's not what I saw….". He sounded lightly drunk. I hated monsters like that. I didn't reply. I was starting to wonder. Did he see me talking with Vinnie? We weren't far off. He could have been outside or had just taken a walk.
He took out his case from his pant pocket, taking out a single cigarette and placed it's home away, digging for matches. "You were talkin to another scaliy" he said. I hate that word. Why is it that WE are the ones with the most insultable characteristics? I swear, I would pop him two now.
Sadly, I was honestly scared at that point. Everyone thought…..monsters like me….talk about what they've done, like kill another monster, or what they're going to do, or where to meet union members. What was he going do?
He came close, a….little bit too close for my comfort. I felt my fronds coming down on my head. That always happened, most of the time I couldn't control it.
"What were you talkin about?" he said, wavy like. I didn't want to get the short end of this stick. "No…I was…nothing…he was just…just…". I was hesitating, duh, trying to think of an excuse, which at this point didn't seem possible.
"Sure you are….". I didn't get it, then again he was drunk. "I didn't…..didn't do anything…". Oh boy was that….well then again, I guess I was defending myself.
I was slowly trying to edge away, but Dilfert didn't give me the chance. Before I could leave, he grabbed me by the fronds. Don't let anybody tell you it doesn't hurt! I was going to scream, natural reflex for anyone in such a position, and age, and…..well you know….but it fell as Dilfert threw my upper body down. My hands caught me on the rebound as I met the floor. I turned my head right, then held up with my top hands as Dilfert kneeled down in front of me, the match in his right hand.
"Now you listen….boy" he started, waving the match at me. "You so much as slip a word or even think of bein with dem other scalies…I'll be wearing that pesky tail of yours as a scarf….heh".
Dilfert's threats always seemed intimidating. At times, he really got that look in his eye that told me he was serious. That he wanted to cut me up and make suits out of my scales, take out my razor teeth and probably make a necklace to show off to the guys at the bar, or, as he said, just slit my tail and wear it around his neck. He was sick.
He started rubbing the match slowly across my left cheek scales. "You got that?" he said, . I looked at him in a stern, angered way. I hated him. Nearly the same as Sullivan and Wazowski. The same as Bellfree, the others here, those creatures at school……nearly everyone.
I just nodded, trying my hardest to show I was, but didn't mean it. Then again, I shouldn't have just stayed there. He nodded to, then smiled.
In a fluid motion, he swiped the match toward him across my cheek scales, lighting it. It felt like a hot red poker was pulled out! If any of you could imagine dipping you finger into lava, you'd probably know how it felt! I could already feel the echo going hot there and the burning sensation felt like….well…you know. It hurt like heck! If I could remember right, I think it's still here, right on my cheek.
Like someone plunged a dagger in my head or something. Needless to say, that actually does happen me…...
My head titled to my right now. I took it in though, surprising myself, and just slowly turned back. I don't know what my eyes look like now. I know how everyone likes them heh. But I could swear that at that moment, they weren't the nice emerald they nearly always were. I guess that for this moment, they were dark. I don't know. I guess it was just a feeling.
I just starred at him as he lit his sick desire, wagging the match out. I just kept my sights on him, watching with my, suppose-ably, dark green eyes. If he hadn't been drunk, I'm sure he would have had some kind of fear in him, but for now he didn't.
On cue, which seems to happen allot to me, Bellfree and the others, well the first few anyway, had just come in. "What's this then?" Bellfree asked. She wasn't concerned at all, I knew, she just wanted to know what went on. I didn't reply, my eyes still fell on the one who burned me. Dilfert, on the other hand, felt happy to reply. "Nothin….just having a little talk with our scaly here…." he replied.
Dilfert looked back at me, a grin on his face. I still looked at him like buzzard to some dead animal, or an animal it knew would die soon. Yeah. That was the perfect definition. I was the buzzard, watching the soon to die animal, and you can guess who it was.
He blew a puff of smoke in my face, making me cough. I lowered my head more, feeling like I had a chain around my neck, like I was a slave and Dilfert was my "owner".
I could tell then, my eyes returned to normal. Emerald instead of dark….
(NS)
The guys readily went to their rooms, Bellfree stuck looking through the paper to find something to eat. Most of the time, the funding for the orphanage either supplies the food or supplies the money for it. Of course, the "caretakers" get more than enough for food. Dilfert was out, still keeping his lit cigarette. I heard his car go past through the window….
Me? I was against the corner wall, the door's wall to my right, the window's to my left. I was starring at the vetical angle, at my bed and shelf. All my arms were crossed, nearly digging into my scales. My fronds were unmoved, even as I took my breaths. My tail was around my right set of legs, seeming to be afraid of moving itself.
One could tell I was focused or probably determined to do something. Trouble was, I didn't know WHAT I wanted to do. I guess it was a spur of the moment type of thing. I was angry, simply put. But I was focused on it.
I was angry about being here. In this place. About being around these monsters. Being humiliated, threatened, beaten…..tortured.
I've had moments like this before, even after this one. I just wanted to leave it all. Just….grab my bag and just go. But that's the thing. Where would I go? I had no one to run to. And besides, I would probably be tracked down and brought back here, or find myself on one of Vinne's newspaper articles, dead in the streets with a bullet in my head.
I guess I couldn't escape.
My growing urge to disappear grew. I almost…..felt something. I don't know what it was. Its just at that moment, my whole body, well nearly all, was getting cold. My scales felt cold but my body felt warm. I didn't get it. I figured, though, I should cut my losses.
I got up and tool a much needed rest before dinner, holding the burning scar with a spare hand. Nobody said anything.
I felt I would never leave this place. That I could never escape all these people and live my life the way I wanted to. Not be pushed around and ordered by everyone else.
But then again…..I wouldn't leave this place. No…heh….funny…..Fate saw it to let me go nearly a year later….but I'm going too far ahead.
(NS)
The next day went by fast. I got the work done, easy, but only received more in return. Homework over the weekend, sheesh. Well, I was thankful nobody commented on my scar. Well….at least to my face.
As I left school, I remembered that slight cheer that everyone knows. The weekend. Now I had some time when I could just coil up and sleep, dreaming for two days without this world.
For a little info, Fungus had been jabbering to me about a poster project his mom was getting ready to give, guess it's good enough to get ahead. Sullivan and Wazowski didn't bother me….much. The flicking paper on the back of my neck were all they did for now. Guess they felt they've done enough to me…..this week anyway.
Heading down my usual path, I had my name called out behind me as I walked on the side of the road. Sure enough, it was David. It was a sunny day. I swear every grass and leave was reflecting.
"Hey Randall….what's up?" he asked, coming to a halt in front of me. Shooting the breeze wouldn't be a bother. "Weekend homework…you?". Jeez….that was a great opening. He shook his head, a grin on his face. "Ahh…..I'll wait till Sunday" he commented. I noticed there was something in his hands at this point, something glass.
"What's that?" I asked, pointing to it. It seemed as if he forgot what he was doing, or had been. "Oh right here…". He handed it to me. Oh….just a bottle of cola. Believe it or not, that's what it was called "Monster Cola". Creative name huh?
"Got it from Bernies…you know…since you couldn't make it and all…" he said. Even though small, I was hardly given anything out of thought. You know this by now right?
"Thanks David…." I said, trying to sound as if I was gifted with gold or something. David shook his head, leaning against the light pole. "Don't sweat it….it's just a drink…." he said, giving a slight chuckle. I only gave a smile.
I was a little worried about getting back late, to the orphanage, but then again, it's not like Dilfert and Bellfree would be there right? Heh…I mean come on….It's the weekend. I didn't really have anything to discuss. You won't imagine what being a social outcast and having no T.V. will do to you in conversation. Of course, there is the person your talking to…..
"So…." he started, looking at me. "What happened to you?". I was a little confused at first, but remembered that I was absent. "Oh right…umm….check-up…". He nodded, having his mouth half open, looking down, I don't think he was interested.
"I um…..". I looked up to Strife, seeing him flip a pebble with his tail. "Saw you with Vinne….". Ok…does this guy know everyone?
"You….know Vinnie?" I asked, slightly confused. "Uh huh…" he nodded, taking out something from his pack's side pocket. "I know Vinnie as much as Lan…." he said, holding out his left hand to me and brushing his right arm against his snout. Yep. He was right. It was one of those membership packets……hey….wait a minute.
"You aren't thinking of joining are you!" I asked, slightly alarmed. "Why not?" he replied, placing the packet back in the pocket. "Well….". Strife scuffed, looking at me. "The law right?". I was going to object, but then nodded. Wow, he caught me quick.
He moved forward a bit, taking off his pack and setting it by his tail before leaning on the pole again. He seemed pretty relaxed. I would myself, but then again….
"Let me tell you something Randall…" he started, looking and me and folding his arms. "You heard from Vinnie about what's going on for us….you can't help but want to fight it….". I shifted my eyes around, making no one, including those I knew, were around.
I gave a sigh, placing a hand to my head. It was tough for me. "Ehh…I know I…but….". He dipped his head, blinking. "I know….you don't want to take the risk….or you don't want to yet….it's understandable I mean….after all….many have wanted to join in the fight but are afraid….".
I narrowed my eyes. "I'm not scared….". He chuckled, I don't know what was so funny. "Sorry…it seems like being scared and not being scared is what makes a Scarer….".
I backed up a foot, or two…or four…whatever. Did he have a camera in one of my scales or something! I didn't tell him.
"How did you know that!" I yelled, not meaning to at first. But you can probably understand. Reptiles and Scarers….well….
Strife chuckled. "Heh heh….don't worry Randall….I heard it from your friend Fungus…". I should have known! That blabber mouth! He may be a friend, but when it comes to secrets, Fungus is a percentage choice below zero!
Of course, Strife noticed the shocked look on my face. "Hey…it's alright Fungus told me when you were out…but I reminded him not to tell anyone….". Considering how he got away with taking care of those park roughs, I calmed down.
"But uhh…ehh…". I scratched the back of my neck. I didn't like anybody that I didn't know to know that I wanted to be a scarer. Nobody…..well….I…have never heard of a reptilian scarer before. "I guess it's a loss cause to dream for it right?" I asked, feeling slightly ashmed, looking at Strife.
He smiled. "Look at it this way….". He got off the pole, scooping up his bag with one strap over the shoulder, looking back to me. "The lower the odds…..the greater the journey….". I was starting to think he was a walking fortune cookie at the moment, but remembered I could understand that.
"Besides…" he started, straightening. "I hear your pretty competitive….just what a Scarer needs". I grinned. Ahh…so it wasn't hopeless…
I quickly remembered I had to get back now. "Well…umm…sorry to cut short but umm…" I started. David nodded. "Right….". "Well…ummm….thanks…" I said, motioning the cola. He nodded again as I turned to leave. "Later…".
"Hey wait…". I stopped. What an idiot! Why did I turn left? Right. Right!
I turned my head back to him, his eyes on me like and eagle's. "What's…". He was looking right at my cheek, at my scar. I had to come up with an excuse. Quick. Although I don't like lying……heh heh…..I am a quick thinking in such things.
"Uhh….I was getting my bag….I left it on my shelf and ruler fell out and hit me…umm...it's metal". Well actually, I do have a metal ruler. Felt that it wouldn't break as easily, hmph.
He eyed me. If I had two cents, I swore he knew I was lying, but he seemed to have taken it. "Hmm….yeah those…things smart…." he said. I nodded, trying to be as truthful as I could. "Well….see ya…".
He turned and walked off. Well…..I guess my social points went up a few….
(NS)
I, literally, had to sneak to my room to make sure nobody saw what I had. Believe me, as stupid as it may seem, so is the law system around here. I didn't have any money and Bellfree would know I didn't get it from her, leaving the stolen option wide open.
I made it, closing the door and enjoying the sweet victory for my efforts. I admit, I was rather full of myself but….hey…sneaking's a skill. Its what kept me alive.
Yeah. It saved me in this world too. If you could imagine….
And also, yeah, I was really feeling that way too, after what Dilfert
did to me. You may have all thought that that would be the moment I got
my….gift but your wrong. Heh. But that….ideal of disappearing has
something to do with it….
Anyway. Till next chapter.
