The New Kid
Chapter 8
Yuja: Hiya, peoples! I'm back again!
Jenna: Then where's Felix already?
Yuja: Hmm…good question…
*Meanwhile, in some unknown location*
Various girls: *chasing Felix* Aww! He's SO cool! He's so tall and mysterious! Back off! I saw him first! No! I did! Since when? Can I have your autograph?!
Felix: *panting as he runs* Ladies…please…can't run…much longer. Agh! Somebody… SAVE ME FROM THIS INSANITY!!!
Various girls: Hey! He's slowing down! GET 'EM!!!
Felix: NOOO!!!
*Back with Yuja and co.*
Yuja: He's probably enjoying his time off at the beach or something.
Jenna: *shrugs* You're probably right. I'm amazed you haven't made him come back yet.
Isaac: And then there were two…
Yuja: Well what d'ya know? You two are the only muses here. So, who wants to do my English homework for me? I will never complain about homework in my past classes again, ever.
Isaac: That's what you get for taking AP.
Yuja: At least I'm past reading The Scarlet Letter. On the bright side, I have so far only one failing grade in that class. I have managed to get a few A's. I have no idea what divine intervention could've brought that about…
Jenna: Would you stop thinking about your Age of Mythology game and get on with the story?
Yuja: Ooh! Right! Today's disclaimer is brought to you by……I have no clue, but I don't own anything, just the idea. And I'm not completely sure on the names in Garet's family for now. I read somewhere that his last name was Jerra. I can't think of anything else for his last name, so I'll just use it for now. And I'm sorry if some of it is lame or just plain bad, but I wrote it in a hurry, then had computer problems, went for weeks between typing times, and now I finally have something to submit. (try saying all that in one breathe :-P )
**********
"Hey Isaac!" Isaac turned to see Jenna coming up behind him, though she had some trouble making her way through the mass of students. Isaac finished getting his books and closed his locker just as she reached him. "How are you doing on your English paper? I'm completely stuck and Felix hasn't ever read the book, so he's no help at all."
"I'm not really sure myself." He covered his mouth as he yawned. "I've got it started, but I'm no good at reports or essays, so I'm not sure what to do." He yawned again.
"Are you OK?" She lowered her voice. "You aren't having any nightmares again, are you?"
"Nah." Isaac grinned. "Mom just kept me up half the night so I could help her find something for work. Then the computer messed up and it took another hour or so to get it working again and convince Mom that none of her work files had been destroyed."
Jenna smiled to herself. It had been over a week since the sleepover at Garet's, and Isaac claimed to not have had any nightmares since. And it wasn't hard to believe. By now, Isaac seemed more like the teenager he was rather than the worn out old man. He talked more and sometimes started conversations instead of waiting to be included. His eyes were brighter and he was now on Garet and Jenna's joke-mailing list.
"Well, I'd better get on to class," he said cheerfully. "I'll see you in English." He waved and disappeared into the crowd. Jenna started to turn when something caught her eye. In a doorway, barely visible over the heads of the other students, Alex was staring in the direction Isaac had gone. He finally melted into the crowd and Jenna caught a glimpse of him turning down a different hall.
**********
"Pick a card; any card." Garet groaned as he pulled one of the cards fanned out in Ivan's hand. Seven of hearts. Ivan shuffled the deck again and looked away, leaving the deck on the table. "Now, put it back in the deck." Garet did as told. Ivan turned back, picked up the deck, and started flipping over cards. Garet grinned to himself as he saw his card appear and disappear under three more flips.
"The next card I pick up will be yours." Garet almost laughed, but simply nodded instead. However, the next card didn't come from the deck as Garet had planned. Instead, Ivan briefly shifted the cards on the table until he found the card he was looking for. "It wouldn't happen to be this one, now would it?" he asked, almost mockingly as he held up the card. Seven of hearts.
Garet rolled his eyes and groaned. "Ack! Not again!"
Sheba shook her head. "Seriously, Garet. When will you learn that Ivan can't be beat at cards." As usual, she sounded rather bored with Ivan's tricks -- or anything for that matter.
"That does it!" Garet quickly placed his hands on the table. "Ivan, can you please teach some of your tricks?"
"Take it easy, Garet!" said Isaac, just barely saving his milk carton. "Some of us actually use the school lunchroom to eat, you know!"
Ivan thought for a moment. "Actually, Garet, I do have some tricks I might be able to teach you."
"Great! When do we start?" Felix moved his lunch tray just in time to avoid a mess.
"Er…I guess you could come over to my house some afternoon-"
"All right then! How about Friday?"
"Can we come along?" asked Jenna.
"Uh… sure. I doubt my parents will mind. Today's Wednesday, so that should be enough warning for them."
"Sounds like fun," said Felix, though he didn't sound very interested. "Now, does anyone else have any other group plans for this week?"
"Not that I can think of," answered Jenna. "Unless someone wants to go play ball in the park after school?" She glanced around the table, but everyone just shook their heads. "OK then! We go to Ivan's house Friday and learn card tricks. Can't wait!"
**********
Garet parked his truck in the driveway and entered the house. He dropped his school bag by the door as usual and started for the kitchen. Might as well get a snack and drink before starting on homework. But he stopped at the sound of footsteps on the stairs.
"Garet? Is that you?"
"Mom?" A woman soon appeared from upstairs, her hair in a bun and wearing a gray suit. It was Mrs. Jerra (I lacketh info on her full name), Garet's mom. "What are you doing here?" He inwardly kicked himself for sounding so…cold.
"Work's brought your father and me back to Vale for a bit. He's gone back to the office for a couple of hours to finish a few things and meet with your grandfather."
Garet's grandfather: an important political figure in Vale, being the mayor, and the reason for the wealth of the family. And Garet was stuck between liking him or hating him, though he refrained from speaking badly about the old man in front of his parents, even though he had other opinions about them. Garet's thoughts were cut off when the front door opened.
"Mommy! You're home!" Aaron, Garet's little brother, ran to his mother, who picked him up and hugged him tight as Garet watched.
"Oh! Hey there, li'l pumpkin! How's my sweetie doing?"
While the child hurriedly retold his entire week's worth of school, Garet moved his schoolbag to his room, returning to the ground floor and waiting at the bottom of the stairs as the boy finished.
"That's wonderful dear!" How could she smile so much? "Now, go get that project of yours started. We can't have you working on it at the last minute, now can we? Especially if we plan on going to the kid's center for a very special birthday." Aaron shook his head and ran off when he was let down.
"So, you're actually sticking around this time?"
Garet's mom jumped. "Oh! Garet! I didn't realize you were back."
"Are you?"
There was a pause before she answered. "With the way work is going, I doubt we'll be around on the exact day. But we will take him to the kid's center for his birthday before we leave."
"Yeah. Whatever you say." Garet turned to go upstairs to his room, but stopped. "Why do you even have kids if you never plan on being around for them in the first place? But, of course, I guess work does come first. After all, your youngest son turns 10 only once, so it can't be that special. You didn't think it special when I was that age either."
"I don't like your attitude, young man. Your sister would never-"
"What? Talk like this?" His voice was amazing calm compared to how angry he was getting. "Kay's never even around. She doesn't realize that I'm the one who's raised our kid brother. It's been this way since he was born. As soon as you were able to travel again, you were gone. And Kay was too busy herself with all her little friends. It was up to me and the babysitter to take care of him. I don't remember you ever changing any diapers, waking up in the middle of the night, or letting him sleep with you because he had a nightmare or thought there was a monster after him."
"We have to make a living. And you should be more grateful than this. Besides, you yourself will one day join the family business-"
"I refuse to be like you or Dad. You might've not noticed, but you've long forgotten what's really important." Knowing if he argued anymore his voice would get louder, and he didn't want his brother to hear them, Garet climbed the stairs and went to his room, closing the door.
**********
Garet found it hard to sleep that night. Now that he thought about it, had his parents ever come home for his brother's birthday? They always came for his sister's, so why not the same for Garet and his little brother? He didn't care anymore if they came home for him or not, but they should at least have the decency to be there for Aaron. It was eleven thirty and the lamp on his nightstand was still on when there was a light knock on his door.
"Yeah?" The handle turned and the door opened enough for Aaron to stick his head through. Garet grinned. "What is it, Scooter? Did that monster in the closet come back?"
Aaron shook his head, hurrying over to sit next to Garet in bed. Garet sat up as the boy scooted up against his right side. "Are Mommy and Daddy really staying this year?"
Garet suddenly found it hard to keep smiling, but what could he say? "Uh, we're not really sure about that. But they promise to take you to the kid's center before they leave."
The little boy looked at his feet and Garet was barely able to hear what he whispered. "That's what they promised last year."
Garet couldn't smile anymore. His brother was right. The only thing this child could believe about his parents was that they never kept their promises to him.
Garet wrapped and arm around the boy's shoulders and held him tight against his side. "I'll tell you what. If they don't stick around and give you a great birthday party, then I'll take you wherever you want to go. The kid's center, the skating rink, go cart racing, you name it. And then we can go out for dessert. How's two scoops of chocolate chip ice cream sound?"
Aaron looked up at his brother's face, which was grinning again. "Really?"
"Really."
A wide grin spread across the young boy's face. "Okay then! Thanks Garet!" He gave Garet a quick hug, scooted off the bed, and closed the door behind him before hurrying off to his own room.
**********
Isaac.
Where was he? It felt as though he was floating. He couldn't tell up from down.
Isaac.
That voice. He felt cold and wet. Something was pressing on his ears.
Isaac.
He opened his eyes. Everything was a dark blue. And what was with these rocks that kept passing by? The only sign of light kept wavering, as though he were seeing it from…underwater?
Isaac.
He wanted to say, "Who's there?" but the moment he opened his mouth a rush of bubbles come out, taking with them all the air he had. Before he could stop himself he had breathed in a good deal of water, freezing him from the inside out. He scrambled towards the light.
His head finally broke the surface and he gasped for air as he coughed out the water, barely managing to grab hold of a rock as current pulled him along. He felt so weak, and his energy kept fading.
"H-help me. Someone, please…"
As though in response to his plea, a thin vine lowered down before him. Taking it, he pulled himself on top of the rock.
As he lay there, he heard faint voices that steadily grew louder until he could hear them clearly, and they weren't encouraging.
Why would we want to play with you? The kids from school.
How could you forget so easily? What happened?! His mother.
A girl in class said he was from another planet. The short-lived rumor that had spread through the class once.
He's a freak; that's what he is! He had heard other parents saying this when they thought he wasn't near.
We only play with normal people. The kids in the playground.
What're ya gonna do about it? Run to yer daddy? The school bully that had turned Isaac into a punching bag.
Isaac! Why don't you talk to me? Tell me what happened! His mother again.
This is as good as it gets, Mr. Wood. You would be wise to accept. The old man.
Isaac closed his eyes tightly. "No! It wasn't my fault!"
Suddenly, something wrapped around his leg. Looking back down, Isaac saw what looked like a rope made of water coiling up his leg and trying to drag him back down.
Weeping Woody! Weeping Woody! The children's taunts echoed around him.
Isaac! You have to control it!
Hand over all yer lunch money, kid.
…lab rats are generally treated quite well.
Weeping Woody! Weeping Woody!
…we're only interested in your 'magic', not your health."
His upper arm stung sharply. The voices continued to get louder as he slipped off the rock and under the water.
**********
"No!"
Isaac sat up in bed. Another nightmare? But he thought they had stopped when he told everyone about his dad and Menardi?
The clock read 6:47. Not much point in going back to sleep. And it was finally Friday. He would soon be learning card tricks from Ivan. Isaac put the memory of the dream aside as he started getting ready for school. He would worry about it later.
**********
Unfortunately, the dream didn't want to be forgotten so easily. Throughout the day, Isaac's old burn would sting slightly, and the voices would occasionally drift through his mind.
"Isaac?"
"Huh?" Isaac glanced to his side while walking to his third period class to find himself looking, down for the most part, at Ivan. "Oh, hi Ivan."
"Are you feeling well? You seem…distant…today."
"I'm fine. Just a little tired. That's all. See you later." He turned down another hall towards class and away from Ivan, who stood near the wall watching Isaac go.
"I know when people are troubled at mind, heart, or body, Isaac," thought Ivan. "And I know you are troubled by all of them."
**********
"OK. I'll tell you one more time, Garet: the hand is quicker than the eye, so you have to try doing this one quick, or else your entire audience will catch on."
"Whatever, Ivan. I'm doing this as quick as I can."
"Sheesh! Garet, if you go any slower, even the blind will be able to catch it!"
"Give me a break, Jenna!"
Jenna giggled. They had been working on learning card tricks and other stunts for almost an hour, and Garet had barely mastered one.
"Why do you even bother? You're just looking like an idiot."
Garet made a growling noise in his throat as some of the cards slipped from his hands. "Aaron's birthday is coming up. I thought it would be fun to show him some tricks."
Isaac looked up from his cards. "Who's Aaron?"
"Garet's kid brother," said Mia. "I think Garet's more like his legal guardian than just a big brother."
"Speaking of which, are your parents sticking around this time, or will we all end up at my house again?" asked Felix.
Garet fumbled a bit with his cards. "They won't. They say they aren't sure yet, but I know the routine. They get his hopes up and everything and then some emergency business comes up and they'll have to leave immediately."
Everyone was quiet for a moment, then the subject was changed and the lessons continued.
**********
"Yeah Dad, everything's fine. OK, hold on and I'll check." Ivan put down the phone and went to the other room. It had been a while since they had started on the tricks and it was now almost 6:00. "Um…my parent's are stuck in Vault for the night. Car trouble. Would I be able to stay with any of you or could anyone stay here?"
Everyone looked at one another, except Sheba. If no one agreed, Ivan would end up at her place as usual. Hammet, Ivan's dad, was a merchant and was out of town a little more often than normal lately, so the guest bedroom at the Feran house was always ready. But then Jenna spoke up. "Why don't we all stay?"
Everyone nodded and agreed, so Ivan returned to the phone. "Dad? It's taken care of. Sheba and some other friends from school are staying the night."
"And you know these people well? There won't be any trouble?" came Hammet's voice over the phone.
"Don't worry. It's my friends from school. I know them all better than they think I do. And besides, you know Sheba won't let anything happen. She noticed them and checked them out before I did. OK. Thanks. Bye." Ivan hung up the phone. As soon as he entered the room, there was a race to the phone to call everyone's families. And so, at midnight, after the sideshows and such were over on the late night shows, sheets and blankets were turned into makeshift sleeping places on the living room floor and couches. The three girls instantly claimed the couches.
**********
Garet opened an eye, not sure what had woken him. The clock read 5:10, so why would he be awake? The lights were still off and everyone else seemed to still be asleep. Then he heard a light noise behind him. He rolled over to see Isaac a few feet away, moving slightly and mumbling to himself.
"Isaac? Are you OK?" whispered Garet, but Isaac made no sign of hearing him. It must be another nightmare. He wouldn't wake up last time either. Garet reached out and shook his friend's arm. "Isaac, wake up. Isaac?" Isaac pulled his arm away, but kept on sleeping. Garet sat up and shook Isaac's shoulder. "Come on Isaac. Snap out of it!" he ordered in a hushed voice.
**********
"Pass the ball here!"
Isaac found himself standing behind a fence looking at a group of sixth grade students. He recognized this place. It was the playground at his old elementary school. He watched the group of six kids ahead of him throw the red ball among themselves. I remember this. But, if I'm seeing them, then where… Isaac looked around and spotted a twelve-year-old boy with messy blond hair standing next to the fence and staring at the other kids. It was Isaac, only younger.
Oh cripes! Not another nightmare!
The younger Isaac finally built up enough nerve to leave the fence and approach the kids.
No! I don't want to remember this! Stop you idiot! Get back to the fence! They'll only hurt you again!
**********
"Isaac!" Garet was still using a hushed voice, but he failed to not wake the others.
"Garet? What are you doing?"
"Jenna, I can't get Isaac to wake up!"
"But...he said the nightmares had stopped."
"Well, he obviously lied!"
"Calm down Garet," said Felix groggily.
"I...don wanna...r'member..." The three looked at Isaac.
"He talks in his sleep?" asked Felix. This would've been almost amusing if it wasn't Isaac.
"What's going on?"
**********
"Can I play?"
The kids stopped tossing the ball and turned to face him. They didn't seem happy and friendly like before, but now had expressions mixed with disgust and fear. The real Isaac shook the chain-link fence. He had to get in. You idiot! They never want to play with you! Why can't you see that!? Why couldn't I see it!?
"What do you want?" demanded one of the older and bigger boys.
"I-I just wanted to know if I could play with you."
**********
"What's this about nightmares?" asked Sheba. Everyone except Isaac was awake now.
"Ever since his dad died five years ago, Isaac's had nightmares about it everynight," explained Mia.
Felix took over. "Two weeks ago, we had a sleep-over at Garet's and Isaac had another one. When he finally woke up, he told us everything. According to Isaac, he hasn't had a nightmare since."
"That makes sense," said Ivan. "If he held in all that sorrow and guilt for five years, it's almost amazing that he's still sane. I know of people that would've died or gone mad under such strain. Of course, from the looks of it, he may be going crazy yet..." Ivan looked at Sheba and they both nodded. "OK. I'll see what I can do. Sheba, explain to them what's going on. It shouldn't be too hard for them to believe. They already know about Isaac's… talents." Sheba nodded, but the other four teens went wide-eyed.
"What do you mean 'talents'? What do you know about him?" cried Jenna.
Ivan ignored her and held his right hand over Isaac. His hand glowed a faint violet, and the glow spread to surround Ivan and Isaac's entire forms. "What are you doing to him?!"
"Mind Read."
**********
Yuja: OK. I know I said Ivan and Sheba were gonna have a big part in this chapter, but I figured everyone had waited long enough and decided to cut it short a bit. The whole dream/nightmare sequence might be long.
Ivan: What's the deal?
Sheba: Yeah? We want our scenes! And what few lines you give me are always of me being bored.
Yuja: That's just for now…or maybe not. Wait. When did you two arrive?
Sheba: The start of the story.
Ivan: We wanted to be here for our big debut.
Jenna: Debut? You must be joking.
Yuja: And does anyone know the real names for Garet's family? Or maybe Jenna and Felix's family. And I was saving the first chapters of my stories to my computer again (I lost the originals a while back), and I realized just how many mistakes I had made! I'm not sure if I should go back and fix it or let it go and maybe someday write a revised edition when I get better at writing. I'll probably just do a revised version.
Isaac: Only because she's too lazy to go back and fix each chapter at the time.
Yuja: Yeah. That's one factor. Hmm…how should I introduce the main bad guy of this story? I was trying to keep a little suspense, but everyone probably knows by now who it is.
Mystery Villain: Tonight, I will take over the world!
Yuja: …Someone's been watching too much "Pinky and the Brain".
Also, I might take a while again with chapter 9 (mostly due to late nights doing homework). I already have chapter 10 (don't ask how, but I got it written before chapter 9), but I recently found out that there are some...health problems in my family. Who knows? I might start writting more.