A/N: I apologize for the delay. However, Life required my attention. I hope to update more frequently moving forward. I do plan to complete this story.
12/4/16
Chapter 7
Mother Nature was feeling indecisive, resulting in Tall Skies experiencing the rare weather forecast of sleet. It was mid-afternoon as Ling and she walked through the park towards Maddy's house. Common sense screamed to call Mr. and Mrs. Smith, or at least Ling's father – Mr. Xu – to give them a ride, but Maddy didn't want to be around anyone outside of Ling. Ling walked with a large umbrella, trying to hold it even between the two of them so they could keep dry. Maddy would have accepted walking in the half-frozen rain alone, but she didn't have it in her to crush Ling's subtle way of consoling her.
Maddy took great interest in the dark, clay colored sidewalks, already slick from the rain. The once evenly paved paths had suffered from time and neglect; now, they led the way with cracked surfaces and pieces missing, teetering their passengers from one side to the other. Maddy always liked when it rained. Rain brought out the truth that wasn't always caught in the brilliant light of the sun. The cracked foundation of old buildings, the uneven sidewalks that let mud drool into the banking streets. Rain purged the earth of smells that blanketed the richer scents of Mother Nature. Rain wasn't depressing to Maddy, not at all. Though sleet was a little obnoxious, if she was honest with herself.
They trotted across Main street and deeper into the center of town. They passed the diner, the high school, and the plain grocery store that was missing a letter; so instead of reading Modd's Grocery's Store, it read Odd's Grocery's Store. Not the best for attracting new customers, who may be traveling from out of town. Maddy and Ling continued to move deeper into the older part of town.
Maddy could sense them nearing her apartment before Ling even announced they were only a few blocks away. Maddy spotted her bedroom window with the yellow draw-string blinds. The pharmacy below was quiet, as usual. Through the glass doors, you could spot the pharmacist, Mr. Sheradon. He was balding, a thick line of hair wrapping around the base of his head. His hair was as white as his long lab coat, and his glasses nearly covered half his face. The oversized frames were precariously perched on the tip of his nose, neatly resting on his trimmed white mustache. He waved slowly at the girls as they crossed the street. Maddy shuffled into the alleyway that led to their front door. She sighed, looking at the weathered wooden door. She had been dreading this moment.
Ling shivered from the dreary, wet weather. The sleet had calmed down to a list mist. It was just enough to notice as you stepped away from the warmth of your home. Maddy wavered on turning the rusted door knob. "Do you want me to come with you?" Ling asked, her nose starting to turn red.
"No, I think it's best I deal with this by myself. But thanks." Maddy huffed and then turned the door, ramming it with her elbow as it often would jam. The door creaked and cried as it was roughly pushed opened. Maddy took each step as if the next was going to give way under the weight of her own guilt.
Maddy fiddled with her lone house key before finally inserting it into the door at the top of the stairs and opening it. She peeped inside, spotting her parents immediately. They were watching TV, some type of news program. Emma had a patch-work blanket covering her lower half. Dan was slouched on the couch, his arms crossed over his chest as he craned his neck down slightly to see the TV. The TV was balanced on a small wooden box that Dan had taken from the mechanic shop. They had the box laid on its side, so they could access the inside and fill it with DVDs and knick knacks. Not like they had a lot of either.
Emma turned her attention away from the news story and saw the homely look of her cub. "Hey, what's wrong?" Dan did a double take when he saw the defeated look on his daughter's face; not to mention the dirty, torn outfit she was adorning.
Maddy exhaled and gathered herself, searching for her voice. "I need to talk to you." She was going to tell them everything and hoped they could fix it.
-Wolfblood-
They were gathered at the dining table, the overhead lamp feeling more like an unerring spotlight, crucifying her with its yellow fluorescent light. Dan was tapping his lips with his pointer finger, pacing from the table to the edge of the kitchen where it joined the living room. Each time Mr. Smith returned to the table, he would mumble "Oh my God, Maddy."
Maddy slunk deeper into her seat, tasting the remnants of last night's purging. She considered asking for water, but decided against the idea. She wiped the sweat collecting on her hands on her ebony-colored jeans, feeling a tear that wasn't there before. "I have no words," Dan admitted.
"Really?! Because I have quite a few, like what the Hell were you thinking, Madeline?" Use of the first name and not her nickname was a bad sign. "To keep all of this from us."
"I . . . I thought I could handle this myself. I'm not a cub anymore." The feeling of Déjà vu just about smacked the Wolfblood upside the head as the words left her mouth. Maddy remembered distinctly having the same response when she was sent home for pushing the Bradlington High student about a year earlier.
"Are you sure about that? Because I couldn't disagree with you more. To think that you couldn't turn to us or should not turn to us when matters of this nature come up shows your father and I how much of a cub you still are," Emma declared, leaning forward slightly as she lectured her daughter.
Maddy played with some of her bracelets, moving them between her fingers. She tapped her foot nervously as she searched the farthest depths of her mind for an argument against her mother's proclamation. Maddy opened her mouth as she thought she had found something to counter with, but was cut-off by Dan.
"Enough. Both of you." Dan stopped pacing and braced himself against one of the blonde colored dining chairs. His head drooped down, so Maddy could only see his curly locks, bouncing as he shook his head from side to side. He pulled the chair out and dropped into it, as if his feet couldn't carry the weight his daughter had added.
"I'm sorry," Maddy finally spoke, her voice hitching.
"I know," Dan responded, his voice sounding so defeated. He grabbed his wife's hand and gently rubbed his thumb in small circles.
"We both do," Emma said softly. "We need to figure out what – how to go from here." There was a long pause. "You said one of the pack from the mountain helped you rid the poison from your body. She said their leader wanted a meeting with you." Maddy nodded numbly. "And, you said something about being able to use your abilities on a Dark Moon day and . . . the championship game . . . seeing the future . . . This all doesn't make sense."
Maddy could see her parents struggle to comprehend all that happened the last few months. Sometimes Maddy was astounded by all that transpired since she moved to Tall Skies. "There's one more thing," she began when the sound of knocking came from their front door.
Dan rose carefully, signaling for his wife and daughter to stay put. Dan quietly made his way to the door and peeped through the eye hole. He sighed, opening the door nonchalantly. Maddy couldn't make out who the visitor was from where she sat, as Dan's overwhelming size completely blocked the person from sight. However, her scent gave it away. Ling.
"Mr. Smith, my name is Ling. I came to tell you that Maddy was only doing what she determined was the best path to successfully keep your secret. I promise I won't tell anyone," she said in one breath, exhaling dramatically. The petite Asian girl adjusted her glasses and stared up at Dan. Dan dragged his hand down his face, moved to let Ling inside, all the while glaring at Maddy.
If Maddy could crawl into a hole and never come out, she would have happily jumped at the opportunity right then.
-Wolfblood-
Ling sat next to Maddy with her hands folded neatly on the dining table. It was clear to the Wolfblood that Ling never left and had apparently waited outside until she could decide on what to do. She evidently came to terms with trying to help Maddy. Ling played with her cotton ruffled, yellow sweater cuffs as Maddy tucked some hair behind her ear and stared up at her a parents. Emma sighed and gently placed her tea she had just brewed on the table. She then sat down slowly as if each action had been carefully calculated. It was clear that she was trying to hold back from screaming. "Ling, Maddy tells me you are a very smart and kind person." Emma paused to shoot Maddy a look. "I can see how much our daughter values your friendship . . . but, I need to emphasize that if others find out about who we really are, people will come after us to lock us away and experiment on us, or worse . . ."
Maddy watched Ling nod emphatically as she often did at school when she was intently taking notes during a teacher's lecture. Ling shot Maddy a sideways glance and then returned her attention to Emma. "I will not tell a soul," Ling assured.
"Maddy, is there anyone else who knows about us?" Emma asked carefully, sipping her tea as she waited for an answer.
Maddy instantly thought of Robert . . . and Doogan. She sighed. "I didn't tell anyone else, no."
"But, it's possible that one or two students from school may know about her – your special abilities." Ling withered under Maddy's stare. It wasn't something she wanted to share with her parents. There was no evidence that Robert was the culprit, or even Doogan.
"What do you mean by 'possible'?" her mother asked. Dan rose from his seat and crossed the kitchen to the cupboard where the junk food was stored.
"We don't know this for sure. We only have some very flimsy theories. It could really be anyone at school," Maddy corrected, tapping her fingers on the table.
"Theory or not. You need to keep your distance from them," Dan said firmly, shoving some chips into his mouth. "Actually, you need to be careful of everyone, Maddy." It was challenging to understand through the loud munching, but he had made his point clear enough. He picked a few more chips out from the bag, disappointed to find the bag was already empty. He had eaten them all. He squashed the bag and moved to throw it out. As he left his seat and walked to the trash can, he repeated, "Stay away."
"But, I was . . . kind of . . . invited to the Winter Ball by . . . both of them . . ." Maddy was not completely certain on the details. But, she had learned Robert and Doogan had been interested in taking her and had both awkwardly propositioned her at the party.
"Tell them your grounded. It will be the truth," Emma chided.
"Are you kidding me? What? No. I bought a dress and everything. My friends were expecting me there." Maddy could hear herself whinnying and how childish she sounded. She also was surprised at herself for thinking that a punishment wasn't going to be dealt for keeping her parents in the dark. Maddy stomped one foot and then acquiesced. "I'll let them know I'm grounded and cannot go to the dance. But, to keep everyone at a distance . . . I'll drive myself crazy if I treat everyone like a suspect."
"I get it, but we are not in a position for those freedoms. You will stay away from both boys and be leery about any invitations from classmates, even if you consider them friends, until further notice," Dan caustioned staring down at his daughter. Maddy nodded and then understanding that she was on lockdown, escorted Ling outside. The girls said their good-byes and Maddy slowly made her way to her room. As she walked past the kitchen she could hear her parents make plans to call Segolia for their help.
'Great,' Maddy grumbled to herself, 'another move . . . another life . . .'
-Wolfblood-
Maddy felt confident she had broken her alarm clock, as the numbers dimmed into nothingness. It was a little unfair given the alarm clock was not responsible for anything that had transpired since she began her new life in Tall Skies.
Maddy slowly dressed herself and shuffled to school. She hadn't spoken to Robert all weekend and just realizing it then that he hadn't tried to call either. Maybe he was at the source of it. But why? What did Robert want with her dead? What or who was he? It didn't make sense. If he was another Wolfblood, she would have smelled him.
Maddy chewed on her lower lip as she pushed the school doors open. She ducked down a small hallway to avoid the lacrosse girls and then cut through the busy courtyard and then the cafeteria to backtrack to her locker. It was the scenic route, for sure, allowing for little in the way of social encounters. As Maddy spun the combination on her lock, she tilted her head the slightest to hear the conversation happening between Veronica and her lackeys down the hall.
" . . . Oh yeah, I heard that the party was broken up by cops . . . Doogan and Robert got in a fight over that trash . . . Oh my God, I wish I was there, I heard she was a complete mess . . . Robert's father might send him to boarding school because of what happened . . . I bet that Asian girl called the cops, such a loser . . ." The conversation continued, but Maddy couldn't listen anymore. She desperately wanted to crawl into her tiny locker and never be seen again.
"Hey Maddy," it was a soft whisper, and before she turned to answer Ling, Maddy whiped away the tear that was running down her face. She took a calming breath and faced Ling, leaning for support against her locker. Ling had her books clutched tightly to her chest like a shield. She was dressed in denim blue jeans, a basic white sweater with a yellow floral print scarf. She looked like every other teen. It was unnerving for the Wolfblood as Ling always wore such proper outfits. Maddy furrowed her eyebrows and concentrated, looking past Ling's frames to see her eyes were red from crying.
"What happened?" Maddy demanded, she dropped some of her books into the bottom of her locker and waited for Ling to respond.
"Some people . . . They think I'm the tattletale that called the cops. Some of the things they said . . . not exactly nice." Ling's breath hitched and she cautiously dabbed at her eyes with her finger.
Maddy's nose flared and she tightened her hands into fists. Ling was sensitive, no matter how detached she played it. She didn't deserve to be wrongfully persecuted by Tall Skies' student body. "Who? Who said something to you?" Maddy could feel her anger rise quicker than she could reign it back in. She needed to let off steam, she was looking for a fight. She would put that kid in their place, regroup the pack. Her inner alpha was crying with giddiness to be let out. Maddy could hear Veronica and her friends tittering in the background, their mocking laughs tickling Maddy's ears. Maddy grinded her teeth together; she could feel the cool rush of her nails hardening and growing.
"Relax," Ling instructed. Ling slammed Maddy's locker shut and walked with her to Maddy's first class.
-Wolfblood-
Maddy was fine by the time she plopped in her seat for Mr. Jared's math class. She would have taken great pleasure in hearing him prattle about his weekend, and in an effort to show interest in his students' lives, ask each student about their weekend. This was mundane enough for Maddy to calm down and assess the current situation. She needed to straighten out the situation with Ling. Ling wasn't a snitch. As Maddy closed her eyes, she heard the heavy footsteps of Doogan walking down the aisle of desks. 'Damn,' Maddy thought, having forgotten she shared the same math class as the two boys she wasn't supposed to be talking to.
There was a shift in the atmosphere, an underlying tension as Robert entered the class. Maddy was doing her best to focus on her assignment pad instead of making eye contact with him. She smiled thinking about all the times he made her laugh and offered to give her a lift home.
Mr. Jared tapped the podium with his pencil and began calling names for attendance. After a few people responded, the shifting of weight in the seat diagonal her could be heard, chair whining under the weight. Maddy looked up instinctually and saw a puffy-faced Doogan staring back dejectedly. His left eye was darkened by a purple blotch encompassing it, his top lip was still swollen – a large scab had formed where his lip had been split open, and a thin white band was delicately perched on his nose – having been apparently reset at a hospital. 'Veronica had mentioned that Doogan and Robert had gotten in a fight. He looks horrible,' Maddy thought as she looked him over. Maddy didn't learn what the fight was about and now seeing Doogan's current form made her worry when it came to Robert and how he looked. Robert had taken his seat on the other side of the room, never taking time to acknowledge anyone, including her.
Maddy looked over Doogan's face, she wanted to say something . . . maybe apologize. She felt bad for the stocky boy who looked like he had gone rounds with a professional boxer. Doogan opened his mouth, then grimaced, second guessing himself. Seeing Mr. Jared still calling names, having started small talk with one of the girls who sat up front, Doogan sighed. "I asked you to the dance on Saturday," he began.
"I can't go. I'm grounded," Maddy snipped, giving him a look that made it clear she knew he spiked the drinks. Maddy couldn't justify her anger towards him, she could have been nicer about it. And while some of what happened that night was because of Doogan, she couldn't hold him completely at fault. But, she just . . . she just needed to not feel like the only guilty party and she needed someone to be scapegoat, and for it not to be Robert.
"That's okay. I don't want to go with you anymore. It's not worth it . . ." he snorted softly, "you're not worth it."
Maddy sneered at him, wanting more than ever to deck him. She was about to condemn herself to suspension when a hand reached over her desk and dropped off a note.
A classmate had dropped a note that had traversed the entire length of the classroom. Maddy knew this as she recognized Roberts cursive scrawl.
We need to talk. After class? Take the long way around?
Maddy swallowed the lump that had instantly formed in her throat. To shoot Doogan down was nothing, but she and Robert were friends – until proven otherwise – and she didn't want to destroy it.
Maddy reluctantly answered . . . answered the way her parents had told her the day before.
I can't talk. Sorry.
It's as much as she wanted to write – could write. As she watched him read the note, she found only a small scratch on his right cheek and some bruised knuckles. If Doogan and Robert had fought at the party, how did Robert walk away with nearly nothing? He never talked about having any combat training . . . wrestling, martial arts, self-defense classes . . . nothing.
Robert nodded his head and turned back in his seat. Maddy leaned back in hers and closed her eyes. The day was already doomed.
-Wolfblood-
Maddy was elated as the school bell made its battle cry for freedom. Finally, she could go home and sleep. She stepped outside to glum-looking clouds, and the blandness of the school parking lot. Everything seemed to be filtered in only colors of grey, like the world was mirroring her mood. As her foot touch the bottom step, she heard a familiar voice.
"I don't get it. What did I do now?"
Her initial response what to yell at him; make it so he had no choice but to hate her. But, in the end her heart wouldn't let that happen. "It's not actually you." She turned to cross the street and wasn't surprised when he followed her. She stopped at the next corner block, knowing if they didn't talk this through now, he would very well walk home with her. "I'm grounded," she told him.
"So is half the school it feels like. This is going to be the quietest the town has been in years," he laughed, spreading his arms out wide in an extravagant gesture.
"I'm not allowed to see you," she lamented, blowing her bangs out of her face. She watched as his arms fell to his sides, looking like he had been sucker punched. He opened his mouth then closed it, then opened it again.
"What?" he said softly.
Maddy took a breath and adjusted her rucksack. "I said," she began calmly, "I'm not allowed to see you anymore. I'm not allowed to talk to you. My parents made it law." Maddy looked up into the monochromatic sky and wished more than ever she was back home in England.
"Why? I mean that sound like it is actually me." She could hear the hurt in his voice as he pointed back at himself. Maddy was glad that no other students were around; this was becoming uncomfortable and made her insides itch. "Is it about the fight?" he asked. Maddy glanced sideways, subconsciously picking at the fur trimming on her gloves. He deserved to know the truth, but being deserving of it and actually receiving it seemed to always be fine line Maddy perpetually found herself walking.
"No, I didn't even realize you got into a fight until this morning . . . We haven't talked much." Maddy kicked at the weathered sidewalk, dislodging a small piece that she began to roll underneath her foot.
"Yeah, because I've been grounded by my parents too. No phone, TV, computer – nothing! But they're still letting me see you."
"Are you really being shipped out to some boarding school far away?" Maddy couldn't stop the question from tumbling out.
Robert stood taller, his mouth slightly agape as he tried to gain his mental balance. He was not prepared for Maddy's out-of-left-field question. He sighed, "No, my father threatens it, but he won't do it." Robert stuffed his hands into his pockets and stared at her. His face contorted; she knew he was fighting back tears. "This is bull shit. They think that I got you drunk, is that it? I'll talk to them right now." He pulled his hands from his pockets, swinging them like professional speed walkers. He propelled himself passed her and started for her apartment. Maddy nearly stumbled over the piece of sidewalk under her foot as she made an effort to catch him. Regaining her balance she raced after him, stopping him on the next block.
"No, they just . . . stop." She pushed her hands in front, halting his march. When she was sure he wouldn't continue she righted herself, adjusting her coat and rucksack. In his eyes Maddy could tell he was considering making another attempt to meet with her parents.
Robert stepped closer to Maddy. "I would never hurt you. I swear. I beat the shit out Doogan for the fact he kept getting you drinks. You're a bragging right to him. I have got to straighten this out with your parents. I'm not the bad guy."
"I didn't tell you to get in a fight with Doogan, Robert." Though after what Doogan said in class to her, she wasn't feeling sorry for him any longer and was a smidge pleased that he had to eat applesauce for lunch. "And my parents are only trying to do what's best for me. They think you're a bad influence, at least for now. I'm sure it will die down. You need to give them space." She felt like a knife was being twisted in her heart by her own hands. And somehow being this close to him made the whole discussion worse. She moved a few feet away and for a moment turned her back to him to collect herself.
"Since when did you give a damn what they think?" There was a distinct edge in his voice. Even in arguments they had before, there was still a softness, but not this time.
Maddy made a disgusted sigh, she was done with this conversation, "You tell me to be myself and be a better person . . . that I need to be more understanding of my parents. Now, you're telling me not to listen to them, for what? So you can what, Robert?"
"I like you Maddy . . . I really like you . . and I don't want to lose you. I have a real problem with suddenly being the blame for everything that happened when I didn't do anything wrong. It's not fair."
As much as she tried, her lungs wouldn't fill with air. She wanted desperately to respond, but she wasn't even sure what to even say to his proclamation.
He liked her. He. Liked. Her.
"R-Robert, I . . . we . . . I need – I can't talk with you right now. I need – I need to go."
And then it was silent. She needed to get her thoughts in order. With three words he had put her into a complete tailspin. He looked as if he wanted to say more, explain what just happened, but suddenly the thump, rumble, and cough of an old pickup caught their attention. It was Miranda with some pieces of lumber in the bed of her pickup. She must have been coming from Samson's Hardware Store up the hill. The truck rumbled so obnoxiously, it qualified as a noise hazard, if not just a hazard in itself. Maddy blindly crossed the street and hailed Miranda to stop. As Maddy threw the door open, she looked once at Robert to see him staring forlornly at her. She threw her things in, climbing inside and pulled the door shut tightly.
"Hey girlie, what's up?" Miranda was shoveling some pork rhines into her mouth as she pull the gear shift protruding from the steering column into 'Drive'.
"Nothing," Maddy said softly, sliding herself further down in the seat as to not be seen. "Mind taking me home?" She watched Miranda check her side mirror; though, Maddy knew she wasn't checking for traffic.
"Okay," she said simply and began heading down the road towards the pharmacy.
-Wolfblood-
Maddy and Roberts' friendship had all been a memory. They stopped talking before school and eating at lunch together. Maddy could hear the rumors of their dissolved relationship filter through the different grades, even trickling down to the lowly freshman. Maddy had been wearing her headphones more, trying to drowned out everything around her. Her hatred of this town had surpassed what it had been when she first moved there.
Maddy slammed her locker shut, knowing science class was going to be an absolute bore. Her teacher Mr. Keecher had thrown his back out skiing. According to one of the administrative student helpers, he was on leave for a drug problem. Either way, his replacement was Ms. Chamille and she left a lot to be desired. The woman was older than dirt. She had soft grey hair she wore in a long braid. She always over-emphasized her cheeks with brilliant red rouse and painted her eye shadow in one color all the way into her eyebrows. She was so clownish that is was sad more than funny. Each word seemed to be tinged with pain as if she was being forced against her will to speak and it took about a minute to write a simple sentence on the chalkboard. And forget about a projector or power point presentation. The woman did everything by hand and expected you to take diligent notes even though her incoherent ramblings offered nothing of substance. Maddy couldn't figure how she was qualified to teach, but then who would want to teach in this small, unwanted town?
She was on her way to that very class, listening to a favorite English boy band when she caught sight of Ling having a heated argument with Veronica. Maddy stopped in her tracks so abruptly, a senior collided with her. The young man was about to say something when Maddy turned around and growled at him. Immediately understanding who she was and her standing within the student body hierarchy, he slinked away.
Maddy turned her attention to Ling to see her wipe away something from her cheek. Maddy quickly and as discreetly as possible, sniffed the air. It was tears. Maddy couldn't discern what the argument was about, but Veronica was making Ling cry. Ling was literally her only best friend and she wasn't going to allow for her to be bullied.
Maddy pushed through the never ending traffic of students, pulling her headphones off and resting them around her neck. She crossed the little hall faster than even she anticipated, skidding to a stop next to Ling. Ling was just as startled as everyone else to see Maddy appear. But the small upturn in the corner of Ling's mouth said it all. She was glad to have Maddy there.
"What's going on here?" Maddy was staring down Veronica, it felt like just yesterday they were battling for the role of captain. Now Maddy had it and she needed to defend it. She needed to be the Alpha again. Why was she perpetually working to be the Alpha? She was it. She never had this type of continuous upward battle back home.
"Your little friend started it." Veronica finished typing a text message on her cell phone as if the question was too trivial to fully focus on. "Crying that she thought it was unfair that she was being blamed for the cops being called. I told her to go stick her nose in a book. I had nothing to do with it."
Maybe it was the cocked eyebrow, or the fake nails that flew this way and that as Veronica talked with her hands, or maybe it was the way she ended every sentence like it was beneath her to even acknowledge the person, but Maddy had had enough. "She didn't call the cops. She was with me the whole time. Why don't you stop spreading lies!"
"With you? What? Throwing up?" Veronica made some gagging noises and students that had gathered around the group laughed at the spectacle. "Nice job rookie. And as far as spreading lies, you're one to talk. I heard about how that meeting with the principal went down. Telling him I'm the one that started the fight in the gym because I was jealous of you. Puh-lease"
Maddy gulped. How did she know about that? That was supposed to be secret. Her fight or flight senses kicked in; she was suddenly on the edge of being ousted from her alpha position. Then her wolf took over, Maddy could feel the burn of her teeth pulling into canines. While they weren't fully formed, Maddy still risked being exposed. Veronica was not stealing Maddy's well-earned title of leader. This fight couldn't have come at a worse time for the Wolfblood. A week before a full moon was a bad time to ramp up her emotions and stir up her adrenaline. Her inner wolf was just pawing at her soul to be let out and now aware that her title was at stake, it couldn't be contained.
"At least I was wanted there." Maddy watched Veronica's face sour at those last words. "And as far as lying to the principal, there was no scheme or setup. You want to spread more rumors that's fine. It's apparently the only thing your good at anymore as it's no secret that Coach booted you as Captain long before the championships. At the end of the day, when it came down to it, you couldn't keep up . . . dead weight." The last part was harsh, but sometimes you need to go for the soft spots to win the fight, especially when your status is challenged. Maddy could smell Robert lingering on the outskirts of the group. He was moving from behind her to her right.
The Wolfblood whipped her head, catching the surprised look on his face as she immediately located him amongst the group. Of course, she was just as surprised when she turned her attention back to Veronica and saw four long acrylic nails embed themselves into her face. It's wasn't a slap, it was real animalistic swipe. Hunched over, Maddy looked up at Veronica, who gasped and stepped away from her. Maddy stood up and growled, her yellow eyes pierced with fury. Maddy's nails were elongated, her fingers curling slightly in preparation of counter the attack. Coming to Maddy's side, Ling called out, "Oh my God, Veronica. Look what you did to Maddy's eyes!" Maddy growled for Ling to move; instead Ling wrestled momentarily to pull up the hood on Maddy's sweater. The hood flopped forward, covering her eyes. Two arms wrapped themselves around her from behind, forcing Maddy to refocus.
"Whoa there, Smith. Breath," Ms. Dupree ordered. In the background, Maddy could hear Miranda push Veronica into the lockers and "advise" her to stay back. "Veronica you can see what those meetings are all about for yourself. Principal's office now!" Ms. Dupree release Maddy, but kept a steady hand on her shoulder preventing her from leaving or trying any type of retaliation. Maddy cupped her hands over her face, trying to hide her eyes from the others. "Let's go. My office. March."
"I'm sure she'll be okay. I think the best thing is to flush them. Mr. Keecher's classroom has one of – " Ling was walking backwards, nearly losing her footing as Ms. Dupree continued to push Maddy towards the her Athletic Trainer's room; Miranda and the twins in tow.
"Ling, shut it. I'm not going to rely on some eye flush that hasn't been used in eons on my star player and have her go blind. My office. Let's go, Smith. Stop dragging your feet."
-Wolfblood-
By the time Maddy was sitting on the bench seat inside the Athletic trainers room, Ms. Dupree had pulled out the large first aid kit from one of the medicine cabins lining the far wall. The lacrosse coach carefully examined Maddy's eyes, asking how many fingers she was holding, watching as Maddy followed her finger as it moved from the left to the right. Fortunately for Maddy, her eyes had returned to normal. "You're lucky. You know that?" Ms. Dupree let Maddy's eye lid snap back. Applying some ointment to a q-tip, she started to paint over the scratches.
"I didn't know you had medical training," Maddy mumbled. She felt awkward sitting in the small room. It was constructed for a sports therapist to use, but due to budget cuts, it was more a hang out room for players to gather before or after practice. Maddy noticed Ms. Dupree was dressed differently, black slacks and a white tailored shirt. Her hair was still held together in a slick-backed ponytail. Maddy had never seen the coach dressed up before.
"I know basic first aid training. I'm a gym teacher, come on Smith." Ms. Dupree twisted the cap back on the tube and started to pull some thin tiny bandages from her first aid box that looked more like a tool box.
"Where'd everyone go?" Maddy asked, noticing the quiet.
"Sent them back to class. This is a small room and they would have been in the way. It's common sense, Maddy."
Maddy's eyes darted to meet her coach's. Ms. Dupree had never called Maddy by her given name. She had always been 'Smith'. "You . . ." Maddy struggled to articulate her words. The outfit and now being addressed by her name. . . was she wearing heels? "You called me by my actual name."
Ms. Dupree pressed the last bandage firmly to Maddy's cut and crumbled up the wrapper. She locked up the first aid kit and tucked it inside one of the lower cabinets. She tossed out the trash and then pulled up a stool. "Smith is part of your actual name, Maddy. Listen, you're something special. I can't explain it, but you have an intuitive leadership skills that I don't see all that often. I've been in sports my whole life, trust me." Ms. Dupree straighten her posture and locked eyes with the Wolfblood. She exhaled slowly, "If you take every challenge as a threat, you will lose to the real ones – the ones that you can't afford to lose. You're letting your pride drive your decisions. I understand, Maddy." Maddy rolled her eyes; it was unlikely Ms. Dupree really understood at all. She laughed, "I know more than you think." She winked before getting up and stretching.
Maddy's face paled as she gripped the edge of the bench tightly. Maddy felt sweat collect on the palm of her hands. "What do you mean?" she squeaked out.
Ms. Dupree checked her phone and then turned it back over on the table. "You're supposed to have me next class period for Health. Why not blow off some steam and go for a run? Like a real run. You always blow the other girls out of the water during our warm up runs. I know you're holding back. Plus, you owe me for missing practice."
Caught off guard, Maddy forgot about her last question. "What practice?"
"Just because it's the off season doesn't mean you get to just get lazy. I run practices all year, Smith." Before Maddy could respond, Ms. Dupree continued, "Now go, head out for a little and clear your mind. Before you do something you'll really regret."
-Wolfblood-
Instead of running for a class period, she ran the entire afternoon. She had traveled miles and miles, just letting her feet carry her and her worries away. By the time it occurred to turn around, Maddy was shocked to see that she wouldn't return until the school day had ended. Maddy slinked into the girls' locker room and changed back in her regular clothes. She kicked her black Converse sneakers on, slipped her favorite red hoody over her head. She could feel her heart beating, each second moving faster and faster. Maddy approached Ms. Dupree's office to see the light shut off and door locked. Maddy groaned. She was in so much trouble. 'Coach is going to murder me,' she thought. Maddy reluctantly exited through the small hallway that connected the girls locker room to the gymnasium. The gym was eerily quiet as she made a quick left and entered the emptied hallway. Maddy looked toward the trainer's room. It was dark too. "Coach left early," a voice called from down the hall.
Maddy turned around to see Miranda standing at the other end of the corridor, barely managing to keep the small tower of books level. Maddy was momentarily confused before remembering that Miranda had a huge history paper due. Miranda was a great lacrosse player, but a poor student. Dentistry was not a profession that was going to get passed down in that family. "Where'd she go?" Maddy hollered, starting to trot her way to Miranda.
Miranda shrugged her shoulders, her eyes widening as some of the books risked toppling to the floor. Maddy sped up and caught a few that were making their descent to the ground. She helped even out the ones still in Miranda's hands, and kept the few she had caught. Miranda was certainly frazzled, her coat half falling off her one shoulder and her backpack slightly open in the back; not to mention the fact both sneakers were unlaced. "I don't know. I guess she had something to do," Miranda paused, her lips curled in as she thought carefully, "Veronica got you good. Looks like you got in a fight with an angry cat or something."
"It looks worse than it is." Maddy gently touched the abrasions that ran across her face, knowing they would be gone within a day or two. "Hey, why didn't you tell me there was early morning off-season practice?"
"I thought you knew? It's Coach, how could you not think she'd have us practice . . . well, you guys practice." There was a lull that fell between the girls. Maddy had momentarily forgotten that one of her teammates and close friends was a senior and would be graduating at the end of the year. Maddy sighed at this sad thought and took sudden interest in the stained yellow tile floor. "This sucks," Maddy announced, not really making an effort to elaborate what she meant.
"Hey, how about we go for dinner at the diner? It'll be fun. We can talk and catch up. Looks like you had a rough few days. Plus, you can help me with this dumb paper Mr. Thompson is making me write."
"I would, but I'm grounded to the end of time," Maddy retorted. Maddy really wanted to go. She needed to talk to someone else other than Ling about Robert. Since the party, Ling had her mind set that Robert was the culprit.
"What about a walk?" Miranda pitched. Maddy shifted, she could already hear her mother starting to lecture her on being responsible. "How about a drive and a quick break at the local parlor for ice cream? I don't need to eat my meals in order as long as I eat them all," she laughed. "Dessert before dinner is fine by me." There was a long pause. "Don't make me beg, though you got me doin' it anyway."
Maddy laughed and nodded her head. "Let's go to the diner and then get some ice cream. If it's to help a friend at school, I think my mom and dad should be okay with it . . . Hopefully."
"Great, mind taking a couple more books?" Miranda asked, leaning them toward her.
Maddy snagged a few more and then held the door open for her friend as they took the side entrance out of the building. Maddy took one last look at Coach's darkened room. With the room darkened, it almost seemed to blend into the wall out of existence. Something inside the Wolfblood said that there was more to Coach leaving early, but she couldn't place it.
-Wolfblood-
Maddy hung out with Miranda for about three hours before slinking back home. She was upfront with her parents about where she had been and the fight with Veronica, and was pleasantly surprised when they only warned her about pushing her boundaries and their happiness that she didn't engage with Veronica. She had been prepared for a lot worse, but she wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Maddy sat slouched in her desk chair, her rucksack beside her feet. She tapped her pencil against her notebook creating a thwap, thwap, thwap sound. Maddy rubbed her eyes and winced as she grazed the abrasion. The sky seemed to drop and fill the streets in charcoal black, darkening everything that stood outside. The stars tittered above, so far removed they could see the humor in everything. Maddy was comfortably dressed in a long-sleeved t-shirt and sweatpants that read 'Tall Skies' on the side of the pant legs. Maddy punched some numbers into her calculator as she searched for the answer to the next geometry problem. The calculator spat out "6.75" when a small tink caught her attention. Maddy waited, but nothing happened so she scrawled the answer in her notebook. Tink! Maddy looked toward her window, and carefully moved to see what was making the noise. The little clattering sound was a pebble dancing outside her window. Maddy drew the blinds up to see another pebble hit her side window.
Down below was Robert. Maddy clutched her sides as the wind rushed passed her and into her room, blowing some papers off her bed. She rolled her eyes as Robert asked to be let up, promising it would be quick.
She waited for him inside her room, her hair on the back of her neck standing as she was nervous they would be discovered. She closed her bedroom door, kicking some dirty clothes into the crack so his smell wouldn't escape the room.
"Hey," he greeted. He bounced a little on his toes, before closing the window behind him.
"Shh," Maddy chided. "My parents might hear you." Maddy reflexively checked the door and listened for footsteps. Nothing. "What didn't you get about my not being able to see you anymore?" she hissed. Maddy paced in a small circle, while rubbing her temples.
"If it's because of your parents, I'll work on that. People can change." Maddy didn't respond. She began to pick up the few pieces of paper that had scattered themselves on her floor. Robert bent down to help, picking up two pieces of paper near his feet. Maddy placed the few worksheets from science back into their rightful folder then looked up to see Robert study the papers he had in his hands. With the desk light illuminating them, Maddy gasped, realizing what he was holding. "These are really good. You think the artist was starring at them just feet away. The detail . . ."
"Give them, they're personal." Maddy held her hand out, too worried if she reach for them, they might rip at the creases. Those pages had been folded and unfolded so much, Maddy wondered if they would one day be just turn to dust.
Robert stumbled back by her sudden abrasiveness. "Yeah, sure." He handed her the drawings, eyeing her suspiciously. "Did you do them?" he asked.
"No, someone else did." Maddy looked them over, inspected them even though she knew they were just fine.
"The wolves are beautiful and the people lurking in the back, are they hunters? Seem like kids or teens?"
Robert edged closer to better see the drawings again.
"No . . they're not . . . it's nothing. A long time ago." Maddy folded them in half and then half again like she had done so many times before. She walked to her nightstand and carefully placed them inside the drawer, starring at them longingly as she closed it.
"Were they mates? They seemed to be part of a pack, they're – "
"Why did you come here, Robert?" Maddy didn't want to discuss the drawings anymore, especially with Robert. They were friends – sort of – but he was also an outsider. He wasn't entitled to know, to see them.
Understanding Maddy didn't want to talk about the drawings, he shuffled his was back to his spot closer to her desk. "I talked with Ling. She said she wouldn't be our go-between, but if you said you were okay with it, I'd think she'd change her mind." Maddy grimaced at the implication. "Maddy, I'm not giving up on us. I meant what I said yesterday." His words were direct, almost commanding.
Maddy took sudden interest in the few posters taped on the walls of her room. She picked up from the floor the team picture the school photographer had taken after winning the championship game. She looked it over, the different girls smiling like mad men and all the mud that decorated their uniforms. It was one of the best things to happen to her outside of meeting Ling, Miranda . . . and maybe Robert.
"Maddy, please . . ." Robert said in a soft voice. "I don't know what it is about you, but I can't let it end this way."
Maddy hummed, she knew it was wrong, but she also felt a unique pull, an energy that was nearly palpable when she was around him. "Robert, I don't know if . . . My parents . . ."
"It's okay. I get it. But, you can't change the way you feel about someone. Though, I'd be okay with friendship. Maddy?"
Maddy closed her eyes, her brain screaming to keep her mouth shut, but with her heart at the helm and not listening, Maddy relented. "Okay, I'll talk to Ling tomorrow."
"You're amazing, Maddy. I'll talk to Ling and you tomorrow." Robert's smile beamed from ear to ear. He nearly floated to the window. Maddy smiled back and met him at the window. He was saddling the window ledge, half of him outside, half still within reach of the warmth of the Smith home. He smirked and then pecked Maddy on the cheek. "You're awesome."
Maddy's face immediately paled then flooded red. So caught off guard, Maddy just starred; vaguely hearing Robert laugh gleefully as he climbed down the fire escape. Feelings swirled inside, questions erupted within her, and before she could do anything to understand any of it, she heard footsteps. Panicking, Maddy spritzed perfume throughout her room, closed the window, pulled the hoodies away from the door, and jumped in bed. Maddy pulled the worn comforter underneath her arm, and switched off the lamp on her nightstand. She knew the desk light was still on, but it was too risky to get up and turn it off. As she heard the door creak open, she waited, feigning sleep. It felt like hours, but after a minute or two, the sound of footsteps moving inside were heard and the click of her desk lamp was the only noise made. The door closed and that was it. She avoided getting in trouble, but she also concluded doing any more homework for the night. She would have to worry about her assignments tomorrow.
-Wolfblood-
"I can't believe you agreed to talk to him!" Ling was more high-strung than usual. Maddy was sure if she suddenly stopped short, Ling would run right into her. "Have you lost your mind? Your parents will kill you if they discover that you're going behind their backs and hanging out with him. I won't do it, Maddy." Maddy listened as the noise of the halls simmered to a dull hum. Of course, it was also challenging to hear the chatter of students catching up on their Twitter feed and latest status changes with Ling continuing to hound her about her decision to be friends with Robert again.
Maddy pulled open the heavy wooden door that led to the girls locker room, where Ms. Dupree's office was nested. Maddy was adorning a worn varsity jacket with the a hoof print, her name, and number on the back. It was a nice status symbol without looking intentional.
Entering the musty locker room, Maddy was relieved to see the office light on. In spite of the fact she was succumbing to being yelled at for taking advantage of Ms. Dupree's kindness, Maddy felt better knowing some semblance of normalcy was back. Ling had quieted down realizing she could be heard by Ms. Dupree. Late last night, Ms. Dupree had emailed the girls, notifying them that morning practice was cancelled for the remainder of the week. That struck Maddy as peculiar, but perhaps there was some type of family emergency that was drawing the coach's attention away.
Maddy took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Empty. The office was empty. Ms. Dupree had never come in. Her duffle bag was missing, her jacket that often coordinated with the rest of her track suit wasn't hanging on the back of the swivel chair. She never was in. Maddy had a difficult time delineating smells in the locker room as everyone's scent lingered.
"Shit, you nearly gave me a heart attack, Captain," Mercy breathed, holding her hand to her heart. She came from around one of the rows of lockers. "I ran when I heard the door open. Do you know where she keeps things she confiscates?" Mercy pushed her way passed the girls and made her way to the coach's desk, opening one of the top draws. Maddy shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she watched the Latina girl rummage in Coach's desk.
"Where's Coach?" Maddy crossed her hands over her chest. Mercy shrugged, opening another draw.
"Ah-ha!" She showed Ling and Maddy the cell phone in her hand and then slammed the draw closed. She sighed, slinging her small black backpack on her shoulder. She tugged at different parts of her wide necked sweater and looked about the office. "I don't know where she is. I got the email last night, but I don't more than that. I mean, you're our captain, shouldn't she have communicated something more to you?"
"Well, how'd you get in?" Maddy countered.
"It was unlocked," she replied, as if it were obvious.
Maddy pursed her lips and then looked at Ling. Something felt wrong, but Maddy couldn't place it. Ms. Dupree never missed work. She even arrived on days that the school was closed to review videos for lacrosse or think of lesson plans to punish the weak and challenge the strong . . . or at least that's what she had been told by some of the girls on her lacrosse team.
"Hey, you should take that plant home before it dies. One of the girls said that Coach had planned to give that to you when you got back from that crazy wolf attack, but I guess she forgot or something. . ." Maddy and Ling entered the office and looked at the plant seated on a small desk hidden behind the door. It was a beautiful purple flowering plant. "It's pretty, but lethal if you got pets."
"What?" Maddy tilted her head, not completely following Mercy's comment.
"It's an azalea plant. It's poisonous for dogs if ingested," Ling said slowly. "And Mercy, I remember when that happened. Your dog became seriously ill and almost died. Your family was lucky to have lived next to the veterinarian. But, he didn't eat an azalea plant, he ate part of a rhodendrin plant. But they're nearly identically and almost impossible to tell apart."
"All right, well, I'm getting out of here before Coach come back . . . if she comes in, whatever." Mercy left the two girls to stand aimlessly in the room. Once Maddy heard the door click close, she spoke softly. "Ling . . ."
Ling approached the plant as if it was a rabid animal. The Asian girl touch the leaves delicately, and pulled back some of the luscious green stems. With two of her long, thin fingers she pressed the dirt. "Maddy," she began with a tremor in her voice, "this plant has been trimmed and watered . . . and kept alive." Ling pointed to the fresh cuts made by some type of scissors or small hand trimmer. "Maybe Robert isn't the one trying to kill you . . . maybe it's Coach."
Maddy could hear her heart drop into her stomach. She knew. 'I know more than you think.' The words flooded her mind. Maddy held her breath as she heard footsteps and then double doors to the gymnasium open. She grabbed Ling and rushed from the office only to bump into a petite, brunette in sweats and long sleeve shirt. "Careful girls," she said with a high tittering laugh.
"Who are you?" Ling asked, adjusting her glasses.
"I'll be your long term substitute teacher. My name is Mrs. Randall. I'm so excited to be your teacher. And what are your names?" She had freckles that dotted her checks and bridge of her nose. She had large blue eyes, and looked to be freshly out of college in spite of carry a 'Mrs.' with her last name. With her cheery and bubbly demeanor, Maddy felt confident this new gym teacher had been a cheerleader at some point in her life.
"Long term?" Maddy repeated.
"Yeah, it seems Ms. Dupree had some type of emergency that requires her to take an extended leave of absence. I'm sure it will all work out," Mrs. Randall said it with such certainty and pep, how could someone not believe her. She titled her head to one side and smiled.
"Thanks, Mrs. Randall. Ling and I need to get going to our first class. Nice meeting you." Maddy and Ling scooted around the woman and quickly left the locker room. Maddy's mind raced, 'If coach is the person behind it all along, and now she knows that we knew that she was the one that did it . . . where is she? And what is she planning next?'
-End Chapter 7
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