You can't die in the house. Arthur opened one eye to see the still gaining carriage he snapped it back shut and continued pleading. You can't die in the house. Arthur braced himself for the impact. But I'm sure it'll feel like death. Clopping, creaking, the wheels and the beasts closer with each passing second. I only just got back. Whoever runs me over'll probably be punished for hurting me, Were his last thoughts.
The Left BehindArtemis clambered out of the car and said bye to his mother. "Later Mom"
"I'll be waiting right outside the school." She assured and pulled off. Artemis turned around to face his new school. It was an imposing building. Tall and brick walled, some of which were surely cracked. He grimaced and started up the steps. As he reached the double front doors he snatched off his hat and stuffed it in his backpack. The halls had only a few stragglers, those of which were obviously in no hurry to get to class. He thought of looking for his room himself but figured he didn't have time to get lost on his first day and headed for the office to get directions.
"Good morning" he began cheerfully.
The receptionist looked up at him over glasses from behind her desk. "Can I help you?" she drawled.
"Yes, do you know where room 209 is?"
"Probably on the second floor" she grumped.
Only then did Artemis take note that the receptionist was in actuality a student, perhaps in an older grade. She was obviously snippy, and what one would call an outcast of sorts. Her hair was dyed a deep navy blue and tied back, her eyes were gray and her clothes appeared to be an excruciatingly modified version of the school uniform. But in spite of all that, she was actually sort of pretty.
Artemis stuttered before answering. " Could you tell me where to find the staircase?"
"It's just down the hall dimwit. Don't you know that?" then a funny look crossed her face. "Hold on, you're a newbie, aren't you?"
"For lack of a better phrase yes" he snapped. "D'you think I'd ask for directions in a place I know?" he huffed.
The girl removed her thick black-rimmed glasses and smirked at him. "Nah, I just thought you looked like a milksop that was afraid of his own shadow."
Artemis fumed. "Just tell me where the staircase is, please"
"Right down this here hall, you can't miss it"
"Thank you" He turned on his heel and as he did so he pulled his cap out of his bag and stuffed it back on his head.
"Hey! No caps dingus" the girl called.
Artemis looked over his shoulder at her standing up behind the desk with her hands on her hips. "if they let you walk around the school in that abomination of a uniform, I don't see why'd they bother with my hat" and he left the door swinging behind him.
He checked the number on the door before he walked in. The last thing he wanted was to walk into the wrong classroom on his first day. 209 it read. He pushed on the door and saw that every one was just milling about, picking seats and chatting to friends. Since Artemis had just switched to this school from the one out of town, he didn't have any friends to talk to so he found a seat.
"Hey"
Artemis looked up, a boy, rather dark complexioned with his hair cut low smiled at him. "Names Jordan Dukes." He extended his hand to Artemis.
"Artemis Penhaligon"
"Cool" Jordan said. "Sorry Artemis, but, well you're kinda in my seat"
"Oh, sorry"
"no, no, it's cool I'll just sit net to ya then," Jordan winked. "This way the teach can't see me pass my notes. She always caught me where you sit"
Just then the 'Teach' walked in. She sandy colored hair and bright blue eyes. "Morning class"
There was a series of mixed replies and then she started in immediately on math. Artemis groaned. Math had never been his subject.
It was third period, right before lunch and a class before Artemis had made a good show of coughing and wheezing as much as he could so that the class could testify to him being sick. Still he changed into gym clothes and began stretching as vigorously as he could, the picture of the determined, weak student. He lined up with the rest outside in the park and got his first view of the field his father had spoken of. There it was, the oval, the place it all began. Part of him still wanted to run, but the other part of him kept echoing his father's advice. The gym teacher started walking down the line of boys and girls to make sure they were dressed properly, as he neared Artemis, Artemis gave one last rattling cough and then pretended to take a deep puff on his inhaler.
"You sick?"
Artemis shook his head no and coughed some more.
"No way, go sit down over there on the grass, count ants or somethin' but you ain't goin' on this run. Last time my father sent out a sick kid on a run he collapsed at the oval. That sure isn't gonna happen to me. Go" he shooed Artemis away and then went on to outline the course for the students. Artemis walked shakily over to a bench and sat down.
"Eh, newbie"
He rolled his eyes and looked up. "You again,"
"Just wanted to let you know, caps definitely aren't allowed, and I can do whatever the heck I want with my school uniform."
"That's nice, and?"
The girl opened her mouth to speak again but then froze. Artemis looked around and saw that his class was frozen too. After a moment they started up again but in fast-forward. The girl continued talking but he didn't hear a word, and then she just walked away. It suddenly became darker and Artemis glanced up at the sky, he blinked twice and then rubbed his eyes. There, in the sky, was the moon. He looked at his watch and it read 11:30am. "Okay dad, you can sort this out," he murmured as the stars began to come out.
The HouseThe wind rushed by him and he felt a yank at his collar. Arthur opened his eyes and saw the ground moving quickly below him then he felt another yank, near choking him and he was hauled onto the carriage next to the seated driver.
"You've put on weight Artie"
Arthur peered at the person sitting next to him. They were dressed like a man, but a disheveled one, with a lopsided cap and their hair tied haphazardly on the side. "Suzy?"
"What'd ya think I was gonna say, 'Climb idiot'?" She snapped the reins once more and the horses took off like lightening. Arthur had to hold onto his hat and fought hard against the urge to throw up.
"By the by, good to see you again, Artie, house ain't been the same without you"
"Good to—ulp—see you--oof! —Too Suzy"
"What's wrong with you? You got a frog in the throat or something?"
Arthur shook his head. "No, riding—making me—erg—sick"
"Oh well, long as it isn't a pain in the midsection or the like, the ride'll smooth out soon as I gets you to old Madame"
"Dame Primus?"
"Yeah, sent me to get you. Hold on to your ears!" she yelled.
"My what!" Arthur yelled back, the wind whistling in his ears.
"Ears!" she gestured for him to hold his ear lobes.
As he did so Arthur shouted. "Why?"
"Wind can tear them right off in 'ere" she replied, gripping the reins in her teeth and grabbing her own ear lobes.
Arthur shook his head. Everything was just as strange as ever. Some things never change.