Angst Box Set 2

by David Pedersen

  “I like how I look,” she said with a disgruntled frown. “I can tell how hard you try.”

  “Not good enough. I can do better,” he whispered. “But it would take longer, and I’d miss you.”

  “I just want to be taller,” she said.

  “I know,” he said. “I’ll figure out how.”

  She approved with a nod before leaning to the window once more. The school didn’t allow much opportunity for sneaking, as though it was designed that way. He’d been surprised the window was cracked open just enough for them to hear. It was as if Yugen had done so on purpose, knowing Clod would listen in, but wouldn’t be able to do anything without getting in trouble.

  “You are my last conference for the day, and I believe everything has been covered,” he said abruptly. “Did you have any other questions?”

  “None,” Eidy said, her tone crisp as the first frost of fall.

  “Clod is sixteen now, and almost a young man,” Yugen said. “He is welcome to stay in school, but I strongly advise that you begin seeking a viable future for him before it is too late.”

  “I understand,” she said. His mother sounded so defeated.

  “You’re welcome, Eidy,” he said, even though she hadn’t thanked him. “Let me know if I can provide your son with a pick or a shovel.”

  How was it possible for a demonfart like Yugen to keep getting promoted? He didn’t deserve to be headmaster. Clod wanted to leap through the window and beat his principal in the face. Ada tugged at his sleeve, and he reluctantly followed. They crawled away from the school window until it was out of sight and scurried to the nearby woods. Clod picked up a rock and threw it at a tree. It bounced off and hit him in the cheek, which sent Ada into a fit of laughter. It stung, a lot, and even her laugh couldn’t keep him from being angry.

  “I don’t want to fix roads or make buildings,” he said. “I sculpt. I’ve got magic.”

  “Why don’t they like your magic?” she asked. “I do.”

  “I don’t know,” he said, glaring at his feet. “Nobody will tell me. The other kids say I’m a freak, and Mum says don’t worry about it.”

  “I think you’ll be an amazing sculptor,” Ada said.

  “Yeah?” he asked, looking up at her.

  “Haim likes what you do at the bakery,” she said.

  “Haim likes me a lot more than Yugen,” Clod agreed with a nod. “But that doesn’t mean I’m good.”

  “Look at me now,” she said, holding her arms out and spinning around. “I have fingers, and toes, and eyes, and even eyebrows.” Ada raised and lowered her eyebrows comically.

  “I’m trying,” he said, unable to hold back his frustration. “It takes so long to collect so much clay, now that I know where Mum was getting it. Sometimes I have to do it at night when the other kids aren’t waiting to make fun of me. By the time I have enough, I only have a few days to finish you up.”

  “Maybe if you show me how, I can help,” she prodded.

  “Really?” he asked. “I hadn’t thought of that. We can go try right now. Do we have time?”

  She squeezed her eyes shut and concentrated. After several moments, she shook her head. “Nope. Maybe an hour left.”

  This day was awful, and the disappointment in her face matched how he felt.

  “Well, it’s a great idea,” he said.

  “Next time,” she said, her voice filled with encouragement. “I’m lasting longer though. I can almost last a day and a half.”

  “Yeah,” he said, kicking at some leaves.

  “So,” Ada said with a hint of mischief in her voice. “What now? More rock throwing?”

  “No,” he replied, dropping the rock he’d just picked up. “Maybe…I just wish I could teach Yugen a lesson, that’s all. He doesn’t really want to teach. He just wants to feel more important. Now he’s headmaster in charge of the whole school. I wish there was a way we could make him feel as bad as he made my mum feel.”

  She placed a finger on her cheek and tapped thoughtfully. The dark pupil in the middle of her gray eyeballs moved from side to side, and Clod knew what that meant.

  “You’re going to get me in trouble again,” he said, feeling a little worried.

  “It’s better than pouting,” she said, “or throwing rocks at yourself.”

  “Yeah,” he said, rubbing his cheek. Rocks and trees were stupid, but Ada’s ideas weren’t. The rewards always outweighed the risks, and he was unable to hold back a smile. “What are we going to do?”

  “Do you know where Yugen goes after school?” she asked.

  “He always rides slowly through town on that dumb horse before going to the same dumb pub,” Clod said, frowning.

  “We need to go there,” she said.

  “But how?” he asked. “People will see you! Mum says we could get in big trouble.”

  “I need a jacket,” she said quickly. “And a hat.”

  “Okay, but we need to hurry,” Clod said. “You don’t have much time.”

  They ran through the woods, jumping over fallen branches, and ducking under living ones. She laughed as they rushed through a patch of wildflowers, dragging her hands across the tops. Bees and butterflies scattered in dismay. He felt so alive, and so very happy that they were up to something.

  When they arrived at his empty home, he was out of breath, but too excited to let that stop him. Clod grabbed a ragged coat and an old red hat with a wide brim that his mum sometimes wore when gardening. The hat was much too big for Ada, but successfully covered her face. Even after rolling up the sleeves, the jacket looked like she was wearing hand-me-downs from a giant sibling.

  “How do I look?” she asked.

  He could barely make out her smile beneath the brim’s shadow.

  “Who are you?” he asked.

  “What?” she asked. “Clod, it’s me, Ada.”

  “I know,” he said with a chuckle. “It just doesn’t look like you. You look like a little person.”

  “I am a little person,” she said, placing her hand on her hips. “Aren’t I?”

  “Yeah,” he said, still gasping for breath from their run. “My favorite little person.”

  She gave him a hug before they hurried out the door. Town was too far away. Even this short, she was still faster than him. Maybe he should make her legs even shorter. They held hands as they rushed along the rocky path. He really wanted to know what she was planning, but was too busy gasping to ask. When the winding path from his cottage met cobblestone, they slowed to a brisk walk.

  Worry struck him that someone would see Ada. Would they say something? Would they try to destroy her? The sidewalk alongside the road was crowded with people going places, and Clod soon realized that nobody took note of them. They were just two kids, walking together, amongst the crowd. His mother had told him never to come to town with Ada again, and he was giddy with the realization that they were doing it anyway.

  “Don’t go all the way to the pub,” she said. “Just most of the way.”

  “Almost there,” he said.

  “Hopefully we aren’t too late,” she said, rubbing her tiny hands together.

  They stopped in front of a curio shop and watched the road. His anticipation grew with every minute that passed, and cool sweat beaded down his cheeks. Ada only had moments before going away, and he wondered if she would be here long enough to see out her plan.

  “There,” he said, pointing.

  She tugged at his sleeve, pulling his hand down. Headmaster Yugen rode a tall black stallion, easily eighteen hands high and nearly as proud as his rider. The horse trotted pretentiously along the road. Yugen’s head was raised high as he looked down his long nose at everyone. He ignored most who waved politely, nodding only at a few.

  Ada pulled Clod in close so she could whisper. “Do you remember how Yugen said you weren’t very good at sculpting?”

  “Yeah,” Clod said.

  “That means he doesn’t think I look like a real person, right?” she asked, han
ding over the hat.

  “He’s a jerk,” Clod said, defensively.

  “Promise me you’ll wait here,” she said, her eyes wide with excitement. “Promise.”

  “I promise,” he said.

  “I mean it,” she said, letting go of his hand. “I’ll be okay.”

  “I said I promise,” he said sharply.

  She kissed him on the cheek and ran out to the middle of the road. Yugen was far too distracted nodding at someone with his nose. Despite gasps and warnings from onlookers, he hadn’t noticed Ada standing in front of his horse until it was too late. Clod watched in horror as the stallion trampled his best friend. Hooves dug into her mercilessly, crushing Ada into the stone road.

  Clod didn’t know what to do. It had happened so fast, he hadn’t had time to stop her. She couldn’t be hurt, much. At least, he didn’t think she could. He’d promised to stay put, but hadn’t realized she was going to be crushed by a horse. Before he could rush forward, cries from the crowd caught Yugen’s attention.

  “No,” Yugen cried, pulling hard on the reins of his stallion. “Hold!”

  The horse stopped, and Yugen leaped off. A mob of people moved forward, their growing anger palpable. It had looked like Yugen’s horse had trampled a young girl because he was too busy being important to pay attention. Even as he drew his mount off the mangled coat, the angry mob began shouting and shoving. The principal looked nervous, his pale face white as snow. Soldiers rushed over, staring him down sternly as they formed a circle around the damage he’d wrought.

  Dropping to his knees, Yugen tried lifting Ada from the pavement. “A healer,” he called out. “By the gods, this body doesn’t feel right. I need a healer.”

  The crowd of gasps and cries moved closer as Yugen turned her over.

  “I’m so sorry child, I’m so…” His eyes went wide.

  “Gotcha,” Ada wheezed with a smile before falling to ash in his arms. Yugen abruptly stood, jerking the coat from the ground, surrounded by a cloud of gray dust.

  The crowd went silent. Some were angry, others furious, and most confused. All of them stared accusingly at Yugen. She was right. If he’d been such a bad sculptor, nobody would’ve cared. Best friend ever.

  Yugen took a deep breath, and yelled, “Cloooood!”

  One soldier grabbed him by the arm roughly, jerking the coat from his hands. Ash blew in the breeze, making both soldiers look around quizzically.

  “Where’s the kid?” one of them asked Yugen.

  “She’s not a kid,” he said. “She was a sculpture.”

  “Riiight,” the guard replied in disbelief. “What kind of magic would make a girl turn to dust after trampling her with a horse? You always taught me that dark magic was bad.”

  “Me too,” said the other man, taking the reins of the horse. “Before failing me out of school.”

  “This wasn’t my dark magic! It's impossible for me to be infected,” Yugen shouted, looking around desperately until his eyes fell on Clod. “Him. Ask that boy. Clod, tell him this was just your sculpture.”

  “I’m pretty sure I couldn’t sculpt anything that looked better than a clod of dirt,” Clod said. “Headmaster Learn-ed Yugen.”

  Yugen’s eyes went wide, his pale cheeks becoming a deeper shade of red with every angry huff of breath.

  “Clod?” a soldier asked. “Haim’s apprentice?”

  “I’m working tomorrow, sir,” Clod said. “Please stop by if you want some cakes. On the house for keeping us safe.”

  “See you tomorrow, then,” the man replied before turning to Yugen. “A few hours in the stocks should calm you down.”

  “Didn’t he say you should dig ditches?” said the other soldier.

  “That’s right,” he replied. “I hope nobody forgets he’s locked up. That would make for a long night.”

  “Tell them, boy,” Yugen shouted. “Tell them the truth, or...”

  The soldier grabbed the back of Yugen’s thin neck, and his headmaster went quiet. Most of the crowd followed in awe, but Clod couldn’t. He was laughing so hard, he had to sit down.

  Age 17

  “You have to do it, Clod,” Ada said, her tone pleading. “Just look at him.”

  “But…but I…” he said, choosing to avoid the child and instead looking into his friend’s eyes.

  “Please,” she said, tugging at his hand and pointing. “Look at him.”

  They’d joined a crowd surrounding a small boy of nine or ten. He was holding the body of a puppy who’d lost a brief battle with a team of horses. Several onlookers had been too slow to catch the speedy little dog, including Clod and Ada.

  “She jumped from my arms when she saw the horse,” the boy said through sobs, his teary eyes glancing up at a woman who gently patted his head.

  “I’m sorry, child,” a woman said. “This happens sometimes. Maybe your parents could buy you a new puppy.”

  “But Lady was my puppy!” The boy shook his head. “I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”

  “You have to,” Ada said firmly, tugging at his sleeve.

  “But I don’t know what will happen,” Clod said. “I could make it worse. I always make it worse.”

  “You always make me better,” she said hurriedly. “What are you worried about?”

  “The dog may be hurt or lame if I try,” he said, his mind reeling with fear.

  “You make me whole, and I’m nothing but clay,” she said softly. “The dog is made of bones and flesh.”

  “You’re a lot more than clay,” he said, unable to shake his worry.

  “Clod, are you being selfish?” she asked.

  Ada had struck a nerve. He only got to spend two days with her every other week, and even though she helped him collect clay, it took a lot out of him to will her to life. It was especially hard now that she was almost three feet tall. He really needed this time with her. The last week had been particularly tough. Yugen had failed him on an exam he knew he’d passed, and he’d been pushed into the mud by the bullies. Twice. He could’ve beaten up the bullies, and evil Yugen, for that matter, but had promised his mum not to. This week hated him, and it was about to get worse.

  “A little selfish,” he admitted, looking at the ground. “I don’t think I can bring the dog back, and keep you alive at the same time.”

  “Dear Clod,” she said. “You are sweet to want to keep me, but this child needs you, and I’ll be back soon.”

  “How can I fix…that?” he said, pointing at the mess of a pup.

  “You can do more than you believe,” she said softly.

  “I can?” he asked.

  She pulled him down and kissed his cheek, which made him smile wide enough to show his jagged teeth. Something he never did.

  “Okay,” he said. “I’ll do it.”

  “Thank you, Clod,” she said, clasping her hands together and looking at the corpse.

  Clod knelt beside the child and gently placed a hand on the dog’s tiny head. He willed, with every fiber in his being, he willed and concentrated until sweat dripped from his cheeks. This was so much harder than bringing Ada back; he wasn’t completely sure he could. But she’d been certain, and that was enough.

  He was tired, and his heart thrummed painfully in his chest. Ada gasped, collapsing behind him, and he knew it was done. The dog yipped, the child squealed, and the crowd muttered as it collectively moved away.

  “What’s your name?” Clod asked, gasping for breath.

  “Michael,” the child said, sobbing and smiling at the same time. “Thank you.”

  “You may not want to thank me yet,” Clod began. “My magic will only bring her back for a short while. Maybe a day. Long enough for you to say goodbye.”

  “Oh?” the boy said, his chin quivering.

  “Give Lady the best day of her life,” Clod said. “It will be a better way to go, for both of you.”

  “I will,” Michael said, smiling as Lady licked his face. “I promise.”

  “Ouch,” Clod calle
d as he was dragged up by an ear.

  “What have you done?” Headmaster Yugen spat as he jerked Clod about.

  “I wanted to help,” he said.

  “The only thing you’ve done is create another abomination,” he shouted. “Nothing good will come of this!”

  Ada was a pile of ash, as he’d feared, but the look on Michael’s face had been worth it. The child was all smiles, from his cheeks to his eyes.

  “You’ll get the best day, Lady,” Michael said. “We’ll chase squirrels, and birds, and butterflies. I’ll ask Mom to make you the best dinner. And then you can rest.” The words were strained from heartache, but the sentiment was full of love and happiness.

  “Looks like I’ve created some good, too,” Clod said defiantly.

  “Thank you,” Michael said to Clod before scrambling off.

  “Follow them,” Yugen said to one of the bruisers beside him. He let go of Clod’s ear and grasped his arm. “Don’t interfere. If it becomes a monster, kill it again.”

  “Leave them alone!” Clod thundered.

  The man nodded once before pushing his way through the crowd. Yugen waved the mob off as if swatting at bees. Most of the bees leered at Clod suspiciously, but several nodded in appreciation. The woman who’d been consoling the boy patted Clod on the chest before leaving.

  “Why do you hate me so much?” Clod asked, jerking his arm away. It stung to free it from the principal’s firm grip. Yugen was smaller than him, but his fingers had tightened painfully like a vise.

  “I don’t hate you,” Yugen said coolly. “I hate what you do. There is already too much dark magic in this world, and yours is the darkest. It is evil, and ugly, and will not be allowed.”

  “How can that be evil?” Clod asked, pointing to the boy running down the street. “How can Ada be evil?”

  “Foolish child,” he said. “What you don’t know makes you even more dangerous. Now come with me.”

  Clod had never felt so frightened, and desperately wished Ada were here with him. The Council of Elders rarely gathered at the town hall, and only for the most heinous of crimes. Seven of the eight seats were filled on the high bench, looking down at him sternly with wizened eyes.