Distorted Fates

by R. L. Weeks

  ***

  The next day at school, I do my best to stay out of The Mean Girls’ way. Surprisingly enough, they haven’t surfaced yet. I find it odd ’cause normally by lunchtime, I’ve run in to at least one of them, and I always get some form of snide remark. But lunch goes without event, and inside of being happy, I’m nervous. They are up to something. I’m sure of it.

  After lunch, I go back to my locker to get my books for my afternoon classes. Inside, there is a note pinned to my backpack from the headmistress. That’s odd. Why would she be writing me a note? It is on her letterhead. I pull the note down and read it.

  Ms. Centura,

  You have been at Wilton Academy for almost four months now, and I can’t tell you how pleased we are to have you. Our school puts on an annual Christmas pageant each year, and I am writing to ask you to head the planning committee. I believe it will help you get to know your fellow students better and give you an opportunity to participate more in a school event.

  The first thing you will need to do is go through all the decorations kept in the third-floor storage room. Meet me there during your study hall today, and I will give you the key so you can get started. I’ve already made arrangements with your study hall monitor. I’ve also contacted your mother to inform her you would not be coming home on the bus and asked her to pick you up around five. That should give you plenty of time to go through everything.

  With warm regards,

  Headmistress Polly Grafton

  So my plan to remain invisible just backfired on me. I figured if I kept my nose out of trouble and steered clear of school activities, I could get through this school year with only minor scars. Then perhaps I could talk my mom into letting me go back to my old school. But now, Headmistress Grafton has noticed I am not a joiner and is making a point to tell me I need to be. Aaggh.

  I get through the rest of the afternoon without any encounters with The Mean Girls, and I’ve become more worried. I haven’t even seen any of them. There is no way all four of them are sick at the same time, but in a way, it wouldn’t surprise me. They do everything together, so I’m sure they wouldn’t think twice about being out of school together. I brush off the uneasy feeling and proceed upstairs.

  The school is housed in an old, three-story Victorian house, or what was a Victorian house. The original structure still remains, but there have been several additions added over the years to accommodate the dormitories and the classrooms. The main portion of the house is where the headmistress’s office is, teacher offices, and break rooms as well as other administrative offices used for purposes that I don’t know. The storage room is on the third floor of the main house.

  When I enter, I check Headmistress Grafton’s office to see if she is there, but it is empty. She must already be upstairs waiting for me. I make my way up the spiral staircase to the third floor. To my surprise, the headmistress is not here, but the storage room is open. Perhaps she is inside. I walk inside and look around, but she is nowhere to be found. Just then, the door to the room slams behind me. I turn around and hear laughter, and I know by the sound of their cackling that it is Carter, Shanna, Cady, and Kristen outside the door. I run to open it, but it is locked. They locked me inside.

  I realize now that Headmistress Grafton never wrote the note, and this was a prank by The Mean Girls. Now, I am stuck here. I’ve missed my bus home, and my mother has no idea where I am. I pull my cell phone out of my bag to call her. She can come get me out of here. After unlocking the screen, my heart sinks. No service. Of course not. Why would I expect anything to go in my favor?

  I sit on the old-fashioned school desk by the window and gaze around the room. It’s musty and dirty in here, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there were spiders and other critters living among all this junk.

  I shouldn’t be here too long. When I don’t come home, my mom will call the school, and they will begin to look for me. I pull out one of my books and decided to utilize the time to get some homework done. We have two chapters to read in my social studies class, and now is as good of a time as any to get it done.

  I get through the two chapters in about an hour, taking notes in my notebook. There is always a pop quiz when we have reading assignments, and I’ve learned early on to take notes and study them when we get them. I look out the window and realize it is starting to get dark. I’m still not worried. The sun is only just setting, and Mom must have called the school by now. They just haven’t found me yet.

  What if they don’t find me?

  I shake my head. That’s foolish thinking. Of course they will find me. I take out my algebra book and decide to knock that homework out too. I freaking hate algebra, but every school requires it. I swear they think every student is going to be an engineer or something. I want to be an English teacher. Besides knowing basic math, what on earth will I need algebra for? But like a good student, I pay attention in class and do my homework. Like I really have a choice.

  It’s getting darker. I look at my watch. 6:00 p.m. The storage room is dark too, and it’s hard to see. Looking around the room, I spot a light switch. I get up from the chair and walk to it. I flip it and nothing. I flip it again, still nothing. Like that was really going to make a difference. I look up at the ceiling and see the bulbs in the overhead light have been removed. Carter!

  Come on, Mom…

  It is now 8:00 p.m. It’s getting colder in this room. It’s dark, and I’m starting to get scared. Why hasn’t anyone come for me? Was it their plan all along to leave me here? I look at my phone for the hundredth time to see if I have signal. Still nothing. I start looking through the last things I have done on my phone. I pull up my text messages and see I sent a message at 11:00 a.m. to my mom saying I would be staying with a friend tonight and that I would see her after school tomorrow. What the hell?

  Someone had to get a hold of my phone, but when? I think back through my day. I started my morning in algebra. I know I had my phone with me then and my next class. But then, the class before lunch was social studies. That’s when I put my phone back in my locker because my teacher doesn’t allow phones in her class.

  They broke into my locker.

  They planted the note and texted my mom.

  Oh my God!

  This was not a last-minute prank. It is clear they have been planning this for a while.

  The bile in my stomach burns. I break into a cold sweat and my heart begins to race. For the first time in my life, I know what it is like to be truly terrified.

  How could they be so cruel?

  Do they hate me that much to leave me here all night, without heat, food, water, or a freaking bathroom? Sure, I can survive without the food and water, but eventually, I’m gonna have to go to the bathroom. And really, how long are they planning on leaving me here? What vile individuals do such a thing? I can’t stop my tears now as they push their way through. I can’t be brave anymore. I have no more fight left in me. I lay my head on the desk and sob.

  Several hours go by. I really don’t know how many. I refuse to look at my watch because it will only make me obsessed about the time and how long I’ve been here. Through the window, I see it is completely dark outside, and I’m guessing it’s close to midnight.

  I’m hungry. Usually I keep a snack in my backpack, but I didn’t grab one this morning. This morning. Seems like it was forever ago. I remember I was running late and was afraid to miss the bus. That’s why there isn’t a granola bar or crackers in my bag.

  I have to pee. There is no way I will be able to hold it until morning. I look around the storage room and find and old bucket lying in a far corner. It’s dirty and filled with spider webs. I take one of the torn pieces of cloth sticking out of one of the boxes and wipe out the inside. That’s all I need is for a spider to crawl out of there and onto me. I grab another cloth, one that looks relatively clean. I pull up my skirt, pull down my underpants, and squat over the bucket. When I’m done, I wipe myself with the clean cloth.

  It is amazing
how much we take for granted, like food, water, and a bathroom. If I ever get out of this room, I swear I will think of those things with reverence. I’m tired.

  I look around the room and realize there is nothing to sleep on. I grab several cloths from the same box as before and walk back to the desk. I’m guessing these cloths must be old kitchen towels and rags. After placing them on the desktop, I sit back down and proceed to lay my head on the cloths. They smell, but it is better than lying on the hard desk. I try to think of a better time. A time when my dad was still alive, and I was at my old school with my friends. That seems like such a lifetime ago. Before I know it, I’ve fallen asleep.

  ***

  I’m lost in a sleepy state with dreams flashing through my mind. One minute I am free of this room, another I am telling my mom about what Carter did and nobody believes me. My last thought is wishing I were powerful enough to get back at all of them. I want to make them pay.

  “Malia!”

  “Malia, wake up!”

  Someone is yelling at me. Who is yelling at me? Is it my mom? Am I home? Oh my, this was nothing but a horrible nightmare! It wasn’t real! I quickly open my eyes and realize that no, it wasn’t a nightmare. It was real, and I am still locked in the God-awful storage room.

  “Malia! It’s about time! I’ve been trying to wake you up for the last fifteen minutes!”

  Someone is in here with me?

  I turn toward where the voice is coming from, and standing before me is a very old man. I swear he looks like he is over a hundred years old. And well, he sorta glows. Okay, so now I know I must be dreaming.

  “Malia, I don’t have much time.”

  I close my eyes again ’cause I know I’m dreaming.

  “Malia, open your eyes. We must talk.”

  I open my eyes, and he is still there. “Who are you?”

  “Oh, dearie, I am the man who is going to make your life so much better.”

  “You are?”

  He nods.

  “And do you have a name?”

  “Never mind my name for now.” His voice is eerie and borderline creepy, and if I wasn’t so relieved that someone was here with me and my chances of getting out of here weren’t looking up right now, I would probably be scared of him. “I’ve come to make you a deal.”

  “What sort of deal?”

  “Let’s make sure I’ve got my facts straight. First, you have some girls here at school who don’t like you very much, am I right?”

  “Yes, they locked me in this room and told my mother I was spending the night at a friend’s house so she wouldn’t come looking for me.”

  “Tsk, tsk. It sounds to me that they are very mean girls indeed,” he says, and I smirk. “What if I told you the wish you just made could come true?”

  “How do you know about my wish?”

  “I know everything, Malia. You need to remember that.” I glance at him and take in his clothing. His outfit is rather odd actually, so I look more closely. He’s wearing a full bodysuit of some sort and funky boots with pointy toes that curl. He has a long coat over top which is scattered with gold specs.

  “How would it come true? I’m just me.”

  “But what if I could make you a more magnificent you?”

  “How would you do that? You’re just an old man.”

  He laughs. “I may be just an old man, but you would be amazed at the things I can do.”

  “Oh, really? And you think you can help me?”

  “I don’t think. I know.”

  “And what is it exactly that you will do for me?”

  “I can make you a queen.” He winks at me and smiles.

  I roll my eyes and scoff. I’m not bothering to be quiet about it either. “A what?”

  “You heard me, Malia. I will make you the most magnificent queen who ever lived. You will have powers beyond your comprehension. Powers, I might add, that will help you get back at those mean girls at school.”

  “I don’t believe you.” I scoff again and turn toward the window.

  “I can only do it if you believe. Search your heart, Malia. Realize there are worlds beyond the one in which you live, and let me work my magic.” He comes up behind me and places his hands on my shoulders.

  I turn slowly to face him. “Okay, so if I agree to this, what’s the catch?”

  “Aah, the catch. There really isn’t a catch, but you must remember that everything comes with a price.”

  “And the price is?”

  “Once my work is complete, you will be removed from this world and cast into a world in which you will rule. You will be loved and feared because you will have powers that can’t be matched.”

  “And what about The Mean Girls?”

  “You tell me what you want, and I will make it happen.”

  “Just like that?”

  A lopsided smile forms on his face. “Just like that.”

  “And my mom?”

  “You can bring her with you if you wish.”

  “And the only price is that I will no longer live here or go to this school.”

  “Well, not exactly. There will come a day when I will come to collect.”

  “I knew there was a catch. What will you collect?”

  “Well, that depends. It could be something as simple as asking you to provide a service for me or as complex as requiring that you turn over your firstborn to me. But I have already done that and really don’t wish for another child.”

  “Are you for real? This sounds like something out of a fairy tale.”

  “Oh, Malia, we all live in a fairy tale. We all see the world as we wish it, and we learn to make what we can out of this life we have been given. I can make you fabulous if only you’ll let me.”

  “Can I think about it?” This is just too much to comprehend. He is promising to take me away from all of this. He is promising that whatever I want to happen to Carter and her cronies will, and he says I won’t have to leave my mom. He says I will be powerful, and all I have to do is help him when it’s time to collect. I wonder what it could be? Can’t be that bad, can it?

  “You only have a few minutes to think about it. I don’t have much time.”

  I quickly think about all he is promising, and I hate to admit it, but I want to do it. Before I can talk myself out of it, I blurt, “I’ll do it!”

  “Excellent!” And with a wave of his hand, everything changes. We are immediately transported to the most beautiful forest I have ever seen. The trees stand utterly still like statues, and although there is no movement, I can hear the tall, strong trunks creak as if they are somehow alive. Not like how a plant is alive but more humanlike. I lift my face upward to allow the light and shadows peeking through the branches to dance across my skin. It’s so quiet and serene, and I find myself not wanting to be anywhere else but here. It’s magical.

  I take a step closer, and goose bumps run along my spine. The old man follows, staying close at my side.

  “Where are we?” I ask him.

  “We are in Nysa. The land of rain nymphs and fairies.”

  “Nymphs and fairies?”

  “Yes, you are now their queen.”

  “Their queen? Really? And my mother?”

  He smiles. “She will be here shortly.”

  “Look, Mister—what was your name again?”

  “My name is not important. As I have explained, you are now in a fairy land—a land where nymphs and fairies live harmoniously, and bullying is forbidden. Across the river is the kingdom of Illyria, which is ruled by King Philip. There is one thing you need to remember. Never—and I mean never—go to Illyria. King Philip is not a nice man and doesn’t like fairies. He’s ruthless and murderous and would not think twice about trying to destroy you.” He smiles at me kindly and then says, “Your mother will be here, and next to you, she will be the highest valued fairy in the land. After all, she is the queen mother.”

  “This is all surreal. Am I really a queen?”

  “Yes, Malia, you are
. Everything I promised will come to fruition.” He pauses and then points to the embedded and untouched trail running down the center of this alluring forest. “Look down the trail, Malia.”

  I do as he says, and beyond the forest, sitting atop a small hill, is the most beautiful castle I have ever seen. It puts Cinderella’s castle to shame, and that’s saying something.

  “That, my dear, is your new home.”

  This is all so much to take in. I am totally overwhelmed by everything. “What about Carter and her friends?”

  “What do you wish to happen to them?”

  I think about what he asks for a minute. As much as I would like to inflict all the pain they caused me back at them, I realize that if I do, it will make me no better than they are. I will truly become one of them, which is not what I want. I would never want that. “The only thing I ask is that they realize firsthand how bad their bullying is and that they stop. I’d hate for someone else be the victim of their abuse.”

  “That’s all?” he asks, surprised. “You are truly a kind soul, Malia. If it were me, I’d ruin them. But alas, you are not me.”

  “Yes, that is all. I just want them to stop.” I think about all the times I wanted them to hurt as badly as they hurt me. I was foolish to think that way and realize now I could never inflict that cruelty on another human being.

  “Then consider it done.” He pauses. “Now, let’s get you settled in your new home. Shall we?”

  We walk along the trail watching the power of the sun penetrate the mist as it seeps through the trees. When we get farther into the forest, I hear rustling water. Is it a brook? When we approach, we are standing on the bank of a crystal-clear stream. It’s picturesque with a colorful rainbow arcing across the water. I have never before seen anything so beautiful. Suddenly, I hear chirps of birds. I am acutely aware of roaming insects of various sizes buzzing through the air. It is as if my senses are heightened, and I can hear every little noise.

  “You feel it, don’t you?” he asks.

  “I do. What is happening to me?”