Djinn

by Laura Catherine

  Rachel rose from her seat and strutted across the room to her friends. I watched her leave. At least we wouldn't lose any marks with her absence. If anything our grade would get better.

  "Soooo, you're Mia," I finally said, like an idiot.

  "Yeah, I am, obviously."

  "I'm … Sally. Sally Fox," I said, remembering my fake name. It wasn't often I had to say it.

  "Should we do this thing?" Mia asked, holding up a blank piece of paper.

  "Sure."

  Mia was surprisingly knowledgeable about mythical creatures. Even though we tended to disagree on key points, it was really nice to have someone to talk to, and time passed quickly while we argued.

  "So mermaids are half-human, half-fish," I said, moving on to our fourth creature. "I think I read once that they were cursed to have tails. Something to do with the Greek gods."

  Mia shook her head, her black bob swishing in place. "I keep telling you, mythical creatures aren't made by curses or spells. It's all evolution. Mythical creatures are just mutated humans."

  "They're magical though," I tried to explain.

  "Doesn't matter, it's all genes." She glanced up at me, eyes framed with heavy black eyeliner. Mia kept throwing looks like she was studying me, trying to figure me out, perhaps. It was unnerving, but nice, like she was trying to see who I really was.

  "How about we write both answers, then," I decided and scribbled Mia's weird thoughts onto the page, mostly so I didn't have to watch her stare anymore.

  "Did you just move to town?" I asked.

  "Yeah, a few days ago."

  "I saw you yesterday with Pyke. Are you two related?"

  "He's my brother." She stumbled a bit with the word brother. "He said you'd been here a few months."

  I was shocked that Pyke had talked about me to his sister. What else had he told her?

  "Yeah. I was the newest kid here before you two showed up," I said, hoping I wasn't rambling.

  "Where do you live?"

  I paused wondering if I should answer. It was dangerous letting people know where I lived, but I felt no danger from Mia. She was just a teenager, like me.

  "Off the main road, past the shopping strip," I replied, fiddling with my pencil. "What about you?"

  "Over the other side of the park," she replied.

  The bell rang in repetitive chimes.

  "Thanks class," Miss Bree said, collecting our work. "I'd like you all to start reading Arabian Nights as soon as possible. There are plenty of copies in the library."

  I picked up my books and headed to the door as usual. I turned back to Mia. She was picking up her books and watching me.

  "Nice meeting you," I said, feeling a little awkward. "See you around, I guess."

  "Sure," she said and I left the room.

  I hoped I hadn't come off as rude, or like I was brushing her off. I wasn't used to having someone to talk to, but I couldn't just tell Mia that, she'd think I was weird. She probably already thought I was weird.

  It was my free period so I made my way to the library. I wanted to borrow Arabian Nights and get a head start on the reading.

  The library was empty at that time of day. Many students had free periods, but no one wanted to spend them in the library.

  Well, no one except for me.

  "Hello, Ms Brant," I said as I walked in. She was at her desk scanning books, her glasses falling down her nose.

  "Hello, Kyra," she replied, but didn't look up.

  I strolled into the maze of bookshelves, knowing I could never get lost. This really was my favourite place to be, surrounded by books. There was just nothing better than learning all about characters and places in a new story, true or not.

  I never really bought my own books. Being on the run made it hard to carry much of anything, but when it came time to choose a new town, Dad always picked one with a library for me.

  I made my way to the shelves that were especially for Miss Bree's english books. A whole row was dedicated to our new study of Arabian Nights. I fingered the spines of each book, carefully picking which one I wanted. Ms Brant was good at keeping most of the books in a good condition, but some students still managed to rip off covers and graffiti the insides. It was the biggest crime against literature since book burning.

  I finally found a copy that was free from any damage and held it close to my chest, as if someone might appear and take it from me at any moment.

  "What are you reading?" someone asked.

  I whipped around, ponytail flicking me in the side of the face. Pyke stood behind me, leaning casually against the shelves. He smiled at me, looking me over.

  "Arabian Nights," I replied, not missing a beat.

  "Never heard of it," he said, taking a copy from the shelf and glancing at the cover.

  "Your sister's reading it," I said, moving past him.

  "My sister?" he said with confusion.

  "Yeah, your sister, Mia. Pale, skinny, wears a lot of make-up."

  "I know who Mia is," he said, a flash of hurt in his eyes.

  "What are you doing here?" I asked, changing the subject.

  "You said the library was great, so I came to check it out," he replied.

  I didn't respond, wondering if he was messing with me. Instead, I made my way around the bookcases toward the front desk. Pyke leaped after me, realising I wasn't sticking around.

  "So, do you want to hang out sometime?"

  I paused mid-step. "Did you just ask me out?"

  No one, I mean, no one, had ever asked me out.

  "You seem cool." He shrugged, like it was no big deal. "We could go for dinner or a movie."

  "You've only spoken to me twice," I said.

  "That's just how cool you are." He winked at me, and I still wasn't sure if he was flirting or playing me.

  "No thanks," I said and continued toward the front desk which was now in sight.

  "Come on. I'm lots of fun."

  I didn't understand Pyke at all. He'd only really just met me and already he wanted to hang out? I spun on my heels and faced him, nose to nose. He was tall, but so was I.

  "Don't take this the wrong way," I said, "but if those girls from yesterday have put you up to this, I'm warning you now: I will hurt you."

  Pyke furrowed his brow like he was confused, but it quickly turned into a smile and he laughed.

  "What?" I said.

  "You're feisty, I like that," he replied. "No I'm not messing with you, and I'm not friends with those girls. They seem like bitches."

  It was strange hearing a boy call them bitches, as most referred to them as hot pieces of ass.

  Pyke rubbed his hand through his Mohawk. "I'm new here, so is Mia, and we're just looking for some friends."

  "And you decided that I was the best person for the job?" As a general rule I didn't trust anyone but Dad, boys especially.

  "It's your second day," I said, trying to be considerate. "Let's just see how it goes and get to know each other."

  It was the worst line ever. Even Pyke scrunched his face up.

  "Seriously?" he said.

  I put my book on the desk and Ms Brant scanned it out.

  "Forget what I said." I waved it off. "Let's just start over. I'm Sally."

  "Pyke." He grinned and shook my hand.

  The bell rang, signalling the end of my free period. I grabbed my book from Ms Brant and headed toward the door.

  "I'll see you around, Pyke," I called. I couldn't believe I actually meant it.

  The rest of the school day passed in a hazy blur. In between classes I spent my time reading Arabian Nights, and soon the school day was over.

  The afternoon was warm, probably one of the last we would have that year. I decided to hold off heading home and took a seat on a nearby bench just outside of the school grounds. It was an old wooden bench by the side of the road. I think it used to be a bus stop but they changed the bus route a long time ago. This bench was now splintered, and mossy in some places, but still usable.


  A mother and daughter passed me and gave me a courteous smile. They held hands, the little girl swinging their arms back and forth while she skipped along, trying to keep up with her mother's pace. They laughed at some hidden secret that only a mother and daughter can share. I felt a wave of sadness wash over me and I looked away. What would it be like to have a mother? What would I be like?

  I sat on the bench for a few hours, delving deeper in the world of Arabian Nights, and soon I lost track of time. The next time I lifted my head the sun was just slipping over the horizon. Flustered and annoyed with myself, I packed my bag and headed home, hoping Dad didn't get there before me. If he knew I'd stayed later and not told him, there was no way he was going to let me keep Lab.

  Chapter Seven

  I power-walked toward the shops as the oncoming darkness chased me down the street. The shadows grew longer until they, too, merged with the darkness the setting sun brought. The streets were empty, wind picking up the fallen leaves and making them swirl. It felt like I was in an old western movie.

  It wasn't like I was scared of the dark; I was more worried Dad would get home before me and I'd have to listen to another lecture. The shops were bustling with people doing their last-minute dinner dashes and the roads were busy with people headed home from work. It wasn't until I was passed the shopping strip and was walking alone on the deserted road that my paranoia really kicked in.

  My paced quickened to a near run and my neck was in danger of whiplash as I constantly checked the surrounding area. The moon rose, which provided a source of light other than my phone and the few and far between light posts. The familiar feeling of being watched crept up on me, fuelling my paranoia. My head felt like one of those clowns at a carnival that you stick balls into, flicking back and forth.

  Birds in a tree were startled into flight, and the sudden frightened chirping caused my heart to jump. The crunch of leaves behind me stopped me in my tracks.

  I knew I should have kept moving like Dad always taught me, but Sergeant Barnes had also taught me to know my enemy. Maybe not the best thing to teach a seventeen-year-old, but Sergeant Barnes couldn't help but relate life to war.

  I clenched my fists, readying myself for whatever I was about to face. I breathed out and turned, ready to strike first.

  "Ahhhh!" Mia put her hands up in surrender.

  I stopped myself before I actually made contact with her face and blinked several times to make sure I was seeing her right.

  "Mia?" I retracted my hand, more embarrassed than confused.

  "Paranoid much?" Mia smiled awkwardly.

  I rubbed the back of my head and turned my face from hers. "Yeah, sorry. Just jumpy, I guess."

  "This place can seem kinda scary at night, I suppose," Mia said.

  "Yeah." I analysed my surroundings, still not completely satisfied I was out of danger. "What are you doing out here, Mia?"

  Mia smiled, her brown eyes looking tiny amongst all her black eyeliner. "Me? Just heading home,"

  I looked back down the street behind Mia. Leaves whisked up in the breeze of an oncoming storm; the sky was a cluster of grey and black clouds. Summer was definitely over.

  Registering Mia's answer, I realised something strange about it. "You're walking home?"

  "Yes." She shifted her weight on the spot, hands in the pockets of her leather jacket.

  "I thought you said you lived on the other side of town. Past the park." I cocked my head at her, watching her reaction.

  "I did … I do. I just spotted you walking this way and thought I'd come say hi. I'm not in any rush to get home."

  Mia's words were comforting, but something had changed in her eyes; a hardened look.

  "That's nice …" I said slowly.

  "Friends have to stick together and all that." Mia's face turned into a smile, but it didn't travel all the way to her eyes, which remained distant.

  "Well … it was good seeing you, but I have to head home. My dad's waiting for me. I'll catch you at school tomorrow."

  I turned to leave, ready to break into a run the moment I was out of her sight, until I felt a hand grab my wrist.

  "Hey!" I said, but Mia's face had completely changed. All trace of the friendly girl was gone and replaced with an angered look that brought Mia's eyebrows down in a V shape.

  "I'm sorry, Kyra," she said, her voice lowering.

  "What are you doing, Mia?" I pulled against her, but her grip was like a vice. "Wait, you called me Kyra!"

  "We've been looking for you for a long time," she said.

  I paused. "They're sending teenagers after my dad now?"

  "We're not after him." She pulled me closer. "We're after you."

  I fought harder against her grip, but she wasn't letting go. I couldn't believe how stupid I'd been. If only I'd said something to Dad we could have left this town already. Stupid, selfish Kyra.

  "Stop struggling, Kyra," Mia insisted. "Don't make this harder."

  "What? You just expect me to give up and let you take me?"

  I slipped my free hand down the side of my bag, feeling around for the one thing I needed.

  Mia sighed. "I was hoping."

  My hand gripped the object I was looking for.

  "Sorry to disappoint you!" I pulled a knife from my bag and swung it at Mia's face.

  "AHHHHH!" She clutched her cheek, but her hand couldn't cover the slice I'd given her. Blood seeped through her fingers.

  I ripped my arm from her hand, dropped my school bag and bolted down the street.

  I didn't turn back; Dad said looking back would only ever distract you, but I could hear Mia's footsteps running after me. I fumbled for the phone in my pocket and dialled Dad's number. It rung and rung, for what seemed like hours.

  "Hello?"

  "Dad!" I yelled into the receiver.

  "Kyra?"

  But before I could reply I ran smack bang into a solid object, knocking me to the ground. I rolled around, the wind knocked from my body. I could hear Dad's voice through the phone calling to me.

  "Kyra? Where are you?"

  I reached for the phone only to watch a foot stomp on it, crushing it to pieces. I looked up to see Pyke standing over me with his stupid grin.

  "Oops," he said, shrugging his shoulders and picking up my knife. He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to my feet. His grip was as strong as Mia's.

  "Don't worry, Mia. I got her," he said as she arrived.

  "I had things under control," she replied, bending over to catch her breath.

  "Didn't seem that way to me. How's the face?" He reached up to stroke Mia's bleeding cheek, but she swatted his hand way.

  "Back off, Pyke," she said. "Let's just get Will and the car and get out of this backward town."

  A rumble of thunder coursed through the sky and the clouds opened up, spilling rain down on the earth.

  "Just great," Mia said over the rain, and pulled her leather jacket around her body. "Where's Will?"

  "He's on his way," Pyke replied.

  I watched silently. Dad must have been looking for me by now, and the first place he would check was the house. I had to get to him and away from these people.

  The good thing was they were ignoring me, which gave me the element of surprise. Unfortunately, Pyke had taken my knife, crushed my phone and was holding my arm so tight I thought I might lose circulation.

  I had to think: what weapons I did have? I was trained to fight, but my arm was incapacitated. Then something Dad told me popped into my head: sometimes, all your training goes out the window and you have to rely on instincts.

  I decided to take that advice to heart and shut off my brain, letting my body take over.

  I bit Pyke's hand and he yelped in surprise, his hand flying back to his chest in defence. I grabbed his shoulders and kneed him, hard, in the groin. He dropped to the ground, tears welling in his eyes. Mia came up behind me in Pyke's aid, but I was ready. I elbowed her in the face, deliberately aiming for her open wound, and down she went. />
  I bolted down the street in the pouring rain. I couldn't see if Pyke or Mia were following me, and I couldn't hear them over the storm. It didn't matter, though. I had to find Dad and get away from this town as soon as possible.

  Water sloshed in my shoes as I ran with everything I had. Even when I reached our driveway I didn't stop to rest. I trudged through the slick mud bog that was beginning to form where the driveway used to be. I struggled the last few metres to the front of the house.

  "Dad!"

  I saw his Ute in a skidded park. The front door was ripped open and Dad, dripping wet, burst out.

  "Kyra!"

  "Dad." I ran toward him and he embraced me in a damp hug.

  "Are you alright?" He looked me over, checking to see if I was unharmed.

  I grabbed his hands. "I'm fine. We need to go."

  "You're right. How many are there?"

  "I don't know, but they're not like the others." I held Dad's gaze. "Dad, they're my age. They're teenagers."

  The news didn't shock him as much as it did me. His face remained unreadable.

  "Dad?" I said.

  "I should have known they would try something like this." He shook his head. "I shouldn't have let you go to school."

  "Really? I don't think we have time for this!"

  Dad's mind seemed to be elsewhere, his hand fingering close to his throat. I'd never seen him like this before. I wasn't sure if it was just because they'd gotten so close to us without either of us noticing, or if it something else. Dad had always been the strong, level-headed one, but looking at him now, he seemed almost unhinged.

  "There's no time to grab anything," he said.

  My photo of Mum flashed in my mind, but I remained calm. "I know."

  He squeezed the sides of my arms like he wanted to tell me something.

  "Dad, what is it? You're acting strange."

  "They're too close," he muttered and I'm not sure if he meant for me to hear. "They've never been this close."

  "Dad," I grabbed his arm, forcing him to focus. "This is as close as they get. We are getting out of here."

  He nodded. "Here." He handed me the keys. "Get in the Ute and start it up."

  "Aren't you coming?" I asked.

  "There's something I have to do first."