Hidden Monster

by Amanda Strong

“Why did I tell Jeremy that?” I groaned. The day of the dreaded dance had finally arrived and the costume Jeremy bought for me lay on my bed, still in its package. I glared at the model wearing it. There’s no way I can pull this off. When Jeremy had asked me what I wanted to wear, ‘fairy’ had popped out of my mouth. Since my dream of flying, I was obsessed with them.

  “Cool, you’ll look hot in a short—” My glare had him stammering, “Or I mean, nice in a long dress. And I’ll be what… an ogre? What goes with fairy?”

  Nothing, I’d thought, but I offered, “I don’t know, maybe a wizard.”

  Now on my bed was a costume way too skimpy for my liking. Guess everyone wants to be Tinker Bell. I sighed, yanked the gown from the bag, stripped, and slid it on. Glancing at myself in the mirror, I gasped. I could see my bra through the sheer material.

  I stripped, found a white tank top to put under it, and redressed. Not great, but better. Thankfully, the bottom of the skirt had enough layers of tulle and silk not to be see-through. I never wanted to play dress up as a little girl. What made me think I’d want to do it now that I was seventeen? Complete nightmare.

  I snatched the wings next. Once they were secure on my back, I grunted at my reflection. The costume bag read Dragonfly Fairy, but pink gauze stretched around a bent wire hanger hardly captured the strength in the efficacious wings I’d dreamt of. I’m wearing a freaking tutu!

  I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, telling myself to remember my flying dream. It relaxed me. My gown had been soft, my hair like gold silk draping over my skin, and my wings… The memory of flexing those unique muscles between my shoulder blades flared, the sensation of expanding and filling my lungs growing stronger with each breath.

  Something tickled my arm. My eyes popped open to see blonde hair spilling down my shoulders and brushing against my arms. I shrieked and then slapped a hand across my mouth. No way! No way! Holy crap! No way!

  There were feet running up the stairs. “Samantha! Are you OK?” my mom’s voice called out.

  This isn’t possible! I gawked at the long, blue dress covering my body, clutching it just to see if it were real. Soft, silky material slipped between my fingers—it was tangible. All too real. What in the world is happening?

  “Samantha, what’s wrong? Open this door!” my mom commanded as she jiggled the handle.

  When did I lock it? I hustled across the room, my hair bouncing against my lower back. I’m awake… this isn’t a dream! As if answering me, the pair of wings on my back fluttered. Positive I was hallucinating, I threw my door open, hoping my mom would set me straight.

  “Oh, Samantha!” she gasped, the worry melting from her expression. “You look stunning!”

  Holy crap! This is real? My wings flickered, but luckily for me, my mom didn’t notice.

  “Why’d you scream like that?” my mom demanded.

  My mouth opened, ready to blurt out the truth. Freaking out because I’m a fairy, Mom! But instead, I stammered, “Oh… uh… a spider landed on me.”

  “Don’t you ever scream like that unless someone’s coming through your window, do you understand? I about had a heart attack!”

  Poor Mom. My head bobbed up and down. She stayed a few minutes, fussing over my dress, hair, and makeup. She kept asking me how I brought the honey color out in my brown eyes, and where did I get such a real-looking wig. It took all my willpower not to breakdown laughing at the absurdity of it all. Should be asking me how I grew a pair of wings!

  The moment she left the room, I rushed to my mirror. I hardly recognized my own reflection—thick, black lashes, a creamy complexion with rosy undertones in all the right places, which accentuated my cheekbones, my lips pink and fuller than I’d ever remembered them being before, and my neck so long and lean.

  This isn’t me! I wrung my hands together. What should I do? The answer was obvious. I should march downstairs and tell my family everything. Instantly, I saw my mom’s reaction. The hysteria, the phone calls to doctors and specialists. The rumors and strange glares would never end. I couldn’t do it. I needed a minute to compose my thoughts. Maybe the wings would just go away, and no one would ever have to know about it. It was a shot in the dark, but I clung to it like it was my lifeline. One thing for sure, there was no way I was going to the dance now. I have to figure this out. Maybe I can make them go away. I mean, I thought about them and they appeared. Wonder how much I can control them?

  I inhaled deeply while concentrating on the muscles nestled between my blades. Flexing and expanding, my wings fluttered to life, transforming into a blur. I exhaled, and my feet left the carpet.

  “Okay, now stop.” I remained levitated. “Great idea, now I’m stuck up here. Maybe something different will work.” I glanced over my shoulder. “Time to calm down.” I felt ridiculous speaking to the wings like they were some kind of dog, but they responded by slowing.

  Encouraged, I continued, “Calm, calm, time to be calm.” The blur was becoming more distinct. I grinned. “Calm,” I whispered again. Then the silver hum became two iridescent wings, and my feet sunk into the carpet. Yes!

  The doorbell rang, and I shot into the air again. You’ve got to be kidding me! Is this going to happen every time I’m startled? My mom was coming up the stairs. Calm, calm, calm…

  I’d barely landed when my mom gave one knock and opened the door. “Wow, I can’t get over how stunning you look! I wish your sisters were home to see you. Jeremy’s here.”

  “Hey Mom, I don’t think I’m going to go. I’m feeling kind of lousy all of sudden.”

  My mom’s face fell. “Really? Oh Samantha, are you sure? You look so gorgeous in that.”

  “Yeah, I’m just fighting this sore throat.”

  “Well, let me help you take those wings off so you can lay down.” She took a step forward. “It’s a shame; I think you’d enjoy yourself tonight.” I froze. My mom’s fingers reached out, touching my wings. “How did you even get these on in the first place? I don’t see any fasteners.”

  “You know what? You’re right, Mom. I think I’ll go,” I blurted, sidestepping out of her reach and bolting from the room. I either go to the dance or be discovered for the freak show I am right now. I decided to risk it. Halloween dance, here I come.

  “Oh good,” I heard my mom exclaim from behind me. “I think you’ll have so much fun.”

  Descending the steps, I saw Jeremy’s jaw drop.

  “Holy cow!” he blurted out from the base of the stairs.

  “Jeremy, I don’t know where you got that, but it’s the most incredible costume. She glows in it!” my mom gushed, following me.

  “I didn’t—”

  I shook my head at him. “He doesn’t remember what website he ordered it off, right?”

  He must have gotten my hint because he closed his mouth and nodded. Wanting to get this night over with as quickly as possible, I grabbed my jacket out of the coat closet.

  “You may want to take your wings off first,” my mom commented.

  My stomach dropped. “They were tough to get on. I’ll just wear it like this till we get there.” I held it in front of me and shoved both my arms through it backwards.

  Just as Jeremy reached for the door handle, it turned, and my sisters walked in. Whatever they were discussing before, they stopped.

  Jocelyn’s eyes widened, and Krista whooped, “Holy he…ck,” she finished for my mom’s benefit. My mom hated curse words, no matter how mild they were.

  I cringed inside, fearing that any moment I’d be found out. All it would take was one loud, unexpected noise and I’d be bumping into the ceiling. I have to get out of here. At least at the dance, it’ll be dark.

  Jocelyn fingered the dress. “Wow, Samantha. Where did you get this? It’s like silky cashmere.”

  Not one for wearing either of those materials, I shrugged my shoulders. “Some store online. I don’t remember the name.”

  Krista’s eyes zeroed in on Jeremy. “Mm… you can’t go
like that. I need to fix you.”

  I had to admit, his black wizard cape and hat looked like a fifteen-dollar drugstore costume now. Krista grabbed his arm, yanking him upstairs as Jocelyn fingered my hair. I did my best not to shudder. What if she realized everything wasn’t just a costume? What then?

  “Where did you get this wig? It looks so real. I would love one of these. Maybe a red one so I can dress as Red Riding Hood.” Her brown eyes studied me over.

  Blood rushed to my face. Jocelyn wasn’t the type to let details slide. Darn her for so many questions! “I, uh, same store too.”

  Jocelyn peered at the wings, her hand skimming along the edge of one. My mouth felt like cotton, and I swallowed hard. Her fingers were cold and dry. I can feel with my wings!

  “What in the world?” she murmured. “I’ve never seen anything like these before.”

  I ducked away, unsure what to say. Luckily, I was saved by Jeremy and Krista coming back down.

  “Doesn’t he look better, Sammy?” Krista asked with a smug smile.

  “Yeah, it’s creepy,” I said, meaning it. Jeremy’s face was painted gray with black shadowing his eyes and mouth. He looked mean and I didn’t like it, but I was glad he was ready to go. My mom pushed us together and took several pictures.

  “Mom, its Halloween, not prom.” I needed to escape the brightly lit living room. If my wings even shivered, I knew I’d really be known as the circus sideshow.

  “I know, I know. But you’ll thank me later,” she huffed. “Be safe, have fun,” she called as we finally left.

  “We will. Thank you, Mrs. Campbell,” Jeremy replied.