School of Deaths

by Christopher Mannino

  Hann rode over, blowing his whistle.

  “A foul this early?” asked Suzie.

  “It’s strange,” said Jason.

  One Dragon Seeker waved at the crowd as he handed his scythe to Hann. One of the other players tossed the ball to him, and the group of five made their way into the quadrant. Six Knights started attacking, but a group of Widows and Giants struck back. In minutes, a dozen Deaths lay sprawled on the ground and the Dragons were running toward the Gray Knights’ tower.

  Now the action was closer, and Suzie saw faces. Frenchie ran with the ball, holding no scythe. Two Dragon Seekers flanked him, another ran in front. A Widow spun his scythe behind Frenchie, but one of the Giants knocked him to the ground. Frank braced himself, spinning his boskery blade, as the group approached. Billy and two other Knights circled around, but a group of Giants and Widows were attacking each other. Frank leaped in the air, swung the blade, and a Dragon Seeker fell to the ground. Frenchie put a hand on a ladder. Frank spun around, but another Dragon had hidden himself on the other side of the tower. He cut Frank’s leg, opening a gash. Frank yelled and fell to the ground, clutching his leg. The Dragons flanked the ladder as Frenchie climbed.

  Billy broke free from the melee but it was too late, Frenchie scaled the tower and tossed the ball into the bucket. Hann blew his whistle and everyone stopped. The players started back toward the center, looking suddenly tired. Fourteen stayed where they were on the field, still paralyzed.

  “A point that soon,” said Jason. “That’s unusual, and a bad sign for us.”

  “He got the penalty on purpose,” said Suzie. “That was planned.”

  “I agree. They’ve come to win.”

  Hann rode to the center, still holding Frenchie’s scythe. The paralyzed players, including Frank, hadn’t risen yet. Hann blew his whistle and tossed the ball into the air.

  “We might have a chance here,” said Jason. “Frenchie’s still in penalty.”

  Billy seemed to be thinking the same thing. He ignored the ball, and struck two Dragon Seekers down, running toward Frenchie. He spun the scythe, whirling the blades into a circle of silver. Frenchie ran away, tripped and fell. Billy snapped the scythe right onto Frenchie’s back.

  “Yes,” yelled Suzie.

  “No,” said Jason. “They’re distracted. This is bad.”

  He was right. The Giants grabbed the ball, deep in Widow territory. The Widows had taken the heaviest toll from the first brawl, but now two of them staggered to their feet. The Gray Knights continued to attack the Dragons as the Giants stormed farther into the Widow quadrant. Two Widows ambushed the ball-carrier at the canal. He collapsed into the water, but managed to throw the ball to a teammate before he fell. Another Giant slashed one of the trees. A branch fell onto a Widow Maker, and the Giants walked to the tower. Only their Protector remained, against three of the Giant Slayers.

  “Slayers. Slayers,” chanted a group in the stands.

  The Protector spun his scythe, lunging toward the Giant with the ball. He tossed the ball to one of the other three, as the third nicked the Protector’s foot. The Protector fell to the ground and the Giants scored a goal. Hann blew his whistle and the Deaths started back toward the center.

  “Slayers one to Seekers one,” said Suzie. “Knights aren’t on the board yet.”

  “Maybe that’ll change, look at Billy.”

  She followed Jason’s outstretched finger and looked at her friend. Billy stood on the far side of the field, huddled with two Widow Makers. “What’s he doing?” she asked.

  “I’m guessing he’s trying to form an alliance. The two teams that are down, against the two leading teams.”

  Hann dropped the ball in the center of the field. Frenchie still lay face down, and the others walked around him. A Giant grabbed the ball and tossed it to his teammate. Three Gray Knights converged, and tossed it to Billy. Billy threw the ball to a Widow.

  “Did he throw the ball away?” asked Suzie.

  “I don’t think it was an accident.”

  The Widows withdrew into their own quadrant, where all of their players ran. As they approached their goal, the Widow Protector tossed the ball to Billy, who grabbed it, leaped onto the ladder, and scored an easy goal.

  “Knights will probably do the same thing in reverse now,” said Jason. “They’re trying to even the score.”

  Frenchie rose as Hann dropped the ball. He took his scythe back from Hann and started running. Dragon Seekers and Giant Tamers shouted to each other. The Knights withdrew to their quadrant, with a small group of Widows, but the play didn’t go as planned. Seven of the Dragons, followed by seven of the Giants, stormed into the quadrant. Hann rode after them, but three players from each team dropped their scythes and kept running.

  Billy turned around, holding the ball, frowning with confusion. He started to throw to one of the Widows, but the scythed Giants and Dragons were too many, they mowed down the Widows and half of the Knights. Billy broke into a run, toward the empty Giant Tamers’ quadrant. A pack of Deaths sprinted after him. Frank shouted something to the team. Four other Gray Knights ran after Billy. Hann rode over, carrying a pile of boskery scythes. He took one of the scythes from a Knight, but the remaining three ran into the crowd of still unarmed Dragons and Giants. Many fell. Billy reached the Giant’s tower, held the ball in one hand, and swung his scythe. It hit the Protector on the foot and he went down. Billy scaled the tower and scored.

  “We’re winning,” said Suzie.

  “By accident. That play was designed to be a freebie. Now the alliance is over. We’ll find out what happens next.”

  It was gruesome.

  It was heart-wrenching.

  She loved every minute.

  Play continued for another two and half hours without a break.

  The Deaths stopped running and started to walk, sometimes even crawling toward the towers. Three times Deaths were stopped on the ladders, too tired to climb. Many hid in the few trees around the field, throwing the ball to teammates when they could.

  The Gray Knights scored four goals, two in the Widow quadrant, and two in the Giant’s. They were never able to score in the Dragon Seeker’s tower. The Dragon Seekers scored three goals in the Gray Knights quadrant, and one in the Widow Maker’s.

  “It’s tied,” said Jason, as Hann blew his whistle.

  “Game time has ended,” shouted Hann. “No team was able to score in the three opponents’ towers. The score is Widow Makers: one, Giant Tamers: two, Gray Knights and Dragon Seekers: four each. We’ll have a five minute break, before the final elimination match.”

  “I can’t believe it,” said Jason. “We might actually win the championship.”

  “What happens now?” asked Suzie.

  “They break and clear the field while the two Protectors square off in the no-man’s land in the middle. Last one standing wins the game for their team.”

  The crowds in the stands grew quiet for the first time in hours. Billy patted Frank on the back, whispering something in his ear. The other players trailed off. Frenchie spat as Hann rode to the center of the field.

  “Frank can do this, right?” asked Suzie.

  Frank hobbled to the center. Blood ran down the side of his face and covered his leg.

  “I hope so,” said Jason. “He got hit a lot, when they kept ganging up on him. Don’t forget they scored three goals on us, and we haven’t even touched their Protector.”

  “Who is he? Their Protector?”

  “That’s David Overby,” said a Death next to Jason. “He’s one of the best Protectors to ever play the game. Seekers will win without a doubt.”

  “Look at his opponent,” laughed another Death. Suzie couldn’t match the voice to a face. The crowd around her laughed as Frank paused, dropping to one knee.

  Jason took her hand in his. “It’s only a game,” he whispered.

  “We’ll win,” she said.

  She closed her eyes and concentrated. Be strong, Frank. You can do
this. We’re all behind you. In the distance of her imagination, a pair of green eyes watched.

  Frank rose as Hann blew the whistle and spurred his horse out of the way.

  David ran toward Frank, his boskery blade spinning into a perfect circle of metal. How the boy had any energy left after the three hour game was a mystery.

  Frank held his position, turning his double-blade slowly back and forth. David swung and Frank took a step back, dodging. The Dragon Seeker lost his balance and Frank poked his scythe into the whirling blades. Blade met blade in a clash that reverberated around the field. No one in the crowd spoke. The other players stood on the field, forming a ring outside of the central no-man’s land. Billy was the first to break the silence.

  “Come on Frank,” he yelled.

  The crowds erupted. The lower stands ran out toward the field. Hann waved at them, warning them to stay back. Suzie and Jason ran forward with the crowd. She jostled her way to the front of the line, right behind Billy.

  Blades smashed into each other again and again. Sparks flew as the two scythes met. David kicked Frank’s bad leg, and Frank fell to the ground. David raised his scythe, spinning it. Frank grabbed his own scythe, but David slammed his blades down, knocking it away. Frank was unarmed.

  David’s face grew wild.

  “Finish him!” screamed Frenchie.

  “No, Frank,” whispered Suzie.

  Frank backed up toward the canal.

  David smiled at the crowd, milking the attention. He stood, waving his boskery blade in a wide, slow circle.

  A handful of mud flew into David’s face. He stumbled backward as Frank threw a second handful. Frank staggered to his feet and ran into David’s legs, tackling him. The blade fell, and both David and Frank collapsed onto the ground.

  “What happened?” asked Suzie, starting to move forward.

  “Stay back,” warned Hann. “Match is still on.”

  “The blade hit both of them,” said Jason. “Now whoever gets up first will win.”

  “But Frank was hurt bad.”

  “Nothing we can do now.”

  The ring around the two Deaths froze, watching.

  Ten minutes was never as long.

  Frank struggled to his feet. David remained on the ground.

  “Gray Knights are the winners!” shouted Hann.

  Suzie ran forward with the crowd, tears flowing freely down her face.

  * * * *

  The party lasted for hours. Frank was the hero, cheered by everyone. Suzie joined in the celebrations held in the Lower Hall. Food, music, and applause continued without end. Even Hann gave a speech praising the Gray Knights for their performance.

  Finally, Suzie staggered home with Jason and Billy.

  “That was amazing,” she said.

  “I’m glad you came,” said Billy. “That championship will be hard to top. I couldn't believe when Gary ran into the tower the first time. And that finish with David and Frank.”

  “Good job,” said Jason, “but I think I’m ready for bed.”

  They entered Eagle Two and Billy flopped on the couch.

  “Only one more day of Styxia left,” he said. “Suzie, I told you this world wasn’t too bad. We have fun here, like anywhere.”

  “Today was a lot of fun,” she admitted. “I’m with Jason though, it’s almost five, and I’m exhausted.”

  “Sleep well.” Billy got up and kissed her lightly on the lips.

  Suzie’s face turned beet red.

  “I…”

  “Good night,” he said. He smiled and walked to his bedroom, closing the door.

  “Good night,” she whispered.

  Suzie’s heart raced. Her first kiss. Did it even count? She hadn’t been expecting it, and Billy was probably tired. Maybe he didn’t realize what he was doing.

  Her first kiss. Her first kiss was Billy.

  She closed the door to her room and sat on the bed. The room was warm and wet.

  Wet? No, it wasn’t the room. A trickle of moisture ran down her legs. Was she that excited? She had actually wet herself?

  Suzie hurried to the bathroom, pulling off her robe and pulling down her panties. She almost fainted when she saw the blood.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Blood

  Suzie frowned. She hadn’t been sick since entering the World of the Dead and had started to wonder if illness even happened here.

  She looked down again.

  She was bleeding between her legs. She felt for a cut, but if there was one, it was high inside her. She didn’t want to go to a doctor. She was the only one. The only girl in the entire world.

  Suzie couldn’t think straight. Her head spun from exhaustion. Surely, it could wait until the morning. That’s when the realization hit her. Her first period. Here, in a world with no other women.

  Like a wall slamming into her heart, she suddenly missed her mom. With no women here, no one would understand. She couldn’t even go to a store to buy pads. It was the morning now. It could wait until after she’d slept. However, what if she kept bleeding? The Mortal World was so far away, like a dream.

  She clumped a wad of toilet paper and used it to stop the blood. It lessened, but she still worried. The Deaths had stolen clothes from the living; surely they’d get her some tampons? She should visit a doctor, at least they’d be able to get her something. Did they have doctors here? In her time at the College, no one had mentioned a doctor or a nurse, but she had to ask.

  “Billy?” she called, knocking on his door.

  “Thought you went to sleep,” he said, opening the door. He still wore his robe.

  “I’m hurt,” she said. “I’d like to see a doctor.”

  “I’m the one who was in the game,” he teased. “You got hurt in the stands?”

  “I want to see a doctor, Billy.”

  “Now? It’s like five in the morning.”

  “I want to get this taken care of. I won’t be able to sleep.”

  “All right, all right. I guess we can take you to Doc Harman. He helps us out when we get hurt in boskery.”

  “Thanks, Billy.”

  She gave him a hug and they headed out. After the earlier festivities, the College was eerily silent. The air smelled of strawberries, but also of dew. Overhead, stars twinkled in a cloudless sky. West Tower loomed above them, cutting a writhing black swath into the night. The crescent moon hung low on its side, like a scythe reaping a field of diamonds. To the east, slight hints of gray hung at the edge of the sky, preparing for the morning.

  “Doc Harman is in East Tower,” said Billy. “I’ve only been to his office once.”

  “What happened?” she whispered, but her words still sounded loud against the silence of the sleeping College.

  “I had just started boskery and fell out of one the towers. Broke my leg. Doc fixed it up pretty good.”

  She nodded and they walked on. The blood started to trickle down her thighs again. Had they actually kissed? Was he only tired, or did he like her?

  They crossed through the center of campus, passing cold, unlit buildings. At night, every mound looked as black as the Examination Room. Half of the year was over. In a few months, she’d take her test and finally go home. A bird cawed in the night, and in the distance she heard a low howl.

  “Are there wolves here?” she asked.

  “Probably. Outside the College I’ve heard of all sorts of beasts,” said Billy. “But don’t worry, only Deaths can get through the Ring.”

  “And ’Mentals,” said Suzie, “and don’t forget the albino that attacked me.”

  “Yeah, ’Mentals can cross through, too, but wolves can’t.”

  Another howl rang out and Suzie shivered. They continued toward East Tower. In one courtyard, they passed a few Deaths sleeping, covered in confetti from the boskery win. Billy walked on without stopping.

  “I hope he’s up,” said Billy when they reached the base of East Tower.

  “Wait a second,” said Suzie.

 
; “What for?”

  “Shhh.” She paused and listened. Someone was approaching, whispering something. Suzie pressed herself behind a corner of the door. Billy did the same, but gave her a questioning look.

  The door to East Tower swung open and three Deaths walked out. She didn’t recognize them.

  “At the banquet?” said one of them. They walked away from Suzie and Billy without turning around.

  “We’ll show them,” said another.

  “They’ll be sorry. The way they treat us.”

  “After the outrage at the parade.”

  The trio continued to whisper but disappeared around a bend.

  “Who was that?” whispered Billy after a minute had gone by.

  “I’ve no idea,” said Suzie, “but they were mad about something.”

  “Well it’s none of our business. C’mon, I’m tired. Let’s find Harman and go home.”

  “Of course,” she said.

  Billy pulled on the massive doors, and they swung open. A flower Suzie didn't recognize lit the inside of East Tower. It hung on the walls like ivy, but had petals like tulips. The light cast by the flowers shone dim and blood red. Red, like the trickle of blood between her legs.

  “This way,” said Billy. He led her down the hall and up a flight of stairs. She wondered where Sindril’s office was. Much higher up, she supposed. He probably watched the College from the top tower, peering down at the Deaths.

  They walked around a bend and Billy stopped. A sign outside the door read “Sidney Harman, Doctor to Deaths.”

  Billy knocked on the door. After a minute, he knocked again.

  “Who’s there?” called a voice from the other side.

  “Billy Black. My friend is hurt.”

  “Give me a minute.”

  Suzie heard muttering from behind the door and began to wonder if this was a good idea. Why was she visiting a doctor? With no other girls here, would they even know what a tampon was? No, she was being silly, they went to the Mortal World, and they’d seen girls before. Besides, she didn’t want to keep using toilet paper, and she couldn’t steal from the living herself.