Best Short Stories 2013

by Justin Blaney

Out of the Shadows by Katrina Umland

  "Oh!" exclaimed Meg as she fell to the hard floor of the school's hallway. She scurried around trying to collect her books and papers from her previous class before others could stomp them into crumpled heaps like the last time she tripped on the air and dropped her supplies. She was just reaching for the last of her things, a very important music score she was hoping to look at again before solo auditions took place, when a five-inch heeled, blindingly-blinged out, shoe smashed down where her hand was just about to be.

  "Sorry, Meg-a-looser," a female voice sneered. "I was just showing off my brand new, Louboutin Strass Crystal Heels. They are far too expensive for someone of your kind to ever own." And with the perfect smirk that Meg just knew would be there if she were to look up at her full time assaulter, she added, "Or like you would ever be able to walk in them. You can't even stand on your feet without toppling over."

  "Gee, thanks for noticing, Karen. Can't see how you even have the time or energy to ever worry about me and my finances," Meg replied sarcastically. "But, you do know there's a big wad of bright green gum stuck to the bottom of that ankle breaker your wearing?"

  "Oh gross!" Karen screeched, miraculously able to hop up and down on one heel as she carefully lifted her other one up for inspection.

  Meg took that opportunity to grab the sheet of music, hop to her feet, and hustle down the hall before the other girl could figure out that there was really nothing there at all.

  Meg slumped out of the school; well, that was what everyone else called it. To her it was more like a prison. A horrible nightmare of a place filled with monsters and hypocrites that only the strength of hard cash could fight off. It was raining again. She hoped that someone had remembered to come and get her this time, but as she scanned the few remaining vehicles in the parking lot she doubted that anyone at the house had. She sighed as she looked up at the clouds that showed no sign of stopping and stepped out into the chilling downpour.

  When she got home, looking more like a sewer-rat than the girl no one had waved off to school, she sloshed her way down the main hall and up the grand staircase to her little room. It was the smallest room in the house, but Meg didn't mind so much. At least she had a place that she could say was all hers, and it was in all honesty completely hers. In fact, she basically had the entire house to herself. The occasional maid would wander up to vacuum, but her parents would never care to check in on her little part of the world, and her siblings were all grown and moved out.

  "Parents," she muttered as she changed out of her icy school uniform and into a pair of jeans and a sweater. "Parents would care more." But as she started back down the stairs, toweling off her hair, she felt a bit of guilt at saying such things about the kind family that had taken her in. After the accident her parents had gotten into, Meg had been left alone with no other relation to take her. She was moved from care home to care home, never really fitting in, until a couple came in search of a well behaved, teenage child to adopt. They had such a big house and all of their own children had left to make a big life for themselves, so they felt they needed someone to fill the silence of the house.

  As Meg entered the kitchen she found her favorite of the five maids that worked in the house, busy at the kitchen sink.

  "What are we having for dinner tonight, Maya?" Meg plopped into one of the high stools at the center island, dropping the towel to the floor. "I assume it will be just you and me, right? Mom has a clothing line to finish and Dad probably has some over-emotional client to calm down."

  "Oh, Megalyn, your home early!" Maya glanced at the clock. "Oh, I'm so sorry. It was my day to pick you up wasn't it? James is driving for your mother tonight. I completely forgot! Did you walk all this way in the rain? You foolish child. You could have caught pneumonia and died. You should have called me!"

  "It's ok. Honest. I'm used to it. And don't call me Megalyn. You know I hate that name. It's too high class for someone like me." She hopped down from the stool and walked over to the sink to see what Maya was doing. "I can help you with all of those dishes. You must have been working on them all day."

  "Oh no you don't," Maya said, wiping her hands on her apron before gently pushing Meg away from the sink. "I actually have a surprise for you."

  Meg let Maya lead her into the massive living room that occupied most of the first floor and sat down on the vintage couch, careful to not let her wet hair touch the not-so-waterproof fabric. Meg could just see her mother's reaction if she were to find any sort of spot on it.

  "You know how I was gone on a little vacation right?" Maya pulled a small box down from one of the many shelves that lined the room's walls. "Well, I saw this and thought of you. I know you two will be such good friends, and yes, I do know you could use a few more friends."

  Meg took the box, curious as to what could possibly be inside that would be her friend. She carefully lifted the lid to find a little face looking up at her. Surprised, she pulled the little figure out of the box. In her hands she held a little clay dragon. It was large enough that she had to hold it with both hands, but it felt strangely light for its size.

  "It's wonderful!" Meg gasped. "Thank you so much." She smiled up at Maya, who grinned back. Meg carried the little dragon to her room and sat him on the desk while she looked for an empty shelf. After clearing an open spot, she turned back to her desk and froze in shock.

  The little dragon was standing on his hind legs, front paws crossed in front of his chest and his wings flicking like he was annoyed. Meg could not believe her eyes. She slowly approached, sure the dragon was sitting when she had placed it on the desk. As she drew closer she thought she saw it blink. 

  No, she told herself, you're imagining things. She turned away from the dragon and heard the sound of a throat clearing. She froze.

  "Excuse me," a voice said. "I couldn't help but notice your plain décor and unattractive clothing."

  Meg turned slowly, eyes wide, unable to believe what she saw and heard. The voice belonged to the dragon. But it was made of clay. Everyone knows clay can't talk. And there was no such thing as dragons.

  "I must be sick," Meg said to herself. "This is all in my head!"

  "Well excuse me! I was only trying to make conversation. Leave it to a human with a strong Energy Pulse to be so dramatic."

  "DRAMATIC?" Meg yelled, crossing her arms in front of her. "You're a clay dragon that was not talking a minute ago. You're not even supposed to be moving! You are clay and clay does NOT do those things. I'm totally out of my mind. Why am I even talking to you?" Meg flopped down on the bed, covering her face with her hands and sighing deeply.

  "Well I guess I will just have to SHOW you how real I really am." Meg looked up and saw the little dragon holding a tiny paw out to her. Meg assumed she was supposed to take it, but she couldn't bring herself to. It was just too strange to believe.

  "Suit yourself then," the dragon said, "but you don't strike me as the flying type."

  "Flying type? What..." But before she could finish her question, her bedroom floor vanished beneath her feet. She was falling through darkness. Too stunned to scream, she flailed her arms, desperate to find some sort of hold.

  "You should have taken my paw." The little dragon appeared beside her, still holding out his paw. This time Meg took it, and to her surprise, her descent slowed. Light erupted around them.

  "Here we are," the little dragon said happily, gently dropping Meg to the soft, grassy ground. "My home. See I told you I was real."

  Meg could not believe her eyes. The world around her was all so fantastic. There were flowers and green fields as far as she could see. And in the distance, the shape of a magnificent castle.

  "And I took the liberty of fixing your clothing for you," the dragon said. "You're welcome."

  Meg looked down at herself to find that her jeans and t-shirt had been replaced with the most glamorous dress she had ever seen. Its deep green color complimented her well, she had to admit. With its slim fitting sle
eves and flowing skirt, it looked like the type of dress that she had always wanted to wear, but never had the courage or finances to.

  "And now we have a party to attend." The little dragon pushed Meg toward the castle. "There is this guy that I really, really think you should meet and--"

  "Hold up," Meg said, trying unsuccessfully to dig her slippered feet into the thick carpet of grass. "I can't just show up here and crash someone else's party. That would be really rude!" But no matter how hard she tried to resist the dragon's shoving, she seemed to be no match against the creature's surprising strength. Eventually, she gave in.

  As the two of them approached the castle, a pit rose in Meg's stomach. She had never been to a big party like this before. Back home, she had not been popular enough to even dream about being invited to something like this. She was sure she would stick out like a sore thumb.

  "Oh yeah, almost forgot." The little dragon snapped his fingers. "You can't party with the prince without a little shiny something of your own sitting on top of your head."

  Suddenly, Meg felt something sitting on her head. Glancing in a mirror, she was astonished to find a delicate tiara on the girl staring back at her.

  This has to be a dream, she thought to herself.

  "Now get in there and have a good time." With a final push, the little dragon forced Meg into the stunning hall.

  She tried to blend in as much as she could, finally settling for a table in the far corner, almost completely hidden from the other guests. She watched them, feeling like she often did at school; everyone seemed just as full of themselves. Their dresses and gaudy jewels were far more elegant than her simple green and silver gown. She sighed deeply, wishing she would just wake up already. The dream was starting to feel like a nightmare.

  "You look like you're having fun," a male voice said behind her. She jumped nearly out of her chair, turning to see who the voice belonged to. He was a head taller than she; his hair was dark brown with a natural wind-swept look to it, and his eyes were a hypnotizing shade a green. She could see the muscles in his arms through his white shirt. She wondered why none of the other girls had noticed him yet.

  "Mind if I join you?" He took the seat next to her.

  Meg was grateful for the company, but felt weird sitting with a guy she knew nothing about.

  Finally, he broke the silence. "My name is Dargon."

  "My name is Megalyn, but everyone calls me Meg."

  Dargon smiled at her. His smile was as perfect as his eyes. She melted inside. "I like that name," he said. "Its beauty fits you perfectly."

  There was a brief silence. Dargon blurted, "Would you like to dance?"

  "Wha...? Oh, um, I'm not much of a dancer." Meg wondered if she was turning red.

  "Good," he said. "Neither am I." Grabbing her hand, he lead her onto the dance floor. Meg was too astonished to offer any resistance.

  Out on the floor it seemed he moved much more gracefully than he had let on. Meg noticed how many of the other girls, even the ones who were with a dancing partner, stared at them, jealousy burning in their eyes. But Dargon didn't notice. He held her close, dancing like he had no cares in the world. Little by little Meg let go of her own cares. Dancing with Dargon just felt so right to her. For the rest of the night they stayed by each other's sides. After a while, Meg no longer noticed the jealous glances. All she wanted was to be with Dargon.

  After a number of songs, they both decided it would be wise to take a short break from they collapsed from exhaustion. Together, they returned to the table where they first met.

  An old man approached them. "Son, a few of the guests have voiced great displeasure in the fact that you will not dance with them. They tell me that you have been spending all of your time and attention on this mysterious young lady who no one has seen around the village, let alone the kingdom. Why not indulge some of the other, finer ladies? The princess of Riven is here and I know her father would be greatly upset if you do not ask her to dance at least once. And over yonder waits the duchess of Wrethering. Standing next to her is lady Persefiss..."

  Meg was taken aback by the man's words. Why would Dargon care about princesses and duchesses, unless... she gasped. Looking from the old man to Dargon, she realized how much they looked alike. "I am so sorry," she stammered to the king, "I had no idea. I mean, um, I--"

  "I am quite happy where I am," Dargon said. "Thank you Father." Before the king could protest, Dargon took Meg's hand and led her out of the hall.

  When they were away from the rest of the party guests, Meg turned to Dargon. "Why didn't you tell me you were a prince!" She felt suddenly weak and had to sit down before she collapsed, afraid she might make an even bigger fool of herself.

  "I didn't think it would matter." He stared off into the distance. "I thought you were the kind of person who saw people for who they were on the inside, not for their titles or riches. I want to be with someone who is true to them self and to others. I want to be with you." He turned to face her. His deep green eyes and warm smile pulled her back under his hypnotic spell. She couldn't be mad with him, not after all of time they had just spent together.

  Just then, Meg felt a strange sensation throughout her body, like her very core was vibrating. She looked down at her hands and found them fading.

  "What's happening?" she cried, looking desperately to Dargon for an answer, but even he looked at a loss for words. The sensation shot through her again and she fell to her knees. "I'm scared."

  She covered her face with her gradually vanishing hands. Dargon knelt down beside her, holding what was left of her fading form tightly in his arms.

  "I won't let you go," he whispered. "I'll always be here for you." Her entire body vanished in a soft, glimmering, silver and green mist, leaving no trace but a delicate diamond tiara and the memories Dargon swore he would never forget.

  ...

  Meg sat up. She was still lying on her bed. She jumped up and looked wildly around her room. The little dragon that Maya had given her still sat on the edge of her desk, not moving or talking. Her alarm clock showed that an hour had passed since she had come up stairs with the dragon. Had she fallen asleep? Was it all just a dream?

  Meg shook her head to clear the foggy feeling and headed downstairs to the kitchen. She hoped Maya had dinner ready so she could get to work on the pile of homework that was waiting for her. She felt exhausted and was starting to feel like she'd come down with a cold from walking home in the rain.

  ...

  The next day at school, Meg walked down the hallway to her locker. She felt great, having managed to get the solo part she auditioned for that morning, even though she'd spent no extra time practicing it. She pulled out the books and art supplies she would need for homework that weekend and set them in a pile on the floor. She had opened her backpack to shove it all in when a pair of bright green high-top boots kicked the tower of books and art supplies all over the hall.

  "Wow, Mega-loser, you should really take better care of your things. I would never let something like that happen to anything I own. Of course everything I own is top-of-the-line, imported, and far more expensive than anything you could even dream of." High-tops scoffed and walked off.

  Meg sighed, bending down to start collecting her things. "Just another day in the life of me," she said to no one in particular.

  "Well I happen to think this life looks far more amusing than mine," said a familiar male voice behind her.

  She froze. That voice. She knew that voice. But. It couldn't be. She turned slowly around. Standing over her was a boy with dark wind-swept hair, deep green eyes that were hypnotizing, and a smile so warm it melted her heart. Dargon!

  He stood there smiling down at the shock on Meg's face. "I told you I would always be there for you." He reached into his jacket and pulled out the diamond tiara.

  "But it was all just a dream," she stammered, "wasn't it?"

  He gently placed the tiara on her head. She stared deeply into his eyes.

 
; "I think not," said another familiar voice. The little dragon flew up and perched on his shoulder.

  Dargon took Meg's hands. She stared up at him he smiled down at her. Then he said, "No one could tear us apart. There is no magic that could possibly break our bond. You are the only princess for me, and you will never have to be alone again."

  ...

  Connect with Katrina Umland at https://www.facebook.com/kt.umland