The Childe

by C. A. Kunz

  “Eek!” Cat turned to see Elle sliding down in her seat, her hair was falling completely over her bright red face.

  “So Panthers, let’s beat those wimpy Warriors! Oh, and don’t forget to vote. Cindy Napleton, signing off!”

  Cat leaned over and whispered, “Elle, sit up, everyone’s looking.” Elle slowly rose in her seat, her face was flush and her eyes were staring straight ahead.

  “Jeremy, would you please pass out the ballots?” Miss Amaya asked, smiling at him. Her purple scarf was flowing around her neck as if blown by a nonexistent breeze. “Thank you, Jeremy. Now, I know today is a big day, and you’re all probably focused on the game tonight. I’ve decided to take it easy on you and give a little trivia about the history of Homecoming. Then we can review what we’ve learned over the past few weeks.”

  Before Cat and Elle knew it, the bell rang ending their favorite class.

  Cat’s feet felt like they were encased in concrete as she trudged to her next period. She bid farewell to Elle, sighed, took a deep breath, and entered Hell-Room #305. She dreaded going to Algebra every day, not because she didn’t like math. No, she and math got along just fine. It was Mr. Crawley that got in the way. His mean spirit had everyone on edge and in every class there were several victims who were singled out and tortured, making the hour seem like an eternity. Fortunately, today was not her day for torture. The bell rang just before he called on her to answer the next question.

  Relieved, Cat grabbed her books and fled the classroom to dump her books in her locker. With all of her books gone, her messenger bag flew behind her as she proceeded down the hall.

  As she passed Miss Amaya’s class, Cat peered through the open door. She saw Miss Amaya struggling with a stack of books in her arms while trying to pick up a ruffled lavender purse hanging on a chair.

  “Miss Amaya, here, let me help you with that,” Cat said, grabbing her purse and the remaining books left on the desk.

  “Thanks, Cat. Trust me to be lazy and try and make it to my car in one trip, not two. You’re so wonderful,” Miss Amaya gushed.

  Walking through the parking lot, they made their way toward an ancient, light purple Volkswagen. Proudly displayed on the bumper was a sticker reading: MY OTHER CAR IS A BROOM. As she put Miss Amaya’s stuff in the backseat, Cat noticed a shimmer of light coming from the pendant around her teacher’s neck. From her angle, Cat caught a glimpse of the back and observed an engraved image of a pentagram. Being an avid fan of the occult and horror genre, Cat was surprised to see her teacher sporting such a symbol. She couldn’t believe Miss Amaya would wear something that represented evil.

  “Can I ask you a question, Miss Amaya?”

  “Sure, ask away.”

  “I know you’re not evil, so why are you wearing a pentagram?”

  Miss Amaya quickly tucked her necklace back into her shirt while mumbling, “Damn Hollywood sullying my beliefs.” Her eyes met Cat’s. “No Cat, it’s not an evil symbol, it’s actually the sign of White Witches. People who worship the elements, nature, humans, and animals. Therefore, it’s a peaceful symbol which Hollywood and ignorant writers use to scare the populous. One that comes to mind is that idiot Robert Craven. He’s the worst instigator.”

  Cat just nodded, not admitting that to her and her group of friends, Robert Craven was the master of horror.

  Miss Amaya took a deep breath, “I’m sorry for the rant, but I just hate the way my peaceful symbol has been cast in such a negative light.”

  “It’s okay, everyone underestimates the value of a good rant,” Cat said with a smile. “Speaking of witchcraft, do you by any chance know about the tarot? Even though my dad knows about this stuff, he never seems to want to talk with me about it.”

  “I know a little, why do you ask?”

  “No reason really,” Cat replied, looking toward the ground.

  “If you really are interested, I know of someone who’s well versed in the subject. In fact, I’m going to visit her tomorrow in Wedgewick Village, for a metaphysical festival. The village is so quaint. Most common people don’t even know it exists. But metaphysical people from all over the world enjoy visiting it. We’re not judged there. It’s a safe haven for us. The lady I speak of owns a store there. She’s a good friend of mine. If you’d like to go with me tomorrow, give my card to your parents and have them call me. Maybe your dad will remember me from a few of his classes. I’d be more than happy to have you join me and observe my world. And yes, change your perception of witches,” she said, handing Cat a card that she withdrew from her bag.

  Miss Amaya closed the passenger door and smiled, “Hope you’re able to join me tomorrow,” she said, walking around the car to the driver’s side.

  After hearing her name being called, Cat turned to see Amanda and Matt waving at her. Her attention was suddenly turned back to Miss Amaya’s little bug as it started up, puttered, and then let out a loud bang, shaking the whole vehicle, and sounding like a shotgun being discharged. Cat laughed as nearby students looked around startled by the loud noise. “There goes one interesting woman,” she said to herself. Looking down at the card in her hand, she read:

  Amaya Phillips

  M.M.E.

  (555)021-1413

  Namaste, and have a blessed day

  “Cat! My mom’s here!” Amanda yelled again. She put the card in her back pocket and walked toward Amanda, noticing the bright yellow paint job on the minivan. A psychedelic graphic on the side of the car read:

  SQUARESVILLE

  Where Nothing Ever Goes Out of Style

  Look For THE BIG YELLOW BUILDING on Exchange Street

  “So Cat, what do you think of the new look?” Amanda asked, rolling her eyes.

  “Well, you can’t say it’s not colorful…and highly visible,” Cat replied, trying not to look directly at it.

  “See Amanda, you’re the only person who doesn’t appreciate a true work of art,” Aurora said smugly.

  “Oh Mom, they’re only humoring you, right guys?” No one said a word. Amanda pushed open the side door and motioned for Cat to get in quickly. “Hurry Cat, before someone sees you, even though you act like you don’t care.” Cat laughed and jumped into the van.

  “Watch this,” Matt whispered, winking at Cat. “Mrs. Stevens, I’m honored to ride in such an elegant vehicle.”

  “Oh brother,” groaned Amanda, watching as her mom’s smile grow wider.

  “Mom, I’m home!” Cat yelled, flinging open the front door. “Mom?” she repeated.

  “Sweetheart, what’s with all the excitement?” Rachel asked as she rushed to the front door from the kitchen.

  Pulling out the card from her pocket, Cat handed it to her mom. “Remember I told you about Miss Amaya, my Earth Science teacher? Well, she asked me if I’d like to go with her to a festival tomorrow. She told me to have you call her to discuss it. I really want to go, please!” She looked at her mom with her eyes pleading for her approval.

  “Well, honey, I’ll have to talk it over with your father when he gets home,” she said, examining the card more thoroughly.

  Cat groaned. “She’s so nice and you’d really like her. She loves flowers.”

  “I told you Cat, I’ll discuss it with your father later. Now go wash up. Dinner’s almost ready and he should be home any minute.” After watching her daughter run up the stairs, Rachel returned to the kitchen and placed the card into her dress pocket.

  “The man of the house has arrived!” Sam called out, smiling as his daughter came flying down the stairs. “Whoa, honey, what’s your hurry?” he exclaimed, squeezing Cat in a hug.

  “Dad, Mom has something to discuss with you, and please say yes,” she pleaded breathlessly, pushing herself away from him.

  “What is-” he stopped as Rachel came out of the kitchen. Sam gave Cat a kiss on her forehead, then turned and grabbed Rachel by the waist, bent her over his arm, and kissed her thoroughly.

  “Oh brother,” Cat murmured. “A child is present. An impress
ionable child. Your child! Hello? I give up. The way you two act, no one would ever believe you were married.” Shaking her head, Cat entered the kitchen.

  Giggling, Rachel pushed out of Sam’s arm and smoothed down her hair. “Sam, you really should tone it down, she’s right, she is only a child.”

  “Whatever,” he replied jokingly, and swatted her behind as he followed her into the kitchen.

  “Okay, now what is this big request that needs my utmost attention and approval?” Sam asked after swallowing a mouthful of food.

  “Sam,” Rachel began, “Cat wants to go to a festival with her teacher tomorrow. Her science teacher, Miss Amaya.”

  “You don’t mean Amaya Phillips. Such a lovely young woman. Had her in several of my classes, very eccentric. I heard she had moved to Astoria recently. Bet you like her Cat, she was one of my favorite students.” Cat beamed. I am going to be able to go, she thought.

  “Rachel, I think you should call her and give our approval. There, I made a decision, boy that feels good. I can’t remember the last time I was allowed to make one.”

  Rachel wadded up her napkin and threw it at him. “Samuel Colvin, such a liar! I let you decide what color tie you wore on Monday.” She started giggling.

  “Well, you know me, give me an inch and I’ll take a mile, come sit on my lap, little lady.”

  “I guess that’s my cue to leave. Thanks Dad, thanks Mom,” Cat said, giving each one a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t forget to call Miss Amaya before you leave for the game. Love you both!”

  Rachel sat in Sam’s lap, her arms around his neck, “Such a pushover you are. She had you eating out of her hands.”

  “Give me a kiss, woman.” Before she could reply Sam kissed her.

  “Hey Julie, what’s up?” Cat asked, putting her cell phone on speaker.

  “I have to pass on tonight.”

  “Why, are you okay?” Concern filled Cat’s voice.

  “Yeah, it’s just that when I got home today, my mom had just gotten off the phone with Mr. Crawley. That jerk! He told her that I failed today’s quiz,” she groaned. “Only he would grade a quiz on a Friday afternoon and call the parents with joyful news. He said he was just notifying her, as he felt like I was not applying myself. He even told her that he’s caught me daydreaming several times in his class. So, Mom told me that it was either the game or the dance. She wanted me to study all weekend, but I talked her out of that idea. I really want to go to the game, but I’m going to forgo it for the dance, since I already bought a dress and all,” she explained in a somber tone.

  “That Mr. Crawley is evil, pure evil! I bet he hasn’t had a day of fun in his whole life!” Cat replied angrily. “Well, don’t worry, you’ll be with us in spirit. And I’m glad you’re still able to go to the dance tomorrow.”

  “Great! Now I’m being summoned by the parental. Got to run, Cat. Talk to you tomorrow. Bye.”

  Julie hung up the phone. “You did well, Julie. Cat believed you,” Claire said, placing her hand on Julie’s shoulder.

  “I feel bad for lying to her mom, but I guess it was necessary,” she replied with a heavy sigh.

  “This meeting is very important, Julie. This is your focus. You’ll be doing well by Cat for going to it.” Claire’s warm eyes met hers. After putting on her coat, Julie left the house.

  “The nerve of that man!” Cat mumbled as she stormed down the stairs. The chime of the doorbell drew her to the front door. Amanda stood before her, completely decked out in school spirit. Her face was painted with black and gold stripes, as was her hair.

  “Are you ready for some football?” Amanda asked, growling.

  Cat bit her lip trying not to laugh, but failed. This night is gonna be priceless. Amanda put her hands on her hips. “Well?” Guessing what she wanted, Cat growled back. “That’s more like it,” she replied.

  “Bye Mom, bye Dad! See you at the game!”

  Rachel peered over the upstairs railing, “You guys be careful!” she called out then shook her head as she realized she was talking to a closed door.

  “It’s about time!” Matt exclaimed from the front passenger seat. “Elle won’t forgive us if we’re late. Hurry, get in!” The van pulled away from the curb and sped off toward the school’s stadium.

  Sitting at the game, two rows up from the field, the three friends waited for Elle’s grand entrance. “Excuse me! Pardon me! Could you move your feet! I swear, some people you need to draw them a map!” Kirsten’s obnoxious voice carried across the crowd.

  Amanda groaned. “Don’t look now, but your BFF and her Trifecta entourage are here. Behind us to the right,” she whispered in Cat’s ear.

  “I know. I heard her,” she whispered back.

  “Yeah, and look at the view. She’s got to be cold in that thin sweater,” Matt said, drooling.

  “Matt, put your eyes back in your head. She doesn’t even know you exist. Your daddy works for her daddy, remember? She wouldn’t give you the time of day,” Amanda stated bluntly.

  “Hey, you never know. The queen of the Trifecta might go slumming,” he replied with an impish grin.

  “Hey Cat! There are your parents. Why are your Uncle Aldon and Aunt Druanna with them? Didn’t you say they were out of the country?” Amanda asked, looking at Cat.

  “They must’ve come home early. I’ll be back in a sec.” Both of them watched as Cat made her way over to where her family was standing. Giggling, they watched as Cat stooped down to give a big hug to her great aunt and then struggled on her tip toes to hug her great uncle.

  Great Aunt Druanna was a little overweight with long grey hair, golden brown eyes, and a constant smile that lit up her whole face. Cat couldn’t remember a time that she wasn’t smiling.

  Great Uncle Aldon’s grey beard was a little longer than most men his age, and when Cat was little she thought he was Santa in disguise.

  “Why aren’t you in Egypt? Dad said you were going to be gone for a month,” Cat asked Aldon with a confused look.

  “I missed my family, and besides, ancient relics will always be there. Well, at least for another hundred years or so,” Aldon said, laughing while looking down at her.

  “Well, I better get back to my seat. My friend Elle will be coming out soon. Can’t wait to hear all about your trip Uncle Al!”

  “Go, be with your friends. We’ll talk later,” he said, smiling lovingly at Cat.

  As Cat made her way back to her seat, she was stopped by Kirsten. “Hey Cat, why don’t you come and sit with us?”

  “I’d love to. But I promised Elle I’d be sitting where we normally do, maybe some other time, okay?”

  Kirsten forced a smile. “Okay, later then,” she said and stormed back to her seat, causing trouble as she went.

  Relieved, Cat took her seat between Matt and Amanda, “She really wants to get close to Taylor, doesn’t she? Can’t she see he only has eyes for Trish? How stupid can you be! I have a good mind to go and tell her,” Amanda rambled on.

  “Amanda, behave! Just let it go. She wouldn’t hear you anyway. Your parents aren’t exactly in her parents’ tax bracket.”

  Before Cat could say any more, the band started to play the school song and the crowd went wild. The two teams ran through their paper banners on either end of the field. The noise from both sides of the stadium was deafening as Jonathen led the Panthers out to center field. Cat turned to look behind her as she heard Trish and her friends yelling out his name. She then turned her focus back to the field and her eyes landed on Ryan. She felt a jolt when his eyes met hers. Cat slouched in her seat, unsure of the feeling she just experienced. He must’ve been looking at someone else, she told herself while watching Taylor and the others running behind him.

  The horn blew, signaling the start of the game. The crowd erupted again as the ball was carried to midfield. The band struck up to the tune of Go, Fight, Win and just as if the crowd were a single entity, they yelled in unison along with the chant. Elle and the cheerleaders took their places
on the sidelines and her voice could be heard loud and clear.

  Cat looked around the stands and saw Isaac and his group. Hannah noticed Cat and tried to wave, but her arm was held down by Amelia who had been watching Cat. “Do you want to make your brother angry at you for associating with that girl?” Amelia sneered. Hannah didn’t answer. Pulling away from her, Hannah moved to sit by the other two in their group, the Stone twins. They were so identical that no one could tell them apart.

  Cat turned back to the game as Taylor was about to get snapped the ball. Oh no, he’s going to fumble, she thought. Taylor fumbled the snap, but luckily fell on the ball. The crowd groaned. The ball was snapped again and Taylor backed up avoiding tackles left and right. Devin’s going to catch it and make a touchdown. Cat swore she heard a voice talking in her ear. The pass was caught and ran in easily for a touchdown. Oh. My. God! How’d I know that was going to happen? This is too weird. Did I make that happen? No. I couldn’t have. There’s no way!

  “Do you want anything from the snack bar?” Matt asked, leaning over and breaking her train of thought.

  Cat shook her head. “Thanks anyway.” Matt stood, and the crowd quieted.

  “Thanks for asking if I wanted anything, Matthew,” Amanda called out, drawing the attention of the people around them.

  “I’m sorry, Your Highness, is there anything I could retrieve for you from the stand of concession?” he asked, bowing as several people in the stands giggled.

  “Well, since you asked. Yes, I’d love a box of Milk Duds, please,” she replied with a smirk, shooing him away with her left hand.

  He bowed again, “Yes, Your Highness, as you wish,” he said, then headed down the bleachers.

  Turning her attention back to the game, Cat saw Ryan taking the field. A rush of excitement filled her.

  “Trish is so full of herself. I want Taylor, and I’m going to get him. I’ve got to rethink my strategy! Jess and Tonya are so hopeless. No help at all!”