The Misadventures of Daria Pigwidgeon

by Amy Lunderman

  So I agree not knowing if it’s false or not. “Crystal.”

  “Good. Save me a seat a lunch would you?”

  With a smirk and a wink, she spins away and saunters down the hallway. I don’t relax until she disappears around the corner and is out of my line of sight. My body deflates as my inner Taser fades away and all that is left is just my weak as a falling leaf self. A nap sounds extremely well at the moment. I’m sure I could definitely sleep the day away with no problem. But I can’t. It wouldn’t do any good. Not now anyways. Instead, I turn around to face the music.

  Chance’s wide eyes immediately go right to mine. Something inside me breaks at the way his face is a lighter shade of pale. “What. What was…that?”

  Taser free, I allow myself to rush up and take his arms in my hands. I give him one good shake causing him to blink. This clears the shock-y fog trying to rise up in him. Some color returns to his face. I’m just surprised that I could shake him at all. He must be pretty bothered. I hate myself for that, because I brought them all here, to him.

  “Chance, I am so sorry. I tried to warn you…I did…they can be hard to deal with sometimes. If I thought for a second they would just show up, I would’ve told you sooner. It’s just…dammit…I’m so, so sorry.”

  A confused look passes over him right before he shifts us so that he is the one holding my arms. Now I’m the confused one.

  His shake is a softer one, more like a breathe escaping over me. “I don’t care about that rabbit. I mean, yes I do, but it’s not important right now. What was that skin crawling feeling that made me want to haul ass out of the hallway? And why did everyone else run off for that matter?”

  Huh. Okay then. I tilt my head to the side miming an interested dog. Is he not immune to our abilities then, was yesterday a fluke? Slipping free of his hold, I take a hesitant step back. I give him my best serious face. It falters given the circumstance.

  “What did you feel exactly?”

  His eyes scrunch up in thought. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I just had the worst case of the heebie-jeebies. Chills that ran up and down my spine told me to move it out of here.”

  Curious. “And you ignored it then?”

  “Yeah, I mean it was touch and go there for a second, but I couldn’t just leave you alone with those douches. Now way in hell would I do that, not even if they are related to you. They are right? That was your brothers and sister?”

  Weird. “You would be correct, definitely related, but only by blood. And again sorry about that, them, it probably would’ve been better if I was honest about them last night.”

  “I see why you wouldn’t want to bring them up. They aren’t right, if you know what I mean. So, uh, was that their ‘power’ I felt before? If it was then… dayem…intense.”

  I nod in agreement, yes they are definitely intense, and supposedly on a good day too. I did know what he meant, sadly. It’s pretty bad that I have to apologize for family that I don’t even like or get along with. But it is what it is I guess. I just wish I knew the extent of what is going on. Not only with them either, but Chance. Something isn’t right or maybe a little too right. There is a puzzle piece that is missing and I so need to find it, like yesterday.

  Sighing, I stare at my sneakers as if they hold the answers to all of my questions spoken and unspoken alike. I kind of wish they did. A feathered touch grazes my chin and raises it up. Chance lightly maneuvers me so that I am staring right into his eyes. Eyes that seem to save me from myself more often than not, it makes me wonder why I resist him. But then I remember. It’s him that’s been resisting me. It hurts that I can go right back to this when just facing something extreme. I wonder about myself sometimes. I really do.

  “Rabbit. We’ll figure this out all right? Don’t look so down.” His voice slips into a hushed whisper. “I don’t know what you did before, but it was pretty damn kickass. I thought the three of them were going to go running down the hall screaming. I’m proud of you.”

  He’s proud of me? Water pools at the corner of my wide eyes and the urge to cry is suddenly overwhelming. I’ve never heard those words directed at me before. A rush of something warm fills me. I feel oddly content, at peace. It’s wrong I know, but this is the happiest I’ve been in a while. And all from just one word, huh, well give the boy a prize.

  The hand on my chin slides up to cup my cheek in its warm grasp. My face tilts into it as I gaze up at him in starry wonder. I’ve practically barred myself out before him, and he isn’t afraid. He’s more than that, he’s accepting. I’ve needed this for so long. His face moves closer to mine and I let out an anticipatory sigh. Plush lips are a breath away from my own. I feel myself parting them in beckoning, longing to feel their touch. Needing it. Only they never come. Instead, the warning bell sounds up and down the empty hallway indicating that we are beyond late for class. Not to mention that we are still in the school to begin with.

  Priorities.

  Regretfully, we pull away from one another, both covered in a severe blush. In a rare awkward moment in which Chance is just as embarrassed that I am, we agree to catch up later on. Catch up with demon family stuff, not the other. I can barely let the words come out of my mouth without wanting to faint or laugh hysterically. Hey, I never said I was normal. None the less, we part in the hallway searching out our respective classrooms. Lord only knows if I made it to the right one or not. I have officially checked out.

  My please do not disturb sign is officially flying free.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Most of my day went by in a haze. Thank freaking goodness for that let me tell you. This is due to the fact that I have no classes with any of the Harris’s or my siblings. So basically, that’s a good thing. I can skate by unnoticed and just try to stay sane. Try being the operative word here. Of course, it would be better if I hadn’t been getting the stink eye from half of the student body whenever I happen to glance around. Clearly the human populace isn’t as oblivious as I once thought.

  They must have noticed the weirdness in the hallway. Guess I should have used my memory block after all. I’ll have to keep that in mind. I have the feeling that won’t be the only occurrence of trouble between me and mine. If the past is any indication, sans Chance of course, I should be able to do a wide scale attempt at blocking. It just sucks that I’d have to. My head hurts just thinking about doing it.

  Correction. My soul hurts.

  Weariness hangs over me like a storm cloud waiting to dump on me. It’s practically choking. At least school work is a great distraction, if only for the moment. I’d prefer to be stuck in a lifetime of school than have to deal with the reality of my problems. What does that even say about me? Nothing good I don’t think. But like most things, even morning classes must come to an end. This leaves room for lunch in the ever populated and overcrowded cafeteria.

  My feet shuffle at a snail’s pace as I linger behind my peers, trying my hardest to come up with an alternative destination. I just know I’ll have a run in with one of the Pigwidgeon clan. The joys of a small town high school, we’re immersed at the same time together. Oh joy. It seriously sucks having a photographic memory sometimes. If I was slightly normal I might’ve had to stay after class with questions or something. As it is, I do not, thus the shuffling.

  I hover like a weirdo at the entrance. Conversation seeps through the door grating down my back and leaving a cold sweat in its trail. I’m such a coward. Gathering my vacant courage, I push through the doors. In anticlimactic fashion, no one even notices me. Go figure. I make my way over to the food counter to my left, gather the mystery meat of the day, and checkout all without any drama. My shuffle picks up a normal pace as I head for my usual table. So far so good.

  Since this isn’t my day, the good vibe doesn’t last. I spot the back of Ashley’s head first. Then the glowing turn face of her friend Jane. They are immersed in conversation with someone. My eyes trail to the source. And right to the smiling face of my sister. Crap. I should have known
she’d find my only two friends and park her freaking but their. The shuffle of my feet returns, as does the snail’s pace.

  Accepting the unavoidable, I walk up and take a position beside Ashley.

  No one even acknowledges me, huh, fine by me. Raina has the girl’s rapt attention over something or other. I pick at the mystery meat with my plastic spork as Jane asks my sister where she is from. She mentions that her completion is far too perfect to be from around here. This makes my sister laugh delicately. Color me shocked at her people skills.

  Riana leans over the table and smiles wickedly. I don’t miss the eyes twitch that is directed at me. “You would be right Jane dear. My brothers and I just moved here from sunny Cali. Quite the change. My skin is already screaming in agony with the loss of the constant sun and heat.”

  Jane joins Riana in a creepy little high pitched laugh that resembles a pig squealing. It’s then that Ashley notices I am sitting beside her. She’s not laughing. In fact, she is watching me intently. Her eyes glow with fascination and curiosity. It shouldn’t be long now. The resemblance between Riana and I is too similar to ignore the familiarity.

  Her eyes flick back to Riana. “Daria is from California too. Maybe you may have run into one another?”

  Ha! Have we ever. Give the girl a prize, she is extremely perceptive. The not so subtle play on words doesn’t go unnoticed by me or my sister.

  Riana’s head snaps in my direction. “Oh. Daria is it? Hmm…have me met?”

  I’d love to smack the smile off of her face. My hand tightens around the spork. It snaps.

  Dammit. There goes my mystery meat.

  Ashley and Jane’s eyes watch us intently as if we are about to do something interesting. Only Ashley’s expression is one of vague betrayal. She knows, but she doesn’t want to believe it. You and me both chickie.

  “Is it true Daria?” Ashley asks me. “Do you two know each other?”

  Sighing, I drop the pieces of my spork onto the tray. I turn to her and try to give off my best innocent expression. It doesn’t work. She knows what is coming. But I don’t get the opportunity to be the one to drop the bomb. That courtesy is bestowed on my beloved sister.

  “Oh I’m sorry ladies. Did I not offer my last name yet?” Riana pauses. “It’s Pigwidgeon.”

  You could have heard a pin drop at our table. The shock is pretty palpable. It clears too fast for my liking though.

  Ashley’s hurt eyes are wide as she watches me. “Daria…that’s…”

  “Isn’t that your last name Daria?” Jane blurts out.

  Aren’t you the clever one Jane? Frak me.

  “Yes Jane that is my last name.” I search out Ashley’s eyes. “Riana here is my sister. She and our brothers just arrived with our parents recently. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  My voice wavers at the end, Ashley doesn’t miss it. The hurt slips from her features. She regards me now with definite curiosity, the wheels turning inside her head. Then surprisingly anger moves over her and she turns to direct it at my sister. I consider Ash my best friend the moment Riana sees the look thrown her way.

  “So what brings you all here Riana? Because Daria has been here for a while now and she hasn’t mentioned you at all, I’m wondering if there is a reason for that.” Ashley leans over the table, bringing her closer to Riana. “Is there?”

  Riana sits back in shock, but quickly covers it up with a small laugh. “Well you know our sweet little Daria. She has never been one to overshare, especially not when it’s personal.” She turns to me. “Isn’t that right sweetie?”

  I nod. “That’s right Riana. I’m so shy that I overlook talking about myself to avoid anything personal slipping through the cracks. Woe is me.”

  Silence fills the table once more. All eyes are on me. Sarcasm is thick in the air around me. Look who has a new ability. Yippee. It doesn’t last though. In a matter of seconds Jane turns to Riana with a wide smile, as if nothing strange passed over us all.

  “So what year are you in Riana? And please gush about your brothers. Leave nothing out.”

  Jane and Riana dominate the conversation for the rest of lunch, while Ashley and I stay stoically silent. I do learn a few things though. Like the breaking news that my sister and I are in the same grade; juniors. The twins are seniors. For a little while there I was hoping they might have left no matter what Jane asked about them. They were absent from our table after all. Unfortunately they have taken to the guy’s football table. The one Chance sits at. They are all too busy to notice me watching, but I have the unsettling feeling that it will turn into a problem. Like the one with Riana sitting with me. Who knew after all these years of yearning for my family to care about me, that when they finally did I’d want nothing more than for them to disappear.

  Like my morning classes, after we all leave from lunch I am basically on my own again. There are miracles after all. At the end of the day I all but skip out of the building when the final bell rings, I avoid confrontation on any good or bad front. It doesn’t last though, because I can’t simply go home and hide under my covers like I want too. No. I have to go to work. That’s right, I said it, work. Last night’s activities caused me to miss my shift, so I really need to make up for it tonight. Bless my little co-worker Toby’s heart. He didn’t even question when I walked in unannounced, and to my relief, he didn’t even ask about last night. Good to know I have job security.

  The rest of the afternoon went by without anything to really get into and soon enough it was evening. Customers started rolling in around then and Toby and I were backed up with building sandwiches and ringing up cranky old people. The lobby was filled with screaming children and laughing adults. The distraction was wonderful. I didn’t even mind having to clean up after them all. Pretty soon though they started to clear out and all that remained was Toby and I. Near closing time we tag teamed the clean-up chores. I was dubbed with trash duty. That’s when things got pretty freaking interesting.

  Two big heavy (and stinky) black bags in hand, I wobble out the back door and make my way to the dumpster without letting either bag graze my person. I’m just slamming the dumpster shut and about to wipe my hands when I feel it. A familiar chill courses down my spine and takes my breath away. Hunching over, I gulp in great gasps of air that fail to fill me up. Shadows begin to roll in and surround me. Goosebumps spread out in a flurry over every inch of my body and I’m afraid. Not just of not being able to breath, but a real palpable fear. It sinks into the very depths of my soul and tears at it.

  Distantly I can sense ozone all around me, but I can’t grasp onto it.

  As hard as I try to fight off the fear, the stronger it becomes in me until it coats me like a fog. It pushes into my mind and tries to trick me. It tells me that I’m too afraid to catch a breath and the only thing to relieve it is to just give in. I feel myself wanting to give in, just like last night. My fuzzy oxygen deprived brain starts to get sleepy. I start to get sleepy. The fog tells me to just lay down and do what my body is telling me. So I do. My knees give out and hit pavement. My eyes slam shut. My chest burns with lack of air.

  I feel myself start to fall sideways, but the scent of ozone spikes and stills my movements.

  A charge that is my inner Taser stirs inside me. It flares outward at an alarming speed until my fingers and toes are practically numb from the rush. The fog pushes harder into my mind, but this time I push back. A current plays across my skin causing all the hair to stand on end. The fear fades enough for me to catch a deep breath. It doesn’t stop though. I can almost feel it gathering for another strike. A whimper escapes my parched lips. My strength is fading, if it comes at me again, I don’t know what will happen. Using my memory block doesn’t even cross my mind.

  The electrical charge that is my inner Taser pulses inside me, and I know what it’s going to do before I feel it rushing through my mind. The wait for it to zap me again like last night is agonizing, but it doesn’t come. In fact, the terrifying and breathless fog fades away
on a breeze. Snapped free of its grasp, I fall to my hands and knees gulping in the night air. The shadows ebb and now no longer needed my inner Taser returns to its hiding place inside me.

  Air fills me chest. Tears course down my cheeks.

  My shaking hands grip pavement trying to steady myself.

  Then a resounding bang brings my head up in a flash.

  Light pours out around a figure standing in the open backdoor. Toby. His frame takes up most of the entrance. His blue eyes are wide behind his round rimmed glasses. His face is startling pale and I’m not sure if it’s me that causes it or simply because his hair is so dark tucked away under his visor. He takes me in nervously and I have to believe that it’s me that bothers him. I must be quite a sight on my hands and knees on the filthy pavement.

  He kicks a can into the door to keep it open (I forgot to do that – smart) and rushes to me. “Jesus Daria. Are you all right?”

  Not having the words to explain, I shake my head and allow him to assist me to my feet. I cling to the warmth of him, cowering under the arm that he places around me. He guides me back inside the building. When the door closes in our wake I sigh in relief. But I can’t help wondering what the heck just happened. Was it my family? Or was it something else? And if so, what do they want?

  My mind whirls with the endless possibilities.

  ***

  By the time Toby and I are closing up shop for the night, a cold lingers inside me that doesn’t go away. I have the sense that it’s more to do with what happened and less to do with the fact that it’s early November. I huddle inside my thin hoody as I wait for Toby to clear the doorway so I can get out of here. Not that I am really in a hurry. I still have the short, but all too long, walk home. A real fear floods me with worry of another run in with the weirdly strange. But I shouldn’t have worried. When I step free, I recognize a familiar slightly beat up mustang in the abandoned parking.

  Warmth rushes inside me when I see the all too cute boy leaning on the back fender with his arms crossed and a smile that reveals his white teeth. I have to physically restrain myself from taking off at a dead run right for him. By the look in his eyes, I don’t think he would’ve minded, but I have to have some control. Chance eases away from the car as I meander over to him with Toby right on my heels. After my little freak out earlier Toby has basically stuck to me like glue. Now though, I wouldn’t mind some space. There are some things a girl needs to do on her own. Even demon girls.