Outcasts

by Craig MacLachlan

  “I would really like that, Samantha.” Skylar felt Samantha’s grip tighten.

  “Pathetic,” Samantha said venomously.

  “But—”

  Samantha shoved her back and spat in Skylar’s face. “Clean your face and you might be half as pretty as the ugliest girl in school.”

  Skylar gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes, wiping the spit from her face. She looked to Haley, crouched in a corner rocking back and forth, before returning to Samantha, who was mimicking Haley.

  The teacher continued blowing the whistle, but no one was listening.

  Samantha pointed to Skylar and then to a ball sitting on the center line. They both ran toward it. Skylar was winning the race but tripped over her own feet.

  It felt surreal, flying through the air like a wounded bird. She tried to grab the ball, but her fingertips only brushed the surface. Samantha slid, took the ball, and threw it.

  The impact stung like hell.

  As Skylar hit the floor her limbs sprung into a cat-like formation. Skylar stuck the landing, which felt natural. Cocking her head, she set her sights on Samantha, who faced the crowd, basking in their attention. Skylar was ready to pounce, but everything changed.

  Skylar’s lips now quivered from fear.

  Trembling, her legs weakened, unable to support her body. Warm blood dripped onto the floor. Tears mixed with blood cascaded over her chin.

  A growl formed but what came instead was a scream of horror of what she was doing—what she was becoming.

  “Samantha, behind you!” a girl pointed at Skylar, and Samantha wheeled.

  As eloquently as Skylar’s landing had been, her stance gave out and she fell to the floor.

  Laughter filled her ears.

  Blood touched her tongue and she spat in disgust. A high-pitched scream that sounded more like a howl rang throughout the gym and it came from Haley.

  The whistle blew, and students raced for the balls.

  “Get her!” yelled Samantha, taking back the ball as she turned to Haley.

  “Let’s nail her good!” A boy’s voice bellowed.

  “Haley!” Skylar ran for her friend.

  The students were a mob feeding off each other. Balls zipped through the air toward Haley.

  “Haley, protect yourself!” Skylar warned.

  Haley swiveled and faced the corner as Skylar reached her, wrapping her arms around Haley, who shook uncontrollably.

  Haley quieted and the barrage ended.

  “Everyone to the bleachers now!” Mrs. Baker called, deep and threatening.

  The students half-mumbled and half-laughed even as they walked away.

  “Are you both okay?”

  Skylar helped Haley to her feet and they both turned to their teacher.

  Skylar shook her head. “No. Can we leave?”

  Mrs. Baker nodded, eyeing Skylar’s injured face. “Go clean yourself up. I’m sorry. This won’t happen again. I promise.” She gave them a smile which turned into a grimace before stomping her way toward the students on the bleachers.

  Skylar led Haley to the gym doors. She looked quickly to the rows of students and caught a snide look from Samantha.

  “Let’s go, Haley,” she whispered

  Grabbing Haley’s wrist, Skylar felt the rapid beating of her pulse. They left the gym to the sound of Mrs. Baker’s whistle, walked down the stairs and entered the girl’s locker room.

  “You’re safe now. It’s just going to take some time to fit in. And we will, I promise.”

  Turning on the faucet, Skylar washed her face. At least the bleeding had stopped.

  “She hurt you. They wanted to kill me.”

  “I’m fine, and no they didn’t.” Skylar opened both their lockers and handed Haley her clothes.

  “Get dressed. We’re going outside and skipping the rest of class,” Skylar said as she grabbed her own clothes.

  “Let’s go home,” Haley said, slipping her clothes on over her gym attire.

  Skylar shook her head. “No, we’re going to deal with this and move on.”

  “I miss Morgan,” Haley slammed her locker. “Nice landing back there, Skye,” she remarked and walked away.

  Chasing after Haley, Skylar caught up as they exited the gym. They walked underneath the steel bleachers and stood in silence.

  “I’m sorry. This is my fault,” Skylar said.

  Haley bent and picked a green and yellow blade of grass. “I miss problems like this.”

  Skylar wiped Haley’s tear with her thumb. “What do you mean?”

  Haley handed her the single green blade.

  Their eyes met in mutual understanding.

  “Life and death, the changing of seasons. We were in control, Skye.”

  The three of them had been masters of their domain, of the wilderness. They’d controlled their own fate, respected in the cycle of life.

  “I get it, but we aren’t those little girls anymore.” Skylar sighed. “I’m never going back to that life. You know that, right?” She dropped the twisted grass and watched it float softly to the ground.

  “It’s almost break time, and I want a sugar cookie. I’ll even buy some peaches to put on top of yours.” She draped her arm around Haley, and they walked into the open.

  Skylar looked across the football field toward the mountains where Morgan was held. A figure—or shadow—dashed underneath the opposite bleachers.

  Her heart thumped and a chill swept her body.

  They continued heading for the door and Skylar kept her neck craned back. But she saw nothing else.

  As they walked inside, the door closed with a swoosh, mixed with a deep howl. Skylar listened carefully as they walked down the corridor, but didn’t hear it again.

  Yet, it echoed with familiarity in her mind.

  Chapter Five

  “You’re the new girl, right?”

  “Yeah,” Skylar answered, noting that the girl was so well-dressed she even wore a tie.

  “I’m Carly. Welcome to the craziness that is the yearbook club.”

  Skylar took in the hectic atmosphere of rushing students. The chatter, mixed with the clicking of keyboards, created a symphony of madness.

  “All the positions are filled except for one.”

  “What’s that?” Skylar asked.

  “Can you use a camera? Our photographer, Eric, broke his wrist over the summer.”

  A girl gave Carly a document and whispered in her ear. Carly nodded and the girl left. “Well?” Carly smiled at Skylar.

  “Of course I can,” she lied. “I love taking pictures.”

  “Great,” Carly said. “The camera is on my desk. It’s our only one, so don’t break it. Welcome aboard.”

  “Sweet, I’ll do my best!”

  “I’ll give you a list tomorrow of everything you need to do. If you’re good enough, I may give you the job permanently,” Carly winked.

  “Really?”

  “Totally. Eric, he’s a pain in my ass. I didn’t catch your name?”

  “Skylar, but you can call my Skye if you like.”

  “I like Skylar. Catch up with you soon,” she shook Skylar’s hand and continued on with her business-like routine.

  Holding back a smile, Skylar made her way to the camera. She gently took it and walked out of the room. As she walked down the hallway, she examined the camera, cautiously touching the many buttons and dials.

  Stopping at the girls’ restroom, she walked to the farthest stall and pulled the door.

  It was locked.

  She knocked. “Haley, it’s me.”

  There was no answer.

  Skylar knocked again and tugged at the door. She set the camera on the windowsill and crawled into the stall, but Haley wasn’t inside, nor in any of the others.

  Skylar’s nerves were on fire as she raced for the camera—it was gone.

  “Haley!’ Exiting the restroom, a white flash blinded Skylar and she stumbled forward. She blinked as a blurry figure became crisper and c
learer.

  Haley stuck her tongue out sideways and held the camera out.

  “You’re feeling better it seems,” Skylar said, taking the camera.

  “I guess,” Haley said, giggling. “Like old times.”

  “I don’t want to know, but I’m glad you had your fun.”

  “I really got you good, Skye.”

  “You sure did. I’ll tell you all about the camera on our way to see Morgan.” She motioned for Haley to follow.

  They arrived at the Camaro without incident. The welcome from Carly had made Skylar almost forget about Samantha, Brad or their clique. During the drive, she explained her new position.

  After hiking to the cabin, there was nothing but darkness within. This session was going to be a battle.

  “She’s—”

  “Shh.” Skylar tiptoed inside, turning on the flashlight. Scanning the cabin, the light shone on the smokeless candle. She touched it and it was ice cold.

  “Morgan, answer me, please,” Skylar said getting no response. Motioning for Haley to stay put, she ventured further into the cabin.

  Reaching the back wall, she stopped several feet from the rung with the tightly-stretched chain. She followed it with the light as it angled upward, bracing herself for anything. The metal links were dull and rusted in the light. Then she came upon a startling sight.

  Morgan straddled both walls, braced between two beams with her arms and feet pressed against the wall behind her. She bared her teeth with a growl, narrowed her eyes, and leapt.

  With no time to react, Morgan slammed into Skylar and they fell to the floor. Morgan pinned Skylar’s wrists as the flashlight spun on the floor.

  Skylar felt Morgan’s warm saliva drip onto her face as she struggled to escape. The flashlight stopped, and it shone onto Haley, who froze.

  “Morgan, let me go.”

  “P-Please don’t,” Haley’s shaky voice pleaded.

  Morgan growled, then laughed. She hopped to her feet and lifted Skylar up painfully by her wrists. Skylar pulled her hands from Morgan’s grasp, rubbing her wrists.

  Without warning, Morgan embraced Skylar in a tight hug.

  “I missed my Skye.”

  Skylar cautiously returned the hug.

  Morgan looked Skylar over and shook her head. “You’ve become soft. What happened to your instinctuals?”

  “Instincts, you mean?”

  “Right.”

  “What was that all about?” Skylar asked.

  Morgan walked to Haley and, facing each other on the floor, they petted each other’s heads. “A test,” Morgan replied.

  Skylar understood this wasn’t just a test, and that Morgan wasn’t going to win. Not again. There could only be one leader of their group, and it was Skylar.

  “I failed right?”

  “You’ve become domiscotated.”

  “Domesticated,” Haley corrected.

  Morgan squeezed Haley’s hands, digging her nails into the skin. Skylar knew she should stop Morgan, but this wasn’t the time. Instead, she joined them on the floor.

  “I’m thirsty.” Morgan released Haley’s hands and cocked her head toward the water bottles.

  Skylar spotted the red imprints of Morgan’s fingernails in Haley’s skin along with a touch of blood. Haley retrieved a full bottle of water, but Morgan shook her head in disagreement.

  “She doesn’t want that water,” Skylar remarked.

  “But—”

  “Water from the crick,” Morgan replied.

  “Creek,” Skylar corrected.

  “Fill them all,” Morgan demanded.

  “Okay,” Haley answered happily and left the cabin with empty bottles.

  Silence took over.

  Skylar swiveled, facing Morgan, who leaned forward until their foreheads touched. The stench of rotting meat from Morgan’s mouth caused Skylar’s throat to restrict.

  “Do I need to brush your teeth for you?”

  “It’s time to lets me go.”

  “No, not yet it isn’t. I’m sorry.”

  “Please. I’m not an animal anymore.”

  “I know you’re tired and anxious. I need more time to fit in and make sure our plan works without complications.”

  “Let me out. It’s been forevers, Skye!” Morgan pounded her fists on the floor.

  “I know.”

  Morgan grabbed the back of Skylar’s head with both her hands. “I’m lonely. I misses my pack.”

  Lifting Morgan’s head, Skylar kissed her on the forehead. There was no resistance when Skylar stood as Morgan let her go.

  Haley stumbled inside and set the water bottles on the crooked table.

  “Fresh water for you,” Haley told Morgan who didn’t respond back.

  “No teachings?”

  “Not tonight. We’ll let you out tomorrow. I promise,” Skylar stepped next to Haley.

  “Stay with me,” Morgan pleaded.

  “Stay here?” Haley said.

  “We can’t, Morgan, you know that.” Skylar placed a hand on Haley’s shoulder. She needed to remain in control otherwise Haley would eagerly obey Morgan’s wish.

  “Your family, school and boys. I understands.”

  “But we’re family,” Haley smiled.

  “Are we?” Morgan replied, questioning.

  “Yes, we are. You know the plan, and it will work,” Skylar nodded.

  “I trust you, Skye. I miss my wild ones.” Morgan’s words ripped through Skylar’s mind, dripping of chipmunk blood.

  Skylar moved Haley along to leave, but she bolted back to Morgan. She kneeled and gave Morgan a hug.

  “I love you,” Haley said.

  Morgan glanced at Skylar before whispering into Haley’s ear. Haley nodded several times and giggled.

  “We need to go.”

  Haley joined Skylar as Morgan walked forward until the chain was tight and reached out her hand, palm up. Stepping forward, Skylar placed her hand over the top of Morgan’s. In unison, they slid their fingernails up and down the other’s palm. The sensation was both rough and ticklish.

  Skylar felt nothing other than nails on skin, but she knew the act meant something more to Morgan, who purred every time. Skylar played along to please her friend.

  Skylar backed away from Morgan and walked outside the cabin with Haley, closing the door even as Morgan reaching for her. Guilt filled Skylar and she wanted to go back inside to release Morgan, but she didn’t. Her focus was to hasten the plan before everything unraveled and turned to hell.

  Padlocking the cabin door, Skylar expected to hear a mourning-filled howl from Morgan, but there was nothing.

  The swinging chair on the back porch of Skylar’s house was one of her favorite spots to unwind. Fiddling with the camera, the instructions she’d printed out were easy to understand. The picture Haley had taken of Skylar was on the screen. Her mouth open and her eyes half shut, she looked horrific and would make sure nobody ever saw it.

  She was about to delete the photo when a noise from the fence that divided the yard from the neighboring property alerted her. She set the camera on the chair and walked into the grass, the rear of the neighboring house looming.

  It had been vacant for thirteen years. Beyond creepy, Skylar ignored its existence whenever she was outside.

  It was creepy for a reason.

  She approached the fence with caution. It was too high for her to look over without standing on something. The constant noise now sounded like punching of some sort. Searching the fence, she found a knot with rotted wood around it. She tried to pull, but it wouldn’t budge so she gently pushed.

  The knot budged.

  Pressing harder, the round knot fell into the neighboring yard. Skylar darted out of view, her back against the fence. Waiting motionless to see if she had been discovered, the punching noises continued. Easing back in front of the hole, she placed her eye to it.

  Strung to a tree limb hung a punching bag. A boy wearing a beanie kicked and punched the bag over and over. Loo
king in Skylar’s direction he ceased his attack on the bag, and once again, she swung her back against the fence, clinging to it as Morgan had to the ceiling.

  Sloppy! Morgan was right—she had been domesticated.

  A creak, followed by the sound of a sliding door made it clear that whoever the boy was, he hadn’t spotted her. With a relieved sigh, Skylar returned to the hole and looked through. The yard was empty and silent.

  Suddenly, she couldn’t move. Transfixed on the backyard, everything started shifting, twisting until her eyes finally focused.

  The dead lawn turned green, as a swing and slide morphed onto the yard. The house turned from an old run-down disaster ready to be burned to the ground to one of elegance and charm. Sunlight bounced from chimes hung from the porch. A hummingbird feeder took the place of the punching bag. Figures began to materialize . . .

  . . . and a blue eye filled the hole, blocking her vision.

  Chapter Six

  Their eyes locked like magnets, Skylar couldn’t pull away. Whoever it was vaulted to the top of the fence and she stepped back. The boy balanced on the wood and dropped into Skylar’s yard.

  Skylar leaned back as he looked at her from his crouched position.

  “Hey! Who are you?” she demanded.

  He cleared his throat. “Your new neighbor,” he said, standing upright.

  Skylar tried to respond, but her voice failed her. She blinked at the boy she now recognized.

  “The name’s Trevor. We’ve met.”

  “I know,” she stammered. “I mean your name. I mean both.” She sniffed the air, but only smelled freshly-cut grass and the stench of sweat.

  “So yeah, we’re neighbor buddies now. I wanted to let you know about the other day. Don’t take it personally, me taking off like I did. It’s better that way.”

  Skylar crossed her arms. “Understood. I wasn’t offended,” she said, even though she had been. “When did you move in?”

  “Today,” he said turning his attention to the hole in the fence.

  “Just you and your parents?”

  “I’ll fix this for you,” Trevor slowly traced the hole with a finger. “Fences were made for a reason.”

  “Okay? Thanks?” Skylar replied as Trevor leapt up and over the fence.