A Girl Between (7 page)

Things at school were OK this week, until Friday.  I was
hurrying to biology when I found myself pushing through a crowd of noisy students
waiting for their teachers to show up.  My mind was not on school.  I was
contemplating the possibilities of the upcoming weekend when I bumped into
someone.  I emerged from dreamland to see big bad Tonya looking down at me.  Of
all people to bang into!

At first she looked startled.  Then, when Tonya realized who
I was, her expression went from annoyance to that of a hungry cat about to
chomp down on a morsel of juicy bird.  I also had the sinking feeling that
Tonya was the kind that liked to play with its victim before she ate it.  Next
time, why don't I just run onto a superhighway?  At least my ultimate demise
would have been quicker.  She poked her finger at my sternum.  "So, it's
YOU!”

"Sorry, didn't mean to bump you,” I said as I took a step
back.  I noticed that it got real quiet all of a sudden.  Where the heck were
the teachers when you needed them?  They were always around when you didn't
want them, but when you were about to get your butt kicked they were hanging
out in the teachers’ lounge.

"So you're the BITCH that likes to stick your nose into
my business."  She closed in on me.  I didn’t have much room to back up.  The
wall was closing in.

"What are you talking about?" As I answered I noticed
a growing crowd of kids.  How does word get out so fast?

At this point, Tonya had me backed up to the wall.  My mind
was frantically searching for options.  After all, I had no problem sticking up
for myself but she's BIG, BAD and SCARY.  That's a tough combination to
overcome. 

"Stop screwing with me, you BITCH", she yelled as
she shoved me back hard.  The back of my head banged against the wall.  She
then grabbed a clump of my hair and pulled hard.  DAMN THAT HURT.

My chicken feeling suddenly dissipated and flashed into
complete rage; the kind that literally turns your field of vision red.  How
dare she touch me!  A strange sensation came over me.  I found myself
experiencing a bizarre feeling of detachment.  Only Tonya was in my sites.  Everything
else was in the blurry edges.  I felt like I was looking through that distorted
glass in a peephole.  I grabbed for her wrist and held it hard, twisted my hold,
and pulled so that I was sure to have her attention.  I got in her face and
glared at her.  I wanted her to FEEL my hatred in her bones.  I want her to be frightened
at the very sight of me.  After all, she is my sworn enemy.

I opened my mouth to tell her off and it came out in a
hoarse growl,
"The wicked who lie with the devil shall see it and be
grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked
shall perish or her blood I will require from thyne hand.”

As I stood there, I could feel my vision start to return to
normal
.  
My God, where did that come from?  And my throat hurts
.  
Tonya
just stood still - dumbfounded.  She turned pure white, like all of the blood
had drained out of her face.  She was terrified.  Suddenly she snatched her arm
out of my grip and took off down the hall.

I was dazed.  What just happened?  Students were filing into
the classroom so I blindly followed.  I collapsed into my seat.  Mrs. Big Hair,
my sociology teacher (I still can’t remember her name) was blah blahing about a
group project due next week, but I was off in my own world.  Why couldn't I
remember exactly what happened in the hallway?  When I tried to remember I come
up with a gray void.  The last thing I recalled was Tonya hurting me.  At that
time, I figured I was dead meat.  As I was sitting there in the classroom, I
noticed the student next to me watching me like I had purple skin.

Later on, as I was walking out of school, I still couldn’t fully
shake that strange feeling of detachment I experienced with Tonya.  Other
students were leaving the building like everything was normal.  But it wasn’t.  I
was involved in a fight with Tonya and I lost control of myself.  It brought
back a flood of thoughts of the other weird stuff that had happened to me
recently.  I didn’t feel any better when I saw Eve with Rainy and Karen just
outside of the school. 

Eve pulled me aside. “You OK?  Heard you got in a really
weird argument with Tonya and she freaked out and took off.  What’d you say to
her?”

Fortunately, Karen answered for me.  “It’s all over school. 
Some kids that were there thought you were going to get hammered by Tonya, but
you grabbed her by the wrist and got in her face and said something to her in some
weird creepy voice.  Someone said it sounded like you were speaking in tongues
or something.  After you spoke to her, she took off fast and just left school.”

Rainy grinned and gave me a high five. “Way to go, Tess.  I
can’t believe you had Tonya running away.  No one can believe it.  Man, I have
to hand it to you.  YOU’RE GOOD.  What DID you say to her anyway?”

I was thinking of how to answer that when Edger from
Robotics came up and added his two cents.  “Tess, you were great today!  I was
waiting for class when I heard Tonya yelling something at you.  Next thing I
know, you were grabbing her, and then you were in her face.  And, what was that
language?  It almost sounded like an old witches’ spell or something.  And your
voice!  You talked like a zombie from the 17
^th
century.  Were there
zombies back then?  I never heard talk like that.  You ought to think about
joining the drama club.  Ha, ha, Tonya is superstitious.  You got her number.  How
funny is that?”

I was getting bored.  It was Saturday late in the day.  My
cousins had gone off to work at some school carwash for the Rah Rah Booster Club,
or something like that.  I’m not really into that school spirit stuff so I
decided I’d take my grandpa’s old bike and head off in another direction today.
 I wanted to see if anything else was familiar to me.  Gram is pleased with my
fascination with this town because she’s always talking to me about “the old Hamilton
place” or “the oldest congregational church in the country”, etc.  She loves
old stuff too, which is why she spends much of her time in her “Victorian rose
garden” as she calls it. 

Grandma mentioned a house that George Washington was rumored
to have slept in so I headed in that direction.  She commented that some of the
old houses down this way are not really old.  They’re just built to look old.  You
can tell the authentic old homesteads because the windows aren’t straight.  When
I view an old home, I wonder what families lived there over the years.  Was
there a crazy family history?  Did anyone die there?  Were the people happy or
sad?  The houses with the really tiny X windows fascinate me the most because
they’re from the 1600s.  That was a rough time to be alive here.  Miss Cassie
mentioned the witch hunts.  Grandma brought up the other fear that plagued people:
the attacks by the Native Americans.

As I continued on towards the outskirts of the town center,
I started to notice newer houses and buildings.  That must be the town middle
school the next street over.  It was funny how you could always tell when a
building was a school, even before you saw playgrounds or playing fields.  I
didn’t know if it was the size or shape of the buildings or what.  Most schools
were built in the 60s or70s and were pretty ugly.  I also saw a gang of kids playing
basketball.  From here, they didn’t look elementary age.

The closer I got, the more I realized that they looked more
like high school or beyond.  Tough looking kids.  I wondered who they were.  I
figured I’d ride up and check them out from an angle so that they wouldn’t
notice me.  They all looked pretty involved in their game anyway.  Did I know
them from the high school?  Oh…, my nemesis Tonya, AND, Bully Boy from my
volleyball game.  Tonya and another girl I’ve seen around school had their
backs to me just watching the guys play.  It was definitely time to turn around
and go back in the other direction.  Why ask for trouble?

I started riding away when I feel an odd sensation, almost
like a vibration or a buzzing sound at the back of my head.  Startled, I stopped
and looked behind me.  It was Tonya’s eyes drilling holes in the back of my
head.   She had positioned herself so her body was facing me.  She was trying
to look real tough, standing there with her right fist on her hip.

When I turned around, she gave me the evil eye.  I could see
murky gray smoke and flashes of dark reddish purple around her.  It almost looked
like she was on fire, but that was her aura.  She was angry, nasty, messed up,
bad tempered.

What was she doing?  She was looking at me as if she was
trying to say something.  ‘
What are you doing here
?’  Were those her
thoughts??  Is she speaking to me through my mind?

‘
What’s your problem?
’ I send my thoughts back to
her.  Guess she received them because she’s pointing her finger at me like
she’s tough.

“Go away
!” She sends to me.  Her eyes look like
daggers.

I think I’m taking her advice.  I didn’t want a hassle with
her now, especially since I was a bit outnumbered, so I turned around and left.
 Something about her triggered a fury in me.  Why did she affect me so?  It’s
understandable that I would really dislike her, but I feel such an intense
hatred for her.  I couldn’t think of any person, other than Frank, who could elicit
such feelings in me.  And now it seemed that I had an ability to communicate
with her through some kind of mental telepathy.  Why HER?   I didn’t want any
kind of a connection to her.

It was getting to be late so I decided to start heading toward
home.  I took a circular route back to check out another part of town.  I
passed a large open field near the center of town when I decided to stop there
for a few minutes and take a break.  

Near the middle of the field was a gigantic, misshapen oak
tree that looked ancient.  The leaves were tinged with the orangey red colors
of the fall.  Around two edges of the field was a falling down stone wall.  There
was an old ramshackle house behind the far wall that appeared to be deserted.  I
walked over to the tree and sat down by its roots under the canopy of leaves
and leaned against the bark.  I put my head back and closed my eyes.  The sun
was getting low but I could feel it’s warmth on my face through an opening in
the leaves.  It felt soooo good.

I must have fallen asleep for a while because I woke up to
an increased wind and a darkening sky.  While I was becoming more cognizant of
my surroundings, I realized that some of the background wind noises were
getting a little loud, almost to the point of seeming unnatural.  At first, I
thought it was just the wind stirring up branches and dry leaves.  Then the
noise seemed to morph into the undertones of human–like noises.  It sounded
like someone was moaning
,
“
Please noooooooooo……………………,” Save
meeeeeeee…………………”
 
I sat very still and listened. I swear I could hear whole words now.  “
Curses
on
you…….. “, “You bring evil….”,  “Please help me....”
.

Was someone talking?  Was this all in my head?  I looked
around.  There was no one.  There were just lengthening shadows everywhere. 
I’ve got to be imagining it.  But then, the sounds started up again and they
seemed so real.  The branches of the tree were whipping around in the wind.  The
swaying movements made the tree appear as if it was alive.

I had to get the away from here!  I rose up to leave but I
just couldn’t seem to get the courage to climb on my bike and ride across the
grass to the street; it was way across the shadowed field and the noise was all
around me.  The chorus of whispering voices seemed louder.
“MY
CONSCIOUS
IS CLEAR……, MAY YOU GO TO HELL…, THE DAY OF DOOM IS HERE…, THERE IS A FIRE IN
YOUR MIDST…,YOU ARE DAMNED FOR ALL ETERNITY….”

I tried to block my ears.  It was horrifying!  You could
hear terror in their voices.  I curled myself up into a ball and blocked my
ears, trying to stop their cries.  Who were they?  As far as I could see, this
field was empty except for me.  And worst of all, I could feel their anguish
deep in the pit of my stomach.   It made me sick.

I didn’t know how long I was there when suddenly I felt
someone tap me lightly on the shoulder and I heard a low voice say, “Are you
OK?”

“Whaaat?”  I jumped.  At least the voice sounded normal.  I
turned my head slightly and peered out.  He looked normal, too.  “I don’t know,”
I replied.

“You don’t look so good.  Did something happen to you?” he
asked.

I looked around and listened.  It was quiet.  The wind died
down.  No voices.  Since it was getting dark, you could see the lights of
houses in the area.  Between the lights and his calm voice, I started to feel
better.  I finally looked at him.  He was a normal looking kind of guy; that
is, he wasn’t a ghost or spirit of some sort.  In fact, now that I got a good
look at him, I noticed how striking he was, even in this diminished light.  I
took a couple of deep breaths to calm myself down and finally answered him in
an unsteady voice, “I just came here to sit under the tree and take a break
when I started hearing strange noises.”

“Strange noises?  What kind of noises?” he inquired, head
cocked to one side.

“The wind started picking up.  I know this seems crazy but
the wind almost sounded like voices,” I responded, starting to feel like an
idiot.

“Really?  Voices, huh?  I have heard that this tree is
haunted, you know.  In fact, it’s called ‘The Tree of the Living Spirits’.”

“Why is it called that?”

He shrugged.  “I don’t know.  It’s been called that for as
long as I can remember.  Like I said, some people say that it’s haunted.”  He
smiled while he said this.  Now that I was calming down, I was able to get a
better look at him.  He had beautiful dark blue eyes.  I wish I could see his
aura but it was too dark.

He stretched out his hand and I let him pull me up.  His warmth
made me realize how cold it was.  “You are freezing, girl!”  He took off his
leather jacket and put it around my shoulders.  I felt a little shaky walking. 
He steered me by holding my arm closely.  “My pick-up is right over here.  Why
don’t I drive you home?  It’s way too dark for you to ride a bike now, plus you
almost look like you’re in shock.  You’re shivering and you look very pale.  I
can throw your bike in the back.”

I looked at him thinking, who is this guy?  He was certainly
nice to look at.  Nice shoulders, dark hair hanging slightly over his eyes,
very attractive smile.  Should I let him drive me home?  I got myself together
enough to say, “By the way, my name is Tessie Littleton.  And you are?”

“Ian Miller.  Born and bred here in Woodley.”  He brushed
his hair out of his eyes as he spoke.  

“I haven’t seen you around the high school.  Do you go to
the high school in town?”  I asked him, still trying to quell my shaking voice.

“Actually, I graduated last year.  I’m in college this year
so I’m not always around.”  He exuded a sense of calm as he spoke.  I think he
was trying to make me feel OK.

What’s the harm in accepting a ride?  He’s certainly been a
nice guy.  After all, I can’t ride my bike home now since it’s too dark.  “I
guess I can go with you.  Thanks so much for your help.  Thank God you came
along when you did.”  Then I glanced over at him and asked, “By the way, how
did you happen to see me, it’s getting so dark out?”

“I was looking for my dog, Bennie.  When he leaves the yard
he frequently heads over this way.  In fact, I did pick him the next street over
and got him in the back of the pick-up but I knew something was up because he
jumped out and ran back in this direction.  He was really whining like crazy so
I decided to look around.  That’s when I saw you under the tree.  I’m glad I
listened to him.” He smiled at me. His habit of sweeping his hair out of his
eyes was kind of endearing.  It made him seem a little self-conscious, an
attribute that’s usually lacking in attractive guys.

“Well, hope you don’t think I’m some kind of a freak.  I’ve
never heard noises like that before.”  As I talked to him I tried to smooth out
my wild hair and straighten my clothes a little.  I didn’t want my appearance to
contribute to his already sketchy impression of me.  He was being nice and
reassuring, but inside he probably figured I was nuts and couldn’t wait to get
rid of me.

He deftly lifted my bike and placed it in the back of his
pick-up with his dog.  I went over to pat Bennie on the nose.  He accepted my
pat but then he moved back to the corner of the truck bed.  Ian swung open the
passenger door and helped me up.  He got in and started it up, set the heat on
high and turned to me, “So Tessie, where do you live?”

“I think I’m about three streets down that way,” I said as I
pointed. 

“So are you feeling all right now?  I was worried for a few
minutes there, but I see a little color in your cheeks and you’re looking
better.”  His deep blue eyes continued to study me.

“Yeah, I’m better.  I’ll be OK.”  I’m a little uncomfortable
with this kind of attention.  He’s been very nice about this though.  Some
people would make you feel like a fool.

“Tess, I presume you’re new in town.  I know I’ve never seen
you at the high school last year and you said that you THINK you are about
three streets over.  When did you move here?”  He asked.

“It’s been about three weeks since we moved in with my
grandma, Edwina Drake.  Her house is on Pratt Street, right off South Main Street. 
In fact, we’re almost there.”  I gestured toward our house.  I could see
someone, probably my aunt, peering out the window.  With everything that
happened, I forgot about my aunt and grandma.  They won’t be too happy with me.
 How am I going to explain this?

Ian pulled into my driveway, got out of the truck and walked
around to help me down.  Wow!  He is so nice.  I reluctantly gave him back his soft
worn leather jacket.  It smelled like Ian looked; a fresh, outdoorsy leathery
smell.  He was reaching in for the bike when Auntie and Grandma came running
out.  Darn.

“Theresa, where have you been?”  My aunt said that while she
was looking at both of us suspiciously.

“Aunt Amy, calm down.  I would like to introduce both of you
to Ian Miller.  I got lost a few blocks away and he was kind enough to stop and
help me out.”  Ian immediately went over to my aunt and grandma and politely
shook their hands.  “I’m pleased to meet you,” said Ian immediately.  “I was
very happy to help out a damsel in distress.   My dog got lost and practically
led me to her.  You can thank Bennie here.”

Gram was stern, “Tess, you had us worried sick!  You must
show more consideration.”

My aunt’s expression softened.  “Thank you so much Ian.  I
am familiar with Woodley, but Tessie likes to explore the area and she’s new
here.  She’s always been a bit too curious, causing her to get into scrapes
ever since she was little.”

“Aunt Amy, I’m OK now.  There’s nothing for you to worry
about.  I’ll be in the house in just a couple of minutes, OK?”  I looked at her
pointedly.  In other words, Auntie and Gram, can you please leave?

Fortunately, my aunt murmured her thank you, said good bye
and went inside with Gram following, muttering all the way.  I was hoping I
could see Ian again and I wouldn’t have a chance if they were hanging out here
while he left.

Ian paused for a minute and then remarked, “You’re still
shivering a little.  You should get yourself inside, bundle up and have
something hot to drink.”

“I will, don’t worry.  Thanks again, Ian.  I don’t know what
I would have done if you hadn’t come along.  I don’t think I’ll be walking
around that field at night any time soon.  I guess it sounds crazy but it was
really spooky there.  I don’t believe in ghosts, at least I don’t think I do.” 
I tried to make myself sound as sane as possible.  Hope he bought it.

“It would be great to see you again, perhaps under better
circumstances,” Ian said, looking down.  Was Ian shy?  

“I would really like that.  It would be nice for you to see
that I am not a kook,” I answered, smiling back.  I could hear him whistling as
he sauntered around his truck, patted Bennie and got into the driver’s seat.  He
quickly waved and drove off.