June, and early summer rains down on Lonewood in golden rays of light. The green of the pines is firmer, and the smell of pine wanders in the air, like a fly that has been hit but somehow manages to stay aloft.The other trees grow their leaves, shielding the people underneath the harsh rays. Summer break started, and I began to spend much more time with my crew.Most of the time we spend at the community pool. Occasionally at the mall. Nights we sometimes are at each other's houses, playing cards and watching what the normal people of the world watched when they were kids or were 'classics' to them. And yes, there was some booze. I didn't drink most of the time because it hurts my head, and I swoon easily.It's a very big pool and the whole town could go and there'd still be enough chairs and water space to relax comfortably. A good deal of children swim in the pool, and high school kids from Lonewood played in the area with volleyball nets strung across a portion of the pool.Today,
Pulling on my shorts that are a little tight, I walk out of my apartment. The morning summer air is damp, and my shirt does little to keep the chilly feeling off me. The t-shirt that I'm wearing matches the navy blue of my shorts. My little sports bag I sling on my shoulder. I'm not going to work out, but carrying a backpack seems a bit too much. And because I can't wear a jacket, there's not a lot of pockets on me. Hence, the sports bag. It's hot pink, but because I'm just too lazy to go get a new one, and because I don't care about the color, I just use it. It was in the closet anyway. Walking to the curb, I notice the dew on the grass that sparkles like broken glass in the morning sunlight. A warm breeze sweeps through the tree's foliage. Rustling and making that peaceful sound.I see that Pike has his car already parked, and I walk up to it and open the door. "Morning," says Ves. "Morning," I reply. I crawl up into the car and close the door. Buckling up, I nod to Pike
Looking through my closet, I try to see if anything else might be appropriate in wearing to the party. I heard from Ves that pretty much all of the kids in our grade are invited. Not a lot being in our grade might be the reason behind it. I'm wearing a light blue button-up shirt that hugs my torso lightly and my white khakis. I don't know what to exactly wear to this type of gathering. It's a birthday party, so that could mean somewhat formal. But from what I've observed some of the teens doing and wearing these days, it might be something else. They might be wearing jeans and ripped t-shirts. I don't know. I close my closet and walk over to my bed. On it are my trusty Ruger and a birthday present. Well, two presents. I know from our junior year that Dane likes the color red. A lot. But besides that, I don't know anything that he likes. He seems to adore working out, and art. So I bought him a can of red oil paint and a matching red hoodie. His size I roughly guessed, but I t
The air is moving, and the humidity has dropped into a sweet summer night's dampness that clings a bit to my skin. But because of the lack of heat, it makes it much more bearable. Dane leads me across the patio where a few kids are sitting around and picks a spot with two seats that face the huge back yard. Trees line the far end of it, and I can see some of the mountains that surround Lonewood. The darkness of the sky is nothing to that of the mountains, and I can see the jagged outline of the peaks. Sitting down, I take a sip of the cool water from the mug. It soothes my somewhat thirsty throat and gives some satisfaction. "I didn't think that you would actually come to my party," remarks Dane. I turn to look at him. He stares back. "Why?" "Well," says Dane as he shifts in his seat. He grabbed a coke from the fridge and opens the can, taking a sip. "You don't strike me as somebody who goes to parties." "I've been to parties." "And not to mention how cold you ar
After arriving home, I made sure to check all the locks on my apartment, as well as my inventory of weapons. I managed to bring several boxes of the .380 bullets that are the size for my gun, and there's also a stash of guns that was in the apartment. A shotgun, one machine gun, and also a generous amount of munitions. It's more than enough to protect myself.Pulling out my Ruger, I also pull out the spare gun from under my bed, where it's stashed with my file with the compromising information. The only link to my former career. The spare is hardly used, whereas the one I pulled out from my pocket is weathered and old.Scratches crisscross the stock, and the two sights are somewhat scratched. But the top is still intact, so I can still aim. I pull out the magazine and see that there still the six bullets in it. Good.Snapping it back in, I set the gun back down and check my spare gun. It's loaded. I also check the multiple guns in the metal suitcase that is painted black. They're load
"Perfect. Now, as I was saying, everybody must turn to face the front of the classroom at all times, and there is to be no talking whatsoever. And please note that if you break any of these rules once, you will have to serve detention. And Mr. Kelson, because you've done so, I expect you to attend detention tomorrow at lunch break. Don't be late!" he says with a wink. I hear a collective gasp from the class. I just sit for a moment thinking about what I should do. Shoot this bastard in the head? I will do it. If he pushes any more, I will. He probably doesn't even have a teaching license. Used his influential capabilities to land his turd-ass in that position. Sicko. Used money to get himself a fake position. It's repulsive, how he thinks he can use his cash to get whatever he wants. Maybe he doesn't know that it just makes him even more fake. An animal without any brains. But I just sit and grip my desk, glaring at his ugly face. He smiles and moves on. The rest of the cla
Art. The only subject that I struggle in. Everything else? No problem! I can ace a math quiz, read a book and write an essay that will get me a passing grade, and define the concepts of economics without breaking a sweat.But when it comes to looking at something and drawing it, something doesn't happen right. I tried to practice more during summer break, but unfortunately, I didn't get much progress.Walking into art for the first time this year two days ago, I promised myself that maybe there's hope for me to get a passing grade, like last year. But as the teacher came in and began to explain what we'll be doing and the level required to do it, I felt a rock sink in my stomach.Abe seemed to think that too. We both looked down at our sketchbooks that are filled with literal crap. Maybe I can make an excuse saying it's a new type of art. But something tells me even the placid teacher will see right through it.And Dane is sitting at our table, so he's going to be breathing down my ne
Thinking of how maybe tomorrow, or the day after that I'll be going on a date has me feeling somewhat bubbly inside. I have this wonderful warmth inside my chest. I've never been in the type of situation where I could even think of dating. Being a cadet meant all forms of fraternization was banned. There were a few kids who did it, and they got booted out.I do think though that I ought to not be carefree about this endeavor I'm embarking on. I've never been in a real love relationship. I've been in fake ones, where I seduced men and made them think I was a plaything they could dine on in bed. But that was all because I knew that I could shoot their brains out. I could do anything and show any part of my body and still be able to go through with being with them.But for Dane, somethings different. It must be the fact that I won't be able to just wipe him away from my past, because he'll be alive and I'll wonder what he thinks of me if we split. And I can't end him and stop him from th
"Happy birthday, Reza," says Dane as he gives a sweet hug."This wasn't necessary," I say into his arm and chest. His soft red sweater is comfy as it forms a cocoon around me."I would do this even if I had only ten cents left," says Dane sweetly.He rocks me softly from side to side as he nuzzles the top of my head. A gentle waltz in place."I'm happier than I appear," then I say happily.I hug him tighter, and he does too."Aww, that's so sweet," remarks Dexter from behind Dane at the kitchen island."Yeah. It's amazing," adds on Ves.Letting me untangle from him slightly, Dane lets me take in the scene before him. A vanilla cake sits on the kitchen island and a few gifts sit on the counter beside it. Some balloons in red and pink float to the ceiling.Everyone present, Ves, Mia, Pika, Jack, Dexter, and even Rupert has a hat on their head. A cone with colorful lines. Lewis and Irene came by earlier in the day to leave their gifts, and gave a hug and kiss on my cheek.Sweet people."
"Don't you want to text your friends that you're okay?" asks Evan as he pulls the ropes on my body away. "I'd rather you take me back to the mall," I say flatly. Meeting back up with everyone, especially Dane, is something I want to happen in the near future. Right now to be precise. "I will, but I want to chat first," he says, well whines really. "And it'll take more than thirty minutes?" I ask. "Probably. So even if we talk in the car, we won't have time," he says. Having untied the chains and ropes around me, he sets them in the corner and puts my Ruger and phone on the table in front of me. "I'll text them then," I say. Evan nods and I send a quick message to Dane and Ves. They're the people in need of knowing what is happening. "So, what do you want to chat about?" I ask as I slip my phone into my pocket. "So you're the third most dangerous person in North America?" he asks. He leans on one arm of his chair. I sit back in my chair, one arm on each of the c
Walking around the mall with seven other teens, I think of how if this was under any other circumstances where I was in my former occupation, I would be absolutely ballistic. No agent with a third of a brain would ever need any kind of hint or clue to gather that this would not be an acceptable situation. It just stands out too much.But, I'm not that, and I have to tell that to myself. Eight people walking around a mall is probably not an unusual spectacle. Eight teens walking around is probably what every American has seen or imagined once in their life.Entering a retail store, we disperse into groups of two or three to look around. I drift around with Mia and Lewis."Look at this shirt. It's so pristine," remarks Mia as she pulls out a baby blue shirt that looks to be made of cotton. The pearly buttons glisten with the shiny surface of the shirt."It looks good with your hair," complements Lewis as he looks over from a rack of jeans."He's right," I say.Looking around, I notice a
"Have you heard what happened to Avezedo?" I ask Dexter as he sets a plate of eggs and pancakes on the table in front of me. Butter slowly slides off the steaming surface of it. I pick up with my fork and eat the food gratefully. "Nothing, zilch, nada," replies Dexter with a shrug. "But he's definitely alive?" I ask. "Probably. No body was found in the woods or anywhere else. After they released him from the police station they didn't keep a tab on him. Needless to say," says Dexter as he sets a plate in front od Dane, "we know he's out there somewhere." "That's ominous," I say flatly. "Yeah," says Dane. His plate clearly has more food on it compared to mine. "But knowing you, it shouldn't be a problem," says Dexter. "Don't say that. You'll make him want to go out and find Avezedo to end him," says Dane with a frown. "Reza wouldn't do that, would you?" asks Dexter. "I might now that I have that idea," I say with a grin. Dexter grins with me as we look at Dane who
"I think they're here," calls Dexter from the kitchen. Looking up from a book I snatched from his office, I glance over at the wide doorway to the kitchen. Dexter leans on it and grins slightly."Noted," I reply. Dexter flashes his teeth. "That means, Reza, that you should go answer the door," he says. "Also noted," I say tersely. Dexter nods with his grin and walks back to the kitchen. Setting my book down, I hop off the couch with Rupert and make my way to the door. Making Rupert get behind me so he doesn't run out, I unbolt the door and open it. Dane, Ves, Mia, Jack, and Pike stand outside. The sun has already set and most of the sky is covered in heavy lead-colored clouds. Seemingly drawn into the sky with a shaky hand and soft pencil. "Hey," says Dane. He steps inside to give me a hug, to which I return a quick one. "Hey, Reza!" says Ves. She and Mia step forward after Dane steps back to give me a hug too. I smile slightly as they embrace me tightly. I see Jac
"Do you want to sleep together tonight?" asks Dane as he begins to clean up the living room couch where I spent the day laying. "Do you want to?" I ask simply. "Well," says Dane as he sets a pillow down and angles it, "I had a nice time yesterday night. So I thought that I might ask so I could do it again," he explains. "We're not doing anything," I say ahead. "Definitely," he responds. "I guess. As long as your dad is fine with it," I say as I look over at Dexter who is also picking up the blanket I laid under. "No problem. But don't do anything crazy. You're young, but that doesn't mean no consequences," says Dex. "Will do," I say simply. Dexter grins. "I love how your boyfriend happens to be somebody like Reza. He's so obedient," he says to Dane. "What? And I'm not?" asks Dane with a scoff. "You can be. And you mostly are. But Reza doesn't miss a beat. And when he does, it's undetectable," says Dex. "Whatever you say," says Dane as he rolls his eyes. I look a
Because I lost some blood, I sit on the couch with Rupert and Dane and try not to move around excessively. I needed some heat that isn't my own. Rupert and Dane were more than happy to provide it. After the time we spent apologizing, Dane's father finally made a sound that alerted us of his presence. He 'didn't want to disturb', in his own words. He said he saw the whole thing, Dane breaking down and crying, me forgiving, and the rest. He didn't have it in him to stop us. But whatever. The doctor came by about an hour ago. He pulled open my wound and checked to see if the bone was cracked. I hissed and snarled, but none of them really got scared by that. Rupert actually snuggled closer to me. Big teddy bear. The doctor, Dr. Carrier, said that my skull was intact. My upper dermal layer would need time to heal, but I should be fine. He said to rest and drink and eat plentily. Dexter said he would make sure that I ate. After Dr. Carrier left, Dane just lay down with me and hu
The Mobius curve is like a bridge folded in onto itself. Grotesque architecture. Unlicensed surgery, really. It looks terrible. When I first saw it in my math class in the program, I thought it was somebody's kidney that got carved out to that shape. The diagram itself was red in hue, and that's what came to mind.A wicked mind to have as a ten-year-old.But I guess the Mobius curve has some 'mercy', unlike me. Because the roaring and endless ride breaks and I feel the rush fading. My body is not detached from my head, and I can feel reality becoming flat and smooth. Not the crazy Ferris-wheel it turned into.A certain smell makes me alert and my eyes fly open. The smell of...Dane.My eyes see the color of skin. The shape of Dane's naked chest materializes before my eyes. And trailing my eyes upwards, I look into his sleeping face. Sleeping thankfully. One arm is draped over my shoulders.How did I get into this position? My eyes widen, but I don't make a noise. I realize slowly that
Slipping into clothes that are warm, I look in my bathroom mirror. I guess part of me is into parties.My black knitted sweater hugs my body lightly. The turtle neck is loosely wrapped around. It helps to draw out the natural red color of my skin. My hair is straight and it sits nicely. Some of the longer strands poke out, but I don't bother doing anything.Turning off the bathroom light and stepping out, I walk over to my bed and sit. I hadn't bothered going to school after I got chased down. I just stayed home. It was a Wednesday anyway. Only two days left in the week. Not much of a loss.Checking my gun, I make sure I have six bullets in. Seven, including the one in the chamber. Nothing will most likely happen, but I'm always prepared. And I don't give chances.Not even the first one, anymore.After stowing it in my pocket, I grab a coat and head for the door. It's the leather one. The one from last winter. The smell of myself is twined into the fabric, and I can tell that the once