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Eight

Author: Joshua Ataya
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

DEVAN

School wasn't much fun without Ms. Ellen anymore. The trip had been put off, due to her unexplainable absence. She wasn't taking her calls, and the whole school seemed worried.

There were rounds of news going around the town, about women who had gone missing, but when they were found, they all didn't have any memory of where they had been, or anything at all.

I could only hope Ms. Ellen hadn't become a victim of such acts. As I strode past her house that evening, there was an irrepressible urge lodged in my throat, forcing me to go in. I withheld myself from giving in to emotions.

The blood stains were still on her window, just as it had been the previous day. I was worried, but who could I share my burdens with?

I walked past her house successfully, and walked into mine. It was filled with gloom and smoke. I coughed loudly as I walked into it.

Robb was making out with his newest catch, I couldn't remember her name, but her broken nose wasn't one to f
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  • The New Teacher Next Door   Nine

    ELLEN The sound of light footsteps wafted into my ears, and my eyes fluttered open. Zach was seated beside me, with a broad smile on his face. It seemed weird to me, Zach wasn't one to smile often. He described himself as a man with enough shades of masculinity, and thus he was always quick to lash out at any male who was too quick to smile, or too quick to laugh, dismissing them as less of a man. However, here he was grinning weirdly, with a green spinach on the sides of his chompers. I returned the smile, and sat up on the bed. "Hey Baby," he whispered, placing a kiss on my forehead. He had cologne on, and I could feel my senses being heightened. I wanted to linger under his arms, but a part of me knew better. This was the same man, who had tortured and molested me severally until I was short of breath. I wasn't sure if I could use those words though, I was married to him, so molested wasn't so much of a right choice of word. Blah! I laid my bac

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Ten

    DEVAN There was rarely any peace at home, since Mum was barely around. I hadn't seen her in a long while, but I had made it a duty to check up on her and Dad regularly through phonecalls. However, Robb had been quick to maximise their absence to the fullest. He had begun to throw parties almost every night, that the neighbours had began to complain. I couldn't sleep any longer, as they blasted music through speakers distorting any form of rest I had planned to have. I was exhausted with the kind of life Robb had chosen for himself; wild parties, girls, booze, drugs and the likes. Mum wouldn't have condoned this if she was around, but what could I say I was the younger. I had to keep on lying to Mum, that everything was great, and Robb was doing well. That was a big lie, because everything wasn't as great as it used to be, and Robb had finally taken leave of his senses. It had suddenly began to seem like I was the older, due to the fact that I was the only one s

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Eleven

    ELLEN There were different phases in life, and this was one them. This phase was ruled by confusion, questions, and questions again, with no sign of answers. The whole school was in a state of uproar over my return, as students and teachers like myself, crowded the hallway, windows, and doors, with each of them clamouring for a glimpse of me. If only they knew the kind of mess I was in at that moment they wouldn't want to stare. Eyes were pinned on me as I made my way through the throng of students, in a bid to get to my office. I was perturbed about my mental state. My mind was clouded by thoughts and emotions that didn't seem to be mine at all. It was beginning to seem like I had lost myself in the few days I had been gone. I walked into my office, and was met with a disorganised workspace. The students had probably done this out of spite. I bent over and began cleaning around without hesitation, when I heard a knock on the door. I turned around with dus

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Twelve

    DEVAN It was a few weeks before the first term came to an end. School hadn't been better than it was already. Sam and his crew had become trusted friends overtime. But in reality, I was actually closer to Sam than I was to the rest of the group. Well, obviously because he had introduced me to the rest of the group. The bullyings had finally ended now, and although I hadn't found Sam's mother yet. It wasn't much of a concern to him as it had been in the previous days. Well, I had introduced Sam to Robb, and they had gotten along so well that I feared they had known each other before the introduction. Robb had introduced Sam into his world of shitty craps, and Sam had taken the bait. He took drugs after drugs, booze, and the likes, and most times he was always wasted. You couldn't blame me anyways. I needed to put an end to the bullyings and maltreatment I had suffered in his hands for so long, that any option was an option, as long as it helped put an end to t

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Thirteen

    ELLEN The heavy downpour that shook the rooftop, and almost the foundation didn't seem to have an effect on Zach's mood. He had always loved the rain, and the smell of it, as it hit the ground, but not tonight. He was visibly angry, and I was shaken with the cold. "You can't leave." He repeated for the umpteenth time that night. I wasn't perturbed by his little show of authority. However, my mind was made up already, and there was nothing he could do to change it. I was leaving. "You can't stop me, you do know that, right?" I informed. I could see his eyes almost spitting out matching flames with his countenance. I was ready to defy him on this matter. "I'm not going to let you leave, Ellen." He insisted. I didn't argue anymore, as I dug my head into my work; selecting clothes to go along with on my trip. I could see him seething from the corners of my eyes. I wish I could stay though, but I couldn't stay anymore. There wasn't much of a choice.

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Fourteen

    DEVAN There were two sides to this story. It was either I had lost my senses, or I had gone crazy; which was basically two of the same thing. Mum was all around the whole house that evening, and there I was in the bathroom stroking myself delightfully, and relishing the thoughts of Ms. Ellen that never seemed to leave. I had to get finished as quickly as I could, before Mum noticed that I had been gone for too long. I turned on the shower, to deter anyone from coming in without knocking properly. I hadn't done this in a long while, and I wasn't meant to be doing it. However, Ms. Ellen had managed to turn me on, in a way that no one else could. Simply put, I had taken leave of my senses! "What's up, bro?" Robb screamed behind me, loud enough for me to hear him. I stumbled briefly in fright, and caught myself just in time. What in hell's name was wrong with Robb‽ "Get the hell out." I screamed, shying away. "I thought you were the saint, and I was

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Fifteen

    ELLEN It was a perfect night for a stroll. I was in high spirits, as I strode beside Cullen listening to him recount his stories. He was a good storyteller, I had to give him that. This wasn't meant to be a date, however, Cullen had insisted on calling it that. He had been excited when I had called him to enquire if he was free at the moment. He hadn't taken a moment to even consider, before he had said that he wasn't. As we strolled side by side, I could barely keep my eyes off his. Those mesmerising eyes of his. Bloody Heavens! I had imagined looking into them, and screaming at the top of my lungs. It was a welcoming sight to imagine. I couldn't wait, but yet I had to wait. "Want to grab a bite?" He cut into my thoughts, with his eyebrows raised in concern. "Oh! Yea sure." I replied. He wasn't just sexily handsome, he was caring as well. I could only hope it was going to last. Zach hadn't been able to keep up, and so I had had to get away with wi

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Sixteen

    DEVAN Envy, hate, and rage gnawed at the insides of my visceral. I doubted if I was capable of containing it any longer than I had already done. Seating there in the cold street that night, I felt my heart thudding as I watched the couple that stood just outside the door of Sweet Raymond's store. I felt hurt, broken and betrayed. Cullen had found a way to win her heart when I couldn't. A sad love story it was. I dug my hand into Robb's jacket that I had on, and I felt something. I pulled it out, and sighed. It was a cigarette stick. Robb always knew his way around things, even in his absence he always knew how to lure me into things I had no interest in. I watched Cullen wrap his arm around Miss Ellen, and I knew I couldn't pretend no more. I dug my hand into the pocket on the other side of the jacket. There had to be a lighter somewhere. I was right. I pulled the lighter out, and lit the end of the cigarette. Without stopping to consider what I was about

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  • The New Teacher Next Door   Eighty Eight

    ELLEN The ceiling fan whirred softly, barely producing enough air to reduce the heat that enveloped the room. I turned around, trying to find a better position that suited me. BJ's snores took a higher tempo, and I could tell that he was fast asleep now. I turned to my side on the bed, again, grunting and grumbling, as the heat refused to subside. Exhaustion took the better part of me, and I forced myself to a sitting position. What had I expected from a motel as this one. This was the cheapest one I had been able to find. In fact, this was the only place I had been able to afford. Suzy wasn't back to the room yet. She had stepped out to take a call about an hour ago, and hadn't returned since then. I wondered what was taking her time. I stretched out on the bed, and stood to my feet, yawning tiredly. I couldn't sleep, and no matter what I tried, the sleep refused to come. "Ellen?" Suzy called, pushing the door opened, as she stepped in. I stood fac

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Eighty Seven

    DEVAN Regrets, and making bad choices went hand in hand. The house hadn't been the same since Mum had realised what she had done. She had suddenly withdrawn into her shell, barely speaking out anymore. I could barely imagine the amount of disappointment she felt at that point, but I wasn't ready to ease her agony so quickly. School was were I buried myself in now, mostly to keep myself busy, and keep the crazy thoughts away. It wasn't going to be the same anymore. Mum sat by the window side, staring blankly through the window, with a steaming hot cup of coffee in her hand. Each time I looked at her, I knew I had to help her, but it was going to be difficult. She always had a hand in everything that went wrong at home. What was a little pain compared to the series of insults that I had been forced to go through in her hands. I held unto the sides of the wheelchair I was seated in, and slowly forced an exhale out. "I see you, Devan." She said, breaking t

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Eighty Six

    ELLEN A loud, startling knock on the door, flung me off the bed in trepidation. I glanced quickly at my feet, and hissed lightly. My shoes were still on, I hadn't taken them off after getting into the room. I sat at the edge of the bed, and began to pull at them, when the knock came again. I took my shoes hastily, and stared blankly at the wall clock. The time read two A.M. However, the time hadn't served as enough deterrent to whoever was banging on my door. Maybe I shouldn't have rented a room at this motel, I should probably have gone for another one. A safer one, perhaps. A thousand and one thoughts ran through my head, as I held my shoe up in my left hand, just in case there was a need for it, and began to move towards the door. Was there a possibility that Devan and Robb had managed to find me so quickly? I couldn't tell, until I opened the damned door. "Who's at the door?" I quizzed, with shaky hands, and a shoe in it. The silence was enough

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Eighty Five

    DEVAN I could almost swear that she had noticed that our gazes were fixed on her, yet, she busied herself about the room, as if she didn't care. My heart ached to ask her all the crazy questions that burned at my heart. Why was she doing this? I heard Dad say something loudly, but we were all too preoccupied to even care at the moment. Mum began humming a song, as she went about her duties. I didn't know what to feel at that moment, anger, or resentment that she had only noticed me, after Matt's death. "Ms Barker, could I please get something to eat? It was a long walk from school." Sam pleaded, as Mum beamed a wide smile at him. "Of course, Sammy Boy. You're always welcome here. What would like me to get you?" She quizzed, scratching at her elbows agitatedly. Sam's fingers flew to his head, for a brief moment, as if trying to come up with something, and then thy dropped to his side again weakly. "Anything is fine, ma'am. I wouldn't want to be so much o

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Eighty Four

    ELLEN My eyes opened as Robb brought the car to a halt. I exhaled deeply, excited all over again. I was finally home, and although I didn't know where my home was yet though,but I was excited. "You look happy." Robb commented, as the engine died down. I nodded, and beamed a smile at him. "Well, I should be. I was away for too long." He chuckled lightly, and stared at me with a confusing gaze. "You think so? Things aren't the same as you left them." "Oh, come on, Robb. Everything's just fine." "No, it isn't!" He snapped, slamming his hands against the steering wheel. I was taken aback by his reaction. I lifted my hand gently, and rested it on his arm, as he sighed. "What's going on, Robb? Tell me." "Ellen..." He began swallowing deeply. "There's something I should have told you before, but I couldn't bring myself to do it." "What are you talking about, Robb? Spill it already." "It's not good, I promise ." I faked a smile, and patted his a

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Eighty Three

    DEVAN Time they say, had a way of doing things to you, changing you, breaking you, or making you. In all of these processes, you were considered as a chief factor, and I was in this one, somehow. Mornings were usually the busiest, school work, and having to endure the taunting and long stares from everyone at school. Not like I cared much though, but driving through the school halls always had a way of reminding me of a life I had once lived, in fear and in the shadows. That life was due for a change. Maybe, it was time I did something really meaningful with my life. I didn't know what it was then, but I was getting there. It was only going to take a short while now. I tapped my hands gently against the wheelchair, as I drove through the halls receiving the usual whispers, and hushed talks from the bunch of students around the hallway. Exhaustion got the better of me, as I shook my head slightly in pity. "You don't look so good, Devan." A voice said behind m

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Eighty Two

    ELLEN Cups of coffee sat on the table between us, and the rising sun behind us. I was clearly exhausted, and how much I ached to free myself from Cullen's piercing eyes. He was quiet, and a little distant than I had known him to be. With eyes fixed on me, watching every move, and every gesture that I made. I didn't know what to do, or think. I mean, after all the time I had spent rehearsing, and coming up with words to say to him, when I finally got the chance to, yet here I was, as mute and silent as a lamb. "What's in your mind?" He quizzed, staring intently into my face. I shook my head slightly, regaining myself. "Nothing," I said hurriedly. "I mean, you're the one who's been withdrawn. You weren't like this the last time I saw you. What's happened to you?" He chuckled softly, and sipped at his coffee. "I'm the same person, Ellen. You just didn't know this part of me." I nodded in pretense. And of course, I didn't understand a word he had uttered.

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Eighty One

    DEVAN Somehow, all of this still seemed pretty new to me. I had my memory back, and honestly, I had never felt as alive, as I did right now. I rode my wheelchair around the house in impatience, I was alone at home. Robb hadn't returned since he left, and now Mum also was taking too much time at the hospital. It had been a long while since I had been at the house, it seemed different from the last time. Probably because I had my legs then? Sad. A car honk blared loudly, and I drove to the window hurriedly. And just as I expected, it was Mum helping Dad out of the car. Matt's death had tightened the cords that held us as a family. Maybe that was what we had ended? A little it of something macabre? I shook my head hastily to clear it of the thoughts that filled it. Mum was at the door now with Dad. I didn't know what to do, I just sat there waiting for the door to be pushed open. In a moment, Mum stepped into the house, and Dad began turning his head around hu

  • The New Teacher Next Door   Eighty

    ELLEN I clearly didn't look forward to the break of day. I knew what Suzy was going to do, but still, I wasn't ready to succumb to her demand. It had been a long night, and as far as I could remember, I had barely blinked an eye. Suzy had barely slept also, as I had felt her toss from side to side on the bed next to me. She wanted to get her life back, and I wanted mine also. And there was no possible way I was going to sacrifice living the very life I had fantasized about living, just because she needed my help. That wasn't fair to me. That morning, I had gone about my regular business just like the previous night, and from what I could tell, Suzy wasn't interested in me, just as I wasn't also. I mean, we were both so different, but yet, there was this kind of connection that I felt like we both shared unknowingly. I was bent over a bag, as I arranged a few stuff I had left into it. Big Joe hadn't even been kind enough to let me come back to the house to

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