You Summoned Me?

Chapter One

The first day back to school is and always has been an awful experience for me. Walking into a classroom full of eager students and a number of bullies makes the thought of turning on my heels and running home to remain unseen until the day I die, an amazingly morbid idea. One I’d prefer if it wasn’t for the realism it’d only end with hours worth of detentions and not my funeral.

I scan the room for a vacant seat, a chair nearest the far corner would be suitable, but like always, they’re taken by the ‘alternative group’. A band of teenagers disliked by the ‘social norm’, the ‘popular kids,’ a distracted crowd that couldn’t care less. I glance toward the front desks, they stand nearest the huge marker board and occupy the teachers line of sight. They’re almost always full of the ‘geeks’ and occasionally a wild child that needs to be observed otherwise chaos would most certainly commence. I take one last look-see and sigh, the only spot available is smack bang in the centre, it’s surrounded by my worst enemies, they like nothing more than making my existence a living nightmare. I’ll never be able to take that seat without being ridiculed or picked-on.

I try to drag back the chair without making a sound, but that’s a feat in itself as it happens to be very flimsy and thanks to a couple of rusty nuts and bolts, only just staying in one piece. I anxiously sit down and drop my school bag by my feet I do this so I can rest my foot on it incase someone attempts to snatch it. On the graffiti covered table before me is a second hand text-book and a new work-book that has my name Ellie-Deen scribbled in pen along the allocated line.

I scoot my bum around the chair in an attempt to get comfy. My armpits begin to itch, they’re so wet and clammy, my brows begin to drip with sweat and my eyes sting with tears that threaten to give away truly how uneasy I feel. I think about distracting myself with the work that’s been allocated, but I’m too scared to even attempt it, if I do, it’d attract unwanted attention and I have no doubt in the back of my mind that the bullying would start. I find the longer I manage to stay invisible, the better.

I stare at the untouched book I’m supposed to be filling in with notes and it makes me feel like utter crap. Something light crashes into the back of my head. I don’t have time to guess what it might be before I see a screwed up paper-ball roll along the desk and onto the floor. I close my eyes for a second to compose myself, I get that all to familiar feeling, it’s a sudden sense that things are about to get messy. I can hear laughing coming from all around, it’s increasing in volume the more I notice that it’s actually directed at me.

“Miss Deen?” the teacher yells as she stalks toward me. Her foul perfume stalks her aging body with every step. I bow my head hoping the smell waffs by, but it doesn’t, it lingers before me. “Is my work too difficult for you?” she scoffs.

“No Mrs. Lohgun,” I reply timidly.

“Then answer me this. Why is your workbook untouched?”

My heart races as I try to think of a reason that won’t give away my insecurities. The bullies would love to hear stories of my suffering, the mental pain I endure every time I step into this building. “I don’t know,” I choose to mutter.

“Ellie Deen, stand up,” the teacher demands. “The teacher before I warned me of a little brunette matching your description. A lazy little girl he told me...”

I push the chair backward as I wobble to my feet. My nerves are playing havoc with my body, my mind in overdrive. The cold air against the back of my sweaty legs cause me to tremble. I pray the seat has been spared by the moisture, but noticing the kids suddenly break out in hysterics makes me doubt that.  

“She’s pissed herself,” a spotty teen announces. “Look, Look,” he yells.

“You can see the shape of her c***k,” a goth chuckles to his friends.

“O.M.G, that is so gross,” a pretty blonde tells her bestie.

“Ellie-Deen, you’re a sixteen year old, too old for nappies. Don’t you agree?” Mrs. Lohgun questions loudly to ensure she’s heard above the noisy class hysterics. “Go to the headmaster. Tell him you need a clean uniform. I’m sure they’ll have something fitting enough for you in the lost and found,” Lohgun scoffs as she opens the cleaning cupboard. “I’m not paid enough for this,” Lohgun grumbles.

I watch in horror as our class teacher pulls out a pair of rubber gloves and a bottle of antibacterial cleaner. My cheeks burn red with embarrassment and I gulp back a lump in my throat; a cry that’s threatening to make matters worse. I try to pick up my bag, but it’s heavy and I can’t lift it. I soon realise that it’s not because I’ve overpacked it, but another person is holding on to one of the straps. An evil grin is stretched across his face. I drop the bag, it’s not worth the hassle and I’m not here for their entertainment. I try to run out of the classroom, but the class-clown sticks out his leg and I go tumbling over it. I hit the floor with a painful thud, my hands slap the carpet, they burn. I look up at Mrs. Lohgun for help; she’s busy scrubbing the chair and either unaware of what’s going on, or just doesn’t care.

A gentle pair of well manicured hands help me to my feet, only to spit in my eyes once I come face to face with her. “Thought you needed a shower,” Jenna hisses.

“Nice shot,” Fay claps wildly as she congratulates her best-friend.

I don’t know if my brain decided in that moment it could take no more humiliation or Fay’s clapping triggered the decision. I sensed an invisible shield absorb me and my emotions, it helped to drown out everything that could interfere with my escape. All the commotion around began to act out in slow motion, there was barely a sound. I took this unusual opportunity to run, not to the Heads office, but from my pathetic life.

I sprint through the door and empty school halls. On my way I notice the occasional peaceful chattering penetrating my shield and the realisation of great education being taught to everyone but me hurts. I was never allowed to be a part of the ‘norm.’ I look for the exit here sign and when I do see it, I sprint toward the glowing light. At speed I crash through the fire exit and run into the steel-bar that keeps the path outside the fire escape fenced in. It forces my body to commit to a contorted summersault as I painfully spin over it and I hit the floor with a thump. I let myself absorb the agony, to feel it spreading throughout my limbs so I can adjust and get back onto my feet. I continue to dash away from the sickening smell of sweat, blood and cheap perfume my school gives off and toward the green.

I reach the boundary of the school field without a soul insight. I tug at the chain fence, it’s already damaged enough for my escape. I slip through the gap, my blouse catches on the pointed ends and I hear it slowly rip. I force myself through the small hole and block out the pain slicing through my skin. Feeling exhausted I crawl for sometime along the sticks. Wet mud clings to my clothes, skin and hair. Droplets of a rain sting as they slap my wounded bare-back. I pathetically allow a scream to slip through my gritted teeth and parted lips.

Once I feel I can’t escape any further, I allow collapse into a thick sludge and close my eyes. I witness the living world around me begin to dissolve. A feeling of peace rushes throughout my veins and butterflies flutter excitedly deep in the depths of my stomach, their fluttering almost takes my breath away. As time seems to pass by, my clothes feel bitterly cold and increasingly heavier. I don’t move. I accept my fate and allow myself to become one with the earth.

Only when a dirty, masculine hand bursts through the soil and takes hold of mine do my senses come bursting back to life. My lungs force me to take a breath and I stare up in shock at a creature, a young-man that’s just seemingly dug his way out of hell and into mine.