Sleepers Part 1

Dreamers Episode IV

Chapter 4

          Children raced out the doors heading for the playground. They couldn’t seem to get outside fast enough as they giggled and laughed while pushing their way out the doors. Friends called out to each other meeting up before heading off together. Cora lingered at the back waiting for the others to pour out of the building. She couldn’t understand their need to be first or the race to get out. They would all be let outside no matter where they were in the group. She preferred to hang back to get pushed and run into. Maybe they were simply in a hurry to see friends that were in other classrooms. They still got to see each other throughout the day when it was recess time, lunch, and gym. It wasn’t like they never got to see them.

          Walking out the door the sun blinded her for a moment making her pause in her steps. Staring at the ground she waited for the spots to go away before looking back up. Glancing about the playground she watched as the others played games or used the equipment. She wasn’t really one for joining groups but the teaches that watched them encouraged it. She would rather watch them than participate. Besides it was easier to hide from certain people if she was alone.

          “You’re always so slow.” Cora sighed in defeat knowing there was no escape from him now. Glancing to the side she saw Jacob leaning against the wall next to the door. It appeared he had figured out the easiest way to find her. She was just glad they weren’t in the same classroom together. She knew it was for their own safety in case anyone came looking. It didn’t stop her from being thankful not to have to be around him all day when at school.

          “It’s none of your business.” Walking away she tried to put some space between them. She didn’t like being around him. At all. He was always so clingy and sometimes he would say some horrible things. Her efforts were in vain as Jacob ended up following her onto the playground. Sighing she hunched her shoulders. He never did anything on his own. Not since they day they had met. In the span of a few days, she had lost her mother and gained a leach. She wished things could go back to how they were before. She knew why they couldn’t.

          “Wait up. Where are you going?” Cora wanted to punch him to make him go away. She knew she couldn’t, but she still wanted to. Sometimes being different wasn’t any fun. Looking at the other kids around them she wondered how they would react if they were the same. It always felt like there was a bubble between her and the rest of the world. The only one that was able to be in the bubble with her was Jacob. She couldn’t really talk to him though. They were both told what they were early on. It’s not like he isn’t aware of it. It did seem to be more freeing for him to find out though. Jacob was excited to find out what they were and began acting accordingly. The thing is, is that Cora has always known. Her mother never hid the truth from her but used it to help guide her daughter. Jacob on the other hand took it as a ticket to act out. That being what he was gave him the right to act out. It was going to get attention drawn to them. She had tried to tell him that fearing being taken away if they were discovered. He had just gotten mad at her. He didn’t act like he cared if they got taken away or not. That made her mad. She didn’t want to go down with him when he got caught. If she could be away from him, she would. That was the other thing he started doing when they were told. He latched onto her as if she was stuck with him with no choice.

          That was part of the reason she wanted her mother back. She knew her mom wouldn’t force them to be together if Cora didn’t want to be. In fact, her mother always praised her for making choices that were against her very genetic makeup. Staying away from Jacob instead of actively wanting to be his pair would have made her mother happy. The person she lived with now didn’t seem to care much about what Cora did at all. Maybe if she contacted David, he would find her a new home. At least he appeared to understand how her mother was trying to raise her. Her new guardian, Mrs. Miller, would probably get mad with her.

          “How about we go to the park after school?”

          “I don’t feel like going today.” She expected him to whine and complain until she caved. It was usually what he would do to get his way. She really didn’t want to go anywhere with him though. The Park was always what he said when he wanted to go out and cause trouble. She really didn’t want to be around him anymore.

          “Hey, watch this.” She would have ignored him as usual except for the glee in his voice when he said that. He was up to something, and it wouldn’t end well. Cora stood a few feet away while she watched Jacob run over to the monkey bars where some of the other boys were playing. Getting to the top he stood up and began stepping from bar to bar with his arms out to keep his balance. She watched as Jacob slowly made his way over to where a couple of the other boys were hanging. One of them was a popular boy among their class. Both boys were facing away from Jacob as they were making their way across the bars. A malicious smile spread across Jacob’s face as he deliberately stomped on the other boy’s hand. They boy yelled out as Jacob ground his shoe down probably breaking fingers on purpose.

          By the time the teacher and other children had made their way over to the two of them, the boy was on the ground cradling his ruined hand to his chest crying. Jacob had also gotten down and was squatting next to him as if he was comforting him. The boy was taken away by the teacher to the nurse’s office. Cora met his tear-filled eyes as he was led past. She didn’t exactly feel sad for him. She didn’t feel anything really. At least not until Jacob came up beside her giggling at what he had done. Her hands clenched into fist trying to keep herself from lashing out. Jacob rolled his eyes at her non reaction before walking away with a smug smile. One thing was for sure. If David got her away from him, she was going to make sure to strike him at least once before she leaves.