Another week passed, and Layra had slipped into her school routine like she was born a human. She enjoyed classes, friends, and her three admirers had even gotten over their rejections and were completely friendly towards her. The whole gang, (Logan, Julian, Anna, Kyle, Trent, Blake, Seth, Chandler, Stuart, Laurie, Charlie, Shane and Layra) was hanging out after school one day, and they walked Anna and Layra to the bus stop. The girls were going back to Anna’s house for a sleepover, and Kyle didn’t want Anna walking home after dark. Logan shared these sentiments, and they ushered the two girls onto the waiting bus. They were two of only a few passengers, and Anna turned to Layra, asking in a low voice,
“So why were you crying last week? I haven’t had a chance to ask you since then, we’ve always had either Logan or the others around.”
“I turned down all three of the boys.”
“Really? They all confessed?”
“All on the same day. It was a little overwhelming, so that’s why I was crying.”
“Wow, all in one day! You’re okay now, though. You seem to be getting on fine with them.”
“Yes, I think they’ve gotten over it.”
“I’m glad. This week would have been very awkward if they hadn’t. Hey, what’s wrong?”
This said because Layra had begun to stare out of the window. Anna turned to look and saw a group of masked men approach the gang.
The hunters! Layra thought in horror.
“What’re they doing?” Anna mused aloud. One man came up and grabbed Logan by the collar. Julian put his hand on Logan’s shoulder and words were exchanged, then they all walked off together. Layra sat, stunned, but Anna took action. She grabbed Layra’s hand and dragged her off the bus before it pulled away.
“Come on! Let’s follow them and see what happens.”
Layra and Anna ran after the boys, keeping just out of sight. They came to an old dilapidated warehouse, and crawled up to the window to watch. Inside, Crates and cardboard boxes were strewn everywhere, cars and motorcycles parked here and there, half covered by tarps, while fires burned in metal barrels, the only light in the room other than a few flickering fluorescent tubes hanging from the high rafters. The two groups had lined up facing each other, as though it had been planned out from the beginning. Layra knew what was coming, and tried to shout “No!” but her voice was still gone, and all that came out was short, sharp breath. The sides met in a whirl of fists, and the fight began. Logan punched, kicked, and fought with vehemence, confident that the boys could hold their own, and to some extent, that proved true, but then, through brute strength, the hunters began to overwhelm them. Logan paused, a hunter in held in a headlock, and looked about at his friends. He saw them being defeated, hurt, and something inside him snapped. His vision was misted with red, and he no longer felt control over his body. Layra saw his eyes go red, and his teeth lengthen and grow sharp as he bared them at his enemy. She turned to run inside, but Anna grabbed her arm and held her back.
“Are you crazy? Don’t go in there! You’ll be killed!”
Logan knocked hunter after hunter aside and grabbed one by the neck, punching repeatedly. Julian saw this and grabbed Logan’s arm on a backswing.
“Stop! You’re killing him!”
Logan, unable to see his assailant, grabbed at whatever he could, and flung Julian into a pile of crates and metal piping. The fighting had already stopped, and the hunters had crawled away, defeated. As Logan realized what he had done, the red vanished from his eyes, and his fist dropped. The hunter scurried away in fear, and the gang ran to the pile of boxes. Kyle turned from the scene and walked up to Logan. Anger rose in his eyes, and he grabbed Logan’s collar, swinging back his fist.
“What have you done!” He shouted in Logan’s face. After a hesitation, he dropped his fist and walked past Logan, brushing against his shoulder none-too-gently. Julian was carefully lifted from the wreckage by the others, bruises and cuts very much obvious. They all pushed past him with raised fists, hateful glares, and whispers of “Monster” and “Traitor” filtering through the shuffling footsteps. Worst of all, Blake walked up to him and grabbed a handful of his sleeve, muttering in his ear,
“Don’t bother showing your face around school anymore. We’ll be waiting if you try to come back,” then shoving past hostily. Logan stared down at his hands in shocked disbelief, with the thought, What have I… How could I…?
He fell to his knees, horrified and full of shame. The sound of footsteps approached him, and he looked up to see a pair of tennis shoes and striped socks. A little higher and he saw Anna’s face. She looked shocked as well, and a tear was hanging in her eye.
“Who do you think you are? What the heck are you anyway?”
She turned and ran out before he had the chance to open his mouth, and he was left alone in his guilt. He looked down at his hands, his hands that had injured a friend. He crossed his arms over his knees and his head fell on top of them, his eyes shut tight against his own pain.
I’m a monster.
The next day at school, bandages and bruises were much in evidence, and three seats were empty, Julian’s, Logan’s, and Layra’s. Anna was surprised, then realized that she hadn’t seen Layra since she had left her outside the warehouse. Faces were solemn, and Anna thought she saw Seth wiping tears from his eyes as he glanced at the empty seat beside him. Logan was at his house, sitting on the edge of Layra’s bed. She hadn’t come home the night before, and Logan knew why. She had seen what he had done to Julian and had run away from him, hating him, just like everyone else did. She was probably staying with Anna while she found a new place to live. He stood and limped over to the tiny fireplace across the room and picked up a picture that sat on the mantle. It was the only thing of Chris’s that he had left. In the picture was Chris and himself, standing against a brick wall, a happy smile on Logan’s face, and a playful grin on Chris’s. Logan set the picture back down and turned to the window.
“Yeah, well where are you now?” he muttered resentfully. He limped over to a wicker chair under the window and sat down painfully. He, too, was injured from the previous night’s brawl. There was dried blood at the corner of his mouth, and he had somehow received a painful cut across his ribs that was inhibiting his movements. He stared out the window at the cloudy sky that reflected his mood, absorbed in his own private thoughts. Then he stood. He had to see how Julian was. He wouldn’t be seen, of course. he would look in through the window, and maybe the gang would be visiting. He could see Layra once more before she went out of his life forever.
Anna gathered up her books and papers and slid them into her bag as she prepared to leave for home. Kyle walked up to her and slid his arm around her waist.
“Here, let me carry that for you,” he said, offering his other hand. Anna gratefully handed him her bag, and they walked out of the classroom together.
“The rest of the gang is going to visit Julian in the hospital today. You wanna come with us?”
“When are you going?”
“Right now, if you’re ready. The guys are waiting at the gate.”
“Sure, I’ll come. Just let me grab my umbrella. How’s he doing?”
“I guess we’ll find out.”
They walked with the rest of the gang to the hospital where Julian was staying. They walked into his room with cheerful greetings and smiles from both parties.
“Hey Julian!” Blake called cheerfully.
“How soon they letting you out of this joint?” Kyle asked with a grin. Julian grinned crookedly before responding.
“Sunday. Turns out the worst thing the matter with me is a sprained wrist, and I only have to stay long enough to get that set right, as well as some rest.”
There was a cheer that went up, and they gathered about his bed and began to talk, sharing news, jokes, and well-wishes. Anna felt sad, though. She was worried about Layra. Had she gone back with Logan, or had she been assaulted on her walk home the night before? Even though she worried what would happen if Layra had gone back with Logan, she prayed that it had been this way, because nighttime could be a frightening thing when you were all alone. She glanced up on a whim and started. Logan was standing outside the window, looking in at the happy group. He looked saddened, then his eyes met Anna’s, and he started, turning and running off, away from the window. She was surprised for a moment, but was soon caught up once more in the conversation, pushing the incident to the back of her mind.
Logan walked past many windows, beginning to worry that Julian’s room was on the second floor, but then he found the right window. Inside, Julian was lying in the bed, and his friends were gathered around, bringing cards and flowers and smiles with them. He looked happy, and better than he had looked the night before. Logan, glad that Julian was well enough for visitors, scanned the group for that familiar pale face, framed by brown curls, with those dark-lashed eyes of an uncertain color that changed when she looked at you. It was absent from the room, which worried him, and then he caught Anna’s eye, and startled, he ran off before she could tell the others. He reached the front of the hospital and halted, panting and wincing from the pain of his cut. He pressed his hand over it and slid down to a sitting position, his back against the cold brick wall.
Anna and the others had finished visiting with Julian and were headed out of the room. Anna picked up her umbrella and glanced out the window, recalling Logan’s face there, scared and full of guilt and shame. Julian waved goodbye to her, and she waved back, coming to her senses once more.
“See you in school on Monday,” she called back over her shoulder. She walked out of the hospital behind the rest, and Kyle turned to her.
“Hey, can I walk you home?”
“No, it’s not that far. I’ll be fine.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. Go on. I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Okay then. See ya.”
Anna watched Kyle walk off after the others, then turned and looked around. Could Logan still be here? She heard something moving behind a wall and walked over to it. As she came around it, she saw Logan. He looked pale, and was holding his side as though it hurt him. He saw her and turned away, limping off in the opposite direction, leaning heavily against the wall.
“Are you okay?” she asked worriedly, but he didn’t answer. He didn’t even turn around as he walked away, so she followed him.
Logan stood slowly to his feet behind the wall. He couldn’t seem to catch his breath, and his ears were ringing loudly. We turned and found himself face to face with Anna. He quickly turned and walked away from her, but his vision was getting blurry, and he felt dizzy. He put his hand against the wall for support and wandered off towards who knew where. He found himself ascending a flight of stairs and his head started spinning. He reached the top of the steps and clutched at his wound, then his world spun around and he felt a falling sensation, and then cold darkness.
Anna walked up the stairs after him, watching him disappear behind the wall at the top. As she reached the top, she saw a sight that made her insides twist up into knots. Logan was lying motionless on the cold concrete in front of her. She rushed over and knelt next to him, listening at his mouth for breath. Warm air blew gently against her ear, and she grabbed his arm, flinging it around her neck and standing slowly to her feet.
“Now where to?” she asked herself sarcastically. To her surprise, Logan muttered in her ear,
“4812 Senover Way. The big house.”
“Logan?” she as incredulously. He didn’t directly answer her, but she heard him continue mumbling incoherently.
“That’s where we’re going this time. 4812 Senover Way. Chris says we’re going to be in a big house this time. Maybe I’ll get a bed there.”
Anna glanced at him before the walked off together. He was dreaming. Or delirious. She opted for the latter and hurried for Senover Way. She knew where it was, even though she had never really been there. She found the “big house” that Logan had spoken of, and after a moment of difficulty with the small wrought iron gate at the front of the house, she dragged Logan upstairs and somehow got him into the small bed in the bedroom that seemed occupied. She wondered what could possibly be so wrong with him that he had passed out. She recalled him clutching at his chest at the hospital, so she unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it back. She turned her head away and retched at the sight, but forced herself to look back. He had a long, ugly cut across his chest, made by a pipe or a crowbar. It had become infected and was oozing thick yellow pus, the skin around it looked red and sore. Anna swallowed, knowing exactly what she had to do. She walked down to the kitchen and filled a pitcher with warm water, and grabbed a dishcloth before walking back upstairs to Logan. She slowly washed out the cut and pulled off his shirt with some difficulty. She found a sweater lying in the corner and shook it out, pulling it over his head and arms somehow. Looking over at the fireplace, she saw a picture on the mantle. This she picked up and looked at. In it she saw a younger, happier Logan, and next to him was a tall, handsome boy whom she didn’t recognize. Perhaps this was the Chris that Logan had been ranting about before. Placing the picture back in it’s place, she sat back and wondered if Logan would be okay. It was already late, and she didn’t feel comfortable walking home alone through this neighborhood. She made a quick decision and walked around the house until she found another bed. She fell asleep in her school uniform and slept soundly.
It was dark. Dark and hot. Low voices were chanting strange words somewhere nearby, and candles flickered their dim lights. Logan knelt in the center of a ring of cloaked figures, someone holding his arms back. He looked around in terror, his eyes wide and his breath heavy. He felt a burning pain in his wrist and sat up suddenly in bed. He looked around and saw that he was in his own bedroom in his own bed, as though Layra, the school, and Chris leaving had all been a dream. The door opened and Logan looked up, almost expecting to see Chris, but instead, Anna came in carrying a tray with a bowl, cup and silverware on it.
“Oh, good, you’re awake,” she said with a smile.
“I brought you lunch.”
Logan looked at her in amazement.
“What time is it?”
“About 12:30. A bit late for lunch, but there you are.”
“Why are you helping me?”
“Well, I couldn’t very well leave you to die in the hospital parking lot, now could I?”
“You could have.”
Anna brought the tray over and placed it on his lap.
“Here. It’s soup.”
Logan took a bite and swallowed it gratefully.
“Hey, it’s good. You make it yourself?”
Anna chuckled.
“Oh, that. It was canned. Layra kept you pretty well stocked up.”
“Do you know where Layra is?” Logan asked expectantly. Anna stopped, slightly stunned.
“What, you mean you don’t know where she is?”
Logan tried to get out of bed, but Anna pushed him back.
“No, don’t get up. Wait a couple days before you try that. You could still be sick, and besides, you’ve still got that nasty cut on your chest.”
“But I’ve got to find Layra!”
“Whoa, calm down. I’m sure Layra’s fine, and I’ll find her for you. Just relax. She’s probably staying with a friend from school or something.”
Logan took a deep breath and lay back.
“Find her for me, but take her home with you. She probably doesn’t want to see me.”
Anna sighed.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. I know you didn’t mean to hurt Julian. He is your friend, after all. But if you want Layra to stay with me, I’ll be happy to oblige.”
She turned to the picture on the mantle and asked Logan about it.
“Who’s this in the picture with you?”
“My only family, really. That’s Chris. We’ve been together ever since I can remember. We were constantly moving around until we settled here.”
“Where is he?”
“He left. Only about a month ago. Right before I started coming to school.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to-”
“No, it’s okay. After that day Layra came, I haven’t really missed him that much. She really helped me out.”
“Layra isn’t your cousin really, is she?” Anna asked, the realization slowly dawning on her. Logan shook his head.
“No. I found her on the side of the road, unconscious and mute. She told me she had no home, and I offered to let her stay here. She’s been going to school with me ever since.”
“You really like her, then?”
“Yeah.”
Anna looked at him sadly. She couldn’t imagine what he was going through, so lost and alone, without any friends or family to speak of in his time of need. She then stood to her feet.
“I’d better get going. My parents will wonder where I’ve been, and I don’t want to worry them. You stay in this bed. If you need me, this is my cell phone number.”
She handed him a scrap of paper with a number scribbled across it and turned to leave. Logan stopped her.
“Find Layra, okay?”
Anna smiled at him.
“I promise,” she said, then turned and walked out of the room.
As Anna approached her house, she saw Kyle walking down the street towards. She waved and caught up with him. He looked relieved to see her.
“There you are! I went to your house yesterday to see if you got home okay, but you weren’t there.”
“Sorry if I worried you. I stayed at a friends house last night.”
“Oh? Well, do you wanna hang out today?”
“Sure! Just let me check in with my parents first.”
“Ok. I’ll wait out here.”
Anna smiled and ran inside, shedding her school uniform and changing into a casual outfit and calling to her parents “I’m heading out for the day! See you tonight!”
She ran out and Kyle offered his arm, which she took, and they walked off together. They went out for a late lunch, followed by walking through a street fair in the older part of the city. They were having a great time, and they sat down at a corner cafe for milkshakes, when Anna’s phone gave out a text alert tone. She pulled it out and scanned the text briefly, then stood to her feet, apologizing to Kyle.
“I’m sorry, I have to go. I had a great time, though. Thank you!”
Kyle also stood.
“Wait! Where are you going? At least let me walk you there.”
“No! I mean, you probably shouldn’t. I’ll be fine, I promise. Go on home. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”
And with that, she grabbed her purse and her umbrella and ran off, leaving Kyle standing at the corner looking stunned.
The text had read “Hey, am I allowed to get up to get food? I’m hungry, and I finished the soup hours ago.”
Anna wrote back quickly.
“Don’t get up. I’m nearby, and I’ll bring you something.”
She stopped at a food trolley by the entrance to the street fair and bought two sandwiches before heading over to Logan’s house. She got inside and hurried up to his room, opening the door and walking in with the bag of food.
“Hey, you feeling alright?”
“Just hungry. You really didn’t have to come all the way over.”
“It wasn’t all that way. I was just over at the little street fair a couple blocks away from here.”
“Oh, yeah, I know the one. It’s nice. I woulda liked to take Layra there someday.”
He glanced down at his sheets sadly. Anna broke the silence by sitting on the edge of his bed.
“Here, I brought you two sandwiches. One for now, and the other for tomorrow, just in case. I’ll bring some bandages over after school, and we’ll fix that cut up properly.”
“I’m totally fine, really. It’s just a cut. I’m feeling a lot better than I did yesterday. Can’t I get up? This room is making me stir crazy!”
Anna sighed heavily.
“If you want, I can help you up, and we’ll see how well you can walk.”
To Anna’s surprise, Logan was able to stand and walk without much help, and he offered to walk her down to the gate.
“You can still bring those bandages tomorrow, but I’ll be fine until then.”
“Alright then. I’ll see you after school, then. And if Layra’s there, I’ll let you know as soon as possible.”
“Thank you so much, for everything. You’ve been a really good friend.”
Anna smiled as the walked down the stairs together.
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