Element-chapter 3

Chapter 3- Fatal Turn

After that day, I never saw you anymore.

But I was always kind of hoping that you’d show up again somewhere.

Well, maybe not like this. This is too freaky for my comfort.

What kind of game are you playing at, treeboy?

Or…if you’re a good guy…then who are the others?

I hate my dreams; they’re a constant reminder of how much I fail at life.

--

So, a big surprise happened. Well, actually, not really. Just like Ryan predicted, the crack in the parking garage concrete was put down as an act of nature and was now in reconstruction. The ground shifted. Huh, go figure. It didn’t really look like that when Skye saw it but…ok she’ll buy it. It was better then her other theory.

That guy, able to do that? Not likely.

In Skye’s mind, she thought, ‘Woo, way to go Ryan, you guessed right! Only now it’s a big PAIN cause we gotta find other places to park!!’ Seriously, the parking wasn’t its best at this school even with the “handy” parking garage, but now this?

And thus, Skye was introduced to the school’s only PE program as she found herself running across five lanes of traffic just to get to class.

She shouldn’t piss off people anymore.

No wait. It wasn’t that person. It was just an act of nature.

But still, that was a very strange coincidence.

“THIS SUCKS THIS SUCKS THIS SUCKS!!” Ryan was screaming while chasing after Skye as they crossed the street. He had insisted on the rule of ladies first, but now it was just comical. Traffic was crazy this time of the day. They had decided to carpool this day since they had the same class, and since parking was such a mess already they decided to make it easier on everyone else.

“Good work out Ryan. It really fits you-“

“Oh SHUT UP!!!” He didn’t yell it threateningly, but more like a joke; PE was not their favorite class.

Before class started, which was another good hour or so, they decided to just hang out in the lounge. They had driven early just to get a decent parking spot, which still, wasn’t much but better then normal.

“What do you think happened to the parking garage!?” They heard a group of girls talking, but more like yelling, at a table nearby.
“I heard one of the teachers say it was an earthquake!”
“Really!? But… I don’t remember any earthquakes…”

“Oh god, the irony.” Skye said while eating from the bag of chips that Ryan had. He looked over from the TV, “What?”
“I’m the first to see anything and yet I don’t mention it at all.”

“Eh, it’s ok. You’re just not one for drama, that’s all. Here, have a chip.” She realized that he looked around the lounge some. “That guy you told me about…he here?”

“Ryan, don’t start.” She didn’t want to know what he was planning if that guy was here. He ignored her anyway. “Just look around, is he here?”

Skye sighed, rolling her eyes. Despite her not caring much, she looked around anyway. No sign of the guy. Good. She turned back to Ryan and shook her head, “No sign of him, now let it go.”

“Nah, trust me, me and him…we’re gonna have a throw down.” Well, he seemed confident.

“Ryan, just…stop…you’re embarrassing yourself.” Really… he was. She didn’t want to say it out loud, but she didn’t think he could take this guy on… whoever he was.

--

It was a rather quick three hours, and then the both of them found themselves free...almost. “You know I have another class right? And I’m the one who drove…” Ryan seemed a little uneasy about it. “I can always skip you know.”

Automatically, Skye hit him. “Don’t do that, I’ll be fine in the lounge, just go and get it over with. I can be patient…” she let on to a smile. “While I’m pigging out and watching all the TV I want, while you’re in CLASS!!” Wow, that was mean for her; she even laughed as she said that.

“That’s it, I’m skipping!!”

“NO! Get in there, pay attention, make good grades…” and as soon as he was in, “…yeah… I’m out of here.”

--

It’s funny how fast three more hours can go when you’re not forced to concentrate or focus. All I had to do was sit on the couch in the lounge and just stare blankly at the television. It was easy really…. but most likely torture for Ryan, that poor guy.

Before I knew it, he was tapping me on the shoulder to go home. Wow, that did go by fast. So now, we were once again affiliated with the school’s only known PE program; crossing five lanes of busy traffic just to get to the car. We must have moved up to the advanced class, cause now we had to do it in the dark.

As we ran, making it halfway across the street, something flashed that made the whole sky light up. “Whoa, dang!!” Ryan looked up but kept running, “I didn’t even notice any clouds building up. Looks like we’re gonna get a storm!!”

I don’t know why he was so excited about something like this. It wasn’t until later that I realized what was up. This day, when it started pouring down rain—or actually it pounded down so hard that we could hardly see the street on the way home— that Ryan seemed more calm then the person he usually is.

This day, he looked more focused, and to my greatest surprise, he didn’t want to play video games, even when I asked him. Today, he sat out on the patio while it rained. Made me think he was meditating, but no, he wasn’t. We talked a lot on that patio. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was trying to get to know me better then he already did. (I think that’s impossible though). Anyway…I guess I learned that rain can calm him down from his usual hyper self? That’s the impression I got.

Well….only for so long. The rain lightened up a little bit, and he was back inside with the games. Now I’m wondering what it is about rain?

He was like a different person.

Almost kinda creepy, but not nearly as creepy as most.

--

Another Thursday. Oh no. It’s been a week since that strange incident that put the parking garage under maintenance. What? You thought I was speaking of that guy? Psh, no. The act of nature. Yeah, that’s totally what I mean. God, let’s get this class over with, and if that guy knows what’s best for him, he won’t sit next to me.

And he didn’t. Really, I’m surprised. Into the first few minutes of the class, I realized that there was no one in the seat next to me. As I looked around the room more, it didn’t take me long to notice that he wasn’t there at all. No matter how many times I checked around throughout the class period, there was no trace of him.

Why does that make me nervous? If he’s not here, then he can’t bother me. So then why couldn’t I stop thinking about where he really was? I shook my head, trying to clear it. ‘I need to stop thinking about it. If he’s not here, then he’s not here. It’s fine.’

One worry was free from my mind, and at least the desk next to me was empty now, but now there was the four hour class I had to sit through, and ignore. Again, I find myself doodling.

The four hours seems to never want to end, but when it finally does, I rush out of there, only to remember my next “PE class.” Crap!! And it was still raining from the other day too. As I run, I try not to slip on the slick road. Thunder rolls, like it has been all night, along with the natural light show. Cringing, I reach my car; thunder isn’t always the most welcome sound to me, and this time it sounded like a mad bull. There was no sign of this storm letting up any time soon, But then, that made me think of Ryan; would he be in that same mood again, as the other day?

The rain pounded down heavier now and I scramble to my car, soaking wet and cold. It’s a good time to note that maybe I should keep a towel in my car or something.

Quickly cranking it to put the heater on full blast, I can barely see the standing figure behind my car as I’m backing out. I notice only a second soon as I slam on the brakes. I didn’t hit them, but I also couldn’t make out who they were in all this rain. The person didn’t move, just standing there behind my car. Looking in my rear view mirror, even if I couldn’t make the person out, I get the feeling that they’re watching me.

There are no eyes that I can see, but yet…I can’t stop staring. My mind is screaming to honk at them, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I just sit there, and stare. Finally, after what seems like an eternity, the figure turns and walks away to the side. Apparently, it kept going because nothing appeared at my window.

Even just sitting there now, I knew… I knew that that figure was…

--

“So…he didn’t show to class, but he was in the parking lot?”

“It was the strangest thing in my life…” ‘Well, actually, not as strange as other things that have happened… but best not to go to that again.’ Skye and Ryan were sitting on his patio again as the steady rain pounded down. Skye was thinking, ‘Ryan may be a miracle maker, but who am I kidding, this could only last for so long…’ she cringed at the thought; nothing really changed did it…

“That’s weird, man, that’s really weird. I’m telling you” He pointed a thumb at himself. “Throw down!”

“Ryan…” Skye groaned, “Get that out of your head, I don’t want anyone fighting…” ‘Especially you.’

“What, what!? Think I can’t take him!? Seriously, he’s really pissing me off. What kind of guy does that!?”

‘A freak.’ Wait, that’s not fair to say; we’re all freaks here. Even when Skye first met this guy, she thought he was pretty normal… for her anyway. Of course, what he was doing now made him a freak and a stalker in her book. She guessed that was fair enough.

The rain continued. It was really early in the morning, and Skye was growing tired of just getting to sleep when the sun was rising. She also felt a bit sick to her stomach. “Ryan, I had a long day, can you just walk me home now?” He looked to her, clearly seeing something wrong. “Are you ok?”

She shook her head, holding it down in her hands. “I just don’t feel good right now, I think I need sleep.” She was right, all this stress, anxiety, and ‘stalkers’ really wasn’t doing much for her health. “Please, I just want to go home now.” She wanted to curl up in her bed and forget everything, if only for a few hours of peaceful sleep.

“Ok…” Ryan was looking to her as if unsure of what to do, but finally said very slowly, “I’ll get my shoes.”

--

The rain had stopped, but only for a little while they could tell; it was like the eye of the storm. The wind was still, and it was pretty cold, but as thunder and lightning continue, it would pick up again any minute. Skye thanked God that the rain had stopped then in order for them to get to her apartment.

People were on their balconies, enjoying the storm, just as Skye and Ryan had earlier. They passed by two men on a first floor patio drinking beer and chatting away. Good times. Something about patios made people talk more she guessed. Even though the wind didn’t blow much, a wind chime on someone’s patio near the alley shortcut was making soft sounds. A relaxing sound in Skye’s mind, made her feel more at home, back in the country where her mom had tons of wind chimes. She cringed at the thought of back then; things were so much simpler, and now…

“Hey, you ok?” She wasn’t moving and Ryan get worried.

“Oh, yeah…” She couldn’t take her mind off of the wind chime, but started walking towards his voice anyway. “Let’s go…” Skye finally turned towards where he would be standing but, he wasn’t there. He wasn’t that fast was he?

“Hey, Ryan… this isn’t funny…” he of all people should know that. Running away from her like that and leaving her alone, what was he thinking!? This really made him deserve another punch on the arm from her. He wasn’t in the alley, so he was probably hiding around the corner. Fine, she’ll play his game.

“Ryan, this reeeeeally isn’t funny, you jerk! Come on out now…” She said this while making her way down the alley, stepping on the stone steps, avoiding the mud and the wet bushes. “Ryan, you-“

Skye stopped. She couldn’t dare finish that sentence.

There he was, but…

“Ryan….?”

He was lying on the ground. She didn’t know what was going on, but right when she started to go to him, something happened. Something she never thought possible, or in her mind, something from a dream that she never wanted to see again.

A shadow that seemed to morph out of the shadow of a building suddenly sprung up from the ground like a black smoky substance. It made Skye stop dead in her tracks. It was hovering over Ryan, long skeleton like fingers reaching out towards him. She could do nothing but stare. What was she to do in this situation!? This thing, it—

Suddenly, everything started to move around her. The ground was trembling, she thought she heard concrete crack somewhere. Things were happening but she couldn’t take them in, and everything slowed. It looked like Ryan was on the ground convulsing now, or something, cause he was shaking. The thing was reaching down, until suddenly, Skye screamed, “STOP!!” She didn’t know what else to do, but it worked! The thing suddenly vanished, disappearing back into the shadows, but even though the thing was gone, Ryan was still on the ground shaking.

“Ryan, RYAN!!” Skye didn’t know what was happening to him. So many things were going through her mind; the stalkers, that… thing, whatever it was. She didn’t care about the mud anymore, she was now kneeling in it next to Ryan, who was lying on the ground, covered in it. ‘I need to call an ambulance! I need to—‘

“We call him ‘the reaper’.”

A calm voice spoke out of the dark, causing Skye to turn suddenly towards it. She knew that voice…

“I think I was the one who called him this time… but you made him go away. Now that’s very interesting…”

Turning towards the voice, her fear was confirmed; there he was, just as a bolt of lightning lit up the sky and everything surrounding them. It was him. She froze. He smiled the most wicked smile she had ever seen. She had to get out, but Ryan…

That was her trap.

“Ah, I know we didn’t get off to the best start but…”

Why wasn’t anyone else hearing this, or seeing this!? What was going on here!? As this guy continued to talk, Skye didn’t know what to do. She wanted answers. She wanted out. His lips moved but she didn’t catch a single word as she turned back to her friend on the ground. Ryan was getting worst, causing her to really panic now. After a while of his blurred talking, she caught something.

“…You should have let ‘the reaper’ finish him off, but since he didn’t, then that boy, who? Ryan was it? He has a very painful death ahead of him…”

Skye was ignoring him now, gripping Ryan by the hand. She just needed to get home, to safety, but the way to get there resulted in three flights of stairs, and there was no way she could carry (let alone pick up) Ryan up all those stairs alone. This guy, which she still didn’t remember his name, saw that she was hunched over Ryan, panicking. Things couldn’t be more perfect.

“Yes, this guy…” He slowly made his way around, no hurry here. “I remember, you guys were pretending to be going out right? Did that plan work out well? Apparently.”

‘Did this guy ever shut up?’

That was when this stalkers attitude took a fatal turn for the worst. “But now look at you!!” Why was he screaming so suddenly? Then again this could draw attention, for people to come help her, but as Skye looked around, nothing stirred. It was almost like he didn’t exist to anyone else except for her, and that was the last thing she wanted. “What was that about some throw down Ryan!? Yeah, come on, kill me now!” Before she could stop him, the guy let out a kick into Ryan’s side. Ryan’s body jumped. Skye shouted a panicked retort, “STOP!!”

She didn’t want to get up and run off by herself like a coward, she just wanted to help Ryan up and run away; which still resulted in the two of them being cowards, but at least they would be alive. Things were looking dire. Even if they did somehow get away, Ryan… he didn’t look good.

The man recollected his thoughts, and cocked his head to the side, looking down at her, “You forgot my name, didn’t you?”

What the hell kinda question…!? Of course she did, but she said nothing.

“It’s Norse. Norse Urban. And I know everything about you.”

Her anger couldn’t stay in, and it was only urged out more by fear. “Of course you do, you freaking stalker!! Just leave us alone!!”

“Ah, you… you kill me.” He laughed. “And I mean that literally, HAHA, you KILL me. Get it!?” But she didn’t get it at all, just staring up at him with a petrified blank stare. “Of course you don’t, but after all these years, I still remember your name …Menelya.”

With that word, whatever it was, buildings trembled. Shadows danced across the ground. Skye squeezed her eyes shut tight, waiting for everything to stop. Ryan had become still in the last few minutes while he was in her arms. She feared that he would… no, she couldn’t bear think it; he wasn’t dying yet, not today. All she knew was that this so called Norse was getting crazier as he kept talking. And people thought she was crazy?

“I knew that once I had told you my name and you didn’t react to it, I knew…”
‘What was he talking about?’
“And I knew from the beginning because…that birthmark. It was a dead give away. I just had to wait until I had a reason to see it.”

She didn’t look up. “What about my birthmark?”

“Menelya, you’re so naïve now. It’s pathetic.” He almost looked annoyed as he glanced away from her and to the complex buildings around them. “Well, you’re not going to fight back I presume. If my thoughts are correct, you don’t remember anything and you can’t do much anyway…” that smile came across his face again. “That’s perfectly fine with me.”

As he looked away to the buildings, several bricks flew out of the walls, flying towards him only to stop and float gently around him. Skye stared on, mesmerized, but the thought of floating bricks both left her amazed and terrified. What was he doing… and HOW!?

He looked almost sad as he looked away from her again and on the ground. “Any last words?”

Of course she wouldn’t let him have that satisfaction and remained quiet. ‘Maybe this is a dream. Ryan isn’t really dying and I’m not really about to die…’

“Of course not. There’s never any last words…” and with him still not looking at her, the bricks flew.

She knew their destination; death.