Lucy woke up the next morning with a huge headache. She held her head as she slumped over to her closet. She put on a pair of baggy shorts and a baby blue sweatshirt. She put on her mother's necklace and headed downstairs.
"Good morning dad," Lucy smiled.
"Good morning sweetie."
Mr. Roswell was reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee on the table in front of him.
There was a knock at the door.
"That must be Sarah. I'll see you later dad."
Lucy gave him a quick kiss on the head and headed out the door.
"Hey Sarah."
"Hey. You ready to see the new student? They might be cute."
"Cute for you. You know I'm not looking for a relationship with anyone."
"Ugh, you're no fun."
When they arrived at school, they waved goodbye and went to their home rooms. Lucy sat down in her usual seat which happened to be at the back of the class. She put her hood up and laid her head down on the desk. A moment later, she heard the sound of shoes.
"Mind if a sit here?"
Lucy assumed they were talking about the empty seat next to her.
"No.. you can sit there.."
"Thanks."
Lucy's head was throbbing. She had taken some painkillers before she left but they didn't seem to be working. She soon heard the click clack of her teacher's shoes. Lucy looked up to see her homeroom teacher getting ready to start class. She was able to prop her head up on her hands.
"Good morning class," the teacher said.
"Good morning Ms. Lowry," the class answered unenthusiastically.
"Today we have a new student. Owen, would you please stand up?"
The chair next to you squeaked against the floor as the person next to you stood up.
So that's the new kid.
"Would you tell us something about yourself?"
He shook his head and sat back down.
"Well, I don't want to make you uncomfortable. Now, let's get started then."
The class groaned.
Lucy didn't bother to look over at him. She could already see the drooling faces of her female classmates. He was fairly silent which Lucy appreciated. If he was going to sit next to her, she wasn't going to tolerate distractions.
After class, Ms. Lowry asked for any volunteers to show Owen to his next class. Of course all the girls raised their hands. Ms. Lowry picked Susan. Susan was annoying but not the worst kid at Porterville High.
By third period, Lucy's headache had started to dissipate. She sat with Sarah outside for lunch. Lucy normally didn't eat lunch so Sarah always ate it for her.
"Did you see the new kid? Everyone's talking about him," Sarah gossiped.
"Yup. He's in my homeroom," Lucy said bluntly.
"Is he cute?"
"I assume so. All the girls looked like they had drool coming down their faces."
"You didn't look!"
"Of course I didn't, you know I don't care about those things."
Sarah sighed and went back to her food.
After school, Lucy made plans with Sarah to go to the library to study. Lucy was first cause she went right after school. Sarah had to go home to pick up a few things.
She found them a table by the window and picked out a book to start reading. Lucy was always into myths and legands so she picked out a book titled 'The Creatures Of Myth.' As she was turning through the pages, she found an interesting one. The creatures name was 'The Darkman.' The origin was unknown but apparently he would sneak into people's houses and drain them of life. He would use that life force to prolong his own. They were widely unheard of and haven't been seen for centuries. They were the offspring of Satan himself.
"Hey Lucy," she heard Sarah say from behind her. "Whatcha reading?"
"Just the usual."
"Cool! What'd you find this time?"
"Just something called the Darkman."
"Sounds interesting."
"It is but let's get to studying. We have a big test tomorrow."
"Ugh, you're no fun," Sarah pouted.
They studied for a good couple hours and then it was time for Sarah to head home. They said their goodbyes and Sarah headed home.
I wonder if they have anymore books on that Darkman creature.
Lucy looked around and found a couple more books on it. She checked them out and her dad picked her up. When they got home Lucy made them dinner. Her father always appreciated her help around the house and always cooking dinner for the two of them. Lucy even packed her father's lunch for him the night before.
"How was your day sweetie?"
"It was ok. We got a new kid. His name is Owen. He seems nice."
"Well, just be careful ok?"
"I will."
After dinner, Lucy washed the dishes while her father dried them. They played some Monopoly which Lucy always won.
"I'm gonna win this time!"
"We'll see about that!"
The game lasted until 9:30 and her father was getting tired.
"Well I'm gonna head to bed squirt. I'll get you next time," he said ruffling her hair.
"Goodnight dad," she smiled.
"I love you sweetheart."
"I love you too dad."
He went to his room to go get ready for bed and Lucy did the same.
Tomorrow was Saturday so Lucy left the books for tomorrow. She brushed her teeth and went to bed.
Lucy was asleep in minutes.
"Help! Help!"
I rushed outside to see the shed on fire. I knew my mom was inside so I ran to get my father.
"Dad! Help! The shed's on fire and mom's trapped inside!"
"Call the police!"
"9-1-1, what's your emergency?"
"Our shed is on fire and my mom's trapped inside!"
"Alright. We're sending someone right away."
The firetruck arrived but it was already too late. I fell to the ground as I looked at my mom's charred body lie still in the debri. She wasn't even recognizable.
Lucy shot up from her sleeping position and began to cry. She was only 8 when she had lost her mother.