《The colour of anger》


 Chapter 1

    (please pardon all the grammatical mistakes.)

    (this was originally planed as a comic on webtoon and the first 5 episodes are there under the name hungry for violence)

    (you can also find this story on wattpad and webnovel)

    Today takes forever to end. All the clocks seem broken. Their hands barely move. I mean most of them are really old so I wouldn''t be surprised. They hang over the chalk boards that are around the same age.

    It isn''t even Friday. I sit in the last class of today, my hand holding my head, fingers drumming on the desk. The history teacher says everything in a bored tone. Short and wrinkled I don''t know why she''s not retired.

    The desk is wooden making the drumming louder then id like. My friend, Zoya sits next to me. Looking out the window her eyes remind me of the sky. She doesn''t seem to be paying attention. Neither am I.

    I''m feeling very agitated lately. Which is wierd. Why amIagitated? Everything is fine. Great even. I have good grades, I''m the captain of the basketball team, part of the student council, I''ve got friends... All the reasons to be happy.

    And yet... all I can think about is... how much I want to rip someone''s heart out. The way the blood would feel on my hands. The flesh of it touching my own. Agitated isn''t the right word to describe it.

    The bell rings, signaling the end of class and interrupting my thoughts. I stand up and pack my thing, slinging my bag over a shoulder.

    The school cafeteria probably doesn''t have anything good. Never mind. I''ll just eat my lunch and then I can go home- but I cant, I realise. I''ve got basketball practice after school.

    There is a long line before the lunch hall.

    "Hey Lenna over here!"

    Zoya calls me over. She is standing a bit up ahead with Bridget and Daria, my other friends. The teacher doesn''t notice when I cut the line.

    "Did you hear what Emmanuil did during break?"

    They start to gossip about him. Usually I have a lot to say. Today I''m not feeling it.

    "Lenna are you feeling okay?"

    I don''t like it when Daria asks me things like that. I nod.

    "Yeah. Why wouldn''t I be"

    Lunch was bad. I ate some but left most on the plate. Zoya continued to talk about what happened it was becoming a bit boring.

    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    After eating my lunch as fast as possible I go to the bathroom to change. The basketball dress is yellow with the blue digit 6 printed on it.

    I make my way to the basketball court. It is in a separate building from the school.The February weather is dreadfully cold. Clouds cover all the blue in the sky. Its not like I''m not used to it though.

    As I enter the sent of sweat hits me. The walls and floor are different shades of the same brown. The lines on the ground of the court are barely visible.

    There is some space around the basketball court for people to watch, but during matches its often not enough. I tie my hair up into a pony tail so it wont get in the way and get ready to play.

    We start with the warm up. Daria is overdoing it. Again. Zoya is talking to some other teamates. Bridget is putting effort into it. She''s doing it incorrectly though. I don''t correct her.

    Coach divides us into 2 teams to play against each other. And then she leaves claiming to have important matters to attend to.

    Bridgit has the ball. She''s the least physically fit of the team which is why she mostly seated on the bench during matches. Her limbs are long and thin. So is her torso. She probably only joined because our friend group all plays. She''s good in strategy.

    I try to take the ball from her. She raises it above her head ready to through it. I shove my elbow into her stomach.

    She falls back onto the ground. We look at her for a while. Bridgit has never been one to show her emotions. Her dark blue eyes look back at me.

    I''m not sure what I should do. I didn''tintendfor her to fall. Besides I didn''t even shove herthat hard.She probably had poor balance. Yeah that''s most likely. I tisk and roll my eyes.

    "Hey Lenna, you should apologize"

    I don''t need to turn around to know who that is. Daria, my co-captain has a tendency to order people around.

    She''s probably standing there with a look of self importance on her face. Looking like a princess washed of most colour. Except her bright turquoise eyes. Her porcelain clear skin matches her miss perfect attitude.

    "Its nothing she''ll be fine" I snap back at her not bothering to look at her. Daria is over reacting again. Getting herself into things that don''t concern her.

    "Its not nothing! You pushed her now apologize"

    She really cant let it go. Who is she to boss me around?

    I feel the anger bubble in me. I do stupid things when angry. Maybe I am being unreasonable. Its one dumb word. Pushing through my pride I say it.

    "Sorry"

    I say in a raised voice turning my head to look at Daria. There is no look of self-importance on her face. It''s worry. Why is she worried? Does she seriously think Bridget is hurt?

    "Lenna... you''ve been distant lately. What''s wrong?"

    Soft and caring is her voice. I don''t like it when people talk to me like that.

    "Nothing I feel fine"

    I am fine. Why wouldn''t I be?

    "I just feel concerned that-"

    "I don''t need your concern"

    I turn to leave.

    "I''m going home"

    I announce walking out. Basketball practice hasn''t ended but no one comes to stop me.

    I sigh entering the locker room. There is a mirror with my reflection in it. My eyes seem to be purple. They''re usually midnight blue.

    Shrugging it off as just the light I start to get dressed. I wrap my trench coat around me. It used to be my aunt''s and is a bit shorter. I should probably go grocery shopping. Mom either forgets or doesn''t have time.

    [Thank you for reading the first chapter.

    It''s quite short but the next ones are longer.

    I know the writing quality isn''t the greatest but the whole point of this story is to improve

    so I am open to constructive criticism.

    Don''t forget to vote if you liked the chapter:)]

 Chapter 2

    The shop is small but has everything you need. Its the closest one to my house. Navigating through it is hard due to the arrangement of the shelves.

    The light is too bright and one corner smells like somethings been rotting there for a while. There are 2 other people here both in they''re early 20s. I''m having trouble choosing groceries.

    I feel hungry though I had lunch not so long ago. Starving even. The ground seems to be moving. My head feels as if someone hit it with a hammer.

    The thought of a heart in my hand creeps back into my mind. Freshly torn out. Bloody. Softly beating in my hand not used to being out of a body.

    It''s not the heart that interests me but what''s inside. They say the soul resides in it.

    A strange feeling starts to creep up on me. Some of my senses are becoming heightened while other''s are dull. I am aware of every smell in the room. The rotting in the corner of the room, the men''s perfume on one of the guy''s in the store. I feel overwhelmed.

    There is a soft buzzing of white noise in my ears. It''s becoming harder to think. Harder to breath. The hunger becomes unbearable. Its like I never had a meal. A real meal.

    Everything seems to blur. I feel like I''m being pulled under icy water. Drowning. Not icy waters. I feel like I''m burning.

    The world is black and wight. Shadows hang over the faces of people making them hard to recognize. They fade into the background. Bright glowing orbs appear in they''re chest. Red as blood.

    The orb on the right is small and unnoticeable. About size of a pebble. Round and contained. It belongs to the guy with the men''s perfume.

    On the left, is a far more interesting one. It has a number of branch like things growing out of it. They''re the same blood red as the orb. Reaching out they split into more and more branches that coil around the person they belong to.

    My heart is pounding in my chest. I don''t feel like myself. I feel out of control. I NEED to be in control

    I close my eyes and take a few deep breathes. I start to count.

    3... Don''t think about how hungry you are.

    2... Everything is okay.

    1...

    Slowly, I open my eyes. Everything is normal. The colours are back. No glowing red orbs in peoples chest. Like nothing changed.

    I quickly take the basics from the shelfs. Bread, milk, cereal... Walking to the counter I think the shopkeeper is looking weirdly at me. So is everyone else in the shop. Maybe they''re judging me. Pitiful glances with faint interest. It kind of reminds me the way Daria looked at me.

    Practically running out of the shop I catch my reflection in a parked car. A scared wild animal of a girl looks at me.

    The hair hasn''t been touched since I put it into a ponytail for basketball practice. Sticking out in every way its a mess. My usually dark blue eyes are brighter and... a pink almost red colour. My mouth seems to be full of fangs. I''ve always had sharper teeth than is normal.

    I continue walking in a faster pace. I don''t understand what''s happening. Red orbs in peoples chests, the world going dark, the hunger, the heart... Maybe I didn''t sleep enough.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    The lack of sleep is making me moody and... causing me to not process things correctly. I''m less productive. Yeah, that''s what''s happening.

    I take the stairs home. Reaching my apartment I insert my key''s into the door. As I turn them I realize it''s unlocked. Anxiety rushes through me. Did I forget to lock it? Did someone else unlock it? Is there a thief there? Biting my nails I enter cautiously.

    The sent of home fills up my nose. I''ve been to my friends houses a few times. They have a lot of things laying around, photos, drawings on the walls. Compared to their''s mine looks empty. Lifeless. The plaster on the edges of the walls is falling of. Still its home. And I wouldn''t want to be anywhere else.

    Besides the specks of dust the living room is tidy. As I go to the kitchen, I find my Mom in there. She probably left the door unlocked.

    Her hair isn''t dark brown as mine. It''s dirty blond with grey roots and long. She has dark circles below her eyes. She always does. Despite this her clothes look nice. A typical oversized sweater and jean''s that seem too tight. Why is she so early from work?

    She smiles at me "Hello"

    I''m not used to her being home before me. "Hi. Why aren''t you at work?"

    "Hmm... I took half a day of" Her voice often sounds like she''s half in a daydream.

    "Why?" She never takes a day of. Only when she''s sick and that''s because she doesn''t want patients to catch what she has.

    "I wanted to talk to you about something"

    I put the grocery''s on the table and sit down on a chair. "What do you want to talk about?"

    "How would you feel if we packed up and left the country?"

    I go pale. I''ve heard that people are leaving the country a lot in the last years. My math teacher says that those people are: country betrayer''s who flee for a false dream, or something like that. I''ve never really took him seriously.

    The thought of it affecting me much less that I would be one of them has never crossed my mind. "Where would we go?"

    "We could go back to my home town" She say''s wistfully. Sometimes I forget I ever lived in a different country. The only reminder is that I speak a different language at home. That''s probably why I don''t care about country betraying. This wasn''t always my county.

    I feel sick to my stomach. Going back to my moms home town would be a nightmare. I know its been years since It happened but if I didn''t forget why would anyone else?

    I think of a way to answer. How would you feel if we packed up and left? Terrible, like I want to through up or burn something down...

    None of that gets said. "I don''t know... I mean I have friends here and school and stuff..."

    Mom nods slowly. "Okay... But if it gets worse or you change your mind, were out of here."

    Worse? what does she mean? Why would it get worse? I just nod.

    We sit there for a few moments. Then I stand up and put the grocerie''s into the fridge.

    I''ve always kept the fridge organised and tidy. Today I really don''t feel like it. I just shove the food there and close it.

    "Lenna?" Her voice is quaking slightly.

    "Yeah?

    She seems to be still deciding weather or not to say something or not. "What... what did your grandma tell you about your father? When she used to babysit you."

    Something was definitely wrong. The very mention of me having a father was always avoided like the plague. "Not much just that she hated him... A lot."

    Mom looks very relived. "Why Mom? Have you heard from him?"

    "No, no, no such thing. I was just... you know thinking about, how we never talked about him"

    I sincerely doubt that. "Do you want to talk about him?"

    She shakes her head looking anxious. "He wasn''t anyone of note"

    Of coarse he wasn''t. I was beginning to wonder how long it would take to get to a response like that. Shutting me off. Not giving an answer. I understand that it''s a sensitive topic but it''s been 15 years.

    "I''ve been meaning to catch up on my sleep... with all the night shifts I''ve been working and stuff... you''ll find me in my room if you need me." Mom says as she leaves me with my thoughts.

    Just when I was beginning to think I would catch a break Mom hits me with life changing discussions.

    Leaving the country... The fact that we ended up here was a bit odd. Usually people go the opposite direction from here.

    But one of my aunt''s lives here with her husband and she knows my Moms boss. Thanks to her my Mom got a job easier and was better paid then she could have hoped for. Things are probably different now.

    The mention of my father was very strange. Was he in some way, the reason why my mom is thinking of leaving? I''ve never met him and mom never told me about.

    Grandma seems to know something about him. Enough for her to make it clear she didn''t approve of my mom even looking at him. And my existence? She hates me as well for being his child. I don''t want to think about it.

 Chapter 3

    The first lesson is geography. The classroom is full of old map''s some of them probably aren''t to date. Some probably have mould on them. It has an old building smell. I make my way to my seat. All my friends are already here.

    Usually, I''m the first one in class but today I woke up later to get some more sleep in hopes that I was just tired and that''s would be the problem. It didn''t work.

    I feel worse then yesterday. The hunger is becoming unbearable. I''m slipping away. People are having red orbs in their chests more often. No matter how much I try to push it aside it just comes back.

    I need to know why this is happening. I searched the internet but there was nothing that would help me.

    I''ll go try the library after school. Maybe there will be something there. For now I have to focus school.

    As I sit down my friends greet me. I greet them back. Daria is here as well. I''ve thought a lot of our disagreement yesterday.

    We argue a lot, but the truth is, Daria is my best friend. After I moved here she was the first one to really talk to me. At first I felt like she pitied me and pushed her away. I was a very temperamental child.

    I think we really became friends in second grade. Through all me ups and downs she was there with me. The point I''m trying to make is that she means a lot to me. And that I need to make sure were still friends.

    "Hey Daria... I''m sorry about yesterday. I was in a bad mood. I shouldn''t have acted like that"

    The look on her face is one of absolute shock. She shouldn''t look THAT surprised that I''m apologizing.

    "No problem Lenna, we all have our bad days"

    I think she has some more feelings about that but she doesn''t say them.

    I smile at her, she smiles back, and we start talking about our normal topics, laughing at jokes Zoya makes.

    I don''t feel so hungry with them. Nor agitated. And the red orbs don''t appear. I feel happy. At peace. Normal and in control. Only if this feeling would never end.

    When the bell rings and the lesson starts I''m left with my thoughts again. And they wonder to the heart.

    The redness of it. The veins on it. I wonder, if I open It would it look like the pictures in biology class? Divided into 4 parts. Or would it look different? Would there be something inside it?

    "Hey do you know the answer to number 2?" Zoya asks me. She scratches her head, unnaturally dyed blond her getting a bit messy. Her voice is very high pitched and pulls me out of my thoughts. It also reminds me that I''m not paying attention.

    I forget that she asked me something but the look on her face urges me to answer.

    "Um... I don''t know"

    I hope I can get my head in the game before the exams.

    It gets harder as the hours go by. I raised my voice on someone during chemistry for messing up a bit. Daria gives me a side eye for that. I don''t think it was that terrible of me to do that. I mean it was such a basic mistake.

    The end of school can''t come fast enough.

    The announcement starts to speak. "All members of the student council are to meet up this break" the sound is raspy and a bit hard to understand.

    Great. Just what I need a boring meeting. Aren''t meetings on Mondays though?

    After class I head there with Daria. She is wearing a long sleaved shirt that reveals her shoulders. Her long louse pants look a bit like a dress. They look expensive. I wonder were she got them. It suit her.

    She is very quiet.

    I break the silence "So, what do you think the meetings about?"

    "I don''t know. I''ve been hearing a lot about Unexplainables lately"

    Stolen story; please report.

    Every one has something they don''t talk about. In my family, it''s my father. In this country, it''s Unexplainables. Actually there are a lot other things that the country sweeps under the rug. Some of them so hidden no one has ever heard of them.

    "Really? And what did you hear?"

    She gives me a look that makes me think I should know. "About the threat they pose to society..."

    One of the few things I''ve heard about them is that our technology could totally beat them. And that the government will protect us from them.

    It''s interesting, how much we can pretend we are indestructible and all mighty, yet so many things we are a to us.

    Her hand is on the door handle before I can proses what she just said we enter the classroom. There are 11 other people here along with the school president.

    An official looking man is standing in front of every one. He has typical dirty blond hair cut into the most common hair style. Glaring at as with dark brown eyes as if we made his day even worse. Thin lips turned into a slight frown. He looks like whoever made him ran out of creativity once they chose the country and just gave him all the stereotypical features.

    As I sit down next to Daria, the man start''s talking.

    "Good morning" The way he speaks makes me think of army men.

    He nods swiftly as we great him back.

    "The government, has issued a new protocol to insure the safety of the general public and schools"

    "5 bucks that he memorised this word for word" I murmur to Daria.

    She gives me a glare. It''s still one off disapproval but it has a hint of playfulness. It makes all me feel like all my worries about ruining our friendship are stupid.

    "There has been an uprise in cases including Unexplainables. Some include murdering people, eating them, hurting and making them one of their own"

    Daria was right. Of course she was. I wonder were she heard this from.

    "Most of them are distinguishable by appearance while others slip into the cracks of society perfectly hidden by the masks of normalcy."

    "Some but not limited to, are vampires, werewolves and witches. Common signs are: animalistic or exaggerated features. Eyes that glow or have unusual colours. Fangs. Unusual eating habits..."

    Daria gives me a look that unnerves me. It''s suspicion.

    "As members of the student council it is your job to educate and prepare the event next month all about this."

    He talks a long wile about all the boring details and parts of it. I really don''t feel like paying attention. The bell has already rung but he continues to ramble.

    "Any questions?"

    Daria raises her hand and the man gives her permission to speak.

    "What happens to the Unexplainables when they''re found?"

    The mans lips curl into a smile that was meant to be reassuring but does the opposite.

    "They''re sent to a place were they can''t hurt anyone. Professionals work with them to help them control their... unnatural side."

    He nods a few times as if to convince us.

    They''re probably just sent to the north. Prisoners are sent there. And so is every one that the government needs to get rid of. Sweep under the rug.

    When the meeting ends I go to class. My footsteps echo loudly in the hall way. I walk faster then usual. I try to think of what lesson is now. My brain is empty. Daria catches up to me.

    "Lenna, wait up."

    I slow down and she walks beside me.

    "So what do you think about the meeting?"

    I shrug. I''m not sure what I think.

    "And about Unexplainables?"

    "I just hope I won''t have to bother with them. I''ve got enough on my plate without them. No need for another cause of anxiety."

    She grabs my hand. She looks me dead in the eye. It''s intense and serious. Her eyes look like turquois gemstones. The lipstick she wears matches them.

    "Are you one of them?" Her voices quaking slightly.

    "What?"

    "Are you an Unexplainable?" She looks scared of the answer.

    "No." I don''t hesitate at all.

    "Don''t lie to me."

    I try to pull my hand away from her. She doesn''t let go. Her grip is ridiculously tight.

    "I''m not lying"

    "You''ve got quite sharp teeth."

    What sort of a line is that? Does she think we''re in Little Red Riding Hood?

    "The better to eat you up with."

    The look on her face is one of genuine horror. It''s comical. I know I shouldn''t but I laugh.

    "What? Are you not familiar with the fairy tale?" I ask her in a sarcastic tone.

    Now she just looks pissed. Really pissed.

    "Do you think this is a story for little children? If you have fangs like the wolves do you know what happens to them?"

    "Of coarse I know what happens to them. They die."

    Daria looks devastated. Her eyes are becoming wet but she fights back tears.

    "I don''t want you to die."

    I stop walking and look at her. I don''t want to die either.

    "What? Why would I die?"

    She hugs me. Her hands are wrapped around me tight and she rests her head on my shoulder. I always thought we were the same hight. Turns out she''s shorter. She''s being really dramatic.

    "Lenna haven''t you seen the way your eyes change colour sometimes? They go from blue to purple to pink"

    I remember how they looked in the car window when I left the shop.

    "That''s just the light."

    "How long do you think it will take you to snap? To lose control and give in to your unnatural side"

    I push her away. She stumbles back a bit clearly surprised.

    "You think I''m some sort of ticking time bomb? That I''ll explode any minute?"

    I feel absolutely furious.

    "Well... It''s in your nature-"

    "Oh so I''m just sort of wild animal that needs to be put on a leash? That I control myself. Is that why you talk to me? You think you can control me? And what be the hero? The huntsmen who saves  Little Red Riding Hood and her grandma?"

    "What no-"

    "Shut up. Your just going to lie to me. Bend the truth. Keep it hidden. I don''t want to hear it."

    I walk away. I head to the basketball court hopping it''s empty. It is. I do a few laps dribble the ball.

    I don''t know what to do with myself.

    The government, my mom, Daria they all have secrets. I guess I''m not always honest either.

 Chapter 4

    I waited out the lesson that I half missed because of the meeting. And math. My math teacher is the last person I want to see right now.

    For the last 2 lessons, I returned to class. Daria wasn''t there. Good. I don''t have to deal with her. As I sit away from my friends they don''t come to talk to me. Did Daria tell them anything?

    My brain is foggy. It''s hard to think about the lesson. The heart is always at the back of my mind. And when I think of something else it''s Daria.

    How could she ask if I''m an Unexplainable? A monster? Is that how lowly she really thinks of me? The thoughts of a heart in my hands don''t really help prove my point.

    Something is seriously up with me. I should check it up in the library. Maybe I''ll find something there. The library probably has some books about Unexblainables. Then I can prove Daria wrong.

    I''ve been so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn''t notice that the class ended and a new one started. This is the last one of the day. Of the week. And I don''t have basketball practice today.

    As soon as the bell rings I rush out. The teacher yells at me that he still hasn''t dismissed class. I don''t care.

    I get to the cafeteria before a line forms there. We have some sort of dry meat with a wired looking brown sauce next to it. And half cooked potatoes.

    I devour it. Tasted worse then it looked. I still feel hungry.

    When I ask the cook for a second portion he looks surprised. He''s a large man and has been working here for as long as I can remember. I doubt that he would eat he''s own lunches. I get a portion anyway.

    It disappears just as fast as the first one. The hunger seems to only be growing. When I ask the cook, he doesn''t give me a third portion. Frustrated I leave the building.

    The bus stop is full of people. A Friday evening people are in a hurry home. I lean against a wall. The cold of it can be felt through my trench coat.

    When I asked the internet why I felt so hungry all the time it said I was stressed. Stressed. I''m not stressed. I have everything under control. Why would I be stressed?

    I feel a bit sick. I overate. Feeling dizzy, I lean against the wall more. The smell of the people and cars overwhelms me. I should hear the car... But it''s all wight noise, a soft buzzing in my head.

    This is how I felt in the store. I try a few deep breaths. It''s hard to breath. I''m slipping away. My control over myself and my thoughts.

    The feeling of falling into icy waters while burning up spreads through me. All the colours disappear. Every thing that made people distinguishable from each other is cast in a shadow. All that''s left are the red orbs.

    Everyone has one. Some have smaller branches most are contained. That''s what makes society function. We contain ourself. Our impulses. That''s what we learn through our life.

    But there is one who''s branches are large. The sway and coil around the person they belong to as if they were angry. Furious.

    Full of wrath. They looks delicious.

    I walk to the person. Trying to stop myself is useless. The one thing I always feared is happening. I''m loosing control. But I''m so tired, so desperate, so hungry. It always happens.

    "Lenna?" Someone speaks to me.

    "Hey. Lenna." Is it Daria?

    "Are you alright?" I pull myself back. Back to reality. Back to the colours. And away from the red orbs.

    I look at the person talking. The familiar turquois eyes don''t look back at me. They''re darker with light brown hair falling into them. It''s Bridgit. Her face looks a bit shocked at seeing me.

    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    "What''s wrong with your eyes?"

    "My eyes?"

    Haven''t you seen the way your eyes change colour sometimes? They go from blue to purple to pink.

    I look away from Bridgit. I glance at my phone screen. They''re brightest pink they ever where. The lighting excuse really isn''t going to work. I think I''m going to have to start to where sunglasses. In February.

    "I''m just tired you know."

    An even worse explanation then the lighting one. Bridgit definitely didn''t buy it. She doesn''t say anything though. My gaze stays away from her.

    "I heard you had an argument with Daria"

    Did Daria tell her that? Does Bridgit know she thinks I''m an Unexplainable?

    "Yeah? Did she say what it was about?"

    "No... But knowing you it was probably something stupid"

    I almost look at her.

    "Excuse me?!"

    "You and Daria both have personality''s that... create conflict with each other. Yet your close friends for almost a decade. It''s going to take a lot to separate you."

    I guess she''s right. Still this is different.

    "I''ve also seen you not talk for a week over pineapple on pizza."

    I chuckle and roll my eyes.

    Finally I look at her. She wears a knitted hat and vest which are probably from her grandma. She is very good at knitting, probably all that practice. The 2 of them live together.

    Her parents both alive. They just don''t want to take care of her. I don''t know the details and it never really mattered.

    It''s not like one of those secrets the government, my mom or Daria have. Bridgit doesn''t like talking about it. She answers when I ask her. But I let her keep this to herself. She can tell me when she want''s to.

    I wish Daria was like that. Letting me tell her what I feel instead of pushing her self on me. To be honest I wouldn''t tell her most of what I feel.

    The bus comes. A lot of people get of first. Then I and Bridgit and everybody that was waiting  get in. It''s crowded inside. We find a corner to stand in.

    "Promise me you''ll get old with Daria."

    Bridgit says some wired things sometimes.

    "You''ll probably have families and what not, but stay together."

    I smile a bit.

    "What are you trying to distance yourself from me and Daria? You and Zoya are getting old with us. We could go south to the sea and have some houses near the water. Each right next to each other. And we could gossip about whatever old women gossip about"

    Bridgit looks doubtful but smiles.

    "In this economy? Please will be happy if we don''t have to work during our retirement like our history teacher."

    I think for a bit.

    "We''ll rob a bank then."

    "Daria wouldn''t approve."

    She''s right. Daria would report us to the cops ASAP.

    "What she doesn''t know won''t hurt her."

    I regret saying that. I complain about people lying and keeping secrets from me yet I joke about doing the same thing.

    "Daria is a human lie detector. She''d know right away."

    I scoff.

    "She''s paranoid"

    Bridgit frowns a bit.

    "Not really..."

    Bridgit wouldn''t know. She''s not the one Daria called an Unexplainable.

    "Daria means well."

    I''ve been doubting that. I still nod.

    "I know."

    Bridget looks at me with her dark blue eyes. Mine are darker. When they''re not changing colour.

    "Do you?"

    Is it that obvious that obvious when I lie? I stay silent.

    The bus goes over a bump causing Bridgit to fall over. I help her up. They should really fix the roads here.

    "Daria cried when she came back."

    "What?"

    My first thought is that Daria would be faking that. To trick me into trusting her. But maybe I''m the paranoid one.

    "Give her a chance to explain herself."

    I sigh. Daria never gave me a real reason not to trust her. So why don''t I? Why do I expect people to stab me in the back? It''s never really happened to me.

    "Okay"

    Bridgit smiles. I can''t bring myself to do the same.

    "This is my stop."

    I look out the window. It''s one of those parts of town were there are a bunch of old, but well taken for houses. Maybe a small apartment building or 2.

    "Bye"

    "See you on Monday"

    I''m left alone again. The bus moves and the building begin to rise into larger and larger apartment buildings.

    I don''t feel like going to the library today. This day has been tiering. I just want to go home and rest. Tomorrows the weekend. I can go then.

    My stop comes. As I step outside the concrete buildings surround me. They were all probably built some 70 or 60 years ago. They all look very similar but distinguishable from one another.

    I walk to my flat. It''s very long with multiple doors but not as tall. I enter and call the elevator. It creeks with rust and age. It has a tendency to stop when people are using it.

    I decide to use the stairs. My apartment is still locked. I guess mom is still at work. I''m reminded of the conversation we had yesterday.

    Maybe mom is worried about Unexplainables to and that''s why she feels the need to leave. It could be the money as well.

    Unlocking the door and entering my house I set my school bag aside. If it is the Unexplainables then I hope she doesn''t talk to Daria. I don''t know how she''d react if she was told I could be one.

    A pair of sunglasses on the table catch my eye. When I look in the mirror. Wearing them I look suspicious.

    I know I told Bridget that I would hear Daria out, but calling be an Unexplainable is ridiculous. No vampire, werewolf or whatever has bit me. And mom certainly isn''t one. Why would I be?

 Chapter 5

    I wake up early. I always do. The kitchen smells of burnt eggs. My mom is still home. We don''t talk. But that''s common for us. She leaves quickly. Probably an emergency at the hospital.

    I get ready to leave as well. My hair is let loose. Sunglasses darken the world. They hide my eyes very well.

    Going to the library takes me to the ''academic'' part of town. Museums, schools, theaters... All the buildings have the classism type of architecture. There are tourists wondering around.

    The library has the same vibe. It''s enormous. Roof made of marble and pillars of obsidian. It''s not falling apart or old like the buildings on the outskirts of town. Nor does anything here look like that. A lot of money must be spent on this. Maybe it''s because of the tourists.

    I enter the library. The shelves are lined close to each other. Not know were to start, I go to the front desk.

    The lady there seems young. Her brown hair reaches her waist. It''s beautiful. She stares into her phone with empty looking eyes the colour of clouds right before it rains.

    Ethereal, otherworldly is her face. If someone told me she was an Unexplainable I would believe them.

    "Good day."

    She looks at me with a bit of a glare.

    "Do you need something?"

    "Were can I find books relating to um..."

    I''m not really sure what topic to ask for. Hunger that never ends? Red orbs in peoples chest''s?

    "Do you have books about Unexplainabls?"

    The librarian''s eyes narrow.

    "Yes. Any particular topic?"

    "Um... how to identify them?"

    She gives me a sharp look.

    "Row 3 near the bottom on the left."

    I nod and leave. The library is even larger from the inside. There are rows of shelves all taller then I can reach. The books seem to have a variety of ages and designs.

    Row 3 looks several meters long. I go to the left side and search the bottom. The title "The short book of Unexplainabls" catches my eye. Its thick and at the very least 500 pages. Not exactly short.

    I take the book to find somewhere to sit. There is a corner with sofas and armchairs. I sit in one. They''re soft. More expensive then I''m used to.

    The book feels heavy when I set it into my lap. It has a simple design of just the title on the front. I open it to the introduction. Small letters thickly placed next to each other greet me.

    Unexplainable describes any event, creature, place that cannot be explained by our current knowledge of science or goes against it. This book is divided into those categories.

    Since Daria accused me of being an Unexplainable I should look at the creature part. Flipping through the pages a thought crosses my mind. If I can''t find a reason for the red orbs, hunger... Can it be an Unexplainable event?

    Unexplainable events (creatures and places) are by nature chaotic and unpredictable. What happened in one case may not be the same as in another. They are often tied to creatures and places.

    They are divided into: repeating and once occurring. An other way is by the amount of people that witnessed it into single witness and multiple witnesses.

    So what is happening to me is a repeating, single witness event.

    Here is a list of common and/famous Unexplainable events:

    I look at the events that fall into the categories I''m looking for. Time capsules and time slips, spirited away (Kamikakushi), sleep paralysis (The supernatural kind), vanishing hitchhikers... Not really what I''m looking for.

    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    As I loose hope that the red orbs are an Unexplainable event I go to the creature part of the book. The beginning is more or less the same as the one for events.

    There isn''t much that could prove Daria wrong. There is also nothing to say she''s right. This trip was a waste of time.

    Flipping through the book a bright yellow sticky note is stuck on one of the pages. Maybe someone forgot it there?

    I take the note into my hands. It looks impossible to miss. Next to it all yellows are muted. The writing is in black ink dark as night.

    <u>You didn''t find the information you were looking for? Why don''t you come and ask here: </u>

    An address is written below it. And a part of town. It''s on the very outskirts to the north east. I''ve heard that it''s a dangerous neighbourhood. Not a place were tourists go.

    I pocket the note. I''ve never visited that place nor ever want to. Still having the option to check it out won''t hurt.

    As I walk out the librarian gives me one more glare. Maybe she''s like that to every one. Some waitresses and shop assistance are like that. The pay doesn''t make them happier. But working in a place like this I bet the money is enough to make me smile.

    The bus stop is full of tourists. They''re loud and I don''t understand a word they say. We''re getting less and less of them each year. Why does the country do so much to make them happy?

    We have and had a lot of wars that take place in different country''s. So much money is spent on them. And for what? We don''t win them. Not enough to make it worth it. This country isn''t what it once was for almost a century.

    Maybe that''s why we do so much for tourist''s. To look good. But no amount of pretty land marks can hide that we''re rotting inside out. If this is how it''s in the capital I don''t want to see the country side.

    The bus comes. First people come out. The I and the tourists step inside. The road here isn''t as bumpy as it is on the way from school.

    An angry looking man catches my eye. Though his frown makes him look older his probably in his early to mid 30s. Typical brown hair covers his coffee like eyes. He looks like he drinks a lot of it.

    Whenever I saw the red orbs, there was a sort of build up to it. Slowly sinking into icy water''s while the hunger grew. Not now.

    A wave of those icy water''s pull''s me deep into it. Drowning me. White noise surrounds me. Lights so bright they hurt. All the smells are rotten. It feels more and more familiar each time.

    All the colours leave. Shadows over peoples faces. Only red orbs on dark figures remain. Were the angry man once was a great tangle of branches coming from the red orb remains. The biggest I''ve seen.

    Then the hunger comes. A desperate need to fulfill it. I''ve suppressed it for too long and it is out of control now.

    There is no use in trying to fight it. My breathing is out of control. Everything is. I''m out of control. So many bad things have happened after that.

    Everything is foggy yet so clear. I know what I have to do to get rid of the hunger.

    I take a step to the angry man. The red branches coil and swirl. I reach out to touch one of them.

    The bus stops. The man leaves. I follow him. I want to stop. I want to come back to reality so bad. Why won''t my body listen to me?

    I don''t feel like myself now.

    My hand goes to the red branches. Touching them is like electricity. The mans anger flows through them. I can feel it.

    I bring it to my mouth. The man is right before me walking in a fast pace. I try to keep up.

    The branch is prickly on my tongue. I bit down on it and I swallow. Then again and again.

    My hunger rages inside me. I get more and more desperate. Nothing else matters. I don''t notice the man stopping. I don''t notice him turning around and trying to talk to me.

    He puts his hand on my shoulder. I glare at him. All he has to do is keep walking and I can feast on his anger. Is that so hard?

    He talks. The anger starts to shrink. It''s getting replaced by another emotion. Doesn''t matter what it is. I can''t eat it.

    No, no, no...

    How do I keep him angry?

    Simple really. I punch him.

    The man takes a step back. He''s still not angry. I punch him again into what I think is his head. It''s hard to tell when It''s covered in shadows.

    It works. The anger starts to grow again. As I eat it he starts to yell at me. Hard to say when all you hear is wight noise.

    He shakes me again. It''s annoying but doesn''t stop me from eating so I let it pass. He''s angry that I randomly punched him and am not responding to him.

    His fist meet''s my face. The sudden pain makes me stagger. I didn''t expect that. The man is older and taller then me...

    The anger shrinks once more. He seems to regret it. I can handle some punches. So the hunger will stop.

    I need to keep him angry. Punching him into the face again he seems ready this time. There isn''t a stagger as the first time. The branches still grow.

    He try''s to grab my hand to stop me from punching me. I manage to break free and land a punch again.

    What am I doing?

    Trying to eat the anger while keeping him full of wrath is hard. As we go on he starts giving up not hurting me and plays offence to.

    Stop. Stop. Stop.

    I take a punch. Then another. I have to immobilize him.

    I need my body to listen to me. I need the control back.

    Shoving my elbow into his stomach he falls. This is the same way I pushed Bridgit. He falls head first onto the side walk. There is no movement after. That''s the last straw.

    I close my eyes and take one deep breath. When I open them and exhale I look up at the sky. Everything is the way it should be. The colours are back. I got rid of the hunger.

    I look down. The man lays there.

    Everything is not the way it should be. It''s not fine. Messed up, wrong.

    As I take a step back his chest rises and falls. At least he''s alive.

    Daria was right. I really am a monster. Unexplainable, out of control, unholy.

    I ran off. As fast as my legs can carry me. As far away as I can. But you can''t run from your problems, can you?

 chapter 6

    It is a summer afternoon. The heat of the day has passed and so has lunch. About 15 kids from ages 3 to 7 run around a fairly small playground.

    There is a group of adults around the playground. Most of them moms a single father and grandparents. One of them is Maria Raud.

    She feels a bit pissed at the child she''s taking care of. It''s not that she doesn''t know her way around kids. Raising 13 children, most of them to adulthood, gives you the experience.

    The child is her daughter''s, Kristel''s. It was always getting into trouble. Disrespecting people, disobeying, getting into conflicts. It kept trying to sweet mouth out of trouble. But Maria knew what it was.

    Kristel named her Lenna. Maria doesn''t understand why she insists to keep her. Kristel got pregnant during university, barley finishing her degree.

    Maria see''s her husband sitting on a bench. He seems to be sleeping. Typical. She was left with the responsibility of taking care of the child.

    Lenna got into several fight''s with other kids. She was stronger then most of them. A tooth was knocked out several cried.

    She made it her personal mission to anger random passing adults. Often office workers already in a bad mood. Calling them names, following them around.

    Still children want to be friends with her. Naive little things. They don''t see what she is.

    How could her Kristel let this happen? Didn''t she raise her better? Letting a... demon like that be the father of her child. Good thing she found about that. They won''t be seeing him ever again.

    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    A cool summer breeze tickles her cheek. She looks at the playground looking for Lenna. She''s not there.

    Looking around she spots a group of children near the bench were an elder lady feeds the pigeons. Some of them are crying. Most of them. She already knows why.

    As she comes closer her suspicion is proved correct. Lenna sits in the middle of the circle. Brown hair falling into her eyes. Her eyes. They''re doing that thing with the colours again.

    She looks down at something in her hands with... disappointment? Maria''s gaze travels to it. Her heart stops beating for a long while. It takes a lot for her lunch not to climb out of her stomach and onto the side walk.

    A bird is in Lenna''s hands. It lays on its back. With a hole in it''s chest. River of blood coming out of it. Oozing out. A pigeon probably. It''s hard to tell with the red.

    The child''s hands are rose red. A finger inside the chest. It looks like it''s searching for something. Picking the animal apart.

    "LENNA"

    Slowly it looks up. Not a single drop of guilt. This can''t be a child. Cold bloodied. Monster. Unholy.

    "Grandma"

    Monotone voice. Lifeless. A chill runs down Maria''s spine.

    The people around them are starring. Judging. They''re going to talk. And the gossip of the month- no YEAR will be born.

    With swift strides she makes her way to the thing for a granddaughter. The first emotion crosses it''s face. Fear. It takes a few steps back. Good. It knows that it did something worth punishing.

    She almost takes it''s hand to drag behind her. It''s bloody gross hand.

    "Come"

    It follows trying to keep up with her pace. Dead pigeon still in it''s hands.

    "Grandma?"

    How dare it talk to me after what it did.

    "What?! What can you possibly want?"

    It''s quiet for a while. She starts to hope that it will shut up. But no.

    "Why don''t pigeons have red balls in they''re body''s?"

    She stops. What the hell is it on about.

    "People have one so why don''t animals? Look"

    It raises the pigeon for her to see.

    "Throw that away. People don''t have red balls or whatever in they''re bodies."

    "But-"

    "No but''s. Just shut up."

    And it does. For a long time.

 chapter 7

    It''s 5:30 a.m. as I roll in my bed. A nightmare about my grandmother woke me up. Her crystal blue eyes looked at me, as if I was less then human. She always said I was an unholy child, cold bloodied. Now I know I am one.

    I sit up, my toes reaching the ground. Sweat drips from my hair. Daria was right as well. Paranoid, is what I said she was but truth had to be on her side. It always is.

    Doing my best not to wake mom I tip toe into the bathroom. The floorboards creek but not too loudly. Moonlight shines from outside makes my way visible enough and casting an eerie light.

    The handle on the bathroom door creaks when I turn it. As I turn on the lights one of them turns on and off fastly before deciding to keep shining.

    Wight tiles cover most of the surfaces. Over the sink a mirror finds its place. My hair is pushed to one side, messy.

    After I came home yesterday my eyes had that bloodshot red colour. It was the same as the red orbs in peoples chest shine. Ragging and full of wrath. It was the colour of anger.

    Now in the mirror they still aren''t the midnight blue I''m used to. A purple of violets looks back at me, glaring with eyes that didn''t sleep much.

    I wash my face. Not wanting to do anything  I sit on the cold tiles of the bathroom floor. The chill from them passes through my clothes and nibbles my skin. I don''t mind.

    What should I do now? My country fears me. A monster is what I am. I wonder what mom would say. Not that I will tell her.

    My clothes are still the same as yesterday. Full of sweat they smell quite bad. Greasy hair falls onto my shoulders. I feel as filthy on the outside as I do from the inside. A shower can solve the first problem.

    Pulling my pants down a bright yellow sticky note falls out of them. Picking it up these words are written in black ink:

    <u>You didn''t find the information you were looking for? Why don''t you come and ask here: </u>

    And an address beneath.

    It''s the note from the library. I reread it again. Does it look like a promising lead? What else do I have left to try?

    Undressing my clothes fall onto the ground. There is some mud on the pants. I should wash them.

    The water in the shower is lukewarm. It doesn''t go any hotter. At least it''s not freezing as it is in the school changing room.

    Leaning against the wall, I release a breath that I''ve been holding in for the last day. Closing my eyes the water swallows me.

    I can''t be an Unexplainable.

    It wasn''t a problem until now. No one could tell the difference. Maybe a curse has struck me.

    People don''t have red balls or whatever in they''re bodies

    That''s what my grandma told me. Taught me. I learned to push it back contain it. Until I stopped seeing them. And forgot about it. Can''t I go back to that?

    Staggering out of the shower I grab a towel and dry myself. Purple eyes still glare at me through the mirror. They piss me off.

    "What?"

    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Yelling at my own reflection now. What''s wrong with me?

    The purple eyes look at me full judgment. They laugh at me. I sigh and walk out of the bathroom sticky note in hand.

    I find some blue Sweatpants and a shirt. My mom starts to move about when I get dressed. Probably making breakfast. I go to join her.

    She looks a bit startled at seeing me but then smiles at me. It feels empty and unauthentic, overdone. My eyes caught her attention.

    "Mom?"

    "Yes honey?"

    "Let''s move back to your home town."

    A look of shock passes her face. Then she remembers that she expected this, wanted this. Nodding a few times she sighs.

    "I''ll start planning for it."

    A smile flickers on her face. I don''t feel like returning it.

    "Did something happen? You know you can tell me."

    "No everything is fine."

    There is no need to tell her. I have always been self-sufficient. Mom looks worried but doesn''t say a word. She never does.

    An awkward silence falls between us. I shift uncomfortably. Mom''s got her day off today so she won''t be going anywhere. Its been a while since we spent some time together. A while since we had any interest in each others lives.

    I don''t know were to begin. Besides I have to check out the place on the sticky note.

    "I''ve got to go... to the library"

    She wouldn''t let me go if she knew were I was actually going. A streak of sadness crosses her face but again she smiles and nods. It''s becoming annoyingly repetitive.

    I put my sunglasses on and leave the house. Searching the location on my phone I take the first bus going in that direction.

    The buildings become more and more luxurious with every bus stop. After passing the centre they start to become more worn down and old. We''re I''m going isn''t even part of the capital.

    I get off on the last stop. Still not were I want to be I decide to walk there. The roads all look the same. Dull and gloomy the snow doesn''t and much winter wonder to it.

    The map''s on the web are broken. I have tried multiple of them and yet I seem to go in circles. What''s worse is that I''m in the most dangerous part of the region.

    All the streets surrounding the place on the note are easy to find. But the one I want to go to? Nowhere to be found.

    If it looks bad were I live it is quite a disaster here. Buildings fall apart, roads are broken. Asking someone certainly isn''t an option. There eyes shoot knives at me.

    It''s been an hour of this and I''m starting to lose hope. Maybe the sticky note is a false lead. A joke of some sort. I should have thought this through in more detail.

    Bright neon colours catch my eye up ahead. A roadside motel with a label shining in vividness more then the whole neighbourhood combined. Which isn''t a lot but still.

    Walking to the motel I spot a group of odd looking people. They''re faces are dirty of what seems to be coal. There are tails swishing about them. Dark eyes with red flames glare at me.

    I panic. Unexplainables. Like from a fairy tale. Not one but 5 of them. I''ve never seen so many. And they don''t hide their features at all. No hats for the hornes... or even shoes to cover their hooves.

    They''re right in front of the entrance no way to pass them. Isn''t there a back door or something?

    Am I not here to find information about Unexplainables? Is this not expected? After all aren''t I one of them? Maybe they aren''t that dangerous to me.

    Coming closer there eyes stick on me. Studying.

    "Oi girl ain''t you lost?"

    The others laugh. Stay silent. The last thing you want to do is show fear. I hold my head high and don''t let my step waver.

    They stand in front of the door not letting me pass.

    "Whatcha doing in this part of town?"

    "None of your business"

    He leans closer red sparks flaring in his eyes.

    "It''s all of my business lady. We guard who comes into this hotel."

    We glare at each other for a while. Then he smirks.

    "Take your sunglasses off."

    I hesitate. Fingers brushing over them.

    "Go on."

    They get tangled up in my hair but I manage to get them off. Without them I feel exposed.

    The Unexplainable''s eyes lose some of it''s sharpness still cautious.

    "Did a note send you here?"

    Note? Does he mean the yellow sticky note from the library?

    I nod. He gives me a slightly pitiful glance. A feeling of worry spread to me. In different circumstances I''d be a bit offended.

    The Unexplainables move from the door letting me pass. It''s painted white as the snow. Old fashioned but elegant. The handle into the shape of a fire bird. It''s made of some mysterious red metal.

    When I touch it it''s warm. Hard to open I have to put my weight against it to open. With a creek it slames open making me stumble.

    I expect to here snickers from the Unexplainables outside. No sound can be heard. Looking over my shoulder they aren''t there.

    Back inside a hotel lobby greats me. A couple of chairs and a front desk. A man dripping of water sits on one of them. Green hair falls over his fish like skin.

    Short hairy men wander the hall. I don''t have time to observe the others because the desk lady calls at me.

    "Hello what can I help you with?"

 Chapter 8

    The desk lady looks fairly normal. Pale ivory skin stretched in all the wrong places. Her smile reviles pearl white teeth that shine like moonlight. Not teeth but fangs, sharp as daggers. I know imidiatly what she is. A vampire.

    "Well?"

    She''s becoming impatient by my silent gaping at her. Vampires are the most common type of Unexplainable. Never have I talked to one.

    "There was a note saying that I should go here?"

    "Right. Please wait here until you''re called."

    I bite my lip and look around. Across several chairs a scaly creature lays. Ghostly figures pass through the halls. Unexplainables come and go sparing me no less then a couple of glasses.

    Not long and a hairy guy comes and calls me into the hall. We pass multiple doors all different from each other. Whispers are heard all around us. Loud music from other rooms drown them into undistinguishable gibberish.

    The motel is smaller then I thought it was. Only a few moments and we are at the end of the hall. A single door stands there. It looks the same as the front door.

    The hairy man on which I can''t find much Unexplainable features opens the door not bothering to knock.

    We enter a room full of papers and notebooks. They are neatly organised on shelves that reach a ceiling which is at least 3 meters high. In the middle of the room is a desk with a computer.

    A women sits behind it. Long straight white hair covers some of her face. A crooked nose peeks out of it.  Her face has that Unexplainable beauty. But unlike most I''ve seen it seems... ungenuine. Like the way a face that went under plastic surgery looks.

    She wears clothing of all sorts of colours and textures. Inspired clearly by Rococo it seems so pretty and detailed that it becomes ugly.

    "You''re here to find information about Unexplainables right?"

    Her voice sounds like stepping onto an old floor. Creaky and ancient.

    "Yes"

    "Why don''t you sit down dear."

    Her pale blue eyes tell me it''s not a question. A chair, as plain as can be is in front of the desk. I sit down.

    "Now I am  willing to give you the information-"

    "Great. Is it in like a book or something?"

    The woman looks offended at me cutting into her speech. Clearing her throat she still sounds very hoarse.

    "I''m afraid it''s not that simple."

    Of course it''s not. She studies me and croaks out.

    "An exchange of sorts is what I am offering"

    The greed of some people...

    "Is money what you want?"

    Absolutely shocked by the suggestion she rolls her eyes.

    "Not quite. More of an act of service."

    "What do you mean?"

    She pinches her nose sighs then looks at me as if she is going to explain a very basic concept to a toddler.

    "You''re an Unexplainable-"

    "I know"

    She doesn''t need to tell me that.

    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    "Don''t interrupted me while I''m speaking. We are hunted, killed. As Unexplainables sticking together makes our chances of surviving higher."

    Sticking together? Spending more time then needed with these people is not something I want.

    "That''s what you want from me? To spend time in this freak club?"

    That strikes a nerve. The temperature rises by at least 10 degrees. I''ve never seen magic. It crackles in the air like electricity fury evident.

    You can feel it with all 5 senses. Like knives pricking your skin, raw chili peppers on your tongue. The smell of something burning as sparks fly in the air making crackling sounds. A 6th sense is awakened and you feel her anger. The woman apparently a witch is absolutely pissed.

    "HOW DARE YOU?! I offered you a safe space. A place where you wouldn''t be in danger all of the time. And you called it a freak club. A FREAK CLUB?!"

    The oxygen in the room is starting to run out. I gag. No longer is her face that of a model. Canyons form on her face revealing a more true age. A Hag like one from a fairy tale sits in front of me. Her clothing loses its colour looking more like rags.

    "With the flick of my finger I could make your heart stop beating your body catch fire-"

    The hairy man puts a hand on her shoulder and whispers I to her ear.  She bites her cheek inward and sighs.

    "I suppose you are young... Maybe killing you would be a bit too much. How about this: a simple mission like I would give any other youngster and then we''ll figure out the rest."

    From calm to rage to forced understanding she is an emotional rollercoster. That guy sure calmed her down fast. Maybe that''s some sort of Unexplainable ability?

    "Mission? What is this a spy movie."

    Again the Hag looks on the verge of committing murder. Maybe I should stop testing the limits. For my own safety.

    "You''re going to be a look out. If cops or anyone suspicious comes you''ll yell in warning."

    Honestly not what I was expecting. Sounds a bit dangerous.

    "And then you''ll tell me about Unexplainables?"

    She thinks for a moment and in a slightly lighter tone answer''s.

    "Yes"

    I don''t like how she has the upper hand on me. A powerful witch that the information I want and is sending me to do what she wants.

    "Can''t you just tell me what you know now and then I can find a way to pay you back?"

    A snake like grin wraps around her face.

    "Your not in a position to pick and choose."

    "How do I know you won''t do anything funny?

    It''s a leap of faith dear. It''s not like you have many options anyway."

    "...I- fine. I''ll do this stupid look out thing."

    A crooked smile appears on the witches face her crows feet even more evident. She extends a slender boney hand.

    "Do we have a deal?"

    I shake her hand.

    "Yeah"

    A tingling zap goes between our hands and the witch leans back in her chair.

    "Your quite okay in doing business when you''re not being a brat."

    Frowning I open my mouth to speak but she continues talking.

    "Are we done?"

    "To an extend yes. You may leave."

    Standing up I lose some of my balance and stager. The handle of the door is warm as the one in the entrance. It swings open. The Hag calls out to me.

    "What? Not going to say goodbye?"

    I take a deep breath push my hair out of my face and get these words out:

    "See you. When''s the look out thing?"

    Chuckling she whispers just enough for me to hear it. Is she trying to be mysterious?

    "Tomorrow 11pm. Come to this motel."

    The halls look a bit stranger, the walls more crooked. I don''t have time to study them as I hurry out.

    The desk lady looks at me with sympathy. Her weak smile and glowing eyes is the last thing I see from this motel.

    I let go of the breath I''m holding hoping it was over with. But no the Unexplainables that greeted me before are still here. Tail swinging side to side he approaches me.

    "Oi did ya meet the Hag?"

    It''s the one that asked me to put my sunglasses off. I wish I could kill with a single glance like that witch. Even though I can''t I still try my best.

    He takes in my murderous glances and trys to give me a softer more incouraging look. With he''s natural features it doesn''t work very well.

    "We''ll be spending time together more... probably so we should try to get along no?"

    "No."

    Scoffing a crooked grin spreads on his face similar to the hag''s. Do all Unexplainables smile the same?

    "You never knew you were an Unexplainable did ya?"

    "Does it matter?"

    Scratching his neck he puts on a thinking face. It looks ridiculous.

    "Kind of? Didn''t ya hear bout how monstrous and terrible we are?"

    A dry laugh escapes his throat.

    "Aren''t they true though?"

    That struck a nerve. The second one today. He didn''t send sparks of anger flying like the witch instead he seemed to shrink back.

    "I mean like uhh you know it''s not our fault if we need human flesh to survive?"

    "But don''t some eat it because it tastes good?"

    Pinching the skin on his arm he clearly feels backed into a corner.

    "Doesn''t everyone deserve to be happy?"

    The stress makes his voice go higher, becoming more squeaky. I answer without thinking. It felt obvious, straight forward.

    "No."

    Nothing is free in this world. We have to work up to it and hope it counts. I used to try my best in school to get my moms attention, and my worst. None really worked. I never really felt like I deserved it. The same goes for happiness.

    Blinks a few times, tail swishes up and down shakes his head and with a quivered voice blurts out:

    "I whole heartedly disagree with you"

    He then runs of to his friends who are sitting on the steps drinking what seems to be the cheapest bear I''ve ever seen. A third of them don''t seem of age but I guess the law doesn''t apply to them.

 Chapter 9

    The sun rises to greet the day everybody loathes. The worst day imaginable. Grewsome and horrid. Monday.

    I watch the rays of the sun reach out and cleanse the sky of the sweet darkness of the weekend. It drowns out all the stars leaving just a large ball of fire on the horizon. Saying goodbye to sleep and rest I tumble out of the bed. I didn''t sleep much anyway.

    Washing my face half a sleep my eyes in the mirror glare at me still the same purple. They send chills down my spine. The teachers in my school won''t let me have sun glasses indoors. I''m bound to get discovered.

    Guess I''m skipping school today. Mom''s home this mourning so I''ll just wait till she leaves and go back in. She still hasn''t said anything about the eyes.

    My nails dig into the porcelain sink. Does Mom knows? She has too. My grandmother did too. Should I confront her? What difference would it make?

    Pans clutter and eggs sizzle in the kitchen, their aroma spreading through the house. Mom looks worried as ever. And smiles even more. Already dressed and ready to go.

    Breakfast. Not really something that''s more then a yogurt typically. And yet for some reason moms making fried eggs. She smiles even wider when she sees me putting a cheer on.

    "Good morning."

    Her tone really brakes character. She obviously finds that nothing is good about this morning or good in general. Either she doesn''t notice how she sounds or pretends not to.

    "morning"

    My reply is short and brittle. I get served eggs as mom sits down.

    "So I''ve planned the whole moving thing, why don''t you take the day off to pack your things."

    That was faster then I expected. Surely it takes months to plan a move to a different country. She is definitely aware of me being an Unexplainable. At least I''ve got an excuse to stay home.

    "cool"

    Nodding a few times we eat our breakfast in silence. Its a bit over cooked. A crunchy dark brown layer around and beneath the egg. I like it.

    After eating mom stands up making no utterance, takes her plate to the sink and starts washing it. Awkward silence all too common for us stretches through time and space.

    "Mom."

    "Yes?"

    I want to ask her so many things. About myself, my father, grandmother, everything and anything. So I say the one idea that connects those things.

    "Do you keep secrets from me?"

    We gaze into our eyes for the longest of time. Shifting uncomfortable her gaze wavers against mine. She bites her lips.

    "I- I''ll tell you when your older-"

    So she is. I knew it.

    "But its affecting me now is it not?"

    "Your not ready to know it."

    And with that she leaves, not letting me speak another word. She slams the front door with a loud thud making me flinch and the pictures on the wall shake.

    What the hell does she mean that I''m not ready to hear it? Does she seriously think she can baby ME? Doesn''t matter. I''ll find out weather she wants it or not.

    Not bothering to put my plate away I stand up nails digging into my palm. Out of frustration I kick the wall. It hurts a lot. I''m too angry to be bothered and it only adds fuel to it. Stupid wall.

    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    I spend the rest of my day packing. Sorting through wardrobes and cupboards, finding things I forgot about for the longest of times.

    Badly made ceramic statues I did with Bridgit''s grandmother (that women really can do anything), clothes too small to wear now, books I reluctantly read due to a school project but ended up loving.

    A photo from half a year ago. Bridgit, Daria, Zoya and me sitting on a bridge during the summer break watching the sunset. Bridgit just started taking an interest in photography and found an old camera at home.

    Every thing used to be so simple so snug. Full of joy. I wish I could go back in time to when it was as simple as watching a summer sunset.

    Under a stack of clothes, a drawing that I made in second grade. Red and black scribbles cover it. A circle in the middle and lines reaching in all directions. It looks like the orbs I see...

    I drop the paper. It was made after I got into a fight with one of my classmates, and was waiting in the principles office for my mom to come and talk to him.

    They kept asking me why I started it. Not a word came out of. I didn''t cry or show any emotion. Thoughts of my grandmother flooded my mind. That I was monstrous and horrifically heinous.

    It never was as simple as looking at the sky was it? It never went away no matter how much you pretend. A part of you is what it is. Won''t go away.

    I look at the kitchen clock. Time slips by when you let it. I should get ready to leave. Positioning the picture on the kitchen table for mom to see and leaving it there without a second glance. Though out of site it definitely isn''t out of mind.

    I travel the same journey as before, through all the layers of society. A drunk guy sings in the bus, if it can be called anything more then ape mating calls. He tries to talk to me.

    My glasses are lowered and when we make eye contact he sees the Unexplainable colouring. Fear goes through his face and he leaves the bus without another word. That''s one positive for today I guess.

    The motel is easier to find. Neon signs brighter then ever contrasting everything. A group of people- Unexplainables stands before it the light making them even more eerie.

    "Oi over here."

    This guy again. I can see were they are he doesn''t have to call out. If he says oi one more time I''ll gut him. The sparks in his dark eyes dance of excitement tail swishing side to side.

    Behind him frog like eyes shine covered by tangled beard and hair the colour of murky green water. They belong to a large man, not tall enough to be by default an Unexplainable. With his scales no one would think of him as human.

    7 women surround him. They''re skin is mostly covered by long robes, but the ones I see are pale and- transparent? The moonlight glows of they''re skin like it would over a pond. Shades of blue and green eyes look at me with playful curiosity.

    The Oi guy clears his throat to get our attention and speaks.

    "Now that were all here, lets go to the meeting point yeah?"

    The large guy makes a croaking sound and we head through the streets, our feet crunching in the snow. Well the Oi boy has hooves so they crunch as well. Everyone is barefoot. Are they not cold?

    I hoped to get this over, with minimal interactions but apparently the Oi boy had a different idea.

    "Hi"

    Smiling in a way my mom never does he seems genuinely happy to talk to me. Maybe a bit childish showing his front fangs. They''re crooked and not exactly the whitest.

    "Good evening"

    He extends a slender hand with sharp black nails. With a chirp in his voice he announce:

    "Vid"

    I stare at him for a while not know what to do. The hand stretches further to me.

    "That''s my name"

    Right. Introductions. We shake hands for a bit too long awkwardness evident.

    "What''s your name?"

    For a brief moment I hesitate. I don''t want these people to know my name. What if they use it against me? The look on Vids face says his just being friendly. Against all my wishes it does make me feel more at ease.

    "Lenna Raud"

    He grins even more. Yesterday I compared his smile to the Hags. I don''t think it''s anything like it.

    "That''s a... cool name. Nice too meet you."

    Then he hurries of to talk to the women with water like skin. They look hostile when spoken to. I bet they dance in the moonlight on a pond. Luring people to join them just to dance them to death or drown them. My teacher told me that in third grade.

    After a while he gives up talking to them due to their unresponsive nature. He tries throwing some words at the large man, who croaks back, but nothing really sticks.

    Finally with a look of defeat he doesn''t strike up any conversations. No one else attempts to. The ladies with water like skin sway as they walk in the dark with a sort rhythm to it. Everything falls into calmness.

    To my horror, Vid looks back at me, waits for me to reach him and starts talking.

    "So Lenna what kind of deal do you have with The Hag?"

    Deal? How does he know about that? He sees my frown and starts to clarify. HIs voice is more high pitched and talks with a faster pace.

    "Not that I know anything I shouldn''t. I mean I really don''t. It''s just that The Hag has deals with everyone and you know... I was curious to know yours."

    A few more bumbling incomprehensible sentences and he falls silent. So that''s how it is. She didn''t tell me what I wanted because she makes deals with everyone, uses them for- something. I need to be careful.

 chapter 10

    "You want to know my deal?"

    Vid nods hesitantly. I don''t think I want to tell him. What if he uses it against me? Since the hag is so fond of agreements I''ll try to use it as well.

    "If I do will you tell me yours?"

    He thinks for a while uncertain.

    "sure"

    That''s a yes. Maybe this is just me being overdramatic. Better safe then sorry. Can''t hurt for him to know my deal. Still he doesn''t seem enthusiastic to share his deal either.

    "Basically, I want to know... some information. And in exchange I''m going to be the lookout for tonight."

    A frown spreads across his face.

    "Only for tonight?"

    "yep"

    Something is off. He doesn''t like that deal yet doesn''t say a word. I study his face. Biting his nails he thinks hard about what I said. It makes me feel uncomfortable. The silence breaks by me speaking.

    "So what is your deal?"

    For a moment he looks disturbed. Then he makes eye contact with me. It''s intense and unwavering. Under his gaze I feel uneasy.

    "The Hag is-"

    Our gazes depart and we fall into another episode of soundlessness. I didn''t expect such a strong hesitation from him. Maybe I shouldn''t have answered as well.

    "The Hag... you know-"

    "I don''t"

    He rolls his eyes and chuckles dryly though he definitely doesn''t find this funny.

    "She takes care of me."

    What does he mean by that? Seeing my confusion he try''s to expand.

    "Like she got me a place to live and the food on the table for me..."

    Why was that hard to say? Basically this is is his job and she pays him.

    "So she is your employer?"

    "lets call it that."

    Why is he being so mysterious? There is definitely an important piece of info withheld. To be fair I didn''t tell him everything either.

    The buildings start to fade away, a forest replacing them. The frog man and the 7 pond ladies seem more at ease, in their element. They look more power full here. Vid speaks up after a while.

    "We''re going to the river."

    "The river?"

    He nods looking more serious, sparks in his eyes dimmer.

    "Yeah there are some arguments about some... turf."

    Turf. Right I am working for a gang. Unlawful, unethical and dangerous. Not exactly a comforting thought.

    "What do you do with turfs?"

    A stupid question I know. He looks me dead in the eye. There is a lot of shifting between intense eye contact and not looking at each other. Its hard to keep up with.

    "We live on them."

    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    I don''t think that''s the definition of a turf. Shouldn''t they like sell things or steal on they''re turf. But I did ask so there is no point in arguing with him. Vid continues to talk.

    "A lot of Unexplainables need more wild places to live. A habitat. In this case the Unexplainables we''re with need swamps and rivers. The dams humans build make it hard for water spirits to find homes. And since there are a lot of them... well lets say there are some fights over the remaining once."

    I never knew that happened. There are often cases of humans inhabitants near the river complaining about loud fighting near there homes. Does Vid need a place like that as well?

    "Do you need more wild home to live also?"

    "No? Not all of us need a wild place to live."

    Us. That''s right. I am a part of this group. A monster just like them. They do love to bring that back to mind.

    Vid wears a serious face. Though his mouth is linear and shows no emotion, his eyes carry a deep sadness.

    His eyes are almost devoid of the sparks they had before leaving charcoal black eyes. Besides his horns, hooves and tail I wouldn''t think he was an unholy creature. He''s annoying sure. But not evil. There is not much difference between him and older boys from my school.

    The words come out of me without thinking.

    "What are you?"

    My question makes him perplexed. He stammers trying to answer.

    "What? Is this a trick question?... I''m alive?"

    I don''t understand how he came to the conclusion that I''m asking if he is alive or not. Add stupid to the things he is. I roll my eyes.

    "No I mean what kind of Unexplainable are you."

    "Oh"

    I wait for my answer. It doesn''t come. After shooting Vid an expectant look he responds.

    "Right. Umm..."

    For a while he looks uncertain but then a gleam passes his eyes and he grins much like The Hag. Some terrible joke crossed his mind.

    "I''m the devil himself strait out of hell."

    My grandma''s words come to mind. She used to call me the devil. Horror at the statement must be obvious from my face because Vid starts to giggle.

    "Hey that''s not funny"

    Vid''s tail swishes around in delight. Shadows swirl around him. An Unexplainable ability I''m guessing. He is doing that on purpose to scare me. I should be. Instead my mind is unimpressed.

    "You should have seen your face. Priceless."

    I roll my eyes expecting the conversation to end. But no. Vid persists. The flames in his eyes are wilder more brighter. He lowers his voice into a whisper. A cheesy scary tone.

    "I may not be him but... I sure as hell- get the pun?- have met him. You know I work for him..."

    As I snort Vid drops the shadow work and finally gives up.

    "Isn''t the Hag your boss."

    "Who says I can''t have 2 bosses?"

    We stop at a clearing right next to the river. A creepy silence surrounds us. There are willows near the water and oaks more behind.

    There are some Unexplainables in the middle. Before I can get a good look at them Vid pulls me away.

    "What are you doing?"

    "Your the look out remember."

    "Yeah but you don''t need to drag me were you want me to watch. I''m perfectly capable in following instructions."

    I have never got such a look of pure mistrust. It outmatches Daria''s gaze at me. She could learn a thing or 2 from him.

    Daria. What would she say if she was here with me? Undoubtably she wouldn''t endorse it. Guess it doesn''t matter. She probably reported me to the government.

    I stop dead in my tracks, eyes widening. Daria told the police. An avalanche of curses and dread rolls down my mind. Daria would definitely tell the cops. That''s like the most Daria thing ever. She is a snitch. How the hell did I not think off that?

    They can come any moment. Its possible for them to be on they''re way right now. Mom''s home. I need to call her. How come the police didn''t come yet? They''re taking awfully long. That can''t be. Could it be that Daria didn''t tell them?

    "Did you see a ghost? Your pale as one. Is it me doubting that you can follow instr-"

    "Vid. Shut up or I''ll rip your liver out."

    I know I shouldn''t yell at him. Or threaten him but right now I don''t care. The stupidity of his jokes is only matched by his own. He opens his mouth to speak. Closes it. Thinks about what I just said and opens it again speaking this time.

    "Did you remember something?"

    Running my hand through my hair and sighing I force myself to look at him.

    "Realized"

    My voice is bitter and full of anger. How could I be so stupid? How could I forget what Daria knows and will tell? How could-

    "Lenna-"

    Vids voice has an urgency in it. Like I really need to listen. I don''t.

    "What?! What can you possibly want? I''m here doing this stupid look out thing just so that stupid Hag can tell me what I am. The police could be at my door right now. My moms there. What do you think they''ll do-"

    He grabs my shoulders holding them with intense force as he digs his nails into my skin. That will cause scratches. The sparks in his eyes rage wildly as a wildfire full of fear.

    "Why would the cops be at your door?! Do they know?"

    "I- My friend knows..."

    His panic makes mine even worse. Narrowing his eyes in wariness I am unsure of what to do.

    "Your friend? Doesn''t that mean they will keep your secret?"

    I scoff and roll my eyes. My anger at Daria and me rises.

    "That would be out of character for miss perfect. She is stuck-up and I bet telling makes her ego even higher-"

    "While I would love to hear about how terrible she is there are bigger problems"

    "Yeah the cops in my house"

    He gives me a benevolent look. Again I am reminded of Daria. I feel reduced.

    "Don''t look at me like that."

    We brake eye contact. Vid looks over his shoulder at the group we came with.

    "Do you think you were followed?"