Goylegate - One Gargantuan SCANDAL!
By
Michelle Dry
Published by Michelle Dry at Smashwords.
Copyright Michelle Dry 2011
This book is shall not be lent, resold or hired out by way of trade or otherwise without the author’s consent. All rights remain with the author: Michelle Dry
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Especially created for little Davina.
Bounce, bounce, bounce.
The person with the most natural bounce I ever met.
Thank you for being an inspiration.
Thank you for advising me that Gargoyles eat walls.
- I never knew that before.
Part I
What does a kid really remember?
CHAPTER 1
The fastest pace throughout the chase.
TIME: TODAY
LOCATION: ENGLAND
Davina hated being chased. So why was she in that situation? She glanced behind her. The men dressed in black were catching up. She gritted her teeth, put her head down and ran her absolute fastest. Effortlessly, she wove through the crowds at such speed and agility that she was barely noticed. It was as if a warm breath had been exhaled, then she was gone.
In all directions, the men yelled into small lumps of black.
‘Cut her off!’ screamed the voice in charge.
Davina couldn’t understand how it had grown so out of hand: one minute she was eating from the large, black container on the street. The next she was being chased. What was the problem? She had watched a hairy man with a long jacket do the same. So why were they picking on her? Had they been informed of her arrival?
‘Stop right there!’ a person dressed in black had hollered.
Instinctively she had scarpered. The chase began with one angry-looking man and now there were already ten pursuing her. She had done nothing wrong! Well, certainly nothing she could remember.
Across an expanse of dark grey, screeching sounded from the wheeled, metal cages carrying the men in black. They intended to surround her.
There was no way! She was at that designated place for a reason, but just couldn’t remember why.
Davina rounded a corner and searched for an escape or somewhere to hide. The crowd parted and watched her curiously. She wasn’t panting or making a noise, so why were they staring? Maybe it was because she was running, climbing and jumping at a rate none of them could manage. Or, maybe she was more agile than many children her age. Actually, what was her age? That was a completely different matter.
Ahead of her, two burly black-suits blocked her path. She glanced behind her; four more black-suits closed in. The onlookers expected her capture and stopped in the street gawking. Why couldn’t people mind their own business? What did it matter what she had eaten or where she had obtained it from? Maybe it wasn’t just the food. Had they been monitoring where she had been sleeping too? Had they followed her to the place where people pulled down their trousers and sat for a while before they left again? Maybe another watcher had reported her when they saw her at that same place during the night. All she did was climb through a small, square window when the moon rose. It was completely opposite to her usual routine, but she had to blend in with the masses.
During the hours of darkness, she stayed in that warm environment until the sun climbed back onto the horizon. What was wrong with that?
Sprinting towards the two male black-suits blocking her path Davina grinned mischievously. ‘Idiots!’ she muttered, ran sideways up a wall and used a dustbin to jump clear over them.
Some of the onlookers applauded.
Davina continued running. As she raced along, she glimpsed a reflection in a window. The two male black-suits huffed at each other, puffed out their chests and lolloped back into a heavy-footed run.
Frantically, she searched the area. Where could she hide? Instinctively, she ran towards the church; the same church she had woken up outside of on that first day. She hurdled the wall, sprinted the graveyard but ground to an abrupt halt. Something about the figures leaning out of the church jogged her memory. Were they associated with her mission?
She darted to the nearest wall and used all her upper body strength to navigate the carvings up to a balcony. Urgently, she climbed past all the strangely familiar faces and wedged herself into a tiny alcove on the roof.
When she stepped on one of the stone Gargoyles, she could have sworn she heard a growl of welcome. Was she mad? Davina looked down; behind her, a small pile of steaming stones appeared. They tumbled heavily to the ground. Plop, plop, plop!
Cautiously, she traversed the edge of the church and found a small nook where she could hide. Unfortunately, it was not enough to conceal her from what was overhead. The whirring of blades from a metal flying machine captured made her jolt. Up in the sky, men shouted into the dark talking machines and called in her location. She caught her breath and clung to the ledge. The wind from the machine was strong and blew her hair across her face. Davina scraped it back and erratically scanned the area for escape. She considered fighting the black-coats directly, but that would give her away. She wasn’t supposed to draw attention to herself during the visit. If she slayed the black-coats, then they would know she was something else... Davina sighed, if only she could remember. ‘Whatever you do Davina - do not draw attention to yourself. She will send people to capture you. This is all you are supposed to remember,’ was all that remained.
What had she done? She had already drawn attention to herself and that meant trouble.
Davina gazed up at the whirring, flying machine and glanced below. The black coats beneath circled like starving dogs. She had to take action. Her only possible escape was to leap to a nearby tree then across the adjacent field. Could she make it?
Davina took a deep breath, launched herself and swung to the end of a branch. From there she descended to the ground and scrambled to a nearby field.
In all directions the black coats swarmed, each screaming her location into their communication devices. Davina was surrounded. Whether she liked it or not she was going to have to surrender. If she went without a struggle or a fight, she might manage to get to her destination at the right time. Maybe she should play innocent. She could use the fact she didn’t have proper memory. It would to keep her safe and stop outsiders discovering her mission.
The mass of black-coats herded her towards an armoured van. She stood still. Silent. Davina shook her head and stared at the ground. She had an enormous amount to work out: who was she? Who was the person trying to capture her? Time was running out. She was there for a reason and that reason was greater than any outsider would ever understand. In that moment, she studied the black-coats. Why did she call them outsiders?
CHAPTER 2
Brain drain what a shame.
From the corridor, Davina listened to the two adults talking in hushed voices. They assumed she couldn’t hear. Sergeant Riley, wearing his black, police uniform, noisily sipped from a cup of tea while Ms Kirk flitted about the office in her long, black dress.
‘So what you’re telling me is that little girl out ran ten policemen and a helicopter? That kind of behaviour suggests she’s guilty of something.’
Sergeant Riley nodded blankly and gazed at the television. It played a news feature with a wind-swept presenter talking about a church with ten extra Gargoyles. Coincidentally, it was the same place they had captured the girl.
‘Did you see that?’ asked Sergeant Riley.
‘What Sergeant?’
‘That there church is where we were today. Where the girl was rounded up.’
‘What are they saying about it then Sergeant? Is there anything about her?’ asked Ms Kirk sharply.
‘Nothing about Davina, just that the statues were miscounted in the middle ages. I wonder why she ran there of all places?’
‘Mmm,’ said Ms Kirk mid-stride. ‘The people in the middle ages probably couldn’t count properly because they had fingers missing or hands chopped off for stealing. I think the girl running there is a coincidence Sergeant. You only notice it on television because you were there today rounding up a badly behaved child.’
‘We don’t know for sure that she’s done anything wrong,’ he replied.
Ms Kirk stopped her pacing and turned, ‘so tell me that again sergeant. You chased a girl because she didn’t do anything wrong?’
Sergeant Riley stirred his tea and huffed, ‘Ms Kirk it was an anonymous tip-off. Anyway, she doesn’t seem to remember doing anything. What’s more, she seems fascinated by some of the simple things that we take for granted.’
‘Like what?’
‘Well she stared at me curiously when she heard the voices down the radio.’
Ms Kirk paced some more, ‘are you completely sure that she remembers nothing at all?’ she said leaning close to Sergeant Riley.
‘Well only her last few days.’
‘Sergeant Riley that is not nothing! That is something! If she can remember a couple of days then she could very well remember more. You know how these children are always pretending... All this make-believe twaddle they’re fed and look what happens... They start believing it. It’s no wonder there is such a need for a naughty children’s home like this. The thing that’s bothering me sergeant is why did she run if she’s not guilty of anything?’
Ms Kirk rubbed her cheek with her bony hands. ‘God whoever invented children? Life would be so much easier without them! Anyway, she must know more. Kids don’t forget. They’re like elephants but with smaller brains.’
‘Look I don’t think she’s fibbing,’ said Sergeant Riley.
‘You can never tell. Some children are so well trained at lies that they don't even know when they are lying themselves. So tell me Sergeant Riley has she been naughty or not? Does she fit the criteria to be brought here?’
‘I don’t know. Although, she seems quiet and keeps staring at me with those large, green eyes. Sometimes she does it without blinking too. Then at other times she seems to have so much energy that she practically bounces off the walls.’
Ms Kirk rolled her eyes. She wasn’t surprised. ‘Kids do that. They do it to freak you out. Now listen to me. I will only allow her to stay if you can prove to me that she’s been naughty.’
‘Well I didn’t want to mention this, but I saw her eating out of a dustbin. That was what originally started the chase.’
‘Disgusting! But sergeant you chased her because she ate from a dustbin. Then why the use of the helicopter?’
Sergeant Riley flushed red. ‘Miss Kirk, well… That anonymous tip off said she was a threat.’
‘Hmm, what exactly did they say?’ she asked, scratching her chin.
‘I don’t know the details but my Gov gave me orders to round up a girl fitting her description. He said she was around twelve or thirteen, highly athletic with caramel skin. Her description stated that she had green eyes and long, black hair. His source said she was dangerous and that we had to catch her before she…. Well, before she got violent.’
‘And?’
‘And… She ran but was not aggressive.’ The Sergeant stirred his tea again. ‘So Ms Kirk will you keep an eye on her?’
Ms Kirk huffed. She didn’t like it. ‘She can stay but we don’t want her to think it was that easy.’
Behind the wall, Davina paced. Did she want to stay in a place where they kept naughty children? Who had tipped them off? Had they mixed her up with someone else? As far as she could see it, she had done nothing wrong! Yes, she had eaten out of what they called a ‘bin’ to survive. That was because she had no shiny lumps of metal or drawn on paper to exchange, so how else was she supposed to eat? If she hadn’t seen something called a tramp do it, then she certainly wouldn’t have considered doing it herself.
Davina leant against the wall and waited for the adults to inform her of their plan. They took ages. For some reason they wanted to discuss her further.
‘Is there anything else I should know about her?’ asked Ms Kirk.
‘Well... When she finally spoke, she talked with a strange accent. I don’t think she’s from this country.’
‘You know I don’t like foreigners Sergeant Riley. They scare me.’
‘Ms Kirk, she’s a child.’
‘How do I know she isn’t a spy? You know this school is still in its trial stages. So what is the accent?’
‘I couldn’t tell you.’
‘You see... There’s something awfully suspicious about not being able to identify an accent isn’t there Sergeant?’
Sergeant Riley shook his head, ‘Ms Kirk, my Gov. says can you do him a favour and keep the girl here for a short time. ‘Til we find out more? I know you have some spare beds ‘cause you had two girls adopted last week.’
‘They’ll be back before the three month trial is up... Mark my words!’
‘Maybe they’ll change. Maybe they’ll like having a home and a family,’ protested Sergeant Riley.
‘They never change, that’s the problem. Once bad - always bad. Rotten children are like rotten apples. Once they turn nasty, they stay that way. That’s the truth and you know it. As they say... even the nice ones turn nasty!’
Sergeant Riley sipped his tea and sighed. ‘Come on give her a chance. She’s just a kid after all and she needs a bed.’
‘Well where was she sleeping before?’
‘We heard she was sleeping in a cubicle of a public toilet. A disabled one at that.’
‘Well maybe that is where she belongs: in toilets, eating out of bins.’ Ms Kirk stamped her right foot emphatically, ‘let me talk to her. She will talk to me! Mark my words, she will tell me everything. Then we will see where she’s really from.’
Davina heard the clatter of heels as Ms Kirk stormed out of the office. Davina skidded across to the seat where she was supposed to be sitting. A few of the inhabitants of the home peeked through a door opposite, trying to see who was causing all the kafuffle. Davina studied the other children; they looked scruffy and unkempt, just like her.
Davina froze; an intimidating dark, bony shape emerged from the office. The scowling woman not only wore a black dress, but a black dress with a high neck. Ms Kirk looked like a hawk. Her face was full of sharp features, which scanned every movement for fault. Yet something about the woman did not feel right. Her skin seemed grey, actually no, it had more of a blue glow and her eyes were pale, so pale that they were like ice. Davina averted her gaze, the presence of the woman made her feel like she was in trouble (even if she hadn’t done anything wrong).
Ms Kirk stomped over to Davina and placed her hands on her hips. ‘Right! What is your name?’
‘Davina - I think.’
‘Davina I think what?’
‘I don’t know. Davina is all I remember.’
‘Okay Davina no name, we are not playing games any more. What is your last name?’
‘I just told you... I don’t know!’
Ms Kirk leaned forwards and stared into Davina’s eyes. ‘You’d better not be winding us up! You’re not here for fun. This is not a fun day out or a bit of a lark! This is the Nadim Naughty Children’s Home. The parents have disowned all the children here. Do you understand? The parents do not want these kids anymore because they’re bloody awful! How does that make you feel? Now I assume you are bad because your parents got rid of you. I am correct aren’t I?’
Davina’s lower lip quivered. ‘I don’t know miss. I don’t remember.’
‘Of course you don’t remember! You don’t remember anything do you? That’s a good excuse isn’t it! You mean you won’t remember!’
‘No miss I can’t remember.’
‘What is that stupid accent of yours anyway?’
‘I don’t know and it’s not stupid!’
‘Have some respect girl! Now you’re not from round here, you’re not even from this country. Where are you from?’
‘I have no idea.’
‘Of course not. You seem to be sticking to that same story. How long have you been practising this?’
‘I haven’t been practising,’ said Davina.
‘Likely story!’ Ms Kirk sighed, adjusted her dark ponytail and placed her hands behind her back. ‘Now... I need you to prove your naughtiness.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘What have you done that is really bad?’
‘Nothing.’
Ms Kirk spun on her heel. ‘Do you think I was born yesterday? All children do bad things… They’re just excellent at hiding it!’
‘I slept in a toilet and ate garbage. Is that bad enough?’
Ms Kirk came to an abrupt halt and turned slowly, ‘what did you say?’
‘I slept in a toilet and ate garbage.’
‘Disgusting! You are foreign. Do you eat garbage in your own country? Doesn’t matter... So tell me how old little Davina is?
‘I don’t know I...
‘Don’t remember,’ said Ms Kirk mimicking Davina’s voice. ‘Look I’ll let you stay for a short time. But be warned, if anyone else arrives we will kick you out. Do you hear?’
‘Yes ma’am.’
Sergeant Riley smiled and nodded, Davina had a place to stay. ‘I think you should tell her what’s expected of her Ms Kirk.’
‘I was coming to that Sergeant. Stop getting your ten peneth in where it’s not required! So Davina no name... You will do your chores like everybody else. You are not special… Do you understand? Then on Thursdays you will line up like everyone else for the selection process.’
‘Selection process?’
‘That’s where desperate people come along and try to adopt a child. It seems all the good ones are running out and some consider the dregs we have here. Can you imagine? Anyway the potential parents choose who they want from the line-up. And before you ask, it’s a new system based on an old system. And don’t think you stand a better chance because you’re cute.’
Davina frowned, ‘I don’t get it.’
Ms Kirk shook her head in aggravation, ‘haven’t you listened to a single word I said? These unwanted children are here because their previous parents could not cope. There are always do-gooders who believe they can convert them. It never works, they always return within three months... Once bad, always bad. You cannot teach any child new tricks.’
‘But why do they come here then?’
‘Questions, questions, questions! Ask your other inmates, I mean kids, I mean children... I haven’t got time for dull chit chat!’
Ms Kirk leaned forwards, her sharp nose almost touched Davina’s nose. ‘From now on you are a Nadim child. That means you are here to repent for all the bad you have done.’
‘What if I haven’t done anything bad?’
‘Then you can repent for all the bad others have done!’
CHAPTER 3
Learning to lie and not to cry.
A tall, gangly girl with matted, curly, brown hair led Davina to a vast dormitory. The room had numerous beds all dressed in grey blankets.
‘That will be yours,’ said the girl pointing to a bed ten beds away. ‘There is a fresh school uniform on the bed. Ms Kirk says that your own clothes can only be worn once you leave.’
‘Thanks,’ said Davina, studying the brown and yellow uniform. It was horrendous!
‘Look I’m Rose. I have been in care for three years. I was sent ‘ere when it opened. Now I’m in charge of bed allocation.’
Davina nodded, ‘I’m Davina. Erm, can I ask you a question?’
‘If you must.’
‘Why are you here?’
‘I burnt me parent’s ‘ouse down,’ she replied matter of factly.
Davina unconsciously shook her head and folded her arms. ‘What made you do that?’
‘’Spose it seemed sensible at the time.’
Davina sighed, ‘then what happened?’
‘Well they kicked me out and ‘ere I am.’
‘Don’t you miss them?’
‘Kind of… Davina in it? Let me give ya a tip ‘bout being ‘ere. Don’t get all e-motional like ‘cause the other kids‘ll pick on you. You’re going to ‘ave to learn to survive quick like. You make up a story far more awful than any kid can fink of and then they’ll leave you alone. ’
Davina sucked her bottom lip under her teeth, she didn’t like lying. ‘Erm Rose what is this place?’
‘Some of us reckon it’s some kind of experiment. I reckon they fink kids ‘ave all got out of hand and want to discipline ‘em before they let ‘em back on the streets or into normal ‘omes.
‘Discipline?’ asked Davina curiously.
Rose rolled her eyes. ‘They can whack you if they want. They ain’t told you about the Head of Corporal Punishment then.’
Davina shook her head.
‘Mr Whacker, we call him. You’ll get to meet him soon enough.’
‘What they actually hit you?’
‘Yes Davina they hit ya,’ she said demonstrating.
‘But that’s Barbaric!’
‘Mate just don’t get in trouble… Otherwise you won’t be able to sit down for days… So Davina why are you even ‘ere?’ asked Rose.
‘I got picked up by the police because I was eating out of a bin and sleeping in some public toilets.’
‘That isn’t even in the remotest bit scary,’ said Rose with a yawn.
‘It’s the truth.’
‘Truth ain’t welcome. You need to make up somef’ing real bad. Somef’ing sick like. You know so I don’t want to go near ya. So why are ya ‘ere?’
‘I ate my parents.’
‘Ha! That’s more like it... ’ said Rose folding her arms.
Davina rolled her eyes.
‘What did they taste like?’
‘Chicken.’
‘Wicked! You’re good at this. So why’d ya really eat them?’
‘Because they ran my hamster over.’
‘What?’ laughed Rose. ‘So what’s the real reason?’
‘I didn’t eat my parents. I don’t even remember if I have parents or anything at all. I don’t even know how old I am, or which country I am in.’
Rose sighed and sat on the bed. ‘I don’t know wev’er you’re good liar or wev’er you’re a bit screwed up like.’
Davina studied her nails, ‘imagine not remembering and not knowing where you are. All you know is that you have something to finish, but you don’t know what it is.’
‘Okay, that’s pretty ‘arsh. I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes,’ she replied.
Davina shrugged, ‘look I have a cut by my ear. I think I must have fallen or something.’
Rose studied the cut; the blood wasn’t the usual colour: it was a dark blue.
Davina sensed something was wrong by the confused expression on Rose’s face.
‘Let me give ya some advice. When the potential parents come - suck your thumb and do ya best ta look sweet. You don’t belong ‘ere, that’s somef’ing obvious. Hang out wiv me, and when the new parents come we’ll watch ‘em to decide who suits ya.’
‘Do the others pretend to be good too?’
‘Don’t think so! You don’t get it do ya? The others ‘ere don’t want nice homes to learn to be nice little darlings. They’re just not like that. You’re a cosy kid, I can tell… and ya won’t survive a month ‘ere.’
Davina fidgeted, was she right? ‘Is there anything else I should know?’asked Davina.
Rose nodded, ‘how are ya at animal noises?’
Davina frowned. ‘I don’t get it?’
Rose sighed, ‘look there are some real nasty pieces of work ‘ere. When you’re in trouble make an animal noise at them. Snarl or something.’
Was Rose winding her up? Davina searched her mind for animal sounds… Nothing came to mind, so she guessed. Naturally, she made a low rumbling tone, which developed into a roar. ‘Like that?’
Rose sat back and stared at her incredulously. ‘What on earth?’
Davina shrugged.
Rose crossed her arms, shifted away and appeared to be studying her clothes. Davina’s looked down. Although mucky, they didn’t look as though they were ‘normal.’
‘There’s somef’ing real strange about you Davina and I don’t know what it is. I think ya need to get that memory of yours working so we can find out why you’re ‘ere.’
There was a moments silence while Rose thought.
Davina glanced about the room; she liked the large glass windows facing out onto the grounds. The arcs at the top of the windows, and the fact it reached from the floor to the ceiling, made it kind of cool. Was the building once a manor house?
‘Oh one more thing, some of the boys here are real nasty. Be careful... Come and look,’ said Rose, signalling for Davina to follow her to the window.
Outside a group of boys were fighting on the lawn.
‘Watch them,’ said Rose.
Davina watched the boys tussle and quickly grew bored. Instead, she studied the grounds. The school was set amongst a vast forest. It worked perfectly as a deterrent against escape. What child would risk making their way through a massive forest to freedom? Davina sighed; she had to work on an escape plan.
‘See that one over there... The one standing on the far side, not moving?’ said Rose pointing to a lone boy. ‘Keep an eye on him ‘cause there’s somef’ing real weird about him too. He doesn’t talk, he doesn’t fight and no one knows ‘is story. All we know about him is he’s dangerous.’
Rose grinned, ‘look they‘re going to ‘ave a go at him.’
‘Davina come closer and watch what ‘appens,’ said Rose excitedly.
One of the boys crept towards the silent boy and went to slap him. Before impact, the silent boy twisted and moved in such a way that was so graceful and fast that the attacker had no chance to react. Davina watched the silent boy take the other boy to the ground, remove his jacket and tie him up. He then returned to where he was sitting cross-legged staring at the building.
Rose glanced at Davina. ‘We ain’t got no idea what’s going on with him neever. He keeps to himself and no one has ‘eard him talk. You wait ‘til you see his eyes, they’re different colours and one is almost white. You keep an eye on him. Some of the boys call him Ghost ‘cause he keeps appearing from nowhere and when he sleeps he sleeps with his eyes open and hums.’
‘What did he do to get here?’ asked Davina curiously.
‘Nobody knows. One day he was just dumped on the steps. In his hand he held a note saying ‘DANGEROUS!’’
Davina shook her head. It was all too much! The home was weird, the people were weird and she wanted out!
CHAPTER 4
Stalling and calling.
That night Davina could hear whispering throughout the dormitory. The patter of bare feet was accompanied by hushed voices.
‘Come on get up,’ said one of the girls to another from a bed further down the dormitory.
‘She’s definitely asleep. We need to go through her things and find out what’s going on with her,’ said another.
Davina sensed the talk was about her, something bad was about to happen. Instead, she focused her mind and attempted to remember where she was a few days before. The harder she tried, the harder it became to remember. It was just darkness.
‘She has no idea does she?’ the girls whispered excitedly.
Davina ignored them and gazed at the moon outside the window. It gave her a level of comfort and illuminated the shapes of the girls darting about the room. What were they plotting?
She listened to the scurrying of the girls and felt the urge to practice animal calls. Nothing - her mind was blank. Instead, she curled up and continued to gaze at the moon. Blink. A number of distorted shapes flew past the bright orb and disappeared into the clouds. What were they? Why were the creatures familiar? Why did she instinctively want to make a ‘call’? Unexpectedly images to do with stones played through her mind… And…
‘Get up,’ said a girl wearing a disfigured Venetian mask.
The ornate, gold patterns swirling about the mask distracted Davina from the other masked girls circling the bed. Davina sat up, that flash of memory had reminded her of something, something that would terrify them.
‘Tell us why you’re ‘ere,’ said the leader.
‘I ate my parents.’
‘You didn’t. You made that up you liar!’
Davina ruckled her brow.
‘Rose told us - stupid. She’s the gossip here. You just have no memory. You’re not bad like us…’ said the leader in a vicious tone.
‘It really doesn’t have to be like this,’ said Davina
‘Of course it doesn’t, but this is how we like it. That’s why we’re ‘ere,’ she said.
Davina shifted awkwardly in her bed. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed three more shapes fly past the moon. Instinctively she knew what she had to do.
The first girl growled, another barked and the others joined in until they became frenzied.
Davina drew in her legs while her stomach knotted. She was in trouble. With a deep breath, she straightened her back and closed her eyes. Silently she placed her hands on her stomach and focused inside. From deep within her, something shifted. In that second, her anger rose and she made a loud and ferocious roar.
Silence.
The glass in the area cracked.
The girls glanced nervously at one another.
Davina altered her pitch and gave a low rumbling growl and shifted to kneeling.
The glass shattered.
Some of the girls covered their ears. Others glanced nervously at each other.
‘You freak!’ screamed the leader.
Davina stared into the leader’s eyes, leapt from her bed and stood in front of her.
‘I’m not a freak. You make one more comment about me and I will eat you while you sleep. Now leave me alone. I’m warning you!’
Davina climbed onto her bed ‘Take off the masks!’
One of the girls, Sheba, reached out intending to grab Davina’s hair.
Davina dodged, turned to face her and released an almighty roar. Windows exploded, glasses shattered and the room shook. The dark shapes in the sky turned and swooped towards the home. Bang. Bang. Bang!
‘You freak!’ said Sheba scowling and pointing a black fingernail.
Davina stared her in the eye and noticed the blood trickling from her nose. ‘You touch me again and I’ll do worse than that! Now I mean it - keep away from me!’
One of the girls guarding the door peeked through; a familiar shape was on the rampage. ‘Quick Ms Kirk’s on her way!’ she yelled.
From down the corridor, a heavy, flat-footed, stomp collided with the tiled floors. Ms Kirk carried a search light and stormed towards the girl’s dormitory. ‘Always the same! Always someone new and look what happens!’ she muttered pounding past the boys’ dorm.
The boys were curious and followed.
‘Get to bed! This is not for everyone to have a bit of a party!’
The boys ignored her and trailed behind her.
Inside the girls dormitory there was a flurry of movement. They hid their masks, dived under their covers and pretended to be asleep. Davina covered herself with her blanket and stared at the door.
Slam! Ms Kirk swished her torch about the dorm. The girls pretended to wake up when the light hit them.
‘Don’t act the innocent! You cannot fool me!’ cried Ms Kirk. She walked the length of the room. Crunch!
‘What’s this?’
Silence.
‘Someone must know something. Where are the windows?’ she demanded.
Silence.
‘Right extra chores and tomorrow is Thursday. Looks like there’ll be no girls in the line-up unless all the chores are done!’ she said casting the searchlight around the room.
‘Oh and don’t think you have got away with this. Tomorrow you will get up early and I will interrogate every single one of you. You cannot smash my windows and think you’ll get away with it! There will be beatings for everyone unless someone owns up!’
Davina stared past Ms Kirk at the moon. A search party was aware of her existence.
CHAPTER 5
Avoiding explaining the unexplainable.
That morning, in Ms Kirk’s office, Davina sat in an uncomfortable high-backed, wooden chair staring Ms Kirk’s contorted features. Her rage was revealed by the way she whacked the palm of her hand with the cane. The angrier she became the more regularly she struck her palm.
‘So you say you don’t know what happened,’ said Ms Kirk. Whack. Whack!
‘One minute you were asleep and then there was a blast of wind… And all the windows smashed at once?’ Smack, smack, smack!
‘Then how do you explain that God awful noise then?’ said Ms Kirk leaning close to Davina’s ear. Swipe.
Davina felt the breeze of the cane close to her face. She flinched then shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I was asleep. Maybe it was the wind?’
‘Davina you are a terrible liar! I don’t know why you’re being so loyal. You do know that as soon as the others get in here they’re going to grass you up. Then you get all the punishment.’ Whack. Whack! Ms Kirk slammed the cane on the desk.
‘This is your last chance. What happened?’
Davina sighed, ‘do you mind if I go and do the gardening now?’
Ms Kirk slammed her fist on the table. ‘Davina you will answer the question!’
‘I was in bed.’
‘I don’t believe a word of it!’
‘Look Ms Kirk the truth is - neither you nor I want me here. That’s obvious. The sooner I get into that line up, the sooner I’ll be out of your hair.’
‘So you do want to get out of here? That’s a good sign. But tell me one thing… How come my home was fine until you turned up?’
Davina shook her head, ‘Ms Kirk I told you I have no idea what’s going on and I want to get on with my chores.’
‘Go, but I will be watching you. There’s something peculiar about you and I don’t like it! I just can’t put my.... Now go!’
Davina turned to leave.
‘Oh and Davina no name... If you have any memories as to who you are, you will tell me won’t you?’
‘Yes Ms Kirk.’
Davina slipped out of the room into the corridor. The line of disobedient girls extended as far as she could see. Davina glanced at them; the girls whispered. Davina clenched her fists and turned to leave. She wouldn’t allow them to get her into trouble. She intended to escape. But how?
When Davina walked past Rose, Rose gave a look of apology. It meant nothing. Rose had betrayed her. That was it, she could not trust them. Davina headed towards a door leading out into the corridor and glanced back.
Ms Kirk stood by her office door smirking. ‘Rose if you would like to come in and tell me in your own words what happened with Davina. I know I can rely on you.’
Rose stood up, glanced at Davina and walked into the office with her head down. Davina was in trouble - she had to escape!
CHAPTER 6
Perfectly formed, steaming piles of stones.
In a carved, stone doorway, Davina stood watching Ghost curiously. Ghost leant on his rake staring at the school’s stone walls. Behind him, there was a swirl of activity and two naughty boys ran past. They kicked the freshly raked pile of leaves, scattering them in all directions. Ghost did not react; instead, he continued staring at the stone walls. Full of contemplation, he crouched down and examined something on the ground below him.
‘Ghost’s a freak,’ taunted one of the boys.
Ghost remained unreactive, picked up a stone and examined it.
Davina watched Ghost run his fingers over the surface and scratch his face. What had he found?
The boys continued to taunt him. He didn’t pay attention; he was fixated on the stone.
Davina shuffled tentatively closer. Ghost didn’t make eye contact, instead he cleared some leaves away from something he was hiding. Davina crouched beside him. The pair stared at a small pile of steaming stones. They were hot and fresh.
Davina glanced at Ghost; he silently stared back. Ghost’s hair was white, his skin pale and his eyes were different colours. One was green and the other was blue. Both were as clear as pools. Ghost blinked, Davina quickly turned her attention back to the perfectly aligned stones: each was specifically balanced on top of another. Had she ever seen anything like it before?
‘Did you do that?’ she whispered.
Silence.
Davina was curious and went to move one of the stones.
‘Don’t,’ he murmured.
‘You can talk?’
Ghost nodded.
‘Then...’
‘I only talk when I want to and to who I choose.’
Davina was stunned, ‘why do you talk now?’
‘Because of that stunt you pulled last night,’ he said.
‘I didn’t pull any stunt!’ exclaimed Davina.
‘Yeh right! Then how do you explain it?’
‘What?’
‘The fact these piles of stones only appeared when you arrived. Now they are all over the grounds. Then the stone carvings on the walls...’ he said pointing to the arches of the home.
Davina followed his gaze, ‘but there’s nothing there…’
Ghost looked up, ‘this is getting weirder – they were just there…’
‘It’s just coincidence, that’s all,’ said Davina.
Ghost shook his head, ‘no Davina it’s more than that.’
‘Okay then... How do you explain it?’ she asked.
Ghost studied Davina, ‘I reckon you’re about thirteen years old and from a strange place, maybe overseas, maybe somewhere completely different. But whatever it is, there’s something ‘bizarre’ about you.’
‘That’s coming from you!’ she said with a giggle.
Ghost smirked, he wasn’t normal either, normal was dull.
Davina gazed into Ghost’s haunting eyes, ‘so why are you here?’
Ghost shook his head, ‘don’t change the subject.’
‘Tell me.’
‘You must have heard that I’m dangerous,’ he said with a sigh.
‘But why?’
Davina waited for his answer, but something shifted in the forest. That something was a large, solid shape moving through the trees.
‘Did you see that?’ she asked.
Ghost turned slowly, ‘I saw something earlier. I assumed it was the wind but I had me doubts.’
Davina stood up; the forest was beckoning.
‘I wouldn’t if I were you,’ said Ghost.
‘I have to Ghost,’ she said as she broke into a jog.
‘Be careful…’ called Ghost.
Davina ignored his comment. Maybe whatever was out there held answers.
Once inside the forest, Davina climbed through some gorse into an area surrounded by trees. In silence, Davina scanned the forest. She stood quietly listening to a heavy pounding beyond the trees. The leaves were rustling. There was a glint of an eye, the curve of a mouth and...
‘Crack!’ Ghost bounded through the thicket.
Davina jumped and grabbed her chest. The sudden motion startled whatever was beyond the trees and it retracted.
Davina glared angrily at Ghost, ‘you scared me!’
‘Erm sorry... Did you see anything?’ Ghost panted, bending over to regain his breath.
Davina was silent; another pile of steaming stones had appeared. She bent down next to the stones and tentatively touched them, ‘they’re hot.’
Ghost touched them too. ‘No Davina they’re boiling.’
Davina shot Ghost a look then pushed her hair behind her ear, ‘where on earth do hot stones come from in small piles?’
‘Davina there’s something really weird going on here. I don’t like the feeling I’m getting,’ he said shaking his head.
Davina said nothing but intensely scanned the area. She lifted her chin and sniffed the air. There were the usual forest smells, but there was a stronger scent on the breeze. Some branches twitched and leaves rustled ahead of them. She glanced at Ghost and gestured for him to be quiet. ‘Ghost, there’s definitely something huge behind that tree,’ she whispered.
Above her, a woodpecker pecked. Both jolted, took a deep breath and fell silent. Both stared at the leaves, something was looking back at them. ‘Do you feel it Ghost?’
Ghost nodded, the whole place felt bizarre. ‘We have to go,’ he said urgently.
There was more than one creature behind the wall of leaves. They breathed heavily like weary racehorses.
The pair backed slowly towards a large boulder. A low rumbling resonated ahead of them.
‘I think they’re going to reveal themselves,’ Davina whispered, grabbing Ghost’s arm. He was trembling.
To their right some branches cracked.
‘So the two weirdoes’ got together then? Are they kissing in the woods? How romantic!’ taunted Sheba emerging from some thicket.
Ghost and Davina glanced at each other. Had they noticed the creatures?
Sheba signalled to the group behind her. Numerous aggressive looking kids stepped out from behind the hedges and formed a circle. Each carried a stick.
‘The weirdoes and their weirdness together... how sweet,’ said Sheba.
Davina gritted her teeth and snarled at Sheeba. Her eyes were black along with her nails and hair. What’s more, she had red scar cutting through the left side of her face.
‘The little bitty weirdoes together kissing in the forest...’ she sung.
‘What do you want us to do Sheba?’ asked Rose, sucking up to her.
‘I think we should teach them a lesson for getting us all in trouble. Dunt ya reckon?’ Sheba smiled wickedly, signalling for the group to close in.
Ghost and Davina stepped back and pressed against the large boulder. Ghost glanced back; it was warm. Was something inside? Wink. Ghost turned rigid and gasped.
Another pile of hot stones plopped from the boulder and formed a perfectly aligned pile on the ground. Davina looked down and glanced at Ghost questioningly. He glanced over his shoulder and noticed a series of boulders as far as he could see. They had just arrived.
Smack! The silence was broken. One of the boys whacked his hand with the stick. Hatred filled the air.
Davina pressed back into the boulder, she didn’t want to fight. She didn’t want to kill. There was only one thing for it.
Davina took a deep breath.
Sheba lunged.
Davina roared and spun sideways through the air.
In that second that Davina was suspended Ghost jumped and glanced back. He froze in a state of fearful paralysis. In that elongated moment, he witnessed something so bizarre and so unearthly that shock petrified his whole body. It was contagious.
Davina landed and adopted a defensive position.
Nothing.
Her attackers remained motionless, petrified. Tears trickled over their cheeks and everyone present was suspended mid-motion. Each stared fearfully at something behind her.
With apprehension, Davina followed their gaze. As she rotated a branch snapped. Crack! The sound somehow broke the atmosphere and the petrifaction. The first attacker scurried away.
‘You bitch! You’re going to get it freak!’ screamed Sheba running.
The rest of the group glanced at each other, turned and sprinted in the direction of the school.
Behind Davina, there was a heavy thud and a rustle. She turned, the boulder she had been leaning on remained in the same place. Everything appeared fine. As far as Davina could see there was forest, a few stones and Ghost trembling beside her. He was curled up in a ball.
Davina knelt down beside him. “What is it Ghost?”
Ghost pushed her away and protected his head.
‘Ghost we’re fine, we’re safe now,’ said Davina in a soft tone.
‘What on earth are you Davina?’ he said between shivers.
‘I don’t understand,’ she replied.
Davina looked down, another pile of hot stones plopped from behind the boulder. This time they were red hot. Davina glanced at the huge stone. A few things were beginning to make sense.
CHAPTER 7
Blue glows from potential parents.
Ghost stared silently up at the sky. Every now and again he trembled.
‘What’s wrong with you? What did you see?’ asked Davina, kneeling beside him.
Ghost stared vacantly past her.
Davina hoisted him to standing and dragged him towards the school. ‘Ghost talk to me!’
He couldn’t.
A situation was developing close to the school. While the pair were in the forest another peculiar incident had taken place.
‘What’s going on today?’ Davina muttered.
Ghost stared into space, silent.
A crowd had gathered outside the school. Ms Kirk stood with the other teachers studying a number of massive holes that had been ripped out of the walls. Some students, who were pretending to do their chores, glanced accusingly at Davina.
Ms Kirk turned aggressively towards her and scowled with her hands on her hips. ‘Did you do this? Is this your handy work?’
‘How could I? I was in the woods,’ Davina replied.
‘Oh you were in the woods were you? Why were you in the woods when the woods are out of bounds?’ demanded Ms Kirk.
‘I didn’t know they were out of bounds. I was never told...’
‘Or maybe you were told but you don’t remember?’ said Ms Kirk in a mocking tone.
Davina gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.
‘Come here and tell me what you think this is?’ said Ms Kirk slapping her hand against the wall.
Davina propped Ghost against a boulder and took a closer look. All the miserable teachers stared, each anticipating her explanation.
Davina glanced up at the wall. Five massive chunks resembling bite marks were quite apparent.
‘I don’t know miss,’ she said.
Ms Kirk stared into Davina’s eyes; she was having none of it.
‘I don’t know miss?’ she mimicked. ‘Of course you don’t! Well how do you explain that these odd occurrences only began when you arrived?’
Davina shrugged.
‘Davina I told you if there was any trouble you would be out! You are very close to being ousted. Now tell me what you know about this!’
Davina crossed her arms.
‘Well?’
‘Ms Kirk I have no idea. It looks like large bite marks.’
‘What could make such marks?’
‘A dinosaur?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous child! Now I expect you to find me an answer by this afternoon. Oh and don’t think you’ll be going anywhere.’
‘But what about the line-up?’
‘Oh no child... You won’t be in that line up, not until you explain what’s going on here!’ spat Ms Kirk.
‘But what if I don’t know?’
‘Then you’ll be here for the rest of your life! Incidentally, at six o’clock this evening you will report to the head of corporal punishment. Twenty canes for this behaviour.’
‘But I didn’t do anything!’
‘They all say that! Now that is thirty canes! I advise you not to talk back,’ said Ms Kirk smugly.
Davina’s eyes welled up; stinging tears trickled down her cheeks. She could not win!
Davina glanced over her shoulder; Ghost had abandoned her.
‘Now go and rake the grounds. Clear those piles of stones and keep away from the line-up. Do you hear? Don’t even consider attempting to sneak in.’
Davina nodded sadly and picked up a rake. She hated that school!
Out on the grounds, Davina sobbed while she raked. She couldn’t stay at such an awful place... She had to escape because time was running out.
A bell sounded when numerous cars entered the locked gates of the Nadim compound. Davina watched all the other children run excitedly inside to get ready for the line-up. As much as none of them wanted to admit it, they all wanted out.
Half an hour later, Davina sneaked around the back of the building and peered through an open window. In the main hall the children were lined up according to height. Each wore their name in big colourful letters on their chests. Davina watched intently; all the nasty pieces of work were well groomed and appeared smiley. ‘They say they don’t want a nice home... Liars!’ she muttered.