04-Revelation

"Isa, you've been zoned out all day. What's up?" Adie whispered, pretending to copy off the board.

"I'm fine..." I said subconsciously, more concerned with writing down grids of numbers on the back cover of my book.

She gave me a frustrated pout. "Now don't be so cold. You're starting to remind me of Diana. Tell me now or I'll have to resort to torture."

I blanched, not only because I knew how bad her torture was, but because I realised she was right. I was distracted and I wasn't being fair.

"Sorry. I'm not as bad as Diana am I?" Grinning sheepishly, I thought of her. Diana was one of my old characters. She was strong, intimidating and, above all, private.

"Bordering."

"Well..." I paused, not knowing quite how to explain myself. "You remember that boy I pointed out to you the other day?"
"The cute one? How could I not?" She smirked, giving me a knowing look. "What about him?"
I sighed at her, then continued. "Well, he is kind of what I imagined my character to be like."
"Oh, the one in the English Assignment? Wow, I like your story better already."
"Whatever Adie. But don't you think that's weird? It's had me preoccupied since..."
She leaned her chin in her hand, with a dreamy look in her eyes. "I know what you mean..."
I raised an eyebrow, then picked up the book I was reading and lightly tapped her on the head.
"Oi, careful. I'll loose brain cells."
"What brain-"
"Girls, would you like to enlighten the class on your conversation? It was obviously quite important." Ms Stoke was leering over us, her face high above. Her hair was scraped back tightly into a ponytail, slightly distorting the edges of her face. Adie opened her mouth with a retort, but I cut her off.
"No Ms Stoke. I'm sorry Ms Stoke."
She shook her shoulders, slightly ruffled by my honest apology. She had probably been hoping to try and get Adie in the Principles office again.
"Well, then. At least one of you has manners..."
Just then the bell went, signifying the end of school and the oncoming freedom of it's students. The air was filled with the buzzing of chattering voices, punctuated by Ms Stoke calling out a reminder of homework.
"You shouldn't let her bully you Isa." Adie confided.
"Oh, and I suppose you're not one to bully then?" I asked, grinning. "Go and join your friends."
"See you tomorrow!" She shouted as she ran across the tarmac to a group of boys who were beckoning her over. I turned away and headed for the front field, past the stone entrance and into the car park. I wandered out of the school gates, surrounded by other students but, in a way, completely alone. I watched my feet move one after the other, wondering about other places. I was so lost in my own world, concentrating on the concrete below, that it was a long time before I realised that everyone else was gone.

I stopped.

Not a person, not a car, not a sound.
I pivoted, seeking the place where everyone had gone.

He was standing down the street, about 100 meters behind me. I recognised him instantly, there was no forgetting that streak of white blonde hair. He had his hands in his pockets and an emotionless expression on his face. The loose folds of his white shirt rustled slightly. My heart skipped. From fright.

I shoved my own hands into my pockets, turning and marching away. If he was back I didn't want anything to do with him. It was just too strange. After a couple of steps I sneaked a glance over my shoulder, proving my suspicion he was following me. I kept my eyes straight ahead, hoping to loose him around the next corner. Changing my pace to a brisk walk, I set off down the alleyway to my left. As soon as he was out of sight, I began running.
He obviously tailing me and the complete lack of witnesses excited my imagination to think up it's nastiest deeds. I tried to ignore it, but every panting step made me more and more panicked. I weaved through the side-streets, which became filthier and cluttered as I went. I moved out of the way of boxes, most collapsing open with wet cardboard and old clothes. Tripping on cracks in the concrete, I slipped further and further down the alley.
The street became narrower and eventually, I took a wrong turn, slamming into a dead end. I pressed myself up against the brick wall, desperately searching for another exit, but failing to come up with anything. Despite the small sane part of my brain told me I was over reacting, my mind continued to be in over drive, ruled by some foreign instinct to run and hide. My heart beats racked my body. The footsteps had stopped and I could no longer hear him pursuing me, but that had been replaced by something far worse. A deep growl filled the space, reverberating off the walls and assaulting my already terrified brain.
I cringed when a silhouette stepped into my view. The sound of his boots was sharp in comparison, an almost violent sound. As he moved into the limited sunlight, I realised it was the wrong person. This was a man, tall with dark hair and wandering eyes. He wore a tan uniform, with a badge in his left breast pocket. His head cocked to the side when he spotted me, increasing his speed. I let out a thankful breath, thinking he was a police officer.
"Thank god Officer. I suppose you saw me run down here. I know that wasn't very smart, but I'm being followed."
As he approached, his face broadened in a smile. There was something about him that had that instinctual part of me screaming. Something about the way he walked or smiled seemed sinister, false.
"Well, look what I've found. This is sure unexpected. We thought you were dead, the way you disappeared. But here you are... not a scratch on you. I was looking for that blonde traveler, but you'll do nicely."
"I don't understand Officer-"
He laughed. "All right, I'll play along. There are two things you got wrong. First, it was very good of you come down here, away from all those prying eyes. Thoughtful. Second..."
He opened his mouth wide, rows of fangs dropping at all angles in his mouth, with a predatory glint. Cracks formed in his lips. His eyes took on a wild look. By rolling his shoulders backwards he revealed the bunches of coiled muscles along his neck. The little light in the alley was sucked away, leaving me alone with the hunter.
"I am definitely not an officer."
I screamed.