All my life, I have been taught to “give them a chance” and that “no one’s a hundred percent evil.” Every day, someone says that if I just look past his flaws I will see the gold nugget beneath the sand. Believe me, I have looked.

Some may say I’m the bad guy; that I just can’t settle for what I have. Well, I never asked for this. It is not that I want to be with someone better, it is that I just don’t want to be with him. I don’t want to be with anyone.

He treats me nice when we are out together, but it is all an act. At “home,” he orders me around and forces me to work as a maid in my own house. He knocks things over, sends vases and plates cascading to the wooden floor, and makes me clean it up bare-handed. I’ve had enough of “making it work out.” I want out.

“You know you don’t mean that.” replied the delicate woman after a moment of silence, “Macey, dear, you have to give him another chance!” Her name was Miss Dawn Parkerson, a friend of mine. Today she wore her bright yellow sundress along with a blue bonnet to hold back her untamable curls. Dawn believed in tradition, but I believe in choice.

“Dawn, I am done.” I stated, trying to keep my fake smile plastered across my face, “It is too late to go back anyway.” We sat under a clear blue sky, on the bench where normal gossip would be spread if this were a normal day. On the corner of Denver Lane and Watson Avenue we played the part of a lady, the police station within view. I brought my handkerchief up to my brow and let out a weak giggle.

“Henry will take you back, I assure you.” Dawn guaranteed as she glanced at a passerby, “Any man in his right mind knows the consequences of resistance - as should any woman.”

I looked at my watch, suddenly. “A quarter after five.” I noted, louder than we had been conversing before, “I suppose I should be on my way then.” Dawn smiled, from what I could tell, a real smile. “Tell Henry I said ‘hello.’” she requested, standing from the bench and brushing herself off, “I’ll see you tomorrow, dear.”

Sitting on the bench still, I waited for my friend to disappear around the corner before I dared to move. If only she knew the truth.

I walked alone, back to my husband’s home, a sense of uncertainty still wavering in the air. There was no doubt that I was in the sights of every federal organization already, but now I was actively displaying my disdain for all to see. I knew this wouldn’t turn out well for me, but at least I knew that I wouldn’t be stuck with Henry any longer.

418 Chestnut Street waited for my arrival like a coffin for its body. I made my way up the steps and put my key in the door. My heart was pounding and I wanted to check to see if anyone was watching, but I knew that that act in itself would give me away. So, as any lady of my time, I turned the key and entered my residence. All is silent, like a dead man’s whisper, just as I left it.

“Henry?” I call out, “Henry, I’m home.” I tried to hold back my grin as I rounded the corner and sauntered into the kitchen. On the cutting board sat a large brown burlap sack, the bottom dampened by the liquids of its contents. I knew there was only one thing left to do now. Looking at the bag with a widening grin, I quietly informed it, “Dawn said ‘hello.’”

###

*Note: This story is also posted on my blog, so here is a link to that post:

http://www.basilebacorn.com/thebasilanonbulletin/like-a-lady-a-short-story 

I sit up in bed and look around, gasping for air. Fee-fee and Jax are both asleep in the other bed and sofa respectively. The clock on my nightstand reads 2:14 A.M. Getting out of bed, I put on some slippers and walk into the kitchen for a drink. I do not know how long my last delusion went on, or whether or not I was responsive. Pouring myself a glass of milk, all I know is that I need to find Devin MacIntyre.

I finish my drink, go in the bathroom, and look on the counter. The razor blade is gone, but I know where to find more. First checking the doorway, I open the cupboard and snatch a blade. I don’t know what I’m doing, or why I have it, but I shove it in the pocket of my sweatshirt and leave the bathroom. Quietly, I remove the chair from the hall door and unlock it with a click. I freeze momentarily, hearing some shuffling behind me, but it is just Fee-fee rolling in her sleep. “See you later.” I whisper silently, opening the door and walking out of the room, “Hopefully.”

The halls are silent as I walk through on my way to leave the dormitory. I know Devin isn’t here, so I go outside into the below-zero weather, shivering as I walk down the street. “Where are you?” I ask aloud, with no response. Down the street further, I look to the side and smile. I break into a jog and run down the side path and go into the woods. “Devin!” I call out, “Devin MacIntyre!”

A branch snaps. Snow falls from the trees. He is near. “Devin MacIntyre!” I repeat, “I want to talk with you!” I hear a cough from behind and whirl around to face the real Devin MacIntyre.

“Allison Cameron.” he grins, hobbling near me, “Do you see the world as the world sees me?”

“Yes.” I answer, “Why did you choose me?” Devin frowns. “Allison. Cameron.” he snaps, “Do you treat the world as the world treats me?”

“I don’t know what you mean by that.” I admit, angering MacIntyre, “Can you please tell me what is happening?”

“You will!” he shouts, grabbing my wrist, “You will!” I scream as he grabs the razor blade from my pocket and draws it close to my flesh. “YOU WILL!!!” he roars, slitting my wrist with the blade, “YOU WILL!!!”

The cut blazes like fire immediately, and for a moment, I do nothing. But then he slices my other wrist and throws me to the snowy ground. My hands are burning, my forearms on fire with pain. I cry, barely managing to get to my feet as the blood drips down from my wounds. “I don’t care what you do to me, Devin!” I shout, and he is taken aback, “Now tell me, MacIntyre, what are you up to? Why are you doing this to me?!”

Devin shakes his head and pounces at me, but this time I am ready. I hold up my fiery hands and shove back as soon as his chest meets my palms, sending him flying backwards. Now, I run.

Back into campus with a full sprint, I dash to my dormitory, hearing Devin’s footsteps quickly gaining ground on me. My wrists are bleeding more as I run, the pain raging on like flames of a brushfire.

“SEE THE WORLD AS THE WORLD SEES ME!!!” Devin roars, grabbing my sweatshirt and yanking me to the ground. I scream for help, but no one comes. I know Devin will kill me now. Thoughts of life after death race through my mind as a bright light flashes over us. I pull away just as the bus rumbles off the road and smashes into Jax’s dormitory. Devin is still on the ground, this is my chance to escape.

The emergency sirens are ringing again as I race down the street and over the hill. “ALLISON!!!” I hear from a worried voice. It is Fee-fee and Jax is with her. “What are you doing out here?!” I demand to know, running over to them.

“OMG are you okay?!” Jax asks as Fee-fee shrieks, “Baby, you’re bleeding!”

“Guys, Devin is coming.” I remember as he strides down the path towards us, “Run!”

I don’t know whether it was Fee-fee or Jax, but as we dart away, someone kicks their leg in front of my foot and I fall face first onto the rough concrete. Several gunshots echo like lightning through the night as my face slides across the pavement. I start crying, not because of the pain, but because I know what has happened. Sure enough, I look to my right and see Jax’s body. “Jax!” I cry out, glancing to the other side, “Fee-fee!” The tears pour down my face as a strong hand lifts me up by my arm. “IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED?!” I scream at him, “DEVIN! IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED?!”

Devin stares into my eyes, but I do not see him. My world is blurred by the tears streaming down my bloodied cheeks. Campus security runs over now to see if they got their target, but they are terrible aims. Their target has me.

“I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NOW!” I bawl, “PLEASE, KILL ME DEVIN! PLEASE!”

“You already have died, Allison.” Devin says after some time, dropping me back onto the ground as a campus security guard yells to us, “You will never be the same.”

I see red. The razor blade is on the ground. Devin had dropped it when he grabbed me. Something comes over me and before I can stop myself, I have Devin MacIntyre’s throat in my bloody hands and he dies with a quick, effortless squeeze.

“Ma’am!” the guard shouts at me, “Please put down the weapon, ma’am!” I look in my hand as Devin falls on top of Jax and Fee-fee. A smile comes to my face as the guard approaches me. “We are sorry.” he begins to say before I cut him off, “Sorry?! That’s all you have to say!”

I hear the guard’s scream of pain as I slit his throat. The other guards hold up their guns now as I push their comrade back and he flops onto the red road. “You hold up your guns like you are going to shoot me.” I say, walking closer before I realize that they are police officers, not campus security, “What do you possibly think you can achieve by threatening me with a good time?! Please! I beg you! Shoot! Do it! You know I’m not innocent; I just killed two men! Go on now! End me! It’s not murder! I am already dead! I died when I looked into the eyes of Devin MacIntyre!”

I jump forward, the triggers are pulled, and the bullets fly. One hits me in the chest, another goes in my shoulder, and the third enters my stomach. “Thank you.” I whisper, dropping to my knees. I look around for one last moment, and just as I had always imagined death would happen, everything goes black.

For the third night in a row, I find myself in that room. I leave as usual, and look around at the sinister capital city around me. Buildings burn, the sky is on fire, and the flames fueled by my hands and forearms rage on. I start to shake as a school bus races by and crashes into a tree, spewing smoke from under the hood soon after impact.

“DEVIN MACINTYRE!!!” I scream, “SHOW YOURSELF!!!”

“Is there a problem, hun?” I hear as my attacker throws me onto the ground. My eyes open and I look up at Fee-fee, toweled again this morning.

“Hey.” I smirk, trying to act natural, “How you doin’?”

Fee-fee giggles, “Stop it! Just get up off the ground!”

I stand up and look around. I must’ve fallen out of bed last night. “You look nice.” I compliment, prompting Fee-fee to roll her eyes, “I had a good night in case you’re wondering!”

“Just get ready,” Fee-fee orders, removing the towel from her hair, “we have to be ready to leave for statistics by 9:30. You have an hour, baby.”

I do my regular morning routine and am in the shower when I hear the voice, making me quicken my pace. “See the world as the world sees me!” it chants, “Treat the world like the world treats me!” I brush my teeth and briefly glance at the razor on the counter before getting dressed and heading out. As soon as I see Fee-fee, I give her a hug. Her comforting arms make me forget, for a moment, all my troubles. “Thanks for that.” I sigh, pulling away. “Allison, just remember,” Fee-fee begins as I grab my stuff, “You always have me.”

“I know, Fee-fee,” I smile as we head out, “and that’s why I love you.”

We arrive at the Jefferson building and go into the lecture hall. Inside, our class of fifty waited impatiently for Professor Latchford. “Wait a minute!” I yelp, squinting my eyes, “Jaxson?! I didn’t know you were in this class!”

Fee-fee and I make our way to the back of the class where Jax had been talking to some guy whose name I don’t recall. “Hey Allison!” he says to me with a grin, “Yeah, I just transferred into this class for the extra credit. I had no idea you were in it too!”

Fee-fee nudges me and I return with a firm yet discreet scowl. “Well,” I falter, “Do you mind if we join you up here? Our normal seats are taken today.”

“No, of course you can join me!” he assures us, scooching over towards the guy to make room. Fee-fee smacks her lips as I sit next to him and Professor Latchford strolls in. “Shall we begin?” he asks us rhetorically, “So we shall.”

“Don’t you just love Statistics?!” MacIntyre’s voice rings through my head, “Or are you focusing on a much less scientific thing?!” I look around as I return to Devin’s world of chaos. I walk down the street, studying the surroundings as the chants of Devin thunder above in the burning sky. I make my way to the steps of a building that resembles my dormitory. Screams ring through campus, and I turn to see Fee-fee and Jaxson running across the front lawn together. Lightning crashes, and before I can do anything, they are dead.

With the blink of my eyes, I am back in Statistics with Jaxson and Fee-fee on either side of me. I sigh, thankful they are okay.

Statistics flies by, and soon we are all leaving the room. “Wanna grab some lunch?” Fee-fee offers, nodding to the café, “I’ll pay.” “Sounds great!” Jax agrees, looking down at me. Nodding, I approve, “I could go for a chicken tomato basil panini.”

The three of us walk into Paul’s and sit at an empty table next to Westmont and Dr. Hanson, who appear to be having a serious conversation in between bites. “Allison!” Dr. Hanson calls to me, standing up and walking over to our table, “How have you been doing?”

“Just peachy.” I fib, though I am sure he knows, “Don’t worry, I’ll have every detail written down when I see you on Friday.”

“About that.” Dr. Hanson falters, “I’m going to have to move up our meeting to this afternoon. Can you be to the institute at three?” “I don’t know.” I hesitate, looking at Westmont, “What happened to Friday?”

“Devin is acting strange.” Dr. Hanson confesses, glancing around, “His heartbeat is irregular, and he hasn’t spoken since you were there. We think he may be dying, and you are our best shot at saving him.”

“I’ll be there at 2:45.” I agree without consulting anyone, “See you then.”

I finish my lunch and hurry off, Fee-fee and Jaxson close behind. “What about your cognitive psych class at one o’clock?” Fee-fee protests, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Ophelia.” I state firmly as we walk up the pathway to the dorms, “I might be able to save a life. I have to do this whether it is a good idea or not.”

“But Lizzy!” she continues as I reach for the door handle to our dorm, realizing it’s gone. “That’s strange.” Jax says as I pull the door open, “It looks like someone broke in.”

We go inside and head up through the dimly lit halls. At my room, we stop in our tracks. The door is open.

“I’m calling campus security.” Fee-fee states, pulling out her phone as I go inside, “Lizzy?! What are you doing?!”

Inside the room, I am horrified. Someone had ransacked the place. “OMG!” Jax gasps, coming inside, “Fee-fee! Come look!”

“KATE!!!” Fee-fee screams, running over to a poster of her favorite comedian that was torn from the wall, “It’s okay, baby, Mama’s here now.”

“Oh no.” I freak, running over to my dresser. My diary is gone. “No!” I shout, looking around, “Aha!” I bend down and pick the book up from the ground. “It’s all good.”

“Who could’ve done this?” Jax wonders, “And in the middle of the day!” “Campus security is sending down some people.” Fee-fee informs us, stroking the ripped poster, “It’s gonna be okay, Kate. We’re gonna find out who did this.”

Campus security is quick to respond and are full-on investigating by 2:20. I look at my watch and grab my diary. “I got to get to the institute.” I say, “Do you still want to come, or can you stick behind with campus security?”

Fee-fee looks at Jax and Jax nods. “I’ll drive.” he volunteers, “Let’s go.”

Dr. Hanson is waiting for us in his office when we arrive and a tech takes us to him. “Good,” he says with a solemn look, “you’re here.” I take a seat and place my diary on the desk. “There you go.” I declare, “Any questions before I see Devin?”

“About that,” Dr. Hanson falters, looking at his files, “Devin is no longer with us.”

“Excuse me?” I gasp, “Did he pass away?”

“No.” Dr. Hanson replies, “Well, not that we know of.”

“Dr. Hanson, tell me what’s going on.” I order, snatching back my diary and standing up, “Where is Devin MacIntyre?!”

“We don’t know.” he answers, standing slowly, “He escaped while I was away. One of our, quite possibly most unstable, patients is somewhere out there. It was reported he was chanting your name, Allison, when he knocked out the tech and jumped out the window.”

“Do you think he’s after me?” I question, “Dr. Hanson, my dorm was broken into right before I left. Fee-fee stayed back with campus security so I could come talk to you!” A look of panic flashes over Dr. Hanson’s face as he picks up his phone and dials a number. “Send somebody to the university campus immediately and tell them to issue a lockdown.” he orders, turning to Jax and I, “You two are to stay right here until we know Devin is detained. Understand?”

“But Fee-fee!” I protest as Dr. Hanson leaves, “Come on, Jax. We can’t leave her there!”

“I agree.” Jax says to me, catching the door as Dr. Hanson leaves, “Let’s go.”

“I’m sorry, Allison, but we want you to be safe. If you go back, you could be putting yourself in great danger.” Dr. Hanson argues as we march by him, “Allison! Get back here or I will have my techs restrain you!”

Jax and I walk out of the institute and get in the car as Dr. Hanson runs after us. I hear my phone ring and answer it. “Hello?” I say. It’s Fee-fee.

“Campus security said everything is okay; it looks like some prankster got the better of us.” she tells me. “Fee-fee, get inside and lock the doors.” I urge, “We are on our way back. Devin has escaped and I think he was the one who ransacked our room.”

“Oh. Okay.” she mutters nervously, “See you soon.”

We make it to campus before the lockdown and run to my dormitory. “Fee-fee?!” I call out, knocking on the doors as sirens are heard, “We’re here!”

Fee-fee opens the door and pulls us inside, locking the door behind her. “Why did you come back?!” she scolds, propping a chair up against the knob, “He could attack you again!”

“Fee-fee, we don’t know if he is here.” I comfort, placing my hand on her shoulder, “This is all just precautionary.”

Fee-fee nods and I turn to go to my side of the room, but once again I find myself in the room of my nightmares instead. I walk outside and observe the scenery that has now become more familiar to me than that of my own world. The flames are fading now, and despite starting to feel as if it has been years since I last came here, I manage to find my way to the bus crash. I look down at the ground and see the lifeless bodies of two of the people I love most in the world and sigh. It is a shame.

“Devin?” I call, looking up as I sense his presence, “What’s your plan here? I already met with Jon Hanson, so spill the beans.”

“As much as I would love to help a fellow visionary, I’m going to have to decline your request for information.” Devin MacIntyre says to me, walking by, “Allison, you are a scientist at heart. You of all people should know how important it is that the test subject doesn’t know they are being tested on!”

“No!” I shout back, “I’m not taking that as an answer!”

Devin stops in his tracks and whirls around. His nostrils are flared and his face is a deep shade of red. I have no time to defend myself with what he shoves me into a wall, clutching my throat so that I can barely breathe. “Allison Cameron!” he screams at me, “I am a figment of your imagination, you fool! If you want to know the truth, you need to ask the real me!”

MacIntyre squeezes my throat and the world around me blurs to grey. I can’t breathe and I begin to go numb. And then everything is black.

I find myself in this same room again, only this time, there is a door in front of me. My hands still burn, but I am able to power through the pain to open the door and leave my prison. “Whoa.” I breathe as I examine the world before me. I see the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial. The sky is red with flames of fury and it is in this moment the national icons before me explode into a fiery inferno. The burning in my hands is stronger now, and I realize that it is I who is to blame.

“Allison Cameron.” the man says, appearing from the smoke, “Hear me.”

“I can hear you.” I reply, “Who are you?”

“You soon will know; Jon Hanson will tell.”

“What is happening?”

“You soon will know; Jon Hanson will tell.” he repeats, his words cutting me like a knife.

“Okay.” I say, opening my eyes. “Did you say something, Lizzy?” Fee-fee asks me, coming out of the bathroom wearing a towel around her hair. “No.” I reply, “Did I?”

“Allison, are you feeling well?” Fee-fee inquires, worried.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I assure, looking at my watch, “Fee-fee, it is almost eight, why didn’t you wake me?”

“I was going to,” she confesses, “but you looked so peaceful and I didn’t see how a few extra minutes could hurt. And then, I forgot. Sorry.”

“It’s fine, Fee-fee.” I smile, “Professor Westmont won’t mind me being a tad late to class.”

Rolling out of my bed, I grab some clothes and take the bathroom. I get my shower, brush my teeth, and do my make-up as fast as I can. Around 8:30, I snatch a granola bar from Fee-fee’s stash and head to the Eastman Hall for my class at nine. On the way, I run into Jax, who is late as usual.

“Allison?!” he shouts from across the street, running over, “How are you feeling? You’re running late.”

“I slept in.” I admit, “Fee-fee didn’t want to wake me.” Jaxson smiles as he always does and we hurry to class. Professor Westmont is in the middle of lecturing when we enter.

“Allison?” she breathes, remembering there are a hundred other students in the room and returning to a professional tone, “See me after class, Miss Cameron.”

I nod and go to my seat up front. Jax jogs to the back of the room and sits as well. I usually love this class, but today, it is different. It is like everyone is staring at me.

“Because they are.” the man says. He is sitting next to me. The man continues, “They notice your new demeanor, Allison, your demeanor has changed. You feel different because you are different. You see, see the world as the world sees me. See the world as the world sees me!”

“See the world as the world sees me.” I whisper aloud, “See the world, as the world sees me.” “Allison!” Westmont shouts, snapping me out of my trance, “Allison! Do you hear me?!”

“Yes!” I gasp, looking around, “Where did everyone go?”

“They left when class ended, Allison.” Westmont informs, “Are you okay?”

“Yes! I am fine! Why does everyone keep asking me if I am alright?!” I explode, seeing Westmont’s concern, “I’m sorry.”

Westmont nods and looks over at the door as a man walks in. It is Dr. Hanson. “When’s your next class, Janet?” he asks Westmont. “Not until one.” she responds, “You have my full attention.”

“Allison.” Dr. Hanson says to me, “Remember me?” “Yes.” I reply, noticing a bruise across his face, “You are hurt. The man did it.”

Dr. Hanson nods and opens his mouth to speak, but I continue, “What was his name?” “That’s not important.” Westmont speaks up. “Why do you ask?” Dr. Hanson questions me. “I know what you are doing, Dr. Hanson, I’m a psychology major.” I say, “Can we please just talk without you using psychiatric procedures? I just need to know his name.”

“Okay.” Dr. Hanson concedes, “His name was Devin MacIntyre.”

“Devin.” I repeat, “MacIntyre.”

“That’s me!” the man says to me. Dr. Hanson and Westmont are either gone or I can’t notice them. “What is going on?” I ask Dr. Hanson after a blink.

“I was hoping you could tell me.” Dr. Hanson returns, “I hear you have been acting differently lately, and well, so has Devin.”

“Jon!” Westmont chastises, “You said you were going to talk to her! Not talk about Mr. MacIntyre!”

“It’s okay, Professor Westmont.” I defend, “I have respect for the science community, and I know that I can help. That is why I chose to become a psychologist. I want to help. Let me.”

“I started writing a diary.” I tell them both, “It is in my dorm, I have written pretty much everything down in it last night and plan to continue doing so to keep track of, everything.”

Dr. Hanson and Professor Westmont are both listening intently. “I’d be happy to show you it.” I add, “Because, things have been getting pretty terrifying. I have been having dreams.”

“Dreams?” Dr. Hanson clarifies.

“Yes.” I nod, “Give me until Friday to keep record. If it gets too bad, I will tell you immediately and then the decision will be up to you where to go next. I only have one request: when I meet with you Friday, I want to see Devin. He has been in my dreams, and for some reason I know that I can get him out if I can face him again.”

“Very well, Allison.” Dr. Hanson agrees, shaking my hand, “Professor Westmont will give you my number. Call me if you need anything.” Smiling, Dr. Hanson nods to Westmont and then walks away.

“Are you sure, Allison?” she questions hesitantly.

I nod. “Give me the number, everything is under control.”

Jaxson catches up with me after that and stays close until I get back to my dorm. “I trust your judgement.” he nods, opening the door for me, “You couldn’t be top of our class if you didn’t know what you were doing!” Jax smiles and I smile back. “See you later, Jax.” I say, shutting the door behind me. Inside, Fee-fee is making lunch. “Lizzy!” she chirps, “How’s it going, baby?”

“I talked to Dr. Hanson, Fee-fee.” I brief, “I’m going to meet with him Friday. And I am going to meet with Devin MacIntyre while I’m there.”

“Devin MacIntyre?” she inquires, “Who’s that?” “He’s the man who attacked me.” I inform, startling Fee-fee. “ARE YOU INSANE, ALLISON?!” she shrieks, “YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS IN WANTING TO SEE THAT FREAK!!!”

“Freak?” Devin MacIntyre gasps, offended by my roommate, “Crazy? Maybe. But a freak? We don’t think so!”

“Stop it MacIntyre!” I shout, as my left hand starts to burn, “Stop it!”

“Yes, Fee-fee.” I reply calmly, “I’m serious. Like I told Dr. Hanson, I became a psychology major because I want to help people, and this is my first chance to do that.” I smile at Fee-fee and she sighs. “Okay.” Fee-fee gives in, “I’m going with you though.”

“I can deal with that.” I grin, “There’s far worse company.”

Fee-fee serves me some soup and sits next to me. We eat in silence as I update my diary. Fee-fee is respectful, thankfully, and doesn’t pry.

“So, you and Jaxson.” she states, finishing her soup, “Anything going on?” “Heh.” I answer, putting down my pen, “He’s just a friend, Fee-fee. Plus, I don’t think he’s interested.” “Gee!” she yelps, “How could he not be interested in you?! Baby, you’re a catch!”

“Thank.” I smirk, “You really think so?”

“Totally!” Fee-fee assures me, “Now the question is, do you like him?” “NO!” I exclaim, awkwardly laughing it off, “He’s not my type.”

“Oh, really?” Fee-fee teases, “So you are not attracted to him at all? Because I sense something.” “Of course you would.” I snicker, giving her a nudge as she passed me by, “He is just a concerned friend. Just like you.” “Heh.” she replies, “Yeah, just like me.”

I go to my next class, History of Psychology, and walk into the room. It is like all eyes are on me. I have the slight urge to scream, but I resist. My hands start to burn, and I look down. Luckily, it’s nothing visible; I feel like I already stand out too much.

Quickly taking my seat, I open my notebook and try to focus. Devin MacIntyre doesn’t matter right now. What matters is this list of famous psychologists and what they did. Today’s the test, and Professor Lauren isn’t one to go easy on you. Being the only other psychology professor, he works really closely with Professor Westmont, but sadly, she hasn’t rubbed off on him.

“Class.” he barks at exactly 3:00, “Your test begins now. You have an hour.” The students all launch from their seats and snatch the test from the table in the front of the room as Professor Lauren looks on.

I return to my seat and look at the paper with the same dismay that I hear from the sighs of my classmates. HALF OF THE NAMES WEREN’T EVEN TALKED ABOUT IN CLASS!!! THEY AREN’T EVEN IN THE BOOK!!! I know, I’ve read it cover to cover.

“That’s right, Allison Cameron.” MacIntyre laughs as I look over at him, “Get mad! Get angry! See the world as the world sees me!”

“Focus Allison!” I hiss to myself, earning a scolding look from Professor Lauren. I look at the page and quickly fill in the ones I could. All the while, I know Devin MacIntyre is sitting three seats away. He is laughing hysterically. I growl.

“Miss Cameron!” Professor Lauren screams, “Silence while I am reading!”

I honestly can’t believe this man. He gets tenure, and then doesn’t even teach! He’s gotten hundreds of complaints, but for some reason the Dean either doesn’t know or doesn’t care. He gets on my nerves! I groan.

“I said silence!” he shouts again. I just roll my eyes and randomly fill out the rest of the answers. When I’m done, I march up to his desk, slap the test in front of him and say, “This isn’t the end of this, Professor.” As I leave, I hear the sounds of several of my classmates clapping, but Professor Lauren quickly quiets them with a harsh “SHH!!!”

My next class is Experimental Psychology. Lucky for me, Westmont teaches it. I walk in at 4:18 and sit in my seat. I had left Devin MacIntyre with Professor Lauren, so hopefully this class goes better than my last one did.

“How are we today, Miss Cameron?” Professor Westmont asks me when she sees me. “Better, I believe, Professor.” I smile, easing her tensions, “What are we learning today?”

“We are reviewing the steps in a successful psychology experiment.” she informs the class, “Then each of you will be creating your own experiment. A simple one-page report is due Wednesday so by Friday you’ll be approved to perform the experiment. The study will last four months minimum with a minimum sample size of 100-300, unless you are doing an individual study, then email me your proposal tonight.”

“Individual study, you say?” Devin MacIntyre laughs, “How about you study me? Of course she’d approve that!”

I smile my clearly fake smile as Westmont continues and Devin laughs. At the end of class, she hands out a packet regarding the project to everyone but me. She must want to see me.

As the others leave, I walk up to my professor and ask for the packet. “If you want,” she begins, “you can skip this project to focus on your current situation.”

I nod. “Thank you, Professor.” I smirk, “Oh, and for the record, Professor Lauren gave the class a very unfair test today. I suggest you look into the grades when he’s finished, because there is a very good chance that the majority of the class failed.”

It was now Westmont’s turn to nod. “I will see to it that if Professor Lauren is being unfair, he gets investigated by a committee.” she smiles. Westmont’s father is the Dean, so she can actually get through to him.

Soon I am off again, heading back to my dorm. “See the world as the world sees me” is still echoing through my head. Devin MacIntyre has to be close.

I stroll along at a constant speed, not really watching where I’m going. “Allison Cameron, look at you!” Devin’s gruff voice rings out as he walks alongside me, “A young woman with a purpose: so nice to see in today’s society.”

“Why are you following me?” I ask, walking faster, “Why am I so important to you?”

“These questions will all be answered soon enough.” he replies, “Too bad by then it’ll be too late!”

“What?!” I gasp as I collide with another student and fall on my butt, “I am so sorry! Jaxson?” “No problem, Allison.” he reassures, helping me up, “Zoned out I presume?”

“Yeah a little.”

“How are you doing?”

“Fine.”

“Good.”

“Good!”

I look at my watch. It is almost five. “Jax?” I ask, “What are you doing for dinner?” “Not much.” he replies with a grin, “Maybe a side salad?”

I grin and shake my head. “That doesn’t sound too appetizing.” I say, thinking it over, “Would you like to come back to my dorm for some Monday-Night Macaroni? Fee-fee always makes too much, so one more would be a blessing. Consider it a thank you for all you’ve done these past few days, and an apology for knocking into you like a New Yorker.”

“Sounds good.” he smiles, “I just need to stop by my dorm first to drop off this stuff and grab a protein shake. You kay?”

I nod and follow him to his dorm across the streets. We walk inside and go upstairs to his room. In all honesty, I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. Jaxson opens the door and invites me in. His room is similar to mine, except for the deco of course.

On the side that I presume to be his is an easel and canvas. His walls are covered with artwork similar to the one in progress and his bed is neatly made with light blue sheets. And I thought I was organized! This kid has a filing cabinet! “Wow.” I gape, “Impressive.”

Jax just smiles as he reaches in his mini fridge, takes out one of many strawberry protein shakes, and sets his bag on his bed. “Okay, I’m ready.” he tells me, “After you!”

Back at the dorm, Fee-fee isn’t surprised to see Jax with me. “Of course we have enough, baby!” she assures me with a wink, “We always have enough for one more.” I sit on the sofa with Jaxson as Fee-fee stirs the large kettle of macaroni on the stove and starts to hum the theme song of her favorite TV show.

“Smells good.” Jaxson compliments Fee-fee, who rolls her eyes jokingly in response, “And I’m not just saying that either, it really does!”

“Do I sense some jealousy?!” MacIntyre hisses into my ear. “No.” I respond, blinking to find myself in that nightmarish world again. The national icons have been completely burned by now, but their flaming shadows still stand tall. A fiery ball explodes above, and I walk over to Devin.

“Tell me, Devin MacIntyre, what did you do to me on Saturday?” I interrogate, “What is happening?”

Devin doesn’t respond, but I know what he would say if he did. “See the world as the world sees me.” I huff, “What does that mean?!” My hands are on fire now, and the flames are spreading up my forearms. “TELL ME!!!” I scream, fire streaming from my hands, blasting away my antagonist, “What is happening?!”

“Jon Hanson knows, so you’ll wait and see!” he echoes, “By then, I’ll be gone and it will be too late!”

“Don’t you think so, Lizzy?” Fee-fee asks. “What will be too late?” I wonder, confusing my two friends. “She asked if you think her macaroni and cheese is the best in town.” Jax informs.

“Of course!” I smile, sounding extremely fake, “Yes, I love it. It is so great.” I’m not lying. My roommate’s cooking is the bomb! I couldn’t ask for better, but right now I am a bit preoccupied.

“Well,” Fee-fee pivots, “I guess it’s time to let Jaxson decide for himself. It’s suppertime babies!”

Jaxson and I get our plates and take a fair share of the dish, and Fee-fee zooms in for the rest. We sit at the table and chow down. “Whoa!” Jax exclaims after the first bite, “This is the best macaroni and cheese I have ever had!”

“He’s a keeper!” Fee-fee taunts, taking another bite. Right now, I want to make like an ostrich and shove my head in the sand because I am ninety-percent sure that I am blushing badly. I shoot Fee-fee a shut-the-heck-up look and smile at Jax. “She’s joking.” I chuckle, “Heh.”

Jax left at eight and I immediately scold Fee-fee for the act. “Don’t put me in those types of situations!” I chastise, “I am not looking for that kind of relationship, so please don’t make Jax think I like him, because I don’t!”

“Okay!” Fee-fee defends herself, “I apologize! I get it! I know what it feels like to be wanted when you don’t want to date. I mean, look at all this!” Fee-fee motions to herself with the flick of her wrists and does a cutesy little pose, making me laugh. “What am I going to do with you?!” I giggle, warranting a wink from Fee-fee, “Heh, who am I kidding? What would I do without you?!” 

I wake up early and look around at my dorm. My side of the room is adorned with reference books and awards. Fee-fee’s side; however, is plastered with posters of her favorite comedians from late night TV and a few classic literary works. “Good morning, Fee-fee.” I smile, catching the English major’s attention.

“You’re up!” she giggles, sitting up and hopping off the bed, “How’d you sleep, Lizzy?”

“I slept well.” I lie, trying to forget the terrible nightmare I had. It was about the man, well, sort of. I was in a white room by myself, and I just heard his voice, chanting, “See the world as the world sees me!” I looked around but found no way out. No way away from the man. He was everywhere, and nowhere at the same time. Then, I looked down at my hands and wanted to scream. They were on fire. I yelled, but no sound would come. It was terrifying.

“Yeah, I slept very well.” I repeat to alleviate Fee-fee’s suspicions, “I had a nice dream about winning the peace prize. It was fantastic.”

I can’t believe what I am saying right now! I lied to Fee-fee! I never lie, especially to Fee-fee! Something is off here, but Fee-fee doesn’t need to worry any more than she already is.

I glance at the door as someone knocks from the other side. “I’m back!” Jaxson shouts from the hall, knocking again as Fee-fee opens the door, “Ohp! Sorry Ophelia.”

“No prob, mate.” Fee-fee laughs tiredly, “I’m just glad you are here so I can SLEEP!”

Jaxson walks in and smiles. “You look good today.” he chuckles. I glance at myself in the mirror and laugh. My chestnut-tinted hair looks like a giant congelation of fluff that just happened to land on my head. “Heh.” I smirk, “I just woke up.”

“I can tell.” teases Jaxson, remembering the brown paper bag in his hand, “Oh! I brought breakfast. You like Paul’s sausage breakfast sandwiches, right?” Of course I do! I get one every morning from Paul’s Café on my way to class, and the whole campus knows. I thank Jaxson and graciously accept the friendly gesture. “Would you like a glass of milk?” I offer, but Jaxson shakes his head. “I have a drink.” he assures me, showing a protein shake as proof, “Ta da!”

Jaxson sits at our small dinner table and unloads the food, handing me my sandwich as I join him. Fee-fee, who is fast asleep, will have to warm hers up later as she usually does. It is 8:43 when we finish eating, and Jaxson checks his phone while I start-up my laptop. “I don’t think so!” Jaxson objects, quickly closing my device, “Westmont wanted me to make sure you relax today, so that’s what we are going to do. That means no working for once, Allison.”

“Relax?” I gasp, “We have a research paper due this Friday!”

“Westmont gave you an extension.” he informs me, “She says if you take today as a day to recuperate, you’ll have an additional week. She’s really concerned, Allison.”

“Well if I can get an extra week for relaxing, I guess I better make the most of my day off.” I grin, “You know what I haven’t done in a while?”

“What?”

“A photography session!” I giggle, holding up my finger, “You wait right there until I am ready!”

I run off, get a shower, and put on a sweatshirt and jeans. By nine o’clock Jaxson and I are walking out of my dorm house with my camera. “Are you sure you should be out walking around?” Jaxson protests several minutes later. “Trust me Jax,” I guarantee, silently kicking myself for the new nickname, “nothing relaxes me more than a day of taking pictures.”

We walk down the main path through campus as I take pictures left and right. “Aha!” I gasp, getting a wonderful idea, “Follow me!”

Leading Jaxson down a less-traveled path, I run into the woods with my black-haired friend close behind. “Where are we going?” he calls as if I am losing my mind.

“Here.” I answer, stopping in my tracks to take a picture of the beautiful scenery. The snow is falling, and several hundred yards away are the frozen waterfalls that look just as calming in winter as in any other season. “Smile Jax!” I say, snapping a picture when he gets near, “Not bad.”

“Okay, so how about we get inside?” Jax suggests, nodding back to main campus as the wind picks up, “Paul is having a two-for-one grilled cheese special for lunch and it’s almost noon. I know I could use some tomato soup to warm me up.”

“Lessgo!” I decide quickly, taking the lead once again, “I’ll pay!”

It’s a nice walk to the café, despite the temperature being below zero. Negatives aren’t a biggie for a Maine girl like me, but Jaxson is from Florida, so I can see why he doesn’t like winter that much.

“Well if it isn’t Ally and my man, Jaxson Mathis!” Paul greets us at once, “Back for more?!” Paul’s a hip twenty-something who also attends school here, paying the tuition entirely from his café profits. Business is booming for this marketing major as usual, so Jaxson and I take a table in the corner and order the grilled cheese special. “Great choice, I’ll get that right away.” Paul smiles, taking the order back to the kitchen. Paul doesn’t actually cook the food, his mom Paula does, but the recipes all are Paul’s. He just likes people and doesn’t want to be locked in a hot kitchen all day.

“I didn’t know you liked photography.” Jaxson says, trying to make small talk as I fiddle with my camera. “Yeah, I used to take pictures all the time, but I hardly ever have the time these days.” I explain, “My mom is a photographer, so it just rubbed off on me. The eyes of a photographer are a unique perspective.”

Jax looked at me. “Are you okay?” he asks. “Yeah.” I assure, lost in space. I blink. “Yeah, I’m fine.” I repeat, “Everything’s alright.”

We finish lunch and I cover the bill like I said I would. “Maybe we should go back to the dorms.” I suggest, and Jaxson is quick to agree, “I wonder if Fee-fee is up yet.”

Back at my dorm room, Fee-fee has gotten dressed up in the dark green dress shirt that really brings out her brown eyes and a pair of khakis. She has her hair pulled back in a ponytail and is fixing her tie, almost ready to leave, when we arrive.

“Hey babies!” she greets when she sees Jax and I, “Take some good pictures? How are you feeling, Lizzy?”

“I’m fine, Fee-fee.” I reply, “You look awfully spiffy this afternoon. Hot date?”

“No!” she replies with a laugh, “I just have to go interview the C.E.O. of Tangent Manufacturing for my article for the paper. Gotta dress the part, you know!”

“Good luck!” Jaxson smiles as she leaves, then turning to me, “What now?”

I look at my watch. It is almost one o’clock. “I don’t know.” I shrug, looking to Jax for suggestions, “Relaxing isn’t exactly my thing.”

Jaxson grins and grabs the TV remote. “Some television never hurt anyone.” he says, sitting me down on the sofa and clicking it on, “Ooh! Prisoner Brains!”

This actually isn’t that bad. It’s nice to sit and chill for a bit. The protagonist of the show is getting falsely accused of murder as I shut my eyes. When I open them; however, I’m alone in a white room with no doors or window. By myself, I hear nothing but his voice chanting, “See the world as the world sees me!” Once again, the man is everywhere, and nowhere at the same time. “No, no, no, no!” I panic, feeling the burning on my hands. They are on fire, no, they are making fire. I scream, but instead of sound, hordes of locust swarm from my mouth and soar around the room. “See the world as the world sees me! Allison Cameron, see it like it sees me! Treat the world as the world treats me!”

I look for a way out of this place. The locusts are everywhere. I can’t breathe, and then out of nowhere comes the man. He smiles as his voice continues to echo through the room. “Who are you?!” I demand to know, “Where am I?!”

“See the world as the world sees me.” he replies as the world around me fades to black. I open my eyes and see Jaxson next to me. “You’re awake.” he smiles, “Ophelia just got back and is making dinner. How do you feel?”

“I feel hungry.” I mutter, “What time is it?” The room smells like meatballs. Fee-fee must be making spaghetti.

“It’s 6:30.” Jax answers as I realize I’m leaning on his shoulder and quickly sit up. “I smell meatballs.” I mention, hearing Fee-fee’s laugh. She is in the kitchen stirring a pot of pasta, her ‘Kiss the Chef’ apron hanging from her neck. “Sunday Spaghetti Night, baby!” she laughs, “Then the three of us can settle down and watch America’s Funny Home Moments.”

“Kay, Fee-fee.” I nod, brushing my hair out of my face with my hand, “Any news while I was down and out?”

“The interview was just peachy.” Fee-fee assures, “Professor Westmont called to check on you too. She mentioned something about– never mind.”

“Fee-fee!” I curse, “You can’t leave me hanging like that!”

“It’s not important.” Jaxson assures, making me get off the offensive, “Like I said, Westmont is very worried about you still.”

I sigh. I guess I can let this one go. “So spaghetti, huh?” I smirk, “Sounds good.”

I won’t lie. I was pretty psyched for the trip today. As a psychology major at Washington University in D.C., I really love any chance I get to look into the mind of another human. To feel what they feel, and help them understand that. So, of course, I was quick to volunteer when my professor asked if anyone would be interested in visiting the Washington D.C. Mental Institution.

The Washington D.C. Mental Institution is a psychologist’s dream. They house the nation’s most peculiar patients whose illnesses are as of yet unknown. The residents are kept under close surveillance 24/7 so scientists like myself can determine the issue and try to help.

So, I arrive at the institution at eight o’clock sharp and park next to my professor, Janet Westmont, at the front gate per her instructions. “Professor!” I call, getting out of my vehicle to greet her, “I’m here!”

“I can see that, Miss Cameron.” she says with a smile, “Did you happen to see Mr. Mathis when you left campus?”

“Jaxson? Yeah, he was walking out of the library as I left.” I reply, recalling my clumsy classmate’s book balancing act, “Is he coming too? If I had known I could have given him a ride.”

Professor Westmont smiles, “It’s fine dear, I’m sure he is on his way.”

“Are we just waiting on him then?” I ask. I never would have expected Jaxson Mathis to be one to take an interest in psychology. It isn’t even his major.

Westmont nods and shortly after I hear his tenor voice shouting, “I’m here! I’m here!” Jaxson runs over and stands next to me. “Hey Allison!” he chirps, flashing a smile, “Is this it?”

“Yes, and we must be going.” Westmont assures, walking over to a man wearing a blue dress shirt, “Dr. Hanson is waiting. You can take it from here, Jon.”

Dr. Jon Hanson leads us through the facility and down a long white hall as he tells the daily operations that will take place today. “Right now, the residents are in the cafeteria having breakfast. Our techs will record everything they do throughout the day, carefully taking notes for my colleagues and I.” Dr. Hanson takes a breath and directs us into a room filled with filing cabinets, “Right now I will pick up my charts so I have them come nine o’clock when I meet with the residents to talk about any problems they may be having. You will be sitting in while I talk to some of our less compulsory patients.”

Dr. Hanson pauses to grin at a resident as they walk by, looking side-to-side as if at any moment someone would pull a knife. “That’s Shelly.” he notes, “We believe she has a rare form of schizophrenia that may have been caused by stress. She used to work in a grocery store in Pennsylvania until she attacked a customer.”

While Dr. Hanson tells us about the facility, I am, for lack of better words, stoked. I have been here not even ten minutes and already I am learning so much! This is great.

“Any questions?” he asks as red lights begin to flash, “On second thought, we should go inside.” Dr. Hanson opens his office door and the four of us walk in. A wave of discomfort passes over me as he locks the door behind him. “Is, everything okay?” Jaxson queries, equally as disturbed as I.

“Yes, of course.” Dr. Hanson assures us, “That just means a resident has gotten a little rowdy and has to be sedated. There is absolutely nothing to worry about; it happens all the time here.”

Jaxson nods and looks at me. His green eyes are full of concern, so I offer a smile. It seems to work and he focuses back on Dr. Hanson, who had just answered a phone call. “Yes, one moment.” he whispers into the device and hangs up, “I will be right back. Please stay here, I will be back soon.”

He is quick to leave and locks us in, but I can’t help but notice the door did not latch. “I got it.” I say, getting up to shut the door, “He probably wants this shut tight.”

I go over despite visible dissention from the others, but instead of shutting the door like I said, something comes over me and I run out into the hall. Westmont and Jaxson both yell for me to return, but I can’t. Several yards away is Dr. Hanson with a man. They both look over, and before Dr. Hanson can tell me to go back inside, the man knocks him to the floor and runs at me. I can’t move, I am locked in as the man grabs my shoulders and looks me in the eyes. Everything changes. His eyes capture me in a trance. Time seems to pause and I hear voices. I hear many voices. Jaxson, yes. Westmont, yes. Even Dr. Hanson and the techs who are trying to pull me free.

“See the world as the world sees me!” the man hisses, his voice the loudest as it echoes through my mind, “See the world as the world sees me! Allison Cameron, see the world as the world sees me!”

Then, I wake up. “Where am I?” I groan, and instantly Jaxson and Westmont are on either side of my bed. “You’re in the hospital.” Jaxson tells me, “How do you feel?”

“Different.” I respond, doctors now filing into the room, “I just needed to see what was happening.”

“Relax, dear. It’s alright now.” Westmont calms as my vitals are being taken, turning to the doctor, “How is she?”

“Her blood pressure is elevated and her pulse is a little high, but that’s to be expected after what she just went through.” the doctor answers, “I think if you get her back to her dorm and let her rest tomorrow, she’ll be back to normal by class on Monday. I’ll get discharge papers ready, just, keep a close eye on her.”

Jaxson takes my hand and smiles. It makes me feel a little bit better. “Who was that?” I question. “That was the doctor, Allison.” Jaxson informs. “No.” I go again, “Who was that man?”

“Don’t worry about him anymore.” Westmont cuts in, “That’s all over with now. Let’s get you back to campus. You’ll feel better in the morning.”

“Yeah.” I sigh, “I’ll feel better in the morning.”

After they discharge me, Jaxson drives me back to campus and leads me to my dorm where my roommate Ophelia Zamora anxiously awaits. “ALLISON!!!” she shrieks as I enter our room with Jaxson, “How are you, baby?!”

“Fine, Fee-fee.” I assure, half-believing myself. “She needs to rest.” Jaxson updates Fee-fee, leading me to my bed, “Professor Westmont wanted me to ask if you could watch her through the night to be safe. I’m going to take a friend up to bring her car back in the morning, and then I’ll be back so you can catch up on some sleep.”

“Who needs sleep?!” Fee-fee laughs. I know she is faking it because she could sleep a week straight if she wanted to, but she cares too much not to take care of me. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

Jaxson heads out, pulling Fee-fee to the side to say something, but I am too busy looking for pajamas to hear or care what he says.

When he is gone, Fee-fee puts me to bed and turns off the lamp by my bed. “Let me know if you need me, baby.” she smirks as she walks over to her bed and sits down, her multi-colored hair swishing over her back.

Time passes and I look at the ceiling as my eyes begin to close. “See the world as the world sees me.” I sigh.

Cora Claire Daniels was a girl who always failed, regardless of how hard she tried. It was like she was cursed; a goal would be set, she was determined, but in the end, she would crash and burn. Now only fifteen years old, she had finally given up. As her great grandma had told her when she was very young, “a black girl from Chicago never wins.”

Shaking the thought away, Cora forced a smile and walked out onto the streets. Everything was going to be okay. The young girl knew her great grandma had always been a pessimist, and she was not going to let that keep her from trying. Her mother worked at a café down the street from her family’s apartment around the clock to ensure Cora a decent life. She couldn’t give up and let all that go to waste.

Cora, an optimist from the start, hurried around the corner onto her street. “Excuse me? Do you have any spare change today, Cora?” one of the homeless men on her street asked politely. “Sorry, Willy.” Cora apologized, feeling her pockets, “Nothing today.”

“No problem, darling.” Willy nodded, looking up at her, “I’ll see ya tomorrow.”

“See ya tomorrow!” she smiled, heading off. Cora felt awful for forgetting Willy, but he’s a trooper. “Is that?” Cora gaped, seeing a flash of green on the ground, “No way! It is!” Whirling around, the girl snatched the ten-dollar bill and grinned. “Willy!” she called joyfully, “Here!”

Willy looked over at his friend as she ran over with the bill. “Here you go, Willy!” she offered, slowing down to a stroll, “Buy a sandwich and a coffee!” Smiling, Willy began to stand up to accept the gift as a police siren echoed through the city. The cold air grew stagnant as the wind let up. Willy looked over at Cora, but before he could thank her, a loud bang pierced his ears. Gunshots.

“CORA!!!” he wailed as she fell to the ground, “NO!!!”

Police men ran after the gunman, ducking behind their cars as the man began shooting. Several officers circled Cora’s body in hopes of saving her. “Do you know her?” one asked Willy. “Yes.” he replied, crying, “Her mother works at the place down the street. Will she be okay? Is she okay?”

“An ambulance is on its way.” the other informed, taking Cora’s pulse, “She’s got a pulse.”

The bloody ten-dollar bill drifted from Cora’s hand and rested on the ground as she rolled her head to the left. “It is going to be okay.” the officer assured halfheartedly. Cora groaned in pain. The bullet had struck her in the chest, just below the heart. Her top was soaked with blood, which kept flowing until the first officer held a bandage on the wound.

By this time, the shooter had been apprehended, the ambulance was rounding the corner, and Cora’s breath was gone. The wind began to blow again and swept up the stained Hamilton from the sidewalk and it blew high into the air as the doors of the ambulance opened. Cora Daniels had died, but her journey had just begun.

“The shooter charged with the murder of a fifteen-year-old black girl from Chicago has been sentenced to twenty years in prison,” the radio buzzed, waking up fourteen-year-old Landon George Goodwin, “the bail is set at–“ The clock radio clicked off with the push of a button and Landon rolled out of bed. Clad in a pair of grey pajama bottoms, Landon moseyed out of his room and went downstairs. Around 5 foot 4 inches tall, Landon was of average weight and build. His frizzy brown locks swooped around in all directions, bouncing around whenever he made the slightest movement.

Landon opened the fridge and poured a glass of orange juice for himself and his younger brother. “Grayson!” he shouted, “What do you want for breakfast?!”

“Waffles please!” a high-pitched voice responded, followed by quick footsteps down the stairs, “With extra syrup!” “You can put your own syrup on it.” Landon informed the blue-eyed redhead sitting at the kitchen table, “I’m not going to be around to baby you forever, ya know.”

Grayson was two years younger than Landon, although he acted as if the age difference was triple that. Landon made his food, did his laundry, and fixed his bed. He was essentially the “lady of the house” now that their mother was doing double shifts at the office.

“Dad!” Landon called, “Do you want waffles too?!”

Mr. Goodwin hobbled down the stairs fully dressed, plopped in his seat at the table, and scooched in as far as his gut would allow. “Yes, Lanny, that’s fine.” he agreed, “No syrup though, if I don’t stop gaining weight, I won’t fit out the doors to look for a new job!”

Their father had gotten let go from his job at Jim’s Contracting Co. two months ago, leaving Mrs. Goodwin as the primary breadwinner temporarily. He spends his days researching jobs and doing interviews, eventually coming home at the end of the day tired and reaching for a beer.

Landon whipped together the batter and poured it into the waffle maker. He was not one to eat those processed frozen toaster “waffles” and he definitely wouldn’t feed it to his family.

The waffle sizzled in the device as Landon grabbed a glass of milk and set it in front of his father. “Thank you.” he mumbled, taking a sip as Landon returned to the waffle, throwing it on a plate and passing it to Mr. Goodwin. “HEY!” Grayson whined, “I was here first!”

“Do you have an interview at 7:30?” Landon asked rhetorically, “Exactly.”

Grayson rolled his eyes and groaned. “Grayson Herbert Goodwin, don’t you groan at me!” Landon scolded, “You know I’m not afraid to ground you!”

“Sorry, Lanny.” the boy pouted, “I can wait.”

“Good.” Landon smiled, turning on the house stereo to an early 2000s pop station. Mouthing the lyrics as he worked, Landon was quick to make two more waffles for him and his brother. “Where is your interview anyway, Dad?” Grayson inquired, shoving the last of his waffle into his mouth.

“Um, some place upstate.” Mr. Goodwin faltered, taking a gulp of his milk and whipping away the mustache it left behind, “Why do you ask, Gray?” To that the boy simply shrugged, promptly excusing himself and heading upstairs to take a shower. “Any light to shed?” their father turned to Landon, “What’s eating at your brother?”

Landon really did not want to pull a stunt like Gray and run away, but he wasn’t about to ruin the morning with this conversation. “I gotta get my outfit around.” Landon blurted, standing up from the table, “We’ll talk later, good luck!”

Gray was a mommy’s boy no doubt, so when he heard Mrs. Goodwin complaining about their dad, he believed every word she said. It was the previous night in which Grayson heard his mom refer to their dad as a “lazy sack of hot air not even trying to get a job,” and instantly began doubting Mr. Goodwin’s determination.

“Gray?” Landon asked, knocking on the bathroom door, “You in there?” Despite hearing the water running, there was no response, so Landon opened the door and went in. Grayson was in the shower, curtains closed, and Landon looked at himself in the mirror. For a moment, he just stared into the sad green eyes looking back at him. “Grayson, I know things are rocky right now, but you need to trust that Dad is trying.” he spoke softly, “Mom sometimes overreacts a little; what do you expect from a woman working as hard as she does? It’s stressful.”

“I know.” a voice from the shower agreed, “It’s just that if he was trying, then why doesn’t he have a job yet?”

“It’s hard to find a job, Gray.” Landon reminded, squirting some toothpaste onto his toothbrush, “Economical stuff.” The shower turned off as Landon began to brush his teeth. Gray got out of the shortly after and grabbed his towel before leaving for his room. He was angry, and Landon knew it. His brother was always a passive aggressive one, especially when he thought Landon was taking sides. As they say, a house divided cannot stand. The Goodwin Household seemed to be on its last legs. Landon rinsed, and turned to face the opposite wall. He forced air out from between his lips, exasperated already and it wasn’t even seven o’clock.

Fifteen minutes later Landon exited the bathroom in his robe and walked across the hall to his room. “What are you doing?” Landon asked his brother, who was laying in the center of the floor. “Eh.” he replied, not moving.

The boy stepped over his brother and tossed the robe on his brother’s face with a grin, proceed to dress. Gray pushed the robe aside and sat up as Landon slid into his jeans and pulled a polo over his head. “Not bad, Lanny.” he joked, “Dressing up for your crush?”

“Crush? No!” Landon defended, gesticulating nervously, “I just like to look presentable.” Gray smiled and winked as if he knew something. He didn’t. Even Landon knew nothing.

Over the past few months, Landon’s life had fallen apart, but he didn’t tell anyone he felt that way. Everyone in his life had enough of their own issues that they didn’t need to have to deal with his too. In fact, Landon was so good at concealing his depression that some people came to him with their problems. He loved helping others, but it is near impossible to make someone else feel better when one wants to curl up into a ball and cry.

“C’mon, Gray.” Landon yipped, motioning to the door, “We gotta get going, it isn’t spring break yet!”

On their way out of the house, Landon was sure to see to it that every light in the house had been turned off, and that the house keys were in his pocket. Mrs. Goodwin wouldn’t be home until seven that night, so the two boys would need to be able to get inside after school.

Landon sympathized with his mother, for the most part. She worked hard to support her family, so it is no wonder why she was so stressed. Someone had to pay the bills, but Landon also thought his father was trying. It wasn’t right of her to chastise him for his unemployment when he was doing everything he could to get a job. Landon remembered the old days when everyone was happy and sighed at the romanticized times.

It was Tuesday March 14th, and while snow was beginning to fall in other places, it was fifty-five degrees and sunny in Beaver Falls, Ohio. The two brothers stopped by the middle school, the place where they part ways and Landon meets up with his friends to go down the street to Beaver Falls High School.

“Hey guys!” Landon greeted, bouncing over to where a frenzied boy and annoyed girl were waiting. The slender black-haired green-eyed boy was a few inches taller than Landon, and always looked as if he was behind some borderline-dangerous prank. “Lan the Man!” the boy shouted, causing the girl to step back. “Jake! You shouted in my ear!” she chided, slapping her hand over her ear, “¡Calmate!”

Jake frowned. “Sorry, Ally.” he apologized, “I forgot to take my meds this morning, so I’m a little hyper-er than usual.”

“More hyper.” Ally corrected, “Jake, I’m not even from America and I have better grammar than you!” Landon snickered quietly. His friends always brightened his day, despite the fact that their backgrounds seemed somewhat gloomy.

For instance, Jacob Douglas was motherless. She had left the family several days after he was born and never returned. When Jake turned six, his father went back to school to study law and shortly after, Jake was diagnosed with A.D.H.D. He can hardly stay concentrated with meds, but when he’s off them, it is ten times worse.

Ally, on the other hand, was a very calm and introverted Latina. Her mom met her dad on a business trip to Mexico in 1997. A few years later, they married and moved to Mexico for some time. It was in Mexico that the brown-haired brown-eyed Alejandra “Ally” Rodríguez was born, but they relocated to the states when Ally was two and lived there ever since.

The three of them together made for quite the group of misfits, but Landon didn’t mind. Everyone knew everyone in their small town, and most residents were tolerant and accepting of cultural differences. It was one of the reasons that made their community so much of a melting pot. One could visit three random houses in Beaver Falls and learn something new from a different culture at each one.

The best antagonists are the ones we do not see coming. They are unexpected and unpredictable. They are also the ones who we can sympathize with, but yet we can’t condone their actions. Most of the time.

Let us indulge in the rare cases that we not only sympathize with the villain, but we want them to win. Now, unless they suffered from a severe psychological illness as a child, no one ever grew up hoping the evil queens and wicked step-mothers were successful. But sometimes we get a glimpse of the man behind the monster and we see that they deserve to get what they want. With this in mind, pack your things. We are going to go on a trip.

If you are the target market of this book (don’t worry if you aren’t), then you are either in high school or college. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you like to read as well. So, let’s think back to a random day in your high school career. It is a Tuesday, and you are sitting in your homeroom reading an awfully good book entitled “Antagonist.” Unfortunately, your best friend walks in and takes the seat next to you. Now, it isn’t that you don’t love having them around, it is just that sometimes you want to read.

“Hey!” they hiss into your ear, their warm breath blowing on your face, “Put the book down! There’s a new kid!” Reluctantly, you close the fantastic reading material and look over at your friend. “What do they look like?” you ask, “Do they seem nice?”

“Don’t know.” they admit, “I was just walking by the main office and heard the principal talking with a teacher about some kid named Alex.”

You roll your eyes at your nosey acquaintance and respond with another question. “Did you at least hear what classes they are in?”

Your friend didn’t get to answer; however, because as you finished speaking an unfamiliar face entered the classroom and sat directly in front of you. That must be Alex. The teen has blonde hair and intriguing grey eyes that held within them a sense of mystery. They remind you of a character from a book you’ve read, but you can’t recall which one. You are thinking, probably too hard, about the new kid when the bell rings. It is now time for class, so you put away your book and get out your notebook. You would have completely forgotten about Alex if they weren’t sitting right in front of you. At one point during class, your friend slips you a note telling you to stop staring at the new kid because people are starting to notice. You return with a scowl and tuck the note away before your teacher could take it.

Eventually, class ends and you are the first to leave. The last thing you need is for someone to confront you about your interest in the new kid. With your luck, even if you manage to refute any claims, you’ll misspeak and before you know it the entire school will be passing around rumors. You stop at your locker, spin the dial of the lock, and get the things you need for your next class. You shut your locker and whirl around, crashing directly into the new kid.

“I am so sorry!” they apologize as you look down at your now coffee-soaked shirt. “It was my fault.” you stammer, “Why do you have coffee?”

“I need the caffeine.” Alex answers, innocently, “I’m Alex, by the way.”

“I know.” you reply, instantly regretting it, “I am going to go try saving this shirt now. Good-bye.” You felt sort of bad for being so rude; after all, it was your fault. Alex was just trying to find his way around a new school and you had to go and be a jerk. Shaking your head, you enter the school bathroom and began trying to soak up the coffee with the cheap “paper towels” that are essentially just sheets of brown paper bag. “Well this shirt’s ruined.” you groan, chucking the useless paper into the garbage. Taking a breath, you gather yourself and exit the bathroom as the bell rings. You are now late to class.

“You are late.” your second period teacher chastises as you open the door and take your seat. “I’m sorry.” you apologize, “Someone spilled coffee on me and I needed to at least try saving my shirt.”

“Yeah, that was on me.” Alex speaks up, you just now noticing their existence, “I mean, bad choice of words. Sorry.”

Alex really was sorry, as far as you could tell, but instead of forgiving and forgetting, you let out a quiet growl. “Back to thermal dynamics.” your teacher announces, cutting the tension and motioning to the board. You get out your text book and position it so that it conceals your reading material perfectly. You think to yourself how good of a book “Antagonist” is and dive right back into the narrative.

Several pages later, a ruler slams down on your desk and you jump in your seat. “First you are late to my class, and then you pay no attention to my lesson!” your teacher scolds, ripping your book from your hands and holding it in the air, “While I am glad that you are reading, this is not English class. Since you have wasted my time today, it is only fitting that I waste yours afterschool. Detention.”

Flabbergasted, you look around. This teacher never walks around the room unless someone raises their hand; no one raises their hand in science class. Unless, it was the new kid. You look at Alex. They were smiling. That kid purposefully got your teacher’s attention to get you in trouble!

Once class got out, you decided to have a word with Alex. Perhaps if you two could come to a mutual understanding, then you could avoid any more drama. “Hey, Alex!” you call out, walking over to the new kid, “Can I talk to you?”

“Sorry, I have to get to my next class.” they respond quickly, “Wouldn’t want to be late.”

You stop in your tracks as Alex hurries off. Did they just say that? You take a deep breath and exhale forcefully. That dirtball just mocked you for being late! And they are the one who caused it!

At this point, I’m sure you know the antagonist in our little journey. They are going to be the one who we will be sympathizing with eventually. I say eventually because if we pitied our antagonist already, then this story would end rather quickly. Having said my piece, I’ll let you continue the story. You are sitting at lunch with a bunch of your friends. You are telling your best friend the news when Alex walks into the room with a brown paper bag. “Don’t let them sit with us.” you whispered to your friends as the new kid made their way across the cafeteria, “That’s the kid I was talking about.” Your friends nod and completely ignore Alex, who had no visible intent of sitting anywhere near you and did not notice the shunning. They simply find an empty table, and fill one spot with their presence.