A Shadowlander’s Dream: Book Three - Rules of the Flesh
Written by Kathryn K Williams
Chapter Twenty-Four
Penny paced about her room, going to the window to look out over the school grounds and back to her bed, then to the washroom to check her hair in the mirror again, which she had pulled into a pair of low ponytails at the back of her neck, and then moved to the bedroom door where she would stop for a moment and return to the window again. She had got dressed right after Kimberly left, pulling a white summer dress over her head and found a pair of white socks to clad her feet in. The single dresser in the room turned out to not be very full so she shifted her clothes to one draw to give room for Kim’s things and fixed the blankets, before beginning her pacing. She was not sure how long she had been at it, but she figured it must have been for a while for the clouds outside had really darkened in the past while and the room had grown quite dark and the gloom was beginning to frighten her, reminding her of the basement of the foster home too much so she quickly flicked on the overhead light, flooding the room in warm white light.
She was starting to feel lonely and the approaching thunderclouds were beginning to scare the girl so she decided to go in search of Kimberly, wherever she may be. She approached the door and opened it to look down the long hall before her. Even with the lights along the walls it appeared very dark in the hall and this frightened her all the more. A low rumbling of thunder convinced the girl to leave her room and she quickly moved down the hall, unsure of where she was going, but knowing that she needed to find Kim quickly.
Spotting several girls down the hall Penny stopped in her tracks and cowered in the shadows of a nearby corner, watching the girls as they turned into one of the many doors down the hall. She glanced up at one of the door see the number 1026 on the door and she wondered just how many girls lived in this building. Since she awoken here she had met several, but she was surprised by just how many doors there were along the hallway. She suspected that there were a few, but the room number suggested hundreds. She stepped out of the shadows to find the hall opened up before her to a grand room with many soft looking chairs and sofas around a grand piano. Several girls sat in this area were reading by standing lamps next to the sofas and one girl was practising on the piano, the sound was somehow soothing and she felt herself having to force herself to turn away to continue her search for Kim.
*******
Tanya picked up another tray and added it to the pile next to her before picking up the pile and carrying them to the kitchen. She stretched as her back ached and glanced around at the girls as they straightened up the cafeteria. Emily and Misty were busily stuffing paper plates and plastic utensils into a green garbage bag, while Natalie swept much of the garbage off the floor into a pile while Cherilyn cleared off a table of its clutter into a garbage pail. Kris stood at the far end of the cafeteria, silently sweeping and pretty much keeping to herself. Tanya recalled her reasons for being angry with the girl and shoved her emotions off to the side. She had been a friend of Kris’s for years now and the girl has sacrificed her life to save Jenn and herself. Wiping her hands on a brown paper towel she tore off from a large roll she approached the girl. She needed to hear from Kris’s lips what exactly happened between her and Jessica and now seemed like a better time then any to have a talk with the girl.
“Hey!” She waved at Kris as she walked up to the girl, her hands behind her back.
Kris gave the girl a crocked half-smile and continued sweeping, “Hey…” She said is a low, miserably voice.
Tanya glanced around at the tables while rocking on her heels, “Listen…” She paused to see if anyone was paying attention to them, “Can we talk…?”
Kris stopped sweeping and glanced at the girl, “If you are here to yell at me more then please don’t bother. I’m rather tired right now and would rather just get this place cleaned and get back to my room.”
Tanya glared at the girl and was about to argue when she took a deep breath and let it out, “I’m sorry people have been treating you badly.”
“Badly?” Kris growled, “I’ve been convicted before anyone even heard my side of the story. I’ve tried to be reasonable, but I’m at my wits end here and no one is given me a break.”
“Okay,” She waved her hands in front of herself defensively, “Don’t yell at me. I didn’t do anything.”
Kris glared at the girl causing Tanya to take a step back.
Tanya rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment, “Alright, maybe I haven’t been the best friend I can be, but you have to consider the situation here. I saw you on the couch with Jessica.” She reminded the girl.
Kris let out a weak sigh, “It is not like that… not really…” She ran a hand through her curls and across her face, “It is so complicated.” She said in a tired moan.
“Well try me.” Tanya offered, pulling up a chair and sitting upon it, her legs and arms crossed, “I’m willing to listen.”
Kris watched the girl sceptically; “You are not going to judge me before I finished my story?”
Tanya shook her head, “I don’t want to judge you. We’re friends and I want us all to be friends again, that includes you and Jenn.”
Kris dropped into a chair near her and placed her head in her hands, “Lord, Jenn hates me now does she not?”
Tanya shook her head, “I don’t think so, she is just angry and confused.” Tanya explained softly, “Think of what she is going through. She spent over a year in a dream world where she thought everything was just fine when she is suddenly pulled out of that world to face this.” She spreading her arms wide and gesturing to the room, “You have to admit this place is not exactly perfect. Girls walking around with swords and knives, strange magical teachers, demons hiding in the trees, and to top it all off her entire life turns out to be a lie.”
“I know. I know.” Kris breathed helplessly, “I’ve been telling myself that over and over again. I’ve been waiting for her memories to return, but it is so hard seeing her with Kim.”
Tanya leaned forward and placed her elbows on her knees and laced her fingers together, “Is that why you made out with Jessica?”
Kris rubbed her head, “I don’t know, it all happened so quickly. It is not like I wanted it to happen.” She stated truthfully, “Jenn looked happy with Kim and I was so sick of being alone. I just wanted to hold someone.”
Tanya nodded, “And Jessica offered?”
Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, “I was just giving her a massage, and I didn’t expect things to go that direction. I never wanted to hurt Jenn.”
Tanya got up from her chair and strolled over to the girl and patted her on the back, “I know you didn’t. You’re not that kind of person.”
Kris glanced up at Tanya, “You believe me?”
Tanya nodded, “Yeah, but that doesn’t change the fact that Jenn is hurting. What are you going to do about Jessica?”
Kris rubbed her fingers into her temples, “I have no idea. It is so frustrating because I still feel deeply for Jenn, but Jessica… she is always there for me. I know the girl has problems, but I don’t want to just leave her, you know what I mean?”
Tanya thought over how to respond when the door in to the stair well opened and Penny shyly stepped out. “Well hello there.” She smiled at Penny, “You finally decided to join us?”
Penny slowly nodded and glanced around the room, “S... sort of…” She said in a tiny voice, “I…” She struggled to keep herself from trembling as Tanya stepped closer to hear her clearer, “I was lo… looking for Kimberly.” She finished with a great sigh of relief that she managed to complete her sentence.
Tanya smiled at her, “She’s not here right now, but I’ll bet she’ll be here sometime to get something to eat. Are you hungry?”
Penny nodded quickly, the fact was she was starving, but could not bring herself to saying so, but with the offer of food given she could not pass it down.
“Kris?” Tanya turned to the girl sitting next to her.
Embarrassed, Kris stood and wiped her hands on her slacks and offered it to Penny, “My name is Kris and this is Tanya.” When Penny did not take the hand she nervously rubbed it on the back of her neck and chuckled, “I guess I’m the new Dorm Head here so if you need anything just come and ask.” She waved for the girl to follow her, “There should be something in the kitchen, sorry about the mess.” She apologized as she stepped over a tray on her way across the hall.
Tanya walked beside the girl, “I don’t know if you have met the gang, but this here is Natalie.” She gestured to Natalie as they approached the girl.
“How you’ve been?” Natalie asked with a smile, “Kim treating you alright?”
Penny flushed and clenched at her dress restlessly and nodded.
Cherilyn stopped what she was doing to greet their visitor. “Hi, I’m Cherilyn. Nice to meet you.” She said with a smile, “And these two would be Misty and Emily.” She nodded to a pair of girls pushing garbage into an over stuffed green plastic bag.
“Evening!” Misty called out as she forced another paper plate into the bag.
“Like wise.” Emily added, tying the bag closed and wiping her brow with the back of her sleeve.
Kris led the girl to the kitchen and held the swinging door open for her, “Enter my lady.” She said with a bow.
Penny giggled as she entered the kitchen with Kris following right behind her.
Cherilyn stepped up to Tanya and whispered into her ear, “How’d things go with Kris?”
Tanya shrugged, “She says she didn’t mean for anything to happen.” She stated solemnly.
Cherilyn looked the girl in the eyes, “And you believe her?” She asked in shock.
Tanya nodded, “If you saw the look in her eyes you would too.”
Cherilyn nodded towards one of the tables, “Why don’t you help me?”
Tanya let out a fake sigh, “You’re such a slave driver you know?” She laughed as Cherilyn chased after her.
*****
To be Continued . . .
*****
Note: The world of the Shadowlands, Its stories, Characters and ideas are a copyright of Kathryn K Williams.
This story is based upon my manga of the same name. If you wish to view art from this series please visit my deviant arts site at: http://shinigami-shimai.deviantart.com/
For more of my stories visit my deviant hearts site at: http://www.devianthearts.com/viewuser.php?uid=159
Also if you spot any typos or other errors please contact me at katwilliams @ rogers.com
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