Chapter 11: A Close Call

I barely pay attention as the day slips by after that. Lunch comes and someone brings me the cafeteria sludge which I eat with gusto. It’s not hotdog.

…But after that I get back to my smoldering rage. Thinking about all the fun I’m going to have without Mel, and how sad she’ll be to miss out on all the goblin hunting I’m going to be doing like a real adventurer. I can picture it now.

Oh, I’m so sorry Mel! I killed all the goblins without you! You could have helped if only you’d believed me!

I’m sorry Sel! I was so foolish to not believe you when you told me about the goblins! I’m sorry I ever doubted you!

I cover my cheeks as they grow warm trying to hide the smirk that’s pulling at the corner of my lip. Hah, that’ll show her! She’ll think twice about doubting me next time!

I shake my head trying to throw the grin off my face. I’m not happy! I’m angry! Really, really angry! Not happy at all!

I settle myself and glance at the clock. 2:20 Hmm, a very difficult conundrum presents itself before me.

I’ve already missed PE, Lunch, and science. I felt fine but Sammy wasn’t willing to let me go. I could probably get her to release me now, but my last class is History. Not my favorite subject.

On the other hand, Mel shares that torturous class with me. If I leave now, I could get there before class started at 2:30 and not risk losing Mel after school. I could grab her after class ended and explain that it really was a goblin that I saw…

What am I thinking! She gave up her chance of fighting goblins! I’m not going to attend history just to give her a second chance!

I take a deep breath and let it out. Yep, I’ve decided. I’m just going to stay here. The chance to miss history is just too great of an opportunity to miss—

*Claa chuck*

The door to the nurse’s office opens and out strolls Sammy.

“Oh? You are still here? I’m cleaning up for the rest of the day so run along to your last class. Hmm, I think you’ll have enough time to get there, but if your teacher asks, tell them you were down here in the nurse's office and I’ll take care of it.

“Y-yes!”

Noooooo! My vacation!

I get out of the warm embrace of the school bed and grab my shirt and jacket. Mel had brought me my clothes after gym class. My jacket and shirt were left hanging up to dry and are doing a much better job of keeping me warm.

Now fully dressed and ready to face history, I walk out into the silent hallway. The five-minute bell has yet to ring and the teenage masses have yet to be released. I can see the floor tiles and hop from blue square to blue square. Gotta be careful! The other ones are booby-trapped!

I land awkwardly on the blue square, my arms waving in the air trying to catch myself. I make a valiant leap for the one ahead, I make it, but my momentum sends me flying forward and onto a yellow square.

Drat.

It’s nice. This quiet peaceful hallway. Being small certainly has some disadvantages when navigating a crowded hallway and you can’t see the squares and play games when you’re trying to survive the five-minute rush.

*Riiiiinnnnnnng*

Ahh

The doors on either side of the hallway burst open and a rush of bodies comes hurling out! I valiantly try to stay ahead of the unruly masses, but the doors are everywhere! A seething mass of wild teens set loose upon the once peaceful hallway, eager for Demon Lord flesh! Will I make it?

I scramble into history class, barely escaping the disorderly mass behind me. I’m a little earlier than usual since the nurse’s office is closer than my General Science course which is on the other side of the school.

I find my seat and watch as Mr. Duther writes up today’s agenda on the board. Vampire Relations and Trade with the Velar Continent.

Well, at least it's not history. Technically.

I glance over to the seat beside me and—

Oh my GOSH! When did she get here!

Mel is sitting next to me giving me a concerned look. I quickly turn away and stare fixedly at the whiteboard. Class should start any minute now. Where is that stupid bell? I’m ready to learn about Vampires! Doesn’t the school know that time is money? I’ve been wasting away here for minutes! How long do they intend to drag out this five-minute break?

“Sel…”

Ack!

I keep staring up at the front. Where is that bell?

“I called your sister. She said you were attacked by a dog when walking home…”

I start at that. Where did the dog come from?

…It’s not a dog.

Okay, so there was a dog somewhere that night. I still had no idea how my sister had figured that part out. Not that I cared right now.

“Sel, if you want, I can get my mom to give you a ride home? Your sister said they found the dog yesterday, but if you don’t feel safe—”

*riiiiiinnnnnnnng*

Thank goodness!

“I’m fine Mel. I already have a ride home.” I curtly reply. I don’t want to restart this conversation after class. Mel opens her mouth to say something else but Mr. Duther at the front beats her to it.

“Good Morning Class! Today we are going to learn about one of the five continents, the Veral continent! As some of you might see up on the board, this lecture will mostly focus on the Vampiric portion located in the Northeast section. Although the Empire is reticent to trade outside its borders, trading with the Vampiric Matriarchs is one of the few exceptions so make sure to take careful notes as this will be on the test…”

Well, this is better than usual. If I had my notebook, I might even take notes. For some reason, I’ve always had trouble paying attention in history. I don’t mind tales of battles and dragons, but when it comes to memorizing ancient civilizations or the names of important dead dudes, I can’t seem to care enough to listen. Current event stuff isn’t as bad.

Mr. Druther drones on. He talks of the Vampiric Queen which brings up a fond eight-eyed memory of a pale woman with a scarlet smile. Her mouth moves, but I cannot hear what she is saying. Strange.

“Yes, did you have a question?” I look up to see Mr. Duther looking at me. What!? My heart pounds in my chest as I look around. Do I have a question?

It takes me a second to realize that the boy behind me had raised his hand. I feel an ugly, irrational dislike for him build-up underneath the panic and embarrassment I feel.

“Why don’t we just conquer the vampires? They don’t have guns or tanks or missiles! The Empire should be able to take them on easy!”

“That’s a very good question! Does anyone have an answer?” Mr. Duther looks eagerly about the room, hoping for a victim to volunteer themselves. The class is as silent as the grave.

“Ehem, well, you see Johnny although the Empire is the most technologically advanced country in the world, there are many… old powers still around. Although we would no doubt emerge victorious, the costs and losses inflicted by going up against a Vampire Queen would be catastrophic.”

Mr. Duther grows agitated. His face beaming as he scans the classroom.

“It’s also why we don’t go after sleeping Dragons or Mountain Golems! The Empire has decided to play the long game! By waiting for magic to dry up, our enemies grow weaker, while we grow stronger through science! It’s inevitable that the Empire will one day conquer the world! The Empire has just chosen to do it in a way that doesn’t cause undue bloodshed! That was a very good question, Johnny! Does anyone else have any questions?”

Another hand shoots up. It’s a small mousy girl sitting in the front.

“Yes, Meredith?”

“Um, aren’t the dwarves the most technologically advanced race?”

Mr. Duther's face grows dark. His earlier enthusiasm gone.

“The dwarves are dead. Nothing is coming out of their mountains ever again.”

The classroom grows silent again. Mr. Duther clears his throat and his face lightens up a little, though it still looks a little pinched.

“Are there any questions about Vampires?”

Another hand goes up. It’s Abigail’s.

“Ah, yes, Miss Sparth?”

“I heard that you could identify a Vampire by their red eyes and their sickly white complexion? Is that true?”

Mr. Durthes zeal returns once again, hearing a question he can answer.

“Why yes! All Vampires bear the characteristic of being pale and having red eyes! That along with the bloodsucker's slightly elongated canines are some of their biggest identifiers! Was there a particular reason for your question Miss Sparth?”

Abigail's smile grows wider and wider. I feel a wave of dread wash over me. What is she going to say? Is this revenge for this morning?

“Mr. Durthes, I couldn’t help but notice that one of our classmates bears these same characteristics? Could she perchance…” She glances pointedly at me, drawing the attention of the whole class. “be a vampire?”

The Classroom explodes with noise. Muttering and startled looks are sent my way. Their eyes pinning me to my seat, their whispers crashing against my ears. I ball my hands into fists and close my eyes looking down. I squirm internally, hating the attention.

“Quiet, QUIET!” Mr. Durthe's voice blasts over the murmuring students, the rare show of anger by the mild teacher stilling the classroom.

“Miss Wrath is not a vampire! Her red eyes are unusual but not uncommon among the Wrath family. This characteristic is common among those whose Mana Origin is located in the Cardiovascular system! The Wrath Family is well known to have Origins found almost exclusively within arteries or veins while vampires Origins are all located in the blood.”

His angry gaze bores into the rest of the classroom before finally settling on the cause of the fiasco.

“Miss Sparth! I am happy that you show such interest in academia, but I would ask that you not through baseless accusations at your classmates! Miss Wrath is a citizen of the Empire by nature of her Noble blood! It is not our place to question her humanity! To doubt a citizen is to doubt the Empire! Do you really think that the Empire would let a filthy bloodsucker gain citizenship?”

Abigail is looking a little shell shocked. Her one eye opened wide and trembling. Shocked that her prank could backfire so badly.

“WELL! DO YOU!?” Mr. Durthes face is red, spittle flying from lips set in a snarl.

Abigail quickly shakes her head, her hair flying everywhere with the motion. She looks down hiding her face, but I still notice a small glint in her one eye.

Mr. Duther's is panting by this point as his face slowly returns to its usual shade.

“There will be—*pant*—no more questions.”

The lecture continues, but the classroom is dead silent. Not even a whisper can be heard from the students as Mr. Duther's voice drones on about trade and treaties. I don’t listen, however.

I sit paralyzed in my seat. Still in shock from the earlier exchange. I glance over at Abigail who has her head down still. Her hair covering her face, shoulders shaking a little.

Regardless that it was her attempt to get me in trouble that snowballed into this incident, I can’t find any pleasure in seeing her like this. No vindictive pleasure at seeing “justice” served to the “villain”. Instead, my stomach feels sick and I can’t stop shaking.

Nobody deserves to be yelled at like that.

The time seems to crawl by as I sit in my seat taking deep breaths. In and Out. In and Out.

I just feel done with today. With Yesterday and the day before. Tired.

All the stresses, from the goblin to talking to Mel and finally the angry, screaming face of Mr. Duther. I just feel numb to it all now. Why? Why?

Life was going so well before all this Demon Lord stuff happened! Sure, Abigail would tease me, and life at home was far from perfect, but I’d been having fun! My sleepover at Mel’s house had been amazing! I’d even considered joining her swordsmanship class! I’d been ahead on my homework! Where!? Where had it all gone wrong?

It’s all that stupid goblin's fault.

The bell rings and I rush for the door.

“Sel! Wait!”

I hear a clattering of a chair behind me, but I’m already out the door and in the press of students all clamoring and ambling along. Jostling back and forth I let the flow of the crowd push me out the doors. Now I only need to find Emi and I’ll be on my way…

Of course. I don’t see the truck anywhere. I should have known! Grownups are always late!

“Sel!”

Ack!

A hand grabs my shoulder. I don’t even have a backpack to hide behind. I turn around and Mel is standing there with an annoyed look on her face.

“Sel! Stop ignoring me! This is ridiculous! Why are you even mad! Because you thought it was a goblin, but it was really just a dog? I’m not going to laugh at you for something like that! I’m just glad you’re safe!”

I feel a mix of emotions well up. I’m still angry at her but now I feel torn.

“Mel, it wasn’t a dog! I know what I saw, and it was a goblin! I didn’t hallucinate or imagine a dog! I don’t know how or why, but it was a goblin!”

“Sel, you’re being silly! Goblins haven’t been around for nearly a century! Even the Untamed continent hasn’t seen goblins in years! The mana levels are just too low to support goblin spawning! They are EXTINCT! Dead. R. I. P. Gone!”

I’m breathing hard. Mel grows unfocused in my vision as I feel my eyes burn. In the corner of my eye, I see Emi’s truck pulling up to the curb.

“Mel, I know what I saw. I’m not making this up. The goblin is still out there, and I’m scared and all you can do is tell me is ‘it’s a dog’, ‘it’s a dog’. I-I just want— I just need… Why can’t you just trust me?”

Mel’s face takes on a hurt look, but I can’t watch anymore. It just hurts too much. Inside I know I’m asking her to consider something rather unreasonable. I know that my story is hard to believe! But Mel’s expression that says, “I don’t believe you”, the worry in her eyes, and everything else! It’s just too much.

I twist my shoulder breaking out of the grip Mel has on me and run to Emi’s truck. Mel’s saying something behind me, but I don’t want to hear it.

I yank the truck door open and hop inside, shutting the door behind me. I look over at Emi who appears to be talking to someone on the phone. She glances over at me, gives a small nod and puts the car in gear.

I look out the window and pretend to not be listening while I eavesdrop on Emi’s conversation. Grateful that this gives me the chance to compose myself.

“Look Mama, I know I said I’d be there at three-thirty, but I had something pop up!”

“…”

“I know today is an important day, but it doesn’t really matter if I’m there right? It’s just a bunch of old fuddy-duddies coming to leech off of our family.”

Emi has to pull the phone away from her ear at this point and I quickly glance back out the window, giving off my best “I’m not listening” pose.

“Yeah, yeah, you can tell them I said it too! And yes, I am doing something important. I’m picking up Ophir’s little sister!”

Ah, how awkward. The conversation that I wasn’t listening to—at all—had turned its malevolent gaze at me. I squeeze myself into the side of the seat and stare even harder outside. I am a part of the seat. I am not here. I am invisible!

“…”

*snort* “I figured you’d give me a break once you heard that. Yes, I really am talking to her. Here she is,”

I glance over at that part and find a phone thrust into my hand. I feel like I’ve just been handed a live snake, and now they want me to shove the thing into my ear so it can talk to me.

I gingerly raise the device to my ear. Expecting some horrible, snake-like voice to come crashing through the phone. I am… pleasantly surprised?

“Ah, you must be Ophir’s little sister! I’ve heard so much about your older sister from Emi! Such a good girl, Ophir! And getting a full scholarship and Citizenship right out of high school! Truly you have an amazing big sister! I just wish my Emi could be as diligent. *sigh* She hasn’t caused you any trouble, right? You tell me if she causes any trouble, okay? Any at all and I’ll give her such a thrashing that she won’t forget! She may have gotten a half Citizenship, but that doesn’t mean she can disregard her Mama! So, you just tell me if she gives you any trouble, alright?”

Emi’s mom’s voice is rather upbeat and lively. Swinging between sugar-sweet, to threatening so quickly that I find myself dizzy trying to follow it.

“Ah, um, n-no she hasn’t given me any trouble at all, Ma’am. She’s been very, uh, helpful? I couldn’t have gotten to school on time without her or gotten home either.”

“Ho, ho, ho, there’s no need to be so formal dear! You can just call me Auntie. No need for all that “Ma’am” with me! Ah but so polite! I just wish my Emi could be as polite! It’s a relief to hear that Emi hasn’t caused you too much trouble! My Emi is a rather studious girl, but she can be quite the rebellious child! Why she used to be as cute and well mannered as you when she was younger! I don’t know where I possibly could have gone wrong! Such a mouth on that unruly child! It makes a mother’s heart break!”

“I-I think Emi’s a nice person, um, A-Auntie.” I almost choke on that last word. I give Emi a look, hoping she will get the message and save me. She glances my way and gives me a small smile and mouths “Sorry, I’m driving” before turning back to the road. Traitor!

“Oh, you don’t need to defend her! Though, that is so sweet of you! No, she truly is a wayward child! Why even today she was supposed to arrive early for a party we’re throwing for her but instead, she doesn’t even tell me that she had made other plans! All these important guests from the family and she isn’t even there to greet them!”

“S-Sorry about that.” I cringe. It seems I’ve inconvenienced Emi.

“No, no, dear! Of course, it’s not your fault! If Emi had just told me she was picking up Ophir’s sister I would have been happy to delay the party! But no! She doesn’t even tell me that she is going to be late! Why I remember this time when…”

I give another pleading look at Emi, but her gaze is fixed on the road ahead of us. Her lip twitches and I give her a suspicious look. Oi

“…That’s when the principal called to inform me! I was so distraught that she had not only fallen to such slovenly behavior but that she had dragged your poor sister into it too! I of course wouldn’t stand for such behavior so…”

Mile after mile passes as I’m given a detailed account of Emi’s mischievous childhood, a fair amount of it seeming to consist of Emi dragging my ‘poor innocent sister’ into trouble. My gaze bores into her side as she keeps pointedly staring out the window. She can’t fool me, though. The twitch has turned into a full-on smirk gracing her mouth. She’s doing this on purpose!

“A-Auntie, I know exactly what you mean! She really is a troubl—"

Emi reaches over and snatches the phone out of my hand. I stare at her, feeling betrayed. My revenge! Give it back!

She gives me a wicked smile before looking back at the road. “Sorry to cut your conversation short Mama, but we’re getting close to Sel’s house. Don’t worry I’ll be at the party shortly! Love you Ma!”

She hangs up and only then do I realize that we’re just about to hit the tree line. I”m only a few minutes away from home.

I glare at Emi and open my mouth then close it. Looking out the window I finally find the words that give meaning to the broiling emotions I feel inside.

“I-I’ll tell Ophir about all those stories!”

*Phhhh* “Ha, ha, ha, if you were listening then you should know that not only does Ophir know all of those stories already, but she was also the main perpetrator of half of them. My Ma likes to think that Ophir is a little angel, but most of those she dragged me into.”

I struggle for something else to say. Opening and closing my mouth a couple more times. Is my revenge really so hopeless?

“Argh! Fine! Then I-I’ll tell everyone else about those embarrassing stories!” Hah! Didn’t see that one coming, did you?

“Heh, good luck! My Ma tells those tales to everyone. It would be harder to find someone I know that doesn’t already know about them.”

I slump into my seat, defeated. It doesn’t help that Emi keeps chuckling to herself. Ever heard of sportsmanship? It’s not nice to gloat over the collapsed, miserable forms of the defeated!

“Come on, it wasn’t that bad was it?”

I fidget. “No. Not really. I’m just uncomfortable talking to adults. I get nervous.” I glance over at the villain. Trying to see if there is any remorse for her wicked deeds. There is none.

“Sometimes we need to be pushed out of our comfort zones. You won’t ever improve otherwise. Besides, I’m also an adult, you don’t seem that uncomfortable talking to me?”

“Well, you’re not really an adult. You’re only eighteen, which is just a… just a fake adult.”

*cough* *cough* *gasp* “Well then, when will I be a real adult? If I’m a fake one at eighteen.”

I ponder on this for a moment. Why can I talk to Emi like normal, but not my teachers or Mel’s parents? What’s the difference between them and Emi? Or Ophir? Emi certainly doesn’t act like an adult, but Ophir does so that can’t be it. What’s the difference?

“I think real adults have kids. Otherwise, you’re a fake adult.”

Emi looks like she’s going to crack something back but then pauses. The conversation stills. I can see the Wooden Mansion ahead.

“So, it’s parents that you have trouble talking to?”

I give Emi a funny look. “I guess?”

The truck stops and I pop open the door. Swinging my feet around I slide off the seat and bounce out of the truck. I turn around and look at Emi, not sure of what to say.

“Um, thanks for the ride. It was fun.”

She smiles back at me.

“No problem! I’ll be here to pick you up tomorrow too. We’ll also be going out to pick up some groceries after school tomorrow. I heard from Ophir that you were almost out.”

“Mm, thanks.” Should I close the door now? Or were we still talking? It’s so hard to tell.

“I have to go to my party, but if you have any trouble at all, just give me a call alright? I know Ophir said that there were some circumstances, but I still feel uncomfortable leaving you alone here. So, if anything pops up don’t hesitate to ask for help, alright? Take care, and don’t do anything that me or Ophir would!”

I smile back. “Okay!” Now, do I close the door? *clunk* Hopefully the conversation was over.

Apparently, it was, or close enough, because Emi pulls around the house and starts heading back down the road. I can’t help but think that there is something I’m forgetting as I wave goodbye. What was it?

THE GOBLIN!

Oh my gosh! I had totally forgotten about the goblin! Glancing around the yard I fail to find any green interlopers but that doesn’t stop the fear. Why had I been so eager to get home? I should have asked to go to Emi’s party and then ran away! Or tried to stay at the school! Or anything but this! Why was I so stupid?

I run to the house entrance, grab the handle, and open up the door. I’m greeted by the dim light coming from the windows. I begin to step in before realizing that the door had been unlocked this entire time. I stand frozen at the entrance. Terrified of what’s in the woods behind me. Terrified at what could possibly be in the room in front of me.

I don’t know how long I stand there. Scanning the darkroom for movement. Listening for anything.

I take another step forward inside before reaching out to flick on the light. It flickers on and I see the kitchen, perfectly normal. No muddy goblin footprints or signs of break-in. I slowly close the door and lock it.

I don’t stop there, however. Going from room to room I open every door and make certain that I’m alone. I check in the closets and under beds. I even open drawers, though I’m not really sure why. Only after fully checking both floors, and making sure the second-floor entrance to the rest of the Wooden Mansion is securely fastened, do I make my way back to the kitchen. I glance outside. Still nothing.

The clock on the microwave reads five o’clock. I’m getting a little hungry. I grab the rest of the hotdogs and chuck them in the microwave. I walk up to one of the windows and stare out. Nothing.

*Beep beep beep beep*

I nearly jump out of my skin when the microwave goes off. I sigh with relief. Thank goodness. Grabbing the plate out of the microwave I pull it out and go back to sitting by the window. The clearing is still empty. I pay particular attention to where the game trail exits. It’s quite far away, and I can barely make out the small bushes and shrubs from here. I figure if the goblin or goblins come back it’ll be from there.

I’m just about to take a bite of my hotdog when I notice a bush rustling off to the left of the game trail. On my right. It’s difficult to make out from here, but I’m pretty sure it’s rustling a bit too much. I tense. The hotdog half raised, my mouth still open. I don’t move.

Stay calm. It might not be the goblin. There are a lot of animals in these woods. Just keep watching.

The bush stills. Maybe it was just the wind? Or a deer…

Don’t look away.

If it really is a goblin, what should I do? All of a sudden my barn plan seems remarkably stupid. To execute it I’d have to go outside, lure the goblins into the barn and then light it from the inside. That… is such a stupid plan!!!

Don’t look away!

The bush starts moving again. It’s a goblin! It’s a goblin! It’s a goblin! It has to be a goblin!

Don’t look away!

I’m trembling now. The end of the hotdog wobbling next to my mouth. I can’t take a bite though. My stomach feels sick and all my insides feel like they’re being squeezed out. Please don’t be a goblin!

The bush is far away. But even from this distance, I can clearly see a small green hand emerge from the bushes. Followed by a small green head with yellow eyes. It glances around the clearing before ducking back into the bushes. I freeze. It really was a goblin.

DO SOMETHING YOU IDIOT!

Berating myself I rush down the hallway and grab the wall phone. Pulling the cord so I can look down the hallway and out the kitchen windows, I quickly dial in the emergency number. The phone begins to ring.

*Kichick* “Northeast Free Lands police department. What’s your emergency?” The man’s voice echoes across the line. He sounds slightly annoyed.

The outside clearing looks deserted. No sign of the goblin. Which bush was it?

“Y-yes, I mean—” I take a deep breath. Thinking about what I need to say. “There’s someone outside my house. I think it’s a robber. Please—”

“Where’s your address?”

More bushes start to rustle. A lot more.

“I-I live in the Wooden Forest, down the Old Forest road.”

“Give me a second to look that up Miss… that’s pretty far outside of our jurisdiction. Do you have the credits to pay for that? It’d probably be… 2000 credits I think.”

“W-what!” 2000 credits! That’s… a lot. My parents might have that much saved up in the bank, but there’s no way I have anything approaching that much.

“Look Miss, we don’t work for free. That’s a long way outside of our jurisdiction and if you want some officers to show up then you got to make it worth their time. We’re risking our lives out there on the field and all we’re asking for is a little compensation to acknowledge our efforts. You don’t think that’s unreasonable, do you Miss?”

They start to emerge from the bushes. One, two, three, five, wait did I already count that one? There’s more! At least Ten! Maybe Twenty!

Another comes, and then another.

“L-l-look I don’t have the money on me, but when my parents get home, they—”

*sigh* “Look Miss if you don’t have the money, you don’t got the money. We get there and solve the problem and then your parents show up with no incentive to pay. Look kid, I’m not heartless here. If you could call your parents and then have them call us, or if you even knew of a safe your parents kept their money in then perhaps, we could arrange—” *click*

I hung up. I don’t know how many goblins are out there now. Some of them seem to be chittering and talking to each other. Pointing at the mansion. They start to approach.

I look down at the phone not sure what to do. Should I call Ophir? Try and get her to call the station? But how would she even call a Free Land's police station from the Empire? Did I even have enough time for that?

I still had Emi’s phone number too. I could call her.

I look out the window to find that the goblins are almost at the door. They're approaching in a disordered line. Some walking ahead, others trailing behind. They carry sharpened sticks and are clothed only with some small hide loincloths.

I probably only have a minute before they reach the door. I have to decide NOW.

Coming to a quick decision I dial in a number. And press call. The phone starts to ring.

*ring, ring, ring, ka-chk*

"Sel?"