Chapter 12: A Friend Indeed!

Mel was lying listlessly on her bed. Face squished against her pillow, legs kicking back and forth. A deep sigh building up within her which she didn’t even try to hold back.

*SIGH*

“Will you stop that! So, what if you got in a fight with your little friend! Stop polluting the room with your bad mood! “

“Shut up, Tiffany,” Mel said, but there wasn’t much fire in her words. Why did she have to share a room with Tiffany? Even sharing one with Mickey would have been better! And he was an eight-year-old boy who thought girls were “gross”.

“Now listen here, you little twerp! This is Blake’s senior year of high school! In just two months he’s going to be gone for college! I need to look perfect, and I cannot do that with all your negativity! Now take your mopey grumpiness and get out!”

“Fiiiiiiine!” Mel briefly considered how it would feel to take a nice wooden practice sword to her sister, a couple of blows to the front and back would probably do her a lot of good. However, she quickly discarded the idea. She didn’t really like beating up people who were a lot weaker than her. It left a bad taste in her mouth.

Besides Sel of course, but that was different.

Going down to the dining room table, Mel collapsed in a chair and examined the many papers that were scattered across the table. They were also part of the problem.

Mel dropped her head on the table with a groan. No matter what she tried she just couldn’t get her mind off Sel! To make it even worse she was having trouble with her math homework! Usually, this wasn’t too big of a problem because she was best friends with a math whiz who was more than happy to help her out. But…

“Why can’t you just trust me?”

“Argh!” Mel whipped her head back and forth sending the math papers scattering across the table. Only stopping when her hair was completely blocking her view of the kitchen.

That was dirty Sel! Dirty, Dirty, Dirty! Pulling the ‘trust me’ card on me! Super Dirty!

Mel sat up trying to arrange her mess of hair and pulling the math papers back into some form of orderliness. Heaven forbid she lose any of what she had managed to do!

I can’t even finish my homework now! It doesn’t even make any sense! How can you do this to me Sel!

Why did you need sine, cosine, and tan-tan tan-something! Couldn’t you just use one? And then if that wasn’t bad enough, there was also the “Law of Sines” or “Law of Cosines” that they had to memorize. And the law of Cosines was a mess! Why would anyone ever use such a disgusting thing! The teacher had explained why, but Mel only kinda understood it. What it had basically boiled down to, was that these so-called ‘laws’ were used with triangles that weren’t “right-angled”.

As far as Mel was concerned that was triangle discrimination! A triangle should be able to be whatever it wanted without intolerant laws getting in the way! These so-called Laws were Prejudiced and went against the natural rights that should be afforded to people no matter their shape or size!

Sel would get it though. She’d probably roll her eyes too at Mel’s triangle discrimination joke. Mel really wanted to see that look on Sel’s face! Her expressions could be so funny!

*Sigh*

She couldn’t even get angry at Sel either. She’d looked so awful in PE and her arm had looked even worse! And then her expression after school!

I push through the crowd trying to see Sel. But I can’t see her over this stupid crowd. Why did she run off like that anyway!? I just wanted to talk, and she ran out of the class as if I was going to beat her bloody with a practice sword!

Well, she’s not getting away! I start to shove and push burrowing through the crowd. My height is about average, but I’m proud to say that I’m stronger and have better balance than almost anyone in our grade. Nobody beats me with the sword, and this crowd is certainly not going to beat me either!

I disregard the angry looks and curses at my passing. I. don’t. care. Get out of my way. Or suffer!

Luckily, I have a bit of a… reputation in the sports clubs. After people realize that I’m trying to get through they usually let me pass pretty quickly.

Making my way to the parking lot, I first check the bus stop, but she isn’t there. Did I miss her?

Then I spot her. There standing in the corner of the lot is a small figure with a black hoodie pulled up over her head. I frown. She doesn’t have her backpack. Did she forget it in the nurse’s office?

I shake off the errant thought. I have a mission to accomplish! And there is no escape for my prey!

“Sel!”

I grab her shoulder and she wheels around. Her face is impassive, her red eyes unblinking. It’s a little unnerving, but not unusual. It’s her “guarded” face. The mask she puts on when she’s hiding something or giving me the silent treatment.

Or playing cards.

The point is it’s a SUPER annoying face! Seeing it makes me want to shake her silly! It’s such an irritatingly expressionless expression! I really, really don’t like it, and I definitely don’t deserve it!

“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!”

Sel’s face remains impassive as she looks up at me, though her red eyes seem to shake a little.

“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!”

Her face starts to break up a little at the end, her mouth twitching, eyebrows slightly pulled in. Tiny amounts of emotion pushing through. I see weakness, a chance to break through that stupid stony mask and I strike.

“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!”

It’s only after I finish talking that I realize I’ve gone too far. Sel’s eyes are misty and her face is contorting into something that makes my chest ache. I want to apologize, but I can’t! Because Sel is wrong! She was just tired and confused and it’s fine, but I just have to—

“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?”

I can’t speak. I open my mouth, but I can’t say anything. How can you say that! Of course, I trust you Sel, but you’re talking crazy! You were in shock! You can’t even trust yourself when you’re in shock, so how am I supposed to—

Sel twists in my grip pulling away. I want to hold on, but my reaction speed is shot. I stumble after her.

“Sel wait! Let’s just talk this over, okay? Look I’m sorry that I yelled at you, but if you’ll just listen to me for just a second—" She isn’t listening.

“Sel!”

And then, right before my eyes, she pops open a truck door, hops in, and before I even realize what’s going on the truck is pulling out and Sel is gone.

…What?

She’d walked home after that. Eaten a quick after school snack and set in on her homework. Not that it had been very productive. No matter what she did her thoughts always wandered back to the same topic. It was inescapable

Why was she the villain, though? She’d just been trying to help! But regardless of how much Mel told herself this, she just couldn’t stop thinking of that last expression Sel had!

Someone was walking upstairs. Probably her mom. The kid’s bedrooms were all upstairs and her dad wasn’t home yet.

Mel just kept staring at her homework, hoping her mom would pass her by. She could be a little nosy and Mel didn’t really feel like chatting.

Unfortunately, it was not to be. Mel heard a chair being pulled out beside her and someone sitting down. A hand touched her back and started rubbing. Mel suppressed the sigh that wanted to come up. Knowing that it would land her even deeper in the mire of the psychological trap she had fallen into.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“…Nothing much. I just got in a fight with Sel.”

“You two are always getting into fights. I’m sure you’ll make up and be back to being best friends in no time.”

Mel just shook her head at that. This argument was different. Mel was sure that Sel would never forgive her!

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Mel would never admit it, ever, ever, ever, but the hand on her back was very soothing. Who knows, maybe talking it out with her mom would help clear her head?

“Yeah. Sel got injured walking home from our sleepover. I found out at PE and dragged her to the nurse’s office because she was acting funny and the scratch looked pretty infected. I was really worried about her! But when I asked what had happened, she told me that she was attacked by a goblin!”

Mel looked over at her mom expecting to be interrupted or for some sign of agreement. But her mom just looked at her and nodded her head to continue.

“So of course, I didn’t believe that! But she had been hurt so I called Sel’s older sister to hear what happened. She said Sel had come home that night pretty banged up and out of it. Ophir asked her what had happened, and Sel told her that she’d been attacked by a dog. But when I confronted her after school, she again insisted that it was a goblin! She even asked if I trusted her!”

Mel looked over at her mom who seemed to be considering what she had said. She knew what her mother would say. It was completely unreasonable, right?

“Mel, do you think Sel was lying to you?”

“Of course! She can’t have been chased by a goblin!”

“But do you think Sel believed what she said? Or was she just trying to get attention?”

“No, Sel definitely believed it! Like, completely believed it… she looked kinda scared.”

“Now let me ask you a question, Mel. What’s the worst that could happen if what she told you was wrong?”

“Well, she’d keep thinking there were goblins and then…” Mel frowned thinking about it. What would happen next? “…and then she’d probably forget about it in a couple of weeks.” She thought about it for a bit longer. “I’d tease her about it for a long time too.”

Mel’s mom paused at that last phrase, frowning for a second before continuing.

“And what’s the worst that could happen if it was true?”

Mel swallowed. She didn’t even want to think about that! Why had her mom had to bring up that. It hurt to even consider.

“She could—she could die.” Was this what her mom wanted to tell her? Because Mel felt even worse now! This pep talk was turning out awful!

“Hey, cheer up! I’m not saying what she said is true, but you have to think about how Sel feels. How would you feel if you were all alone in the woods, and you believed that there were goblins outside?”

Mel froze. Sometimes she forgot just how far out in the backcountry Sel lived. Also, Sel’s family was gone to receive their citizenship too! She was all alone! Mel had been excited at the prospect of Sel sneaking over since her parents were gone, but she hadn’t even considered how lonely it could be! Alone, in the woods…

“I’d be terrified.”

“And what if you went to a friend, and they told you not to worry about it?”

Mel didn’t say anything, she wasn’t sure what to say. She felt sick.

“Mel, you are a very bright girl and a really good friend, but sometimes you can get a little obsessed with doing the ‘right’ thing. Sometimes it’s okay to lie. To tell a friend “I believe you” even if you don’t, because the big problem here isn’t that Sel believes there are goblins in the woods, the big problem is that she’s scared. So, when you ignore the big problem, you can end up hurting your friend’s feelings.”

Mel was starting to wonder if this was really a pep talk at all. She felt awful.

“Sel’s a good friend for you, right.”

“Of course!” Forget about good! She was the ‘best’ friend!

“So as her friend, what’s your next move? What would you want a friend to do if you were in Sel’s position?”

What should she have done?

I should have comforted her. In hindsight it was obvious she was pretty riled up. If I’d bothered to just listen, waited my turn, and talked it over calmly this could have gone so much better!

But that was in the past. What could she do now?

“Could I invite her over?”

Mel’s mom grimaced.

“If you had told me sooner, we might have been able to. But you know me and your father are going to Tiffany’s school. What else could you do though?”

Mel knew what she had to do.

“I’ll call her.”

Mel’s mom smiled and patted her on the back.

“That’s my girl.”

They sat there for a few more seconds. In silence. A silence that was soon broken by the opening and slamming of the front door.

“That’s probably your father. I have to go finish getting ready, I’ll see you in a few.”

Mel’s mom got up greeting the tall blond man that entered the kitchen with a kiss and a few quiet words before rushing down the stairs. Mel gagged and looked away. Kissing, yuck.

“Hey, kiddo. How was school today?” Mel’s dad asked as he headed for the fridge.

“It was okay. Sel had to go to the nurse’s office. Which was pretty scary. Also Mr. Duther kind of exploded at the class.”

“Hmm, how did she get hurt? Nothing too serious, I hope?”

“Well, she didn’t really get hurt at school, she had some scratches on her arm that hadn’t been cared for properly and were a little infected. Um, could you maybe look at them? When she comes over?”

Mel’s dad offered her a smile as he slid the pilfered goods into the microwave.

“Sure thing, kiddo. I’d be happy to look at your friend’s arm.”

The microwave started up, sending a low hum over the pause in the conversation.

“Mr. Duther… that’s your history teacher, right?”

“Yeah, he really got mad at the class today. I’ve never seen him so angry.”

“Was it about the Empire?”

Mel stared at her father. Was he some kind of psychic on top of being a doctor?

“How did you know?”

Mel’s dad chuckled. Pulling the food from the microwave.

“He’s a history teacher. Being excessively patriotic is almost part of the job description. I’ve met a few in my years and nothing gets them riled up like talking about the Empire. Not that there’s anything wrong with being patriotic, of course. The Empire is one of the biggest superpowers in the world, and there’s a lot to be proud of! It’s just not as perfect as Mr. Duther would have you believe.”

“Huh.” Sel may be the whiz at math, but Mel could talk circle’s around her when it came to history. Why Sel would enjoy math more than history was something Mel would never understand.

“So, do you think the Empire could defeat a Vampire Queen?”

“Was that what you were talking about? Well, Defeat? Yes. Win? No. The Empire could probably go up against any singular power in the world and emerge the victor. However, the cost of vanquishing the monsters of the past isn’t small. Additionally, it’s not that simple either. When the ruler of your country can live for hundreds of years, they collect quite a few favors. The Vampire Queen’s been around for far longer than we’ve been a country and been involved both with the defeat of the Demon Lord, and the walling in of the Dwarven mountains. In a large-scale conflict, there’s no telling just how many individuals would be dragged in.”

“Hmm. That actually makes a lot of sense.”

Mel’s dad gave her a big grin before glancing down at his watch.

“Well, kid, I’ve got to go, but if you ever have any other questions don’t be scared to ask. You’re the only one around here whoever wants to talk history with this old man.” He gave her a forlorn smile, then quickly switched it out for a playful smirk.

Well, now there was nothing stopping her from calling Sel. She looked at the clock which read 4:55. Mel fidgeted in her seat. She usually wasn’t this indecisive. But what if Sel didn’t answer? What if she yelled at her? What if she lost her temper and yelled at Sel?

“Mel we’re leaving! The babysitter will be here in a bit! I’ve left instructions with her, be good and we’ll see about planning another sleepover! Also, keep an eye on Mickey. If you need anything give us a call!”

“Mom! I don’t need a babysitter!”

But it was too late. They were already out the door. Mel was alone in the house.

Mel sat there. Listening to the sounds in the house. The tick, tock of the clock. The creaks and groans from the house's settling bones. Setting there Mel just felt so... alone.

That was the realization that decided it for her. She knew that there were people just across the street from her and that she wasn’t really alone. Heck, Mickey was still upstairs in his room for crying out loud! But if this was how an empty house felt like after only a few minutes then Sel needed to be called right away.

Besides, the fact that her best friend could be sitting terrified all alone right now didn’t sit well with her. Even if she didn’t answer, Mel had to at least try to call her.

Mel was just about to start dialing when the phone started ringing. Mel scowled down at the phone in her hand. Hey! How dare you interrupt me when I’d just gotten my courage up!

But then she saw the caller’s Id.

Mel didn’t think she’d ever answered a phone call so quickly.

“Sel?”

“H-hey Mel.” Sel’s voice trembled as it came through.

“Sel! I was just about to call you! Look I just wanted to apologize about today! I should have listened—"Mel.”—to you instead of yelling and being so pushy, but I was just so worried—“Mel!”—about you that I couldn’t—”

“MEL!” Mel shut up. She felt her cheeks heating. She’d been running her mouth off about not listening, while not listening. Super embarrassing.

“Look, Mel, shut up and listen for a second. I don’t have much—*inhale*—look I just need you to listen, okay? I’m sorry about what I said at school. I know you trust me, and I just wanted to let you know that you’ve—*hic*—been the best friend, ever. That it’s not your fault and that I’m really, really sorry.”

Mel didn’t move. Her earlier joy and embarrassment draining from her. She felt cold. Something was very, very wrong.

“Sel, what’s wrong? Are you crying? Please Sel! Talk to me.”

“I have to go Mel. I wish we had more time but I—”

*crash* *tink* *tink*

“Sel! What was that?”

The line was silent and then, in a voice so quiet that she could barely hear it,

“…Goodbye, Mel.”

*thump*

“Sel! Sel! What’s going on!? Sel!”

Mel looked down at the phone to see if Sel had hung up on her, but she was still connected. What is going on!? Was that glass breaking!

“Sel! Sel!”

*crash*

Mel stopped talking. Her eyes growing wider and wider as she stopped and listened.

*Thump* *crash* *Kikiki* *Gugk* *BAM* *CRASH*

A cacophony of sounds came through. Odd glutaral speech, the smashing of what sounded like glass, and then a huge crash. But it didn’t stop. More and more sounds! Until after one large crash—

The line went dead.

Mel sat there for a moment the phone to her ear not moving. Her breathing came quicker and quicker. What was going on? Was this a prank? Were there really goblins, or was it—? What—

Mel took a deep breath and cleared her mind. Okay.

What did she know? Sel was in trouble. What kind of trouble? Mel didn’t know. But it didn’t matter. She was in danger; the kind did not matter right now. What else did she know? Sel was at her house when she called her.

What should she do? She looked down at the phone. Did she have time to explain to her parents? Should she call the police? What would she tell them? That she thought her friend was in trouble? That she had heard crashing sounds? That there just might be goblins attacking her best friend? No. The police wouldn’t believe a kid, she’d have to call her parents explain it to them and then have her parents call the police and then explain the information. Only then would help come. So, should she—No.

No time. Whatever was happening there just wasn’t time. Sel needed help right now. But she might need more help than Mel could provide. SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Mel’s thoughts raced as she set the phone down. Thoughts spinning through her head. Goals. Obstacles. Routes. Outcomes.

And then it clicked.

Mel rushed down the hallway and up the stairs. Her plan wasn’t perfect. If she had more time, or if—useless. Concentrate on what you can do.

Stopping at the first door at the top of the stairs Mel barged in without knocking. A typical boy’s room greeted her. An assortment of toys, clothes, and comics lay on the floor. Mel ignored it all. Her eyes going to the small unmade bed occupied by an eight-year-old boy who was looking at Mel with wide eyes over the comic book he’d been reading.

“Wha—”

Mel strode over to the bed. Eyes intent on her little brother.”

“Mickey. I need you to do something for me. It’s very important.”

Mel waited to make certain he was listening. He sat up putting the comic to the side, eyes still wide with surprise. Good enough.

“I need you to call mom. Call them and tell them that Selina is in danger. In really big danger. Tell them that I’ve gone over to help, but they need to send help right away.”

Mickey blinked. Mouth agape. It looked like he wanted to say something, but his mouth just kept opening and closing.

“If they don’t believe you, or if they hang up. Keep calling. If mom doesn’t answer, call dad. If dad doesn’t answer call Tiffany. Keep calling no matter what. Mickey, do you understand?”

“Wha—”

“This is a really important mission, Mickey. Only you can do this. Will you do it? Are you strong enough?”

He straightened up, sitting as tall as he could in his bed. His eyes were still wide with surprise, but his mouth was now set in a very serious tilt. Mel might have thought it cute at another time.

“O-Okay! I’ll do it!”

Mel didn’t wait for him to get up. She rushed downstairs and shoved the door to the backyard open. In the fading light, she made her way over to the shed where her swordplay supplies were kept. Opening it up, she quickly grabbed what she needed and rushed back into the house.

Noting that Mickey was making his way to the phone she rushed to the small basket next to the door.

Please. Please. Please. Score!

At the top of the basket, surrounded by other knickknacks, was the key to her dad’s truck. Mel had been worried that they had taken the truck or that her dad would have left the keys in his pocket. Luckily both the truck and key were still there.

Rushing out the door, Mel was satisfied to hear the phone ringing in the other room. Mickey was holding up his end admirably. She’d have to make it up to the twerp later. Right now, she needed to do her part.

Outside sitting in the driveway was her dad’s truck. It was big, red, and shiny. Making her way over Mel popped open the front seat and clambered in. Throwing her equipment in the passenger seat.

Mel pulled the door closed and started to adjust the seat as best she could. She could see over the steering wheel and out the windshield, but she had to sit a little forward in the seat. Her feet also could touch the gas and brake pedals, but it was a bit of a stretch.

Now…

Sorry, Dad.

Mel put the key in the ignition and turned it.

*chu, chu, chu, chu, vroooooom*

The indicators in the dashboard lit up, along with a screen that was providing a view of the back. Mel took a deep breath. I’m going to be in so much trouble.

“Mia, show me how to get to the Wooden Mansion.”

“Finding directions to ‘Wooden Mansion’… Proceed onto 400S street, then turn left.”

Mel nervously shifted gear, R was for going backward right?

Slowly backing out of the driveway, Mel shifted the car to drive and eased on the gas pedal to start rolling down the residential road. The car slowly ambled forward. Mel’s hands were clenched so hard on the steering wheel they had turned white. Her foot trembled as she pushed the gas pedal.

Mel grit her teeth. This was terrifying. And way too slow. Taking a deep breath, Mel pushed firmly on the gas pedal and the car lurched forward sending Mel crashing back from the acceleration, but she didn’t stop.

She had a friend to save.