• When a Stranger Calls- By Blind Blindness



    "I don't like black rats," Georgina whispered in my ear.

    "You don't like any animal or fish. It's not my problem you can't handle a cute rat that wants to eat your flesh."

    She stared at me with her cold blue eyes; I say cold because her eyes looked like broken waves from the ocean. It hid something menacing, but I didn't know what.

    "Just kidding!" I beamed her a smile. "Rats don't eat flesh, you know that."

    She flashed me a smile back, careful not to reveal her jagged teeth. It wasn't her fault she had horrible, rotten gum diseased teeth. But people often mistook her for a vampire, and that made her very furious, almost furious enough to do something radical enough to get her suspended from school. I looked at the clock; it was nearly three in the afternoon. I'd have to wait thirty more minutes before we could board the bus together. Nah, I decided we'd just walk. I was indecisive like that.

    "I suppose that smile was more of a warning," I said enthusiastically, as if I enjoyed being blackmailed by her. Maybe reverse psychology would work, but somehow I doubted it. I could act as if I didn't care, as if Georgina Bluesmith didn't intimidate me in the least. But she did. Her long, flowing red hair, her crimson burning eyes and her metallic like smile all blended together in unison to create a beautiful but taunting visual. Her oval shaped chin and beady ears were the least prominent of her features, but she certainly made up for what she lacked with that impeccable personality, like the one where you'd say "that's one crazy girl" or "I wouldn't want to see her flying colors hitting my rainbow boat." I say impeccable because she perfected her personality, owned it in such an original way.

    "What are you thinking about? You're supposed to be helping me think of plans to get my no good mom out of my house," she hissed, nearly startling me enough to tip over from the chair I was standing on. Standing on a chair. Yes.

    I bit my lip, carefully studying her annoyed face and her tapping white sneakers. "I have an idea. How about you learn to live with your mom and suck it up. Isn't that what everyone else does?"

    "One problem, Danny. I'm not like everyone else."

    "You're right. You're much worse."

    "Shut up!", she hissed, swinging her hand toward me. She didn't hit me; I was too far away. She stood on the chair next to mine, but she didn't have enough coordination to reach that far without falling over and breaking a leg.

    "Score one for Danny! Zippity do da for Georgina Bluesmith!" I cheered.

    Georgina rolled her eyes and grinned sheepishly. "You're just lucky I like you, Danny. If it were anyone else, I'd chase them into the nearest pit while laughing at their chicken screams."

    "Aren't you afraid of animals, though?"

    "Yes. Why do you think I'd chase them into a pit?"

    "Good point."

    Quickly avoiding her deafening gaze, I jumped off the chair and beckoned for her to follow me as I headed out of Ms. Frizzle's classroom and down the stairs. We approached the stairs in a rather subtle manner; light on our feet and silly with our hands it was. We laughed like screaming girls, perhaps giving us the impression of an exuberant cheerleader or a wild bunch of clowns. We skipped down the last set of stairs, rounded the corner with a quickening pace, and slammed open the plain green doors that separated us from the outside world. We screamed random sputs of joy while interlocking our hands in a momentary embrace. It was approaching the end of the day, and such a beautiful gift that was.

    "Did you ever feel like the sun was shining just to expose my angelic ways?"

    I chuckled, sliding my hand against my mouth to keep from laughing maniacally and offending her.

    "I don't think angelic describes you very well. I could say you're a great clown or cheerleader, or maybe even a person that has a phobia of animals and likes to chase chicken screaming people into pits. But somehow angelic doesn't come to my mind. Try again?"

    She lurched onto me like a chimpanzee, my arms flailing as she growled in anger and wrestled me on the hard pavement.

    "Don't you ever mock me like that! I am angelic, and you know it! Admit it! Now!"

    "Get off me!" I screamed. "Get off me you cold, blood sucking monster!"

    She stopped attacking me, her eyes dilating to a mere pimple as I saw the blue veins soak her pale, phosphorescent face.

    "It's not my fault I had oral cancer." I could swear I saw a tear drop from her eyelid.

    Guilt flooded through me like a million needles stinging my arms. I tried to gasp for breath; I tried to pretend as if the sun didn't look at me now, its rays rubbing against my shoulder. But it was not warmth that I felt. It was ice.

    "Oh. I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry. Georgina, I didn't mean that. I'm so rude, so cold and selfish. I-"

    "Save it for someone else, maybe someone else who isn't tired of you acting as if everything is everyone elses fault. You accuse people of horrible things; you speak as if you're inside them, as if you know what their thinking and what their motives are. And yet, you get it wrong each time. You don't have friends because you can't keep them. You were right on the target when you said you were cold and selfish, because even though I may be a blood sucker, as you would say, at least I fought my cancer instead of fighting you instead. At least I'm trying to remain your friend. But everyday, I wonder more and more if it's worth it."

    "I was way out of line. I was just mad, just trying to get you off me. It came out the wrong way. Georgina, you're my best friend."

    She stared at me hard for a long moment. I could see the hurt in her eyes, how I and everyone else in Lesdon county had turned their backs on her and left her to fight her own battles. As we sat just outside of Weston high school, I looked at the birds that soared across the sky, as if they were spying on us or wishing to leave a message. I tried calling them in my mind to see if they'd answer; I wanted to believe in messengers. They didn't answer back.

    Struggling to maintain a normal voice, she finally whispered in a soft, monotonous tone, "I understand."

    All I could do was smile. "I'm glad."

    "Hey, where is everyone?"

    I peered around to see not a soul in sight. The trees swayed from side to side, and the once blaring sun was now taking a nap in the billowing clouds.

    "We stayed afterschool for tutoring. Remember?"

    "True, but we never actually went. We just stayed in Ms. Frizzle's classroom. Do you think our Geometry teacher will kill us tomorrow?"

    I flashed her a reassuring look of confidence. "Don't worry, I'll make sure Mr. Harborro doesn't slap the punishment of justice on us. I'll make a good excuse."

    "My shoes could use some justice", she said, looking down at the dirt that spoiled her fashion aspirations.

    Georgina bit her lip. "It's okay, I'll get new ones."

    We both smiled as we walked through the sidewalks, clouds growing darker by the second while thunder roared like the sound of hell. Sprinting now, we made our way past the narrow streets with the zooming cars, jogging several more blocks only to pass Amber's house, our other best friend. I ignored Georgina's command to pay her a visit. At Merckel avenue, we hugged each other tightly before saying our goodbyes and heading toward our luxurious houses. Not really. As soon as I crossed several more desolate streets, I saw a familar scene. My house stood above all others, its velvet and and aqua streak making the house appear like a gypsies palace. Its windows clearly were geometrically shape; the roof was sturdy and strong from years of repairs. I rung the doorbell to give advanced warning that I was here; it was new rule my parents forced upon me, though I vehemently opposed this rule. I stepped inside my house, its interior rather bleak compared to the exterior. My eyes stinged, and I rushed towards the bathroom, locking the door behind me and sobbing in tears. I was already waiting for tomorrow.

    I wasn't expecting such a rush of emotion, but I couldn't help it. I thought about calling Georgina a monster. What kind of friend does that? Sure, Georgina had her flaws--like when she had wrestled me on the ground. A horrible temper. What about her judgmental attitude about Julie, a sweetheart in my eyes but a cold misguided figure in hers. Tomorrow would be yet another day of misunderstandings, more of the same. I didn't want the same. For once, I wanted different. I wanted to be free.


    A knock on the door briefly interrupted my thoughts. It was Gary, my dad. "Are you in there? I need you to feed the cats!"

    "I already fed them this morning!" I screamed in protest.

    "Cats need to be fed multiple times a day. There's no excuse."

    I grumbled in exasperation. "Fine, fine, I'll do it after my homework."

    "No, you'll do it now."

    "Fine, I'll do it now. Can you just leave?"

    I heard my bedroom door shut, and then I walked out of the bathroom carefully, as if I was about to disturb the peace in my own room. My cat lie loyally on my mattress; she was my favorite cat. I saw her peer up at me, her gray fur shining radiantly and an amused smile on her lips. Her lively green eyes and hairy ears jingled with excitement, and her tail wagged like a dog. I smiled in return, then rushed to hug this furry creature, my lifelong friend. She gave an approving meow and placed her paw on my finger.

    "You're a true companion, Jasmine," I said with the utmost sincerity. I knew she was smart enough to understand.

    I leaped from the still matress that contained the furry creature. I waved goodbye to her, but I could swear my companion had winked at me just as I shut the door. Then, suddenly it occured to me that she fell under the cat category. I rushed back in to get her, supporting her fragile, thin weight with my weak hands as I carried her down the stairway toward the feeding room. With sudden exuberance, she escaped my grasp just as I approached the cat food. It was Purina Cat Chow.

    "Dulce! Smoky! Baxter!" I called frantically, "It's time to munch on some crunch! Jasmine, you too!"

    They all came running from various directions; the plain tabby, Dulce, came running from the kitchen, already showing that guilty look that she had everytime she drank soap water from the kitchen. Next came Smoky. She was a tuxedo cat with an impressive black coat and a white chest and paws that provided an exquisite contrast. Baxter came trotting in as well, another relatively plain tabby with a few distinct markings, but nothing major. Of course, Jasmine sat still and frightened, as the other cats often intimidated her. They all looked at me with eager eyes, curious and filled with the longing of hunger. I stared at them too, and smiled. They didn't seem to return the gesture until I poured the food into the dishes and filled the three cups with fresh, cold water. All three seemed to enjoy their meal; they looked at each other occassionally and sniffed and groomed one another. I thought they should learn that it wasn't proper etiquette after toying with their food with their paws, but they weren't quite smart enough to understand that.

    The phone rang. I hesitated, but decided against my anxiety stricken heart to answer it. It was Georgina.

    Georgina sounded panicked, quickly gasping for breath as the words spilled out. "Get out of your house now. Your mom and dad aren't there. They've been kidnapped."

    "What? That's not true. I just saw my dad--he's in this house--this isn't funny Georgina."

    "You shouldn't have called me a blood sucking monster, Danny. You shouldn't have hurt my feelings. My mom and dad never wanted me, but you were the perfect son."

    "What? What are you talking about? Stop this madness!" I screamed.

    "I--I never wanted to hurt you. They chose you over me at the adoption home. It's okay, I've been living on my own for years, I can manage." She hissed venemously, and I could swear I felt her eyes studying me from very close. "I'm sorry it has to end like this."

    "I-I thought you were my best friend. How could you do this to me?"

    "Simple. I never was."

    I choked, vomit spewing out of my mouth as I managed to contain an upcoming cough. "W-where are they? You can't kill them! I'll do anything, and I promise no charges will be pressed. H-how were you able to break in? The door was locked, the windows too--please, give me mercy. Give my parents mercy. Take me instead."

    "As I've said before it's too late, and now that you refused to take my warning and get out yourself, it truly is game over."

    I screamed venemous words to this cruel and diabolical person--no--vampire-- who was about to kill my loving parents, take away my entire life and my love for everything in the world. It wasn't fair. I had to get out before it was too late. I had to escape this monster. Now.

    She giggled, soft at first, then louder, then louder, and then at screaming level. "Oh, so you think you're going to escape, do you?"

    "Hi Danny."

    I turn around. My eyeballs sink into my face, my heart stops at twelve beats, my skin turns a pale glow. I feel everything closing in on me, the dark world readying to embrace me.

    The vampire grinned. "Sometimes life throws us curve balls, sometimes life throws us strikes, sometimes life throws us home runs, and sometimes life really.....bites."