Free A Measure of Disorder by Alan Tucker

hair. She played softball on a city league team in the summers and was a talented athlete. She beat most of the boys with sheer strength that first night, but Brandon was skilled enough to avoid getting hit and was a match for her physically.
    Sara was simply amazing.
    She had tried some sports like Jenni had: volleyball, soccer, basketball and such, but had never been anything special, much like Jenni. Sara was only a couple of inches taller than Jenni and no one would have ever called her physically intimidating.
    Sara walked over and chose a weapon that was thinner than the rest and held it out in front of her like a sword as she faced her first opponent, Will.
    The two were about the same height, but Will’s frame held much more muscle. He had been a wrestler since he was four or five years old, and he was quick. His blonde hair was cut short and his green eyes studied Sara intently as they circled each other. He was the only boy who had given Brandon a challenge.
    Jenni had watched, worried for her friend. Her fears quickly changed to wonder as she watched Sara work.
    Sara and Will circled exactly three times, then Sara struck. With a flick of her wrists, she batted Will’s club aside, then reversed direction and gave him a solid whack in the ribs. Sara bounced backward briefly, then stepped in low. Will tried to block her, but unbalanced himself. Sara’s branch swiftly zipped up and landed another solid hit, this time on Will’s shoulder near his neck.
    Mr. Kain stepped in, preventing further damage.
    Sara then proceeded to whip the rest of the boys in similar fashion. Jenni was stunned.
    Sara and Brandon faced each other as the last match of the evening. Brandon was much bigger and stronger — and had training on his side as well — none of which seemed to bother Sara as they danced around each other. The two traded feints and parries for what seemed to Jenni like several minutes. Suddenly, Sara flashed inside Brandon’s guard and gave his right hand a sharp smack. He yelped and dropped his tree branch. Sara flicked her weapon higher and stood with the pointed end touching Brandon’s chest. He looked down at it, then gave Sara a cold stare that made Jenni shiver. She could have sworn she heard a low growl escape his throat.
    For her part, Sara didn’t retreat and stared right back until Mr. Kain moved in seconds later to call a halt for the night.
    Jenni and Sara had lain down to sleep when Jenni whispered to her, “How did you do it? That was incredible!”
    Sara shrugged and whispered back, “I don’t really know. Everything just felt right. I don’t even remember half of it to be honest — like I was in some sort of trance or something.”
    “I swear you seem taller to me too.”
    “Must be my new teeth and eyes.” Sara giggled. “Gives me that super model confidence.”
    Jenni snorted. “Yeah, that’s it. Better get your beauty sleep.”
    Over the next two nights, Sara continued to dominate the sparring sessions. Her toughest opponent was always Brandon, but she bested him every time.
    Jenni noticed changes in him as well. His fingernails were becoming darker, and thick. He also seemed bigger, and Jenni was pretty sure it wasn’t because of his sparkling personality. As Jenni watched them practice, she wondered what she had seen in him before that had excited her so. Every time Sara beat him, he became more irritable and cold. It gave her chills.
    As the days passed, she saw the others were changing, too. Most were either getting larger or smaller, and many had lighter or darker skin tones. Ms. Pap looked older — her skin was more wrinkly. Even facial features were becoming different for some. She was sure Todd’s nose and ears were getting bigger, and Mr. Kain’s ears were developing a point on the top.
    The only one she didn’t see any changes in was herself. And Crank.
    Jenni decided to talk with him that night, their sixth since they’d left his village. She asked him to join her after