Free Dancing With Monsters by M.M. Gavillet Page A

and…scent.
It was an earthy smell, like the first few warm days of spring when
everything was finally thawed and just sprouting buds, leaves and
flowers. I had noticed the scent briefly, and thought it was
something in Ben’s house, not Ben. But it was him, and I could
clearly follow it like a string tied from tree to tree.
    I ran all the way to the outskirts of
Westfall, a larger town a few miles from Ben’s home. It had a small
strip mall, gas stations, several bars, and a high school. Looming
in the thicket that lined the ditch, I gazed at that school that
sat silent. Cars were parked in rows next to the brick building
that had a circular drive in front of several glass doors. The
American flag waved proudly in what looked like a rose garden
surrounding it.
    If I went there, I’d be graduating and
getting ready to go to college. I had come to Westfall a few times
when we would get to go on the rare outing from Sunrise Acres. I
memorized the buildings, names of businesses, and streets that we
drove by. Later, I’d mentally go down those streets and go into the
shops with my made-up friends before I went home to have dinner
with my made-up parents. How l longed to have that life, but knew
it would never be.
    I stepped out of the thicket and gazed
at the school. I was so close to the life I had always wanted and
knew I could never have it. Suddenly, the glass doors flew open and
several people came out. Like a frightened rabbit, I scurried back
into the bushes as to not be seen. I watched a group of girls get
into a small red car with a dented fender that was parked straight
out from my hiding spot.
    I laid down in the ditch among the
tall, yellow grass to make sure I wouldn’t get caught. They were
going to Dairy Queen before they went to work I heard the last girl
say before getting in with a slam of the door. I could be one of
those girls. School…work…college…a future that I could decide, not
the darkness that had followed me everywhere.
    I watched them all leave until
quietness surrounded me again. That life was never meant for me. I
was a monster, whatever that meant I wasn’t sure yet. I’d never fit
in here, and I knew it. Besides, Ben’s scent was still strong and
tugged on my senses like a leash.
    I pulled up my hood and followed the
scent downtown. I walked past a café, furniture store, and a salon
before the scent stopped. Buildings lined each side of the street;
some had businesses in them while others sat vacant. A few cars
were parked along the sidewalk and a few people went in and out of
the café and into the salon that looked busy. Other than that, the
town was quiet.
    I sniffed the air and looked around.
The sky was a solid grey and the wind had a small bite to it. I
wasn’t sure where Ben had gone anyhow, and if I wasn’t at his house
when he got back he’d probably be mad at me. I gave up trying to
find him, and started to head back towards the timber when I was
pulled to the ground and quickly dragged into a narrow
alley.
    “ Delicious,” said a
scratchy male voice. “Just right,” he said turning me over to face
him.
    Skin hung in rotting strips on his
face, and his eyes were clouded, like he had cataracts. He gave
toothless grin and chuckled as yellowed, pointed teeth poked out
from his bloodied gums.
    Repulsed and shocked, I wanted to
scream, but couldn’t as he started to pull at my
clothing.
    “ Must have you,” he
groaned.
    “ No!” I managed to yell as
I tried to push him away.
    He ripped off my jacket as he grabbed
me by the shoulders and slammed me back down to the hard ground.
Lights flickered around me as my body went limp long enough for him
to start to undo my pants. He was laughing and mumbling something
to himself as he undid my belt and started to pull on my jean
button when I knew I had to do something or be raped by this
corpse.
    “ No!” I yelled through
clenched teeth as I hit him in the jaw.
    With a snap, his lower jaw flew off
and hit the crumbling brick