Beasts and Savages (The Beastly Series Book 1) (8 page)

“I might Rally. I don't know yet.” I stood and walked out of the cafeteria, leaving a brooding Rally behind. I had already been forced into so many things. I didn't want to be forced into a party too.

“Why didn’t you tell me your hunt was moved up to October? And you had a physical exam that cleared you for hunting?”

“Thanks for knocking, Mom.” I swiveled in my chair. “Wait? October? What are you talking about?”

She blinked. “The letter says that your class has been moved up. Something about better suited for our community’s population needs. It also says that a copy of this letter was sent home with you last week and that you were physically cleared for hunting. What exactly did they do, Lea?” She held up a copy of the letter.

I looked down and saw the pink invitation Beth had given me. I moved my elbow and placed my arm over it. Mom watched me, but I didn’t think she noticed I intentionally covered something.

For a moment, I considered telling her everything. I almost screamed out, “I don’t want to hunt! Please don’t make me!” Instead, I sighed. “They laid me on a table. Poked around inside of me. Told me I was cleared to hunt. It wasn’t something I wanted to talk about.”

Her face softened. “Oh sweetie, I’m sorry. Usually that happens after you hunt and you’re fully aware of what’s going on. Did they ask you anything?”

“Yes.”

“What did you say?”

“I lied Mom, kept it vague. The doctor must’ve believed me. She cleared me for hunting.”

She crossed the room and kissed the top of my head. “I’m sorry you had to do that.”

“It was awful,” I admitted.

“You know you can talk to me, right? Tell me anything?”

“Yes,” I lied.

“You should’ve told me about all of this.” She waved the letter. “And Lea?”

“Yeah?”

“Your friend Rally’s mom called. Asked me if you were going to the sleepover tomorrow night. I promised her you would be there.”

My expression gave me away. I didn’t have to say anything. I was going to Beth’s tomorrow, and there would be no arguments about it. I spent the rest of the evening fuming in my room.

***

I rode home as fast as my legs would take me. When I got to my street, I sped up, skidded onto the grass, and dropped my bike to the ground. I checked our bike rack. Mother wasn't home yet. I flung the door open and climbed the stairs two at a time. My bag was where I had left it on my bed this morning. I threw some pajamas into it and ran the bathroom to get my toothbrush. If I hurried I could be halfway to Beth's before Mother got home.

When I walked back into my room, she was standing in the middle of it. I tossed my toothbrush in the bag and zipped it shut. I considered ignoring her and walking away, but I knew that would piss her off. I glanced in her direction.

“I'm glad you're ready. The walk there is going to take a while. I looked it up on the map today.”

“I was going to ride my bike. I'll be fine.” I slung my bag across my chest.

“You can't ride your bike with that bulky bag. We’re walking.”

“Why are you going with me? I'm sixteen. Perfectly capable of walking across town on my own.” I stalked out.

“Why are you being so difficult? I only want to get you there safely.”

I spun around. “You mean you want to make sure I actually go. That I don't sneak off somewhere.”

Her face went from shock to hurt to anger. “Don’t think terrible behavior will get you out of going tonight!”

I could hear Nana clicking her tongue from the kitchen. I was acting horrible. I didn't care. I was tired of being pushed into things I didn't want to do.

Without acknowledging her, I ran out the door and down the street. When I reached the intersection I stopped. Training had worked; I wasn't winded from my short sprint. Mother ran after me. I waited.

“Really Lea?” She gasped between heavy breaths. "I just want you to have friends, be a kid before you can't anymore."

“I’m sorry Mom. I won’t run again,” I promised. “Let’s just go.”

We walked down our street of squat-two story houses in silence. I tried to apologize again once we reached the government buildings. They were gray, unfriendly looking concrete structures that towered up to ten stories high. Most of the lights were off in them. It was late Friday afternoon. The women working in the offices had gone home for the weekend.

The houses north of town were large and sprawled out across large manicured lawns. They appeared well cared for and each took up half a block. I didn't know what Beth’s family did, but she lived in the neighborhood with old, fancy houses. Almost everyone who lived in this area had prestigious jobs like doctors, scientists, and teachers. Her house was a three story brick with a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling of the porch.

I took a deep breath and rang the bell. Other than Rally, I barely knew these girls. I had only known Rally for a few weeks, though she had become more than just a friend. I felt a need to protect her. Maybe that was the ‘sisterly camaraderie' Ms. Dawning spoke of.

A woman in a black tunic and matching slacks opened the door. She smiled and motioned for me to come in. Mother motioned me on and stepped back. I waved goodbye before the woman closed the door.

Beth greeted me in a false over-the-top way, “Lea, darling. Glad you came. Here, bring your bag to my room.” I answered her in a similar fake manner and we giggled.

I followed Beth down a long hall into a sunny room. One entire wall was windows overlooking a well maintained back yard. Her room was decorated in pink and yellow, down to the ruffle canopy over her bed. I put my things down next to what I assumed were Rally’s belongings and followed Beth back down the hall and into a kitchen.     

“Have some.” Beth offered a plate of strawberries. “They’re from our garden, picked fresh today.” I wondered how many house assistants her family employed, since I was sure that neither she nor her mother would venture out into a garden to plant or pick fruit. I popped one in my mouth. Delicious.

“Okay, now that we’re all here,” Beth called out. Everyone from our class was milling around her kitchen, snacking on fruits and vegetables. Rally came over immediately and clung to my side. The twins glared in my direction. I looked down to avoid catching their eye contact. “We have two hours before my mom gets home. Plenty of time to explore the room.”

The room? My mind reeled with possibilities. I wondered if Beth’s house had a rec room full of old games and books. We exited the kitchen, went down a long hall, and turned a corner. Beth stopped and pulled a key from under her shirt. She stood in front of a door with a bronze plaque. I recognized the plaque. We had one on a door in our house. The Dressing Room.

“Wait! Isn’t this against our moral code?” Rally asked.

“Relax kid,” Beth dismissed her. “It’s not like we’re going to do any of the ceremonies or anything. We’re just going to go in, take a look around, and maybe try on a rabbit fur or two. Besides, don’t you want to know why the door is locked? Don’t you want to know what all the hype is about?”

“Well,” Rally tilted her head. “Maybe, but...” She shifted from one foot to the other.

“Oh come on,” exclaimed one of the twins. “If the baby doesn’t want to come in, then leave her out here to cry to her mommy. We want to go inside!”

Most of the girls chimed in with “yeah” or “me too.” Beth shushed everyone, opened the door, and led the way inside. Rally leaned against the wall and sank to the floor. She hugged her knees and buried her head into them.

I sat down and put my arm around her. “Hey. It’s all right if you don’t want to go in. I can wait right here with you. Don’t let them bother you, okay?” I gave her shoulder a squeeze.

Rally looked up and wiped the tears from her eyes. “I want to go in.” She sniffled and wiped her nose on the sleeve of her tunic. “I want to know. But, I don’t know if I want to find out this way. In Beth’s dressing room. With all those meanies.”

I chuckled. “Meanies, huh?”

She rolled her eyes at me.

“If you want to go in, I’ll go with you. We’ll ignore the other girls. If you decide that you want to leave, we will. If you decide to sit right here all night, we will. Deal?”

Rally smiled and stood up. “Maybe we can go in for a few minutes.” I motioned for her to go on while I followed her.

The room was huge and painted a deep pink. It smelled of the dried red roses that hung on every wall. At the back of the room there was a large claw-foot tub. Behind it, pictures of young women dressed in various versions of the traditional hunting garb mingled with the roses. Each was standing next to a woman who I assumed was her mother.

“Those are pictures of all my ancestors in their hunting garb. Each Bennet woman gets to choose and special order their outfit. I got fitted for mine last week. The nicest rabbit fur they had.” Beth was standing behind us in a brown halter that was too small and a brown and black fur skirt that looked like it was going to fall down at any
moment.

“Nice outfit.” I giggled.

Beth spun with her arms out. “Thanks, it was the only thing left that I could get on.”

She pointed over to a large walk in closet. All the girls dug through furs, tossed things aside, trying on skirts and boots. Rally joined them and stepped out of the closet wearing a halter tunic that came to her knees and gray fur boots. She did a little dance and spun around.

“Feeling better?” I smiled.

“Yes.” She took my hand. “You need to try on something too!” Rally dragged me over to the closet.

When Rally was finished, I was wearing a short top made of gray fur with a skirt made of strips of hide. The skirt was too small and revealed a lot of leg.