Djinn (5 page)

"Alright class, we're going to be playing a game of soccer. I'm going to give you each a number. Ones on the left, twos on the right."

Barnes proceeded to count us off, one by one. Girls swapped spots in the line so they could be on the same team, while I just waited by turn. I was dubbed Two and took my spot next to my teammates.

I loved soccer and I was good at it, too. I played goalie, but looking at the boys on my team I wasn't going to be doing much in this game. Pete, Les and Andre were three of the best athletes at the school. There was no way the ball was coming anywhere near me.

I took my spot between the goalposts and Barnes blew his whistle to start the game.

"Hey."

I turned my head to see Pyke doing push-ups next to the goalposts. His eyes locked on mine.

"Um … hi," I replied.

Pyke pressed up and down, his muscles tensing under his black t-shirt. "What's your name?" he asked, catching my eye and holding my gaze.

"Sally," I replied, not missing a beat.

"I'm Pyke."

"Nice to meet you," I said, "but I should really concentrate on this game."

Pyke didn't reply and continued his push-ups while I turned back to the other players. Andre had scored another goal and the ball hadn't even passed into our half of the field.

"So, how long have you lived here?"

I glanced back at Pyke who had switched to sit-ups. "A few months," I replied. It was strange talking to another person at school, even stranger talking about myself. "You just move here?"

"Yeah. A few days ago with my family. We used to live in the city, but my dad got a job here."

The way Pyke spoke about his family made it sound rehearsed, like he'd had to say the same thing over and over again. I suppose, as the new kid, everyone does ask you the same questions: Where you from? Why'd you come here?

"You live with your parents?" he asked.

I gave him a sideways glance. "Of course."

"Yeah, sure," he said, shaking it off. Pyke had seemed so cocky when he first arrived, but talking to him now, he seemed nervous.

"I live with my dad," I said, trying to make an effort. I knew what it was like to be the new kid, and it wasn't fun. I should be nice. "How are you liking the town?"

Pyke's jaw was set like something was bothering him, but it passed and he eased. "It's small, but the park is cool," he said. Barnes had given him the nod to stop warm-ups and Pyke was now stretching.

"Just you and your dad?" he asked.

The question sounded innocent, but I really didn't like people asking.

"Um … yeah."

What was I doing? Why was he asking so many questions? Most people would have thought he was just being friendly, but Dad's warning echoed in my mind.

Always be cautious.

I shook my head. I was turning into Dad, being paranoid about everyone. The people after us weren't ever young, they were always adults. I had nothing to fear from people my own age except teasing and gossip.

"This place is not so bad, once you get used to it," I said "There's a great library."

I bit my lip as soon as the words left my mouth.

Smart, Kyra. Talk about how you're a bookworm.

"I'll have to check it out," he replied with a smile.

Barnes's whistle filled the air, signalling the end of the game and class. Apparently we had won, seven to nil. Everyone headed to the showers.

"See you around, Sally," Pyke called as I walked away.

Several girls turned their heads my way, whispering between each other loud enough so that I could hear.

"What is he doing talking to her?"

"Doesn't he know what a weirdo she is?"

"He's new. We'll have to teach him who he should be talking to."

They nodded in agreement and made their over to Pyke, knocking my shoulder as they passed. Whatever had been between me and Pyke was over now. Those girls would make sure of that.

What did I care anyway?

Chapter Five

I went to my locker and packed my bag full of the annoying homework I would struggle through tonight. Students filled the hallways, moving at great speeds to flee the school grounds as quickly as possible.

I understood how they felt. I couldn't wait to just get home and put my feet up. I headed out the school doors and was walking toward the front gates when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out.

"Hey, Dad," I answered.

"Hi, kiddo. I'm going to be home late, so make yourself dinner."

I squished the phone between my ear and shoulder while shifting my school bag up my other arm.

"No worries."

There was a pause on the other end, and I was reminded of our conversation this morning.

"I promise I will keep my eyes out and I will lock all the doors when I get home," I assured him.

I could hear him sigh on the other end and I could tell he wasn't happy about it, but he didn't have a choice, being stuck at work.

"Okay, kiddo. I'll call later to check on you."

"I'll send you a text every hour to prove I'm still alive," I said.

"Good. See you later, Kyra."

"Bye, Dad."

I hung up the phone and slid it back in my pocket. Pulling my other arm into the strap of my school bag, I gazed out over the schoolyard. Parents were picking up their children, and older students were getting into their own cars to drive home. I wished I had my own car, but Dad and I could barely afford to survive, let alone have two vehicles. Still, sometimes I did wish for normal things. Things I could call my own.

I scanned the car park for signs of danger, mostly out of habit, but also because I'd promised Dad and I felt bad about disappointing him earlier. There were no signs of anyone suspicious—and then I spotted two people standing by a small black hatchback. One of them was Pyke, and the other a girl I didn't recognise.

The girl reminded me of a goth, dressed in black boots, matching skirt and a leather jacket. Her hair was a jet-black bob with streaks of purple, giving her a rebellious look. I don't think I'd ever seen so much eyeliner on the one person before. I would never wear something like that.

Pyke's face was pointed while the girl's was more round, but they both had certain qualities that made them appear similar—and not just their matching leather jackets. They had the same eyes, the same shrewd facial expression, like they were too good to be around everyone else. They leaned against the hood of the car, eyes scanning the car park.

Pyke spotted me and nudged the girl to look. They stared at me and I felt heat in my cheeks. Pyke must have been showing her who I was after we'd talked in sport class. Maybe he was letting her know about the weirdo girl.

I gave them a small wave out of awkwardness. Pyke returned my wave and smiled, which surprised me. Maybe those girls hadn't got to him, after all. The goth girl only watched with dark eyes, not moving a muscle. I shrugged, putting it all down to girls being weird. Most of them were.

Girls seemed to naturally dislike me. I think it was because I was sporty and got attention from boys, but obviously they were mistaking the interest for attraction, when it was clearly jealousy of my athletic style. Either way, I hadn't ever had a girlfriend and I never really wanted one.

I walked past the shops and picked up groceries for dinner. With my school bag on my back and my arms filled with shopping bags I slowly made my way home. Carrying all the weight it took me ten times as long, but I figured it was like weight training.

The streets became quieter the further away from the school and shops I got. I preferred it that way; there were less annoying sounds and more natural ones, like the chirping birds and the whistling wind through the trees. Those were the sounds I liked best.

I strolled at an easy pace in a daydream state, until a strange feeling came over me, like I could feel someone watching me. My head flicked around in the hopes of catching who or whatever it was, but when my eyes took in the scene there was nothing but an empty street, the leaves blowing off the trees in a chilling breeze as the afternoon light lit up the sky in orange hues. The scene was so peaceful. I didn't know why I was being so silly. There was nothing there and I was being paranoid. I shook my head, freeing the doubts from my mind—but I did notice my pace quickened after that.

I trudged up our driveway, kicking the autumn leaves out of the way. A noise behind me caused me to turn, but not in alarm. I knew this noise. It was the bark of the golden Lab. He trotted up the driveway behind me, tongue hanging out and cheeks raised, as if he were smiling at me.

"Hey, there," I said, dropping the shopping bags and bending down to pat him. He nuzzled my hand and followed me as I headed to the house.

As I got to the stairs and onto the porch, I felt one of the shopping bags rip as groceries scattered the ground.

"Dammit," I said, growling a little.

I opened the front door and dropped my school bag and the other groceries on the kitchen floor then turned, shoulders slumped, and trudged back outside to retrieve the other items. To my surprise, the Lab darted past me into the kitchen with a can of beans in his mouth. He dropped it next to the other groceries and headed back outside for more.

I stood in the doorway staring at the stray that was helping me bring the groceries in. He cocked his head at me as he passed again, this time with a frozen dinner pack in his mouth as if to say, "Well, come and help."

"Sure," I said, even though he hadn't actually asked anything. I darted outside, picked up some more cans and plopped them on the table. The Lab picked up the last of them, dropped them on the floor and lay down next to the table, staring at me with warm eyes.

"Umm … thanks," I said.

A gust of wind blew through the open door and I remembered I had promised to lock it. Usually I would just tell Dad I had locked all the doors, but that strange feeling was still clinging to me. I locked the front and went around to do the back. I even checked all the windows.

Finally convinced I was safe until Dad came home, I set about putting away the groceries in to their rightful places. I even chopped up some vegetables for a homemade stir-fry. Dad and I didn't do a lot of home-cooked meals, but I felt like putting in the effort. That and I wanted to put off my math homework for as long as possible.

The Lab remained by my side in the kitchen, content in the warmth of indoors. I let him stay. Dad wouldn't be home for a few more hours and the dog had earned his place. I tossed him some cuts of meat as I mixed them into the stir-fry, but he wouldn't touch the raw bits, only eating when I'd cooked them. What a strange dog. I wondered who he belonged to? The way he looked and acted, there was no way he was a stray, but then, why wasn't he with his owners and why hadn't I seen him before?

I bent over and checked for a collar, but his neck was bare. Maybe he was mircochipped, but I hadn't seen any posters for missing dogs. If Lab was keen to stick around with me, then who was I to deny him?

"I'm going to ask Dad if I can keep you," I told him, and he barked in answer. "It will take a lot of convincing, but I can be very persistent."

The veggies and sauce simmered on low heat in the pan, ready and waiting for when Dad got home. I checked the clock and sent Dad a sixth text to let him know I was okay. My phone beeped not long after with a reply.

Not sure when I'll be heading home. You can start dinner without me.

I turned off the stove and served up our meals. I stored Dad's in the microwave so it was ready to heat up and placed mine on the table. I paused for a moment to check outside the window; the feeling hadn't left me since the walk home. I still felt like I was being watched, and I wondered whether or not to tell Dad about it when he arrived home. It was just a feeling, and I had no real proof, but that would be enough for him; he'd have us packed up and heading out of town by midnight, and not give it a second thought.

"He doesn't need to know," I decided, pulling cutlery from the draw and looking down at my new friend, who I'd decided to name Lab. Well, at least until I found out if I could keep him, anyway. "It's fine. We need to stay here longer. Dad needs that promotion."

The Lab didn't say anything and continued to lie with his head on his paws, half watching me, half asleep. I'd finished my meal and finally decided to pull out my homework when I heard the Ute pull up outside. The Lab's ears pricked and he scurried to the door, pawing at it to be let out.

"Relax," I said. "It's just Dad."

I unlocked the door and the Lab dashed off into the darkness. "Lab?" I called, but he didn't return.

"Hi, kiddo," Dad said as he walked toward me.

"Hey, Dad." I stopped looking for the Lab and turned my attention to Dad. I could see the weariness in his eyes after a long day at work.