She got up and put on her clothes. Even though it was Dress-up day, she chose pants and sneakers instead of her boots. They made a loud "thuck" when she walked now because the glue didn't always hold and one buckle was missing but she still felt a little beautiful in them. Her mom hadn't said a word. Her hair was braided off to one side and a lovely pink balloon barrette slipped in elegantly. She grinned and her heart skipped a little. Her mom lifted her chin and wiped at a scratch along her cheek.
"I tell ya kiddo... you are certainly tumble dry. Always scratched up..." The little girl's smile faded just a wee bit. "Did the tooth fairy give you money anyway?"
She nodded quickly. "Oh yes, she didn't even care that I didn't have my teeth" She'd told her mom that she lost them on the playground ~ David had actually mashed her face into the dirt one day and her loose teeth had introduced themselves to a rock and some mud. He'd been giving her a swirlie and when he'd pulled her head away, there they were like two shiny seashells on a dark beach.
"Well why don't you grab your jacket. I sewed that tear."
Her daughter smiled wanly at the jacket and pulled a sweatshirt over her head. No hood. She picked up her bag and stood at the door. Her mom swiped at her chin and booped her nose. The little girl acted displeased and juked. Mommy's phone beeped so she reached for it. There was a smack at the door as David cupped his hands on the glass and peered down at her. She backed away and wanted to run. He grinned and bent his index finger in the "come here" way. She felt her belly tighten and she shook her head.
"All righty, then all set." Mommy opened the door and all but shoved her daughter into the hands of the Devil himself. Her knees were wobbly and weak. He roughly grabbed her hand and squeezed so hard her knuckles ground together. Tears welled up. Not even of the PORCH yet...
"Bye!" he smiled and pulled at his little victim. They walked silently to the corner and he yanked her arm toward the path. "This is it." she thought glumly. She leaned away pulling him like a puppy on a lead but he yanked at her again. She lost her balance and almost fell. "DON'T" he hissed half dragging her into the woods.
She listened and looked around trying to remember each tree and rock. She hoped she could run away and escape like in those shows her mom watched after she thought her daughter was asleep. She wondered if anyone would hear her cry or scream? Would she?
His fist found the side of her head. She collapsed to the ground. She crawled on all fours through the rocks that bit her knees trying to get back or get out. Which way? He laughed and kicked her so hard she flipped over. She balled up and covered her face. Maybe he would just bury her. She'd lie there and be glad if that was it. Just no more pain. No more hitting or kicking or .... She peeped one eye open and slammed it shut quickly. He stood over her with a stick; a big one, raised over his head like a kung fu sword. She exhaled slowly and waited.
Behind her eyelids she noticed something. Darkness. "I must be dying or dead." she thought. "Huh. Maybe there isn't any pain when you die. Are there angels?" She waited.. and waited but realized it just got darker. She wasn't afraid of the dark. Not since the dreams. Then there was a scream. She covered her mouth thinking instinctively that it was her own. But it wasn't. She dared to open her eyes. Her dreams had told her what to do. She sat up and watched as they scrambled around her attacker. He was terrified. He jumped around in tiny circles trying to watch them all. And there were so MANY! He swung his sword but they easily dodged it. He stabbed at them and they laughed. When he attacked, so did they. If he swung at one, another would rush in and bite him or scratch him. They had such long teeth and nails. She hadn't noticed this about them before. They were larger than she remembered when they visited her; with spiky tails and barbs along their backs. They kind of looked like bats but with smooshy faces... oh and such tiny hands. She was a little surprised because she had held them and they seemed soft to her, and gentle ~ these dreams were different. But she wasn't upset.
David turned to her and called her name. She looked up as if puzzled by his voice.
"You fucking idiot ~ help me!!" another one rushed in and bit him. He yelped and turned on it. A different one jumped on his back and pulled a clump of hair so big it left a naked spot on his head. There was a sparkle of blood. This made them even happier and more aggressive. Another climbed on and chewed on his ear. The tallest one cried out. It was like a burp so she laughed and quickly covered her mouth. The other dreams stopped and waited. David was panting and bloody. His clothes were torn and there was a dark spot between his legs. She smiled at that, even giggled. The big one walked straight up to him and sniffed him. He snarled and crawled like a spider up his chest. The two monsters were face to face. Her dream held the bully's head in its hands and waved its knife like fingers at him, smiling and raising its eyebrows. Then it snaked it's fingers into David's mouth and began to twist. The first tooth made a grinding sound as the roots snapped and tore. The boy shrieked in pain and fell to his knees. The others moved in but did not touch. There was a thick crackling pop as another tooth was eagerly liberated. The dreams laughed and elbowed each other. A third. The boy rocked back as the pain threatened his consciousness.
She stood and towered over him. Blood smeared his mouth and nose. He shielded his swelling eyes and focused on her. As he did, he cried out and dug his heels in to try to get away. Her friends stopped him and held him tightly. She grabbed his hair and yanked his head back. She stuck her nose to his nose and shook him.
"All right you piece of shit. I'm going to count to five and then they're going to chase you. If you make it to the corner...You know you'll be safe because my Mommy will see you. If not? " She rocked back and let him go. The gremlins had parted and left a pathway between them. He stared at her.
"One." she said with a smile, her eyebrows slightly raised.
The boy scrambled to his feet and looked around. He was confused, not knowing which way to turn to get to the corner. Her friends seethed forward at the sound of a quiet "TWO". David just ran with no direction and off the path.
"THREEEEEE!"she squealed happily and he screamed, hearing all the little feet beginning to scratch and dig excitedly at the ground.
"FOURFIVE" the little girl laughed and swirled gleefully as her tiny little nightmares did exactly what they said they would.. She did not stay. They made her promise. She walked back toward the entrance; the opposite way from which David had chosen. She headed to the corner, turning only once when the leader's gravelly voice whispered her name.
"Happy Birthday." it smiled, something dark dripped from its mouth like chocolate syrup. She smiled again and bunched up her hand, throwing each of them kisses.
For the first time in a long time, she walked to the corner unafraid.
And there we have it. The End. This one has been a very long time coming. I had a song stuck in my head that really had a hold on me. I was a victim of bullying when I was about this age. Some of these accounts are sadly real. I did actually have someone walk me to and from school but he was a gentle giant and a kind boy that I fell secretly in love with... understandable, yes? What happened to the bully? That's for another time. Thank you for stopping by. I hope we can visit together again soon.
Until next time.
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