Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 10:29:43 -0400 From: Sean Roberts Subject: The Silver Compass - 11 The Silver Compass - 11 By: Sean Roberts Author's Note: I would like to thank everybody who has written me so far, I'm glad you're enjoying it! I greatly appreciate any feedback you have to offer, please send to seanr_13@yahoo.ca The Yellow Fairy He had not told anybody where he was going. Cameron and Michael were the only people who knew they would be with each other that night. Matthew had guessed. When Michael returned home, his parents were in the living room, his father sipping coffee and his mother wine. Matthew had fallen asleep on the couch. "Where were you?" asked Michael's mother. "I went out for dinner with a friend," replied Michael. "I forgot to tell you. I'm sorry." "Why wasn't your cell phone on?" Michael took it out of his pocket. "I think the battery died," he said, realizing that he had not turned it on. "See," said Michael's father. "I told you there was no need to worry." "I'm sorry," said Michael. Matthew woke up. "You're home finally," he said. Michael looked at his watch. "I don't understand why you're worried. It's only half past nine. And why are you sitting here waiting?" he asked Matthew. "He was worried too," said his mother. "I doubt that," said Michael. "Listen I'm really sorry. I won't forget to tell you the next time I go out." He said good night and retreated into his bedroom. His parents had never done that before. It had happened before that he had forgotten to tell them he was going out. And it was too early for them to have started worrying. Matthew must have told them something. * Michael was inside Sarah's bedroom again. They were naked; fucking on her bed. He was being aggressive, almost forcing the orgasm. She was holding on to him, savouring the feel of his skin, feeling his pleasure, until Michael took his lips away from her neck to see her face. She opened her eyes and he could see that she was in pain. But she was silent. She forced herself to smile at him. She was still in pain. He withdrew and opened his eyes. There was something moving; something touching him. He was naked, and he was about to orgasm. "What the fuck?" Michael said, sitting up violently. He quickly turned on his bedside lamp. Matthew was on top of his bed, by his feet, on all fours. He quickly sat up, looking frightened. "Matthew what the fuck are you doing?" Michael yelled. Matthew was frozen. He could not speak or move. He could not breathe. "Get the fuck out of here!" Michael pulled up his shorts. Matthew was not moving. He was staring at his brother until he suddenly left the room. Michael's stomach was churning. What the fuck just happened? He got out of bed, shut his door and opened his window, then lit a cigarette. * Sarah's phone rang but she did not pick it up. He dialled again. And again. He called her six times and she did not answer. He needed to talk to her but he did not want to wake up his parents by leaving the house; or hers by entering her house. He did not want anybody to think that anything was wrong. He was embarrassed by the situation; she was the only one he could tell. He called again. She still did not pick up. He took a shower. The steamy water did not comfort him. The smell of his soap lingering on his skin when he was finished did not make him feel cleaner. He tried to read; then to study, and then he smoked again. Nothing could take his mind off it. He needed to tell Sarah. He thought about calling Cameron, but he would have been unable to explain this to him. He would have to find her. It was Halloween. Toby Stevens, whose parents went away to visit relatives every Halloween, was throwing his usual costume party. Everybody in their grade showed up; some from older and younger levels as well. Sarah would be there for sure. Michael had not left his room all day when he remembered the date and the party. He ran out of the house to pick up a costume. He decided to do it properly. He painted his face white and his lips red. He put black around his eyes. He put on black dress pants, a black dress shirt and a large, plastic cape. With the false teeth in, he was unrecognizable. He had put red into his hair and used a lot of makeup. He barely recognized himself. The drinker of blood smiled. He parked a block away from Toby's house and walked. He had gone late; everybody was there already. Matthew as well, probably. He had not seen his brother since the day he had gone out for dinner without telling his parents. Hopefully I won't even recognize him; I only want to see one person today. But what if I don't recognize her? The party was a good idea. To Michael's surprise, almost everybody followed Toby's rule. There were costumes everywhere – some as simple as a mask, others more elaborate. But Michael recognized very few people. Most had done a good job. Toby, however, was easy to find. He was the shortest player on the school's hockey team; and a good friend of Matthew's. Which made him a friend of Michael's too. Also he was the only one not wearing a costume. "What happened to your costume?" Michael asked him. "I was going to wear last year's, but it didn't fit, so I decided to forget it." "Oh. Well, a lot of people showed up. It'll be a fun night. And congratulations on the game." "Thanks Mike." "Have you seen Sarah by any chance?" Toby shrugged. "I don't recognize half the people here. They took my costume thing too seriously...I'd have been happy with just a bit of makeup or something. If I see her I'll let her know that Dracula is looking for her." "No. Don't bother. I, umm, wanted to surprise her; she doesn't know I'm coming. I'm sure I'll find her. Thanks Toby." "Sure Mike. Listen, in like half an hour, we're doing shots in the kitchen. I got some tequila, so make sure you're there." "Sounds good Toby." With a pat on the back, Michael went to find Sarah. Toby's house was large and very full. It took him fifteen minutes. She was a fairy; a yellow one with a mask. When he looked into her eyes, he knew it was her. "Hi." She recognized his voice. "Hello Michael." She did not look up from the punch she was pouring. He hated being called Michael. And he knew she was doing it on purpose, which made it worse. "Can you tell me what exactly I did to get you so fucking pissed off at me?" She glanced at him, then looked past him. "Fuck you Michael." "You did that already. We're past it. So just tell me what's gotten up your arse." She looked like she was about to slap him but she didn't. Instead she turned and walked away from him. Michael followed her to the front door. She left Toby's house. Knowing there was nothing he could do, he went into the kitchen to join Toby, Matthew, and the rest of the hockey team. The two brothers ignored each other. Michael drank more of the tequila than anybody else. He drank until he passed out on Toby's kitchen floor.