Thread/Arrative: Family Emergency WHO: Jack Cavanaugh & OPEN WHERE: the classroom of Creature Lore; a narrow road in North Dakota WHEN: Monday morning, around 9.15 Note: this works as a narrative, but feel free to have a student wait around for Jack to return, to ask what happened or for general advice
“Demons,” Jack said, walking through two rows of tables, hands on his back, “are one of the more easily recognizable species in the world. Some of them have horns, some of them have ridges or nobs or oddly-coloured skin… When you happen upon a demon that’s not covered by a glamour, you should be able to recognize them. They live in secluded communities, hidden to the eyes of men, always preparing for some sort of vague war against the Heavens…” A smirk played on Jack’s features. “Now, while the most common myth goes that demons have spawned from Hell, there is absolutely no proof for this. If there is a Hell, it is certainly not located on this earth, as even the demons can’t find it. That means – yes?”
“What about angels, Mr. Cavanaugh?”
Jack had made its way to the front of the class and turned around, surveying his pupils. He leaned against the desk. “Ah, angels… You have more chance of catching a phoenix than seeing an angel. There are scrolls and tablets telling of angel sightings, but those sources are ancient, unreliable and usually caught up in religious motives. And even then, there hasn’t been an angel sighting for 3000 years. That is other than raving prophets, generally crazy folk or those fortunate people who had near death experiences. Angels, as far as we know—“
Jack lost his train of thought, looking outside. Instead of the school grounds, the window showed a brilliant view of a beautifully blue sea, glittering in the sunlight. Greece. A few students looked outside as well, puzzled by the uncharacteristic silence.
Jack had retrieved a fragile-looking, silver comb from his pocket. His fingers were playing with the tongs. He sounded far-off when he said: “Read chapter 5 and discuss it among yourself.” He turned his head to the class, and his eyes had turned a pale silver. “I have to go for a moment. Family emergency. If I’m not back in twenty, you’re all free to go.” A faint, cold breeze tickled the curtains when Jack vanished, disappearing like smoke in the wind.
***
“Hey.”
The boy was sitting by the side of the narrow road. There was a sharp curve. Behind the boy, there was a car. It had spun off the road, its side crushed against two trees. The driver’s door was open. The boy wasn’t looking at this car.
Jack went to stand by the boy’s side, looking into the forest as well. There was another car there, the hood wrapped around a tree. There was smoke coming from it. A man was on his cellphone, panicking. Jack tried again. “Hey, Darren?”
The boy looked up at him. What was he, sixteen? Fifteen? He had curly hair and hollow eyes. Jack dared giving him a tiny smile. “Shouldn’t you be in school?”
The boy swallowed. “I was… We were late. I’d slept through my alarm clock, missed the bus. So, we were hurrying, and we took the shortcut, but we didn’t see… She didn’t see…”
Jack squeezed the boy’s shoulder. “She’ll be alright.”
“No,” the boy said, frowning, “no, she won’t. She’s alone now. My dad, he…”
“I know.”
“What will happen to her?”
Jack shrugged. “I cannot tell. Her fate will unfold, the way yours has. All I know is that it’s not her day yet.”
“But…” The boy was obviously struggling, tears close to the surface. “I… I haven’t even sex yet.”
Jack was silent for a moment. “It’s not fair. It’s never been fair. If there is a grander design, I’ve never been able to see it. But… for all it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
In the distance, ambulances could be heard. The boy looked at Jack. “Can you give her a message?”
Jack shook his head. “I’m here for you, not her. I will bring you where you are supposed to go.”
“Can’t I wait for her?”
“Yes, you can,” Jack said. “But not here. If you start interfering with her life as it is, you will not make her happy.” He touched the boy’s head. “C’mon.”
“Where?”
Jack grinned. “You’ll see. There’s someone waiting for you.”
Darren Cavanaugh got up and accepted Jack’s hand. As Jack hummed Darren's favorite Mumford & Sons song, they started walking down the road and soon, they were gone. Not even someone with the Sight would have found a trace of them.