Slow Dance in Purgatory

"Come here, blue eyes, you’ll enjoy this." The arms around her tightened, and Derek grabbed at her legs so she wouldn't kick him as he leaned into her with his tongue hanging out theatrically.

Suddenly, all the lockers lining the hall flew open, and books and paper started flying about like a windstorm had erupted inside the school. Locker doors crashed shut only to reopen and slam again. The sound was deafening, and the boys cried out, shielding their heads from projectiles and covering their ears with their hands. Maggie was abruptly dropped as her captor ducked to protect himself. The sudden release sent her to her hands and knees, and in amazement, she watched the bedlam unfold around her.

From start to finish, it could only have lasted seconds, and just as suddenly as it had started, all was still. The cowering boys looked around, dazed. Their arms slowly fell to their sides as they straightened and stared, flabbergasted, at their strewn belongings. The handful of other students that had been in the hallway during the microburst seemed shell shocked as well. After several seconds of stunned silence, everyone began talking at once.

“Holy Shit!”

“What was that?”

“My locker door is dented in – “

“Was that an earthquake?”

“Ow! Something nailed me in the head!”

“Somebody call 911!”

“Oh man! Look at my math book! This thing is shredded!”

“Has anyone seen my lunch?”

“Damn it, whose peanut butter sandwich is this? It’s all over my jacket!”

“I can’t find my homework – help me dig through these papers….”



The cacophony of excited voices layered over each other as Maggie gathered her things and rose tentatively to her feet. Her glasses had fallen off when Derek’s friend grabbed her. She groaned when she saw the big crack in the left lens. She shoved them angrily into her front pocket. She wondered if the school’s disaster insurance would cover their replacement. She snorted out loud. She was pretty sure about what had just happened, and it wasn’t a natural disaster.

And then she saw him. Maggie’s heart galloped loudly in her ears; Johnny stood at the far end of the corridor. No one else seemed to notice him. His hands were clenched by his sides, his stance aggressive; he stood directly in the center of the hallway. A girl walked past him so closely that his shoulder brushed her hair. Her hair rose with static, but she didn’t even lift her head as she continued walking, texting, and popping her gum.

Maggie approached him slowly, fearful that he would vanish like a mirage before her eyes. He watched her come, and his face softened noticeably as she halted a few feet in front of him.

“Hi.”

He smiled at her simple greeting, dimples flashing and then disappearing again.

“Hi,” he replied. “Are you alright?” His countenance darkened as he shifted his gaze back to the boys who still remained in the hallway, now completely unaware of her.

Maggie nodded. “I’m okay.”

Johnny crooked his finger, indicating she follow him. Maggie supposed that was wise. Talking to an invisible guy in the school hallway was probably not in her best interest. He led her to the 2nd floor library, where the lights were dimmed and the door locked, indicating that the librarian had gone home for the day.

The locks released with a barely audible snick, and Johnny inclined his head, “Ladies first.”

Maggie pushed the door open and walked into the library, seeking privacy among the hushed stacks and tall shelves. She liked the way books smelled, and she breathed deeply, wondering if Johnny could appreciate the scents and flavors around him or if that too was lost to him.

“Are you really okay?” His voice was low and serious behind her. “I saw those guys hassling you. I didn’t like it. They shouldn’t be grabbing you like that….I didn’t like it,” he repeated.

“I’m fine. I gave as good as I got.” Maggie laughed a little, shrugging her shoulders. “I didn’t like what they said to my friend. I lost my temper.”

“I missed that part. I’m around, you know, but I’m not aware of everything that’s going on. Frankly, high school isn’t all that interesting.” It was Johnny’s turn to shrug.

Maggie snickered. “You got that right.”

He smirked back at her briefly. “Sometimes the energy spikes high and that catches my attention – like just now.”

“That was your handiwork, wasn’t it? I’ve never seen anything like it. You’re going to start rumors of a poltergeist.”

“I’m not sure what a poltergeist is.” Johnny cocked his head in question.

“It’s a violent ghost,” Maggie supplied, her lips curving slightly.

“Hmmm. Well, I guess that’s not too far from the truth.” Johnny shifted and scanned the books above her head. “So what did those nosebleeds say to your friend that got you so hot?”