Above Humanity: Chapter 1

The pulsing, rhytmatic beat of the drums sent shockwaves through the ground. Everyone was laughing, dancing, and looking to the sky with expectation as the winds began to pick up. Wisps of rain bit at my face, lifting the strands of ebony hair that hung over my forehead. Crossing my leg over another as I leaned against the shed, I watched as our bonfire climbed high into the sky…luminating the ground which my friends partied upon with a warm, fiery glow. Everything was going good, so far no pass-outs or freak-outs between couples. I sipped my Coke lazily, knowing that somebody somewhere had touched it with rum and not caring.

Three giggling girls dragged one staggering guy from the dance ‘floor’, into the woodsy area that was surrounding us. I raised my eyebrows; taking another sip of drink and watching their figures disappear. Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I pretend to tolerate these losers. It was obvious most of them weren’t going to get any far with their wasted lives, and I mean wasted.
“Erik…ERIK!” The first shout was muffled by drumming, but my head turned at the second and louder call. Then, stumbling out of a crowd of moshers, a girl with long caramel-streaked brunette hair run up to me. Her face was bright red, and she was breathing a little hard when her back hit the shed next to me, a little harder then necessary.
“Hey Cassie,” I took another sip, swallowing before continuing my sentence, “having fun?” She looked over to me sourly, as if she was ready to punch my face in.
“No,” She said tersely and looking away...obviously not wanting to talk about it. I sighed, keeping quiet and waiting for her to fill in the silence between us.

The sounds of the party before us muffled, and I took another sip of the soda. Her eyes slipped over finally, and she seemed less red then before.
“Does that have rum in it?” Cassie asked, her eyes locked on the soda.
“Yeah,” I answered, wondering if she would have a problem with it.
“May I have some?” She suddenly asked, looking pale. I raised my eyebrows, but didn’t say anything as I handed her the drink. Cassie took it eagerly and downed it, liquid sliding out the corners of her lips and dripping down from her chin.
“Somebody was thirsty,” I mumbled when she handed me back the empty plastic cup and instantly taking an ice cube out to pop into my mouth.
“I see you are too,” She replied in the same tone, letting her body collapse against the shed again. I shrugged, moving the cold refreshment around in my mouth.

Whoever had been drumming away must have gotten tired since the shockwaves in the ground had stopped and the DJ was now playing. With the last ice cube swallowed and a new one in my mouth, I glanced over to Cassie. Her head had turned to rest on her shoulder and her eyes closed, looking like she was trying very hard to relax. When sensing me staring at her, she opened her eyes and let out a long sigh.
“I shouldn’t have let you talk me into coming.” She murmured, not looking at me but to the dancing crowd before us. I let in a breath, swallowing the next ice cube and wincing at the cold hardness going down my throat. When I could speak again, I asked with a sigh.
“What happened, Cassie?” She scowled and then to look at me with annoyance directed to someone else.
“Some perve grabbed my ass.” I should have expected it and prepared myself, but I arched my head back and howled with laughter…then trying to choke it back down. But there was no stopping her now; she instantly punched me in the shoulder.
“That wasn’t funny, you jerk!” She shouted, loudly enough for a couple heads to turn and eye us. I bite back on my tongue to stop myself, then popping in another melting ice cube to ease the new pain.

  
                  After I gave myself some time to bounce back, I turned to her.
“Yes it was. Cassie, you get irritated way too easily.” I said around the ice cube, looking over to her. Cassie narrowed her eyes at me, but didn’t fight back to that statement. I sighed, swallowing it.
“I told you, you have to be prepared for something like that.” I said calmly, fishing in my cup for another ice cube…then discovering with disappointment that they were gone.
“You told me I had to be prepared for some guy to be interested.”
“He was interested!”
“Erik, he grabbed my ass.” She said flatly, injecting her point into her voice.
“Okay, so that was coming on a little strong.” I admitted, trying to gulp down whatever moisture I could get from the bottom of the plastic cup.

                We were silent for a few minutes, breathing deeply and seeming to be lost in thought. When I reached no more liquid in my cup, I began to crunch it into different molds and trying to create little pictures with the white streaks that appeared when the plastic bended.
“I told you it wouldn’t work. I can’t come to things like these, like you. I don’t belong here.” Cassie said, seeming down and broken. I frowned.
“Neither do I, Cassie. Honestly, I hate going to these things. It’s so stupid and exhausting…but you gotta fit in.” I told her, trying not to sound mean about it. Did I love talking about sex, alcohol, ass-grabbing, and overall bad-rated things with every freaking breath I had? Hell no. But it fitted me in, and I couldn’t just stop about it. It was just one of the many not-feel-good things about surviving the teenage years. That was okay, I was almost through them. Cassie, on the other hand, turned out to be my lab partner in Physics about 3 weeks ago when school started. Now, Physics at a 12th grade level was in fact extremely difficult. She helped me right and quick with that with a shy smiles and overall ‘I don’t belong’ sense about her. I had figured inviting her here would help her make more friends. Yes, there were more people that wanted nothing to do with partying hanging around…like me and her.

                                                                             
               I took a deep breath, feeling my throat go dry and mouth bubble with thirst. Frowning, I wet my lips and tried to get over it…but couldn’t. I suddenly needed hydration now as if I hadn’t drunk in days. I pushed off from leaning against the shed, stepping forward a bit and stretching my legs. Cassie hadn’t moved from her spot, but her eyes open and watching me.
“I’m getting another drink,” I said, “be right back.” I walked forward and around the ‘dance floor’, trying to find the nearest barrel filled with ice and sodas. Many people greeted me though, some friendly, some drunk, and tried to talk to me.
“Hold on, I’m getting a drink.” I said quickly to anyone whom tried to get in my way…and eventually resulted into pushing some aside. Finally, I spotted a large red cooler by one of the food tables and quickened my pace to it. Opening it, I took out whatever cold soda my hand closed upon and slamming it shut. Stepping away, I put the soda in my other hand and heard it crack out. Moisture…I needed liquid. Suddenly, just before I brought the drink to my lips, a familiar hand gripped me on the shoulder and turned me around. I blinked, my girlfriend grinning devilishly down at me. (Yes, down, she’s taller then me)
“Howdy hottie,” She greeted, and then pulling my shirt toward her so she could lean forward and kiss me.

    
                I was surprised at first, but eventually close my eyes and went with it…fancying the warm taste of her mouth and soon forgot about the soda. Linda pulled away roughly, her face lightened up by seeing me and I was sure my face looked the same.
“Hey, what are you doing her?” She was supposed to be baby-sitting her little brother that night.
“Something happened and mom and dad had to come home.” Linda said, not sounding at all like she cared and pecking me again. I nodded, smiling a bit and taking a long couple gulps of the soda. When I pulled it away, the can felt surprisingly lighter yet I still felt uncomfortably warm and thirsty, but not as bad as before. She watched me the whole time, her light blue eyes meeting mine.
“So, what do you want to do?” She asked, making me completely forget about Cassie and all those other people waiting for me.
“I dunno. What do you want to do?” I asked, flashing a smile which she returned.
“Well…do you want to take a walk?” Linda asked, sounding as if she was meaning to ask that in the first place.
“Sure,” I answered with a smile. And the moment I did so, the thunder rumbled right above us and the sky opened to unleash the wrath it had been holding over us.

                  Everyone wimpy with rain ran and ducked for cover, but the rest of them laughed and kept dancing. The girls’ skirts soon beginning to spray water as they shook their hips and seeming to enjoy it very much, their eyes lighting up to see their partner lash his head back and  a stream full of water mixed with sweat would spray out. Linda laughed as well, lifting her head towards the sky and then back to me with a smile.
“Let’s go,” She said eagerly, then tugged at my hand and I followed without hesitation. She half led me, half dragged me onto the woodsy path. Almost instantly, the downpour turned into mere clatter upon the foliage around us and the sounds of the rained on party turned far away. Linda let out a long sigh, slowing to an easy walk and glancing over to me. I gave her the crooked grin she loved and she laughed, poking me in the side knowing full well that I was ticklish in the ribs.
“Hey!” I craved away from the touch but she only managed to get me again. Oh god, I let out one of those guy-girl giggles that were strictly forbidden in my world. She laughed wickedly, attacking me this time with both hands.
“Ahh! STOP!” I tried to wiggle away, then managing to burst into a run.

               I could hear her far away laughter and shouted promises that I would not escape, but only ran faster. The raindrops blinded my vision, and the lightning striking too close from above…it began to rain harder. The air suddenly felt so cool and moist at a run, as if I were encased in a cloak sheltering me from the wrath of the storm. I smiled to myself at this feeling, letting myself run until I began to realize that Linda wasn’t behind me. And almost as soon as I burst off to a run, I skidded to a stop, spreading and flinging forest floor and pebbles from my feet. I was breathing lightly, as if it was only a quick jog, as I looked back and forth and over my shoulder. Nothing, just the rain pouring upon the forest and the thunder booming above me. A pang of worry shot through me, and I took a deep breath before calling.
“LINDA?!” My voice didn’t echo through the forest, it actually didn’t seem to carry at all. I called again, but still there was no answering call except for sleeping birds stirring and beginning to sing. I sighed, trying deep breaths to calm myself down. There wasn’t anything out there that could hurt her; it was only me and her. I had probably just gone further then I thought and she fell behind.

                With this assuring thought set in my mind, I stepped forward and began jogging back. Though as my breath rose and fell at my gait, I felt like I needed to run. Running was good; it probably wouldn’t hurt to be doing it right now. So, with eagerness I extended my gait to a run, which slowly grew faster as the cloak of pleasant feeling came back and all fear of Linda getting hurt gone. I would have kept going, if it hadn’t been for that solid figure that I suddenly collided with and fall over. Reality hit me back with a punch from a smooth, flat, stone that had been sitting on the ground.

                I could faintly hear a male voice from above me laugh; suddenly it was right beside me. I moaned, rolling my heavy eyes around and trying to open to see who it was…but I felt him push me back down, surprisingly gentle. He muttered something I didn’t catch, for I was drifting away in the blackness that pulled me…soon feeling and hearing nothing but the raining falling upon the forest upon me. And then suddenly a sharp, burning pain shot into me, causing me to gasp and stir involuntarily. I jerked upright, trying again to open my eyes and figure out what was going on, but he only shushed me and pushed me back down. The back of my head hit the stone again, and I shut my eyes in attempt to escape the pain. Slowly, the sound around me tuned out…and I felt the darkness close over me.
                                                 *                           *
A clean, earthy smell wafted around my face and I could feel cool drops of water stringing my forehead. It was still raining hard, and somebody beside me was shaking my shoulder, and suddenly I felt a cold hand slapping my cheek. I groaned, blinking open my eyes and surprised to see my vision blurry and pained.
“Erik! My god, are you okay?” Came Linda’s frantic voice and I could hear her scurry closer to me.
“What happened?” I grumbled, trying to bring myself up with my hands and shaking my head to try and make it clear. Soon I could clearly see her light blonde hair pulled in a ponytail and her concerned face looking to me.
“I think you tripped and bumped your head. Your forehead…” She reached out gently to touch it, a sudden blast of pain under her finger caused me to jerk back and gasp. Linda jerked back as well, instantly pleading a ‘sorry’. I closed my eyes, trying to get over it and get up. She waited, restlessly shifting on her spot on the dirt…almost seeming for a second if she simply wanted to get out of the mud and leave me here. I let out a long breath, blinking rapidly…and suddenly everything felt clear. Her figure sitting cross-legged over the forest floor was clear, if not more bright and vivid than the way I saw her before. I smiled to her in assurance, grasping a nearby tree branch to help balance myself up. As I moved, my head felt perfectly fine, as if nothing had happened.

Linda got up, rushing over to me…trying to smile but still looking concerned.
“Are you sure we don’t need to go to the hospital or something?” She asked, and I chuckled.
“I’m fine, really. Just a little bump.” I said with a laugh, reaching out and pretending to bop her on the head. She giggled, weaving her head away and rolling her eyes at my ‘sillyness’.
“Okay, I hope you’re just not in shock or something. You really were out cold, you scared me.” She said, though not nearly as serious as before and still with a smirk on her face. I grinned back, not taking a word of hers in consideration. I wasn’t in ‘shock’, I was fine…better then fine.
“Well, now that ya mention it,” I said, “I do feel a little dizzy.” I raised my eyebrows, still grinning. Linda put on a pretend shocked face, but since she is a bad actress her lips twitched like she was trying very hard not to laugh.
“Ooh, really? Well, maybe I should bop you again so you feel better.” She said, taking a rather large step closer so I felt her warm, scentless breath upon my face.
“Maybe so,” I murmured, looking to her face until she took another step forward with her head tilted slightly to the side and her long eyelashes shadowing her face. We looked to each other in silence for a few moments, and then her arm came up and she pretended to knock me hard on the back of the head.
“Bop,” She said with a smile, and I rolled my head and eyes over and pretended to be passing out. Linda laughed, shaking her head slightly as she leaned herself in to give me the kiss I was asking for. I sighed out lightly, wrapping my arms around her back and pulling her closer. Feeling her smile against my lips and deepen the kiss.
I don’t really remember when I began to notice it; maybe it was when Linda pushed me against a thick oak tree, beginning to run her fingers up my chest and make out like a slut. But soon I began to feel this prickle in the back of my mind, as if someone tapped me on the shoulder and tried to bring me back. And before I had a moment to ponder what I was feeling, a wire hot burning sensation shot down my spine and cycled through the rest of my body. I gasped, tearing open my eyes and feeling them roll back until my vision burned crimson. Without thinking I pushed Linda off roughly, faintly hearing her body thump onto the forest floor as I yelled out in agony. My fingers, my head, my arms…everything felt like it was on fire.

               And then, just as fast as it had began, the burning sensation stopped. My fingers tingled slightly, but felt perfectly normal as I let go of the branches I had taken my tremor out on. I sucked in my breath as if I just ran marathon, trying to calm my body down from the adrenaline that opened my senses and made my heart feel like it would soon explode from beating so fast. Eventually, I managed to make myself open my eyes and blink twice as if I were just waking up.

               Linda was just rising to a stand, her once high ponytail now limp over her shoulders and decaying leaves caught in her hair. When her eyes met my face, they widened. I stood still, looking at her…until I remembered how I shoved her away from me.
“Oh, Linda I’m sorry. I don’t know what-“ Linda’s eyes didn’t blink as she slowly rose to a full stand, her face going white as if she were seeing a ghost. Suddenly, she began taking deep breaths through her nose…her entire body starting to tremble. Feeling my eyes narrow, I stepped forward instinctively holding out my arms to comfort her. Though as soon as my fingers came in contact with her skin, she jerked away as if it was painful.
“Don’t…come near me.” She said flatly, in between breaths. Linda’s face looked like she was telling herself to be brave, to calm down. The thunder crackled above us, the storm growing more livid and pounding its rain upon the trees…soaking us both.
“Linda…” I said, stepping again toward her and trying to touch her.
“I SAID DON’T FUCKING TOUCH ME, YOU FREAK!!” She screamed, and then screaming as the thunder boomed like a gunshot above us. She stumbled without balance as the sound waves shot through the ground, but managed to catch herself by spinning on her heel and bolting into the other direction. I started to bolt after her, then skidding to a halt as the burning sensation shot again through my body. I yelled out in agony once more, feeling my legs buckle from under me and managing to catch myself with my arms. All while gritting my teeth to stop more cries, I watched as the back of Linda’s white shirt disappeared from my vision, wondering as the pain went away what Linda had been so afraid of, that seemed to cycle around me.