Stonehall

I stared into space while tapping my lead pencil against the wooden desk. It was a hot summer afternoon and I was spending my last class of the day in Maths. Everyone was hot and irritated because of the weather.

The last room I was in, like many other classrooms in my school did not have air conditioning. Meaning during the last class of the day most of the students were either acting up, wagging, or like me, couldn't be fucked paying attention.

Thankfully I had a seat up the back near a window, occasionally a cool breeze sent air gushing into the classroom, cooling my face but would send my notes flying onto the ground. I gave up on picking them back up.

I glanced out the window to stare at the rest of the school. My school was called 'Stonehall High School' and parts of it seemed really old. The library was an old stone two-storey building and most of the classrooms were also made from stone.

Most of the buildings are two-storeys and the top floors are connected by an inter-web of passageways made from concrete. There were two new buildings, one which sported the English rooms and the other that housed the Art, Hospitality, Textiles, Design and Technology classes. In short my school had a mixture of old and new.

The hot weather was bothering the most studious of students, for they would stop making notes every once in a while either to fan themselves or just to stare into space. Personally I wished that the old classrooms would be knocked down to make way for the newer classrooms. The ones with air con. I kept my face turned to the window hoping another gust of wind would blow through so my face could be cooled, even if it would only be temporarily.

I didn't have many friends. I moved to this school in the middle of last year and didn't win many people over. It honestly never really fazed me. I wasn't outgoing and I thought of myself as nothing special. My name is Cody Burkett, my dad always wanted me to be an overachiever, to strive for the top so I could get a cushy office job and maybe become a multimillionaire.

I knew kids that were a lot smarter than me who could do that. I didn't have the brains or the skill to become what my dad expected of me. I wouldn't find it interesting anyway. Having no idea what job I wanted to do yet, I just wanted one that would interest me.

One that would keep me on my toes, where I would always learn new things. I just wasn't one-hundred percent sure there was a job like that for me, but I could always dream. The noise level increased and I glanced at the clock, it read two fifty.

That explained the noise, the other students must be getting more anxious to leave as the time came closer to the final bell. The teacher stopped writing his cryptic codes onto the white board and started marking the roll. Then I heard a guy behind me snicker.

"Why does the old fart take the roll at the end of the lesson? Wouldn't it be easier to do it at the beginning of the lesson?" I turned slightly to see the people who were talking.

"I know right, then we wouldn't be interrupted!" hissed Michael to the boy who had just spoken.

Michael was a stereotypical sports-freak, who had to assert his masculinity by bullying and tormenting others. He was very attractive to most girls and was known to be a rebel of sorts. He had green eyes, was muscular and tanned but I honestly didn't see how girls found the guy with his long purple hair tied into a ponytail, attractive.

I looked to the guy who had first spoken, his name was Dylan. Dylan wasn't so much sporty, but he was loud and overconfident. Dylan was a classic show-off who always tried to get with as many girls as he could, and as rumors had it the occasional guy.

Dylan's appearance like his personality stood out. He has dyed red hair and unusual amber eyes. He also has three distinctive scars on his cheek, which looked like he'd been scratched by a bear or something. He was never seen without wearing his red collar, which he wore to look cool and instead of school shorts he wore three-quarter camouflage pants.

I rolled my eyes at them, an action that was not missed by Dylan or Michael.

"What?" Dylan grunted. I turned back around to face him.

"Did you ever think that Mr Dickson wanted to take the roll at the end of the day, where you would be more cooperative?" I replied. "If he wasted time on the role-" I paused as the teacher called out my name. "Here sir!" I called to him as he made a note of marking my name off. I turned back to them and continued "-at the beginning of the day he would have to teach us what he taught us now ten minutes ago, and it wouldn't sink in as much".

I prided myself on my logic.

"Faggot!" Michael spat before turning to Dylan and beginning to talk about a different topic. I sighed as I turned away from them.

Just three more minutes until I get out of this death trap. When the bell finally rang I reached out to pick up the papers that flew off my desk. Just as I was about to grasp them, a black and red sneaker smashed down onto the papers.

I looked up to see Dylan's unforgiving face. He twisted his foot as an extra measure to make sure the papers were crumpled before turning to his own desk. He grabbed his things in a rush and stepped on my papers as he left the classroom.

Michael and some of his goons sneered and trampled on my papers. One of them knocked me as they walked past. I inwardly sighed; of course I had to annoy the most annoying and childish show-offs at school.

Once I was sure they left the room I retrieved my papers. I couldn't make out the notes I'd written on the paper and parts of it were torn. I sighed as I made an attempt to straighten them out and put them in my bag, making a mental note that idiots do not like it when they are proven wrong.

I picked up my bag and noticed a black object in my peripheral vision. I looked at the desk Dylan had been sitting at, a black glove was lying on top. Dylan mustn't have zipped up his bag when he left class today and the glove fell out.

The teacher coughed, and I realized I was the only one left in the classroom and he was waiting for me to leave so he could lock up. I quickly grabbed the glove, stuffed it in my bag and left the room. Once in the hallway I ran to the front gate.

I have a bad feeling about this. I couldn't spot Dylan among the people at the bus stop. I frowned; his parents must have picked him up. I started walking home, wondering if I told Dylan I had his glove he might think I stole it. The walk home didn't take long and I was soon in my tiny, clustered room holding the glove in my hand.

My old computer which sat on my desk in the corner was loading. I planned to contact Dylan via my rarely used Facebook account to tell him of his missing object. Now that I looked at the glove more closely I saw it was very large and the fabric was heavy and sturdy. Why would Dylan have such a weird glove as a possession?

My computer finally loaded and it took me ten minutes pondering how to write my message. I will admit I was a bit wary considering how today's events went about, but I decided to keep it short and simple. No point in making the hole I dug for myself bigger.

'Hi this is Cody from your Maths class, you left your glove behind today and I decided to keep it safe for you. When do you want it back?'

This was the best I was going to get so I sent the message. Since he wasn't my 'friend' on that site I had no idea if he was online or not. It could take hours for him to reply. My computer beeped almost instantly, I stared at it blankly.

I didn't have many friends on the site, so did Dylan reply already? I looked at the message, it was from Dylan.

It read: 'really? I have no fucking clue where I dropped that thanks dude I'll get it from you tomoz in maths'.

Clearly this guy had no clue. I replied.

'We don't have maths tomorrow. Want to meet up so you can get your glove?'.

Once again I got a fast reply.

'sure mate, meet u behind the library' I frowned at the reply. The bushy area behind the library was well known for being a make-out spot and as a place where people go to fight. Behind the large stone building no one could see or hear you, and of course no student is allowed there.

I typed: 'That area is out-of-bounds, can't we meet up on the oval or something?'

Maybe it would ruin his reputation to be seen with me? I looked at the page and noticed that I had a '1' next to the people symbol.

When I clicked on it, it revealed that Dylan requested to be my friend. Deciding not to brush him off I accepted his request. No harm done right? My computer beeped again and I checked my message.

'it will be fine dude, I don't want people asking questions k? See you there at the big lunch, gtg'.

I sighed as he went off-line. Looks like I have to visit him there. I looked at the strange, overly large black glove once more.

"Definitely not human." I decided out loud. Maybe one of my friends from a different class could give me more insight on this mysterious piece of clothing.

A warm breeze rustled the leaveless branches of the dead trees. Their spidery limbs reached into the starless night and made soft scratching noises when they were caressed by the passing wind. The moon was half obscured by the Earth's shadow and loomed ominously overhead.

Despite its partiality the area below was bathed in pale moonlight. Thick grey clouds drifted past at a slow march, but were unable to completely hide this darksome night's only light. Any onlooker who wasn't distracted by the eerie sight would spot something quite strange indeed.

A young woman trudging through the cemetery during the witching hour. With the frightening faint sounds of rustles and squeaks any man would be terrified in this setting. The young eighteen-year-old in her school uniform stalked through the graves without hesitation.

My name is Lora Desdemoda. I am a hunter and in order to hone my skills at fighting and proving the superiority of the human race, I take on missions that involve exterminating monsters. Being a full-time student, I didn't have a lot of time to pick up such cases.

This case was different however, it was personal. Over the past few months instances of grave robbings have been popping up in the town cemetery. Seemed like someone thought resurrecting zombies would be a fun way to pass time.

When zombies are unearthed from a graveyard they are relatively harmless. They have a basic craving for human flesh but walk fairly slowly. When regular human beings are transformed into zombies they retain their sentience.

The desire for human flesh can still be tempting for them, and with bodies relatively in tact it's a lot easier for them to hurt people. One of my ex-boyfriends, Felix was turned into a zombie.

He won't be able to age, he'll have to preserve himself, deal with the inevitability of losing limbs and the stench as well. Not only that but his lifespan has significantly decreased. He was not happy with that fact. Neither was I.

Since the grave robbing was happening in this cemetery alone, I decided to come here and find the witch responsible. It seemed whoever was bringing back the dead was quite powerful indeed, not just some meddler in necromancy. Hence I suspected I would be dealing with a witch.

Felix broke my heart when he dumped me. Considering I dumped my own boyfriend at the time, Cody Burkett who is my best friend now, to be with him you could say I deserved it. Now that he was a zombie I would never date him, it still angered me nonetheless.

I pushed my stylish glasses up the bridge of my nose and peered through the semi-darkness. Up ahead I could see where one of the corpses had been dug up. I stopped and lowered the huge metal scythe I had been carrying over my shoulder.

I had to sneak out past curfew, so I didn't get to bring my whole collection of weapons. That was also the reason I was still in my school uniform. I was good enough at using a scythe that it shouldn't matter if I had to fight a few zombies and a witch.

Even so, it was awfully dark. I pulled out a torch and flicked it on. The light flickered and then went out. I hit the torch into my palm a few times but it did nothing. Crap. I heard a rummaging noise from underneath me. I glanced down but didn't move away in time.

A rotten hand grabbed my ankle, and the earth parted while a howling zombie burst forth. I was lifted into the air as it rose until its waist was at ground level. My scythe slipped from my grip and I cursed. I fell forward while it still held my foot and I gripped a headstone.

Shifting my weight I kicked with my free foot into the monster's face. It shrieked and released me. On my feet again I ducked a blind swipe and picked up the fallen scythe. Bringing it over my shoulder I decapitated the zombie in one quick motion.

Crimson blood droplets remained suspended in my line of vision for a moment before hitting the earth in clumps. I breathed heavily and gripped my weapon more tightly.

"My, my. That was quite impressive."

I looked up to see a woman, probably in her mid-twenties with short blonde hair. She was wearing black clothing that showed off her shapely form. She smiled at me tantalizingly and her yellow cats' eyes glowed. A witch.

She was sitting on a cross-shaped tombstone. Letting out an exaggerated sigh she crossed her arms.

"What is a kid like you doing here? Judging by that weapon and your skill at using it, I'm guessing you're a hunter. Am I correct?"

"You've been turning people here into zombies. That doesn't sit well with me. If you don't stop I'm going to kill you."

"I love it when you get so commanding." She said seductively. "Why would such a cute school kid like yourself be throwing out death threats, hmm?"

"As tempted as I am by you, I'm going to have to insist you stop. You turned one of my closest friends into a zombie."

The witch closed her eyes regrettably.

"That's too bad," they opened and flashed with a murderous intent. Her lips parted, revealing a wicked smile "for you!"

All around me the ground started rumbling and dozens of corpses rose from the earth, thrashing and flailing. They groaned and snapped at me with their teeth. She had this many dead bodies already transformed into zombies and hidden underground?

Maniac and high-pitched cackling filled the air. One of the quicker zombies pulled itself out completely and ran for me swiping. I stepped to the side and carved through its thigh. Another zombie ran at me from behind and I meant to poke it back with the end of my scythe.

I watched in revulsion as the metal pole sank into the creature's soft chest, and it began to impale itself slowly as it walked closer towards me. I lifted my foot to its chest and kicked it off the end. I know I said regular zombies weren't too much trouble to deal with, but that was different when they were in a horde!

They started to swarm me and grabbed my limps. I struggled uselessly; the witch laughed even louder. She raised her arm as if she were holding something in her palm.

"Now feed on her. Dig in!"

The zombies snarled and their mouths opened. There was a putrid stench and volumes of hideous drool and bile dripped from them.

"Back the fuck up!" I managed to spin my scythe above my head, sending the pole crashing into the heads of the surrounding zombies. They all stumbled and fell over each other like dominoes.

Roaring, I started racing towards the witch, scythe in hand. She smiled, confident I wouldn't be able to get through her horde as they all advanced on me while I ran forward. Leaping I landed on top of a headstone and jumped to a stone cross.

Jumping across the headstones I flew over the swiping mass of zombies and made my way closer to my enemy. I pushed off of a cracked stone rectangle with both feet and flew. Hands reached for me below and my foot collided with the head of another zombie.

Using it as purchase I propelled myself forward and the blade of my scythe cut through her as if she were butter. A surprised, perplexed expression flitted on the witch's pretty face before her body came apart. Landing by her remains I stood and turned my face towards the zombies.

They stood frozen, staring at me with as much shock as their decayed faces could muster.

"Alright." I spun the scythe around once and caught it with both hands. "Now that the witch is gone I'll take care of you guys and call it a night."

A mirror reflected a dark room with enough light leaking in from cracks in her door. The mirror also framed a young school girl in her uniform, she processed long, black, shiny hair that reached down to the back of her thighs. Her pale skin, almost snow-white, framed by her black hair made her skin stand out even more.

She licked her luscious lips and stared with her piercing blue eyes at the mirror before her. This young, fit and almost beautiful body belonged to me, Kaitlyn Desdemona. I never thought of myself as attractive, however since those guys have been contacting me on different websites, and wanting to go on webcam, I couldn't help but agree.

I had two major flaws with my body. One, I didn't have big boobs, like my sister and my mother before her. The stares my sister got off guys because of her body, it drives me insane, but at least I don't pierce myself in an attempt to look cool. Also I wasn't strong; my skill in slaying the repulsive creatures of the night was not as fine as Lora's either.

A flash of light filled the room; I stared at the digital object in my hand. The camera displayed a young innocent school girl taking a picture of herself, with her skirt raised a little too high 'accidentally' showing a bit more of her slim pale leg. Guys love the innocent school girl look, but I should take a naughtier picture, to show guys how much fun I could be.

I got on my knee and shifted my leg revealing my underpants slightly. I pull a lollipop I had placed in the pocket of my blouse and gave it a well-positioned lick as the camera flooded the room once more. With one look at the picture I was satisfied.

I gracefully picked myself off the floor and made my way over to the laptop. Instead of logging onto my 'safe' account, which I used for family and friends, I typed in an alternative one, an account that revealed a naughtier, dirtier me. I drummed my fingers against the floor, stealing a glance at the time.

Five thirty-three. A grin broke across my face, Lora was not home yet. It was a warm morning, and my instincts told me it was going to be a hot day.

I awoke to the shouts of my parents.

After getting busted for being on my laptop at six in the morning, I quickly told my parents of the study I was in the process of, because I had a terrible nightmare where I was a homeless person. They almost didn't believe me until I slipped that my dear sister was missing.

Normally I wouldn't ever dare consider throwing my sister to the wolves to save my own ass, but she did bring this upon herself. I just never suspected her waking me up with her verbal battle against my father, and with my mother backing him up. Well to put it simply, she was fucked.

As I was slipping out of my pajamas, my door opened and smacked against the wall. I need a door stopper, otherwise father is going to have to replace the wall in my room. There in the doorway stood a very angry older sister. This was going to have to be a true test of my skills.

"Will you mind your own business!" she seethed. With that she pivoted and stormed off to her bedroom.

"If it makes you feel any better, I got a lot of tracking experience because of you!"

I closed my eyes and placed my katana before me.

The repulsive beast circled me, waiting for hesitation on my account before leaping in for the kill. A beast charged forward and attempted to take a chunk out of my right leg. I gracefully hopped away before twirling around, swinging my katana at the thing's face. A clean incision marked its face and it squealed in pain. Another creature leaped at me, I dodged to the right and as it made contact with the ground, dodged another creature who attempted to take me from behind.

The beasts smacked into each other and I seized my chance. I slid under one thing's belly and stabbed the creature between the ribs, ensuring a death-blow. In not a moment's blink, I raced over to the other creature and made a slice through the creature's ribs. Then a clawed hand tore at my back, I had lost.

"That is enough training for today." My father's voice commanded. I stared in numb shock, in a real fight I would be dead. "Your weapon isn't strong enough just to cut through your opponents like your sister's can." My father spoke to me, in a patronizing voice.

"Then give me a sturdier weapon!" I challenged.

"Your strength doesn't match a weapon like a scythe, remember you aren't as strong as your sister." Then my father didn't look back as he left the training grounds, taking his fabled illusionary staff with him.

My mother looked at me with pity in her eyes.

"Don't worry, you are nimble, so use your speed to your advantage". She followed my father, exclaiming about making tea for him. I stared after them. After all the training I had done, they would not let me take my own case even though when my sister was my age she had already done her fair share of cases.

My fists tightened as I glared after them. The tune of 'Teenage Dream' by Katy Perry filled the silence. I answered the mobile without noting the caller.

"Hi Kaitlyn, it's Cody. Is Lora around? I tried ringing her phone but-" I hung up on the pathetic boy. Cody Burkett is Lora's best friend and her ex. Even though she dumped him for another guy, he didn't hate her. She could do no wrong and all I was, was her shadow.