She Walks in Shadows(30)

Vexed, Veronica threw herself down into a random desk just as the late bell rang, barely paying attention to the teacher, who began calling roll. Her fingers snaked up to the chain around her neck. The cross felt hard and cold under her fingertips.

Her daddy always told her to pray at times of great confusion. Veronica asked Jesus to guide her, but no answer came.



Asenath was in Gifted, so Veronica hadn’t expected to see her during the school day — but it did surprise her when, after school, Ms. Van Helder came onto the field and told everyone that Asenath had quit the team.

“What? Why?” asked Beth Townsend, the Varsity captain. “Is she okay?”

“She’s taking on a different role this year, is all,” said Ms. Van Helder. The woman seemed amused by the team’s dismay. “Don’t worry. She’ll still be involved with school spirit. But enough chit-chat. Go warm up. Fifty jumping jacks, then get to stretching. The Warriors are playing Kingsport in a month!”

After its awkward beginning, practice actually went okay. Everyone was eager to get back to drills and to discuss routines during breaks. Beth agreed that Veronica’s idea of using “Girls Ain’t Nothing but Trouble” would be totally fresh for a halftime performance and Ms. Van Helder said she’d consider it.

Towards the end, Ms. Van Helder had them try some basic stunting. Veronica was one of the more experienced JV flyers, so some of the veteran Varsity bases agreed to try an elevator with her. “One, Two, Three, Up!” they cried, pushing her skyward. As she rose, Veronica tensed her abs and thighs, sweating and trembling; keeping her focus and her balance, she lifted her hands, only to feel the spots wobble.

“Holy crap!” said one. Veronica felt her feet moving apart as the bases lost their concentration.

“Let me down!” she called, not enthusiastic about the prospect of an injury on literally her first day.

That got their attention and Veronica felt her feet touch solid ground without an incident. Once she was on the grass, she saw just what had caused the commotion.

It was Asenath.

Veronica’s cousin seemed determined to make a spectacle of herself this year. Instead of wearing Miskatonic’s green-and-black Varsity warmups, she had donned the school mascot’s uniform. Her dark hair was hidden by a Centurion’s galea, her chest behind a breastplate. She carried a shield and sword. Greaves glistened on her shins, but her long thighs were exposed — the segmented skirt, intended for a boy, was almost indecently short on her.

“She looks amazing,” observed Beth. To Veronica’s chagrin, the rest of the team seemed to agree, almost falling all over themselves in their haste to greet her.

“As I said, Asenath will still be promoting school spirit this year,” said Ms. Van Helder. “Since Ernie graduated, the position was open, and Asenath’s enthusiasm and athletic ability made her application most impressive.”

“Thanks!” said Asenath. “Should be fun, everyone. Miz V and I already talked about how it might be cool if I did some stunts in this getup. What do you think?”

“That would be super!” enthused Amanda Slider.

“Awesome!” agreed Natalie. That bitch needed to shut up. She wasn’t even on the Varsity team.

“I don’t know,” said Veronica, raising her voice a little. The squad quieted down, surprised. “If she’s not coming to practice, stunting could be a safety issue.”

“Ms. Van Helder thinks it’s fine.” Asenath’s cool tone just further stoked the flames of Veronica’s temper.

“Ms. Van Helder won’t be lifting you,” she snapped.

“What’s your deal, Veronica?” asked Asenath.

“What’s your deal?” she shrieked. “What on earth happened to you over the summer? You’ve changed — and not for the better.”

A hideous sound coming from the direction of the bleachers distracted them all. Veronica turned and saw an old man sitting in the stands, doubled over laughing. Though the day was warm, he was dressed in a heavy overcoat and he clutched a Miskatonic High pennant in his withered hand.

“Shit,” swore Asenath. “Sorry … I told Dad he could come if he kept quiet.”

Veronica took a second look, shocked — her uncle was unrecognizable. She’d never have known it was him; he looked as though he’d aged years over just a few months, or as if he’d suffered some terrible illness. “I’d better ….”

“Do what you need to do,” said Ms. Van Helder, glaring at Veronica for some reason. Asenath took off toward the bleachers, her long legs covering the ground within moments. She confronted the old man, then led him away.

“Let’s call it a day,” said Ms. Van Helder. “Back to work tomorrow. And Veronica?”

“Yes?” Veronica lagged behind the others.

“Try to be patient with Asenath? She’s been having … family troubles.”

In Veronica’s opinion, that didn’t excuse anything. Asenath had never not had family troubles. Just the same, she nodded.

With a heavy heart Veronica changed and went out to wait for her mother by the front doors of Miskatonic High. Asenath was in the parking lot, bundling her uncle into her car, clearly having words with him. She’d changed back into her outfit from that morning; she looked ferocious and intimidating as she shoved the old creep into the passenger’s side seat.