Two Schools Out - Forever

30

A little tap on my door made me jump, every muscle bunched with fear. It had to be Iggy. "I'm out of the bathroom," I called, hearing my voice shake a little.

"Yeah," Fang said. "I can tell, 'cause your voice is coming from in there."

"What do you want?"

"Can I come in?"

"No!"

So of course the door opened. Fang leaned in the doorway. He saw how I looked, pale and big-eyed and freaked. Compulsively I touched my face, looked down at my hands. Still covered with plain skin.

One of his dark eyebrows rose, and he came in and closed the door. "What's going on?" he asked.

"I don't know," I whispered. "Something's wrong with me, but I don't know what."

Fang waited for a moment, then sat next to me on the bed and put his arm gently across my shoulders. I was all huddled up, damp in my towel, feeling miserable and more scared than I'd been in-days.

"You'll be okay," he said.

"How do you know?"

"Because I know everything, as I keep reminding you."

I was too miserable to smile.

"Look," he said. "Whatever this is, we'll deal with it. We always have before."

I swallowed. I was dying to tell him about Eraser Max but was too afraid and ashamed.

"Fang-if I'm changing, if I'm turning into something... bad-will you deal with it?"

He was silent, his eyes on me.

I took a deep breath. "If I turn into an Eraser," I said more strongly, "will you deal with it? To protect the others?"

Our eyes met for a long time. He knew what I was asking him. If I turned into an Eraser, it would be his job to kill me.

He looked down at his feet, then up at me. "Yes. I'll do what has to be done."

I breathed out in relief. "Thank you," I said quietly.

Fang stood up and squeezed my shoulder. "You'll be okay," he said again. He leaned down and quickly kissed my forehead. "I promise."

Then he was gone, and I was more confused than ever.