Oddily

CHAPTER 1

Ow! Oddily wanted to spin around and confront whoever pulled her hair, but she didn’t. Why should she? After nearly a semester of being bullied, she discovered that standing up to them didn’t work. She learned how to keep her mouth shut, because if she didn’t she’d make herself a bigger target.

Are you going to cry? A female voice made fun of her.

Oddily ignores her, but at the same time she suddenly imagined all eyes resting on her while she headed for the school cafeteria. How stupid to be so self-conscious, but she was, and her awkwardness showed in the way she walked. It was her arms! It was as if she had forgotten how to move them. After several failed attempts to swing them naturally, she give up and let them dangle by her side.

You’re such a dork! The same voice was too close for comfort. Oddily’s tormentor was breathing down her neck!

Oddily grabbed the first available chair at the nearest table and held her breath until the girl moved past her. It was Kendall and she was heading for the table of snobbish kids where the golden-haired Starla waited. Starla was Kendall’s best friend and unfortunately, Starla was Oddily’s foster sister.

Oddily often wondered what made Starla and her group of friends so popular, especially the girls. For months, she passed the entire lunch time away in an effort to try and figure them out. She ruled out their appearance because other than Starla and Kendall most of the groupies looked like average students. Furthermore, they weren’t very smart so maybe it had something to do with their designer clothes.

Oddily’s attention shifted to the main entrance when she heard friendly commotion and she sighed when she saw Paul entering the cafeteria. He was the hottest guy on campus and she had a crush on him. Butterflies were fluttering in her stomach just to be in the same room. She knew there wasn’t much chance of him noticing her, but she sat taller in her seat…just in case.

Several minutes later her heart sank. Paul’s brown puppy dog eyes searched the room, and then he passed her table to join Starla. Unfortunately, he had recently become one of the newest members of their elite group.

Without warning, Starla’s deep blue eyes locked onto hers. Oddily cringed when others turned their head in her direction. She overheard a few of them snicker and suddenly felt stupid knowing she’d been caught staring.

Embarrassed, and not wanting to meet anyone’s eyes, Oddily get up and left the cafeteria. Finding a bench outside in the sunshine, she sat and finished her peanut butter and jelly sandwich all the while thinking about Starla. Why would her friends and family allow her to manipulate them just because of her beauty?

She’d never forget the first day she met the beautiful blonde. Within the first hour, Starla had her standing in front of a mirror mercilessly pointing out what she didn’t like about Oddily’s looks. Oddily hadn’t thought much about her features before, but thanks to Starla, she was convinced of her ugliness. Thin and pale, underdeveloped, a thick mop of red hair, and hazel eyes that appeared to be too large for her face! And the worst thing of all, Starla took pleasure in making sure as many kids as possible agreed with her.

In fact, because of Starla her whole existence had become a life of solitude, and she often wondered how different her circumstances would have been had her real parents survived the accident. Would she still be this shy, awkward—and lonely?

The weird thing was she had no idea what happened to them. When she became old enough to read, all she obtained were two news clippings from the past. The articles claimed that there were no survivors from the mangled car, living or dead, except for her when she was only three months old. To this day, the rest of the baffling accident has remained a mystery. As a result, Oddily felt like a ping-pong ball, bounced from a foster family to the orphanage, and then back to another foster family.

Sometimes it was hard to smile with so much moving, but she was imaginative! She figured out how to escape the pain. She could live any life she wanted through daydreaming, so she always pretended to be anyone other than myself. In fact, her fantasies had become the only thing supporting her through the lonely days and nights.

When the school bell rang Oddily jumped. She had to move and quickly! She gathered up her belongings and rushed for the hallway of lockers, meandering through a maze of backpacks, and elbows until she reached her locker.

Then it happened. As she grabbed her math book, a malicious shove sent her sprawling, head first into the locker. With a cry of surprise, she twisted her head just in time to see the face of her adversary before he slammed the door shut, plunging her into confinement.

She knew her predator. It was Kip, Starla’s boyfriend. Unfortunately, he was obsessed with his girlfriend, and no doubt Starla put him up to this prank just because Oddily had the nerve to stare at her during lunch.

Oddily tensed, thinking about the cruel expression in Kip’s gray eyes—the way they pierced her with an injection of revulsion. She feared him. Everything about him was outrageous and edgy, from his wild, unkempt hair to the funky way he dressed. He even had tattoos. One whole arm was covered with markings, a black and gold dragon—blending into red flames. Maybe his appearance had something to do with his being the lead singer of a punk rock band.

Let me out! Oddily finally shouted.

Hey, she has a voice! Someone said.

Oddily guessed the comment had come from Kendall. She could almost imagine the pretty girl’s amber eyes flashing proudly at the others because of her contribution to the taunting.

Panicky feelings took hold when it dawned on Oddily that they had no plans of letting her out. She scrunched down into a position that made her legs tremble, and there wasn’t enough air coming through the vents? It was getting hard to breathe.

What’s your combo? Oddily didn’t recognize the voice but who cared? Her heart still leaped in her throat at the thought of someone rescuing her.

Turn left to twenty-six—right on nine—left to fourteen.

We can’t hear you. That had to be Starla, obviously intoxicated with pride at what Kip had just done for her.

Oddily raised her voice and gave them the combination again, listening for the dial to turn. Instead, it became quiet.

She pressed her ear to the vent. Hello, can you hear me?

When there was no response she called out again, only this time she pounded on the locker door. No one answered. No one was there so she gave up and crumpled against the cold metal walls, bitter tears coming fast and furious. This situation called her life couldn’t be real. She needed to wake up!

While waiting for someone to find her, beads of sweat started to dot her forehead. To be in such a small space made her drowsy and light-headed. Her thoughts were becoming scattered while she tried to decide whether her hair was golden-red, or orange. Bright orange hair flashed across her mind, and the idea made her smile. She had such a funny sensation in her head. Perhaps she was dying—she hoped that she was.

* * * * * *

Oddily’s eyelids fluttered open with the sound of the lock spinning outside her locker. It was making a clicking noise. The door opened, and a burst of cool air sent tiny goose bumps up and down her limbs.

She slowly unfolded her legs from their tangled web, climbed out of the locker on cramped legs, and stood there in a maze of bewilderment. Too confused and dazed to think clearly, she looked up into the face of Mr. Jack. The custodian was staring at her with concern. Are ya all right?

Despite her tear-filled eyes she nodded.

Do ya want me to walk ya to the health office? He gently patted her on the head, as though she were a child.

Oddily shook her head and mumbled, No. I…I’m fine.

Are ya sure? His kind, old, wrinkled face showed a hint of sadness.

She nodded again.

Well, okay then, he started to hobble down the hall, but paused for a brief moment. It’s a good thing ya snore, missy.

She was snoring? Oddily laughed aloud but stopped when no sound escaped her lips. She was confused by this. Her mind seemed to be in a fog after being trapped inside the locker, but one thing was clear—school had ended for the day. The halls were empty.

CHAPTER 2

Taking off towards home, Oddily walked in the dirt alongside the asphalt road. She was dragging her feet while thinking about all the empty wishes she’d made in the past. Anything from First Star at Night wishes; to Wishing Well wishes. She had just about decided not to believe in the power of wishes when someone called out from up ahead.

She’s coming!

Oddily glanced up and saw Starla and Kip standing in front of an iron gate with their small group of friends, including Paul, looking so cute with his hands tucked in his pockets.

The old gate was the side entrance to the grounds of the mysterious Stafford Estate. Why did they gather in front of such a creepy place? All the rumors she had listened to concerning the Manor with thirty-one rooms had flashed through her mind. How twenty years ago, an unusually tall stranger with a fair-haired pregnant companion had wandered into town and bought the immense property and surrounding acreage. The two moved in and the girl was never to be seen again.

Except for an occasional visit to town, the young man remained secluded on the property, reportedly living in the original Stafford Manor hidden somewhere on the grounds. Several of the schools' alumni who had graduated years before said he kept himself isolated from the world. Some of them attempted to find him, but supposedly vanished after trespassing onto the property. Of course, the stories couldn’t be true Oddily told herself—could they?

Oddily didn’t care to know the answer, and turned on her heels, heading in the opposite direction. She hurried as fast as she could until someone called out, Oddily, wait!

Her first instinct was to keep on going the other way, but she knew there would be a price to pay if she did. Instead, she stopped and turned around as though an invisible puppet master was pulling her strings.

What do you want? she shouted.

Come here and I’ll tell you! phony sweetness dripped from Starla’s lips.

Should I go to them or shouldn’t I? The silly question ran through her mind. Of course she shouldn’t but, at the same time, her worry over what they might do to her if she didn’t made her decision easy. Oddily approached where they waited. When she neared them, she gasped as if someone knocked the breath from her lungs and stopped in her tracks. It wasn’t Kip’s presence that caused such a reaction, but that the tall gate was open! How could that be? She walked along this road almost every day and had never seen the gate open before. What was happening?

Again, she wanted to run away, but when she glanced at Paul with his brown puppy dog eyes staring at her, she took a tentative step forward, and another.

Well, well, well! Starla’s wells were a crescendo of contempt mingled with false kindness when Oddily joined them. Her foster sister’s cool gaze showed a forced expression of concern. Sorry about the locker ordeal.

Oddily shrugged the comment off, pretending it was no big deal, all the while watching the group warily. Starla glanced at her friends with a strange smile and then back to her.

I guess our prank today wasn’t so funny, Starla paused to dramatize the effect, so we’re going to make it up to you. We all agreed to let you hang out with us for awhile—see how it goes.

Starla’s friends fell silent while they waited for Oddily’s response. Amusement was evident on their faces, except for Paul, who turned away. Oddily knew Starla and her friends were messing with her. They hated her, and if the truth were to be told, she didn’t care much for them either. So even if the offer was true, she didn’t want to be associated with them. She just wanted them to leave her alone!

Oddily lifted her chin and smiled sweetly to cover her true feelings. Maybe some other time, but thanks anyway.

Oddily was so busy glancing at the others to see their reaction she didn’t notice Starla’s face darken for a second. Everything in Oddily’s innocent mind and petite body screamed for her to reconsider. Maybe rejecting their offer wasn’t such a smart idea. Maybe she should have acted grateful and then ditch them later.

You know what…sis? Starla smirked. Just go home and forget this conversation ever happened. I’ll deal you later.

By the tone of Starla’s voice Oddily knew she needed to do damage control.

No—Please! She made herself sound desperate, letting the words flow from her. I was just trying to spare you my company, she added a pathetic touch to her voice. Of course I want to hang out with you. Who wouldn’t?

Starla laughed, along with the others. She turned to her best friend, Kendall, trying to appear serious. Does the offer still stand?It’s fine with me. The group nodded their head in agreement with Kendall.

Oddily glanced over at Paul for a brief moment and then back into Starla’s cunning blue eyes demanding her full attention.

With one condition, Starla said while trying to maintain a straight face.

You mean like an initiation? Oddily’s large hazel eyes grew wide with wonder.

Yeah Mop-Top, Kip piped sarcastically, an initiation!

Shut up! Starla gave her boyfriend a stern reproach.

Oddily became doubtful. What’s the condition?

Starla had a smug look of satisfaction on her pretty face as she spoke. All you need to do is go inside the Stafford Estate, find the Manor, and take a picture of it.

Oh, Oddily squeaked in surprise as she glanced beyond the rusty bars of the gate. The grounds appeared even more unnerving than she imagined. The trees—dark, thick, and gnarled, grew tight and close together. Their tops reached up into the sky and stretched outwards so far their boughs intermingled one with the other ensuring little sunlight to the wooded floor.

How frightening, her soft voice sounded apprehensive.

Look, she’s scared! Kip laughed.

Will you do it or not? Starla demanded.

Oddily couldn’t help noticing the discomfort in Paul’s face before she peeped, Okay…fine!

Kip started to taunt Oddily. Go ahead, go inside.

Oddily turned towards the gate and started to inch forward, her heart beating faster and faster the closer she got. With one more step, she realized she would be on the other side, crossing the imaginary line of safety onto unfamiliar grounds. Even in the daylight the dark shadows from the giant old trees appeared as if they wanted to swallow her up. She hesitated but not for long. Kip was reaching for her.

Oddily hurried to get away from him by slipping through the open gate. She glanced back over her shoulder when the gate slammed shut, leaving her trapped inside the grounds.

What are you doing? Paul spoke in alarm, but Starla ignored him.

Don't forget this! Starla threw a disposable camera at Oddily, hitting her in the chest before it landed in the dirt. Oddily winced from the blow as she stared at the group of curious faces through the bars. They appeared like caged animals in a zoo and yet, she was the one trapped.

Hurry up because we don’t have all day! Starla’s sugary sweet voice hit a sour note.

I’m going right now. Oddily answered with a quiver of annoyance.

After she picked up the camera, rearranged her backpack and rushed into the darkness, her eyes shifted from side to side, with no intention of trying to find a spooky Manor. Instead, she would look for a hiding place where she could stay until Starla and the others got tired of waiting for her to come back. I’ll hurry—I promise, she called over her shoulder to keep up with the pretense. She had no idea that within the hour, her life would be changed forever.

Starla and the others waited until Oddily disappeared into the gloom of the woods.

CHAPTER 3

Oddily remained cautious while she headed into the confines of the woods. The gloom and the silence enveloped her. It was too quiet. She barely detected the sound of birds or woodland critters scurrying about, and that struck her as being strange. She stole a hasty glance over her shoulder, then she gave herself up to the eerie dark of the forest. The enormous gnarled trees transformed her surroundings into a strange, unreal world. The shadows were so black and sharp they appeared as though they had a life of their own. The underbrush came across as unfriendly. They seemed to be watching her—crowding in before and behind her.

I…I’ll pretend I’m not afraid, she said out loud; and then shuddered with fear over the lost sound of her own voice in the giant woods. But, she moved on and found a comfortable hiding place near the trail.

Huddled behind a large rock, an unexpected loud noise caused Oddily to cry out in sheer terror. The top of the trees seemed to quiver as the sound of a voice thundered through the woods. She nearly fainted when the voice spoke, Who is trespassing?

She screamed, jumped to her feet, and began to frantically run. Her legs were