The Fable Online Issue 9 Halloween Special

Retribution

by Davina Coulthard Rachel clutched onto the strap of her rucksack so tight in anticipation that it was like a protection spell from the three girls stood staring at her. She walked past them with her eyes downcast. Without turning to look back, she hastened to escape from the embarrassment of the verbal abuse she expected to receive from them. Rachel felt like she was being chased and the sound of her heartbeat filled her ears. She sensed someone was behind her and she did not have the strength to flee from the situation.

The dread froze her then suddenly an external force tugged her rucksack, pulling her to the ground. Rachel glanced around to see everybody staring at her and then her cheeks began to burn up.

“Are you just going to sit there?” shouted the culprit; Hannah, who stood giggling with her friends.

A tall figure appeared in front of Rachel, extending a helping hand. As she pulled herself up, she realized it was Hannah’s boyfriend, Steven.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Rachel wondered why he would care; then she began to realize this could be the part of another plan to humiliate her; she glared at Steven skeptically as she walked away.

The basement in Rachel’s house was the place where she could hide away and sob her heart out, it was quiet and dark, but this did not trouble her. The girls at school bothered her the most. Every day was the same and Rachel knew that she could not carry on living this way. It was not like she had a friend to turn to, but she had to resolve this matter in a way she thought was possible. Her thoughts were interrupted by the basement door opening and she was surprised to see Steven walk through.

“Hi, your mum said you would be down here,” he said glancing around slightly nervous, “Don’t you find basements creepy?” he asked.

“Only if you look at them that way,” Rachel paused. “What do you want?”

“I dumped Hannah,” Steven said.

“Why?” asked Rachel.

“I got sick of her ways, all she talked about was ways she could get to you,” said Steven.

“She will never let it go and it was nothing to do with me!” Rachel said.

“Let what go?” asked Steven.

Rachel felt Steven staring at her, waiting for her response; she looked directly at him with