“Well, Kevin? What do you think?” she asks, posing in the center of the room and giving me a mischievous smile.
“You look gorgeous,” I say honestly.
“Well, how sweet of you,” she says, giggling in a very not-Ashley way. “So… what do you say about my ‘reward’?”
“I dunno, Ashley…”
“What do you mean, you don’t know?” she asks, the smile vanishing from her face so instantaneously that it’s kind of creepy.
“I mean… what about Zoe?” I ask.
“What about her?”
“You would be betraying her trust. I can’t let you do that to her.”
Ashley hisses with annoyance. “Kevin, you are such a freaking boy scout, you know that?”
“Ashley, I’m serious. Don’t be an adulterer. It’s like, one of the commandments.”
“Well… Actually, I… Zoe and I are in an open relationship.”
“Open? How is it open?”
“It means that both of us can still see other people, and it’s not cheating!”
“No way. Neither of you seem like the type to do that kind of thing.”
She frowns at me, and then tosses her hair to the side dramatically. “Well, I guess you just don’t know as much about me as you thought. Now, for the love of god, can we just have sex already?”
At that moment, there is a loud knock on the door. A male voice that sounds vaguely familiar says, “Pizza delivery for Ms. Davis and Mr… Kevin.”
“Oh shit,” Ashley hisses under her breath. “Come on, Kevin, let’s take this to another room…” she starts pulling on my arm urgently.
“Hey, wait a minute!” I question. “Who is that out there?”
The door gets smashed down with a loud bang. Someone walks in who I remember talking to back at the Homecoming dance, except now he’s wearing this fancy looking robe and carrying a large hammer. “I’m sure I got the right house… I have one medium pizza with pepperoni, cheese, and… uh, cum.”
“Nova, that is disgusting,” says another voice, and I am shocked but also pleased when Ruth walks into the room behind him.
“No way, what are you doing here?” I ask.
Nova walks straight up to Ashley and points his hammer at her, which makes her recoil away from me and hold her arms out in front of herself defensively.
“Sup, Fake Ashley ?” Nova says threateningly.
“What do you mean ‘fake’?” I ask.
My head is spinning from the sheer amount of weirdness going on, when two more girls walk into the cottage; Zoe, and that one girl who was with Nova at Homecoming.
“Hey Zoe. Hey, aren’t you that one bisexual girl?” I ask them sequentially.
“Damn right I am!” bisexual girl replies proudly.
“Her name’s Anja,” a gruff voice says. “And you’d do well to remember it, laddy.”
I look around for a moment, unable to tell who had said that… and then, I see an armadillo walking around on two legs!
“Guys, what in the…” I start to say.
“Yeah yeah, we know, it’s a talking armadillo,” Anja says in a tired voice. “Just get used to it already.”
“Wow, I should get the real Ashley to wear something like that!” Zoe says when she lays eyes on the allegedly fake Ashley, her eyes twinkling. “It looks super pretty!”
“I am really pretty, aren’t I?” Ashley replies smugly. But then, she signs defeatedly. “Okay, fine. I’m not the real Ashley.”
“Yeah, no shit,” Nova says, poking his hammer at her threateningly. “So what are you, Moloch or some shit?”
“Mo- what?” Fake Ashley asks incredulously.
“I seriously doubt that it is Moloch based on your characterization of them,” Ruth says. “You said that Moloch was a very powerful foe, but the power level of this being is extremely weak.”
“Oh, I’ll show you my ‘power level,’ you fat slut!” Fake Ashley growls.
“Enough with the body shaming!” Anja reprimands. “Who are you ACTUALLY?”
“I’m a figment of Shari’s imagination,” she answers simply.
“Uh… Shari? ” Nova questions.
“That’s Ms. Truman’s first name,” Zoe says helpfully.
“Yes, she lets me call her that because I’m one of her favorites,” Fake Ashley says, smirking again. “She makes most of the other kids call her ‘Mommy.’”
“Wow, thanks so much for sharing that,” Anja says sarcastically. “We really weren’t traumatized by this shitty palace enough already, so feel free to keep giving us sickening insights into this teacher’s depraved thoughts.”
“You wouldn’t be so judgmental if you knew what she’s gone through,” Fake Ashley snaps back.
“It hardly matters,” Ruth interjects. “I don’t think there’s any information you could give me that would make me forgive trying to rape multiple of my fellow students and friends. And on that tack, where is the real Ashley?”
“Oh yeah, her.” Fake Ashley starts glancing around the room, until her eyes rest on the light fixture. “Let me ask you guys this. Have you ever heard of Schrödinger’s Cat?”
“Of course we have,” Ruth affirms.
“Well, Shari has a complex mind. From outside of the cottage, the light could either be on or off. You can't tell until you go inside. While Kevin walked into this cottage, where the light is on, my doppelganger went into the version where the light is off. I seized that opportunity to take her place.”
“Where is that replica, though?” Ruth questions. “I can’t detect her anywhere .”
“Well, she’s in sort of a pocket dimension on her own.”
“How do we get to her?” Zoe pleads.
“Find the light switch and turn it off,” Fake Ashley explains. “Then, come stand close to me, and I can take you there.”
“Uh… why are you helping us?” Anja questions, frowning at her.
“Oh, I can’t say no to a cute face like that!” Fake Ashley answers, winking at Zoe.
“You better not be bullshitting us,” Anja warns, shooting a suspicious glare at her.
“If she exists as a figment of Ms. Truman’s imagination, I have a hard time imagining that she would have that complex of an agenda,” Ruth reasons.
“Aye, she’s trustworthy,” the armadillo man agrees. “Well, on this particular matter, anyway…”
“You can just tell ?” I ask, despite myself. “Is it like how dogs can tell when people are evil?”
“I’d mighty appreciate it if you didn’t liken me to a pet, thank you very much,” the armadillo responds indignantly.
“Ted is good at reading that sort of thing, though,” Zoe explains. “When Moloch was pretending to be Ashley, he knew she wasn’t the real one instantly… it was just an instinct.”
“Okay, I think that’s settled,” Nova says flatly. “Sorry Anja, outvoted.”
“Eh, it’s fine,” Anja concedes, shrugging. “Not like I had any other ideas on how to get into this pocket dimension thingy anyway.”
And with that, the others start looking around the room for a light switch. Anja and Nova start searching along the back wall of the cabin, while Zoe and Ted go back to the entrance. Ruth, meanwhile, offers me a hand to get up, which I take.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“Uh, Ruth?” I ask. “That’s the real you, right?”
“Yes it is,” she says, smiling at me. “We first met during a club soccer event in third grade. You threw a banana peel on the ground, expecting it to decompose, to which I explained that it would decompose slowly enough to still constitute being litter.”
“Oh yeah. Good memory!” I say. “It’s just… what the hell is going on here?” I ask, watching Ted the talking armadillo sniff around the kitchen counter. “Ashley never really explained properly…”
“We’ll fill you in when there’s a break in the action,” she says. “And I want to hear your side of the story, too. I had no idea you would be here with her.”
“I found it!” Zoe calls, standing near the doorway. “Should I flip it, everyone?” She glances nervously between Anja and Fake Ashley.
“Yeah, go for it,” Anja answers.
Zoe turns back to the switch, biting her lip. Ultimately, however, her desire to find Ashley wins out over any apprehension she felt, and she flips the switch.
The cottage goes dark, way darker than I was expecting. As the light goes out, it also suddenly changes to night outside. If that wasn’t odd enough, the house begins shaking back and forth…
I look back at Fake Ashley, who is standing calmly where she was, except now emitting a pearly white glow like a ghost. Ruth and I step towards her, and soon the others close in around us. I swear for a moment I can see a large pair of eyes staring at us from the darkness, when my vision fades.
----------------------------------------
However, when I step into the cottage, something is very wrong. Kevin seems to disappear- I thought he was right behind me, but when I turn to see where he went, there’s no sign of him. I try to open the door… and it’s locked.
I sigh to myself. Well, here we go again. I wonder what traumatic memory I’m going to relive this time.
I look around. The cottage is dark and dingy. I find a window, and outside is entirely a different scene than what Kevin and I were just walking through. It’s nighttime, and there is a fierce snowstorm blowing. The cottage itself is only lit by a fireplace roaring on the other side of the room. There’s no sign of the jungle, and instead I see a hilly terrain with mountains far in the distance.
I hear footsteps coming from behind the backdoor. I quickly draw my sword and face whoever is coming. The door flies open, and I’m startled to see that the footsteps belonged to Zoe…
“Ashley! Thank goodness I finally found you!” she cries. She starts to run towards me, but I hold out a hand, making her stop a few feet away.
“Zoe, why are you by yourself?” I ask.
“I… we thought we could find you faster if we split up…”
I shake my head. “That was stupid. She’ll be able to get you so much more easily on your own.”
“I was so worried about you!” she simpers, looking stressed out. “Can I have a hug, please?”
“Zoe, what was the name of the song you were listening to this morning?” I question.
She cocks her head. “Um, uh… which one?”
“You know the one. It had an ending that went like this…
“Like the moon we borrow our light.
I am nothing but a shadow in the night,
So if you let me I will catch fire
To let your glory and mercy shiiiine…”
She still looks lost after listening to my singing. “Uh… I forgot the name, sorry.”
“What band made it, then?”
She stares at me blankly. “Simple Plan?”
I hoist my sword up threateningly, to which she immediately cowers and begs, “No, wait, please!”
“Ah… I figured you wouldn’t be as easy to fool as Kevin,” Ms. Truman’s voice says. It comes from every direction at once, just like it did when we first entered the palace, only this time she’s making no attempt to disguise it.
“This isn’t my first rodeo, you know,” I say. “So what, were you going to have Zoe seduce me and enjoy watching from the sidelines?”
“Pretty much,” she admits. “Clearly you kids want nothing to do with me , so I had to get creative.”
“So what’s your plan B then? Gonna whip the vines back out?” I ask, trying to bait her.
“I’ve grown bored of these cat and mouse games, if I’m honest. How about I give you an offer you can’t refuse?”
“I certainly can refuse it. Try me.”
She sighs. “Ashley… put aside your pride for a moment, okay? You have an opportunity right now that most teens would kill for, you know.”
“If you’re really so vain as to believe we all want some creepy lady touching our private parts, then…”
“Forget about me, Ashley. Look in front of you.”
I turn my head straight, where the fake Zoe is standing, grinning at me sweetly.
“She looks just like your Zoe, doesn’t she? But she’ll do anything you want. She’ll be totally obedient. You’ve never gotten to touch her, have you? Are you worried about her naivety? Or perhaps trying to cling to some partially modified rendition of your religion? Well, none of that matters here…”
The fake Zoe blinks her eyelids at me slowly. Despite myself, I feel my heart beat a little faster.
“I can even fix any physical imperfections you want. Want bigger cups? Or maybe even smaller ones? I can will it into existence in an instant… I’ll make you your perfect Zoe. Say the word, Ashley…”
Zoe looks up at me, eyes wide and her hands politely crosses in front of her, indeed looking ready to obey any order I might give. I close my eyes and steady myself for a moment.
“So you expect me to just make love to her, knowing full well that you’re watching ?” I challenge.
“What’s the matter, not much of an exhibitionist?”
“No, but that’s not the point… I guess I should quit expecting you to understand basic human emotion.”
The cottage seems to unfold neatly, as if it were made out of paper. I expect the chilling wind to numb my face, but it only feels like a soft breeze. The walls fold down to reveal Ms. Truman in the moonlight, hovering a few yards in the air with her vines, looking the same as usual, but with her hair freely blowing in the breeze. The usual hungry smile she’s had is gone; she now looks very gaunt.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand, Ashley,” she says sternly. “What don’t I understand about basic human emotion?”
“Just because you see people as fleshy sex dolls doesn’t mean the rest of us do. I’m not stupid, I know that whatever this thing is, it’s not Zoe. It looks like her, but it has nothing to do with her.”
“Which makes her perfect, right?” Ms. Truman asks, grinning slyly.
“No! It makes her nothing!” I bite back. “That’s not the Zoe I love… In fact, I’m sure the real Zoe would be rather uncomfortable with how you're appropriating her image.”
“Oh, you love her, don’t you? How sweet. And you probably think your love will last forever, don’t you?”
She lets this sit for a moment. I’ve never really had a chance to think about Zoe and I’s future much… could we really end up married?
“How long will it last between you and Zoe?” she questions, as if she knows what I’m thinking. “Do you know how rare it is for relationships to survive past high school? Don’t you think she’ll betray you someday?”
An unwelcome mental image comes of an Asian girl with a Hello Kitty lunchbox… But no. Zoe wouldn’t do that. Still, the thought makes me uneasy...
“Take it from me. Once upon a time, when I was your age, I was in love too. I thought he was the most wonderful boy in the world.” She chuckles dryly, as if she just remembered a joke a friend had told her. “Until he raped me, that is.”
I had a feeling something like this was coming, but it makes my insides squirm a little nonetheless. Unfortunately, it gets worse after this.
“Yes, that’s right. And then he bragged about it to all his friends. He was so proud of how he ‘got’ me. He and his friends said I was the school slut. And then every boy around wanted to take a pass at me.”
Her expression doesn’t match up with what she’s saying; she’s gazing dreamily in the distance, as if remembering a nice vacation her family had gone on.
“Oh, how I hated my life. I thought about killing myself, I really did. But the experience made me realize something. It’s just like I said; teenage boys are nothing but horny little monsters. They’ve got so much sexual energy pent up they don’t know what to do with it.”
“So that’s what this is?” I ask, feeling utter revulsion at her. “Some twisted revenge plot? You’re blaming every high school boy in existence for your problems?”
“No, it’s not really revenge,” she says, shaking her head. “I decided to give them what they want. I lived the role I was given. And soon, I became an upperclassman. You know many incoming freshman boys were thrilled to get with a senior girl?”
“And you just never stopped?”
“Not really. But I haven’t gotten my fill in a while… I almost ruined everything during my student teaching. I got caught with a lovely seventh grade boy at my middle school placement…” She shivers involuntarily at the memory.
“No, stop. Shut up. I don’t want to hear about this.”
“Come on, be a good audience, Ashley.”
“No!” I snap at her, my temper rising fast. “I knew you were going to pull some shit like this. If you want my pity, you can forget it now. You went through it, and you felt how awful it was. And you chose to inflict that on other people.”
“Not at all. All those boys I’ve talked about weren’t depressed, they were thrilled . And yes, that means my precious little seventh grader too. Although he was less thrilled when I threw him under the bus and told everyone he was acting sexually aggressive…” She giggles and shakes her head again. “He got suspended for the rest of the year. I got to take a week to recover from my ‘trauma’, and they tearfully gave me my teaching certificate at the end of the semester.” She laughs a high, jubilant laugh. “Thanks, kid.”
“And that’s what you wanted to do to Kevin, too,” I spit.
“Oh, I will . Future tense, not past, Ashley,” she says, smirking. “Nobody’s fooling themselves, they know the truth about teenage boys. When I say that he took inspiration from his stupid coach and kept bothering me before and after class, trying to corner me, they’re going to believe it. Simply put, nobody will ever suspect a cute little lady like me of being a monster.”
“We all saw through you, though,” I say, feeling so much fury inside me that I expect it will come bursting out any moment now. “And we will never let you touch a child ever again. You will confess your sins with your own mouth.”
“Big talk. But we already know how easily I can overpower you on your own,” she says smugly. She’s surveying me up and down, seemingly quite pleased with how angry she’s made me. But she won’t be pleased for much longer…
“It’s just you and me. I have all the time in the world to utterly break you. And you have nobody to blame but yourself. I gave you a choice. You see, I don’t believe in true love, Ashley. I believe that you should take what is owed to you. Don’t you think that, as long as you stick to other girls, you’ll be safe.” She giggles again, loud and shrill like a hyena. “Just ask the younger girls in the sorority I was in during college, after I had risen into the leadership. Just ask my roommates… they drank so much; they were as well as asking for it.”
“Shut up. SHUT UP!” I scream at her.
“So much anger… and pent-up sexual energy, no doubt. I’ll give you one last chance… Why not take it all out on your cute little girlfriend? She’s been waiting so patiently there…”
“Fuck you,” I snarl.
Ms. Truman grins manically. “Alright then. Your choice.”
The vines wrap around my arms and legs yet again. She starts to descend on me, her expression resembling that of a starved wolf being offered meat. It’s now or never. I let my fury flow through me, feeling it burn my insides so strongly that I feel like I could be on fire. In fact, I think I actually am on fire… What the hell?
Ms. Truman screams in shock and drops me, the vines charred from touching me. Just like so long ago, I feel my whole body engulfed with flames… only this time, they only recede partially, keeping around my body like an aura. My outfit changes to something much flashier. My chest plate turns to a burnt shade of orange outlining a black heart, in the center of which the pink gemstone is glowing blindingly. The length of my body is covered with red and black fire patterns, with curved spikes coming adoring my midriff, knees, and elbows. Finally, my hair has been neatly tied into very long pigtails.
I feel a burning exhilaration, like I’m constantly swooping from the height of a rollercoaster ride. It’s a little overwhelming, if I’m honest. I draw my sword, which bursts into flames as well. Ms. Truman is left in shock and awe, just hovering in front of me, gaping in disbelief.
I have no words for her. I stretch my body upwards, and feel myself rising off my feet, defying gravity.
Ms. Truman finally recovers and looks at me sternly. “Very well then. We’ll do this the hard way,” she says simply, no trace of her earlier glee remaining.