A handful of fluorescent lights flickered in the silent corridor, casting their baleful half-light over the colourful walls. Children’s noticeboards and illustrations covered most of the surface, while giant numbers counted down along the classrooms as if predicting the end of days.
“Welcome to the maths department, it sucks,” Karen backpedalled along it, keeping her voice low out of habit. The classrooms were empty, of course, there was hardly anyone in Ranelk High School today, but if she shouted, she’d probably get lectured regardless.
“Mr Thorne’s our teacher- room three- he’s a bit grouchy, but he’s a big sweetheart under it all,” Maddie explained like an actual guide, slipping open the door to reveal the rows of desks inside, barely lit by the scattered rain against the window.
The new kid peered in, his curtains of dark hair hanging limp and wet across a sun-browned face and straight nose. But his eyes were more on Maddie, hanging off her every word of the school tour. Karen could hardly blame him- her friend was a ray of silver light in the dim drudgery of school. Her platinum hair practically sparkled with lingering raindrops, her blue eyes always keen and friendly, her sweater dry with a skirt revealing pale freckly legs.
In comparison, Karen was smaller in every way, petite, wiry and tawny, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail to expose sharp features. She hooked her arm into Maddie’s to tug her away, “C’mon, it’s empty, how long do you want this tour to take?”
“What’s the rush? There’s no classes, we might as well be thorough.” She came easily, smirking down the couple of inches of height difference, “Oh, think Mrs Matheson will let you get the gym stuff out in the hall?”
“Nope, tried that yesterday. ‘Thomson, stop fermenting chaos! Set an example! Sit down forever!’” She affected a screeching harsh voice and rolled her eyes, “It’s so ridiculous. It’s not my fault the brats tried to copy me- and you weren’t even there to back me up, traitor.”
“Come oooooon, I was only gone two days!”
“She was helping me move in,” The new kid added, trailing behind them like a dripping shadow, “Was pretty hard work, the lodge needed half the stairs replaced.”
“Oh yeah- how many did you break, Maddie?” Karen grinned. She’d met Maddie after the girl had helped her family move into Ranelk a decade beforehand, when the six year old had broken her hobby horse before she ever set eyes on the house.
“You’re never going to let that go, are you?”
“Nope.”
The new kid- Logan, caught up as they reached the stairs, “Not to interrupt, but where is everybody anyway? Thought purgatory was meant to be busier.”
Karen shared a glance with Maddie, “Skiving. Classes stopped last week, but my dear Mom and Pa don’t trust me enough to leave me a house key. Like, hello, I’m sixteen, I’m not going to kick over a vase by accident.”
“Again.”
“That was your fault Maddie. It was you or the vase,” Karen teased, “And I’d never kick you.”
“Sure, but why,” Logan leaned closer, looming over her, “Why stop classes? What are people scared about?”
“Cos of them mo-ooo-onsters!” She ducked around, shoving his sparse frame as she did, enough that he stumbled on the stairs, “Personal space dude, stay out of my face.”
“Yikes, fine, fine. What monsters?”
“You been living under a rock? Dunno, demons or apocalypse or angels, whatever the bullshit they’re peddling today is. There’s been tons of videos online. My Pa says it’s all fake, but cowards keep panicking.”
“Some of the cities have had riots. Looting.” Maddie added, quietly.
“Huh, and what do you think they are?” Again, there was an intensity to the gangly youth, a slight tremble.
“Stem cell stuff. Folk are figuring out cloning- they’re gonna bring back mammoths using elephants, for example,” She explained, “There’s probably just a couple of freaky experiment pictures that have gotten out and sparked the whole ridiculous panic off. Nothing to be scared of, big guy.”
The youth’s dark eyes roamed over her, and he shoved his hands in his pockets, a strange smile crossing his lips, “Ha, right. I hadn’t heard that, sorry. Stem cell mutants. Cool. Honestly this is the biggest school I’ve ever been to, pretty exciting.”
“Must’ve been a log cabin if you think Ranelk’s big. Well, we’ll take it slow, I am in no rush to get back to that ridiculous nursery downstairs,” She rolled her eyes and welcomed him into the maths corridor, telling him such fun facts as that it had three rooms.
Thankfully Maddie had more to contribute, she knew every teacher’s name as much as they all knew hers and her father. Others might have called her a teacher’s pet, but that would imply some superficial motive- even alone, she was able to predict most of Logan’s timetable once it clicked they were in the same year, and show him the art and technical labs.
Karen didn’t need to add much, only needing to fill the silence when Maddie excused herself to a bathroom. “So Oregon huh? Nice down there?”
“Pretty sweet. My old man had a ranch.”
“Got any siblings?”
“Kinda? I’m… with my uncle now. Here. He’s got three other kids. Bit too wild for school though.” The boy smirked, “You? Didn’t seem keen on the kids downstairs.”
“My little brother’s like that. Oliver. He’s all-over the place.” She joked, “Well, he’s not the worst but it’s been four days since we had classes and we’re all getting some cabin feve-”
A cry of pain cut through her words like a knife. It was feminine and clear, echoing from the bathroom and Logan moved for the door immediately, panic in his eyes.
Then he tripped as she yanked his bag and kicked his ankle. “Girl’s bathroom, weirdo, girl’s only!”
“But she screamed, she could be hurt-”
“And I’m a girl. I’ll check. You stay out.” Karen ordered, and slipped through the door before he could object further.
The bathroom was surprisingly dark. The janitor hadn’t bothered to turn the lights on in the upper floors, and the teenager tensed slightly at the shadowy stalls and spray painted walls.
“Heeeey Maddie? You alright?” Her eyes peered through the gloom, aided only by a blinking red light that cast the chamber in bloody clarity every alternate ten seconds.
The groan came from a stall on her right, a deep rumbling growl that made her flinch and jump onto the sinks, back to the mirror and her startled reflection.
“I’m fine Karen, don’t worry.” Then was Maddie’s sweet tones, “But could you get my coat from the hall? Small, urgh, wardrobe malfunction.”
Ah, so that was it. Karen eased herself off the sink. The creaking sound must have been the schools old plumbing. Yet her eyes picked up motion, cast in scarlet hues by that light. A loose pipe? No, its texture was scaly, and it flexed, shifting like a cable as it looped under the stalls locked door.
“Maddie, watch out! Snake!” Karen yelled, lunged forward and slammed her heel down hard on the slithering scales. Yet instead of a hissing snarl, there came a cry of pain and a crash as the cubicle door broke.
Huge heavy coils, over a dozen feet long with frills and brown muddy scales pile out, the serpent large enough to swallow the girl whole. No- it already had! From its end was a blonde form, legs lost inside the beast, arms flailing.
“Mad- MADDIE!?” Karen recoiled and lifted her leg for another kick. Yet it was faster, sinuous tail suddenly winding around her ankles, and a huge coil lassoed her arms to her torso. She inhaled only for a pale hand to stifle her scream.
A hand? Her eyes tracked it as she strained, taking in the neat nails, the ochre webbing between digits, the scattered bronze scales on freckly skin, disappearing under a blue sleeve. Platinum hair tickled as the being slithered around her, revealing wide golden eyes and a finger held up to delicate lips.
“Sssshh, Karen.” She whispered through sharp fangs. “Don’t scream.”
“Maddie?!” She struggled, taking in the scene in the blinking scarlet light. There was no reptilian maw closed around Maddie’s waist, the giant snake was headless, but instead the huge tail replaced Maddie’s legs winding out from the plaid skirt, wrapped around Karen’s limbs like powerful heavy chains. How?
“Karen, deep breaths, chill, don’t panic, deep breaths, it’s me, it’s Maddie, trust me, deep breaths.” The other plead, lifting a hand, “Deep breathes for ten seconds and I’ll let you go, okay? Just don’t scream or we will be in soooo much trouble.”
One.
She breathed. Hard and fast. Struggling to find rhythm.
Three.
Maddie looked strange. Her freckles were scaly, skin less pale, those golden eyes slitted.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Six.
It didn’t make sense. Her head pounded. Was she passing out? Was she poisoned?
Ten.
The coils unwound and she lunged backwards, stumbling as her head ached, “Maddie- why are you a snake? What happened?”
Then the world revolved and she was on the tiled slimy floor. Wait why? Why had she fallen over?
“Not a good time,” Maddie began to slither closer, only to wince as Karen startled and scrabbled backwards. Her elbows bumped rusty pipes, and she grabbed the sink above to pull herself upright. Don’t show weakness. That was her Pa’s advice with animals. Don’t show weakness. It worked with people too. Logically it ought to work on animal people.
“Deep breaths, good. Better?” Maddie settled ten feet away, that sinuous tail shifting and slithering around, her golden eyes catching the blicking crimson light, “I just need my coat. Please, just grab it from downstairs, bring it here and dooon’t tell anyone.”
That left the door clear. Karen nodded numbly, and lunged past, whirling around to slam the door behind her.
“Everything okay?” Logan’s query made her almost jump out of her skin, leaning against the wall with those long limbs and dark eyes like a spider.
“No, noooo, I’ll get help,” She stammered, “Don’t go in there. Girl business. Weird girl stuff. You’re better off not asking.”
That normally worked with Oliver. Hopefully the teenager was equally squeamish. She sprinted past him, loping down stairs three at a time, vaulting over the bends in case she was pursued. Could snakes do stairs? They could climb trees.
Karen broke into the hall in a full sprint, and felt dozens of eyes whip towards her. That made her stumble- hadn’t Maddie said to get her coat quietly? But Maddie was a snake monster, why would she listen to her?!
“Ms Thomson, are you quite alright?” Mrs Matterson beckoned with a gnarled finger.
“No, there’s a sna… I mean...” No. Things were not alright. Her best friend was half snake. She ought to be shouting for an ambulance or pest control or Maddie’s dad, Hugh. Yet instead she managed, “I… I’m not sure, I’ve got to get Maddie’s coat.”
Aged eyes squinted suspiciously before the teacher tutted and gestured to the door beyond her. “Fine, but no more acrobatics. You’re supposed to be setting an example.”
Maddie’s coat was fluffy and warm, a silver jacket with deep heavy pockets neatly on the coat rack. Karen pulled it from the hook before turning, striding back to the hall and-
Froze as Logan and Maddie sped walk towards her. On legs and feet. They were walking. Not a scale, fang or tail in sight. Maddie the same as ever.
“Aaaalright, let’s show him outside Karen- thanks for getting this,” Maddie pranced and pinched the coat from her grasp, winked and dragged them outside.
The rain at least had ended, dividing the sky in two. To the east, where the green woods piled up into distant peaks, it still poured in a dreary muggy mist. Yet much of the west and north were clear blue skies, reflected in the vast lake Ranelk bordered.
One could see the lake from the top of the bars, an old pyramidal mess of a climbing frame, half paint and half rust covered in bubbles of dripping water. There was a security to altitude, and so Karen ignored the wet on her jeans and perched on the highest rung, eyes wide for any serpents that might snap at her dangling legs.
“Alright, happy yet?” She gestured to the empty yard, cars rumbling past, “Now- what the hell is going on!? Was that real? Was it a mutant?”
“Mutant?” Logan chuckled, rubbing his shaggy hair, “No, not even close, that was a naga, a hybrid of serpent and human often worshipped in the middle east and Indian subcontinent if I’m correct. They exist, have done for a long time, along with a lot of supernatural elements normally seen as folklore and legends- your world’s not what it seems.”
“What?” Karen squinted. Was this a joke? “Maddie?”
“Magic’s real.” The blonde girl said simply, and rolled her eyes at the gangly youth, “Aaaand Logan can do magic.”
The world revolved, and Karen yelped and tensed her legs as she slipped. She found herself hanging from the bars, staring incredulously at the ridiculous upside down world. The sky roared below like an endless vacuum, the earth above framed by wooded peaks, with droplets flitting up to join puddles on its surface.
Maddie and Logan looked strange too, both from the reversed angle, and the anxious expressions they directed her way. Her head throbbed with pain.
“Oi, I’m fine, quit looking ridiculous.” She grimaced, and pointed an accusing finger, “Magic’s real. Really real. And you, wizard boy, cursed her?”
“Me?” Logan bristled,, “Firstly I’m not a wizard- wizard’s are a bunch of self righteous hacks! I am a Mage. And secondly, no, my disguise spell worked perfectly, Maddie just forgot timing for s-”
“Perfectly? Eeeeexcuse me, it stopped an hour early!” Maddie thew her hands wide.
“What? It lasted a full two hours, to the minute. What do you mean early?”
“No- who on earth does two hours?” She jabbed a hand up, “It’s four three hour doses, it’s always three hours.”
“Well I do two, my Dad and uncle always taught two-”
“WHAT IS GOING ON!?” Karen exploded, grabbed a bar, and flipped around to land heavily before them, demanding, “Why would Maddie need a disguise?!”
They hesitated at her outrage. Logan spoke up, “Well. I just said. Because she’s a naga.”
“A snake woman,” Maddie clarified slowly, biting her lip. “I’m a snake woman. But please don’t tell anyone.”
“So…so… all this time… you lied to me?” Karen blinked at her best friend, feeling wet on her cheeks- had the rain started again?
“Not… not especially- see, it was to everyone! Noooo, I never wanted to keep it from you. I wanted to show you, tell you, so many times Karen-”
“And I’m just EVERYONE!?” She screamed, “WHY DIDN’T YOU?”
Maddie clasped her hands and dropped her gaze, voice small, “I wasn’t allowed to.”
“Enough, don’t make this about you.” Logan stepped between them, standing his full height, “See all those things you say were monsters or mutants? They’re just people like her. Not just Nagas, but magic, myths, legends, all of them are real. And they’ve all had to hide for generations because as soon as people like you find out, you’re all angry mobs!”
“I’m not a mob!” Karen protested, “I just- get out the way you ridiculous beanstalk!”
“No. You don’t get to scream in her face for being honest.” He blocked her, even as she shifted then tried to shove him, but he was bigger and stronger, limbs blocking her way, “Some friend!”
“Friends? Do you think she meant that?” She gritted her teeth, fighting against the pounding in her skull, and wiped her eyes, “Amn’t I just her camouflage? A stupid little girl to make her seem normal?!”
“Wha- noooo, no, Logan, move!” Maddie darted around him, shaking her head, “No, no no! I’ve lied as little as I could, it’s not like I’m a different person- you know me.”
Maddie wobbled like an idiot when she was upset. Most people looked ridiculous when upset, all bloodshot puffy eyes and runny noses, dignity just went out the window. Perhaps Karen herself couldn’t judge, she was all scrunched up angry eyebrows, but how often did she cry? Almost never. That was weakness.
Maddie on the other hand was always shaky and wobbly, it was the same frantic head shaking as when that little blonde girl had broken her favourite hobby horse, all guilt and freckles ten years ago.
“I thought I knew you,” Karen hesitated. Her head was still throbbing. There was so much. Magic and monsters, secrets and lies. She needed something simple. “Fine- what’s your favourite colour?”
“Blue. And yours is Orange. And Oliver’s is green.” Maddie answered, “And… we’ve never been together for a sleepover, because, because if I sleep as a human, I’d turn into a naga again once the magic wore off.”
Karen nodded, “I see. You’re Maddie.”
“Yes- yes, I’m Maddie. I just have a snake tail sometimes.”
That was simple. She could understand that. “Right. Sorry for kicking you.”
“It’s… sorry for scaring you.” Maddie wrung her hands guiltily.
“It was an accident.” Karen breathed, “Uh, where’s your tail now? I’m not stepping on it again am I?”
“No, it’s not invisible,” Maddie smiled softly, “This magic, Veil, makes me fully human. Sooooo, are we still friends?”
“Yeah, yes, we’re still friends!” Karen snapped, though she couldn’t keep a tremble from her voice. “It’s just… urgh, I wish you’d told me and trusted me to not freak out but I’m freaking out so you’re proved right and… urgh, just don’t act smug! I’m sorry. But you’re all serious right? This beanpole can really do magic? Real real magic?”
“Yeah but no I can’t do it on the spot, it takes preparation, but...” Logan frowned, rubbing his chin, “How’s this for an idea- Maddie was going to show me the lake tonight. You could come along, I can demonstrate real magic, and Maddie might look less menacing in the open than in a dark toilet. That alright?”
“Oooooh, yes, that’s an idea!” Maddie clasped her hands together, “We’ll meet at the East Cove at eight tonight- that is, you’re invited. I promise not to scare you.”
“Promise?” She questioned, a little too sharp as Maddie dropped her gaze, “Sorry, I’ll consider it. So is all that fantasy nonsense real? What about vampires? Or ghosts and werewolves?”
“Not that I know of- Logan?”
“Do you think anyone would manage to keep contagious feral monsters secret? No, nothing I know of can spread like a zombie or a werewolf, you can’t just permanently change someone. But there are spirits, and there are people who can turn into wolves and bats. Heck, I can manage a wolf very reliable.” He declared with obvious pride. “But I guess there might be some born wolf-people out there.”
“That tracks, I’ve never heard of real zombies,” Karen considered, “But- wait, all the news stuff, the riots, they’re other naggies? Why all the bad news out of the blue? Is the world really ending?”
“Naggies?” The blonde girl giggled, “The term’s Mystics, Karen. In general. As for the publicity, it’s all complicated, but ultimately too many photos ended up online, reporters followed them, and then too many journalists found out and word got out.”
“Photos,” Logan scoffed, venom creeping into his voice, “Sure, yeah, plus a load of mystics and monsters who got sick of hiding for their whole lives and decided to make it everyone else's problem by showing off to humanity and causing chaos. But no, the world’s not ending”
“Right- so… is there a difference between mystics and monsters?”
He sighed, “Anyone can be a monster. Mystic, human, doesn’t matter.”
“Oh. Right,” His bitter tone closed the subject and Karen perched back on the climbing frame, “Wait, one more… question. Maddie- are you half human? Or is your whole family nagas?”
“As opposed to… oh, yuck, no.” Maddie tensed again and lifted a finger to her lips, “My family’s nagas. But that’s secret, don’t tell anyone.”
“Secret?” Logan frowned, “ why does that matter? Magic’s officially real, it’s getting recognized and researched amids- what’s so funny!?”
“Her Dad’s a-” She gasped, suddenly breaking into giggles at the mental image, “Our MAYOR is a snakeman!”
“Wait. Your dad’s the mayor?” Logan froze, incredulity breaking his composure.
“Yeeeeeah, see Karen, that is exactly the kind of thing we do not want to be shouting,” Maddie put a finger on Karen’s lips, “My family is a secret, okay?”
“Why? Like he said, isn’t all the magic stuff public now?” Karen pushed her hand back gently.
“Yeah, but who wants a snakeman for a mayor? It would be the end of us and Daddy’s plans.” Maddie insisted, pale fingers grasping her tawny ones. “Please promise me.”
Something about it turned her stomach. But it was Maddie asking, all blonde hair and anxious eyes, “Alright. Fine, I won’t tell anyone. Logan?”
“This is messed up. Fine, sure, but if this goes badly it’s not my fault,” He insisted, “But I’ll see you later to show you real magic, yeah?”
“Okay, sure, I’ll see what that looks like,” Karen nodded, heart drumming in her ears. At least things wouldn’t be boring for some time.