POV: Jessica Black

Sunlight has been a bittersweet part of my life since it was ripped asunder and spat out on the doorstep of otherness. Bitter in that it always seemed just a little brighter than it should be and just hot enough to be uncomfortable. Sweet in that it allowed me to channel the magic needed to bring easy fire to my fingertips so I could light my cigarettes without a lighter.

I pulled the tar-laced smoke in and the sharp edges of the world dulled into their default state. A great relief at the small price of my golden years. Ever since I discovered The Black Book I've been fighting my own senses, and I needed what help I could get.

“You really shouldn't smoke, Jessica,” Jesse said, scolding me.

“I know.” I blew a gray cloud out before sucking down another one. Another typical day had started and with typical annoyances. Giggling girls and gossiping guys stood around in patches. The city around the school started to rumble with the sounds of civilization. Worst of all, the school staff were narrowing down on me the moment I stepped onto school grounds.

“Jessica Black!” Coach Sarge shouted as he marched at me, “Partaking in recreational substances is strictly prohibited on federal grounds! Which very much includes this educational facility! You have been warned about this multiple times!”

“Yeah, and?” I blew smoke into his face. He didn't cough as he glared down at me. His pungent reek of decay cut into my nose. An unnatural and soul-curdling stench that surrounded him. Of course, only I could smell it. His normal smell of death was prevented by his persistence of life past death. From what I heard Coach Sarge was a mundane man who became one of the school’s coaches, and one day he showed up to work dead. A zombie.

He snatched the cigarette out of my mouth. Swiping his hand right under my nose and the world became sharp for the moment. I quickly focused my mind to keep itself together. He started yelling at me.

“If I see you breaking school policy again! I'll have you in detention until you graduate cadet school!” He shoved his finger into my chest.

“Sir please,” Jesse jumped in, “there's no need to be so rash.”

“Quiet White! Or you'll be joining her!”

“Hey!” I stepped in between, “Don't talk to her like that!”

“Or what! You'll sulk at me!” Coach stared me down, “You think you’re a tough egg? Hard boiled!? Do you know how many students like you I’ve scrambled? More than I can count!” Suddenly his vision lost focus. He leaned back and scratched his chin. “At least I think so. I can count pretty high. But I've been doing this for a long time.” He continued to mutter to himself as he flexed all parts of his head in thought. He eventually returned his focus to us. “What was I saying?”

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

I steeled my nerves to stay calm, “You were telling us to get to class.”

“Right!” He agreed and snapped his finger pointing at the front door, “Now march! And no lollygaging.”

We walked, not marched, to the front of the school. I took another cigarette out and lit it using the same trick as before.

“Jessica, you really shouldn't.” Jesse pleaded.

“I know.” I took a deep, calming, smokey breath in and had the cigarette snatched away again. This time by the disciplinary officer Ms Stienfaust.

I blew out the smoke as she started, “Smoking is against school rules, young lady. Violation will result in detention.”

“Terrifying.” I remarked.

“Jessica,” Jesse whimpered as she shrunk behind me. Which was odd since, while it was true Ms Stienfaust had the authority and capacity to lay out any of the students, Jesse was goody-est twoy-est shoey-est girl in the entire school, if not the state of Virginia. “Don't taunt her.”

“Listen to your confidant,” Ms Stienfaust said.

I tsked back, “It's not that serious. We're just friends.”

“Regardless!” Stienfaust barked and jabbed a finger into my chest, “You best mind yourself, or unless you'll both be in detention.”

“Fine! Whatever!” I shouted, “Just so long as you leave me alone.”

“Keep popping off, and you will come to regret it.” She stepped back to the side, “Report to class. Now!”

“Yes ma'am!” Jesse pulled me along as she retreated inside. We were halfway down the hall before she ran out of steam to drag me along.

“Why are you scared?”

“Because she's scary!” Jesse was nearly in tears, “Why aren't you scared? How can you stay so calm?”

“You can't let them see you sweat, Jesse,” I popped another cigarette in my mouth and summoned the last of my sunshine to light it. “The moment you flinch they know they got you.”

I pulled a drag and enjoyed the smoke as it finally brought my senses into focus. The wall became their dull tolerable shade, the edges of the lockers aligned themselves, and the mutterings of the other students leveled out into a muted rumble. My mind returned to its normal state.

“Besides, their bark is worse than their bite.” I laughed as I flinched the cigarette to ash it.

“Hey!” A deep voice barked out and startled me a step back. Bob the Janitor was staring down with disapproval. “Could you try to not actively make a mess.”

He pointed down to where a gray smudge was being made out of cigarette ash. I felt myself blush, “S-sorry, sir.”

He huffed before pulling a can out and handing it to me, “If you insist on smoking inside like a hooligan, at least use an ashtray. Please.”

“Yes sir,” I muttered taking the can. He pushed his cart shaking his head and muttering.

Jesse giggled, “How bad is his bite?”

“Shut up!” I barked back pulled another drag, “I just actually respect him. That’s all.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” I didn’t explain to her how Bob was another undead thing that had a scent only I could smell. Different, less pungent, and less known by the other students. He didn’t rattle my nerves. Which was good. I would need them for the day to come.