Encounters of the Third Kind [ABEL]

Verena tapped on the end of her trombone case, the splattering of texture pleasantly comforting under her fingertips. Her instructors had long since ceased their attempts at forcing her to keep it elsewhere; the modified musical case was near inseparable from her and, technically, she was breaking no rules. The drawl of the English literature teacher filled classroom, barely audible over the sounds of crackling paper and scrawling pencils. Today was like any other, following the same routine as if by clockwork. The days were slowly starting to blur together, the monotony of her life steadily returning ever since she’d begun her training. The start of new things was always exciting. The continuation was, perhaps, not so much.

Verena’s eyes lazily drifted downwards towards her lap, her vision falling to the cellphone that occupied her left hand. Small text scrolled across the device’s illuminated face as she flicked her thumb across the slick touchscreen, her fingers catching on the slight scratch that marred the phone’s otherwise pristine face. It was unusual for her to be ignoring the class lecture. Today was a bit special; a series of news reports had been published about odd happenings at a local park: a disturbingly uniform crater, small explosions, and paranormal sightings. Verena couldn’t help but be interested and, her excitement getting the better of her, she’d pulled the articles up on her phone. The professor continued his monotonous lecture oblivious to her clandestine activities. Verena checked the digital clock atop her phone before pocketing the device. It was 12:28, mere minutes before lunch break.

As if summoned by her timely thoughts, the loudspeaker spewed its annoying siren signaling the end of the period. The professor thanked the class, mentioning something about seeing them tomorrow, and then shuffled out through the sliding door. The sound of relived sighs and shuffling paper was overwhelmed by the scratch of chairs and lively chatter as the classroom devolved into a mass of excited children. The midday sun crept lower in the sky, its rays shining into the babbling classroom through the massive windows that lined the western wall that cast elongated shadows behind the milling students and scattered desks.

Verena scooped up the mess of notes and blank sheets of paper, slightly cringing at the ratio. English wasn’t her best subject; she’d be paying for her little goof-off later. She wasn’t about to let her Quincy training and wandering interests to sidetrack her studies. She quickly straightened the stack by tapping it against her desk and placed the papers neatly inside a black plastic binder, snapping the metal rings shut as they threaded through the three neatly aligned holes. Next class was math; it was a subject that was definitely not her favorite. Verena barely noticed as a pair of girls approached her, calling her name and speaking over the excited cacophony of the lunchtime banter. Friends would be a fairly accurate term, but well-known acquaintances might be more accurate. If nothing else, they were necessary social contacts. “We’re going to go get food. You want to come?”

”I’m good. I actually made food today. I’ll be here when you get back.” The Quincy shook her head in response, politely declining the invitation as she pulled a dull, slim lunchbox from her bag. With a shrug, the two girls trotted off into the hallway unperturbed. It wasn’t every day she prepared her own food and, because of the horrific lines in the cafeteria, she wasn’t one to tag along just for fun. Verena slid open the case, revealing a rather eclectic mash of various foods. Rice was alongside what appeared to be potatoes and various fried foods were nestled by some sort of salad mix. She quickly begun to dig in, skillfully picking individual pieces with her pair of metal chopsticks. She’d barely finished a miniscule portion of her meal as a distinct pang of recognition shot through her mind.

She had never been particularly skilled at detecting spiritual beings; they were generally lost amidst the muddle of humans and pluses. This time, however, she could feel it. And whatever it was had to be close. Verena’s eyes immediately shot to the window, scanning the front yard, sidewalks, and streets for anything that could possibly be the source. A young, silver haired man was the sole occupant of the streets, slowly strolling along the sidewalk. Verena dropped her chopsticks with a clatter, pulling on her backpack and grasping her trombone case’s handle as she stood. There wasn’t any time to waste. Verena’s friends reeled in surprise as she burst through the classroom doors, very nearly dropping their newly acquired food. ”Verena! Where are you going?”

”Cover for me next period!” The young Quincy was already out of earshot as the pair grumbled back something about the tasking being impossible. It had been months since she’d seen a Hollow. Months since she’d even had the most remote contact with anyone other than the normal humans that filled her every waking moment. Never before had she encountered anyone with the level of spiritual energy that she felt now. Excitement and trepidation echoed in her footsteps Verena leapt down the short stairwell and charge out of the front doors. The man was already far from the school’s gated entrance, still leisurely walking down the sidewalk. Verena gritted her teeth and sprinted the last stretch, swiftly closing the gap as she called out. ”Hey! You!” She paused as she panted for breath, stopping slightly behind the stranger. There was no particularly easy way to approach the subject at hand, so she just decided to ask. In a general manner, of course. ”What are you?”