Friday, July 18th 2014. New Orleans, Louisiana. 11:00am

---

A sharp intake of air inhaled from Helen’s lips as she gasped for breath.

Ms. Deville had fallen asleep on the rocking chair out on the front porch again and often was found there snoring away. It was always an act of wonder how elderly people could be one minute having a conversation and the next minute be fast asleep. She reached for her iced tea on the small table and took small sips. The ice had melted away quickly in the 90 degree weather.

”Derek!” Helen called out once and then again with no reply. She had forgotten that she had sent him out to go fetch some last minute items for the feast they had prepared. Most of the things were finger foods; cucumber sandwiches, crackers, cheeses, and various fruit and vegetable trays. The main course for lunch was a jambalaya Helen had worked all morning making.

Getting up slowly, Helen walked around to the side yard where Derek had set up a long table with chairs. He had set the table to Ms. Deville’s instructions perfectly, and she would have to thank him once he returned home. Checking the small watch upon her wrist she noticed that she had a little less than an hour before her guests were to arrive. Each of them had rsvp’d so quickly when the invitations were sent out. Helen however, wondered if they had really wanted to see her or if they had just felt sorry that she did not have too much time left. They hadn't really kept in touch beside that, besides Derek that was.

Climbing the back steps slowly, Helen went into the kitchen to discover quite the mess on the floor. A trail of a deep crimson, chunky, liquid spread across from the top of the counter, down the cabinet, and across the hardwood floor and into a heating grate against the wall. Helen ran her bony finger along the substance on the marble top, and brought it to her lips. Sniffing, she realized it was in fact a salsa. ”Derek must have not fed Jack this morning.” Helen thought to herself, and she took a dish rag and began cleaning up the mess that Jack had made. ”You know..” she said out loud, ”You don’t have to make a mess every time. I told Derek to feed you all the time and I always sneak you sweets. I hate messes Jack, stop making messes!” The woman was exhausted just cleaning up the salsa. She took wheezed breaths, as she leaned against the wall. To the unknowing spectator, Helen would probably have seemed just whispering nonsense.

Dark eyes peered at the ankles of Helen, gobbling down the handful of salsa. Jack’s tongue rolled around his fingers, the tangy spice delicious upon his taste buds. Derek had meant well, but he often did forget about Jack in the midst of his intense care towards Helen. Scrambling and scurrying along the insides of the wall, Jack made his way into his once previous bedroom (B1), the basement.

“Well Eric it sure is hot out there today, with some areas reaching temperatures over 95 degrees. So all you boys and girls make sure you drink plenty of water and stay-” the voice of the weather reporter was cut short as the man twisted the key in the ignition, cutting the power to the radio and the rest of the car. Stepping out of the expensive silver convertible he stared up at the house, hands on hips, before reaching up with his right hand and lifting his shades to get an untainted view.

“Rising Sun” Scott murmured quietly. “It’s gotta be what, 15 years minimum, since I been here.” Flashbacks entered his mind of him as a teenager arriving at the house on numerous occasions. Usually he’d just come back from practice, eager to share his successes with the other children, who were often hanging around outside. Not so today.

Scott looked around him at the rest of the drive, his car was the only one parked there. Seems I’m the first to arrive he thought to himself. He checked the chunky metal watch that adorned his substantial wrist, “Eleven forty-five, I guess I am a bit early. No point hanging around though.” Scott was a big believer in never being late for something if he could help it; it just showed a lack of respect. He firmly shut the driver’s door and stepped towards the back of his car, reaching for the large black luggage case resting on the rear seats. He hauled it out with ease before clicking the button on his key and hearing the click of the car locks. After a short pause he clicked another button and the boot of the car lifted open. In a short space of time, the roof closing mechanism would have completed its routine, sealing the interior of the car from the outside world. Just in case it did decide to rain. Scott turned and, carrying his case, marched up the drive, the gravel crunching satisfyingly underfoot as he went.

He held his hand up in anticipation as he scanned the surroundings of the door for a doorbell but none appeared. Clenching his fist he rapped his knuckles firmly on the wooden surface of the door. It was only after a few seconds that he noticed the large brass knocker. “Oh well…” At that moment his stomach let out a low growl. Boy, I cannot wait for this buffet to start.

Friday, July 18th 2014. Slidell, Louisiana. 10:00 AM

---

It was only an hour or so away. Eugene fidgeted violently as she looked at her watch, a run down Omega her mother had passed on to her. The rusty '80 Ford Fairmont barely could manage the expressway speed. Rickety, bumpy and loud in all the wrong places Eugene was sorry for the abuse she was putting the car under but she was too excited to care. Finally, she had been up for two days straight wasting a full pack of copier paper on writing her feelings towards Jack.

There was so much she wanted to say, to much she wanted to feel. Not for a moment had he been off her mind. Regardless of what she did he was always on her mind. She was more than obsessed with him and even living 800 miles apart hadn't lessened those feelings. She had moved to Augusta fearing that she might inconvenience Ms Deville or take away her lovely boy from her but all these years she wasn't able to convince herself that what she did was right.

As such thoughts passed with feverish intensity, Lake Pontchartrain appeared in front of her. She could feel the hair on her nape dance, tears came in her eyes. With a twist of a lever, she put topgear and gave the old girl the beans. The Ford coughed loudly before responding to her mistresses's desire.

"I'm Coming Jaaack!!" Eugene let out a squeal. Damn the girl was excited. She felt her throat as her hands caressed the gap between the shoulder blades, engraved there was a simple name. JACK .

Even with full throttle, she wasn't the first to arrive. Rather judging by the swanky car in the driveway one of the popular ones had arrived before her. Compared to her rustbucket, it was sparkling clean. The paint as good as new and the cloth of the convertible clean and taut. Someone of them had surely done great. She parked her car behind it and got out. She looked around her walking house for her little package. Wrapped in a dainty red wrapper which clearly showed signs of reuse was a medium sized box. She took it out and made her way to the door.

It was then she saw the man at the door, dripping machismo and swagger he stood, knocking at the door. She recoiled in her mind but still braved on the steps. Standing meekly away from him and her messy bangs covering most of her face. Her crumpled dress was a far cry from the impeccably dressed man in front of her and it was some moments before she regained her senses.

"J...JJJ....Ja...Jac...k!" she stumbled. Her face a beet red as her black hair covered an almost sixty percent of it. If in her wildest dreams it was Jack, she can kiss goodbye her dreams of confession. She suddenly felt the breast pocket of her Jacket filled with lead. The letter inside seemed to weigh tonnes now.

Friday, July 18th 2014. New Orleans, Louisiana. 11:45am

---

As several knocks on the door startled Helen from what she was doing, she let out an exasperated, "One moment!" before tossing the dish rag she had been using onto the counter. It would appear to anyone that could see it as a red soaked rag, leaving a bit of residue on the counter below it. "I'm coming." she mentioned again, making her way slowly but surely through the living room. The living room was very sterile and crisp. Ms. Deville didn't like too many knick-knacks lying around as they often collected dust, and dust was the devil himself! A small couch and two chairs faced a large open fire place. In the midst of them; A coffee table, two side tables, two lamps, a corded dial phone with a notebook and pen next to it. The only thing littering the walls were photos of each graduating class and the year they graduated. However, Ms. Deville requested Derek to find the final class' photo to be put in a special frame and placed on the mantle of the fireplace.

"Derek, that good for nothing boy." Helen snarled, he was meant to be home over a half hour ago to help her. Fluffing her hair softly Helen opened the door to the Rising Sun, the bright sun lighting the rather dim home as she met face to face with two of her students. "Scott! Eugene!" Helen called out in exclamation as she widened the door. She examined the two of them, quite surprised at her own memory. It was almost as if they had seen another yesterday, not over fifteen years ago.

"You both are the first to arrive, please come in and make yourself right back at home."

As Theodore brought the car to a stop, the crisp voice of the GPS cut across his classical music, announcing his arrival. Gradually the monotonous hum of the engine died, and Theodore looked out the tinted glass window at his old school. It had been years since he had seen the place, and although he had considered visiting several times over the last few years, he had somehow never got around to it. He couldn't help but smile as he looked the place over. Some things never change. The school was exactly as he remembered it, a shining bastion of knowledge in an ignorant world, and Theodore's home away from home. He had spent more hours in the schoolhouse than he cared to admit, happily chatting away to his old teacher, Ms. Deville. An image of the kindly old woman flashed across Theodore's mind, and his smile faded to a frown. The letter had said she was dying, and Theodore realised this may be the last time he would ever speak to the woman. If only I had visited sooner. He doubted any of his former classmates had even thought of the woman in years, and thought it even less likely that any one of them would come and visit her in her last hours. They always had been more concerned with popularity rather than an education; that was their loss and Theodore's gain.

Suddenly, Theodore was pulled from his thoughts by an almost demonic sounding vehicle that looked as though it had just been salvaged from a junk-yard. As he watched, a freckle-faced woman hurried up the steps to the grand house and stood beside another man. Eugene and Scott. Rising from the car, Theodore hoisted his satchel over his shoulder and grabbed some binders from the passenger side seat. He had brought a few bare necessities, but most of the belongings he carried were work-related; he had several long hours of research to do over the weekend. As he strode toward the house, he adjusted his dark green jumper which he wore over a plain white shirt, and straightened his tie. He was certain that in combination with h glasses, he looked a bigger geek that ever, but for Theodore this was the closest to casual wear he could get, having spent most of his career in suits and ties. Ascending the worn steps, Theodore noted the peeling paintwork on the house, and the weeds that sprouted in the cracks. Up close the old building was certainly less impressive, he had to admit. But still, the fond memories he had of the place trumped any exterior appearance.

Reaching the summit of his ascent, Theodore arrived just as Ms. Deville finished her introduction. He was a little surprised at how ancient the once sprightly teacher looked, but he supposed she had aged just as badly as the building had. Stopping curtly beside his two classmates he gave a quick nod to both in recognition, and extended his hand to the frail creature before him, balancing his binders in the one hand he had free.

“Ms. Deville, a pleasure to see you again after all these years. It's Theodore Smith. I came as soon as I got your letter. Please may we come in?”

Friday, July 18th 2014. New Orleans, Louisiana. 12:00 pm

---

Mrs. Deville brought the three in to the living room, giving them a moment to take in the very small changes of the home. The first thing they would notice is how cold it was compared to the outside, the air conditioning was on full blast, and cooled the interior drastically. The entry way living space was usually used for parent conferences, and sometimes a spot where the children could relax in between lessons and activity alike. The only big renovations were the upstairs where the classrooms would have been, they were now converted into bedrooms for the very rare guest. "Oh come see this!" Mrs. Deville said waddling slowly over to the fireplace and taking the picture off the shelf, she held it out to the three so they could all look at it. Before them was a picture of their class all standing outside in front of the house, with big smiles on their faces. Among the smiles in the bottom corner basement window a small blur of a figure could be seen. Presumably Jack, but to most- just an odd blur from movement or even a problem during the development stage.

"There is Scott, and Eugene, and a little Theodore!" Helen exclaimed, pointing to each of their children, her memory serving her quite well today. She took the frame back and placed it back on the mantle carefully turning towards the three with a tearful smile, "I really am so thankful you all came. I hope we are joined with your classmates soon, this event means more to me than you can imagine." She steadied herself on the back of a chair, "We have quite the spread of food ready for you all, if you'd like to retreat back outside and snack while we wait for the others." Helen said, nodding. She was feeling a bit hungry and weak, having to clean up after Jack's mess earlier this afternoon.

Leading the way Ms. Deville stopped right before hitting the inside dining table, "Oh! But first, let's get you in your bedrooms for the night. I know their would be some alcohol consumption tonight, and most likely some late conversations, so Derek made up several of the rooms for you all." She pointed towards the large spiral staircase on the far right of the living room. "I won't be able to make it up the stairs myself, but you three may have first choice." Helen nodded, now sitting at a chair at the dining table, waiting for both the rest of the class to arrive and the others to choose their bedrooms. She worried about Derek, wondering if something had happened on his way home from the store.

Upstairs Scott, Eugene, and Theodore would find several rooms. The original numbers from the classroom remained on the doors marking off rooms 2-6, with a bathroom right as they reached the top of the staircase. Each bedroom is adorned with a queen sized bed, closet, two end tables, and two chairs. The light source is from the window and some old school florescent lights.

Friday, July 18th 2014. New Orleans, Louisiana. 12:05 pm

---

Scott ascended the spiral staircase first out of the three and briefly wondered why the old lady even had a spiral staircase, seeing as she couldn’t climb it. Though the invite had indicated she was ‘close to the end’ as it were. She did look old; to the extent such that he momentarily didn’t recognise her at first. Though the way she smiled, called their names, the way she spoke, that was familiar, and for a brief moment Scott had felt like the child he was all those years ago. The child with the outrageous grin in the photo.

After taking a few steps away from the top of the stairs he turned to his fellow ex-classmates. “Hey guys, long time no see, didn’t we look young in those photos!?” He noticed Theodore hauling his bags up the stairs, “Oh hey, sorry man, I coulda given you a hand with those bags of yours, wouldn’t have been a problem for me y’know!” To illustrate his point he indicated his large black luggage case which he was currently casually leaning on. “Though serious question, are those the same glasses you had on in that photo? Hahaha, nah I’m just kiddin’ you man.” He jovially laughed the comment off. “Don’t get me wrong though, I think it’s great you’ve come today – the old lady, when she said your name man, I think she was happiest to see you out of the three of us. I mean, if memory serves me right you were probably the teacher’s pet of the bunch am I right!” He laughed again. “Oh, don’t get me wrong man” he added quickly, “I’m not saying that as a bad thing, now that I’ve been doing coaching for a few years I can tell you that when you’re trying to teach someone and help them succeed, there’s nothing better than an enthusiastic student y’know? Just makes the job so much better."

He turned to Eugene, barely pausing, “And Eugene wasn’t it… I’m gonna go ahead and say you were one of the quieter kids, I’m struggling to remember you if I’m honest. Err, you were into singing right?” He spoke quickly again before she could answer, “Oh hey you know what, we should probably save all this talk for later, otherwise you’ll be repeatin’ yourself to everyone else, y’know. Also, I dunno about you guys but I am real hungry, haha!”

He strolled over to the closed door at the far corner of the room. He had dressed particularly impressively for the occasion, wearing a light grey tailor-made suit with a deep red shirt and smart, recently shined black shoes. His designer shades had been tucked into the top of his shirt, so they hung down sideways over his chest.

Reaching the door he pulled the handle and swung it open revealing a large full bathroom. After a few moments he looked left along the corridor, counting the doors that he saw, before turning back and walking towards the others. His steps were slower this time; he was seemingly deep in thought. He paused close to them, clenched his right fist, stuck out his thumb and pointed it back over his shoulder at the bathroom. “If I’m right, that’s the only bathroom on this floor. I’ve counted 5 bedrooms. Do you know how in-demand that bathroom is gonna be?” He nodded at them, a knowing grin on his face, “Ya, and I don’t want to be stuck waiting in the mornings, though I do get up earlier than most! If I were you, I’d follow my advice and grab a room closest to it, hah!” He looked at Theodore, “Well Theo, I think it’s only right we say ‘ladies first.’” Playfully grinning at her he swept his right arm out indicating the rooms down the hall, “After you, Eugene”.

Friday, July 18th 2014. New Orleans, Louisiana. 12:10pm

---

Tia didn't understand why New Orleans had to be so goddamn humid. It was one of many things she did not miss about her hometown. Honestly, she wouldn't have taken a step back into this gigantic swamp if she didn't receive that invitation to her class reunion. When she first saw the pristine white envelope and familiar Rising Sun letterhead stamp, Tia quickly thought about tossing it straight into the trash. She hadn't thought about that dumb school and her old classmates in years, too busy living the high life of a model. But then she got to thinking; she hadn't seen anyone from her past in years and vice versa. So no one ever saw how successful she had become. She only attended Rising Sun Reformatory School during her elementary and middle school years, the time she was was still an awkward, lanky girl who had horrible posture and followed the crowd. Tia completely changed when she got to high school and soon dropped out to pursue… ‘better’ opportunities.

She struck it gold when one ‘boyfriend’ was a modeling agent and gave her a few jobs that didn’t require her sleeping with a total stranger. And although her old agent boyfriend had no expectations for her to do well, Tia ended up rising into stardom. She earned enough to move out of the shithole they called the The Big Easy and live in the beautiful, not humid Los Angeles. She even had enough money to get some work done on her most hated body parts and put elaborate tattoos on everything else. All in all, Tia was completely different than the girl she once was and that was the biggest reason why she decided to RSVP this little event. She relished the thought of seeing everyone’s reactions when they finally see what awkward Tia McCulkin had become.

After driving what seemed like forever through the bayou, Tia finally caught sight of the Rising Sun Reformatory school. As she drove closer in her expensive rental, she saw a couple of cars already parked out in front. Good; she definitely didn’t want to be the first one there and have to make conversation with Ms. Deville. It wasn’t that she hated the woman per se; it was more like being in her presence made Tia feel like she was drowning in lukewarm water. She was the mother figure Tia never had growing up since her foster family immediately shipped her to the boarding school and although she appreciated all the concern, Tia never could completely open herself up to the woman or any of her classmates. As a child, she didn’t believe she deserved an of their friendship. But now… now she knew none of them deserved hers. She was obviously too good for everyone meeting inside that house yet meeting with just Ms. Deville might bring back those unwanted feelings of self-doubt.

Tia parked behind a beat up old car once she reached the house, already sneering at the difference between her old classmates’ cars and her bright red convertible. She got out and grabbed her large and obviously expensive Juicy Couture bag from the back and hoisted it over her shoulder before walking to the front porch, slightly cursing when her stiletto heels dug into the moist dirt. She was going to have to throw these out at the end of her trip. Climbing up the porch steps, Tia wrinkled her nose in disgust. This poor place was about to fall apart. Why didn’t that woman just move out? Deciding there was no use in even bringing up the subject, Tia brought her hand up and rang the doorbell.

Friday, July 18th 2014. New Orleans, Lousiana. 11:00am

---

There was one thing looming in his mind at this point. Did he feed Jack this morning? Shit, he didn't did he? Oh well. It wasn't going to cause much harm. He thought, Probably. Shit, he really should go home soon. But it's hot. Really hot. Now that he thought about it, he had a bunch of stuff to do, did he find the photo of the class yet? Did Ms. Deville have any tea left? He needed a spot of tea, perhaps some scones would be nice. He sighed and pulled his shirt fabric off of him, it stuck and clung on to his thin frame, worse thing was that he felt disgusted by it. Every time he felt disgust, he would remember the nights where his father would whisper in his ear, vile words, haunting him, words that the never stopped ringing after a week. Like he was an evil creature made out of maggots, as if they were crawling under his skin, trying to dig out. His blood was the only place they were satisfied with. Ah, he could feel it itching, again. He needs to scratch, it itches, it itches... It itches, it really itches. It really really itches. It won't stop itching. Itching, itching. Make it stop itching... It itches. It itches underneath his throat.

SPLASH.

Without as so much as realizing it, everything was thrown onto the ground. The bags he was carrying that contained the soda, the juices. Everything. He could hear the sound of the liquids bursting out in a gassy leak. Ah, his hands were on his neck, nails on the verge of being dug deep. He somehow was brought back to reality through the hissing sounds of the soft drinks. He really shouldn't be remembering crap like that. It wasn't necessary. This was why he hated the heat. He blinked those brown eyes for a moment. Shit, he had to go buy more now. He couldn't bring the drinks back like this. The bottles of wine and beer were cracked in pieces, shards gleaming in the light. Ah shit. Looks like Kirk's going to be a bit late for now. The old lady was gonna be breathing down his neck. He then went back to the store on his feet, grabbing the plastic bags and throwing them in a nearby bin on the way there.

And then he arrived at the door about an hour later. 2 hours late. The old lady ain't gonna be happy about this. He walked up through the school before reaching the building. He walked up onto the porch and was about to enterThere he met a woman, obviously rich, in style and a person who was up to date in everything. She was one of the classmates that joined him once wasn't it? Right, they had a complete buffet ready to go in the house. "Ehehe, hey there. You were once part of the class weren't you? Here, I'll open the door. Come right in, Ms. Deville will be happy to see you." He smiled in a way that made nearly every girl go "awwww" before he let the door open and called out. "Ms Deville! It's me, Dere- I mean Kirk. Sorry I'm late. I fell over and had to go back. Anyways, there's a young woman here, I think she was part of the class." Shit, he almost forgot his own name. Damn, he'd been so used to be calling Derek. With that thought in mind, he welcomed the girl in and went into the kitchen, noticing the dark red rag on the counter. As he placed the drinks in the fridge, he couldn't help but think.

It still itches.

Friday, July 18th 2014. New Orleans, Louisiana. 12:00 pm

---

The noticeable click of the door opening broke Eugene out of her shock. What came out was a creature that held Ms. Deville's voice but was perhaps as ancient as time itself. The years had certainly been hard on the poor patron but it didn't lessen the spark one felt in her voice. Ever the affable and caring Ms.Helen.

Eugene quickly stole her glance from the well built man whom she later remembered as Scott with all the help from Ms.Deville. Suddenly, all the years in this school came to her. The bullying, the troubles, the silence and sense of grief. She had been labelled "Ghost-eyes" , "Scorched Earth" and "Minefield" by the ones that shared the class with her. The hit it had taken on her personality was tremendous, she had become a recluse, a shut-in, a misfit. No longer confident in who she was. The only one even remotely tolerant of her presence apart from Jack had been Tia.

But seeing how she grew up, Eugene knew that that bridge was burnt as well. She was all alone now. Alone among predators and they'll prey once more on her mind. She was stunned into silence as another man came up and greeted her. Her eyes glassy and distant, with fear trapped in them like a fossil. It was the cold touch of Ms.Deville again, which brought her out of her nightmare. She ushered the three inside as they took in the view of the house. Not much had change barring the aircon, which was a bit too cold. Was this hell? Was she trapped?

Had it not been for Jack, Eugene won't have dared to come back to this place. Not with these demons around, waiting to pounce on her soul. As Ms.Deville showed them the picture of their graduation, she noticed the light haze at the bottom corner of the picture. There it was, or rather He. The one who knew about sorrow more than anyone else and one who had lived almost every moment being ostracized. Someone, who can embrace Eugene as they lean on each other. Two frail saplings trying to be trees.

Ms.Deville pointed to their accommodation for the night and that it had been pre-arranged. As they made their way up the stairs, Scott got talking. Eugene could barely make sense of what he said for she was too busy being intimidated by the current situation. She was with two of her classmates, ones that frightened her to an unthinkable degree. She felt vulnerable, fidgeting all the while as Scott made conversation.

She stared at him blankly the first time he mentioned her name. Had he really forgotten her? He who had given her the moniker of "Ghost-eyes"? She just looked at him blankly as he moved up and down the hall. Blabbering about one thing or the other, it was the second time that he mentioned her that she shook like being blasted with a sudden icestorm. Her lips quivered as she searched for a reply, her eyes traversing from the floor to his face and back. Following this motion more than a dozen times, before she could answer however, she noticed his smile. Or rather piercing sneer of devil himself, she turned tail and shakily walked towards the room labelled 2-2. The one at the farthest end of the hall, the one farthest from him, hopefully. As she walked within the reach of the door, she suddenly bolted inside and shut the door behind her.

Cold sweat ran down her forehead as she took deep breaths.

She crumpled into a knot on the floor. A mess of limbs as she broke into tears.

"Please save me, Jaaacckk!!" she wailed between sobs. Keeping in mind not to be loud so that one may catch it outside her room.

Coming here was a mistake! She wondered if she could survive the night.