The Uncanny Ways of John Meritt

Chapter 1

I knew something was up by the way my alarm hadn't gone off yet. The sun was practically up, burning through the open cracks of my blinds. On every other Monday morning, I've never been able to see the bright light before getting up for school. It's always been pitch black, which is clearly different from the brightness surrounding me.

I yawned, stretching my body as far as it could go. I rolled over, glancing at the small, wooden clock that rested just on top of my nightstand. 8:45, the two hands read. School started at 7:00.

I frantically pulled myself out of bed, and started to get ready. I must've forgotten to set my alarm for 6:15 last night- what a goof. Being late to school was unacceptable to me. I've always had a perfect attendance record- since I started kindergarten about 12 years ago.

Now that it was senior year, I took my attendance extra seriously. I couldn't have a slip, now. Not when I'm about to go to college, and my full-ride scholarship to UGA is on the line. Several people may stay home whenever they please, but I'm just not that type of girl.

I grabbed my backpack, and rushed down the creaky, wooden steps of our old victorian home that was built on a farm holding 58 acres of land. Mom's always told my father to do something about them, but he's always blown the job off. He can be quite lazy once he's done tending to the farm these days. I say it's because of how much older he's gotten.

"Morning, Dad." I greeted the man, placing a hurried kiss on his cheek. He set the morning newspaper down, and sat up in his chair. Grabbing his cup of coffee, he asked "And why are you in such a hurry, Emily?"

I dropped my bag on the kitchen counter, beginning to make my morning tea- something I couldn't live without. "I overslept. I'm already about two-hours late, and if i miss one more i'll be counted absent."

"Relax, sweetheart. What's one absence?" He chuckled, petting the old, farm dog that buried itself in his lap. Rover's been in the family longer than I have. He's probably the oldest dog around, but that didn't stop him from following my dad around all day. Rover's basically attached to him, and apparently, he always has been.

"Basically everything I believe in." I joked, earning a small laugh from the one who raised me.

"Emily, you work so hard. I decided to sneak in your room last night, and turn your alarm off- you know, give you a little extra time to sleep in." I shook my head with a small smile. How did I not know it was something planned by the Warren Kline?

"I appreciate your kind thoughts," I said, grabbing my tea, keys, and bag, "But i have to go! Things like this are important to me."

He nodded in defeat, standing up and following me to the door. "I'm supposed to tell you that your mom won't get home till late. She left for that interview up in Blakeney this morning."

I sighed. Blakeney was a good 4 hours away- meaning I'd have to be in charge of dinner again. Although I excell in almost everything, cooking was not one of my skills. I tried to make a frozen pizza the other day, and it ended up crumbled in pieces at the bottom of the stove. Not edible, and definetly not one of my best moments.

"Alright- Will you be home?" Warren rolled his eyes, beginning to laugh that hardy laugh of his.

"It's poker night down at Cal's." He explained, "I'll be gone before you get back from work."

I nodded, a sly smile on my lips. "Okay, well, I guess i'll see you later then?"

"Always." His teeth emerged from under his lips, just as the sound of a car door shutting could be heard. His eyes drifted behind me, and I turned my head to see Mrs. Heartfelt scurrying over to us.

"Warren Kline!" Her old, shaky voice whined, "My cows got loose and I can't seem to get them back in that damn den of ours- Oh, good morning Emily."

I laughed, "Morning Mrs. Heartfelt."

"Well, geez, Patty." My father joked, "How'd that happen this time?"

She crossed her hips, catching her breath from walking over here so fast. "It's that stupid gate, i tell ya'! The cattle keep pushing it open every time we let the horses out of their stables."

"I've been telling you to get that fixed for some time now, haven't I?" He rubbed the back of his neck, bending down to pick up the toolbox he always keeps by the front door.

"Bob hasn't been up to the job, lately." Her eyes rolled as she talked about her husband. Bob Heartfelt was probably one of the laziest men alive. Instead of tending the farm he created himself, he just hires people to do it for him. His wife does more then he does, and she's a woman with an afternoon job.

Warren reached inside, and grabbed the keys to his truck that hung on the wall by the door. "Why don't we go fix this mess together, eh?"

The woman smiled, thanking him repeatedly. Just like every other Townie here, she went to my father for everything- financial help, an extra hand, advice- whatever she needed and couldn't supply on her own. Warren Kline is probably one of the most respected, authoritative figures here in Acreton. Everyone who knew him, loved him- and I got to call the man my dad.

"See you tonight, sweetheart." He said, kissing me on the cheek before hopping into his car- with Rover, of course. I waved as they both turned their cars around, and continued down our long, dirt driveway.

Shaking my head, I pulled up the garage door, and piled into my old Jeep CJ. Just like my father had Rover, I had my jeep- Kingsley. Kingsley was a messy, white car- which I considered beige, due to all the mud stains from our dirt roads splattered across it. He only had two seats, and doors that i usually kept off. I like driving with room to breathe, as you can see.

Thomas Jefferson High was almost a five minute ride. Some say I could walk, but God knows I'm not the type. I was a very athletic, fit girl- but I hate walking long distances if I don't have too.

Pulling into the school parking lot, I admired it's beauty. Held in an old, church like building, Jefferson High was home to about 500 students. Normal school's today would look at that number and say that it was nothing- but when you live in such a small, rural town like this one, 500 is too high.

The location was right in the middle of no-where. It was surrounded by open land, and Richard Harvey's farm from right across the street. Richard was a cool guy, but he always freaked the freshman out on the first day of school, by standing at the main doors with that creepy smile of his. The upperclassman like me got a kick out of it, along with the staff who refused to do something when one of them would complain.

I parked my car closest to the football field, and quickly scurried inside. As i entered the doors, Mrs. Catilian, the Vice Principal stopped me before I could inhale the musty scent of wheat, and fertilizer.

"Well I'll be damned." She cooed in that same, annoying, high-pitched voice of hers, "Is that Emily Kline- and arriving late I see?"

I rolled my eyes, smiling before I turned my head around until i could see her wrinkly forehead. "Good morning, Mrs. Catilian."

She tapped the floor with her out-of-style flats, making a soft tapping noise on the mud-stained tile. Crossing her arms, she snickered "Now, I never thought that I'd get the chance to see you loosen up a bit, but maybe I was wrong. I guess I'll just have to keep my eye on you from now on. Don't want you getting into anymore trouble, do I?"

"But I'm not in any-"

"Shhh." She brought her finger to her lips, cutting me off mid-sentence. "Class is in session. We wouldn't want to disturb them, would we?"

Biting my tongue, I shook my head 'No'. Mrs. Catilian forced a smile, shaking her head approvingly. "Now get to class."

I watched as the old, bitter woman walked away. "Yes Ma'am." I muttered sarcastically, once she was no longer in my sight. For some reason, Mrs. Catilian always had it out for me. I don't know why, either. I've always been a respectful, good student, but every time we crossed paths, she'd always go out of her way to pick on me.

With a sigh of frustration, I continued left into the hallway where my second class of the day was being held. We only had about twenty- minutes left, but it was worth sitting through if it meant my perfect attendance wouldn't be touched.

I slowly opened the door to Mr. Cross's room, once again facing the shocked reactions due to I, Emily Kline, arriving late to school- a small action that would make Acreton history.

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