Out of the Shadows by Katrina Umland, Finalist 2 for the International Arts and Letters Society 2013 Short Story Award
I ran a contest to find the best short stories from authors all over the world. Problem was, I couldn’t decide between the top four (with the help of my distinguished selection committee). We need your help. I’m going to publish each of the four stories over the next four weeks for your reading pleasure. You will decide which is the top short story from 2013. All four are finalists, but only one can win the distinguished place in history as the 2013 International Arts & Letters Society Reader’s Choice Award (also known as the most popular short story published on justinblaney.com… hehe). Voting will commence one week after the last finalist is presented. Enjoy!
Finalist #2: Out of the Shadows by Katrina Umland
“Oh!” exclaimed Meg as she fell to the hard floor of the school’s hallway. She scurried around trying to collect her books and papers from her previous class before others could stomp them into crumpled heaps like the last time she tripped on the air and dropped her supplies. She was just reaching for the last of her things, a very important music score she was hoping to look at again before solo auditions took place, when a five-inch heeled, blindingly-blinged out, shoe smashed down where her hand was just about to be.
“Sorry, Meg-a-looser,” a female voice sneered. “I was just showing off my brand new, Louboutin Strass Crystal Heels. They are far too expensive for someone of your kind to ever own,” and with the perfect smirk that Meg just knew would be there if she were to look up at her full time assaulter, she added, “Or like you would ever be able to walk in them. You can’t even stand on your feet without toppling over.”
“Gee, thanks for noticing, Karen. Can’t see how you even have the time or energy to ever worry about me and my finances,” Meg replied sarcastically, “But you do know that there is a big wad of bright green gum stuck to the bottom of that ankle breaker your wearing.”
“Oh gross!” Karen screeched, miraculously able to hop up and down on one heel as she carefully lifted her other one up for inspection.
Meg took that opportunity to grab the sheet of music, hop to her feet, and hustle down the hall before the other girl could figure out that there was really nothing there at all.
Meg slumped out of the school; well that was what everyone else called it, to her it was more like a prison. A horrible night-mare of a place filled with monsters and hypocrites that only the strength of hard cash could fight off. It was raining again. She hoped that someone had remembered to come and get her this time, but as she scanned the few remaining vehicles in the parking lot she doubted that anyone at the house had. She sighed as she looked up at the clouds that showed no sign of stopping, and stepped out into the chilling down pour.
When she got home, looking more like a sewer-rat than the girl no one had waved off to school, she sloshed her way down the main hall and up the grand staircase to her little room. It was the smallest room in the house, but Meg didn’t mind so much. At least she had a place that she could say was all hers, and it was in all honesty completely hers. In fact she basically had the entire house to herself, the occasional maid would wonder up to vacuum, but her parents would never care to check in on her little part of the world, and her siblings where all grown and out of the house.
“Parents,” she muttered to herself under her breath as she changed out of her icy school uniform and into a pair of jeans and a sweater, “Parents would care more.” But as she started back down the stairs toweling off her hair, she felt a bit of guilt at saying such things about the kind family that had taken her in. After the accident her parents had gotten into, Meg had been left alone, with no other relation to take her. She was moved from care home to care home, never really fitting in, until a couple came in search of a well behaved, teenaged, child to take in. They had such a big house and all of their own children had left to make a big life for themselves, so they felt they needed someone to fill the silence of the house.
As Meg entered the kitchen she found her favorite of the five maids that worked for the house busy at the kitchen sink.
“What are we having for dinner tonight, Maya? I assume it will be just you and me, right? Mom has a clothing line to finish and dad probably has some over emotional client to calm down.” she said as she plopped into one of the high legged stools at the center island, dropping the towel to the floor for the time being.
“Oh!” Maya gasped with surprise, “Megalyn your home early!” And then with a glance at the clock exclaimed, “Oh, I’m so sorry. It was my day to pick you up wasn’t I? James is driving for your mother tonight. I completely forgot! Did you walk all this way in the rain? You foolish child you could have caught numina and died. You should have called me!”
“It’s ok. Honest. I’m used to it. And don’t call me Megalyn. You know I hate that name. It’s too high class for someone like me.” She said hopping down from the stool and walking over to the sink to see what Maya was doing. “I can help you with all of those dishes. I know they were starting to pile up so you must have been working on them all day.”
“Oh no you don’t.” Maya said wiping her hands on her apron before gently pushing Meg away from the dish loaded sink. “I actually have a surprise for you.”
Meg let Maya lead her into the massive living room that occupied most of the first floor, and sat down on the vintage couch, careful not to let her still wet hair touch the not-so-waterproof fabric. She could just see her mother’s reaction if she were to find any sort of spot on it.
“You know how I was gone on a little vacation right?” Maya said as she pulled a small box down from one of the many shelves that lined the room’s walls. “Well I saw this and just thought of you. I know you two will be such good friends, and yes, I do know that you could use a few more friends.”
Meg took the box, curious as to what could possibly be in this box that would be her friend, seeing as the rest of the world seemed to want nothing to do with her. She carefully lifted the lid to find a little face looking up at her. Surprised she carefully lifted the little figure out of the box. In her hands she held a little clay dragon. It was large enough that she had to hold it in both hands, but it felt strangely light for its size. “It’s wonderful!” Meg gasped. “Thank you so much.” She smiled up at Maya, who happily back. “I think I will take him upstairs to my room, before dinner and everything.” Meg said getting to her feet and heading for the stairs.
She carried the little dragon to her room and sat him on the desk while she looked around for an open spot on one her shelves to put him. When she finally cleared an open spot and turned back to her desk to get her new addition she froze in shock.
The little dragon was still on the desk, but instead of sitting motionless, it was not standing on its hind legs, front paws crossed in front of its chest, flicking its wings in such a way to suggest that it was annoyed by something.
Meg could not believe her eyes. She slowly approached the desk, sure that that was not how the dragon had been sitting when she placed him on the desk. As she drew closer she thought she saw it blink. No, she told herself, your imagining things. Meg came to the decision that because of the lack of proper food provided at the school she was imagining things. She turned to go back down the stairs to tell Maya she had better be making a little something extra for dinner when she heard a the sound of a throat being cleared. She froze on the spot, slowly turning eyes wide, mouth hanging open.
“Excuse me, I couldn’t help but notice your blank décor and unattractive clothing,” it said to her.
Meg could not believe her eyes, or her ears for that fact. The voice was coming from on the desk, and on the desk sat the dragon. But the dragon was made of clay, and everyone knows that clay can’t talk, and there was no such thing as dragons. “I must really be sick. This is all in my head!”
“Well excuse me!!! I was only trying to make conversation. Leave it to a human with a strong Energy Pulse to be so dramatic.”
“DRAMATIC!!!” Meg yelled crossing her in front of her chest. “You’re a clay dragon that just a minute ago was not talking. You’re not even supposed to be moving! You are clay and clay does NOT do those things. I’m totally out of my mind. Why am I even talking to you?!?” Meg flopped down on the bed covering her face with her hands and sighing deeply, then sat back up to stare at the little creature perched on the edge of desk.
“Well I guess I will just have to SHOW you how real I really am.” The little dragon said holding out a tiny paw that Meg assumed she was supposed to take, but she just could not bring herself to take it, after all it was just too strange to believe. “Suite your shelf then, but you don’t strike me as the flying type.” It said.
Flying type? Meg wondered. “What…” But before she could finish her question her bedroom floor vanished beneath her feet, and she was falling through darkness. Too stunned to scream, she flailed her arms around in the darkness, desperate to find some sort of hold.
“I told you you should have taken my paw cause you couldn’t fly, but you didn’t listen to me.” The little dragon was there beside her, still holding out the same little paw. This time Meg took the paw, and to her surprise her ascent slowed. Suddenly light erupted around them.
“Here we are,” the little dragon said happily gently dropping Meg to the soft, grassy ground. “My home. See I told you I was real.”
Meg could not believe her eyes. The world around her was all so fantastic, flowers and green as far as the eye could see and in the distance the shape of a magnificent castle. She could not believe what she was seeing. All things that should not have existed, but here they were.
“And I took the liberty of fixing your clothing for you. Your welcome.”
Meg looked down at herself to find that her jeans and t-shirt had been replaced with the most glamorous dress she had ever seen. It’s deep green color complimented her well, she had to admit, and with its slim fitting sleeves and flowing skirt, it looked like the type of dress that she had always wanted to wear, but never had the courage or finances to.
“And now we have a little party that we must attend. There is someone there that you must see.” The little dragon commanded and started to push Meg toward the castle. “You see there is this guy that I really, really think you should meet and..”
“Hold up,” Meg said trying to dig her slippered feet into the ground, but not having much luck thanks to the thick carpet of grass. “I can’t show up here and then crash someone else’s party. That would be really rude!” But try as she might to resist the dragon’s shoving in the castle’s direction, she seemed to be no match against the little creatures surprising strength, and eventually gave in.
As the two of them approached the castle a pit rose in Meg’s stomach. She had never been to a big party like this before, she was sure. Back home she had not been popular enough to even dream about being invited to something as big as a party. And as they entered the hall she was sure she would stick out like a sore thumb.
“Oh yeah, almost forgot.” The little dragon said snapping his fingers. “You can’t party with the prince without a little shiny something of your own sitting on top of your head.”
Meg felt something suddenly alight on her head, and glancing in a mirror by the hall entrance she was astonished once again to find a delicate tiara sitting on top of her head. This has to be a dream, she thought to herself.
“Now get in there and have a good time.” and with a final push the little dragon had forced Meg into the stunning hall.
She tried to blend in as much as she could. The party scene had never really been her thing though, so it was difficult not to stick out. She finally settled for sitting at a table in the far corner, almost completely hidden from the rest of the guests. She watched them, feeling as though she had never really left home. They all seemed to be just as full of themselves. Their dresses and gaudy jewels far out shined her simple green and silver gown. She sighed deeply, wishing that she would just wake up already because it was starting to feel more like a nightmare than a dream.
“You look like you’re having fun.” A male voice said from behind Meg. She jumped nearly out of her chair, turning to see who was standing behind her. Judging from where she was sitting he was about a head taller than she was. His hair was dark brown with a natural wind-swept look to it, and his eyes where a hypnotizing shade a green. She could see the impressive muscles in his arms through his white shirt. He seemed to be a very attractive guy, and she wondered why none of the other girls had noticed him yet. “Mind if I join you?” he asked taking the seat next to her.
Meg was grateful for the company, but she felt weird sitting there with this guy she knew nothing about. Finally he broke the silence by saying, “My name is Dargon.”
“My name is Meg.” She managed to say. “Megalyn, but everyone calls me Meg.”
Dargon smiled at Meg. His smile was as perfect as his eyes, making her melt inside. “I like that name. I think its beauty fits you perfectly.” he said, and then suddenly asked, “Would you like to dance?”
“Wha…? Oh, um, I not much of a dancer.” Meg stammered trying not to blush.
“Good.” He said, “Cause neither am I.” Grabbing her hand and leading onto the floor. Meg was so astonished that she let him lead her onto the dance floor with no resistance.
Out on the floor it seemed that he moved much more gracefully than he had first let on. Meg noticed how many of the other girls, even the ones who already danced with a partner, looked at them. Jealousy burning in their eyes. But Dargon just held her close and danced like he had no care in the world. Little by little Meg let go of her cares, dancing with Dargon just seemed so right. For the rest of the night they stayed by each other’s sides. Meg actually started to enjoy getting the jealous glances. All she wanted was to be with him.
After a number of songs had played they both decided that it would be wise to take a short break from dancing before they collapsed to the floor with exhaustion. Together they returned to the table where they had first met, just then an older man approached them. “Son a few of the guests have voiced great displeasure in the fact that you will not dance with them as well. They tell me that you have been spending all of your time and attention on this mysterious young lady who no one has seen around the village, let alone the kingdom. Why not indulge some of the other finer ladies? The princess of Riven is here and I know her father would be greatly upset if you do not ask her to dance at least once. And over yonder waits the duchies of Wrethering standing next to her is lady Persefiss…”
Meg was slightly taken aback by the words that this man said. Why would Dargon care about princesses and duchesses, unless… she gasped. Looking from the elder man and Dargon, she could see how much alike they looked. “I am so sorry!” She managed to stammer to the king, “I had no idea. I mean, um, I…”
“I am quite happy over here where I am thank you father.” Dargon said, not making any signs of leaving Meg’s side, and before his father could protest again he took Meg’s hand and started to lead her out of the hall.
Outside and away from the rest of the party guests Meg turned to Dargon. “Why did you not tell me that you were a prince!” She felt suddenly weak and had to sit down before she collapsed and made an even bigger fool of herself.
“I didn’t think it would matter that much.” He said, staring off into the distance. “I took you as the kind of person who really saw people for who they were on the inside, not by their titles or riches. I want to be with someone who is true to them self and to others. I want to be with you.” He turned to face her. Those deep green eyes and that warm smile pulled her back under his hypnotic spell. She couldn’t be mad with him, not after all of time they had just spent with each other.
Just then Meg felt a strange sensation throughout her body. It was almost like her very core was vibrating. She looked down at her hands to find them slightly fading.
“What’s happening!?” she asked, looking desperately to Dargon for the answers, but even he looked at a loss for words. The sensation shot through her again and she fell to her knees. “I’m scared.” She cried covering her face with her gradually vanishing hands. Dargon knelt down next to her, holding what was left of her slowly fading form tightly in his arms.
“I won’t let you go. I will be right here and will always be there for you.” He whispered as her entire body vanished in a soft, glimmering, silver and green mist. Leaving no trace but a delicate diamond tiara that had once sat on Meg’s head and the memories Dargon swore he would never forget.
Meg sat up. She was still lying on her bed. She jumped up and looked wildly around her room. The little dragon that Maya had given her still sat on the edge of her desk, not moving or talking, and her alarm clock right behind him said that an hour had passed since she had come up stairs to find a spot on her shelves for him to sit. Had she fallen asleep? Was it all just a dream?
Meg shock her head to clear the foggy feeling and headed down stairs to the kitchen where she hoped Maya would have dinner ready, so she could get to work on the pile of homework the teachers had loaded onto them, and then get to bed early because for some odd reason she felt exhausted. She hoped she hadn’t come down with something from walking in the rain.
The next day at school, Meg walked down the hallway to her locker, in a particularly good mood since she had managed to get the solo even though she had spent no extra time practicing it. She pulled out the books she thought she would need for the weekend and the art supplies she would need to finish her assignment. She was just starting to put everything into her back pack when a pair of bright green high-top boots kicked the wobbling pile of items all over the hall.
“Wow, Mega-loser, you should really take better care of your things. I would never let something like that happen to anything that I own. Of course everything I own is top-of-the-line, imported, and far more expensive than anything that you could even start to dream of.” Karen scoffed as she walked off.
Meg sighed, bending down to start collecting her things again. “Just another day in the life of me I suppose.” She said to no one in particular.
“Well I happen to think that this life looks far more amusing than mine.” said a familiar male voice from behind her.
She froze. That voice. She knew that voice. But. It couldn’t be. She slow turned around. Standing over her was a boy with dark wind-swept hair, deep green eyes that were hypnotizing, and a smile so warm it melted her heart. Dargon.
He stood there smiling down at the shock covering Meg’s face. “I told you I would always be there for you.” He said as he reached into the pocket of the jacket he was wearing. From it he pulled the diamond tiara Meg remembered having worn at the party at his castle.
“But it was all just a dream.” She stammered as he gently placed it back on her head. “Wasn’t it?” She asked, staring deeply into his eyes.
“I think not,” said another familiar voice from behind Dargon, and the little dragon flew up and perched on his shoulder.
Dargon took Meg’s hands in his, and as she stared up at him he smiled down at her and said, “No one could tear us apart, there is no magic that could possibly break our bond. You are the only princess for me, and you will never have to be alone again.”
More posts coming soon from all four Finalists: Bliss by Vanessa Rasanen, Out of the Shadows by Katrina Umland, Facing Memories by Deanna Wiseburn and Dreamer by Janae Schiele
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