⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .Stars & Staffs Short Stories ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.
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Trumped
by Kevin Hopson [Kevin has dabbled in many genres over the years, but crime fiction and fantasy are his true loves. His novelette, Pursuing the Dead, was a 2019 Author Shout Reader Ready Awards winner. And if you’re a fan of light fantasy, check out The Emperor’s Guard series. You can learn more about Kevin by visiting his website at http://www.kmhopson.com] |
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Previous Shorts Basis by Rob Perrier Blade or Mist by Nichole Galle Reaching Out by Judith Pratt Observe by Beth Robertson Darkside Management by Tom Howard __________________ |
“You want me to do what?” Medusa asked.
Medusa wasn’t her real name, but the nickname had stuck for years. Most people assumed it was because of her hazel eyes and dreadlocks. Despite being dark-skinned, she resembled the Gorgon from Greek mythology. But only a few people, those closest to her, knew the real reason for the name.
“You know,” Ronald replied. “Your thing.”
“You want me to do my thing?”
Ronald nodded. He sat on Medusa’s couch with a foot resting on one knee.
“Just so you can get your cell phone back?” she said, standing with arms crossed.
“That’s the plan.”
“I don’t do it for entertainment.”
“This is hardly entertainment.” Ronald snickered. “Well, I actually wouldn’t mind seeing it in person. But the fact of the matter is that he has my cell phone, and I need it back.”
Ronald was referring to one of his college professors. Professor Burke. He’d confiscated Ronald’s cell phone during his morning class and told him he could have it back the next time the class met. It was Tuesday, and the class met again on Thursday. It was punishment for not paying attention during lecture.
“A couple of days without it might do you good,” Medusa said.
Ronald shook his head. “No way. You’ve never seen me have withdrawals, and you don’t want to.”
“You sound like a drug addict.”
“Okay,” he said. “I’ll admit it. I’m addicted to the damn thing.”
Medusa let out a breath and pondered. “So, I’m just supposed to show up on his doorstep? A complete stranger?”
“Yeah.”
“But I need to get him to lie to me. How am I supposed to do that?”
A chuckle escaped Ronald’s lips. “When you introduce yourself, ask him how he’s doing. People always lie about that. They say they’re fine just to be polite, but few people really are.”
He made a good point. Medusa purposely avoided small talk with strangers for that exact reason.
“What if he doesn’t live alone?” she asked.
“He’s single,” Ronald replied.
“And you know this how?”
“Word gets around. He doesn’t have office hours this time of the day, so he has to be home.”
“Not necessarily. He probably has a life.”
“I doubt that,” Ronald said.
Medusa exhaled, already exhausted with the conversation. “You know where he lives?”
“Everyone does. Students egg his house every year. It’s a tradition.”
She pursed her lips, continuing to mull it over.
“So,” Ronald said. “Will you do it?”
...
Medusa was getting cold feet as she stood in front of the door. Professor Burke lived in a traditional suburban house, only minutes away from the college campus. The covered porch sheltered her from the drizzle, which had been falling all afternoon, but Medusa couldn’t bring herself to ring the doorbell.
So many unanswered questions littered her mind. What if Burke had left Ronald’s phone back at his office? What if he had a visitor? What if someone walked by and caught them in the act? There were a million reasons not to go through with it.
“Just do it.” The whisper came from one of the bushes to her left. They lined the porch railing on both sides of the walkway.
Medusa glanced over her shoulder. Ronald’s head appeared above one of the hedges. She waved a dismissive hand at him and huffed. Medusa finally put a finger to the doorbell and pressed it, her pulse accelerating in anticipation. She was about to take a deep breath, but the door opened before she had a chance to collect herself.
“Can I help you?” the man said.
“Professor Burke?” Medusa asked.
Burke nodded.
“My name is Sienna Lewis. I’m a student here at the college. How are you?”
“I’m good,” he replied.
Before he could mouth another word, Burke’s face froze. In fact, his entire body stiffened. He stood in the doorway like an out-of-place garden statue.
Wow. It actually worked. That was easier than I thought.
It’s how Medusa got her name. If she asked someone a question, and they answered untruthfully, their body went into a state of suspended animation. And the spell could only be broken by Medusa’s touch.
“Nice,” Ronald said, climbing the steps and sidling up to her. He put a hand to the door and eased it open.
“This doesn’t feel right,” Medusa said. “We’re breaking and entering.”
“We’re not breaking anything,” Ronald replied. “We’re just entering.”
“We’re breaking the law. Trespassing is a punishable offence.”
Ronald exhaled. “Fine. Call it what you want, but I’m going in.” He put his back to the door and slid by Professor Burke. “Do me a favor,” Ronald said, glancing back at her. “Call my cell. If it’s still on, it will make it a lot easier to find.”
Medusa wanted to be done with it all, so she reached a hand into her pants pocket and pulled the cell phone from its resting place. After entering her four-digit code, Medusa tapped the phone icon and typed in Ronald’s number. But she didn’t hear anything. A few seconds passed. Then Ronald’s famous ringtone echoed in the background. Medusa sighed in relief.
“Sounds like it’s in this front room,” Ronald said, quickly disappearing from view. “Looks like this is his home office,” he shouted.
Medusa shushed him. She heard drawers opening and closing, all of it much too loud for her liking.
“Can you keep it down!” she said with a loud whisper.
The ringing finally stopped, but Ronald didn’t show himself.
What is he doing?
“No way,” Ronald said.
“What?”
“Come here.”
“I’m not coming in,” Medusa insisted.
“Come here. Now!”
Medusa glimpsed the street. Thankfully, no one was out and about in the crummy weather. She eased her body between Professor Burke and the door frame, making sure not to touch him. Once in the foyer, Medusa spotted Ronald in the room to her left. He pointed to a frame on the wall.
She squinted and shrugged. “What?”
“He’s a graduate of Oak Ridge Institute,” Ronald noted.
Medusa walked into the room and eyed the diploma. “So?”
“So?”
“I’ve never heard of it. What’s the big deal?”
Ronald’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“Just tell me already,” she fumed. “I want to get out of here.”
“It’s a school of magical arts.”
“You’re saying he’s a magician?”
“That’s exactly what he’s saying,” a voice said from behind.
Medusa turned to look, and Professor Burke stared back at her. No one had ever been able to break her spell. Until now, that is.
“You keep digging yourself a bigger hole, Ronald,” Burke said.
Ronald pocketed his phone and put his hands up in defense. “I’m sorry, Professor Burke. I just needed my phone back. And Medusa didn’t want to do this. I forced her to come.”
Burke eyed her. “Medusa? What a fitting name. And quite a gift you have there. Where did you learn to do that?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t learn it anywhere. I was born with it.”
“Interesting.” Burke turned his attention to Ronald. “I’m curious where we go from here. It seems we’re in a bit of a dilemma.”
“Like I said,” Ronald replied. “We’re sorry. I can’t do without my phone, though. It’s my lifeline.”
Burke chuckled. “That seems to be the case with most people nowadays. I guess it was a little harsh of me not to return it after class.” He exhaled. “I’ll let this slide on two conditions.”
“Anything, Professor Burke,” Ronald pleaded.
“As you’re probably aware, Oak Ridge closed its doors many years ago. It was a very reputable school back in the day. But people have different views today. Now that magic is frowned upon. That’s why this information will be kept between us. If word gets out, I’ll know about it, and you won’t want to face the consequences.”
Medusa watched as Ronald swallowed.
“Agreed,” he said.
“No problem,” Medusa chimed in.
“What’s the second condition?” Ronald asked.
“You’ll refrain from using your phone in my class again.”
Ronald couldn’t nod fast enough. “Sure thing, Professor Burke. Lesson learned.”
Medusa wasn’t her real name, but the nickname had stuck for years. Most people assumed it was because of her hazel eyes and dreadlocks. Despite being dark-skinned, she resembled the Gorgon from Greek mythology. But only a few people, those closest to her, knew the real reason for the name.
“You know,” Ronald replied. “Your thing.”
“You want me to do my thing?”
Ronald nodded. He sat on Medusa’s couch with a foot resting on one knee.
“Just so you can get your cell phone back?” she said, standing with arms crossed.
“That’s the plan.”
“I don’t do it for entertainment.”
“This is hardly entertainment.” Ronald snickered. “Well, I actually wouldn’t mind seeing it in person. But the fact of the matter is that he has my cell phone, and I need it back.”
Ronald was referring to one of his college professors. Professor Burke. He’d confiscated Ronald’s cell phone during his morning class and told him he could have it back the next time the class met. It was Tuesday, and the class met again on Thursday. It was punishment for not paying attention during lecture.
“A couple of days without it might do you good,” Medusa said.
Ronald shook his head. “No way. You’ve never seen me have withdrawals, and you don’t want to.”
“You sound like a drug addict.”
“Okay,” he said. “I’ll admit it. I’m addicted to the damn thing.”
Medusa let out a breath and pondered. “So, I’m just supposed to show up on his doorstep? A complete stranger?”
“Yeah.”
“But I need to get him to lie to me. How am I supposed to do that?”
A chuckle escaped Ronald’s lips. “When you introduce yourself, ask him how he’s doing. People always lie about that. They say they’re fine just to be polite, but few people really are.”
He made a good point. Medusa purposely avoided small talk with strangers for that exact reason.
“What if he doesn’t live alone?” she asked.
“He’s single,” Ronald replied.
“And you know this how?”
“Word gets around. He doesn’t have office hours this time of the day, so he has to be home.”
“Not necessarily. He probably has a life.”
“I doubt that,” Ronald said.
Medusa exhaled, already exhausted with the conversation. “You know where he lives?”
“Everyone does. Students egg his house every year. It’s a tradition.”
She pursed her lips, continuing to mull it over.
“So,” Ronald said. “Will you do it?”
...
Medusa was getting cold feet as she stood in front of the door. Professor Burke lived in a traditional suburban house, only minutes away from the college campus. The covered porch sheltered her from the drizzle, which had been falling all afternoon, but Medusa couldn’t bring herself to ring the doorbell.
So many unanswered questions littered her mind. What if Burke had left Ronald’s phone back at his office? What if he had a visitor? What if someone walked by and caught them in the act? There were a million reasons not to go through with it.
“Just do it.” The whisper came from one of the bushes to her left. They lined the porch railing on both sides of the walkway.
Medusa glanced over her shoulder. Ronald’s head appeared above one of the hedges. She waved a dismissive hand at him and huffed. Medusa finally put a finger to the doorbell and pressed it, her pulse accelerating in anticipation. She was about to take a deep breath, but the door opened before she had a chance to collect herself.
“Can I help you?” the man said.
“Professor Burke?” Medusa asked.
Burke nodded.
“My name is Sienna Lewis. I’m a student here at the college. How are you?”
“I’m good,” he replied.
Before he could mouth another word, Burke’s face froze. In fact, his entire body stiffened. He stood in the doorway like an out-of-place garden statue.
Wow. It actually worked. That was easier than I thought.
It’s how Medusa got her name. If she asked someone a question, and they answered untruthfully, their body went into a state of suspended animation. And the spell could only be broken by Medusa’s touch.
“Nice,” Ronald said, climbing the steps and sidling up to her. He put a hand to the door and eased it open.
“This doesn’t feel right,” Medusa said. “We’re breaking and entering.”
“We’re not breaking anything,” Ronald replied. “We’re just entering.”
“We’re breaking the law. Trespassing is a punishable offence.”
Ronald exhaled. “Fine. Call it what you want, but I’m going in.” He put his back to the door and slid by Professor Burke. “Do me a favor,” Ronald said, glancing back at her. “Call my cell. If it’s still on, it will make it a lot easier to find.”
Medusa wanted to be done with it all, so she reached a hand into her pants pocket and pulled the cell phone from its resting place. After entering her four-digit code, Medusa tapped the phone icon and typed in Ronald’s number. But she didn’t hear anything. A few seconds passed. Then Ronald’s famous ringtone echoed in the background. Medusa sighed in relief.
“Sounds like it’s in this front room,” Ronald said, quickly disappearing from view. “Looks like this is his home office,” he shouted.
Medusa shushed him. She heard drawers opening and closing, all of it much too loud for her liking.
“Can you keep it down!” she said with a loud whisper.
The ringing finally stopped, but Ronald didn’t show himself.
What is he doing?
“No way,” Ronald said.
“What?”
“Come here.”
“I’m not coming in,” Medusa insisted.
“Come here. Now!”
Medusa glimpsed the street. Thankfully, no one was out and about in the crummy weather. She eased her body between Professor Burke and the door frame, making sure not to touch him. Once in the foyer, Medusa spotted Ronald in the room to her left. He pointed to a frame on the wall.
She squinted and shrugged. “What?”
“He’s a graduate of Oak Ridge Institute,” Ronald noted.
Medusa walked into the room and eyed the diploma. “So?”
“So?”
“I’ve never heard of it. What’s the big deal?”
Ronald’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“Just tell me already,” she fumed. “I want to get out of here.”
“It’s a school of magical arts.”
“You’re saying he’s a magician?”
“That’s exactly what he’s saying,” a voice said from behind.
Medusa turned to look, and Professor Burke stared back at her. No one had ever been able to break her spell. Until now, that is.
“You keep digging yourself a bigger hole, Ronald,” Burke said.
Ronald pocketed his phone and put his hands up in defense. “I’m sorry, Professor Burke. I just needed my phone back. And Medusa didn’t want to do this. I forced her to come.”
Burke eyed her. “Medusa? What a fitting name. And quite a gift you have there. Where did you learn to do that?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t learn it anywhere. I was born with it.”
“Interesting.” Burke turned his attention to Ronald. “I’m curious where we go from here. It seems we’re in a bit of a dilemma.”
“Like I said,” Ronald replied. “We’re sorry. I can’t do without my phone, though. It’s my lifeline.”
Burke chuckled. “That seems to be the case with most people nowadays. I guess it was a little harsh of me not to return it after class.” He exhaled. “I’ll let this slide on two conditions.”
“Anything, Professor Burke,” Ronald pleaded.
“As you’re probably aware, Oak Ridge closed its doors many years ago. It was a very reputable school back in the day. But people have different views today. Now that magic is frowned upon. That’s why this information will be kept between us. If word gets out, I’ll know about it, and you won’t want to face the consequences.”
Medusa watched as Ronald swallowed.
“Agreed,” he said.
“No problem,” Medusa chimed in.
“What’s the second condition?” Ronald asked.
“You’ll refrain from using your phone in my class again.”
Ronald couldn’t nod fast enough. “Sure thing, Professor Burke. Lesson learned.”
