The Legend of the Skinny Man Pt.1

Lilith Like Fire

“I just don’t understand.” Dev says.

“No, don’t get me wrong. I totally get where you’re coming from.” I click my gas lighter open.

“I mean what would make this chick so mad, that she’d want to kill me.” Dev says.

“She’s a girl.” I say. “Everything makes us mad.”

“I’m trying to be serious here.” Dev says.

I put a cigarette in my mouth and try to ignite it with the lighter. It doesn’t work. Empty. I snap my fingers setting the tips of my fingers ablaze. I light the cigarette with my fingertips instead. “You think I’m joking?” I take a deep breath and the cigarette fills me with warmth. I let the smoke out with a big heaving breath. I raise an eyebrow. “Women are emotional creatures Dev. I think it’s about time that you move on. She’s just not that into you.”

“That’s the type of answer that I should expect, speaking to a goth girl.” Dev says.

“Hey mac, I’m the best ghost counselor there is. Feel free to find another if you don’t like the service.” I say.

Dev turns up his face for a moment before letting out a loud groan. “Okay, so maybe you’re right. Maybe it was something that I did.”

“That’s good. Acceptance is key.” I say. I get up from the concrete and wipe the dust off my black skirt. Don’t want anybody thinking the wrong thing. Who am I kidding? They probably already do, not that I care. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Same time, same place. Alright Dev.”

“Yeah, same time, same place. Have fun in class.” He says.

I walk out of the alley, smelling like smoke and soot. I spray myself down with a bit of perfume “Hopefully nobody notices.”

I feel a tap on my shoulder. “Lilith! Lilith it’s time to get up.” Mr. Harnett says.

I blink the haziness from my eyes. I toss my head back and forth. The back of my ponytail hits Mr. Harnett on the arm.

“Well, nice to see that you’re awake Ms. Long.” He says.

“Sorry. It was a long night.” I say.

He slaps down a piece of paper on my desk. There’s a big blue B in the upper right-hand corner. “You know Lily. For someone who has such great test scores, it’d be really nice if you paid attention to the lecture for once.”

“That’s what books are for.” I yawn.

Mr. Harnett gives me a stern look. “Look Lilith, do you respect me, like at all.”

“Of course Mr. Harnett. You’re like one of the coolest teachers at this school.” I say. “You’re one of the few that don’t complain, when I go stretch my bones in the middle of class.”

“Well, thank you, but frankly even if I did I doubt you would listen.” He says.

“Don’t be like that Mr. H.” I say.

Mr. Harnett smiles, but only for a second. “Okay, maybe you’re right.”

I stretch my limbs and my body makes a loud noise, like popcorn popping out of a kettle. “I’m glad you see things my way.”

“Listen Ms. Long.” He says. “Is everything alright at home? Your foster mother called me the other day.”

Shit. “What did she want?”

“Nothing. She just wanted to make sure that you were doing well in your studies.” He says. “Making friends.”

“And you told her that I was. Right?” I ask.

Mr. H turns his head.

“Mr. H, how could you—“

“I said you were doing okay.” He says.

“Okay isn’t good enough for her.” I shake my head.

“Lilith what do you want me to say?” He says.

“That I’m doing perfect and getting straight As.” I say.

“Lilith, there’s only two more months before you get out of school.” He says. “I’m sure you can handle any sort of punishment that she gives you.”

I start pacing. “No, you don’t get it.”

“What is she abusing you Lilith?” He asks.

I stop. My heart skips a beat.

“If she is, you need to tell someone.” He says.

“No.” I tighten my fingers into a ball. “No, she’s never touched me.”

“Lily.” He says.

I grab my backpack off the floor, run to my locker, and head off to the house.

At the house, Mrs. Jacobs grabs my hair and pushes my face down into a bucket of ice cold water. She holds my head there for almost 20 seconds if not more, then pulls my hair so hard that it almost breaks my neck.

“Say it!” Mrs. Jacobs says.

“I’m sorry Mrs. Jacobs for embarrassing you.” I say. “I swear. I promise, I’ll never do it again.”

“Lying girl.” She says. She thrusts my head back under the freezing water, rubbing the side of my bare stomach. After a few seconds, Mrs. Jacobs starts punching me in the side. The first couple of punches are pretty gentle, I can hardly feel them, until all of a sudden she just cracks me in the side with her fist. I can feel my rib snap. I can’t hold my breath any longer. I scream, but nothing comes out of my mouth except air bubbles.

Mrs. Jacobs pulls me back up before I drown.

I come up screaming at the top of my lungs.

She smacks me in the mouth. I whimper and she smacks me again, busting my lip open. She throws me to the ground and sits on top of me, throttling my neck.

“What did I tell you girl?” She says.

“Go to school, make friends. Get good grades.” I mutter.

“I couldn’t hear you.” She chokes me harder. “What did you say? Say it again.”

“Go to school, make friends. Aagh—“She cuts off my air canal.

“Say it!” She says.

I’m drenched in water from head to toe, but I can definitely feel a tear run down my face. I tap her on the hand.

She releases her grip ever so slightly. “You’re killing me.” I squeal. I can feel the blood rushing to my head.

“I’m not letting go until you say the rest.” She says.

“Get—“ I squeak some more. “Get good grades.”

Mrs. Jacobs lets go of my neck and I let in a lofty breath that burns the inside of my lungs like fire. I cough hard as the air hits my broken rib. I sprawl on the ground as I try to figure out which side I can lay best on. As I touch the rib with my fingers, I cough up dark red blood.

Mrs. Jacobs rubs her foot against my hands, which are covering my rib.

“So tell me. Have I made my point clear girl?” Mrs. Jacobs asks.

“Yes ma’am.” I wheeze in some air. “Yes, I understand. Just don’t—“

Mrs. Jacobs kicks me in the chest. “Good. Now get up.”

I sprawl to my feet.

“Take your medicine and go to bed.” She says. “If you’re bleeding externally don’t forget to put on a clean cloth bandage. I’ll check on you in the morning.”

I hobble my way over to the steps. I inch my way up the stairs, every other step burning.

“And remember Lily.” She slowly says. “Little girls who open their mouths are killed, by the Skinny man. He chokes them to death with his tentacles and hangs them from the trees in the woods. You should be careful, Lily, or you might be next.”