J.C. Kavanagh - The Twisted Climb

Digital ISBNs:

EPUB: 9781772991352

Kindle:9781772991369

WEB: 9781772991376

Print ISBN:9781772991383

Copyright 2016 by J.C.Kavanagh

Cover art by MichelleLee

All rightsreserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reservedabove, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in orintroduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, orby any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, orotherwise) without the prior written permission of both thecopyright owner and the publisher of this book

To Ian, for helping tomake my dreams come true.

Jayden Nanjeelooked up. The full moon shone like a ghostly yellow torch againstthe midnight black of the night sky. The pale, low-lying cloudsseemed to hug the earth as the moon peeked in and out of theirembrace. They reminded Jayden of the lumpy potatoes her motherserved when she felt like making dinner. She raised one hand andstared at the light brown skin that contrasted so starkly againstthe vivid pink of her pyjamas.

I think Imdreaming, she said out loud.

Suddenly, awolf howled. Then another. There was a forlorn quality to theircries, triggering goosebumps on Jaydens arms and the hairsprickled along the back of her neck.

I have toclimb, but climb where?

A multitude ofcarefully pruned apple trees surrounded her. The bony limbs castmysterious shadows in the moonlight and their heavily ladenbranches seemed to moan under the weight of its fruit. Above thetrees, a mountainside loomed, covered in shadows. The gloom wasbroken only by the dim glow of street lights rimming a long,twisting road.

Her bare feetmade no sound on the lush grass as she broke into a run and withinminutes, a cornfield came into view, jutting past the edge of theorchard. She reduced her pace and turned around. Something behindher was advancing stealthily. Jaydens eyes watered with the strainof searching the orchard, where the trees wavered and danced in themoon shadows.

She stiffenedand then stifled a scream. Racing toward her, with ears laid backand fangs bared, was an angry pack of wolves. Mind racing, shereviewed her options. Should she run out of the orchard, past thecornfield and toward the street lights on the mountainside? Theremight be help in one of the homes along the way. Jayden glancedupward. Or should she climb one of the trees and mount some kind ofdefense?

Ill nevermake it to those street lights, she muttered. The wolves wereadvancing way too fast. And I cant hide in these bright pinkpjs.

Jumping andgrabbing the lowest branch, Jayden pulled herself upward, swingingone leg around it. Then, arms and legs hugging the limb and herbutt hanging down, Jayden looked back. The wolves were so close,the glare of the moon reflected in their eyes and gobs of frothydrool dripped from their jaws. Panic spread its tantalizing fingersaround her body as the lead wolf raced ahead of the pack, snarlingand snapping its sharp, yellow fangs. Before terror fully consumedher, Jayden pulled her butt up and twisted her body to the top ofthe branch, just as the wolf attacked.

Aaagh!

* * *

Youre goingto be late for school!

Jaydens eyessnapped open. She reached for her cell phone on the chair besideher bed, which served double-duty as a night table and light stand.It was 7:40 a.m.

Im not goingto call you again! hollered her mother.

Okay, okay,mumbled Jayden under her breath. I heard you the first time! shebellowed.

Jayden rolledout of bed and rubbed her eyes. An uncomfortable thought nagged ather and she was certain something bad happened during the night.But was it something real or something in a dream? Dreams usuallyreflected good times but life with her mother was more like anightmare.

She combed herlong, black hair, pulled it into a ponytail and examined her facein the mirror. Her mothers green eyes peered back at her,contrasting with the light brown colouring and black hair inheritedfrom her dad. Everyone told her she was beautiful in a strikingway. Jayden pretended to agree with them, but she knew it was alie. She was ugly from the inside out.

After makingher way to the kitchen, Jayden sat down at the table and studiedher mother. Patty Watson-Nanjee stood at the counter, stirring hercoffee with jerky movements. She must have pulled anotherall-nighter judging by her messy, dyed-blond hair, smudged eyemakeup and bloodshot eyes. She looked quizzically at Jayden, ahalf-smoked cigarette dangling from the corner of her mouth.

Want one? sheasked, offering the package.

Ma, I justwoke up.

Her motherstamped out the cigarette in quick, angry motions. Well, arentyou Miss Priss this morning.

Jayden rolledher eyes. It was better to keep the conversation easy and calm.Obviously, Ma had a bad night. Jayden wished she could tell her howher own sleepless nights were getting worse.

Jayden ignoredher mothers agitation and began twisting her ponytail into a fat,sausage ringlet. She pretended to examine the box of cereal on thetable, remembering the one-sided conversations she used to havewith the characters on the box. Will you come out and play withme? was her ritual morning question to the cartoon characters. Butthey always remained where they were, motionless and silent, stuckin the cold cardboard. Man, that feels like a centuryago. Thoughts of happier childhood days came flooding back.The time when sleep came easily and without recurring nightmares.When playing and colouring were daily priorities. Now in her finalyear of high school, Jayden remembered her 12-year-old self, thegirl who couldnt wait to take on all the responsibilities of anadult. She slowly shook her head. What was Ithinking? She wished her childhood would come back and neverend.

Ya got half anhour to get outta here, her mother said, looking at thedust-covered clock hanging crookedly on the beige wall. Afterthat, I need the bathroom to get gussied up for the employmentcentre.

Jayden looked up from her cereal, raising oneeyebrow. You got fired again?

It wasnt my fault. Her mother flashed adefensive look. Those fools at the hotel dont understand awomans needs. And besides, she added, the tips werelousy.

Jayden glanced at the empty liquor bottleson the counter, all permanently borrowed from the hotel, as her mother liked to say. It wouldnt bethe first time Ma got caught stealing.

Whatever, Jayden muttered under herbreath.

Dont give me any lip, girl! Ma hissed.I try my best, and all you give me in return is attitude. Her pale face darkened topurple with suppressed rage. Jayden sighed. If she didnt get outnow, her mother would commence her daily morning rant. Before shecould escape, the tirade began.

If it wasnt for your father deserting us,wed have a better life. Id have some money, and my own car, and Iwould not need astinkin low-life, menial job.

Jayden shook her head furiously. Itll just make hermadder if I defend Dad. Dont do it. dont do it. But as usual, she couldnt stopherself. She stood slowly, putting the words together that wouldsurely detonate Mas short fuse.

He left because you wont stopdrinking!

Ma smacked her coffee cup on the counter. Get out. Getout now!

Jayden picked up her cell phone from thetable, thrust it into the pocket of her backpack and swung the bagover her shoulder. Blood rushed to her face as it always did whenshe was upset, creating a prickling heat. Slamming the apartmentdoor behind her, Jayden ran along the hall and sprinted down thethree flights of stairs, banging the outer door so forcefully itricocheted off the brick wall and nearly hit her in theface.