Noology by Alanna Markey Read Free Book Online Page A

my courage and snatch the reins from him, quickly
turning my attention to the eye of the closest sairn. As I delve beneath my
likeness reflected in its glassy surface, I stare into the slightly fearful
chocolate iris branded with a ruby “U”. All captive sairns are tattooed on
their eyes with the signature of the organization responsible for them, in this
case the university. This documents ownership as well as culpability in the
event that disturbances occur.
    As I continue to level my gaze upon the
transfixed sairn, I sense the tension oozing out of his neck and shoulders.
Finally, the defiantly frightened expression previously seated in his face succumbs
to my tactics and a submissive one takes its place. I repeat the exercise on
the second sairn, but he is easier to convince having witnessed the relaxation
of his fellow. I hand the reins back to Bryn, and he marvels at my skill in
handling the reluctant chauffers.
    “It’s all in the eyes. If you get control
of their gaze, their minds and wills will follow.” With this philosophical
tidbit, I take my leave.
    Crossing the expansive medical campus and
returning through the woods to the dormitory, I savor the minute details of my
escapade. I cling to the syrupy smells of the sairns, the slippery texture of
their jade backs, and particularly the haunted gaze of their expressive mocha
eyes. As the oppressive jagged building looms before me, I spend one last moment
immersed in the wondrous world of these glorious monsters. My trips to the barn
to visit and care for the sairns keep me sane, keep me grounded, keep me
breathing. Without this pseudo-therapy, I am a papyrus butterfly fighting
against howling gales to remain in place, alive and with access to the nectar
of bulging marigold blossoms. I must outcompete not only my peers, but also my
own self-expectations in this flurry of study and evaluation.
    I timidly slip through the glass doors,
and reenter the academic battlefield with renewed energy, but perhaps lacking
some respect for its relevance.         
       
     

Chapter 7

 
    The splash of clear water along my brow
enlivens my senses, and my neck tingles as droplets cascade down my protruding
collarbone. Studying my reflection in the square glass mirror, I trace the
maroon depressions ringing my eyes. I haven’t slept well, and my vacant
expression attests to my fitful night. I grope along the wall until my probing
fingers encounter the course towel hanging mournfully from its mount upon the
rusty bar. Expediently patting my face, I bolster my spirits and venture into
the cold, forbidding hallway.
    Gentle puffs of dust whirl through the
stale air, illuminated by the shards of light penetrating the cracked exterior
of the dormitory. My pulse quickens, my heart an unruly stallion racing ever
faster. Today is a day I have been dreading: midterm examinations. There are
always continuous evaluations on a weekly or even daily basis for classes, but
the heavily weighted midterms and finals are enough to make one’s very soul
quiver with trepidation and anxiety. My stomach has contorted itself into a
bundle of nerves, and I fight to suppress the urge to gag. Claustrophobia sets
in, and suddenly I need air.
    I explode through the brittle doors, and
double over instantaneously as I gasp and heave. Suddenly, I feel a slight
pressure on the small of my back, and I snap straight to see Tate behind me.
    “Don’t DO that!” I scream, trying to
silence my frayed nerve endings. He apologizes, but remains firmly in place.
    “I saw you run out the door, and figured
you could use some help. Is everything okay?”
    “Of course everything isn’t okay!
Midterms start today, and you know I have crippling test anxiety, Tate.”
    “I forgot. Sorry,” he muttered like a
whipped mutt, trying to melt into the scenery rather than face harsh judgment.
It isn’t his fault; Tate is excused from midterms this semester because his
SMART’s are fast approaching so it’s only