In Plain Sight

Corey had lived in quaint, conservative Pinewood all his life. It was the kind of place where everybody knew everybody else, and it was nearly impossible to keep any kind of secret. He spent his days working at his father’s hardware store saving up money to go to college. This was the life of pretty much every Pinewood child. However, this summer would be a little different. Tress, his big city cousin, was coming to stay with them for a few weeks. To say Corey was nervous was an understatement. He couldn’t wait to hear her tales of big city life, something he dreamed of experiencing one day. He also didn’t want to come across as a stereotypical country bumpkin. He spent the days leading up to her arrival tidying everything up and doing his best to remain calm. A few days later, in the late afternoon, Tress arrived. She was tall, with loose brown hair, and she had an air of confidence that intimidated and fascinated Corey at the same time. Her clothes were a stark contrast to the more conservative attire of the Pinewood residents. Instead of a collared button down she was dressed in a long trench coat and boots. “Tress, this is Corey,” his mother introduced them. “He’ll show you around town.” “Hey,” Corey gave a shy wave. “Nice to meet you. I hope your trip wasn’t too bad.” Tress offered a warm smile and wave. “It was a bit tiring if I’m honest, but I’m happy for the change of pace. City life is great, but it can be overwhelming sometimes.” “I’d be happy to show you around town tomorrow, if you want. Pinewood is a nice place,” Corey said and scratched the back of his head a bit nervously. New people always made him a little nervous. They spent the rest of the day getting Tress settled and letting her rest after her long trip. After breakfast the next morning, the pair set out into town. Corey wanted to show her that even though life was slower here that there was still plenty of charm. He took her around and showed her the town square, the local bakery, and the old church that initially founded the town. As they walked away from the bustling main street, they came to the old town park. The air was filled with the smell of pine and freshly cut grass as they sat down on a wooden bench under the shade of a maple tree to rest. Tress looked uncomfortable with the heat, probably due to the long sweater she was wearing. “Ugh, I didn’t expect it to be this hot,” she said, wiping away some of the sweat beading on her forehead. “The weather here isn’t usually this hot, but it’s changed a bit over the years,” Corey said. “You might want to take off your sweater.” “My mother insisted that I wear baggy clothes that thoroughly cover my torso, at least in public,” Tress said. “Oh, how come?” “Corey, can I show you something?” she asked, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “Sure,” Corey replied, curious and a little apprehensive. Tress pulled off her oversized sweater revealing a tight, deep cut V neck top underneath. Corey’s eyes widened when he realized his cousin had four perfectly proportioned breasts. Somewhere in his mind he should say something, but all he could do was stand there speechless. “You trying to catch a fly?” Tress said with a small chuckle when Corey made no move to close his gaping mouth. Corey’s face turned bright red. “I-I’m sorry! It’s just I-I’ve never…” he trailed off, mesmerized by the sight before him. “I’d tell you my eyes are up here, but I’m aware that my breasts are kind of hypnotic,” Tress said proudly. “Yeah…” Corey said dreamily. “I mean no! I mean…look I’ve never seen a mutant before. At least not in person.” “Seriously?! How is that even possible?” Corey shrugged. “There aren’t really mutants here in town.” Tress threw back her head and let out a loud, cheerful laugh. “Oh, Corey. You are very naïve. It’s estimated that about 10% of women are mutants. So, if there are even a thousand women here then about 100 of them are mutants and just hiding it very well.” Corey blinked rapidly and looked around the park as if trying to spot a mutant. “Are you serious?” “Mmhmm! Come on I’ll show you,” Tress put her sweatshirt back on. “How?” “I’ve been a mutant for about seven years. I’ve learned all the tips and tricks we use to hide our mutations. Wearing an oversized hoodie, for example,” Tress said as she smoothed hers out, making sure it was laying the right way to hide her extra breasts. She grabbed him by the hand and pulled him back down main street. They passed several people, most of whom waved at Corey. “See that girl there?” Tress asked when they passed Emily, the girl who worked at the bakery. “That long skirt is hiding extra legs for sure.” Corey’s mouth fell open. “Wait really?” “Yep. See how the floor length skirt drags slightly on the floor? It’s to keep her extra feet from being seen. No one apart from a bride with a long train would want their skirt to drag on the ground like that otherwise. Besides, her butt is a little too big for a girl of her build.” Corey watched Emily walk, paying extra attention to the way her skirt moved in slightly abnormal ways revealing the secret she was hiding. He imagined what her butt must look like under there, and how it must move with her extra legs. He didn’t emerge from his reverie until Tress lightly smacked him on the back of his head. “Hey!” “Stop imagining her naked!” Tress reprimanded. “Sorry!” Tress eyed him suspiciously then went back to looking around the street again. “There,” she said, pointing across the way. “Do you see that girl there by the floral shop? The one with the giant hat?” “Yeah, that’s Jenny.” “Notice how her hat doesn’t really match her outfit. Does she always wear them?” Corey thought for a moment. “Yeah, now that you mention it. She’s worn them everyday for the past few years.” Tress nodded. “I’ll bet you anything it’s hiding some kind of animal ears.” “Animal ears?” Corey asked, surprised. “Yep, and her skirt probably hides a tail. She probably has cat-like features,” Tress said. “Look closely at her eyes. See how they aren’t the same shape as yours?” Corey could hardly believe what he was seeing and hearing. He’d known these people his whole life and never suspected a thing. He’d believe there were absolutely no mutants here in Pinewood, and yet within minutes Tress had spotted two. How many others were there? “Mutants of all varieties exist, and we are everywhere. Sometimes we choose to hide mutations especially if we aren’t sure how people will treat us. It’s not easy and we rarely like doing it, but we manage. We don’t really have any other choice.” “It’s surprising… and a little sad at the same time,” Corey said thoughtfully. “In a small, more traditional town like this a grade 2 mutation or higher would be seen as something shocking or weird. They’d probably be treated poorly if discovered.” “Are there higher grade mutations here at Pinewood?” Corey asked. “Oh probably. Are there any women who have suddenly vanished? Where they moved away or just aren’t seen anymore?” Corey thought for a moment. “There’s Mrs. Zeegen. She was a beautiful woman who ran her family milk shop but now she's retired to the family farm, and we never see her around town. Even if you go out to the farm you don’t see her.” Tress rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Have you tried the milk from her shop?” “Oh yeah. That’s where everyone in town gets their milk from. Though I have noticed that ever since she disappeared the milk tastes different. Better even,” Corey said. Tress giggled a little. “Oh, I bet you I can tell you what happened to her.” “What?” Corey asked, curious. Tress shook her head. “I’ll tell you later. I don’t want to ruin the milk for you. Anyway, shall we head back?” “That sounds like a good idea,” Corey said. As they walked back home, he looked at every resident as if seeing them for the first time. Suddenly he could see the way some of them moved in ways they shouldn’t be able to, or the way they dressed a little oddly. It was like Tress had lifted a veil and now he could really see the people he’d lived alongside his whole life. “Hey thanks for telling me about all of this.” Corey opened the screen door for her and led her into the kitchen. Lunch was waiting for them on the table. “No problem,” Tress said. “Just remember, everyone has their secrets. It’s what makes us all unique. The important thing to remember is that if you find out that a girl is hiding her mutations, you are respectful of that decision and don’t out her.” Corey nodded his agreement. “I promise I won’t misuse this superpower you’ve given me.” “With great power comes great responsibility.” Tress smiled. “Hey you have a pool in the yard, right?” “Yeah. It’s not the fanciest thing, but it’s a great way to cool down on a hot summer day.” “After lunch you wanna go for a swim? I brought my double bikini with me,” Tress said with a smile. Corey smiled enthusiastically. This Summer at Pinewood promised to be the best one yet.