by S. L. Stacy
“Jimmy and I are going to head back to campus.” I get up, starting to back out of the kitchen. “You should go to sleep. Get some rest, Mom.”
“Rest. Yes.” Setting her empty mug back on the table, Dana slides down to her feet. “I think I will.”
***
I linger quietly in the hallway until the kitchen light blinks off, the stairs to the second floor creaking as Dana heads up to bed.
I’m about to leave when my phone goes off. In the silence of the house, it might as well be a jackhammer rattling around in my purse. “Shit,” I mutter, answering it quickly. “Hello?”
“Hey, sis.” In my haste, I forgot to check the caller ID, so I’m doubly relieved when I hear my twin brother’s voice on the other end. “It’s me. Dolos.”
“What’s up? This’d better be good. I’m kind of in the middle of something here.” When I got him one of those prepaid cell phones, I told him to only use it in case of emergency. “If you’re hungry, I told you, there’s ice cream in the freezer. I’ll call you back—”
“I know,” he says over me. “I ate all of that already.”
This brings me pause. “You ate all of my ice cream?”
“I was hungry.” It sounds like he’s gritting his teeth. “And you don’t really have any food. Anyway, that’s obviously not why I’m calling. Ares was here.”
My blood goes cold. “Ares? He was there? Did he see you?”
I can almost hear Dolos rolling his eyes. “No. I’m not stupid. Someone who lives in the building must have let him in, because he came right up to the apartment. He was banging on the door for a good twenty minutes, shouting for you to come out and face him. I thought he was going to break down the door. I locked myself in the bathroom and waited him out. Eventually, he left. At least, I think he did. Once things were quiet again, I glanced through the peephole. No one was there.”
Leaning against the wall, I slide down until I’m sitting on the floor, the tiles cold against the backs of my legs. “Oh, Dolos. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” I should have known he wouldn’t call without a good reason. And the very person we’re trying to avoid nearly breaking down the door to my apartment is a pretty damn good reason. “I’m sorry I didn’t leave better food for you, and I’m sorry I left you there, alone.”
“You’re forgiven, just...come home soon. Okay? We have to get the hell out of here.”
I hunch over, drawing my knees into my chest. “What do you mean? We can’t leave.”
“Apate, I’m sorry, but we can’t stay here. Ares knows exactly where to look for us. He’ll be back.”
He’ll be back. My brother’s warning loops again and again, like a song that won’t leave my head. He’s right. Ares knows Dolos is free, that I’ve betrayed him. Until he loses our scent, my apartment isn’t safe, even Shadesburg isn’t safe.
Nowhere is.
I sigh. “You’re right. I’ll be home later tonight, okay? Just...lie low until I’m back.”
“I will. Be careful. I love you.”
“Love you, too.” I end the call. Despite the danger we’re in, our parting words bring the warmth back to my limbs, a smile to my face. We may have shit parents, but I have my twin, and he has me.
Maybe that’s all we need.
Jimmy stands up as soon as I come outside. “How’d it go?”
Pulling the door closed behind me, I hesitate a moment, my brain instantly going into excuse mode. It went fine, I imagine myself saying. They magically believed everything I told them, and we’re going to work together to make things right. Yipee!
“Not great,” I say instead. No more excuses. The truth might make Jimmy hate me, but at least it will be the truth. I’d rather him hate me for what I am than love me for a lie. “They both already had some of the tea. Dana was pretty strung out. I—I decided to go along with the original plan.” I look down, studying my fingernails to avoid looking at him. Some of the black nail polish is already chipping. Damn. “They’re human. I don’t think they would have been able to take it. There isn’t anything they could do, really. I’ve smoothed things over, for now. Victoria can handle the rest when...if that becomes necessary.”
“Okay.”
Giving a start, I look back up at Jimmy, eyes wide. “What?”
“I said okay.” Stepping closer to me, he reaches out, taking one of my hands in his. “I agree with you. Although I still wish there was something better we could tell them, there isn’t anything they can do. Victoria and the others, they’ll think of something. We did what we came to do. You showed them compassion tonight.”
My eyes widen further. “I did?”
He nods. “You gave them their daughter. I hope it’s not the last time they see her…” Trailing off, he seems to choke on the words, looking down at our interlocked hands. “But if it is, at least we know their final memory of her will be a happy one. It might not fix everything, but it’s something.”
“I guess so. I mean, I hope it helped a little, but I also hope Victoria and the Gammas come up with something better. I feel awful about it, and I want...I want her to be safe.”
“So do I.”
Still holding hands, we descend the porch steps. I wish I could tell Jimmy I’ll do everything in my power to make sure Siobhan is rescued. If I truly wanted absolution, I would. But it’s a promise I could never follow through on. My brother and I can’t stick around for much longer.
This could be my last night with Jimmy for a while. Maybe ever.
“Let’s go out.” Releasing his hand, I step in front of him, blocking his path to the truck.
“Out?” He raises an eyebrow. “I mean, we’re kinda out now.”
“This doesn’t count. All this crisis management is bumming me out. I want to do something fun. There has to be something crazy we can do in this deadbeat town.”
“I don’t know about crazy,” Jimmy says, sidestepping around me, “but I know something kinda fun we can do.”
“Good.” He unlocks the passenger side door for me, and I slip inside. “Let’s go.”
Settling into the driver’s seat, Jimmy starts the car. “I hope you like 90s music. And roller skating.”
Chapter 12
“This is my show”
8:15 p.m.
Comet Skating Rink
“So, this is how Laurel gets crazy on a Saturday night.” Smirking, I kneel over, tugging on my rental roller skates. “Time to show these kids who’s boss.”
Jimmy laughs and slouches back on the bench, resting his head against the wall. “Have you ever been roller skating before?”
“No.” I shrug. “How hard can it be?” But when I stand up, my feet instantly betray me, sliding along the floor in opposite directions. Leaping into action, Jimmy catches me before I fall on my ass.
“Easy there, girl-boss.” He keeps an arm around me while I find my balance.
“I did that on purpose,” I insist. “If I’m too good, people might get suspicious.”
“Right. It would reveal your secret identity as Apate, roller derby goddess. Ow,” he cries out when I elbow him in the ribcage. “What was that for? I’m trying to help you.”
“You did help me. And now I’m good.” Bracing myself against the wall, I carefully push off, skating successfully, if unsteadily, over and onto the rink. Jimmy keeps pace beside me, far more confident on his skates than I am. Grinning, he takes off across the rink, knowing full well I won’t be able to catch up with him. At least not yet.
For the first several minutes, I keep close to the wall, guiding myself along as I get used to the skates. People whiz past me, bright and shiny, like pennies around a coin funnel. They’re mostly teenagers, loud and giggly, smelling of cheap beer and menthol cigarettes. It’s 90s night, so some spastic-sounding Europop song throbs from the speakers, only heightening the sense of urgency in this place. Once I feel like I’ve gotten the hang of it, I drop my hand from the wall, gliding freely around the rink.
“You are a fast learner.
” Jimmy rejoins me a few minutes later, slowing down slightly to match my rhythm.
“That I am. Just in case you’d forgotten the superiority of my species.” Although I keep my eyes forward—I don’t trust myself yet to look anywhere but where I want the skates to take me—I smile in satisfaction.
He laughs. “Noted.”
With each revolution around the rink, my pace picks up in speed and confidence. I realize this, somehow, is exactly what I needed to blow off steam. Propelling myself forward, all the tension and anxiety from the day rolls off me. Rodriguez’s suspicion, Gabby’s hurtful words, a confusing evening at the Elliots, even my own inner turmoil become distant memories. I’ve made mistakes, probably too many to count at this point, but there’s no time for regret, no point of lingering in the past.
There’s nowhere to go but forward.
And, as Jimmy takes my hand, our skates finally in sync, I come to another decision. I may be in trouble with Ares, but I sure as hell am not letting him, or anything else, come between me and Jimmy. No one can chase me out of my city, away from my man. Not even the god of war.
“What’s up?” Jimmy glances over at me. “You look really serious suddenly.”
“Nothing. I’m fine.” I give his hand a squeeze. “I’m just feeling…determined. But I do think I need a break. I’ll be right back.” He nods, skating on as I exit the rink, only stumbling slightly this time. I pause to take off the skates, then, unsure of what to do, end up carrying them with me into the lady’s room.
The bathroom is messier and smellier than I expected. Damn teenagers. Propping the skates against the wall, I study myself in the streaked mirror above the sink. Back in my own skin, so to speak, illusion-free, I’d forgotten how bedraggled I look. My mascara is still smudged from crying, my dark hair hanging matted and limp around my face. I look like a deranged raccoon.
Grabbing a paper towel, I wet it a little, intending to clean up my eye makeup. Behind me, I hear the bathroom door creak open, a pair of high heeled shoes clopping over the tiles.
“I already took a quick look,” I tell the newcomer without looking up. “Two of the toilets are clogged; none of them have any toilet paper. You’d be better off peeing outside—”
A cold, leather-clad hand grabs the back of my head, shoving me forward. Startled, I let the paper towel fall, staring at my own, bewildered reflection as my head rams into the mirror. The glass splinters, slicing into my forehead.
“Shit.” Red dots swim across my vision as I stagger backwards, disoriented. A warm liquid beads on my forehead, trickling down my cheek. Blood, I’m guessing. “What the actual fuck?”
“Ares is looking for you.” Spinning me around, my assailant pushes me into one of the stalls, kicking the door closed behind us. “Traitor.”
“I…” Before I have a chance to reply, the gloved hand takes me by the neck. As I gasp and writhe, working to break free, I get a better look at the person trying to squeeze the life out of me. For such a slender woman, her grip is surprisingly strong. She’s much taller than me, built like a dandelion but dressed like a dominatrix. Her hair is chin-length and electric violet, a pair of sunglasses perched on her nose. She’s dressed head-to-toe in shiny, black leather, from the jacket revealing ample cleavage, to the thigh-high boots encasing her long legs. I’ve never seen her before in my life.
And yet…
“Who are you?” I manage to croak. She has me crowded up against the side of the stall, sharp fingernails digging into my neck.
Her crimson lips curl into a devilish smile. Damn. Even I can’t look that evil. “What? The mistress of deception doesn’t recognize me?”
“I’ve never seen you before in—”
The bathroom door bangs open. I freeze. So does my attacker, her hold on me loosening. I take the opportunity to yank her hand off me. She scowls but doesn’t fight back, both of us trying to stay quiet while whoever just came in goes into the first stall. They pee. We wait.
“Ah, crap,” she grumbles. “There’s no toilet paper in this stall. Do you have any?”
The purple-haired stranger keeps me trapped between the wall and the toilet with her tall, leather-clad body. She seems to look at me expectantly. With the sunglasses, it’s hard to tell.
“I, uh, don’t have any over here, either,” I call over. “Sorry.”
“God dammit.” The toilet flushes. I watch the girl’s pink-and-gray tennis shoes plod over to the sink. Water runs.
What feels like an eternity later, the bathroom door creaks open and closed again. The woman’s hand shoots out, but I’m ready this time, snatching her wrist before she can get to me. I twist her arm back, and she cries out.
“I don’t think so.” Throwing all my strength into it, I twist harder. She bites her lower lip, stifling another yelp. A wave of adrenaline courses through me. I ride it, easily overpowering her. Soon I’m the one who has her backed up against the stall door. “Tell me who you are and what the hell you want.”
“You really don’t recognize me?” She sounds oddly disappointed, the mischievous smirk gone. Reaching up, I knock the sunglasses off her smooth, pretty face. They clatter to the floor. She watches them fall, then looks back at me with a pair of hazel eyes. Hazel eyes just like Jimmy’s.
“Anna?”
The smile is back. “Bingo.”
It takes every last ounce of strength I have not to relax my grip on her. I’m not easily shocked, but right now it feels like someone has yanked the entire planet from under my feet.
“No. No, this can’t be.” I shake my head, trying to reconcile the Anna standing before me with the one from the Wallaces’ family pictures earlier, serious-faced, modest, innocent. From the flannel-wearing, vegetarian-eating Anna I’ve met. I mean, her whole hipster vibe was sort of annoying, to be honest, but this...this is just sad. “What has Ares done to you?”
“He hasn’t done anything to me,” she growls, “except help me find myself. Who I really am. What I’m capable of.”
“Which is attacking people in bathrooms dressed like a hooker?”
Anna laughs. The sound of it is chilling, an ice-cold hand dragging itself along my spine. Something passes over her eyes. It’s over in seconds, but I know I saw it, inky black tendrils making her irises go dark for just a moment. I’ve never seen anything like it. Sweet Jesus.
I’m fucked.
“What happened to you?” I ask again. “What are you?”
“Oh, come on, Apate. You already know.”
With that, she starts to sing.
“Baby, I’ve become someone
Baby, I’ve become
Baby, I’ve become someone
Not of this world…”
I don’t recognize the song. The tune is eerie, melancholy. It coils around me like a giant serpent, slithering and squeezing. Without meaning to, I release her, stumbling backwards. Her siren’s song shouldn’t be affecting me to this degree. She’s just a halfling. I’m a motherfucking goddess.
And yet, as she keeps singing, my mind keeps clouding up. I can no longer discern any single word, just a haunting, endless tune pouring inside me, incapacitating me. Soon, I’m huddled on the floor next to the commode, hugging my knees to my chest.
“Stop,” I sob. “Please, just stop.”
Anna towers over me like an ultraviolet skyscraper. “I have a disco ball mind/Lights flashing all of the time…Ares will be thrilled when I come back with you in tow. He has big plans for you and your brother.”
“I’m not going back.” I need to keep her talking, so she doesn’t sing me back into oblivion. So I can focus. “I’ll die first.”
“You will go back. If not tonight, it will be some other night, some other way. There’s no point in prolonging it. You can’t run from us. You can’t hide, either. We will find you, one way or another. Ares will torture everyone you care about until he has you.”
“Well, then. I guess it’s a good thing I don’t care about anyone.” Feeling stronger, I start to i
magine myself invisible. From the fact Anna is still looking straight at me, I can tell it’s not working so great.
She chuckles. “I know what you’re trying to do. It won’t work. Sirens can see right through your trickery. You can’t fool me anymore.”
I scowl at her. At least that explains her mother’s suspicions of me earlier. “Jimmy isn’t immune to it, though,” I muse out loud.
Anna sighs, almost sounding inconvenienced. “I love my brother, but he is weak. Marisol overtook him easily.”
My heart skips a beat. “Overtook him? What does that mean? Who’s Marisol? Rodriguez.” The questions and realizations rush out of me in one breath. “You sent her after us.”
Grinning, Anna nods. “Now you’re catching on. She kept an eye on you until I could get down here. What a dear.”
Despite the urgency of the situation, I’m relieved to know someone was actually out there today, watching us, that it wasn’t mere paranoia. It had been the cop, all along.
And now she has Jimmy.
“Get out my way, bitch.” Charging forward, I shove past Anna, throwing open the stall door. This time, she doesn’t start singing, or even try to stop me.
“You don’t care about anyone, huh?” Her mocking voice follows me out of the bathroom. I ignore her, racing outside into the cold, dreary night.
Chapter 13
“Gonna marry the dark"
I find them in an alley behind the skating rink.
“Jimmy!” I scream, breaking out into a run. His head jerks up at the sound of my voice.
“No, Pat, don’t come over here!” he warns. Two guys I don’t know have him pinned against a dumpster. “Stay back!”
“I’d listen to your boyfriend, if I were you.” Marisol Rodriguez is standing a few yards away from them, her gun trained on Jimmy.
Seeing the gun, I slow to a stop. I hear the clop of Anna’s boots approaching behind me but don’t look back. “You don’t have to do this, Marisol,” I call over to the cop. “Before you met Anna, I’m sure you were a reasonable person. A good cop. Someone who protects innocents—not tries to kill them.”