With a lump in my throat, I exited the car and heard the click of the doors locking after I closed the door. Good boy.
My pulse quickened as I crept in the direction the figure disappeared.
It’s nothing. I kept telling myself. It’s Paul trying to scare us.
I strained to see past the darkness when I turned the corner toward the backyard. There was no light back there, not even a glint of moonlight. The only sound I heard was the soft howling of the wind. Though the figure was nowhere in sight, I could feel its eyes on me and a strong smell of rotten eggs.
What if it was Satan? No way, Satan, Lucifer, the devil— whatever his name was—wasn’t real. The angels confirmed it. Evil, however, still existed.
I froze at the sound of footsteps behind me rustling softly on the gravel.
The hair on my neck rose. There was someone behind me. All I could hear was the beat of my heart pounding away. Gripping the keys in my hand, I spun around throwing my arm in the air in a slashing motion. I stopped when I saw Isaac jump back clutching a baseball bat in his hand.
“I told you to stay in the car!” I yelled snatching the bat from him.
“I wanted to help.”
“Isaac—”
A nearby trashcan hit the ground, and we both jumped. I whipped around to see a cat leap from the trashcan onto the neighbor’s fence. And just like that, the rotting smell vanished along with the feeling that someone was watching.
Weird.
“Let’s go inside.”
CHAPTER
9
The rest of the week flew by. Aside from the strange encounter with the dark figure on Monday night, nothing exciting or out of the ordinary happened. I told my mother about what I saw, but she brushed it off and told me it was a figment of my imagination. I know what I saw—and smelled. Whatever it was, it didn’t feel…human.
That night, Isaac slept in my room with the lights on. I made sure all of the windows and doors were locked. Equipped with a few knives, I stayed up all night watching funny movies to ease my mind. It didn’t help though. I was paranoid it would break into the house and kill us in the middle of the night.
It was Friday night, while every single person in town was at the football game, I sat behind the register counter of the Dixon Corner Mart working the evening shift. On days the store wasn’t busy, I sketched in my leather journal. I was working on a storyboard for a short film I wanted to shoot someday called The Girl in the Black Mustang. It was the story of a superhuman girl who owned a 1970 Mustang—hence the name—and lived in a postapocalyptic world ravaged by evil angels. I hadn’t given the main character a name yet, but she was strong, resilient, and totally badass. It was a labor of love. The only escape out of my shitty, miserable reality.
There was a loud rapping at the window. When I turned, I was greeted by Mitch, a mentally disabled and deaf middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair. Most of Dixon considered Mitch the town bum even though he didn’t smell, stood in a corner to ask for money or drank out of a brown paper bag. I suspected he lived in a cozy cabin in the woods, but no one cared enough to find out. On the nights I worked, he always stopped by to see me because he knew I had his favorite chicken biscuits waiting for him.
I waved back at Mitch, walked over to the microwave to grab the biscuits and a few water bottles. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Savannah’s blood red Mercedes pull in. She walked out of the car with her Dixon Chicks in tow and pointed at Mitch in disgust, prodding and chanting ‘Crazy Mitch.’
I ran outside pushing through the Dixon Chicks and shielded Mitch. “Get away from him, you crazy bitches!”
“Or what?” Savannah challenged. “You’re going to call the police? My momma owns this town. They’ll just give me a slap on the wrist and send me on my way.”
“I’ll just have to rip your face off before they get here.” Savannah looked over at Ruth-Anne and Mallary-Rose, both wore troublemaking smirks. “Y’all heard that ladies. She threatened me.”
“I heard her,” Ruth Anne replied. “Said she might even pull out a knife.”
I ground my teeth wishing I could punch the shit out of both of them. But I knew it was my word against theirs. I couldn’t afford to go to jail and risk being stuck in Dixon on probation.
“What’d I tell you?” Savannah turned to the Dixon Chicks. “She’s like a dog, all bark but no bite.”
Savannah shoulder-checked me as she walked by, followed by the Dixon Chicks. I held my cool and turned to Mitch, who had his hands clutched against his chest—a sign he was scared. I gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Mitch,” I signed to him. One week after I met Mitch and learned he was deaf, I searched the web for sign language videos and apps to figure out how to communicate with him. Even though I wasn’t great at it, it got my message across.
He signed a grateful ‘thank you.’ When Mitch saw the food in my hands, his eyes sparkled with hunger. I sadly watched Mitch scarf down the biscuits and chug the water. How could anyone be so mean to someone who couldn’t help how he was born?
When I walked back into the Corner Mart, I heard glass shatter on the ground followed by giggles.
“Clean-up on aisle five,” I heard Savannah say.
I growled. Grabbing the mop and broom, I walked to the refrigerators located at the back of the store and found a 4-pack of wine coolers splattered all over. Savannah smirked, enjoying my agony, as I mopped. Before I could finish the mess, another bottle shattered splashing a green liquid all over my shirt.
“What the—” I said as I watched Savannah giggle.
“You did that on purpose!”
“It’s not my fault you’re a klutz,” she said.
“Yeah. We saw you knock it over with the mop.” This time it was Mallary-Rose who spoke up.
My nose flared and my grip on the mop handle became tighter. It drove me crazy how these bitches liked to harass me every opportunity they got.
Screw it.
I’d had enough. I wasn’t about to stand by and play the victim any longer. Spending the night in jail was going to be worth breaking Savannah’s stupid little nose.
I shoved Savannah into Mallary-Rose so hard it knocked both girls to the ground. Ruth-Anne backed away like a wimp. Savannah got up furious and tried to swing at me, but I moved out of the way. She ran into a display of bagged candy that came crashing down to the ground.
“What’s going on here?” My boss Dan ran out of his office.
“She did it!” They all pointed the finger at me.
“Your employee attacked me! I want her fired, now! Or I’m telling my momma—the mayor, so she can sue for negligence,” Savannah said as Ruth-Anne helped her get up.
“They’re lying, Dan. Check the surveillance video if you don’t believe me,” I said pointing at the camera above.
Dan glanced at Savannah who raised an eyebrow waiting, he then turned to me with an apologetic look on his face, and before he even said anything, I knew what was coming.
“I’m sorry Alexis. I have to let you go.” Savannah gave me a triumphant smirk and pushed past me before heading out of the Dixon Corner Mart with her posse. I met Dan’s gaze. I couldn’t believe he took her side over mine.
“I can’t have the mayor’s daughter running her mouth around town about the store. She’ll ruin me. You can pick up your last check next week.”
I stood there for a moment too stunned to move. I didn’t know what to say until I blurted, “Coward.”
I turned around and walked away before Dan could reply. I grabbed a handful of beef jerky sticks and raised them in the air. “This is for making me work Christmas last year, fucker!”
“That’s coming out of your check!” Dan yelled after me.
When I got to the register counter to grab my journal, it was gone. Rushing behind the counter, I searched every corner but didn’t find it. There was only one person who could’ve grabbed it: Savannah.
I slammed my fist down,
picked up the store phone, and dialed Julian and Dawn then said, “Let’s crash Mason’s party.”
CHAPTER
10
Mason lived in the rich part of town where the houses resembled castles more than they did ordinary homes and the lawns were perfectly manicured. When Julian and I arrived, the party was in full swing. There were cars lined down the street for miles. Luckily, the universe had an empty spot reserved for me right in front of Mason’s house.
We walked through the foyer leading into a large living room turned dance floor packed with couples grinding and girls shaking their hips. Repulsion swept over my body at the thought of some guy shaking his junk behind me. I didn’t understand how this was considered dancing.
Challenges of shots and loud laughter came from the kitchen, and red Solo cups littered the floor. The party looked like something straight out of a teen movie.
“Oh God,” Julian said. “This is why teen pregnancy is on the rise.”
“No. It’s on the rise because you get a TV show for having babies. Where’s Dawn?” I asked Julian.
“She’s on her way,” Julian replied.
I scanned the living room searching for Savannah, but she was nowhere in sight.
“Do you see Savannah?”
“She’s probably in the bathroom barfing her dinner. Might as well have fun while we’re here,” he said snapping his fingers to the tune of a trap song playing in the background.
I sighed. “Can you go outside and look?”
“Already on it, girl. I see a keg outside. I’m getting us drinks.” After Julian left, I squeezed by the edge of the living room through a tight space, trying not to bump into anyone. I entered a luxurious kitchen where the kids from my school were doing keg stands by the island that served as a bar for the booze. I looked for Savannah with no luck. When I turned in the opposite direction, I felt someone grab my arm from behind then twist me around.
It was Eddie. And he was wasted. His breath reeked of alcohol.
“You made it!” He gave me a huge bear hug and held me a little too long for comfort.
“I did,” I said pulling away, but Eddie didn’t catch my sarcasm.
“I’m glad you came.” We stood in silence as Eddie studied my face. There was a yearning in his eyes like he wanted to kiss me, but I kept my distance. I wished I could turn back time when things were simple, and we were just friends. I hated the awkward tension between us.
“Do you remember the paper game you used to give me during Government class freshman year? The one with the hidden messages?” he asked rubbing my arm. “What was it called?”
“Uh…” I tried to pick my brain to remember. “Origami fortune teller. Yeah, I remember. It was hard staying awake during that class.”
“Yeah.” He smiled. “I still have them. I kept everything you’ve ever given me.”
“Wow.” I raised my eyebrows and held my breath for so long, I thought I was going to pass out. “I can’t believe you still have all that stuff.”
“I’m happy you’re here,” he said, then his eyes suddenly sparkled. “And you’re wearing the necklace I gave you.”
The necklace? The necklace. I forgot I still had it on. My cheeks flamed as I gripped the heart pendant.
“I’m very thirsty,” I said.
“Want a beer? You can have mine.” He handed me his drink, there was about half a cup of beer left inside but I chugged it anyway.
“I’ll get you another one,” he offered. “Okay.”
Eddie disappeared into the kitchen, which I took as a cue to leave. I walked down the dimly lit hallway toward the rooms on the west wing of the house where intertwined couples were locked in a slobber fest.
As I passed one of the doors, I heard someone puking inside the bathroom. I cracked the door open, and sure enough, it was Savannah. She was on her knees hovering over the toilet puking her guts out. I wanted to confront her and demand she return my journal. I wanted to confront her about Eve’s Paradise even though I knew she would deny it. I wanted to humiliate her in front of all of our classmates the way she humiliated me every opportunity she got. When she tried to get up, she tipped over and fell right into my arms.
“Whoa,” I said. “Maybe you should sit down.”
“Lemme alone. I’m fine,” she snapped as she tried to keep her balance.
I opened my mouth to say something, but she beat me to the punch.
“Whad’ya have that I don’t?” Savannah asked slurring her speech.
“What?” I asked confused.
“What iss it a’bout you Eddie luuves sso much?”
“Eddie does not love—”
“Yah, he does. He follows you a’round like a lost puppy while he uses me.” She pointed an accusatory finger. “You stole ‘em away from me when ya moved here. If it weren’t fer you, we’d still be t’gether. You don’t even luuve ‘em like I do.”
I stood there motionless. I didn’t know what to say. Everything Savannah was saying was a new revelation. I had no idea Savannah loved Eddie. And there was no way Eddie was in love with me…or was he? Was I so heartless and blind I never realized it?
As much as I wanted to scream and reveal Savannah’s secrets to all corners of the world, I couldn’t. For the first time in my life, I actually felt sorry for Savannah. Spilling her dirty little secrets wasn’t going to make me a better person. I’d be lowering myself to Savannah’s shitty standards, and that’s the last thing I wanted to do. And to my luck, karma would bite me in the ass.
Savannah kept going in and out of consciousness and was on the brink of falling into the bathtub, so I picked her up and dragged her into the bedroom across the hallway. And right when I laid her down, I saw my journal sticking out of her purse.
Jackpot.
Taking the journal, I made a dash for the door, as soon as I opened it, I ran into someone I didn’t expect to see again.
Milo James was standing right in front of me wearing his signature smirk, leather jacket, torn jeans, and a white t-shirt.
Damn. His smoldering eyes had my heart beating at a hundred miles per second.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice tight.
“I was invited,” he said, sounding pleased by my displeasure.
“By who?” But I didn’t have to guess. Dawn waved to me the moment she saw me. She was in the living room with Dylan. I narrowed my eyes at her drilling holes into her brain. “Aren’t you a little old to be hanging around with high schoolers?”
“Age is nothing but a number,” he said nonchalantly as if it were normal for teenagers and century-old angels to party together. “You’re never too old to party.”
“I thought angels were supposed to be good and holy? How come you’re not out saving people?” I teased.
“Where’s the fun in being righteous? Besides, I’m too busy pursuing a stubborn hazel-eyed girl from a small town.” He leaned his shoulder into the wall then crossed his arms. “I think I’m going to put in a little overtime to convince her I’m not the bad guy she thinks I am.”
Holy hell. Milo was totally hitting on me, and I stood there like a frozen idiot. My eyes widened as I tried to search for a comeback.
“You still owe me a tour around your town, you know,” he continued closing in on me. I stepped back a little flustered.
“I already told you—”
“Is there a problem here?” Eddie walked up straightening his stance as if to gain an inch in height, but Milo stood four inches taller than Eddie. “Alexis, is this guy bothering you?”
“No,” I said shaking my head.
Eddie shot Milo a threatening look, like a dog overstepping his territory. But Milo stayed cool and composed not threatened at all by Eddie.
“How about you get lost,” Eddie said glaring at Milo, scrutinizing his attire. “Rebel without a cause.”
Without taking his eyes off mine, Milo said, “I have a cause. And I’m looking at it right now.”
Eddie’s eyes darted b
etween us, absolutely livid. “What’d you say?”
He shoved Milo into the wall, picture frames came crashing down. Milo grabbed Eddie by the collar and flung him down the hallway with great force, Eddie’s howling screams echoed throughout the house. Eddie ended up in the living room where the crowd watched in amazement. I heard someone from the kitchen shout ‘fight,’ and the rest of the party rushed in and circled them.
My gut twisted in horror as I watched Eddie swing at Milo aiming for his jaw but Milo ducked beneath him, lifted Eddie off the ground and slammed him on a couch causing it to flip back. I didn’t know what to do. I thought about getting in between them, but I was too afraid I’d accidentally get punched.
That’s when I heard the roar of motorcycles—many of them. Bright headlights swept across the living room. Everyone at the party ran towards the windows facing the front yard. We were surrounded by maybe ten or fifteen of them. As soon as they slid off their motorcycles, the angels unfurled their wings to appear bigger. They were dressed like punks and metal-heads in leather, spiked collars, and different colored hair in bright hues. One angel flew onto the roof of the house. Those who were inside looked up to the ceiling and followed the sound of footsteps to the backyard. But nothing happened.
“Boo!” The angel dangled off the roof laughed menacingly at all of those who jumped back.
The angels out front lit firecrackers and threw them at anyone who got in the way. Some of the girls from my school gawked wide-eyed with huge grins at the gorgeous long-haired angels with androgynous facial features, while the boys were horrified.
The angels swarmed into the living room shoving and pushing anyone in their path. Once inside, the angels retracted their wings and stood behind Dylan, Lee, Trent, and Milo ready to fight.
When Eddie got up, I stepped in front of him and pushed him back. “Eddie stop!”
But he shoved me aside.
“This is between me and you,” Eddie told Milo eyeing the gang of angels. “One-on-one.”
“Come at me.” Milo waved Eddie over with his hand.
THE TRAGIC + DIVINE, Book 1 Page 8