by Bree Wolf
Then he was gone and Quinn just stood there, staring into the dark. In the few moments she had seen his face, there had been a strong sense of recognition without knowledge of who he was. But that knowledge soon followed. However, not in time for her to say anything or ask who he was. All she knew was that he was the man she had seen that morning by Mr. Foster’s toy store.
“You coming?” Julia called over.
Still looking into the dark, not knowing what she hoped to see, Quinn finally tore her eyes away. “Yes, I’m coming.”
That night the stranger’s face followed her to sleep. There was something about it that made her uneasy somehow, and yet she felt drawn to replay that moment in the parking lot again and again before her eyes.
Chapter 5 – More Heat
The next morning brought the by now familiar heat. Her father’s flowers started to look just like the people all over town, tired, exhausted and at the end of their ropes. But the sun didn’t care, burning mercilessly in the clear blue sky. Not a cloud in sight.
In their last class before lunch, Mr. Warner actually took pity on his zombie-like students. Their attention had long since died down to its absolute lowest. Not expecting any participation in his classroom proceedings, he had given up hope of teaching them anything about the civil war and merely kept them awake with a game of hangman.
“Gosh, that was brutal,” Caroline complained, slumping down at their table in the cafeteria.
“Could’ve been worse,” Julia reminded them. “He could’ve actually expected us to learn something.”
“Can’t we go to the lake?” Amanda whined. “This is the perfect weather to cut class and have a swim.”
“Yeah, and it wouldn’t be stupid at all,” Quinn rebuked.
Almond Lake, which got its highly original name from its almond-like shape, was only a few hundred yards from the school building. Teachers knew about their students’ fondness for the place, especially in summer, which had ended in a high number of suspensions last year.
“No cutting class,” Quinn ordered, looking at Amanda in particular. “Not before the game. Coach Grainer would have no problem suspending us all.”
Julia nodded. “Yeah, she’s just crazy enough to do it.”
“Next week then?” Amanda begged, unable to let it go.
Quinn shrugged. “I won’t stop you.”
Amanda sat back, smiling.
“That doesn’t make it a good idea,” Julia warned, but Amanda wasn’t listening any more.
“Here comes the little sis,” Caroline announced, peering over Quinn’s shoulder. “And her sidekick.”
Quinn turned around. “What do you want?” she demanded before her sister could say anything.
Cora’s face dropped. “Just wanted to remind you to drop us off at Jo’s after school.”
“I said I would, didn’t I?” Quinn snapped. In this heat her patience was down to zero.
Jo’s eyes narrowed at her tone. “Do you have to be such an ass?”
Amanda and Caroline drew in their breath, glancing back and forth between Quinn and Jo, but Quinn just smiled sweetly. “Do you have to be such a moron?” she asked, looking at her sister.
“You should be talking to me,” Jo interrupted, eyes angry. “I’m the one with the attitude problem, remember?”
“That is true,” Quinn said, eyes still on her sister. “But she’s the reason I have to deal with it.”
Jo shook her head. “Were you born this evil?”
“Were you born this spineless?” Quinn asked, once again addressing her sister, who seemed more and more uncomfortable, her own eyes fixed on something on the table.
“Stop it!” Jo yelled, causing a few students to actually lift their heads and turn to them. “You should be glad you—” There she broke off.
Since Quinn had been looking at Cora, she didn’t notice the change in her sister’s friend at first. But when she turned her head to assess the situation, she found Jo staring at her as though in shock.
“What?”
“Where did you get that?” Jo whispered, and Quinn suddenly realized that her eyes were fixed on the amulet around her neck.
Surprised, Quinn didn’t respond, wondering why her amulet had Jo going pale.
“We aren’t sure,” Amanda offered when no one said anything. “But we’re thinking it might be from Andrew. You see—”
“Amanda!” Quinn snapped. “Shut up!”
“Sorry,” she said feebly, her face darkening.
Eyes hard, Quinn turned her attention back to Jo. “That’s none of your business,” she snarled and, looking at her sister, added, “If you still want me to take you to Jo’s place, then you better get her out of here.” Cora just nodded, avoiding her sister’s eyes. “Keep her away from me, and I mean not just today.”
“Let’s go,” Cora said, taking Jo by the arm and leading her away. Jo’s face was still unresponsive and she didn’t resist, which made Quinn wonder even more. She would keep an eye out for her sister’s friend.
The rest of the day passed eventually and, although the heat wasn’t any less unbearable than it had been the days before, the students were a little more upbeat. It was Friday afternoon, school was over and a whole weekend lay ahead of them.
Once she had dropped off Julia and then her sister and Jo, Quinn headed home to get ready for her date. After jumping in the shower, she twirled up her hair to allow for as much heat relief as possible. Then she went through almost her entire closet, before deciding on a moss green, knee-long dress, with varying lines of a glowing emerald running over it in indefinable patterns. The air was still humid and the light fabric would help keep her comfortable.
When Andrew rang the bell at around seven, Quinn just managed to put on a pair of matching earrings and went to answer the door, the amulet still around her neck.
After a quick exchange of compliments, Andrew held open the passenger door to his pickup truck. As they headed into town, he said, “I thought with the heat not letting off, we could go for ice-cream.” He pulled into the parking lot of Momma Jo’s ice-cream parlor. “Unless you don’t want to,” he rushed to add. “I mean if you want to go someplace else …”
Smiling, Quinn shook her head. “No, I think it’s a great idea.”
He seemed satisfied with her assurance and they went inside, sitting down at a little side table in a corner. They ordered a big bowl of ice-cream, mostly fruit flavors, which seemed fitting for the season, and a huge heap of whipped cream on top. “I’m so glad this week’s over,” Andrew said, relief plain on his face. “The game’s tomorrow, which means that Coach Tanner will hopefully ease up next week. I’m so tired from all the practice. I just want to sleep for a week or two.” He grinned at her. “I bet you feel the same way. Ms. Grainer looks like quite the drill master herself.”
Quinn laughed. “You got that right. She’s ….” Quinn shrugged, looking for the right word.
“Brutal? Merciless? The devil?” Andrew offered.
Again Quinn laughed. “Yep, I guess all of these apply.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I think Coach Tanner is awesome. We’ve actually never played better, but now and then I’m thinking that he’s just like those guys sitting at home on the couch in front of the TV, yelling at the players without so much as lifting a finger themselves. I doubt that he’d make it through one training session as a player.”
“I know what you mean,” Quinn nodded. “You think we’re gonna be them in thirty years?”
Andrew’s eyes popped open. “Gosh, I hope not. That’d be awful. Don’t even think that.” He shook himself as though trying to get rid of that horrible thought.
They spent another hour in the ice-cream parlor, slowly emptying their bowl and talking about everything that came to mind. Andrew told her about his dreams of playing professional football and Quinn listened. She didn’t have the heart to tell him of all the things that could go wrong. All the things that he should look out for, prepare himself for. He s
eemed so enthusiastic, and after a while she felt herself getting a little swept away, too. It felt good to just let go and dream, assume everything would turn out alright.
When all their ice-cream was finally gone, Andrew said, “Listen, I was thinking that instead of going to the movies, which, if you think about it, is not really something fit for a first date, since you can’t really do anything but just sit there, next to each other and basically not talk, which is kinda silly, especially considering—”
Quinn put a hand on his arm to stop him. “What are you trying to say?”
He looked a little unsure. “I thought …. do you like miniature golf?”
“I haven’t played since I was a kid,” Quinn said, seeing the worry that she’d reject his idea in his eyes. “Let’s try it.”
Andrew’s face lit up. “Yeah?”
“Sure.”
There was a miniature golf course just off Willow Road, and even this late it was still buzzing with people – for a miniature golf course. Here and there, they actually had to wait their turn, while parents showed their children how to stand to the ball and hold the club, but they didn’t mind. It gave them more time to talk without being interrupted. In the end, the interruption that put an end to their evening was of their own making. Both of them had received stern instructions from their respective coaches to catch enough sleep before the big game. So it wasn’t even ten o’clock when Andrew walked Quinn to the door.
“I had a really good time,” she told him, fishing for her keys.
He nodded. “I did too. We should do it again some time.” His voice rose a little, making it a question.
Quinn smiled encouragingly. “We definitely should.”
For a moment, he just looked into her eyes, and she saw hesitation and insecurity there. Quinn wondered how that was even possible, given that he was her male equivalent at Crescent Rock High. She herself felt none of that. So in the end it was her, who moved in closer, pulling him into a goodnight kiss.
Chapter 6 – A Call Answered
The football field south of the school building was buzzing with people. Almost all of Crescent Rock had shown up to support their team, the Silverwolves. Plus, half of Lewistown came pouring in, desperately looking for more parking space. The fields adjacent and opposite the football field were crowded with cars of all shapes and sizes. Here and there along the bleachers, small stands selling refreshments had been set up, and everywhere children were running around like crazy, on a sugar-hype, still demanding more cotton-candy and ice-cream.
A large number of volunteers was making sure that nothing was left to chance. Every minor detail had been put in their hands and so far they were doing a good job. Everybody seemed happy. It was a beautiful day, again somewhat too hot, but people were used to that by now. The football team as well as the cheerleading squad were present and accounted for, stretching in the shade of the school building. Their coaches roamed the place from one end to the other. No one knew why, and their faces discouraged anyone foolish enough to want to speak to them.
“Don’t you think she’s taking this a bit too seriously?” Julia wondered, eyeing Coach Grainer curiously.
Quinn shook her head. “Why would you think that? Our performance is just as important as that of the guys. It’s not like that bit of running and catching they’re doing is all that difficult.”
Julia grinned. “Don’t let your sweetheart hear you.”
“He is not,” Quinn insisted. “It was one date. It was nice, yes, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be running after him like some kind of brain-dead moron without a purpose of my own.”
“Some speech,” Julia commented. “Anyway, what I was actually trying to say was that this is just high school. It’s just sports, either way. How important could this game possibly be in the grand scheme of things? It’s not like it’ll change our future.”
“Probably not,” Quinn agreed. “But you never know and you gotta start somewhere.” She looked at Julia imploringly. “If you keep up that doom-and-gloom mentality, where do you think that will take you?”
Julia nodded, head down. “You’re right. I know.” She took a deep breath and put a smile on her face. “So let’s rock this place.”
Quinn broke into a smile herself. “Some speech.”
The football field sounded like a buzzing beehive. People chatting everywhere, unable to keep quiet. The bleachers were filling, every bit of space used to squeeze in yet another spectator. Seeing her parents, Quinn gave them a quick wave and headed onto the field, followed by the rest of her team.
There was applause, and they all took their positions. For a couple of minutes, they stood, waiting for Principal Wood to finish his fortunately short while expectably boring welcome speech. Then the music started to play and they performed the routine that had cost them buckets of sweat and pushed them to their limits. From her vantage point, Quinn saw all faces looking at her, and it made her feel exhilarated. That moment was why she had slaved for hours on end. Now it was paying off. She was the center of attention, and when she reached her hands into the sky, standing at the very top of the pyramid, and the music slowly faded away, they all rose from their seats and stood applauding, faces showing their appreciation for her work.
Everyone else just fell away. The teammates who raised her into the sky. Her coach who’d always driven her to new heights – quite literally. Her parents who had always supported her in every way. In that moment, only she mattered, and that feeling stayed with her throughout the night.
Now and then, Quinn noticed people, noticed things happening, but nothing mattered. Nothing touched her or really caught her attention. She saw her sister and Jo head to the cotton-candy stand, caught a glimpse of Missy Hunter sitting on the bleachers all by herself, heard people roaring when Andrew scored and saw Amanda adjust her hair that it once again would look exactly like Quinn’s. But only the moments, when she herself stood on the field surrounded by those who would follow her every word, were clear in her mind. Her eyes were open then, seeing what lay before them. And what she saw pushed her forward, gave her the energy she needed to get through her performance successfully, with an easy smile on her face.
As the evening progressed, she caught Caroline yawning or Amanda swaying slightly from exhaustion, or even Julia taking a deep breath before continuing, but Quinn didn’t feel it. Right then and there, she felt invincible, and when the game was finally over and a winning roar went through the locals, Quinn felt a stab of regret. The night was over. Her night was over, and she could already feel the spotlight move away from her, leaving her in the dark.
“Did you see that?” Andrew yelled, pulling off his helmet and running over to her. “Did you see that?” He picked her up and swung her in a circle.
Quinn cheered. “I did! You were awesome!” In truth, she had no idea what he was talking about. She didn’t really remember anything about the actual game.
The subsequent celebration of their victory went long into the night, with people singing and dancing. In the end, the whole place looked like a battle field with empty bottles, juice cartons and wrappers of all kinds strewn about. The out-of-towners left first, almost immediately after the game, their spirits subdued by their defeat. Then those with small children started heading home, causing long traffic jams back into town. The cheerleaders and football players stayed the longest, drunk with their triumph. Only when their respective coaches eventually ordered them home did they finally leave the field of their victory behind.
Since Julia had gone home early to put her son to sleep, Quinn was alone when she left the parking lot behind her school. Seeing that there were still many cars proceeding towards town center in a fairly slow fashion, she decided to take the Woodland Circle, and turned left onto Oak Lane, away from the metal snake.
Woodland Circle rounded Crescent Rock to the south, going through varying terrain. Leading away from the high school, the land started out flat but soon sloped up, and shortly before passing by the highwa
y ramp fell again. It wound around large boulders that appeared to have been dropped where they were randomly. The forest grew thick and with no streetlamps, the moonlight, fighting its way through the dense foliage, was about the only additional light source. With the headlights guiding her way, Quinn drove slowly, eyes on the road. In the back of her mind, she could see her parents’ shaking their heads about her taking this route at night. But she didn’t want to be stuck in traffic for at least another half hour.
Suddenly lights came up from behind. Apparently, someone else had come to the same decision as Quinn. But that someone was driving fast, closing the distance between them quickly. Glancing in the rearview mirror, she saw the car swerve onto the left lane in the last instant, making her catch her breath. “Idiot!” she mumbled, as the car sped past her, soon disappearing around another bend in the road.
Another few bends later, Quinn left Woodland Circle and turned right onto Laurel Street. It would lead her back toward the outskirts of the western half of town, where the McPherson home was located. From the road, the land sloped down steep, running all the way to Willow Road which passed through the woods parallel to Laurel Street a terrace lower. In the distance, Quinn saw lonely headlights down there, heading into town.
When she turned her eyes back to the road, she suddenly noticed a red glow filling the air around her. Quinn looked into the rearview mirror and out the front, but there was no car, no taillights. Then she realized that the glow came in pulses, on and off, from the amulet around her neck. Shifting her eyes down, she tried to see but the chain caught on her uniform and didn’t give her much slack.
Coming around another bend, Quinn’s attention was suddenly torn from the pulsing object in her hand to the road in front of her. More from reflex than conscious thought, she stepped on the brakes, while steering her jeep to the left.
The car, that had passed her maybe ten minutes ago, stood in the middle of the road, lights off, blocking her way.