Every one remained silent. I wanted to scream. Why would we all trust a man who just came off the street in a white doctor’s outfit and with no payment? I wasn’t buying it. My father told me not to trust just anything when it came to this, but then again, Dr. Ravana worked with my father. What if my father had created this or at least left this information with him. He would have wanted me to trust him. I looked behind me to find the angry girl, but she was gone. I heard shouts of excitement and startled. I turned to find the doctor holding the chip in victory. Many were jumping up and down, and I couldn’t bring myself to be happy about it. I looked up to see Joseph still standing in place, as frozen as ever. I could have sworn I saw a flicker of red within his eyes as he stared intently at the crowd.
Dr. Ravana scanned the crowd as he waited for questions. His gaze grazed over me, but quickly retreated back to my face. Recognition seemed to register over his and a panicked look filled his features. Maybe he remembered that I was his partner’s daughter, but that didn’t explain his fear. He resumed back to his stiff posture as if he had never seen me.
He stared into the distance as he quickly trilled, “If there are no more questions, I must be getting on my way. Everyone have a wonderful party. Goodnight.” He backed away in a swift motion and into the limo that he arrived in. It drove away while the reporters crowded around the car, shouting more questions. Most of the reporters fumbled into their vans to follow the limo while some reporting crews stayed to film our small town. Joseph stayed behind and smiled to the crowd as he walked down to them. Noise exploded around me and everyone was so happy to have found a cure, but I had an uneasy feeling that there was something very wrong. I had the strangest feeling that Dr. Ravana was someone to fear and someone who could not be trusted. I didn’t know why I felt this way, but I had learned to trust my feelings.
Chapter Two: The Reunion
AS THE CROWD moved away and went back to their party, I had the oddest feeling that I was being watched again. I glanced around. I didn’t see anyone, but I still couldn’t get over the feeling. I found myself staring after the parents and grandparents as they departed the square. I caught some of their conversations of concern for this chip and that they didn’t want their children to be reckless tonight. The old man who spoke first at our press conference, was shaking his fists in the air in disbelief.
All around me, I could see that my former classmates seemed to accept the cure extremely fast. I wasn’t ready to accept it just yet. I needed more information and answers. I wanted to join the conversations of those older people because they were reasonable. I didn’t need to commit more social suicide, though.
I walked to the food table and picked up the laden with cucumber salad, but I couldn’t eat. I only went over because I had nothing else to do since I decided against walking home with concerned parents. Kaley was still swaying her hips against the dark-haired boy she probably didn’t like, and I was still alone. Now all the parents had left and it was a sea of teenagers.
I caught a glimpse of Max attempting to dance by moving various body parts, but it looked as if he was more interested in joining conversations that didn’t include him. He normally would never act this way, but considering that the cure was out, he must have been excited. I couldn’t help but feel jealous. Everyone seemed to be accepting everyone else now, and I was still alone. I began to feel as if I should just walk home or at least sit down somewhere when the same eerie feeling of being watched swept over me again. I glanced around to the side of the table where cheesecake was and stopped.
I saw him. The boy I thought was staring at me was real, only this time I was doing the gawking. The boy was not looking at me, but off in the distance instead. I hadn’t seen him in the crowd. I wanted to approach him, but I was shy. His brown hair flowed past his ears in wavy forms and almost shimmered in the moonlight. He was broad and wore combat boots that made him look like he was going on a hard voyage. I felt my blood boiling inside my body and I didn’t know why.
Then he turned his face, and I could see everything about him, the square shape of his face and the way his brown eyes seemed to glisten in the night’s sky. His angular jaw made him look severe, but his eyes were soft. He met my gaze and his mouth spread into a wide grin. That’s when embarrassment flooded through me. I knew this boy.
He still was a dream, an impossible, unattainable dream. He wore the same leather jacket he wore the last time I saw him, which happened to be one of the most embarrassing times of my life. One day he was there and perfect, the next he moved away without a word.
We met in English class, and he’d asked me out on a date. I was shocked, because he didn’t date anyone in our school. It was rumored that he thought none of us were good enough for him. Of course I told Kaley, who of course told everyone she knew. No one believed me; they laughed at me. Katherine especially got a kick out of it all, and the laughter only got louder because he had completely tricked me. He ditched the following day.
His name was Jared. I never remembered his last name, and I was too ashamed to ask around. It was as if he never really existed. I preferred it that way. He did ask me out, but he didn’t show up the next day. I liked to tell myself that he had died. He fell in a ditch, but no one ever recovered his body. That was cruel of me to think, but it was cruel to be stood up as well.
I couldn’t deal with humiliation again, so I turned swiftly on my heel and walked away quickly. I didn’t hear any footsteps behind me over the music, but I was sure he could care less if he saw me again. That’s when a hand tapped my shoulder.
I turned slowly, and there he was. I faced him as he smiled again, which made my heart ache a little, but I kept a stern look.
“Lena?” My gaze met his, and his face was hard and cold. Maybe not, but that’s how I wanted to picture it. “Do you remember me?” Jared asked as if he actually wanted to know.
I just looked past him and nodded briskly. I didn’t want to be rude, but he really had hurt my feelings. “Yes, I remember you, Jared.” I wanted to say how could I forget, but I decided against it. “How have you been?” I asked.
“I’ve been great. I’m glad you know my name,” he remarked sarcastically. “How are you doing?”
“Perfect. Why are you talking to me?” I asked as rudely as I could.
His face fell, and he looked sincerely hurt. Good. He seemed to be looking for something to say, so I turned to walk away from him. I didn’t need lies in my life anymore. I didn’t look behind me when he yelled my name. That could have just been the music I was hearing, because I was sure he didn’t care. I hated him. I hated everyone and everything.
I ran up the garden way along the square that led straight to my house. I looked behind me and gasped to see Jared close on my heels. He followed me. I couldn’t help but feel afraid that he had trailed behind me. He wasn’t even out of breath like I was. I didn’t even notice that tears were rolling down my face. His showed remorse and sadness. But he didn’t care for me, just like nobody else did either.
“Lena, Stop!” he called. Not wanting him to follow me all the way to my house. I paused in my escape.
I crossed my hands over my chest and demanded, “What?”
“Lena, I am sorry that I left and stood you up. I wouldn’t have done it on purpose. I really had to leave town. I left for the good of everyone, or so I thought.” His face was full of disappointment in himself. “Lena, let me make it up to you. I know you’ve had a hard time recently, so let me help you.”
“How do you know that I’m having a hard time?” I asked in disbelief.
“Our dads were friends.” He looked into my eyes and said quietly, “I’m so sorry for your loss. I didn’t even know he was your father when we met.” He looked away from me.
I let that sink in, but I was still angry. In some ways I was jealous. I never got to see my father. I wondered if Jared knew my father more than I did.
“Well,” I said, in an attempt to change the subject, “why are you back?”
He looked at me for a long second, and said, “I wanted to make sure I could finish what I started.”
“What does that mean?” I asked him.
“It means I will make sure nobody else gets hurt on my accord.” Although he was serious, he ended with a genuine smile. He seemed to be thinking thoughtfully about everything he said, but he must have a motive for being there. He just didn’t want to tell me. Why would he tell me, anyway? It’s not as if he owed me anything. All he did was stand me up.
“Jared, it’s been nice talking, but I should get back to Kaley. She’s probably waiting for me.” That was a lie, but I felt sick and I didn’t want to be around him any longer. Even if he was the cutest boy or the boy I dreamed about, more than I should, it didn’t erase the past. He scoffed and a sour look came upon his face. He bowed arrogantly and walked away. I stood frozen on the sidewalk. Was he mocking me when he asked for my forgiveness? I would never cry in front of a boy, or anyone, for that matter, again.
I returned to the party, only to tell Kaley that I was going home to bed. As I reached Kaley and her dance partner, a bright light erupted from the sky. I could feel heat radiating from the green light.
Then there was a flash of darkness, followed by screams. Everyone was frantically running, but I stood in place with fear. Each person that was surrounding me ran into me and shoved me backward, but I didn’t care. I was being transported back in time to when my mother and father were being killed, and I let out a frustrated groan as I closed my eyes. I couldn’t deal with this. I covered my ears as a horrible screeching sound took place. It sounded as if metal was scraping together. The creaking sound crept closer to where I stood frozen. I turned my head slightly to see red dots approaching me.
I wanted to run, but my feet were glued to the ground. I heard a whisper in my ear, “Lena, do you know that you are in danger?” he asked into my ear almost seductively, and I wanted to slap him in the face. His voice sounded just like the magical voice asking questions to Dr. Ravana. He whispered even softer, “Run, get out of here. They have come for you.”
I didn’t need to see to know whose voice it was. Jared lurched me forward with a shove that nearly knocked me to the ground, and he pulled me to reality. I weaved through the crowd and a whoosh of wind soared past me. A pair of hands covered my eyes, and I was frantic until I heard him again. “Stand still. If you want to die, then keep running that way. Follow me, listen to me, and you won’t die.” He uncovered my eyes and then I heard it. The sound was unnatural. A loud screech came out of something in front of me. It didn’t sound human. I was being dragged into a run.
The lights did not return, but I felt weightless as we ran farther away. We were running up the garden way when he caught hold of my arms and pulled me around to face him. “Next time, you should wait to follow me instead of attempting to make your own way into the crowd.” His look was as if he were looking at a child and anger surged through me.
“Who the hell are you to tell me what I can and can’t do? You shoved me forward? What are you to me, anyway? If they want me, let them have me,” I screamed, and his face turned into a sadistic smile.
“What use will you be to the world then? I’m on strict orders, but obviously you are as useless as you look.” I felt my cheeks burn as it always did when I felt angry, and I balled up my fists.
“Well, screw your orders. I’m not helping you,” I said defiantly. “What happened to the nice guy saying sorry? Was that bullshit?” I arrogantly bowed as he did before.
He laughed, and I wanted to thump him. “Helping me? I’m helping you, not the other way around. Can’t you see? They are going to kill you unless you get out of here, and guess who can help you? Guess who has all of the things that could save your life?” He didn’t have to wait for me to answer, because it was him. He walked closer to me and leaned down. “He is gone.” He sneered. I felt my face turn red in frustration, but I pushed my anger aside.
“What was after me just now?” I asked angrily.
“It isn’t safe for you to know the truth. Your mind is your own for now. Let’s keep it that way. Trust me. Then maybe you won’t die. But if you want to call the shots again, then get going now. You won’t make it two miles, and they will find you and kill you, or worse, control you.” He continued walking, and I looked behind me. There was smoke coming from the square. Should I turn back and save the others, or save my own skin? I didn’t know how to save the others.
I ran after him and asked quietly so only he could hear, “Why should I trust you?”
He looked down on me, and I felt so small. “Who else is there to trust? I’m here, I will help you, and I will take care of you. Your father trusted me. Isn’t that enough for you?” The anger in his voice had dissipated a little until he spoke again. “No one else wants to deal with your shit, anyway.”
I clenched my fist, but I had to admit that did it for me. If my father trusted him, then I should trust Jared, too. I nodded stiffly, and he led me through the trees and into the pitch-black night.
Chapter Three: Trust
THE DARKNESS DID not stop as we ran to my house. As we reached the driveway, he pulled out a big, black cell phone that didn’t look normal in size or style. It didn’t have the fancy holograms like I had on mine. It looked more like a walkie-talkie than anything. I wanted to laugh, but it was not the time at all for that. Even if he was a jerk, he was saving me in a way I couldn’t do for myself. Without him, I would be dead, trying to help Kaley, or even Max.
My heart began to sink as I thought of Kaley on the street covered with a sheet. I didn’t want to see any more death. I didn’t want to see Max dead either. He had lost so much, and he was afraid like me. I imagined him in a corner, panicking. I had to get back to them somehow.
He caught me staring suspiciously at his phone, and said, “It’s untraceable.” He didn’t smile. I wondered if he hated me, because I was rude whenever he tried to be nice. Then again he could have been mocking me and that would show he wasn’t kind at all. I chose the latter. He wasn’t a nice guy, and he proved that a long time ago. He punched a long string of numbers into the phone, more than any other standard number. I watched his fingers sweep across the screen. I admired how even in a tragedy, his hands stayed still, never shaking or faltering. He spoke quietly, but I could hear him. “Gabe, it’s time.” Someone responded on the other end, and I watched him. I felt my heart quicken as I watched the way he nodded as if the other person could see him. He caught my glance and gave a smirk. I scowled at myself; I couldn’t be wrapped up in him. Jared nodded once more and hung up the phone.
“Lena, go in and get your things, but first, we have to go to your dad’s office.” I stared blankly at him. Why would he need to go to my father’s room, and his lab?
“Why? How did you even know that he had an office in this house?” I backed away. There was something he wasn’t letting on. “Are you working for someone to find out about my dad?”
He looked frustrated and let out an agitated sigh. “See, you know about things. I’m not the one after you.” He smirked in his arrogance. “You would be dead already. No breathing.” He leaned forward and touched my face. I flinched away, but his touch left a weird feeling over me. “The ones who are after you wouldn’t have given you this much time to run. You can trust me. I will prove it to you eventually. I can prove it to you in your father’s room. He left a note for you about me.”
“What are you talking about? I would have found it.” Maybe it was a trap.
“Not unless you know where to look. Lead the way.” He gestured his arm toward the front door, and I didn’t move. I heard someone scream close to my house and that got me moving. Jared pushed me through the door because I was too slow.
“Scared, Jared?” I asked with a smile. He didn’t respond, but instead, gave me a small shove again.
I stopped suddenly, and he slammed against me. When I stepped on his toes, he let out a gasp. I smirked all the way down the hallway until
he tripped me to my surprise. I looked back, and he was whistling while looking the other way. I death stared at him until I was laughing, which seemed to make him smile. I felt my breath take and I looked away fast because the smile he gave me was dizzying. It didn’t make any sense to me that he could so easily make me feel weak in the knees.
We reached my father’s room, and I opened the door. In the corner sat a desk and to the right of it was a bookcase that reached up to the ceiling.
I threw up my hand as if I said “ta-da” and smirked. “Well, this is it,” I told him, but he didn’t look surprised or disappointed.
He began to shake his head and than erupted into laughter. “Really? You don’t even know? Haven’t you ever looked around? Seriously, you need to be adventurous.” He shook his head in disappointment and gave me a sour look. I felt myself getting frustrated as he walked to the corner where the desk was and pulled the chair out. He stood atop of it and looked at me one last time. “No idea?” When I didn’t respond, he laughed and grabbed the book at the top of the shelf and then the impossible happened.
My dad’s “office” transformed. Jared and I flipped upside down without even feeling a thing. I watched as the tabletop turned into a sofa with light blue wallpaper. The pictures of Mom and myself disappeared as his desk flipped into the carpet. The room contained nothing but the sofa, and I scowled. I was disappointed; I really wanted something crazy to happen. I expected potions or something. “This is what you were looking for?” I started to giggle. “How lame. Did you want to lie down? Is this a therapy office?” I giggled frantically and stopped myself when I caught sight of his gaze. He looked frustrated so I stopped talking.
“Done?” he asked in a menacing tone. I looked away. I hated feeling like a child from someone who wasn’t that much older than me. “If this were a therapy room, it would be accurately left for you.” I felt a sting of pain, but I didn’t let it show. I held my head high and walked across the room to where he was standing and held his stare.
Antidote Trilogy: The Complete Box Set Page 3