by Spear, Terry
The four boys sauntered into the restaurant and pointed to an empty booth behind Emily.
“Great, they’re headed this way,” Michael said under his breath. He searched through his pockets for the policeman’s business card.
“After they’re seated, we could ask to be moved.” Emily’s eyes widened when he pulled out the card. “You’re going to call the police? But we’re skipping school.”
Michael took a deep breath. That wouldn’t look good.
Red and Rocky banged into the booth, which backed Emily’s when they took their seats. Daniel and the other boy sat opposite and gave Michael their most satanically disparaging looks.
“Look who we found skipping school,” Red said.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t think the likes of them woulda skipped,” Daniel agreed.
Emily pursed her lips.
Sensing her anger, Michael asked, “Are you all right?”
She nodded, but he could tell by the way she clenched her teeth, she was on the verge of unleashing her powers.
Just one more bump into her seat…
“Emily?” He didn’t want to cause any more trouble if they could help it. Best to call the police and—
“Call the police,” Emily said, loudly enough for the bullies to hear.
“What’s wrong?” Michael asked for her ears only. Had she read something in their minds?
“Daniel slashed your car’s tires. All four.”
The boys chuckled.
Michael dialed the policeman’s number. “Yeah, I know. I saw him do it.”
Emily’s mouth dropped open.
“Can’t prove anything,” Red snarled over the back of the burgundy vinyl seat.
“I saw him do it,” Emily said, looking Red squarely in the eye. “And I saw you give the order.”
Michael knew she couldn’t have seen them do it. She must have read their minds and knew just what had happened. Still, Michael and Emily would tell the police they’d observed them through the restaurant window.
The waitress returned, interrupting them. “What would you boys like to eat?” She glanced back at Michael and Emily and smiled. “Don’t tell me. You’re all homeschoolers, too.”
The guys snickered. “Yeah, just like them,” Rocky said, jabbing his thumb over the back of the seat.
She took their orders and left.
Michael cleared his throat when the officer answered the phone at the police station. “This is Michael Shipley, and I want to report that four teens just vandalized my car in the parking lot of the Lone Star Café.”
The officer said, “Don’t tell me. The same ones who stole Emily Rundle’s car?”
“Yes, sir. They’re sitting here ordering food.”
“I’ll be there in just a few minutes.”
“Thank you, officer.” Michael hoped the bullies wouldn’t run off, but even so, he and Emily would stick to their story. He closed the phone and said to Emily, “They’ll be here shortly.”
“Can’t prove nothing,” Daniel said. “It’s your word against the four of us. Even your boyfriend didn’t see nothing.”
Emily whispered, “Did the officer say anything about us skipping school?”
“Nope.”
Emily took a deep breath. “Good.”
Michael carved up his steak, keeping an eye on Red and his gang.
Emily ate her sandwich but seemed distracted, too, while Red and Rocky constantly bumped her seatback or leaned their arms over it.
When the waitress served the boys’ food, however, a devilish glint appeared in Emily’s eyes.
Michael knew she was about to retaliate against the menace, and he was powerless to stop her.
Before anyone knew what was happening, Rocky poured his hot potato soup in Red’s lap. Red screamed in surprise and pain. Daniel threw his Coke in Red’s face.
Emily finished the last bite of her sandwich and grabbed the check. “I’ll get it this time.”
Michael dropped his fork and strode to catch up to her. Curses filled the air behind them while the demons fought with each other.
“Jeez, Emily, remind me never to get on your bad side,” Michael said, walking with her to the cashier’s booth. He snatched the bill from her. “And I asked you out, so I’m paying.”
“Those clowns will never learn.”
Two police officers entered the restaurant, and Emily recognized them at once as the ones who had been to Granny’s house.
“Michael? Emily?” the tallest one said.
Emily cringed. Though she was sure the demon seeds would be in trouble for slashing Michael’s tires, how could she and Michael explain skipping school?
Michael pointed inside the restaurant. “The four of them are in there having a food fight.”
“The one called Daniel has a knife in his right front pant’s pocket,” Emily added. “But the redhead gave the order.”
“And you saw it?” The policeman motioned to his partner to see to the boys.
“Yes.” In a way she had. She read both Daniel and Red’s thoughts and knew just how they committed the crime.
“Yeah, me, too,” Michael said, and wrapped his arm around Emily’s shoulder.
A fellow patron approached the police officer. “Sir, I called you about those boys who cut the tires of a red car sitting in the parking lot.”
Relief washed over Emily. There were real eyewitnesses.
“Yes, sir. You and three others confirmed the vandalism. Thanks for calling it in.” The police officer turned to Michael. “Do you need a tow service?”
“My insurance company will handle it. Thanks, officer,” Michael said.
The officer wrinkled his brow. “Is the high school out today?”
Michael fabricated, “Some of the students have special projects to work on during a period or two of classes. Emily and I were doing a sociology study based on social behaviors of patrons in a restaurant. Our report is due next week.”
“Oh. Wish I had projects like that when I was in high school.” He winked at Emily. “If you need anything, or have any more trouble, let me know.”
The policeman walked into the dining area, and Michael pulled his cell phone out.
“My genius,” Emily said, wrapping her arm around his waist and giving him a squeeze.
“Quick thinking comes in handy sometimes.”
But then a fresh worry plagued her. Once they returned to school, would the icy entity try to control her again?
* * *
An hour and a half later, they returned to school, and Michael’s car wore a new set of tires. Thankfully, the hall didn’t seem too cold, although Emily had been dreading going to class. But when Michael walked her inside, she didn’t want to be left alone.
“I don’t think Red and his gang will quit, do you?” Emily asked.
“You would think they’d leave us alone, as much trouble as they’re bound to get into over this. And as hard as you are on them.” He glanced at the teacher entering the class.
The other students still milled around their desks.
Emily took her seat. “Heck, Michael, they’ll probably just get their hands slapped, if that.”
The teacher looked over at Michael. She was going to ask what he was doing in her class. That was until Emily had a brilliant thought and changed her mind.
Mrs. Cattina opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated. Finally, she said, “Yes, do take a seat next to Emily, Michael.”
Michael quickly glanced at Emily.
“Billy, you can move to the vacant seat over there.” The teacher pointed across the room.
In a hushed voice, Emily said, “I can be a genius at times, too.”
Michael sat down next to her, surprise still evident on his face. “Why didn’t I think of that? I’ve been worried about you being unsupervised all day.”
“Unsupervised?” She humpfed under her breath.
Nothing happened during class, while she and Michael spent most of the hour watching the door.
For her last class, Emily used her mind control ability again to persuade her teacher to allow Michael to stay with her, bumping another boy out of his seat.
In this class, too, Emily and Michael spent an inordinate amount of time observing the door. Once, she was certain she heard a voice beckoning her. She closed her eyes and listened, but didn’t hear anything more. Thinking she’d seen a shadow pass the door twice, she strained to see it again.
“Anything?” Michael asked when the last class bell rang, signaling the end of school.
“I thought I saw him.” Swallowing nervously, she didn’t want to go back into the hall. She wanted to end this, but being iced earlier today made her reluctant to face him again so soon.
When they exited the classroom, she heard her name called in a desperate way. She jerked her head around. The boy’s voice had come from the cafeteria.
“Emily, help me,” he pleaded again.
Michael grabbed her hand. “What is it?”
“He’s calling me.” Her low voice was filled with anxiety.
“We need to have Granny’s help. I’m afraid you wouldn’t be strong enough to fight him on your own.”
“Emily.”
There was no icy touch. Nothing malevolent this time. Just a plea for help.
Michael tightened his grip on her hand. “Emily.”
She looked up at him. His warm brown eyes were full of worry.
When he leaned down and kissed her lips, her heart raced with life and joy. Michael was good for her. She glanced back at the cafeteria.
Armando was pure evil.
She hurried Michael out of school. “You’re right. We have to bring Granny back here to help.”
“You figured that all out from a kiss?”
She stopped abruptly. “Hmm, maybe I need some more persuasion.”
“All I can give you.”
“Tonight, Michael,” she said with resolve. “We have to get rid of him tonight. I can’t afford to skip any more classes. My parents will have a fit when they find out.”
“I kind of liked having all my classes with you.”
“Tell you what. It’s just the first week of classes. Tomorrow, with my help, we’ll change yours to mine.” So much for keeping her New Year’s resolution. Well, there was always next year.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I knew you’d be trouble the first time I saw you.”
“Yeah?” She gripped his hand tighter as the electricity from his touch heated her whole body. “Just wait until tonight to see how much trouble I can be. You never know, you might want your school ring back.”
He laughed. “Nah. You’re the most interesting girl I’ve ever known. How many girls wouldn’t mind slogging through the swamp on a moon-filled night with her guy?”
“Well, one other that I know, and we’re going to take care of her evil half in just a few hours from now.”
Chapter 18
Emily and Michael finished eating catfish for dinner with Granny, though none of them spoke about anything, each of them preparing mentally for the fight ahead.
When they grabbed the plates to clear the table, Granny said, “Change into something nice and dark, and we’ll go to the high school. I’ll wash the dishes later. We have more important business to take care of for now.” She gave Emily a knowing look, like: this is it—we’ll do fine.
But Emily wasn’t so sure.
Her stomach fluttering with nervousness, she appreciated that Michael escorted her back to her house. Thankfully, her parents were visiting friends and wouldn’t be home until later that night, so they were all set. And to her parents’ relief, Michael and his grandmother promised to watch over Emily until then. Though she was certain they wouldn’t have liked what they were about to do. Otherwise, her parents had intended to drag her to their new friends’ house. Four adults, no kids, no fun. Besides, Emily had an evil spirit to eliminate tonight. No more games.
When Michael returned to his house to swap clothes, she ran upstairs to her bedroom and changed into rubber-soled sandals, a fresh pair of black jeans and a matching T-shirt. Then she bolted outside.
Glass shattered. The lamplight casting an eerie glow over her front porch suddenly disappeared, and darkness blanketed her. Her heart skipped a couple of beats, but before she could dash for the safety of her house, footsteps ran toward her. She already had her key out, but she hadn’t time to unlock the door when something hard struck her in the back of the head. Sharp pain radiated through her skull and a black void sucked her in.
Seconds later, she thought, muffled words penetrated her semi-conscious state and the roar of a vehicle filled her ears. Where had she heard that sound before? At the park. The black car with the flames. Her head throbbed, but when she tried to rub it, she discovered her wrists were bound and her mouth covered with tape. The air smelled foul with cigarette smoke and the odor of ripe dirty sneakers.
Where were they taking her? The swamp? To suffer the fate of her poor Caddy?
“What about the guy she’s been seeing, Daniel?” one of the boys asked.
Her heart beat rapidly. Daniel…he was one of Red’s gang...the short blond guy. But who was the other guy? The driver?
“She’s the one who’s causing the problems, Kevin. Once she’s gone, that’ll be the end of it.”
Kevin. Had to be the car’s driver. Why wasn’t Daniel in jail for slashing Michael’s tires? Probably had rich parents who bailed him out. Or maybe slashing someone’s tires and running around with a concealed knife didn’t count for much.
Kevin tapped his thumbs on the steering wheel. “I don’t know why we have to take her to the school cafeteria. Why not the swamps? What if we get caught?”
“I told you. How many more times do I have to tell you? That’s what he told me to do. Bring her to the cafeteria. Then he’ll leave us alone,” Daniel said.
The cafeteria? Armando? Her heart sped up and her head pounded. If Armando was having them bring her there, Daniel and Kevin had to be his killers, right? She groaned inwardly, infuriated she’d allowed herself to be taken hostage.
“I can’t believe you talk to a dead ghost.”
“Ghost or dead person. Not a dead ghost. And I don’t talk to him. He haunts my dreams. He said he’d leave me alone when I brought her to him.”
She tried to focus on Kevin and make him turn the car around, but her head pained her so badly she couldn’t concentrate.
“At this hour? Why not earlier? Why not some other time?” Kevin asked, his voice laced with anxiety. He sounded like he really didn’t want to do this. Was he being bullied by the others like she originally thought? A bully wannabe, but really didn’t have the heart for it?
She was surprised Red wasn’t here also. Unless he and Rocky were meeting them at the school. But she didn’t think they had any transportation.
“This is the hour. I told you. It had to be at this time.”
“Because that’s when he killed Roberta last year,” Kevin muttered.
“Yeah.”
“I still don’t understand why you killed Armando.”
Daniel did it. Emily’s mouth grew cotton dry, and her eyes pricked with unshed tears. Kevin knew Daniel murdered Armando. He wasn’t such an innocent after all.
“Just shut up and drive.”
“You loved her, didn’t you?”
“Shut up, Kevin.”
So Kevin knew about the whole sordid mess, even the real reason for the killing. Did Rocky and Red know also? Or only these two? Was Roberta even aware of who murdered Armando?
Emily didn’t think so. If Roberta had known, wouldn’t she have warned her?
Trying to concentrate on Kevin again, her mind couldn’t focus. They had hit her hard, and the pain still radiated through her head. Would Michael realize what had happened?
She tried to project her thoughts to him. If they had a special bond as Granny said, could she reach him from a great distance? Gritting her teeth, she attempted to touch his tho
ughts.
Her head shattered into a million pieces, her stomach churned, and her world grew dark again.
* * *
As soon as Michael changed, he dashed over to Emily’s house. He was glad she had waited for him even though he had forgotten to warn her to stay here until he came for her. When he neared the porch, the darkness unsettled him. The patio light should have been on. Like his Granny’s, they automatically turned on as soon as the sun faded.
He slowed his approach, listening for sounds of an ambush. Nothing, but the breeze tossing palm tree fronds back and forth with a swishing sound and cicadas chirping in a mass chorus. He reached her porch, wishing he had the baseball bat with him in case he was attacked.
Maybe the bulb had burned out.
But as soon as his sneakers crunched on glass, he felt his heart rate accelerate. Either someone was lying in wait for Emily, or they’d already grabbed her. Damn his premonitions. He hadn’t seen anything that led up to this.
He rang the door and pounded. No answer. He yanked his cell phone off his belt and called her number. The phone rang and rang, five times, until her father’s voice came on. “You have reached the Rundle residence. We are busy right now and can’t come to the phone. If you want to leave a message, state your number, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.”
A sickening feeling wormed its way into the pit of Michael’s stomach. Emily was gone.
* * *
When Emily woke, she lay on her side on a linoleum floor in total blackness, and her back brushed against a wall. Her wrists were still bound in front of her and when she moved them, she could tell it was some kind of heavy-duty rope. She squirmed to get loose, the blood rushing in her ears, her heart thundering in panic.
Attempting to calm her fear, she concentrated on her surroundings. The floor smelled like it had been waxed with lemons, and she could hear footsteps squeaking against the linoleum, moving slowly, far away. Then something crashed.
One of the guys swore.
Where had they said they were taking her?
She tried to concentrate on the last words they’d spoken. The school cafeteria.
The room was stuffy, the air conditioner having been shut off for the night. As long as it stayed warm, she knew Armando wasn’t nearby. The thought comforted her briefly. But she assumed it wouldn’t be long before he arrived.