Unleashed

by McClellan, Rachel

  Instead of waiting outside for Kate, she watched from the kitchen window until Kate’s car pulled up. She hurried outside, keeping her head on a swivel, until she opened the car’s passenger door and climbed in. As always, Kate looked awesome, like she’d stepped out of a Neiman Marcus catalog. If it wasn’t for Kate’s keen fashion sense, Claire would be satisfied wearing pajamas to school, but Kate always made sure she was presentable. “Our band has to uphold its image. We can’t have you screwing it up,” Kate always told her. Although Claire knew she was joking, her words held truth.

  On the way to school, she told Kate about the footprints.

  “Maybe it’s a friend of your mother’s,” she said.

  “That’s what I thought, too, but why would the pervert be looking in my window?” As soon as the words left her mouth, Gary’s scary image came to her mind. He wouldn’t, would he? She shook her head, knowing that he would.

  “Did you check beneath your mother’s window?” Kate was inspecting her cherry-red nails while also trying to watch the road.

  She frowned. “No.”

  “Well there you go. He probably saw you, and then moved on to find your mother—which he regretted and then returned to watch the true beauty in the home.”

  She smacked Kate’s arm. “Stop! The last thing I want to think about is a peeping Tom. As if I’m not freaked out enough by that girl in the locker room.”

  And Gary and the conversation she’d overheard.

  “Right. Sorry. It was probably nothing. The gas man, maybe, looking to see if anyone’s home.”

  “Yeah, the gas man,” Claire mumbled.

  Kate drove into the school’s parking lot and parked. “So I think I found a bass player to replace Logan.”

  “Good.”

  “Why? I thought you liked having him play with us.” Kate opened her door.

  Claire followed her out. “I did, but he’s been acting weird lately.”

  “Weird, how?”

  “I think he likes me,” she said and grimaced, like the words tasted bad.

  Kate burst out laughing and started for the school.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “He’s like your brother.”

  “I know, right?”

  Kate tossed her hair over her shoulder. “So are you into him?”

  “No, not at all. I don’t think, anyway.”

  Kate flashed her eyes over Claire’s shoulder and whispered, “Speaking of kissing your brother…here he comes. ”

  Claire punched her in the arm and turned around. Logan was walking toward them grinning.

  “How are my two most favorite ladies?” he said.

  Kate’s eyes met hers and she laughed again. “I gotta go. See you in class.” She took off up the stairs and into the doors of the school.

  Claire stared after her, wishing Kate hadn’t left her alone.

  “You ready for tonight?” he asked.

  “Yeah, sure. I hope we raise enough money though.”

  “We will. I know a lot of people who are coming.” He moved to go inside.

  “Logan,” Claire said, stopping him. “I guess we won’t be needing you after tonight. In the band.”

  His eyebrows rose. “How come?”

  “Kate found someone else.”

  He paused and looked down. “Hey, if this is about last night, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to freak you out.”

  “It’s not about that, but, yeah, it was weird.”

  He shrugged. “I’ll back off then, but I want you to know that I like you. Really like you. But your friendship means more to me. Maybe in the future?”

  Claire smiled. “Sure. If you still like me when I’m thirty, then I’m all yours.”

  “I’ll hold you to that.” He returned the smile. “Now let’s hurry before Mr. Adams writes us up.”

  Like always, school dragged, but Claire didn’t complain. Something far more important had earned her angry cursings—the weather. She kept hoping it would lighten up by the time the concert started, but no such luck and she was pissed. Of all nights for it to rain, why did it have to be tonight? She glanced around the corner of the stage. A crowd had gathered, but not as big as it should’ve been.

  “At least we didn’t have to cancel,” Steph said.

  Claire turned around. Steph, who looked unconcerned about their predicament, drummed in the air. She wore black leggings beneath a red and black striped dress. Steph’s outfit almost matched hers, except Claire’s dress was black and white. As usual, Kate had done a great job coordinating their look for tonight.

  “Could be worse. We could’ve played at Ocean Side,” Steph said. Ocean Side was a local park with an open stage. They often played there, but they’d secured the fairgrounds at an amazing deal when some country band had to cancel.

  “I guess. Where are Kate and Logan?”

  Steph nodded behind her. “Talking to Seclusion. Kate has a thing for their lead singer.” She stopped air-drumming and looked at Claire. “Ethan’s here.”

  “How do you know?”

  “After school he asked me what time we were playing. He even asked if I thought you’d need a ride.”

  “Really?” Claire looked around the corner again and scanned the audience.

  “Are you into him?” she asked.

  Claire shrugged, not wanting to show anything.

  “Kate would be mad if you were.”

  “Why would she care?”

  “Because you make such a big deal about her seeing Corey.” Steph spun her drumstick around her fingers.

  “Just because Corey and Ethan are friends doesn’t mean they have the same personality.”

  “Try telling Kate that.”

  “I don’t need to tell her anything because nothing’s going to happen.” She may have liked Ethan years ago, but that was before. She looked around the corner again and sighed. Then why did it feel like a legion of cocoons had just cracked open, releasing hundreds of butterflies into her stomach?

  Just then the band on stage finished their set.

  “Kate! Logan!” Claire called. “We’re on!” They hurried over.

  Logan pulled the strap of a guitar over his head. “You ready?”

  “Let’s do this,” she said, instant adrenaline coursing through her blood. They ran onto the stage greeted by a silent crowd, but when Steph belted her famous growl/scream into a microphone, cheers exploded.

  Claire took advantage of the frenzied moment and pumped her fist in the air at the exact second Steph began to beat a bass drum. A moment later, Claire gripped the microphone and began to sing, her voice filling the fairgrounds. The audience faded away, leaving just her and the music. Every note expressed her anger, fears and sadness—all the emotions she normally kept bottled up. Singing was therapy and had no doubt saved her thousands.

  Before she knew it, their set had ended and the cheering audience came into view. The rain had let up to a slight drizzle and its scent, mingled with the fevered aroma of excited teenagers, tainted the air. She scanned their faces until she found the one she secretly hoped to see. Ethan stood next to Corey off to the left of the stage. When their eyes met, he nodded and she smiled back.

  “Did you hear us out there?” Kate said once they were backstage, dragging their equipment with them. “I think that’s the best we’ve ever sounded.”

  Steph secured her drums in the corner, her head still bobbing up and down to an invisible beat. “Best feeling ever.”

  “You sounded amazing, Claire.” Logan gave her a high five.

  “Thanks,” Claire said. “Everyone else did great, too.” She casually stepped away from them and peeked around the corner. “I’m going to watch the rest of the bands from out there. I’ll catch you later.”

  She hurried away before any of them offered to come with her. She didn’t want them to see who she was going to meet, specifically Logan.

  Maneuvering her way through the crowd, Claire walked to where she’d seen Ethan, but when she got there h
e was gone. She suddenly felt silly for even looking for him in the first place; it was so unlike her.

  “Hey, Claire! You killed it up there!” a kid from her math class called over several people’s heads. They all turned and looked in her direction.

  Claire mouthed the word “Thanks”, then quickly turned away, embarrassed by the sudden attention.

  As soon as the next band began to play, she pushed her way to the front until she was deeply imbedded into a mosh pit. A bass drum pulsed and she jumped in time to its beat, tossing her damp hair back and forth. Once again, the world disappeared and she thought of nothing else.

  When the band stopped playing, she kept her eyes closed, wanting the moment to last, but eventually the music faded, as did the crowd around her. She turned around and gasped when she ran into someone.

  Strong arms came up to steady her.

  “Sorry,” Ethan said. He was smiling down at her.

  She stepped back. “How long have you been there?”

  “The last few songs.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  With his thumb, he wiped wet hair off her cheek. “I didn’t want to interrupt you. You looked like you were in an amazing place.”

  She glanced away, heat rising to her face.

  “You did great up there,” he said. “I’ve always liked hearing you sing.”

  This surprised her. “You’ve heard me before?”

  “Yeah. Lots.” He must’ve noticed how uncomfortable she looked because he quickly changed the subject. “Do you think you raised the money you wanted?”

  Her shoulders slumped. “There’s no way. We were expecting a much bigger turn out tonight, but the rain screwed that up.”

  “Claire!” Logan’s voice called not far away.

  She turned around. “Yeah?”

  “You need a ride home?” he yelled over the heads of several people crowding the exit.

  “No. I’m going with Kate,” she called back.

  “Okay. See you!” He waved goodbye.

  She turned back to Ethan.

  “So what’s with you and Logan?” he asked “Are you guys together?”

  “Logan? Not at all. We’re just friends.”

  “Good.”

  “Why is that good?”

  He gave a crooked, almost bashful, smile. “I want to take you to dinner tomorrow.”

  Her heart leapt, but her brain quickly stomped it still. “Our band’s practicing.”

  “Until what time?”

  “Too late to do anything.”

  He smiled again. “What time?”

  “Seven-thirty.”

  “Perfect. I’ll pick you up then.”

  Before she could say no, he turned around and walked away. She could’ve gone after him, made him accept no for an answer, but she didn’t. So she went on a date? Big deal. She’d been on plenty before.

  She sighed and walked toward the stage. But she’d never crushed on her dates like she did Ethan and that was a big deal.

  Claire went backstage to help the band pack up their gear. It took forever because Logan had to leave early, something to do with working early the next morning, and Steph had to leave early too because of her curfew. It wouldn’t have been so bad without them, but Kate kept getting distracted by the other bands. And Claire couldn’t stop thinking about Ethan.

  “Singing time’s over, so why do you still look like you’re in heaven?” Kate said as they approached her car.

  Claire placed the last of their band equipment into Kate’s trunk. “Two weeks ago I would’ve said I hated the unexpected, but not anymore. Sometimes surprises can be good.”

  “What kind of surprises?”

  She considered telling Kate about Ethan, but just then her peripheral vision caught movement at the edge of the empty parking lot, and she glanced over.

  “Do you know him?” She nodded toward a hooded man who looked like the same dude who had been at the grocery store the night before, wearing the same Bandon High sweatshirt.

  Kate turned around to look at him. “Can’t tell. What’s he staring at?”

  Claire didn’t answer. A cool breeze picked up just then, making her wet hair feel like icicles against her bare neck.

  Kate raised her arms and waved them back and forth at the lone figure. When the person didn’t move, she said, “Come on. Let’s go.”

  Claire slid into the passenger seat and closed the door, her heart pounding. The man’s appearance, the way he stood, watching her, made her think of Gary and the footprints earlier that morning. Could the events be connected?

  She swallowed hard and looked up. The man was gone, almost as if he’d been a ghost.

  SEVEN

  Albert watched from the shadows, waiting until everyone had left. Claire had sung beautifully, just as he knew she would. He loved hearing her sing. The emotions she poured into every song touched a place buried deep within his heart and it made him feel whole.

  He ducked behind a tree as she drove away with Kate, wishing he were driving her home instead. Soon. But he had to be careful. He recognized the wall she kept built up around her—years of pain and disappointment. A barrier like that takes time and patience to wear down.

  Thunder clapped overhead, followed by another downpour of rain. He stepped out from the trees and jogged down the sidewalk to his car. He’d taken a huge risk coming here. His parents were still locking his door at night, but he was pretty sure they never checked on him once the key had been turned. Locking someone away doesn’t mean they’re really gone. One day they might learn that.

  He opened the door, slid behind the steering wheel and pulled back his hood. His eyes reflected back when he tilted the rearview mirror down.

  At first glance they appeared normal, almost happy from the night’s events. But he knew better. Beyond their glossy surface, a hurt held their roots, changing the appearance of the world around him. Pain and darkness: those brothers went everywhere he did.

  He leaned closer, widening his eyes, searching for any sign of an abnormality. Maybe if he could find something physically wrong with himself, he'd be able to explain why he saw and felt things differently from others. But he couldn't detect any deformity, only an empty stare, as blank as the girl he’d killed.

  Albert balled up his fist and smashed the mirror, cutting his knuckle in the process. He stared at the wound as blood rose to the surface and raced down the back of his arm. The sight of it relaxed him and he slumped into the seat, thinking only of the sting on his hand. But after a few minutes the physical pain wasn't enough to block out the persistent voice that was as constant as the waves of the ocean.

  The voice spoke of being free, of never feeling pain again. It begged to be released. He moaned and clutched his head.

  A moment passed. Enough time for him to decide.

  He straightened and lifted the cover on the center console. He ignored the blood dripping off his arm and removed an almost full vial. The other night he’d only taken a few drops, just enough to leave the world behind. And nothing bad had happened. He seemed to be able to control it the more he drank. The image of Mindy, stiff and cold, came to his mind. That won’t happen again, he insisted. Prayed.

  The vial was warm in his palm and he rolled it around with his thumb. The bluish liquid rocked back and forth, back and forth. A drop of blood fell from his hand onto his lap. Just a little more to silence the two brothers, pain and darkness.

  Popping the lid on the vial, he tipped it into his mouth. He intended on ingesting only a few drops, but he didn’t pull his hand back in time. All of the warm liquid rushed down the dark corridor of his throat, startling him.

  He only had time for one quick breath before a familiar pain stabbed his gut, but this time it was more intense and burned him from the inside out. His legs straightened, pushing his feet forward, and his toes curled in his shoes until he heard their joints pop. His fingers extended and his head jerked backwards, while his spine arched. His bones grinded and m
oved, shifted and spread. His teeth rattled, his eyes vibrated. A spectrum of colors, some he didn’t even recognize, exploded in his head.

  For a moment he thought he’d pass out from the pain, but then his eyes burst open and he sucked in air. The clock on the dashboard showed only a minute had passed.

  He leaned forward and rolled his shoulders back. He stretched his legs and wiggled his toes. Every part of him felt incredible, like a person born again. No past, no memories, no pain. The brothers were gone.

  Albert picked up a large shard of glass from the broken mirror and peered into it. He even looked better. His hair had lengthened and turned a raven black. His jaw had become more pronounced and his cheekbones sharpened. But the most startling change was in his eyes. They, too, had darkened, becoming the color of the sky before a tornado, and they were filled with as much power.

  He smiled, no longer Albert, but Gage.

  With Albert gone, he could finally relax and have fun. Gage glanced around, recalling the night's events. If he would've been in control, the concert might've been less a Nickelodeon teen fest and more of a rocking rave. But Claire had been there. That had made it worth it. He was drawn to her just like Albert, but for very different reasons.

  He brought the car's engine to life and drove in the direction of her home. He'd visited her the other night while she slept, watching her through her bedroom window. Once he'd been tempted to knock, but his appearance still resembled Albert’s. She wouldn't recognize him now, though. He laughed out loud and cranked the music.

  Gage was about to turn down Claire’s street when he suddenly had a brilliant idea, one that would really impress her. He was going to make her dreams come true.

  He drove to the outskirts of Bandon, toward a small gas station. As he passed, he noticed the empty parking lot, and through the glass windows, a single female clerk mopping the floor. He continued past until he stopped a few blocks from the gas station.

  Gage sprinted back, surprised by how little effort it took. With each breath he took, his lungs seemed to expand further than possible, and even his muscles felt like they were growing beneath his skin.

  By the time he reached the front of the station, he was ready to take on the world. He gripped the cold metal of the handle and flung open the door, making the clerk jump. Her startled reaction excited him and he moved toward her, hands clenched tight.