by Betsy Flak
You force your feet forward. I’m not too late. I’m not too late. I’m not too late. Your eyes search the darkness.
There’s no Davey, no violent man. There’s nothing out of the ordinary, not even the slightest hint that Davey had tangled with that…brute only minutes ago. A couple of feet away from the bike rack—your bike and Paige’s are the only ones left—you turn back to Paige. She’s so close that you can smell the coffee on her breath.
Paige’s fingertips skim down your cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“I swear he was here, Paige.” You scan the dark alley for the bazillionth time, but there’s still nothing.
“Not for that. For what happens next.”
Confusion furrows your brows. “Paige?”
With a sad smile, Paige backs away.
You glance behind her, toward the dumpsters. A shadowy form is splayed behind them. Just past one dumpster’s corner, black Converses with Dracula laces gleam as though a spotlight shines on them. Davey.
A body slams into your side. You crash onto the rocky asphalt. Talons slash your abdomen, tracing your ribs. Daggers of pain stab through your torso, then radiate through your body. Every breath is agony. Tears spring to your eyes.
Rough hands flip you onto your back. Your skull bounces off the unyielding ground. Stars in the night sky swirl above the brick walls looming over you.
A man with greasy locks blocks them out. His pitch-black eyes swallow the lamp light. Canines almost an inch long poke through his lips. His fangs shine so white it hurts your eyes.
He leers at you, then darts to your neck. The movement is nothing but a blur. Twin knives puncture your throat.
Your life drains away.
Oops, I forgot to scream.
You die.
To continue, click here.
Your hand flicks away from Paige’s. “I’m going with Davey.”
Paige’s hazel eyes narrow in the dim light of the street lamps. “Fine. It’s your funeral.” After waving her phone at you, Paige turns around and saunters back down State Ave. She angles her body so that you can watch her poke at her phone. In about five minutes, the entire school will know about your unfortunate life decisions.
You shift back to Davey, the one you chose. He stares at Paige sashaying down the sidewalk. If not for the furrow between his eyebrows and the frown bending his full lips downward, you’d think he was smitten like so many before him. When his gaze snaps back to you, his mouth spreads into a smile. It doesn’t ease the worry etched around his eyes.
With a gulp, you gather your courage. This time you’ll comfort him. Your trembling fingers trail down Davey’s cheek, as rough as sandpaper. His hand flies up to yours and covers it. He leans into your caress, then lowers your hand to his side and intertwines your fingers together.
The wind calms.
Davey grins. “Glad to see I have a good effect on you.”
Hand in hand, you stroll down State Ave, but your mind spins. When you reach the glass door marked “Second Street Parking Garage,” you stop short. “Davey…what’s going on? I mean that guy, he straight up attacked us. Why would he do that? And how could he possibly survive that hit to the head? Shouldn’t we call an ambulance or something? And that bat did not fly right.” Your fingers leap out of Davey’s and rip through your tangled locks. The wind blows at your back.
Davey places both hands on your shoulders and squeezes. “I know it feels crazy right now, but it’s going to be fine. You’re going to be fine. Magda and I will explain everything as soon as we’re safe.”
Panic crawls over you like baby spiders out of an egg. Your breath sticks in your chest. A gust slashes at your face. “Safe? We’re not safe now? And what does Magda have to do—”
A station wagon with peeling green paint pulls over. It grinds to a halt next to you.
Magda leans over the front passenger seat to poke her curly head out of the open window. “Looks like I’m right on time. You two ready?”
Your brows climb up your forehead. What’s Magda doing here?
To your surprise, Davey chuckles, strangely at ease out in the street. Strangely at ease after…whatever that was in the alley. “Someone’s gotta take you home. And I let her have the car so I could stay with you.”
Fire crawls up your neck. Davey doesn’t beat around the bush.
His smile widens, revealing those perfect white teeth.
A butterfly wing flutters in your stomach.
Davey climbs into the back seat and tugs you along with him. Once you’re both settled, his fingers find yours once again. His thumb traces a circular pattern along the back of your hand. Your heartbeat slows. You relax into the stained seat cushions.
“I take it I’m your chauffeur?” Magda’s plump lips twitch into a smirk.
Davey rolls his eyes. “Just for now, Magda.”
“And where are we going?” Through the rear-view mirror, she stares at Davey.
There’s something quivering beneath the surface of her question, but you can’t figure out what.
“Home.”
“Home home?” Magda’s eyebrow arches.
“Yes, to our home, Magda.”
Your eyes widen in shock. “But…”
With a gentle smile, Davey squeezes your hand. “I know, it’s getting late and it’s a school night. But I promised you an explanation, did I not?”
You gulp around the lump in your throat. You’re not sure you want to know, not after what happened in that alley. And yet… You get your phone out of your backpack. “Yeah, okay. Let me text my dad and let him know I’ll be a little late.”
Davey flashes that crooked smile of his.
Heat floods your cheeks.
“Magda and I are going to explain everything to you.”
To continue, click here.
Not daring to slow down even a hair, you swing right. Julia’s house isn’t too far away. Plus, Sammy and Bryce probably locked up Corner Coffee the second you were out that door. If they are still there, they’re likely in the back room “assessing inventory” anyway. No, heading to Julia’s house is the best option.
Your feet pound against the cement as you dash down State Ave. You dodge the few people in your path, ignoring their curious glances.
A little over half a block away, your heels dig into the sidewalk. You skid to a halt.
Paige rushes toward you with her palms raised. “Stop, stop! What is it? What’s wrong?”
The sight of Paige brings it all home. You left Magda alone in an alley with some creep attacking her! She told you to do so, but you shouldn’t have listened. Two against one is better than one against one.
But three against one is even better. You tug on Paige’s arm, dragging her back to the alley. “C’mon, c’mon, we gotta go help Magda!”
“Magda? What do you have to do with her?” Paige wrinkles her nose in distaste, but allows you to lead her toward the alley without a fight.
There’s no time to wonder why. “I’ll tell you later, Paige.”
When you reach the mouth of the alleyway, the lamps closest to the entrance flicker. Inky blackness shrouds the middle. Silence batters your eardrums, at odds with the street traffic from State Ave behind you. Your heart speeds.
You force your feet forward. I’m not too late. I’m not too late. I’m not too late. Your eyes search the darkness.
There’s no Magda, no violent man. There’s nothing out of the ordinary, not even the slightest hint that Magda had tangled with that…brute only minutes ago. A couple of feet away from the bike rack—your bike and Paige’s are the only ones left—you turn back to Paige. She’s so close that you can smell the coffee on her breath.
Paige’s fingertips skim down your cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“I swear she was here, Paige.” You scan the dark alley for the bazillionth time, but there’s still nothing.
“Not for that. For what happens next.”
Confusion furrows your brows. “Paige?”
With a
sad smile, Paige backs away.
You glance behind her, toward the dumpsters. A shadowy form is splayed behind them. Just past one dumpster’s corner, a heap of ebony curls gleams red in the trembling street light. Magda.
A body slams into your side. You crash onto the rocky asphalt. Talons slash your abdomen, tracing your ribs. Daggers of pain stab through your torso, then radiate through your body. Every breath is agony. Tears spring to your eyes.
Rough hands flip you onto your back. Your skull bounces off the unyielding ground. Stars in the night sky swirl above the brick walls looming over you.
A man with greasy locks blocks them out. His pitch-black eyes swallow the lamp light. Canines almost an inch long poke through his lips. His fangs shine so white it hurts your eyes.
He leers at you, then darts to your neck. The movement is nothing but a blur. Twin knives puncture your throat.
Your life drains away.
Oops, I forgot to scream.
You die.
To continue, click here.
Your hand flicks away from Paige’s. “I’m going with Davey.”
Paige’s hazel eyes narrow in the dim light of the street lamps. “Fine. It’s your funeral.” After waving her phone at you, Paige turns around and saunters back down State Ave. She angles her body so that you can watch her poke at her phone. In about five minutes, the entire school will know about your unfortunate life decisions.
You shift back to Davey, the one you chose. He stares at Paige sashaying down the sidewalk. If not for the furrow between his eyebrows and the frown bending his full lips downward, you’d think he was smitten like so many before him. When his gaze snaps back to you, his mouth spreads into a smile. It doesn’t ease the worry etched around his eyes.
With a gulp, you gather your courage. This time you’ll comfort him. Your trembling fingers trail down Davey’s cheek, as rough as sandpaper. His hand flies up to yours and covers it. He leans into your caress, then lowers your hand to his side and intertwines your fingers together.
A station wagon with peeling green paint pulls over and grinds to a halt in front of you. With his free hand, Davey opens the back passenger-side door. He climbs into the back seat, tugging you along with him.
Magda’s russet gaze scrutinizes you through the rear view mirror. “I take it I’m your chauffeur?”
“Just for now, Magda,” Davey answers in a calm voice.
Shaking her head, Magda rejoins the spotty traffic on State Ave. When she stops at a red light, she glares at you. “Fine. Davey, where am I taking her?”
“Home.”
“Which is?”
You open your mouth, but Davey beats you to it. “No, to our home.”
Your eyes widen in shock. “But…”
With a gentle smile, Davey squeezes your hand. “I know, it’s getting late and it’s a school night. But I promised you an explanation, did I not?”
You gulp around the lump in your throat. You’re not sure you want to know, not after what happened in that alley. And yet… You get your phone out of your backpack. “Yeah, okay. Let me text my dad and let him know I’ll be a little late.”
“Davey, you can’t possibly mean what I think you do,” Magda warns in a low tone close to a growl.
Davey’s chocolate gaze flashes up to the rear view mirror. His voice matches the steel in Magda’s inch for inch. “I do.” He squeezes your hand again.
Heat floods your cheeks.
“Magda and I are going to explain everything to you.”
To continue, click here.
“I’ll go get help, Davey.” Panic chokes your voice. It’s barely a whisper.
Spinning on your heel, you sprint away from them and back toward the entrance of the alley. All those reports from over the summer—all those missing people—bounce around your mind. You push your legs even harder.
The sounds of a scuffle echo off the alley’s brick walls.
You swallow your guilt. Once you’re to safety, you can help Davey. Call the police or something.
You reach the alley’s opening. There, you’re faced with a choice. Do you turn right to race to Julia’s house, a few blocks away? Or do you turn left and hope that Sammy and Bryce haven’t closed Corner Coffee early?
If you turn right and head to Julia’s house, click here.
If you turn left and head to Corner Coffee, click here.
“Julia, I’ll be right in.” You wave your phone at her. “I just need to check on something really quick.”
“Oh, um, okay.” Julia frowns at you, but heads in with the rest of the near-late-arriving students.
Leaning against the black convertible, you scroll through your phone with one eye on the disappearing Paige. Once Julia and the other students enter the courtyard between the brick buildings of NFHS, you crouch down and stalk toward the beat-up truck that Paige vanished behind. A sudden breeze brings Paige’s voice to your ears when you’re still a row of parked cars away.
“You have to be more careful. I don’t know how much longer I can cover for you… No, according to my friend’s dad, you did not finish the job last night… Yes, she’s still alive… No, my mom didn’t say anything about it to me… I don’t think she suspects anything. I think she’s just trying to shelter me…”
Your jaw drops. Paige can’t…no, she can’t possibly be talking to…and yet…
You slide down the side of the nearest car, an ancient sedan with peeling paint. Your limp backpack catches on a tire. Your fingers comb through your hair. How can this be?
You sit there, numb in shock.
Seconds, minutes, or hours later, a pair of beaded sandals appears before you. Your eyes travel up bare legs, a floral skirt, and a tight V-neck. Lined gray eyes—matching her shirt—meet you. They’re narrowed.
Paige’s hands dig into her waist. One hip juts out. “Just how long have you been sitting there?”
At her annoyed tone, indignation flows through your veins. You scramble to your feet. Your fingers wrap around Paige’s bicep. “Paige, what’s going on?” More fear than anger makes it into your voice.
She tears her arm away. “Nothing. Let’s just go.” Paige hurries away, toward the NFHS courtyard, but the cramped parking lot hinders her speed.
You catch up to her in a single stride. “Paige, you can tell me. I promise.”
Paige’s lips press together in a sign of uncertainty, though her eyes remain flinty. “And if I don’t?”
“You know me. I won’t let it go. You’ll have to tell me eventually.”
Paige sighs. “I s’pose so…” Her fingers wheedle around your elbow, then squeeze. “Why don’t we chat tonight at the library?”
“At the library?” The basement of the library is a prime makeout spot in Fruitvale. It’s second only to Corner Coffee’s back booths, which are obviously off-limits to you. But why does Paige want to talk there?
“Yeah, so you can tell your parents we’re studying. I’ll pick you up around nine. Sound good?”
“Um, okay.”
The school day is long and filled with boring classes. All day, you yo-yo between a mix of anxiety and guilt about Magda lying wounded in the hospital and curiosity about what Paige is hiding. When you get home, you watch mindless TV show after mindless TV show, punctuated only by a family dinner during which you say little and eat less.
Beep-beep! Beep!
“Mom, Dad, I’m heading out to the library to study with Paige. I’ll be back by curfew,” you yell into the living room. It required all your persuasive powers earlier this afternoon, but your parents agreed to let you go out tonight. Something about “things getting back to normal.” As if that’s even possible with Magda almost dying last night thanks to your cowardice.
You shut the negative thoughts down. That’s a problem for tomorrow. Tonight you’re focusing on Paige’s secret.
You make it to Paige’s car—still the aged black convertible from this morning—before she can initiate the second round of honking. This tim
e, you climb into the front passenger seat.
Paige squeezes your bare knee, then takes off down the road. “So…do you wanna get a snack first? You hungry?”
Your stomach rumbles.
“I knew it! Don’t worry, we’ll get you taken care of.” Paige winks at you.
Almost ten blocks away from downtown Fruitvale, Paige pulls down a side street and parks the car. “Sorry ’bout the walk. You know I’m not very good at parallel parking. My friend’ll be pissed if I get even a scratch on his baby.” After caressing the scratched hood, Paige heads toward downtown.
Good luck noticing one more. “Speaking of which, who is this new ‘friend’ of yours, Paige?”
“Oh, he’s wonnnnn-derful. Dark, broody, older, all the classic romance signs. Although, I’m not quite sure he’s my type.” Despite the disclaimer, Paige extols his virtues while you meander down side street after side street, wending your way toward downtown.
By the time the streets become lanes between the backs of quiet townhomes, you’ve heard more than enough about this mystery man. “And how’d you meet him?”
“He found me.”
That’s…weird. “What do you mean, he found you?”
Paige wears a sad smile. “Listen, I am sorry about this.”
“Sorry? What—”
A body slams into your side. You crash onto the rocky asphalt. Talons slash your abdomen, tracing your ribs. Daggers of pain stab through your torso, then radiate through your body. Every breath is agony. Tears spring to your eyes.
Rough hands flip you onto your back. Your skull bounces off the unyielding ground. Stars in the night sky swirl above the townhomes looming over you.
A man with greasy locks blocks them out. His pitch-black eyes swallow the lamp light. Canines almost an inch long poke through his lips. They shine so white it hurts your eyes.
Like a boa constrictor, fear winds around your torso and squeezes. It’s the same man from last night.
He leers at you, then darts to your neck. The movement is nothing but a blur. Twin knives puncture your throat.
Your life drains away.
Oops, I forgot to scream.