The Gay Teen's Guide to Defeating a Siren_Book 2_The Siren

by Cody Wagner

  Over the course of the week, Darrin became increasingly upset whenever Luke was around. He kept trying to talk to Luke—even attempting feeble casual chat—but Luke ignored him and stared at the horizon. The whole thing reminded me of Timothy, and I found myself turning away when Luke and Darrin were together. Is this what Timothy felt like when I ignored him for my duty? For once, I felt for Darrin.

  The final day Luke was around, I noticed he avoided Darrin more than usual, even making it a point to turn his back on the entire group of jocks. Darrin looked on the verge of a breakdown all day. The way he’d acted, I don’t think they ever officially broke up. It’s like Luke knew something Darrin didn’t. Just like me and Timothy.

  After dinner that night, Roze, Cassie, and I were outside when a black car swung around the road lasso and stopped at the dorms. Luke picked up a camouflage duffel bag and saluted the driver. Roze figured we owed Luke some thanks before he left, and she approached him. Before she could say anything, Darrin ran up. He was winded and crying.

  “Can I have a word with you,” he said to Luke. “Please.”

  Luke stared at him for what felt like years before saying, “OK.”

  Darrin led Luke near the older dorm, and they stood in shadows. Despite the darkness, I could see him trying to grab Luke’s hands as he talked, but Luke kept pulling away. Darrin started crying harder when Luke finally started responding.

  “They deserve some privacy,” Cassie said.

  Roze and I nodded, and we turned around to stare at the black car.

  Darrin’s voice grew louder, and I overheard him say, “Just because you’re in the army, you’re too mature for me?”

  Luke remained calm and we couldn’t hear his response, but Darrin replied, “You’re only a year older than me!”

  Luke started talking again, and he went on for a while. He was occasionally interrupted by pleas from Darrin, but he remained calm. After a few minutes, a weird silence settled over us. It went on and on, like the final note of an orchestra that gets stuck in your ears.

  Finally, I heard a sob from Darrin, and he said, “I won’t reach out to you again.” Then I heard him take off running.

  I kept my eyes on the ground as Darrin sprinted by us toward the library. My mind flashed again to Timothy, and I felt pressure in my chest. Although he and I were never an item, the hurt on his face reminded me of Darrin’s. I think being blown off intensifies things, and I regretted not being more up-front with Timothy.

  Luke walked back to the parking lot, and I slowly looked up to see him approach the car. While he wasn’t crying, his eyes were exhausted. He was clearly ready to leave. Before he got in the car, though, Roze said, “Wait!”

  He paused as she ran to him.

  Without a word, she gave him a hug. He remained stoic, but his body seemed to relax, like he desperately needed our appreciation after the week he’d had. Then, without looking back at us, he got into the car and stared at the horizon as the vehicle drove off.

  As we watched, I went to tell Roze how insane that was, but her eyes were wide in shock.

  “What?” I said. “Are you OK?”

  “You know that logo from Robert Blackwood’s lighthouse committee? It was on Luke’s uniform!”

  Fifteen

  A Very Controlled Christmas

  After Roze delivered the news about Luke’s uniform, the three of us ran back to my room. Per usual, Cassie and Roze sat on Cassie’s bed, while I pulled up a chair.

  “Are you sure it was the same logo?” Cassie had her legs pulled up to her chest.

  “Definitely,” Roze said. “I’ve seen that stupid logo so many times the past couple weeks, I even dream about it.”

  “But what does it mean?” I asked.

  Roze messed with her shoelaces. “No idea.”

  “Does Luke know about the Siren?” I asked.

  “Doubtful,” Cassie said. “I bet only higher up people know.”

  “So why is Luke a part of that committee?” I said. “And why is he even in the army?”

  Cassie looked out the window, and I knew her brain was working. Roze and I both watched her until she blurted, “Protection.”

  “Huh?” Roze said.

  Cassie shifted until she was sitting on her knees. “Remember how bad Luke’s family was last Christmas?”

  “Yeah,” I said. “His dad picked a fight with my entire family.”

  Cassie began rocking back and forth. “Do you really think his situation could have improved enough since then where he could go back home?”

  I jumped out of my chair. “Oh my god! Remember when Wolcott told us at orientation that everything would be OK after we graduated?”

  “Yeah,” Roze said.

  I started pacing. “At the time, I thought he meant they’d help our families cope or whatever. But I don’t think that’s it. If someone’s family sucks too bad, you think Sanctuary puts them in that army?”

  “That’s what I said,” Cassie whispered. “Protection.”

  I nodded. “Do you think it’s a special kind of army?”

  Suddenly, Roze jumped up. “Tanner!”

  Cassie and I both stared at her as if she’d vomited a tapeworm.

  “Ignatius!” I shouted, picking a random name out of nowhere.

  Roze punched my arm. “No, stupid. Tanner. Jimmy’s bodyguard last year.”

  I froze as it dawned on me. Tanner was a soldier who’d babysat Jimmy after Tracey attacked him.

  Roze poked Cassie’s arm. “Remember how Tanner didn’t seem to care he was around a bunch of gay people?”

  “You think Tanner and Luke are from the same place?” I said.

  Cassie shrugged. “Maybe there’s a special gay branch of the army.”

  I looked up at the light bulb. This was mind-blowing. A small part of me couldn’t help but wonder if that’s where I’d end up when I graduated. If my parents didn’t come around, would I join the army? Being the Seeker, I’d probably be in Central Intelligence. Actually, if I came clean about being the Seeker, I’d likely be forced to join the government no matter what.

  “So what does it really mean?” Roze said.

  I stared at her as something huge came to me. “Maybe it’s an army to fight the Siren. Being gay, Luke and Tanner would be immune to her.”

  Roze covered her mouth. “That makes so much sense! An army of gay people.”

  We looked at each other, suddenly proud.

  That is, until Cassie said to Roze, “Not people like you. People like Blaize. Gay males. They’re immune to the Siren, not us.”

  Roze’s face fell. “You’re right. Oh my god.”

  She collapsed on the bed. I went and sat down, too. The three of us remained silent, each stuck in our own thoughts. Finally, Roze said, “I’ve never regretted being gay. Not ever.” She grabbed a pillow and threw it across the room. “Until now. If I just liked guys, the Siren’s power wouldn’t work on me.”

  I didn’t know how to respond. It’s like the Siren somehow found another way to screw us over. Even if the reason was incidental, it made me hate her even more. Cassie stared at her shoes. Then, she reached a hand toward Roze but withdrew it.

  I kicked the bed frame. Cassie and Roze both jumped in surprise.

  “We know nothing about this,” I said. “We can’t have a pity party because of a tiny bit of information. For all we know, this army is just a place for those of us who can’t go home. For all we know, they have a spot for lesbians.” I leaned forward before adding, “I’m sure Sanctuary isn’t just going to screw you over.”

  Roze didn’t seem cheered by my little speech. “What if I wanted to enlist? What if I wanted to be a soldier like Luke? Would I be a liability if their main job is to fight the Siren?”

  “Do you want to join?” Cassie asked.

  “No. But still.”

  I poked Roze with my foot. “So the Siren took away something you don’t even want to do. Big deal. I think we have more important things to worry about t
han your pride.”

  Roze jumped up. “My what?”

  Cassie leaned forward. “You’re the proudest person I’ve ever met.”

  “And what does that mean?”

  Cassie smiled at her. “It means I’m complimenting you.”

  Roze squinted and said, “Oh,” as a tiny return smile appeared.

  “Not to interrupt your cute little moment,” I said, grinning. “But what do we do from here?”

  I expected us to stew in silence and come up with nothing. To my surprise, Cassie said, “Adkins.”

  “What about him?” Roze asked.

  “We ask him.”

  I grabbed the pillow Roze threw and sat on a chair. “We ask him what?”

  Cassie pulled her knees up to her chin. “About Luke.”

  “Are you serious?” I said. “Won’t he get suspicious?”

  Roze plopped down beside Cassie. “Not at all. That’s a good idea, actually. We can totally play dumb and just ask him why Luke was in the army.”

  “And maybe we can learn more about this whole thing,” Cassie said.

  The idea of learning more excited me, and I smiled. That is, until Roze said, “And by we, we mean you.”

  I leaned back, almost toppling out of the chair. “Me? Why me?”

  “You’re closest with Coach Adkins,” Roze said.

  “What? How do you know?”

  “You’re the one who made him all proud after avoiding the jocks last year,” Roze said.

  “And the one who worked with him to get us Christmas presents,” Cassie said.

  I held my hands up to stop them. “And I’m the one who stole his truck for The Pumpkin Bash last year and got in big trouble.”

  “Not that big,” Roze said.

  “He respects you,” Cassie said.

  We went back and forth like that for a half hour, with me frantically trying to get out of this plan. Then, Cassie went into Debate Cassie mode, and I knew I was defeated. Grudgingly, I gave in and agreed to approach Coach Adkins Monday after gym.

  * * * * *

  The sky rolled with clouds when Roze and I headed to the gymnasium on Monday. I pulled the hood of my sweatshirt over my head. It was downright freezing, and I thought it might even snow. I didn’t remember it feeling so wintry in November last year, and I complained the whole way.

  “Oh my god, will you stop chattering your teeth,” Roze said. “I know you’re doing it on purpose.”

  “When I die, will you bury me in the desert? Where it’s warm?”

  “Yes. When I kill you, I will bury you in the desert.”

  “Dressed in ski pants and a parka?”

  “Shut up!”

  I wanted to be quiet, but nerves had me rambling. Talking to Adkins shouldn’t have been that big a deal. But I worried I might suffer another case of mouth diarrhea and tell him more than I wanted. Approaching the gym doors, I imagined saying, “Can you tell us about Luke, because I’M THE SEEKER!” The thought almost made me turn around and run away.

  After class, I kinda hoped Adkins would run off somewhere. Or that he’d be talking to someone in his office. Unfortunately, he was all alone when I approached him after showering and changing. I did that thing where I paced in front of his door, until he said, “Yes, Trales?”

  I stepped forward and knocked on his doorway.

  “I’ve already acknowledged you, Trales.”

  “Yeah, sorry.” I blushed and found myself about to knock again.

  Fortunately, a small smile appeared on Adkins’s face. “What do you need?”

  I walked to his desk but didn’t sit. Not yet. “Well, Coach, I wanted to ask you about Luke.”

  Adkins looked up at me. “Luke?”

  “Yes, sir. You’re the one who sent him here, correct?”

  He straightened some papers on his desk. “I arranged for some help, yes.”

  “Well, sir. First off, I wanted to say thanks. So does Roze.”

  “OK.” He looked at me, knowing that’s not why I’d come.

  I shifted side-to-side a few times. The reason I was more nervous than usual was because I was about to lie to Coach Adkins. It wasn’t a horrible lie. Even Cassie approved of it. But it still felt wrong, even if it gave us information.

  When I started humming a Taylor Swift song to myself, Adkins finally said, “Sit down, Trales, and tell me what’s on your mind.”

  I fell onto a chair near his desk. Again, he held back a smile. I hoped my goofiness would keep the situation light as I said, “Well, I noticed Luke joined the army.”

  “And?”

  I straightened. “Well, I was kind of interested in joining, too.”

  Adkins sat up. “Really? I had no idea.”

  I put on my sad face. “I don’t think my home life is going to improve by the time I graduate. And having that as an option is appealing.”

  “You don’t have anything to worry about, Trales. We’ll make sure things are OK. Besides, you still have two more years. Your parents could come around—”

  I was afraid he’d try and postpone the issue, so I interrupted. “In the meantime, could I get some information? I could start thinking about what I want to do now. You always tell us to be prepared and get better, so I’m going to try.”

  Adkins shoved some papers on his desk to the side. “What information do you want?”

  “Anything you can tell me, really. Did Sanctuary help him enlist, or did he do it on his own?”

  Adkins squinted at me. “Why would you think we helped him enlist?”

  I was ready for this one and said, “Because you were able to bring him here just to protect Roze.” I decided to use my goofiness to my advantage and started laughing more than I should have. “Like Uncle Sam would send a soldier to protect a gay girl.”

  Adkins studied me. “I was able to call in a couple favors.”

  “Huh?”

  “I’m ex-military myself.”

  That one surprised me, and I wondered how he’d ended up here. Instead of asking, though, I just said, “Oh,” because I suddenly realized he’d kinda evaded my question. Point Adkins.

  Fortunately, I had an idea. “That’s awesome! Is there any way you could do that for me?”

  “What do you mean?”

  I scooted forward in my chair. “Could you get me stationed with Luke. I mean, if I need to escape my family, it would be nice to know someone. And Luke has really changed. For the better, I mean.”

  “The army will do that to anyone.” Adkins gave me a thin smile. “But Luke’s stationed right outside Forreston. Are you sure you want to end up out here after you graduate?”

  I shrugged, while on the inside, my brain did a happy dance. I’d just learned the base’s location! Keeping calm, I said, “Better than the alternative. If it doesn’t work out with my family, I mean.”

  “Yes, well . . . I’ll keep this in mind, and we can discuss it more when you’re closer to graduating.”

  Suddenly, the bell rang. I didn’t care that I was late, though. When Adkins dismissed me, I practically danced out of his office. Maybe the good mood is what caused my diarrhea mouth to emerge. Horrified, I found myself turning back and blurting, “What’s with that lighthouse on Luke’s uniform?”

  It’s like the lights went out in the world. Adkins’s entire expression changed from casual to wary. I winced as my inside voice said, Too much! Too much!

  Adkins smiled, but I could hear the suspicion as he said, “A lighthouse?”

  I stammered for a second before saying, “Yeah, he had this weird badge of a lighthouse on his uniform. My dad was in the military, and I never noticed something like that.”

  “Your dad was in the military?” Adkins clearly didn’t believe me. After all, he’d surely read my file.

  “I meant my uncle,” I said.

  Adkins crossed his arms. “I know nothing about a lighthouse badge. Now run along to class.”

  I literally sprinted out of his office before my mouth spewed more word v
omit. The whole time I ran, my inside voice went crazy. On one hand, I’d learned where the army base was. On the other, Adkins once again suspected I knew more than I’d let on. That meant I couldn’t talk to him about the army again without his being guarded.

  Cassie and Roze both agreed at dinner.

  “How could you say something so stupid?” Roze said.

  “I was excited!”

  “Being excited isn’t an excuse,” Cassie said. “That’s a logical fallacy.”

  I stood up and threw tater tots at them both. “You’re the ones who put me up to this! I told you I didn’t want to go! If you’re so perfect, go talk to him yourselves!”

  My tirade seemed to work, because both Cassie and Roze shut up.

  Cassie even apologized then said, “The fact you got the location helps immensely.”

  “I can’t wait to look it up,” Roze said.

  Cassie pulled out her phone. “Let’s do it now.”

  We scooted in as she opened her browser and searched Forreston Army Base.

  Sure enough, a Fort A.E.R.O. came up.

  “Whoa!” I said as pics of the base loaded.

  “It’s right by here!” Cassie said.

  “It can’t be coincidence,” Roze said.

  Cassie zoomed in on a picture. “I guess they specialize in aeronautics?”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “A.E.R.O.” Cassie said.

  “Oh.” That made sense, and we kept on reading. Unfortunately, we didn’t find a single mention of lighthouses. According to the website, Fort A.E.R.O. sounded like any other army base.

  After fifteen more minutes, Cassie put down her phone. Although we hadn’t learned anything groundbreaking, I felt good. Leaning back and stretching like I’d just finished a massive workout, I said, “Any other news today?”

  Cassie grabbed her fork and said, “Zimmerman’s Zealots named another school.”

  I flew forward. “No! Who?”

  “Some place in Mississippi.”

  I rolled a tater tot in my hand. “I still don’t get how we’re safe.”

  “It doesn’t make any sense,” Roze said.

  It didn’t make sense, but somehow Sanctuary avoided Senator Joseph through November and even into December. During that time, nothing happened with the Siren. I guess it was good, and teachers returned to normal, piling on the homework before semester tests. Still, to quote every cartoon in the world, it was quiet. . . too quiet.