Wraith

by Joy Blood

  Day one down, and I'm heading back to my car. The bright day it started out to be has now hazed over in a mist that’s beginning to soak the ground, not to mention my clothes. Getting to my car, I grab the handle and pull, only to realize I locked it. Oh, craptastic, I locked it. At home, I never locked my car. We don’t live in town, so it wasn’t a thing, but here…here it’s a thing. I peer through the window, finding my keys hanging out right there in the ignition. Ugh. Just my luck.

  “Hey, Kimi,” someone greets from behind me, and I look up to see Sam coming my way. “Why are you standing out here in the rain?” he asks as he gets closer, flipping the hood of his sweatshirt over his head. The shirt is the same color most of the students wear around campus, the same “SDU” written on the front—South Dakota University.

  “I…uh, locked my keys in my car,” I confess, bowing my head as the rain starts to pick up, the drops getting bigger by the second.

  “Shit, that sucks. My truck is right here,” he says, gesturing to a truck in the row behind. “You can sit and wait until it stops raining, then I’ll see if I can get it open for you. Sound good?” he offers. Getting into a truck with a man five times my size? Probably not the best idea, but I am getting soaked, and he seems to be genuinely nice. Not all people are bad, I remind myself. “I won’t try to kidnap you or anything. Promise,” he says, giving me that smile that lights up his face. I nod slightly, and he walks by me toward his truck, opening his passenger door for me to climb in. And by climb, I mean climb.

  Reaching up, I grip the handle handing from the roof of the cab and pull myself inside the monster of a truck. A truck this big makes sense for a guy his size, but when he rounds the truck and gets in, he still seems to dwarf it.

  “That’s better. Our practice isn't ‘til later, so I’ve got time to wait this out, and if I can’t get it open, I know a guy we can call. This happens more than you think around here.” Putting his key in the ignition, he starts the truck, and the vibration fills my seat as it roars to life. A loud banging of drums and guitar riffs blares from the speakers, and Sam quickly reaches forward and turns the stereo down. “Shit. Sorry. Like my music loud.”

  “It’s fine. Thank you for doing this,” I say, bringing my hand to my mouth and chewing the battered nail on my middle finger.

  “No problem. So, where you from, Kimi?” Turning toward him, I pull my hand from my mouth and stuff them under my legs, squeezing them in between the seat and the denim of my damp jeans.

  “Um, Cental.”

  “Yeah? You ever see that biker gang they have there?” The question makes me freeze.

  “No,” I blurt out, earning a strange look from him. Nice one, Kimi. “You said practice wasn’t until later?” I ask, trying to cover up my awkwardness.

  “Yeah. Football practice. You ever been to a game?”

  “A football game? No.” Gin and Vin watched football every now and then, yelling at the TV when their team was doing poorly. Other than that, football wasn't really something I paid attention to. Actually, I don’t watch much of anything. Reading is more my speed.

  “You should come this Saturday. It’s definitely something you need to experience at least once while in college,” he tells me.

  “Maybe.” I shrug.

  “Zeke is the QB. He and I are both starters. Not bad for sophomores. We kick ass,” he tells me with a smile, then furrows his brows, catching my questioning look. “QB means quarterback. He’s the one who throws the ball. I'm a tight end. I cover his ass and make sure the guys on the other team don’t knock him out,” he explains.

  “That sounds…rough,” I say, cringing. Getting shoved to the ground for sport didn’t sound appealing at all.

  “Yeah,” he chuckles, “it can be. But it’s also a hell of a rush. Plus, I get to take people out.” He smirks, then glances out the window, accessing the weather. “Looks like the rain has let up. I’ll go out and see if I can’t get your car open.” Before I can say anything further, he hops out and heads to the back of his truck, opening a large diamond plated toolbox. Slamming it shut, he heads to my car, and I jump out—probably not as graceful as I would have liked, but I'm out nonetheless. I shut his door and start toward him right as my car door swings open.

  “How did you do that so quick?” He turns, flashing a long, thin, silver tool.

  “Handy to carry one of these around. Didn't know if I had the one for this model. Some have different ends on them,” he explains, showing me the hook-like cut out at the end.

  “So, you just happen to have some sort of car unlockey thing?” I ask skeptically, getting a deep laugh from him.

  “Yeah. I kind of have a habit of locking myself out of my truck,” he admits. “Promise I don’t go around jacking people’s shit out of their vehicles. As fun as that sounds…” he explains, and I laugh out loud.

  “All right then. Well, if you change your mind, that sounds like it would make for a fun night,” I reply, surprising myself with my bold sarcasm.

  “You are fun shit when you open up, Kimi. Think about coming to the game this weekend. It’ll be fun. See you later.” Nodding once, he jogs back to his truck.

  Forty-Six

  Kimi

  When I get back to my dorm, I blow out a relieved breath, grateful I’m alone. I kick my shoes off, then stop in my tracks, realizing I’m alone, alone, and not just for the moment. Everything on my roommate’s side is completely gone, like the neatly made bed with a purple comforter was never there when I left this morning. Now there's just a mattress with a black suitcase and a box sitting on top.

  Shrugging it off, I sit down at my desk and pick up the picture I brought with me—one of all five of us. Us being my family. Vin, my dad, Ellie, my mom, and Anthony and Dawn, my siblings. Anthony is three and Dawn is one. They are the cutest kids on the planet. My heart aches. I miss them so much. Really, it’s only been three days, but they are my whole life. Though Vin and Ellie aren’t my parents through blood or even on paper, they are the two people I refer to as my parents.

  The door opening pulls me from my homesick state, causing me to look up at the girl walking through it. We make eye contact and both give a polite smile. “Hey. I'm Ari. I was just assigned this room this morning. I didn't quite get unpacked. Apparently my roommate didn't like me.” She shrugs.

  “I guess mine didn't either,” I admit, bringing us both into burst of nervous laughter.

  “Well, don’t mind me. I pretty much keep to myself. And I don’t have a boyfriend, so you won’t catch me sucking face when you walk through the door.”

  “Good to hear. The sucking face part, that is,” I clarify. “I'm Kimi,” I introduce myself as she comes farther into the room, going for her box first. She’s a few inches taller than my five-foot-three, with short black and purple hair. Reminds me of Ellie’s hair, only hers has red streaks.

  “That’s a cool name. Native?” she questions, her voice starting to sound similar.

  “Yeah. Where are you from?” I ask, curious.

  “Small town on the high-line. Montana.”

  “I thought your accent sounded familiar. Are you from the Rez?”

  “Yeah. Only white girl in my class,” she chuckles, but it sounds forced. “Good times,” she says. “What about you? Where are you from?”

  “Montana,” I admit without thinking.

  “Cool,” she says, continuing her task of unpacking. “Imagine that, the two of us getting paired together.”

  “Yeah,” I agree as we fall into a comfortable silence, her unpacking and me finishing up my assignments for the day.

  Hours later, my phone rings, the chime letting me know it’s Ellie. “Hey, Mom.” It still feels weird calling her mom, but it has only been two years since she became my mom. She and Vin came into my life when I needed it most. Well, Vin mostly. He saved me from the shit hand I was dealt right after the first shitty hand I experienced.

  “How are you, Kimi? How was the first day?” she asks, her smile evident in h
er voice.

  “Great. I just finished the ton of homework the professors decided to dump on us and got a new roommate,” I tell her. Ari stepped out a few minutes ago, or else I wouldn't be talking so openly about her.

  “Oh, what happened with the first one?”

  “Must not have wanted to room with a Native,” I laugh, and Ellie sighs.

  “Well, if that is the case, she’s a bitch and doesn't deserve to be in the same room as you,” she states. “I'm so proud of you for doing this, I hope you know that.”

  “I know. And I'm glad I'm here, but I miss you guys. How are the kids?”

  “Oh, you know them. Now that Dawn learned how to walk, she’s unstoppable, and Anthony’s right there to show her his destructive ways,” she laughs. “Gin was here yesterday. He and a couple guys came through on a run. They’re talking about re-constructing the chapter here in Cental.”

  “Oh. I see.” I don’t want to ask, and I know she can hear it in my voice.

  “He didn’t come,” she tells me, and that’s all I need to know.

  “Oh. Uh…” I stutter through a fake yawn. “I'm beat, Mom. I'm going to get some sleep. They’ll probably pile even more homework on us tomorrow.” I force a laugh.

  “All right. I’ll call tomorrow then. Love you, Kimi. Goodnight.” I respond the same and end the call, sucking back the tears that threaten to spill over. He doesn't care. It’s why he left in the first place. I need to get on with my life. Jake Kerr never existed. Was never a small sliver of hope in my life when I needed it most. He was never my first kiss from a man I actually wanted one from. He was…never.

  The next day is much like the first, minus the being tackled to the ground. Though, I did see Zeke again, along with Blake, who I now know plays football with Sam. For whatever reason, the two of them together bother me. Just a bad vibe, I guess. I also found Ari in a couple of my classes. We seemed to hit it off pretty well last night, and today, we’ve been inseparable. She’s funny and brings out my sarcasm, which she seems to enjoy.

  “Look who it is, the dike. And this must be her new girlfriend,” a snotty voice says, breaking into our conversation. I look up to see a snooty looking girl similar to how Sadie looked yesterday.

  “Kimber, let’s just go,” someone from behind her says. Looking over, I find Kimber with four girls standing behind her, their hair all pulled back in tight, high ponytails and wearing matching black stretchy pants with maroon and silver tops. Cheerleaders.

  Sadie’s standing in the back, and offers a small, apologetic smile before looking down to the ground as Kimber narrows her eyes.

  “Did I say you could talk? Shut it, Sadie, or you’ll find yourself benched at tomorrow’s game,” Kimber scolds. Sadie blanches, then nods, a soft apology leaving her lips almost involuntarily.

  “Kimber, so nice to see you making your rounds and spreading your bitchiness to everyone. Not much has changed since last year, has it?” the familiar baritone sounds out from behind Ari and me.

  “Hi, Sam,” Kimber grumbles. “I was just saying hello to the happy couple.” Glaring down at Ari, she gives her a little bitch of a smirk, then saunters off with her entourage following dutifully behind her.

  “What a fucking bitch,” Sam says under his breath as he takes a seat opposite us.

  “Tell me about it,” Ari mutters.

  “Hey there, Kimi. Who’s your friend? I like this one,” he says, holding out his hand to Ari.

  “Oh, this is my roommate, Ari.” She gives a soft smile and takes his hand.

  “Sam. Nice to meet you, Ari. Digging that purple, but shouldn't it be maroon? You know, school spirit and all?” he chuckles as he takes his hand away to unwrap his sandwich.

  “Yuck. Never been much of a maroon fan. Or a school spirit fan, for that matter,” she admits.

  “So, you won’t be the one to get Kimi to go to a game this weekend?” he questions, mouth full of half-chewed ham and bread.

  “That would be a no.”

  “Too bad. I think you two would have fun.” He grabs a bottle of water to wash down the bite, then takes another one, this one bigger than the last.

  “What’s the deal with Kimber? She usually doesn't make it her mission to single someone out unless she has a problem with them,” he asks, shoving more sandwich into his mouth. God, no wonder he’s so big. The guy eats like a horse.

  “She’s just a bitch. Thinks I'm gay.” She shrugs, and Sam chokes on his bite.

  “Are you?” he asks as his coughing subsides.

  “That is none of your business,” I scold, and they both laugh.

  “It’s fine, Kimi. I don’t care. That bitch is the only one who does,” Ari says, tipping her head toward where Kimber went.

  “She probably just has a hard-on for you. Heard Blake can’t get it up for her.” He laughs, and we both join in. “It’d be a shame if you were. For me.” He gives her a wink and rises to stand, his garbage from his devoured sandwich clutched in his hands. “Think about the game, ladies. Wouldn't mind a couple hotties cheering for me up in the stands.” He winks again, then walks away, and I’m left stunned.

  “Well, he is—”

  “Abrupt?” I interrupt, getting a giggle from Ari.

  Against our own protests, Ari and I decide going to the game is something we should do—at least once. Neither of us having been to one before, so we have no idea how to dress or what the hell we’re doing. It’s cooler outside, so we pile on layers.

  “You sure we should go?” Ari asks for the fifteenth time.

  “Ah, yeah, we should?” I state, though it sounds more like a question. “Let’s go. If it sucks, we won’t do it again. How does that sound?” I ask, getting a nod of agreement from her.

  “Let’s go.”

  Forty-Seven

  Jake

  The weather in Montana is unpredictable. It could be bright and shiny one minute, then snowing the next. It’s not snowing right now, just a good, heavy rain. Shit, we were all outside enjoying the hot day not two seconds ago without a cloud in the sky. Now, we’re all gathered around the table for church, Gin to my left and Sage to my right. Since the three of us came here about two years ago, we’ve been trying to gather enough members and resources to restart the club back in Cental.

  Couple years ago, our club got shot up by our own damn brothers from the Chicago chapter, leaving only Gin, our president at the time, alive. They made an example of him, and left him still breathing so he could pass along the message that our club was no more and their new boss, Avil Cantrell, was now in charge. That prick had been a thorn in our sides for the better part of five years. Ours meaning my, Vin’s, Ellie’s, and my brother, Finn’s. My brother didn’t get out of it alive, though. Still feels like a part of me is missing when I think about him.

  “All right, all those in favor of sending Gin, Sage, and Rock down to kickstart the Cental chapter once again, say aye,” Eagle says, putting it to a vote. Of course, it gets passed. The brothers want that club up and running again. A combined “aye” sounds out across the table and Eagle slams down the gavel. “All right then. Now, who has a nomination for Pres?” he asks the now hushed table.

  “Nominate Gin for Pres,” I hear someone say.

  “Gotta reject that one, brother.” Gin stands to his feet, catching me off guard. “We all know Rock is our guy. That’s my vote.”

  “All right then. Those in favor?” Eagle asks again, getting the same response as the last vote. Gin sits back down without looking my way or giving a semblance of an explanation.

  “It ain't for me anymore,” he tells Sage in a hushed tone while looking forward at the table. He hasn't quite been the same since everything went down. Hell, I don’t blame the guy either. The shit he went through that day was fucked up.

  “Who is your VP, Rock?” Eagle slides the president patch across the table accompanied by the vice president patch. Rock takes them without a sound and passes the VP patch over in front of me. Raising my head, I look the guy
in the eye, giving him my silent question. Why me?

  “Know you don’t want to be going back to Cental, but it’s time, and I need you to have my back. You got it, brother?” Picking up the patch, I nod, still shocked, but accepting of the position.

  “Good. Any opposed?” Eagle asks. When no one opposes, he continues. “Sergeant at arms?” he asks, handing out another patch, which Rock slides over to Sage, who accepts it with a nod. “Good shit. You guys work the rest out. We all know who’s going down there with ya and wish you all the best of luck.” He slams down the gavel once again, ending church. Seems the four of us plus three others are heading to Cental—the one place I don’t want to go, but can’t stop thinking about.

  “You right with this, brother?” Gin asks as we walk out of the room and make our way to the bar for a much-needed drink. He knows I don’t like talking in front of everyone. Swallowing a couple times to relieve the dryness from my throat, I try to answer.

  “For the club. I’m. Good,” I rasp out in a chopped whisper, swallowing after each word. My voice is barely there, still fucked since I took a bullet fragment to the neck a couple years back, so I try to avoid talking a lot or in front of more than one person. “Thought,” I swallow, “you wanted Pres?” I ask him. Gin has known me long enough to know exactly what I'm trying to say even if it’s just a couple scratchy words. Sometimes, it just hurts too damn much to speak. Doctors tell me it’s the vibration or some shit that causes the discomfort and my speech will get better if I keep exercising my vocal chords. Haven’t put that one to the test. Keeping my throat hydrated seems to help in a pinch.

  “Yeah. Just don’t feel right, you know? Going to be hard enough going back there,” he admits, taking a seat at the bar. A prospect promptly sets out glasses to pour our whiskey, and I nod in agreement.