The Grove

by J. R. King

  Rome shifted his focus to Aria. He couldn’t help but notice the way she was staring at him; or more specifically, his hands. He crossed his arms, tucking his fists in at his sides. Having a cop for a father probably meant she already knew he was lying. There was little he could do about it though.

  “I just want to help,” he said. He paused as their waitress reappeared, carrying his shake and a chipped ceramic plate loaded with Kaleb’s selections. She set the dish down and disappeared back into the kitchen as quickly as she’d come. Rome drew his attention back to the table – back to Ariahna and her assessing stare. “I’d let it go if it weren’t for the scratches.”

  “We were at the elementary school,” Aria said. She lowered her voice as another patron walked past. “There were three men there, and it looked like they were trying to break in to the school. So, Christian called the police.”

  “Barely,” he said. “There was a fourth guy.”

  “A look out,” Rome said.

  Christian nodded. “He destroyed my phone.”

  “And then you hit him,” Aria said.

  “It was a reaction! I didn’t think I’d knock the guy out.”

  Kaleb chose that moment to laugh. “You knocked that man out? He was easily twice your size.”

  Ariahna ignored the barb, turning to touch Christian’s elbow. “How’s your hand doing?”

  “Fine. Better than that guy’s arm.”

  Rome glanced at the way Kaleb was dipping his grilled cheese into the chowder he’d ordered. “Do you even have any money to pay for that?” he asked abruptly.

  Kaleb looked at him and grinned. “I’m sure I can count on someone to have my back.”

  “Anyways,” Christian said, “his friends weren’t too happy that the guy was face first on the concrete, let alone that we were there. One of them started waving a gun around. Things just got worse after that.” He moved his fingers through his hair, trying to forget how terrified he’d felt. “It was blind luck that we even got out of there.”

  “What do you mean?” Rome said.

  Aria exhaled. “I’m not sure we should say.” Christian gave her a questioning look. “He probably wouldn’t believe us.”

  “You don’t have to explain. I’m just glad you’re okay.” Rome broke eye contact as their server set his plates on the table.

  “We’re clean out of French toast,” she said.

  He smirked at the large stack of pancakes sitting on his plate. “Don’t worry about it. And tell them thank you for me.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Christian watched steam rise from his cup as the waitress came by to refill it a few minutes later. Rome was already halfway done with his meal. “You never did tell us how you knew we were there,” he said, shifting his focus to Kaleb. “I have to admit, I’m curious.”

  Kaleb’s patience was wearing thin, and he was entirely ready for the evening to be over. He answered brusquely. “I was visiting a relative in the cemetery,” he said. “I heard a scream. I came to help.”

  “Do you think the cops are looking for you?” Rome asked.

  Christian sipped his coffee. “I hate to say it, but there’s probably enough evidence back there to tell them my zodiac sign. What we need to do is get our stories straight, with just enough variation not to sound rehearsed.” Across the table, Rome was setting him with a serious stare. “What?” he said.

  “It just sounds like you’ve done this before.”

  “Nothing quite like this.” Christian turned to Ariahna, deciding to give her the bad news first. “If questioned, we’re going to have to admit to being at the elementary school. There’s no getting around it. I’m sorry.”

  “That still leaves you outside of Vardel after hours,” Rome said. “How are you going to explain that?”

  Christian smiled before taking another sip. “By saying we left way earlier than we did.” He could tell he’d gotten their attention, and as he explained the rest of his plan, each of them was slowly getting on board. All except Rome, of course.

  “They’re going to argue that you had other options.”

  Christian stood from his seat before snagging the check. “People underestimate youth. I plan to use that to my advantage.”

  The four of them regrouped outside without further argument. Rome was near the car, waiting for Kaleb to decide when he was going to get in. He was leaning back against the building, the yellow light illuminating only half of his face. Rome sighed as he shut the door, marching over to him. “Would you care to explain why you’re holding us up?”

  The look Kaleb directed at him was filled with unhappiness. “We have some things to talk about,” he said.

  “Okay,” Rome said quietly. “But are you mad at me, or just the situation? I can’t control what happened tonight.”

  The soft murmur of Christian and Aria’s voices reached them from the car.

  “Mad?” Kaleb said. “No. What I am is in awe. First, that you would risk your secret to save the very people who would condemn you; and second, that you were able to do what you did at all.” He tilted his chin, gesturing at the blanket of stars above them. “Tell me,” he said, “does that look like a full moon to you?”

  Rome grit his teeth. “I was just trying to do the right thing, alright? If you’re so upset about it, why did you help me in the first place? You certainly didn’t owe me any favors.”

  Kaleb pushed away from the wall, feet crunching over loose gravel. “No,” he said. “But now you do.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lying in Wait

  The sun was hidden behind clouds the next morning, giving a dreary start to the day. Ariahna darted around the field, doing sprints and watching the soccer team assemble on the green. She spotted Christian milling around the lawn near Dallas. And passing them on a curve, she couldn’t help but wonder what he might have told him. Rome came up on her flank, jogging alongside her to her surprise.

  “Hey,” he said lightly. “How did you sleep?”

  Aria offered him a smile. “I didn’t.”

  He charted the sheen of sweat across her collarbone. The angry marks from last night had all but disappeared. A faded line, barely visible to him, was all that remained. “You healed up quick,” he said.

  “The Alchemy lab was unlocked, so I took care of it. I figured it was better than wearing a scarf.”

  He nodded, staring at the track in front of them. The rhythm of their feet stole the silence. “Want to race?” he asked.

  “You won’t beat me. You’re barely keeping up.”

  “I guess if you’re afraid…”

  Ariahna took off like a bolt and Rome had to scramble to catch up. He was going so fast he wasn’t sure he was going to make the curve. Half a step behind, and he was giving it his all, booking it down the track so hard that pieces of rubber were flying up from his shoes. The only thing louder than his heart was the crashing of their footfall. Whistles and catcalls from the field announced her victory, and Rome bent at the waist, gripping his knees and trying to catch his breath.

  “Where did you learn to run like that?” he said.

  “I do track in the spring. I hold the school record.”

  Rome’s smile dissipated as Dallas and Ariahna’s names were called through the loudspeaker, summoning them to the dean’s office. “Part of me just wants to advise you to run.”

  She smirked back at him. “They’d never catch me.”

  Dallas approached from the field, hands held in the air. “Do you have any idea why the dean would want to speak with us?”

  Aria turned from Rome, traveling with Dallas back to the main building. He looked perturbed, for reasons she could guess. He wasn’t going to be any happier after what she expected was coming next. “Don’t worry,” she said. “You’re not in any trouble.”

  The fourth floor was lousy with teachers, red-eyed and sipping on their morning coffee. Most seemed too tired to acknowledge them as they passed, walking hesitantly towards the large oak do
ors. They swung inward to reveal two police officers standing in the room. Dean Oakland was seated stiffly behind his desk. He gestured them in.

  “Please, take a seat,” Oakland said.

  Dallas did as he was told, making sure not to completely avoid eye contact with the men in blue. “What’s this all about?”

  “When was the last time you saw your car, Mr. Hayes?”

  Dallas went rigid. “My car? Please, just tell me she’s okay.”

  One of the officers stepped up to his side.

  “It was found downtown late last night. Have you left the school anytime within the last forty-eight hours?”

  He shook his head profusely. “No. And I have witnesses who can attest to that fact. Whatever my car was involved in,” he said, “I had nothing to do with.”

  “You see?” the dean said. “It’s as I’ve said. No student of this academy would be involved in anything like what you were describing. In all likelihood, the car was stolen.”

  The men were put off by the explanation. “You’ll still have to give an official written statement,” one said. “Your vehicle will be returned once we’ve finished processing it.”

  Dallas’ face was set with worry. “Processing it? No one’s answered my question yet! How’s my baby? Is anything missing?”

  “I’m afraid we’re unable to disclose that at this time.”

  The two men turned towards the door, leaving with a promptness that aided them in avoiding his wrath. Ariahna, however, would still have an unbearable Dallas to contend with later. “Excuse me,” she said, drawing the dean’s eye. “If you don’t mind me asking, why did you call me here if they only needed to question him?”

  The dean folded his hands together, waiting until the doors had closed to address her. “I’m afraid that this was just a formality. The Collective has arranged for S.I. to be sent over. They are conducting their own investigation into the matter.”

  “What?” Aria said. “But—” She paused as the mirror near the wall began to rattle. She’d never seen that standing there before. A full-length mirror now occupied one corner of the office, quivering like it was made out of water instead of glass. Ariahna felt her stomach clench. She knew what to expect. She sat there helplessly, gripping at the wooden chair handles as her father began to morph through. Liquid glass clung to his sharp suit and the rigid edges of his face, highlighting those hard gray eyes that were now locked on her.

  Richard was glaring as he stepped through the mirror and into the room, dress shoes clacking against the polished floor. A thin black tie hung neatly from his neck, complementing the wavy, raven hair atop his head. He looked like a businessman, through and through. But he carried a gun and moved like a cat, and knew at least a hundred ways to make a grown man cry. The cool look of disdain hanging in his eyes said it all. This wasn’t a social call (not that Richard ever visited his daughter just to socialize). No, this was the interrogation.

  ***

  Christian stood at the top of the stairs, glancing down at Rome as he snuck up from the teacher’s lounge. “Hurry up, before someone sees you,” he said. He pressed his back against the iron door, pushing in the lock bar. The rooftop stretched out around them, giving way to an endless silver sky.

  Rome followed him around a few generators, making sure to avoid the restless seagulls along the way. “I’m not sure this is a good idea,” he said.

  “We’ve already made it this far. Besides, we need to know what’s going on in there.”

  Rome wasn’t about to argue. Listening in was harmless. And Christian was right, the benefits far outweighed the risks. They sat back against the brick, paying attention to the distorted voices coming up through the vent.

  “How did you even know this was here?”

  “I found it by accident,” Christian said. “Now shush.”

  “Mr. Oakland,” a man’s voice said. “Thank you for your hospitality in volunteering your office for our interview.”

  The dean harrumphed. “Very well. I trust you won’t be long.”

  The sound of a door closing traveled up the metal duct, causing Christian to cringe at the reverberation.

  “Mr. Hayes, I understand your car was involved in a crime.”

  “Richard,” Dallas said, “this is me. You know me. The last thing I’d do is commit an act that might land me on your bad side.”

  “Then what exactly were you doing with my daughter down on the East side in the middle of the night?” he said. “Ariahna, would you care to explain?”

  Christian swore. “We’re so screwed.”

  “I wasn’t with Dallas,” Aria said.

  They could hear the hesitation in her voice.

  “Go on…”

  ***

  Richard perched cross-armed on the edge of the desk.

  “I’m still awaiting an explanation,” he said.

  Aria faltered momentarily before falling back on the story that Christian had concocted. “I left earlier in the day with a friend. We went to the elementary school to play basketball and walk the trail. When we went to leave though, we realized we didn’t have the keys.”

  “You lost them?” Richard’s tone was colored with disbelief.

  “Christian did,” she said. Her father rose from where he’d been resting, staring at her with reproach.

  “Christian, is it? And how did this Christian happen to come by Dallas’ keys? Might you be able to fill in that little detail, Mr. Hayes?”

  Ariahna glanced warily at Dallas, noting his pallor.

  “I… lent them to him?” Dallas flinched at Richard’s cutting stare. “For emergencies only. I didn’t think—”

  “Clearly that is becoming a trend.” Richard stood in front of the boy, the epitome of disappointment. “Your father and I were friends for several years. That doesn’t mean I’ll be able to look the other way if your bad decisions keep landing you in trouble. I expect not to have this conversation again. Do I make myself clear?”

  Dallas nodded insistently.

  “Good,” Richard said. “Now go wait in the hall until I call for you. I’d have a moment alone with my daughter.”

  Dallas departed eagerly, leaving Aria to her own devices.

  “Finish your story,” Richard said.

  She was bright enough to recognize that he wasn’t buying it. But Aria continued anyway, sticking to the story they’d chosen. She recounted how they’d been waiting for a friend to come and get them when a group of guys had happened upon them. “…We called the police and waited for our friend down the road at a diner.”

  “What was the name of the establishment?”

  “The Silver Spoon,” she said. “The waitress there would remember us. You can ask her.”

  “I’ve already spoken with the staff,” he said coolly. “It was the only place open at the time of the incident. And the waitress there did remember you. However, it was her impression that you all seemed rather rattled. She recalled an ugly scratch around your neck as well. Maybe that might explain this?” Richard retrieved a small silver chain from his pocket, dangling it in front of her face. “Look familiar?”

  “…My locket.”

  “You lost that as well, I imagine?”

  Ariahna met his eyes, answering without missing a beat. “It must have fallen off during our game.” She reached out to take it, surprised when he let her. “It’s not in evidence?”

  His glare softened. “I thought it best this didn’t make it into the report.” He looked at her consideringly then. “Don’t take that as a sign that you’re somehow off the hook.”

  Aria shook her head. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “There’s something else,” he said. “One of the suspects in custody was attacked. When they dragged him through the ER last night, they say he kept screaming about a wolf.”

  Ariahna cleared her throat hoarsely, trying to summon an explanation for what she’d seen. “I don’t know what to tell you.”

  Richard grimaced. “That’s not
an answer I can accept.”

  She stared back, trying to convey the sincerity and confusion that she felt with her eyes. “I really don’t have an answer.”

  He eased back, resting against the desk once more. “Alright then. I need to go and confer with the dean now, but we will have words about this later. Wait here until I return.”

  She nodded, watching him take a notepad from the dean’s desk and then exit the room. Dallas rejoined her after a heartbeat, his face flooded with exuberant anxiety.

  “What in the hell was that all about?” he asked.

  Ariahna tuned him out, vision glazing over as she looked around the large office. It felt inexplicably cramped all of a sudden. Her eyes snapped to the window. “I think I need some air,” she said. She rose steadily, walking over to crack the squeaky frame.

  Dallas groaned. He watched her in bemusement, drinking in the quiet breeze. “It’s okay,” he said, “just take a breath.”

  “If only breathing was all it took to make this better.”

  He held back a sigh. “It’s going to be alright.”

  She looked skeptical.

  “Trust me, your father loves you too much to kill you.”

  “I feel like we’re seriously testing that,” she said.

  Chatter from the teacher’s lounge slipped underneath the door, livening up the space. Ariahna let out a breath, looking down at the cabinet against her shin. Suddenly Christian’s confession came flooding back to her. She thought about their conversation, before things had taken an ugly turn. He was struggling, and nobody knew it. Or maybe Dallas knew it, because he seemed to be regarding her with an acute knowingness now, rather inexplicably.

  “Student files,” she said, watching him approach.

  “What about them?”

  “I was just thinking about something someone told me… Haven’t you ever wondered what yours might say?”

  Dallas guffawed as she knelt on the floor, sliding open the drawer. “What are you doing?” He darted a look back at the exit.