Raven grabbed the plastic bag stuffed with clothes and her high heels from under the bed. She just had to get out the door, down the hall, and down the driveway without any of the other five people in the house figuring out that she was gone.
When the door creaked, Raven was sure someone was going to catch her.
As she ran down the driveway under a full moon, Raven laughed. She felt so alive.
Shelly’s car was a beat up silver Saturn four-door with 95,348 miles on it. Raven hopped into the passenger seat, “It’s a little too easy. Mom would have been sitting in the arm chair reading.”
Raven wished she could unthink those thoughts. It somehow felt traitorous to even suggest that it was better now that her Mom was gone, kidnapped, apparently willingly from what her letter suggested. Raven wondered if she even cared that her daughters had nearly been murdered while she was gone. Then the thought was gone, and she was a normal kid sneaking out of the house.
Shelly liked driving fast. They were swerving around corners doing eighty. As if she wasn’t taking both of their lives in her hands, Shelly spoke conversationally, “Yeah. The worst was that party you missed last year. Seriously. I was sitting at the top of your driveway when you texted me.”
Raven hurriedly changed from her t-shirt and girl boxers to a deep green silk blouse that worked wonders for her eyes followed by a short mini skirt. She tore her nylons trying to put them on, “Should I wear the tear or go without?”
“Without.” Shelly said without hesitation. “Hey, don’t go anywhere alone with Tony in that skirt.”
“Tony?” Raven didn’t recognize the name from her class.
“College senior. He’s got a thing for high school girls. Your skirt is easy access, and he’s all about that.” Shelly rolled down the window, enjoying the night air.
“Shelly, what are you not telling me? That’s a really vague warning.” Raven was a blunt type of individual and generally wanted things spelled out.
“Look, no one’s exactly accused him of rape, but everyone gets blitzed at these things and stuff happens. I’m just giving you a heads up.” She pointed with her thumb to the back, “Want to get this party started a little early?”
“When you’re going eighty?” Raven joked. A bit of a flush crept into her cheeks when she realized that her thoughts were completely Jade. When did she worry about rules and such? And when did she worry about creepy guys at parties? If Shelly had told her the same thing last year, she would have shrugged it off.
She pulled a pair of wine coolers out of the bag. Raven felt guilty when she handed one to Shelly, “Don’t get us killed.”
“Whoa, when did you turn into a DARE campaign?” Shelly at least braked before guzzling the bottle. Raven recognized a show when she saw one. Shelly was trying to look cool. Raven wondered when it stopped working. She’d have tried to match swallow for swallow in the past.
Laughing, Raven opened a bottle of her own, “This summer.”
Air hated alcohol. She said, Don’t Raven, I can’t talk to you when you’re like this.
It was true. Alcohol kept the Elements at bay. Raven didn’t know why, only that the best Elementals in the world were also teetotalers. At least that was what Aunt Bertha told her when she suddenly decided to cram sixteen years of lessons into one month. Raven’s mother didn’t want the girls doing anything at all with the Elements.
I need some alone time.
Raven hurt Air’s feelings. She could tell by the little chuff and change of pressure inside the car.
If Shelly noticed Raven’s distraction, she didn’t say anything. She was too busy chatting about the party and who was going to be there. “Ignore Trish. She’ll drop in for an hour, act like she runs the place, change the music a few times and then leave. She’s got big bazookas and she’s a college girl, too, so the guys let her do whatever.”
Raven took another sip. The taste of the alcohol had a sharp tang to it. Were she completely honest, she didn’t actually think it tasted that great. She liked the idea that she was getting away with something more than anything. The chill of the bottle cooled the side of her knee where she held it. Raven was thinking more than she’d thought before during these sneak outs.
Three years ago when Shelly was held back a grade, she had replaced Jade in a way. Instead of following Jade’s path, studying, playing sports, working, Raven followed Shelly. Speeding through the dark, Raven realized that she didn’t want to follow anyone. She wanted to figure things out for herself.
Still, it was good to have friends.
Raven stopped drinking, pretending to take a sip when Shelly glanced over. The whole situation was dumb. They could kill themselves or someone else. They could get busted. Imagine Aunt Bertha bailing her out. Raven wanted to be brave and say, “Hey, let’s head home.”
But she wasn’t brave. She wasn’t strong. She wasn’t any of those tough-girl things she pretended to be. At heart, she was a coward, running away from memories that haunted her, from responsibilities she felt too small to manage. Now that she knew she was a coward, Raven didn’t enjoy the game of escaping responsibility as much.
Still, Shelly chattered on and on and on. Raven nodded and sipped. Air at least seemed less upset now that she knew Raven wasn’t going on her usual bender. It was the longest ride of Raven’s life.
They found parking a block away from the party house. Music was thumping from huge speakers and like tiny flocks, people were walking toward the house in small groups. Shelly leaned on Raven, “Fashionably late. I know how to party.”
It was one of Shelly’s talents—Raven had to agree.
They climbed the stairs and met a group of overfriendly people who were hopping to the music. In the corner a group of guys were having a drinking contest and shouting loudly. Raven and Shelly wove their way deeper into the house. In the kitchen, Shelly poured a pair of vodka’s into shot glasses. Shelly pulled a couple of guys out of the dance, “Hey, I’ve got a few bags of hard stuff in the car. Want to help me carry it in?”
Shelly winked at Raven before leading the way. She probably raided her mom’s liquor. Her mom was such a lush she’d hardly notice it was gone, but complain bitterly at the rising cost of alcohol and taxes and how it was enough to break a person.
Raven floated along, pretending to dance and forcing a smile. Six months ago she’d be here smashed, laughing and loving every minute of it. Not today. Today, she felt disjointed, uncomfortable…out of place.
Air surrounded her, comforted her. Air knew somehow that Raven had changed, that Raven needed her support. For that Raven was grateful.
Shelly returned, enthralled in the boys and already half-drunk anyway. Raven drifted to the edges, finally settling on a corner table where she could sit and mostly avoid the crush. Watching Shelly dance made Raven a little nostalgic for the times when she was a free spirit. Raven, the girl with a life like Teflon, untouched by any of the bad.
One of the guys whispered to Shelly, hugging her too close while they danced. Shelly nodded and wove her way to Raven. Leaning in close, she practically shouted, “They’ve got some good stuff upstairs. Come on.”
Tugged along in Shelly’s wake, Raven followed her past couples making out at the bottom of the stairs and past the fellow passed out on the sofa whose face was getting sprayed with a can of string cheese while a pair of guys laughed uproariously. Shelly fell once on the stairs barely grabbing the rail in time while she roared with laughter.
Everything was funny to a drunk…or at least a happy drunk. There would be plenty of angry fighters as well, but the party hadn’t gone that far yet. Raven wondered if there was a quiet space upstairs where she could wait it out. She thought maybe she should drink a little more, try to fit in the way she used to.
That was all discounted when she walked into the bedroom.
Shelly grabbed Raven’s arm, “We’re going to try something new today. Go higher and faster than we’ve ever gone before. It’s a powerful drug.”
The offer of drug flying didn’t appeal to Raven. She was learning how to be an Elemental, and she really could fly…even if just a little.
“What is it?”
One of the guys looked up.
Raven shuddered.
Air whispered in her ear. Look at him as he really is.
That was the problem. Raven had seen the flash of truth.
It was as if she could see the man’s soul instead of the man. He was diseased, his face half-eaten by something that looked like a burning fungus. His eyes were skeleton holes. His head was a skull. Raven stepped backwards, ready to flee.
And then he was just a guy.
He answered, “Meth. You’ll go and go.”
Raven shrunk back, “Uh, no thanks.”
Shelly grabbed her arm, “Raven. Where are you going?”
“I’m sorry, Shelly. This isn’t my thing,” Raven wanted to leave the room, but two more guys had just shown up and were standing in the doorway. She was trapped between them and Shelly.
Everyone was looking at her.
She turned back.
The guy was a skeleton again. She couldn’t help herself. She said, “You know this stuff will kill you. It’s eating you alive.”
They all laughed at her.
Some girl slurred, “Where’d ya find the church lady?”
Shelly leaned up to Raven ear and hissed, “What are you doing?”
It was a question Raven had been asking herself since she climbed into the car with Shelly. She said, “I’m sorry, Shell. I just want to go home.”
“Well, you can’t. I’m not done here,” Shelly stumbled forward a little, “So, let me try some of this.”
Raven tried to stop her. She said, “Shelly, you can’t do this stuff. The minute you take it you’ll want more. They say its super addicting. You don’t want this.”
Shelly turned around, patting her friend on the arms, “Fine. I won’t try meth. But there are other things here. I’m sorry, I’m not leaving. You’re my best friend, but I don’t want to leave yet, and it’s my car.”
Their friendship broke a little in that moment. Raven could feel the fissure. She nodded. Shelly expected a certain set of behaviors from her, and Raven could no longer comply. She hugged her friend, “I love you, Shelly, but I have to leave. I’ll call Jade. Promise me you won’t get into any trouble.”
“Promise,” Shelly hugged her back, but it was an empty promise. She was already calling for more drinks and a few pills when Raven made her way down the stairs and outside where a cool breeze carried away the deep seeds of terror that had been planted in her heart when she saw the skeleton in the man.
Raven walked a little way down the street before pulling her phone out of her purse. It was two in the morning. Jade had an out-of-town volleyball game the next day. In a way Raven dreaded calling her, but she didn’t hesitate. Who else could she call?
“Hlo,” Jade was still half-asleep when she answered.
Raven winced as she said, “Jade? Can you do me a huge favor?”
She could practically see her sister sit up and turn on the light, looking at the rumpled bed where Raven should be sleeping.
“Where are you?” Jade’s sounded much more awake now…and much more annoyed.
Raven walked to the cross street, “I’m in Barton, near the college. Can you come get me?”
Raven bit her lip while she waited for Jade’s answer. She honestly didn’t know what she would do if Jade said no. She didn’t want to go back to the party, and the college was two towns over from Wildwood Springs, which was another twenty minutes from Mom’s house in the country.
Jade grumbled, “What address?”
Raven gave Jade the name of the streets, then said, “They’re actually in sight of the park. I’m going to sit at one of the park benches there for a while.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can. Keep your phone handy just in case,” Jade hung up.
Raven crossed the street and walked to the park. She felt strange, uneasy. She had never seen anyone who actually looked like death before. A small part of her felt guilty, responsible, as if she should march back into the house and gather up all the poison the partiers were shoving into their bodies and throw it out.
Raven sat on the park bench and waited for Jade. She thought she was alone.
~~ Jade ~~
Jade woke Aunt Bertha with the news. Somehow Bertha looked older since her trip to Denver or maybe she just looked weaker. Burying her sister definitely had taken a toll. Jade explained, “Raven snuck out for a party. She’s in Barton. Can I borrow your car?”
Aunt Bertha stared vacantly at Jade for a moment as if she couldn’t quite grasp what she was saying. Then Bertha said, “Yes, of course. You don’t mind? I’m feeling a bit tired myself.”
“I’ll take care of it. Don’t be too hard on her when we get home. This is the first time she’s actually called home after sneaking out.”
Aunt Bertha nodded. When she spoke, Jade wasn’t sure whether she was speaking to herself or to Jade. Aunt Bertha said, “Yes. It’s time for a Spirit Walk. She needs a bonding moment.”
“Good night, Aunt Bertha.” Jade said, tiptoeing out and closing the door behind her.
“Night.” Aunt Bertha rolled over and fell immediately asleep.
Jade sighed and wandered back to the room she shared with Raven to pull on some sweats and her coat. Taking Aunt Bertha’s keys from the hook next to the door, Jade stepped outside. The woods were quiet. She had the eerie feeling that someone was with her in the darkness.
Shaking her head and walking firmly to the car, her feet crunching on the gravel while a cool breeze touched her cheek, Jade said, “Calm down, now. There are no monsters here.”
Starting the car, Jade slowly pulled away from the house, driving down the long gravel driveway. A shadow in the forest separated from a tree and took to the air. It flew above the car as Jade drove to pick up Raven, but Jade didn’t see.
The drive wasn’t really that long, all things considered. After forty-five minutes Jade was passing the 35 MPH sign on the side of the road. She slowed down, trying not to think angry or annoyed thoughts.
Raven was her sister. Who else could Raven call in the middle of the night? But Jade had an out-of-town volleyball game and had to be on the bus at eight. Just because Raven sloughed off her studies and quit her extracurricular activities didn’t mean she should put Jade in a position to neglect hers.
Jade sighed, burying the frustration that she felt. That was how they lost their relationship before. I chose to drive the car to Barton and pick her up. That was my choice. I could have left her.
The address was already plugged into her phone. After a fifteen minute drive through town, Jade found the park. It was dark and deserted with street lamps dotted along the pathway.
Raven was not there.
Jade parked the car. A huge sign read, “Park closed at Dusk” with “No Overnight Parking” signs nearby next to Authorized towing signs. Jade felt a little like screaming. At least she’d put on a pair of jeans. The idea of wearing sweats had occurred to Jade. It’s not like anyone would see her driving back and forth. She was glad now for her jeans.
Jade grabbed her phone and called Raven. Of course, there was no answer.
After the voicemail message, Jade tried to be at least somewhat calm when she said, “Hey, I’m standing in the park now. You’re not here. Call me ASAP.”
Jade walked around the car. The lights in the park cast dim shadows. Under the trees there were places so dark you could hide a whale inside them. Jade didn’t relish the idea of wandering the park in the wee hours of the morning. It wasn’t a huge park, not like some that spanned acres and had gorgeous fountains and gardens everywhere, but it was big enough.
Clicking the flashlight app on her phone, Jade hoped she didn’t get mugged or worse wandering around in the dark. Raven was supposed to be here. Her sister might be wild, but if she said she would be somewhere, you could count on it.
Jade walked the park, checking each and every park bench, walking the periphery. At the far edge of the parking lot toward the cross-street, Jade heard the steady thumping of music. She was wondering how they could get away with it at this hour. Raven was nowhere to be found.
Deciding to try plan B, Jade followed the sound of the music. Drunk kids were everywhere. Walking up to the door, she blocked a pair of partygoers on their way out, “Excuse me? I’m looking for Raven or Shelly? Do you know either of them? Raven has long black hair and green eyes.”
One of the guys leaned against the door, “Yeah, that was one hot chick, but she left hours ago. Her friend is upstairs getting wasted if you want to talk to her.”
“Thanks,” Jade said and stepped back out of their way.
Jade rarely communicated with the Elements, even Fire who apparently had chosen her. But Air whispered in her ear, “Sirens. Run.”
Jade turned and double-stepped down the stairs, crossing the lawn in a run and then hurrying across the street. She ran to the car, deciding to pull out and park in front of one of the houses on the other side of the park away from the party.
As she pulled in front of a colonial with frosty blue globes that gave the yard a magical aura, Jade caught the first flashing lights in the rear view mirror. She turned off the car and watched in the darkness.
Kids were scattering like cockroaches, a dozen sprinting across the park. Jade made sure the doors were locked, then crawled to the back seat and grabbed Mindy’s blanket. She covered her head and waited in the silence.
From the car she heard the yells of kids one to another. She heard the voices of the police. An ambulance was called at one point. Jade couldn’t see it, but heard the distinctive siren.
Jade squeezed her eyes shut and tried to contact Air. The problem with her Elemental skills was mostly that she had none. Fire spoke with her at a whim, usually when Jade was in a position to agree to something destructive. Otherwise, it was quiet. Jade supposed that she didn’t exactly have a lot of situations in which Fire was available, not like Water and Air who surrounded the world. If she lived on the sun, maybe being a Fire Elemental would be useful.
A Time to Die (Elemental Rage Book 2) Page 2