Forest of the Forbidden

by W. J. May

  I leaned toward Grace. “Maybe they should fill their pants with rolls of toilet paper.”

  “What’s that Red?” Damon paused in his work and grinned at his nickname for me. “Chumming up to your little pal?” He glared at Grace. “It’s obvious Red’s you’re new little Barbie doll. Poor new-gal didn’t stand a chance once you sunk your claws in her.”

  How old was this guy, nine? “I have a brain, thank-you. I’m a Barbie. Maybe you’re just jealous she wouldn’t let you be her Ken?”

  He stepped forward and leaned down, his face inches from mine, hot breath hitting my cheeks. “What’d you just say?”

  My courage flew out the window. I dropped my gaze. His eyes were red, nostrils flared, lips curled in a nasty smile. I locked on his neck where a birthmark, which also looked angry, peeked out from the edge of his polo shirt near the buttons.

  Simon pulled Damon back. “Leave her alone. You’re scaring the poor girl.”

  I gasped for air, not realizing I’d held it. With a shaky hand, I covered my mouth, not sure what else to do.

  Damon blinked and jerked his arm out of Simon’s grip. “Whatever. Sorry, Red.”

  “You’re such a jerk, Damon.” Grace grabbed my arm and led me inside by the elbow. “You okay?”

  Leaning against the cool, cement bricked wall, I tried to calm my nerves. “Bit insecure, isn’t he?”

  Grace laughed. “I usually just try to ignore him.”

  “How do you ignore someone so big?”

  “And ugly?”

  I grinned, feeling better. “You so missed your chance when you turned him down.”

  “I guess he never got over it.” She pretended to clutch her heart. “It started the first week I was here, but he was just so big—”

  “An’ ugly.”

  “An’ smelly. It turned me off.”

  “I don’t blame you.”

  The bell rang. I had chemistry and she had art on the other side of school.

  “See you after classes. Try not to pick anymore fights.” She laughed and disappeared down the hall.

  Afternoon classes flew by. At the end of the day, I made my way out to the parking lot to Grace’s car. My heart skipped a beat when a dark blue Mustang sat parked beside the Smartcar.

  Michael stood waiting between the two cars, leaning against his door.

  “Hi.” I hadn’t seen him for two weeks and he looked awesome. I made tight fists, warning my fingers not to reach up to his blond hair begging to be tamed. His blue eyes piercing with their intensity, his lips and slight stubble – all of it made my blood rush.

  He nodded a hello, but his face remained serious. “Grace told me what happened. I thought I might have a word with this Damon boy.”

  Boy? Damon was like a year younger than him. I waved my hand. “It’s nothing. Damon probably took too many steroids and had some reaction.” Bummer. I had been hoping for: I missed you.

  Michael’s head shot up and his body tensed. I turned around to where he looked.

  Damon pushed through the school front doors, strutting across the grass with Simon in tow. They headed to the other side of the parking lot. He kept glancing our way with an irritating, cocky smile, but he continued to his car. He gassed the engine and sped out of the parking lot.

  “Michael!” Grace’s singsong voice made both of us turn. “What a surprise.” Her cheeks and most of her face burned slightly red.

  “Really? You contacted –” Michael stopped mid-sentence.

  Something passed between the two of them, but I couldn’t figure out what. It might take a bit of patience, but I intended to find out. Why would Grace call Michael and tell him about lunch? It was no big deal. Then it dawned on me. “It seems your old flame’s still holding a bit of a nasty grudge.”

  Grace shrugged. “You win some and, in his case, you lose again. The guy’s a meat-head.”

  “Maybe it was good I wasn’t here.” Michael turned and smiled at me. “Well, if my knight-in-shiny-armor services aren’t needed; is there anything else I can help you with?”

  “Well...” I said. “There is this Halloween Masquerade. We are actually required to go for drama class. I could really use a date.”

  * * *

  Chapter 7

  Of all the Halloween themes, we got stuck with famous couples. Grace convinced Simon to go with her and she took charge of all our outfits. She bought a Spartacus costume for Michael and a Roman slave one for me. I’d come to trust her and she made me laugh with her charity shop and eBay shopping.

  The night of the dance I sat in her bathroom on a stool, letting her curl my hair and pin it up. “Doesn’t Spartacus’s wife get murdered?”

  She dropped the curling iron.

  I swore she caught the hot part in her bare hand but didn’t even flinch.

  Setting the curling iron on the counter, she grabbed a few bobby pins. “Aren’t all famous couples tragic?”

  Her hand was obviously not burned. I pointed at her in the mirror. She was dressed as Fashion Fairy Tale Barbie. “I don’t think Barbie and Ken have a tragic ending.”

  “Touché. But if Damon see’s the outfits, he might change that.” She giggled at my shocked looked in the mirror. “I’m just kidding. He’s the one who gave me the idea.” She pinned the last bobby pin in my hair. “Stand.”

  We stared at my reflection. The faded grey-blue slave’s dress had tattered sleeves and hem but I was willing to bet, no slave ever wore a dress this formfitting. Grace had tied a black scarf around my waist for a belt. She’d bought the gorgeous pair of strappy sandals from a second-hand shop.

  She traced her fingers along her collar bone. “Something’s missing.” Snapping her fingers, she disappeared out of the room.

  I stared down at my red polished toe nails and leaned against the doorframe. Grace had found a gladiator costume on eBay in Michael’s size. The thought of his body in a fighter’s outfit created a tingling in my lower abdomen. I was willing to bet Spartacus had nothing on Michael. Hopefully I didn’t embarrass myself with staring, or even worse if I’d start salivating.

  “Wear this.” Grace held something shiny in her hand. “It’s not a choker, but we can link the clasp on a shorter part of the chain and make it look like one.

  The necklace, beautiful and obviously antique, was made of sterling and shone like Grace had just polished it. “I can’t wear that.”

  “I know Roman slaves wore copper, but this is so perfect. It’s—”

  “Too expensive.” My fingers had a will of their own and reached for the silver. The chain was cool, but the aged Celtic pendant had a unique feel. Heavy but...different. I couldn’t tell if it was hot or cold. I held it up to the light. The pendant turned out to actually be some sort of vial with a ruby inside. “Is this some kind of family heirloom?” I’m not wearing this—my luck it belonged to Caleb’s mother.

  “Just try it on.” Grace took it from my hand and clipped the chilly metal around my neck. Against my skin, the pendant gave me goose bumps but warmed instantly. How in the world did it do that?

  “Don’t you look adorable, little sis,” Michael said sarcastically from the hall doorway. “Apparently your idea of tragedy is quite different than the rest of the worlds.”

  Grace’s bouffant hairdo blocked my view of Michael’s face. A round shield covered his body, except for his bare legs and sandaled feet.

  “Hardy-har-har.” Grace faked a girly laugh. “My shopping helped you though. You’re quite dashing.”

  “Half naked in October? Don’t you th—” He froze as I stepped beside Grace.

  Grace grinned, a wacky, I-got-you-good smile totally meant for her brother. “Come on, don’t look so serious. It’s Halloween! Let her be your slave for a night.”

  Hot. Very hot. Muscles and flesh and metal everywhere. No wonder the Romans loved their gladiators. He could have been a god. However, the scowl on his face stopped me from sharing my thoughts.

  He glanced back and forth between the two of u
s. His face then broke into a half-smile. “You do make a sexy slave.” He walked over and reached for the necklace’s pendant. It seemed to burn with his touch. His fingers cooled the skin against my collar and neck.

  My breath caught. “This isn’t Caleb’s, is it?”

  He chuckled. Leaning forward, he gave me a tender kiss on the forehead. “It’s definitely not Caleb’s.” He tucked a stray curl behind my ear.

  My head spun. I wasn’t sure if it was from the moment as it seemed like something deeper than just words were being said, or if it was Michael’s close proximity, or the fact I’d forgotten to breathe.

  Grace sighed quietly. I guess we should get going.”

  We headed down the stairs. I stared at Michael’s almost bare back. Nice tight muscles, smooth skin with slightly protruding boney shoulders. The guy probably had zero body fat.

  Sarah waited at the bottom with a digital camera. She snapped a photo and looked at the screen. “There’s a back flash from Rouge.” Sarah glanced up and stared at my neck, her eyes grew big. “Michael, did you put the Siorghra on her?” She sounded...almost hopeful.

  I stopped on the second to last step. What the heck’s going on? These people seemed to be leaving half their sentences inside their heads. What’s a Senora, or whatever they called it? There was obviously some hidden meaning. More strange secrets. I intended to find out, after I knocked the necklace against the back of the head of Grace.

  “Grace put it on.” Michael winked.

  At me or Sarah? I couldn’t tell.

  “It suits the outfit, doesn’t it?” Grace, grinning like a madman, finally spoke up.

  “It looks gorgeous. Rouge looks gorgeous.” Sarah opened a closet door. “Sweety, take this scarf wrap, in case you get cold.” She held a sapphire blue scarf out to me.

  “Thanks.” I wrapped the pretty scarf around my wrist not sure if I’d need it. Better to have it and not need it.

  We drove to the school in Michael’s car. My gladiator would never ride in a tiny Smartcar. The music could be heard from the parking lot. I climbed out of the car, setting the scarf on top as I flipped the seat forward so Grace could crawl out.

  We walked around the side of the school and found Simon leaning against the wall outside the gymnasium, dressed as Tuxedo Ken.

  He grinned when he saw Grace. “It’s about time. I was beginning to think you were going to stand me up! Damon said—”

  “He here?” Michael glanced around.

  “Damon?” Simon’s eyebrow’s mashed together. “No, he had some family function or something.”

  “Probably couldn’t find a date.” Grace whispered.

  We headed inside. The gymnasium had been transformed. There were flickering lights set against the walls to look like fireplaces, roughly hand made tables and benches lined one side and students sat drinking, snacking and laughing. Painted brick patterns covered the walls and floors. A pair of thrones sat on the stage with stage. An ancient castle made to look present day. A big cauldron filled with fruit punch stood to the left of the stage.

  “I’ll get us some drinks.” Michael gave my hand a light squeeze before disappearing into the crowd.

  I shivered. The janitor had probably put the fans or air-conditioning on in the gym. Realizing I’d left the scarf on the hood of the car. I leaned toward Grace. “I’ll be right back.”

  Jogging to the car, I hoped it hadn’t disappeared. It wasn’t on the top where I’d left it. Bending down, I looked under the car and frowned. Not there. I straightened and checked the top of the trunk and hood. The wind had blown it against the wiper and luckily it had caught on the end. I wrapped it over my shoulders.

  I turned around to head back to the gym and nearly jumped out of my skin. Damon stood before me, his arms crossed tight over his chest.

  “Sheesh. You scared me.” I swallowed. “I didn’t hear you come up.”

  “Did you come with her? Simon said he was going as her flippin’—Ken.” He spat on the ground and then leaned forward, his pitch black eyes and hot breath smacked against my face like a slap. “I’m obviously concerned for his safety.”

  This guy’s freaking nuts. “I’ve no clue what you’re talking about.” Was he drunk? As I looked into his eyes to see the tell-tale red on white, Damon stepped back, like I terrified him.

  “You are so going to burn in hell for this one. You think you can squirm your way into that family?”

  He was crazy. “You’re the stupidest person I’ve ever met, and believe me I’ve met some real idiots.”

  “Listen, bi—” he stopped mid-sentence and reached for my neck.

  Jammed between him and the Mustang, I had nowhere to go. My hands curled into fists and rose by my neck, trying to protect it. Was he going to strangle me right in the school parking lot?

  Instead, he stepped back again, pulling one hand back like I’d burned him. He swiped at my throat with the hand still in the air.

  He’s trying to grab my necklace. I clutched the pendant, worried he’d lean in and rip it off.

  Instead, he kept his distance, but the venom in his voice couldn’t be missed. “So help me, Rouge. If you ever come near me again, I’ll destroy you. I know exactly what their kind are. And I’m not alone. More know. Lots more.” He snorted, pointing at me. “Yeah, you tell your precious Michael that. Let him know we’re going to annihilate him.” He turned and ran off into the darkness.

  He’s definitely crazy. I couldn’t move. I’d forgotten how to breathe. My brain told my body to walk back to the gym, to get there as fast as I could, but I stood frozen, clasping the pendant protectively in my hand.

  “You okay? What’s taking so long?” Michael walked around the front of the car.

  I jumped. Dazed, I stared at him. What had Damon meant about Michael’s kind. “I, um, left Sarah’s shawl on top of the car and came out to get it. D-Damon stopped by...” my voice trailed off.

  “What?” Michael swung around, doing a three sixty. “Where’d he go?”

  “I dunno.” I raised my hand and twirled my fingers and then snapped. “One moment he was here and the next, gone.” I stared into the darkness where Damon had disappeared.

  “Let’s get outta here.” He unlocked the car doors.

  I blinked, trying to focus. “We can’t just leave Grace.” Damon could go after her.

  “I’ll let her know.”

  “No. You wait here and I’ll ask Simon to drive Grace home.” I needed a moment to catch my breath and my nerves.

  “I can – never mind.” He shook his head. “Go. I’ll make sure Damon’s sorry ass isn’t poking around.”

  “I’ll be right back.” I sprinted off to the gym. My wobbly legs needed to run out the adrenalin stuck inside them.

  Grace wasn’t hard to spot on the dance floor. She looked like she’d been expecting me. Simon seemed to be dancing on his own.

  “Do you mind driving Grace home?” I asked him.

  He replied before Grace had a chance. “Love to! What kind of Ken would I be?”

  Grace shook her head, looking directly at me. “What’d he want?”

  Did she mean Damon? I hadn’t mentioned a thing. I swallowed. Damon had taken off in the other direction. He wouldn’t come back tonight. “Michael and I just want to hang out.”

  Simon put his hand up for a high five, which I slapped, not understanding why.

  “You go, girl!”

  “You’re still sleeping over, right?” Grace asked.

  “Yeah, I’ll see you back at the house.” I gave her a hug and went to meet Michael waiting in the car.

  We sat in silence as Michael drove. Staring absently out the window, I tried to figure out Damon’s weird behavior. Maybe he was on drugs. Maybe he had something wrong with the processes in his brain. The lack of cars and streetlights stopped my train of thought. A bluish hue covered everything from the bright night sky. “Where’re we going?”

  “We have a cabin by the lake. I figured we could hang out there for
a bit.” He let his foot off the gas. “That doesn’t sound right at all. We hit a Tim Horton’s.”

  “Should I be scared?” I teased. “You’re taking me to a hidden cabin in the woods and next week will I be the front headlines in all the national papers?”

  “Ha-ha.” He laughed sarcastically. “The place is like fifteen minutes away. I just thought it’d be easy to talk there. I go when I want some peace and quiet.”

  “Then let’s go. We’re almost there now.” I trusted Michael and I had a few questions myself.

  He flipped the blinker on and headed onto the exit. “It’s just a couple miles down the road from here.”

  Ten minutes later he pulled onto a gravel lane. He drove the car easily through the dark forest. A cabin stood in the distance with a glass lake stretching behind it. The cabin was the kind you saw in those country magazines. Modern, with a vintage look but absolutely gorgeous. Michael, still in his Spartacus outfit and oblivious to the cool air, opened the door and switched lights on as I followed him in.

  Simple shades of beige colored the walls, mixed in with wood and brown leather furniture. My gaze caught on the six tall windows facing the lake. The lack of style inside the cabin disappeared by staring out those windows.

  “I’ll get a fire going.” He opened a brass ornately decorated box and started to toss the wood into the brick fireplace. He had the logs snapping and flames dancing in moments.

  Taking my hand, he pulled me over to the couch.

  My legs barely touched the leather, and he leaned in to kiss me.

  I returned with frantic kisses while his hands roamed down my back, his fingers finding their way to rest along the spaces between my ribs, his nails scraping against my shirt. Everywhere he touched shocks of longing started on my skin and ran through my blood to my heart. I swear I was going to explode.