Dark Summer

by Lizzy Ford

  He felt nothing towards her, though, not even the stirring of desire. But he had to get his mind off the strange connection with Summer, before he got both of them in trouble. Before his eighteenth birthday and she turned on him.

  He wandered the forest until dawn, skipped breakfast, and returned to his dorm room for a shower. Beck was there. The two looked at each other. Their strained relationship had turned tense after their field trip with their mother.

  “Thanks for the cookies.” Beck broke the silence.

  “No problem.”

  “Where were you?”

  “Forest.”

  “Alone?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Alexa came looking for you.”

  Decker said nothing and peeled off his shirt, tossing it in a laundry basket in the corner.

  “So … what?” Beck prompted. “You’re seeing someone now?”

  “Does it matter?” Decker snapped.

  “Yeah.”

  Decker glanced at Beck. His Light twin didn’t look like he was trying to pick a fight. His hands were at his side, his stance open. If anything, he looked concerned.

  “I’m not dating her. I get lonely. It’s no big deal,” Decker said with a shrug.

  “I’m not trying to be a dick. She gives me the creeps is all. You can do better.”

  “Someone like Dawn?”

  “Look, I’m just being a good brother,” Beck replied. “You have a hard enough path ahead of you without the drama of someone like that.”

  “Thanks,” Decker said noncommittally. “I’m not looking for anything long term with anyone.”

  “Then you chose the right girl. From what I hear, she sleeps around on both sides.”

  Decker shrugged. Beck rolled his eyes and shook his head. After a shower, Decker barely had time to get dressed before someone knocked at his door. He answered it, not surprised to see Alexa outside. She smiled.

  “Go for a walk or something?” she asked.

  “Sure,” Decker said. He grabbed one of the cookies Beck left and closed the door behind him as he joined her outside.

  “It’s a nice morning,” Alexa said.

  Decker glanced around. He touched his head, wincing at the spiritual assault of the people in the Square. Amber had decided to hold her class outside today. He glanced over those seated on the picnic tables. His gaze settled on Summer. As if feeling his stare, she looked over.

  She smiled.

  Decker looked away. Even meeting her gaze stirred his magick. He focused instead on Alexa.

  “I know a good spot,” Alexa said. “Wanna go?”

  “Yeah.”

  She talked about her car and family. He tried to tune in but couldn’t find the interest. Instead, he focused on the forest. Alexa walked down the road, over the wooden bridge and onward, past a secondary picnic area. They moved into the forest, to a small meadow filled with daisies. In the center was a large, flat stone. Alexa sat on it and patted the place beside her.

  “Isn’t this cute?” she asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “You bring condoms?”

  “What?”

  “I have some.”

  Decker leaned away as she fished them out of her pocket. He stared at her.

  “No one asks me out just to talk,” she explained. “And you’d be an awesome feather in my cap. I mean, me and the Master of Night and Fire? I’ll be bragging about this for the rest of my life.”

  “Thanks, but I really … that’s not why I agreed to hang out.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded.

  “It would be cool, though,” she said hopefully. “I mean, you’re about to become our leader of sorts.”

  “Maybe,” he said, unable to shake his surprise someone would want to sleep with him just because he was about to take on such an awful role. “I thought it’d be nice to hang out.”

  It was Alexa’s turn to look surprised. She tucked the condoms back in her pocket. They were quiet for a moment, an awkward silence that reminded him he had no real interest in the girl beside him.

  “So you run?” he asked at last.

  “All state cross-country, all four years of high school,” she replied.

  “That’s cool.”

  The silence fell again. Decker rose, looking around. Alexa stood as well and took his arm, pulling him to face her. He felt nothing at her touch, nothing like when he touched Summer. Alexa moved closer and reached up, cupping his cheeks as she kissed him. Decker mechanically returned her kisses. Desire rose in his body uncontrolled, and Alexa’s hands dropped to his chest then to the zipper on his jeans.

  “Not so bad, huh?” she whispered against his lips. “Trust me. You’ll enjoy this as much as I will.”

  Decker said nothing. He forced the thought of Summer from his thoughts. He’d never deserve a girl like her, no matter what their connection was. Meaningless relations with virtual strangers would soothe his blood as much as Summer could. Alexa dropped to her knees before him, and his head dropped back with a moan.

  Chapter Six

  Summer’s first week passed quietly. Dance class in the morning was followed by one other class: history, personal magick with Amber, literature, or math. She’d seen Decker with a tall brunette when they had classes outside. He’d acknowledged her the first day and then, no more. The afternoons were free, and Summer managed to hide away in her room. She fed her fawn as much as she could and changed its bandage daily. It slept most of the time and lay listlessly when it wasn’t sleeping.

  She’d determined the animal wasn’t going to make it during dance class on her tenth day there. The odd strategy used to teach them to understand their body became a soothing hour daily, and she found it was the only thing she really looked forward to. It was the only thing she was better at than any of the other girls.

  After dance class on the tenth day, she returned to her room to find two surprises. The first was a note slid under the door. Summer opened it curiously.

  Dear Summer, at the end of the summer, we have a dance at the resort near the beach. I wondered if you’d go with me as my date? Just leave this note under your door if so. Yours truly, Beck

  Her heart leapt then almost stopped. She sat on her bed, stunned by the idea Beck secretly liked her more than a friend. With his turquoise eyes and perfect features, he could’ve asked any girl there, even Dawn.

  But he hadn’t. He’d asked her.

  She hastily folded it again and pushed it under the door. She wanted to wait until he came to get it, then yank the door open and thank him. Guessing this would appear more desperate than grateful, she paced in front of her door, listening for anyone who came by. She heard nothing, and her eyes went to the bed.

  Her deer was gone. Excitement turned to panic. She searched her room, even under the beds, before glancing towards the closet. She’d left it open and the door to her room closed. Dread in her stomach, she opened the door.

  The deer was awake and alert, its legs curled beneath it as it sat in the closet. It struggled to its feet at the sight of her and ventured out of the closet carefully, its tail flickering. Summer stepped back, awed by the small animal. Its every step was graceful, its beautiful face taking in the world outside the closet with curiosity. It walked up to the dresser and stared upward, as if knowing that’s where its milk was.

  Summer let out a delighted laugh, thrilled for the second time that morning. She pulled the glass of milk and turkey baster off the top of the dresser and sat cross-legged with her friend. It nudged the baster. She filled it with milk and watched as the fawn sucked the milk free. Summer fed him the contents of the glass and set it down, admiring the animal. It still limped, but it looked healthier than when she found it.

  After eating, it curled up on the floor near her and closed its eyes. Summer hefted it onto the bed, back into its pillow fortress. The babe looked as if it wanted to crawl free but changed its mind and settled.

  She wanted to tell someone, anyone, that she’d helped
the creature. The only person who knew was Decker.

  Decker, who was evil, even if he had lain under the stars with her a few days ago. He didn’t feel what she did when their bodies touched, or he wouldn’t have walked off and avoided her the rest of the week. She’d heard the Dark girls whisper at the breakfast table that he was sleeping with a girl named Alexa.

  Summer’s mood dampened, until she recalled the note from Beck. She opened the door and saw it was gone. Her heart flipped in her chest.

  She’d never been on a date before. She’d never been to a dance. Coming here was the best thing that ever happened to her! If the deer wasn’t already sleeping, she’d squeal the way the girls had at the beach.

  Another thought struck her, one that made her glee turn into fear. She’d never been to a dance with a boy. She didn’t know how. Summer checked her deer one last time then closed the door behind her as she descended to the main floor. She hurried down the hall to find the dance instructor, Jessie, still in the studio.

  “Excuse me, Jessie,” she said as she opened the door.

  Jessie looked up from her spot seated on the floor, flipping through CDs.

  “Watsup, Summer?”

  “Nothing. I just thought … um, I’m going to the dance at the end of the month.”

  “Great! Those are always a blast.”

  “Yeah. I don’t really know how to dance with a partner, though. I was wondering if you could show me.”

  “Sure. Where’s your partner?”

  “Well …” Summer hesitated. “I don’t want him to know I can’t dance.”

  Jessie smiled. “You need someone to dance with you. Wait here.”

  Summer almost objected as she crossed to the door into the hallway and threw it open. Jessie looked both directions before padding towards the living area. Summer waited nervously, hoping Beck wasn’t the first person she saw to ask. Maybe Adam, who had been shy but kind to her at the beach.

  She heard Jessie talking to someone in the hallway and crossed her arms, praying it wasn’t Beck. When Jessie appeared with Decker behind her, Summer almost gasped.

  “I don’t know how to dance,” Decker complained.

  “You’ll learn together. We’ll start with something simple.” Jessie crossed to her iPhone, which was plugged into speakers.

  Summer stared at Decker. He wore black jeans and a soft black T-shirt similar to the ones he’d given her, only it was snug on him, showing his lean frame. His dark hair was tousled, as if Jessie had caught him just as he walked in from outside. He met her gaze.

  “How’s … you know?” he asked.

  “Good,” Summer said, unable to help her smile. “He’s really good. His leg is almost all better.”

  “That’s good.”

  An awkward silence fell between them. Orchestral music filled the room.

  “How about a waltz?” Jessie called cheerfully. “Summer, hold you your right hand out like so and Decker like this.” She took their hands and placed them together.

  The familiar magick trickled Summer as they touched.

  “Step closer. You guys don’t have the plague,” Jessie said and pushed them closer together.

  Summer stared at Decker’s chest. He didn’t have the plague, but he was evil. Amber had said so. Jessie placed his hand on her hip, and more of his magick tingled through her. Caught between panic and the surge of excitement within her, Summer didn’t know what to do.

  “This is simple. Decker, you lead. When he steps forward, Summer you step back.”

  They stumbled through the first few steps, with Decker mumbling apologies as he stepped on her toes. Summer’s body felt like it was on fire. Her breathing sounded too loud in her ears.

  “Step back, Summer,” Jessie said again. “Let Decker lead!”

  Decker smashed her toes, and she stumbled. He caught her as she crashed into him.

  “Careful, Decker!” Jessie called.

  Summer looked up, instantly caught in Decker’s gaze. His grip stayed around her, pressing their bodies together. As if something clicked, she sensed his next move before he made it. She stepped back with her right foot as he stepped forward with his left. They made it through another step, then another. Their moves grew faster as they began keeping up with the music.

  “Excellent!” Jessie exclaimed. “Now you’ve found the rhythm. One, two, three. One, two, three.”

  Summer couldn’t look away from him. Their bodies moved as if they belonged together. Decker’s warmth and magick made her feel like her insides were shaking. Jessie’s voice broke through Summer’s trance.

  “Sorry, guys, but I can’t find any of my other music. I’ll download some for tomorrow. You want to come back in the morning, after your class, Summer?”

  Summer broke eye contact with Decker. Immediately, they fell out of sync and stumbled. He released her and stepped away.

  “Sure,” she managed.

  “You, too, Decker. You guys are naturals together.”

  Summer flushed and turned away, avoiding Decker’s gaze. She’d felt it, too, the instant connection that went too deep to be normal.

  “Thanks, Jessie,” Summer said and hurried out of the room. She ran once she entered the hallway and sprinted up the stairs to her room.

  Her hands shook. Her heart felt like it was doing cartwheels in her chest. She’d never felt this way for any guy, even Beck.

  Decker was off limits. He was aligned to the Dark. She wouldn’t—couldn’t—be falling for him! Yet their connection was unlike anything she’d ever felt. In his arms, she hadn’t been alone.

  The deer walked up to her, and she smiled. It nudged her hand. Summer retrieved the milk and fed it. Content, the deer roamed around her room, kicking up its hind legs at one point.

  “Soon, I’ll have to set you free,” she told it. “You’re almost healthy enough.”

  At the thought of losing her friend, she saddened. This place caused more emotional turmoil than any other school she’d attended.

  The deer continued pacing. Summer hesitated then decided to take him outside. The girls in dance class had talked about taking a hike. She went to the door and checked the hallway. It was quiet. No sounds came from the lobby, either. The deer wedged his nose in the open door. Summer bent down and lifted him, pushing the door open with her hip.

  She hurried out of the house with her deer and into the forest, setting him down once they’d passed the first line of trees. He walked carefully for a few feet, sniffing the world around him. A fit of excitement made his body quiver before he leapt over a log. Summer watched, laughing, as he jumped over another then turned around and jumped to come back to her.

  The forest welcomed her, the wind swirling to greet her. She pulled out the rock in her pocket and held it out, wondering if the wind would talk to her today. It played with her hair, flicking it.

  The deer bounded away, this time fast. Summer waited for him to return then grew worried when he didn’t. She shoved the rock in her pocket and chased after the small animal, amazed at how fast he moved. His tiny hooves barely seemed to touch the ground as he raced deep into the forest.

  Summer chased him until she was breathless. At last, he slowed and stopped, tail flickering. He’d paused at the base of a massive tree that was wider than a car. Roots rose to her waist, and a hollow in the tree’s base was tall enough for someone Decker’s height to enter without stooping.

  “Come … come here, little guy,” she gasped, dropping onto a root to catch her breath.

  The deer stayed where it was. It nibbled on the leaves of a huckleberry bush. He seemed to be done running, so she wiped her forehead and looked around.

  He was there, the ape-man from the driveway. Summer leapt to her feet, stumbled, and fell on her backside. It raised his hands in a sign that it wouldn’t hurt her.

  Can you hear me?

  The words came from inside her head.

  Summer stared.

  Nod if so.

  She nodded, wondering if she�
�d finally gone off the deep end. Maybe all the talk about magick was a hallucination, and she was asleep in her bunk at the orphanage.

  The creature sat on a tree stump near her.

  I am Sam. You are new here?

  Sam was ugly. Her first rational thought was that his auburn hair was a perfect shade, if it didn’t cover almost every inch of his body. His eyes were like a man’s, his nose and jaw like an ape’s. His arms and legs were lanky, his frame over seven feet tall. He smelled like sweat and the forest, of pines and summer sun. The deer was comfortable with him, settling at his feet to sleep.

  “Yes,” she said at last. “I’m new.”

  You come to my forest often.You rescue my children. He motioned to the dozing deer.

  “He needed help. What are you?”

  Yeti, sasquatch, bigfoot. Your kind has many names for me. Among those that live in Priest Lake, I’m known simply as Sam.

  “And you have … magick?”

  We are balancers. We monitor good and evil. We were left here to do so, though our numbers are the smallest they’ve ever been.

  “And your name is Sam?” she asked doubtfully.

  Its chuckle was out loud, a mix between a guffaw and a cough.

  “You followed me from when I was dropped off,” she said. “Why?”

  Curious. You have a primary and secondary magick like ours. Where you are air and earth, we are earth and air. You are strong. We sensed you arrive, believe you will change the balance.

  “Change the balance. That sounds bad,” she said, frowning.

  Not bad. Just nature. The balance sways. It must always change, and it’s been stagnant for many years now. There is good and there is evil. Sometimes, there must be a bridge between them, because they forget how much they need one another to keep the balance.

  “That doesn’t make much sense, when they all live in the same town.”

  It will. We Sams have a prophecy. We have watched and waited for thousands of years. We think you are the one we’ve sought.