by Lauren Chow
As I finished my little piece, Luke decided to speak up in my mind.
You know Jay likes you a lot, right?
I blushed and nearly choked on my brownie at his question. I knew Jay felt something for me, but did he actually feel that way? It felt nice hearing it from someone close to Jay though.
“Really?” I swallowed my brownie and looked at him with a little hope. Luke smiled at me.
“How could he not, Clara? You’re beautiful, kind, smart, reckless, clumsy, annoying—”
“Thanks for boosting my self-esteem,” I said. He pretended not to hear me and kept going.
“Jay rambles on about you all of the time. I was a little worried that he was obsessed with you for a while. Talks about your hair or something like that,” Luke admitted. Jay talked about my hair?
“I have never seen Jay behave like this... ever. It’s kind of nauseating. I’m breaking the bro code telling you this, but someone needs to make a move. He’s crazy for you, Clara. Always know that,” Luke said as he shoved a brownie into his mouth.
I contemplated what he’d said for a while as we ate our brownies in silence.
“Girl Scout!”
I turned and saw Adam practically prancing his way to the kitchen, pulling Tony’s hand along with him. I smiled at the sight. I looked at them both for confirmation. I got a wink from Tony and the biggest smile I’d ever seen from Adam. I held in my cheers.
“Thank goodness. You guys can stop eying each other like steaks,” Luke muttered, which caused the new couple to blush. I snickered as I went to grab another piece of brownie to find only crumbs. I looked at the empty tray in horror and turned to Luke.
“We are doomed,” I muttered.
“Clara! Are the brownies done yet?” Maggie called. I paled and saw Luke do the same. We looked at each other and dashed out of the kitchen.
***
After a long lecture from Maggie and after everyone had settled in for the night, our regular group sat in the living room. I was huddled next to Jay and Jared on a couch, quietly looking at everyone. Luke, Tanya, and Drake shared another couch, Troy sat in the recliner, and the new couple was in the love-seat. I was content sitting and listening to everyone’s conversations. There were some laughs and jokes surrounding the group. Even Jared had a bit of a smile on his face.
“Oh my gosh!” Tanya yelled at Drake. She turned to me. “Clara, who’s hotter, Drake or me?” The couple looked at me expectantly.
“Uh... both?” I asked after a while and the others snickered at me. The couple scoffed.
“She meant me,” Drake said and did a mock hair flip. Tanya scowled and slapped the back of his head.
“She was making you feel better. I am the hottest person in the universe,” Troy said nonchalantly, rocking back and forth in the recliner. I smirked.
“Of course. Sorry you two,” I said teasingly.
Tanya trailed her finger down her face to symbolize a fake tear and we all laughed. I leaned into Jay and placed my legs on Jared’s lap.
“Am I your footrest now?” Jared questioned with a raised eyebrow. I nodded and smiled innocently. He just chuckled and turned to the conversations in front of us. I heard a breathy laugh and looked behind me to see Jay smiling at me. I smiled back and snuggled into his side for warmth.
“I’m bored,” Adam stated.
“You’re always bored, Keller,” I shot back.
Adam kissed Tony’s cheek before getting up and turning on the TV. He put the TV on one of the music channels and practically squealed when a song started blaring.
“Clara, sing with me!” Adam cried. I shook my head and pointed at Tanya. Adam huffed but pulled Tanya out of her seat anyway. She squealed at the jerk on her arm but laughed as they started to sing together. They broke out into weird dance moves, and I bit my lip to hold in a laugh. I broke into silent laughter when I saw how entranced Tony and Drake looked.
Whipped. Then again, I couldn’t really talk. If Jay had asked me to jump off a cliff, I would have done it... no, I wouldn’t, but you get the point.
Eventually, the song ended and applause was heard behind us, causing me to jump. We turned and saw a group of people applauding their performance. They all had to be teenagers or young adults.
“Karaoke Night!” a guy said before they started playing around with the TV. I saw Adam jumping up and down in excitement. I shook my head in amusement as I got up to make more room for everyone.
For two hours, we all bobbed our heads to the music. People came and left to join the Karaoke Night. They’d even installed a microphone for the singing. I was leaning against the wall as the rest of the teenagers were laughing and enjoying themselves.
“You going to tell me what’s wrong?” Jay asked as we watched a girl sing to Arms by Christina Perri.
It’s the calm before the storm. After tonight, things are going to turn to the worst. All these people who are laughing right now are going onto a battlefield tomorrow. I don’t want to see any of them not make it, I whispered into his mind softly before looking at him sadly.
His eyes softened as he pulled me closer to him. I lay against Jay to keep my thoughts occupied. I couldn’t help but feel negative.
“Come on,” Jay said. “It’s your turn. Adam! Come get her!” he shouted.
I glared at him as Adam popped out of the crowd and dragged me to the front of the grand living room.
“I’m going to get stage fright!” I hissed, and Keller just rolled his eyes.
“You’ve pole danced before—I think you can handle a little singing,” he said dramatically before sitting on a couch. All the other teenagers crammed onto the couch or sat on the floor watching me. I sighed and waited for my song to come on. I widened my eyes when I heard the song. I knew this song! Thank the Lord or I would’ve made a bigger fool of myself.
I shakily grabbed the microphone and started. I saw people start to wave their arms in the air and that gave me a boost of confidence to continue. When I finally finished the song, everyone burst into applause. It felt weird being cheered by teenagers. I was used to getting bullied or shoved by them. This was a nice change. A very nice change.
I walked back to Jay, ignoring the compliments being thrown my way, and covered my face with my hair.
“That was nerve-wracking.”
“But did it distract you?” Jay asked with a smug smirk.
“Shut up,” I muttered, but we both know he was right.
***
I was on the edge of the cliff as I looked down to see the battle in front of me.
Bodies were everywhere, but luckily a lot weren’t from our side. I tried to keep the bile down my throat at the sight of the sand soaked in blood and the once clean tide turned red.
“You could stop this.”
I turned and saw a dark figure with Dexter next to it. I couldn’t make out the figure.
The figure walked around in circles. I shivered at his cold voice. “I hope we meet one day, Clara Evans. Our battle would be legendary. But I wouldn’t care either way if you’re dead or not—one less thing off my checklist. Enjoy your last moments, Clara Evans.”
And just like that, the figure vanished.
Dexter smirked at me and chilled me to the core.
“Want to surrender now? I promise not to kill most of your people,” Dexter said in a fake sincere voice.
“Not when you’re going to hurt innocent people,” I said and glared at Dexter. “How did you find us anyway?”
“A little birdy,” Dexter sang. “I should really thank Mark. No matter. I will see your death at dusk,” he whispered as everything turned black.
***
I screamed and clutched my head as I tried to breathe. I felt myself start to shake uncontrollably.
“Oh my gosh. Help! I need help!” I heard Tanya scream as I felt hands on my trembling form.
I heard the door slam open, but I couldn’t completely register anything
as I felt myself grow weaker.
“Someone get Luke!” I heard a voice roar. I heard everything like I was underwater before I felt the warmth spread through my body. I felt someone rub my back and another person hold my face. I slowly opened my heavy eyes as I stared into fearful grey ones.
“She’s going into shock, are you alright?” Luke asked as he kept examining me.
“They’re coming,” I said before closing my eyes again to the numbness.
“When?” Eric said in the distance.
“Tonight. At dusk. We need to get ready. This place is compromised,” I said quietly as I yawned in exhaustion.
Everything was silent before Eric spoke up again.
“Everyone rest again. The others will be told in the morning,” Eric said tiredly. I slowly got up on shaky feet and felt someone hold me steady. I looked at Jared gratefully before hugging Eric. He hugged me back.
“You need sleep, Eric. You’re exhausted,” I whispered. Eric looked at me sadly before giving me a kiss on the forehead and saying goodnight again. I gave Luke a hug as well and he left, leaving Tanya, Jared, Jay, and me.
“No way in hell am I leaving now,” Jared grunted. He walked to one of the long couches and settled himself in. Tanya grabbed a pillow and blanket and gave it to Jared, knowing he would stay whether we wanted it or not. I smiled at him before I felt someone carry me. I leaned into their embrace as I felt a warm body pull me towards them.
“Go back to sleep Clara,” Jay whispered, and I did exactly what he requested.
29 - Not Allowed to Die
I woke up slowly to strong arms around my waist. I sighed in contentment and snuggled closer before opening my eyes to Jay’s sleeping face.
What was he doing here?
Memories of last night filtered through my mind, and I felt my eyes widen. Dexter was coming tonight. I remembered our conversation and tensed. Someone was a spy. We needed to figure out who it was before the spy compromised anything else. I tried to get out of Jay’s arms, but he just held on tighter.
“Jay,” I whispered and poked his arm. After not responding for a few minutes, I sighed and did the next big thing.
“JAY! WAKE UP!” I roared, and Jay woke up startled, falling off the bed. He jumped up and got into a defensive position, looking for danger. After seeing the coast was clear, he looked at me with a ‘what the hell’ look and I smiled sweetly.
“I was trying to get up and you wouldn’t let me go,” I said as I started sitting up. My head spun a little, so I took my time getting out of bed.
“Careful, you went through a lot earlier,” Jared said tiredly. I’d almost forgotten that he’d stayed in here too. I looked and saw Tanya start to sit up as well.
“Where do you need to go?” Tanya asked tiredly.
I looked at her as I became serious.
“We have a spy. No way would Dexter have found this place by himself. Someone sold us out, and they’re in this house,” I said seriously. The boys tensed.
“Who?” Jared asked stiffly. I shrugged and came up with an idea.
“No clue. But I know how to find out. I need Adam with me though.”
Without another word, I walked out in my sweats and shirt. I didn’t bother changing; I was too intent to finish the job. I could change later.
I made my way to the large dining room that we’d decided to use for our guests. The loud room suddenly went silent with all eyes on me.
“I need everyone to get into a circle. There is something I need to show you guys,” I said calmly. I didn’t want them to know the truth yet. The traitor could do something. I needed to play it cool. Everyone followed my wishes, looking confused, and whispers filled the room. I positioned myself in the center and Jared stood by my side.
Adam, I need you to join me. I sent my thoughts to Adam.
Holy, you scared the crap out of me! What are you trying to do? Adam replied curiously.
There’s a spy and I need your magic to help me find them.
“Know what you’re doing?” Jared whispered as Adam joined me with a serious expression. “Yes,” I whispered back.
“Alright everyone, I just need to check something out,” I lied and grabbed Adam’s hand to link our magic. Adam gasped at the sensation and gripped my hand tightly.
“Don’t do everyone at once. Start with sections,” Jared instructed. We both nodded as I welcomed the voices in my head. We started with our group and made our way down.
So far, all their thoughts just showed confusion, and I saw different flashes through my eyes. I stopped as I saw visions of me. My face was filled with fear as a figure stood over me. I looked deeper and saw flashes of Dexter and a handshake.
I snapped my eyes open and narrowed them at a scowling Carlos.
“Adam, what do you think?” I said out loud, never taking my eyes off Carlos.
“I can sense his nervousness. Everyone else was curious and nervous, but their emotions weren’t as intense as his. I can practically feel the lust and hate coming off him in waves,” Adam said in disgust.
That was all the confirmation I needed.
“Someone has been a bad boy,” I said as I took a step closer to Carlos. Carlos only sneered as his face began to move and morph. I looked at him in horror as his hair turned muddy brown and his tan skin began to pale. His eyes turned dark and he sneered at me.
“Guess I underestimated you,” Mark said before throwing something my way. I raised my hand on instinct as a sharp knife froze in mid-air, centimeters from my chest. I stepped back in shock as the knife fell and clattered on the floor. I heard a grunt as I saw Tony and George tackle him down.
“A shapeshifter,” Eric said in shock as he stood next to me. “There hasn’t been one of those in years without using a potion.”
I was pulled into a chest, and I instantly knew it belonged to Jay. I turned in his arms and looked at the shocked faces in the room.
“I have word that they’re coming at dusk. Be ready,” I said as I turned back to Jay. The crowd started talking wildly as they began to leave. I looked at him and silently pleaded for him to release me. He grunted and slowly removed his arms. I made my way to Mark, who was being held down by George and Tony. I stared into his haunting eyes.
“It’s over Mark,” I said confidently.
He just chuckled.
“You think you’re so brave? Did you tell your little friends how much you screamed under my touch? How you cried for me to stop touching you and—”
He didn’t have time to finish before a large crack filled the air. Mark was on the floor with a broken nose with an enraged Jay standing over him. Luke stepped forward but I stopped him.
“Please calm Jay down,” I whispered, and Luke dragged him out of the room.
I looked at Adam, George, and Eric.
“Is Carlos an actual person?” I asked. Eric nodded.
“Carlos is real. Now I am afraid for his safety. We’re going to form a search party.”
I nodded and turned back to Mark.
“Are you okay?” Jared asked as I stared at Mark’s unconscious body.
“I’ve been through a lot lately. He’s the least of my problems,” I said truthfully.
There had been way too much stuff to dwell on with Mark. I needed to accept it and move on. His words couldn’t haunt me anymore.
Everyone dispersed and Mark was taken to another room.
***
The light atmosphere was long gone. Everyone was tense and paranoid with every sound that echoed throughout the house. Weapons were being organized and luggage was being packed together. No matter the outcome of the battle, we still had to leave this house.
It was an hour until dusk, so everyone was getting ready to leave. I gave Tanya an encouraging hug when I told her to go ahead because I wanted to talk to someone.
“Be careful, Clara,” Tanya whispered into my ear. I hugged her back just as tightly.
“You bett
er as well or Drake is going to have a panic attack,” I laughed. She smiled before leaving with Drake and Luke.
I turned to Adam and Tony and gave them a group hug.
“See you on the battlefield, Keller,” I murmured.
“And you as well, Girl Scout. We have a lot to talk about after this,” Adam said as he hugged Tony’s side.
“Take care of him, won’t you?” I asked Tony. Adam was my best friend. I couldn’t let anything happen to him.
“You have my word, runt.”
I rolled my eyes at the nickname before crashing into Maggie.
“Stay safe dear,” she cried as tears streaked down her cheeks. I hugged her back before making my way to my room.
I expected Jay to be there, and my assumptions were correct when I saw him staring at the wall blankly.
“Everyone’s leaving,” I said, interrupting his thoughts. He turned and walked over to me.
“I know. Just thinking about stuff.”
We stayed in silence for a while.
“I won’t let anything happen to anyone,” I said. “I will try my best to keep everyone safe.”
“I know you will. I’m worried about you. Dexter will have to walk over my dead body to get to you,” Jay promised. I shook my head violently.
“Don’t do that for me—”
“I can and I will! If I die—”
I grabbed his shirt and pulled him down, cutting him off with a kiss before pulling back. I rested my forehead against his for a while before pulling back.
“You are not allowed to die,” I whispered, looking into his eyes. “Do you understand?”
He nodded at me blankly before snapping out of it when there was a knock on the door.
“Clara! Everyone is outside!”
I opened the door and saw Eric in jeans and a black T-shirt. I nodded and we all walked outside.
“Where’s Mark?” I asked as we walked up the steps to fresh air.