The Secret

by A. Taylor, Taryn

  The officer looked around. “Is that true?”

  I felt myself nodding.

  His cell phone rang and he slowly moved for the door—looking at his phone. “It appears we have to be leaving. But I’ll be back around to take statements of anything you remember from that night. And just remember, it’s a dangerous game to play if you’re hiding something from the law.” Putting his hat on, he tipped his head. “I wouldn’t be leaving town anytime soon.”

  Jake closed the door behind them and turned with wary eyes to the rest of us.

  Sam started clearing the table, but looked from Jake and then to me. “Yes, it seems the game has just begun.”

  Episode 15: Consciousness

  I’d never noticed the ceiling before. But now, with the moonlight streaming into my room, I felt the urge to reach up and scrape off the tiny 1970’s popcorn bumps.

  It didn’t make sense—at least not that I could understand on a conscious level. I understood why Luth would steal a car—obviously he hadn’t wanted to leave a trail when he thought he would be murdering four people. I got that. But, what didn’t make sense was why he would kill an innocent waitress?

  Turning on my side, I saw the numbers two-thirty shouting at me in neon red. I sighed, knowing I would pay for my lack of sleep tomorrow. I was already feeling a little vulnerable with Stewart leaving, and now the police were watching us?

  As I maneuvered onto my left side, an image of Jake popped into my head. Not the face of today, or tonight at the dinner table when he’d silently asked me the unspoken question—did you kiss him? But his face the first day I’d met him, in Mr. Drake’s class. I thought of the way his eyes turned different shades of blue and grey depending on his mood. And the scar under his left eye.

  Touching my lips, Sam’s face cut into my pleasant images. His heat. I mentally kicked myself for not realizing he’d been reading me—stealing my thoughts from me. I tried to remind myself that I hadn’t purposely kissed him. But I did feel guilty about the kiss. And, if I was totally honest with myself, I felt some attraction to him. Not that his tormenting personality helped him at all.

  A soft rapping sounded at the window.

  Grabbing the blankets to me, I leaned back into my pillow.

  The rapping came again and I heard, “Lanie.”

  I sat up, pulling the sheet in front of me like a shield. Looking around the room, I stopped when I saw a familiar face at the window.

  Jake’s stare was intense as I got up from my bed and went over to him.

  Pushing open the window, I hunched down to talk to him, feeling a little embarrassed that I was in my pajamas—and excited that he was here. “Hey.”

  “I couldn’t sleep.”

  “Yeah—me either. It’s freezing out there, go around to the kitchen door and I’ll let you in.”

  Swallowing, he nodded. “I’m sorry it’s so late.”

  I smiled even as I hated myself for feeling instant forgiveness. “It’s okay.”

  When I opened the kitchen door, he stepped in, and I shut the door quietly behind him again. He was wearing his black leather jacket. He had on a hooded sweatshirt and jeans. His hair was more mussed up than usual, but he looked so good.

  I felt that instant attraction between us and stepped back. “I’ll make some herbal tea.”

  Jake reached out, his cold fingers touching mine.

  I took a deep breath. “Or I’ll stand here.”

  He didn’t move, just looked deeper into my eyes. “I used to be able to sense what others were feeling. It was mostly basic emotions—fear, hate, envy, desire.” He squeezed my hand. “Love…”

  I didn’t speak.

  “And then I used to be able to help that person. You see, everything we give off comes back to us—kind of like the way an antenna reads a frequency. And it really all breaks down to a positive or negative emotion. The negative is usually from a bad feedback loop. Once it’s cleared up, the feelings can be changed. I was able to help people get rid of their negative loop. It wouldn’t take away the bad feelings completely, but it allowed them to be able to think clearer.” He broke off and his face looked pained. “I guess I need someone to do that for me right now—I’m kind of in a bad cycle…and today, well…”

  I squeezed his hand and spoke softly. “I’m sorry about today.”

  Breaking off our touch, he ran his hand through his hair and turned away from me. “I just can’t quit thinking about you kissing him.”

  I started to explain, my voice coming out quickly. “I didn’t kiss him, Jake. I saw your jacket—well, I thought it was your jacket—and I thought that I would make you talk to me, because you’ve been avoiding me, lately. And I put my arms around you—him…but I thought it was you.”

  Jake reached out, pulling me to him.

  I could smell his rain-like aftershave and feel the force of his emotions pushing down on me. I felt like crying—tears snuck into the corners of my eyes. I hadn’t wanted to hurt him—I couldn’t explain to him how crazy I was feeling at this moment. “I’m sorry, Jake.”

  “Lanie...” he whispered. Slowly, he leaned forward, dipping his head to mine. His lips were soft and then grew more purposeful.

  My whole body came to life. The very edges of my power awakened at the passion pouring into me. I held on to him, gripping tighter, and hoping that he could feel the passion I was trying to give back to him.

  Pushing back and sucking in a breath, the side of his lips turned into a smile. “There.”

  Unable to stop myself, I laughed quietly. “What?”

  Tucking back an unruly lock of hair behind my ear, he sighed. “All I’ve been able to see today…was him.” He looked into my eyes. “Kissing you.”

  I felt myself blush and shook my head. “Jake—it happened so fast—I didn’t want to…”

  He touched his finger to my lips. “I know.”

  My heart raced, but I didn’t say anything.

  Pulling away from me, he reached for the door. “I know I’ve been distant lately, Lanie. I know that. I’m just…I’m just trying to figure some things out.” He turned, his eyes pleading. “Please don’t give up on me.”

  The Facility’s parking lot was empty. I turned off the Jeep, thinking of all the people inside who were pretty much left there and forgotten. Frustration rose inside of me and I clenched my fists. “Wake up, Mom!”

  Closing my eyes, I took in a breath and tried to clear my mind. Why wouldn’t she just gain consciousness?

  Jerking open the Jeep door, I started into the building. Turning down the hallway that led to the more bed-ridden patients, the muted beeps from the monitors put me on edge and I walked faster.

  Turning another corner, I saw Stewart’s solution to our security problem: Travis—one of the four security guards he’d hired to keep constant watch over Mom. I’d been reluctant to hire outside people, but I realized, nodding to Travis, that it did make me feel better to have someone there to protect her.

  Pushing into my mother’s room, I rushed to her side. Picking up her hand, I leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead. Better. I felt calmer when I was with her.

  “Lanie.”

  I gasped. “Oh—”

  Sam’s face was concentrated and purposeful, but he was leaning casually against the window.

  “Karen gave assigned shifts, remember?”

  I relaxed. That’s right. Karen had set up a chart—making everyone take a shift to be with Mom.

  He nodded at me.

  With the light streaming in, I wondered how I had ever gotten Jake and him confused for one another. Even though they were about the same height, Sam was a lot lankier than Jake. And his hair fell longer, down into his eyes.

  “I don’t have a last period—apparently I have too many electives�
��so I get out earlier.”

  “Thanks.”

  His eyes turned to my mom. “How many weeks has it been—exactly—since she last woke up?”

  I didn’t know why I felt immediately defensive. “Almost four—but I’m sure she will again. Cameron, the nurse, said they’ve had patients be in comas for a couple of years and wake up, and be able to go home and live normal lives. And she’s always been able to wake up before—” I quit talking, blinking back my tears and looking at my mom’s frail figure lying on the bed.

  Sam didn’t move. He didn’t try to calm me, or reassure me that she’d wake up, either.

  I sat down in the chair next to the bed. “I’m here—you can go.”

  Letting out his breath, Sam pulled away from the window. “Your gratitude wanes so quickly.”

  I didn’t look at him. If I’d learned anything last night from dinner, it was that Sam loved getting people worked up.

  Stepping next to me, he put his hand on my shoulder. “Lanie—I can help you.”

  I held his gaze for a moment and then turned away. “Move your hand, Sam.”

  He pulled it back. “I mean it, Lanie.”

  I stood, walking to the other side of Mom’s bed. “Oh yeah? What can you help me with, Sam? All I want is for her to wake up.”

  Sam put his hand lightly on Mom’s forehead. “I know she can’t wake up—but I can take you in there, Lanie. I can take you into her mind, her thoughts—her consciousness. She doesn’t need to wake up.”

  “What?”

  “I was mulling it over before you walked in. Sometimes when people are asleep, if I want to, I can see their dreams. I’m betting I can do the same with your mom.”

  I tightened my grip on Mom. I doubted him, but I figured why not try? “Okay—let’s do it.”

  I noticed the dimple in his cheek deepening. “On one condition.”

  Exhaling, I frowned. I knew this had been too easy. “Hmm?”

  “Lanie, I want to take you to Prom next Friday.”

  My stomach went into knots. “What? Why?”

  Walking to the door, Sam turned to face me. “Because I like you.” He pointed at me. “But, if you want me to do it, you can’t tell any of them why you’re going to Prom with me. It stays just between us—and I don’t go in until after you’ve kept your word. Let me know what you decide.”

  Episode 16: Right

  I knew I had to tell him. Guilt pressed down on my chest like one of those machines in a medieval torture chamber—slowly squashing the life out of me.

  Killing the Jeep’s engine in front of the warehouse, I sat there—hating myself. I was in no hurry to go inside. I shivered and sipped some of the hot chocolate I’d picked up at a gas station on the way out here. Mr. Drake’s car wasn’t here yet. Why had I consented to a Saturday morning training session, anyway?

  I put my head back against the driver’s seat, hoping the ibuprofen that I had taken before leaving the apartment would start to kick in soon. I knew that things were rough for Jake right now. And I was about to make it worse.

  In response to Sam’s ‘prom ultimatum’ I’d locked myself in my room and painted until around three in the morning. Normally, a painting binge left me slightly exhausted, but very satisfied. But not today.

  My dreams had been restless: images of my parents in our paisley-walled kitchen dancing slowly to classical music; Dr. Luth’s silver hair flashing brightly against the firelight in the cave; crimson blood pouring out of Stewart’s fingertips—the scenes weaved a pattern through my mind. And none of it made sense. This aching feeling was plaguing me. The same kind of feeling I had right after my father died. Something wasn’t right—something more than this whole Sam thing—but I couldn’t see it.

  I closed my eyes and tried to think of something tranquil.

  Pounding reverberated through the Jeep.

  Jerking back, I looked up into Reed’s face—smashed against the driver’s side glass. He moved his tongue to the window and made a loud farting sound. “‘Sup!”

  The pressure on my chest eased up a bit at Reed’s antics. I hit the window and laughed. “You’re disgusting.”

  Reed opened the door and took the hot chocolate out of my hands, guzzling it down and wiping his face with the back of his hand. “I’ve been thinking of some cool stuff we haven’t tried yet with your powers. I think we have a few minutes before Mr. Drake gets here and starts makin’ us do all the mind crap. C’mon.”

  I got out of the Jeep, steeling myself for the confrontation that was inevitable. I looked up at the door at the top of the deck steps, wondering where Jake was. “I’m not feeling very good. I don’t need to be here—do I? I have my powers, why does he need me?”

  Giving me a confused look, Reed raised an eyebrow. “Sure—you think you can ditch us when you don’t need us?” He shoved me gently. “What’s the matter with you?”

  I ignored him.

  He held the front door open and whispered to me as I walked past him. “Jake has been in an even worse mood since you started ignoring his calls, by the way.”

  The smell of pancakes assaulted me and I felt my stomach growl. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten. Peeking around the room, I walked slowly into the kitchen. “Where is everybody?”

  Reed handed me the empty cup of hot chocolate and dashed down the hall. “Gotta pee.”

  Sam stood up from behind the counter, donning a white apron. His hair was wet, but his green eyes looked calm and rested. He was holding a small bag of flour. “Everybody is right here.”

  My heart started racing and my mouth went dry.

  Sam held my gaze for a moment, a smile playing at the edges of his lips. He opened the flour and dumped some in a bowl. “Problems sleeping?”

  I moved closer to the counter. “What do you want from me, Sam?”

  Pouring some milk into the batter, he started whisking. “Have some pancakes, I’m making more.”

  I leaned over the counter. “Why do you want to take me to prom?”

  Sam looked up at me. His eyes were serious and I could smell the coconut tanning lotion scent on him. “You’ve made your decision, then?”

  I bit the inside of my lip. “I’m doing this for my mom—not because I like you.”

  Reed rushed back into the kitchen, picking up a plate. “Sit down, Lanie. You don’t look very good. Let’s get some food in you.”

  I sat down, but looked at Sam. “I don’t want any. I’m on a diet.”

  Reed put the plate of food in front of me, then another plate in front of the chair next to me, before taking a seat. He smothered his pancake with syrup. “Pshh, diet? Look at you—you don’t need a diet. You need to eat. And it will help you focus for training.”

  Sam laughed under his breath. The kind of laugh that sounded carefree and light, but I heard the annoyance in it. “Oh—it doesn’t seem right, does it? To only eat bland, diet food? You need something sweet.”

  Anger burned inside of me. Was he saying that Jake was bland?

  “Lanie?” Rubbing his eyes, Jake walked into the kitchen. He was wearing blue pajama pants and a white tank top that emphasized the definition in his arms. His hair was matted in different places and there were dark circles under his eyes.

  I stood, moving to him. “Jake—”

  Putting his hands on my shoulders, he searched my eyes with a look of concern. “I was worried when I didn’t hear from you.”

  Marsha and Karen walked into the kitchen.

  Marsha grunted and picked up a plate, giving Jake and me a disgusted look. “Good thing you could spend the entire evening covering for her.”

  Alarm pulsed through me. “What?”

  “Freak, Marsha—you make it sound like she didn’t save your life.” Reed pulled my plate over to h
im and looked at me. “So, you don’t want this?”

  I shook my head and turned back to Jake. “What happened?”

  Jake frowned. “Let’s go talk in my room.”

  “We’ll save some yummy pancakes for you, Lanie,” Sam yelled after us.

  An annoyed pang went through me at Sam’s taunting. But I turned my focus on Jake, following him across the living room and toward the loft. He kept my hand in his as we ascended the stairs. I’d never been to his room before and it kind of made me nervous.

  I stopped at the top of the stairs, hedging. There was a little alcove with another flat screen TV and a sectional couch. “Are you sure I should be coming up here?”

  Jake stopped too, turning back to me. “What’s wrong?”

  I pulled away from him, moving to the balcony and looking down on the living room and the large windows that opened to the stream and the mountain. How did I explain to him that my whole life my parents had ingrained in me that there were certain standards to live by; one of them being that I didn’t go into a boy’s room alone? It seemed stupid—but it just didn’t feel right. “Umm, can we just talk out here? What happened with the police, Jake?”

  Jake picked up a lock of my hair and softly twisted it, running it between his fingers.

  My heart clutched in pain. How would I tell him I was going to prom with Sam?

  “Lanie—no, it’s…it was fine. Reed and I went up to the cave with the police and showed them where we had the bonfire and ‘party.’” He let his breath out. “And there were the questions about what we saw and we pretty much just stuck to the story that we were just there to have a good time.” He shrugged. “Then they interviewed everyone. Officer Boyle said he would get to you and Rob and Mr. Drake today.”