It was strange, but after reliving that ceremony, after waking in his arms, looking up into his beautiful, caring eyes, I’d been thinking of Logan differently. I’d been thinking of him as a guy, rather than a monster. I loathed myself for that though. He was evil, part of the Caldronon.
Not wanting to think about it anymore, I picked up my guitar and started to play. I hardly began before I caught a strange movement from the corner of my eye. Startled, I glanced up.
My heart thudded into a gallop, crushing against my chest. I couldn’t breathe. In horror, I watched as a shadow of a figure tiptoed across my wall. I clutched my stomach, glancing around the room, but no one was there. It was simply the shadow! It crept along my wall, then disappeared.
I sat unable to move. The thing was like a black animation, something you would see in a cartoon from hell. It actually tiptoed. It’s movements silent, but theatrical.
I didn’t have time to react before another shadow appeared. It scurried across my wall, then again, disappeared.
The second was different. It scampered rather than crept. But both were oddly shaped. I would stake my life they were dressed in hooded cloaks.
My pulse hammered as another shadow appeared, and then another. They circled my room, one behind the other, their movements slow, methodical. Unlike the phantoms before they didn’t disappear. They kept circling.
As they roamed, other shadows emerged. Suddenly they were gushing from my walls, scattering like roaches. Terrified, I scrambled to the center of my room, unable to find my door through the confusion of black.
Whimpering, I covered my ears. The shadows were whispering, their voices quick and hushed. I couldn’t make out what they were saying. The only word decipherable was my name. But it was murmured over and over, steadily, like a chant. “Michaela Michaela Michaela Michaela.” The layered chaos was so menacing and horrible it sent me flying for the door, ready to claw my way out if I had to.
I grappled through the shadows, finally getting my hands on the knob. Shaking and unsteady, I twisted, but the door wouldn’t budge. The shadows were like entities, weighing on it, trying to keep me in. Using my powers and every ounce of physical strength I possessed, I strained, finally managing to pry a slight crack. Frantic, I squeezed my way through the tiny passage, getting an exiting glimpse of my room as I went. All four walls were a frenzied mass of black.
CHAPTER 30
Outside, I ran at top speed in my socks. It was pouring rain. I had no idea when it started, but it was pelting down, making my hair stick in clumps, matting to my face. Frantic, I headed towards Gage’s, but I knew I couldn’t go there. It would put him in danger. Only, at the moment he was all I could think of. I wanted Gage, needed him. If I was going to stay sane, I needed to see his face, hear his voice. I needed him to smile and tell me everything was going to be okay.
When I got to his house though I stood outside, out of breath and panting. With all my heart I wanted to pound on his door, cry on his shoulder. But I didn’t, I couldn’t. I turned away. More than anything in the world I loved Gage. I couldn’t risk putting him in danger. It would kill me if he were to get hurt because of me.
Instead, I trekked the hike to Conner’s. Next to Gage and Izzie, I guess he was my best friend. Conner was huge, like a bear, but he was the sweetest guy in the world. When I got to his house I stood outside, unsure what to do. It was kind of late to go knocking on his door. I might wake up his mom.
But I had no where else to go.
Finally, I knocked. The lights were still on in the house, and Mrs. Myers, Conner’s mom, was really nice. I didn’t think she’d mind me coming by so late.
“Michaela, darling, come in.” Mrs. Myers said when she answered the door. “You’re soaking wet,” she said, putting her arms around me. “Isn’t this a horrible night?”
“Yeah,” I mumbled, though I wasn’t sure what she was talking about. The rain was horrible, but the way she was acting, so distraught, I got the feeling it was more than the weather that was bothering her. “Is Conner here?”
“No. He gave Raven a ride home. That poor girl, I’m worried about her. She was standing right out front when it happened. She saw the whole gruesome thing.” Mrs. Myers visibly shuttered, making me brace. “Isn’t it terrible? I didn’t actually know him, but he always seemed like such a nice boy.”
I about to double over, terrified to learn what she was talking about. “Wh-who?”
“Why, Justin Daniels, of course.” She looked at me with concern. “Sweetie, didn’t you hear?”
“Wh—what happened to Justin?” I asked, my lips quivering.
She was hesitant for a moment, like she was unsure how to go about breaking the news. It made me anxious, edgy. “Mrs. Myers, what happened to Justin?”
“There was a horrible accident.” She wrung her hands, looking upset. “He died.”
For a moment I just stared at her, unwilling to believe what she was saying. It couldn’t be true. I just saw him. It couldn’t have been much more than an hour ago that he stormed off on his bike. Now he was dead? No way. It couldn’t be.
I bit my lips to stop them from quivering. “How did it happen?”
“He was on his motorcycle.” She wrung her hands. “I hate those things.”
I rubbed my forehead, overwhelmed with guilt. It was my fault. I knew how hysterical he was. I should have taken away his keys. Stopped his motorcycle. Something. Anything. Instead I’d just watched him fly off, worried about myself.
“I need to go,” I told Mrs. Myers.
On unsteady feet I headed for the door, but Conner came bursting through before I had a chance to get it opened.
“Michaela.” Conner was surprised to see me. He gave me a hug, picking me up off my feet. “You heard what happened?”
I nodded. “I have to go.”
“Hey, no, wait. I’ll give you a ride.”
“I don’t want a ride,” I said as I left his house. I really didn’t. I had nowhere to go.
Conner followed me outside, keeping a steady pace at my heels. “I’ll just walk with you then—make sure you make it home alright.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said, speeding up. “Conner, it’s pouring out here. Go back inside.”
“No. That’s alright. I don’t mind the rain—Michaela, I’m worried about you.”
Hearing those words, I stopped walking. I was close to tears. Another considerate word about me and I was going to start bawling. “Conner, it’s my fault. Justin gave me a ride home from Stocker’s party.” A tear ran down my cheek. I shoved it away. I couldn’t start crying again or I’d never stop. “We got in a big fight and he drove off on his motorcycle like a crazy person. It’s my fault he got in an accident.”
Conner shook his head. “Michaela, it’s not your fault. He came back to the party after he left you. He was super drunk, ranting about you being a witch or something. He was goofy, going on and on about it, getting mad because every one was laughing at him—telling him to sober up and take a cold shower. Finally he just got mad and took off for his motorcycle.”
“Did he get hit by a car?”
Conner shook his head, looking disturbed. “That’s the weird thing. A couple of us went chasing him outside, thinking he shouldn’t drive in his condition. But we were too late, he was already taking off on his bike. He was speeding down the street, and then wham—out of no where his bike went up in flames.”
I rubbed my forehead, confused. “What do you mean? The bike exploded?”
“Yeah. Kind of. It just spontaneously combusted.”
“And Justin burned up?”
Conner nodded, looking grim. “Yeah. It was gruesome.” He raised his eyebrows. “But, see, it wasn’t your fault. You weren’t the last to see him. It was just an accident—a freak thing.”
Hearing him say that made me feel better. Sort of. At least it wasn’t entirely my fault. But the thing was, I couldn’t believe it was just a freak accident. I was certain what happened occurred on
purpose. I just wasn’t sure who did it, or why.
“Conner, you said a couple of you followed Justin outside. Do you know if Summer’s new boyfriend, Logan was there?”
Conner thought for a moment, then shook his head. “I’m not sure. He might have been. I’d seen him around. Why?”
I shook my head. “I was just wondering.”
“Hey, Michaela, why don’t you come back in the house for awhile?” Conner asked, looking concerned. “You’ve been sick. You probably shouldn’t be out in the rain like this.”
I backed away. “No, I’m okay.” Blinded, I pulled my sopping hair out of my face. “Look, Conner, thanks for talking to me. I feel better.”
He nodded, not exactly looking convinced. “Good.”
“Look, I need to go. Thanks for talking to me, though.”
I heard him call after me as I took off down the street, but I just kept walking, glad that he didn’t follow. I was going to Gage’s and not for comfort. I wanted to make sure he was okay. Either the Caldronon or Logan killed Justin—in either case, I was afraid Gage would be the next victim.
CHAPTER 31
When I got to Gage’s I almost made it all the way to his front walk before realizing he and Addison were sitting on the front steps. Seeing them filled me with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I was relieved to see that Gage was alive and unharmed. But on the other, I got a painful jab. Addison, ouch!
Stupidly, I had hoped they’d broken up for good. I hadn’t wanted to admit to myself that I was capable of such a delusional fantasy, but when he turned to me tonight, telling me he wrote me a song, when he smiled his sweet, Gage smile, I’d let myself believe he was feeling more than friendship at last...for me. I was such an idiot.
With a sinking heart, I turned to walk away, hoping to go unnoticed. But I only took about two steps before I heard Gage’s quizzical voice, “Michaela?”
Embarrassed, I stopped in my tracks, feeling like a joke. I wanted to just run away, only I’d look even stupider. How could I explain coming over here in my socks in the pouring rain, and then, like a Peeping Tom, walking away? I felt dumb. But the main thing was, I couldn’t bear to be with him tonight, not with Addison around. Too much had happened. I was ready to break down any moment, and no way was I going to let her see it happen.
“Hey. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” I said, taking a step away, even as I turned to face their general direction.
“No, wait. Come back,” he called, getting to his feet. “I wanted to talk to you.”
“Tomorrow, okay?” I swallowed. “It’s been a long night.”
“Yeah, no kidding.”
He was standing out in the rain now, on the bottom step. He looked upward for a moment, letting the rain wash over his face, then he watched me intently, like I was a frightened colt ready to buck. “You heard about Justin?”
I pushed my hair out of my face and nodded, wondering if I was dreaming, if none of this was real.
“Yeah. Pretty gruesome. We were out there—we saw it. Addison’s pretty upset.”
I glanced to where she was sitting, up on the top step, unmoved. Even from this distance I could see that she’d been crying, Gage had been comforting her. She wasn’t crying now though. She was looking at me like I was the devil come to eat her mate.
“Michaela, come here. Please. Talk to me.”
The way Gage was talking, it was like I was on the ledge of high building—a skyscraper—and he was nervous I was going to jump. It made me nervous as well. It made me wonder what he knew.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” I said, taking another step away.
“Michaela, please. Come on. I’ll follow you home if I have to.”
“Just let her go!” Addison said, finally rising to her feet. With a look of rage, she joined Gage on the bottom step, coming out into the rain. “Is that Justin’s jacket?” She asked.
Dumbly, I looked down and saw that it was. I was still wearing his jacket. Suddenly, I felt evil, wicked. I was wearing a dead boy’s jacket. He gave me it to keep warm and now he was dead and it was my fault. I didn’t kill him, I didn’t, but that fact didn’t give me comfort. If it weren’t for me he would still be alive. Knowing that made me take another step further from Gage. I needed to get away. Being near him could only cause him harm.
“You’re so pathetic,” Addison hissed. “You’re always chasing my boyfriend, but tonight you went after your sister’s? Geez, that’s low.” She smiled, an evil, twisted smirk. “Justin called you a witch—did you know that? His last words uttered on this earth were, ‘Michaela Tolley is a witch.’ ”
“Hey, shut up,” Gage said. “Michaela, come inside—you’re soaked.”
“If she comes in—if you have that witch in your house—I’m walking. I mean it, Gage. You can kiss our relationship goodbye. I’m tired of putting up with this—it’s either me, or her.”
I rolled my eyes, turning to leave. “Look, I didn’t come here to cause problems. I just wanted to make sure Gage was okay.”
“You didn’t come to cause problems?” Addison scoffed. “That’s all you are—a bag of problems.”
I heard her words, but just kept walking. Nothing she said could affect me anymore. Too much had happened to care about anything as petty as Addison Richards.
A chilling wind bit through me and I stuck my hands deep into the pockets of Justin’s jacket. Unfallen tears stung my eyes. All at once I felt really alone. I had nowhere to go.
I couldn’t go home. The entire place was probably infested with shadows by now. I didn’t think I could ever go back there. But where else could I go? Since Izzie was at her dad’s, Gage and Conner were pretty much my only friends. The only ones I could depend on anyway.
“Hey, Michaela, wait up.”
Hearing Gage’s call, I turned with relief. I wanted him to do that more than I dared let myself admit, my feelings being far beyond the mere gratification that he chose me over Addison. I needed him.
Barely able to hold back a sob of relief, I smiled. “Hey.”
He stared at me, then shook his head. “Man, this is such a weird night.” He took my hand, leading me back to his house.
Inside he made me a cup of hot chocolate and hunted me up a warm pair of socks. I was so glad to be with him I could actually smile, feel happy, even now, after everything that happened, but I couldn’t shake the memory of the last time I was here, the fire. I knew I should leave now before something horrible like that happened again, but I couldn’t make myself do it. I wanted to be here. I wanted to be with Gage.
Flopping down on his couch, I savored a sip of hot chocolate, promising myself I would only stay for a moment, just long enough to get my bearings.
I figured that might be okay, safe. After all, I’ve already been punished for using my powers tonight, I reasoned with myself, shuttering at the memory of the shadows invading my room. It seemed I should be free of the Caldronon for a while, at least until I used my powers again. And I never planned to use them again, ever.
Still, I couldn’t shake a feeling of doom. Someone killed Justin—the Caldronon or Logan—in either case, I couldn’t take the chance of Gage being next.
“I should go,” I said reluctantly. “I shouldn’t be here.”
Gage looked up. “Why?”
“I just shouldn’t.”
Gage rose to his feet. He gently placed his hand on my shoulder. “Michaela, stay. I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a long time—ever since you’ve been sick—but you’re always running away from me. Won’t you please just stop for a minute? Talk to me?”
I wanted to. With all my heart I wanted to stay with him. But I couldn’t—I shouldn’t. Every instinct in me shouted danger.
CHAPTER 32
“Gage, I can’t stay,” I said urgently.
“Why? What is it?” He followed me to the door. “Why won’t you talk to me?”
What could I tell him? I can’t talk to you because the forces that killed Justin will kill you t
oo? No way.
Instead I bit my lip, wondering if there was any part of this predicament I could tell him that didn’t seem so terrifying. Something that didn’t involve demons.
“Bad things are happening…”
That was all I managed to choke out. I couldn’t explain this mess. I would die if Gage was suddenly afraid of me.
“Yeah.” Gage stared. “It’s really horrible...what happened to Justin.”
I could feel my face growing hot. The way he said that, the way he was staring, it was as though he knew something—or at least suspected it. I wasn’t sure though, it could have just been my imagination. Since enduring Davenport I was always terrified people would find out, terrified they’d call me a witch.
But there was a reason for me to be so frightened, there was. Before I moved here I didn’t have any friends. Everyone was afraid of me. They spent a lot of time talking about me, but never to me. I was just a kid and I had no one to play with. I never had a friend until I moved here and met Gage. He was the first friend I ever had.
I glanced up at Gage, meeting his gaze. “Yeah. Poor Justin.”
Gage nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. “But he was kind of a creep. The way he treated your sister, I mean.”
“Yeah.” I fidgeted with the zipper of my jacket, feeling uneasy. What was he getting at? “He didn’t treat Summer very nice.”
“And he was kind of obsessed with you,” Gage said. “I used to see him staring at you all the time.”
Surprised, I looked up at him. I didn’t know what to say.
Gage only continued staring. “The guy was a creep.”
I nodded, not exactly sure why he kept saying that. Is it because he knew Justin’s death was my fault? He wanted to make me feel better?
“Yeah, I agree. Justin was a creep. But he didn’t deserve to die.” I made a move toward the door. “I need to go.”
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