by May, W. J.
“Wait a minute,” Kieran said. His hands were clenched, the white of his knuckles bright against the blue mats. “Where is Zoe?”
Chapter 5
Zoe
“Zoe, you are not leaving until we talk.”
I had my back to Dad, but knew he stood leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He seldom raised his voice, instead, it would become hard and he’d enunciate every syllable and sound. Sighing, I stopped putting my coat on and turned to face him.
“Why don’t we sit in my office?” His voice softened, but he had his practitioner look.
Crap. I’m already late meetin’ up with everyone. My stupid fault, not Dad’s. I shook my head. Arguing would only make me later, and the whole reason I wanted to spend the weekend here was so I wouldn’t have to explain to Mom about sleeping at Brent’s. Not sure if Dad knew the whole truth if I’d be in any less trouble.
I tossed my coat on the front closet doorknob and led the way down the hall to the first room. It’d originally been a third bedroom, now turned into Dad’s office. I flipped the light switch and the pot lights flickered on. Like the rest of the house, simple beige colored the walls but the doctor feel of the room stared bleakly at me. The mahogany desk sat under the window and on each side; against the wall were large antique bookcases full of med books so thick the side writing looked like a Latin alphabet.
Dad followed and walked behind the desk. He pulled a file out of his briefcase and set down on his brown leather chair. Hands folded, he tapped his thumb pads against each other as he waited for me to sit down.
“Alrightie, I get the hint.” I snuck a peek at my watch, already twenty minutes late -- not counting drive time. “What do you want to talk about?”
He hesitated and I knew immediately the file was mine. The blood in my veins went from ten to a hundred miles an hour. What could be inside? Could he know about me? About all of us?
“Your mother’s worried,” he began.
I grinned, despite my nervousness. “She’s always worried.”
“Zoezey.” The concern in his voice stopped me from saying another joking comment. “You’ve lost weight. You look like you haven’t had a good night’s sleep in weeks.” He opened the file, sifting through the pages till he found the one he wanted.
“I’m not anorexic. I’ve been working out.” A twinge inside warned me not to be too defensive. “The entire gang is. Seth made up this exercise routine, and challenged us all.”
He stared at me with his doctor’s eyes, but said nothing. He had obviously come to the conclusion that I’d changed since the incident at the mine.
“My bed at Mom’s sucks so I’m sleeping crappy.” Lame. Really lame.
He sighed. “I’ve got your blood work results.”
I didn’t like the unreadable look on his face. “And?”
He cleared his throat. “Things were… off.”
Oh shit.
He slipped his reading glasses on and glanced down, reading off some list. “You’re low on iron. Your WBC count is way up, and you haven’t had a cold or been fighting any infection.”
White blood cells? What teenage kid cared? “Dad, I’m fine… more than fine.” Should I tell him? Tempted, I paused when I heard him blink several times, heard his heart start racing, and realized he was scared. That flew up warning flares I didn’t like. What had him so worried? I swallowed, trying to wet my dry mouth. “What’s up?”
He rubbed his face. “There’s trace amounts of uranium in your system. It’s not much, but any amount isn’t really good.” He flipped to another page. “And, oddly, some carbon. I ran some different kind of tests… ones I sort of invented at my lab. It appears as if uranium has attached to your red blood cells, but in a complex mitochondria – in a weird way. Not like I’ve ever seen before.” He reached his hand out and realized I sat too far away to touch me. He dropped his arm but began talking again, moving his hands for emphasis. “I’ve told no one and there’s no reason to be alarmed. I’d just like to run some more tests. It’s probably nothing… but you know me, I like to worry.”
“Okay…” I didn’t get the whole mitochondria thing, but didn’t want to ask tonight.
“Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary? In any of you?”
He liked inventing tests or looking for weird things in results. Anything to challenge his incredibly smart brain. His heart rate raced again. He was getting excited now, too.
What should I say? Tell him the truth or wait? “Nothing’s weird.” I had no right to tell him about the others unless they agreed to it.
“Can you, and maybe Heidi or Brent, come by my clinic this week?” He cleared his throat. “I’d rather err on the side of caution.”
My head tilted slightly and I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. Liar. His entire body shouted it to me. There was more he wasn’t saying. Hadn’t Heidi said uranium caused cancer? I didn’t want to be a bald seventeen-year-old spending the next three years in a hospital. Should I ask Brent? If we all had it, Brent’s dad would probably build a hospital in the name of research to save his son. Not that he cared if he saved Brent, it’d just look good in the papers. Not fair to Brent. Heidi would have a heart attack if I asked her. Kieran. He was the only one without a talent. Nothing would show up in his blood work. Hopefully Dr. Dad would lay off then or starting thinking mine would start clearing up. Especially since I wasn’t getting sick.
Dad swivelled in his chair and grabbed the med bag on the shelf behind him.
“Uh-uh.” I stood and waved my hands in front of me. “You’re not doing blood work tonight.” I started for the door. “I’m already running late. You can drain all of it tomorrow. I promise. Later, Dad.” I left the room and jogged down the hall before he could argue.
I grabbed my keys off the hall table and swung the front door open, about to race out expecting Dad to coming down the hall, needle in hand.
A large bulky shadow, their hand in a fist, blocked my exit.
Jumping back in surprise I squared my shoulders ready to scream. My ears zoned in and picked up on everything going on inside and outside the house.
All of it in like a second: heavy breathing at the front door, Dad opening his laptop inside his office, then another sound crystal clear -- Rylee, Kieran, and Brent laughing inside Heidi’s car. “Seth!”
“Did I scare you?” He chuckled. “I was just about to knock. I figured you’d hear us from miles away. We got tired of waiting.”
I pushed past him. “Let’s go.” If Dad started talking to Seth, he’d get him in the clinic tomorrow.
“Bye, Mr. Taylor,” Seth shouted as he slammed the door.
I jumped, my feet literally leaving the ground.
Seth reached out to steady me. “My bad, again.”
Stepping off the porch, I caught the sound of Seth’s erratic heartbeat, and his body swaying. He was excited. It wasn’t like him to stay quiet and not spill the beans. I doubted I’d have to wait long.
Halfway down the drive, he started whispering, “We got something to solve. Something big.” He bounced while he walked. “Police found a body.” He glanced back at the house, making sure my dad wasn’t outside. “We’re going to check it out.”
We’d reached the station wagon. Brent jumped out the back to let me in and Seth climbed into the front, squeezing Rylee between him and Kieran, who sat behind the steering wheel. Kieran driving?
“I’m Alfred, the chauffeur,” he explained as if reading my thoughts.
I sat beside Heidi, with Brent now on my other side. “Dead body? Where?” Kieran pulled away from the curb. The radio was on some news station, tuned quietly but blaring in my ears. By the loud buzz, it was A-M radio.
“By the mine.” Seth put his arm around Rylee and turned back to look at me. “I heard it on the radio. Some guy was walking his dog and found it.”
I’m not going near that mine. I shuddered and tried shifting in my seat to hide it. “The cops aren’t going to let us just walk up
and have a look.” My gaze slid over to Heidi. She’d have already brought up this argument.
“We’re going to park far away and see what we can figure out.” Heidi made a circle with her finger, pointing at all of us. “You’ll be able to hear what the cops are saying, and Rylee can see from far away, et cetera. Test out our skills in a real situation.”
“Wee bit o’ fun tonigh’,” Kieran chuckled. It sounded forced.
“Oh… okay.” I glanced at the back of his head and tried to see his face in the rear view mirror. Only hair and a bit of forehead was visible.
“I wonder if it’s murder.” Seth leaned over Rylee and started flipping through the radio channels.
Rylee swatted his hand and took over, finding some eighties music station. “Only old people die in Elliot Lake.”
“Or snowmobile accidents in the winter,” Heidi added.
“Let’s hope it’s no one we know,” Brent said quietly, his face serious.
That shut everybody up. We drove the rest of the way in silence, listening to a song end and then the local weather forecast.
“Where d’ya want me to go?” Kieran turned onto the long road which led to the mine. He seemed to be getting to know the area pretty well now. Probably driving on his bike to avoid his deadbeat dad.
Seth pointed to the right. “There’s a gravel road leading to the wooded area by the mine about fifty meters from here. How about we go as far as the road’ll let us and then get out and walk through the forest.”
I glanced at Heidi and Brent. Both wore jeans, black tops, and runners. Looking down at my yellow hoodie, Converse bling sparkled across the front and flashed like a neon light. In my rush to get out of the house, I’d left my coat. “Guys, I’m not dressed right.”
Kieran glanced in the rear-view mirror. “Me jacket’s black and I’m wearing a dark grey sweater underneath. I’ll give you me top when we pull over.”
Brent grunted beside me.
“Thanks.” I envisioned him taking his top off in slow motion, no tee shirt underneath, just hard, taut abs and sexy body. I blinked when Kieran cleared his throat and brought the car to a crawl.
He cut the engine and we sat in silence, looking out the front window. The forest stood dark, but red and blue lights flashed on top of the trees and bounced off the clouds.
Cocking my head, I tuned in to try and hear what the cops were saying. I closed my eyes, trying to eliminate the physical noises of the five sitting close to me. Straining, I could just make it out.
Coroner’s on the way. Ten minute e-t-a.
Don’t recognize the body.
Only way we’re gonna get an ID is through dental records. The guy’s head’s smashed in pretty bad. The animals have done a number as well.
I grimaced, wishing now I could block out their voices. A shivering chill slithered up my spine like a slippery snake. “It’s definitely murder.” I told them what I’d heard.
Quietly, we all slipped out of the car. Kieran stood by the opened driver’s side door and took off his jacket. He pulled his head out of his hoodie, revealing a tight, Under Armor white top. “Here, Zoe.” He handed the sweater to me.
The warmth of his skin lingered as I slipped it on, his smell filling my nostrils, tempting me to close my eyes.
“Let’s just go through the forest, but not get too close,” Brent said. He stepped between Kieran and me, and handed each of us a flashlight. “Don’t turn these on unless it’s an emergency.”
“Good thinking.” Seth flipped his light on to see if it worked and then off again. “Rylee, you lead the way.”
“Wh-what?” she squeaked.
“I’m right behind you. Don’t worry.” Seth patted her butt. “We just need your eyes.” He stuffed his light into the front pocket of his jeans. “And don’t be reaching back, pretending to grab my flashlight. We all know you can see.”
“Not even I can see good enough to find what you want me to grab.” Rylee smirked. “You’re sad.”
“Pathetic’s a better word,” Brent said. “Zoe, you go behind Seth so you can listen. Tell us if it’s anything good. I’ll go behind you, then Heidi, and Kieran can bring up the rear.”
Everyone started on the gravel road toward the trees, except Kieran. He seemed reluctant. I jogged over to him standing by the car. “You can wait here in the car if you prefer. You don’t have to come.”
He looked surprised, then smiled. Bending low to whisper in my ear, his hot breath sent prickles down my neck. “Ta for yer concern. ’Tis nothing. I just need to have a wee chat with Mother Nature.”
“Pardon?” I glanced at the gang now waiting for us twenty meters ahead.
“I need ta piss.” He pointed to some shrubs by the car.
“Oh!” I could feel the burn on my cheeks. “I’ll, uh, wait for you over there then.” I dashed back to the group. Why did I have to embarrass myself around him all the time?
Kieran, now wearing his black coat, caught up just as the gravel road ended and a path led into the forest. Dog owners usually parked in this area so the worn path created a shortcut to the large open field on the other side.
As we walked, Rylee seemed to be the only one not stepping on twigs or dried, fallen leaves or anything noisy and squishy. After ten minutes of hiking, she slowed and held a hand up.
I listened. No need to strain, I could hear everything. The frustrating part was getting it all at once, not zoning out certain sounds like Brent breathing beside me, Kieran humming a tune, and Heidi’s nervous teeth grating. By the mine, another automobile had driven to where the cops were. It was some kind of heavy, slow vehicle. Maybe an ambulance… or the coroner.
“I can see a bit between the trees.” Rylee stood on the tips of her toes, a hand over her eyes as if shielding an invisible bright sun. “The body’s covered with a sheet and there’s like a dozen cops. The area’s roped off with yellow ‘caution’ tape. The flashing lights, and a beam from above is throwing my sight off.” She rubbed her head. “I’m getting a headache.”
What too much sound was to me, probably felt like constant strobe lights to Rylee. I felt bad for her. “Let’s see if I can hear anything.” I closed my eyes and plugged my nose trying to just focus on listening, no other sense.
Never seen anything like this in Elliot Lake. And I’ve been on the force near thirty years.
This is going to shock the entire county. I hope it isn’t the start of some serial killer. I can’t imagine this escalating much more.
This was a serious rage crime.
The policemen stopped talking when someone walked by. Plastic crinkled in an awkward way. Probably the tarp covering the body being lifted.
Oh my… followed by the gross sound of someone throwing up.
Rigor’s set in. The guy’s solid. Decomp is pretty advanced. Body’s been here five, maybe ten days.
Five or Ten? That’s a big gap.
It’s been cold a few nights, below freezing, so that slows down decomp. I won’t be able to give you more information until I get the body to the lab. Shuffling and more plastic wrinkling and scrunching, followed by a zipping noise. I hope there’s one useable finger to get a print. It looks like some of the fingers were burned, then the frost and nature seems to have done the rest.
I repeated everything I heard in a whispered voice. My mind shot horror-film images flashes in front of me as I listened to the police talk. I needed a breather. Raising my arm on a nearby tree, I buried my face into the crook of my arm. With my free hand, I pressed my fingers into my temple and closed my eyes to rub them. Pressure at the back of my head seemed to be working its way around the front.
Trying not to hear, I couldn’t block out any of the noises. They wouldn’t stop. Like a bad dream you can’t wake up from. I heard Kieran move toward me before I opened my eyes.
“Hey, you okay?” he whispered. He put his hands on my shoulders and pulled me close. It felt awesome to have my back pressed against his warm chest. I shivered and it had nothing to do
with being cold, and his near proximity made me tingle. I hoped no one could pick up on it with their sonar sense. He had rock hard abs, just as I’d imagined.
Brent grunted as he put a hand on an ancient oak and, using his other hand, took his sneakers and socks off.
“What’re you doing?” Seth waved a hand in front of his face. “Your feet reek.”
“I want to see if I can get sight off the ground. I thought if I tried burying my toes into the dirt, I might be able to see more. My skill’s all whacked and while you guys are all struggling to get yours, I think mine’s come too easy. There’s got to be something more to it.”
Seth started complaining again but Brent held up his hand. “Give me a moment, I’m actually getting something.”
“What?” I leaned forward to get a better look. Kieran’s long arms stayed around my waist.
Brent closed his eyes. “I’m following the dirt path to the field. The body’s on a gurney now… looks like they pulled it from a shallow ditch or some kind of dry ravine.” His eyes flickered back and forth across the back of his lids. “I can’t see the body.” His eyes snapped open. “Rylee, did you get a chance to see it?”
“No.”
Except her face had turned four shades of green and I could tell her stuttering heart and churning stomach said the exact opposite. Obviously something we don’t need to see. I tried to swallow. This was way too intense.
Seth coughed. “All I smell is your stinkin’ feet and the shit-stench of a dead body.” He gagged. “It’s going to take a week to get that smell out of my nose hairs.”
Everyone started laughing. Only Seth.
Giggling, Heidi covered her mouth. “I have to breathe through my nose, and keep my lips closed tight. If I get a taste, you’ll be adding puke to the already horrific smells.”
Smiling, I opened my mouth to add something funny but stopped when Kieran stiffened against me, his arms tightening and pulling me closer. I looked up at his face. He cleared his throat and stepped back, his arms leaving coolness as they left their embrace.