Volume 1: Bailex, #1

by Erin Everleigh

  BAILEX: volume 1

  Copyright © 2019 Erin Everleigh

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Editing: Shane P.

  Formatting: WordSmithers

  ISBN: 978-0-9940411-4-2

  For Abby, Alexis & Kiera

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  SNEAK PEEK OF BAILEX: VOL. 2

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  One

  I Had A Hunch

  I’M GOING TO PRISON.

  Kieran placed his palms on the brick wall in front of him and drew in a deep breath. Closing his eyes, he slowly exhaled, hoping to regain his focus and calm his racing heart. Keeping his hands firmly against the wall, he crouched toward the ground. The cool spring breeze blew through his hair, as the rough surface of the bricks dragged across his skin. He shifted his body forward to peer through one of the four basement windows that lined that side of the school. Although he couldn’t see much through the caked-on grime, he knew this was the one he wanted. He looked over his shoulder one last time, while a bead of sweat trickled down the back of his neck.

  No, I’m going to juvi. They don’t send 12-year-olds to prison. At least I think they don’t.

  His breath quickened as he pushed his fingers into the small gap at the bottom edge of the windowsill. He tensed his muscles and forced the window open.

  Here goes nothing.

  Kieran stuck his head through the opening of the window and scanned the room. He looked toward the bank of sinks on his right, then at a row of stalls on his left. His eyes shifted to the old, yellowing linoleum floor to gauge how far he would have to jump.

  “Maybe this wasn’t the best idea,” he said out loud to himself, when he realized it was about a six-foot drop.

  No. I have to get answers. I need to know.

  Kieran let out an audible breath then dangled his first leg through the window, the other leg followed. He sat on the edge of the windowsill and closed his eyes.

  I can do this. I HAVE to do this.

  “What on earth are you doing?” A voice called out from behind him.

  Kieran’s eyes shot open, and he tumbled forward. A second later, he felt his head connect with the floor.

  “Ouch!” His hand flew to his forehead to find an already forming goose egg.

  “Now that was graceful. You okay?”

  Through the flickering stars, a pair of large green eyes stared down at him.

  Should’ve known.

  “Riya, why are you following me?” Kieran stood, rubbing his head.

  “You told Mr. & Mrs. P that you were going to the library to study for our math test on Monday. You could write that test now and get it perfect, so I knew you were up to something.” Riya knelt and crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at Kieran. “As a side note,” she continued, “if you say you’re going somewhere to study, you should probably bring your textbook with you, or at least not leave it sitting out on your bed for anyone to see.” Riya placed her hands on the windowsill and stuck her head through the opening—she wasn’t done yet. “And, you’ve been acting strange the past couple of weeks—so, yeah, I followed you. Given the fact that you’re the one breaking into school on a Saturday morning, I think it’s you who has some explaining to do. Now move over, I’m coming in.”

  Riya bent her knees to absorb the shock when her feet connected with the floor. After landing, she straightened her body and extended her arms above her head in perfect presentation.

  “That’s how it’s done!” A smile spread across her face, but then quickly retreated when she saw the huge bump on Kieran’s forehead. She reached out to touch it, but Kieran swatted her hand away when she got close.

  Kieran turned away, unable to look Riya in the eyes. She was opposite to Kieran in so many ways. She was brash, outspoken, and even though he towered over her in height, she could hold her own. It was because of her that they had become fast friends. It was because of her that he finally felt that he had an ally in life. At only 12 years old, they both had been through more than many others would in their entire lifetime. That’s what the foster system can do to you. And finally, when things were starting to look up for the two of them…he was about to ruin it all.

  Kieran gripped the edges of the countertop and let his head hang down, his dark shoulder-length hair shielding his face. “You shouldn’t be here.” He raised his eyes just enough to see Riya’s reflection in the mirror, purposely avoiding his own. He wasn’t proud of what he was doing—but he needed answers.

  “Well, you’re stuck with me.” Riya jumped, grabbing onto the upper doorframe of one of the bathroom stalls. “So you might as well get over it and do whatever it is you came here to do.” Her dangling legs swung back and forth, slamming into the stall door behind her each time. She winked at Kieran through the mirror and then used a little extra force on the door with her feet.

  “Shhh!! You’re going to get us caught.” He spun around to face her.

  “What exactly are we going to get caught doing?” She let her hands go, landing next to Kieran.

  He sighed. She’s relentless, as always.

  “Follow me,” he resigned and pulled open the door to the restroom.

  Riya stayed on Kieran’s heels as he navigated through the basement of their school. The hallways were dark, but Kieran knew the way. He volunteered in the school library and spent many afternoons searching for old volumes that were kept in the basement.

  “How did you know that window would be open? Did you prop it open yesterday? This is so not like you!”

  “Don’t get too excited. This wasn’t premeditated. I only made my decision to come here after I woke up this morning. That window has never closed properly. It’s surprising that nobody has ever thought to fix it.”

  And yes, this is not like me at all. Nothing has been lately.

  “This way.” Kieran directed Riya up a staircase and through another hallway, coming to an abrupt stop only a few steps before reaching the end. With a single finger to his lips, he turned to face Riya. She nodded and mimicked his movements, as he slowly stepped to the end of the wall and peered around the corner.

  Riya pulled on Kieran’s sleeve. “We did all of that to watch a bank of lockers?”

  He glanced up at the clock mounted above the doorway adjacent to the lockers. “Give it a minute.”

  The minute hand ticked to the right, as one of the double doors was pushed open. They both took a step back. A stalky boy, with messy light brown hair, held the door open with his right arm. His other hand was gripping
the handle of a wagon, as he struggled to pull it through the doorway.

  “What is Terry doing here?” Riya said.

  Kieran whirled around to silence her. He pointed two fingers to his eyes, and then at Terry.

  “How did he get in? That wagon certainly wouldn’t make it through the window we jumped through,” Riya whispered.

  Kieran didn’t answer. He reached back and squeezed Riya’s arm as a reminder to keep quiet.

  Once Terry had pulled the wagon all the way through the doorway, he let the door go and walked to locker number three. He fished a torn piece of paper from his front pocket, studying it for a moment—with two turns to the right, one to the left and then one to the right, the lock was open.

  “Why is he going into Randall’s locker!” Riya pulled at Kieran’s sleeve. It wasn’t a question, rather an angry proclamation.

  With widened eyes and his finger to his lips, Kieran turned to Riya to silence her once again.

  Terry stared for a moment at the books and binders inside the locker. He then pulled at the corner of the towel that was covering the top of the wagon, exposing a pile of red bricks. One by one, he laid the bricks in the locker and buried the books and binders at its base. When all the bricks were piled, he brushed his hands on his jeans and took a step back to admire his work.

  “Classic,” he chuckled, as he closed the locker and fastened the lock into place.

  “Ughh!” Riya clenched her fists.

  He pulled a rhinestone heart keychain from his pocket and exited the school through the double doors.

  “That explains it,” Riya mumbled, and quietly tiptoed into the classroom behind them to get a clear view outside. She watched as Terry locked the school door, the keychain sparkling in the sunlight. Only once the wagon tires cleared the parking lot, did Riya return to Kieran.

  “How did you know he was going to do that?”

  Because apparently, I’m going crazy.

  “I had a hunch.”

  “Must have been a pretty good hunch,” Riya eyed him, knowing full well that there was more to the story.

  “Oh, I have an idea!” Riya’s eyes widened and she clapped her hands rapidly, forgetting about the proverbial elephant in the room. She pulled her phone out from her back pocket, tapped and swiped a few times, and then began spinning the lock Terry had just secured.

  “How do you have Randall’s combination?”

  “He was running late for play practice the other day, and he asked me to grab his script from his locker.”

  The door flung open.

  “This is going to be sweet. Empty out these bricks and pile them over there,” Riya pointed to a locker at the end of the short bank.

  “That’s Terry’s locker,” Kieran’s voice hitched.

  Riya nodded. “Exactly. Let’s see how ‘classic’,” she made air quotes with her fingers, “Terry thinks this prank is when he opens his locker Monday morning. I’ll be right back,” and then she disappeared down the hall.

  ***

  Kieran’s mind was miles away from the mundane task. He was focused instead on his reason for him being there that morning.

  I can’t believe it. It happened again. Exactly how I expected it would. There is seriously something wrong with me.

  He balanced another brick on the growing pile and turned back for more.

  And just when things were finally starting to fall into place for me.

  “Piece of cake,” Riya trotted toward him, waving a piece of paper. “They should really upgrade those office locks. That was child’s play.” She buried her bobby pin back within her thick dark curls and started turning Terry’s lock.

  “You’re going to get yourself kicked out of school.”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time.” Riya’s lips curled up as she released the lock. “And you’re one to talk! Breaking and entering is way worse than picking a lock.”

  A smile tugged at Kieran’s lips. “Ri, I think they’re pretty much the same thing.”

  Riya thought about it for a moment. “You’re right.” Laughter bubbled from her lips. “We’re both going down.”

  Her laughter grew, echoing through the hallway. Kieran frantically waved his arms, “Shhh.”

  “No one else is here, Kieran, let loose for once. A good tear-jerking laugh is the best.” Riya’s fingers swiped under her eyes. She slowly inhaled, holding her breath for a few seconds, and then let it out. “But, we do have work to do.”

  The two of them began piling the bricks into Terry’s locker—one after another, just as Terry had done in Randall’s locker.

  “Do you think Terry’s mom knows he stole her keys?” Riya asked.

  “Doubt it.” Kieran handed her another brick. “She probably doesn’t know any of what Terry does around here. Most of the teachers seem to turn a blind eye, being that his mom is one of the guidance counsellors.”

  “I guess that could make it a little awkward.”

  “Terry obviously feels that he can get away with it.”

  “Not this time,” Riya smiled deviously.

  After the last brick was laid, they took a step back to admire their work.

  “Set your alarm early for Monday,” Riya instructed. “I don’t want to miss the look on Terry’s face when he opens his locker—it’s going to be priceless,” she rubbed her hands together.

  “You can set an alarm too. How did I become in charge of getting us up in the morning?”

  “I used to before you were around. But once you started barging into my room before the alarm had a chance to go off, I no longer saw the point.”

  “Excuse me for looking out for you.”

  Riya placed her hand on Kieran’s shoulder, “I love you looking out for me.” She flung the locker door closed and put the lock in place. “Let’s get out of here.”

  ***

  “A dozen sesame please.” Kieran pointed to the pile of cooling bagels adjacent to the wood-burning oven.

  “You guys having a party?”

  “Nah, Sam. You know we can never get enough of the best bagels in town. We’re stockpiling.”

  “Always the jokester, aren’t you, Riya.” Sam smiled and shook his head as he turned to retrieve the bagels Kieran had ordered.

  “Here you go,” Sam passed the brown paper bag over the top of the counter.

  Kieran gripped the bag with one hand, and with his other hand passed Sam a few bills.

  Riya reached into the bag. “Fresh out of the oven, just the way I like it.”

  “Mmmm. As always, Sam, perfection.” Riya raised the bagel in salute as they exited the store.

  “Have a good weekend,” Sam’s voice followed them to the sidewalk.

  “Why did you order so many?” Riya asked through a mouthful of bagel.

  Kieran shrugged.

  “You do realize that coming home with a bag full of bagels doesn’t really go with your library story. You’re just making things harder for yourself—I still have so much to teach you.” Riya took another bite and nudged Kieran’s shoulder.

  “I feel bad, okay?”

  Riya coughed, to prevent the bagel from going down the wrong way. “You feel bad. For what? Lying?”

  Kieran nodded.

  “You feel bad for lying about where you were going today, so you’re bringing home a bag of bagels. Have bagels replaced flowers and I missed the memo?” She chuckled.

  “I’ll just say I stopped on the way home. It’s not a big deal. There’s nothing to question.” Kieran kicked at a stone along the sidewalk. “And yes, I feel bad about lying. Mr. and Mrs. P have been nothing but good to us, and I don’t like breaking their trust.”

  “And what are you going to say about that huge goose egg on your forehead?”

  Kieran’s hand went to the bump and he winced. “I’ll just say I banged it on the corner of a bookshelf. Another lie…”

  “You’re not breaking their trust if they don’t find out.�
�� Riya intercepted the stone’s path and kicked it off the edge of the sidewalk onto the grass.

  “Seriously? That’s not how it works, Riya.” Kieran reached for a bagel and took a bite.

  “You should have seen the stuff I got away with in my last foster home.”

  “There’s a difference between someone not knowing, and someone not caring.”

  “Ouch,” Riya’s eyes fell to her feet. “You got me there, Kieran.”

  I’m a jerk.

  “I’m sorry, Ri. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “It is what it is. But you’re right, Mr. and Mrs. P are different—things are different now.” The hope laced in Riya’s soft voice made Kieran feel even worse.

  Riya plucked the paper bag from Kieran’s hands and picked out another bagel. The crinkling of the bag, as Riya pulled and held it to her chest, filled the silence as they walked. Kieran followed the cracks in the sidewalk, trying to ignore the gnawing ache in his gut. But it was no use. He glanced at Riya. Her eyes filled with moisture and she squeezed them closed, forcing back the tears.

  “Why don’t you trust me?” Riya stopped walking.

  Kieran’s guilt grabbed onto his insides and twisted. His feet took him a few more steps, “I do trust you.” His jaw muscles tensed, and he silently prayed to the powers he never believed in nor cared to acknowledge. Maybe she’ll let this go.

  “Enough is enough, Kieran.” Riya stomped over and took hold of Kieran’s shirt. Kieran didn’t resist. He let her whip him around.

  There was no fight in her eyes, no anger. Her glistening eyes held his reflection. There was no way out of this one. He had used up all of his tactics the past couple of weeks.

  Avoidance.

  Omission.

  All that was left was the truth. A truth so convoluted she’d no doubt think he was making it up. Or worse, she’d believe him.

  Two

  Sweet Dreams

  KIERAN SHIFTED HIS EYES toward the ground, collecting his thoughts. The warm spring air blew by him, bringing with it the laughter of kids playing in the park up ahead. “I had a dream.”