Maylee had been cheery, but I could tell she was growing nervous about Saturday. I wasn’t sure why they were so upset, even though they claimed that more spirits were entering town, I hadn’t seen one yet. Neither had my mom. So, I felt pretty safe.
After a long day of school and a nice evening run, I had drifted off to sleep one night with the feeling like I was being watched.
Snakes and spiders crawl all around me and an angry wind sweeps over me. I’m no longer in my bed, but in a lone forest. An icy chill licks my skin as the moon becomes cloaked in dark clouds.
“Is anyone out there?” I call out, but my voice sounds distant.
Trying to run, my feet remain planted on the cool, damp filled ground. I begin to melt into the darkness, my body disappearing as though I never existed.
“Help!” I try to cry, but my voice no longer works.
Tears burn my eyes as fear courses through me.
Suddenly, I jolted up in bed, my hair coated in sweat.
“Lizzie, it’s ok,” a voice whispered beside me.
Trembling, I turn to spot the last person I would ever expect to see in my room, standing over me.
Placing his hands on my shoulders, Ace begins to shake me, calling out my name. “Lizzie, what’s wrong? What just happened?” he asks frantically.
It takes me a moment to comprehend what I just saw and to find the strength to speak. “Horror. All I saw were snakes and spiders. The world was gray and dark. Shadows slithered all around me and I was all alone,” I said, my bottom lip quivering as I spoke.
Sighing, Ace moved away from me and ran a hand through his wavy hair. His eyes turned black and if I hadn’t just been paralyzed by my own fear, his sudden change in appearance might have just frightened me.
“Wait, what are you doing here?” I ask, trying to keep my voice quiet so I don’t wake my parents.
“I’m always here,” Ace says, diverting his eyes away from me.
“You watch me sleep,” I said, matter-of-factly.
Ace simply nodded. I knew it was him.
“Lizzie, what you saw was the shadows taking over. They are here and looking for lives to destroy,” Ace warned. “We need to find out what they want.”
“What do we do now?” I wailed. “I don’t understand any of this. I didn’t ask for this…”
Before I could say anything more, Ace grabbed me and pulled me into his strong arms. For the first time in a very long time, I felt a sense of comfort. Being enveloped in his embrace sent a warmth shooting down my spine. Releasing a heavy breath, I allowed myself to relax as he held me. I felt safe in his arms and that notion alone both surprised and concerned me.
By Friday, the entire town was buzzing with excitement over the first home game of the season. The parents and teachers were tailgating in the parking lot and the town was decorated in blue and green, showing their support for the East Jessamine Jaguars.
After school, I had rushed home to dress in a pair of jeans, a blue t-shirt, and I tied a green ribbon in my hair.
Sawyer and Kade were going to meet me at my house while Ace drove Maylee himself. Of course, he was too cool to attend a game, but something told me he wouldn’t be too far from the action.
“Lizzie, your friends will be here in ten minutes,” my mom called up to me.
I bounded down the stairs as I grabbed my cellphone and money.
We still hadn’t talked a lot since I found out I was a Shadow Seeker.
“I’m ready,” I said, stopping in the kitchen.
“You look great,” my dad said, placing a kiss on top of my head.
“Have a great time,” my mom added, her eyes full of pride and a touch of sadness.
I hated when my mom was upset, even if I felt like she deserved my anger.
“Mom, tonight after the game, we can talk,” I offered.
Her smile lit up the room and it filled my heart with happiness. “Really? I would love that, Lizzie,” she gushed. “Just remember. I only knew about the stories of Shadow Seekers. I never truly knew you were one. I have questions, too,” she said.
“I know, but you knew it was a possibility,” I added.
She nodded. “With us, there are always possibilities,” she sighed, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Lizzie, I know that growing up with a Mediator as a mother wasn’t always easy. I tried to protect you from most of my work, but I also didn’t hide the truth either. Returning to Nicholasville was the right choice, and now I see your great Aunt Morgan had something to do with it. We will get through this together because that’s what we do,” she said, smiling down at me.
Just then, my phone chimed to alert me to a text.
Sawyer: Hey, we are about to pull into your driveway.
“Mom, my friends are here,” I said, hating to stop this conversation.
“Go have fun, we will finish this tonight,” she said, hugging me before letting me go.
I wiped a tear away from my eye as I opened the front door. Just as I stepped out onto the front porch, a loud squawk startled me. Soaring high in the sky, a large black Crow circled above my driveway. Shaking my head, I had a sneaking suspicion it was Ace.
The sounds of an engine brought my eyes back from the sky just as a black Ford truck pulled into my driveway. Sawyer and a guy who I didn’t know were sitting in the back of the four-door truck. Kade sat in the driver's seat, a black and blue hat over his head and a cute smile on his face.
“Get in,” Sawyer yelled out to me.
I jumped down the stairs and ran over to the truck. Getting in, Kade took my hand to help me climb into the cab. His truck was on monster wheels and I almost felt like we were about to be part of one of those monster truck rallies.
“Wow, your truck is...big,” I said.
Sawyer and the guy I still didn’t know laughed from behind me.
“Thanks,” Kade said, blushing.
“I’m Garrett, Kade’s brother,” Garrett greeted me.
“Hi,” I answered.
Sawyer seemed to be drooling over Garrett and I realized she must have a crush on him. He was cute like his brother, but where Kade’s hair was wavy, Garrett’s was short and straight.
We took off and drove through the small town with the windows down, music blaring, and the feel of the cool evening air filling us. It was magical.
When we pulled up to the long drive of East Jessamine High School, I noticed that the bright lights were illuminating the field just beyond the school. Opening the truck door, I could already hear the band playing a fight song while the Crowd cheered and roared from the stands.
I walked alongside Kade as Sawyer and Garrett flirted shamelessly behind us. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and checked for any messages from Maylee. She should be here any minute.
“Hey, something wrong?” Kade asked, noticing me checking my phone.
Tucking my phone back inside my pocket, I smiled. “Nothing wrong. My friend Maylee might meet us here,” I said, realizing I hadn’t really confirmed asking her to come with us.
“Cool,” Kade said. “She’s sort of different…” he added.
“Yeah, but she’s awesome, too,” I said, refusing to allow anyone to talk about her.
Kade simply nodded as we made our way to the ticket booth. He paid for us and then we walked over to the stands. Seats were going fast and the four of us made our way over to the silver bleachers.
I kept checking the parking lot and the crowd for a sign of Maylee. I knew she was coming, but I was sure Ace would bring her on his own time.
Just as the football team came running out onto the field, I spotted Maylee making her way toward us. Waving, she looked out of place, but she was still smiling.
Standing, I waved her over.
“Hey, my friend is here,” I said to Kade.
He looked over to where I pointed and waved at Maylee, too. For some odd reason, that made my heart soar.
“Great. Hey, I’m really glad you came with me tonight,” he whispered yelled.
I sat back down and turned to face Kade. From the corner of my eye, I saw the cheerleaders jumping and yelling from their spot on the track that circled the field. Their blue and green uniforms bouncing with each kick and flip they did.
“I’m really glad I came, too,” I managed to say, before Maylee flopped down beside me.
“Hey guys,” she announced, with a little too much enthusiasm.
I introduced her to the gang, even though she already knew who they were. I doubted they had ever really talked outside of school and that saddened me.
Everyone talked for a minute before the kickoff. Once the game began, it was almost too loud to hear yourself think.
We all laughed and cheered on the team and for the first time in my life, I couldn’t believe I was at a school social event with friends. Kade reached down and grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together.
I waited for a spark or bolt of electricity to hit me, but nothing happened. Not like it did when I touched Ace. Maybe what I felt with Ace was more like heated anger?
Something moved by the tall light over the ticket booth and the slight flicker caused my eyes to look up. A black feather fell from the sky, softly surfing on the slight breeze that flirted through the night sky.
“What are you looking at?” Kade asked, squeezing my hand.
“Nothing. Thought I saw someone,” I said.
I turned to Maylee who had been watching me carefully. Leaning over, I whispered, “Where is your brother?”
“He’s around,” she said, a slight smirk playing on her lips.
The crowd around us erupted in a loud cheer, everyone jumping and clapping as the cheerleaders went wild in front of us. The team had just scored a touchdown and the announcer was loudly announcing the stats.
It was finally halftime and the cheerleaders were running onto the field to do their performance. I took this time to go get a drink.
“Hey, I’m going to get some drinks,” I announced, standing up.
Sawyer and Garrett were taking selfies and Kade stood like he was going to come with me, too.
Maylee looked at me and I nodded for her to join us as well. The three of us left our seats and made our way toward the concession stand.
The line was already forming so we jumped in and waited.
“Thanks for letting me come tonight,” Maylee said to both Kade and me.
Kade moved closer to me and his arm brushed against mine. The cool night air made me shudder and he inched even closer. Maylee watched us and I noticed her eyes kept darting behind us.
I maneuvered myself so that I was between Kade and Maylee and just as I moved, I spotted a figure lurking in the shadows underneath the bleachers. I didn’t have to look anymore to see who that was. From the way Maylee’s eyes glowed with anger and surprise, I knew instantly it was Ace.
It was like I could feel his presence deep down in my soul.
Handing Maylee some cash, I stepped out of line. “Hey, I will be right back,” I said.
“Wait, where are you going?” Kade asked, concern lacing his features.
He really was sweet and maybe I was insane for walking away from him right now, but something called me to him. Like a magnet, I was drawn to him and I couldn’t seem to fight the attraction.
“I just need to go call my parents,” I lied. “I promise, I will be right back,” I said, leaning up and hugging Kade.
He smiled down at me, seemingly calmed now.
I walked until I was behind the bleachers. I walked along the edge of the bleachers, searching for any sign of Ace. I knew I hadn’t imagined him being there.
Suddenly, an arm reached out and pulled me inside the darkness. A slight scream escaped my lips as I found myself falling into Ace’s arms.
“What are you doing?” I hissed.
“You came looking for me,” Ace said back.
He was being difficult as always and I hated that I fell for his tricks.
“Fine, then I will just leave. Hanging out under the bleachers in the dark is creepy,” I said, turning to leave.
“No, wait,” Ace yelled to me.
I stopped dead in my tracks, unsure of what to do next. I hated how my body and mind were torn when it came to Ace. I should have left, but I also wanted to hear what he had to say.
I stood there silently as the crowd just above us cheered and yelled. I knew Maylee and Kade would wonder where I went so whatever Ace had to say, he needed to make it fast.
“What?” I finally snapped.
Running a hand through his dark hair, Ace looked conflicted. “You need to leave. I was just informed that it’s not safe for you to be out here right now. We know the evil spirits are coming, but we don’t know if any are here yet or not.”
“I’m not leaving until the game is over,” I stated firmly. “If they are here, there’s nothing I can do about it now.”
“Why are you so difficult?” Ace asked.
This evoked a smile from me. “It’s just part of my charming personality,” I said, turning on my heel to leave.
“I can’t let you just go sit there without protection,” Ace tried to argue.
“Then come with me. You know, show some school spirit or something,” I yelled, from over my shoulder.
I left the bleachers and made my way back out to where the concession stand was. Most people were heading back to find their seats as the clock showed halftime was almost over. I knew Ace was following me, but I never turned around to check.
When I found my friends again, everyone turned to see me; and I smiled when I realized there was a bottled water sitting where I had been sitting. Kade’s smile faded when he spotted Ace walking behind me.
Maylee exchanged a knowing look with Ace, but she didn’t look surprised to see her brother here.
And, Sawyer and Garrett were still flirting and I doubted they even knew I had been gone.
Ace sat two rows behind us and didn’t talk to any of us for the rest of the game.
I did notice that Kade sat extremely close to me and kept rubbing my knee with his hand. I kept waiting for a spark or heat to hit me, but nothing ever happened.
After the game ended and we all cheered for the team for winning, we all stood ready to leave.
Sawyer and Garrett were holding hands and already making their way down from the bleachers. Kade looked over to me and together we began to climb over the seats.
The night air had a nice chill to it that seemed to calm my growing nerves. Maylee was in a heated discussion with Ace and I wasn’t sure if I should wait for her or not. We had arrived at the game separately, but it felt odd to just leave without saying goodbye.
“Hey, I need to tell Maylee bye,” I said to Garrett, tugging on his arm.
He stopped and eyed Maylee and Ace. “It looks like they are in the middle of a fight or something. Just text her later,” Kade finished, shrugging.
For a moment, I considered that thought, but I just couldn’t do it. Maylee had been one of my first friends and I couldn’t just leave, yet.
“They always fight,” I chuckled.
I stood my ground and Kade sighed as he waited alongside me.
In one swift motion, both Maylee and Ace turned my way.
I had been caught red handed staring at them and there wasn’t anything I could do to save myself now.
“I’m leaving, just wanted to wait and say bye,” I stuttered awkwardly.
“We can give you a ride home,” Maylee offers, looking between me and Kade.
Kade clears his throat to remind us all that he is still there.
“I can take her,” Kade states.
I open my mouth to respond, but Ace cuts me off.
“She lives near us, we will take Lizzie home,” Ace’s voice is deep and menacing and I can feel Kade shaking beside of me.
I remember the stories I had heard about Ace and Maylee and the way people stared at Maylee when we went to lunch, I knew there was no way Kade would be arguing.
“I
will call you later,” Kade offers, before quickly retreating.
Realizing I have just been ditched, I turn to Ace with a scowl on my face.
“Why did you do that?” I ask, throwing my hands up in the air.
Instead of answering me, Ace brushes past me, his arm caresing mine in his quick movements.
Maylee just shrugs and there’s nothing left to do but to follow Ace.
Chapter Eleven
A Whole New World
I
sit in the back of Ace’s car with the wind sweeping through my hair.
It would be a nice ride, if not for the stuffy tension floating in the car. No one dared to speak as Ace kept his steady gaze on the road. The only sound was his grunts and sighs, indicating that he was angry.
As we turned off the Main Street and onto the long stretch of country road that led to my house, Ace finally started talking.
“What were you two thinking going to the game tonight?” he blurted out.
“Are you really going to do this now?” Maylee asks, glaring over at her brother.
I sat frozen in place, unsure of whether or not I was supposed to answer his question or not.
Ace slams his hands on the steering wheel and both Maylee and I jump.
Fear courses through my veins and I realize that for the first time since I’ve met Ace, I’m afraid of him.
“Stop!” I yell out, causing Maylee to turn and look at me.
Ace slams on the breaks and the car skids to a halt. The screeching of tires sends a billow of smoke behind us.
Once the car is stopped, I climb over Maylee and jump out of the vehicle.
Feeling freed and like I can finally breathe again, I quickly stretched my body over the seats until I had climbed out of the car like a spider monkey.
“What do you think you are doing?” Ace reprimanded, his tone scolding and filled with a white hot rage.
Spinning on my heels, I glared daggers his way as I stood just outside of the car. Maylee watched us with glistening eyes.
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