The Lost Savior

by Siobhan Davis

  “Hey.” She touches my knee. “It’s okay.”

  I lift my head. “No, no it isn’t. You’re my best friend, and I just lied to you because I was jealous. And what the hell is up with that?!” I flop back on the couch, throwing my arm over my face. “I feel like I’m losing all sense of who I am, Kylie. I’m reacting in ways that aren’t mine, and I’m freaking out.”

  “Then I definitely think I need to talk to them. Find out what they know.” She chews on the corner of her fingernail in a very obvious tell.

  “Spit it out.”

  She wets her lips nervously. “I’m just thinking this out loud, but do you think that ceremony was some kind of witchcraft or something?”

  “It’s possible, I guess. It certainly wasn’t normal, but …” I trail off, unsure how to phrase this. “The environment and the clothing were different. It wasn’t like any place I’d seen before.”

  “There is another possibility, you know,” she muses. “Whatever that freak did to you is responsible for these dreams, right? So maybe it’s all conjecture. Perhaps they’re not real; they could all be an illusion or the manifestation of hidden desires?”

  “You could be on to something.” I’m quick to latch on to her idea, because I like that suggestion way better than the alternative. “But what did he—”

  “Hey, Tori,” Daniel—Kylie’s older brother—says, diving onto the leather recliner and interrupting our conversation. “Haven’t seen you in ages.”

  “Likewise. Discovered any new alien conspiracy theories?” I half-joke.

  He grins, winking at me. “Where’d you want me to start?”

  “Oh, puhlease,” Kylie moans. “Don’t get him started.” I read the silent message behind her teasing tone. Now might be a great opportunity to pick Daniel’s brain.

  “Actually,” I say, sitting upright, “you might be the very guy to help me. I’m, eh, writing a book, about aliens who come to Earth, and I wondered what would happen if aliens were secretly walking among us? How would they interact with us, and could they like, change us, so we were more like them?”

  “You’re writing a book? Seriously?” He slants me with a disbelieving look.

  “Yeah. Why is that so hard to believe? I’m top of my English class and I love reading.” I feign hurt.

  “I just thought you were more of an outdoors, sporty kind of girl is all, but that’s cool.”

  “So?” I arch a brow. “Any insight to offer?”

  He sits up straighter in the chair, his eyes glistening with undisguised passion. “Do you know some dudes from NASA have come forward and said alien life-form does exist?” I shake my head. “Well, they have, on the down low, like. And there are tons of people all over the world who have claimed to see alien craft on Earth. The last report I read said there has been over one hundred thousand recorded UFO sightings on Earth in the last one hundred plus years. They can’t all be fake. I think it’s totally viable that aliens could roam our planet and we’d be none the wiser. If they’re advanced enough to have figured out how to travel through time and space, then it’s not inconceivable that they could be shape shifters.”

  “Meaning they could adopt human form and be walking among us and we’d have no clue?” I cut in.

  His head bobs enthusiastically. “Exactly. And I know everyone thinks I’m crazy with all my ideas and theories, but aliens could’ve been living among us for years. Hell, I suspect they’ve infiltrated government and industry and they’re engaged in a silent takeover, gradually occupying positions of power so they’ll be ideally placed when the time is right to strike.”

  Kylie rolls her eyes, and I can’t tell if it’s for show or not. “This is the part where he tells you Trump is actually an alien.”

  I snicker.

  “I can’t wait to see you eat humble pie when all is revealed, twerp.” He smirks at Kylie.

  “Okay.” I lean forward on my knees, attempting to redirect the conversation where I need it to go. “Let’s say you’re right, and aliens are among us.” It’s ridiculously hard to say that while keeping a straight face. “And they have this takeover agenda, what would they be doing to the unsuspecting public?”

  His voice lowers an octave and he pins grave eyes on me. “Experimentation and shit.”

  “What?” I squeak.

  He nods repeatedly. “That’s why they’re here. To study us and our planet. All those stories you hear of people being abducted from their bed and experimented on? It’s all true. I’m convinced half those nut jobs in asylums are actually the result of failed alien experiments. They turn them into crazy freaks who don’t know their own minds anymore.”

  I pale at his words, and all manner of stuff flits through my mind.

  “Okay, bruh. I think that’s enough of the crazy for one night.” Kylie holds up her palm.

  “I don’t care that everyone thinks I’m bat shit crazy,” he admits with a shrug, swinging his legs around on the chair. “My goal is to work for NASA and find out what really went down in Roswell, and what’s the score with Area 51, and then I’ll broadcast the truth. People have a right to know. You’ll all be on your knees worshiping me.”

  “Bat shit crazy does not even begin to define it,” Kylie mumbles, gesturing at me with a side nod.

  I take the cue, climbing to my feet. “Later, dude.” I wiggle my fingers in Daniel’s direction as I stride toward the door. “It’s been interesting. We should definitely do this again sometime.” I grin at him. It’s hard not to like Daniel. He might come across as whacky, but he’s passionately sincere about his extraterrestrial fixation, and that’s endearing on one level. And who knows? Maybe his ideas aren’t so bat shit crazy after all. If you’d asked me a week ago, I would’ve said he fell off the cray-cray tree and hit every branch on his way down. But after what I’ve seen and experienced? I’m beginning to think the dude is on to something.

  “Lots of food for thought for your book, right?” Daniel gives me the thumbs-up, and I’m still smiling when I reach my car.

  “He’s really into it, isn’t he?”

  “You’ve no idea. He lives and breathes that stuff. If aliens do exist, I’d put money on Daniel being the one to confirm it.”

  I open Mom’s car door, pausing. “Do you think there’s any truth to it? The experimentation? Is that what—”

  “Don’t.” She shakes her head. “Don’t jump to conclusions. I’ll drop over to the old Johnson place tomorrow after school and see if I can get any answers out of the Roth brothers. Until then, try and chill out. Concentrate on fixing things with Jensen.” She leans in to hug me, but I sidestep her.

  “You probably shouldn’t touch me.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “You know why,” I whisper.

  Ignoring me, she grabs me into a life-crushing hug. “You’re still you, and you won’t hurt me.” A mischievous glint appears in her eye. “Besides, I’m pretty sure you did more than just hug Jensen in the barn last Sunday, and he’s still breathing, so I think I’m good.”

  “True, but I still don’t know how I did it.” I lower my voice. “And no matter what that freak did to me, I’m still responsible for his death. I killed someone, Kylie, and I’m not okay with it.”

  “He would’ve killed me and abducted you if you hadn’t. It was self-preservation one-oh-one, and if I was you, I wouldn’t spend another minute worrying about it,” she whispers.

  Except that’s far easier said than done.

  Chapter 17

  I drive past the main house in the direction of Jensen’s home, desperately needing to see my boyfriend, but all the lights are out in the small two-story house, and he doesn’t respond to my text. I tap out another one, telling him I love him, and then I turn around and go home.

  I’m pulling the curtains closed when I spot a shadowy figure by the side of the barn again. My heart spikes to coronary-inducing proportions, and I run to the wall, flicking the switch. Light floods the room as I return to the window, peering o
utside.

  But the shadow is gone. If it was even there to begin with.

  I stand at the window for another few minutes debating whether I’m losing my mind or whether someone was actually out there.

  Before I talk myself into the nearest lunatic asylum, I switch off the light and crawl under the comforter.

  I drag my weary ass out of bed at the crack of dawn the next morning, exhausted after another restless night. At least I didn’t have any strange dreams. I’m yawning as I mix the batter for my famous banana and honey muffins, spooning them into the tray and sliding it in the oven. Then I grab a quick shower and get dressed.

  Mom is humming a song at the stove as I reenter the kitchen, and the muffins are cooling on a tray. I smile. “Morning, Mom. Thanks for taking them out.”

  “Morning, sweetie.” She kisses me on the cheek. “And you’re lucky. I just got to them in time.”

  I open the cupboard, extracting a plate and a plastic storage container.

  “Is Jensen coming over for breakfast?” she inquires.

  I bite down on my lip. “I don’t think so, but I’m going to bring him some muffins into school today.” Jensen adores these muffins, and I’m hoping he’ll accept it as a peace offering. “Is it okay if I borrow your car again today?”

  Her eyebrows lift. “Jensen isn’t driving you?”

  I shake my head, horrified when tears well in my eyes. I open the refrigerator, removing the apple juice. “He’s mad at me, and he has every right to be.”

  “Does this have something to do with your new friends?”

  What the what? I never gave Mom any indication I was friends with the new boys, and there’s no one else she could be referring to.

  The juice carton slips through my fingers, plummeting toward the floor. My gaze darts to the carton, tapering in concentration. In the blink of an eye, the carton is back in my hand. I blink again, looking between my hand, the carton, and the floor, wondering if I imagined it. I jerk my head around at Mom, but she is crouched over the stove, flipping eggs, completely oblivious, thankfully.

  “Kinda.” My reply is succinct as I slowly pour myself a drink, replacing the carton in the refrigerator, my heart thumping in my chest.

  “Jensen dotes on you, and he’s a good boy. You’ll work it out.”

  I wish I shared her confidence.

  Mom is lost in thought as we eat breakfast, which is just as well, because if she wasn’t, she might notice how my hand can’t stop shaking.

  The muffins are still warm by the time Jensen pulls up outside, honking the horn. I breathe a grateful sigh of relief. Usually he comes inside to say hi to Mom before we leave for school, so I know he’s still upset, but at least he showed up for me. I really didn’t know if he would. Mom reels me in to her arms before I leave. She smooths a hand up and down my spine, holding me close to her. “Everything will be okay, Victoria. Just always remember who you are.” She places her hand over my chest, patting the space where my heart is beating erratically. “In here, and you’ll never go wrong.”

  I frown, opening my mouth to quiz her, but she shoos me out the door, waving at Jensen as I climb into the truck, clutching my container of muffins. Jensen cranks the engine and takes off without a word. “Hi,” I say, determined to put us back on the right footing. “I dropped by last night, but your house was in darkness.”

  “I know. I got your message.”

  I worry my lip between my teeth. “I made you your favorite muffins. Peace offering?” I glance at him expectantly, holding out the container.

  Accepting the box, he licks his lips before stashing it in the glove compartment. “They’re still warm. You must’ve been up early.”

  “I was, but nothing’s too much trouble for you.”

  His eyes soften. “That was very sweet of you. Thank you, and while I really appreciate the gesture, it doesn’t resolve the issue.” He pauses momentarily. “Are you going to stay away from them?” His tone is clipped.

  “Yes.”

  His eyes widen, and then he sighs, his shoulders visibly relaxing. Reaching out, he laces his fingers in mine. “That’s my girl. I knew you’d come around.”

  “It’s my decision, Jensen. I’m not doing this because you told me to. I’m staying away from them because it’s the right thing to do. Because I know it upsets you, and that’s the last thing I want, but you didn’t force this on me. It’s my choice.”

  He yanks his hand back. “Wow. Don’t go doing me any favors. I’m only your boyfriend, your oldest childhood friend, the guy who always has your back.”

  I stifle my sigh of exasperation, swiveling in my seat. The leather squelches noisily as I face him. “Jensen, I don’t want them to come between us any more than they already have, but you can’t dictate how I live my life. That’s the only point I’m making. The outcome is still the same, and that’s all that matters.”

  “What matters,” he grits out, casting a quick glance at me as he exits onto the main road, “is that you’re keeping stuff secret, and now you won’t even do this one thing for me? I never pegged you for selfish, Tori, but if the hat fits …”

  I stare out the window, unable to defend myself, but I won’t confirm his suspicions either. Maybe I should just tell him. A huge part of me wants to. But there’s another part of me that’s terrified he won’t look at me the same once he finds out.

  He huffs, muttering under his breath, but neither of us speaks the rest of the journey.

  He clears his throat as we pull up in front of the school. “You can’t even deny it, which is why I know I’m right.” He swings the truck into his usual space and kills the engine. “What’s going on, Tori?” He reaches out and takes my hand, but I pull it back, afraid I might hurt him. Too late. My reaction already has. “Are you breaking up with me? Is that what this is?”

  I sit up straight. “No! God, no!” Forgoing my fear, I clasp his hands in mine. I’ve got to have faith in myself. Like Kylie said, I won’t hurt my friends, and I’ve got to keep believing in that. Mom said to not lose sight of who I am, and I’m going to cling to that like a lifeline. “I don’t want to break up with you. I love you.”

  Air rushes out of his mouth in grateful relief, and he leans in, pressing his forehead to mine. “I love you too, but I’m worried, Tori.” He eases back, cupping my face. “I know when something’s troubling you, and it’s written all over your face. Let me help, baby. Tell me what’s going through that beautiful mind.”

  Screw it.

  I’m telling him.

  “This is going to sound insane, but it’s the truth. It all started with the accident. I know—”

  A loud thump on the side window startles me, and a shriek climbs up my throat. Jensen’s eyes flit over my shoulder, and I know it’s one of the Roth brothers before I even turn around. Our connection is spazzing out. Before I know what’s happening, the passenger door is open, and I’m being hauled out, my feet placed carefully on the asphalt.

  “What’s up, beautiful?” Cooper asks, leaning against the hood of the truck like he owns it. “I thought I’d walk you to class today.” He says this with a wide smile, like there’s nothing unusual in the fact he just yanked me out of my boyfriend’s truck and is talking casually to me despite the words they exchanged last night.

  “I can’t decide if you’re arrogant, stubborn, or just plain stupid,” I admit, hugging my arms around my waist in a feeble attempt to keep the connection at bay.

  Jensen rounds the front of the truck with steam practically billowing out of his ears. He swings at Cooper, but he ducks out of reach and Jensen ends up punching thin air. Quick as a flash, Cooper is behind Jensen, yanking his arms behind his back. “Never start a fight you can’t win,” Cooper tells him.

  “Never go after a girl you can’t win,” Jensen bites back.

  “Let him go,” I demand, stepping up.

  “Tell him to play nice and I will.” He flashes me a cheeky grin.

  “Is this some game to you?” Acid c
hurns in my gut.

  “Absolutely not.” All trace of humor has vanished from Cooper’s face. “I’ve never been more serious about anything.”

  Jensen growls, legit growls, as he struggles to extract himself from Cooper’s hold.

  “Let him go, Coop,” Maddox says, materializing on the sidewalk.

  Cooper relaxes his hold, and Jensen wrenches himself free. Moving to my side, he wraps his arm around my waist, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Stay away from my girl, punk. I’m not going to say it again.”

  Cooper schools his features into a neutral line. “Doesn’t Tori get to decide for herself? Or is that what you’re afraid of?”

  “Get lost, loser,” Jensen says, his nostrils flaring. He shoulders him on purpose as he steers me toward the school entrance.

  Jensen pulls me to his chest outside my classroom. “That douche interrupted our chat. Why don’t we grab lunch by ourselves today, and you can fill me in?”

  “I can’t. I have a group meeting in the library at lunch for that history project that’s due next week. What about after school? We have enough time before the game starts.” The basketball team has an important game tonight, so we’re all going as a show of support, but it isn’t due to tip-off until seven thirty, so there’s time to hang out first.

  He tilts my chin up. “Great. Want to meet in the barn?” His eyes twinkle mischievously, and I throw an imaginary high-five in the air. My hands slide behind his neck. “If we go to the barn, we won’t get much talking done. Not that I’ve any issue with that.” I flutter my eyelashes at him, while his eyes dart over my head.

  A muscle clenches in his jaw, briefly, before he leans in, whispering over my mouth. “I have no problem with that either.” Then his lips crash down on mine, and he tightens his hold on my waist, pulling me flush against his body. He devours my mouth, kissing me deeply, sliding his tongue against mine and gripping me firmly. I see stars when we break apart a minute later. Jensen’s look is smug as he secures my book bag over my shoulder, kissing me softly on the lips. “Catch you later, sexy. Love you.”