Between Lies

by Alison L. Perry

  Together, we each grabbed a piece of the doorframe that was twisted around Harper’s body and pulled. A screeching filled the air as we slowly moved it away from the passenger seat. We’d freed her torso, but her legs were still trapped. I wrapped my hand around the piece closest to me, and using all my strength, tugged it toward my body. Another cacophony of grinding metal filled my ears, along with a grunting sound that turned out to be me. Sweat popped out on my forehead at the exertion. Harper tried moving her legs and could wiggle them slightly. I let go, gasping for air. My own wounds stung but I ignored them.

  “Okay, we need one more big pull. As I do, Harper, try to bring your legs up onto the seat and Molly can lift you out while I hold the door frame back. Are y’all ready?”

  Harper nodded and Molly grabbed her under her armpits, bracing herself. When she was in position, she looked at me. “Ready!”

  At the signal, I gritted my teeth, dug my feet into the ground, and wrenched the shredded metal as hard as I could. It protested loudly but the sound only spurred me on. Another deep breath and using all the strength in my legs I could muster, I hauled the twisted door away from Harper’s body. She immediately drew her legs up and in one smooth move, Molly pulled her free. I let go and we all three collapsed on the ground next to what was left of Bessie.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “What happened?”

  We were sitting in Molly’s bedroom, still trying to recover from the rescue effort. Harper lay on Molly’s bed, a layer of towels underneath her to keep from bleeding onto Molly’s pale pink satin sheets. I was on the floor, spread-eagle under more towels, enjoying the cool air blowing down on me from the ceiling fan. Molly paced around the room, too restless to sit anywhere. She was firing questions at me at rapid speed.

  “Like I said, Molly, all I know is that I was making a left turn when we were slammed from behind. We started to spin, but before I could get it under control, another car barreled into the passenger side. Or, at least I assume it was another car. For all I know, it was the same one. I blacked out and when I woke up, the other cars were gone and you were there.” I was frustrated at my lack of memory. And now that we were okay, I was super mad about Bessie. There was no way she’d ever drive again. We’d left her on the street and called a tow truck. Which meant I’d have to call my parents soon to explain before Bessie arrived at the house and scared them senseless at her appearance.

  “So, you think it was a hit-and-run.”

  “I think we were targeted.”

  Molly gawked at me and Harper didn’t say anything. When she finally recovered her voice, Molly asked, “Why would you think that?”

  I thought about where to start. I was becoming more and more convinced everything weird that had happened since starting Jefferson High was all connected. Maybe even everything from University, too. Like, I was in the middle of one huge conspiracy. It was the only explanation I could come up with.

  “I’m going to have to start at the beginning. I haven’t told either of y’all everything yet but now is the time to change that. I thought maybe I could handle this by myself.”

  “But you were wrong.” Molly’s voice was flat and I flinched slightly at the silent accusation.

  “Yeah, I was wrong.”

  I started talking and Harper turned her head to listen. I told them about my first meeting with Pen in the mall, the way she kept popping up unexpectedly with cryptic observations, and her last visit to my room when she told me I was different for a reason and to watch out for anything suspicious. I saw Molly’s expression go from curious to hostile when I mentioned Pen’s warning about Kade.

  “That little weasel. I knew something was up with him. Didn’t I tell you to stay away from him?”

  Harper looked at me. Curiosity bloomed across her face and I sighed. “Yes, you did. But how was I supposed to know there was some huge thing going on like this?”

  Molly stopped pacing and slumped onto the foot of the bed. Harper moved her feet to make room. “Yeah, I know.” She looked defeated.

  I was scared to continue, knowing it got so much worse. “Do you… are you okay with me going on?”

  Harper spoke first. “I am. I’m part of this. I know it. But even if I weren’t, we have to stick together. What happens to you, happens to me from now on. Right, Molly?” She turned and captured Molly’s eyes with her own. Something passed between them and Molly smiled.

  “Harper is dead-on. We’re all in this together now. They mess with one, they mess with all.” I flinched again at the word “dead,” but a huge wave of love for them both welled up inside me. Without realizing it, a tear traced down my cheek.

  “Hey, what are the tears for, doll?” Molly slid off the bed to land at my feet. She reached out and wiped the moisture away. “There’s no crying necessary. We’re going to get to the bottom of this and kick some ass if it comes to it.” Harper followed her lead and shimmied off the bed to lay beside me. She took my hand and then Molly’s. Molly reached for mine, creating a tight circle.

  “She’s right, Sadie. We’re one now. A force to be reckoned with.”

  I couldn’t help it. I started bawling. Their words wrapped around me like a huge hug—a hug I’d been needing since before I could even recognize it. I squeezed their hands tight, so emotional I couldn’t speak for a minute. I let the tears fall and they let me cry it out. I don’t know how long we sat that way, but it seemed like hours. When I finally calmed down and stopped crying, I took a giant breath.

  “It gets worse, guys.”

  “Then let’s hear all of it so we can make a plan.” The three of us were still holding hands and an energy surged between us. In that minute, together with them like this, I had hope. And confidence. Like I could handle anything that came next. There was a power in having true friends and I think we all sensed it.

  “Okay, here’s all the pieces I think are somehow connected, but I have no idea how or why.” They settled in to listen as I started listing all the things that were bugging me. I ticked them off on my fingers as I went. “One, the sun doesn’t hurt me, but it hurts Harper. Two, I normally can’t stand blood, but she loves it. Only she doesn’t have fangs, but I do. Three, I’m clumsy as hell. She’s graceful like you, Molly.” I paused to take a breath. “But here’s the weird part that I’m starting to notice. Harper, when you and I are together… it’s like my weaknesses aren’t actually, well, there anymore. When I had to feed you blood, I didn’t hesitate. And it tasted good. I didn’t want to stop drinking.” I could hear the wonder in my own voice and looked over at Molly. She wore a similar look of awe. “And when you were feeding on me, I felt you latch on. Not with your lips but with your teeth. Like fangs.” I let that sentence sort of hang there for a minute while I gathered my next thought.

  “Harper, you said you normally burn badly in the sun. Like, instantly. But when you’re with me, it’s milder. I mean, to me it only looked like a slight sunburn. And look at me right now.” I waved my hands at the wounds I’d sustained in the car crash. They were mostly healed. “I’ve never healed this fast before. You do, Harper, but I don’t. Except when I’m near you.”

  The room fell silent as we all stared at my injuries, now faint.

  “I think…” I paused, my voice a whisper as everything clicked. “I think we’re like two halves of a whole. When we’re together, or maybe even just the closer we become as friends, well, I think it makes our weaknesses go away and we’re both better. Stronger.” I picked at the carpet. “Does that sound stupid?”

  Harper’s eyes were wide. “You told me about The Nursery. How kids were brought there… ones who were in CPS or things like that.” I nodded. “Sadie, remember when I told you I’m… I’m adopted?”

  Molly whistled under her breath. “Oh my God, y’all. Harper must have been in The Nursery, too.”

  My mind was reeling. “But how? She’d be raised as a vampire, but her parents aren’t. So, how?”

  “I don’t know, Sade, but, it has to be t
rue. She had to be there.”

  This time, it was Harper who stood and paced around the room, following Molly’s previous route. “Molly’s right. At some point, I had to have been there. I don’t know why I didn’t turn out like y’all, but it’s the only thing that makes sense.”

  I tried to process the idea. Part of me wanted to reject it, toss it out as coincidence, but I knew better. As ludicrous as it sounded, it was the only thing that could explain Harper’s vampire-like qualities. I rubbed my temples where a stubborn throbbing had started.

  Molly was quiet, too. Her lips were pursed and she drummed her fingers on her thigh, a sure sign she was deep in thought. Suddenly, she jumped up. “I’m thirsty. Who needs something to drink? I think we need a little break before we go on.” She looked at me expectantly.

  “Um, yeah. I’ll…” My stomach growled and I noticed a dryness in my throat. I wondered. “I’ll take some… blood?” Molly nodded as if it were no big deal that I’d just asked for something I’d been vomiting up my whole life.

  A soft voice echoed my request. “I’ll have some blood, too, if you don’t mind.”

  Molly’s cheerful voice erased the seriousness in the room. “Three bloods coming right up!” She left for the kitchen with a little bounce in her step and I guessed she was excited to see the new bloodthirsty me.

  We sat in silence while she was gone. I traced the last of my cuts, even as I watched the skin close up, leaving behind no evidence of their existence. Harper’s were gone, too. To look at us, one would never have guessed we had been in a horrific car crash. I thought of Bessie again and my blood boiled.

  “I better call my parents. For all I know they’re freaking right now.” I searched around on the floor looking for my phone. I finally found it under the pillows I’d been resting my head on. “Bloody hell. It’s almost dead.”

  “Bloody hell? What, are you suddenly British now? Should we add that to your Homecoming queen slogan?” Her teasing smile was irresistible and I grinned in spite of myself.

  “Want to use mine?” Molly was back, carrying three blood bags and a bag of our favorite chips. She stuck the chip bag in her mouth and pulled her phone from her back pocket. I was too busy eying the blood to notice when she lobbed it at me. It ricocheted off my forehead and skittered somewhere under the bed.

  “Holy crap, Molly!” I touched my forehead where a bump was already forming. “What’d you go and do that for?”

  “I was testing your reflexes. Apparently, you’re not full vampire yet.”

  “I don’t need that. I was just in a near-fatal car crash, for crying out loud. Tossing a phone at my head is plain mean.” I faked a scowl at her but she saw through me and I gave up. Using a leg, I felt around for the phone under the bed and dragged it out with my foot.

  I dialed and held up my finger as it rang on the other end. “Hello?” My mom’s voice came through a little panicky.

  “Mom, it’s me.”

  “Sadie! Oh, thank God. Where are you? Are you okay? Your car just showed up and nothing from you! Are you out of your mind?”

  “Mom! Calm down. I’m okay. I was in an accident and I had the car towed home. I’m with Molly right now. I’m okay, only a little shook up. She’s helping me calm down.”

  “What happened? What kind of accident? Based on the condition of the car, which looks totaled, by the way, you were in one hell of a crash.” I could hear the tears in her voice and guilt washed over me. “Are you sure you’re okay? You know you don’t heal as well...”

  “Yes, I’m fine, Mom. I’ll be home later and we can talk, okay?”

  “Well, you’re not leaving me much of a choice, are you? Your father is beside himself.”

  Another wave of guilt. “I know. I meant to call sooner but got distracted. I’ll be home soon, okay?”

  “The sooner the better, Sadie. I won’t breathe again until I see you.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you soon, Mom. I love you.”

  “We love you, too, honey.”

  I hung up and looked at Harper and Molly. “Your ass is gonna get it.” Molly’s bluntness was on point as usual. She grimaced. “You know you’re not leaving here until you’ve told us everything, right?”

  I sighed. “Yes. This is stuff I can’t tell my parents yet. Not all of it anyway.” I took the blood bag Molly offered me and cautiously smelled it. I waited for the dizziness to come, but nothing happened. I took a hesitant sip and once again the flavor burst in my mouth like a refreshing, tangy, treat. Suddenly ravenous, I took a huge gulp, marveling at the deliciousness of it. Harper was sucking away happily, and Molly watched the two of us with a bemused look on her face.

  When I had drained the bag, slurping up the very last drops I could get from it, I laid it down. I was content, happy, and feeling much stronger. I thought about all the years I’d missed out on this feeling. What a waste.

  “Okay, you’ve fed. Now have some chips and tell us the rest.” Molly shoved the chip bag at me and I took one. She then offered it to Harper as they waited for me to start.

  “So, you know my theory on me and Harper. Now come all the little things that don’t add up, but I’m certain are part of this somehow.” I went on to tell them about Kade’s confession—that his immediate attraction to me wasn’t as pure as he’d made it out to be—and the weird resemblance between him and Coach Anderson. I talked about Coach Anderson’s odd behavior, like he was always scared of his job and hated what he was doing. And I worried aloud about Pen telling me to text her if anything strange happened and her unresponsiveness lately.

  Harper interjected. “Didn’t you tell us she said there were other vampires, not the Firsts, but regular ones who wanted to change the nature of our existence?” I don’t think she realized it, but she’d lumped herself into the category of vampire. Molly and I exchanged a brief look. We noticed.

  “Yeah, she did say that. Maybe…” I took a deep breath, fear suddenly crowding my mind. “Maybe someone got a hold of her before she could respond to me.”

  The somber thought shut us all up. Even though neither of them had met Pen, they could tell from the way I talked about her she was a good person. At some point, that’s what she’d become to me. Not a person to fear, but someone I could trust. Someone who was trying to help me, even though I still had no idea what it was I needed help with.

  Molly crunched into another chip. “Didn’t you say Ms. Stratha followed you to Jefferson High? What’s going on there? Has she been weird or anything?”

  Her question crashed into me. “Oh my God, Molly, you made me remember something!”

  She raised one perfectly arched eyebrow. “Well, what is it?”

  “Back at University, on the first day of school, Ms. Stratha asked me a really strange question.” I paused to remember, making sure I had the details right in my mind. “She stopped by my desk and said she knew my father because he worked at The Nursery. And then she asked me how I liked my time there.”

  “That’s it? Seems harmless.”

  Her slowness annoyed me. “Yes, but I remember it making me uncomfortable at the time. She was taking notes when I answered her like she was writing it down. And she acted strangely with me the whole time I was in her class.” At this, Molly looked appropriately concerned. I didn’t want to panic anyone, but her unwavering ability to gloss over things sometimes made me want to throttle her.

  Harper spoke up. “And we saw her talking to another woman just minutes before the accident. Outside Ottavio Bank.”

  “You know, the one Kade’s father is vice president of,” I added.

  This time, Molly’s voice cracked. “What? Why didn’t you mention this sooner! Who was she talking to?”

  “Nurse Edara.”

  I think she might have imploded. Her mouth opened and closed but nothing came out and I started giggling as an image of a fish floated through my mind. It must have been the whole ordeal of the day, but once I started, I couldn’t stop. I was so tired and the whole damn situation w
e were in was making me crazy. When she could finally make noise, it was soft. “What in the ever-lovin’ hell is going on here?” she asked, using one of my phrases.

  I stood, groaning as my bones popped and crunched. “I don’t know anymore. I used to think I had a grip on everything but it’s obvious I don’t. I’m in over my head here. Way deeper than I dreamed possible.”

  “We’re in,” Harper reminded me. She was determined not to let me forget that and I was grateful. For too long, I’d always felt that whatever was wrong with me was my cross to bear alone. But today, the two of them had turned that idea on its head. I had them and I was damn happy for it.

  Molly tossed her empty blood bag toward her trash can and stood. She thrust her hand, palm down, in the air between us. “Girl power.”

  “Girl power? Who are you and what have you done with Molly?”

  “Oh, shut up and do it. You know you want to.”

  Harper put her hand in and raised an eyebrow my way. Rolling my eyes, I followed suit. “Girl power,” Molly reminded me.

  “My hand is in, but I’m not saying that. It sounds ridiculous.”

  They waited but I was stubborn. Finally, Harper gave in. “Okay, you don’t have to say it, but we know you’re thinking it.”

  I tried to keep a serious expression, but I couldn’t do it. I collapsed against Molly, a giggle fit taking over again. “All right, all right. I’m thinking it. Fair?”

  “Fair.”

  “Now, who’s gonna take me home?”

  “Girl, I guess that’d be me. C’mon, I’ll drive you both.”

  Harper protested. “I’m right down the street. I can walk it.”

  “Are you crazy? I’m not letting you walk home. I don’t even care if it’s two houses down. You almost got straight-up murdered tonight. There’s no way I’m not seeing you inside your house, fully intact.” She had switched into mother mode and I knew better than to argue with her when she got like this. I gave Harper my best “you better give in now” look and she seemed to get the message.

  “Okay. I give. You can drive me home.”