The Watcher

by Heather Kindt

  His eyes lit up and he cleared his throat. “Silas is dangerous. He works for the Wanderer. Not everyone out there is trustworthy.”

  She thought about Richard, her history teacher from last year. She trusted him because he knew she was a Weaver, but Richard lied to her. He was her Grandpa Grady’s Ender and was in love with her grandmother—he died of a heart attack when Grady ended the story.

  “Don’t I know that to be true.”

  Brian kept one foot pointed up the stairs, his hand on the railing. She wanted it more than anything else in the world. If she could just be with William, everything would be all right. It didn’t matter if they were in the middle of Revolutionary War Massachusetts or on the Madison campus. All she had to do was touch Brian, and she’d be within miles of the man she loved instead of the years and pages that separated them now.

  “How do you know William is searching for Silas?” Brian moved down a stair, cautious… careful.

  “His words and actions are in here.” Laney held up her journal. “I’m not sure how. I can still control some things, but he’s seemed to develop his own free will.”

  Brian inched closer again, seemingly pulled by an invisible string of curiosity, then was probably stopped by an equally invisible wall that told him he could not put her in danger. “What are you going to do?”

  “I’ve thought about hiring a hit man to kidnap you, but that might kill our friendship.” She smiled. “I’m… I’m going to employ Jonas.”

  “What!” He hopped off the last stair and paced to the other side of the bookshelves, his hand on his forehead. He slammed the same hand down on one of the shelves causing it to vibrate. “You can’t do that. You have no idea how he’ll react given the opportunity. Not only might William find Silas, which is sure to be the death of him, you’re going to have him killed by Jonas before Silas ever has a chance.”

  Her voice fell to a whisper. “Maybe I can still control Jonas.”

  “And maybe you’re crazy.” His voice filled the room and his pacing speed increased.

  She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “Well, you won’t help me.”

  “Not if it means sending you into danger.” He ceased his pacing. “And let’s get this straight. Danger is not the muskets being fired all around your damn book. And danger is not your psychotic, bloodthirsty character, Jonas Webb. Danger is the Wanderer. She owns the world of books and will not let any impure Weaver enter. If I let you go into the book in search of William, she’ll kill you without hesitation. She’s ruthless and without forgiveness.”

  Laney pitched closer to him, her weight shifted to her toes, feeling the desire to leap up from her chair and grab the Gate Keeper. “It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

  “But not one I’m willing to take.” He hopped back onto the stairs. “I know I’m supposed to stay neutral as a Gate Keeper, but you’ve kinda grown on me. To lose you after all we’ve been through and survived together—that’d be devastating. You’re like a little sis to me. Not to mention, I’d have to move on to someone new, and I kind of like being a college student and all.”

  “So glad you care.” She felt helpless. If Brian wasn’t willing to get her there, there was only one way. “But how does that help William? He’s in real danger, and if you’re not going to let me through the gate, then I’m going to find my own way to save him. I don’t have a choice.”

  “Before you do anything stupid, let’s talk this out some more tomorrow. I’ll meet you at six by the mailboxes.” He turned to head back up the stairs to the upper stacks.

  She jumped up out of her seat and stood at the bottom of the stairs. “Brian?”

  “Yes.” He turned around, his hand gripped the handrail.

  “I’d do anything for him.”

  Brian sighed. “And there lies the dangerous web that ties a Weaver and a Watcher.” He sighed. “One of you won’t survive this relationship.”

  Chapter 4

  Laney flipped the note over and over in her hand. It was from the Golden Recluse. Last year at school the three members of the secret society of Weavers helped Laney discover more about her powers. They wanted to meet tomorrow night, and although she’d received the invite more than a week ago, she didn’t stop to think about it until right now. Natalie’s warnings from the end of last school year flashed back into her mind.

  The Wanderer travels from book to book, searching for Weavers, and trying to keep the book world clean.

  Natalie believed her mother was killed by the Wanderer. Why would she ever help Laney make the same mistake?

  Brian and the Recluse were the only connections she had to her world of Weavers and William. If they wouldn’t help her, she had to think of someone else. There was a knock on her door, drawing her away from her thoughts.

  “Come in.” She shoved the note under a pile of papers on her desk.

  Nick poked his head around the door. “Oh good, I have the right room. I wasn’t sure what your last name was.”

  “You found me.” She remained seated at her desk, not ready to get into another argument about Jason.

  He stood glued to the threshold of the room with his guitar strapped to his back.

  “Um… I was wondering if you’d like to go to dinner with me tonight? Kind of a peace offering for the way I treated you the other day.” He removed his beanie and his dark hair fell over his glasses.

  He didn’t seem like he was going to attack her any further, and maybe the fresh thoughts of a somewhat stranger would help her figure out her dilemma. “Sure.”

  “Great.” Nick pulled a paper bag out from behind his back. “Because I don’t know if I could’ve eaten all this by myself. You like fish and chips?” He set his guitar down then laid a blanket from the end of her bed on the floor for their picnic.

  “We’re going to eat here?” She stared at him as he smoothed out the blanket and set the bag in the middle. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to have another guy in her room. Did he think it was a date?

  He removed paper plates from the bag. “I was under the impression that you hate the whole dining hall experience as much as I do.”

  Laney sat on the bed next to his guitar. “You’ve got me figured out already, but I don’t know a thing about you.” She plucked a string and the echo reverberated through the room. “I didn’t know you played.”

  “I was kind of brought up on it.” He reached into the bag, taking out a box of greasy fries. “I play at different coffee shops in the area. I’ve got one tonight in Peabody. Some hole-in-the-wall place. You want to come?”

  This was moving even closer to a date, but it would take her mind off what was happening in the book for a few hours. “Yeah, I’d like that.” She reached in the greasy, brown bag and popped a fry into her mouth.

  “I’m sorry I brought up that stuff about Jason the other day.” Nick took a sip of his drink, keeping his eyes on his container of fries. “He was my friend, but it really wasn’t my business to call you out on something I knew so little about.”

  Laney picked up another fry and twirled it in her finger before dipping it in ketchup. She was hoping for a carefree night with a possible friend, so she didn’t really want to go into the subject of Jason again.

  “For example,” he raised his eyes this time. “I didn’t know you were dating his roommate. I know you went to the dance and all, but I didn’t realize it was serious.” He pointed to the picture of William on her desk.

  “Uh… yeah. He transferred to UCLA for his senior year. Long-distance relationships really suck.” She gave him a weak smile, wishing for a moment that William really was in California.

  “Never had one, but I’m sure they do.” He brushed the crumbs on his shirt onto the blanket and packed his trash into the paper bag.

  The comfort Laney felt when she sat next to him in history class returned. If her brother was still alive, she’d want him to be like Nick—easy to talk to, laid back, and from what she could tell so far, an all-around go
od guy. With that ease, she leaned in and lowered her voice as if they weren’t the only two people in the room. “Have you ever been part of a covert operation?”

  “You mean like in the military? You do realize I’m nineteen years old.”

  “No, I mean like having a brother or sister distract your mom as you swipe a cookie, or keeping a special Christmas present hidden long enough for it to be a surprise.”

  “Oh, that kind of covert operation.” He rubbed his hands together. “I’m an expert at those. I’m one of six kids. We were constantly trying to take over the house. I think I was the sneakiest of all. Why?”

  “I need some help with something. I think you’d be the perfect criminal partner—with your prior experience.” Laney picked up the greasy paper holding her remaining fish and fries and tossed it in the paper bag. “That’s if you’re trustworthy.”

  “Of course I’m trustworthy.” His mouth hung open. “So, what do you need help with?”

  How could she say that she needed to trap an upperclassman so he could send her into her book in layman terms? She didn’t trust Nick enough with the secret, yet. But an idea came to her.

  “I have a crush on this guy, and I want you to help me get the chance to talk to him.” Her face heated up with the horrible blasphemy of her lie, but she wanted Nick’s help.

  His smile disappeared, and his face fell. “I thought you had a boyfriend.”

  “Well, my roommate’s starting to rub off on me. She says I should play the field. Being tied down to one guy in college is like a death sentence.” I twirled the end of my ponytail around my finger for added effect.

  He stared at his fish, so Laney continued, “William’s just so far away. I’d love to go to Manor Hill.” She worked up a few tears in her eyes to amplify the drama. “And I think William’s cheating on me.”

  She shouldn’t have laid it on so thick. All the stress of her situation with William came crashing down on her with those few tears, which morphed into a full-out sob fest.

  At first, Nick didn’t seem to know what to do, but as the tears continued to flow, he grabbed a few tissues from her desk and came over to hold her.

  “Then he’s stupid.” His breath was on her face. He was so close.

  She tensed.

  “Just like Jason was stupid.”

  Laney covered her face with the tissues. He put his hand around her back and stroked her arm. She couldn’t let him try something. Images of William flashed through her mind, and she focused on his eyes. She stood up and broke free of Nick’s arm. “I’ll be right back.”

  She exited to the bathroom, wet a paper towel, and wiped down her face. “This is for William.” She voiced the words out loud. It was. She didn’t technically need Nick’s help, but he might be able to distract Brian long enough for her. She did like hanging around Nick. She’d just have to keep that friendship wall up and never let him climb it.

  The Laney that re-entered the room was composed and made sure she positioned herself on the opposite side of the room from him.

  “I don’t want things to be awkward.” He lifted his face and pleaded with her through his glasses.

  “It’s just I want to see if anything can happen with this guy. You know what I mean?” She tried to mimic Missy the best she could, but she was sure it came out as insincere.

  He stared out the window—the light from the sunset reflected on his glasses. “So, who’s this guy? Someone I know?”

  “Yeah, I’m afraid so,” She flopped down on her bed and pulled her throw blanket up to her face. “Brian Smith, on your lacrosse team.”

  “Your roommate’s ex?” Nick exhaled, resting his hands on the window ledge.

  “Missy said she’s through with him. So, that means he’s up for grabs.” She joined Nick at the window. “You’re going to help me, right?”

  He looked at her. “You’ve kind of messed with my head today. Just when I thought I had you figured out.”

  Laney touched his arm and sighed when he didn’t pull away. “I need you.”

  “All right, I’ll do it. But I don’t see Brian much around campus. He’s not on the team this year and doesn’t seem to run in the same circles.”

  Before he could go through every excuse he could think of, Laney squealed and threw her arms around him. “Thank you! I’m so excited. We’ll call it Operation Spider.”

  “Operation Spider?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “Oh.” She quickly spun another lie. “Brian has a spider tattoo where you probably haven’t looked before.” When he still appeared puzzled, she added, “Missy told me.”

  “Girls.” He gazed into Laney’s eyes one last time as if searching for the punch line before he headed out the door.

  Laney turned the key to quiet the engine of the motorcycle in front of the address Nick gave her earlier that day. Three other cars lined the street. The building appeared to be more of a house than a business. Fishing boats glistened in the moonlight bobbing up-and-down in the wharf across the road from the coffee shop. She removed her helmet and carried it up the stairs to the front door.

  The one and only room of the shop contained four tables—two of them currently occupied. The lighting was low, and Laney could smell some type of incense burning. Nick was propped up on a stool at the far end of the room playing an unfamiliar tune on his guitar. She sat down at one of the empty tables admiring his voice—her multi-talented, new friend. A giant smile crossed his face when he noticed her.

  “Mind if I sit down?” He came over after he finished his set.

  “Not at all. I see you’re playing to a sold out crowd tonight.” She pushed the chair out next to her.

  “It’s not fancy, but I get to play in front of people.” He glanced at the other couples. “I like it this way. I’m not a big crowd kind of person.”

  “Did you write those songs?” She thought about how different it would be to write songs instead of stories. “I’ve never heard them before.”

  “Yeah. I’ve always played around with the guitar. Had to keep my siblings entertained somehow.” He reached his hands across the table then pulled them back to his lap. “Do you really like them?”

  “Yeah. The music was catchy, but my favorite part was the lyrics. Your songs aren’t fluff.” She kept her eyes on his. “I can tell you put your heart into what you’re singing.”

  “It’s funny because I feel like a starving artist at times. I play for nothing—just to get my songs out there. I made a CD and occasionally someone buys it.” He got up, went to the stage, and came back with a disk. “Here you go. It’s on the house.”

  “Thanks.” She read through the song list before putting the gift in her purse.

  “What about you? What do you like to do? I feel like you know about me, but all I really know about Laney Holden is what I learned from Jason.”

  “Well, I don’t really want to bore you with the details.”

  He raised his eyebrow beneath his glasses, crossed his arms, and leaned back in his chair. Apparently, he had all night.

  She sighed in surrender. “I grew up in Derry, New Hampshire, above an antique shop that my parents own.”

  “That’s interesting. Siblings?”

  “No. Just me, Mom and Dad. I’d much rather have a big family like yours. Without any siblings, my dad had nobody else to concentrate on than me.” She stopped to order a coffee from the waitress.

  “The grass is always greener.” He handed the waitress a ten to pay for their drinks. “I had to stand between my dad and the nightly news just to get his attention, and that meant having the remote thrown at me.”

  “Really?” She couldn’t imagine her dad ever watching TV, and she definitely couldn’t imagine him ever throwing anything at her.

  The waitress came by and set their drinks on the table.

  “Really.” He lifted his mug and took a sip. “What else do I need to know about you as my partner in crime?”

  “I guess you should know that I’m also a writer
.” Laney fessed-up now that she knew Nick was a fellow wordsmith.

  “Oh, it’s getting juicy.” He rubbed his hands together. “What do you write?”

  “Historical fiction. My characters are what drive my stories.” Her heart panged with the truth of her words. “I just finished my first book, The Soldier, and I’m currently working on the second book, but it doesn’t have a name yet.”

  “Can I read your book?”

  Of course, he'd ask the question if she brought it up. She tapped her fingernail on her cup, thinking about how to respond.

  “If you don’t want me to, that’s okay.” He stuck out his lower lip.

  “No. I do want you to read it. It needs a lot of revision before it’s ready for anyone.” Because the book was handwritten in her journal, she didn’t want to let it out of her sight. It wasn’t meant for publication. It wasn’t meant for other eyes. If she gave him her book, she handed him her heart.

  “Well, let me know when it’s ready because I’ll be happy to read it.”

  She drummed her fingers on her leg to keep them busy. “So, tell me more about your family.”

  He folded his hands on the table. “I’m the second oldest. My sister, Nora, is a senior at Boston College. She’s going to be a marine biologist. The others are in high school, middle school, and the youngest is in third grade. Another cool fact is that all our names start with the letter N.”

  “That’s fun. And your parents?”

  “Dad works at a local factory as a grunt man. He’s usually drunk by the time he arrives at the front door.” He stared at his hands. “Mom got a job at Wal-Mart once all the kids were in school. I think she tries to work some nights to get away. They don’t love each other anymore—if that’s what you’re wondering.” He kept his eyes adverted. “My dad hates my music. He says it’s a waste of time but with an f-bomb or two thrown in. He loves that I’m on the lacrosse team.”

  “Are you worried about your brothers and sisters?”

  “Yeah, but I’ve got to live my life. Get out of that hell hole.” His hands now grasped his coffee cup. “And when the time comes, I’ll help them escape, too.”