“Like I said before, I think he’d be stupid not to take you to the dance. You don’t have to cry about it. It’s a little strange that he’s living in the Bat Cave under Taylor Hall, but maybe Brian will be your Bruce Wayne. He’s a little eccentric, too.”
She wiped her tears with the sleeve of her sweater. “You must think I’m stupid.” The charade wore on her in the worst kind of way. She really hated lying to Nick about something as elemental as her romantic feelings towards another person.
“Come here.” He wrapped her in his arms, and a sob escaped her lips. “Is there something going on that I don’t know about?”
She shook her head against his chest. His heart beat beneath her cheek. The comfort of its rhythm soothed her. Confronting Brian was the first step in getting back to William.
“I know we don’t know each other that well yet, but I have a feeling you’re much deeper than you let on.” Nick backed away and took her hand, leading her to the enormous door with the handle shaped into a ferocious dog. “Is this it?”
Laney nodded.
Jonas stumbled into Menotomy in the early afternoon, following a late night with the flask. He vaguely remembered William leaving in the morning but lacked the willpower to chase after him. Just three more minutes of shuteye. His lazy morning cost him his advantage on his foe. He’d have to start all over again. Jonas holstered his gun and ambled down the road toward Metonomy.
“Are you a Patriot, or are you a Torey?” The male voice growled at him, but Jonas’s more immediate concern was the musket pointed at his head.
He chose his words for the unknown questioner. “Just someone passing through from battle-worn Lexington.” He chanced a look at the stranger. “I mean no harm.”
The man was old. He must have been at least eighty. A ragged, military uniform hung from his frame, and Jonas thought the hint of dark bloodstains hedged the frayed edges of the holes. His face was bandaged around his forehead and stretched down to cover his left ear.
“Like I said, stranger. Are you a Patriot, or are you a Torrey?”
“If you mean, Sir, am I loyal to the British crown, then I have to say that I am. We are losing against the Red Coats. I’ve seen firsthand what happened to the rebels in Lexington.” Jonas took a hesitant look away from the musket. “And it looks like the British stopped here on their way back to Boston.”
“Looted the town.” The man dropped his shoulders but kept the gun aimed at Jonas. “Killed many good men. I was shot in the face and then bayoneted thirteen times.”
“And you are still standing here to tell me about it?” He could win this man over. As long as he was sober, he could sweet-talk his way out of most situations.
“Do you know who you are talking to, young man?” He stood up straighter, lowering his musket. “I’m Samuel Whittemore, Captain of the Royal Dragoons.”
“Of course. I did not recognize you, Captain. Your accomplishments are famous all around these parts and in my home of Lexington. It is an honor to meet you.” Jonas forced his best smile and held out a hand to the elderly man.
Samuel accepted the handshake. “Yes, I have been to Lexington. My name should be legendary there.”
“Captain Whittemore. I am looking for a friend who is making his way to Boston. His mother is very ill, and I have been sent to fetch him. He is fearful of the Red Coats and what has happened here and in Lexington.” Jonas shifted from one foot to the other trying to stay warm, and no longer worried about Whittemore’s musket. “Is there a place he might hide to continue his journey?”
Whittemore removed his hat and scratched his head. “Keeping to the woods and off the road. Perhaps he camps near Spy Pond. It is far enough away from town and is perfectly wooded.”
“And how do I find this Spy Pond?” Jonas reached down and felt the handle of his gun on his belt. “I want to make sure I catch up with him to deliver my message.”
Nick cracked the heavy door open an inch and peered through the opening. Even the smallest of movements might attract Brian’s attention.
“I don’t see him.” He allowed the door to open far enough for the two of them to slip into the large room.
Laney’s eyes set on the cage where William laid before Brian sent him back into the book last spring. Her heart was heavy, but she didn’t let it deter her from the task. A pillow and flannel blanket occupied the bed. Brian was near.
“Why can’t you just leave it alone, Laney?” Brian sat in the shadows on the stairs near the front of the room. He tossed a lacrosse ball up and down in his hand.
She took a step toward him. The element of surprise was useless now. He’d always beat her in a foot race. “You know why.” If only she could convince him.
Brian furrowed his eyebrows, setting his eyes on Nick for the first time. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be out playing with the other boys?”
“He’s here with me.” Laney took hold of Nick’s hand, dragging him forward.
“Does he know you have a boyfriend?” Brian caught the ball. “No, wait a minute. Does he know you have an undying love for someone you’ll probably never be with?” Brian stared at Nick, then tossed the ball in his other hand. “Puts a little bit of a damper on your relationship.”
Nick had a confused look on his face as he looked from Brian to Laney. She scuffed the toe of her sneaker against the dirt. How did Brian expect her to explain this to Nick?
“Nick helped me get a chance to talk to you.” Her face flamed. She dug herself into a hole. “I kind of like you.”
Brian stopped tossing the ball. It was stupidity, really. He’d never play along. The Gate Keeper would soon expose her lies to Nick, and she doubted he’d want to continue their friendship.
She took the moment to plead with Nick. “Can you just give us a few minutes alone?”
“I guess so.” Nick walked toward the door.
She slammed the door shut before Brian had a chance to stop him from leaving.
“Why are you confusing the poor boy? I actually kind of liked him last year when we were on the team together. He was the only one without a head as big as a balloon.” Brian smirked, resuming his ball toss. “And it’s clear that he’s infatuated with you. Why else would he be dressed from head to toe in black and follow you into this dungeon?”
“It’s called friendship. And if you were a real friend, you’d give me what I want.” She snapped then took a step closer to him, daring him to leave his perch.
He didn’t move a muscle but changed his little game with the lacrosse ball. Now he rolled it up his arm to his bicep and popped it up in the air, over and over.
“You don’t want it. You just think you do.” He popped the ball up again, catching it, but this time held onto it. “And I’m not your friend. I’m your protector while your Watcher is away.”
“I don’t need protection. Jonas is gone, and you said that the Wanderer doesn’t care about me unless I enter the book.” She took another step closer to the Gate Keeper.
“We both know there are other Enders in this world, and you like to spend time with your Weaver friends.” He stood up and dropped down one step. “You’d be dead if William hadn’t been there to protect you. The only time you get to be the hero is with your words.”
Pain ripped through her heart. She wasn’t even a hero with her words. They couldn’t save Jason last year, and now she was doing a pretty pitiful job saving William.
“You won’t even give me the chance to be the hero.” Laney’s eagerness to bridge the gap between the worlds drew her to Brian like a magnet.
He sighed, “You can be the hero. I know you have it in you, but it doesn’t involve risking your life. Bring William back through your words. Help him find the gate on his side.”
Laney trudged toward the door, hating herself for giving up so easily on the Gate Keeper.
When she turned the handle, Nick came tumbling into the room and quickly righted himself. His face flamed. “I was just about to open the door to s
ee if the two of you were done. It looks like you are.” He forced a grin. “You ready to go?”
“Don’t worry, Nicky.” Brian began tossing the lacrosse ball again. “She’s a good kisser but not my type. Maybe she’ll give you a shot.”
Heat rushed to her face this time, and she wished she could smack Brian a good one for more reasons than one.
Chapter 7
The light from the fire reflected on the black ripples of the pond. William didn’t dare stoke the flames any higher because Jonas tracked him. He wasn’t afraid of him but preferred to avoid a nasty encounter.
Earlier that evening, William gleaned information about the Gate Keeper from a lively conversation with a woman at the Black Horse Tavern. The man with the golden eyes, Silas, resided in a cabin past the far end of Spy Pond. The woman said after the Red Coat attack last April, the cabin remained abandoned. William intended to confront the Gate Keeper tomorrow, but he had to take Silas by surprise.
He drew in a deep breath and leaned back to rest on his pack. With his eyes on the flames, his thoughts drifted to Laney. This was for her—for them. It was what Sarah would call a frivolous frolic. But what did she know? She’d never been in love before. With his strategy and a little bit of luck, he’d be with her soon.
“I thought you would be more careful about not drawing attention to yourself.” Jonas stepped out of the tall grass encircling the water. His gun pointed at William’s head. “Your girlfriend will be so disappointed. You’ve failed.”
William traced a stick through the dirt on the ground. He’d had enough of this stupid feud. “The only one who has failed is you. For some incomprehensible reason, you can’t seem to get a teenage girl to bend to your will.”
A gun clicked behind them. Both men turned to see a stranger standing by the edge of the pond with his weapon pointed at Jonas. He removed his hood to reveal a head of jet-black hair, and his golden eyes glistened in the firelight.
William longed to reach out and touch the man’s garment but restrained. He didn’t want the Gate Keeper to run off and ruin his chance of returning to Laney.
“Unless you want to die today, Jonas Webb, put down your weapon.” The man snarled but kept his distance from both the Watcher and the Ender.
Jonas dropped his rifle then backed slowly into the woods. The Gate Keeper fired his gun up into the treetops, accelerating Jonas’s exit into the depths of the forest. Silas pocketed the pistol, his golden eyes set on William.
“Silas,” William made no attempt to approach the Gate Keeper but got to his feet. The fire, now embers, allowed the chilly air to envelop them.
“William Clarke. I know what you seek.” Silas kept his eyes on the Watcher. “You do not know how to conceal your desires.”
Was it that obvious? He was always one to wear his heart on his sleeve, but he just met this man. He took a step forward. “Then I must make a request that you let me return to the world beyond the book.”
Silas traversed the edge of the pond, his cape billowing out behind him. “Follow me.”
The moonless night added to the ominous hike among the reeds and thrushes, then into the forest. William shuffled his feet along, trying to avoid the tangles of roots from the mature trees that grew next to the path. A small structure arose among the thicket. Bullet holes rifled the walls, the dilapidated front stoop leaned at an unusable angle, and broken glass accented the windows.
“What is this place?” The town felt like it was a thousand miles away. He stuck his hand in his coat pocket and ran his finger along the knife he picked up from the tavern in Menotomy.
Silas glided through the darkness to an old table where he used a flint to light a candle. He pointed to one of the chairs opposite him, waiting for William to sit down. The Gate Keeper kept himself a table’s distance away from the Watcher.
“What do you know about me?” Silas picked up a pipe and lit the tobacco with the fire from the candle. He drew in a deep breath and let out a ring of smoke.
“I know you control the gate between this world and the world beyond the pages where the Weavers reside.” William folded his hands and leaned forward. “I know that you are my way back.”
Silas puffed on his pipe again, his face holding a secret William couldn’t read. “I can help you, but I will need payment.”
“What type of payment? Money?” He reached into his coat.
Silas held out his hand. “What I want is worth more than money.” His lips spread into a wide grin. Two of his front teeth were missing. “You might say it is priceless.”
A chill ran down William’s spine as he contemplated what Silas might want as payment. He only knew of one valuable thing in his possession. He lifted his hand to his chest.
“You already know.” Silas shifted in his seat in anticipation and set the pipe on the table.
“But it’s my only connection.”
Laney’s cellphone buzzed on her desk waking her from the book world. She had to stop William from giving Silas his pendant. She contemplated letting it go to voicemail but checked to see who was calling. The screen read Harriet Gray.
“Hello?” Laney’s curiosity about the other Weaver and her knowledge of the world they lived in won over.
“Delaney. This is Harriet Gray… um, Rose Stevens. How have you been?”
“I’m okay.” She sat back down on the bed to see if any new words appeared on the page. Nothing.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said at the Recluse meeting about communicating with your Watcher through your writing. I want to know more for my research. Are you available for lunch tomorrow? My treat, of course.”
“I think so.” Maybe Harriet could help her find a way to William or a way to get him back to Madison. She knew more than anyone Laney had met about how this strange world worked.
“Fantastic. Then how about I pick you up at noon? We’ll just go down the street into Wenham.”
“I’ll meet you in the parking lot. See you tomorrow.” Laney hung up her phone and dove immediately back to her journal.
“You will be with her, Watcher. That is more of a connection than any pendant. You can protect her.” Silas’s eyes darkened. “Slide the pendant over to me; then I will provide you with the passage.”
William touched his necklace again. When he first came to Madison over a year ago, the necklace appeared after he awoke from the transport between the worlds. A green stone inlaid with a golden eye in the center—the symbol of a Watcher. When Laney first saw his necklace, she knew there was something different about William—that they were connected somehow. He felt this connection all along through Anne. But he wanted to be with Laney more than he wanted a remembrance of her.
He reached behind his neck and lifted the chain over his head. He pushed the pendant to Silas, who grasped it with his gloved hand. Silas held the pendant up in the candlelight, admiring his new treasure.
“Now, for your end of the bargain.” William laid his hand across the table, preparing for the impact of the Gate Keeper’s touch.
Silas shoved the pendant into his cloak, stood up, and backed away from the table. “I am so sorry, William. You see, you need to wear the pendant for the passage to work. The Wanderer will be very happy to receive this gift from me. Now you can stay where you belong.”
Laney slammed her hand down on the journal. How could William be so gullible? It was a different time when people were more trusting, but he had no way to get back. She took her own necklace out from under her shirt, holding it in her hand. Now it was all up to her.
The following day, Harriet arrived promptly at noon and picked Laney up from her dorm. They engaged in idle chitchat driving through the back streets to a tiny diner in the adjacent town. The waitress seated them in the corner booth at the rear of the restaurant.
Harriet peered over her grilled cheese sandwich. “So, what’s your Watcher up to now? I assume you follow his every move.”
Laney touched the backpack that sat next to her on the bench.
She really wanted to trust Harriet. The woman had been through a lot with the death of her Watcher, but she hesitated because of what happened with Richard last year.
“William’s trying to get back to Madison, but he’s also pursued by my Ender.” This information was pretty much common knowledge.
“Has he found the Gate Keeper?” Harriet leaned forward.
Laney bit her lip. She wasn’t quite ready to divulge that information yet. “Do the stones provide the passage between the worlds? Does the Gate Keeper have any power to transport someone without the stone?”
“That’s one of the purposes of the stone. The other purpose I’ve found is for identification, of course. There might be other powers, but I haven’t discovered them yet.” Harriet took a sip of her coffee then leaned back against the wooden booth. “Do you know of anything else they can do?”
“No. I thought they were just an ID tag.”
“I believe that if someone had control over a Gate Keeper, they’d hold the key to the Weaver world. That control could keep Enders from crossing over and threatening Weavers and the people we love.”
“That’s probably true but how do you control a Gate Keeper? They’re people with their own free will. I know for a fact that they don’t take sides.”
Brian was now the only way that she and William would be together again.
“Exactly! They’re people who can be manipulated. They’re people who have faults and vulnerabilities. Think about it. With control of a Gate Keeper, we could make sure that no one else has to die. We’d control who comes and who goes.”
A chill ran through Laney’s body. Brian wasn’t her favorite person right now, but it didn’t mean that she wanted to manipulate him. “How do you control a Gate Keeper?” She whispered the words feeling as if she were betraying a friend.
The Watcher Page 6
