Your Soul to Take (Rise of the Fallen)

by Hayden, Sean

  “Har har,” she said and sat down on the couch to wait.

  “Does it really smell bad?”

  “Not like rotting moose, but you could find something better.” I was about to fall into the recliner when I saw Elizabeth pull into the driveway with her SUV.

  “Come on, let’s go.”

  Cae called shotgun and hopped in the front, which was fine with me. I liked Elizabeth and I missed Jenny, but alone in the backseat was good. I figured as much distance between me and any other girl besides Jess was a good idea.

  “Are we really in danger?”

  Elizabeth’s question caught me off guard. “Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know is that I’m not willing to take the risk. You’re far safer with me than by yourselves.”

  They both nodded at me. Cae looked a little doubtful, but I let it go.

  “So why the mall?”

  “I wanted a pretzel. I’ve had a bad day.”

  “Pretzels are like antidepressants to him. I think they even help with his ADHD and cleared up his acne,” Cae explained.

  “Sometimes I miss having acne,” Elizabeth said. Cae gave her a strange look.

  “Why on earth would you miss that?”

  “Because it meant being human.”

  “That I get. I’d practically do anything to be human again,” she said and gave me a dirty look.

  I rolled my eyes and stared out the window in silence for the rest of the drive. I was not going to debate the merits of not selling one’s soul again with my sister. I may have promised her I would think about it, but I lied about other things, too.

  We pulled into a very crowded mall. I groaned at how busy it was. I still needed to figure out what to get Jess. I didn’t have clue number one.

  Elizabeth didn’t have the blessing of the parking gods like I did and we ended up almost as far as you could possibly park while still being on the mall property. I debated calling my wings and flying to the freaking entrance, but my sister would probably make me carry her, too. So I walked.

  The smell of freshly baked pretzels wafted over us as soon as we opened the door. I started salivating. Ditching the two vamps with me, I made a beeline for the rapidly expanding line. I just hoped they saved some for me.

  Pretzels in hand, I looked around for my sister. They were nowhere in sight. I almost panicked, but figured they were safe enough in the mall. It was obscenely crowded. Hard to kill a vamp without people around you getting suspicious.

  I sent a quick text to my sister to have her call me when they were ready to go, slipped my phone in my pocket, and headed toward the Gamestop. I hadn’t been there in ages and I had no idea if any new games were coming out that were worth my time, and more importantly, my money.

  I weaved through the crowds and past endless clothing, shoe, and jewelry stores. Finally, the red and white illuminated Gamestop sign came into view. It didn’t even look that busy.

  The smells of plastic, stale food, and unwashed teenagers assaulted my nose as I crossed the tile to carpet threshold. I blinked a few times and looked at the new release posters behind the counter.

  “Hey, Connor.”

  “Jeremy? When did you start working here,” I asked with a smile and walked up to him. We bro-fisted and grinned. Yes, we were those guys.

  “My uncle closed his garage. I had to find suitable employment elsewhere. I got lucky and ended up here about three weeks ago.”

  “Sweet. Anything new coming out that I should be interested in?”

  “Wolfenstein. Pre-order it now.”

  “I’ll grab a twenty from my folks and do it tomorrow. I’m broke.”

  “You need a job.”

  “Are they hiring?”

  “Hahahaha. You funneh man. You have to wait ‘til someone dies or grows up to get a job in this place.”

  “How did you get one?”

  “They recognize the talent when they see it. That and my mom is dating the manager.”

  “Ewww.”

  “Big time.”

  “Well, if anybody looks sick or on the verge of getting a corporate job and family, let me know.”

  “Here. Fill out an application. At least it will be on file. I’ll let Ray know you’re looking.”

  “Thanks,” I said and started filling out the paperwork. It was only one sheet, front and back, thank the Creator.

  “How’s everything else been with you? I hardly ever see you anymore.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. Between Jessica and Claire, I don’t get to hang out much. Basically it’s same shit different day.”

  “I hear ya. I’m working tomorrow. Drop by with the pre-order. I can give you the employee discount.”

  “Thanks, man,” I said and handed the application back to him. It was a little bare between my lack of school experience, work experience, and life experience. They didn’t even have a column for soul sucking demons. The bastards. “Gonna go wander. Don’t work too hard.”

  “Not gonna happen.”

  I walked out the front, narrowly missing a collision with a smoothie wielding gothic wannabe. “Watch–” She started to yell at me, stopped midsentence, blushed and hurried around me. I had never seen the girl before in my life, so I didn’t have a clue.

  The big name stores were at the other end of the mall. My sister and Elizabeth were probably in there drooling over the latest fashions. I rolled my eyes. Clothes and I had a love hate relationship. My mother loved to buy them for me and I hated wearing them. It’s not like I had a love for running around naked, I just didn’t care what they looked like as long as they covered the important parts. Yes, I was a fashion nightmare.

  Lately even Jess had started buying me clothes now that she could see what I wore. Every once in a while she’d hand me a bag. At least she made an effort to buy me stuff with video game logos, or Doctor Who stuff on them. I looked down and smiled at the Tardis on my chest. And then I noticed how small the shirt was getting and sighed. I definitely was filling out.

  I shrugged and headed for the food court. I wasn’t hungry, but I could go for a coffee. Maybe I’d even try one of the foamy ones. They made them out of soy milk or almond milk. I knew that for a fact, Jess drank them like water.

  I walked past Angelique’s Closet with a cringe before I remembered Clarisse wasn’t working. I let out a breath of relief. I still didn’t want to think about today and seeing her wouldn’t help. Even walking by her store brought a flash of lips and the warmth of her skin to the forefront of my brain. I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks as I hurried past and headed toward coffee.

  Surprisingly enough, even with the mall as busy as it was, the food court was somewhat deserted. It was still busy, but not compared to the rest of the mall. I must have hit a lull.

  I got into line at Starbucks behind two giggling girls that were a year or two younger than I was. They kept glancing back at me. I tried my best to ignore them when someone bumped into me from behind. I turned around and Clarisse was there. I groaned inwardly and tried not to let my disappointment show. She might punch me.

  “I thought you weren’t working tonight?”

  “I’m not, but I was bored.”

  “You want a coffee?”

  “No. I just like standing in random Starbucks lines.”

  “Haha.” I could feel a cold sweat starting to break out on my face. I was about two seconds from starting to shake. “What kind of coffee do you want?”

  “Verona. Black.”

  It took about ten minutes for the line to clear to the point where we could place our order. I pulled out my remaining cash and handed it to the barista. “My treat,” I said to Clarisse.

  “Thank you,” she said with a half-smile.

  We stood, somewhat closely, while we waited for our caffeine. You could cut the tension between us with a chainsaw. I knew the moment we had our drinks and sat down, that we were going to have a conversation I didn’t want to have. I handed the black steaming cup of coffee to Clarisse, grabbed mine, and motion
ed toward some empty tables off to our right.

  We sat and we stared at each other, waiting for the other to start talking. She broke down first. “Connor, we need to talk.”

  I couldn’t help it. I started laughing. “Sorry,” I said.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “The whole ‘we need to talk’ line. No shit, Clarisse. We definitely need to talk. The problem is that I don’t want to. Would it be too much to ask to just forget it?”

  “Could you?”

  “Probably not until the day I die.”

  “That’s the problem. Neither could I.”

  That took me a little by surprise. “What?”

  The blush that crept up on her cheeks was almost cute. Definitely hot, but cute, too. “Look. Maybe you’re right. Maybe we should just drop it and pretend it never happened.”

  I groaned, put my face in my hands, and started shaking my head. “What is with every single girl I know?”

  “What?”

  “Jess blows up at me, Shannon stops by the house today to tell me she’ll wait for me? And you, you’re confusing the hell out of me. I think my brain is going to explode.”

  “Say that again?”

  “My brain–”

  “No. The other part.”

  “You’re–”

  “Nope. Before that.”

  I saw where she was going with it. “Yeah. Psycho Shanria stops by my house to tell me she likes me and that she’ll wait for me and Jess to break up. Oh, and to hurry up.”

  “I swear I’m going to kill that bitch.”

  “Tell me about it. At least Jess wasn’t there for that.”

  “I’m just grateful your sister came up first. Did she read you the riot act?”

  “You don’t even want to know.”

  “I don’t have to. She pretty much let me have it, but in a sisterly kind of way. I know you can’t stand her, but I kinda like the twerp.”

  “She’s growing on me, too, now that she’s not a stuck-up cheerleader bitch.”

  “I’m surprised she let you out of the house,” she said with a little giggle.

  “She didn’t I dragged her and Elizabeth here to keep them safe.”

  “From what?”

  I realized she had no idea what was going on. “I went to train with Raven this afternoon. She left.”

  “To go where? I thought she was supposed to be training you?”

  “Whoever attacked my sister and killed Jenny is still out there and it’s attacking even more of the Changed. I guess there’s been a few attacks in the surrounding cities.”

  “When did this happen?”

  “I don’t know. Raven said I should keep an eye on my sister and Elizabeth.”

  “What about the other Changed?”

  “What others?”

  “Connor, there are a couple dozen of them in Cedar Creek alone…”

  “Oh. Shit. I don’t know.”

  “I’ll be right back. I’m going to contact Darius. Stay here.”

  “Say hi to Dad for me,” I said with a grin.

  “Not funny. Don’t move.”

  I watched her run out the food court entrance and into the brightly lit parking lot. I sipped at my coffee and was watching the people around me when my phone started ringing. I pulled it out of my pocket and Jess’ face was on the screen.

  “Hi, baby,” I said when I answered it.

  “Hi.” She sounded better but still a little down.

  “How you feeling?”

  “Better. What are you doing? Want to come over?”

  “I’m at the mall with the brat and one of her friends, want to come up here?”

  “Okay. I’ll be there shortly. Where will you be?”

  “I’m in the food court sipping Starbucks and missing you.”

  That earned me a little giggle. “I’ll be there shortly.”

  “Hey. Pssssst. Guess what.”

  “What?”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  She hung up and I shoved my phone back into my pocket. Clarisse came in with a worried look on her face. “I contacted Darius.”

  “And?”

  “They’re on their own. They’re searching for whoever is doing it, but can’t guard everybody.”

  “What should we do?”

  “Keep the ones closest to us safe,” she said and nodded toward Cae and Elizabeth, who were walking toward us. My sister didn’t look too happy to see Clarisse.

  “You guys didn’t buy everything in sight?” I tried to keep my voice cheerful sounding.

  “No. Hi Claire,” my sister said and leveled her gaze at her.

  “Hiya, kiddo. Just discussing the game plan to keep you two safe. So far we’ve come up with strength in numbers, public places, and not letting you out of our sight.”

  We did? Sometimes I was in awe at how smoothly Clarisse could spout out the bullshit. “Yeah.”

  “I also contacted the head of the Reapers. They are all out searching for whoever is doing this. Don’t worry. They’ll catch him.”

  That seemed to mollify both the vampires. “Jess called, she’s on her way up here, so if we have anything else related to this, we need to get it over with now.”

  Everybody turned and gave me a dirty look. Well, Elizabeth didn’t, but Cae and Clarisse did.

  “Good,” my sister said with a sneer that rather worried me.

  “Yeah. Smooth move, asshat. Your sister told me,” Elizabeth said and punched me in the arm.

  “Guys. It was all my fault. Leave your brother out of it.”

  The two girls turned and looked at Clarisse. “Huh?” They did the unison.

  For the first time since I met her, Clarisse looked fragile. “I said it’s not his fault. I kissed him.”

  “Why on earth would you kiss him?” My sister actually sounded disgusted.

  Clarisse shot her an angry glare. “Look, Cae. I don’t know how to tell you this. I know he’s your brother. I know you have a certain image of him, but… Your brother is hot.”

  “Yeah right.”

  “Seriously. Close your eyes. Turn toward him and open them quickly.”

  Cae did exactly as she was told. For the first time in her life. “I still don’t see it. He looks like Connor to me.”

  “He looks like Connor because he changed in front of you slowly, day by day. Look at his arms. Look at his chest. He’s twice the size he used to be. Look at his hair.”

  “Whatever,” my sister said and looked to her friend who was nodding emphatically. “Ewww. You, too?”

  Elizabeth shrugged and said, “Not interested, but he is hot. You’ve got your brother filters on.”

  I was blushing. I could literally feel the heat pouring from my face. “Okay, guys. Enough.”

  They all turned and looked at me and started laughing.

  “What did I miss?” We all turned to Jess with a steaming cup of Starbucks in her hand.

  “We’re going to go underwear shopping and were laughing at your brother’s discomfort. Do you want to go with us or hang with the worm here?” Again, Clarisse flabbergasted me. She should quit being a demon and be a spy.

  “I’ll take the worm. Thanks though,” she said with a smile.

  Chapter 23

  “Want to go for a ride?”

  Jessie looked more like herself than she had in quite a while. I smiled at her and gave her a quick peck on her lips. “Where to? Not that it matters, I’d go anywhere with you.”

  “I don’t know. It seems like all we do is go to the mall. I was thinking maybe the park?”

  “Good plan,” I said and stood, offering her my hand to help her up. She took it and it felt good to touch her again. “One sec, I’ll text Cae I’m leaving and have her catch a ride with Claire or Elizabeth.”

  I pulled out my phone and did just that, leaving another note to stay with Claire until I met up with them later. Slipping it back into my pocket, I offered Jess my arm. “Well, aren’t you the g
entleman tonight.”

  “Gasp! Should I ever be ungentlemanly around my lady, please, striketh me down.”

  She giggled and took it and we headed out into the parking lot. “I’m sorry about earlier today,” she whispered and squeezed my hand.

  Guilt washed over me again. If anybody owed anybody an apology it was me. Unfortunately it was one that would never come. I did the next best thing. “No you don’t. Ever. I love you. If you’re ever sick or whatever, I’ll always be there for you.”

  “I love you, too,” she said and hit the unlock button on her key fob.

  Her mustang blinked and beeped merrily a few cars away. I followed her to the driver’s door and opened it for her, closing it softly once she was inside. I blew out the breath I had been holding in, swore I would never kiss anybody again as long as I lived, and walked around the car. She reached across the car and popped the door open for me. With a smile, I slid in.

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. It was the best I could do without getting out of the car, walking around, and holding the door open for you,” she said.

  “You’re such a gentleman,” I replied with a wink.

  She started the car and backed out of the spot. “It’s nice to be alone with you. It feels like it’s been forever.”

  “It has. So. Whatcha wanna do at the park?” I wiggled my eyebrows while I asked.

  “Swing on the swings?”

  “I can do that,” I said and gave her a quick kiss as she put it into drive and took off. “Hey, lady. Keep it under forty. We’re in a parking lot.”

  “Nervous Nellie.”

  “Woman driver.”

  “Least I can!” She laughed and had a point.

  “Wanna take me to get my license this week?”

  “Absolutely. Don’t you have to work?”

  “No. I got laid off.”

  “Awww. Who was it? I’ll set the building on fire for you?”

  “Hahaha. It’s not a biggie. I have enough money socked away for your present,” I lied.

  “What is it?”

  “Not gonna tell you. You’ll have to guess.”

  She thought about it for a few minutes on the drive to the park. “I give up. I can’t think of anything. Unless it’s jewelry, which I don’t wear, so if you waste money on sparkly stuff I shall have to swat you.”