Elemental

by Debbie Kump

  I heard Sully sigh, and then felt him place a soothing arm around my shoulder, pulling me toward him in a sympathetic sidearm hug. Suddenly, I found myself wishing Sully could hold me, wrap his arms around me, and take me away from this place.

  Scratch that. I really wanted Micah to hold me reassuringly and promise me that everything would be okay.

  But I couldn’t take that risk with either of them, so I kept my backbone rigid like a washboard. Without another word, I walked away from the lunch table, forcing myself to lock my emotions deep inside in a place The Three could never reach.

  My mind wandered through all of American History, unable to focus on anything with Sully and Micah in the classroom. When the bell rang, I ambled aimlessly down the hall until Micah dragged me off toward the gym.

  “I’m not feeling too good,” I told him. “I think I’m just going to go home instead.”

  “Oh, no you’re not! We’ve got ballroom dancing, remember?” He said this in a faux British accent, though it didn’t sound very convincing. Slipping his arm through mine, he led me down the hall. “Tessa’s at a choir lesson so you’ve gotta be my partner today.”

  I blinked. He really wanted me for his dance partner? An unexpected smile lit my face.

  Then Micah continued, “Otherwise I’ll be stuck with…” His voice trailed off as he quickly glanced over each of his shoulders. He finished his sentence with a shudder, “…Bethany.”

  Oh.

  The part of me that felt suddenly important was squashed in an instant. I couldn’t believe I actually thought she wanted to be my friend when I first arrived. In reality, I provided a convenient excuse to get closer to Micah.

  Then I reminded myself that it didn’t matter how Micah felt about me. In fact, he’d probably be better off if he despised me outright. Sully, too, for that matter. I made a mental note to do whatever it took to drive Sully away. He could get over having his feelings hurt, but he couldn’t get over being dead.

  The boys’ class and girls’ class paired up for our ballroom dancing unit. I saw Bethany Donovan snake her way through the crowd, straight toward Micah.

  “Help,” Micah whispered to me and slipped his hand into mine. My heart made a sudden leap up my throat.

  “So what do you say, Micah? Ready to be partners today?” she asked in her fake-nice voice.

  “Thanks, Bethany,” Micah responded as he held up my hand wrapped in his, “but Jordan already asked me.”

  “Oh. Okay.” She frowned and shot me a pointed look. “Well, maybe tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” Micah said, waiting for her to leave until he added, “…not.”

  Like a precaution, he kept his fingers tightly woven with mine as Mrs. Riviera and Mr. Swenson demonstrated the first few steps of the box step, counting for the boys to lead the waltz: left-two-three, right-two-three.

  I looked down at our entwined hands, my mind driven mad with anxiety. I couldn’t chance staying here another day, spending every second wondering when they’d catch me again or take Micah and Sully away forever.

  Mrs. Riviera instructed us to take our partner’s hand—which we already had covered—and to place our other hand on our partner’s hip. The second Micah’s palm touched my waist, perspiration beaded across my brow and pooled in my armpits. Unfortunately, Vanessa’s tight clothes left little room to hide this fact from Micah or the rest of the world.

  The music began and Mrs. Riviera counted like a metronome, “Left, two, three. Right, two three,” Micah’s eyes found mine. I expected him to look half as flustered as I felt with us positioned this close together. Instead, he griped, “This stuff is so lame. When will we ever need to use this?”

  “Oh, I dunno. Maybe if you’re invited to the coronation of King Henry III,” I replied offhandedly while attempting to contain my conflicted emotions deep inside, keeping them hidden from him and everyone else.

  Micah looked at me sideways. “What?”

  “Hypothetically speaking, of course,” I added and let my eyes find the floor. Truthfully, I only received an invitation to the coronation of the favorite son of Catherine de’ Medici and King Henry II because I worked as a palace servant at the time. I thought that job would keep me isolated and protected while I learned the French language. And the guests probably considered it more of a sixteenth century French Renaissance dance than a true waltz, but it seemed close enough to me. Not that I could stay and enjoy the night of festivities anyway. Not with Skye there, at least. Dressed in her opulent scarlet gown that emphasized her narrow corseted waist and her bodice cut in a low, squared-off neckline, Skye blended in well with the other regal guests in attendance. Even with her long blond hair pulled back in a bun and adorned with glittering jewels, I recognized her immediately. Across the crowded room, her silvery eyes caught mine.

  So before I knew it, I fled again—awkwardly, I’d admit—in a corset and full-length dress.

  Micah snorted, interrupting my memories of the event. “Honestly, Jordan. I don’t know where you come up with this stuff.”

  I shrugged. “You know me. The history buff, right?” I tittered, reminding myself to keep my stupid mouth shut.

  Micah returned my nervous smile, growing silent as he stepped left, two, three, right, two three. After a long moment, he finally spoke, “About last night.”

  I raised one eyebrow high on my head. Did he expect an explanation after covering for me on the phone? I held my breath and waited for him to continue.

  “I think Sully likes you,” Micah admitted.

  Suddenly, my palms turned cold and clammy. How much did Sully tell him? Was it last night on the phone? Or this morning after I left for the nurse? Then I wondered if guys even talked about stuff like that.

  I felt my face turn pale, convinced Micah could see my heart beating wildly beneath Vanessa’s tight shirt. What did I think, wearing this outfit today?

  “Oh, please. He was just helping out,” I said, struggling to keep an even tone. “Making me feel better, that’s all. So I didn’t throw another fit.”

  “Well, I’m glad you took him up on his offer.” He swallowed hard. “Her clothes look good on you.”

  My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t believe he just said that. Then I remembered a scene from my nightmare, where Micah’s lifeless eyes stared up at me from Salem’s muddy Gallows Hill. I buried my feelings again, knowing I shouldn’t take the risk.

  Trying to sound casual, I retorted, “Whatever. You’re just happy to have all your stuff back.”

  “No, seriously,” he started.

  For some strange reason, I found myself hanging on his every word, hoping for another compliment. Get a grip, Jordan. You’re becoming pathetic and insecure like Bethany.

  “I meant to tell you this last night,” Micah continued, “but…”

  Despite Mrs. Riviera’s methodic counting, my feet stopped moving in an instant.

  Was he jealous of Sully? If so, would he actually declare he liked me? More than the annoying girl his mom took in and eventually became somewhat of a friend?

  “I mean, I know it’s none of my business, but…” Micah shifted his eyes away from my face.

  Then my heart seized up. Suddenly, I had a sinking suspicion I wouldn’t appreciate what he was about to say.

  “When you didn’t come back right away…I mean, I know it can take a long time to try on clothes but…”

  “But…?” I asked. My pulse thudded inside my veins.

  “Well, I just thought.” Then he shook his head. “It’s nothing. All I’m saying is if you and Sully…you know.”

  “There’s nothing going on,” I said coolly. He was right. It was none of his business.

  “No, I’m serious. He’s a great guy. Don’t get me wrong but…”

  Okay. Enough with the buts already. “There’s nothing going on,” I repeated, my eyes drawing thin. And to think just a moment ago, I actually chastised myself for blushing at his kind words.

  “Fine. But suppose that
there was,” Micah simpered. “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “So what are you now,” I snapped, “like my overly protective big brother?”

  His eyes hit the floor. That came out harsher than I intended. Still, he had no right to assume anything serious actually happened between Sully and me.

  Dropping his hand, I marched straight across the gymnasium floor, leaving Micah standing there alone and confused—something I seemed to have mastered recently.

  I didn’t even look back when I heard Mrs. Riviera call my name, demanding to see my pass to leave class. Without acknowledging her request, I blew through the double-wide doors and cruised down the hallway, needing a breath of fresh air to clear my mind.

  To be honest, all those thoughts had crossed my mind at some point last night when Sully and I lay on his bed, alone in his house, wondering how far to take this new development in our relationship. Because I liked Sully, I really did. Until I’d flashed back to Gallows Hill.

  Mostly, I feared Micah could read me to see what bothered me the most. That something changed inside of me, making me realize I liked him. After what had happened to Lucius in Pompeii and William in Salem Village, I couldn’t bear to live with the grief of another unnecessary death burdening my soul.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  I turned down the hallway, heading for the main doors, hoping no one would spot me.

  Then I heard a voice say, “Where do you think you’re going, young lady?”

  Dang it. Nabbed by the hall monitor, I quickly whipped up a story. “I’ve got a doctor’s appointment that I completely forgot about because I was so busy taking notes in Mr. Horowitz’s class and now I’m gonna be late.”

  She eyed me skeptically and I knew my story didn’t cut it with her today, even with my arm still wrapped in an Ace bandage. “May I see your pass?”

  I jammed my hands into the tiny front pockets of Vanessa’s jeans. “Oh, I don’t believe it,” I grumbled in my most convincing voice. “When did it fall out of my pocket?”

  “Well, stop by the office on your way out and they’ll contact your parents.”

  “But I’m already five minutes late and my mom’s waiting outside,” I pleaded, gesturing to a vehicle conveniently parked along the curb, just outside the front door.

  “And the office already knows?” she asked.

  “Yep.” I nodded vigorously. “Told them first thing this morning.”

  The monitor’s eyebrows remained in a fixed position high on her forehead, but the desperate look in my eyes must have worked because she let me go.

  Good thing, too. This way I’d have enough time to pack up a few things and get out of town before Micah returned home.

  I raced the whole way back to the house. The slate sky looked angry and volatile, but it didn’t open up. While I dumped my backpack’s contents on the kitchen table, I flipped on the TV and turned to the Weather Channel. The storm cell swelled to enormous proportions, completely engulfing the entire Bay Area plus the lower half of the state. Which meant I needed to head east and north—ideally away from any populated area so I couldn’t unwittingly subject anyone else to harm.

  My bag now emptied, I pulled out a Post-it note to scribble Celia an explanation for my sudden disappearance. Only the words stuck as if ink clogged my pen. How could I ever thank them for everything they’d provided on a hot pink Post-it note, no less? Or apologize for what might happen if I didn’t leave at once? Or to tell them not to look for me, that somehow I’d manage on my own?

  Dropping the pen on the table, I left the hot pink square lying there, unused. Maybe I’d call them later, after the storm followed me far inland.

  I ran down to the basement and tossed a few sets of clothes in my backpack. Then I spotted Micah’s old hoodie lying on the floor. I never realized he’d given it back yesterday after I got so mad at him for what Tessa had said. I grabbed it to stuff inside the backpack, too, when I noticed a soccer ball lying underneath.

  Oh, crap. I completely forgot about Cam’s first game tomorrow morning. I promised him I’d be there. I frowned, knowing that Celia, Cam, Micah, and Sully would never understand my reason for departing unexpectedly. But having them mad at me forever, I could live with.

  Them not having a forever…not so much.

  After tossing a jacket, toothbrush, and toothpaste on top of my clothes, I raced up the stairs and grabbed some food from the cabinets and fruit from the fridge. I closed the fridge door and saw a new drawing held in place with a magnet clip. Using a different color for every object on the page, Cam had drawn himself in blue, me in pink, the soccer ball in orange, and a goal in purple. He kept the grass green.

  I blinked, my throat feeling tight. Maybe I was making a huge mistake in departing without telling anyone. Maybe I should at least thank the family who’d been kind enough to host me.

  Then again, if I stayed, it might be too late for them. Some thanks that would be.

  Steadying my resolve, I took one last look at Cam’s picture, a memory to hold me when on the run, and slung my backpack over one shoulder. With a wistful look at the Trudeau home—one of the few places I’d ever felt safe—I headed out.

  When I reached the door, I heard car tires approach. Peeking out the kitchen window, I spotted Vanessa Sullivan’s white Toyota Corolla pull up the driveway. An expletive slid off my tongue. I so did not have time for this.

  I slipped my other arm through my backpack strap, thinking up a good excuse to get out of talking to Sully and reached for the door handle. Only it turned from the outside.

  I blurted, “Sully, I’m really sorry but I have to—”

  Then I stopped and took a startled step backward.

  Sully hadn’t come to check on me. Micah had.

  “What happened?” Micah exclaimed. “You didn’t come back for French class.”

  I hung my head. I couldn’t bear to look him in the eye.

  The next thing I knew, he pressed the back of his hand to my forehead. I paused for a moment, feeling a bit safer with him near. I closed my eyes to remember the feel of his touch against my skin once I was far away and alone again.

  Jordan! I screamed at myself for getting distracted again. Just go.

  I brushed his hand away. “I’m not sick,” I confessed. My weak voice trembled. “I…I’m sorry, but I have to leave.”

  He placed one hand on my shoulder to stop me. “What’re you talking about? Leaving? But I thought you said you didn’t have anywhere to go?”

  “I, uh…”

  “You already said that everyone you know is gone,” he reminded me.

  “Yeah, but…”

  “Come off it, Jordan. Why don’t you just come to grips with the reality that we’re your family now?”

  Suddenly, it didn’t matter that he loved Tessa. He admitted that he wanted me to stay, which only made my decision that much harder.

  “I’m sorry. I have to go. It’s what’s best,” I said in a soft voice.

  “Best for who? You? And what about me?”

  “What about you?” I echoed.

  “What if it were me instead of Sully?”

  My heart skipped two beats at his suggestion. I forced myself to ignore it with a dramatic roll of my eyes to hide the effect his words had on me. “Oh, please. You’re so whipped. Tessa’s got you wrapped around her finger and you know it.”

  On cue, I heard Micah’s phone vibrate in his pocket. I readied for him to check the text so I could dart through the door. Instead, he pulled the phone out of his pocket only a hair to glance at its screen, then slipped it back inside without reading the new message.

  So much for my easy exit.

  “I can’t stay,” I continued. “It won’t be long before they find me.”

  He sighed. “Jordan, you’re safe. I’ve told you that a hundred times. No one is chasing you anymore. What will it take to convince you?”

  “I can’t take that chance.” I walked past him, right out the door as a drizzle leake
d from the heavy sky.

  Micah grabbed my wrist tightly and spun me toward him. Defiant, I struggled to pull free of his hold. He gripped my good wrist tightly and then placed his other hand on my cheek, forcing me to meet his gaze.

  His expression changed when he saw the sadness and confusion that warred inside me, the pain I’d experienced countless times before. More importantly, the peril I caused other innocent friends, all because of my folly. I refused to let that happen again. Not to Micah or Sully or Cameron. Not to anyone. I’d overstayed my welcome and nothing he could say or do would change my mind.

  Nothing.

  “I’m sorry, too,” he said and took a meaningful step closer.

  Except for that. I held my breath, waiting with anticipation.

  I heard his phone vibrate inside his pocket again. It sounded irritated like an angry swarm of bees defending their hive. For once, he completely ignored it, his eyes locking with mine.

  He leaned an inch closer, then another. My heart jumped up my throat. I found myself surprisingly short of breath. How many times had I wished for this to happen? For him to focus his attention solely on me? To look at me with the care and concern he doted on Tessa?

  His eyes burned into mine. Fixed in his gaze, I couldn’t move. He stood so close, I felt his breath on my lips. I stopped resisting and consciously let my heavy backpack drop to the floor. His fingers released my wrist and laced with my hand instead.

  Remember, it’s time to go?

  Right. But what harm could come of a little good-bye kiss?

  Do I need to remind you of what happened to Lucius? Or William? my conscience scolded.

  I closed my eyes tight to block the pain. Never again. I wouldn’t let that happen.

  At that precise moment, I heard the sound of tires peeling down the road. I turned a fraction of an inch to see the tail end of a red Mustang drive behind the wall of junipers at the end of the neighbor’s driveway.

  I could be mistaken. Many people owned red Mustangs. But I felt pretty sure I knew what I just saw.