Love's Cruel Redemption (The Ghost Bird Series)

by C. L. Stone

  “Well, I found out it isn’t exactly a program. Mr. Hendricks just dropped the classes. He said he’d just pass me for doing certain things for him.”

  I gasped, not totally surprised to hear this but I’d suspected such things.

  “Yeah,” he said. He reached around, rubbing at the back of his neck. “It’s complicated. Not to mention I haven’t been home in weeks. A bit of a long story...”

  I didn’t mean to pry, but getting wrapped up in talking to him had distracted me from waiting for Volto. “Why not go home?”

  “My sister spent all her time taking care of me. I wanted her to know I’d be okay without her. I don’t need a replacement mother.” He made a half grin and shook his head. “Look, I’m just saying this because...you can trust me. If things aren’t okay, you can tell me.”

  I considered what he was saying. If he knew what I was going through, not only at home, but with the boys, I didn’t know if he’d believe me. It was farfetched. But I didn’t want to discourage him from sharing with me.

  I was going to respond when a hand clamped down on my shoulder. It wasn't Wil's.

  It was someone behind me.

  Our Unraveling Lies

  Nathan

  Erica peered at Nathan through the rain, wetting her short hair. She put a hand over her eyes to block the droplets. She shook her head in disbelief and then waved him into the car. “Get in! It's freezing out here.”

  At least he had an excuse why he was soaked.

  His shoes were extremely muddy. No cell phone, waving down a vehicle.

  Oh boy.

  Rather than running off, though, he got into the sedan. It was the fastest way to get to a phone.

  Erica got behind the wheel. She wiped at her face and hair and then looked over at Nathan.

  Nathan sat with his hands in his lap, his body feeling tight against wet clothing. He was shaking a bit from the chill, maybe partially from shock.

  He could have died out there. If not from drowning in the lake, from the alligators. He should have been more careful around Volto. He was known to be dangerous. Willing to do crazy things.

  Erica waited in silence, still leaving the vehicle in the middle of the road. “Well?” she asked. “What happened?”

  He spoke very carefully, creating a lie from pieces of truth. “I was out in the lake today,” he said. “I was on a boat. But my...friend...left. I thought he was coming back.”

  “Where did he go?” she asked.

  “I don't know. He just drove off.”

  Erica sputtered and took the car out of park. The car rolled forward as she pressed the gas pedal. “And he left you out here? At this hour? How long have you been waiting?”

  “For a bit,” he said.

  “Where's your cell phone?”

  “It's in the lake. Accident. That's why I was waiting.”

  “And you only decided now to wave someone down?”

  He shrugged. It was ludicrous. The sun had set hours ago. None of this made any sense, but it was all he had to go on. “It's complicated.”

  “You're very complicated this week, Nathan Andrew Griffin.”

  He slunk down in the seat but was unable to go far with how tight his pants got. He folded his arms again over his stomach. “I'm sorry about all that. And this.”

  She shook her head and made a small sound between her lips. “I don't even know where to start. I'd worried about all of them before with Sang, given how much time they spend with her. But you? I'd never imagine you'd do that to her. Or to Dakota.”

  He bit his lower lip. “It was dumb. I've told them both I was sorry.” He paused. “Why were you out here?”

  “I was on my way home,” she said, turning the wipers on a higher setting as the rain started coming down. She slowed the car and focused on her driving. “After work.”

  “Isn't the hospital off the highway?”

  “I was going to grab some groceries,” she said. It still didn't make sense. This was way out of the way for her. But before he could ask more, she turned the heat up a bit and then poked him in the arm. “Look, you did the wrong thing. But I don't want to ostracize you to where you're hanging out with dumb kids who leave you behind for hours in the dark.”

  Nathan let out a big breath between his lips and leaned against the door, gazing out at trees. They sped past neighborhoods he'd driven by earlier. Many houses were dark now, as it was closer to midnight. Streetlights dotted the sidewalks.

  When they got closer to the school, Nathan's attention turned toward it but he tried to pretend he wasn't looking. He didn't want to seem interested, just in case Dr. Green was still out there.

  He pressed his tongue to the top of his mouth, waiting until they passed to say anything.

  “What in the world is going on now?”

  Nathan turned as she slowed down. Just over the hill, red and blue lights were flashing.

  Shit.

  Two cop cars were parked close to each other, blocking the exit for more vehicles that were there. He counted the cars, looked for Dr. Green among some of the vehicles and people standing around. There were more people here than when he left.

  Was the smoke bomb not just smoke? Or did they panic and call the police?

  He was so distracted looking for Dr. Green, he didn't notice the cop Erica was slowing down for. He was waving at her as she was passing and she stopped, rolling down the window.

  Nathan's instinct was to sit back, avoid eye contact, but he knew what that would look like. He forced himself to look completely interested in this.

  Rain splattered into the car as she spoke to the officer. “What's going on?” Erica asked.

  “Kids throwing some kind of fireworks at teachers that were parked here,” he said. He shined his flashlight into Nathan's face briefly and then toward Erica. “Got caught in the rain?”

  “Yes,” she said. “Crazy storm, right?”

  “The usual South Carolina weather,” he said and lowered his light. “Just be careful.”

  “You, too,” Erica said.

  He waved her on. Erica rolled past but she sat back in her seat and put both hands on the wheel.

  Nathan sat back as well, placing his palms on his knees. Where was Dr. Green? Was Luke still inside?

  Was that why Mr. Blackbourne couldn't answer? He was dealing with someone calling the cops on what was happening at the school?

  “That wasn't you, was it?” Erica asked. She glanced over at him once before refocusing on the road.

  “Me? No. I’ve never shot fireworks at anyone.”

  “Do you think your friend did?” she asked. “Is that why he left you and didn't come back? I'm guessing it isn't Luke or one of the others...”

  “No,” he said. “Not them.”

  She shook her head slowly. They were coming up to the shopping center near the school.

  Erica parked. She put her hands on the wheel, staring out the windshield while speaking to him. “Okay. We have to stop this now. I'm not letting you turn into a hooligan, hanging out with kids who leave you out like that alone.” She looked at him and stabbed her finger against the middle console, her fingernail tapping it. “Apologize to Sang again. Apologize to Dakota. He's been depressed since he had the fight with you. I’m willing to believe Sang that it was a misunderstanding between you two. But I know you’ll never do it again.”

  “I'll apologize again,” Nathan said, sitting up. He hated to say this to her, to continue the lie when Kota was still trying to work out what exactly to tell her. But he had to keep it going now. “If you think it'll help...”

  She reached into the back of the car to grab her purse. “I'm going in for milk and a few other things,” she said. “You should come back with me tonight. Maybe wait up for when Kota gets in with Sang.”

  Was he supposed to bring her home tonight?

  He slumped in the seat again, stuffing his hands under his biceps as he folded his arms. Erica got out of the car. He rolled his head against the headrest.r />
  Once she was gone, he cursed at himself for getting into this mess. And for also not asking her for her cell phone to give someone a call. He glanced back toward the school, but he couldn't see it through the buildings from where they were.

  This whole night was a complete disaster.

  Coming To a Hilt

  Sang

  I turned around in a slow circle, with my heart in my throat, and my basket ready to swing if it was Volto.

  Dr. Green's face loomed close to mine. “Hey, thought I recognized you,” he said with a grin. “Did you study for my test tomorrow?”

  Words choked up in my throat for a second. Relief had me relaxing, but only a little bit. I was glad to see him. Only I had to pretend he was my teacher for the moment.

  “Yeah,” I said, although my voice shook at first. Nerves rattled my bones. “I think I'm ready.”

  “You're up late,” he said. “You should get some sleep.” He looked at my basket and then at my face. “That all you're getting?”

  I indicated to the basket, waving at it like I didn’t need any of it. What to do with it? I didn’t want to bother with buying the items but Wil would find it weird if I just put the items away and walked out.

  Wil eyeballed Dr. Green. “Why are you interested?”

  Dr. Green shrugged. “Oh, I wasn't being critical. Don't mean to offend.” He winked at me and then walked by. It made sense we probably needed to continue to make it look like this was coincidence.

  “I don't like him,” Wil said quietly.

  “He just scared me for a second,” I said and watched as Dr. Green turned the corner a little slowly. He was showing me where he was going.

  “Yeah, there's a rumor he's been hitting on students.” He looked at me. “Be careful around him, okay?”

  I clenched my teeth, wanting to defend him but knowing what it'd sound like if I tried too hard. “He's fine,” I said. “I don’t believe in rumors. Anyway, I should get going...He's right. It's late.”

  I went to walk past him and he stretched an arm out, not touching, just enough to get me to pause.

  “Hey,” he said. “You can tell me if something's wrong.”

  “I'm okay,” I said. I smiled at him and lifted my basket up to show him. “I just forgot to get...eggs.”

  He waited for a moment, his arm still raised like he wasn't sure he believed me. After a moment, he lowered his arm. “Oh,” he said. “Back of the store, all the way to the left...”

  “Thanks,” I said.

  He watched me as I left the aisle. My body was tense. My mind reeled. How many people were spreading rumors about Dr. Green? Was this a valid concern right now? I needed to get out of the store and get into a vehicle with Dr. Green without Wil noticing. I didn't want to risk Dr. Green's reputation any more.

  I wondered if Dr. Green would call that Mr. Toma about Wil. I should tell him, when I got a chance, about what he’d said.

  Dr. Green was near the dairy section in the very back of the store, looking at yogurt. He glanced my direction once, winked again and then went back to looking at the display.

  I got the feeling he was doing what I’d been doing and was just waiting for me. This was public space. If he'd been informed by the Academy girl I'd talked to, then he knew Volto could be near. Not to mention people who knew him from school could walk in at any moment.

  Should we stall and wait for North? I thought it might be best to get us both into a car. We could watch for North from there.

  I took the smallest carton of eggs then headed to the front of the store. We needed to get out and not wait around where Volto could do something stupid to us.

  Dr. Green kept his distance, but when I went into the checkout line to wait, he joined behind me. It was the only lane open, so it shouldn't have been a surprise, but because we acknowledged each other earlier, we still waved to one another.

  I grimaced toothily out of nervousness.

  He smiled pleasantly and held on to his couple of containers of yogurt.

  I put my items on the belt, and then opened my bag to see if North had any money in it, checking the pockets.

  Suddenly Dr. Green bent over and picked up a folded couple of twenties. “Oh, hey. You dropped this.”

  I knew I didn't but I glanced up at where he waited patiently with the cash extended out to me.

  I took it, understanding. “Thanks.”

  “Sure,” he said. “Get some good sleep tonight. Be ready for that test.”

  “I will.”

  I was the next in line for the cashier. I considered what I could to do make sure I left to where he could see me. Walk slow to the door so he had time to follow me out? Maybe I could walk the length of the stores...or meet him at the fast food place. Options went on in my head. I'd take his direction. As long as I kept him within eyesight, it should be safe.

  I paid the cashier, and she bagged my few items for me. I thanked her. I had to cross in front of several rows of registers to leave, so I just slowed down. I adjusted the backpack and then pretended to search the bag for something, keys perhaps. Anything to allow Dr. Green the chance to catch up with me.

  I sensed him coming up behind me, so I straightened up a bit, walking toward the door.

  I stalled at seeing Wil standing just shy of the sliding glass door so they wouldn’t open for him. He waved to me. “Hey!” he said. “One second.”

  I grimaced and then tried to warm my smile a bit. I had to go to him. I couldn’t imagine what he wanted, but I couldn’t just walk off.

  After a few awkward steps toward him, I sensed Dr. Green following me just a little ways as he headed toward the door.

  “Do they let you work this late if you've got school tomorrow?” Dr. Green asked him.

  What was he doing? My heart raced. We just needed to get out of here.

  Wil turned his attention to him to say something when the sliding door opened up and I heard a familiar voice.

  “Sang?” a woman called. “Is that you?”

  My heart froze. The guys turned.

  Erica Lee stood with her purse over her arm, her hair and jacket wet.

  She gazed over at me, an eyebrow going up. “I thought you were out with Kota.” She stepped forward and then looked at Dr. Green. “Sean?”

  Oh no. Did Kota leave the house? And then told her he was with me? Wasn’t he supposed to stay at home? In my panicked state, I couldn’t remember.

  “Hey, Erica.” Dr. Green appeared to brighten and gave her a short wave with a few fingers. “You’re up late.” His tone was so casual, even though I knew he had to be just as surprised as I was to see her.

  I said nothing. I stood with a bookbag on my back, a small grocery collection in my arm. The florescent lights above our heads seemed to brighten in intensity, like it was exposing everything I had done since that afternoon. I wanted to shrink and disappear.

  “Kota?” Wil said with a raised eyebrow. “I thought you were going out with the tall one...”

  Don't say it!

  “Silas,” he said.

  Dr. Green laughed a little too loud to cut him off but approached Erica, hugging her just for a second and then let her go, waving to me. “I just came in to get some of this.” He raised his bag for a second to show her the small bulk of yogurt containers. “You’re working the late hours like me, aren’t you?”

  Erica looked from Wil to me to Dr. Green and back. “Yeah,” she said and then waved to me to follow her. “Did you get everything you needed? I can give you a ride home.”

  I wondered if she assumed I was with Dr. Green, but her tone suggested she’d rather I went with her.

  Wil piped in. “Good idea. You won't get caught in the rain on your way home.” He waved to me shortly. His concern seemed to fade. “See you at school.”

  I had to go with her. I couldn't just excuse myself, could I?

  Dr. Green flashed a very small alarmed expression at me but then changed it completely to something more relaxed. “I should be going, t
oo. I'll see you tomorrow.”

  Was he saying it was okay to go with her? I didn't want to ride in the car alone with her. No doubt she’d ask me a ton of questions.

  What choice did I have? Dr. Green needed to stay for North. It felt like Wil wasn’t happy to let me go unless with was with Erica.

  I swallowed thickly and followed her out into the parking lot.

  Stay Cool Under Fire

  Erica hurried, covering her head from the rain that was coming down. I scanned the lot, checking for the Jeep, for signs of Volto.

  Erica motioned to where her car was parked. “Come along,” she said. “Did you really walk here? That's pretty far.”

  “It didn't seem that far when I stared,” I said and paused when my voice cracked at the end. My nerves had me shaking, as well as the chill and cold rain that splashed down around me, not to mention the lies. I shifted my bag, pushing the groceries into it, careful around the eggs. I tried to keep my head down so rain didn’t splash into my face.

  I bit my tongue, too. Hard. With the rain splashing around me, I felt light headed. I needed to focus, to stay upright. The rain seemed to charge my senses, making my nerves rise up. But I held them back, somehow. Maybe because I could protect my face, or it wasn’t a shower that it didn’t trigger me fainting. Or perhaps the week of rest and Dr. Green’s care made it harder for it to happen, like he said.

  I couldn’t do that to Erica.

  Erica just raised her arm over her head, and I followed close behind, swallowing back words. My mind reeled.

  “Get in the back,” she said quickly.

  I went for the seat without question. I opened the door, tossing the bag onto the seat gently before getting in and shutting the door again.

  I sat back and found Nathan twisted around in the front passenger seat, staring back at me. Wide eyed. His reddish hair was matted down around his face, soaked, his body entirely drenched, part of it much muddier than myself.