The Awakener
Page 29
The three of them darted away from the light and into the dark woods. Together they made it back to the bathroom, where Willow was pacing.
“There she is!” Willow rushed to Eden, giving Chase a stern look. “I told you Andrew would find her.”
Chase’s mouth dropped open as he gaped at Eden. “What the—?”
Andrew removed his arm from around her waist, and took off his dress coat. “Here, you’re shivering to death,” he urged.
“Wait,” she slurred, her mind feeling sluggish. “Let me go wash first.”
Andrew nodded. Willow and Caitlyn followed her.
Eden was sure they’d be bursting with questions, but neither girl said anything as they wadded up paper towels and got them wet in the sink.
Willow worked on Eden’s back, gasping every so often.
“How did you know, Willow? How did you know Andrew would find me?” Eden asked, breaking the silence.
Willow stopped swiping at the blood and stepped in front of Eden.
“I had a feeling you were in trouble, like scary trouble. I told Chase and he just rolled his eyes at me. But I convinced Andrew to go look for you. We checked the bathroom and then,” she paused, “I just knew you were in the woods.”
Eden didn’t miss the way she shuddered when she said woods.
She gazed her friends. “Thanks guys. I…” Her words choked off.
Willow threw her arm around Eden’s side. “I owed you one. You sort of saved me too.”
Eden stared at her, confused.
She grinned, and rotated Eden back around. “Come on, you’re still a mess.” Willow grabbed another paper towel.
Caitlyn rejoined in helping; Eden caught her hazel eyes studying her in the mirror a few times. First time I’ve wished Caitlyn wasn’t quite so reserved with her thoughts.
“Caitlyn,” Eden probed.
There was a moment of uncertainty and then Caitlyn blurted, “I didn’t think the woods had bears… What the heck happened to you, Eden?”
Eden stalled. Guess I asked for it.
“I don’t know.” Total lie. “I think I sort of passed out. I don’t remember anything after that.” That much is true. “I woke up with you and Andrew there. Did you see anything?”
Caitlyn shook her head quickly.
Willow’s eyes were wide as she gazed at Caitlyn. “There was definitely something sinister in those woods tonight. Maybe not a bear, but Eden’s still lucky to be alive.”
Caitlyn agreed. “Very lucky. What are you going to tell Jessie?”
Eden bit her lip and scrunched her eyebrows. “Nothing?” She looked to them for understanding. They both nodded.
“Probably best to keep this to ourselves,” Willow confirmed.
She was as clean as she was going to get; her red dress masked a lot of the blood.
Coming out, they heard Chase say, “Maybe Willow’s right. It’s not safe. We should get out of here.” He said it chuckling, but Eden saw his eyes dart to the trees behind them.
The sound of sirens cut through the night.
Andrew draped his coat around Eden. “I think the party’s about to be busted up because of the fire in the woods.”
“Fire?” Chase and Willow asked together.
“Yeah, it’s big,” Caitlyn replied.
“Let’s go,” Andrew stated.
As they passed the dance tent, Caitlyn ducked inside. There was a loud announcement from a fireman with a megaphone.
Everyone had to leave. Jake and Megan stepped out of the tent, as there were moans and complaints from students.
“This is crazy,” Jake muttered.
Caitlyn and Dave came out of the tent as Chase pulled out his phone.
“Micah just texted; he wants us to come over still. How about it?” Chase asked.
“Heck yeah,” Jake exclaimed. “At least the night’s not a total bomb.” Megan was quiet next to him.
“Not us, I think I’m going to get Eden home, but tell him hey for me,” Andrew said.
Thank heavens. I’m in no condition to face Micah and Andrew together tonight, Eden thought.
Caitlyn and Dave decided to head home too, and rode back with them to Andrew’s, where Dave’s Protegé was parked. No one said much.
Once at the house, Caitlyn and Dave hopped out, telling Eden and Andrew good night. Even after the Protegé pulled away, Andrew continued to let his Bronco idle in driveway. He reached for her hand. She offered it, glad to feel his warmth. She was chilled to the bone.
“Are you ok?” He sounded concerned.
“Yeah, I’m good. Just wish I knew what happened. I went to the bathroom and then,” she hesitated, “walked into the trees a bit. Maybe I shouldn’t have, but it was such a pretty night. And then, I don’t know, I can’t remember. I must have fallen down, hit my head or something.”
“Maybe you passed out. It happens. And an animal scratched you up pretty good while you were on the ground.”
She knew her story sounded lame, unbelievable. He didn’t sound like he believed his own solution either. He put his Bronco into reverse and, in silence, drove her home. His fingers squeezed her hand periodically.
It was 11:30 pm. She wasn’t sure if anyone would be up; the house was dark and quiet. She unlocked the door and invited him in.
“Why don’t you go upstairs and change? Bring me your dress. I’ll take our clothes to the dry cleaner tomorrow,” he said, sitting down on the couch.
“It won’t help. My dress is ripped pretty bad.” She ran the shredded material through her fingers.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s ok. It’s just a dress. I’ll go change real quick.” She was anxious to get out of the bloodstained clothes. Once in her bedroom, she stripped down, fishing out a white t-shirt and her favorite red boxers. Not wanting to be alone long, she jogged back down to find him waiting for her, his eyes sweeping her up and down.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered, as she crawled onto the couch next to him. She’d pulled the clip out of her hair, letting it fall onto her shoulders in curls.
His lips found hers; she responded briefly, but then had to stop. She felt dizzy.
He held her close. His heart thumping against her ear was relaxing.
“Eden,” he mumbled into her hair.
“Mmm,” she hummed back.
He brushed her hair back, kissing her forehead. “Never mind. Just sleep. You need it.”
She tried to respond, but it came out muffled. She wanted to ask what he was going to say, but her body was too drained. She was half-asleep, when she felt him lift her up and carry her to bed.