by S.E. Akers
The next three periods were pretty much a repeat of the first. Literature, Government, and Geology should have been renamed “Gossip”, “Stares”, and “Giggles”. Fourth-period was by far the absolute worst. Katie was still ignoring me. I’d actually forgotten how long that girl could hold a grudge. To the left of my assigned seat sat Mike, of course, which brought forth one of the foulest looks from Kara Leighton I’d ever seen. But my most abysmal moment had to have been when Ty entered the classroom. He walked straight to his seat and didn’t even glance my way. I couldn’t even concentrate on Ms. Fitzpatrick’s lecture. Over and over, I thought, Please don’t let him have heard where my car was parked last night! This was one of those times when I wished Welch wasn’t such a daggone small town. No matter what you did or how careful you were, “news” traveled fast, but “bad news” ALWAYS beat you home.
With all the rumors running rampant, surely my need to question Mike after class about his memories regarding last Saturday night would only add fuel to the fire. But it had to be done. I needed to know if he remembered anything at all. Though I still found it extremely difficult, I tried not to blame him for being possessed. It wasn’t directly his fault that he’d prevented me from getting Daddy help. The Onyx was simply using his body to kill me. I knew my misguided thoughts were magnifying my anger towards the cocky jock, so I would have to keep my cool. After all, Lazarus was the one who killed him. Plus, I didn’t want a huge argument to drum up speculations of a “lovers quarrel”. That was the last thing I needed.
Students were up and out of their seats at the first sound of the bell, hurrying to exit. Mike attempted a quick getaway, but I managed to catch his attention with a firm nod directed towards a door in the back of the classroom, which led into one of the science labs. Nice and private. I went on ahead and waited patiently for him to follow. Once everyone was out of Ms. Fitz’s class, Mike slipped into the lab and laid his backpack on one of the black tabletops.
“Look, if this is about all the rumors going around about you and me, just so you know, I didn’t have anything to do with them,” Mike insisted.
“I couldn’t care less about that,” I snapped. “I want to know what you remember about last Saturday night? Particularly, when you took me by the mine to meet Daddy.”
Mike started fiddling nervously with the straps on his backpack. “I don’t know. I don’t remember much about that night,” he confessed.
I watched him step closer. It put me on edge, seeing how the last time we were all alone like this, his hands ended up around my neck, trying to choke me to death. So naturally, I heightened my guard. I still wasn’t one-hundred-percent sure the so-called “Onyx” couldn’t pop back into him at any time.
Mike appeared apprehensive, but I didn’t know about what exactly. His brain wasn’t really saying anything. It just felt like a big, knotty ball of confusion and crap. I needed to probe him some more.
“You don’t remember anything?” I quizzed, only to watch him shake his head. Now I was getting annoyed. “How did you get home?” I demanded.
“I don’t remember!” Mike yelled and slammed his hands down on the table. He could tell by the look on my face that I wasn’t in the mood for any attitude. Mike composed himself quickly. “Sorry, Shiloh. I’m just really frustrated. Hell — You’d think I’d gotten drunk or something from the way I woke up the next morning. My head was pounding like I was hung over, and my whole damn body ached. But that wasn’t the craziest thing. My hands were red and throbbing, like they’d been burned . . . or something.” Mike noticed the not-so-surprised look on my face and grabbed my shoulders. “Do you know what happened to them?” he asked anxiously.
I jerked away. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.
“What’s the last thing you remember?” I asked.
Mike took a deep breath. “Driving you to the mine and that it was snowing pretty hard . . . but everything else is a blur.”
I was getting nowhere. “So, you don’t remember anything else about that night?”
“I remember someone put a damn snake in my car, and I got into a fight with Ty,” he added.
From the way Mike directed his stare to the floor and was shifting his weight, I felt like he was holding something back. “Is that it?” I probed.
“No,” Mike insisted and then stepped closer. “I remember thinking I was the luckiest guy in the world to have you on my arm.”
My bottom lip dropped straight to the floor. How freaking long does it take for the effects of a damn ruby to wear off? Please tell me he didn’t just say that!
The next thing I knew, Mike’s eyes were closing, and he was leaning in to kiss me, totally misinterpreting my open mouth as a daggone invitation.
Crap!
Suddenly a loud, “UGH!” blared behind us. His attempt to steal a kiss was interrupted before I could even push him away. I turned to spot Kara Leighton standing in the doorway. She was the one who’d let out the bitchy grunt. The fuming redhead promptly spun around on her heels and stormed off in a cloud of pure hell-fire and hate.
I stomped my foot on the floor and scowled. “Well, that’s freakin’ PERFECT!” I snapped and snatched my backpack to make a quick exit. No telling whom that mouth of hers would blab to first about the compromising position she’d just found us in.
I have to stop her! Maybe I can compel her like I did the waitress? Mike grabbed my arm as I was trying to leave. I took a calming breath to restrain some of my rage and whacked him smack on his head. “SNAP OUT OF IT!” I scolded with a grunt and then bolted out of the science lab.
Please don’t let her tell ANYONE, especially Ty — Crap! CRAP! CRAP!
Kara wasn’t in the hallway, so I raced for the stairwell and scanned every classroom as I flew down the hall. WHERE IS SHE? I hurried downstairs to the floor where the senior lockers were located. I searched through the sea of students, but she was still nowhere to be found. Then it suddenly dawned on me — The Cafeteria! Without a second to lose, I slung my things in my locker and hauled ass across campus.
Unfortunately, I was too late. The little red-headed witch had half the cheerleading squad huddled up in the middle of the cafeteria by the time I came charging through the doors. All of them shot me vile glares upon my approach and then quickly dispersed around the lunchroom like busy bees, buzzing from table-to-table, spreading the latest fiery hot gossip at the request of their queen.
I stood there helplessly paralyzed. All I could do was watch while they spewed their wicked distortions around the room. I was all too familiar with the way rumors tended to bounce around the walls of our school. What starts off as something innocent like an interrupted attempted kiss takes no time to turn into getting caught mid-screw — especially with those gossip trolls! One by one, everyone’s eyes fell on me from all directions, and the looks they threw cut like a jagged knife. Sadly, even skin with the invincibility of diamonds could neither block their sting, nor the painful sentiments behind them. My eyes sought out Kara, who happened to be sashaying proudly towards the table where Ty was sitting with some of his teammates. He didn’t see her approaching until she had plopped down beside him. Kara paused and then purposely looked my way. Judging from the devious grin she was sporting, the little antagonist wanted to make sure I knew exactly who the next recipient of “the news” would be. I couldn’t bear to watch, so I turned away feeling sick to my stomach and shamefaced.
It just so happened that my stare fell upon Katie, who looked like she had just heard the latest scoop. She looked over to where Ty was sitting to see Kara whispering in his ear. Then her eyes searched desperately around the room until she spotted me standing in the middle of the cafeteria. I wasn’t sure, but it seemed that even though Katie was rightfully put out with my recent behavior, her expression appeared to soften. At least I hoped what I saw was genuine, and that it wasn’t just wishful thinking on my part. In the midst of my social demi
se, I truly needed what mattered most — my best, bosom friend.
The sound of irritating crackles blared from the intercom, and then Mrs. Tuttle’s voice announced,
Shiloh Wallace…
Please report to the main office…
You have a visitor…
Shiloh Wallace to the main office.
If there was anyone whose eyes weren’t on me already, they sure were then. Awkwardly, I hurried to the side exit and bolted across campus. Well, at least I have a reason to get out of there. Any longer and they’d have sewn a red “S” on my chest. And rest assured, that monogram wouldn’t stand for the first letter in my name!
As I approached the building that housed the main office, my curiosity kicked-in and my mind began to whirl with speculations. Maybe it’s Tanner? I wasn’t sure if he’d received my message. It wasn’t like he had returned my call. It has to be him.
When I grabbed the door handles, the cold metal hitting my hands forced an alternative thought to emerge. What if it isn’t Tanner? What if it’s LAZARUS? I released the handles like I would a scalding pot on a stove and stared at the door in silence. Even my breaths had come to a screeching halt. He did stop by the house looking for me last night. I’m sure he called Charlotte this morning. She probably told him that I ripped up the check. OH NO! IT CAN’T BE HIM!
Once inside, my pace slowed to a calculated creep. Every step that carried me closer to the office made my heart pound harder and faster. I lingered just outside the door, hoping to make out any voices coming from inside. All I heard was Mrs. Tuttle fussing at some students. While I stood there plastered up against the cold cinder-block wall, my eyes were drawn over to the school’s massive glass trophy case standing directly across the hall. I could make out a few images in the room from the reflection in the glass. I waited with bated breath for my visitor to be revealed, though no one of any interest ever passed by the door.
Without warning, Principal Harless shot into view and stepped out into the hall. No sooner than his loafers hit the speckled terrazzo tiles, his boisterous voice swiftly made my undisclosed location known.
“Ah, there you are, Shiloh. You have a visitor inside. Mustn’t keep him waiting,” Mr. Harless blared as he patted my arm and then marched off down the hall.
So much for the element of surprise, I affirmed as I stood there, locked in a flinch. Surely whoever “he” turned out to be, was now well aware of the fact that I was right outside the door. I took a deep breath and reluctantly stepped into the office.
“Finally,” a familiar voice called out. “I was about to head off to work.”
Every tense muscle in my body immediately relaxed. Samuel. I could have melted right there on the floor. I ran over and hugged him like I hadn’t laid eyes on him in years. It was nice to see at least one face actually smiling at me and not looking back with any sort of judgment or scorn.
“What are you doing here?” I asked in a somewhat shaky voice.
“I came by to check on you.” Samuel noticed I appeared rattled and continued, “ . . . and I think I was right on the money, too. What’s going on? Is it too soon for you to be back?”
I pulled Samuel off to the side. “It wouldn’t be so bad if I weren’t the talk of the school,” I whispered. “It’s been kind of rough today, what with all of the whispers and stares from everyone.”
Samuel looked confused. “What are they whisperin’ about?”
I really didn’t want to repeat any of the distortions to him verbatim. Too embarrassing.
“Let’s just say the whole school has gotten the wrong impression about things that happened at the dance between Mike and me . . . and Ty. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Samuel patted my back. “Oh, Shiloh . . . There are worse things in the world than high school rumors. Don’t give ’em a second thought, honey. Don’t let ’em bother you.”
I couldn’t help but agree with his “worse things in the world” declaration, especially after my adventure last night.
“I know,” I acknowledged with a sigh. “I’ve been trying to put them out of my mind, but it’s kind of hard when EVERYONE is gossiping about you.” I wasn’t sure how it worked when Samuel was my age, but the high school rumor-mill kept up with the times. Not only did you have to put up with the usual nasty chatter and hurtful scribbles, whether etched into lockers or penned on the bathroom walls, but the texts, emails, Facebook postings, tweets, and the occasional video uploaded to YouTube were enough to send any teen into a social-coma. Any other time, I would let something like this simply roll off my back and not give it a second thought, but after the week I’d just had — Can’t I catch a freakin’ break? The thought of a student-wide brainwashing sounded really appealing. If things didn’t get any better, I was planning on asking Tanner exactly how that would work.
“I’m sure it’s not everyone,” Samuel contended. “You teenagers and your drama.” He shook his head and let out a laugh. “Katie wouldn’t gossip about you.”
I lowered my head in shame. “No, you’re right. She’s not gossiping. She’s too busy ignoring me for not returning any of her calls this week. She’s pretty ticked — and I deserve it,” I affirmed, while the promise I’d made to him about “not shutting people out” socked me straight in the gut.
Though Samuel didn’t say it, the I-told-you-so look he shot me sure got his point across. “Katie may be hurt, but she still loves you, Shiloh. It’ll pass.” He grinned and added, “Once you’ve apologized to her, of course. Just wait and see.” Even though I appreciated his assuring words of wisdom, I really wanted to get off the subject.
“Hey, why are going into work so early?” I asked.
Samuel’s smile quickly faded. “There’s been some safety issues . . . or rather, concerns that have been raised by Xcavare Enterprises. Mr. Riverside wants all the foremen present at the meeting. The sale won’t be official until they’re addressed.” Samuel leaned closer and whispered, “If you ask me, I think he’s trying to back out of the deal.”
My eyes flared. “Why do you think that?” Oh, I already knew the answer to that one. Lazarus thinks he knows where the wand is, so why would he buy something he doesn’t need?
“The mine hasn’t had any serious incidents in well over a decade, but Lazarus Xcavare is having his team check on every safety citation over the past forty-three years and going through the mine with a fine-tooth comb. I overhead Mr. Riverside’s attorney telling him that even though the contract was signed, any safety violations would make it null and void if they were found before the waiting period was up. That’s by five o’clock tomorrow afternoon.” Samuel raised his brow as a curious look crept across his face. “What’s got me puzzled is why he wants to buy Shiloh Ridge if he’s trying to get out of purchasing the mine? You wouldn’t happen to know, would you?”
“Samuel . . . Lazarus Xcavare isn’t buying Shiloh Ridge,” I stated. “He can’t. Its rightful owner isn’t selling.” Strangely, my surrogate father didn’t seem the least little bit surprised.
“I figured as much,” Samuel added with a knowing grin. His subdued reaction on the porch the other evening suddenly made sense.
“You knew she couldn’t sell it. You knew Daddy left it to me, didn’t you?” I deduced.
“Yep,” Samuel confirmed as he scanned me from head to toe. “Your mother must’ve not taken it too bad. You’re still in one-piece.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, she took it bad all right, but she’s delusional enough to think that a few random acts of motherly kindness will change my mind — Not a chance!” I insisted with a harsh laugh.
While we stood there amused by the mental image of Charlotte playing the loving role of Mother-of-the-Year, Coach Hayes clomped into the office carrying a stack of files. He carelessly tossed them on Mrs. Tuttle’s desk and sidled over beside us.
“Oh, Wallace,” Coach Hayes remarked with a smirk. “I heard you were
back. You’re a pretty popular girl today.”
My scowl wasn’t nearly as obvious as Samuel’s.
“Easy, Earl,” Samuel growled as he purposely gave Coach Hayes a firm nudge. “You don’t want to get me started on rumors . . . Now do ya?”
Thankfully, Samuel’s derisive innuendo shut him up and sent the now edgy-looking coach out of the office in a hurried huff.
“Are you talking about my mother? The lonely, grieving widow?” I whispered in a low grumble.
Samuel nodded. “I’m sorry you found out about it, honey.”
I shook my head. “I don’t see why Daddy put up with it all these years.”
Samuel patted my back. “Shiloh, there’s always a reason behind someone’s actions. Caiden chose to stay.”
I hesitated. “Did Daddy know about all the others?”
Samuel lowered his head. “I’m afraid so. Shiloh, your father and I told each other everything. Trust me. He knew.” Samuel glanced at the clock. “I’ve got to be headin’ down the road, honey . . . but don’t you pay any attention to those rumors and keep your chin up. Don’t let those fools see that it bothers you.”
“I won’t,” I replied half-heartedly. The rumor-mill was just the icing on the cake. Realistically, it was all the other layers that had me worried. My world had changed basically overnight, whether I liked it or not. My mortality was what concerned me the most. I just wished my return to school today could have offered me some sort of comfort, instead of bombarding me with bullshit at every turn.
Samuel didn’t look convinced. “Now, are you sure there isn’t anything else that’s been bothering you? Anything else you want to get off your chest?” he stressed.
“Nope,” I fibbed. “Just trivial high school stuff.”
“All right . . . If you say so. After all, you would never lie to me,” Samuel remarked as he headed towards the office door. My surrogate father paused when he reached the threshold and in a serious voice added, “Remember what I said, Shiloh. Caiden told me everything. There were no secrets between us.”
I started mulling over what Samuel had mentioned about his bond with Daddy no sooner than he’d left — particularly the part about “secrets”. It really wasn’t what he’d said I found peculiar, but rather how he had said it.
I wonder if Daddy ever told him about the wand? He knew about the land. Is it possible Samuel knows about that, too? He seemed suspicious about something. It sure sounded like his admission was more of an insinuation than a general fact.
I looked up at the clock. Since there were still five more torturous minutes before lunch period would end, I decided to have an impromptu chat with Mrs. Tuttle to bide some time. Regrettably, all she wanted to talk about was Daddy’s passing. Her kind words were touching, but I could have done without the grief counseling and bereavement advice. Yet another in-your-face reminder that Daddy is gone, but she means well. The bell rang before long, beckoning fifth-period. I snuck back to the cafeteria to grab a protein bar and a Diet Coke from the vending machines. I still hadn’t eaten anything today, and my stomach was roaring like an angry volcano about to erupt.
I poked back to my locker. I wasn’t in any hurry to head off to the girls’ locker room to change for gym. Cooped up with those witches in a confined room while I got undressed — No thank you! I opted to hide out in a nearby restroom to scarf down my modest lunch and kill off a few more minutes. Then once I’d felt enough time had passed, I headed for the gymnasium with my head held high (but that was mainly to avoid any sneering faces along the way).
Just as the second bell rang, I ran in to find the girls separated on one side of the gym, already lining up to play volleyball. The guys were assembled on the other, hitting the mats for some more wrestling. Coach Hayes looked none too pleased about my fashionably late arrival.
“Get changed, Wallace, and get on your team’s side!” Coach Hayes yelled as he gruffly motioned me to the team opposite Katie’s. He had placed me on Kara’s side of the court. I sulked into the locker room, eyes rolling. This day just keeps getting better and better…
I was changed and back out on the gym floor in just under two measly minutes. I kept my eyes focused on the side where the girls’ volleyball game was about to start. Since I was still on everyone’s rumor-radar, I didn’t want anyone catching me looking towards the mats. Surely they would think my gaze was directed at Mike. Even if I’d wanted to look at anyone, it would have been Ty. Sadly, however, after the latest round of gossip (courtesy of Kara Leighton), I feared he probably didn’t even want to be in the same room with me.
I jogged over to my team’s side and took a spot on the rear row. Kara glared at me throughout our entire first match, no matter what position she held. We lost, mostly because she was more interested in tossing me dirty looks than smacking the volleyball over the net. However, my contribution to the game was flawless. Everyone noticed too. I even overheard some of the guys waiting to take their turns on the mats making various comments about my “tight” athletic skills. The fact that I thought of Kara’s face every time I whacked the ball paled in comparison to the power the wand had given me…but I thought the mental image couldn’t hurt.
We were about to start our second match when I noticed Ty and Mike taking the same mat from out of the corner of my eye. I didn’t need any telepathic powers to clue me in on their intentions. Their scathing body language was blatantly clear. Ty looked like he could rip Mike’s head off without even blinking. Mike’s cocky attitude didn’t help matters. That snide grin of his alone was enough to egg Ty on as they assumed their positions. You couldn’t cut the tension in the air around them with a knife (though a chainsaw would have hit it just right).
At the sound of Coach Hayes’ silver whistle, the two of them were on top of each other and rolling around like a pair of wild junkyard dogs. No sooner than one had the other close to being pinned, they would break free and then turned the tables on the other. They went back and forth like that way for a good while, each time with increased ferocity. Though the score appeared to be tied, this was no friendly high school gym match. It was obvious that this rowdy bout wouldn’t be over even after someone’s shoulders were successfully pinned.
This was a déjà vu moment if there ever was one. I was too focused on their little grudge match to realize that my team had been trying to get my attention so they could start the next game. Soon, they too were engrossed in watching the match unfold into a savage brawl on the other side of the gym. Mike was even sneaking in a few illegal moves. Coach Hayes didn’t seem to care. He couldn’t have been more oblivious to Mike’s chokehold or even the blow the star quarterback drove into Ty’s back if he’d tried.
What gives? This is high school wrestling, not a WWE smackdown. Even the guys on the sidelines were all riled up and picking sides as they chanted for their intended victor. Mike managed to throw his knee into Ty’s chest, and still Coach Hayes said nothing. I doubt the word “penalty” even entered that pea-brained head of his. Suddenly, Mike hooked one of his elbows behind Ty’s knee and the other behind his head. Once Mike felt he had a firm enough lock, the cocky jock started sliding his knee up for his final move, inevitably leaving Ty pinned. With Mike’s knee planted firmly against Ty’s back, he began to rock Ty onto his shoulders.
Fortunately, Ty was incredibly agile (he proved that on the dance floor last Saturday night). When Mike went in for the kill, Ty arched his form high off the mat, shifting all of his weight back onto his shoulders in one swift maneuver. Mike’s cradle-hold broke when Ty threw all of his weight forward. He landed firmly on his feet in a low squat and then swooped around in less than a second. Ty grabbed both of Mike’s legs, just as the cocky jock tried to rise into a countering stance. Before Mike realized what was happening, Ty pounced on top of him and drove his shoulder blades down onto the blue mat. At the sound of Coach Hayes’ whistle, half the class erupted in cheers for Ty. The
other half looked disappointed that the match had ended without the first drop of blood.
In the midst of all the excitement, Mrs. Tuttle’s voice began to blare through the gymnasium intercom. “Coach Hayes . . . ” she announced.
“Yes, Mrs. Tuttle,” he groaned, clearly ticked-off by her interruption.
“There was a problem with the forms you dropped off,” Mrs. Tuttle replied.
Coach Hayes brow furrowed. “What’s wrong with them?” he snapped.
“They weren’t filled out properly,” Mrs. Tuttle griped back. “You need to come by the office and sign them in the correct places if you want them to go out in today’s mail.”
Coach Hayes grunted. “I’m heading your way.”
On his way out, he called back, “Guys, take a break. Girls, get back to your game. You’ve wasted enough time standing around gawking!”
The loud “bang” from one of the gym doors slamming prompted most of the girls to hurry over and take their sides for the next match. I remained where I stood, still somewhat baffled as to why Coach Hayes let Mike get away with so many underhanded moves. Mike was still lying on the mat and scowling at Ty while his eyes trailed him into the guys’ locker room.
Several of my teammates waved me over to join them. I reluctantly resumed my position on the back row, but my head wasn’t in the game. My instincts told me that this tiff between the two of them was far from over.
I served the ball and tried to keep one eye on the game and the other on Mike. The match became so intense I found myself distracted by several hard drives the other team kept sending my way. After spiking the ball back across the net and scoring another point, I resumed my surveillance, but oddly Mike was nowhere to be found.
Where did he go?
I soon spotted Mike coming out of the guys’ locker room. As he strutted onto the gym floor, I noticed his face looked flushed, and he had an overly boastful air about him, but Ty was still nowhere to be found.
Ty should be out here by now. Where is he? I turned my attention back to Mike, who seemed to be wiping something off his hand. A closer look revealed that it was blood.
“Hey, Shi-HO,” Kara yelled out. “Are you going to serve the ball or what?” Several of the girls erupted into laughter over her cutesy little pun.
My head whipped around quickly. I threw Kara a sweet little smile and swiftly served up the ball — right into the side of her face. She fell to the floor in tears. While the girls on my team huddled around her, crying from the harsh sting, I ran over to Mike.
To heck with what THEY think!
“What were you doing in the locker room, Mike? Where’s Ty?” I demanded gruffly.
Although Mike said nothing, he sure looked guilty as hell. He started to walk away when I grabbed his arm. A vision surfaced. He didn’t have to say a word. His mind had already told me everything I wanted to know. Mike had snuck up on Ty while he was at the fountain getting a drink. He had grabbed him by the back of his head and slammed it into the steel basin. Then Mike pulled him back and punched him in the face. Even after Ty had hit the ground, Mike kicked him in the gut several times. When Mike saw my appalled look, he snatched his arm from my grasp and turned to walk away.
I flew into a rage. I was already struggling with trying not to take my anger over Daddy’s death out on him and dealing with all the rumors floating around about us, but unfortunately this unexpected turn of events forced my final straw to snap.
I ran to catch up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. Then just as soon as he turned around, I drove my right fist into the center of his face. The sound of the sharp “crack” clearly signaled that I’d broken his nose. He let out a whiny moan as he hunched over and covered his face. But I wasn’t about to let him catch his breath, not knowing he didn’t extend Ty that same courtesy. I raised my leg and then with one powerful blow, I planted my foot in the side of his abdomen. I tried to control my freakish strength, but I was pretty sure I ended up cracking a rib (maybe two) as I sent him hurling across the gym floor. I probably would have stopped right there if it weren’t for the raging rush of adrenaline keeping my guilt at bay.
By this time, a crowd of students had formed around us. I heard Kara yelling for someone to stop me as I marched over to scoop Mike up off the ground. I glanced over at the guys. Several of them jumped back. I hoped it was because I looked intimidating and not startling. I’d accidently let a small stream of white swirl within them for a brief moment (I couldn’t help it). Either way, not one of them even gave the notion of pulling me off him an insane second-thought. Most of them were standing there wide-eyed and open-mouthed from the shock of what they were witnessing.
I reached Mike to find him rolling around on the floor. I stood over him and waited until he was on his feet. Then I took a deep breath and grabbed hold of his shoulders. A full second hadn’t passed when Coach Hayes reappeared to witness me slinging Mike into the bleachers, where he landed in the fourth row.
“WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE?!?” Coach Hayes roared. He stood there flabbergasted at the sight of his star quarterback being tossed around like a football — by no less, a lowly girl. He ran over to check on a very battered and bloody Mike Riverside. The gym remained silent. “WALLACE! Explain yourself!” Coach Hayes demanded.
I didn’t say a word. The only thought whirling in my head as I focused my attention on the extremely pissed-off coach was, He had it coming.
“Mike just jumped me in the locker room,” Ty declared. I whipped around to see an equally stunned Ty Smith rushing to my defense. Aside from the dumbfounded look on his face, he looked relatively okay. His nose was a bit bloody, but his appearance paled in comparison to Mike’s.
“If that’s so, then why aren’t YOU the one out here,” Coach Hayes posed in a doubtful tone as he paused to shake his head and added skeptically, “ . . . beating him to a PULP?”
That was a good question. Ty was still too shocked to come up with a logical answer or at the least, a good lie. After a few seconds of silence, Ty proposed, “Look, Shiloh’s been through—”
Coach Hayes was in no mood to for Ty’s excuses or my newfound muteness. He interrupted Ty and jumped right in my face screaming, “I don’t care if your father did just die! You’d better tell me what in the hell has gotten into you!”
I could feel small drops of his spit spraying my cheeks, but I remained still while I watched his nostrils flare up and down like a bird flapping its wings.
“GET YOUR STUFF, WALLACE!” Coach Hayes ordered. “You’re SUSPENDED until further notice!”
I turned and hurried into the locker room. The “old me” would have been devastated by such a harsh strike on my permanent record. However, the “new and improved me” didn’t really give a rat’s ass at the moment. At least I can get out of here. I need an early break from “normal” anyway…
I was changed and back out the door in an instant. My adrenaline continued its vehement surge as I stomped across campus. All I could think about on the way to my car was how Coach Hayes had absolutely no response to Ty’s announcement that Mike had attacked him. He didn’t even care that their wrestling match—that HE had let get so out of hand—had played a part in it. Still raging with anger, I gave my car door an extra-hard slam. I cranked my engine and squealed off down the hill thinking, There’s one for the rumor mill. “Chick pummels star quarterback” — Glad I could contribute!
I headed straight through the middle of downtown Welch along McDowell Street, without a clue as to where I was heading. I didn’t want to go home and have to deal with Charlotte or Chloe. I had no idea if Tanner was at the mine or not, since I still hadn’t heard from him. Beatrix would probably be there finishing out her last week in the office. I wasn’t the least bit hungry. Nothing to do but drive, I thought restlessly.
Now that I was away from “normal” and alone in my car, I was finally starting to calm down. And sure enough, the ol
d me surfaced with a vengeance. Even though Mike deserved everything he had gotten, I rationalized that a lot of the force behind my blows may not have been entirely warranted (despite me holding back about ninety-five percent of it).
I didn’t have to crack his ribs like that. Though, I could have very easily shattered them. Maybe I should’ve held back a few more percent? I knew that was true. As I came to a halt at Welch’s only stoplight located in the center of town, a familiar feeling started to churn.
Crap! Here it comes — The guilt!
I shifted around in my seat, feeling all fidgety, as I sat there at the red light. Wrought with remorse, I kept telling myself, Mike will be okay. He’s a quarterback. He’s taken plenty of hits. No matter how hard I tried to reassure myself with optimistic thoughts, nothing seemed to help alleviate any of my guilt. I let out a shame-fueled sigh as I stared listlessly out the front windshield.
At times like this, karma could always be counted on to deliver a courteous, retaliation blow. And that was what I knew to be true when from out of nowhere, an unwanted sight popped into my view. The dark stranger who was at the Kwik-Serve this morning was crossing the street in front of me. My eyes practically exploded when the man stopped abruptly. He started looking all around, seeming confused by something. The eerie man slowly turned my way. His dark-brown eyes peered into my car and locked with mine.
Not good…
Startled, I jumped and accidently hit the center of my steering wheel. A loud “honk” trumpeted from my car horn, but the stranger never flinched. He just stood there, even after the light had turned green. He seemed engaged by something he sensed, and I had a sneaky suspicion as to what that “something” might be.
Who in the heck IS this guy?
Several cars behind me blew their horns, signaling for the stranger to clear the road. However, the only thing that budged on the dark man were the muscles of his face when they tightened into a nasty sneer.
What’s he doing? Or worse, what’s he thinking about doing? I looked over to see Officer Pete Ryan standing beside one of Welch’s police cruisers parked in front of the town’s central garage. I revved my Charger, hoping the stranger would clear my path, but that only made his lip curl even more. The swirling flecks of the ashy-gray colored light were intensifying in his eyes. My gut was telling me to “get out of here” and fast. He was no ordinary man and clearly on some kind of mission that I was afraid involved me, as well as the diamond wand.
I could run him down. I’ve already committed battery today. What’s a little hit and run? I’d make Officer Ryan’s day. He’d finally get to arrest me. That would save karma the trouble of finishing me off.
The stranger turned to head for the driver’s-side of my car when Officer Ryan stepped away from his cruiser and started walking towards him.
“Hey, buddy! You need to keep moving!” Officer Ryan advised him sternly.
The stranger glowered at the town cop for a moment. He finally followed him with a reluctant gait, but only because Officer Ryan had threatened to physically escort him to the sidewalk. Oh, I knew this creepy guy wasn’t the least bit intimidated. He just didn’t want to cause a supernatural-scene in the middle of town with plenty of witnesses around.
My wheels ripped out a wicked “s-c-r-e-e-c-h” as I peeled off down the road. I glanced into my rearview mirror. Officer Ryan was waving his fist in the air at me, but I was more interested in what the creepy man dressed in black was doing. I peered into the mirror again, carefully trying to keep from veering off the road. His eyes never left me for a second, watching me like a hawk until I disappeared from his sight.
I became consumed with panic, followed by paranoia. Who the hell is he and what does he want? Surely there’s a reason he threw me that dirty look? He had to have sensed “something”. I was afraid the same thing that revealed his identity to me had given mine away to him.
I hurried to the Heritage Inn to find Tanner. He wasn’t there. On a hopeful whim, I headed over to Beatrix’s house to see if she’d gotten off early. I arrived a few minutes later to find no signs of anyone being at home.
Crap…
I sat there and twisted my ponytail while I contemplated my next move. I still didn’t want to go home and deal with Charlotte. Anyway, if the stranger was connected to Lazarus, surely they would put two and two together and could easily track me down there. I couldn’t drive around town aimlessly for the rest of the afternoon. I was bound to run into the dark man again. I certainly couldn’t stay parked here—all alone—especially not out in the open like a sitting duck with a target on my back. The ideal place was somewhere public and full of people where I could blend in until Tanner contacted me.
The perfect place popped into my head — the Sterling Drive-In. I could conceal my vehicle with the other parked cars and hide out in the kitchen. Charlie would appreciate the help, and I could sure use the money. I laughed to myself as I pulled onto the road, headed for the Sterling Drive-In. That’s funny. I just tore up a check for fifty million dollars, and I’m excited about $5.00 and hour, plus tips!
I arrived at the Sterling Drive-In to find it hopping with customers and plenty of cars parked in the lot, to my delight. I slipped into a space between two large pick-up trucks that I knew belonged to a couple of regulars who tended to hang around jawing way past their checks. Knowing I would feel even more at ease once I was inside, I dashed across the lot and was charging through the side employee entrance within a matter of seconds. My lungs exhaled a weighty sigh of relief just as soon as I’d slung all my things in my locker…one that could have very easily toppled an entire forest of trees.
As I breezed past Charlie’s office, I spotted Naomi Perkins chatting on the phone. She was one of the Drive-In’s full-time waitresses and the only person I truly liked working with, aside from Charlie. Naomi was tall, sassy, and had the thickest head of hair I’d ever seen. I wasn’t sure what the correct name for its color was since her multi-hued locks contained a natural mix of dark blonde, light brown, and even flecks of red. She had always affectionately referred to it as “piss-burnt blonde”. Secretly, I suspected there was something going on between Charlie and Naomi. I’d caught them passing flirty looks back and forth during their shifts on SEVERAL OCCASIONS. Why they didn’t just come out in the open with it was beyond me — but to each his (or her) own.
Naomi popped into the hallway. “Hey girl,” she called out. “Whatcha doin’ here? Charlie told me he gave ya the week off. Don’t tell me he asked ya to come in.”
“No, Naomi. I wanted to. I um . . . I need the money,” I replied. That wasn’t a lie. “I’m just going to help back in the kitchen, if that’s okay? I still don’t want to be around people, if you know what I mean.”
Naomi leaped over some boxes and gave me a big hug. “I understand, darlin’. When my pappy passed, I didn’t want to see or talk to no one! Daggum everybody reminded me of him.” She gave me a firm peck on the cheek and added, “If there’s anything ya need, just gimmie me a holler.” She turned to the mirror hanging in the hall and gave her boobs a quick lift & shift. “Gotta go work on those tips,” Naomi called back as she sashayed out the side door. Tickled by her brazen gesture, I shook my head and smiled as I turned to step into the kitchen.
Charlie was shocked to see me. “I told you to take the whole week off, Shi. What are you doing here?” he asked. Before I could even answer, he glanced at his watch and added skeptically, “School’s not out yet, is it?”
“Not exactly,” I answered evasively.
“What do you mean, ‘not exactly’?” Charlie probed while he chopped up a head of lettuce.
No since in beating around the bush. The news of Mike’s ass-kicking will hit the Drive-In by the time the dinner-rush rolls in.
“I mean, school’s not out yet . . . but for someone who just got suspended for fighting it is,” I confessed.
Maybe I should have omi
tted the “fighting” part. I felt awful watching Charlie slice his finger open at the startling notion that I, “Miss Sweet & Innocent”, not to mention, “easy-going & tolerates most everyone”, just got into a fight at school.
Charlie quickly wiped the blood off his finger with a damp towel and wrapped it in some gauze he kept handy for such emergencies. He shook his head and resumed chopping.
“With who?” Charlie asked. “Was it Kara? I didn’t want to say anything, but that girl has run her mouth about you all week. I told her last night that I’d had enough of it and then I sent her home early. You should have seen the look on her face when I said she wouldn’t be punchin’ one more hour on my clock until she learned some manners.” Charlie had a proud look in his eyes. Thankfully someone in this town besides Samuel had my back.
“No, it wasn’t Kara. It was Mike . . . Mike Riverside,” I blurted.
I was going to have to take some lessons on tact. At the release of my victim’s identity, Charlie nicked another one of his fingers.
“Shoot, Shiloh! I’d better not let you tell me anymore. I’m kinda fond of my digits.” He wiped off his middle finger and wrapped it in the same fashion as the other one. “YOU got into a fight with the town’s golden child?”
I lowered my head and nodded.
“Do I have to ask who won?” my curious boss inquired, looking like he had his fingers mentally crossed.
“It wasn’t a fair fight,” I muttered. Charlie straightened his stance and positioned his head straight as a rule, preparing himself for my answer. “I did. He never stood a chance,” I assured him. The news floored Charlie. I’d never seen him looking so slack-jawed, not even last year when he found all the bays toilet-papered top to bottom with a sign that read, “The Mummy Lives” the morning after Halloween. Good thing he’d put down the knife.
“So? You’re on the lam . . . You don’t want to go home, and you’re wantin’ to hide out here. Is that about right?” Charlie posed with a wise smile.
I flashed him a shameful grin. “That’s the plan. Just for a few hours in the kitchen, if that’s okay? I could really use the money too.”
“Say no more,” Charlie replied. “Throw on an apron and grab a hairnet and some gloves — Rocky.”
“Thanks, Charlie. You don’t know how much I appreciate this.”
The Drive-In stayed steady for the rest of the afternoon. It was almost 6 o’clock, and the dinner crowd was now pouring in. Thankfully the parking lot never appeared empty or even slightly bare, which kept my whereabouts well under wraps.
Naomi came bustling behind the counter. “Hey, Shi. I need two Mountain Man burgers with the works, one with fries, the other with rings.” She handed me her order ticket and whirled around to head back out. The sassy server stopped abruptly and then spun back around. “Oh, and um . . . there’s a guy outside askin’ ’bout ya,” she announced, sporting an odd look on her face.
“Did he say who he was?” I asked as I ran over to the front window, hoping it was Tanner.
“No,” Naomi replied. “He just wanted to know who drove the Charger parked outside and where they were.”
My eyes locked on my inquirer just as she was finishing her sentence. I gasped and quickly ducked out of sight.
Damn! It’s the stranger…
Chapter 21
