“You lost me,” Beatriz said, confused.
“Ahgred is like Morik but not. He’s bad. He’d been using people to watch me. Possessing them. Remember Ashley?”
Beatriz’s eyes rounded. “Possessed?”
“Yes, and because of that, I made a deal with Morik, trading my freedom to keep Ahgred from using people to watch me or speak to me. The people Ahgred used remembered everything. He’d been using Brian. When I saw Brian last, before the shooting, he’d been crying, curled in a ball in the woods. Morik told me that he’d gotten Brian help. But, I think Ahgred tried using Brian again after that. That’s why Brian showed up at the door. How else would he know where Morik lived?”
“Does that help us?” Beatriz asked, still clearly confused.
“Yes and no. It doesn’t give us an answer, but it gives me a place to start asking questions.”
“Whoa, wait. You want to talk to Ahgred? Didn’t you just say he was bad?”
The librarian shushed us. Beatriz picked up a book and pretended to read.
I chewed on my lip and considered her very valid point. I’d spoken to Ahgred when safely inside Morik’s house and had been fine. However, I hadn’t fared as well when he’d used Ashley, and I wore his mark because of it.
The deal I’d made with Morik cut off the possibility of daytime contact. That meant nighttime contact only. Without Morik around, if Ahgred found me, he would try to finish burning his mark into my skin.
I shivered, and we sat there in silence, each lost in thought until the bell rang.
After school, Beatriz gave me a ride home.
“Maybe you could make a deal with Ahgred to get information,” she said, pulling into my driveway.
“No. That’s how he marked me the first time. Whatever he could tell me isn’t worth the price. Like you said, either Morik’s alive, or he isn’t. Knowing won’t change anything.”
She sighed and said what I knew she’d been working up to for a week now.
“You would know if you should start looking for someone else.”
“No, Beatriz. I won’t kill someone so I can live. And I won’t pass on Belinda’s stupidity to another generation. It ends with me.”
She nodded but didn’t look like she took me seriously.
I got out of the car and waved as she left. Down the road, a figure abruptly turned and walked away. I recognized the back of Brian’s head and felt a shiver of fear. He moved stiffly, a slight twitch to his walk.
Belinda’s deal wasn’t the only threat to my existence.
The next day, Beatriz made school slightly uncomfortable for me. Boys continued to stop over during lunch and ask me on dates. The whole time, she sat across from me, and with a beaming smile, she countered every excuse I gave.
During a pause between boys, I growled at Beatriz. “What are you offering them? Money?”
She waved away my scowl with a laugh. “No way. I said you’re easy.”
“Beatriz!” I hissed.
“Oh, calm down. I needed to give them a fast motivation.” She dragged a fry through a mound of ketchup and plopped it in her mouth. “You’re the only one who’s accepted your fate. I haven’t. I’ll risk our friendship until the end just for a chance to have you around long enough to apologize.”
Unwilling to yell at her, I rubbed my head at her brusque attitude.
“Let’s make a deal,” I said, not wanting this to continue. “You talk Tommy into coming home this weekend to be your date, and I’ll agree to go on a double-date with you two.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Tommy?”
“Yep, and you can pick my date.”
“Deal,” she said the word with the tone of a dare.
After that, Beatriz stopped prodding me to say yes to any date requests. She also stayed close-mouthed about the identity of my date and our destination. On the off-chance she might forget about it, I didn’t bring it up either.
I should have known better.
Friday, after school, Brad and Tommy waited for us outside. The image of Morik leaning against his motorcycle as he waited haunted me for a moment. I wrapped my arms around myself as I followed Beatriz to Brad’s car.
Brad held open the front door for me, his presence not unexpected. I didn’t imagine he liked the idea of his sister going anywhere with Tommy without him. Tommy, looking very uncomfortable, held the back door for Beatriz.
“So, what are we doing, Bea?” Brad asked once we all sat in the car.
She grinned at him. “Roller skating.”
Both guys groaned. I couldn’t ever remember roller skating and didn’t think the date would end well for me.
Ten minutes later, Brad parked outside a nearly deserted roller rink. I wanted to ask Beatriz who we were meeting, but Brad hung back to hold the door open for us. Rather than bring it up in front of him, I followed Beatriz into the building.
Inside, multi colored lights flashed in time with the music. Beatriz led the way to a long counter that guarded several racks of skates. The man leaning against the counter asked what kind of skates we wanted, and Beatriz asked for her size in a speed skate.
I looked at the rink. A worker sped around the loop. I definitely didn’t plan on any speed, so I asked for regular skates when it was my turn.
Beatriz laughed, but Brad elbowed her. With a smirk, she picked up her skates and moved away. Tommy grabbed his skates and sat beside her to lace up.
Brad and I took our skates and went to a separate area, away from Beatriz and Tommy.
“Have you done this before?” Brad asked.
I shook my head and stuffed my foot into a skate. Another new experience. The prospect didn’t thrill me as much as it probably should have.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “Beatriz used to beg me to bring her here all the time. With enough time and practice, you’ll catch on.”
I nodded and tried standing. Brad, already laced, stood with me to offer his support. I pin-wheeled my arms numerous times as we made our way to the glossy wood floor. Beatriz hovered in front of Tommy, encouraging his movements while she effortlessly glided backward.
Brad wrapped his hand around mine. His firm grip steadied me, and Beatriz’s diabolical plan flashed clearly.
“So, what did Beatriz say to get you here?” I asked as Brad and I inched our way along.
“That you wanted a double-date with me and Tommy. I wasn’t too thrilled about the idea of Beatriz and Tommy; but if they’re within sight, it’s not so bad.” He gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
I couldn’t speak. Beatriz would sacrifice her brother like that? My gaze darted to her. She caught my glance and gave me a sad smile.
“I’m dying,” I said flatly, looking at Brad.
He laughed, probably thinking I referred to my pathetic attempts at skating.
“Beatriz isn’t accepting it. I wanted this date because I’m hoping that Tommy will distract her from it. In a good way.”
Brad spun in front of me, stopping us both, his expression serious.
“She’s the first real friend I’ve ever had,” I said. “And I don’t want her to dwell on this. I didn’t think she’d pull you into it.”
“She pulls me into everything,” he said with quiet affection. “What do you have?”
Bad luck, I thought.
“It doesn’t matter. What does matter is the time I have left. She’s going to need you and,” I looked toward Tommy who now held her hand, “Tommy, too, I think.”
“When?”
“About two weeks.”
Brad’s eyes widened briefly. Then he turned and helped me around the rink. When we finished the loop, we sat together to watch Beatriz and Tommy skate by several times. Brad kept his hand wrapped around mine, and I didn’t mind. I felt less lonely that way.
They took me home before dark. Beatriz grinned as she walked me to the door. Tommy and Brad stayed in the car.
“I saw,” she said knowingly.
I shook my head, said goodbye, and walked inside. Her laughter echoed through the door as I leaned my head against it.
She’d witnessed me holding Brad’s hand and took it as hope. My throat closed, and a tear spilled over. I would never do that to her or Brad.
“Everything okay?” my mom asked behind me. I heard hope in her voice, too.
“Yes,” I said, keeping the devastation from my voice. “Can we start the chant early?”
I needed the peace of oblivion.
I rushed out the door with Aunt Grace’s keys in my pocket and two boxes in my arms.
Across the street, the sight of Brian brought me up short. This time, he didn’t walk away. He stood there shaking and watching me. Anger pierced me.
“Didn’t you do enough?” I screamed at him.
He visibly jumped and turned away, quickly putting distance between us.
While I could understand his trauma after being used by Ahgred, I couldn’t understand why he’d gone after Morik. Morik had never touched him. Why not go after Ahgred? Perhaps facing Ahgred in the dark proved too risky. Hadn’t I shied away from the same thing? Whatever Brian’s reason, his continued strange behavior worried me. I didn’t like that he watched our house. Could he be waiting for my family?
Dropping the boxes into the backseat of the car, I dashed back into the house to tell everyone about the encounter.
“Ahgred mentioned that,” Aunt Danielle said, surprising us all.
“What do you mean?” I said.
“Brian’s been trying to watch you. Each time he gets too close, Ahgred turns him around.”
“No, I mean why are you talking to Ahgred?” I asked. I wasn’t the only one staring at her as if she’d gone crazy.
“It keeps him quiet so the rest of you can sleep. He can’t hurt me anymore,” she said softly.
“Just be careful,” I said to everyone before leaving.
I didn’t see Brian again throughout the day, and given everything that I’d been going through lately, Mona didn’t mention my distraction.
A few minutes before closing, Brad came in.
Since Mona was already in back, cleaning up, I moved behind the counter to take his order. Instead of ordering, he asked if I wanted to walk the few blocks to the theatre and catch a movie.
“Beatriz?” I asked suspiciously.
“No. She’s at home with Tommy, chaperoned by our parents. I thought you might want to get out and enjoy something a little less intense than roller skating.”
I really didn’t want to, but something in his expression told me he had just as much determination as Beatriz. So, I nodded and told him it would take me a few minutes to clean up.
As soon as Mona saw him waiting, she gave me Gran’s money, my share of the tips, and sent us on our way. We walked together, not really talking, which was a good thing. A light rain had obliterated all traces of winter’s snow. The visual reminder of the passing time tightened my throat and stung my eyes.
By the time we reached the theater, I was more composed. We chose a comedy and spent the next two hours sitting side by side.
Smiling with the closing credits, I turned to Brad to see his reaction to the movie. His eyes already watched me. No smile lit his face. Before I could ask why, he leaned in and kissed me. The kiss differed from the one he’d given me on the porch. One, it lasted longer. Two, it lacked any playful flavor. It tasted of good-bye and regret.
He pulled back slowly, sorrow lining his face.
“She wouldn’t talk about it last night other than to say she wasn’t giving up on you,” he said.
“I know she won’t. That’s why it will hurt her the most.”
He nodded and took my hand. Wordlessly, we left the theatre.
Beatriz dropped me off after school on Thursday, and I watched her pull away with relief. Four weeks had passed since the shooting, and tonight marked the first night of my last week. No more chant. No more hiding.
I walked into the house and dropped my books on the floor.
“A lot of homework?” Gran asked. I shrugged and went to sit by Aunt Danielle, who watched me closely.
“Giving up the pretense?” she asked quietly when I sat.
“Maybe,” I whispered back, closing my eyes. “I don’t know.”
They left me alone through dinner. I stayed next to Aunt Danielle, not wanting to eat. Restlessness grew. My mom noticed and suggested I go for a quick walk around the block before dark. I tugged on my jacket and slipped out the door, pretending not to notice her tears or Gran’s consoling embrace.
My feet decided on a long walk and carried me to Morik’s house. I stood outside and stared at the dark windows, remembering the fun we’d had inside.
“I didn’t look up that night,” Brian said behind me, startling me.
I whirled to face him. He stood a few steps away, his hands empty and at his sides. He didn’t look at me but watched the house. He looked clean and amazingly composed. The sallow complexion and weight loss remained unchanged, though.
“What night?” I asked, eyeing his bulky jacket. Did he have the gun hidden? I blinked against the sting in my eyes.
“The night of that party. When they take over, you can’t see them.”
I remained quiet as I understood what he said. He’d meant to shoot Ahgred.
“He still controls me, or tries to. I figured out how to keep him out.” His tone was pleased, but his flat, lifeless gaze didn’t look it.
Shivering, I struggled to maintain eye contact.
“It’s you,” he whispered. “He can’t control me when I think of you or watch you.”
My deal with Morik had protected Brian, but not the way I’d intended.
“I’m so sorry, Brian.”
He nodded absently and went back to watching the house. “Will that one come back?”
I turned away so he wouldn’t see the grief in my eyes. “I don’t think so.”
“I watched you with him,” he admitted. “The night before I shot him. You danced with him. Why?”
A slight rustle of material indicated he moved. I glanced back at him, worried, but he had only placed his hands in his pockets.
“He’s different than the other one,” I said cautiously. The vibrant colors of the sun cut through the evening clouds, reminding me of the time. “I have to start walking back, Brian.”
He nodded but didn’t move out of my way. “Not safe for you after dark, is it?”
The way he said it froze my insides with fear.
“Brian?”
“Tell me why, Tessa,” he said. “Why did you dance with him?”
Something within me let go. It didn’t matter anymore. This fear and uncertainty. I’d already determined my family would be fine without me. Sad, yes, but they would survive losing me.
So I gave Brian the answer he wanted. The truth.
“I love him.”
Fire ignited on the surface of my skin, connecting the base of my skull to the end of my mark in an instant. Instead of fading, the burn intensified, sinking deeper into the tissue. I gasped in pain.
Brian watched me dispassionately as he pulled something from his pocket.
“That’s what I thought.” He nodded to himself and pushed me toward Morik’s house.
I stumbled along and struggled to focus. Morik’s link. Completed. If he were dead, that shouldn’t be possible, should it? Excitement and hope bloomed.
Brian reached around me and indicated the door with his gun, killing my hope.
“Open it,” he directed. “Sun’s almost down. We’re safe in there.”
Numbly, I twisted the knob. The door swung open. The foul smell of rancid garbage permeated the air. Dirty dishes mounded in the sink. I frowned at the sight.
“Ahgred can’t reach us in here. It’s the only place I’ve been able to sleep in weeks.”
Brian’s cleaned-up state made more sense. I stepped inside and heard him enter behind me.
“Now what?” I asked, without turning.
“We wait just a minute. It won’t take long.” Moving around me, he positioned himself so I stood between him and the door.
We watched each other as the bold pink highlighting the sky faded to a dusky blue. A sound like a distant train caught my attention. Before me, Brian quivered, and his skin took on a grey hue. His gaze didn’t waver from what he watched just behind me.
I faced the door, fearing the dark more than Brian’s gun. No lights flickered to life outside the house as the sun completely fell behind the horizon. Darkness consumed everything through the open doorway.
Two green lights blinked into existence in the street. Behind me, Brian made a small, frightened noise.
Ahgred.
“We need to close the door,” I gasped, rushing forward. Brian caught me from behind.
“No,” he shrieked. “He’s been waiting for you. It’s time to end this.”
I struggled, but Brian held me tight. Outside, Ahgred approached the house, his dark smoky form invisible until he reached the pool of light that illuminated the area just before the front step.
Brian pushed me hard out the door. The threshold tripped me, and I fell to my knees on the stoop. Ahgred hesitated just a few feet away. He didn’t look at me but, instead, focused on Brian.
I risked a backward glance and saw that Brian had the gun leveled at me. My heart thumped heavily.
“If you’re gone,” Brian whispered, “they have no reason to come back.”
A light flared at the end of the gun.
An invisible hand knocked me off balance, and heat flared where it had hit me. The boom of the gun echoed around us.
Ahgred gave an inhuman cry and sprang toward Brian. I watched the terror on Brian’s face grow as Ahgred stepped through the door. Locked in fear, Brian didn’t try to run. Ahgred sank into Brian.
I fell back onto my butt, struggling to breathe. Whatever had hit me had knocked the wind out of me.
Ahgred, in possession of Brian’s body, lifted the gun to fire it once more. Brian crumpled to the floor, sightlessly staring at the ceiling.
Ahgred had killed Brian, and I understood why as I collapsed onto the cement. Brian had shot me.
A fine tremor started in my hands and worked its way through my limbs.
“Morik is fortunate to have you,” Ahgred said nearby.
I blinked at the stars that shone above me.
“He feels your pain and struggles to return. I can ease your discomfort, for a touch,” Ahgred offered.
I laughed, a dry sound that brought a wave of pain.
“No deals. Never again. What will be will be.”
Dizzy and suddenly too tired to keep my eyes open, I floated in a pain-filled void until the pain, too, began to fade.
Somewhere in the darkness, Ahgred roared.
