Today was turning out to be a virtual waste. I don’t know why I had even bothered with school. I accomplished not a damn thing, because all I could think about was what was going to happen tonight. How ironic would it be to die in the same place twice?
There were so many questions and uncertainties circling around in my head. Of course I hadn’t gotten up the nerve yet to tell Chase what I planned to do. I knew that he would stop me, shoot down my plan and list all the reasons why it sucked big time. How it was destined to end in my death, and really, it just might. However, nothing was going to change my mind, so I didn’t see the point in confiding in him.
Lie by omission.
I was praying that it would buy me just enough time to save my mom before Chase came storming in to wreak havoc. It wasn’t a matter of “if” but “when”. He would be in rare form, a raging demon with a serious bout of devastation. A problem for another day, and I just hoped he would forgive me.
“Why so down in the dumps, Morgan?” And just like that I was wedged in a Brandy and Kailyn sandwich.
“Did you see the article in the paper? About the killer still on the loose?” Kailyn asked, chatting as if she were talking about what she had for breakfast.
I found it hard to focus on what they were saying, but the mention of Alastair had me perking up, fired by anger and fear—a deadly combo in my book. It could make a person clumsy and do redonkulous things.
It had a been a few months since Sierra’s murder, but the fact that her killer was still at large kept people on edge. Let them think that was what troubled me. It was better than the truth.
My mom had been kidnapped by a psychotic demon.
“It’s so strange,” Brandy said, flipping her long dark hair over her shoulder. “You never think something like that would happen in your town.”
“I can’t wait to get out of here,” Kailyn sighed, her brown curls bopping with her bouncing steps.
“College—sweet freedom and fresh meat,” Brandy said, running her tongue over her teeth. “Just what this girl needs.”
“Where are you and Chase going to school next year?” Kailyn asked.
Everyone just assumed that we would be attending the same school. My college plans were nonexistent. Procrastination at its finest. But since I lived my life day to day, preparing for my future seemed pointless.
I just might not have one.
“We haven’t decided,” I admitted, shrugging as we shuffled into class.
While my friends were making college plans, I was plotting to meet a demon in secrecy in exchange for my mother. I wouldn’t exactly say our problems and fears were even on the same planet.
When the last bell rang and we all made a mad dash home, I was one of the first out the door, followed closely by my jaw-dropping shadow. There were still a few hours left of daylight before I would return to school and venture off deep into the woods behind the football field. There was no part of my nervous body that actually wanted to step foot in those woods, but before I plunged into the clutches of the enemy, I had something to do first.
Alone.
“Why the rush, Angel Eyes?” he asked, slipping behind the wheel.
Getting a few hours to myself would be difficult, but not impossible. I had a feeling that I was going to be gripped with female problems, a sure sign to send a guy packing. If I added some groaning and an excuse that I was going to barricade myself in my room with a heating pad, all the more convincing. “I’m feeling shitty. Cramps.”
He winced and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. I swore there was even a line of sweat starting to form at his brow.
So far so good. I mentioned the word cramps and he practically ran from the car with his hands over his ears when we got home. He couldn’t have left any faster if I had screamed fire. It would have been hilarious if my stomach weren’t in a gazillion knots. Making Chase squirm was almost as fun as playing Guild Wars 2.
Almost.
Booking it into my house, I made a beeline for my bedroom. There was no time to waste. I had a lot of ground to cover.
I stared at my closet, chewing on my lip as I wondered what one wore to her death. There was no optimism in me at the moment, which immediately made me feel hordes of sadness and regret. I wish I had kissed him one last time before he had left, but the memories of last night, being in his arms were going to have to do.
Funny how crap always turns out like that. When you are at the brink of deep shit, you never say or do all the things you need to, or wish you had. If I even thought about calling to say I love you, he would be at my doorstep before I blinked.
Oh sweet Jesus, I was going to miss those lips.
Finally, I decided that I wanted to pass over to the other side in comfort. Screw style. It was uncomfortable. It was impractical. And it was itchy. All things I disliked very much.