Ember X (Death Collectors)

chapter 7

Everyone in the town is calling Laden’s disappearance the Angel of Death Killing. The rumor spread about the detective interrogating me right on campus. It’s like I’ve relapsed back to three years ago, right after my dad vanished. The halls are fluttering with whispers of “Freak,” Psychopath,” and “Murderer.” But I walk with my head held high. A little gossip and dirty looks are nothing compared to being plagued by death every day.

I’m contemplating bailing out on my last class of the day, but Raven still hasn’t shown up yet and she hasn’t called or replied to any of my texts, so I go to the McDonalds next door to get some lunch. I’m waiting for my order to be put on the tray, when Mackenzie Baker comes brushing by, knocks her shoulder into mine, and nearly breaks a high heel trying to recover her balance. Ropes bind her wrist and mouth. Darkness devours her. Come out, come out, wherever you are. It’s a game and Mackenzie loses, lost in a sea of blood. I’ve seen her death before and it never gets easier.

Glaring at me, she flips her hair and quickly returns to the conversation with the girl she’s with.

“So was I right?” The soft touch of Cameron’s voice sends a rush of adrenaline through my body and I quiver.

I step back and elongate the distance between us, but really I want to move closer to him. “Were you right about what?”

“About your poem,” he says with a charming smile.

“You think I’m in pain?” I ask as the cashier sets French fries down on my tray

“I think your heart carries a lot of pain.” He steps forward, reducing the already limited space between us. “But that you hide it, just like you hide a lot of things.”

He’s striking a nerve. “Isn’t everyone hiding something?” I ask.

“Now those are the words of a true writer.” He reaches behind me, missing my arm by an inch, and steals some of my French fries. “But the question is, what are you hiding, Ember?”

There’s accusation in his tone—he’s heard the rumors. “Bodies in the basement of my house and a burner full of ashes,” I say darkly.

He’s unfazed, tipping his head back and dropping the stolen fries into his mouth. “Weird, because that’s the same thing I have in my basement.”

“I’d be happy that we share something in common, but we both know that neither of our houses have basements.”

“Yep, but they have attics,” he says and it no longer sounds like he’s joking. “And attics are excellent places to hide bodies too.”

I grab my cup from the tray and turn to the fountain.

He laughs. “Relax, I’m just kidding.”

I offer him a small smile, loosening up a little as I fill up the cup with ice and then soda. Then I pick up my tray and my eyes browse the room lined with tables and benches.

“So what are your plans for the rest of the day?” I ask, heading for a corner table as Cameron trails at my heels. “More sneaking into classes or do you have work?”

“I work online,” he answers vaguely.

“Doing what?”

“Boring stuff.”

“You are very cryptic. You know that?”

“I do.” He smiles at me, pleased.

There’s a lot of chattering and wandering eyes at the accused killer standing in the center of the room. Who am I even looking for? I spot Asher in the far corner table, sitting with a group of people about my age. Wow, he made friends fast.

Asher’s gaze finds mine and his eyes light up, but then he notices Cameron standing next to me and the lightness alters to a glare. Cameron returns the glare with equal animosity.

“I thought you said you didn’t know him?” I ask Cameron with cynicism in my tone.

He blinks the glare away and smiles politely. “I don’t know him. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got places to be.” He struts off to where Mackenzie and her friend are sitting, eating salads, and he immediately starts flirting with her.

“Hot and cold much,” I mumble.

Asher waves me over. I hesitate, not at him, but at the rest of the people at the table who are just as afraid of me as Mackenzie is. But then Asher smiles and I remember how he tasted in the art room, how he felt, how he touched me, and my doubting and worries crumble.

I take a seat at the table and everyone gives me subtle nods, except for Farrah Taverson, who is the only girl at the table. She’s been dating Laden Miller for a while and she scowls at me, gathers her medieval era dress before she leaves the table and heads out into the parking lot.

“You looked like you needed help,” Asher whispers in my ear and then his takes a gentle nip at my earlobe. “Was that guy harassing you?”

My shoulders spasm as I stir a fry in a cup of ranch. “No, he was being…” I trail off because I don’t really have a clue what Cameron was being toward me.

“So, Raven still not shown up yet, huh?” he asks and I shake my head, frowning as he takes a bite of his burger. He licks a dab of mayo from his lip and I imagine licking it off him, along with many other things.

As my body starts to hum with the images of where his tongue could search, I squeeze my legs together. “No, I think she’s probably bailed and went shopping for the day. She loves to shop.”

He offers me a forced smile. “I’m sure she does.” His eyes scan me over. “Are you okay?” His gaze travels to my forehead. “Did you go to the doctor after the accident?”

“Yeah,” I lie. “And I’m fine.” I wiggle my arms, bending my elbows. “No broken bones. No concussion. I’m like a walking miracle.”

“What about your car?” he asks with concern, leaning closer to examine me and I can feel the heat of his breath on my lips.

My mood plummets. “That’s definitely a goner.”

“And how about… How are you doing with what everyone else is saying?”

I shrug. “It’s not the first time they’ve wanted to burn me at the stake.”

Leaning back, he takes another bite of his sandwich and changes the subject. “So you never answered my question.”

“About what?” I asks, sipping on my soda.

“About the guy you were with just now?” He chews on a French fry.

“That’s Cameron.” I unwrap my chicken sandwich. “He’s the other new guy here and coincidently, he’s also from New York.”

“That’s weird.” His jaw tightens and he throws the rest of his food into his bag. “I don’t have to worry about him being competition do I?”

I snort a laugh, figuring he’s joking, but the serious expression on his face silences me. “No, you don’t have to worry about that.” Heat swells inside my body as he smiles and bites his lip.

“Would you do me a favor?” He stands up and collects his garbage. “Would you show me around the town a little bit?”

“Sure… Although, I’m surprised no one else has offered to yet, especially Mackenzie.” I grab my sandwich and garbage and rise to my feet.

He laughs, glancing at Mackenzie in the corner, and I realize he’s already talked to her. “I don’t think I’m really Mackenzie’s type.”

I eye his goth/emo style; a plaid shirt, black jeans, combat boots, the studs and skulls on his leather bands. He has piercings and even though he’s not, it looks like he is wearing a hint of black liner around his eyes hooded by long, thick eyelashes. He’s not her type, but he’s still strikingly beautiful, especially his eyes.

“Give her time,” I say. “In fact, I’m pretty sure if you decide to show up at the next frat party, she’ll probably whisk you away to the upstairs room in a heart beat.”

He throws his garbage into the trash, but holds onto some French fries. “And what about you? Would you whisk me away to the upstairs room?”

I dump my tray into the garbage, my skin growing warm. “I don’t know… Would you want me to?”

He doesn’t answer and my heart sinks into my chest. I don’t understand, though, because he kissed me and touched me pretty much all over.

We walk for the exit door, side-by-side, and at that moment, everyone else doesn’t exist. I crave for him to touch me again, for him to feel every inch of my body.

I eat my sandwich as we roam up the sidewalk, walking passed the park, the town square, the shopping mall. I explain where everything is, who everyone is that’s walking around, and it doesn’t take long since the town is a mere blip in the center of massive amount of mountains

“I used your name this morning,” I admit quietly when we stop in the center of the park. “When a cop brought me in for questioning.” He appears mystified so I add, “Questioning for Laden’s disappearance.”

“I knew what you were talking about,” he says, leaning against the frame of the gazebo entrance. “I was just wondering why you said it so guilty. I know you were with me.”

“For part of the time,” I clarify, shuffling my toe in front of me. “You dropped me off around three and she wanted to know where I was between the hours of two and four.”

He gets this funny look on his face, like he might laugh. “So where were you for the extra hour? Or should I say we?”

“You don’t have to cover for me,” I tell him. “Your name just slipped out because it seemed a lot better than telling her I was up at my house with a friend that was trashed out of her mind. And I’ve been through this before and excuses like that don’t fly.”

“When your dad disappeared?”

“How do you know about that?”

His face is guarded. “People like to talk a lot around here, I’ve noticed.”

I shy away. “I’m sorry. I’ll go find the detective and tell her the truth.” I turn for the campus, but he moves around me and blocks my path.

“Last night was one of the best nights of my life,” he starts. “I have never made out so long before and the lake was beautiful, crystal clear with a bright moon setting. And Ember… she is the most amazing kisser.”

“Yeah, I think you took it one step too far on the last sentence.” I stifle a smile. “You might want to leave that part out.”

He shakes his head. “I know from this morning that the last sentence is the most truthful part of my statement.”

I touch my finger to my lips, trying not to grin. “Maybe that’s because you were inhaling to much paint fumes.”

“No way.” He challenges me with a cock of his eyebrow. “But just to make sure, I think I might need to have a refresher.” He stands up straight and coils a strand of my hair around my finger, watching for my reaction.

But I have no idea what to say or to so I change the subject. “You seriously don’t have to cover for me.” My phone rings inside my bag, but I ignore it. “I can figure out something else.”

“It’s fine,” he insists, releasing my hair. “I know you didn’t do it.”

There are no words to express my gratitude. “Thanks. I owe you big time.”

He fiddles with his eyebrow ring, looping the tip of his pinkie through it, and then pulling it out, before stuffing his hands into his pockets. Suddenly he looks nervous. “Okay, so I have to ask you something. And feel free to be completely honest with me.”

“Okay…” I wait for the moment where he tells me he was kidding and he really thinks I’m a killer.

“Hypothetically, if I were to ask you on a date, what would you say?” he asks, flicking his tongue ring against his teeth.

My heart erupts in my chest. “Well, if we were only speaking hypothetically, I’d say yes.”

The corners of his mouth quirk. “And if I wasn’t speaking hypothetically.”

“Then I’d say, I’d have to think about it.” Jesus. I’ve been spending way too much time watching Raven seduce guys.

He reaches for my messenger bag, and before I can react, he extracts my cell phone. He punches a few buttons and then leans forward to put it back into my bag, moving in closer than necessary.

He puts his mouth up to my ear. “Think about it and let me know when the hypothetical can become a reality.” He gives a soft suck on the tender spot just below my ear before leaning away.

My lips part as my breath speeds up. “Okay.”

He winks at me and then turns around, stepping off the gazebo. “I have to go to work. You have my number.”

I watch him walk across the grass, enjoying the way he moves and the numbing sensation he instills in my body, the way he silences death. When he’s out of my sight, I head across the park toward the back parking lot of the campus.

When I round the corner, I find Raven leaning against the side entrance and a guy with greasy hair and sideburns leaning over her with his hands braced on the wall. Her eyes are locked on the guy like she is a love-struck puppy. He glances in my direction and I catch sight of the X on his eye—the sleazebag from the other night.

“What are you doing?” I hurry toward her.

Raven’s eyes are red and swollen and her mascara is smudged. “I’m not doing anything. Now, go away.”

“You’re not okay.” I reach a hand for her. “What did he do to you?”

“She’s fine,” the sleazebag snarls and slaps my hand away. “Now get the hell out of here.”

“Don’t touch me, a*shole,” I warn, breathing through the stench of his death.

Raven wipes her tears away with the collar of her pink shirt. “Ember, just go inside. Please.”

My muscles stiffen under the guy’s powerful glare. “I will, but you’re coming with me.”

“You need to butt out of business that doesn’t concern you.” The guy prowls forward and shoves me backward hard, knocking the breath out of me.

“She’s my friend,” I say firmly, regaining my balance. “So therefore, it is my business.”

He glares at me. “Well, if you want, I could make it directly concern you.” He lunges at me, grabs my arms, and thrusts me back against the brick wall.

His vile death chokes me. He stands in the middle of a field. It’s dark. A gunshot fires and he collapses to the ground.

I blink, stunned. It’s not the same death omen as the other night.

He smiles and chills prick at my skin. “What’s wrong, Ember? Are you scared?” He drops his voice as he leans in, his stale breath hot against my face as he delves his fingers deep into my waist. “Tell me, how was your drive home last night?”

“You tell me.” I knee him between the legs, then dodge to the side of him, and reach for Raven. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

Raven shakes her head and skitters away from me. “I can’t, Em. I have to stay here.”

Rage flickers across his face as he lunges for me again and grips my wrists so tight my skin breaks. I groan as the venom of a thousand deaths paralyzes me: self-inflicting, painful, too early, broken heart, old age, help me, help me, help me. There are so many that I can’t sort through all of them. It’s crushing the oxygen from my lungs and strangles my heart; unbearable and ironic because what if death omens are the cause of my infinite death?

“Let her go,” a deep, demanding voice chips away at the blackness and pain.

Sleazebag abandons my arms and I crumple to the ground, clutching the grass, gasping for air. Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

A hand appears in my vision, but I shake my head. “Let me help you up.”

“Go away.” I choke. “Please. I swear I’m fine.”

“Ember, take my hand,” Asher says and the resonance of his voice settles me down.

I slip my hand into his and contentment glides through my body, squelching the pain.

He helps me to my feet, his grey eyes searching me as he brushes grass out of my hair, off my shoulder, and the feel of his hands is invigorating. “Are you okay?”

Intoxication hums through my head. “I’m fine…” God, please just take me now.

He traces his fingers down my cheekbone, my neck, my throat, all the way to my chest. “Ember…” He groans and lust fills his eyes.

I repress a moan, my head falling back. “I think I… I think I…”

“A little help here.” Raven’s sobs crash us back to reality.

“I think you’ll be okay.” His eyes focus on the doors of the school as he blinks the glazed look in his eyes away. “But I think you need to take your friend home.”

Raven’s curled up against the door, bawling her eyes out. “Em, help me. Please. I don’t know what’s going on.”

I crouch down in front of her. “Come on, let’s get you home.” When I get her to her feet, focusing past the pollution of her death, I notice both Asher and the sleazebag are gone. “Where’d that guy go? Rav, did you see where he went?”

“Take me home!” she screams with her hands balled. “Now!”

Sighing, I lead her toward the parking lot, picking up my bag along the way. Holding my breath, I exhale through her death omen: blood under her head, pain in her body, rain falling from the sky. I lower Raven into the passenger seat of her car and buckle the seatbelt for her, then climb into the driver’s seat.

“Do you have your keys on you?” I adjust the seat back by flipping the lever.

Tears rain from her eyes as she rummages the keys out of her shirt pocket. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I yelled at you.”

I seal my lips together, battling back the urge to yell at her as I turn the engine on. “Sorry for what?”

“For bailing on you so I could meet up with Garrick.” She covers her face with her hands and cries, her shoulders shaking.

“You bailed out on me this morning to be with that guy that has the X on his eye?” I’m stunned. “But he’s a total creep.”

“I like him,” she says, blinking her tears back, looking possessed. “He’s nice, has good teeth, and is courteous.”

“No, he’s not.” I back the car out of the parking spot and I notice Asher’s GTO peeling out of the parking lot. “Okay… where is he going?”

“Ember!” Raven shouts with terror in her eyes. “Please take me home!”

“Okay. Okay.” What is going on with her?

I drive toward our neighborhood, letting her cry for a few minutes, and then I turn down the volume of the radio. “Okay, you have to tell me what the hell happened to you that night Laden vanished,” I demand in a soft but determined tone. “And why you were just with a guy that probably slipped you a roofie.”

“He didn’t do that,” she protests with a quick shake of her head. “It was another guy with the same kind of X in his eye.”

“I know you’re lying,” I accuse. “Your eye just twitched.”

She dabs her eyes with her fingers. “I’m crying. Of course my eye twitched.”

“I don’t believe you,” I bluntly inform her. “You’re lying and you’ve been lying to me since the other night. And you’re not acting like yourself… You’re not taking drugs again, are you?”

“Of course not.” She rolls her eyes.

As we drive over the bridge, her eyes dart to the median. There’s a faint scent of death in the air and on the lamppost is a blue flyer with Laden’s face on it. His car is no longer in the street, but the large red X on the asphalt is still visible.

“Such a shame.” Laughter hints her voice, and her eyes, smeared with mascara, widen as she gawks at the spot Laden vanished. “He was a really good kisser.” She leans forward and relaxes her head on the dashboard, and then she shuts her eyes, sweeps her hair to the side, and fans her sweaty face. “It’s so hot… Isn’t it so hot?”

I notice the scratch on her shoulder blade looks a little infected. “What happened to your shoulder?”

She shelters the spot with her hand. “Things got a little rough between Laden and me. He was kind of into bondage.”

I press my lips together. “How rough exactly?”

Her head whips up and her eyes scorch fire. “What are you getting at exactly? That I might have had something to do with his death?”

“There’s no proof he’s dead yet.” I veer down the road that leads to our houses. “And I didn’t say anything about you being involved. It just looks infected.”

“Yeah, whatever. If anyone should be accused of his murder it’s you, especially with your whole little I-saw-him-standing-outside-my-house thing this morning. You better watch what you say, Ember, or people are going to think you’re as crazy as your dad. Oh wait, they already do.”

At that moment, I loathe her. She is not my best friend and I don’t care if I ever see her again. I want to rip her hair out, hurt her, and scream at her at the top of my lungs.

“You need to tell me what happened. With the details,” I demand as I turn into the driveway of her house. I force the shifter into park and place a hand on her arm. “It’s like you’re possessed by the devil or something.”

She glances at my hand on her arm and then her eyes drain of emotion. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She jerks her arm away and jumps out of the car.

I remove the keys from the ignition and jump out after her. “Raven, we’re not done with this conversation yet. I’m worried about you. You’re acting like you’ve lost your mind.”

“You would be the expert on that, Death Girl.” She spats and then whisks around the front of the car, thrusting her hand at me. “My keys, please.” I slam the keys into her palm. “Thanks, Emmy. And I mean for everything. But honestly, I really need a break from you. You’re too much baggage. ” She sashays into her house and slams the door, leaving me in the driveway, stirring in my own anger.

I storm for my house, but a flash of black in the trees sends me to an earthshattering halt. Laden’s body hangs from the tree in my front yard, a rope around his neck, and blood dripping from his lips. His pale skin is blue and his eyes stare lifelessly at me.

Death. Silence.

Trying not to panic, I fumble my phone out of my bag and nearly drop it. I start to dial the police, but when I look back at the tree, the phone falls from my hands. The body is gone, but his blood still stains the grass.