They didn’t waste any time, either, uncoiling their silver ropes as they surrounded me. Their rapid-fire questions made me dizzy: What did the Dark Lifer look like? Did he give a name? Where did he go? I did my best to answer but I couldn’t tell them much. And I grew increasingly uncomfortable, squished like a badly wrapped gift against the bench cushions.
Finally I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Enough questions!” I interrupted. “Would someone please untape me?”
* * *
A short time later, wearing only one shoe and the clothes from Gabe, I hobbled back to Club Revolution.
About a mile away, I felt the vibrations in the air and the ground and saw the beautiful sight of bright lights blazing against the backdrop of the dark, misty night.
Then I turned a corner and saw the most wonderful sight in the entire world.
Eli — running toward me.
I ran, too, so full of emotion that I didn’t even think about what I looked like or who I was when I threw my arms around him.
“I’m so glad to see you!” I cried, burying my face in his jacket.
“Amber! I’ve been searching everywhere and was ready to call the police. Where have you been?”
I shook my head, too tired and cold to think about anything except how good it felt to be in his arms.
“You’re freezing. Here, take my coat,” he offered.
But I shook my head, remembering Gabe/Dyce giving me his jacket. “Just hold me,” I whispered. “Oh, Eli! I’m so glad to be back with you.”
“What happened?”
“It was Dyce … I mean Gabe. He-he lied and then tried to kidnap me.” I held out my hands, which were raw and red under the shining street lights.
“Bastard! Where is he? I’ll go there and—”
“And what?” I almost laughed at his ferocious tone; it was like he was a Chihuahua ready to take on a wolf, which was so sweet that I almost cried. “It’s okay now. He’s gone for good.”
“Are you all right? Should we call the police?”
“Already taken care of,” I said, not having the energy to go into all the details.
“But what happened? I don’t understand any of this.”
“I’ll explain later,” I promised. “Now I just want to be held.”
He must have been thinking the same thing, because he pulled me closer and tipped my chin, his touch so gentle, making me feel safe and warm. Not the tingling thrill of Gabe’s touch, but so much more real and honest. I could trust Eli with my life and my heart.
Smiling for the first time in hours, I looked into Eli’s eyes and lifted my lips toward his — until we heard a gasp and jumped apart.
Turning around, I saw Sadie staring at us with the most disgusted look I’d ever seen on her face.
“Ohmygod, Rayah!” she exclaimed. “Kissing your own brother! That’s just sick!”
* * *
It took some fast talking, but Sadie eventually believed that we weren’t kissing (which was true, since she’d so rudely interrupted) and that Eli was just comforting me because I’d been kidnapped. Showing Sadie my bruised wrists and ankles added proof.
After that, things were kind of a blur. Sadie talked a lot, relieved I wasn’t going to call the police, then told me she’d run into Warren but he’d blown her off. She’d called him some appropriate names and told him where he could go. Then she met a new guy who was way better than Warren, anyway.
When I asked about Mauve, Sadie shrugged and said she was back with Alonzo. Apparently, for the first time in Mauve’s history, she was trying monogamy. I had my doubts but hoped it worked for her.
Eli wanted me to stay with him at his friends’ house but I didn’t want to have to make small talk with strangers. He promised to pick me up early (in about six hours) for the
My bed and Kitty Calico were waiting for me.
When I awoke, I was surprised to see Mauve sleeping on the fold-out bed and the cat now cuddled up to her (traitor!). I shut off the alarm, so groggy I was tempted to forget about the audition and sleep all day. But I couldn’t let Sharayah down. In less than twelve hours I’d return to my own body, and she’d have to survive on her own — which would be much easier if she made the
After a quick shower, I sorted through Sharayah’s clothes to find something that would attract attention and wow the judges. I found a bright red stretchy top and matched it with a cropped, bead-trimmed denim jacket, black jeans and black half-boots. My hair was a mess, so I twisted it into a messy bun that gave me kind of a rebel-rocker look. Keeping with this theme, I applied heavy amounts of kohl eye makeup, autumn-brown eye shadow and ruby- death-ray lipstick.
I thought leaving at six would be early enough, but by the time Eli got off the congested freeways and found a parking space, the line-up for the competition was like a mile long. No exaggeration!
“What do they think this is?” I complained to Eli as I took my sorry position at the end of the line. “American Idol?”
“Looks like it,” he agreed. “But we’ve made it this far. We can wait.”
I gave him a surprised look. “You don’t have to stay with me. It could be hours.”
“I don’t mind.” He grinned and slipped his arm casually around my shoulders. “I’m just being a supportive brother.”
“Oh, brother,” I sighed, but I was grinning, too.
I’d always enjoyed people-watching, and waiting in that line gave me plenty to watch. Most auditioners had come prepared with chairs, blankets, pillows and coolers. One girl was actually sleeping on a folding cot, her friends shifting it a few inches whenever the line moved — which wasn’t often.
One hour, then two, then three went by before I was close enough to see the front of the line. But it was still about a block — and a few hundred people — away. By hour four, though, I was feeling better because Eli had gone out for hamburgers, drinks and fries, returning with a blanket, too.
As we were finishing our food, a guy in a black cap (that had a microphone logo and
Then we stood for another hour with no line movement at all. It was so frustrating, being this close yet still not inside. Eli and I passed the time by planning what song I would sing. I wanted to go with something bluesy to show off Sharayah’s vocal range, but Eli thought I should do something off the latest Top Ten. We argued for about three feet’s worth of line movement before settling on something that was bluesy but also popular.
As we waited, doubts began to strike me. All around, singing hopefuls belted out their songs, some dancing, too. But what had I done to prepare? Nothing. I still wasn’t sure about my song choice, which was the most important thing. How could I possibly have any chance at winning?
As I was thinking I should just give up now and leave, the line started moving again. Much faster. For the first time since arriving I could actually see the entry door. Double doors, actually, with official security guards grilling each person before allowing them to go inside. Someone in a bear outfit had just stepped in, followed by triplet guys all dressed in black and then a girl who could double for Britney Spears. When I counted the people in front of me, there were only twenty-five.
“Excuse me,” someone said behind me.
I turned and saw a gray-haired woman, her face wrinkled and her frail body stooped over. She wore a pleated
