The Weight of Souls

“Language,” James snorted and he straightened up too, a threat in his posture. “Part of you knew exactly what you were doing, Pete. And remember, if you do anything to me or if you decide to tell. Well, I’ve got the brush with your fingerprints.”

Pete swallowed. His fists shook on the table, but he made no move towards James.

I leaned forward, prompting Tamsin. “What next?”

She inhaled. “Pete challenged James to climb the scaffolding.” She ran trembling fingers through her hair. “James double-dared him to cross the part without a handrail. Pete refused – you can refuse a double if someone else will take it on – I gave Justin the nod and he took it.”

Horror squirmed like scarabs in my chest. “So you were all involved.”

She shook her head. “Justin shouldn’t have tried to leave the club. Anyway, it was James’ idea, his plan.”

I nodded. “Maybe that’ll be enough.” Then I spun in my seat, reached across the table and slapped James hard.

“You bitch.” James lurched to his feet. The black Mark glowed on his cheek for a moment; then settled in, as if something had taken a bite from his face.

Harley blinked as if he’d never seen James take a hit before and Tamsin jumped backwards, knocking her chair to the floor. “What’re you doing, you psycho?”

“I’m the psycho?” I cried. “You effing killed your boyfriend so you wouldn’t have to be like me and Hannah, for what, a year? Because you were worried you wouldn’t get a great university place or a top job if the club was closed down?”

Justin was literally growling behind her. “Mark her,” he snarled.

I raised my hand to show him that the Mark was gone, transferred to James. “Oh no,” I whispered. The Mark remained, oozing over the tendons of my wrist like treacle. “It wasn’t enough.”

“What wasn’t enough?” Tamsin towered over me, the glare from her eyes like a blowtorch. “What’ve you done to my boyfriend’s face, you skank?”

My stomach felt full of rocks and they jumbled around as I moved towards her, making me feel old and ill. Sure, I'd threatened to Mark Tamsin more than once, but I hadn't really meant it. Justin was going to get his justice, but did she really deserve what was going to happen to her? Did any of them?

Outside the Darkness swelled, reminding me that I had no choice.

“You want to know what I did to James?” I grabbed her arm. I shoved her sleeve up as she jerked back, then pressed my bare hand to the unblemished skin of her forearm. My touch left a Mark.

She shrieked and grabbed my napkin, tried to rub it off.

Briefly I closed my eyes, please, oh please, but I knew what I’d see when I looked at my hand.

The Mark wasn’t gone.

I turned to Harley.

“I am actually sorry, Harley.” He wasn't in the same league as his mates. But the Mark wanted him.

He raised his hands, palms up. “Easy, China.” I shook my head and slapped him in a gross mockery of a high five.

Frantically I checked my hand but the Darkness still wasn’t satisfied. I had one more person to Mark. So James was right, on some level Pete must have known what was going on.

My eyes went to my oldest friend. He was sitting upright now, but he hadn’t moved. “What’re you doing, Tay?” he whispered.

Tears choked me. “You always wanted to know why I act the way I do. Why I seem so nuts.”

He nodded. Behind him the Darkness had gathered at the window leaving the rest of the street in grey twilight. “Tay?”

James lunged for me, his face murderous. Pete’s arm shot out and blocked him. “Tay?” he repeated.

If I didn’t Mark Pete, the Darkness would take me. It was me or Pete.

My eyes stung as the tears welled from my throat. “Why did you do it? Why did you get involved in this craziness?” I spat the last word.

He didn’t take his eyes from me. “After you,” he finally said, “it was all I had.”

James grinned horribly. “And don’t forget the videos we’ve got of you, mate.”

“Shit.” I punched the table. “Shit, shit, shit.”

“Tay?” Justin grabbed my elbows. “What’re you waiting for? You have to Mark him.”

“You helped kill someone, Pete.” I spun back to him. “You and Harley, James and Tamsin.”

“Keep your voice down, you stupid slut.” James’ brows were so low I couldn’t see the expression in his eyes. “V’s all about what we’ve got on each other. You promised you wouldn’t tell, but if you forget and open your mouth, remember we could get you locked up for that little stunt on the underground.”

I spoke only to Pete. “Justin was your friend.”

Pete nodded, his face miserable. “It didn’t seem so bad doing little things. It was surreal, like I wasn’t involved at all.” He shook his head. “If I could tell him how sorry I am…” He looked at me. “I didn’t want you involved in this, Tay. I tried to tell you to stay out.”

“I-I know. I couldn’t.” I showed him my hand. “I’m supposed to touch you with this.”

“Do it.” Justin pushed me and I lurched forward, just missing Pete’s elbow.

“Stop it,” I hissed. “Just stop it.” I was finally crying. “It’s Pete, I’m not going to Mark Pete.”

I ran out of the restaurant. Behind me I heard James shout. “After her.”

Chairs clattered and a waitress yelled as they sprinted after me. Where did they think I was going?

I crashed through the double doors, out into the street and a bubble of silence.

It’s here.

I spun to find the Darkness rising in front of me like a pillar. I stared into its black heart and my shoulders drooped. I’d chosen this when I’d let Pete go clean.

Around me the street was silent. At the edge of my vision people walked on the other side of the road, eyes turned from me. They didn’t see the Darkness, but they instinctively chose to avoid its presence.

My lip trembled but I raised my hand, showing the Mark almost defiantly.

The world seemed to draw breath and I knew the pillar was about to crash over me.

“Don’t just stand there.” Justin barrelled into me, grabbed my arm before I could hit the ground and pulled me into a stumbling run.

“Justin, it’s over,” I gasped.

“No.” He shoved me in front of him. I saw him look back then he pushed me harder. “You aren’t going with that thing.”

Behind me there was a muffled thud. I dug my heels in and turned. The bar door had slammed into the wall. Harley, James and Tamsin were lined up on the pavement. Pete was hanging back.

“There she is.” James pointed. “Get her.”

I had time only to blink before the Darkness struck. Tamsin didn’t even have time to scream. I met Pete’s horror-filled eyes as his friends vanished, swallowed as if they had never been.

“It’ll come for you now.” Justin shoved me again. “Run.”

Sure enough the Darkness, like a beast unsated, seemed to be seeking a scent. I hesitated one more second and it spread out on the pavement like it had turned to liquid, then started to flow towards me.

I caught my breath, looked briefly at Justin and ran.

I’d never seen anyone outrace the Darkness before, but it was worth a try.

29 THERE HAS TO BE A CURE

“It’s gaining.” Terror bleached Justin’s voice and even though he was right at my side, his words sounded like a distant cry.