“No, an old lady lives here. She’s a friend. I often stay here when I come to the village. I live back in the woods with my mom.”
Once my face paint is complete, she gives me a small round mirror and I grin upon seeing my reflection. My skin is now snow-white, my lips and eye-lids pitch black. It looks intimidating and eerie, resembling a creature from another world.
“Amazons were fierce warriors,” Maxine says. “They were excellent sword and stick fighters and were familiar with the martial arts. They didn’t have guns or ammo in their village. The masters from Central Settlement eventually overtook them. I wish I could follow Jingfay’s legacy and free all the servants in our land. But I wouldn’t know where to begin. I’ve never lived outside this village. And I don’t really want to leave my mom. She’s old, and I love her so much.”
I feel a twinge of pain in my heart as I remember my mother.
“Do you have a dream?” Maxine asks.
I shrug, remaining silent. I often dream of being Trent’s girlfriend but know better than articulating that thought. Too shallow.
“It’s all right,” she smiles in understanding. “It takes time to find your way.”
I return to Wreck’s cabin late at night. He’s on the top of the roof, balancing on one leg and slowly twirling a self-made spear, swinging it around himself. I don’t know how he manages to keep his balance.
“What are you doing?” I laugh.
“Tuning into the vibrations of the universe,” he answers. “I’m a Jedi Knight.”
“Who?”
“Oh c’mon. Don’t tell me you’ve never heard about us. We use the Force to protect those in need and fight against evil.”
I offer no comment upon hearing this nonsense. Wreck jumps down and lands on his feet in front of me.
“Well I swear,” he sighs. “What did Maxie do to you? Now you look just like her!”
“I want to be an Amazon warrior.”
He rolls his eyes. “Painting your lips black won’t make you an Amazon, all right? It takes a little more than that. You should paint your face like mine. You’re about to become a ranger.”
“I don’t think so,” I answer dreamily. “I’m Amazon.”
Back inside his shack we settle in for the night, lying on blankets in opposite sides of the room. Wreck remains silent for a while, turning a few times, then sighs and says, “I had to spend the entire evening all alone while you were out gallivanting with Maxie.”
“You should have spent time with your other friends.”
“Yeah, but…” He pauses. “I don’t have any friends outside of you and Maxie.”
“Really? Why not?”
“I’m not too social. I’m a little bit introverted.”
I look at him, but can’t see his face in the darkness. In my mind, Wreck is the polar opposite of an introvert. But I do realize he’s a more complicated person than one might think at first glance. I remember how he tried to kiss me back in the woods, then how he quickly changed his mind and easily backed off.
I smile, turn on my side and close my eyes. I fall asleep almost instantly, and see Amazon warriors in my dreams. They all look just like Amy.
Somebody’s voice awakens me before dawn. I see Wreck kneeling on the floor a few feet away. He’s holding an open switchblade, his eyes glazed and scary-looking. The knife is pointed at me.
CHAPTER 32
“Wreck,” I whisper. “What are you doing?”
He abruptly turns to face me, wild-eyed. I shuffle backward, remembering the switchblade under my pillow, the very one he gave me. But then I realize how a knife wouldn’t be of much use against him.
“Kris,” I whisper.
He lunges at me. I scream. He wraps one arm around me, pinning both arms to my sides. He pushes me back down to the floor and gets on top, covering my mouth. I freeze, my heart pounding heavily. I don’t understand what’s happening. I don’t recognize this guy. He’s not the same one who helped me kill a chimera, or who soothed me the night before. This is a vicious and dangerous stranger, one who may easily hurt me.
“No screaming,” he whispers, and I feel his hot breath on my neck. “If you scream, you’re dead.”
He holds me tightly, his weight pinning me against the floor. I know he’s too strong for me to fight off. Feeling helpless, I let out a small whimper.
“Please,” he says, breathing heavily. “Be quiet. They can hear us.”
Who can hear us? I want to ask, but his hand presses against my lips, silencing me.
Wreck flinches, turning his face toward the doorway.
“They’re here,” he whispers. “Please be quiet, Violet.”
I nod, realizing that he doesn’t recognize me. He picks up his knife, scrambles to his feet and creeps over toward the doorway. I sit up, watching him in shock, feeling as if I’m still dreaming. He lets out a startled yell, turns around and takes off running. He smacks into a wall, knocking himself flat on his back, and quickly crawls off into a corner. I cover my mouth to suppress a scream.
“Stay back!” he shouts, brandishing the knife in front of him. “Don’t come any closer. I’ll kill you!”
He isn’t looking at me, his unfocused gaze directed toward the doorway. I stare into the darkness, and for an instant I can see something there, some dark shadow, but then realize it’s just my imagination. We’re completely alone in the room. Wreck gasps, shaking as if being cold.
He’s mentally sick, I realize. I’m alone in the same room with a crazed lunatic. He didn’t mean to attack me, but tried to protect me from something only he could see. I feel terrified. There’s
