“Odd,” he said, holding me tighter. “I had a dream I was being stalked by vampires.” He laughed like it was ridiculous.
My heart skipped a beat. Was she after Aaron now?
“That sounds terrifying,” I said, trying not to sound like I was concerned.
“It’s just a good thing vampires don’t exist.” He kissed my forehead playfully, then let me go. “See you at lunch?”
“Yeah, that sounds like a plan.” I felt relief that he hadn’t noticed anything different about my eyes. Maybe he wasn’t as into me as he put on.
When I got to my first period, I paused by Noreen’s old desk and touched it lightly.
“I hope you are at peace,” I whispered before carrying on to my own desk.
Nobody had taken Wesley’s spot behind me yet, at least not until then. Now I saw his place was occupied by Shawn, the asshole from the previous afternoon.
“We meet again, Dawn,” he sneered.
“So, I see,” I said flatly.
“I take it you’ll pay more attention today. I don’t want to get any more bruises.” His tone was jokey, but I wasn’t sure if he was being nice or just toying with me.
“I’ll do my best,” I mumbled as I took my seat.
“They told me the boy that sat here ran off with some girl,” he wittered on. “Tragic story, teen love.”
“Yeah, tragic.” I felt suddenly flustered.
“Did you know him?”
He was playing with me. He had to be.
“Yeah.” I had to fight the urge to turn on him.
He leaned closer so I could feel his breath on my neck. “Was he your boyfriend?”
I lost it then. I turned on him with fire in my eyes and glared. He seemed pleased with the reaction he got from me. A smile played on his lips, and he leaned back, putting his hands behind his head.
“It’s no secret that he left me for another girl,” I snapped. “Any person in this school will tell you what happened if you’re so interested.” I wanted to burn him, but the fire wouldn’t come. Then the possibility occurred to me that he may be a Neutralizer and fear spread through me. The familiar prickle found its way into my fingertips.
“You’re an odd one,” Shawn said, laughing. “So easy to rile up. Bet you wish you could turn me to ashes right now.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” He shook his head. “We’re being watched, by the way.” He pointed toward the front of the class, where our teacher was staring at us.
“Are you two done?” she asked.
A chorus of snickers went around the class.
“Yes, we’re done,” Shawn told her.
“Good. Please keep all non-class related conversations to the hallway.” She shot a glare around the room, and we all fell silent.
****
Adam met me at my locker before choir like he had done every day for the last two months. There was an odd look on his face. I put my books on the shelves and turned to face him.
“You okay?” I asked as his eyes found mine.
“Yeah, just a little shook up, I suppose,” he said, shaking his head.
“Why, what happened?”
“You haven’t heard?”
“No, people have stopped talking to me the last few weeks. You know, after the whole shooting incident.” I sighed. I didn’t think I would miss the attention.
“They found another body.”
“What? How do you know this?” I demanded, grabbing his arm.
“My father called me during lunch. Said that there was another body found in the woods. They don’t know who it is as the face was mauled pretty badly.” He was scanning the hall, studying faces. I realized he was looking for who it could be.
“Do they think it’s a student?” I questioned as I looped my arm through his and started leading him towards class.
“I don’t know. My dad asked if I can stay with a friend until he gets back this weekend.” He seemed really shaken up.
“I can ask my mom. Maybe she’ll be willing to have you stay with us for a few days.”
He perked up a bit.
“Thanks. Do you need my phone?”
Of course, the only thing that might cause an issue was me having to explain to him why Helen was staying with us as well. I guess if I gave them enough notice my mother would think of a good story to tell him.
“Yeah, since mine is safe and secure at home.” I tried to laugh, but it came out more like a blatant hack. “Did your dad say if there was any blood in the body?” I wasn’t sure if I should have asked that question as it seemed to shake him up even more.
“All that he said was that it was similar to Noreen’s body. They just can’t identify who the person is.” He looked down at me as we entered the classroom. “Don’t say anything to anyone. There has to be a reason the news hasn’t been released yet.”
****
“Hey, Mom, it’s me,” I said as soon as she picked up her phone.
We were sitting in Adam’s SUV in the school parking lot. He was still shaken up over the news his father had told him, and he seemed genuinely concerned.
“You on your way home?” my mother asked, babbling. “I can’t take these two! They keep asking me questions that I can’t answer. How am I supposed to know how to raise the dead? I wasn’t in charge of the resurrection!”
“I’m sorry, Mom,” I answered quickly as Adam raised an eyebrow at me. “I’ll be home soon. I just have to run by Adam’s. I have a question for you.” I put my hand over the receiver and looked at him. “Can I tell her?”
He nodded yes and looked out the windshield.
“What’s going on?” my mother asked.
“There was another body found.”
I heard a gasp on the other end of the phone.
“Oh, goodness.
