Almost Demon (The Sigil Cycle) (32 page)

“Good morning, class. I’m sorry to inform you that Mr. Flynn is no longer with us. He has been missing since the fires and no one knows of his whereabouts. We’re looking for a replacement but in the meantime, I will fill in for homeroom and there will be no AP English classes until further notice. It shouldn’t take more than a week. Now let me call roll.”

She sat down on the desk and went through the list of names. When she got to mine, I could have sworn she looked at Brian and smiled.

When the bell rang, Principal Kelly asked me to stay behind.

“Is there something you need?”

“I need to thank you. He told me what you did.”

“Who?”

“Thom. Who else?”

“I thought you didn’t practice anymore.”

“There’s nothing like having your life threatened by a hoard of demons to get your witchcraft switched on.”

“Is he okay?” 

“No. He’s stuck there. I can’t get him out.”

“You knew who he was all along. It’s all my fault. I let the wrong people tell me what to do.”

“Did you think I would hire some college student as a teacher? He just didn’t have credentials and that’s the story I ran with to get him in here to check on all of you, just in case any of the parents snooped around. Anyway, don’t be too hard on yourself. It’ll all work out.”

“You seem very sure of that.”

“As you get older, you realize the universe has its way of delivering the answers right to you. What you don’t realize is how many people you saved.”

“It won’t matter soon. Something bad is coming. Much worse than before. I feel it coming and I don’t know how to stop it.”

“Trust in yourself. That’s all anyone can do. I’m here if you need me.” She gave me a warm motherly smile.

“Thanks.”

“And it’s nice seeing you too, Brian.”

“You too, Principal Kelly,” Brian and I said at the same time.

“Keep an eye on your sister.”

“Will do.” 

We were free to leave and I was eager to get to my next class, bringing the end of the day one step closer. As soon as I turned the corner, I ran straight into a wall. A human wall.

“Sorry,” I said, all flustered as I tried to gather my journal and papers from the floor.

“No biggie.” I looked up to see Ian’s deep blue eyes. Seeing the confident twinkle in his eye that had once appealed to me grated against my mind.

“Excuse me,” I said, about to go on my way. “Wait a second. I need to ask you something.”

“You sure you want to know the answers?” he replied.

I didn’t let him deter me that easily. “How come you’re still here?” I looked him straight in the eye. I needed to confront him head on or I was never going to get over him.

“Oh, you think I’m a demon.” He started to laugh. “Sorry, wrong team. I’m one of them.” He pointed his finger up to the ceiling.

“Figures,” I spat and left him in the hallway before he could see the redness in my face.

That Saturday night, my dad decided to join me to go see Charlotte’s play. Turns out everyone showed up. Even the Senator and his wife, who wanted to show solidarity after the traumatic events that changed everyone’s reality. No one could explain the mysterious dome that had held the townspeople prisoners. There were theories about aliens and terrorists but the story that stuck was more strange weather.

We took our seats in the front row. Charlotte had reserved us as guests along with her parents and although I didn’t really want to sit next to them, my dad had a good enough time talking about Moab Labs and the new technology they were releasing soon. I took that as my cue to zone out and was surprised by the ringing that caught my attention as soon as I stared up at the stage.

Ring Ring. This is Charlotte. Come in, Gem.

Hey, Charlotte. I’m glad I brought my dad to buffer me from the Senator.

Oh, don’t be so scared of him. He can smell fear.

So do I say break a leg?

Thanks Gem. I’m so psyched. Wow. Gotta go.

That was when the lights dimmed, the curtains pulled back and I watched in fascination as Charlotte transformed into a performer. She was beautiful. I couldn’t get over how, in all our time as friends, I had never known she could sing. It was a pleasant way to spend an hour and we all lingered after the show to hand Charlotte flowers and stroke her ego.

On our way out, Allison and Ian were standing by the large red exit sign of the school auditorium. It was weird case of deja vu. Only this time the two of them were laughing together and I felt like the butt of some secret joke.

“See you tomorrow, freak,” Allison said.

My dad didn’t seem to notice but Brian did. I watched as his anger boiled over and left him illuminated like a poltergeist.

“Leave her alone, Ally. She’s my sister.”

“Brian?” The color left her face and she dropped Ian’s hand like a hot potato.

“Yeah, it’s me. And I came here to tell you to leave her alone. It wasn’t her fault. She wasn’t the one driving.”

“But I waited. I bought the perfect blue dress for our date. And I waited on the couch and you never showed up.” She was crying now.

“I know you were. I tried to get back for you but it wasn’t meant to be. I was driving and I was checking your texts and I didn’t see the truck coming. It’s my fault. I’m sorry I left you alone but you’ll find someone new at college and you’ll have the life you’ve always dreamed of. Just not with me.”

With those last words, the light faded and she couldn’t see him any longer.

“Brian, please. Please come back.” Her voice was hoarse and ragged. 

I pulled her to me and hugged her. She hugged me back. Maybe everything wasn’t so forgone. Things could still change. The future was there and I just had to take it.