Don't Die Dragonfly (10 page)

The next morning, I found out that Josh wasn’t the only one with friendship issues. When I headed for school, Penny-Love was waiting for me by Nona’s mailbox. I could tell by the way she stood with her hands on her hips and her lips puckered into a pout that something was up.

“I have a confession to make,” she said bluntly.

“About what?”

“How I’ve been feeling—not that you’ve noticed,” she accused. “Since you hooked up with Josh, you’ve forgotten about me. We’re supposed to be best friends.”

“We are—the very best.”

“Then how come you’re suddenly so busy? I had to get up early just to meet you this morning and you haven’t been over to my house in a week. If you aren’t with Josh, you’re talking on the phone with him.”

“Well, we
are
going out. Josh isn’t spending much time with his friends, either.”

“It’s not just Josh. You’re always busy with newspaper work, too.”

“I went to your cheer club meeting,” I reminded her.

“Which you ran out on early without telling me why.”

“Sorry.” I squeezed her hand. “I didn’t know you were feeling this way.”

“Now you know, so don’t shut me out anymore. And there’s another thing.” She moved aside so a trio of elementary kids could pass. Once the kids were out of range, she said in a hushed tone, “I have to ask you something, even though it’s gonna sound crazy.”

“Crazy?” My heart jumped with the worry that she’d found out my secret. At my last school I’d had this friend, Brianne, and people thought we were sisters because we were together so much—until she found out about me. I don’t know if she was scared of me or bitter because I’d kept something from her. When I saw the petition to get me kicked out of school, her name was on the first page.

“You’re gonna laugh when I tell you,” Penny-Love said. “I mean, one of the things I admire about you is your easygoing attitude. I have my drama moments, but never you. You’re the most normal person I know, so I’m sure the rumor is totally untrue.”

“Rumor?” I managed to smile like I was amused. “What?”

“A friend of Jill’s saw you hanging out yesterday with a Goth freak. I told Jill her friend was mistaken, that it must have been someone else because you wouldn’t be caught dead with one of those losers.”

“Well … ” I hesitated. “Thorn isn’t a loser.”

“Are you
serious?
You’re too busy for me, but you find time to hang out with someone named
Thorn?”

“I barely know her. She’s helping with a—a project.”

“What project?”

“With the newspaper. It was Manny’s idea.”

“So this is Manny’s doing. Is she his latest girlfriend?”

“No, just a friend.”

“As long as she doesn’t become your friend, too.” Penny-Love picked up her backpack, and we started walking. “For a second there you had me worried. Afraid you’d gone over to the dark side.”

“Never happen.” I glanced away guiltily. Maybe I should have said something more to defend Thorn, but I didn’t want to hurt Penny-Love, and she was already sensitive about our friendship. So I smoothed things over by inviting her to my house tonight.

“Great! I’ve been curious about that guy your grandmother hired. If he’s the hottie I spotted out in the pasture on my way here, I’ve got to meet him.”

“Bad idea. Dominic is rude and totally antisocial.”

“Oh, a challenge!” She rubbed her hands together. “Nothing I like better—especially when he’s fine.”

“You’ll just be asking to be shot down. He’s not your type.”

She didn’t argue, but the gleam in her eyes worried me.

* * *

The rest of the school day made me feel like a circus juggler, only instead of balls, I juggled people. Passing notes to Penny-Love in homeroom, admiring Josh’s latest magic trick, and listening to my teachers so I didn’t miss any assignments. Wearing a permanent smile, always hiding a part of myself. This was especially hard with Josh because when he looked at me, so sweet and caring, I’d long to tell him everything. Only I didn’t dare.

At least there were no secrets with Manny, who still teased that I was his “miracle.” After glancing around the classroom to make sure no one was watching, he handed me a paper from my “To Be Edited” folder, and I pretended to work while he clued me in on the latest news. “I accidentally found a memo to the principal from the police.”

“‘Accidentally’?” I couldn’t help but grin. “Where? In his pocket?”

“On his desk.”

“How did you manage that without getting caught?”

He smirked. “A journalist can’t divulge professional secrets.”

“So what did you learn?” I picked up a red pen and marked a misspelled word on the article.

“Regis High football players are cleared—partying that night with lots of witnesses. The janitor is out of the hospital, but has no memory of the attack. The police checked local pawnshops for the missing stuff—without success. They also received an anonymous tip saying that the stolen things were still at school.”

“An anonymous tip?” I said, shivering despite the sun shining through the classroom windows. “I wonder who called it in.”

“I was hoping you could tell me.”

I shook my head. “It’s not that easy.”

“Well, if something comes to you, let me know. Recovering the missing items would make a great article.” Manny leaned closer to whisper, “Which is why we’re going to search the school tonight.”

“We
are?”

“Yeah—before anyone else does. Thorn’s cool with the plan, and we’re gonna meet in the Taco Bell parking lot at ten. Are you in?”

“Sure. As long as I don’t have to do anything illegal.”

“Misdemeanors only. And no one will find out.”

“You’re sure?”

“Trust me.”

Not exactly encouraging words. But taking action was better than waiting around. So I nodded, and hoped I wasn’t heading for trouble.

* * *

What was my grandmother doing on the porch with a paintbrush and a cow?

As I neared the house, I rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. Nona’s gray-blond hair was wrapped in a bandanna and her oversized gray T-shirt brushed inches above the porch floor as she squatted on a low stool to paint blue, pink, and yellow flowers on her cow, Daphne.

I had to ask, even though I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer. “Nona, what’s going on?”

“I’m painting.”

“On a cow? Can’t you use a canvas like normal people?”

“Most people aren’t as sensitive to the needs of their pets as I am.” Nona patted Daphne’s tawny head. “Poor dear was feeling like a plain Jane next to Stormy so I’m giving her a make over.”

“But Stormy is a horse.”

“Shhh!”
Nona gave me a critical look. “Daphne has enough self-esteem issues to deal with. Dominic explained it all to me. He’s very knowledgeable about animals.”

“He told you to paint flowers on a cow?”

“Of course not.” Nona laughed. “He suggested I weave ribbons in her tail. The flowers were my idea. And I’m using natural washable paints that have vitamins and a skin softener mixed in. My own creation.”

“She’s a cow, not a cover model. And Penny-Love will be here soon. How am I going to explained a flowered cow?”

“Tell her it’s the latest in modern art.”

I spread out my arms in frustration. “Why can’t you be an ordinary grandmother who works in a garden or bakes homemade cookies?”

“There’s a whole plate of homemade carob chip and asparagus cookies in the kitchen. Help yourself.”

“Someone needs help,” I muttered.

Daphne turned to moo at me, and I had a feeling I was being chastised.

Amazingly, when Penny-Love arrived, she didn’t even notice the cow. But she didn’t miss a muscle on Dominic’s tanned, hard body.

“He’s so hot!” Penny-Love pressed her face up against the window in my attic bedroom, peering down at Dominic as he repaired a broken fence board. “Do you have any binoculars?”

“No.” I tugged on her arm. “Get away from the window, and I’ll help you with your homework.”

“He’s wiping sweat off his brow. Now he’s hammering again. Oops! He dropped a nail and is reaching for a new one. Thank you, gravity!”

“Pen, stop it.”

“He’s saying something to that wild bird perched on a fence post.”

“Dominic calls the falcon Dagger.”

“How sweet! I adore guys who like animals. It shows a deep sensitivity. Now he’s petting the falcon. What a fantastic animal.”

“The falcon or Dominic?” I couldn’t resist asking. What was the big deal about Dominic anyway? Sure, he was good-looking if you went for the rugged, sweaty type. But he was also annoying and arrogant. Why couldn’t Nona have mentored someone civilized, like Josh?

“Look!” Penny-Love said with her nose pressed against the window. “He’s taking off his shirt. Have mercy! What a great set of abs! I’m in six-pack heaven! He’s in way better shape than my last boyfriend. Let’s go out and talk to him.”

I shut my calculus book. “I want nothing to do with him.”

“Anyone who looks that good can’t be bad.”

“Worse than bad. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Penny-Love glanced in the mirror over my dresser and smoothed her curly red hair, then flew out the door.

Sinking on my bed, I sighed. Then I reached out for a dish filled with lumpy, fresh-baked cookies and bit into an asparagus and carob chip cookie.

* * *

As I predicted, Dominic barely said one word to Penny before rudely striding off to the barn. But did that deter my boy-crazy friend? Not a bit. She invited herself to dinner and spent the whole time quizzing Nona about Dominic: Where was he from? What was his family like? Did he have a girlfriend?

“He’s an excellent employee,” Nona said evasively. “If you want to know more, you’ll have to ask him.”

But even though Penny-Love lingered after dinner, drying dishes while I washed, Dominic did not appear. We finished our homework, listened to CDs, and played computer games. Penny-Love kept glancing at the door while I kept a close watch on the clock. By nine-thirty, I was stressed completely. How could I tell my best friend to leave so I could rendezvous with Manny and Thorn?

Fortunately Penny-Love’s cell phone rang at 9:35. I knew it was her mother before she answered. Her mother’s angry voice came across loudly, “Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t going to be home for dinner? Why didn’t you let me know where you were? I’m coming to get you, now!”

A subdued Penny-Love said goodbye, then hurried outside. I waited until her mother drove off before switching into dark clothes and finding a flashlight. I told Nona I needed to go copy some notes from a friend, and I crept outside and disappeared into the night.

Nona let me borrow her car, so it was just a quick drive to Taco Bell. A sliver of silvery moon shone through trees, exaggerating shadows into hidden threats. I kept having the urge to look around, as if someone were watching me.

It’s just my imagination, I assured myself. Or was I sensing Opal? I always felt safer when she was nearby, a silent sentry watching over me. But when I tried to connect with her, I got nothing, and my uneasiness increased.

When I reached Taco Bell, I found Manny and Thorn waiting outside by a beat-up yellow station wagon.

“Hey, Beany.” Manny’s grin gleamed in the dark.

“You made it.” Thorn sounded surprised, as if she’d expected me to bail.

“I told my grandmother I wouldn’t be out long, so I hope this doesn’t take long.” I rubbed my sweaty hands on my jeans. “What’s the plan?”

“That’s what we’re figuring out. I brought the complete list of stolen items,” Manny said, withdrawing a folded paper from his trench coat. Yes—a trench coat, just like a B-movie detective.

Shining my flashlight on his paper, I skimmed the typed list. “Some of these things were taken by the janitor. At least that’s what Opal told me.”

“Opal?” Thorn raised her pierced brows. “Oh, your spirit guide.”

“Everyone has one,” I said a bit defensively. At least Thorn didn’t seem to judge me, maybe because she knew what it was like to be judged.

Paper crinkled as Manny studied the list. “Mr. Watkins may have swiped a few office supplies. But what would he want with an engraved basketball trophy or the vice-principal’s chair?”

“No wonder the Regis jocks were suspects,” Thorn said, as we started walking toward the high school. “They’ve pulled pranks before—like putting a plastic shark in the swimming pool.”

“With a fake human leg sticking out of the shark’s mouth. The girls’ swim team sure had a shock that day.” Manny chuckled. “And the photo I took made a great front-page shot for the
Shout-Out.
But attacking the janitor wasn’t a prank,” he added. “And the Regis jocks had alibis.”

“Alibis can be faked,” I said as we cut through the school parking lot.

“But why call in an anonymous tip?” Manny asked.

“To stir things up?” Thorn said.

“Or throw suspicion on someone else.” A creepy feeling came over me, and I glanced around at the silent building and the empty parking lot but didn’t see anything unusual.

“Whatever. We need to get moving. You’re on, Thorn.” Manny held out the list to her. “Do your stuff.”

The paper shimmered like a small ghost in the glow of Thorn’s flashlight. She stared at it with a fierce concentration, energy surging around her in a stunning pink-yellow-white aura. I had the oddest sense of her flying up and going somewhere else. Not with her body, but with her soul. If I’d had any doubts about her ability, they quickly faded.

Thorn was more psychic than even she knew.

I could tell when Thorn returned. She blinked, disoriented, then gave a small shudder. Then she said simply, “Follow me.”

She started walking, not toward the school as I’d expected, but the opposite direction, into dense woods beyond the school. She disappeared into shadowy trees with Manny, and I had to race to keep up. My feet crunched on brittle leaves and branches slapped my arms. I held tight to my flashlight; its slim beam bounced off tree trunks and uneven ground. We hurried over weeds, around rocks, avoiding holes, deeper and deeper into gloomy woods. When we reached a thick wall of berry bushes bordering a rushing creek, we couldn’t go any further.

Thorn untangled a spindly branch, but it sprang back and slapped her. “Stupid bushes! We can’t stop now.”

“But the path ends here,” Manny said. “There’s no way through.”

“There has to be,” Thorn said with fierce determination. “We have to keep going.”

“It’ll take a machete, and I left mine in the trunk.”

“We’ll just have to find another path,” Thorn said, clearly resolved on getting through. “I’ll look toward the right.”

“Okay.” Manny nodded. “And I’ll go left.”

“Hey guys, what about me?” I asked, but they were already hurrying off separately. And I noticed my flashlight’s beam seemed fainter. Clouds hid the moon and the sky grew darker. I thought longingly of my nightlights and my cozy, safe room. Why had I agreed to this anyway? No one had connected me to the vandalism, so I was in the clear. But if I were caught tonight, everything would be ruined.

I waited in the dark, listening intently for Thorn and Manny. Nearby, a bush rustled. I jumped back with a startled cry. Hugging myself, I shone my flashlight in a wide circle. Night closed around me with fluttering birds, croaking frogs, and a soft whisper of wind in the dry leaves. The sound grew nearer, and I clenched my flashlight. Branches shifted, golden eyes flashed in blackness, and there stood a dark figure silently watching with a bird perched on his shoulder.

“Dominic!” I exclaimed as the figure vanished. Gone so quickly, I was still staring, sure I’d imagined the whole thing.

“Sabine!” Manny’s footsteps pounded through brush as he rushed over. “I heard you yell. Are you okay?”

“I’m not sure.” I swallowed hard. “I think I saw—”

“What?”

“I don’t know. It was so fast, I’m not sure what I saw. It’s gone now anyway.”

“Probably a raccoon. Bet you scared it more than it scared you.”

“You’d lose that bet.” My flashlight flickered, then went completely out.

“Looks like you need new batteries. Stick close to me and you won’t get lost.” He patted my shoulder. “We’ll head back as soon as we find Thorn—”

As he spoke her name, Thorn’s voice rang out, “Manny! Sabine!”

“She’s found something.” Manny grabbed my hand. “Come on!”

We found Thorn crouched on the ground by a pile of brush. When Manny shone his flashlight on the pile, something glinted from underneath dead branches.

“It’s metal,” I said.

Manny pulled away branches. “The vice principal’s chair!”

“But what’s it doing out here?” Thorn wondered.

“Highly suspicious.” Branches crackled and snapped as Manny yanked out the chair. “Why would anyone break into the school, attack the janitor, then drag a chair way out in the woods?”

I agreed it was strange, but I was more curious about what wasn’t there. “Where’s the other stuff?”

“A definite hole in this puzzle.” Manny shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“I—I do,” Thorn said in an odd dazed voice. She touched the spiked dog collar around her neck and stared off with a glazed expression.

Then she whirled around and ran back toward the school.

Manny and I didn’t hesitate and took off after her. Thorn’s clunky boots crashed through the woods. I followed behind Manny, holding on his arm so I wouldn’t get lost. At first I felt like I was running in a black tunnel, but trees thinned and we were out of the woods, racing across the grassy sports field and past the bleachers rising like sleepy dragons in the dark. Thorn was a blur ahead of us, sprinting across blacktop, turning a corner and stopping at a closed door.

“We need to get inside the school,” Thorn said urgently. “But the doors are locked.”

“I know a way,” Manny said. “A door with a faulty lock—all it takes is a swift kick in the right spot.”

One stride of Manny’s seemed to equal two of mine—math that added up to exhaustion. I pushed myself faster, panting and growing more anxious with each step, worries pounding through my head. What if the janitor’s attacker came back? What if the new janitor caught us? What if Nona got worried and called the police? What if my legs collapsed and I passed out?

Manny led us through a side door by the cafeteria, then Thorn rushed ahead. Manny hurried after her, catching up as she made a sharp right at a bank of lockers. Feeling dizzy, I leaned against a wall until my head cleared. The eerie glow from the security lights made the hallway seem both familiar and alien.

As I turned the corner, I saw Thorn staring at some lockers. “Look,” she was telling Manny.

“Why’d you stop here?” My heart pounded from effort.

“Because the missing stuff is here.” Thorn pointed. “Whoever owns this locker is our thief.”

“But that’s impossible!” I gasped trying to catch my breath.

“Why?” Manny asked.

“This is my locker.”