Midnight Runes (The Bestowed Ones) (8 page)

In that moment, I realized I was going about this the wrong way.

I smiled, remembering his reason for not taking any other offers to walk with me to class.

Was it wrong to use someone who was using you?

I didn’t think two wrongs made a right; I just thought it leveled the playing field.

E
lyse called that evening. I could tell by the sound of her voice she had exciting news to share.

“Do you want to know how the interview went? Of course you do. You’re so lucky you have an inside contact. I’ll give you the highlights. He has a streak of sarcasm, but we kind of knew that already, didn’t we? He said that the scariest thing he ever did was agree to the interview.” I laughed and she continued, “But he’s a science geek, loves sports, all outdoor activities, has a dog, loves cars, and wants to go to college back in New Mexico.”

“What a normal guy,” I said dryly.

“Yeah, I thought so too. He seemed to click with the guys in our group. I’m glad I invited him to join us at the lunch table.”

“Seems like you forgave him quickly.”

“Benefit of the doubt.”

I rolled my eyes because I knew her real motivation. “So what else did you ask him?” I asked.

“Question: ‘What food could they not pay you enough to eat?’ His answer: ‘Shrimp. I hate the texture.’ Question: ‘Is there anyone or anything you cannot say no to?’ His answer: ‘Family and its obligations.’ Question: ‘What is the most annoying thing that someone could do to you?’ His answer: ‘Judge me. I mostly don’t care what people think.’ I followed up by asking him more about that answer since it’s a contradiction. He launched into this whole thing about how judging is different than making snap judgments about someone and that when you judge it’s based on actions and reactions, where snap judgments are unfounded. It was really moving. Anyway, question: ‘What deep, dark secret do you want to unload from your shoulders and share with the world?’ Answer: ‘If only that would remove the weight.’”

I knew of a secret. I just didn’t know what it was or what it meant or how it impacted me.

“He is so sexy,” she paused, probably hoping I’d agree with her out loud. “So that’s the juiciest I have to share. I didn’t get into too many personal questions because of my promise to you. I didn’t want to tempt myself.”

“I appreciate that. Did you plan on coming over tonight?”

“No, Jared’s coming by in a bit. Let’s do homework together tomorrow or the night after.”

“Sounds good. See you at school.”

I had an open evening so I decided to take Roxie for a walk. As I laced my running shoes, she sat patiently by, and I thought back to the first time I had seen her sitting quietly in the kennel. It had been a total madhouse, with all the other dogs barking and vying for attention.

It didn’t take much convincing on my part for my parents to adopt her five years ago. They liked the idea of having her around as a protector. Her size alone was a deterrent. But she was really a mellow girl unless a stranger approached the house. We weren’t sure of her breed, but we thought she was a mix between a Lab and a Great Dane because of her build and her white and tan short hair.

I did my best to take her for walks every day, usually after school but sometimes before.

We took our usual route around the outside of the sub, then cut through the middle to the park.

It was about halfway through the park when I sensed someone close to me. I glanced around. We were alone, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that we weren’t. It felt like someone was hovering over me. The feeling stayed with me the remainder of the walk. I didn’t feel scared—and I couldn’t decide if that was because it was still daylight or I didn’t feel in danger. Still, it was a different feeling than when neighbors looked out their living room windows to see why their dogs barked. It stayed with me past each house, as if it were following me.

When I unlocked the front door, the feeling left.

I grabbed a bottle of water and pulled out my history notebook to review for the quiz tomorrow.

It didn’t take long for my notes to blur. I couldn’t concentrate enough to retain the crucial dates and facts. It was especially frustrating since I realized early that the questions were pulled directly from the notes. I was set as long as I took notes each day and reviewed them. But my mind jumped from thought to thought.

I hadn’t had the dream with the guy in the shadows in a while. My dream guy stopped arriving after I touched his hand, even though that was what he seemed to want all along. What was the point of it all if he disappeared after? Then Landon enrolled at my school and chose
my
friends to buddy up to. He knew I suspected him of being involved in whatever Trevor was involved in.
Then
the weird feeling while walking Roxie. I didn’t feel crazy, but I wondered if people who are crazy acknowledge that they feel crazy. I didn’t particularly consider myself a paranoid person, yet I couldn’t deny what I felt.

The thoughts swirled around until they blended together and became background noise. I turned my attention back to studying.

T
he next day, I ran late, but I made it to my first hour seat just as the bell rang.

Mr. Lewton organized us into groups of six for mini-Socratic seminars. Our assignment was to discuss a random topic and then write about how much, if any, our views changed during the conversation. It was always interesting to hear other sides of an issue I might not have considered.

My history quiz went as expected, and I was grateful my focus had returned last night to study the notes.

Elyse monopolized the lunch conversation with her latest family drama, which was fine with me. We had a float-planning meeting after school, so the more she got out of her system, the better.

Student council met in the library again. We were a step ahead of the other grades because we had already sketched our design. Our biggest tasks were to divvy up the items needed and assign sponsors to contact for donations.

The meeting was only a half-hour, thanks to Adrienne’s organization. Elyse, Adrienne, Lauren, and I teamed up to find child- and adult-sized mannequins and the clothes to fit them. Adrienne tasked another group with finding the building materials, boxes, and Styrofoam. The last group took on the challenge of gathering all the details for the finishing touches: paint, gadgets, and they had to figure out what to use to seamlessly blend each section of the float’s floor together.

After a few nights of calling around after school, our donated items were ready for pickup at the end of the week. Elyse and I managed to wiggle our way out of that task. The float would be assembled at Emilee’s house—big surprise—and we knew we’d spend more time there than we desired, so the fewer trips we took driving over there, the better.

Friday arrived fast after a busy week. The day flew by and I found myself with Elyse at her locker after school.

“I am so ready to go to the cider mill tomorrow! Who’s driving with us?” I asked. The cider mill outing was another yearly tradition.

“I’m not sure of driving arrangements yet. I told everyone to meet in the parking lot here, and then we’ll head out. It’s a forty-five minute drive, and we can go as one caravan. I found a new place that will let us go out and pick our own apples. Blake’s Big Apple Orchard in Armada. They also have a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and haunted hayride at night.”

“And cider and donuts? And caramel apples?”

“Naturally. I took your requirements into consideration when deciding. I didn’t want you freaking out on me.”

“Good. How big of a group do you think we’ll have this year?” It had started out with just a carful of us, but it had grown each year.

“So far, around thirty. I’ll pick you up early. We’re leaving at 4
P.M.
”

“I can’t wait.”

“Me either. See you tomorrow.”

• • •

Elyse came over around 3
P.M.
Because she was the main organizer, she wanted us to be the first ones there. I made sure to text the address to one passenger in each car so they could GPS it in case we separated.

The rest of the gang arrived early, but we still didn’t leave on time. Elyse seemed to stall. Finally, she hesitantly announced it was time to leave.

I knew the ride out would be entertaining with her and Zach. We talked about teachers, ideas for Homecoming Week, and sang along to the radio. Elyse and Zach were the gossip twins. It was amazing how they knew so much about everything going on at school. Apparently, the pranks on teachers were in full swing. I didn’t know what genius thought of setting the clocks ten minutes ahead, because teachers only released us when the bell rang.

“Landon has a tattoo,” Zach announced during a conversation lull.

“A tattoo? Are you sure?” Elyse challenged. Behind her doubt was interest.

“Of course. I walked past him as he changed his shirt after gym. It’s a good-sized one between his shoulder blades.”

“What is it?” Elyse asked.

Elyse seemed astonished, but I cut her some slack. I would have been too if I hadn’t suspected Trevor also had a tattoo. What a bizarre coincidence they both had tattoos. This convinced me even more that Trevor really did want to hide the tattoo. This was yet another link connecting them, but this was one I didn’t need. I already knew they knew each other.

“Wasn’t close enough to see specifics and wasn’t going to ask him to let me look at it. It looked tribal, though.”

“How hot is that?” Elyse responded. I knew she was scheming a way to find out what it was.

I wondered how Trevor and Landon could decide what to have on their bodies forever. I wasn’t opposed to tattoos, but there were so many options to choose from and locations to place them. I didn’t feel strongly enough about anything to have it permanently drawn on my body. I had lots of interests, sure, and there were some really cool designs, but nothing I was truly passionate about. Perhaps if I had experienced something life-changing I’d feel different.

“Do you want to organize a pool party, Elyse?” I teased.

“That’s a great idea. Maybe we can rent out the community center?”

I rolled my eyes.

“I wonder what his parents do. Did you see his car?” Zach asked.

“Of course. He dresses really nice, too. Understated even. I think he likes Brynn,” Elyse said.

I cleared my throat and shot them a look, hoping they took the hint and shut up.

“Just sayin’. He’s intriguing. He’s cute. He’s new,” Elyse added.

“She doesn’t date boys in her grade,” Zach mocked.

“Okay, seriously, if you don’t stop I’m going to turn the radio so loud there will be no way to gossip about anyone.”

“Look who doesn’t want to talk about this,” Elyse teased.

They laughed and changed the subject.

• • •

Elyse turned into the Blake’s parking lot and drove to the far corner where there were plenty of open spots for the rest of our group. We waited in the car until they parked.

As soon as I opened my door, the familiar fragrance of fall hit me. I breathed in the crisp air, noting the cinnamon and sugar permeating the entire area. Gusts of wind pushed fallen leaves along the ground, and gravel crunched beneath our feet as we walked to the front entrance. Puffy white clouds intermittently covered the sun, temporarily dropping the temperature.

I spotted Landon standing by the ticket counter as we approached. It dawned on me that I’d found the reason Elyse stalled earlier.

“Did you invite him?” I asked her under my breath.

“Of course. Wouldn’t it be nice for him to make some friends? You agreed that he’s a normal guy, and he gets along great with the guys. It’s his last year of high school too, and he just moved here, so the more he socializes, the better.”

I gave her a warning look, not buying her innocent act. She quickly shook it off and gave him a welcoming smile. “Hey, Landon, glad you made it.”

“Thanks. Sorry I didn’t drive out with you. I had some errands to do out this way, and I wouldn’t have made it back in time. I should have thought to give you my number.”

“No problem. I figured you changed your mind.”

“Nah, you said I couldn’t miss this experience.”

“Hey, what’s up, man?” Zach greeted him.

“Good to see you, Zach.”

Now it was my turn. It wasn’t Landon’s fault Elyse was so pushy, but he was pretty pushy himself. “Hey,” I said, imagining sitting in close proximity to him the entire way out here.

“Hi, Brynn.”

We walked into a small red and white barn to purchase our tickets. They gave us orange wristbands that allowed access to the maze, petting farm, haunted house, and the haunted hayride at dusk.

The others caught up with us while we took turns posing for pictures to commemorate the last cider mill trip of high school. We walked through the small petting farm, feeding the goats and sheep. They had regular and floppy-eared rabbits in a large pen that came to the fence in search of handouts. We raced through the sprawling corn maze; the first person out didn’t have to chip in for donuts and cider. It had rained earlier that week, and the ground was still muddy. I would rather help pay than fall and be muddy the rest of the night. A few guys threw a football around to pass the time until the rest of our group found their way out.

We stood around a few picnic tables eating donuts and caramel apples, and drinking cider. We had to wait until the evening for the haunted hayride. Zach circulated, taking candid pictures for the yearbook as the sun set.

“Wow, it’s gotten really cold since the sun went down,” Elyse said, zipping her jacket all the way up and pulling her hood over her head.

I shivered. “Yeah, it has, and it’s windier too.” I hadn’t chosen my layers well enough.

Landon shrugged off his dark mocha suede coat and held it out for me. “Here, take mine.”

“Oh, no. You don’t have to do that.”

“I’ll get an extra one. Don’t be stubborn.”

I heard muffled giggles from my friends. I gritted my teeth and accepted his jacket. I slipped it on, grateful for the thick fleece lining. I adjusted the ends of the sleeves to better fit my wrists. It was still warm and smelled good. Really good. But I refused to focus on that.