Rise of Alpha (The Prodian Journey #1) (25 page)

Leaning my head against the steering wheel, I tried to catch my breath when the pain came back tenfold. “Shut . . . up . . . ”

He reached for the weapon on the passenger seat, and the moment he touched it, the thing vanished into thin air. “Just making sure you don’t hurt yourself.”

If I hadn’t been in agony, he would have been my next target. Then my tics decided to take over. A massive spasm vibrated from my shoulder, radiating down to my chest, my vision blurred, and then there was nothing.
 

When I opened my eyes again, I was still slumped against the steering wheel, and Matro was sitting next to me.

“What happened?”

“You took a nap.” He chuckled.

I glanced at the dashboard clock and was surprised to see that an hour had passed.
 

“Tell me I just dreamed we had a battle in front of my school,” I groaned.

Matro shook his head. “Bystander memories are all handled. Nothing to worry about. Now that you’re awake, I’m going to go take care of some business.”
 

Before I could respond, he was gone. I was baffled by the turn of events, but I realized I shouldn’t be seen in the vicinity of the school while I was under suspension. With a jab at the ignition button, I started the car and drove away.
 

Still in a fog, I drove around the general area of the school, looking for clues, although I had no idea what to look for. After a few minutes of circling the neighborhood, I decided to head to a nearby coffee shop to kill time.
 

With an iced coffee in hand, I settled at a corner table and turned on my laptop. For the next four hours, I typed every word and detail I knew related to the creatures I’d had the pleasure of meeting in the hopes of discovering more information about them. I came up with nothing. Their names were non-existent, even in comic books.
 

I pursed my lips in frustration. Matro had given me some useful information, but I knew he was holding back. Why me? Should I just believe their explanation? Was I being naïve?

I slapped my face. It stung, so I knew for sure that I wasn’t dreaming. Believing everything Detherina and her friends told me might be a risk, but the glory of having Shannon in my life made me want to throw caution to the wind.

When it was time to pick her up again, I gathered my things together and purchased another drink for her. Back at school, I parked my car in the same spot where I’d dropped her off and noticed that the marking on the wall by the front entrance was visible. Up until now, I’d only been able to see it through Matro’s funnel. Something had changed since this morning.

How on earth had I ended up chin-deep in this mess?
 
I took my backpack from the front seat, pulled out paper and a pen, and copied the symbol as closely as I could.

When Shannon came out of the school, flanked by Mark and Darryl, I saw Car emerge behind them and head to his motorcycle parked by the curb. He glanced in my direction, and when our eyes locked, he flashed a thumb’s up and inclined his head, then drove away.
 

Stunned at the unexpected approval, I managed to compose myself by the time Shannon slid in next to me. Mark and Darryl saluted before heading to the basketball court.
 

On impulse, I blurted out, “Why don’t we watch a movie?”
 

Shannon smiled, her eyes twinkling. “Let me call my mother to ask if she can do without me for a couple of hours.”
 

I’d forgotten that Wednesday and Fridays were her days to help at Elizabeth’s tarot shop.
 

Shannon called her mother while I pulled out of the parking space, glancing at the students on the street.
 

“I’m good to go,” she said once she’d ended the call, seeming excited. “I don’t even have to work at all tonight. That’ll give me a little time to go shopping for a dress for the homecoming dance.”

I smacked my forehead with my palm. “I’d forgotten about that.”

“How could you?” Shannon pouted.

“I’m going to run to the tux shop tomorrow, I promise.”
 

When we got to the theater, it didn’t take long for us to agree on a movie. Nothing could have been more perfect than another scary movie.

Concentrating on the movie was difficult. All I could think of was the way Shannon leaned against me when the scenes got tense. I lay my arm around the back of her seat, trying to make it appear innocent. When another horrific scene came on, it was natural for me to pull her close and hold her.
 

We stayed that way for the remainder of the movie. The throbbing ache in my injured rib, though present, was ignored.
 

After the movie, we wandered through the shopping boutiques, and I waited while Shannon tried on several dresses. I gave her my biased input whenever she asked for my opinion. I wasn’t much help. As far as I was concerned, Shannon could wear a burlap sack and she’d still be the most beautiful girl in my eyes.
 

Finally, she found the perfect gown. I was astounded when she came out in a lacy black outfit, the front falling to just above the knee, with gold ribbon running around the waistline. The back had a small train that made her look like a princess. It was a fitting outfit for the daughter of an alien leader. It reminded me of what Detherina had been wearing when I first met her, except Shannon’s outfit hugged her body well.

After she paid for the outfit, Shannon pulled me aside.

“You’re very patient. Most guys would have run away at the thought of being dragged from one store to another.”

“I’m no ordinary guy,” I replied, wagging my eyebrows.

Shannon laughed. “You can say that again. Since you’re in such a great shopping mood, I’m going to take advantage of it. It’s time to accessorize!” she said and then pulled me into a shoe store.

Sleepover

The rest of the week passed at a snail’s pace. The healing process went even slower. I’d gotten better at hiding the pain, and I stuck to my resolve to avoid anything that could alter my state of mind. My schedule for dropping off and picking up Shannon from school continued. At night, she’d climb up to my window, and we would spend the night chatting until we fell asleep.
 

Over the weekend, I spent all my waking hours inside the house. Dad thought it would be a good idea to rest my injury. It wasn’t all bad since Darryl and Mark dropped by to play video games.
 

Shannon had the entire weekend open and spent time with me, too. So far, I had restrained my teenage desires and kept everything chaste. Although I would have loved to explore a deeper relationship between us, there was one glaring issue. I wasn’t sure where I stood with her, and I was too afraid to ask.
 

Sunday night, a light tap on my window alerted me to my nightly guest. I got up, still feeling the sting in my chest with every movement. I pulled the blinds aside to give Shannon enough room to get in.

“Just in time,” I said, reaching out to help her down from the ledge.
 

Shannon laughed, the same sweet, jingling sound I never tired of hearing. She straightened and smoothed her shirt. “I’m always on time.”

“I’ll give you that.”
 

She went straight to my bed, which told me that she felt very comfortable with me. I sat next to her, leaning against the headboard.
 

“So, what do you want to watch tonight?”
 

“We can skip watching tonight. I want to talk instead.” Shannon made herself comfortable and hugged a pillow to her chest.

“What do you want to talk about?” I asked.
 

“Are you excited to go back to school?”
 

“A little, I guess.” I shrugged. School might be hell, but since Shannon came into my life, I was more than happy to be there.
 

“It wasn’t the same without you,” she said.

“Why do you say that?” I peered at her, hoping she’d give me some clue of how she felt about me.

“Well, I missed sitting next to you in class. I’ve gotten used to your tics, and it gets quiet sometimes. You know what’s scary? I can hear myself think.” She laughed.

Okay, that was unexpected. At least she had accepted my presence in her life, tics and all.

“Don’t I make you nervous with my jerks and F-bombs?” I joked.
 

She didn’t laugh. “I’m never nervous around you.”

I raised my eyebrow, inviting her to explain further.
 

Shannon rolled her eyes. “Okay, fine . . . it was awkward at first. I had no idea if you were just being obnoxious. I heard other students call you names, but I thought it was a joke since I’d never paid close attention. You’re the first person I’ve known with Tourette’s.”

“My favorite is ‘freak boy’.” It was a disgusting name, but I had to admit, Kevin was rather inventive.
 

“Kevin is an idiot, self-serving, and so full of himself. I can’t believe I let myself get involved with him.”
 

I’d often wondered what she was doing with a prick like Kevin. As far as appearances went, they were perfect for each other. Mr. Cool and Ms. Popular. But it ended there. Shannon was a compassionate person, caring and easy to get along with, while Kevin was the spawn of the devil.
 

“I wondered the same thing.”
 

She frowned. “Kevin’s been around school for the last three days. I have no idea why.”

“I saw him once. He seemed distracted.”
 

“He’s acting weird.” Shannon made a face and shuddered.

“Did he try to approach you? Like to talk?”
 

She shook her head. “Mark wasn’t going to let that happen. And that cousin of yours. He’s always around, watching. He’s a little creepy. He doesn’t talk to anyone except Mark or Darryl. He doesn’t even listen in class. He’s always looking out the window or staring at me.”
 

I thought of Car. He was another puzzle to me. I recalled Detherina explaining that he was a Binarian. By definition, from what I understood, they had no powers except the ability to recognize danger and help an Aarmark go through their transition. Car seemed a bit more useful than that. The night he tangled with the Ergans was a prime example. He saw them, knew them almost as if he’d encountered them many times before.
 

Shannon nudged me. “What are you thinking that’s making you frown?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I shook my head, hoping she’d move to another topic.

No such luck. “C’mon, we don’t keep secrets anymore.” She even batted her eyelashes.

Like a fool, I was mesmerized. But I wasn’t stupid. “I’m just thinking . . . why are we friends? People are wondering why Miss Popular is hanging out with Freak Boy.”

She shrugged and made a tsk, tsk sound. “Shame on you for listening to other people who should be minding their own business.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”
 

Shannon thought for a moment. “I like being around you. You seem to be content with who you are. I’m sure you’re wondering if I’m here because of what the tarot reading said. I always think about that. I don’t want to use you. You’re genuine. You don’t take advantage of our friendship. That’s what makes me feel safe.”
 

I tried to find the right words in reply. Instead, I focused on a lock of stray hair that had escaped from the twist on her neck. I reached out and wound it back in place.
 

“Brian?” She tugged at my arm. “How do you feel about this whole thing? About me?”
 

The uncertainty in her voice made me want to kiss her. I stifled the urge and concentrated on an honest answer. “I find myself drawn to you more each day,” I admitted, expecting her to laugh at me. When she didn’t, I continued. “You’re not what I expected you to be.”

“What did you expect?” she asked, leaning closer.

“I don’t know . . . you’re popular and pretty. I thought you’d be snooty, a bit self-absorbed. You know. Someone who wouldn’t pay attention to a guy like me.”