The Demon Hunter (43 page)

Something was sticking out of a bundle…something pale, narrow…
a leg
. The fine hairs on my arms stood on end. My heart denied what my mind knew was true.

A gray leg covered in dirt with brown seaweed wrapped around the calf. Sickening dread sank into the pit of my belly. I knew what it was, I knew what lay there, what horrors life was capable of.

Numb, I barely felt my body as I moved around the driftwood; was barely aware of Emily clutching my arm once again. It was like I wasn’t even there, but watching a television show. A green wool blanket covered the body. But from that blanket her head was visible; long blonde hair matted with seaweed and sand. I froze, Emily pausing beside me. My body started trembling… shocking, violent trembles I couldn’t control.

Her pale eyes were wide open, staring unblinkingly at me. A familiar face. Now a ghastly face that would give me nightmares for the rest of my life.

I was aware of Emily screaming, but the high-pitched noise barely registered.

Savannah.

A girl who had moved to our town only a month ago. A sweet, southern girl, although I didn’t know her well. Now, a dead girl.

I staggered back into Emily’s warm, living body. My stomach roiled, the scenery before me going blurry. The scent of ocean and fish was too much. Acid rose to my throat and I knew I was going to be sick.

I was vaguely aware of people rushing from the diner, the panic of their jumbled thoughts mixed and clambered around in my head. Too much, too many thoughts. My brain ached; my skull felt as if it would burst open. I pressed my hands to my temples and stumbled back.

“What is it?” Trevor asked.

Someone pushed me aside and I spun around. A blur of people rushed by, blocking Savannah from view. Still, I merely stood there, jostled back and forth by curious students. I couldn’t think. I could barely remember to breathe.

“Oh my God,” I heard Emily cry, “is she dead?”

I killed her.

The foreign voice whispered through my head. A voice I didn’t recognize. I jerked my gaze upright. No one was looking at me… ten, fifteen faces pale in horror, focused on that body. But someone had said the words. I hadn’t imagined them, had I?

I killed her.

My heart jumped into my throat, my hands growing clammy. With a muffled cry, I spun around, studying the faces behind me. No one was smiling with accomplishment. No one looked guilty. More people were spilling from the diner, at least five kids were on their cell phones talking desperately to the police.

“Excuse me.” I pushed my way between the horrified group of gawking people.

I killed her.

I froze in the middle of the crush, a shiver-hot and cold-skimming my body. A male voice. Who? I turned, jerking my head this way and that. I had to find him. I must! I knew them all, some better than others, but this voice was unfamiliar. Who, here, would be capable of murder? The girl in front of me shifted, trying to get a better look. Behind her, near the parking lot, stood a stranger.

For one moment the entire world stilled. Nothing existed but that guy.

My heart thumped madly, almost painfully, against my rib cage. Dark hair, but I couldn’t see his eye color. Tall, average build, around my age. Dressed in jeans and a long, black coat. As if sensing my attention, he turned his head ever so slightly and his gaze met mine.

I sucked in a sharp breath and stepped behind Trevor like the coward I was. The world came roaring back into focus. Had the stranger killed Savannah? Had he thought the vile words? My breath coming out in rapid pants and fear was bitter on my tongue. Unable to resist, I peeked around Trevor.

The boy was gone.

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