Aden whipped his attention to the boy, the urge to attack strong. He didnt like being threatened like this. Too many times in too many institutions, hed been held down and beaten up.
You cant afford to punch it out with Ozzie, Eve said.
If Ozzie continued to push him like this, Aden wouldnt be able to help himself. His patience was used up. He would attack. And he wouldnt fight fair. Even now, his daggers were pressed against his ankles, waiting.
Let go, he snarled.
Ozzie blinked in surprise, but maintained his grip. You better be talking to one of your invisible friends, freak, or I swear to God Ill cut you to ribbons while you sleep.
Seth snickered.
Adens jaw clenched.
Im serious, Aden. Dont engage him, Eve said on a trembling breath.
Continue down this path and you might not make your first day of school, Elijah warned. And if you dont make your first day, you wont see the girl.
He jerked free from Ozzie and strode away without another word.
Look at the little baby run, Ozzie called.
His cheeks heated but he didnt turn around. Better to let them think poorly of him than to prove just how wrong they were. Because, in the proving, someone would be hurt and it wouldnt be him. And, as Elijah had reminded him, Mary Ann and public school loomed on the horizon. He would have to be a good little robot, not make waves, and avoid trouble as if it were a cemetery.
Outside, the brightness of the sun had his eyes watering. He blinked against it, searching for Dans truck. His gaze snagged on the line of trees beside the main house, zooming in, and his jaw dropped. There, in the shadows, stood the brunette. His brunette. The one from his visions.
Only, she wasnt Mary Ann. He realized it now beyond any doubt.
This girl was taller, with a face that belonged in magazines. Those big blue eyes were framed by long black lashes. She had a small nose and heart-shaped lips that were bloodred. Her skin was as pale as snow. Her hair was long, hanging to her waist and curling slightly. Those curls were so black they seemed tinted with blue, and they swirled around her shoulders with every breeze.
Was this a vision? he suddenly wondered. Or was she really there?
A boy stood behind her, tall and menacing, his skin tanned, his body a powerhouse of muscle stacked upon muscle.
Both wore black: The boy a T-shirt and slacks, the girl a robe of some sort. It draped one shoulder like a toga while leaving the other bare, was cinched in the middle by silver links and flowed down the rest of her to dance at her ankles.
Both were staring at him. The boy with menace, the girl with curiosity.
Not knowing what else to do, he waved.
Neither reacted.
Aden, Dan called. Whore you waving to? Lets go.
But He turned, meaning to ask for a few more minutes. He had to know if the two were real. But Dan was motioning him to the truck, expression impatient in the hot, glaring sun. Shannon was already inside. Aden faced the line of trees in the distance once more, but the pair was gone. Did you see them? he whispered.
Who? Eve asked. The witch and the angry he-man?
They were real, then. He almost whooped in excitement. She was here. Finally she was here. Who was she? What was her name? What had brought her here? How had she found him? Why had she found him?
When would he see her again?
Elijah sighed. You know the bad feeling I got when you followed that girl last week? Well, Ive got a worse feeling about these two. But yeah, I know where youre going with this. Shes the one from the visions.
Weve had visions of her? Where was I? Because day-um. Its official, Caleb said. Im hot.
Aden rolled his eyes.
Aden, Dan called. Im drowning in my own sweat. I said lets go.
There was still no sign of them in the trees. No hint of that black dress or a lock of hair blowing in the wind. Where had they gone? Why had they gone?
Aden! Last chance before I leave without you.
Though he wanted to stay, he forced himself to trudge to the truck, contenting himself with the knowledge that she would return. One day, they would kiss. Elijah had predicted her arrival, after all, and that had come true. The kiss would, as well. Adens lips lifted in a grin.
What? Dan asked him.
Just excited, he said, and it was the truth.
About shopping? What a g-girl, Shannon muttered.
He didnt care. Nothing was going to ruin his good mood today.
They made the twenty-five minute drive to Tri City in silence. Aden used every second to try and piece together what had happened. Since the girl, his girl, and the boy were indeed real, truly here, that meant the girl had come to him while hed been sick. Shed cared for him. Had wanted to talk to him, have him answer some questions.
Shed wanted to know how heWhat had she said? Summoned her people? His brow furrowed. What people? He had summoned no one.
And what about the boy? Were they siblings? The two had looked nothing alike, but that didnt mean anything. Were they only friends? Or were they together together? His hands fisted. Okay. Something could ruin his good mood.
Honey bear, I can feel how hard your brain is working, Eve said. Youre giving us a headache.
Im He barely stopped himself from apologizing out loud.
When Dan idled to a stop in front of the local supercenter, his hands tightened on the steering wheel. Youve got an hour, boys. Buy some clothes, some school supplies, but do not leave the building. Im trusting you. If youre not waiting for me when I return, bags in your hands, youre out of the ranch. Thats the end. No excuses. Understand?
Aden didnt meet his gaze. He hadnt been able to do so since that night in the field when hed learned about Ms. Killerman.
Understand?
Y-yeah, Shannon mumbled as Aden said, Yes.
Dan handed them each a fifty-dollar bill. Alls Ive got. I hope you can make it work.
Th-thanks. Shannon climbed out.
Aden, Dan said, stopping Aden when he tried to do the same. Just so you know, youre not going to class on Monday.
His eyes widened. What? Why?
Dont worry. Youre going to the school, but youve got to do the placement tests before you can actually go to class. Youll have results within an hour of turning in your workcomputers are a wonderful thingso well know if you even qualify. Shannon took his last week, but you were too sick. I think youll pass, hence the shopping today so youre all ready come Tuesday.
He nodded, relieved that he still had a chance to attend public school but mad that it wasnt already a done deal as hed supposed. When he stepped onto the curb and shut the door behind him, he looked around. The place was packed but there was no sign of Shannon.
Would it have killed him to wait for you? Caleb griped.
As he shopped, his friends telling him what clothes would look good on him, he spotted the dreg a few times. Shannon flipped through the racks and pretended not to notice him.
Like I wanted to spend time with you, he muttered.
Time with who? someone asked.
He glanced up and saw that an older woman stood beside him. She had too-bright red hair that was sprayed in what looked to be a beehive. She wore a short-sleeved dress that was far too big. Her face, arms and legs seemed tosparkle, as if shed bathed in glitter. Weird.
That, he could deal with, though. It was the zaps of electricity seeming to pour off her, causing the fine hairs on his body to rise, that freaked him out. How was she doing that?
No one, he said, stepping away to increase the distance between them. He didnt trust strangers. Even strangers who seemed as well-meaning as this one.
Oh, posh. Somethings bothering you, and Id love to hear what it is. I havent spoken to anyone in ages. Frankly, at this point I think Id listen to a discussion about the mating habits of ants.
Was she serious? Lady, youre creeping me out.
Theres nothing wrong with honesty, Caleb said with a laugh.
A couple walking by glanced over at him as if he were insane. Okay, maybe there was something wrong with honesty.
Im sorry youre creeped out, the old woman said, and then continued her inane chatter. Not about ants, but about her son, his wife, their kids, and how she hadnt gotten to tell them goodbye before theyd moved away from her. Maybe you could, I dont know, tell them goodbye for me.
I dont even know them.
Havent you been listening? Ive been telling you all about them! And she proceeded to do so again.
After a while, Aden did his best to tune her out.
Youll need notebooks, binders, pencils and folders, Julian said when the clothing total reached thirty-five dollars and eighty-three cents. With tax. Eve kept track of the money. No one was better with numbers.
How do you know what I need? he asked Julian, glancing around to make sure no one was paying him any attention. The old lady didnt pause in her patter.
A memory, I guess.
Hed often suspected the souls had lived before being paired with him. Every so often, they remembered things that had happened to them, things that couldnt have happened to them while they were inside Adens body.
Aden left the mens section with four shirts and a pair of pants, and headed toward the supplies. Of course, the woman trailed after him. Still talking. He would have liked a new pair of tennis shoes, but his boots would have to do. Easier to hide weapons that way.
After he gathered everything and paid, his total for the day six cents shy of fifty dollars, he carried his bags outside to wait. Thankfully, the woman didnt follow him this time.
He had twenty minutes to spare. The sun was high, glaring, and sweat soon beaded over him. He leaned against the side of the building, one lucky half of his body then in the shade. Shannon joined him a few minutes later, stone-faced as always, only one bag in hand.
Aden wanted to ask him what hed bought but knew hed get no answer.
Howd you g-get so much? Shannon asked without looking at him.
The question surprised him so much that he couldnt find his voice.
Answer the boy, Eve coaxed.
I, uh, only bought sale items.
Shannon nodded stiffly and said no more.
Im so proud of you. Youre becoming friends already. If shed had hands, Eve would have been clapping.
Aden didnt have the heart to correct her.
SUNDAY NIGHT, Aden lay awake till morning, nervous, excited, hoping his mystery girl would return. She never did. With two hours until it was time to leave for school, he got up and showered, brushed his teeth, then dressed in his new clothes. He couldnt stop smilinguntil he spotted himself in the mirror.
Sometime in the last two days, probably while hed been out catching up on his chores, someone had sneaked inside his room and written on his shirt before folding it and placing it back in its sack where hed left it. The words Hello, My Name Is Crazy stared back at him.
Adens hands fisted on the hem, wrinkling the material. That stupid Ozzie! And he had no doubt Ozzie was the culprit, if not the one to do it then the one to order it done.
Oh, Aden. Im so sorry, Eve said.
You need to punish him, Caleb said. Maybe wake him up with an introduction to your fists.
Thats one way to settle it, Julian agreed. If you want to miss your test and your first and probably only chance to go to public school.
And your chance to see the girl, Elijah added, because he knew the mention of Mary Ann had calmed Aden down last time.
In and out Aden breathed. A quick search of the other shirts proved that they were equally ruined. His jaw clenched. Doesnt matter, he said. He only wished he believed it.
The kids at Crossroads High will think its a joke, Elijah told him. Maybe it will even become the new style.
Whether his friend spoke true or not, he didnt care. Or rather, he wouldnt let himself care. Today was too important. On the best of days, he tested poorly, his concentration shot. He needed every thought in his mind focused only on success.
Still wearing the offending shirt, he stomped out of the bunkhouse to the porch. His eyes were narrowed as he scanned the line of trees. There was no sign of the brunette or her friend. That was good, he told himself. He didnt need the distraction they presented, either. Hed only wonder why they hadnt approached him again, whether they meant him harm, and if the girlwhat was her name? had liked being with him as much as hed liked being with her.
If only she stopped the voices like Mary Ann did, she would have been perfect.
He must have stood there, lost in thoughts he couldnt afford, for his remaining hour, because the next thing he knew, Dan was strolling to the truck with two lunch sacks in hand.
The door behind Aden creaked open, and he turned, spying Shannon. Shannon saw his shirt and gazed guiltily at the ground. Guess that meant hed been involved. Aden capped his anger again and headed for the truck, meeting Dan at the door.
Dan noticed his shirt and frowned. What happened?
Nothing. A muscle ticked in his jaw. Its fine. Im fine.
There was a heavy pause. You sure?
He nodded.
Dan sighed, unlocked the door. Aden slid inside, scooting to the middle. By the time Dan claimed the drivers seat and Shannon the passengers, he felt completely penned in. Thank God it was only an eight-minute and thirty-three second drivenot that he was keeping track or anything. When they were parked in front of the school, Dan faced them.
Heres your lunch, he said. Peanut butter and jelly. Itll have to do for today. Tomorrow, Meg will pack you something better. Now, listen. Mess up, and youre out.
Great. They were about to get the same lecture theyd gotten at the supercenter.
Im not kidding, Dan continued. If you skip class, pick a fight, hell, if one of your teachers thinks youre looking at him wrong, I will pull you from school so quickly your head will spin. Understand?