Before I Wake
Page 68
I grabbed my backpack and climbed over the bench seat as Meredith disappeared around the building. I took off after her, dodging tables and kids with trays, and I ran right past Emma and Jayson, who stared after me in surprise.
Kaylee! Nash shouted, and footsteps pounded on the ground behind me, but I couldnt tell how many of my friends were following me. And I could only hope the rest of the student body hadnt decided to come watch whatever drama they imagined we were playing out.
I chased Meredith around the corner of the building and she stopped halfway to the parking lot and turned to face me. I slowed to a walk and my grip tightened around the strap of my bag as I pulled the zipper open with my free hand.
Avari? I said so softly I could barely hear myself.
Who else? the hellion said in Merediths voice. I thought this ensemble most appropriate for a visit during school hours. However, Im not sure I got the smile quite right. How does she look on me? He spread Merediths arms, inviting me to inspect her. She looked exactly like she had the day shed died. Letter jacket. Skirt that barely passed the dress code. Too-thin legs. Honey-brown ponytail. This was beyond creepy. I was being haunted by everyone Id ever failed to saveall the ghosts of my past.
Dickens was probably rolling over in his grave.
Whod you kill? I demanded as several sets of footsteps slowed to a stop behind me.
Meredith cocked her head to one side. I didnt ask his name. I only asked if he knew you, and when he was finished soiling himselfevidently he recognized my disguisehe managed to say that he shares a class with you.
My backpack shook in my grip. Another death laid at my doorstep. Another classmate dead for no reason. Who would be next? One of my friends? A member of my family? I could hardly see through the horror clouding my vision. I couldnt let this go on.
I warned you, Ms. Cavanaugh, yet you greedily cling to your soul, when you could have spared your friends and classmates another loss.
Meredith? Sophies voice was a shocked whisper as she slowed to a stop at my side, and I glanced back just long enough to make sure no one elseno one humanhad followed us out of the quad. They hadnt, but that couldnt last long.
I tried to step in front of my cousin, but she shoved me away, her eyes wide and filled with tears.
Get her out of here, I said to Luca. He tried to lead her away, but she wouldnt go.
Meredith? she said again, and I could hear the tears in her voice.
To my horror, the hellion answered, in Merediths voice. Dont let them hurt me, Sophie. Your crazy cousin wants to kill me.
Kaylee? Sophie demanded, and on the edge of my vision, I saw Nash move to help Lucawith her. No! Get off me! She shoved their hands away. Kaylee, is that Meredith?
No. Meredith is dead. I didnt dare look away from the hellion as he watched her, a quiet smile turning up one corner of his stolen mouth, enjoying her confusion and pain.
So are you! Sophie hissed, pushing Nash away. If she threw a fit, people would come running. We had to keep her quiet and get her away from the hellion. Is Meredith back? You cant kill her! I wont let you!
Sophie, get out of here and let me do my job. I desperately didnt want her to be there when I had to stab a monster who looked like one of her friends.
Luca stepped in front of Sophie, blocking her view of the hellion, and when she tried to step around him, he wrapped both arms around hermore hug than restrictive hold. He spoke into her ear, so softly I could hardly hear him. I dont know who Meredith is, but if Kaylee says thats not her, then thats not her. Thats not even her corpseyou have my word.
Then what is that? What the hell is that? Her voice went shrill and terrified, and for the first time I thought I heard a little of her mixed-blood bean sidhe heritage leaking through. Whats going on? What does it want?
I came back for you, Sophie, the Meredith-thing said. Come with me. You belong in hell. Thats where all snotty little bitches wind up eventually, anyway. The hellions lips curled up into a creepy smile, and Sophie screamed.
Luca and Nash tried to cover her mouth, but her lungs were powerful and her voice was shrill.
I reached into my backpack and pulled the dagger from an inside pocket. Id had to blink straight into the school building to get it past the metal detectors, and now I was glad Id gone to the extra trouble.
The hellion was drinking up Sophies trauma, but Merediths eyes narrowed on me when she saw the blade, and she spread her arms. This is my favorite part, Avari said with Merediths voice. Until next time
I drove the dagger through her stomach and up into her chest.
14
SOPHIE. I KNELT in front of my cousin and Luca on the spring grass, but she wouldnt look at me. She wouldnt look at anything. She just clung to Luca, staring at the letter jacket that had remained after Meredith disappeared. Her name was on the back and several dance-themed pins were attached to the green letter E. Sophie, I need you to focus.
Finally she blinked and started to look up. But then her gaze snagged on the bloody dagger still in my handI couldnt put it in my backpack until Id cleaned itand she turned away from me and buried her face in Lucas shoulder.
Kaylee! Nash shouted, and footsteps pounded on the ground behind me, but I couldnt tell how many of my friends were following me. And I could only hope the rest of the student body hadnt decided to come watch whatever drama they imagined we were playing out.
I chased Meredith around the corner of the building and she stopped halfway to the parking lot and turned to face me. I slowed to a walk and my grip tightened around the strap of my bag as I pulled the zipper open with my free hand.
Avari? I said so softly I could barely hear myself.
Who else? the hellion said in Merediths voice. I thought this ensemble most appropriate for a visit during school hours. However, Im not sure I got the smile quite right. How does she look on me? He spread Merediths arms, inviting me to inspect her. She looked exactly like she had the day shed died. Letter jacket. Skirt that barely passed the dress code. Too-thin legs. Honey-brown ponytail. This was beyond creepy. I was being haunted by everyone Id ever failed to saveall the ghosts of my past.
Dickens was probably rolling over in his grave.
Whod you kill? I demanded as several sets of footsteps slowed to a stop behind me.
Meredith cocked her head to one side. I didnt ask his name. I only asked if he knew you, and when he was finished soiling himselfevidently he recognized my disguisehe managed to say that he shares a class with you.
My backpack shook in my grip. Another death laid at my doorstep. Another classmate dead for no reason. Who would be next? One of my friends? A member of my family? I could hardly see through the horror clouding my vision. I couldnt let this go on.
I warned you, Ms. Cavanaugh, yet you greedily cling to your soul, when you could have spared your friends and classmates another loss.
Meredith? Sophies voice was a shocked whisper as she slowed to a stop at my side, and I glanced back just long enough to make sure no one elseno one humanhad followed us out of the quad. They hadnt, but that couldnt last long.
I tried to step in front of my cousin, but she shoved me away, her eyes wide and filled with tears.
Get her out of here, I said to Luca. He tried to lead her away, but she wouldnt go.
Meredith? she said again, and I could hear the tears in her voice.
To my horror, the hellion answered, in Merediths voice. Dont let them hurt me, Sophie. Your crazy cousin wants to kill me.
Kaylee? Sophie demanded, and on the edge of my vision, I saw Nash move to help Lucawith her. No! Get off me! She shoved their hands away. Kaylee, is that Meredith?
No. Meredith is dead. I didnt dare look away from the hellion as he watched her, a quiet smile turning up one corner of his stolen mouth, enjoying her confusion and pain.
So are you! Sophie hissed, pushing Nash away. If she threw a fit, people would come running. We had to keep her quiet and get her away from the hellion. Is Meredith back? You cant kill her! I wont let you!
Sophie, get out of here and let me do my job. I desperately didnt want her to be there when I had to stab a monster who looked like one of her friends.
Luca stepped in front of Sophie, blocking her view of the hellion, and when she tried to step around him, he wrapped both arms around hermore hug than restrictive hold. He spoke into her ear, so softly I could hardly hear him. I dont know who Meredith is, but if Kaylee says thats not her, then thats not her. Thats not even her corpseyou have my word.
Then what is that? What the hell is that? Her voice went shrill and terrified, and for the first time I thought I heard a little of her mixed-blood bean sidhe heritage leaking through. Whats going on? What does it want?
I came back for you, Sophie, the Meredith-thing said. Come with me. You belong in hell. Thats where all snotty little bitches wind up eventually, anyway. The hellions lips curled up into a creepy smile, and Sophie screamed.
Luca and Nash tried to cover her mouth, but her lungs were powerful and her voice was shrill.
I reached into my backpack and pulled the dagger from an inside pocket. Id had to blink straight into the school building to get it past the metal detectors, and now I was glad Id gone to the extra trouble.
The hellion was drinking up Sophies trauma, but Merediths eyes narrowed on me when she saw the blade, and she spread her arms. This is my favorite part, Avari said with Merediths voice. Until next time
I drove the dagger through her stomach and up into her chest.
14
SOPHIE. I KNELT in front of my cousin and Luca on the spring grass, but she wouldnt look at me. She wouldnt look at anything. She just clung to Luca, staring at the letter jacket that had remained after Meredith disappeared. Her name was on the back and several dance-themed pins were attached to the green letter E. Sophie, I need you to focus.
Finally she blinked and started to look up. But then her gaze snagged on the bloody dagger still in my handI couldnt put it in my backpack until Id cleaned itand she turned away from me and buried her face in Lucas shoulder.
