My Soul to Save
Page 68
Is Nash with you?
I sighed, and let my head fall back against the headrest, watching as the highway lights passed over us in a steady, hypnotic rhythm. This isnt his fault, I insisted. I asked him to help. Ill explain everything when I get home.
Kaylee
I gotta go, Dad. I just wanted to tell you Im okay. And please dont go to the police. They wont understand. With that, I slid my phone closed and pressed the button to ignore the incoming call when it began to ring an instant later. Instead of answering, I called Addison. She answered on the first ring and assured me that Regan was up, if not exactly perky.
I told her to funnel another Jolt down her sisters throat and get her dressed. Wed be there in ten minutes.
Again, Addy met us at the door, but this time Regan sat on the couch in designer jeans and a couple of snug, layered, long-sleeved tees. She stared across the room with those weird, solid-white eyes until our arrival caught her attention and she smiled blankly at me, her lips barely curling up enough to qualify as an actual expression.
Shes gonna have to put her contacts in, I said, forcing myself to look somewhere other than Regans eyes. Anywhere else. She cant go out like that.
Addison crossed the room toward her sister, a brown leather jacket folded over one arm. I dont think I can get them in her eyes, and shes not up to it yet. Cant she just wear sunglasses?
Its the middle of the night. I picked up one of Regans listless arms and slid it through the jacket sleeve her sister held.
Were not trying to make a fashion statement, Kaylee. Addy stuffed her sisters remaining hand through its sleeve. Were just trying to avoid notice.
Will we have to worry about paparazzi at three in the morning? I asked as Addison knelt to slide a pair of glittery canvas shoes on her sisters bare feet. Not exactly winter attire, but it would work in a pinch. As would the sunglasses.
Not in your car, the pop princess said, and I didnt bother to tell her it wasnt my car. She would have been much more embarrassed to appear in mine than in Emmas. Not unless someone tipped them off. And if thats the case, we have bigger things to worry about. She rose and pulled her sister up by both hands.
Regan just stood there.
How much did you give her? Nash stepped closer to the youngest Page with his arms out, as if to catch her. Because she looked pretty wobbly.
You mean Jolt or pills?
Pills.
Two. But I think part of this is shock.
Nash exhaled deeply, frowning. Grab another Jolt for the road. He wrapped one arm around Regansshoulders and led her toward the door. Addy ducked into the kitchen while I snatched a pair of oversize, super-dark sunglasses from the bar between the living room and kitchen, sliding them in place over Regans ears right before Nash pushed her gently over the threshold and onto the porch.
Addy sat by her sister in the back, and I slid into the passenger seat, buckling my seat belt as Nash started the engine. I resisted the urge to take another look at my ankle because I didnt want Addy or Regan to see it.
I didnt really want to see it, either.
Regan, can you hear me? Nash asked, as we took the on-ramp back onto the highway.
Yeah Regan said, frowning slightly.
Here, drink this. Addison popped the top on the drink can and held it to her sisters lips.
No Regan pushed sluggishly at the can, and Addy pulled it back to keep from spilling.
We need you coherent, Regan, I said, wishing I had Nashs Influence rather than my own much harsher abilities. Dont you want to get your soul back?
Regan shrugged, and I couldnt even tell if she was looking at me from behind those huge sunglasses.
Keep making her drink. I settled into my seat, concentrating on the pain in my leg to keep from falling asleep.
My eyes were just starting to close when my phone buzzed in my pocket. My dad had called me twice more on the way to Addys house, but I checked the display just in case. It was Tod, calling on Nashs phone.
Hello? I jabbed Nashs arm as I answered, then mouthed his brothers name.
Kaylee? I found him. If you guys get here before he leaves, this might just work. Tod sucked in a tense, worried breath. But, Kay, this place isnt like the stadium. Itsbusy. Youll have to cross over in the parking lot, then bring everyone in through the side door, because the buildings still closed in the human world. And be careful. Dont touch anything
Like I havent learned my lesson on that one I interrupted.
And dont let Addy and Regan touch anything, either. Or talk to anyone.
Well be careful. I was as eager as the next person to walk out of this alive. Make sure he doesnt leave. Were about fifteen minutes away. Fortunately, we were too early for morning rush-hour traffic, and most of our fellow highway drivers were truckers on overnight routes.
I dont think he will. Everyones here to absorb the bleed-through of human life force, and theyre not going to leave before the workday starts. Thats when the energy here will go through the roof. Another pause. But hurry, just in case.
I sighed, and let my head fall back against the headrest, watching as the highway lights passed over us in a steady, hypnotic rhythm. This isnt his fault, I insisted. I asked him to help. Ill explain everything when I get home.
Kaylee
I gotta go, Dad. I just wanted to tell you Im okay. And please dont go to the police. They wont understand. With that, I slid my phone closed and pressed the button to ignore the incoming call when it began to ring an instant later. Instead of answering, I called Addison. She answered on the first ring and assured me that Regan was up, if not exactly perky.
I told her to funnel another Jolt down her sisters throat and get her dressed. Wed be there in ten minutes.
Again, Addy met us at the door, but this time Regan sat on the couch in designer jeans and a couple of snug, layered, long-sleeved tees. She stared across the room with those weird, solid-white eyes until our arrival caught her attention and she smiled blankly at me, her lips barely curling up enough to qualify as an actual expression.
Shes gonna have to put her contacts in, I said, forcing myself to look somewhere other than Regans eyes. Anywhere else. She cant go out like that.
Addison crossed the room toward her sister, a brown leather jacket folded over one arm. I dont think I can get them in her eyes, and shes not up to it yet. Cant she just wear sunglasses?
Its the middle of the night. I picked up one of Regans listless arms and slid it through the jacket sleeve her sister held.
Were not trying to make a fashion statement, Kaylee. Addy stuffed her sisters remaining hand through its sleeve. Were just trying to avoid notice.
Will we have to worry about paparazzi at three in the morning? I asked as Addison knelt to slide a pair of glittery canvas shoes on her sisters bare feet. Not exactly winter attire, but it would work in a pinch. As would the sunglasses.
Not in your car, the pop princess said, and I didnt bother to tell her it wasnt my car. She would have been much more embarrassed to appear in mine than in Emmas. Not unless someone tipped them off. And if thats the case, we have bigger things to worry about. She rose and pulled her sister up by both hands.
Regan just stood there.
How much did you give her? Nash stepped closer to the youngest Page with his arms out, as if to catch her. Because she looked pretty wobbly.
You mean Jolt or pills?
Pills.
Two. But I think part of this is shock.
Nash exhaled deeply, frowning. Grab another Jolt for the road. He wrapped one arm around Regansshoulders and led her toward the door. Addy ducked into the kitchen while I snatched a pair of oversize, super-dark sunglasses from the bar between the living room and kitchen, sliding them in place over Regans ears right before Nash pushed her gently over the threshold and onto the porch.
Addy sat by her sister in the back, and I slid into the passenger seat, buckling my seat belt as Nash started the engine. I resisted the urge to take another look at my ankle because I didnt want Addy or Regan to see it.
I didnt really want to see it, either.
Regan, can you hear me? Nash asked, as we took the on-ramp back onto the highway.
Yeah Regan said, frowning slightly.
Here, drink this. Addison popped the top on the drink can and held it to her sisters lips.
No Regan pushed sluggishly at the can, and Addy pulled it back to keep from spilling.
We need you coherent, Regan, I said, wishing I had Nashs Influence rather than my own much harsher abilities. Dont you want to get your soul back?
Regan shrugged, and I couldnt even tell if she was looking at me from behind those huge sunglasses.
Keep making her drink. I settled into my seat, concentrating on the pain in my leg to keep from falling asleep.
My eyes were just starting to close when my phone buzzed in my pocket. My dad had called me twice more on the way to Addys house, but I checked the display just in case. It was Tod, calling on Nashs phone.
Hello? I jabbed Nashs arm as I answered, then mouthed his brothers name.
Kaylee? I found him. If you guys get here before he leaves, this might just work. Tod sucked in a tense, worried breath. But, Kay, this place isnt like the stadium. Itsbusy. Youll have to cross over in the parking lot, then bring everyone in through the side door, because the buildings still closed in the human world. And be careful. Dont touch anything
Like I havent learned my lesson on that one I interrupted.
And dont let Addy and Regan touch anything, either. Or talk to anyone.
Well be careful. I was as eager as the next person to walk out of this alive. Make sure he doesnt leave. Were about fifteen minutes away. Fortunately, we were too early for morning rush-hour traffic, and most of our fellow highway drivers were truckers on overnight routes.
I dont think he will. Everyones here to absorb the bleed-through of human life force, and theyre not going to leave before the workday starts. Thats when the energy here will go through the roof. Another pause. But hurry, just in case.
