“I was asking about Jane,” says Minaro. “We are discussing what the early chapters at her aunt’s house reveal about her character. What stands out to you?”
“She… she’s kind and honest,” I say, hoping that’s enough, but the director doesn’t look impressed. “Even though everyone bullies her,” I add.
“So, is she meek then?” asks our teacher.
“No. She stands up for herself, but… it costs her.”
“How does it cost her?”
“Well, no one believes her. Her aunt blames Jane for fighting with her cousin, even though he provoked her. Then when she gets locked up in the red room, no one believes that she’s seen Mr. Reed’s ghost, and later at the school—”
“Okay, good,” says Minaro, cutting me off. “I am not sure anyone else has gotten that far yet. We do not want to spoil anything.”
Telling the truth hasn’t worked out so well for Jane thus far. If I confide in Salma now, it could cost me, too. She might not believe me, or the vampire could target both of us.
But I might not have a choice anymore.
When class ends, Zach says, “Let’s go pick up the club forms.”
“Can you guys grab a couple for Salma and me?” I ask. “I need to talk to her about something.”
Once the classroom empties, I turn to my best friend and say, “There’s something wrong with this place. I’ll explain everything once we’re far from here, but right now I’m going to call my parents to come get us, okay?”
“Isthatwhat this is about?” she asks, her shoulders relaxing. “Lore, I know I give you a lot of shit for being so good, but I don’t want you to think you have to hide your feelings from me.It’s okay that you’re homesick.You should call your parents and talk to them—”
“NO!” I say, too forcefully. “You don’t get it. This place is dangerous, Sal. I’m telling you—”
“Do what you need to do, but I’m not going back,” she says, cutting me off. “There’s something unnatural about the LUB, and this place in general. I don’t know what it is, but if any otherworldly energy exists on this planet, then this manor must be connected to it.” She looks just as determined as she did the day she asked me to apply to Huntington with her.
“I can’t leave,” she says in a softer voice. “I wish you’d stay, but if you really need to go home, I understand.”
I’m going to have to tell her about the vampire and his threat to kill us.
It’s the only way.
“Sal, listen to me. The other night—”
The classroom door swings open, and Mr. Torres, the Spanish teacher, pokes his head in. “¿Todo bien por aquí?”
“Yes, we’re fine,” I say, hoping he’ll leave.
“Well, you can’t stay in here,” he says, switching languages. He holds open the door for us, and Salma marches out ahead of me. As I’m following her, Mr. Torres’s hand reaches out and grips my wrist tight.
I gasp, and he whispers, “Medianoche.”
Midnight.
Then he lets me go.
I hurry after Salma, who’s halfway down the hall and hasn’t looked back. My pulse pounds against my eardrums, and I don’t dare look back, either.
The vampire must’ve compelled Mr. Torres to send me that message as a warning. He’s watching my every move.
I can’t tell anyone. I can’t go anywhere. I can’t escape my fate tonight.
MY PHONEalarm buzzes at 11:30PM.
I shut it off quickly. I was already awake.
