Well, guess who’s also sick?
Margot.
I glare at their empty desks from where I sit. I’ve been glaring for most of the day, and I don’t have any plans to stop. Last I heard, Margot didn’t want to be Harrison’s girlfriend anymore. Now, they’re skipping school together and not even telling me. I’m stuck sitting here like a complete loser, and it’s almost time for lunch.
Lunch always sucks when Harrison is gone. I have to eat lunch with Stephan and Gregg, and they only want to talk about their latest experiment. They’re probably still trying to reanimate the hog from Gregg’s family farm. It died last week, and supposedly, they’re “this” close to bringing it back to life.
Stephan and Gregg are liars. Harrison and I would’ve started a game of groundball with the older boys. I could probably go out there by myself, but I’m not half as good at it as Harrison. What if they won’t let me play? What if they laugh right in my face?
No, I’ll be stuck sitting with Stephan and Gregg and hearing about their half-reanimated hog.
Mrs. Raekes dismisses the class for break. I take my time collecting my lunch from the shelf, only to pause when a glimpse of black catches my attention.
Secora Reed.
I don’t know much about her. After her eventful first day, I’ve mostly steered clear of her. Secora typically clings to Margot like a fifth limb, and I’ve done everything in my power to keep Harrison from terrorizing her. It’s not that I’mnotafraid of the Dark Ones. I am.
It’s just…I’ve yet to see her do anything mean or violent. She certainly hasn’t pushed anyone into the dirt.
With my lunch bag draped over my arm, I follow Secora through the crowded halls. Everyone is headed for the auditorium, the oversized room where we eat when it’s too cold to go outside.
Secora, of course, doesn’t follow everyone else.
I hardly blame her. No one aside from Margot wants anything to do with her, and since she’s not here…
Secora disappears out a side door, leading to the playground. I’m not sure if we’re allowed to go outside. I should at least ask someone if it’s okay. I can see one of the younger class’s teachers near the auditorium entrance. I could ask her. I could…
I’m already moving for the door. I shove through it, and I’m instantly struck with a harsh gust of wind. I shrink against the side of the brick building, wrapping my arms around myself.
The playground is empty. The swings jostle in rhythm with the wind, but otherwise, the world is quiet and still. Secora was only a minute ahead of me. She should be here, on one of the slides, or even sitting in the dirt. Instead, it’s like she vanished.
“Secora?” I call.
I don’t know what I’m going to say once I find her. I don’t have a reason for following her out here. I haven’t spoken to her since her firstday, and I only know her name because Mrs. Raekes calls it every day when taking attendance. It’s probably weird I’m out here.
I should go back inside and accept my boring fate of lunch with Stephan and Gregg.
Instead, I venture farther onto the playground. The wind whips around me, rustling my clothes and burning cold against my cheeks.
I’m on the verge of giving up—or maybe getting help from a teacher—when I spot her. A quick flash of black clothing, stirred by the wind.
She’s back at the haunted tree, leaned against its trunk, head tilted to the sky.
I move across the playground and the grassy field separating us. Now that I can see her, I feel an unexpected sense of determination. This girl is going to like me. She’s going to like me, and if she ever decides to kill her classmates like she did her own parents, she’ll spare me.
That’s what I tell myself anyway. It feels like a good enough reason.
When I arrive at Secora’s side, I realize her eyes are closed. She might be sleeping. She’s definitely not eating lunch. From the looks of it, she doesn’t even have one. Maybe she forgot. Maybe she’s not hungry.
I stare at her for too long. Her eyes open before I have the chance to announce myself, and she yelps in surprise. She slams back against the tree, tucking her knees to her chest. Her fists come up toward her face, braced for impact. Her sleeves fall at the movement, revealing those shiny gold cuffs.
“I wasn’t trying to scare you,” I say. I take a small step backward and raise my palms. “I was just…what are you doing out here?”
Secora blinks at me, eyes wide, mouth unmoving.
“We’re supposed to eat in the auditorium,” I say stupidly. As if she doesn’t know. As if she cares.
“I know,” she says. Her voice is raspy.
