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The halls seemed emptier than normal and I noticed a few empty seats in my classes, but the why wasn’t apparent until I entered the lunchroom.
My eyes immediately went to the center tables, knowing I’d find the Pack and someone to warn. I stopped so suddenly, two girls ran into me. I apologized automatically as they eyed me curiously before moving around me. I fought against the flow of traffic headed toward the cashier and made my way to my usual table with Leah and some of the other senior girls.
“Where are they?” I asked without preamble and Leah glanced at the empty tables. Even with none of the Pack there, no one attempted to sit at the tables.
“I was waiting to ask you,” she replied, raising an eyebrow at me. “Seems like you have a little more insight than the rest of us.”
She was right, I did, but right now, I was as clueless as any of the other humans in the room. I glanced down at my clenched hands, as I realized I’d just referred to my fellow students as human, as if the Pack were other.
How long are you going to keep deluding yourself? A voice whispered and I flinched. Your dad was right. You keep sticking your head in the sand and life is going to pass you right by. You could have died. They could be dead and if you don’t warn them they will be.
I stood so abruptly, Leah started.
“Going somewhere?”
“Yeah,” I answered absently, my mind already focused on what I needed to do next. “Thanks,” I added, tapping Leah’s shoulder.
“For what?” she asked, mystified by my behavior.
“For being my friend,” I answered honestly, not having forgotten her willingness to befriend me my first day.
“You don’t have to thank me for that,” she replied, her eyes getting worried. “Is something wrong?”
“I hope not,” I answered a little more truthfully than I should have. I gave her a reassuring smile, as her face grew more concerned. “Really, its fine. I forgot to finish a homework assignment for Nichols,” I continued, making a face and Leah relaxed.
“Oh, in that case.” She chuckled and said, “That woman has it in for you.” I nodded emphatically, already moving toward the door, and a quick glance back showed she’d already started talking to one of the other girls. I hoped that meant she wasn’t going to remember my weirdness when I didn’t show up for any of my afternoon classes.
I shot off a text to Anna, hoping she’d answer and lay some of my fears to rest, but by the time I’d reached my locker, I hadn’t gotten a response. I quickly unloaded my textbooks, and checked the gun I’d hidden at the bottom of my backpack. It was against school policy to have a gun on school grounds and would result in instant expulsion if I were caught with it.
And probably a trip to the police station, I reminded myself uneasily. The sheriff was a Hanley and after yesterday, I wasn’t sure they wouldn’t just kill me on sight.
But I hadn’t forgotten Dominic’s warning either. My only defense was a weapon and the determination to use it. Dad had taught me the basics of gun safety and how to shoot, but I wasn’t kidding myself. I was in no way a crack shot and my only chance would be the element of surprise.
Since I’d never seen where Anna and the others lived and had no idea what to expect, I applauded myself for my foresight in bringing the gun. Granted, I hadn’t expected to be making a trip into their stronghold, but that was really beside the point now. I had to go and warn them. If I wasn’t already too late.
I made my way to the back exit, the one overlooking the gym and field house, keeping my strides quick and confident. Nothing said suspicious like slinking around in the shadows. I reached the field house without being stopped, and paused to take a breath. The next part was the trickiest. I had to cross an open field before I reached the cover of the trees and anyone who spotted me would know I was ditching. I wasn’t worried about getting in trouble, so much as getting caught and detained. I was determined to go, and after taking a second to steel myself, I strode across the field like I was supposed to be there. I kept my pace even, barely breathing as I anticipated someone shouting at me to stop. When no one did and the trees hid me from sight once again, I stopped and glanced back. When I didn’t see anyone following, I let myself breathe easier.
The forest felt different now, darker and more ominous as I walked alone, without Caleb’s off tune whistling and Dominic’s occasional grunt when I tripped. I tried not to think of what happened just the day before, telling myself, they were dead and it was unlikely anyone would be in the woods waiting for me. If my suspicions were true, Dominic and the Pack were in more danger than I was now.
