Chương 19: Clawed Encounter

Beneath his desk, Crimson's knees bounce with nervous energy as he watches the teacher draw nearer, carrying the stack of graded tests. Behind him, Churro leans in to whisper.

"If Autzee's not the Alpha... if he's not the one who bit you... who did?

""I don't know." Churro settles back, lost in thought. He leans in once more.

"Did the Alpha kill the bus driver?"

"I don't know. Churro" Churro flops back. Leans forward again.

"Does Willow's dad know about the Alpha?

""I DON'T KNOW." Crimson slinks down in his seat as he realizes all eyes are on him. The Teacher finally drops his test on his desk. He flips it over to reveal a big D and a note: "Not like you! What's happening? See me after class." Churro peeks over his shoulder at the grade.

"Dude, you need to hit the books more. And that was a joke. It's one test. Want some help studying?" Crimson buries his head in his hands, feeling swamped.

"I'm studying with Willow at her place after school. Just studying."

"No, you're not."

"No, I'm not?" Churro paused, leaning over to snatch his test.

"Not if I'm forced to live vicariously through you. If you go to her house and waste that huge chance, I'll have you professionally de-balled. Got it? Done. No more talk of Alphas or Autzee. Especially Autzee."

A wave of vibrant sneakers floods the corridor, pupils scurrying toward their lessons. Once the hallway empties, a shadowy silhouette steps into view... Autzee. His face is pallid, dark rings beneath his eyes, and bloodied wraps peek out from under his jacket sleeve. A stray student or two pauses to stare at him. He ignores them, striding purposefully toward a lone teen still at his locker. Larch spins around to spot Autzee heading straight for him. He instinctively shuffles backward.

"Where's Crimson Croft?" Autzee demanded.

"And why would I spill that to you?"

"Because I asked you nicely. And I only ask once."

"Alright, big shot. What if I point you his way, provided you tell me what you're peddling to him?

"What is it? Dianabol? HGH?" Autzee gives him a puzzled look and asks, "Steroids."

"Nope, Girl Scout Cookies. What else would I mean? And by the way, whatever you're pushing? I'd quit testing your own product. You look terrible." Autzee studies Larch, almost sensing the hunger for control radiating off him.

"I'll track him down on my own." This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. He pivots to leave, but Larch clamps onto his shoulder.

"Hey, we're not finished..." Autzee seizes him by the throat. Larch tries to peel his fingers away, but he's just too powerful. He wheezes, choking until at last he appears to snap out of it and lets go. The athlete doubles over, gulping air. While the boy is hunched forward, Autzee spots small punctures on the back of his neck, marks from the claws extending from his fingertips. He stares at them, alarmed. Still gasping, Larch lifts his gaze to see him vanish around the bend.

The boy reaches behind his neck, and his fingertips come away stained with blood.

Autzee collapses against the row of lockers. Feeling weak and slipping out of control, he shuts his eyes, attempting a fresh approach. He tunes in, and sounds drift into his mind. Teens chattering, teachers droning, phone keys clicking, and then...

"Crimson's dropping by? Tonight?" Scara asked, a sly grin spreading across her face.

"We're only hitting the books together." Scara and Willow descend the stairs, making their way to the next period.

"Just studying never stays just studying. It's like climbing into a hot tub. Eventually, someone sneaks a touch."

"So, what are you getting at?"

"I'm saying make sure he stays covered. Hey, Snow White, I'm talking about a condom." This threw Willow for a loop; she never imagined her best friend could think that way.

"Are you serious? After a single date?"

"Well, don't be such a prude. You've got to offer him a little taste."

"How much is a little taste?"

"Oh my God. You genuinely like him, don't you?" Willow began to squirm, a bit uneasy now.

"Well, there's just something unique about him. When I first arrived, I had this plan: no boyfriends until college. I switch places too often. But when I met him, he stood out. I can't put it into words."

"I can. It's your brain getting flooded with phenylethylamine. I'll tell you exactly what to do. When is he coming over?"

"Right after school." Further down the hall, the crowd splits, revealing Autzee. He glances at a wall clock: 2: 30pm. As the bell rings and students stream out of the classroom, he slips through an exit.

As the school day wraps up, students flood the parking lot, scrambling to reach their vehicles. Churro leaps into his Jeep. He backs out and turns toward the exit, but Autzee steps directly into his path. Churro hits the brakes hard. The cars behind him screech to a halt, nearly causing a pile-up in the school lot. From the bike rack, Crimson looks up, having heard the sudden braking. Then he sees the reason why.

"No. Not now. Not here." He starts running over just as Autzee collapses right in front of the Jeep. Churro jumps out from the driver's side.

"What are you doing here? Get up."

"Crimson, he's not looking too good."

"I was shot." Autzee said, struggling to speak. Autzee tries to push himself up while Crimson and Churro kneel down to him. He notices that he wasn't healing, probably due to the bullet, probably due to something more lethal, and Crimson notices it too.

"Why aren't you healing?"

"I can't. It was a different kind of bullet..."

"Wait a second. That's what she meant when she said 48 hours. The one who shot you..." Autzee sucks in a breath, a wave of pain rolling through him. His eyes flicker blue.

"What are you doing? Stop that." Crimson told him an order.

"That's what I'm trying to tell you. I can't." Crimson grabs him, struggling to keep him from falling to the pavement. Other students start to notice. Horns begin honking behind Churro's car.

"Get up. Autzee, get up." But he's grounded, seemingly powerless as witnesses draw closer and closer... Horns blare as an impatient Larch gets out of his BMW, leaving Scara in the passenger seat. Willow gets out of her own car to see what's causing the gridlock. At Churro's Jeep, Crimson tries to pull Autzee up.

"Help me put him in your car." Reluctantly, he helps Crimson lift Autzee to his feet. Coming up the row of cars, both Larch and Willow see him and Churro pushing him into the Jeep. But as he slumps down in the passenger seat, Autzee latches onto Crimson's arm, not letting go.

"I need you to find the same kind of bullet. I have to know what they used." Autzee asked.

"How am I supposed to do that?

"She's an Ash. She's with them Crimson. You need me." Churro slams the door shut on his side. People now shout from their cars for him to get out of the way.

"Fine, fine. I'll try. Get him out of here." Crimson pushes the door shut on Autzee, allowing Churro to pull away. He turns back just as Willow approaches.

"What was he doing here? I thought you said you weren't friends with him."

"Uh... Churro is giving him a ride. It's a long story. I'll tell you at your house. Okay? And I'm not friends with him. Not really. We're still studying together, right? Meet at your place?"

"Yeah. I'll see you there." Rushing back to his bike, Crimson notices Larch staring suspiciously at him. Until Scara approaches.

"Who was that? He definitely looked like someone. And what's on your neck? Larch feels at the cuts from Autzee's claws.

"Nothing. It's just a scratch."