Chương 24: Infected Jock

Sunlight streams into the ash house, warming the space through the windows. Willow snatches her bag and rushes out for school, just as Lily taps on the open door.

"So, you know I feel absolutely awful about how I acted the other night? Tell me I'm a terrible person."

"You were just looking out for me."

"A protective, terrible person who's giving you your birthday present early so you'll forgive me." She extends a wrapped gift box. Willow opens it, discovering a necklace with a strange pendant at its end.

"It's a family heirloom. I despise all that sentimental junk, but this... Well, look at the symbol in the pendant's centre? Check it out if you want to uncover something about your family. Are we forgiven?

"Totally. I adore it. You're going to make me earn it?"

"Some secrets are worth the effort." Lily watches her niece bring the necklace closer, studying the intricate symbol at the pendant's core as it hangs around her neck while she opens her locker. Balloons burst out, with a birthday card attached.

"It's your birthday?" Crimson asked. She spins to see Crimson approaching. Then quickly shoves the balloons back inside.

"No. I mean, yes. But keep it quiet. I have no clue how Scara found out. I don't want many people knowing. Since I'm seventeen."

"You're seventeen? I understand. You had to repeat a year because of all the moving, right?" She says, closing the locker and kissing him on the lips.

"What was that for?"

"For being the first person ever to guess correctly. Everyone else says, What? Were you held back? Are you dumb? Did you take the short bus?"

"Then... what if we left here? For the whole day." Willow froze at that, then asked, "You're asking someone who's never skipped a single class to ditch an entire day. What if you get caught?"

"Let's not think about that."

As he settles into his seat, Churro scans for Crimson, yet there's no trace of him anywhere. Mr. Smosh ignites the acetylene torch right on his desk.

"Just a gentle nudge: Parent/Teacher conferences are happening tonight. Any student with a grade below a C is expected to show up. I won't call you out because the embarrassment and self-loathing should be punishment enough. And has anyone spotted Crimson Croft?" Silence fills the room. The door swings open, and Larch steps in, there's something just a bit strange about him. All eyes are on him. Smosh walks over to where he stands.

"Larch, if you ever need to duck out early for whatever reason... Just give me a heads-up." The boy merely glares back, clearly irritated by the sympathy.

"Alright, everyone, open to Chapter Nine. And Mr. Valentine, try setting the highlighter down between paragraphs. This is Chemistry. Not a colouring book." This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Snapping his highlighter shut, Churro leans over to Danny, who's seated just ahead of him.

"Danny? Mind if I ask you something? Did Scara turn up in your homeroom today?"

"No."

"One more question, if that's okay? Do people know what went down with her and Larch last night?"

"He wouldn't spill."

Crimson and Willow dash into her car.

"Perhaps this isn't such a great plan. My father would be furious if he discovered this."

"You're always so obedient to your dad's rules? Fine, just get the engine going."

"Where exactly are we heading?" Crimson glances at the rear-view mirror and spots a school security vehicle approaching down the driveway.

"I have no clue. Just some place. Any spot will do." At last, she starts the engine and speeds out of the parking area. Taking a deep breath, Crimson settles back in his seat and unwinds.

Steam floods the locker room from the showers after gym class as the boys prep for their next period. Larch moves from the showers over to his locker. Only as he starts gathering his belongings does he realize the room has cleared out. Dripping faucets and clanging pipes join thick steam billowing out of the shower area. Larch pauses, shutting his locker. He slowly glances back and spots two glowing red eyes advancing through the mist.

He steps back, his hand drifting to his neck where Autzee's puncture marks remain visible. The glowing eyes creep closer and closer to Larch, and just when he's about to sprint, a student emerges through the steam, showing the red eyes are actually illuminated headphones in his ears. As the student leaves, Larch exhales in relief and turns to his locker just as Autzee walks in. He stumbles back, nearly toppling over the bench.

"Okay, all right, I don't know where Crimson is. I haven't seen him..."

"I'm not here for him. I'm here for you. Larch." Larch flinches at his own name, backing up until his back hits the wall.

"Me? Why me? I didn't do anything."

"But you saw something. Didn't you?"

"Saw what? When?"

"Last night, all I want to know is what you saw. Was it an animal? A mountain lion?"

"What? No. I didn't see anything, I swear. I don't know. I'm not lying. I swear to God." Larch said, retreating and so terrified he might die.

"Then calm down and say it again." Larch breath in then breathed out, calming his nerves.

"I didn't see anything." Sound fades until all Autzee can hear is the rhythmic rise and fall of Larch's heartbeat.

"I'm not lying." He repeats"I know." But Autzee doesn't back off. Instead, he moves a step closer.

"One more thing..." He places his hand on top of Larch's head. The boy squeezes his eyes shut, bracing for his neck to be snapped. But Autzee simply turns the jock's head to inspect the infected claw marks on his neck.

"You should really get that checked out." Larch gasps. His eyes flutter open. And once more, he's alone in the locker room.

Churro rushes along the corridor, phone pressed to his ear. Crimson answers the call.

"What?" Crimson replied.

"Finally! Have you been getting any of my messages?" Crimson muffles the phone, careful to keep Willow from overhearing.

"Do you have any idea what's happening? Scara's completely off the grid, Larch looks like a bomb went off in his face, some random dude's dead, and you've got to handle it."

"I'll take care of it later." Crimson murmured. He switches off his phone. Then he realizes they're about to miss the turn, so he tells her, "Left, left!" Willow hits the brakes hard, her reflexes impressively quick. She yanks the wheel like a pro and swings into the curve. As Crimson lurches against his seatbelt, she raises a protective arm across his chest.

"Sorry. I just totally gave you a soccer-mom moment, huh?"

"No problem. We can grab my manhood on the way back." She chuckles as they roll into a lane where sunbeams filter through the trees, throwing shadows over a beaten path. It's picturesque. Peaceful. But Willow keeps glancing back, fiddling with her phone. Crimson notices.

"You're really not cool with this, are you?" he asked.

"I just think I need an excuse. I don't want you taking the fall for me. I chose this too."

"Good, cause I'm totally pinning this on you if we get caught, and if we do, I'll say it was my fault."

"Oh, really?"

"Damn right. And they'd buy it. A hot girl asks me to ditch the day with her? Like I'd say no."

"So, you'd toss me under the bus just like that? What if I decide to pull you down with me?" She grabs his shirt, tugging him closer.

"And what if I did this?" She draws him in and kisses him on the mouth.

"I'd yell for help."

"And if I did this?" She said as she kisses him deeply, with passion.

"I'd plead for mercy." She laughs. He takes her hand, pulling her onward.