My head snapped up and with an audible crack I flew backwards as the last of the warmth rammed into me. My head hit the gravestone behind me. Dazed, I raised my hand to my head only to come up short as I saw a silvery sheen. I peered closer and saw a long slash down the center of my palm. The moonlight turned the crimson flow silver, making it beautiful in its grotesqueness.
I turned at the sound of leaves crunching as Rose stomped forward, Brandon was swiftly behind her. “Did you hear me? What are you doing?”
“I touched it.” I sighed out. I didn't feel right. Something was wrong, but I couldn't function enough to figure out what.
She looked at me, frowning, then looked back at the stone. Her eyes widened and she took a step back. “What happened?”
She sounded shocked. Some part of me seemed to care about her tone so I slowly turned my head and followed her gaze. The headstone was still there, but barely. It was like three hundred years had passed in the minutes that I had touched it. Where once there was nothing but smooth obsidian, now there was a crumbled mass between gray spears where time hadn't touched yet. I frowned. That wasn't right either. “I think we should go—”
“What are you kids doing? Get out of here!” I jerked up at the sound of the enraged voice. Rose and Brandon quickly grabbed me, half-dragging me toward the boundary line.
“Shit!” Rose screeched, pulling on me roughly.
“Who is that?” My breath started to come faster, fogging up the space in front of us.
“That's the groundskeeper. He keeps people like us away.” Brandon huffed beside me.
“I thought we were allowed to go?”
“No one's allowed to go, Star. That's what makes it so much fun. You've got to touch the stone before you're caught and he runs you off.” Under Rose's agitation there was a hint of excitement. I guess she would enjoy practically breaking the law.
“What have you done?” The enraged yell seemed to follow us as we made our way into the woods. The farther we got from the clearing the more like myself I felt. I shrugged out of Rose and Brandon's hold and ran along beside them, clenching my hand to my chest.
“Holy shit!” Rose panted as she leaned against the door frame to my room. “I swore he was about to chase after us!” Her laughter formed between her panting. She was thrilled. Brandon sat down on the floor, breathing heavily. She flopped down into his lap, a smile lighting up her face.
I sank wearily to the floor, completely worn out. “I can't believe I actually listened to you guys. We could have gotten in so much trouble.”
“Well it's worth it. You're one of us now.” Rose said with a shrug, her smile still firmly in place. I wasn't so sure I wanted to be one of them anymore.
I opened my hand and looked at my palm. The bleeding had almost stopped, leaving nothing but a small trickle. The blood had dried on my hand and the trails that ran down my arm. I grimaced. I definitely needed a shower. I sighed and leaned my head back.
“I still can't believe you did it, though. I thought for sure that you'd run off screaming ten feet into the woods, but you actually freaking manned up! Andrei's going to be so pissed he missed this!” She was practically bouncing now. God I wasn't feeling good.
“Yeah, well I'm sure he'll hear about it soon anyways. You look too excited to hold back.” I rubbed my head where a headache was forming. “Look, I'm all happy it's done and everything, but I'm not feeling well. Can you guys leave now? I just want to go to bed.”
She frowned at me. Brandon looked like he was half-asleep on the floor but he perked up a little bit. “You okay Star?” he asked, concern crossing his face.
“Yeah, I'll be fine. Just tired.” I got up and walked with them to the door. “I'll see you guys on Monday.”
They looked at me for a moment. Rose's excitement had died down some, but she was still bubbly. “Yeah, we'll see you.” I waved as they walked away and closed the door behind them.
My head started swirling as I walked to my room, kicking off my shoes in the process. I started swaying drastically. It was like the pulsing from the stone was rampaging in my head, throwing off my equilibrium and thought processes. I stumbled toward my bed and fell face down to it. Within seconds I was gone to the world.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Monday rolled around faster than I liked it too. I ended up sleeping through most of Sunday, only getting up to eat or use the bathroom. The weirdness I felt had slowly gone away, leaving me feeling relatively normal.
I pulled into the parking lot and raced inside, hurrying to class. I was late, again. I threw open the doors to my history class only to skid to a stop. Jessica Rabbit was standing behind the desk.
She wasn't the actual Jessica Rabbit, but I bet she could pass for a damn good imitation. I felt myself blush as her large green eyes locked onto me. Her body was what every little boy dreamed of in a woman. Curves in all the right places and then some. Her stilettos made her stand over me, though I had a feeling that if she was barefoot we'd be the same height. She wore a simple yet elegant dove gray skirt suit. The skirt hugged her generous hips all the way up to her miniscule waist. The jacket fit to perfection, highlighting her large breasts. Flaming red hair fell in waves down her back. I had no idea what she was doing here but she sure as hell didn't belong in a school. Especially this school.
“You're late.” She snapped out, her anger seemed to enhance her symmetrical, dainty features.
“Yeah, sorry.” I was still standing in the doorway, just staring at her.
“Apologies don't work in my classroom. Come forward and inform the class as to why you are late, and why what you were doing was so important that we had to hold up class.”
I frowned at her and looked out to the other students. Every male in the class was practically drooling over her. I couldn't blame them. The females, on the other hand, were looking at her like she was the second coming of Jesus. I shook my head and stepped forward.
“Okay, Mrs.—”
“Miss Beckingdale.”
“Miss Beckingdale. I overslept. Sorry.” I could feel my anger rising along with the darkness. It seemed to be stronger for some reason. Maybe it just didn't like Jessica Rabbit look-a-likes. I clenched my jaw and turned toward my seat.
“We're not finished yet.” Her voice stopped me short. I breathed slowly, deeply, but the darkness seemed to rise faster than I'd ever felt it. My hands started to shake as I struggled for control. I was starting to panic, it had never came back that fast.
My base emotion was quickly becoming over ridden as the darkness pushed forth, bringing the energy with it. I winced as it lashed across me. Through me.
I turned around slowly and faced her. The anger on her face started to slowly leave, replaced by curiosity. “As far as I'm concerned, we're done here.”
“Well, luckily for me I am the substitute until Mr. Ridgewood returns. That means that I am in charge and you have to listen to me.”
“I don't care who you are. I don't have to stand here and listen to this—”
“Star, don't.” I snapped my attention over to Gabe. He looked at me pleadingly even though his confusion showed through.
“Yes, listen to your friend. And since he had the nerve to speak up without being spoken to, he can come up here, and join us in our little discussion.”
The shaking had moved up my hands into my arms, slowly working its way toward my chest. I knew this wasn't right, even for me, but I couldn't hold on. I wasn't able to hinder the progress.
I had to do something, had to escape. “How about not?” I practically growled at her as Gabe made his way to the front. I cast him a quick glance as I turned on my heel and headed for the door. I'd had enough of this shit.