Dark Days (The Childe Series, #2) (20 page)
“I made the team!” he exclaimed, as he high-fived his older brother.
“Was there any doubt, bro?”
“That’s awesome, Brandon. What position?” Cat asked
“I’m lead running back for the freshman team. I can’t wait to be second string behind Ryan on varsity next year,” he replied as his older brother gave him a quick glare.
“Oh, and congrats, Matt, on becoming the team’s assistant. It’s a tough job man, I hope you’re up for it,” Jonathen said with a smile, trying to change the subject.
“I’m the man for the job!” Matt exclaimed and smiled ear to ear.
Realizing it was only minutes until the bell, Cat rushed down the hall toward her locker after saying her hurried goodbyes. Not wanting to be late, she feverishly dialed in her locker combo and threw it open, grabbing for her biology notebook. Losing her grip on it, it fell to the ground. As she bent down to pick it up a large, polished, black boot stepped down on it. “I kind of need that,” she said, trying to wrestle it from underneath the shoe. Letting out a frustrated sigh she stood up and came face to face with Isaac, who was grinning devilishly at her.
“Oh, my deepest apologies, is that
your
notebook under my foot?” he asked smugly. Cat just glared at him. Isaac’s grin increased.
“Can I have my notebook, please?” Cat asked, anger showing in her eyes.
“Sure, by all means, take it,” he replied innocently. Cat bent down and grabbed for it, noticing that more people had gathered behind him. She tried to pry the book from under his foot, but to no avail. Standing abruptly, Cat glared at Isaac again. This time she was met by the evil stares of not only Isaac, but also Amelia, and the Stone twins.
“Having issues, Cat?” Amelia asked condescendingly as the Stone twins grinned and snickered.
“No, actually I was just leaving,” Cat replied bluntly. Anger surged through her as she bent down and grabbed for her notebook again. Isaac applied more pressure on it. Cat grabbed his ankle tightly and threw his foot off the notebook, causing him to stumble backward. After picking it up, she glared at Isaac and his group. Isaac stared at her in shock as Cat walked away.
“How did she do that?” Isaac asked confused.
“Why did you let her go?” Amelia asked.
“We thought we were going to play with her,” the Stone twins said in unison.
“I used all my strength to push down,” he replied, anger lacing his voice.
“All your strength, are you sure?” Amelia asked in a whisper.
“Yeah, all my strength,” he replied with one eyebrow raised. The stunned group watched Cat as she hurried down the hall.
The last bell rang as Cat rushed into biology. The whole class turned and looked at her as she stopped dead in her tracks. Looking around the room, she realized every desk was taken.
“You must be Catherine Colvin,” a male voice sounded from the front of the class. She turned to see her teacher holding the class roster in his hands.
“Sorry I’m late sir, locker trouble,” Cat replied.
“It’s okay, but just don’t make it an everyday occurrence, okay?” he said, checking her off as present.
“Got it, won’t happen again.” Mr. Pierson turned around and began writing on the chalkboard. “Umm, sir, where do I sit?” Cat asked.
“Oh, yeah, sorry about that. They kind of loaded this class up for some reason. Umm, how about at one of the lab tables. I’ll get an extra desk brought over for tomorrow’s class,” he replied with a smile. Cat shyly took her seat on the stool behind the large black-topped table, embarrassed that everyone was still staring at her. She saw Hannah sitting in the back row. Hannah waved and mouthed “sorry” to her. “Damn Isaac, and his damn group,” Cat muttered to herself.
“Lordie, lordie, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” Elsie remarked as she opened the door and saw who was standing in front of her. “Aldon and Druanna are going to be so surprised!” their housekeeper gushed.
“Well, Elsie, you have not changed in all these years, in fact you look younger,” the handsome and distinguished man replied, bringing a big smile to Elsie’s round face.
“Oh Edgar, you big flirt! Now get yourself in here right now, and let me go find those two. I just returned from running errands. I’m not sure if Druanna is back yet. Have a seat in the living room, make yourself comfortable,” she rambled, taking his coat.
Edgar Girven watched as Elsie’s short, round body bounced down the hallway and out of sight. The councilman shook his head, hating the sensation of his silver-laced black hair being bound by a leather strip, instead of being free like he wore it back home. He was fatigued. The trip from Austria had been a rough one. Instead of sitting, he decided to wander around the room, admiring the antiques and baubles Aldon had collected during his world travels.
“Edgar, you sly devil. Why didn’t you let us know you were coming?” Aldon’s huge voice echoed in the large living room. The gray-bearded giant moved forward to shake Edgar's hand briskly.
“I wanted to surprise you, and apparently I have done a good job of it old friend.”
“Yes, you have. Druanna is out, but should be home shortly. Hope you are here to stay awhile.”
Edgar stretched his arms out wide. “Thank you, I think I will. That trip practically did me in. I don’t know how you enjoy traveling so much. Those airplanes are so small and claustrophobic. I like having my feet firmly planted on the ground, and not ten thousand miles in the atmosphere.” He laughed, joining Aldon’s infectious one.
“Would you like a nap before dinner?” Aldon asked.
“No, but what I would like is a drink and a game of pool. You still have the pool table, right?”
“Of course! Just because we are old, does not mean we do not like our toys,” Aldon chuckled as he slapped an arm around his shorter friend’s shoulder, and escorted him to the billiard room.
“That was absolutely delicious, Elsie!” Edgar announced, looking at her blushing face as she began collecting the dinner plates.
“It was just some meat and potatoes with a few veggies thrown in, nothing special,” she replied.
“Well, it must be that Elsie touch then.” He laughed, seeing her face becoming redder by the minute.
“Now you folks move to the living room so I can clear this up. No, Druanna, put that down and go converse with the men. They need guidance, they’re men after all.” Elsie finished picking up the plates and gave Druanna, who wasn’t much taller than her, but a great deal thinner, a little push toward the door.
“Okay, bossy, I’m going.” Druanna smiled and followed the two men. She heard Elsie humming a tune behind her as she headed into the kitchen.
“So what brings you to our fair town?” Aldon asked Edgar as he sat on the couch opposite him.
“Several things actually. First to see you and lovely Druanna, of course,” he said, wriggling his eyebrows at Druanna, making her giggle. “I would also like to hold a meeting with the rest of the group about these weird disappearances. And last, but not least, I would like to request a dinner invitation from the Colvins. The council thinks it is about time one of the members meets this young lady who has been causing quite a stir in our meetings as of late. And I nominated me,” he joked.
“Well, all of that can easily be arranged. But I’m warning you to quit flirting with my wife. She doesn’t like it,” Aldon said sternly and threw back his head, laughing heartily as Druanna smacked his hand.
