So much for Simon’s brilliant movie theatre idea. He had found himself sat between Toyah and Lindsay and neither girl said more than two words to him the whole time. Drew on the other hand had the opposite problem. He couldn’t seem to stop Becky from talking to him, not that he had anything against the girl. Clearly she was looking for some attention, but he was worried any friendly overtones he made would be misconstrued.
“Cool movie huh?” said Simon, trying to break the quiet tension.
“It was okay,” Lindsay replied. Toyah only shrugged.
Slowly the five of them started to walk back towards where Drew had parked the van. Simon fell into step beside Lindsay, knowing his annoyingly positive outlook would be of more benefit there. “Not quite the day we were hoping for,” he said softly.
“Not even close,” she answered.
“Well don’t worry, I’ll come up with a shiny new plan to fix this. Wait and see.”
She smiled thinly. “I don’t think this is fixable Simon.”
“Maybe if you told me what happened when you went back to the café…”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she snapped. “In fact, I don’t want to think about it ever again.”
Simon watched helplessly as she sped up and away from him.
“Smooth moves little brother,” Toyah said she also passed him.
“I really can’t catch a break today, can I?” he muttered to no one in particular.
Becky reached the van first, securing her position by the passenger door.
“Actually, Simon called shotgun for the ride back,” said Drew. “Sorry.”
“Oh. Okay.” Becky couldn’t help but shoot Simon an evil look as she moved around to the side door.
“What was that about?” Simon asked Drew as he climbed into the passenger seat. “I didn’t call shotgun.”
“I know, but these girls have some serious animosity going on,” said Drew.
“And you think locking them together in the back of a van for an hour will help? Those three?” Simon laughed. “Oh boy, and I thought I knew nothing about girls.”
“Okay, so maybe my motives aren’t completely altruistic,” he said and gave an almost imperceptible nod in Becky’s direction.
“Gotcha,” Simon nodded. “Although, I still think it’s a decision you’re going to regret.”
The back of the van wasn’t very big, especially when you were trying to sit as far away as possible from the other two occupants. Lindsay kept her eyes firmly on her hands and away from the stare of Toyah and Becky. Only another hour or so and this awful trip would finally be over.
Outside evening was beginning to fall, darkening the sky and taking what small amount of light was filtering through the windscreen into the back of the van. After a while they even lost the sporadic glow of the street lights as the van’s route took them back to Hobbes Falls via the shadowy back roads.
It wasn’t until Drew put on some music to fill the silence that anyone spoke. Of course it was Becky. “I guess the pity-victim thing isn’t working as well as you hoped,” she said to Lindsay, her voice hushed so only those in the back of the van could hear. “After all, you started the day with two guys and now look at you. All alone while Drew and Simon are up front together. Probably bonding over what a narrow escape they had.”
Lindsay tried to block out the bitchy words and hoped if she ignored her long enough that Becky would get bored and leave her alone. It was first grader logic, but she was trapped in a moving vehicle with not a lot of options.
“Shame the same can’t be said for Lauren.”
Lindsay’s skin prickled at the dead girl’s name. She took some deep, calming breaths.
“Did I ever tell you about how I broke my wrist?” Toyah asked casually. “Interesting story actually.”
Since when had Toyah jumped on the Becky bandwagon? Did she really resent Lindsay that much that she would side with someone she frequently referred to as ‘the devil with boobs’, at least according to Simon.
“Does it involve a redhead with potential homicidal tendencies?” said Becky.
“Funny you should ask,” replied Toyah.
Lindsay’s ire was rising. Why couldn’t they just leave her alone? It wasn’t as if she went out of her way to hurt or offend either of them. All she wanted was a quiet, normal life. Was that really too much to ask for?
“There I was, on my way home and minding my own business when this totally crazy person comes racing out of the dark at me and shoves me into a ditch, breaking my wrist.”
It wasn’t anything like that, Lindsay wanted to scream. But there was no way to explain how she’d been saving Toyah’s life without explaining about the Gu’lak demon and that was not a conversation she wanted to have with either of these two. Ever.
“And yet your brother still has the hots for her. That’s twisted,” said Becky.
“Tell me about it.”
Lindsay heard a chittering sound. She knew that sound. It was not good. She chanced a glance at the other girls, not that she could see much in the dim light, but neither seemed to have heard anything.
“I wonder if Drew would feel the same if he knew what she was really like,” Becky smirked.
A loud bang echoed around them and the van swerved violently. Drew cursed as he struggled to keep control as the vehicle careened back and forth across the road. Skilfully he manoeuvred to the side of the road and rolled to a stop.
“What was that bang?” Becky called out.
“I think one of the tyres had a blowout,” replied Drew. “I’ll get out and check.”
This broke Lindsay from her fear-induced mental fugue. “Wait,” she cried. All eyes turned sharply on her. “I mean, it’s dark out there. You won’t be able to see anything.”
“I’ve got a flashlight in the glove box. I’ll be fine,” he assured her.
“I’ll come with you,” she said.
“Desperate much,” Becky muttered under her breath.
Lindsay ignored her and climbed between the two girls out of the van. Her whole body was shaking, afraid to see those tiny golden eyes watching her in the dark, but she couldn’t let Drew go out there alone. If they hurt him… She didn’t want to think about it.
Drew knelt beside the van examining the tyre, while Lindsay stood over him watching for monsters in the dark. A hand tapped her on the shoulder and she yelped loudly.
“Hey, it’s only me,” Simon said.
“Don’t do that,” said Lindsay, her heart thumping wildly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Just wanted to stretch my legs.”
She heard the chittering noise again. “Yeah well, be careful. Scaring me could be very bad for all of us.”
“Is there something I should know?” Simon asked in a lowered voice.
“Damn, this tyre looks like it’s been shredded,” said Drew.
“Guess that answers that,” whispered Simon. He looked over Drew’s shoulder. The rubber was in pieces. Clearly not a blowout.
Becky and Toyah joined the other three standing at the rear of the van. “How’s it look?” asked Toyah.
“Not good. We need a new tyre,” said Drew.
“I don’t suppose you’ve got a spare?” asked Simon.
“That was the spare.”
“Yeah, I was afraid of that.”
“Can’t we call someone to come fix it?” asked Becky.
“Call with what?” snapped Toyah. “I don’t know about you, but I’m from Hobbes Falls where cell phones are as much use as a chocolate teapot.”
Looked like Becky and Toyah’s truce was over, Lindsay noted.
“Didn’t we pass a gas station a mile or so back,” Simon asked Drew. “We should be able to call for a tow or if we’re lucky they might have a tyre we could buy.”
“Except I don’t have enough cash for either,” he replied. “If they have a phone I might be able to get through to my brother before he goes to work.”
“You seriously drove us all this way with no spare tyre or back up cash in case things went south?” Toyah asked incredulously.
“Quit yelling at him,” Becky shouted. “He didn’t know this was going to happen.”
Lindsay’s head hurt from all the arguing and the sound of Becky’s voice was grating on her nerves. Her head snapped up as she sensed movement among the trees that lined the long, dark road. “I can call my dad,” she blurted. “I’ll walk back to the gas station and call my dad. I know exactly where he’ll be.”
“I’ll go with you,” said Drew.
“No,” she said a little too quickly. Guilt stabbed her as she saw a flicker of hurt pass over his face. “You should stay with the van in case someone comes along.”
“The others can wait with the van. I’m not going to let you walk all that way alone.”
“She won’t be alone,” said Simon. “I’m going with her.”
Drew wasn’t pleased, but he didn’t argue. Silently he passed over the flashlight. Lindsay didn’t have time for more guilt. She could feel the creatures getting nearer. “We should go,” she told Simon.
“Okay, explain,” said Simon once they were far enough away so as not to be overheard.
“There are creatures following us. Following me,” she told him.
“What? Where?” he asked, looking around wildly.
“You can’t really see them. You only know they’re there by this weird noise they make.” She tried to imitate the sound.
“Sounds like a deranged chipmunk,” said Simon.
“It’s not funny. If you knew what these things are capable of” Lindsay’s voice faltered at the memory of all those dead people in the café.
“How long have you known about them?” He sounded put out. “I only ask because I thought you and I didn’t have any secrets when it came to all this demon stuff.”
“I know and I’m sorry. I only got a glimpse of these creatures last night,” she avoided mentioning Ethan. “They kind of showed up outside my house. It was weird, but then what isn’t these days?”
“I suppose you have had a lot to deal with lately,” he conceded. “Just tell me next time, okay?”
“Okay.”
“What’s the plan then? How do we get rid of the mini monsters stalking you?”
Lindsay shrugged and realised he wouldn’t be able to see her with only the small glow of the flashlight beam. “I don’t know. From what I can tell they seem to show up when I get annoyed. I thought if I get away from the van…”
“You mean from Becky and my sister,” said Simon. “It’s all right, I get it. Toyah can be wicked annoying.”
“I thought if I got away the creatures would follow me and ignore the people making me mad. That’s why I wish you’d let me come alone. This is the second time today that I’ve put you in danger.”
Simon reached out in the dark and took hold of her hand. “I told you we were in this together and I meant it. You’re my friend and I’m not going to let you down.”
“Thanks.” The word was woefully insufficient, but nothing could convey the overwhelming gratitude she felt.
They walked through the blackness in silence. Simon still held onto her hand and Lindsay made no move to pull away. The human contact reassured her, but she didn’t let herself relax too much. She kept an ear out for the creatures to make sure they were actually following her. Every now and then she would hear a scuffling amongst the bushes and trees and Lindsay’s demon radar told her it was the creatures, which was strangely comforting. At least if they were out there where she could sense them, they weren’t back at the van attacking the others.
Not a single car passed them in the twenty minutes it took for Lindsay and Simon to walk back to the gas station. It was a dingy looking place, like something from a horror movie where a creepy local would appear and warn the unsuspecting teenagers with a cryptic message. Lindsay smiled. She already had her own local bearing cryptic messages, although she wouldn’t describe Ethan as creepy. Unnerving maybe.
There was a battered payphone bolted to the wall on the side of the building. Simon picked up the receiver doubtfully. “It works,” he said and passed it across to Lindsay. “Call the cavalry and let’s go home.”
─
Roger stood in the chilly evening air, his gaze locked onto the magnificent structure. No, magical was more like it. What else would you call something that allowed a person’s dead wife to talk to them?
It’s not magic. It was as if his wife Lily were transmitting directly into his head.
Then what is it? Roger thought back at her.
It’s a reward for all your hard work and dedication to the project.
He closed his eyes and Roger felt that she was smiling at him. It’s incredible. I never thought I’d have another moment with you.
We can have more time, she told him. Let me guide you and we can be together again, if that’s what you want?
Of course that’s what I want. I love you Lily.
“Mr Hayward?” the nightshift foreman, Mitch Webber, called to him from a nearby trailer. “There’s a call for you.”
Tell them to call back later, Lily’s voice said. We still have work to do.
“Tell them to call back Mitch,” Roger shouted over his shoulder. Whoever it was could wait. Lily needed him.
“It’s your daughter,” said Mitch. “She says it’s urgent.”
Roger faltered. Lindsay never called him at work unless it was important.
You can’t allow yourself to be distracted, the Lily voice told him.
But.. Roger was torn. He was afraid if he walked away his wife would be lost to him forever, but Lindsay was here now, really here, and he had promised himself never to fail her again. I’m sorry Lily, our little girl needs me. I know you understand.
Roger jogged back to the trailer, thanking Mitch as he took the phone from him. “Lindsay, are you all right?”
“I’m fine Dad,” she replied. ““We do need your help though.” She explained to him about the tyre and told him where they were.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Thanks Dad.”
“No problem kiddo. I love you.”
“Love you too.” Roger hung up the phone and turned to Mitch. “Do you know where I can buy a spare tyre right now?”
“Sure, there’s a guy over on Belmont. Doesn’t close until ten.”
“Thanks Mitch. Will you be all right if I take off for a couple of hours? My daughter and her friends are stranded out in the middle of nowhere.”
“It’s cool,” said Mitch. “Any major problems and I’ll get on the horn to the boss.”
Roger felt a longing as he drove away from the construction site. He had to get to Lindsay, but he was worried that by leaving he would lose Lily all over again. A flash of resentment sparked as Roger cursed his daughter’s poor timing and then he cursed himself for having such a mean thought. She wasn’t to know her mother had found a way to come back and she wasn’t going to know. At least not yet. Roger wasn’t sure why he was compelled to keep it a secret, only that a strong intuition was telling him the time wasn’t right.
He lost himself in memories of his wife as he drove towards Belmont to pick up the spare tyre.