91. A Night of Romance and Mystery

I still get weird looks from kids I don’t know. Maybe I’m just used to it, because it doesn’t bother me like it once did. But today, as I’m in a familiar place with Brick outside the glass doors in front of the cafeteria, I notice the stares. Maybe it’s because they’re looking at the skinhead next to me smoking a cigarette. Maybe they’re wondering why Brick and I are even talking and if we’re friends.

Or maybe some of them are paid to spy on you just like Jared and Lily were.

I have a little over a month left at this place. I can deal with it. The stares of strangers are no longer that big a deal.

Whoever—or whatever—is living inside the Staunch house … now that’s a big deal.

“So what are you saying, Buckster?”

I’ve been talking around the issue and haven’t really gotten to what I want to ask him.

“I need someone to help me break into the Staunch house.”

Brick takes a drag from his cigarette as he nods and raises his eyebrows, looking intrigued. “Turning into a thief or something?”

“No.”

No, I actually need you to help me find out if a Dracula is in the basement.

“Well, you gotta tell me why we’re breaking in.”

I glance around to see if anybody can hear us. Nobody is close enough. “Remember when you told me what you found on his property—in the woods?”

“How could I forget that? Still have nightmares of that pit with all those dead bodies in it.”

“I want to see who’s living in the basement.”

“What do you mean ‘who’s living’ there?”

“I think that—the person who did that—I don’t think it was Staunch.”

“Then who was it?”

“I don’t know.”

Brick laughs. “And you want to just break in and find out?”

No, I want to break in and put a wooden stake in the heart of the guy sleeping downstairs.

“I want to just find out—to see if I’m right.”

“Uh uh,” Brick says. “There’s something you’re not telling me. Give me a reason why you want to do something like this.”

“There’s an old man living in that house. I’ve seen him. Face-to-face. And I think he’s a monster.”

Brick doesn’t flinch or laugh.

I guess people around here know better.

“What kind of monster?”

“I don’t know.”

“Who says he won’t try to kill you?”

Because I’m his great-grandson? And because he wants me to become what he is.

“Because I’ll have someone helping me out.”

“And who’s that?”

I smile. “You.”

Brick lets out an amused chuckle and shakes his head. “You’re crazy, man. But I kinda like it.”

“Can you help?”

“Sure. But I’m bringing a shotgun.”

“Okay with me.”

I was hoping he would say something like that.

As I head back inside and then through the doors leading to the main hallways of Harrington High, I see a huge painted banner over the doorway. There are burning torches and what looks like a fountain and a balcony.

Written at the top is O! she doth teach the torches to burn bright.

Below is the reason for the banner:

Escape to a night of romance and mystery.

A Romeo and Juliet Prom

Brought to you by the senior class

The dates and times are written on it.

I think back to last year when I attended the prom and had no idea it was an eighties-themed event.

Guess they like their themed proms around here.

I keep walking down the hallway, and then I see Kelsey again. Standing and talking with the tall guy I now know is Lance. He plays basketball and is a junior, and it’s obvious he likes her.

Kelsey sees me coming and tries to stifle her laugh.

I give her a smile and a nod.

She only looks back at me. Not an angry look or a confused look, just a waiting stare. A look on pause, a glance on hold.

I told you to wait, so why can’t you just wait a little longer?

This is the time of year that couples suddenly pop up out of nowhere. It’s because of stupid things like prom. Like idiotic Romeo and Juliet dances.

I’m trying to fight for my life and your life and maybe other lives, and you have no idea.

I keep walking.

Now isn’t the time to talk to Kelsey.

I just hope there will be a time, and that I won’t be too late.