“Why are you doing this to me? I haven’t done anything to you! You just show up unannounced and chase me and Brandon through the woods, then-.” Audrey stopped when she saw the boy's’ eyes grow wide in shock, it was only for a brief second before he regained his neutral expression, but it was too late, Audrey saw it. It was nearly impossible to hear but Audrey barely made out the words “That was you?” She snorted at his question and pushed him off her. For once he didn’t say anything or try to stop her. He rocked back on his heels and crouched over her, a heavy boot on either side of her waist.
“Yes that was me. What the hell were you doing anyway? Chasing us like some sort of creep.” She grumbled, slowly wriggline out from under him so she could sit up.
“Something was calling to me.” He mumbled almost inaudibly again and Audrey just stared at him in disbelief.
“How did you know it was me?” He asked, whatever fear or shock he showed moments ago was now well hidden.
“I dunno. I just have the same feeling now that I did then. Some weird feeling like my insides are being pulled on.” The boy jumped up and backed up to Aunties side before speaking to her in a hushed tone.
“I can’t kill her.” Both Audrey and Auntie stared at him. Auntie seemed ready to burst with anger and she reached down and grabbed the girl. Before anything could happen though, the young boy grabbed Auntie’s wrist and stopped her.
“It’s not the new moon. You can’t kill her yet.”
“Woah, wait, what? I thought you said that I couldn’t be killed!” The boy spoke to her though he didn’t look at her.
“No. I said that I couldn’t kill you. Auntie isn’t me. She still can.” Audrey's blood chilled as she realized what the blind boy was saying. After hesitating for a few moments Auntie released the girl.
“Fine. But until Friday, James will watch you.”
“James?” The boy raised his hand.
“That would be me.”
“Wait, why do I have to have a babysitter?” Auntie glared down at the young girl, agitation etching the once fine lines on her face. Any kindness that was once there was now replaced with disgust and indifference.
“So you don’t talk about the book, run away or try to kill me in my sleep. Just remember that my invitation to join the witches coven is always open.” Auntie turned her back to Audrey and whispered something to James. The boy had put his emotionless expression back on and didn’t give anything away. He stooped down to pick his helmet up and swiftly put it back on before walking over to stand beside Audrey, who was still on the ground.
“So what, you’re just gonna follow me around for five days?” James said nothing. “Good. I don’t want you talking to me anyways.” She stood up, dusted the dirt from her clothes and marched off back towards the baseball field. She still felt raw from all the emotions swirling around inside her and the tears still threatened to fall as she angrily stomped away, leaving the crazy old woman behind. Why was all this happening? None of it even made sense! She read a dusty old book and now some kooky old hag had to commit a felony under a new moon. This was all insanity! Felt like one big, ridiculous dream that she just couldn’t wake up from. Audrey was fuming over the current circumstances when a thought crossed her mind.
“Brandon!” Without hesitating Audrey took off running. Fear driving her already tired legs to keep going. Please be okay, please be okay. She desperately chanted in her mind as she pelted across the open hills. When the field came into view as she crested the last hill her heart skipped as she saw that there were people up and moving, with minimal injuries. The only person laying on the ground was her boyfriend. She ran around the perimeter of the field and dashed through the gate.
“Brandon, are you ok?” She stopped next to the blonde boy and crouched down beside him. “Brandon?” His blue eyes opened and she let out a sigh of relief that he was still breathing. gently she laid her hand on his forehead, brushing his bangs to the side as he smiled up at her.
“I’m ok. Just a slight concussion. They told me not to get up or move too much until one of the medics checked me out. I guess it’s a good thing we had them come over from the other town for the festival, huh?” His boyish smile was as bright and hearty as it always has been and Audrey couldn’t help but smile back. However she saw his eyes move over her right shoulder and that smile that she loved so much vanished. He sat up quickly and stared up angrily at the top of the fence. When Audrey turned to look she realized why. James was standing on the top of the fence like some sort of dramatic movie hero. He is not a hero. She thought to herself grimly. The boy crouched, the chainlink gently jingling underneath his boots. She turned away, pretending like he wasn’t there and eventually, Brandon’s eyes released their grip on the stranger and moved back to her. She noticed that as soon as he looked back at her the edge in his gaze softened and his shoulders released a bit of their tension. Good.
“They can’t sacrifice me for another five days. We can think of a way to escape by then, right?” He looked at her and for a few moments, clearly processing the insanity she was spewing. he said nothing, then nodded slowly.
“Yes we can. And I think I know how.” Audrey stood up and Helped Brandon to his feet. She turned when she heard footsteps behind her and saw Preston walking over to the two of them. Aside from a couple of scuff marks on his grey shirt, he seemed completely unharmed.
“Thank you so much for helping me back there. it was really brave of you.”
“Don’t mention it. It was the right thing to do.” The tall boy smiled softly at her and offered help to take Brandon to the nearest ambulance.
“You look like you need to rest, why don’t you go home? Preston can take care of me for the time being. I’ll come over when I’m all done with the nurse.” Audrey was happy for the help and without looking up at the strange boy on the fence she walked home after giving Brandon a swift kiss on the cheek.
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