Connor (10 page)

We set off cutting through the woods, which led to the back of the house. We disappeared in the woods. I know it sounds crazy, but we very well couldn't take the chance of someone seeing us vanish on the street.

We then set off toward the back of the house, and just as Tony suspected, the back door was unlocked. He claims that in a small town like this, no one ever locks their doors. I didn't ask how he even knew that.

We opened the back door slowly and snuck in. Inside, to the left of the back entrance, was a door under the stairwell. Tony pointed to it and mouthed, “Basement.” He was dead-on.

I actually found this to be exciting, exhilarating. I half expected the basement door to make a high-pitched creaking noise like in the movies when we opened it, but it didn't.

Tiptoeing down the wooded stairs was a challenge. Every so often, it would make a noise under the pressure of our weight, and stopping each time the steps made a noise took us a long-drawn-out minute getting down to the basement.

It was creepy, dusty, and dim down here; but there was some light shining through two small windows. There were two industrial-sized washers and dryers to the left. Let's not forget the seriously creepy boiler. Eeek! Boilers and their big mouths.

Then there were old odds and ends on shelves near the dryer, folded clothes, books scattered in the far corner and on a huge antique bookcase, a wooden dresser, baskets filled with shoes or clothes, and old artwork but not much else. All bound by the cold slab of concrete walls.

We both jumped back, startled when a cat hissed in our direction. I guess animals really can see things that go bump in the night, or in our case, the daytime.

We started searching for whatever, hoping to find something of interest. I was looking through the bookcase, on shelves, and in drawers. I was hoping there were papers that could lead us in any direction.

I had not a clue what Tony was doing. He was feeling up the walls. He watches way too many spy movies.

“Hey, look, I found something,” he said.

Maybe spy movies come in handy after all. “What did you find?” I ran over to where he was.

“There is a draft in the wall here and on the floor. Feel it. That means there is a room behind this door.” He showed me what he felt, and sure enough, there was a draft. “I figured the basement was too small compared to the size of the house. Help me find a latch,” Tony asked.

Good catch. We searched the walls, the nearby panels, and ceiling, but nothing. At first we were stumped, but then it dawned on me—the bookcase. I've seen a spy movie or two myself.

On the bookcase, I remembered there was a small statue that didn't have any dust on it. I ran over and pulled on it. It gave, and as luck would have it, so did the back wall where Tony felt the draft.

He moved out of the way, as the door opened, and we looked at each other as if we hit the jackpot.

Unfortunately, it made such a rumbling commotion that the door at the top of the stairs popped open. That little old woman, Ms. Ridgemont, ran down the stairs so fast, I thought she was going to fall.

“Who's there?” she asked.

I was so glad we decided to stay invisible. Rushing down the stairs, I swear she looked right at me but turned away at the last minute and headed toward the secret door that was open.

After searching through the hidden room, she went to the bookcase where I was standing, but this time she didn't appear to see me and pulled on the statue to shut the door. The cat leaped right on her shoulders from the bookcase, startling her.

“Oh, Ms. Kitty, you nearly gave this old lady a heart attack. Did you open the door? Let's go back upstairs. I do not even know how you got down here.” She coddled the cat and carried Ms. Kitty back upstairs with her.

After they were gone, I took my first breath in what felt like five minutes. I fell against the wall, thankful we weren't caught.

“That was close. Some old lady, huh, does she still run track or something?” I was being sarcastic, but it was odd that an old woman like her moved that fast.

I suggested we do like her and get out of here quick. We crept back upstairs and out the back door. In the woods, we came visible and walked toward the park.

In the car, around lots of people, we decided to call the others and explain what happened and see if they would meet us.

He first called Byron, figuring he would be game, and if he came, so would Willow, then Cheyenne would follow suit. It happened just as he figured, but Byron said that he would explain it to Willow on their way there since they were going out anyway. That came only after a million questions as to why we didn't wait and more details as to what happened.

Next was Cheyenne, who was beyond mad at him for going and especially since he came with me. He finally laid into her. He told her about the way she has been acting toward the both of us and that he had enough. To sum it up, if she kept it up, the four of us would figure things out on our own and leave her out.

About time he set her straight. I sat there shocked. She didn't beg, she didn't whine; she simply said fine and hung up.

Then we waited.

Figuring it would take them at least two hours to get here, Tony suggested going back to the fair and make an evening of it. On the way there, he held my hand without saying a word, which I was okay with. I patted my stomach a few times when the natives became restless.

It was a nice little walk, with the breeze cooling things down a bit even though the record high today was ninety-eight degrees in the shade. My palms were sweaty, but Tony didn't seem to notice or mind.

We passed guys setting up a stage for a band and sectioning off an area for the fireworks tonight. More people were here now than before since the sun no longer instantaneously burst you into flames; it only slowly melted you.

The fair was packed with screaming kids, long lines, and clowns making balloons. Tony asked me if I wanted my face painted after busting me staring at the kids. I did but told him I wasn't a child.

“Oh, come on, you know you want to,” Tony said, teasing me and tickling me to death.

“I will if you will,” I said trying to tickle him back, but he wasn't ticklish. Unfair.

We walked around, deciding on what we wanted to do first: eat, which I brought up, or rides, which he brought up.

“Better yet, how about a big stuffed animal?” he asked me.

“No argument there, but are you sure you're man enough for the challenge?”

“Man, huh. Pick it, and I promise you I will win it,” he said with that oh-so-devilish grin of his.

“Fine.”

I spotted the biggest stuffed animal I could find, a big blue bear, and it was so cute. The game was to hit the moving object with this pea-sized ball that if it did hit the object, it probably wouldn't fall anyway.

It was the hardest game at the fair, and only one person was on the wall of winners while everyone else was on the wall of shame. Plus there were ten levels to get to the bear I wanted.

“Bet it's yours, but what do I get in return?” he asked. “Huh, I don't know. What do you want?” I asked, almost regretting it, praying he couldn't hear my heart beating

out of my chest.

“For every level passed, I get a kiss for that long. So level 1 gets me a minute kiss, level 2 gets me a two-minute kiss, then so on and so on.”

I'm only fifteen, but he's going to give me a heart attack. “Sure,” I managed to exhale.

Tony stepped up to the game and placed his bet with the man behind the counter. “My girl wants that bear right there on the top and nothing else.”

His girl, he said. His girl. I should be mad because he called me a girl plus we never discussed exclusivity, but I didn't mind. When he glanced back at me, I giggled like a little schoolgirl. Did I just do that? Oh, wow. Now I get what Ebony is talking about.

The man called others over to play and watch, and as soon as enough people participated, the man rang a loud bell. One man said he wanted the big prize for his girl too. “It's a challenge. Let the games begin.” The man said over the microphone.

Tony hit them right on, never missing a beat as the other four participants struggled, but only Tony and two others went on to level 2. I cheered so loud, you would have thought he won the big prize already. The man tried to hand Tony a little prize, but he shook his head no.

The same three went on to level 2, 3, 4, but only Tony and his main competitor hung in there. More people showed up and crowded around, cheering him on. At this point the man was playing head games, telling them not to give up and talking about the pressure of disappointing their women. Level 7 came and went without his rival, who missed his last shot.

It was Tony who hung in there on level 8, then 9, and finally the tenth round. People were quiet, I held my breath and Tony stayed focused. I knew he had skills and a little special help, but honestly I didn't think he would get this far.

Tony went all the way being the second winner ever. I was awestruck, grinning from ear to ear, holding my bear. People cheered him, patted him on the back, and this one man even came over offered him an opportunity to try out for his baseball team.

We walked off from the crowd to a seated area. “You like it?” he asked.

“Yes, but honestly I didn't think you were going all the way. I mean…” I said, but he shut me up with a kiss. It wasn't as long as I expected, but it was nice.

“I will collect my prize later. Let me have Sci-Fi Jr. here and take him to the car, okay?” he asked.

“That's not his name, and yeah, it's sort of big,” I said, knowing full well that's the name I will give it.

“Besides, that roller coaster is calling my name,” he trotted off, pointing to the tallest ride here like that was going to happen.

Waiting for him to come back, I got that familiar feeling that someone was watching me. I stood up to check my surroundings, but no one was around. It was as strong as the night I first met the others. The sense of feeling someone near had become compelling more so than before. When Tony got back, I didn't say anything. I'd rather let us enjoy the day.

We discussed which rides to take, and even though I protested, somehow Tony talked me into getting on a roller coaster. Bad move.

It took its time slowly going uphill, but as soon as we reached the top, it dropped fast and hard, taking us under the tracks. My stomach was in my throat. I squeezed the life out of Tony, who, by the way, loved the ride. He was howling like the other nuts on this trip in purgatory. It went on forever, never ending. I think I passed out once or twice. Finally, after it was over, Tony had to practically hold me up—my legs were jelly.

“That was great, huh?” Tony asked. “Are you nuts?”

“Aw, come on, it wasn't that bad. The next one will be calmer. I promise.”

He lied. The next few rides were some pirate's swing, a free drop, followed by a spinning UFO. I told him that was it. I was a good sport, but now it's my turn.

I made him get on the carousel with me, which he didn't like and told me as much. His horse had a pink saddle, and I told him he looked pretty. I forced him to take the haunted ride of nonscary creatures, then the teacups a girly kids ride.

He was so mad about the teacups, he kept trying to get off during the ride. We laughed so hard the whole time, with me trying to take pictures of us. The kids on the ride didn't find us so funny, but to us it was a blast.

“Thanks for being a sport about it,” I said. “Yeah don't forget payback is a…”

“Hey, I was a good sport too. It's getting late, so what now, food?” I so hoped he agreed.

“One last ride, then we can go eat, but you have to cover your eyes, please.”

“Since you asked me so nicely, I will play along.” I covered my eyes, complaining the whole time and threatening his life.

“Now open them. It's time to collect my prize,” he said. My mouth fell. The sign to the ride read “the Tunnel of Love.” I could not stop blushing as he led me to our seat. Before the ride started, he pulled off a silver chain from around his neck and put it on me. It held his extremist champion ring, which by comparison is almost valued as

a fat diamond ring. I didn't know what to say. “Will you be my girl?” he asked.

“Yes.”

We never once checked out the scenery; we kissed the whole time. The attendant had to clear his throat to get our attention. The ride had finished, but we didn't even notice.

It was raining out now, so we took shelter for a few until we agreed it was time to eat. He took me to very nice Italian restaurant. Apparently, when he dropped off Junior, he made dinner reservations for two.

We sat in a corner, away from the others, closely snuggling. I don't think our hands, arms, or legs stopped touching all night. I ordered shrimp parmesan and he, baked ziti, sharing everything between us. The day turned out to be better than I could have imagined.

“Thank you, Tony. I had a great time with you today.” “I did too. I love spending time with you, Connor. I hope you now get that?” Tony asked, but before I could answer, his cell buzzed. It was Byron, asking where we were. I nodded yes to him as he spoke, and he smiled back. He told them we would be there in five. He paid the

check, and we left.

By now, the rain had stopped, and we met up with them in the parking lot by Tony's car.

This time, everyone had on T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. I was so grateful and surprised they didn't dress up since the goal tonight was to sneak around. Actually, I was really surprised Willow would agree to do this at all. I pulled her aside and asked just that. “What made you agree to this? I figured you would run in the opposite direction, no offense.”

“None taken, and trust me, I tried but didn't really have a choice since Byron told me when we were en route. I should have known something was up when he called me right before he picked me up and told me to dress down. I figured we were going indoor rock climbing or something. I'm not too happy about it, but I don't want to be on the outs,” she said.

“Well, I'm glad you came even if you're not,” I said. “Oh, by the way, don't worry about Cheyenne. She will

get over her issues. I had to hear an earful on the way over here. Like Tony said, she is rough around the edges, but she is actually cool once you get to know her,” Willow said.

Somehow, I didn't believe that, or maybe she's cool only when that someone is not in her way. “What is her story anyway? Most people don't walk around attacking people they don't even know,” I asked.

She leaned against Byron's car and took a deep breath. That deep breath clued me in that I was going to hear an earful too. “She is a product of her upbringing. She is the only child. Her family is never, and I mean never, around. Her mom stays six months out of the year in Japan visiting family, and when she is here, she is too busy for Cheyenne. Her father is constantly working, but he avoids his wife. She is far from warm. I don't think I have ever seen her smile. On the other hand, even though her father is nice, he always looks distracted. So basically, her nanny, who is as rigid as they come, raised her. The poor girl wants or needs for nothing financially. Parental affection is not their agenda. She would have to come to my house for get-togethers or holidays. My family is so opposite of hers, thank goodness.”

“Wow, what a mouthful. Wait, so you and Cheyenne knew each other before all this business happened?” I was stunned; their personalities were so opposite. I couldn't imagine Cheyenne sitting around a roaring fire singing cheery holiday songs. I envision her ice picking cheery holiday people instead.

“Yes, can you believe it?” she said, tapping my arm ever so gently as if we were two ladies at a tea party discussing this week's book. “We are so different, but for some reason, we clicked, and maybe this is why.” She was referring to us five somehow feeling connected.

“What I am trying to say is she is not the type to beat around the bush, and she doesn't believe in holding her tongue, not for anyone. That is something I have been trying to work on her for years. The thing about her is once she likes you, she doesn't let go. It's not you, Connor. She is afraid of losing Tony as a friend. For her, friends are hard to come by. Girls hate her because she refuses to play the silly little social games. Oh, don't get me wrong, she has friends, but they are more superficial and not like Tony and me,” Willow explained.

Wow. In a way, I sort of felt sorry for her. “Her family life sucks. Mine is so boringly normal compared to hers— who am I kidding—compared to anybody,” I said.

“Anyway, ever since this adoption thing she's so gung ho on doing this. Maybe her real parents will be different. Maybe they would want to meet her. She hasn't come out and said it, but I know her well enough to know that is what she is hoping for,” Willow said.

I was about to say something when Cheyenne walked over. “What's the secrecy all about?” She was directing the question to Willow.

“We were discussing what happened tonight in the house.” Willow sounded a little more enthusiastic than she should, possibly feeling guilty discussing Cheyenne's business with me.

“Oh, well, obviously nothing great, or we wouldn't be here to help,” Cheyenne said, still only talking to Willow as if I didn't exist.

Woooow. There went that little bit of pity I felt for her fly right out the window. “Well, obviously something worthwhile, or we wouldn't have had all of you to come out here. Besides, I don't recall anyone begging you to come.” What a witch. I walked off and overheard Willow telling her to behave.

I went by Tony and Byron, who were going over tonight's events again and suggested we get started on a plan. We gathered in a discreet spot off the parking lot, opposite side of the fair, to discuss how we were going to get in without anyone hearing us. The only way was to get the two older women, the kids, and if anyone else was inside, out of the house.

Someone suggested calling the fire department, which would work, but that would get them out the house and not give us enough time to look around and get back out. Besides, we would have to be able to shut the door from inside the room, if that was even an option, before the firefighters came to look around the basement.

Then I said, “How do we know they are not at the fair tonight? If I had a group of kids, that is exactly what I would do. There is supposed to be entertainment and fireworks tonight. What kid wouldn't love to see that?”

“That may be true, but we still need a backup plan. I say if they are there, we call the fire department, who will force them to leave the premises. That way we can sneak downstairs,” Tony said.

“And with the fireworks tonight, we can only hope the firemen think the slight rumble they feel from the door opening is the fireworks show. If the room is as big as we think, Tony, we are going to need more time than what the firefighters need to search the house. Another issue is someone has to stay out in order to close the door from the outside. Plus be the lookout,” Byron said.

“Not me,” Willow said, biting her bottom lip.

I knew the only logical choice was me. I told them about my hearing incident this morning and agreed to be the lookout.

“What! We've been together all day, and I'm just now hearing about this?” Tony picked me up by my waist and swinging me around three times before setting me back down. “That is great, really, really great.”

“It slipped my mind really, I don't know how but it did.” I knew exactly how, the kiss. “The thing is it only happened once, and I haven't had time to practice, but when I concentrated on it this afternoon, I was able to do it. No problem.”

“So what's that make, three abilities now?” Byron said, smiling at me and giving me a big hug. “I don't know what that is all about, but I am glad you are certainly on our team.” That was pretty much the census from everyone, and being that Cheyenne didn't say anything negative, I took it positively.

“Try it now and see if you can hear a conversation at the fair,” Byron suggested.

The fair was about a quarter of a mile away, which was further than I tried today, but I did it with no problem. As a matter of fact, I could hear several conversations and distinguish them all. For some reason, this was much easier to control than telekinesis. I guess some abilities come easier than others do.

The plan was set. Plan A: I would be the lookout while they searched inside the room. First, we would check if anyone was home. If not, go in and start searching immediately, and if lucky, we would get out before anyone came home.

Plan B: If no one were home initially, they would go straight to the room, and I would shut them in. If anyone came home while still inside the secret room, I would wait it out, depending on how much time we planned. We agreed to wait and see how big the room was before setting a time limit so they could search as much as possible.

When that time was up, I would call the fire department from the park and not my cell, since Tony knew 911 tracks every call, then race back to the house. Once the cavalry cleared the staff members and kids out of the house, I would let them out of the room.

We figured the fireworks would be over long before I needed to get them out, so there wouldn't be any noise coverage when the door opened. The rumble will at least be noticeable on the first floor, so I hope we can get the door shut before the police or firefighters race downstairs to investigate the disturbance.

Plan C: However, if they were home initially, we would call the fire department twice: once to get in, and another to get out. While I used a pay phone in the park, the others would wait at the house for the police and the firefighters to show up. Once the house cleared, they would creep downstairs and open the door. Figuring cell reception sucked in the basement, Byron would message me at the top of the stairs an estimated length of time they agreed upon, pull the statue to close them in and hurry into the room as I raced back to be the lookout. They were not the greatest plans, but it's the best we could do in a short amount of time. It was all about the timing.

Before reaching the house, Tony told me he wasn't happy I was the one staying behind to do all the footwork and be the lookout. I told him we had no other choice and was cool with it. Not true, but I was the best person to do the job, so I had to step up to the plate and handle it.

In the woods behind the house, we checked if the coast was clear. I didn't hear a sound inside the house, and neither did Cheyenne see anyone.

When the back door opened for Tony, he looked back at me with a raised brow. He obviously was surprised like me; after what happened today, I swore they would have locked it, if not for the fact alone that no one was home. Once again, my spidey senses were tingling.

We raced to the basement door and down the stairs. Not taking any time, I yanked on the statue opening the door to the secret room, letting the others in. A light was on already, so we didn't have to waste time looking for one.

The room was huge, about half the size of the basement. The walls were made of concrete, but it looked like any office with a desk covered in notes, a stack of folders, and a typewriter, but this one was an old-fashioned cast-iron one.

There were three lamps, two leather chairs, five tall filing cabinets lined against the right wall, and a tall bookshelf like the one out here, but there wasn't a statue on it. I'm sure there is a latch to close the door from the inside; we just didn't have time to search for it.

Since the room was huge, we agreed on three hours of search and any seizure if necessary. Of course, the cell phones were useless down here like we thought. We synchronized our watches, and Byron set the timer on his phone, then I locked them in.

As the door rumbled shut, it felt like I was shutting them inside a large tomb. Standing on the outside, I felt the impact of them being gone. What to do for the next three hours?

Not caring for basements, a.k.a. boilers, I went upstairs to look around, hoping to find something of significance to our cause. There were a few lights on, so I didn't have to walk around in the dark.

I came to an office next to the one we were in earlier today, which could have been the rude woman's, Ethel's, but there weren't any pictures, so who knows. Come to think of it, there weren't any pictures in Ms. Ridgemont's office either.

I thought all older women had pictures; interesting, and not in a good way. I was in there for about fifteen minutes, but it was clear there was nothing of importance to our cause, so I moved on.

I felt like a little snack, so I headed to the kitchen to see if I could sneak something. I passed Ms. Ridgemont's office on my right and the stairs to my left, then turned down the hallway we noticed earlier. There was only a small bathroom and a wall filled with old paintings, not much else.

In the kitchen, there were some chocolate-chip cookies in a jar on the counter, so I helped myself. I hopped onto the counter, wasting time eating some yummy homemade cookies.

The kitchen wallpaper was baby blue and white stripes. There was a window across from me with yellow curtains, and in front of it was a small table for two. To my right, a silver fridge sat next to a side door leading to the outside. On the opposite wall of the fridge was a small metal shelf and a clean silver stove, under me white countertops surrounding a white porcelain sink, with matching white cabinets along the wall above me.

This kitchen needs a serious makeover. I finished my snack and ventured through a door leading to a dining area.

This room is where all wood came to die. The dining table sat eight wooden chairs around a wooden table. There was wood from the walls, picture frames, to the furniture. Even a wooden china cabinet filled with crystal glassware and blue-and-white porcelain plates.

I walked across the hall to the sitting room. It was a nice-sized room that contained two flowery couches, two green-and-yellow striped sitting chairs, some lamps, and more awful-looking furniture in the back. The two bay windows were cool though.

I plopped down on one of the couches and checked my phone. So far, I wasted about forty minutes of my time and was beyond bored to death. Losing my mind waiting for the earth to rotate, I decided to go upstairs to see what other exciting adventures awaited me.

I must be feeling brave because something about an unfamiliar house, especially one that's empty, creeped me out, but this place was exceptionally eerie. Possibly because of the settling noises, the old-fashioned furniture, the stale smell, and the dull lights that were casting shadows I could swear were following me.

A small light lit the stairwell leading up into who knows what. At the top of the stairs was an open area, so I stopped for a minute to get my bearings. There was a bathroom directly in front of me, and the upstairs split into two hallways: one went left and the other went right; I decided to go right.

A light streamed from one of the rooms, giving me a little light in the dark hallway. On my left was a built-in wall shelf, which held about six white towels, six washcloths, six hand towels, nothing else. Three sixes, not cool. Walking past it, I stopped in front of the first room to my right.

The pink lampshade on the nightstand was casting a pink glow, dimly lighting the room. Walking into what appeared to be the girl's room because it was pink, and I mean pink, from the walls to the carpet, to the canopies over two twin-sized beds. The bedspreads were pink with white flowers, matching the throw rugs on the side of each bed. On the far side of the room was a, you guessed it, pink door to a closet filled with girl clothes.