Entice (13 page)

A couple of doors were closed but the one at the end of the hall was open. I prayed that if she was in any of them, it was that one. I certainly didn’t want to have to barge into one of those rooms.

Desperate, hushed voices came from the open room. Tension and panic filled the air as we neared it. I could practically taste it, feel it. My pulse quickened. Tanner gave my hand a quick squeeze. I glanced up at him, terror stricken.

We stepped into the darkened room. A girl lay on the floor, her arms akimbo, her body askew. Two boys stood over her, whispering fiercely to each other.

“Haley?” I disengaged from Tanner and raced forward.

“What are you doing here?” Ian asked.

I ignored the question. “What’s wrong with her?”

Caleb laughed. “Nothing, she’s just drunk.”

Her face was pale. Too pale. I had a hard time breathing. “Haley, wake up.”

“She’s more than just drunk,” Tanner spat. “What is wrong with you guys? Someone call 911.”

“No, man she’ll be fine.” Caleb shifted from one foot to the other.

Panic washed over me. Why wasn’t she moving? “Haley!”

“I’ll call.” I heard Tanner dialing.

I thought of all the police shows I’d watched. Grabbing her limp wrist, I checked for a pulse. It was slow but it was there.

Please Jesus, don’t let her die. Save her. Save her.

Warmth covered me. He was with me, I could feel Him. In the midst of the craziness, I felt peace. Tanner was on the phone with the 911 operator telling them where we were.

“Dude, this is crazy,” Caleb said. “You can’t bring the cops here.”

Anger ignited in my gut. I spun around. “How dare you? My friend needs help and you’re worried about your precious party?” I turned to Ian. “And what about you? Don’t you care about her at all?”

Ian threw up his hands like he was involved in a stick up. “Hey, it’s not my fault the chick can’t handle her liquor. I’m outta here.” He left the room.

Frankly, it was lucky for him he had. I wanted to punch him in his smug little face. When I turned back to Haley a young man was kneeling beside her, holding her hand. I almost questioned him but something about his serene face stopped me, and made me feel calm.

“Man.” Caleb ran a hand over his hair, taking a ragged breath. “I’m gonna be in so much trouble. I can’t believe you guys did this.”

“We didn’t do this. You did.” Tanner put his cell back in his pocket, crouching down beside me.

“Who is he?” I whispered to Tanner.

“Who are you talking about?”

The young man smiled as he raised a finger to his lips. I recognized him even though I had never actually seen him before. But I recognized the kindness in his eyes, the glow of his skin and the light flowing from him.

I shook my head. “Nobody.”

I was so glad Tanner was with me. At that moment he was my knight in shining armor. Holding my friend’s hand, I lowered my head onto Tanner’s shoulder and waited for the ambulance.

“She’s okay,” I told Tanner over the phone the next morning. We had both slept in and missed church after our long, eventful night. Mom was working today so I had the house to myself. I was grateful I wasn’t going to have to see Drake today. “Her parents just called.”

“Thank God.”

“I know. It was alcohol poisoning, just like you thought. She could’ve died, Tanner.” My voice cracked.

“Alcohol poisoning is serious. I can’t believe those guys were just going to leave her there. I could kill them.”

“You and me both.” I stared out my bedroom window. The storm had broken and the sun peeked out of the clouds. “Thank you for being there. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Hey, I’d do anything for you. Don’t you know that by now?”

His words made my heart skip a beat, which bothered me. The more time Tanner and I spent together, the closer I felt to him and the more distant I felt from Isaac. I was starting to think that what everyone said about long distance relationships was true. Maybe they didn’t last.

After hanging up with him, I went to the kitchen to find something to eat. As I munched on a bag of Cheetohs, my cell trilled.

Isaac’s name appeared on the caller ID. Wiping the powdered cheese from my hands on the thigh of my pj’s, I answered.

“There you are. I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday.”

“Sorry. There was just a lot going on.” I leaned my back against the tile counter, and the cold seeped through my t-shirt.

“Good stuff, I hope.” He kept his tone light but I could tell he was irritated.

Gosh, it seemed like it was like that a lot lately. “Not really. You might want to sit down for this.” I took my own advice. Grabbing the bag of Cheetohs, I headed into the family room. After plopping down on the couch, I relayed all of the prior night’s events. Of course, I omitted the parts about holding Tanner’s hand and stuff like that. I stuck to the pertinent details.

“Kenzie, that’s awful. I wish I had been there for you.”

“I know. Me too. ”

“Well, at least you had Tanner so you weren’t completely alone.”

I winced at the sarcasm in his voice.

“Yeah, but of course it’s not the same as being with you,” I spoke in my sweetest voice, hoping he would believe me. And it was the truth, wasn’t it? I mean, sure I’d grown feelings for Tanner, but I still loved Isaac. He was the one I wanted, right? I thought it was the truth, but a part of me wondered if it was.

“Do you really think your mom’s boyfriend is a demon?”

“Either that or he’s possessed by one. I guess he could be under the influence of one like I was last summer. But he’s said some pretty odd things and he definitely turned his face into a reptilian one last night. Even Tanner saw it.”

“So, he believes then?”

“Oh yeah.” I dipped my hand into the bag of Cheetohs, then crunched down on one.

“Still, he’s a new Christian so you two have to tread carefully. I really think you need to enlist the help of a pastor on this.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“No maybe about it. This is different than last time, Kenzie. This time your mom has invited him in. And we both know she’s not going to ask him to leave. Besides, after all the things you’ve told me about her lately, I’m seriously concerned about her sanity.”

“Me too.”

“So you’ll call a pastor?”

“Yes sir,” I teased.

“And Kenzie, can you do one other thing for me?”

“Anything.”

“Can you please make some girlfriends? You’re killing me here with all this talk about Tanner.”

I chuckled. “Yes, I can do that.”

“I know you keep saying you two are just friends but I don’t believe a guy can hang out with someone as hot as you all the time and not develop feelings.”

Warmth spread from the top of my head to the tip of my toes at his sweet words. “Aww, thank you.”

“I mean it, I’m really kinda worried about it.” His voice was serious.

“You can trust me, Isaac.” Even as I said the words, I wondered if that was entirely true.

Haley didn’t go to school the whole week after her near death experience. The rumor mill worked overtime, though. Caleb and Ian weren’t at school either. Word was that they were arrested, but I didn’t know if that was true or not. In any case, I hoped they were facing big trouble.

On Saturday, exactly one week after the party, she showed up at my house.

“I came to say thank you,” Haley said. “For saving my life. The doctors said if you hadn’t shown up when you did I might not have made it.”

I threw my arms around her neck. “Oh Haley, I can’t imagine losing you.” The familiar scent of her apple shampoo brought tears to my eyes. I had missed her so much.

“Okay, okay, let go of me now. I’m still sore from having my stomach pumped.” She winced.

“I’m sorry.” I backed away, wiping the tears from my cheeks.

“Why did you do it?” Haley tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her normally rosy cheeks were still pale.

“Do what?”

“Save me, after how awful I’ve treated you. I didn’t deserve it.”

I shrugged. “What are friends for?”

“I haven’t been a good friend to you, Kenzie. I’m sorry.”

“Okay, enough with the pity-party. I haven’t spent any time with my best friend in months. Finally she’s here and I’m ready to have fun. Soda, mint chip ice cream and one of those sappy romantic movies you love. What do you say?”

Haley smiled. “Do you still have a copy of The Notebook?”

“Yep.”

“Then I’m in.”

I smiled. “Okay, I’ll grab the sodas and ice cream and you put the movie in.” Racing into the kitchen, I felt happier than I had in a long time.

When I returned to the family room, Haley was gaping at the sculpture. “What is that thing?”

“It’s Mom’s. It’s a sculpture.”

“That is the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen. How can you stand it?”

“I can’t.” I shuddered and turned away from the sculptures evil gaze.

We sat together on the couch, staring at the television screen and stuffing ice cream into our mouths.

“So, what’s the scoop on you and Tanner?”

I blushed. “Nothing. We’re just friends.”

“Okay, seriously? I’m your best friend. I know you too well. You guys are totally into each other.”

I set down my spoon. “It’s just complicated, Hales. I mean, I’m still with Isaac and I love him. But Tanner and I have gotten really close. He’s been my only real friend…since…well…”

“Since I turned into a major witch.”

“You said it, not me.” I winked. “Hey, what about you? Are you still with Ian?”

“Are you kidding? After last weekend? You know, he drugged my drink, right?”

I thought of Tanner’s story and wondered if Drake was the one who sold him the drugs. Was that how he knew about the party and Haley?

“No, I didn’t. I’m sorry, Haley.”

“It’s okay. I’m pretty sure Caleb and Ian are going to get what they deserve.”

“I’ll drink to that.” I held up my can of coke and chugged it.

Haley giggled and did the same. When we came up for air, she looked at me. “You were right about Ian. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you.”

“I’m sorry I was right. I was hoping he’d prove me wrong. You deserve a good guy, Hales.”

“Okay.” Haley held up her soda can. “Cheers to never choosing a boy over your girlfriend.”

“Cheers.” We clinked cans and then took a carbonated sip. Haley’s face grew serious. “You know, I saw something in the hospital.”

“What kind of something?”

“I don’t know. An angel, maybe. I know it sounds crazy, but there was this young man. He seemed inhuman. I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I can’t explain it. I’ve just never seen anyone like him. I think he brought me back.”

I nodded. “I don’t think you sound crazy.”

Haley giggled. “I knew you wouldn’t.”

Dramatic music swelled from the television set.

“So, do you believe then?”

Haley sighed. “I don’t know. I’m not sure I totally buy into all the spiritual stuff, but I know that the guy I saw was real.” She smiled. “I’m really sorry about teasing you, Kenzie. I never should have doubted you. People should be allowed to believe in whatever they want. And if you think you saw a demon, who am I to question that?”

The door swung open and Mom walked in, interrupting our moment. She wore skinny jeans, high black boots and a skin tight shirt. Her hair was pulled tightly back in a bun. I had never seen her wear that outfit, let alone a bun in her hair. In fact, I wondered how she’d even gotten all her unruly curls to cooperate long enough to stuff them into a knot. She reeked of hair-dye and lotion. At least that was familiar.

“So, you two kissed and made up, huh?” She closed the door and stepped further into the room.

“Nice to see you too, Ms. Smith.”

“Don’t Ms. Smith me, darling. I’m not old. Call me Josie.”

Haley looked perplexed. She’d been calling my mom Ms. Smith since seventh grade.

“Mom, cool it.”

“Whatever, I don’t need to take this crap.” Mom swiveled on her heels and left the room.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“What was that about?” Haley asked.

“Who knows. She’s been acting so weird lately.”

“I’ll say. Normally, you’ve got the cool Mom.”

“I know.”

“Is she still with that rich dude?”

I nodded.

“Well, maybe that’s why she’s acting and dressing different. To impress him.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

The couple on the television were locked in a passionate kiss. What was left of the ice cream was melting onto the coffee table, leaving behind sticky lime green trails like snail tracks.

“I better put this away.” I carried the dripping carton into the kitchen, all the while mulling over what Haley had said. Maybe she was right. Maybe Mom was just doing all this stuff for Drakes’ sake. Of course, that didn’t explain the sleepwalking.

Haley and I finished the movie and then sat and gabbed for awhile. It was just like old times. The sun was setting and the sky was awash in a soft salmon color. Haley stretched her legs out in front of her.

“I better get going. This was so much fun.”

Mom’s bedroom door opened and her footsteps sounded on the carpet. I turned around and did a double take. She was wearing one of her signature leopard print outfits, and her hair was down and frizzy again. At least she looked like her old self.

“Haley, I didn’t know you were here. So great to see you two hanging out again.”

Huh?
I furrowed my brows in confusion.

“Uh…”Haley threw me a perplexed look. “Thanks, Josie. I’ve had a great time.”

Mom’s chin dropped. “Josie? So now that you’re a big senior, you’ve stopped calling me Ms. Smith?” She shook her head and chuckled. “It’s okay. I remember when I was your age. I thought I was so grown up.”

As Mom made her way into the kitchen, Haley looked at me and said, “What was that about?”

“I swear, it’s like she’s got two personalities lately.”

“Or maybe she’s possessed like that girl in the exorcist movie. Have you ever seen that? It’s totally freaky?”

“Do you really think she’s demon possessed?”