Entwined (34 page)

“
This
face, maybe.” I snatch the paper away and crumple it up, the sight of him making my insides squirm. “But he’s a sorcerer – he can just get another one.”

Lebz’s smile fades. “Connie, I know you’re in a crappy mood, OK, but can you try not to take it out on me?”

“Sorry,” I grumble, handing back the paper. “But it’s true. He could be on the other side of the planet by now. Or maybe he can teleport into another galaxy or time travel or God knows what. We’ll never find him!”

“Connie.” Her voice is softer now, sympathetic. Not that it makes me feel any better. “You saved the girls. He can’t come back here. And maybe the police will send the info to other countries so they can be on the lookout, too.”

“Please,” I scoff. “He said he had a plan. Something big. Ma-fourteen were just a test. He’s out there, getting ready to do something worse. We were in his house for a whole night, Lebz. A whole night, and we were completely bloody useless!”

“OK, stop it.” She grabs me by the shoulders, nails digging into my arms. “You’re sixteen! You’re not a superhero. You did your part; you saved the girls and they owe you their lives, so stop whining. You can’t do everything!”

She has a point. I know I’ve been lousy company over the last week. I’m pissed off at the world in general, but right now John Bloody Kubega and Conyza Idiot Bennett are at the top of my list of enemies. Ray Bennett is a close second. Lerumo Raditladi is third. No, he should be second. At least Dad can plead ignorance. Ntatemogolo is just being impossible. I know I was reckless, but I didn’t have a lot of options. Since when do people get punished for doing the right thing?

“Sorry, Lebz.
Eish
, I’m a mess right now. I hate being stuck in here!”

Lebz gives me a sly smile. “That’s not all that’s bothering you, is it? You miss Lizard.”

I roll my eyes and laugh for good measure. “You’re funny. Have you seen him?”

She looks way too smug for my liking. “Wiki was with him the other day. He’s fine. Very quiet, though. He’s obviously missing you.”

Twang! There goes my heart, like a taut guitar string. I think about Rakwena a lot. I also think about that kiss – and then I catch myself and think about something safer, like mopping the kitchen. I come up with a diplomatic answer. “We went through a lot together.”

“Uh-huh.” Lebz pretends to admire her bright purple nails, but she looks at me out of the corner of her eye. “Well, don’t worry. Three more weeks till school starts.”

“Don’t remind me,” I moan, but I can’t wait. This has been the festive season from hell, and I do miss Rakwena. I’m glad Lebz and Wiki are hanging out with him – I hate thinking of him all alone during the holidays. I can’t email because I’m not allowed to use the damn computer. My dad even disabled the wireless internet connection and locked the damn modem in his room. I had no idea he could be so underhanded.

Then it hits me – letters. I’m not good at writing by hand any more, but at least my writing doesn’t resemble a doctor’s note. “Lebz, will you do me a favour?”

“Sure, babes.” She’s standing in front of my mirror now, fixing her hair.

“Can you deliver a letter to Rakwena?”

She turns around, her face lighting up. “Like a secret love letter? Like in those old movies? So romantic!”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” I grin, feeling hopeful and happy for the first time in days.

Dear Lizzie
,

My father has become a dictator. Can you believe he won’t let me watch movies? How are you? We never talked about what happened to you at the Puppetmaster’s place. I’m not angry. I just wanna know what’s up
.

Christmas is coming, bah humbug. Gonna see your mum? I think you should, she must get lonely without you. Stopping here – Lebz will break her neck trying to read over my shoulder. You’d better reply!

Connie

Dear Common North American Weed
,

It’s really good to finally hear from you. I’ve been calling, but I figured your dad took your phone because you didn’t call back. He’s just doing what he thinks is best. Don’t argue and don’t do anything stupid. You want him to trust you again
.

About the other thing. I missed my meds, and that crap Kubega gave me made me worse. Bet he knew that would happen. I’m sorry I scared you. I hope you know I’d never hurt you. I shouldn’t have taken you to the Puppetmaster in the first place. Maybe your dad’s right – I’m trouble. Well, it will never happen again
.

I’ll see my mother at Christmas. Hang in there. And stop calling me Lizzie
.

Rakwena

Hey Lizzie (OK, sorry)

Bloody Puppetmaster. If I ever find him, he’s dead. And you are NOT trouble! I’m stuck alone in Gabs. Wiki’s gone to Cote d’Ivoire, Lebz is at the cattle post and Dad’s decided to “cook” Christmas dinner. He’ll burn everything and we’ll end up going out to eat. Tomorrow I’m going to Ntatemogolo’s farm to bond with the relatives who call me Connie Coconut. Fun. Lebz won’t be back till next week, so it’ll almost be New Year by the time you get this. Merry Christmas, Liz! Say hi to your mother, if she remembers me
.

Connie

Dear Rakwena
,

Happy New Year! ϑ Where are you? Spending New Year with your mother? Lebz is going to one of Kelly’s infamous New Year’s Eve bashes. I’m actually jealous, that’s how bored I am. Please reply. I’m getting worried
.

Connie

“You’re in Form Five now.” Dad looks at me over the rim of his coffee mug with a gleeful grin. “How does it feel?”

I chew a mouthful of Corn Flakes and consider. “Exactly like Form Four.”

His smile falters. “Well, it’s only your first day. We should really start thinking about your options, you know,” he adds, getting to his feet. “I know you’re not big on the idea of Form Six, but it’ll help you get into universities overseas.”

I finish my cereal and shake my head. “You can’t afford to send me overseas, and no one in their right mind will give me a scholarship.”

“Connie, don’t be so negative.” He goes to the kitchen to wash his mug and returns with a frown. “You’re a bright girl.”

No, not really, but I’m not getting into that with him. It feels great to be in my uniform again. I never thought I’d miss that green shirt, but you know what they say about absence and the heart. “Dad, there’s still time. I don’t even know what I want to study, let alone where. Can we talk about this later?” Like in a couple of years?

“Of course, love.” He plants a kiss on my forehead. He’s been doing that a lot lately – I think he feels a bit guilty for locking me up for the past month. “I’ve got to run. See you later!”

“Bye, Dad. Have a good day.” I wave from the doorway. Anyone walking past would think, aw, sweet. What a doting daughter. But I wait until Dad’s car has disappeared down the road and then I dash back to the table, where my phone is waiting. The poor thing hasn’t been used in ages and is clearly feeling neglected. When I switch it on the light flashes happily, thrilled to be back in action.

I reset the time and date and then make my first call of the year. My hands are actually shaking, I’m so nervous. The phone rings. And rings. And then… goes to voicemail. “Rakwena, what the hell?” I yell into the phone. “This is not funny! I’ve been trying to get hold of you for two weeks! Call me back!”

I hear the sound of the front gate creaking open, and a few minutes later Lebz lets herself in. “Hey, Connie!”

“He’s still not answering his phone,” I tell her. “God, I hope he’s OK!”

“Of course he’s OK – he’s Lizard,” she replies, with utter certainty. “Didn’t I tell you Rra Sechaba said he’s been going back and forth to his mother?”

“Yes, but he could call me when he’s around, couldn’t he?” I’m really worried now. It’s bad enough that I haven’t been able to see him, but the lack of communication is out of character. I can’t help wondering whether he’s in some kind of trouble.

Lebz rubs my arm. “He’s probably just dealing with family stuff. Stop worrying. Come on. We should be early for the first day of the year,” she says, linking her arm through mine. “Besides, apparently there’s a hot transfer student.”

I roll my eyes and pick my bag off the back of one of the chairs.

“You should be happy,” she tells me, with a haughty toss of her blonde braids. “At least I’m aiming for someone in the same age group.”

As we walk to school, it feels like nothing has changed. We’ve been taking this walk for years, meeting up with Wiki, sitting on our bench. It’s strange to think that one day it’ll be over.

Wiki’s also bright and early today, and he already has his nose buried in a book. Lebz and I saw him when he got back last week. He’s changed the frame of his glasses, but otherwise he’s exactly the same, sitting in his usual spot on our usual bench. The only odd thing about this picture is the stranger in jeans and a white cap. As Lebz and I approach he gets to his feet and my stomach turns over. Oh, Thank God. Then the relief seeps into the ground and the anger sets in.

“I’m going to kill you!” I shriek, flinging myself at Rakwena and pounding his chest with my fists. “Where the hell have you been?”

He laughs, fending off my blows. “Ouch! Connie, stop it! I’m sorry, OK! My phone was stolen and – Ow! – I’ve only just got a new one. Ouch – hey – Connie!”

“Do you have any idea how worried I was? After everything we went through?”

“Sorry!”

I punch him once more for good measure, then collapse on the bench. “Hi, Wiki.”

“Hello, Connie.” He and Lebz are watching me with amused expressions.

Rakwena sits beside me, grinning as if he’s done nothing wrong. “It’s good to see you, Bennett,” he says, ruffling my fluffy ponytail. “Happy New Year.”

I glare at him. “Where were you?”

“Didn’t Lebz tell you? I was in Rustenburg.”

My anger dissipates and I turn to him, concerned. “Everything OK?”

He shrugs. “A little family drama. Nothing I can’t handle.”

I frown, trying to decipher this coded message. “But everyone’s fine, right?”

“Ja, everyone’s great.”

There’s a funny note in his voice, but I’m not going to push the matter in front of Lebz and Wiki. The truth is, I’m so glad to see him again that I don’t want to waste time arguing. I can’t believe I missed that cocky grin.

“I think I might miss this place,” he says, stretching his long legs and glancing around the campus. “You kids should enjoy your youth. It passes so quickly.”

The rest of us groan, then I get to my feet, unable to wait a moment longer. “Want to go for a walk? We need to catch up.”

“School starts in ten minutes,” he reminds me, but he rises anyway. “I’ll see you guys around. Try to stay out of trouble this year, for a change.”

“Excuse me?” snorts Lebz. “Our lives were uneventful before you came along!”

“It’s true,” says Wiki, with a sage nod.

Rakwena just chuckles and waves, and the two of us walk towards the old Science lab, our “usual place”. “You’ve got me alone now,” he says softly. “Is it time for the interrogation?”

I’m a little hurt by his tone, but Rakwena has never been an open book. “I’m just worried. What’s going on? You said something about family drama.”

“
Ag
, it’s nothing. My aunts are being difficult.” He keeps his gaze focused straight ahead and his hands in his pockets. He looks nonchalant, but I know better.

“Is your mother OK?”

His brief hesitation is answer enough. “She’ll be fine.”

I touch his arm and feel the delicious tingle of his power. It feels so good I want to disappear into it. “What happened? A relapse?”

“No, not really.” He scrunches up his face, trying to find the right words. “She’s just been… Anxious. She’ll be fine.”

“Anxious about what?”

“Connie!”

“I thought we were past all this secrecy,” I snap, irritated by his reticence. “I thought dealing with sorcerers together would build a bond of trust, but maybe not.”

“Don’t be difficult.” He turns his wounded-soldier charm on me. “I haven’t seen you in ages. Can’t we just hang out?”

I relent. What else am I going to do? There isn’t enough time to discuss this, anyway. “What are you going to do with yourself until UB opens in August?”

He toys with a leaf, making it do little pirouettes in the air. “I’ve been offered a full-time position at the shop. I start today, actually. In about an hour.”

“Full-time?” Panic. “Like, all day, every day?”

“Yep.”

“When are we supposed to see each other?” I bark, furious with him for accepting the offer without telling me.

“At the weekend, or after hours.”

“That’s it?” I’ve gotten used to seeing him at school every day, and now I’m supposed to be satisfied with weekends?

“Really, Connie.” He releases the leaf and it flutters to the ground. “Anyone would think we were more than friends, the way you’re acting.”

That hits me like a smack across the face. “What?” I splutter. “You know I just… I mean… we need to work on our powers and… you know… stick together. For safety.”

He raises his eyebrows. “Safety?”

I nod, even though my face is hot and I know I sound like an idiot.

There’s that grin again. “You want me,” he says, and he’s only half-joking.

My heart starts pounding for no good reason, and my stomach soon joins in the rebellion. Traitors. “You wish!” I retort. “
You
were the one who grabbed me in the Puppetmaster’s house, in case you forgot.
I
was the one begging you to stop!”

His grin vanishes, and so does his relaxed, playful demeanour. Now he’s back in his armour, face shut up, eyes cold, and I realise I’ve said the worst possible thing. His voice is a whisper. “I don’t blame you for not forgiving me.”

An impatient groan escapes my lips. “Don’t start with all that nonsense. You weren’t yourself; there’s nothing to forgive! I shouldn’t have brought it up. You were just being so
annoying
!”

“You should get going,” he says. “We’ll talk later.”

“Rakwena, wait –” But he’s already taking long, quick strides towards the parking lot. Me and my big stupid mouth.