Quarantine: The Loners (19 page)

DAVID LOVED HIS GANG.

If his messy hookup with Hilary had taught him anything, it was that he was lucky to have so many people around him that he trusted. There definitely weren’t any Loners asking him to murder someone. They were his family, and he was proud. It was time to celebrate them.

David walked down to the lounge where people had gathered for breakfast and a morning screening of a National Geographic video on Will’s flat screen. He passed Gonzalo and the twins sitting on the stairs, eating a black bean breakfast. The twins were mashing their beans into a paste and spreading it onto crackers they pulled from their pockets.

He noticed that the crackers had green fur on them. Gonzalo groaned.

“Damn! How long have those been in your pockets?” Gonzalo said.

“A while,” the girl said.

“They went bad,” Gonzalo said. “Don’t eat that shit.”

“If they was black, they gone bad,” the boy said.

“If it’s black, send it back. If it’s got fuzz, eat it just becuz,” the girl said, then giggled. The boy guffawed through a mouth of beans and crackers and mold.

“Will y’all get the hell outta here?” Gonzalo growled. “You’re ruining my breakfast.”

The twins laughed at Gonzalo even harder this time, then picked up their breakfast and headed upstairs, arm in arm.

David smiled. He liked the twins. They were dirty, rank, and weird as hell, but they stuck together. Half of David’s gang was weird. There was Drew; he would take off running at the drop of a hat, and people would have to chase him down to bring him back. There was Sal, who’d eat anything on a dare.

David had seen him eat belts, drywall, feathers, and one of Ritchie’s scabs. And of course, there was Vincent; he was a compulsive liar. It was harmless stuff, but fun to listen to. He claimed he’d knocked out a cow with one punch. Evidently, his father was the personal drug dealer to the vice president of the United States. And once he’d been run over by a tank.

The Loners were about as far you could get from David’s old football friends, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

David moved to the center of the crowded landing and put his arms up, “Hey, everybody! Can I get your ears for a minute?” All the chattering went quiet. Someone clicked off the TV

just as a grizzly bear snagged a jumping salmon.

“Everybody here has worked really hard to turn the Loners into respectable presence in this school. We’ve made a name for ourselves. We fight like a team, and because of that nobody’s hungry . . . well, you might be hungry, but nobody’s starving.”

They all laughed eagerly.

“We’ve got a safe place to sleep at night. We can defend ourselves. And every single one of you is going to graduate, because every single one of you is committed to the gang.

You’ve changed my life, and I want to say thank you. We’re going to have to hustle a little harder at the next drop to make up for the expense, but I struck a deal with the Geeks this morning, and . . . you’re all going to the Geek show tomorrow night.”

Ecstatic cheers cut David off. He raised his hands to try to quiet everyone down.

“And . . . I’m waiting to hear back from the Nerds on their phone supply, but we should be able to strike a deal this after-noon. There probably won’t be enough for everybody right away, but we’ll get there, okay?”

More shouts of approval.

“So, here’s the only bummer. Tomorrow night, we’re going to have to do shifts for the Geek show. Just like on market days, one group is going to have to stay behind to guard the Stairs, but then we’ll rotate through the night, so everybody gets an equal—”

“Everybody but you, right?” Will said.

David stopped. Will walked up from the first floor. He leaned against the banister and ran his hand through his frizzed-dry hair. Lucy was behind him on the stairs, hesitating for some reason. Her hair was as rumpled as Will’s. What were they just doing together? He felt a stab of jealousy.

“Where’ve you been?” David asked Will.

“Don’t act like you didn’t hear the question. Tell the truth.

Everybody has to work a shift but you, right? Isn’t that the way it goes for King David? We all hustle while you get to take everything—”

“Will, stop,” Lucy said.

“You know what?” David said to Will. “I don’t care where you’ve been. Maybe it’s best if you just go back there.” Will turned away from David and addressed the gang.

“Don’t believe a thing this guy says. His whole ‘I put you first’ act, it’s fake. He acts like he only thinks about you, but I know from personal experience that when everything goes to shit and you need him, he won’t be there.” David couldn’t believe his ears. Where did he get the nerve?

“Screw you, man. You lived off me this whole time! I do everything for you!” David said.

Will stormed up to David.

“Oh, really? Where were you when Mom died?!” Will said.

Will’s face was nearly purple, and it was strained. He might seize. David didn’t care.

“She died on me too!” David said. “What, you’re the only one who gets to hide in your room and cry like a little baby? You’re an idiot. I had a life that had nothing to do with you, and you know what? I liked it.”

Will applauded sarcastically.

“Thank you! Thank you for showing everyone what you’re really like.”

David stomped toward Will. He was going to break his nose.

But Ritchie got to him first, standing on his toes to get in Will’s face.

“What are you talking about, huh? David busts his ass for this gang!”

“Get out of my face, Ritchie. I’m talking to my brother,” Will said.

“No, you’re talking to our leader, and none of us want to hear any of it, you little punk.”

“Who you calling little, midget? Get out of my way.” Will pushed past Ritchie, but Ritchie shoved him after he passed.

Will spun around, furious. He shoved Ritchie back. Ritchie lost his footing at the edge of the landing and toppled down the stairs. People rushed to the edge. A girl screamed. David pushed his way through the crowd and grasped Will by the shirt.

David cocked back his fist.

“No!” Lucy yelled. “Please stop!”

Both brothers turned to see Lucy watching them. Her eyes were wide and pleading. David let go of Will. Everyone was watching them.

David scowled at Will. “You’re not going to the Geek show, and you’re on guard duty for a week.”

“How about a month?”

“Done,” David said, and turned to the other Loners. “Fights within this gang won’t be tolerated. You heard it right now.

Punishment is guard duty for a month. We’ve got nothing if we’re not together.”

David walked away from Will.

“SORRY, GUYS, YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO
check your weapons.”

Ritchie, who had a nasty new gash scabbing up across his forehead, sneered at the Geek like he was crazy.

“It’s okay,” David said to Ritchie and the mob of Loners behind him. One by one, the gang piled their weapons high on the table in front of the well-guarded box office, and each Loner received a claim ticket in return. By the end of five minutes, the counter was overloaded with blades, spears, chains, pipes, slingshots, and wire knuckles. What the Geeks didn’t know was that hidden somewhere on each Loner were at least two shivs.

Someone was going to kill David tonight at the Geek show.

That was the rumor. According to the Skaters, Bobby was losing his cool after being publicly embarrassed by Sam. He may have been scared of Sam when he was in the market, but when Bobby got back to Freak territory, David bet he was more scared of what his own gang might do to him. Bobby had to show the school that they should fear Jackal. Offing David would definitely get the message across.

The PA system squawked to life, and a booming voice addressed the school.

“Geek show! Geek show! You don’t want to miss this one.

Get your butt to the auditorium before we run out of tickets.” David had made a promise to his gang, and he wasn’t going to back down now.

The Loners proceeded into the auditorium, and David scanned the light rigging for any ominous figures. Colored lights and flashing strobes made it impossible to tell for sure.

He’d heard of Freak kids trying to perfect bow and arrows.

He didn’t want to find out those rumors were true tonight.

David let his eyes wander over the spectacle before him.

It was nothing like the dismal gray that lurked outside the doors behind him. The air smelled fresh somehow. The Geeks had frosted the tips of their hair with acrylic paint from the art studios. He saw turquoise, magenta, and tangerine, rare colors for McKinley. He had forgotten how big the auditorium really was. It’d been built to house the entirety of the student body and the faculty for school events for decades to come. A red-curtained proscenium stage, bathed in golden light, took up the entire far wall. Between the stage and where David stood were fifty rows of raked seating. Interspersed along both walls were small, makeshift tents. In front of each tent was a Geek barking the surprises and entertainment that waited within.

It was a carnival, and to David’s disbelief, it looked like kids had not only checked their weapons at the door, but also their affiliation. He’d never seen anything like it, probably because he’d never had the opportunity to go to a Geek show before.

It put him on edge. Everyone mixed freely with each other.

An assassination seemed more feasible than he’d imagined before. He noticed Varsity members and Pretty Ones scattered through the room. A Freak gave him a hateful look. All through the crowd David saw potential threats, enemies pretending to be amused by the extravaganza.

“Stay close,” David said to Ritchie, who signaled to the rest of the Loners.

David heard a high-pitched scream and feet rushing toward him. He pivoted his body and dug in, ready for anything. Anything except a hug. It was Zachary. He wore a blazing orange Marie Antoinette wig, tall as a top hat and full of decorative curls.

“Well, look how far he’s come!”

Ritchie grabbed Zachary’s shirt and swung him off David.

“Hey, hands off!”

A throng of Geeks broke out of the crowd, and they promptly surrounded the Loners. David put his hands up to calm the situation.

“Whoa, whoa, all a mistake! Let’s be cool,” David said.

Ritchie held out his hands. They were covered in a glitter that shimmered with every flash of the lights. Zachary righted himself with a sneer and straightened his black shirt, which was covered in the same stuff, a powder of crushed glass bonded to the fabric with a weak glue. Sparkles sprinkled onto the floor all around him.

“What is this crap?” Ritchie said.

“Fashion, moron. And that before is called a hug. You cave-men don’t get out much, do you?”

“We’re a little rusty,” David said. “But if I recall correctly, partying is like riding a bike, isn’t it?” Zachary smiled and waved for his Geeks to relax. He winked one eye and wagged his finger at David.

“If you didn’t spend like a drunk stepmom, I’d throw you right out of here, Davey-pie,” he said, and then waved his hand around at the tents. “So here’s the deal. The main show and sideshows are free, but games and goodies cost tickets. We’ve got a couple lovely girls over there who will gladly relieve you of whatever you’d like to trade for a roll of tickets.” Zachary clapped his hands, and one of the Geeks tossed a large roll of tickets to David.

“Here’s a few on the house.”

“Hey, you shouldn’t have,” David said dryly, passing them back to Ritchie.

“I know. I really shouldn’t have, but hey, we’re going to rob you blind tonight anyway. Have fuuuuun, Loners!” With a twirl and a sweep of his hands, Zachary led his crew on to the next gang of customers. David smiled. Even with a death threat looming over his head, it was hard not to find Zachary’s mood infectious. Since forming the Loners, David had paid close attention to the leaders who had gained the true respect of his gang. Zachary was one of them, and he admired his style.

David turned to his gang mates. Eighty of them had come, and twelve had stayed behind at the Stairs. All of them were salivating over a different Geek show attraction. They were dying to cut loose.

“Okay,” David said. “I need five volunteers for a security team, and we’ll rotate it. That’s it. Everybody else, go hang out. Somebody better have some fun, or this going to be one pricey downer.”

Five people stepped forward to stick with David, and the rest scattered like mice let out of a cage. A band playing on a tiny homemade stage kicked into a song. A small crowd gathered around. The band used traditional instruments together with handmade ones. Tubas and violins harmonized with desktop wood blocks and nails being scraped down chalkboards. There was a stand-up bass made out of stripped electrical wires and a desk drawer. The clash of sounds made a harmonious racket.

Lucy was dancing by herself right up front. There were a hundred different things you could do at the Geek show, but all David wanted to do was watch Lucy dance. “You should dance with her,” Ritchie said. “Before I do.”

“You’re not dancing with her.”

“I am if you keep hesitating. Seriously,” Ritchie said, moving his head in unison with Lucy’s butt, “I want that thing to live on my face.”

David laughed. He felt like a goon, standing with five other goons, ogling her.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Yeah.” Ritchie nodded slowly.

“And look at something else, will ya?”

“Just trying to keep you safe, Dave.”

David navigated past dancing kids. He felt acutely aware of how hard he was trying to act casual. He sidled up to Lucy and stared at the band, as if that was the real reason he was there.

He bopped his head. He tried to shuffle his feet to the beat, but he felt like an idiot. He wasn’t a dancer. He glanced over at her as she rotated her hips.

“Have you ever been to a Geek show?” David projected loudly.

The band stopped playing, and the second half of his question echoed out over the lull. They put down their instruments and took a break.

“Hmm?” Lucy said.

“I said, have you—”

“Yes.”

“Oh.”

He didn’t expect to feel awkward around Lucy. But he did.

“Will you show me around?” David said.

“Are you dating Hilary?” Lucy said.

“Whoa,” David said, and reeled. “Where did that come from?

I mean, I used to date her.”

“I saw you with her at the market,” she said.

“Oh, uh . . . okay, well, I did talk to Hilary, but we are most definitely not dating.”

Lucy bit her lip and considered David as if he was lying.

Maybe he’d left some stuff out, but he wasn’t really lying. He gave her a reassuring smile. Lucy had really done her home-work. He didn’t know she was keeping tabs on him.

“Come on,” she said, then hooked her hand around his arm and pulled him off into the rest of the crowd. Her hand was light but firmly nestled into the crook of his elbow. As she pulled him past a cluster of Freaks, David felt a surge of anxiety. He looked back at the Loners fading from view. They were struggling to catch up, but Lucy was moving quickly. He suddenly felt out of control. Who was watching him now? Did he just bring Lucy into the line of fire?

“Actually,” David said, “we should stick by the guys in case—”

“They’ll catch us eventually,” she said.

Lucy placed her other hand on his arm too and pulled David away from Ritchie and the security detail. They came to a comedian who paced on a rectangle of six milk crates. A small crowd was gathered around him. The kid was painfully short and had a face like a bulldog. Given how he looked, being funny was his only option.

The comedian’s eyes lit up when he saw David.

“Uh-oh, look who it is,” he said. “Does anyone have any zit creme? I got some whiteheads I need to get rid of.” The crowd chuckled. David didn’t. He moved to leave, but Lucy tugged him back. She was giggling.

“Hey, what do you call it when two Loners stand together?” David looked up at the guy.

“I call it my future wife and . . . some loser.” More laughs. The comedian mouthed the words
I love you
to Lucy, and he got a cheap laugh out of the crowd.

“I’m just joking, David. No hard feelings, right? I’m glad you’re here. I got a stain on my boxer shorts. Got a second?” The crowd laughed hard at that one. David pushed out a strained smile. Lucy’s hand was shaking on his arm. David looked over to see that her face was red from trying to hold in her giggling. She couldn’t stop.

“Oh, come on,” Lucy said, tugging him away from the comedian. “It was a joke. You can’t take a joke?”

“Hey, if it’s funny, I’m the first one to laugh.”

“Ooh, I think he touched a nerve.”

“Pssh, are you kidding me? I love thinking about all the mornings I spent trying to scrub blood off of some kid I hate’s sleeve with a toothbrush.”

Lucy looked unsure as to how to respond. David meant it to be sarcastic, but it came out angry.

“That’s just not what I am anymore,” David said.

“David, do you ever relax?”

“What do you mean?”

“You never take a break. You’ve already done more for all of us than anyone could have expected you to. Take the night off, for crying out loud. Let Ritchie do the worrying, because he already is anyway.”

Lucy motioned behind David, and he turned to see Ritchie less than ten feet away. He was shadowing them, and he knew he was busted. Ritchie strode up to them.

“So . . . hey, what are you guys up to?” Lucy arched her eyebrow at Ritchie.

“You know what? Never mind. Pretend I’m not here,” Ritchie said, backing away.

When Ritchie was finally gone, Lucy squeezed David’s hand.

“So, do we have a deal or what?”

“A deal?”

“Are you going to just enjoy yourself tonight? The world’s not going to end if you have a little fun.” David took in the auditorium. He didn’t see one person who was having a bad time. If kids could mingle across gang lines here, why didn’t they all the time? He wondered if the school could ever be like this every day.

“All right,” he said. He turned to her. “Deal.” Lucy jumped and clapped her hands. She pulled him over to a concession stand that served juice. To compensate for their smaller claims on the quad, Varsity had started selling what was once reserved only for their own drop parties: their homemade apple juice hooch.

“Two cups, please.”

Lucy slid two tickets across the table, and the Geek at the stand served up two tin cans full.

Lucy raised her can up to David’s.

“To a great night,” she said.

“You drink?” David said.

“Not really, but if I’m asking you to cut loose, well, I guess I can’t be a hypocrite.”

David liked that. He raised his tin can.

“To a great night,” he said, and they each took a swig. It burned going down.

“WHOOF!” Lucy yelped. She had to cover her mouth to force herself to swallow. She fluttered her fingers and did a little dance to help it go down. She finally managed and crumbled into David. “What is in that stuff?”

“Good old-fashioned moonshine, mixed with apple juice.”

“Moonshine? Is Huckleberry Finn in Varsity?” David laughed.

“Yeah, moonshine. Anthony Smith used to bring it on the bus to celebrate after we won away games. It’s just sugar and yeast, and you distill it, I think. If Varsity can do it, it must be easy.”

“You mean, it’s sugar, yeast, and fire. I can’t feel my throat.”

“Me neither. That means it’s working,” David said, and took another swig.

The juice made him buoyant. Anxiety slipped away. David reached out to take Lucy’s arm, but somehow they ended up hugging. She felt so good in his arms. He didn’t want to let go.