The Conch Shell of Doom (20 page)

“Like hell it is,” Bailey said.

Bailey wrapped an arm around Alexis’s waist, using his weight to keep her balanced. He felt a rush of excitement at the physical contact, though he kept that to himself.
Stupid hormones.
Alexis moaned. Franklin tried to angle her in feet first, but it couldn’t be done without banging her head on either the roof or the ground. He and Bailey turned around and led with her head. It was a tight squeeze, but she would fit in that way. They gave one final push, and she banged her head against the opposite window.

“Why do I keep doing that?” She rubbed her head.

Bailey got in next to her and laid a hand on her shoulder, helping her sit up straight. With the door open, the overhead light was on, illuminating Alexis. The poison turned her skin pale, except for the punctured leg, which looked like black ash.

“I don’t have room for you two,” Franklin said to Marshall and Tim. “Follow us back to my place.” He told the pair where he lived in case they lost him.

“Be careful, that’s my sister.” Tim put his hands together and bowed.

“Just try to keep up.” Franklin closed the Mustang’s door.

Bailey lost himself in his thoughts, trying to process everything. The museum, his parents, Mr. Lovell, the poison, all of it. What did they expect? That the four of them could save the day, or some stupid crap like that? They were a bunch of stupid kids in way over their heads. He cursed himself for thinking they could’ve actually done something good.

The Mustang roared to life, bringing Bailey’s focus back to Alexis. The powerful engine made his seat rumble. He turned to take a last look at the condo development through the rear window. Such an evil place. The sooner they got out of there, the better. Mr. Lovell could be there at any moment. The tires screeched as the car sped onto the street, the engine’s torque forcing Bailey back against the seat. Alexis fell on him, her hair getting in his face. It tickled. He brushed it away before it made him laugh.

“I feel woozy,” Alexis said. “Am I dying? That would suck. I’ve already been dying once.”

Bailey bit the inside of his cheeks. Watching her like that was killing him. He rubbed her arm, the skin feeling warm to the touch. Really warm. Either her body was trying to fight off the poison, or it was eating her alive.
Fantastic.

“You’re fine.” Bailey put his arm around her, fighting the urge to kiss her on top of the head. “Just try to think about Draco Malfoy in the nude.”

A small laugh escaped her lips. “Gross.”

“That’s good,” Franklin said. “Keep her mind off things.”

“Who are you? Why are you helping us?” Bailey bit his lip. “And who are you?”

“Name’s Franklin. This is Julie. The better question is who are you, and what the hell were you doing at Percy’s?”

Bailey wished he hadn’t opened his mouth. Alexis was dying right next to him, and playing twenty questions with Franklin felt stupid, doubly so if he found out about the museum. “Is Alexis going to be okay?”

Head down, she tugged Bailey’s shirt. “Did I trade legs with a monster?”

What? Legs? Oh, hell
.

The black poison swallowed Alexis’s leg whole, and inched toward the toes on the other. Bailey felt the infected leg. It almost burned to the touch. That anxious, claustrophobic feeling wrapped around his body.
 

“Jesus.” If only he could do something to help.
 

Alexis leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Bailey fought back the nerves, focusing on his one chance to help his friend.
 

Don’t let her pass out. Don’t let her pass out.

“Hey. Open your eyes.” Bailey shook her. No response. He tapped Franklin on the shoulder. “How do I keep her from passing out?”

“Snap your fingers. Shout. Slap her. Whatever it takes, just keep her awake.”

“Alexis.” Bailey shook her again, but still nothing. He decided to shout. “Alexis!”

She’d passed out. He snapped his fingers. Time was running out. Bailey hated the idea of slapping her, but it seemed like the only option left on the table. He took a deep breath and gently hit Alexis across the face with his fingers. Her eyes opened.

“Go away.” She shoved his hand away. “I’m tired.”

“No, stay with me. You need to keep your eyes open.” Bailey tried to think of something to say, but putting himself on the spot made his mind go blank. “Hey, tell me about your sixth birthday party.”

He knew it was a stupid question, but whatever. It wasn’t exactly the most ideal setting for coming up with topics for conversation.
 

“Maybe later.” Alexis closed her eyes.

No, no, no!

Bailey felt panicked. He glanced toward Franklin, who kept his eyes on the road. Bailey raised his hand and then let it fall. He tried again, with the same result.

“How we doing back there?” Julie asked.

“I don’t know.”
 

“Do what you have to do,” Franklin said. “But don’t let her die because you insisted on being a gentleman.”

He was right, and Bailey knew it. If only he’d been wearing a wife-beater shirt. Such was life. He raised his hand and held it there. He’d never hit anyone in his life before. And
of course
it would be a girl taking the shot. Of course! Bailey took three quick breaths and then let loose with all the fury he could muster. His hand connected, making a loud
clap
sound.
 

Alexis jerked awake, rubbing her face. “Did you just hit me?”

Bailey was thrilled Alexis woke up but ashamed of the way she looked at him. It was a combination of hurt, anger, and sickness—the latter due to the poison.
Damn Mr. Lovell for putting me in this position.
 

“I’m sorry. I had to.”

“Had to?” Alexis seemed alarmed. “You
had to?
”

“Yes, sweetie.” Franklin turned the steering wheel hard to the right, pushing everyone in the car to the left. “He had to. You should be thanking him.”

Bailey furrowed his brow. Really? Alexis should thank him for slapping her across the face? That Franklin guy seemed to be nothing but class.

“No.” Alexis said, her voice already weakening.

Bailey leaned forward, his head between the two front seats. “Where are we going?”
 

“My place.” Franklin peeked in the rearview mirror. “I have some stuff there that might save your friend.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” Bailey shouted. “Drive faster!”

“Yeah,” Franklin said with a chuckle. “Already going ninety.”

Bailey looked at the speedometer.
Huh.
They were going ninety. “Oh.”

“Relax, kid. I’ve done this before.” Franklin made a back and forth motion with his hand. “Kind of.”

“That’s inspiring.” Bailey sat back in his seat and then glanced at Alexis. Her eyelids fluttered, and all he could see were the whites of her eyes. The irises must’ve rolled back in her head. Panic sped everything up to warp speed. “She’s shaking!”

“Lift up her shirt,” Franklin said.

“Are you crazy?” Bailey’s voice cracked. Thanks, puberty. “I’m not sneaking a peek right now.”

“Grow up. I need to know if the poison has spread to her chest.” Franklin turned on the overhead light.

Bailey took a deep breath and lifted her shirt. He bit his lip, nervous about seeing Alexis’s bra, let alone her boobs. The hem of her red underwear peeked above her shorts. Beyond that was the faintest hint of black creeping toward her belly button.

“It’s near her belly button.”

“We’ve got about fifteen minutes.” Franklin sat up, eyes focused and arms straightened. The engine’s hum got louder. Bailey felt momentum push him back in his seat. Franklin spoke to himself. Bailey saw Franklin’s lips move, but nothing came out.

“How long ‘til we get there?” Bailey asked.

“Five,” Franklin said. “Then another five to get her inside, and maybe ten to mix the antidote.”

“I can do that part to save some time,” Julie said.

That sounded like too much time to Bailey. “We don’t have enough time, do we? God, she’s going to die.”

“Calm down.” Franklin held up a hand. “I’m not saying that. I’m just saying we’re cutting it close.”

“Too close.” The rush of emotion was too much for Bailey. Eyes watering, his body pushed out the feelings he couldn’t handle.

“Then we don’t have time to argue semantics, do we?”

Bailey’s head jerked forward as Franklin slammed on the brakes. Bailey tried to stop Alexis’s momentum but accidentally grabbed one of her breasts in the process. His hand jerked back, and she slammed into the seat in front of her.

Great. I felt up Alexis
and
let her face get plastered in the past two seconds. What’s next? A rhino jams its horn up my ass?

Franklin made a right turn into the parking lot of a nondescript apartment complex. He yanked on the emergency brake, tires screeching as they slid to a stop in a spot. The seat belt caught Bailey’s body as it lurched forward. His head kept going, and when it couldn’t go any further, it snapped back. Something in his neck popped. It hurt, but there wasn’t any time to worry about whiplash. He climbed out of the Mustang and then reached back in to get Alexis out. Franklin took her by an arm and pulled. Bailey sneezed, agitating his neck. He let go, and Alexis fell onto the pavement.

“
Come on
.” Bailey’s frustration made him want to kick something. Really hard.

“Don’t worry about it. She’s fine. You’d be surprised how often I’ve had to do this.” Franklin threw Alexis over his shoulder and they rushed to the elevator.

Bailey watched Alexis, head jerking up and down as Franklin ran. Bailey wished she’d open her eyes. Everything would be okay if that happened. One day, he’d maybe forget about tonight all together. Deep down, though, he knew that wouldn’t be the case. She probably wasn’t waking up. Franklin was probably full of it.

Julie was the first to the elevator. She pressed the up button, and the four of them were left to wait in agonizing silence for the elevator car to arrive. It felt like hours to Bailey.

“Hurry up.” He pouted, stomping his foot.

“Easy kid,” Franklin said, adjusting Alexis on his shoulder. “Julie, reach into my pants.”

Julie looked like Franklin said something that wasn’t funny. “Excuse me?”

“Get over yourself,” Franklin said. “My keys are in my left pocket. You need to take them out and—”

Ding!

The elevator doors opened. They stepped inside. Franklin pressed the button for the third floor and then repeatedly stabbed the close door button. After the tenth try, they shut. Julie reached in and took out the keys.
 

“We have about five seconds before the elevator opens. I’m in 307,” Franklin said. “The gold key unlocks the door. Go as fast as you can.”
 

Julie went through the keys and then held up one. “This it?”

“Good girl. Now. Kitchen’s to your left. In the first cabinet to your right, you’ll find a leather medicine bag. Take out the book and go to the page that says
Remedium de Caeles
at the top. After that, just follow the recipe. It’s around page twelve, I think.”

“Page twelve.”

Julie moved closer to the doors, waiting for them to open. Bailey felt the car’s momentum stop. They’d reached the third floor. The elevator doors dinged open. Julie sprinted out, her steps pounding on the concrete. Bailey followed behind Franklin.

“You’ve got this,” Bailey said, trying to reassure both Alexis and himself. Never mind that in her state, she most likely wouldn’t hear a death metal concert if it was being played three feet away.

“Just a few more feet.” Franklin carried Alexis on his shoulder, like she was a bag of flour, into his condo. “Hang on, sweetie.”

Julie left the door open for them.
Bless her.
Franklin ran into the dining area, and set out a chair. Bailey helped Franklin get Alexis off of his shoulder and then made sure she wouldn’t fall out the chair. Her limp head fell to the side, exposing her pale neck. Bailey was glad there weren’t any vampires around. They’d probably take that as open invitation.

Franklin lifted Alexis’s shirt up to her belly button. The poison turned every inch of her stomach. He lifted the shirt all the way to the bottom of her bra. Still all black. He pulled the shirt off completely. His head dropped. “Damn.”

Bailey couldn’t believe it. Alexis’s entire chest was black. The poison had made it up to her collarbone. He didn’t see any way the antidote would be ready in time. They were really, truly, grade A, 100 percent screwed.

“Almost there.” Julie stirred the
Remedium
in a coffee mug, the spoon clanging against the ceramic with each turn.
 

“Almost there isn’t fast enough.” Franklin rushed over to Julie. He pressed his hands down on the counter as hard as he could. “Need to go.”

“Going as fast as I can.”

Bailey was frantic, watching the two of them in the kitchen. He squeezed his hands together, trying to relieve some of the stress.
Please, God, tell them to hurry the hell up.
They weren’t making a cup of tea. It was medicine. What was taking so long? He glanced back at Alexis, the poison creeping up her neckline. “Shit!”
 

Franklin looked over at Bailey and Alexis, grimacing. “Shit.”

Bailey rocked back and forth, grabbing at his hair. “Any time you’re ready.”

“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Julie said.
 

“What the hell does that mean?” Bailey shouted. Neither responded. “Tell me!”

Franklin slammed his fist on the counter. “It means shut up and let her work.”

The outburst hurt Bailey’s feelings. He didn’t mean to screw them up. Sometimes, his anxiety got the better of him. Damn it, why did it have to happen?
 

The poison moved farther up Alexis’s neck. All Bailey could do was stand and watch, a helpless feeling eating him alive. He’d have given his soul for the chance to cure her. Watching her die a slow death was worse than any torture the CIA, or anyone else, could’ve done to him. He’d jump out of a window if that antidote wasn’t ready within the next five—