Unleashed (14 page)

EIGHTEEN

Lunar Festival of Lights. That's what the mayor had called it. The celebration was meant to bring in more tourists during the late fall months to help Bandon's economy. It had the Cranberry Festival in September, but after that, very few tourists came to Bandon until the following spring. The mayor was determined to change that with this new festival and hoped it would become a tradition.

Claire was excited for it, mostly. The city had called Kate to ask if their band could play a few songs, their tamest ones, they had been quick to say. But Claire had a couple of reservations about playing at the festival—Bodian Dynamics, more specifically Gary, and Gage. Even though nothing had happened for several days, she was still nervous that one of them might easily find her if she performed in public.

In the end, however, she didn’t let her fears stop her from singing and attending the event. She wanted to make the festival memorable. She and Ethan together, beneath the light of the full moon. She couldn't imagine a more perfect setting.

"You coming?" Kate called from her car.

Claire stared up from her porch into a cloudy night sky. So much for her perfect setting. Already a heavy mist was creeping through the trees as if it, too, wanted to experience this new celebration. She zipped up her jacket and bounded down the stairs.

"So how come Ethan didn't pick you up?" Kate asked when Claire closed the passenger door.

She put on her seat belt. "He had to work over at Bullard’s Beach. He'll meet me there."

"So you two seem to be getting serious,” Kate said, eyeing her sideways as she eased the car onto the road.

"Maybe."

"Don't you think it’s weird? I mean, a couple of years ago you guys were practically a couple and then you don’t speak to him forever and now you’re back in love?”

“I wouldn’t say we’re in love,” Claire said, squirming in her seat. “I just forgot how cool he was.”

"Maybe he’s not as cool as you think he is.”

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Kate tightened her lips like she was trying to keep from saying more. Instead, she said, “So did Logan mind playing for Audrey tonight?" She turned the car right, toward town.

"Yeah. When is she coming back?" Claire was glad Kate changed the subject. Ethan was still a sore topic between them. Sometimes, she wondered if Kate was jealous that Claire had a boyfriend and she didn’t.

"In a couple of days. Could be sooner if she gets kicked off the debate team because she can't stop yelling."

Claire laughed. Audrey had joined the debate team a few weeks ago, trying to make use of her loud voice. Claire tried to tell her that joining debate wouldn't make her voice softer, but Audrey insisted that if she was around others who talked all the time, then maybe their voices would rub off on her, much like an American picks up on a British accent.

Her phone buzzed. She looked down and read a text message from Logan out loud. "Logan says not to worry about all the equipment. He’s already setting it up."

"Good. Logan’s so cool. Too bad you’re not dating him.” Kate tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. "I hope this festival isn't lame," she said.

Claire chose to ignore the first part of her statement. "I'm sure it will have some lameness to it. A sixty-year-old planned it."

"Whoa!" Kate said and slowed the gas.

Claire looked up. Lining the streets was bumper-to-bumper parked cars and they were still six blocks from town. Not only that, but just up ahead the town was practically glowing with lights.

"Maybe there will be more people than I thought," Kate whispered.

"Where are we going to park?" Claire looked in all directions, trying to find a spot.

Kate’s lips curved up. "VIP parking."

"Where's that?"

Kate didn't answer, but after a minute Claire knew what she was talking about. Barely fitting between a fire hydrant and a parked car, Kate slowly guided her old Buick over the concrete curb and up onto the grass. She proceeded to drive into the park, swerving through trees that were glowing from millions of strung lights. The white light tried to push through the growing fog, but it pushed back, creating a haze of blurry trapped light.

She was about to comment on the illusion to Kate, but just then her skin turned cold. She wasn't sure why until her brain registered what her eyes were looking at through the side window. Not far off, standing beneath a streetlight as if a ghost, was Gary. His stare touched her, and ran up her spine, leaving shaking nerves in its wake. She quickly looked away and clutched the dashboard.

"You okay?" Kate asked as she parked next to a homemade stage in the middle of the park. 

Claire forced herself to relax. "Just fine. You sure we can park here?"

"We're rock stars, remember?" Kate got out of the car.

"Right."

"You coming?" she said, peeking her head back into the car.

Claire remained frozen in her seat, staring straight ahead.

Kate banged the top of the car with her hand. "Hey! You coming or what?"

She jumped. "Yeah. One sec." Kate closed the door.

Claire glanced in all directions for Gary before she opened the door. He must have wandered off because she couldn't see him now. “Relax,” she breathed. Gary probably lived in this area so it shouldn't surprise her that he was here. Besides, he hadn't bothered her in a couple of weeks.

A few minutes later Logan appeared. "Now you're sure we're up first, right Kate? Because everything’s set up."

"That's what the lady at city hall said."

"Good." Logan eyed Claire. "What's wrong?"

She turned away. "Nothing. Long day."

He came over to her. "Serious. You look like you've seen a Chupacabra."

Claire tried to smile. "Once I start singing, I'll be fine."

And that’s exactly what happened. Thirty minutes later she jumped from the stage after performing their last song feeling great. There wasn't much of a crowd, mostly teenagers, but she didn't care. Singing was all that mattered.

"Should we walk through town? See what else there is?" Steph asked.

"Can't. I've got a date," Kate said.

Up on the stage, a man and woman, who looked like they were attending prom wearing a matching tux and pink ruffled dress, set up a cello and a violin. Claire felt Logan come up behind her.

"Who with?" Steph said.

"It doesn't matter. Later," Kate said and walked away.

Steph turned to Claire. "That was weird."

She nodded, although nothing Kate did surprised her. The woman back on stage began to play the cello. Her long fingers fascinated Claire as she moved them across the strings.

"So are you guys coming?" Steph asked.

"I'll go. Claire?" Logan asked.

She turned around. "Sure. Just down Main Street?"

"That's where the action will be," Steph said.

"Cool. I'll text Ethan so he knows where to look for us."

With Steph on her left and Logan on her right, they followed the path of lit-up trees. The melancholy sound of strings followed behind them. Claire couldn’t believe how Main Street had been transformed. All the shops had placed little white bags with candles inside them on the sidewalk and brought out their inventory, selling it at amazing prices. Old-fashioned street vendors walked the streets, selling everything from hot dogs to cotton candy.

"You can still hear the music," Logan said.

She stopped and listened. Sure enough, she could still hear the couple playing their haunting melody.

"Hey, guys." Ethan's voice.

She turned around and smiled. He stood, hands in pockets, grimacing. "Did I miss it?" he asked.

"We played first,” she said. “But don't worry about it. It's not like you haven't heard me sing before."

He took hold of her hand. "But there's nothing I love more."

"Oh, please," Steph said and pulled on Logan’s arm. "Let's keep walking before I vomit."

Claire and Ethan followed behind them until they reached Town Square. Lights had been hung above them and with the fog they looked like stars close enough to touch. She had to hand it to the mayor; the place looked amazing and would no doubt become a yearly tradition they all looked forward to.

"Why has everyone stopped?" Steph asked. A growing crowd was huddling together in front of the library, preventing them from walking past.

"It must be time for the drawing," Logan said. He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a ticket.

"What do you win?" Claire asked, trying to peer over the crowd.

"Bandon Motor Sports is giving away a four-wheeler.”

"Where have I been?" Ethan asked.

From seemingly nowhere the mayor appeared on the library steps. His round, balding head stuck out of his checkered shirt like an over-inflated red balloon. After wiping sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, he used a megaphone to speak.

Claire listened for a few minutes while he spoke about Bandon's history and the significance of the festival. "Amidst a raging storm, sailors looked for light,” he was saying. “It was this light that brought safety and loved ones together…”

She whispered in Ethan's ear. "I'm going to grab a hot dog. Want one?"

He looked beyond her to a hot dog stand. "Sure, but let me go get them."

She shook her head. "The mayor's shirt is making me dizzy. I’ll be right back." Ethan smiled as she turned and walked away.

Claire waited in line behind three people before it was her turn to buy two barely warmed hot dogs from a man whose beanie was pulled so far down, she could barely see his eyes. "Thanks," she mumbled.

"Good luck with the drawing," he said.

She looked back to the mayor, whose face looked even redder than before. "Luck won't help me, but thanks." She maneuvered her way back to Ethan, and noticed how the fog seemed to be growing thicker, pressing on them from all sides. She picked up her pace, feeling suddenly claustrophobic.

"Excuse me," she said to the backside of a man. She tried to move around him, but he shifted to the left, blocking her path. She tapped him on the shoulder. "Um, can I get by?"

Very slowly, the bald headed man turned around, eyes gleaming, mouth turned up into a crooked smile. The hot dogs fell from Claire’s hands at the same time her heart skipped a beat.

"Hello, Claire," Gary said. "It’s time for our chat.”

She stepped away from him and gulped. "Why can’t you just let it go?"

He clicked his tongue and stepped close. "That would make me a bad employee. Bodian said to keep an eye on you and that’s what I’ve been doing. But in light of certain developments, they are insisting I find out exactly what you saw and heard. Before I was just messing with you, but now I’m all kinds of serious.” He reached up as if to touch her. “I liked seeing the fear in your eyes.”

Up front the mayor bellowed, "And now for the main event!" The crowd cheered. Tickets were being pulled out of pockets and waved in the air.

"I didn't hear anything. I already told you that." She stepped back again.

Gary moved forward, almost too slow to notice. "I don't believe you."

The mayor spoke again, "And the winner is,” he paused for dramatic effect, “ticket number 24839."

There was a flurry of movement as people silently read their numbers. No one was watching Claire.

"You need to leave me alone," she said.

"Not until we have a little talk. In private."

"And what if I don't?"

"Your lover of a boyfriend. Do you like him much?"

Suddenly there was a scream from off to the right and several women started bouncing up and down. All eyes turned toward them, even Gary’s.

"We have a winner!" the mayor shouted into the speaker. "Let's celebrate!" Surprising everyone, music blared from speakers that had been secured high on lampposts. A country song, meant to excite the crowd, made her heart race faster.

Claire took advantage of the frenzied moment and bolted, pushing her way through the least crowded area in the back. Away from Ethan. But all that mattered now was getting away from Gary.

She made it to the other side of Town Square before she dared turn around. Gary was still there. She hadn't shaken him like she'd hoped. He moved toward her, moving so easily through the crowd, that she wondered if he even realized there were people around.

At this point Claire wondered what to do. She didn't want anyone hurt because of her, but she didn't want to talk to Gary either. The way his eyes slid over her made her think he wanted to do more than just talk.

Not having enough time to think through her options, Claire ran. She sprinted down the street then turned left onto the sidewalk. Up ahead she noticed a small souvenir shop with its lights still on. She prayed for the door to be open. Her prayers were answered.