Ember Rising Light (Book One) Page 13

  Chapter Nine

  It turned out that bizarre and puzzling day would be a turning point in my life…

  After that extraordinary afternoon, I walked on the opposite side of the hallway from the basement staircase. I made every effort to ignore the dark clique as they ditched classes and gathered in their lair. I also attempted to overcome my unnerving, yet thrilling, compulsion to follow them down those steps and discover what they’re up to. Sadly, I had been so enthralled with the painted circle and the purple goblets that I had neglected to scope out any available investigative hiding spots, either. I had terrified Tray by my cruddy-basement-adventure-disappearing-act. His anxiety dropped my chances of post-3:00 campus explorations to zilch.

  “If I ever even remotely think that I’ve gotta work late, again…you’ll be taking a Tray-generated-school-day-vacation…” he had loudly announced and whispered something under his breath about ‘broken glass and little girl destruction’.

  “You’re completely overreacting!” I responded in exasperation.

  My words were more about dramatic effect than a real observation of his exaggerated behavior. I was secretly relieved that he intervened because it removed all temptation. The urge to rush back down those stairs – especially if that boiler room is maxed out with ditching DC members – was overwhelming. If the opportunity ever presents itself again, I will run into that circle and demand they tell me how their DC portal operates…I’m psychotic!

  I didn’t sense anything bad or evil in the basement that afternoon. But, I did feel something out of the ordinary. It was like sharing space with a spirit. I should have been at least, a little apprehensive to venture back down to the basement alone. There’s a surreal power…lurking in the shadows…drawing me to step inside the ring. Given my current state of eccentric and self-destructive tendencies, a repeat journey into the shadowy unknown is one I probably shouldn’t take.

  After my near-miss on the volcanic eruption scale, I only made token appearances in the cafeteria. Daily following Tray out the door when he leaves for class, I no longer trust myself to hang around with the masses. So, I would find a quiet corner in the common’s area and spend the remainder of my lunch periods reading, listening to music and blending into the woodwork. It was the safest option I had.

  This pattern continued for a few days. I was happily absorbed in my own world. And, interestingly enough, my new pattern helped me to maintain my focus. I have to keep an eye out for other kids who might approach me. So, I didn’t lose myself in my own Ember generated reality. When the area started to empty, I knew it was time to pack up and head out. This little arrangement was working out quite well. I didn’t miss a single class or have another ‘volcanic’ episode. I would have been content to stick with that pattern until we moved away, but I should’ve remembered what happened in Chicago.

  “I’ve noticed you’re M.I.A. at lunch, Little Girl…” Tray stated on the way home from school one afternoon.

  “What are you talking about?? You see me every day at lunch – I’m always there,” I countered uncomfortably when I realized he somehow discovered my isolation scheme.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s time to close the books, shut off the tunes and find a few friends. You can’t hang out in your own world, forever. Seriously, it’s not good for you,” Tray responded, pulling his parental card on me yet again.

  I found myself fighting against the impulse to argue this out with him. I suppose I could tell him it’s time to move on. All the strange occurrences since we’ve been here should have me ready to bolt. But somehow, it just doesn’t feel right to leave so soon.

  Besides, if anyone had noticed my freaky heat wave incident surely, they would have already asked me about it – or, started some weird gossip. It appears that I’m the only one who knew what had happened on that crazy day.

  Tray continued to drive without pestering me for an answer. He has endless patience and that’s so annoying in a situation like this. The silent treatment never works on him like it does on me. I get antsy if I make him wait too long. And eventually, he would just ask me the same question in a different way if I failed to respond.

  I finally decided to not waste the effort and simply agree with him. There’s no way to win this particular argument. Unfortunately, he’s determined that I need to make friends, regardless of my desire to live in my own Tray and Ember only world.

  “You’re right. I’ll socialize tomorrow – no books, but I won’t promise anything about the music,” I vowed.

  “Whoa…that was almost too easy. What’s the catch? Are your fingers crossed??” Tray asked suspiciously.

  “There’s no catch. I know it’s an extremely rare occurrence, but sometimes I do have to let you win an argument with me. You shouldn’t get used to it, though…fair warning,” I added humorously.

  I was already dreading the next day.