Page 11 of Roses and Skulls

We stare at each other for several minutes… and so the game begins. He’s made the first move. Now, it’s my turn. I set the bird down and type, the Australian accent delivering my message.Perfect. See you Friday…I wave my hand out, silently asking for his name.

“Draven, you can call me Draven,” he says coolly, settling back on the couch my grandpa used to sneak naps on.

I bite my lip, halting my tears.See you then, Draven.I glance back down at the cage before picking it up.Oh, and thanks for the gift.I wrap my hand around the handle and quickly make my way through the door. His laughter follows me all the way down the hall.

When I push the door open to the outside world, I almost collapse, side-stepping to lean against the old picnic table out back.

My head feels like it’s going to burst. I need to let the pain out. Just a bit before I make my way back to the warehouse. I kick my shoe off and dig for the blade that is hidden beneath the padding. When I pull it out, it glints against the sun. I drop my jeans and press it against the inside of my thigh. When the first red bead greets me, it’s instant relief.

I look down at the bird, my image reflecting in her shiny eyes. I don’t like what I see. In fact, I hate it. I hate all of it, but this is the only way I know how. I’m trapped, just like this stupid bird. “You should be thanking me,” I tell her, my voice coming out scratchy and broken from unuse. I clear my throat and turn away from her, grabbing a tissue from my pocket to stop the pain from flowing.

While I’m buttoning my pants, I notice I’m being watched and not just by the crow. Draven is staring at me through the window of the back door. I pick up my new friend and run as fast as I can through the trees.

Chapter Two

Billie Rose

As I’m walking down the road, lugging this damn bird, a truck pulls up beside me. Jackson reaches over and opens the passenger door. “You are in so much shit. Your dad came back to the shop and when you weren’t there, he went ape shit.”

I slide in next to him, carefully placing the cage between my legs.

“What in the fuck is that?” he asks, his gaze going from the bird to me.

You know, when I woke up this morning, I had no idea how exciting the day would be. Funny, isn’t it?

I found her.

“Jesus, Rosie, you’re in so much trouble. And on top of it, you’re bringing a fucking crow home? What the hell?”

I shrug my shoulders in response, looking down at the bird. She’s starting to grow on me. But I need to let her go.I’m letting her go out in the trees behind the warehouse. Give me a break, will you?I close my eyes, laying my head back against the seat.

He hits his steering wheel. “Just once I’d love for you to fucking talk to me.”

I open my eyes.I talk to you every day.The tone of his voice makes me sit up straighter. He’s mad. He never gets mad at me.

He shakes his head back and forth as he puts his truck in gear. “No, you don’t. Your damn phone does and even then you never tell me anything that really matters.”

His words sting. For a brief moment, I think about talking to him but then I look at the crow sitting between my legs and just like her, I remain silent. Trapped. I sniffle a little and turn to look out the window.

“Ah hell, Rosie. Don’t cry. Your dad is mad enough. He’ll kick my ass if he sees I made you cry.”

I type on my phone.I’m not crying, dickhead.I swipe angrily at my tears.

“Then what’s that leaking out of your eyes?” he teases.

Glaring at him, I respond,Maybe I’m allergic to the bird.

He shakes his head, chuckling. “You’re too stubborn. That’s the problem. But you better get your story straight because Dirk has the whole club out looking for you.”

Just drop me off at your mom and dad’s.

He flips his hair out of his face before responding. “Do you think that’s going to help? Dad is out of his mind worrying about you.” He hands me his phone and I see message after message from Uncle Raffe.

I’m sorry, I hope they aren’t blaming you for my disappearance.

“I can handle the heat, but it would be nice if you would tell me where you were. I sent a text to Lanie, and you were definitely not with her, she was in class.”

Do you promise to keep it between us?

---