Page 17 of Shadow and Skulls

I know I just blocked him, but I do it again.

Several minutes go by before I realize I’m still standing in front of the window. I move away and throw myself back on the bed, dangling the chain over my face. It’s shiny and new. I must have broken the old one. The little dragonfly dances over my face, catching the light.

“What a day it’s been,” I whisper to the little trinket. “But the worst thing of all … the bad feeling is back, and I can’t shake it.”

Beige. I think I’ll paint the ceiling beige.

Wrapping my fist around it, I roll over and cry. I had avoided it for so long. I’ve been busy being a cheerleader, a girlfriend, a sister … a daughter. Keeping all the light on the new me while I left the old me tucked away in the shadows. Until Jason reminded me she’s still there. She still feels …

My heart slows as do my tears. I let my eyes fall closed; the heaviness that comes after a good cry pulls me away from this world. As sleep wraps its arms around me, the last thing I see are green eyes peering at me as I hide in the shadows.

Can he see me here?

Chapter Six

Kelsie

The next day, I manage to hide out in the little church about a mile behind our house. I love it here. Some of the stained-glass windows are broken, but I don’t mind. It lets the wind in. Unfortunately, it lets the rain in too. I’ve loved this place ever since I found it.

Rumor is Jesse wanted to burn it down when the club bought the property. I’m not sure why she hasn’t done it yet, but I’m glad for it. It’s beautiful … and peaceful.

I walk around, pulling dried flowers from their vases, replacing them with the fresh ones I brought. When I’m finished, I lie back on one of the pews and stare at the dome above me. The paint is cracked and worn, but I don’t care. It’s what calls me here almost every day.

I’m hoping no one notices I’m not in school.

The wooden door bangs open and then shut. I hold perfectly still, until the wooden seat behind me creaks. I turn my head,peaking between the back of the pew and the seat. I’m met with a pair of large black boots.

“Don’t get up on my account,” he says gruffly.

“Go away.” I turn my attention back to the dome.

He huffs. “Why aren’t you in school today?”

“Why were you in my room yesterday?” I stare at the ceiling not expecting him to answer.

“I was returning the necklace you broke when you ran from the school.”

“Breaking into my house is a strange way to return something.”

“Is it?”

I’m not sure if he’s joking or not.

“You need to go back to school, Kelsie. No one is going to pick on you anymore.”

I laugh, focusing on the white puffy clouds painted above me. “I’m not going back.”

“So, you’re just going to stick your head in the sand?”

“Maybe.”

“That doesn’t sound very Skull-like.”

“Well, if you must know, I was adopted. I’m not one of them.”

His face suddenly appears over the back of the pew. He folds his arms across it, his chin resting on his hands as he stares down at me. I try my best to focus on the ceiling, ignoring the way my stomach tightens with each breath that he takes.

“Are you going to tell on me?” I ask hesitantly.

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