College guy’s comments had given me an idea. When the police came, we couldn’t exactly say we were on a stakeout for the Grabber. I didn’t want a lecture from the cops about how dangerous that was, and if my parents found out, they’d kill me themselves.
But they couldn’t be too upset if we happened to see something suspicious while on our way to get pizza. Sansborough House of Pizza stayed open all night. We could say we were studying late and needed food. The way we went through pizza, it was a believable lie—and didn’t reveal anything about ghosts or werewolves.
I veered back to Calvin and whispered my plan. He nodded and I ran to the alley where Simon waited.
“That stupid bloody girl,” Simon said. “Thank God you stayed inside the car.”
“I’m fine,” I said.
His shoulders shuddered as tension left his body. Simon’s relief was almost palpable. I wanted to reach out and reassure him with a hug, but other people needed my help right now…and his hands were busy holding the Grabber to the ground.
“I need to check on Sarah,” I said.
He nodded, the skin tightening around his eyes. There were dark circles that hadn’t been there before. Perhaps seeing Sarah Randall hadn’t just been hard on Yuki. Simon had a lot of demons from his past. I made a mental note to talk to him about it later. I wanted to know all of his secrets, even the painful ones.
I moved to the rear of the van and lifted my hands, palm out.
“Sarah?” I asked. “My name is Emma and I’m here to help. There’s an ambulance coming and the police are on the way. I’m sure your parents will be here soon too. Can I come in?”
Sarah lay on her side, shaking. Simon had managed to remove the bonds from her wrists. Her hands covered her face and the gag hung loosely below her chin. This girl had been through hell. I wasn’t going to make that any worse by barging in on her. If she didn’t want my help, I’d wait for the paramedics.
She moved her fingers and blinked against the harsh interior light of the van. I thought I saw recognition there and she nodded.
“Don’t you…don’t go to my school?” she asked.
“Yes, Wakefield High,” I said, keeping my voice low. I was talking to her like I would a scared animal. “School’s almost over. I can’t wait for summer.”
I started working on the rope that bound her ankles.
“Did he hurt you?” I asked.
My voice shook and I blinked tears from my eyes.
“No-o-o,” she stuttered. “Not really. He liked to talk.”
Oh my god, I really didn’t want to know what that creep liked to talk about. I’m sure she didn’t want to think about it either.
“Okay, your feet might tingle while the circulation comes back,” I said, pulling off the last of the rope. “Can you sit up?”
I helped Sarah into a sitting position, moving closer when she swayed.
“Are you thirsty?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said.
Sarah hiccupped and she started crying again. I pulled a bottle of water from my bag and handed it to her silently. Words dried up on my lips. What else could I possibly say to comfort her?
I leaned against the van while she cried, staying within sight. Simon continued to hold the Grabber to the ground, angling the man’s face away from where I stood.
“Is the girl alright?” Simon asked.
“She will be, eventually,” I said. I nodded at the man held beneath him. “At least she’ll have the comfort of knowing that monster can’t harm her anymore.”
“No, love,” he said. “This one won’t be hurting anyone ever again.”
Chapter 53
Calvin
Blue and red lights flashed across Yuki’s pale face. An ambulance and a patrol car had arrived first and were soon joined by a second ambulance and a squad of local police vehicles. The first ambulance had taken Sarah Randall to the hospital. Yuki and I sat in the back of the second ambulance while in the street the moped driver assured a paramedic that he was fine.
Police were busy cordoning off this section of street, the alley, and the photography studio. We were now sitting in a crime scene.
A detective had taken our statement and gave me his card. The police seemed to believe our story of being students out on a late night pizza run. Simon had claimed that he was the one who spotted a man forcing a girl into the back of his van. Since he was the one kneeling on top of the body when the cops came, we let him take the credit.
The rest of us had received a reprimand for rushing out into oncoming traffic. Fortunately, Yuki and the cyclist hadn’t received any major injuries. With a crime scene to attend to, and a notorious killer now in custody, the police had bigger fish to fry.
Yuki sucked in air through her teeth as a paramedic probed the cut on her head.
“You’ll have a nasty bump, but it looks worse than it is,” the paramedic said.
“Head wounds are always bleeders,” a second paramedic said.
The first paramedic slapped a band-aid on the cut and clapped me on the back.
“You sure you two don’t want to get checked out downtown?” he asked.
“No thank you,” I said. “We’ll be fine. We should be getting home.”
“Tell your friend if she ever needs a job, give us a call,” the second paramedic said, motioning toward where Emma stood. “She’s got skills.”
“Thanks, I’ll tell her,” I said.
I helped Yuki down from the ambulance and waved to Simon and Emma. Emma jingled her keys.
“Are we good to go?” she asked.
“Yes,” I said. “Let’s get out of here before the press catches wind of this. I don’t want to end up on the news.”
“And pass up my television debut?” Simon asked. He placed a hand on his chest. “Didn’t you hear? I’m a hero.”
Emma rolled her eyes.
“Let’s go home,” she said.
We got in the car and as the police lifted the tape for us to leave, Yuki’s stomach growled.
“Hungry?” I asked.
“Well, you guys were all talking about pizza,” she said.
I laughed, suddenly feeling giddy. We had done it. We caught the Grabber and rescued Sarah Randall. And, other than a few bumps and bruises, Yuki was fine.
“For once, I agree with you, love,” Simon said. “I could eat a horse.”
“You would, old man,” she said.
“Oh my God, you two,” Emma said. “Shut. Up.”
Emma scowled at Yuki and Simon, but a smile tugged at the edge of her lips.
“I suppose we do have a few things to celebrate,” I said. “Pizza party?”
“Pizza party!” Yuki and Simon shouted in unison.
Emma shook her head and changed lanes. It was time to celebrate.
Chapter 54
Yuki
The final week of school flew by in a whirlwind of exams and oral presentations. My painting received an A, helping me pass my art class, but the chances of passing some of my other subjects was iffy. With Emma and Cal’s help, I studied every second that I wasn’t in class. I still kept my fingers crossed, toes too.
I had finally decided what I wanted to do with my life after high school. But first I had to graduate. Flunking out and having to repeat the school year had joined the other nightmare scenarios that plagued my sleepless nights. Repeating senior year may not have been as life threatening as abduction by jocks or revenge by witches, but I was still terrified.
On Friday, the list of passing seniors was posted.
I passed.
I lifted my hands above my head and hooted, doing a victory dance. My skirts twirled as I spun all the way to my locker.
“Hey,” I said, bumping into Emma.
“Are you alright?” she asked. “You don’t look so good.”
“I’m awesome,” I said, grinning. “Just dizzy.”
No more twirling for me. If I moved my head too fast, the hallway started to tilt, making my stomach go all twisty.
“I thought the paramedics said you were fine,” she said. Emma narrowed her eyes and looked me over. “No concussion.”
“Nope, I’m good,” I said. I leaned in closer, like I knew the world’s best secret. “Better than good. I’m totally freaking amazing.”
“Do you mean what I think you mean?” Emma said.
“I passed,” I said, bouncing on the toes of my boots. “You’re looking at a graduate of Wakefield High.”
“Squee!” we both squeeled.
We bumped knuckles and Emma pulled me into a hug. When Emma stepped back, she had a smug grin on her face.
“Well, I wasn’t going to say anything until I knew for sure you were graduating,” she said. “But...I got class valedictorian.”
“That is so awesome,” I said. “There are some scary smart people in our class. You rock!”
I started jumping up and down, and twirling. Didn’t I decide not to do that again? I was instantly dizzy, but didn’t care. I was too freaking happy.
“I did have a lot of competition,” she said.
Emma tossed her head, flipping her hair over one shoulder. She was trying to look poised, like a true class leader, but a flush crept across her cheeks and I knew she was pleased with herself.
Me? I just kept dancing.
*****
It was the last day of school for seniors and the parking lot was filled with smiling faces. Speakers were blaring and someone had written “skool sux” with white chalk on the pavement. It was almost festive, but we didn’t stick around to goggle at our classmate’s antics.
We had a much more somber task to attend to.
Emma maneuvered her car past the chaos of the school parking lot and let out a sigh of relief. Classes were over. We just had one more assignment before we were official graduates. Tomorrow we would dress in ridiculously unflattering caps and gowns and accept our diplomas.
Walking across the stage in front of the entire student body? Yeah, I wasn’t too thrilled about that. But if it meant freedom from Wakefield High, and the beginning of my dreams for the future, I’d do it. Plus, who cares if I have to wear a bright red muumuu? It’s all about the accessories.
I was trying to decide if I wanted to go with a dramatic lace collar or spiky metal studs, when Emma cleared her throat. Her gaze flicked over at me, then back to the road.
“I’m really glad you’re graduating with us,” she said.
She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.
“But?” I asked. When someone sighed like that, there is always a “but.”
“I’m still worried about you,” she said. “I know the past few months have been hard, ever since the football team stuck you in that closet. At first we weren’t talking, and then I didn’t want to pressure you, but…have you thought about your future?”
When she mentioned the football team, I felt like someone had slapped me in the face. I reached up to touch my cheek, but stopped. School was over. They couldn’t hurt me anymore.
And Emma had a point. Until last week, I didn’t have any plans for the future. Emma, Gordy, and Katie were all going off to college and Cal had his pack duties to attend to. But I hadn’t even mentioned anything that I’d like to do once we graduated.
We had been so busy that I hadn’t had a chance to talk to her about my plans. I guess too, I felt a bit superstitious about the whole thing. I was going to wait until I had something more concrete to show her, like a stack of paintings or a stall in the flea market with my name on it. Oh well, no time like the present.
“I’m going to pursue my art,” I said. I looked down at my hands and picked at the flaking nail polish. I’d have to redo them before graduation tomorrow. “I may get a stall at the flea market, at least at first.”
I felt foolish saying it out loud to Emma. It had sounded like such a great idea when I told Cal. But compared to Emma’s plans, my dreams seemed childish. What was I thinking?
“Wow, that’s a fantastic idea,” she said. “Have you considered art school?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe, in the future. Right now I want to work on my paintings and make a go of it. I figure if I paint ghost auras, my art will be unique. And Cal said he’d help me get the stall set up.”
“You are definitely one of a kind,” she said teasingly. “Seriously though, I think it’s a great idea. I’m even a little bit jealous.”
“Jealous?” I asked. “No way.”
“Really,” she said. “I’m following my dream to go to veterinary school, but I can’t follow my heart until I come home as a licensed vet. I know you’re not crazy about Simon, but it’s hard knowing we can’t really be together until then. Part of me wishes I didn’t have to go, that I could stay here with Simon. So if you open your art stall here in Wakefield, you have both Calvin and your art now. I have to wait.”
“Oh,” I said. “That sucks.”
I hadn’t really thought about it. I never questioned Emma leaving and going away to college. I’d miss her, but veterinary school was her dream. But if she really loved Simon, then he was part of her dreams now too. If I had to choose between something I loved and Calvin, I’d go crazy.
“Look on the bright side,” she said. Emma let out a shaky laugh. “At least we have a future.”
Emma pulled her car into a parking spot near the Wakefield Park front gates. Bouquets and wreaths of flowers rested against the stone pillars, where people had set up a memorial to Rose Peterson.
I felt suddenly guilty. Here I was worrying and complaining about our future plans when we were here to say goodbye to Rose, who didn’t have a future anymore. She wouldn’t be making plans for school or meeting a nice guy.
She was dead.
Chapter 55
Emma
The memorial to Rose Peterson had been growing all week, ever since our anonymous phone call to the police. Simon had bought a disposable cell phone and Calvin had made the call, letting some of his wolf come to the surface to disguise his voice. Then we watched the television and checked the Internet obsessively for news.
The day after our anonymous tip, the police held a press conference announcing the discovery of Rose Peterson’s remains. Once the police completed their tests, her body would be released to her family and her soul could finally rest.
Yuki had been relieved that her responsibilities to Rose Peterson were over. But she still had one final task. It was time to say goodbye.
We stood looking at the flowers, stuffed animals, and candles. The people of Wakefield had felt the loss of this local teen deeply. At least with the Grabber behind bars, they wouldn’t have to experience grief at his hands again. Thanks to our little group of friends, he would never be returning to Wakefield.
Calvin couldn’t make it, but said he would keep Rose in his thoughts. I wondered what was so important that he’d miss this, but then a motorcycle engine purred and all thoughts of Calvin disappeared. Simon was here.
“Hello, Love,” he said.
Simon walked to stand at my side, the crunch of gravel beneath his expensive boots the only sound. It was so peaceful here, the perfect place for a memorial.
We weren’t at the site where Yuki originally found Rose. Police were still maintaining that area as a crime scene. But when the police reported her body being found in the park, people had shown up to remember her and honor her family’s loss.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and reached for Simon’s hand.
“Hey,” I said.
Simon had thought to bring flowers. He squeezed my hand then knelt down to place the bouquet with the others. Reaching inside his jacket, he withdrew a candle. Brushing the ground, he set the votive there and, with a flick of his wrist, lit the candle with a lighter from his pocket. He bowed his head then stood, holding me close.
I looked over to where Yuki sat on the ground, her skirt pooled around her. Her lips were moving and she was smiling. She was saying goodbye.
I never really understood Yuki’s conne
ction to the ghosts that she helped. They plagued her with smells until she helped them with their final wishes, but in the end it seemed like they became friends. It gave me hope that Yuki would get her wish, that she could make it through Samhain without wearing Nera’s amulet.
Yuki felt strongly about returning the amulet to its rightful owners. Her wishful belief was that the spirits of the dead whom she helped find peace would return to her side and aid her in her battle against the evil spirits who tried to harm her on Samhain. She hoped for an army of souls to keep her safe.
I looked at Yuki as she reached up and waved goodbye, a wistful smile on her lips as a tear rolled down her cheek.
More like an army of friends.
Chapter 56
Yuki
I woke up excited to breathe fresh, clean air. No more smelly ghosts. I had watched yesterday as Rose Peterson’s glowing aura stepped into the light. She had finally found her peace.
I was ghost free. Even Jackson’s vinegar scent was missing. I breathed in the smell of clean sheets and sighed. I smiled up at the ceiling, lazily counting the plastic constellations above my head. I could stay in bed all day. Then I remembered what day it was. Son of a dung beetle.
Today was graduation.
I sat up so quickly my head spun. Ugh. I threw the comforter back, jumped out of bed, and ran to my closet. A tomato red cap and gown hung on the back of the door. I’d have to put that ugly thing on over my clothes, but that didn’t make choosing what to wear underneath any easier. Plus, I wouldn’t be wearing the cap and gown all day.
What to wear, what to wear?
My parents had promised to take me and Cal out for afternoon tea in the garden view room at a local bed and breakfast. Tea, scones, and finger sandwiches, I couldn’t wait. I was tempted to wear my “Dark Alice” costume for tea, but no. It was a rare occasion for both of my parents to take time off from work. I was going to dress nice.
Definitely the black, high necked, neo-Victorian dress.