Page 26

I sighed, pushing the memories back as I turned to face the school. I’d have to figure out a way to get home which didn’t involve walking. First though I needed answers. After yesterday’s car chase, I had one goal. Find Dominic and demand the truth.

By lunch, it seemed my goal was impossible. It was as if the guy had disappeared. When I spotted a member of the Pack, they’d vanish before I could get to them. It was like they were avoiding me, and I had no idea where to find Dominic. My only hope was he’d show up in the lunchroom, otherwise I’d make a stir and sit at the central table until someone talked to me.

“Hey,” her soft voice caused my head to lift and I saw Anna hovering next to my open locker. My breath gusted out of me as I took in her sudden appearance.

“I’ve been trying to catch one of you all day!”

“One of us?” Anna questioned carefully.

“One of the Pack,” I hissed and she smiled at my use of our classmates’ nickname for the group of outsiders.

“Well, here I am. Why were you looking for one of us?”

“Why do you think?” I retorted bitterly and Anna glanced down, unable to meet my eyes. “I want answers.”

“Do you?” She murmured cryptically.

“I at least want to know why two guys keep following me and how to get them to stop. Do I need to go to the cops?”

“NO!” Anna shouted, so loud students passing us stopped to stare. I glared at them until they moved on and returned my attention to Anna. Her outburst was unexpected to say the least.

“Most people go to the cops when they get stalked,” I informed her slowly, still astonished by her reaction. She shook her head and frowned.

“Not when the Sherriff’s last name is Hanley,” she replied, watching me closely. My eyes widened and she nodded in satisfaction. “Now, you see why it would be a bad idea to talk to the sheriff.”

“Why me?” I whispered the question, not expecting an answer because how would she know why those two had targeted me? But as her eyes darted away, I came to the realization that maybe she did know. “Why me?” I spoke a little louder and she swallowed hard.

“I can’t answer that.”

My eyes narrowed as I said, “Can’t or won’t?”

She only shook her head as frustration crawled through me once again. I was ready to walk off, but she was my only source of information. Scanning the hall, I didn’t see any of the others who’d stared at me with such curiosity the day before. It was as if they’d all disappeared. I already knew Caleb wasn’t in any of my classes and unless Dominic showed up like he had yesterday – something I seriously doubted given the sudden ghost routine of everybody else – Anna was my only chance to find out anything.

Which meant I needed to stay calm and see if she could lead me to Dominic. I released the breath I was holding and studied her. She’d come to me, so far the only one, and I knew she knew more than she was letting on. But for some reason, she was not willing to tell me. Maybe it was fear or something else, but I couldn’t push away the only person who might lead me to the answers I was looking for.

“What about Dominic? Hmmm? Can he tell me anything?” I was grasping at straws, but if there was a chance he could help me, I would take it. She hesitated so I pushed harder. “Those guys almost ran me off the road yesterday as I was driving home.” Her eyes widened in surprise and I felt a second’s satisfaction at knowing something she didn’t. “They aren’t giving up and you’re telling me it’s pointless to go to the sheriff. I’d at least like to know what I’m up against.” I softened my voice, almost pleading with her. “Please help me.”

“I can’t tell you anything,” she started and I reared back with an angry huff. “No, no. I can’t. I really can’t, but maybe Dominic can.” My forehead wrinkled as I considered her. She was upset, like she really wished she could tell me, but why couldn’t she?

“I’ll admit I don’t understand any of this, but if Dominic can help me….” I trailed off and she bobbed her head.

“He coaches gym this semester and then he’s usually at football practice after school,” she whispered and I relaxed. She was going to help me. It might not be much but I felt like Dominic was the lynch pin in this whole mess.

“I don’t have gym this semester which is why I never see him,” I admitted. “Is there a practice after school today?”

“Yeah, Caleb will be there. He plays for the team. It’s why Dom coaches.” She gave a shrug like that was perfectly normal and I shook my head. Something was odd about this entire situation, but I was more concerned about my own little stalkers to worry about their weirdness.