Page 21

AUTUMN

T he diner doesn’t have anyone but rowdy teens in it this late. I guess that’s a good thing considering the topic we are here to discuss.

“Do you want me to go in with you?” Heath asks, squeezing my thigh.

“No. I don’t want to intimidate her or make her feel like it’s a trap?”

“How would I do that?” Heath almost sounds offended, causing Grimm to chuckle in the backseat.

“I think we fall in the category of scary boyfriends,” Grimm comments.

“You don’t have a girlfriend,” Rex says. Jesus why did I agree to them coming. These two are always bickering like brothers. Rex being the intelligent one and Grimm just being reckless. I look up spotting Montana walking into the diner wearing the red, white, and black cheer uniform.

“I have to go,” I say, trying to rush out of the truck before anyone can ask questions, but his grip tightens on my thigh and the back of my neck.

I turn around to face Heath as he has caught my attention.

He places a firm kiss on my lips before letting me go.

I try my best not to fall out of the door considering the fact that he just made me weak in the knees.

I tighten my jacket around me as the wind blows and run up to the front door.

A bell dings through the diner as I enter.

“Welcome to Concrete Kitchen!” One of the girl's yells as I walk in. She doesn’t look up from cleaning the tables as I spot Montana in a booth in the back and another waitress taking her order.

The uniforms remain the same from when I worked here, black top with the diner symbol on it, short spandex checkered shorts, and white converse.

On chilly days if the long sleeves aren’t working you can wear the cropped leather jacket.

I wait for the waitress to walk away before going to Montana. “I’m happy you came,” I say, sliding into the booth opposite of her.

“What is this about?” Okay, we are jumping right into action. I sigh, looking around us. The only other people in here are on the other side of the place.

“I found this,” I slide over the items I found in the safe. “Can you tell me what my dad does when you see him around,”

Montana sighs flipping through the pictures and papers.

“He mostly talks to the principal. But he always comes with Nora or Caroline’s dad.

Nora finds it suspicious, which is odd because I know my best friend and she is shy and oblivious.

” Nora must not know anything but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t seen anything.

“And Caroline? She still cheers?”

“Yes, she's the captain. She’s met with Beala the cheer captain at Grimstone University because she’s getting a scholarship next year,” Montana slides the items back over to me just as the waitress comes back.

“One birthday cake milkshake. Can I get you anything?” I lookup at the waitress and shake my head. “Okay, enjoy!”

I wait till she’s gone to talk again. “Have the boys tried Caroline or Nora?”

“No, I think they are off limits,” Of course they would be. They are the daughters of the bosses. “I think something big is going to happen soon. I go to college next year, and everyone keeps talking about this conclave happening. I think that’s when we will find more answers.”

“How do you know that?”

“Nora. She spills everything plus she showed me this from her dad's office.” Montana hands her phone over to me and on it is a picture of a ripped paper with symbols on it. A code that has the decipher at the bottom.

You’re invited to the Hallows Eve Conclave 2026

“I’m not sure what it means but Nora said her dad will be out of town that day,” I guess the game isn’t the only thing we have to look forward to next year. “I also know the boys will be cooling off till then, this party that I was kidnapped for was a last hurrah for now.”

“What they are doing must call for big planning.”

“Why are you asking all of this?” Montana asks, leaning back in her seat.

“My dad is a part of it and I’m not sure if my mom is lying to me,” That catches her attention as she sits up smirking.

“I want something in return for what I know,” I nod, letting her continue. “I want in.” Grimm won’t like this but right now she has leads.

“Sorry to interrupt, someone came up to me round back and told me to give this to you both.” The waitress tells us, placing a folded paper on the table. She walks away and I immediately grab the paper leaning over the table opening it.

My breath hitches seeing the words, I look at Montana before looking out the window into Heath’s headlights before turning back.

“Fuck,” She whispers sitting the paper down. I look over it again confirming what I thought it said.

Teagan may be next, and you’re invited to the Hollow’s Eve Conclave 2026

James Eros