Page 74 of Soul So Dark

Sydney glances over her shoulder where a framed diagram hangs on the wall, showing where the fire exits are. She slides off her chair and walks over to examine it.

“It’s on the other side of the auditorium,” the other girl pipes up, “the old drama room.”

I peer around Sydney’s arm as she points to the red dot on the library and traces a line down the hallway and around the auditorium to the other side of the school. Her burgundy lacquered nail stops on a small cluster of rooms, one labeled 122.

I let out an exasperated sigh at the exorbitant distance I still need to cover.

“Have fun, Dallas,” Sydney chuckles as she returns to the desk.

“Bye, Sydney,” I mumble as I trudge back to the double doors.

All of this could’ve been avoided if whoever found my case just took it to the front office. Isn’t that where most Lost and Founds are located anyway? When I finally get to the tiny hallway on the opposite side of the auditorium, I start to wonder if I really need my glasses case after all.

Because this can’t be right.

The lights are off and it looks deserted. The only light comes from a window at the end of the hall with bars across it that faces a brick wall. I glance around, searching for any other living soul. Finally, I gather my nerves, step into the shadow, and creep down the hall.

Immediately, I pick up the pace so I can just find this room and get the hell out of here. It’s probably like Mrs. Hannigan’s art room on the third floor. She claims it has better light for her plants and it’s quieter to invoke the creative spirit. You can also sneak out onto the roof and smoke.

Eventually, I reach three doors at the end of the hall. One looks like a utility closet, which is locked, and there are two regular size doors on either side—121 and 122. There doesn’t appear to be any light coming from the crack beneath either. I lean forward, trying to listen for voices. Still nothing. Getting more irritated by the second, I try the handle of 122. Once it turns and I know it’s unlocked, I swing it open and step inside.

It is a classroom—orwas—and, fortunately, it’s brighter than the hallway thanks to the full-size windows inside. But it looks nothing like a classroom now. This room is where every old piece of furniture and equipment in the school goes to die. It’s crammed with boxes, desks, lab benches, chairs, empty shelves, carts, projectors that look like they’re from the 1970s, an old chemistry hood, whiteboards on wheels, the set from some Shakespearean play, and even a few gym mats stacked against the far wall.

“Perfect,” I mutter, deciding to forget the glasses case and get out of here.

Suddenly, a bang echoes through the room as the heavy door slams shut. I let out a gasp and spin around. But as soon as I see what made the noise, I take a few steps back, my eyes darting around in panic.

A dark figure stands at the door, dressed in a black hoodie. His face is just an empty hole obscured in shadow and when he swivels his head to look at me, I think my skin might melt straight off my bones. He must’ve already been in here. Waiting…

This was a bad idea. The worst.

He moves slowly, pivoting his broad shoulders before taking one step. And then another. Until he reaches up and pushes his hood off his head.

His black hair and russet eyes are unmistakable.

“Hey, Mama,” Alex holds up a plastic glasses case, “I think this is yours.”

It’s the same case I returned his glasses in when he left them in my bedroom. My terror turns to anger and I grab for the case, but he moves it at the last second so my hand slices through the empty air.

“Don’t you have things to do,” I snip, “like get ready for yourprom date?”

“You don’t like when I talk to other girls, do you?” Alex cocks his head. “Do you get jealous?”

When I don’t answer, the corner of his mouth curls deviously. “Then I’m going to give you your wish, Dal,” he leans in close, “you have every single iota of my attention now.”

Frankly, it sounds more like a threat.

“What are you going to do, follow me some more? Lock me in a closet again?”

Alex towers over me, invading my space. “I like your games, Dallas. But I don’t know if you’ll like mine.” He starts backing me further into the cluttered room. “You should know something, and I’m only going to say it once.”

My hips hit the edge of a table, making me stumble. Alex comes to a halt, so close that my chest is nearly touching his ribs.

He leans down. “Don’t ever make the mistake of talking to me like I’m your brother ever again.”

I glare up at him, “Then stop acting like my brother and don’t tell me what to do.”

Alex eyes me suspiciously. “I shouldn’t like you so much. You’re Col’s sister and you’re just a freshman. And those things alone should guarantee I never even look at you again.”