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  Anger coursed through me. “Oh yes, we wouldn’t want you to waste precious time on your only child. You have much more important things to do.”

  “Oh, Kenzie, stop being so dramatic. You’re going to spend the entire evening texting that boyfriend of yours, anyway.” She spun around and stalked down the hallway. After entering her bedroom, I heard the click of the door as she closed it.

  An icy chill ran over my body as the familiar rage descended. I fingered the cross around my neck and took a deep breath. How did she have the power to always upset me like this? I reached for my phone, wanting to call Isaac but then I remembered he was playing basketball. I sent off a text to Haley.

  Her response came quick.

  Out with Ian. Call u later.

  Alone. Again. It was always like this. My gaze landed on the Bible that lay open on the end table, and I felt ashamed at my earlier outburst. Isaac made this whole Christian thing look so easy. I was always screwing it up. Just as I reached out my hand to open the Bible, a shadow fell across my shoulder and was cast on the ground in front of me. The hair on the back of my neck stood at attention. A shiver ran down my spine. I whipped around but no one was there.

  I sighed. When would I stop being so jumpy? Wesley had no hold on me anymore. I had to keep remembering that. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

  “Mom! Your new boy toy is here!” I hollered down the hallway as I got off the couch.

  Her bedroom door swung open. “Kenzie, don’t call him that.”

  I chuckled at her red face. She was still in her robe and her head was covered in hot rollers. Clearly, Mr. Wonderful was early.

  “Just welcome him in. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  “Should I offer him a cold beverage while I’m at it? I think we have some milk that’s gone bad.”

  Mom groaned and slammed the door shut. The walls rattled with the force. I felt bad for Mr. Wonderful already. He knocked again and I hurried to open it. When I saw who stood there, my heart stopped. I gaped at him, unable to formulate words.

  He flashed a bemused smile. “Hello Kenzie. Aren’t you going to let me in?”

  My feet stayed rooted in place as if glued to the floor.

  “Cat got your tongue?” He chuckled.

  “H-how do you know my name?” I narrowed my eyes.

  “Your mom talks about you all the time.”

  Behind me, footsteps sounded. “Kenzie, for goodness sake, let the man in.”

  Puzzled, I moved out of his way and he stepped inside. I was still shocked that this handsome, clean-shaven man was here to pick up my mom. When I first opened the door, I was sure that he was here by mistake. His suit pants rustled as he walked. His shiny dress shoes blinded me. In his hands he gripped a large bouquet of blood red roses. He handed them to Mom who swooned as she took them in her arms.

  “I’m Drake, by the way.” He held his hand out to me. I reached out and shook his hand. It was warm and soft. I noticed his fingernails were nicely manicured. As I dropped my arm, I glanced outside at the Mercedes parked against the curb. Who was this guy, and what was he doing with my mom? He was a far cry from the losers she normally brought home.

  Mom practically drooled while staring at him. Not that I blamed her. The guy was incredibly good looking. Again, I could hardly believe he was standing in our living room. I looked around suddenly self conscious about our small, dirty house. Cringing, I took in our eclectic mix of thrift store furniture covered in an inch of dust. Drake looked totally out of his element.

  “Shall we go?” He proffered his arm to my mom. Smiling like the Cheshire cat, she looped her arm in his. I was appalled by her skintight red dress and leopard print heels, which so didn’t match Drake’s black suit and tie.

  “Here Kenzie, be a doll and put these in some water.” She thrust the flowers at me.

  Be a doll? When did my mom start talking like a bad 1950’s actress?

  “It was nice to meet you, Kenzie.” Drake said. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of other opportunities to get to know one another.”

  I smiled at him and then turned to Mom. “How late will you be, Mom?”

  She batted her eyelashes, thick with clumpy mascara, at Drake. He raised an eyebrow at her and she chuckled. “Just don’t wait up, honey,” she replied.

  “Okay.” I shook my head. “You two have a good time.”

  Mom practically skipped down the walkway in her stiletto heels. A breeze rustled, but her curly bleached blonde hair didn’t even move because of all the hairspray in it. I marveled at what an odd pair they made. Where did she even meet this guy?

  After slamming the door shut and locking the deadbolt, I ambled into the kitchen to put the roses in water. A thorn pricked my finger and dark blood bubbled out of my skin. I turned on the faucet and ran cold water over the tiny cut, watching color swirl into the drain. When the bleeding stopped, I rooted around the cabinets for a vase. Of course, we didn’t have one.

  So, I took out a glass covered in fingerprints, filled it with water and shoved the thorny stems into it. It was then that I noticed a card sticking out of the top. It read, “Beautiful Josie, I’m looking forward to a spectacular evening. Love, Drake.” What a gentleman.

  I gave it one night. By morning this nice man would be running for the hills. I took the card out of the cramped flowers and tossed it onto the grimy linoleum counter.

  It was ten o’clock and Mom still wasn’t home. My eyelids were heavy as I lie on the couch watching TV. Nothing good was on but the noise provided some company.

  A rustling sound, like feet on the carpet, caught my attention. My ears perked. I glanced around the room. Another sound came from outside. I looked out the window. The sky was inky black with a smattering of twinkling stars and the front yard was empty. I scoured the silent street, bright streetlights shining on the asphalt. Not a person in sight. My shoulders relaxed.

  “Hello Kenzie.”

  I screamed and jumped up. Wesley. The demon, that had spent all summer tormenting me, was back. How did he get in here? I thought I was safe from him now.

  “Kenzie.” His voice was a low hiss.

  Shivering, I spun around in circles trying to locate where his voice was coming from. I squeezed my cross necklace so tightly it cut into my palm. Cold swept over me. Dread blanketed me. Not again. Not again.

  What form would he take this time? Would it be the man, the snake, the shadow man or the dragon? I swallowed hard, my throat hurting with the effort.

  “You naïve child, did you really think I was out of your life forever? I’ll always find my way back to you.” His voice boomed around me like when I watched a movie in surround sound, but I still couldn’t see him.

  Body trembling, I looked over at the Bible on the end table. I took a deep breath. I knew how to fight him. I had done it before. It would work every time, wouldn’t it? Thinking back to that awful night on the bridge when I’d almost jumped into the icy water of the lake, I remembered how Isaac swept in and rescued me. I wished he was here now. But even if he wasn’t, I had the same power within me. I should be able to defeat him again.

  Just as I opened my mouth, ready to shout out my battle cry, the lights went out. The room was pitch-black. I blinked. Something slimy tickled my cheek.

  Chapter Three

  I screamed and was shoved forward. My head smacked against the carpet as I fell to the ground. Opening my eyes, I rubbed the spot where I’d fallen. My mouth was wet, my head felt foggy. With blurred vision, I caught sight of the clock which read 11:30. Reaching up, I rubbed my cheek where the couch pillow had branded me. I blinked, realizing that I must have been asleep. So, it was only a nightmare. I heaved a sigh of relief.

  After standing up, I clicked off the TV and stumbled down the hallway. Peeking into Mom’s room, I saw it was empty. Her bed was made, her clothes from earlier were strewn all over the floor. Wow. Her date really was going long. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I climbed into bed.

  R
ight when I was about to close my eyes, I noticed something on my nightstand that made my stomach drop. I reached forward and picked up the card. Tracing the words Drake had penned with my fingers, I wondered how it had gotten here. Clearly, I remembered taking the card out of the flowers and leaving it on the kitchen counter. Springing out of bed, my gaze swept the rest of my room to see if anything else was out of place. But everything was just as I had left it. Could I have been wrong? Could I have carried the note back here?

  No, I was sure I hadn’t. But then again, what other explanation was there? Like someone would break into my house and move a love note from one room to another. How silly would that be?

  I was just being paranoid, that was all. Memories of Wesley were lingering, messing with my mind. I needed to remember who I was. I needed to call on my strength. That’s why Isaac had given me the necklace. To remind me that I was a child of God and that I didn’t need to be afraid.

  Breathing deeply, I checked to make sure my window was tightly locked and then I slipped back into bed. With a prayer on my lips, I drifted to sleep.

  “Long night?” Haley asked after I yawned for the millionth time at lunch. Ian rested his chin on her shoulder. It was like he was magnetically attached or something.

  “I know it was for us.” He winked, licking his lips.

  My stomach lurched. I really hoped she wasn’t having sex with the guy. Next time I got her alone I was totally going to ask her. “No, I just didn’t sleep well.”

  “Still having nightmares?”

  I nodded. After returning home, I told Haley all about my summer. Since Haley didn’t really believe in God or spirits or anything she didn’t buy my story, but at least she didn’t tease me about it the way Mom did.

  “I’m sorry.” Haley took a bite of her apple, spraying juice all over her face. After wiping off her chin she said, “Hey, Ian and I ran into your Mom last night.”

  “You did? Where?”

  “We passed her on the way to Ian’s house.”

  So she did hang out with him at his house. Uh-oh.

  “Dude had a sweet ride,” Ian chimed in. “He must be loaded.”

  “Yeah,” Haley agreed. “We were next to them at the stoplight but your mom didn’t even notice me. She was totally staring at Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome.”

  “She was like that when he picked her up too. Should I be worried?”

  “About that guy?” Ian swatted my words away. “Nah, you should hope your mom marries the guy. Then you’ll be filthy rich.”

  “You don’t even know him,” I said.

  Could Ian be anymore shallow?

  Haley shrugged. “Ian has a point. That guy seemed to be a huge step up from your mom’s usual dates.”

  “But he could be a total jerk. Just cause he has money doesn’t mean he’s a good guy,” I countered.

  “True, but it definitely helps.” Haley took another bite of her apple.

  “Hey dude, what’s up?”

  My head snapped up at the familiar voice. Caleb stood at our table, high-fiving Ian. He glanced at me with a predatory look that made my skin crawl. Remembering our last encounter, I shivered and stared into my lap.

  “Nothing much. Looking forward to your party this weekend,” Ian responded.

  “You coming too?” Caleb asked Haley.

  I held my breath, awaiting her reply. Without looking at me she nodded slowly. Betrayal slapped me in the face.

  “Cool. See you guys there.” With that, Caleb sauntered off.

  I shot Haley a look of disgust. Her face reddened and she wrung her hands in her lap.

  “I can’t believe you’re seriously gonna hang out with him after what he did to me,” I snapped at her.

  “Hey, hey, calm down.” Ian slung an arm over Haley’s shoulder. “She’s not hanging out with him. She’ll be with me.”

  “Yeah, that makes me feel better.” I grabbed my backpack and stood up.

  “Where are you going?” Haley asked in a small voice.

  “Away from here.” I flung my backpack over my shoulder and turned around.

  “Kenzie!”Haley said.

  “Hey babe, if she wants to go, let her go,” Ian said.

  I gritted my teeth in frustration as I marched away. When I passed Tanner’s table, I felt his eyes on me. Seething with anger, I tore out of the cafeteria.

  She caught up to me just as I reached my car in the parking lot after school. I whipped around at the sound of my name. Perspiration gathered on her forehead, her green eyes glistened in the sun. She bit her pale pink lips.

  “Please don’t be mad at me,” Haley said.

  “You’re really going to Caleb’s house after what he did to me?” I placed a hand on my hip in a challenge.

  “Technically, he didn’t do anything to you.”

  “Are you freaking kidding me?” Heat rose in my cheeks.

  “Well, you were a lot different then. You know that. You let guys do whatever they wanted to you. How was he to know you suddenly wouldn’t want to anymore?”

  This was not my Haley speaking. I didn’t even recognize this girl. “So, that makes it okay for him to try to force himself on me. Is that what you’re saying?” My voice rose. A couple girls passed us, and raised their eyebrows in our direction. I glared until they scurried off.

  “No, of course not. I’m just saying he’s not that bad of a guy. He just liked you, is all.”

  “How do you know all this about Caleb? Have you been hanging out with him or something?”

  Her freckled cheeks reddened and she lowered her gaze.

  “I can’t believe this.”

  “You were gone all summer, Kenzie. Derek broke up with me and I was all alone. Then I met Ian and he just happened to be friends with Caleb.” A car roared to life, the scent of gas filled the air.

  “Yeah, how did he become friends with Caleb and his crew so fast?” They were a pretty exclusive bunch. It took me years to break into the group, and only one wrong move to be shunned from it.

  “He’s a nice guy. A lot of people like him.”

  I snorted, rolling my eyes.

  “Well, except for you. It’s totally obvious you don’t like him.” Her lips hardened into a straight line. She squinted against the sun that shone in her eyes.

  “That’s not true. I don’t dislike Ian.” I sighed, really not wanting to have this conversation with Haley. “It’s just that he’s not good enough for you, Hales.” I reached for her hand, but she pulled away.

  “That’s easy for you to say, Miss-I-Can-Have-Any-Guy-I-Want. You have no idea what it’s like for me. I’m not the pretty girl or the smart girl or the popular girl. I’m the quiet friend of Kenzie.”

  I furrowed my brows in confusion. “What are you talking about? That’s not true.”

  “Yes, it is. I’ve lived in your shadow for years. And then finally Derek asked me out and everything was good. But then he broke up with me for Chelsea and I thought I’d never meet someone else.”

  “And then you met Ian,” I said quietly.

  “Yes, and he really likes me. Even more than Derek did.” A group of students whisked past, chatting loudly. A car peeled out of the parking lot.

  “Hales, you can’t go out with someone just because you’re afraid of being alone.”

  She narrowed her eyes at me. “Oh really? Aren’t you doing the same thing? You go from boyfriend to boyfriend. You can’t even go on vacation without meeting a guy.”

  I felt like I’d been punched. “That may have been true in the past but not now. Isaac is different.”

  Haley puffed out her chest. “So is Ian.”

  I chuckled. “You can’t compare the two. Ian doesn’t even hold a candle to Isaac.” Right when the words left my mouth I wished I could take them back. The look on Haley’s face told me the damage was already done.

  “Sorry my boyfriend is such a loser compared to yours, Kenzie. I guess that makes me a loser too.” She spun around, her red hair flying behind her lik
e a colorful kite.

  “Haley!” I called after her as she stomped away in her wedge sandals. “That’s not what I meant!”

  But she didn’t turn around. Frustrated, I watched her as she walked away. My heart heavy, I got in my car and drove home.

  When I pulled onto my street, I saw Mom’s car parked in the driveway. She was home early. Usually she had clients well into the evening. Maybe she had another date with Mr. Wonderful. After parking, I cut the engine, grabbed my backpack and got out of the car. The warm air beat against my back as I walked to the front door. Looking down at my red tank top, I was grateful I had finally stopped cutting over the summer. Last year, I had to wear long sleeves even when it was a hundred degrees outside to cover the places I’d sliced my skin with a razor, trying to relieve the anger and pain I felt inside.

  I opened the front door and gasped when I saw what stood in the middle of my family room. Could this day get any more bizarre?

  Chapter Four

  “What is that thing?” I asked Mom.

  “A sculpture. It was a gift from Drake.”

  I cringed at the giant black sculpture in the middle of our family room. It was large with ears and a tail like an animal but a face like a man’s. Like our house wasn’t mismatched enough. Now we had a half-man, half-beast creature standing next to the couch.

  “It’s ugly,” I said.

  Mom pursed her lips at me. “It is not, Kenzie. Drake says it’s chic.”

  “Ah yes. And it matches so well with our burgundy couch and gold loveseat.”

  My life was a freakshow.

  “And,” I continued, “what kind of guy uses the word ‘chic’ anyway?”

  “Just for once, Kenzie, can’t you be happy for me?”

  Shame burned through me. She did seem happy, and Drake seemed like a nice guy. Maybe he was a little eccentric, but definitely nice. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

  “Okay, well, drop the ‘tude. I don’t want Drake to dump me because of your rudeness. So try to be nice when he comes over.”