Downfall by S.D. Wasley

  ****

  The main shopping mall in Augur’s Well was not the least bit sophisticated; all fluorescent lights and tinny music.

  “Let’s rent some movies tonight,” Albion suggested after we’d browsed the frumpy boutiques.

  I remembered Cain’s invitation back to the ruin. Jude had already messaged three times: was I coming back tonight, could he pick me up, did I have the address. This wasn’t Jude McBride’s usual laidback style. Part of me wanted to go. Longed to go; to see Cain Aleister’s face again ... but that ominous ruined building was creepy. Avoid, I told myself. It was a dangerous location with strange people. I mean, seriously, the way they’d reproached Jude for bringing me along? How humiliating. And Dad would be appalled if he knew where I’d been. Plus ... the way Cain made me feel. I almost got sick with nerves when I imagined seeing his face again. It scared me.

  “We’ll stock the fridge with chocolate and wine,” Albion was saying. “Chick-flick or horror?”

  “Neither,” I said, giving myself a mental shake. “Let’s watch a comedy.”

  We headed for the video store but Albion slowed at a takeaway café where a cute girl was serving behind the counter.

  “Want some fries?” he said. “A shake?”

  “No, not really.”

  “Well, I’m gonna get something.”

  “You do that. And I’ll watch you chat up Miss Hamburger-with-the-Works,” I added under my breath.

  “Meh. I’m not interested in her.”

  I looked around while he ordered his shake. There was a bookstore right next to the café and out front was a stand full of Are You the One? books by Don Carver. A black-haired guy browsed at the stand. When he shifted, I recognized his profile: Owen. From last night. I caught my breath. Owen was in a bookstore, looking at my dad’s books. I glanced at Albion but he seemed to be getting interested in the hamburger girl, after all. They were chatting and laughing. Good. I didn’t want to introduce him to Owen. I joined Owen, who was now examining one of the non-fiction shelves.

  “Hi.”

  “Oh, hi!” he exclaimed, blinking.

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “No.” He gave a laugh. “I was worlds away. Trying to see if they have a particular book I’m after.” Owen glanced toward the stand of Dad’s books. “Saw you on the back of the Don Carver book.”

  I nodded, not sure what to say. Dad always put a new picture of his family on the back of each book. I hated the latest one because it was the first with Starr in it. And also because Vanessa had been pregnant and I felt like I could see a fearful secret in her eyes. I checked on Albion ... still talking to the hamburger girl.

  “Do you need a lift tonight?” Owen asked.

  “No, thanks. I’m not coming. I’ve just moved in with my cousin so we’re celebrating with a movie night.” I hesitated. “And I didn’t exactly feel a hundred percent welcome last night.” It came out needier than I would have liked, so I forced a careless laugh.

  “Of course you’re welcome,” he said. “It was great having you there. Please come back?”

  So he wanted me to go back, too? First Cain, then Jude, and now Owen. What was going on? Were they bored with each other’s company? Maybe I was an interesting novelty. Or maybe they were some kind of religious cult and they wanted to initiate me. I smiled inwardly at that one.

  “What’s the deal with your friends?” I asked.

  “No deal.” Owen laughed but it sounded nervous.

  “You’re an odd mix. What brought you together?”

  Owen’s laughter sank away. Was there wariness in his eyes? I returned his gaze, baffled.

  “Why do you hang with them?”

  Owen shrugged. “I enjoy it. You will, too.”

  I was unnerved. “Why do you want me to join?”

  “It’s not a club, Frankie.” He turned away as though disappointed. “See you tonight.”

  I walked back to Albion. Well, that settles it. I definitely wasn’t going back to hang with Jude’s friends again. Not tonight or any other time.