Bay-Lee walked to school rather than take a bus, not wanting to be packed in a metal box like sardines with a dozen other kids. She felt claustrophobic just thinking about it. Chattering voices grew louder as she neared the campus. Eight long narrow buildings lined up side by side with a wrap-around chain link fence surrounding the property, reminding her of a prison. She raced across the busy street. The second her foot touched the sidewalk, an out-of-control skateboarder zoomed into her path, but quick reflexes saved her.
The jerk didn’t even bother to shout an apology over his shoulder. She imagined chasing him down and knocking him off his board. A slight smile stretched her lips at the thought.
She passed a group of students talking about Tyler Beck and the smile instantly died. An unwanted vision of the boy infiltrated her brain. She clenched her hands tight and dug fingernails into the fleshy parts of her palms. If she had to listen to people talk about the deceased rock singer all day, she was going to lose it. Maybe she should have stayed home.
Her gaze drifted back in the direction she’d just traveled. If she went home, Connor would hit the sky. Another of his rules not to get noticed, don’t stay home unless you are spitting up blood. He wouldn’t think her annoyance at hearing the rocker’s name bandied about was a good reason to ditch.
Her uncle’s voice echoed across her mind. Don’t bring attention to yourself.
According to Connor her grades needed to be average. She wasn’t allowed to excel, but he didn’t want her to flunk either. Middle of the road was where he wanted her to live. Be a good girl, but don’t do anything special. Teachers were to like her, not love her, and she could have a friend or two, no more. Popularity was definitely out. Her clothes were average, jeans and plain tops, nothing too spectacular. Gatherings were good as long as they included the entire school like the Halloween party tonight.
She caught sight of her friend Chloe and forgot about going home. The usually cheerful girl was sitting on a concrete bench, eyes downcast. Something was wrong. Chloe was a Connor-approved friend, average in everything from looks to grades so Bay-Lee couldn’t afford to lose her. She needed to help the girl with whatever drama she had going on this week.
Bay-Lee sat next to her on the bench and said, “You look like your dog just died.”
Chloe lifted a tear-stained face, and her lower lip quivered. “Tyler Beck was killed last night.”
Are you kidding me? Bay-Lee held tight to her temper. She should have known Chloe would be upset. Although the girl didn’t gush over boys, she did have a poster of Bad-Rock on her bedroom wall. Plus she had every album the band ever made.
Bay-Lee took a deep breath and tried not to let her true feelings show. “So I heard.”
“He was so... cool.” Chloe sniffled. “And his voice... I could listen to it forever.”
“Okay.” Bay-Lee prayed the girl couldn’t talk about him forever.
“He has the most amazing eyes. Trisha thinks he wears colored contacts, but I don’t. There isn’t anything fake about him. I’m sure his eyes are real. What do you think? Do you think he wears contacts?”
He doesn’t wear anything anymore because he’s dead, so who cares?
Bay-Lee shrugged. “I have no idea.”
“My mom bought me tickets to the Bad-Rock concert in March. It’s in Dallas… it was supposed to be in Dallas, but now there won’t be a concert. I can’t believe he’s gone. I’ll never hear him sing another new song. Why? Why did he have to die?”
“I don’t know.” Maybe because he was a psychotic killer and karma caught up with him. “Life is a mystery.”
A small group of girls walked by and their loud voices drowned out Bay-Lee’s last word. Names eluded her for the most part, although the sobbing girl in the center was Chloe’s former best friend Lisa Wilkes. According to Chloe they’d gotten into a huge fight days before Bay-Lee’s arrival and now they hated each other. The two girls with Lisa were just annoying bookends as far as Bay-Lee was concerned.
Lisa sobbed, loud enough to draw attention from everyone in the near vicinity. “I was going to marry him. It isn’t fair! A guy that gorgeous should not be allowed to die until he’s way too old for anyone to care.”
“You weren’t going to marry him,” the brunette to her left said. “His bodyguard wouldn’t let you get close enough to even ask for an autograph. I heard he’s an ex-Navy Seal so no way were you getting by him.”
“My dad’s friend knows his aunt for your information. We were totally going to meet, fall in love, and get married. You’re just jealous because you don’t know anyone who knows him.”
Bay-Lee rolled her eyes.
Lisa sobbed louder as they moved on.
Chloe jumped to her feet and her notebook slid free of the short stack in her arms. Bay-Lee picked it up before Chloe could snatch it away. The top was covered with little ink hearts and Tyler Beck’s name written over and over. A few of the scribbles added Chloe’s name to the mix. Chloe Beck. Why hadn’t Bay-Lee noticed it before? The sight of it stripped her of her good intentions.
“Tyler Beck was a cold-blooded, psycho killer who got what he deserved, and no one should be crying for him.”
Chloe paled. “Tyler never hurt anyone. Those were lies.”
“They have video of him leaving the building with the sword in his hands.”
“So?” Chloe’s hands went to her non-existent hips. “Do they have video of him decapitating people? I don’t think so. He was set up. He probably had the sword because he was trying to save those people.”
“Oh yeah, that makes sense. He walks around with a sword because it’s the cool new accessory to match any outfit.” Bay-Lee licked her dry lips before asking, “How can you defend him?”
A dreamy expression transformed Chloe’s face. “Have you ever listened to his music? I mean, really listened? A murderer could not have written those beautiful lyrics.”
“Talented people can be crazy. They live in a fantasy world. For all you know the guy thought he was King Arthur defending Camelot.”
“Stop bad mouthing him. I love him!”
“You don’t love him, Chloe! You didn’t even know him.”
Chloe yanked her notebook from Bay-Lee’s hands. “I can’t believe you’re being so mean! I thought you were my best friend, but you’re obviously not. You’re just like Lisa. Don’t ever talk to me again.”
“Are you serious?”
“Goodbye, Michelle.”
Michelle? Still not used to the name, Bay-Lee denied the urge to glance over her shoulder to see who Chloe was talking to now. Usually by the time she got used to an alias Connor was ready to relocate to another state.
Chloe disappeared into the nearest building, and Bay-Lee stared after her in shock, sinking down to the concrete bench. How could a reasonable person get that upset over the death of someone she didn’t even know? Chloe had no idea what it was like to lose someone close to her, but Bay-Lee did. The horror of it ate at a person every day of their life until they either lost their mind or learned to deal.