We pulled into a parking spot on the street in front of Drake and Monty’s favorite Mexican restaurant for some celebratory burritos after our successful day at the mall. A commuter train had pulled in the station and the business people that streamed from the platform surrounded us as we got out of the car. Drake seemed to not even notice them.
We slid into the booth next to Monty and Callie. Lauryn and Ernie sat opposite. They munched on chips and salsa.
“Where were you two today? We missed you at lunch the last two days,” Callie said, popping a salsa-laden chip into her mouth.
“We went to the mall so I could practice being around large crowds. I was having trouble at school on Monday.” Drake slid me a sideways glance and squeezed my hand under the table.
“How did that go?” Ernie asked.
“Much better now. I should be able to handle going back to school tomorrow.” Drake nodded.
“Good, because we’re going to the basketball game on Friday night. Just so you know.” Lauryn took a sip of her soda. “It’s supposed to be a killer game.”
“Speaking of killer,” Monty said quietly. “Did anyone hear they found that dude Tyson that, um, Allison was dating dead in his van?”
“Yeah,” Callie said. “I heard they found him this morning in the parking lot. They aren’t sure how long he’d been in there. Said his throat had been cut open.”
Drake squeezed my hand so hard my finger broke.
“Ow!” I squealed, pulling it from his grip.
“Are you okay?” he said, slightly panicked. I glanced down and saw my disjointed finger slowly move back into its proper location.
“No, no, it’s okay. I’m fine. It’s nothing, really.” I shook my hand out and grabbed his again.
“What happened?” Lauryn peered over the table, trying to get a glimpse.
“Oh, nothing, I just twisted my hand funny, sorry,” I said hurriedly. “So, do they know what happened to this Tyson dude?” A weak attempt to change the subject, but at least it took the focus off us.
“I guess I heard that Allison told the police he’d been dealing drugs. They found a little bit of weed in the car, and some pills, but they figure whoever killed him probably took whatever else there was.” Monty played with the corner of the menu.
I realized I hadn’t really been breathing and sucked in a big breath.
“Hey,” Ernie said, moving in closer. “Do you think it could’ve been some of your vampire friends? I mean, I know they’re looking at local gangs and other drug dealers and whatever, but what if it was one of them? Maybe the dude was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
I gave Drake a sideways glance, but he didn’t meet it, instead he was focused solely on the menu. It was his issue, I wasn’t about to out him in front of his friends.
“That could be, Ernie, but I don’t know if we’ll ever know that answer. Are you guys ready to order?”
Drake seemed nervous the entire meal and we walked quickly to the car afterwards.
“You’re not going to tell them, are you?” I put the car into reverse and made my way over the train tracks to the other side of Bartlett.
“I can’t. I don’t think I ever will. They think they understand, they think they can handle it. When I saw you kill that guy in the parking lot, it wasn’t as bad because he was going to kill us and we didn’t have an option. And I know you had the incident with those two old people, but it seemed so far removed from my reality. I didn’t know them. But this dude was innocent, a normal kid just like them, just like they still see me, even though they know what I am.” He looked out the window. “I just can’t. You understand, right?”
I sighed. “Of course I understand. I don’t want them to be afraid of you, and if we keep on top of this, they won’t have to worry at all.” I gave him a wistful smile as we drove through the quiet Bartlett streets. I only hoped that was true. I might be able to protect them from Drake, but how long could I protect them from Steve and the rest of his friends?