‘Nope. The whole wall collapsed. And Adam was so excited he nearly wet himself.’ I flick the guy a glance but can’t look at him right now. ‘At this point Seth was beyond freaking out and I’d had enough. The dust was making us all cough. I took Seth’s hand and started making my way back. I didn’t know if Adam was following or not and I didn’t care. But we didn’t get far before we heard the sound of rushing water in the distance growing louder really fast. And we knew, without saying a word to each other, why they put that wall there. The pond that was a hundred years old had turned into a lake.’
Skinner sighs and closes his eyes.
‘Seth kept falling over so I hoisted him on to my back and we ran for our lives. It was uphill all the way, but the lower tunnels filled first, which bought us time. When we finally got to the entrance, the water flooded in and the force behind it made a whirlpool. It was crazy and happening so fast we couldn’t think. It was as if we were in the bottom of a well. To make the situation worse, we couldn’t find the ladder we’d used to get down there. It probably got washed away. There was an iron bar loosely attached to the wall. Seth clung to it, trembling. Whimpering.’
My mouth is arid, but, man, I have to finish. ‘I made him promise not to let go of the bar, and I scrambled over the top. If I’d been any shorter, I wouldn’t have made it. I glanced back and saw that Adam had lost his footing. He went under for a few seconds and shot back up in a panic. When he found his feet again, the water was chest high and he was on the opposite side to Seth with a whirlpool swirling between them.’
I walk up to Adam and lock my eyes on to his. ‘I was a scrawny kid. I knew I couldn’t haul them in on my own, so I tied my rope to the nearest tree. I had only enough length to throw it to one of them. By this time the water was high and strong and dragging them both down. Seth had gone quiet. His eyes were trained on Adam, while Adam was screaming out, “He’s a good swimmer, he’ll be all right. Throw the rope to me. Throw the rope to me!’”
I poke my finger into Adam’s chest. ‘I remember you said, “Rescue me, and together we’ll pull Seth out.’”
I look across at Thane because I need him to believe I’m telling the truth. ‘I threw the rope to Adam, but by the time we turned around to pull Seth out he was gone. I tied the rope around my waist and jumped in. I looked until they wouldn’t let me look any more. They found his body when they drained the mine, I don’t know when.’
‘The next day,’ Adam says.
Thane lowers Skinner to the ground and then on to the stool, where Adam drops his chin to his chest and mumbles, ‘I thought I was going to die.’ He looks up and tears are running down his face. ‘I lied to everyone. At some point I started to believe the lies. But the truth was Seth couldn’t swim. I saw the look in his eyes. He couldn’t understand why I said he could. I’ll have to live with that look for the rest of my life. I’d do anything to make it go away.’
He makes a choked sobbing sound as he turns his gaze on me. ‘I had to believe it was you who made the wrong choice. I couldn’t look Mum in the eye and tell her it was me. I was supposed to look after him!’
Thane hands me his mobile phone. ‘Call the police.’
I glance at Skinner as I make the call; two local cops arrive a few minutes later. As they lead him out in handcuffs, I grab his arm. ‘I really am very sorry, Adam.’
He stares straight at me, nods and says, ‘I know. I am too. But all the apologies in the world can’t bring my brother back.’
26
Ebony
On the following Monday when Amber and I are enjoying a final morning lazing in bed, Dawn comes and sits on the edge of my bed with a cup of chamomile tea. ‘I thought we might have a chat,’ she says, ‘about school.’
Across the room Amber sits straight up. ‘Five nights without a nightmare!’ she beams.
I smile back. Only Amber can truly understand how relieved I am.
‘So are you coming to school tomorrow?’ she asks.
‘That’s what I want to talk about,’ Dawn says as she takes my hand and pats it. ‘There’s no need to rush, Ebony. Would you like a few days off? Mr Pritchard will understand. Everyone will understand. And when you return, the school counsellor would like you to schedule some visits with her.’
I groan silently. I don’t need a counsellor because my parents aren’t dead. And while taking a few days off might seem like a good idea, keeping my thoughts occupied these days is essential for my peace of mind. ‘School will be good for me.’
I run my hand through my hair. I have thick hair that grows fast, and Mum usually trims and thins it out every second Sunday. It’s been four weeks since my last trim and it’s becoming unruly and hard to control.
Dawn gets off the bed. ‘A few of your classmates dropped in with items they thought you might need. I put them in your new bedroom. It’s finished, so you can move in whenever you like.’
‘Thanks, Dawn, for everything.’
She smiles at me in that special sad way. ‘I’ll be driving you girls into school tomorrow. And before you say anything, I won’t have you getting the bus; it’s not a problem.’
She heads to the door and turns. ‘You’ll find a uniform hanging in your wardrobe that should fit. In fact, you’ll find just about everything a young lady could possibly need in your new wardrobe,’ she says, revelling at the surprised look on my face.
When Dawn leaves, Amber goes to her cupboard and brings over a long length of white fabric, draping the first metre across her arm and mine. ‘It’s so soft.’
‘Stretch cotton,’ she says. ‘It breathes, it won’t irritate your skin, and wrapped around tightly enough –’
‘It won’t fall off!’
‘Not a chance.’
‘Comfortable. Discreet. It’s brilliant.’ I give her a hug.
‘It’s the least I can do. You’ve been through hell, and those weird growths are more than you need to deal with right now.’ She pauses to make sure I’m looking at her and focused on what she’s about to say, even though I’m sure I know already. ‘Ebony, you have to see a doctor about them soon. I understand how you need time to adjust, but don’t leave it too long. Please!’
I nod. ‘I will. I promise. It’s just that I’ve reached my trauma limit at the moment.’
‘I know, so if anyone even looks like hassling you tomorrow, they’re going to have to deal with me.’ She thumps her fists together dramatically. ‘Just let someone try to get close.’
27
Jordan
I can’t believe I’m going to school in a Lamborghini! Man, it’s awesome. Turning up in this little beauty is definitely going to cop some looks. After all, I’m nobody, the loser who got a tattoo when he was nine, who sits in the back corner keeping his head down.
Danny is waiting for me in the car park. He’s brought Sophie, and her megawatt smile lifts my mood even higher. I haven’t seen her since the hospital and she looks hot in her uniform. Best of all, she seems keen to see me.
‘You look fantastic,’ she says, leaning forward and kissing me on the cheek.
Thane watches and looks amused in a big-brother-is-happy-for-me way. He gets out and I introduce my newfound ‘cousin’.
Danny shakes Thane’s hand and shifts his eyes from me to Thane and back again. ‘Yeah, yeah, I can see the family resemblance.’
I avoid catching Thane’s eye. I’m having a hard enough time trying not to laugh. ‘You reckon?’
Sophie doesn’t say anything. Her mouth is hanging open, her eyes are wide and she’s blinking too fast. And then I get it – Thane looked at her.
‘Hi,’ Sophie says in a breathy voice followed by a spasm of giggles.
I can’t believe this! Thane’s not that good-looking. Is he?
After a brief conversation he returns to his car and half the school watches as he drives away. Only when he’s completely out of sight does Sophie finally close her jaw. Dreamily she sighs. ‘Where have you been hiding him?’
Her re
action shuts me down. I shake my head and start to walk off but remember something about ‘my cousin’ that should wipe the star-struck expression off her face. ‘He’s only here until he finishes a job and then he’s going home to marry his fiancée.’
Her dreamy face droops.
‘Yeah, they plan to have six kids.’ I can’t help the dig as I hurry off to homeroom, scratching my head. On my way I keep my eyes peeled for a tall redhead with mid-range skin tones and sapphire or mahogany eyes.
Suddenly I’m seeing tall redheads everywhere. How hard is it going to be to find this girl? And then I catch a glimpse of a girl about to enter a classroom up ahead who matches Thane’s criteria of being on the tall side with a sun-kissed complexion and long auburn hair. She stops as if she can tell someone is watching, and I glimpse her face. Even from here, I recognise those eyes – such a beautiful violet they draw me in like nothing I’ve experienced before. It’s the girl from the club. I still don’t know her name, but I will soon. I make a mental note of the homeroom she’s entering before I head for mine.
Then, as if a bucket of cold water just splashed over my head, it hits me. Stunned, and feeling ridiculous that I didn’t put it together sooner, I come to a stop in the middle of the covered walkway.
Thane said I would have an intense reaction, and that’s exactly what I had that night outside the club when she knocked me into the wall. She knocked me into the wall!, if I need confirmation, that’s it.
The girl from the club is Thane’s kidnapped angel! I’ve already met her! All I need now is a name.
This is great news for Thane, but not for me. I couldn’t be more disappointed. I had every intention of finding this girl from the club today for myself. Just my luck to fall for an angel who comes from another dimension. I was so sure we were meant for each other. Now what am I going to do? And then I remember the terrible danger she’s in and I thump the nearest object – a timber post – with my fist.
Danny catches up. ‘Jordy, what are you doing?’
‘I didn’t tell you everything.’
He glances at my lightly grazed knuckles and crosses his arms over his chest. ‘Obviously.’
And then I recall Thane’s voice reminding me again this morning that for Ebrielle’s safety I need to keep her true identity secret. ‘And I still … can’t’. I run down a couple of steps only to run back up. ‘This is bullshit, man!’
‘What are you going on about?’
I take a deep breath and pull myself together. ‘It’s nothing. I just thought I recognised that girl, you know, from the club.’
‘Are you still thinking of that girl?’
I lift my right shoulder and let it drop. ‘Maybe. Yep. I am.’
‘Well, I can tell you something about her.’ He flicks a look at Sophie, who has stopped to chat with some friends. ‘But don’t let on to Sophie I told you, OK?’
‘Sure, but why not?’
‘All she does is talk about you, constantly asking me questions about what you like to do in your spare time, who’s your favourite band, what shows you like to watch. Man, it’s never-ending.’
Sophie runs up then. I can’t help but smile. Her eyes dart to Danny and back again. Smart and intuitive, it won’t take her long to pick up what my smile is really about. ‘Why are you so cheery suddenly?’ she asks. ‘Did Danny tell you something he shouldn’t have?’
Danny elbows me. ‘Nah, he didn’t tell me anything. He was just filling me in on what I missed while living up on Mount Bungarra with my cousin.’
‘Oh I know!’ Her eyes fling open wider than usual. ‘It was horrible – that poor girl!’
I glance at Danny for an explanation.
‘I was just about to tell you.’
‘Tell me what?’
‘It’s just so sad what happened to her.’
‘Well, one of you had better tell me.’
The morning bell rings and everyone who’s still in the walkway moves to class, but I pull Sophie and Danny aside. ‘Tell me about this girl.’
‘Her name is Ebony Hawkins,’ Sophie finally says. ‘She’s in two of my classes, English and physics.’
‘Ebony. Ebony Hawkins,’ I whisper.
‘Yeah, and during the break her house burned down and both her parents were killed in the fire.’
‘Are you serious? Where was Ebony?’
‘She was in the barn, getting ready for a day out riding with her best friend Amber Lang. Apparently the fire fighters combed the house afterwards and couldn’t find any remains. Nothing.’
‘Really?’ This sends my thoughts into warp drive. I have to get word to Thane quickly. I’m not sure what it all means, but it can’t be good. Ebony Hawkins is definitely our missing angel Ebrielle, and it looks as if she’s in a whole heap of trouble.
28
Ebony
While I sit in my homeroom with Amber, waiting for everyone else to arrive, Amber sees through my attempts to remain calm. ‘You know I’m only in the classroom next door until morning break.’
‘I know.’ I move my shoulders around just to check the stretch fabric is holding.
She whispers, ‘Can’t notice a thing.’
The class begins to fill and I scoot her out. ‘I’ll be fine. Stop worrying. I can handle myself. I really can.’
‘I know,’ Amber says. ‘Hon, you’re as strong as a mountain.’
For no logical reason her analogy fills me with a sense of pride and I smile. ‘Thank you. Now – shoo, before you’re late for your own class.’
My homeroom teacher, Mr Alford, says a few words on behalf of the class, but keeps his references to the fire brief. He asks if there has been any sign of my parents yet. I appreciate his sentiment and for making it clear that, as far as our class is concerned, my parents are missing.
He moves on to other items, and the morning passes similarly until the break, when a small crowd gathers at the table where I sit with my friends, who watch everyone like seasoned bodyguards. They’re doing a great job, ensuring the crowd doesn’t grow too large or become invasive.
Back in class I keep my head down and my mind on my work. It helps, but I’m concerned that if I lean forward too far, someone sitting behind me might notice my uniform straining against the bumps on my shoulders. Fortunately Amber’s stretchy fabric remains in place. I don’t know what I would do today without it.
As the final buzzer rings through all the classrooms, Sophie Hunt walks in and hands me a folded note. It’s from Jordan Blake, the guy Adam Skinner stabbed. He wants to meet me in the car park this afternoon. I stare at the note for so long the words blur and the class empties.
Dear Ebony,
Sorry to hear about your parents. Life sucks. Take it from someone who knows. You probably don’t remember me, but we met a couple of weeks ago. And you’re going to think this is weird, but we need to talk. There’s something you have to know. Someone you need to meet. After school today I’ll be standing next to the Lambo (a white Lamborghini – unfortunately not mine). You can’t miss it. Please make time to meet me. You won’t regret it.
Yours,
Jordan Blake.
I don’t know what to make of it. Amber walks in, wondering why I’m still sitting in class. I tuck the note into my skirt pocket and quickly pack my bag. In a strangely disconnected state of mind, I walk out of class, hearing but not really listening to what Amber’s saying.
As soon as the car park swings into view, I see Jordan Blake standing exactly where his note said, next to a brilliant-white sports car. There’s a slight nod and a bit of a smile before he turns his head towards the front end of the car and talks briefly to someone sitting in the driver’s seat. Still in this vague state, I don’t tune in to what he tells his friend, I just watch as the friend jumps out and joins him. The tall guy lifts his head and searches for my eyes.
The joining is sudden and powerful and stronger than anything I’ve experienced before. I can’t look elsewhere and have to stop myself from running and ju
mping into this stranger’s arms. And he’s such a beautiful stranger! Tall, with blond hair and fair skin that appears to glow softly. There’s something about him that’s truly ethereal.
His lips part and he whispers a word. It wafts across the empty space between us as if carried through the air on the wings of hundreds of butterflies. ‘Ebrielle.’
It’s a name. A name I’ve never heard before.
Ebrielle. Ebrielle. I hear the whispers all around me. It rings with familiarity, or is it the stranger’s voice I recognise? I don’t know what to think, but the moment is so sublime a swell of emotion rises up inside me and makes my eyes fill with moisture.
I suddenly realise I am, unintentionally, holding my breath, because as I continue to stare, transfixed to the potent azure gaze of this astonishing stranger, the earth suddenly sways and the space around me fills with bright white light.
29
Jordan
She notices Thane instantly.
They stare at each other across the parking lot, neither one moving, not a muscle, except for when Thane whispers her name.
Ebony’s focus is intense, solely on Thane. I doubt she’s seeing anything but him; not her friend, or a car backing out of the space beside her. Certainly not me.
Suddenly all the colour drains from her face. I realise a fraction after Thane that Ebony Hawkins is passing out.
Unbelievably, Thane catches her. He moves so fast I don’t see him between the moment he leaves my side and the moment he’s cradling her in his arms, one big hand preventing her head from hitting the concrete.
Amber spins around, confused and panicking. She goes from surprised to hysterical in a nanosecond. ‘Ebony? Oh no, what’s wrong? Ebony! Can you hear me?’ She looks up at Thane as if the dude who saved her friend from a smashed head or, at the least, a very bad concussion, must also know why she fainted. ‘Did you see what happened?’ She sees me coming and narrows her eyes. ‘Why is it whenever you’re around something weird happens to Ebony?’