Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Two

Are you kidding? I b arly got shoot suspension in magazine to be all(a)owed to come tonight. Of course, at the moment Gabe was wishing the timing hadnt been so helpful. Im lucky I didnt last expelled.Mr. Reese had it plan of attack. Every hot stroking get laids that.Yeah, he did, Gabe said, a sudden asperity sharpening his t angiotensin-converting enzyme. Every angiotensin-converting enzyme at crop was wary of Mr. Reese, barely in that location wasnt much they could do until the math teacher cover a line he shouldnt ready. All the upperclassmen knew virtually Mr. Reese, too, but Gabe wasnt near to stand by while he stalked that clueless freshman kid Still, knocking push through a teacher was a bit extreme. T present was likely slightly better representation to take aim devolveled the situation. His parents had been supportive, though, as usual.Logan interrupted his archetypes. Maybe we should take off, Logan said.Id olfactory modality bad-if Celeste selects a b ehavior homeThat girlfriend is non your type, Gabe. Shes pure evil-and a full-on whore, Logan could have added, but those full werent the kinds of things you necessityed to judge well-nigh any girl while Gabe was in hearing range. Let her get a ride with the guy sticking his tongue atomic reactor her throat.Gabe sighed and shook his lead. Ill wait to make sure shes okay.Logan groaned. I lay slightlyt deal you asked her. Well, can we ditch out long prof example to pick up a few decent CDs at least? Then we could hijack that long-legs of crap the DJs playingI homogeneous the focal point you theorise. I wonder if the limo driver would see a side tripLogan and Gabe ended up in a mock argument over the best CDs to retrieve-the top five were obvious, but from on that point down the list was a little to a greater extent subjective-both of them having a better time than theyd had all make uping.It was period of playny, but as they joked just active, Gabe had a sense that they were the only ones having a good time. Everyone in the room expected to be frowning nearly slightlything. And over in the corner by the stale cookies, it sayinged like a girl was crying. Wasnt that Evie Hess? And an different girl, Ursula Tatum, withal had red eyes and smeared mascara. Maybe the symphony and the punch werent the only things about this prom that sucked. Clara and Bryan looked happy, but aside from those ii, Gabe and Logan-both recently humiliated and rejected-seemed to be enjoying themselves more than ever soyone else.Less perceptive than Gabe, Logan didnt register the negative zephyr until Libby and Dylan started arguing abruptly, Libby stalked off the saltation floor. That caught his attention at once.Logan shifted his weight, his eyes glued to Libbys departing figure. Hey, Gabe, do you mind if I ditch you?Not at all. Go for it.Logan nearly sprinted after her.Gabe wasnt sure what to do with himself now. Should he find Celeste and ask whether she mi nded if he bailed? He wasnt entirely comfor postpone with the idea of prying her blowsy from individual else in order to ask, though.He decided to get an another(prenominal) bottle of water and find the quietest corner possible to wait for the evening to draw and quarter to an end.And then, as he went sear liftg for that quiet corner, Gabe felt the extraneous pull again, stronger than hed ever felt it in his life it was like someone was drowning in downcast waters and screaming to him for help. He glanced just about frantically, wondering where the urgent call was coming from. He couldnt understand the vital, jagged edge of this distress. It was like nothing hed ever felt before.For just a moment, his eyes locked on one girl-on her back, as she was walking away from him. The girls whisker was low-spirited and glossy, with a mirrorlike sheen. She wore a salient(ip) floor-length come up the color of flames. As Gabe watched, her earrings flashed once, like little red sparkle rs.Gabe began walking after her in an almost unconscious movement, drawn by the wrenching need that surrounded her. She turned meagrely, and he got a glimpse of an unfamiliar pale, aquiline profile-full ivory lips and black slanting brows-before she ducked through the ladies room door.Gabe was breathing rocky with the lying-in of not following the girl into no-mans-land. He could expression her need sucking at him like quicksand. He leaned against the wall crossways from the bathroom, folded his arms tight across his chest, and tried to talk himself out of waiting for the girl. This lunatic instinct he had was way off base. Wasnt Celeste proof of that? It was all just imagination.Maybe he should withdraw from now. however Gabe couldnt force his feet to move one step away.Though the girl barely reached five foot three inches in her stiletto frankfurters, something about her figure-whip-slender and rod-straight as a fencing foil-made her appear tall.She was a walking contradict ion in more ways than height-both dark and light with her inky hair and chalky skin, both soft and hard with her tiny, sharp features, and both inviting and repellent with the mesmerizing undulations of her dust under the hostile expression on her casing.Only one thing about her was not ambiguous-her dress was, without question, a work of art B serious red tongues of leather flame bared her pale shoulders and licked down her willowy curves until they kissed the floor. As she crossed the dance floor, female eyes followed the pathway of the dress with envy and male eyes followed it with lust.There was another phenomenon that followed her as the girl in the fiery dress passed through the dancers, little gasps of horror and trouble oneself and embarrassment rippled out from near her in strange eddies that could only be coincidence. A high heel cracked, twisting the ankle inside it. A satin dress split along a seam from thigh to waist. A contact lens popped out and was befuddled on the dirty floor. A vital bra strap snapped in two. A wallet slipped from a pocket. An unexpected cramp announced an early period. A borrowed necklace scattered in a shower of pearls to the floor.And on and on-little disasters spinning small circles of misery.The pale dark girl smiled to herself as if she could somehow sense that misery in the air and enjoy it-taste it, perhaps, considering the way she licked her lips in appreciation.And then she frowned, furrowing her brow in fierce concentration. The one boy who was watching her face saw a strange red glitter near her earlobes, like shooting red sparks. Everyone else turned just then to stare at Brody Farrow, who clutched his arm and shouted in pain the slight movement of the slow dancing had dislocated his shoulder.The girl in the red dress smirked.With her heels ringing sharply against the tile floor, she strode down the hall to the ladies room. Faint moans of pain and chagrin trailed after her.A crowd of girls hovered in front of the wall-length mirrors inside the bathroom. They only had a moment to gape at the sensory dress, to notice how the slight girl inside it shivered briefly in the stuffy, too-warm room, before the chaos distracted them. It started with Emma Roland scenebing herself in the eye with a mascara wand. She flailed in dismay, strike the full glass of punch in Bethany Crandalls hand, which then drenched Bethany and stained three other dresses in the most inconvenient places. The atmosphere in the wash room was curtly hotter than the temperature as one girl-sporting a hideous green smear across her chest-accused Bethany of throwing the punch on her purposely.The pale dark girl only smiled slightly at the brewing booking, and then strode to the farthest stall in the long room and locked the door behind her.She did not make use of the privacy the way one might expect. Instead-showing no fear of the less-than-sterile environment-the girl leaned her forehead against the surface wall and squeezed her eyes shut. Her hands, balled into sharp little fists, also rested against the metal as if for support.If any of the girls in the ladies room had been paying attention, they might have wondered what was causing the red glow that shone dully through the crack between the door and the wall. however no one was paying attention.The girl in the red dress prehend her teeth tightly together. From between them, a hot spurt of magnificent flame shot out and singed black patterns into the thin layer of tan paint on the metal wall. She started to pant, struggling with an invisible weight, and the fire burned hotter, blockheaded fingers of red crackling against the cold metal. The fire reached up to her hair, but did not scorch the smooth, inky locks. Traces of smoke began to seep from her nose and ears.A shower of sparks popped from her ears as she whispered one word through her teeth.Melissa.Back out on the crowded dance floor, Melissa Harris looked up, distracted. Had someon e just called her name? There didnt seem to be anyone close enough to be responsible for the low sound. moreover her imagination, then. Melissa looked back at her date and tried to concentrate on what he was saying.Melissa wondered why she had agreed to go to the prom with Cooper Silverdale. He wasnt her type. A small boy, consumed with his own importance, with too much to prove. Hed been oddly hyper all night, boast about his family and his possessions nonstop, and Melissa was tired of it.Another faint whisper caught Melissas attention, and she turned.There, too far across the crowd to be the source behind the sound, Tyson Bell was thoroughgoing(a) straight at Melissa over the head of the girl he danced with. Melissa looked down at once, shuddering, trying not to care who he was with, forcing herself not to look.She moved closer to Cooper. Boring and sh digest, maybe, but better than Tyson. Anyone was better than Tyson.Really? Is Cooper sincerely the better option? The question s popped into Melissas theorys as if they came from someone else entirely. Involuntarily, she glanced up into Tysons intemperately lashed dark eyes. He was cool it staring.Of course Cooper was better than Tyson, no matter how beautiful Tyson was. That beauty was just part of the trap.Cooper babbled on, stumbling over his linguistic communication as he tried to capture Melissas interest.Youre out of Coopers league, the thought whispered. Melissa shook her head, embarrassed for sentiment that way. It was vain. Cooper was just as good as she was, as good as any other boy.Not as good as Tyson. Remember how it wasMelissa tried to keep the images out of her mind Tysons warm eyes, full of longing his hands, rough and soft against her skin his rich vowelize that made even the most common words sound like poetry the way just the lightest pressure of his lips against her fingers could send her pulse sprinting in her veinsHer heart thumped, aching.Deliberately, Melissa dredged up a new me mory to combat the freedom fighter images. Tysons iron fist smashing into the side of her face without warning-the black spots blossoming in front of her eyes-her hands bracing against the floor-vomit choking in her throat-raw pain move her whole body-He was sorry. So sorry. He promised. Never again. Un wishinged, the image of Tysons coffee eyes swimming with tears clouded her vision.Reflexively, Melissas eyes sought Tyson. He was still staring. His forehead creased, his eyebrows pulled together, grief-strickenMelissa shuddered again.Are you cold? Do you want my-? Cooper half-shrugged out of his tuxedo jacket and then stopped himself, his face flushing. You cant be cold. Its so hot in here, he said lamely as he withdrew the offer, buttoning the jacket back into place.Im fine, Melissa assured him. She forced herself to look only at his sallow, boyish face.This place kinda sucks, Cooper said, and Melissa nodded, happy to agree with him. We could go to my fathers country club. Theres an incredible restaurant, if youre in the mood for dessert. We wont have to wait for a t adapted. As soon as I mention my nameMelissas attention wandered again.Why am I here with this little snob? asked the thought that was so strangely unfamiliar in her head, though it came in her own voice. Hes a weakling. So what if he couldnt hurt a kitten? Isnt there more to love than safety? I dont feel the same need in my take over when I look at Cooper-when I look at anyone besides Tyson I cant lie to myself. I still want him. So much. Isnt that love, that wanting?Melissa wished she hadnt drunk so much of that vile, burning punch. It was impossible to think clearly.She watched as Tyson left his partner stranded and crossed the floor until he stood right in front of her-the perfect broad-shouldered football hero cliche. It was as if Cooper didnt exist there between them.Melissa? he asked in his melting voice, sorrow twisting his features. Melissa, please He held his hand out toward her, i gnoring Coopers wordless spluttering.Yes yes yes yes yes chanted in her head.A thousand memories of desire rocked through her. Her clouded mind buckled.Hesitantly, Melissa nodded.Tyson smiled in relief, in joy, and pulled her around Cooper and into his arms.It was just so easy to go with him. Melissas blood ran through her veins like fire.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter TwoThe mist of nothing slipped slowly from me in a painful serial publication of prickles and the sound of two people arguing. I felt sick, not from my entire back tingling so painfully I could hardly stand to breathe, but from the feeling of helpless fear that the low-keyed, back-and-forth voices pulled from my past. I could almost smell the moldy fluff of my stuffed rabbit as I had curled into a ball and listened to the two people who were my entire world frighten me beyond belief. That they had both told me it hadnt been my fault hadnt lessened my grief at all. Grief I had to hold inside until it became a part of m e. Pain that adhered to my bones. To cry in my mothers arms would say I loved her more. To cry into my dads shoulder would say I loved him best. It was a smelly way to grow up.But this this wasnt my parents arguing. It sounded like two kids.I took a breath to find it came easier. The last of the haze started to fade with the tingles, and my lungs moved, aching as if someone were sitting on them. Realizing my eyes were shut, I opened them to find a blurry black just before my nose. There was a heavy, plasticky smell.She was xvi when she got in that car. Its your fault, a young but masculine voice said hotly, oddly muffled. I was getting the distinct impression that the argument had been going on for some time, but I only remembered snatches of it amid uneasy thoughts of nothing.You are not going to ordain this on me, a girl said, her voice just as hushed and determined. She was seventeen when he flipped her coin. This is your screwup, not mine. God save you, she was right in front of you How could you miss it?I missed it because she wasnt seventeen he shot back. She was sixteen when he picked her up. How was I supposed to know he was after her? How come you werent there? You slipped up big time.The girl gasped in affront. I was cold. Taking a deeper breath, I felt a surge of strength. Fewer tingles, more aches. It was stuffy, my breath coming back warm to me. It wasnt dark I was in something.You little piss-ant the girl snapped. Dont tell me I slipped up. She died at seventeen. Thats why I wasnt there. I was never notified.But I dont do sixteen, he said, his voice going nasty. I thought he was flipping the boy.I suddenly realized the black blur throwing back my breath was a sheet of plastic. My hands came up, and my nails pushed through it in a stab of fear. Almost panicking, I sat up.Im on a table? It sure felt hard enough for one. I shoved the plastic off me. Two kids were standing(a) by a set of dirty whiten swinging doors, and they spun in surprise. The girls pale face went red, and the guy backed up as if embarrassed to have been caught arguing with her.Oh the girl said, tossing her long dark braid behind her. Youre up. Uh, hi. Im Lucy, and this is Barnabas.The guy dropped his eyes and waved sheepishly. Hey, he said. How you doing?You were with kid, I said, my finger shaking as I pointed, and he nodded, still not flavor at me. His costume looked odd next to her shorts and tank top. Both of them wore a black stone pendant around their necks. They were dull and insignificant, but my eye went to them because they were the only thing the two shared. Other than their anger at each other and their surprise at me.Where am I? I said, and Barnabas winced, a tall form scuffing his feet against the tile. Wheres Josh? I hesitated, realizing I was in a hospital, but Wait a minute. I was in a freaking body bag? Im in the morgue? I blurted. What am I doing in the morgue?Moving wildly, I got my legs out of the plastic bag and slid to the floor , heels clicking in some weird counterpoint as I caught my balance. There was a tag on a rubber band around my wrist, and I yanked it off, pickings some hair along with it. I had a long rip in my skirt, and heavy grease chumped it. Dirt and grass were plastered to me, and I stank of field and antiseptic. So much for getting my deposit back.Someone made a mistake, I said as I shoved the tag in a pocket, and Lucy snorted.Barnabas, she said, and he stiffened.This is not my fault he exclaimed, rounding on her. She was sixteen when she got in that car. I dont do sixteen How was I supposed to know it was her natal day?Yeah? Well, she was seventeen when she died, so it is your problemDead? Were they blind? You know what? I said, feeling more steady the longer I stood here. You two can argue till the sun goes nova, but I have to find someone and tell them Im okay. Heels clicking, I headed for the dirty white twin doors.Madison, wait, the guy said. You cant. fit me, I said. My dad is going to be so-o-o-o ticked.I strode past them, getting twenty feet before a feeling of disconnection hit me. Dizzy, I enjoin a hand to an empty table as the odd sensation roared from nowhere. My hand cramped where it rested, and I pulled it away as if burned when it seemed the coldness of metal had touched my bone. I felt spongy. Thin. The soft hum of the ventilation grew muffled. Even the pounding of my heart became distant. I turned, hand to my chest to try and make it feel normal again. WhatFrom across the room, Barnabas shrugged his thin shoulders. Youre dead, Madison. Sorry. You get too far from our amulets, and you start to lose substance.He gestured to the gurney, and I looked.My breath slammed out of me. Knees buckling, I half unload against the empty table. I was still there. I signify, I was still on the gurney. I was lying on the cart in a torn body bag, looking far too small and pale, my elaborate dress bunched up around me in an elegant display of forgotten grace out of time.I was dead? But I could feel my heart beat.Limbs going weak, I started to crumple.Swell. Shes a fainter, the girl said dryly.Barnabas lurched forward to catch me. His arms slid around me and my head lolled. At his touch, everything rushed back sounds, smells, and even my pulse. My lids fluttered. Inches from me, Barnabass lips pressed tight. He was so close, and I thought I could smell sunflowers.Why dont you shut up? he said to Lucy as he eased me to the floor. Show a little compassion? Thats your job, you know.The cold from the tile soaked into me, seeming to clear the gray about my sight. How could I be dead? Did the dead pass out? Im not dead, I said unsteadily, and Barnabas helped me sit up and put my back to a table leg.Yes, you are. He crouched beside me, his brown eyes wide and concerned. Sincere. Im really sorry. I thought he was going to flip Josh. They usually dont leave evidence like a car behind like that. You must really be a broken feather in their wing.My though ts flashed to the crash, and I put a hand to my stomach. Josh had been there. I remember that. He thinks Im dead. Josh, I mean.From across the room came Lucys caustic You are dead.I sent my gaze to the gurney, and Barnabas shifted to block my view. Who are you? I asked as the dizziness slipped away.Barnabas stood. We, ah, are Reconnaissance Error Acquisitions Personnel. Evaluation and Recovery.I thought about that. Reconnaissance Error Acquisitions R.E.A.P.E.R.?Holy crap A surge of epinephrin shot through me. I scrambled up, eyes fixed on me on the gurney. I was here. I was alive That might be me, but I was standing here, too. Youre grim reapers I exclaimed, feeling my way around the table and putting it between us. My toes started to go numb, and I stopped, my gaze darting to the amulet around Barnabass neck. Oh my God, Im dead, I whispered. I cant be dead. Im not ready to be dead. Im not done yet Im only seventeenWere not grim reapers. Lucy had her arms crossed defensively as if it were a sore spot. Were white reapers. Black reapers kill people before their coin should be flipped, white reapers try to save them, and grim reapers are treacherous betrayers who brag too much and wont survive to see the sun turn back to dust.Barnabas looked embarrassed as he shuffled his feet. Grim reapers are white reapers who were tricked into working for the other side. They dont do much culling since black reapers dont let them, but if there is a sudden, massive death toll, you know theyll show to pull a few souls early, in as dramatic a way as possible. Theyre hacks. No class at all.This last was said with a bitter voice, and I wondered at the rivalry, backing up until I started going spongy again. Eyeing their amulets, I edged forward until the feeling went away. You kill people. Thats what Seth said. He said something about culling my soul You do kill peopleBarnabas ran a hand across the back of his neck. Ah, we dont. Most of the time. He glanced at Lucy. Seth is a black reaper, a dark reaper. We only show up when they target someone out of time, or theres been a mistake.Mistake? My head swung up in hope. Did that mean they could put me back?Lucy came forward. You werent supposed to die, see. A dark reaper took you out before your coin should have been flipped. Its our job to stop them, but we cant erstwhile(prenominal)s. Were here to make a formal apology and get you where youre going. Frowning, she looked at Barnabas. And as soon as he admits it was his fault, I can get out of here.I stiffened, refusing to look at me on the gurney. Im not going anywhere. If you made a mistake, fine. right put me back Im right there. I took a step forward, scared out of my mind. You can, right?Barnabas winced. Its kinda too late. Everyone knows youre dead.I dont care I shouted. Then my face went cold in a sudden thought. dada. He thought I was Dad I whispered, panicking. Taking a breath, I turned to the swinging doors and broke into a run.Wait Madison Barnabas s houted, but I hit the doors hard, stumbling through them even though they only swung three inches. But I was in the next room. I had sort of passed through them. As if I werent even there.There was a fat guy at a desk, and he looked up at the tiny squeak the doors made shifting. His little piggy eyes widened, and he took a huge breath. Mouth open, he pointed.Theres been a mistake, I blurted, heading to the open archway and the dimly lit hall. Im not dead.But I was feeling really weird again. Misty and thin. Stretched. Nothing sounded right, either, and the gray was edging my sight to make a tunnel-like vision.Behind me, Barnabas pushed through the doors. Immediately the world shifted to normal. It was the amulet he wore that unploughed me unshakable. I had to get me one of those.Yes, she is, he said, never slowing down until he grabbed my wrist. Youre hallucinating. Shes not really here. Neither am I.Where did you come from? the guy managed, staring. How did you get in there?Lucy shoved in, the swinging door banging against the wall to make me and Desk Guy jump. Madison, quit being a stiff. You gotta go.This was too much for the technician, and he reached for the phone.I twisted my wrist, but Barnabas wouldnt release me. I have to talk to my dad I exclaimed, and he yanked me off balance.Were leaving, he said, a new threat in his eyes. Right now.Frantic, I stomped on his foot. Barnabas howled, his gangly form bending double as he let go. Lucy laughed at him, and I darted for the hallway. Try to stop me, I thought, then ran right into something big, warm, and smelling of silk. I backed up, becoming scared when I saw it was Seth. He had killed me with a sword that left no mark when driving me off a cliff failed to do it. He was a dark reaper. He was my death.Why are there two of you? he asked as he looked at Barnabas and Lucy. The cadence of his voice was familiar, but the sound of it hit my ears wrong. And the scent of sea now smelled like rot. Thats right, he added, pulling his gaze back to me, and I shuddered. You died on the anniversary of your birth. Two reapers. My, my, my. Such the drama queen, Madison. Im glad youre up. Its time to go.Hunched and afraid, I retreated. Dont touch me.Madison Barnabas shouted. occurBut there was only the morgue to run to. Lucy got in front of me, hands spread wide as if she could stop Seth with her will alone. What are you doing here? she said, voice shaking. Shes already dead. You cant flip her twice.Seth scuffed his shoes confidently. As you said, I flipped her coin. Shes mine if I want her.Barnabas paled. You never come back for them. Youre His eyes darted to the stone about Seths neck. Youre not a black reaper, are you?Seth grinned as if it was a big joke. No. Im not. Im a little bit more. More than you can handle. Leave, Barnabas. Just walk away. It wont hurt if you do.I stared at Barnabas, helpless. His brown eyes met mine, saw my fear. I watched him visibly gather his courage.Barnabas Lucy sh outed, terrified. DontBut Barnabas launched himself at the dark figure in black silk. In a motion so casual it was frightening, Seth turned to smack him with the back of his hand. Arms and legs flailing, Barnabas flew backward, hitting the wall and slumping to the floor, out cold.Run Lucy shouted, pushing me toward the morgue. Stay in the sun. Dont let the black wings touch you. Well get help. Someone will find you. Get out of hereHow? I exclaimed. Hes in front of the only door.Seth moved again, this time backhanding Lucy. She crumpled where she stood, leaving only me since the technician had either passed out or was hiding under the desk. lather trembling, I stood to my full height-such as it was-and tugged my dress straight. Deeper in it yet, apparently.She meant, Seth said, his voice both familiar and strange, to run through the walls. You had a better chance against the black wings in the sun than with me under the ground.But I cant I started, then looked at the swinging doors. I went through them, having shifted them open only a few inches. What the heck was I? A ghost?Seth smiled, chilling me. Nice to see you, Madison, now that I can really see you. He took off his mask and let it drop. His face was beautiful, like chiseled stone made soft.I licked my lips and went cold to the bone when I remembered him kissing me. Holding one arm to myself, I backed away, trying to get out of Barnabass and Lucys influence so I could run through the walls. Hey, if Mr. Creepy thought I could do it, then maybe I could.Seth followed, step for step. We leave together. No one will believe I culled you unless I throw you at their feet.Heels clicking, I kept moving. My gaze darted to Barnabas and Lucy, both still sprawled on the tile. Id rather stay, thanks. My heart pounded, and my back hit the wall. A little yelp slipped from me. I was far enough away from them that I should be misty, but I wasnt. I stared at Seth, then at that black stone about his neck. It was the same. Da mn itYou dont have a choice, he said. Im the one that killed you. Youre mine.He reached out, grabbing my wrist. Adrenaline surged, and I twisted.The hell I am, I said, then kicked him in the shins. He clearly felt it, grunting as he bent in pain, but didnt let go. He had put his face in my reach, though, and grabbing his hair, I slammed his nose against my rising knee. I felt cartilage snap, and my stomach turned.Cursing in a language that hurt my head, he let go and fell back.I had to get out of here. I had to be solid or Id never make it. Heart pounding, I grabbed the stone about his neck, pulling the necklace over his ears and off him. It tingled in my hand like fire, and I clenched my fingers around it, willing to suffer if it meant I would be whole.Seth hit the floor, gaping up at me with red blood covering his face. He looked as surprised as if he had run into a glass wall.Madison Barnabas rasped from the floor.I turned, seeing him stare at me with pain-laced, unfocused eyes.R un, he gasped.Seths amulet in my hand, I turned to the open hallway and I ran.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter TwoEIGHT HOURS EARLIERFoxy girls know that silence may be golden-but only for four chips. Anything longer and you re heading for Awkward Avenue, Miranda read, then frowned at the book. If you feel the countdown creeping, make him an offer A simple Would you like some nuts? said with a smile can break the silence stagnation in a snap. Remember, foxy is as foxy does.Miranda was starting to deeply distrust How to Get-And Kiss Your Guy.Leaning against the side of the black Town Car parked in the loading zone at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport that June evening, she thought of how totally thrilled shed been when shed found it at the bookstore. It looked like an and-they-all-lived-happily-ever-after dream come true in book form-who wouldnt want to learn The Five Facial Expressions That allow for Change Your Life or The Secrets of the Tongue Tantra Only Da Pros Know? but having done all the exercises, she wasnt convinced of the transformative powers of the Winsome Smile or spending half an hour a day sucking on a grape. It wasnt the first time a self-help book had let her down-Procrastinate No More and gain ground Friends with YOU had both been total disasters-but it was depressing because shed had such high hopes this time. And because, as her best friend, Kenzi, recently pointed out, any senior in high school who acted like Miranda did around her crush really, really needed help.She tried another passage. Rephrase one of his questions back to him, adding that hint of suggestion with a raised eyebrow. Or pick up the conversation with a pickup line You Are we in the china section? Him No, why? You Because you are fine. If china isnt your thing, this one never fails to launch-You Are you eating away space pants? Him No, why? You Because your butt is-Hello, Miss Kiss.Miranda looked up and found herself staring up at the cleft chin and tanned face of replacement Sergeant Caleb Reynolds.She must have been really distracted to not even have comprehend his heartbeat when he approached. It was distinctive, with a little echo at the end, kind of like a one-two-three cha-cha beat (shed learned about the cha-cha beat from You Can Dance another massively unfortunate self-help experience). Hed probably have trouble with that when he got old, but at twenty-two it didnt seem to be stopping him from going to the gym, at least from the looks of his pecs, biceps, shoulders, forearms, wrists-Stop staring.Since she had an attack of hazardous Mouth whenever she tried to talk to a clever guy-let alone Santa Barbaras youngest sheriffs deputy, who was only four years older than she and who surfed every morning before work and who was settle down enough to get away with gulling sunglasses even though it was almost 800 p.m.-she said, Hi, deputy. Come here often?Causing him to frown. No.No, you wouldnt, why would you? Me either. Well, not that often. Maybe once a week. Not often enough to know where the bathrooms are. Ha-ha Thinking, not for the first time, that life should come with a trapdoor. Just a little exit hatch you could disappear through when youd utterly and completely mortified yourself. Or when you had spontaneous zit eruptions.Good book? he asked, taking it from her and reading the subtitle, A Guide for Good Girls Who (Sometimes) Want to Be Bad out loud.But life did not come with a trapdoor.Its for a school project. Homework. On, um, mating rituals.Thought crime was more your thing. He hit her with one of his half smiles, too cool to pull out a big grin. You planning on foiling any more convenience store heists any time soon?That had been a mistake. Not stopping the guys whod held up Rons 24-Hour Open market 3, but sticking around long enough to let the police see her. For some reason theyd found it hard to believe that shed just been magnetic inclination against the lamppost when it fell across the front of the robbers car as it sped through the intersection. It was sad how suspicious people were, especially people in law enforcement. And school administration. But shed learned a lot since then.Im trying to keep it to one heist a month, she said, hoping for a light, ha-ha-Im-just-kidding-foxy-is-as-foxy-does tone. Today its just my regular job, VIP airport pickup. Miranda comprehend his cha-cha heartbeat speed up slightly. Maybe he thought VIPs were cool.That boarding school you go to, Chatsworth Academy? They let you off campus any time you want or only certain days?Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, if youre a senior. We dont have classes then, she said and heard his heartbeat pick up more.Wednesday and Saturday afternoons free. What do you do for variation?Was he asking her out? No. Way. NOWAYNOWAYNOWAY Flirt she ordered herself. Winsome Smile Say something Anything Be foxy NowWhat do you do for athletics? she repeated his question back to him, raising one eyebrow for that hi nt of suggestion.He seemed taken aback for a second, then said very formally, I work, Miss Kiss.Please clear a warm welcome to Miranda Kiss, our new Miss Idiot Girl of the year, she thought. Said Of course. Me too. I mean, Im either driving clients or at team practice. Im one of Tony Bosuns Bee Girls? The Roller Derby team? Thats why I do this, meaning to point to the Town Car but bashing it with her hand instead. You have to be a driver for Tonys company, 5Bs Luxury Transport, to be on the team. We usually only have games on the weekends, but we practice on Wednesdays, sometimes on other days Crazy Mouth trailed off.Ive seen the Bees play. Thats a professional team, isnt it? They let a high school student play?Miranda swallowed. Oh, sure. Of course.He looked at her over the top of his sunglasses.Okay, I had to lie to get on the team. Tony thinks Im twenty. You wont tell him, will you?He believed you were twenty?He needed a new jammer. representative Reynolds chuckled. So youre the jammer? Youre good. I can see why he might have made an exception. Eyeing her some more. I never would have recognized you.Well, you know, we wear those wigs and the gold masks over our eyes so we all look the same. It was one of the things she liked about Roller Derby, the anonymity, the fact that no one knew who you were, what your skills were. It made her feel invulnerable, safe. No one could single you out for anything.Deputy Reynolds took his sunglasses all the way off now to look at her. So you put on one of those red, white, and blue satin outfits? The ones with the short skirts and that cute cape? Id like to see that sometime.He smiled at her, right into her eyes, and her knees went weak and her mind started playing out a scenario involving him without his shirt but with a pitcher of maple syrup and a big-Well, theres my lady, he said. Catch you. And then walked away. stack of pancakes. Miranda watched him go up to a woman in her early twenties-thick blond hair, thin but m uscular-put his arm around her, and kiss her neck. The kind of woman whose bras had tags that said, SIZE 36c, not MADE BY SANRIO in them. hear him saying excitedly, Wait until we get to the house. Ive got some amazing new toys, something special just for you, his voice husky, heart racing.As he passed Miranda, he lifted his chin in her direction and said, You stay out of trouble.Yeah, you too, Crazy Mouth told him. Miranda wanted to bang her head against the top of the car at how idiotic she was. She tried to give a Lite Laff (expression number four from the book) but ended up making herself choke instead.When they were across the parking lot, she heard the woman asking who she was and heard Deputy Reynolds say, The local Town Car driver.Shes the driver? the woman said. Looks like one of those girls from Hawaiian Airlines you used to date, but younger. And cuter. You know how your judgment gets around cute young girls. Youre sure I dont need to be concerned?Miranda heard him laugh, the genuine amusement in his voice as he said, Her? Baby, shes just a high school student who has a crush on me. Trust me, youve got nothing to worry about.And thought Trap. Door. Now. Please.Sometimes having superhearing supersucked.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter TwoAnd he wants me to know that hes coming. Hes playing with me now just like his father played with Mom, before he well, did what he did to her.Then I hear a strange sound-a sort of whoosh-followed by another DammitWhat is happening?Sebastian. Lilas voice sounds bemused. Someone is shooting catsup at youWhat? Did she just say ketchup?.And then, as I carefully turn to try to get a look past the pillar to see what Lila is talking about, I see him.Not Sebastian. His shooter.And I can hardly believe my eyes.Whats he doing here?AdamIts all Teds fault. Hes the one who said we should follow them on their date.I was like, Why? Cause the dudes trouble, man, Ted said.Except theres no way Ted could have known that. Drake had basica lly turned up from out of nowhere outside Lilas Park Avenue apartment building just the night before. Ted had never even met him. How could he know anything about the guy? Anything at all?But when I mentioned this, Ted said, Dude, have you looked at him?I have to admit, the T homosexual has a point. I mean, the guy looks like he walked straight out of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalog or something. You cant trust a guy whos that, well, perfect.Still, Im not down with following other guys around. Its not cool. Even if, like Ted said, it was just to make sure Lila didnt get into trouble. I know Lila is Teds lady-ex-lady now, thanks to Drake.And okay, shes never been the shiniest fork in the drawer.But following her on this date with the dude shes hooked up with? That just seemed like a bigger waste of time than-well, that two thousand-word, double-spaced essay Ive got due in Mrs. Gregorys U.S. History class on Monday.Then Ted had to go and suggest I bring the Beretta 9mm.The thing is, even though its just a water pistol, toy guns that look as real as that are illegal in Manhattan.So I havent really had an opportunity to use mine much. Which Ted knows.And is probably why he kept going on about how freaking hilarious it would be if we soaked the guy. Because he knew I wouldnt be able to resist.The ketchup was my idea.And, yeah, it is pretty juvenile.But what the hell else am I going to do on a Friday night? It beats a U.S. History paper.Anyway, I told the T Man I guessed Id be down with his plan. So long as I was the one who got to do the shooting. Which was fine with Ted.I just gotta know, man, hed said, shaking his head.Know what?What this Sebastian dudes got, he said, that I dont.I couldve told him, of course. I mean, its pretty obvious to anyone who freaking looks at Drake what hes got that Ted doesnt. Teds a decent-looking guy and all, but Abercrombie material he is not. Still, I didnt say anything. Because the T Man was really hurtin over this one. And I coul d sort of understand why. Lilas just one of those girls, you know? All big brown eyes and big, well, other parts, too.But I wont go there on account of my sister, Veronica, who says I need to stop thinking of women as sex objects and start thinking of them as future partners in the inevitable struggle to survive in postapocalyptic America (which Veronicas writing her senior thesis on because she feels the apocalypse is going to occur sometime in the next decade, due to the countrys current state of religious fanaticism and environmental recklessness, both of which were present at the fall of Rome and various other societies that no longer exist).So thats how me and the T Man ended up at Swig-fortunately, Teds uncle Vinnie is their liquor distributor, which is how we got in, and without having to go through the metal detector like everybody else-shooting ketchup at Sebastian Drake with my Beretta 9mm water pistol. I know I was supposed to be home doing that paper for Mrs. Gregory, bu t a guys got to have some fun, right?And it was fun to see those red stains spurting all over the guys chest. The T Man was actually laughing for the first time since Lila sent him that text message during lunch, congress him that he was on his own for the prom, because she was going with Drake.Everything was going great until I saw Drake staring at that pillar over to one side of the dance floor. Which didnt make any sense. Youd have thought hed have been looking over at us, in our VIP booth (thanks, Uncle Vinnie), considering thats the direction the ketchup assault was coming from.Thats when I noticed there was somebody hiding behind it. The pillar, I mean.Not just any somebody, either, but Mary, that new girl from my U.S. History class, the one who never talks to anybody but Lila.And she was holding a crossbow.A crossbow.How the hell did she get a crossbow through the metal detector? No way does she know Teds uncle Vinnie.Not that it matters. All that matters is that Drakes star ing at the pillar Marys crouched behind like he can see straight through it. Theres something about the way hes looking over at her that makes me well, all I know is that is not where I want that guy looking.Moron, I mutter. Mostly about Drake. But also about myself, a little. And then I aim and shoot once more.Oh, snap, Ted yells happily. Did you see that? Right in the assThat gets Drakes attention, all right. He turns and suddenly, I get what they mean about blazing eyes. You know, in Stephen King books, or whatever? I never thought Id actually see a pair.But thats exactly what Drakes got, as he stares at us. Eyes that are most definitely blazing.Come on, I find myself thinking in Drakes direction. Thats right. Come on over here, Drake. You wanna fight? Ive got a lot more than just ketchup, dude.Which isnt exactly true. But it doesnt end up mattering, because Drake doesnt come over anyway.Instead, he disappears.I dont mean that he turns around and leaves the club.I mean that one m inute hes standing there, and the next hes well, hes just gone. For a second the fog from the dry ice seems to get thicker-and when it clears, Lila is dancing by herself.Here, I say, thrusting the Beretta into Teds hand.What the- Ted scans the dance floor. Whered he go?But Ive already taken off.Grab Lila, I yell back at Ted. And meet me out front.Ted utters some pretty choice expletives after that, but no one even notices. The musics too loud, and everyones having too good a time. I mean, if they didnt notice us shooting at some dude with a ketchup-filled water gun-or a few seconds later, that dude literally vanishing into thin air-theyre hardly likely to notice Ted cheering the F word.I reach the pillar and look down.Shes there, panting as if shes just run a marathon or something. Shes got the crossbow clutched to her chest like a kids security blanket. Her face is as white as notebook paper.Hey, I say to her, gently. I dont want to startle her.But I do anyway. She lots jumps out of her skin at the sound of my voice and turns wide, frightened eyes up at me.Hey, take it easy, I say. Hes gone. Okay?Hes gone? Her eyes-green as the outstanding Lawn in Central Park in May-stare up at me. And theres no missing the terror in them. How-what?He just vanished, I say with a shrug. I saw him looking at you. So I shot him.You what?Prom Nights from Hell Chapter TwoGee, thanks, Madame Z, I thought. Could we dig a little deeper here? Give me something to work with?But is he-I mean, the person-going to act on his passion? I was brazen, despite my knotted stomach.To act or not to act that is the question? Madame Z said.Yes, that is the question.Ahhh. That is always the question. And what one must always ask oneself- She broke off. Her eyes flew to pass on, and she paled.What? I demanded.Nothing, she said.Something, I said. Her message-from-the-spirits performance wasnt fooling me. She wanted us to think shed been suddenly possessed? That shed had a stark and powerful vision ? Fine Just get to the bloody answerMadame Z made a show of pulling herself together, complete with a long, shaky draw on her cigarette. Looking dead at me, she said, If a tree falls in a forest, and no ones there to hear it, does it still make a sound?Huh? I said.Thats all Ive got. Take it or leave it. She seemed agitated, so I took it. Although I made slit eyes at Yun solarise when Madame Z wasnt watching.Will claimed not to have a specific question, but Madame Z was oddly insistent on relaying a message to him anyhow. She waved her hands over his aura and warned him sternly of heights, which was curiously appropriate as Will was an avid rock climber. What was more curious was Wills reaction. First his eyebrows shot up, and then a different emotion took over, like some secret anticipatory pleasure. He glanced at me and blushed.Whats going on? I asked. You have your underarm face on.Exsqueeze me? he said.What are you not telling us, Will Goodman?Nothing, I swearDont be stupid, bo y Madame Z harped. Listen to what Im saying.Oh, you dont have to worry about him, I said. Hes a total Mr. Safety. I turned back to Will. For real. Do you have a fabulous new climbing spot? A spic-and-span shiny carabiner?Its Yun Suns turn, Will said. Yun Sun, go.Can you read palms? Yun Sun asked Madame Z.Madame Z exhaled, and she was barely engaged as she traced her finger over the plump pad to a lower place Yun Suns thumb. You will be as beautiful as you allow yourself to be, she told her. That was it. Those were her pearls of wisdom.Yun Sun seemed as underwhelmed as I was, and I felt like protesting on all our behalves. I mean, seriously A tree in the forest? Be careful of heights? You will be as beautiful as you allow yourself to be? Even with her somewhat convincing touches of atmospheric creepiness, the three of us were getting cheated. Me in particular.But before I could say anything, a cell phone on the desk rang. Madame Z picked it up and used a long orange nail to punch the talk button.Madame Zanzibar, at your service, she said. Her expression changed as she listened to whoever was on the other end. She grew brisk and annoyed. No, Silas. Its called a yes, you can say it, a yeast infection. Yeast infection.Yun Sun and I shared a glance of horror, although-I couldnt help it-I was also delighted. Not that Madame Z had a yeast infection. I mean, ick. But that she was discussing it with Silas, whoever he was, while all of us listened in. Now we were getting our moneys worth.Tell the pharmacist its the second time this month, Madame Z groused. I need something stronger. What? For the itching, you idiot Unless he wants to scratch it for me She twisted on her swivel chair, pumping one Juicy Coutured leg over the other.Will looked up at me, his brown eyes wide with alarm. I will not be scratching it for her, he stage-whispered. I refuseI laughed, thinking it a good sign that he was showing off for me. The Madame Z experience hadnt gone as intended, but who knew? Maybe it would end up having the sought after effect after all.Madame Z pointed at me with the lit end of her cigarette, and I ducked my chin contritely, like Sorry, sorry. To distract myself, I focused on the strange and vary clutter on her shelves. A book called Magic of the Ordinary and another titled What to Do When the Dead Speak-But You Dont Want to Listen. I nudged Will with my knee and pointed. He mimed choking the poor deceased bastard, and I snortled.Above the books I saw a bottle of rat poison, an old-fashioned monocle, a jar of what looked like fingernail clippings, a stained Starbucks cup, and a rabbits foot, claws attached. And on the shelf above that was oh, lovely.Is that a skull? I asked Will. Will whistled. Holy cannoli.Okey-doke, Yun Sun said, averting her eyes. If there really is a skull, I dont want to know about it. Can we leave now?I took her head in my hands and pointed her in the right direction. Look. It still has hairMadame Z snapped her cell phone shut. Fools, every one of them, she said. Her pallor was gone apparently talking to Silas had shaken her out of her funk.Ahh I see you found FernandoIs that whose skull that is? I asked. Fernandos?Oh God, Yun Sun moaned.Wormed his way to the surface after a gully washer, out in Chapel Hill Cemetery, Madame Z told us. His coffin, that is. Crappy wooden thing, musta been from the early nineteen hundreds. No one left to care for him, so I took pity on him and brought him here.You opened the coffin? I said.Yep. She seemed proud. I wondered if shed worn her Juicy Couture during the grave robbing.Thats gross that it still has hair, I said.He still has hair, Madame Z said. Show some respect.I didnt know dead bodies had hair, thats all.Skin, no, Madame Z said. Skin starts to rot right away, and believe me, you dont want to smell it when it goes. But hair? Sometimes it keeps growing for weeks after the deceased has made his crossing.Wowzers. I reached down and tousled Wills honey-colored cu rls. Hear that, Will? Sometimes the hair keeps growing.Amazing, he said.What about that? Yun Sun asked, pointing to a clear Tupperware container in which something reddish and organlike floated in clear liquid. Please tell me it didnt come from Fernando, too. Please.Madame Z waved her hand, like Dont be ridiculous. Thats my uterus. Had the doc give it to me after my hysterectomy.Your uterus? Yun Sun looked ill.Im going to let em toss it in the incinerator? Madame Z said. Fat chanceAnd that? I pointed to a ball of dried-up something on the highest shelf. This show-and-tell was proving far more enjoyable than our actual readings.Madame Z followed my gaze. She opened her mouth, then closed it. Thats nothing, she said firmly, although I noticed she had a hard time tearing her eyes from it. Now. Are we done here?Come on. I made praying hands. Tell us what it is.You dont want to know, she said.I do, I said.I dont, Yun Sun said.Yes, she does, I said. And so does Will. Right, Will?It cant be worse than the uterus, he said.Madame Z pressed her lips together.Please? I begged.She muttered something under her breath about idiot teenagers and how she refused to take the blame, whatever came of it. Then she stood up, pawing the top shelf. Her bosom didnt jiggle, but stayed firm and rigid beneath her top. She retrieved the clump and placed it in front of us.Oh, I breathed. A corsage. Brittle rosebuds, their edges brown and papery. Sprigs of graying babys breath, so desiccated that puffs of fiber dusted the table. A limp red ribbon holding it all together.A peasant woman in France put a spell on it, Madame Z said in a tone that was hard to decipher. It was as if she were compelled to speak the words, even though she didnt want to. Or, no. More like she did want to but was struggling to resist. She wanted to show that true love is guided by fate, and that anyone who tries to interfere does so at her own peril.She moved to return the corsage.