Lone Survivors

VIII (The American Nightmare)

Spencer and I spent a good chunk of our afternoon at Barnes & Noble. He carried my bags back to the bus placing them in my own personal storage cubby. His friends asked if we had any plans, as if they already knew what we were going to be doing tonight. Spencer had been unusually quiet upon our return to the bus, about halfway back his eyes flashed black, and he looked like he'd just run a marathon. I squeezed his hand, asking if he was okay. He reassured me was, his smile didn't have me convinced.

I had become quite adept at reading people over the years. With this skill in play I knew he was still keeping something from me despite him saying there were no more secrets between us. I would use this dinner to get my answers by whatever means necessary. With a few hours to kill before my date I asked Chris if he wanted to hang out for a bit. He sent me the "go ahead" text as I made my way over. I knocked on their tour bus door being greeted by Spencer's friend Justin.

"Heya Kait, Chris is waiting for you." He moved aside. I nodded my thanks, giving him a smile and hug making my way over to Chris.

"Your text sounded urgent, is everything alright?" Chris led me to their little dining area taking a seat across from me.

I sat down starting from the beginning, telling him about my encounter with Spencer on the bus and then the bookstore. Chris listened closely concern starting to set in the more upset I became. I was starting to fear that I was losing someone I deeply cared about. Chris reached for my hand, I let him take it finding immense comfort in the simple gesture.

"Do you believe in the supernatural?" He asked.

"I believe in ghosts, but I'm not so sure I believe in demons or vampires. It'd be one of those things I'd have to see to believe." I answered.

"Let me see if I understand this right, Spencer's skin was scalding hot to the touch, and when his eyes were pitch black his skin was freezing cold? When you talked to him about it, it sounds like he lost time. Doesn't that sound like a psychological condition to you?"

"If his eyes didn't flash black, that's what I would have labeled it as." I leaned back. "God, I must sound crazy to you."

"Not in the slightest, I see someone who is extremely worried about their friend. If it helps, I can keep an eye on him when you're not around. If I see anything unusual, I could text you?" He offered.

"No, I can't ask that of you!" I exclaimed, shaking my head.

"I'm not asking, I'm offering Kaitie." He squeezed my hand tightly in his. "I can see this is really bothering you. He's one of my best friends, if there's anything I can do to help I'm going to."

"Thank you, Chris! Seriously, Spencie is one of my closet friends and it feels like I'm starting to lose him." I felt tears brimming in my eyes.

"I won't let that happen." He brought me into his arms, hugging me tightly. I hugged him back, relief setting in. I would get to the bottom of this mystery once and for all. Chris and I broke apart, I checked my phone seeing I had about an hour to kill before I was set to meet up with Spencer. I said my goodbyes to Chris making my way over to the SUV finding Amias at the grill with Kambria next to him.

"What's on the menu?" I asked.

"My abuelita's recipe for tamales." Kambria smiled. "Would you like to try one?"

"Absolutely!" I took a seat in one of the lawn chairs.

"How was your morning with Spencer?" Nadine leaned forward curiosity bright in her eyes.

"We went to Barnes & Noble, I...may have lost him while browsing." I admitted. "He invited me to dinner tonight."

"As friends? Or something more?" She waggled her eyebrows earning an exaggerated eyeroll from me.