Secrets

Chapter 6

"Night!" I call out, waiting until Ryan and Rick return the parting before shutting and locking my door.

Glancing out the window, I find the street beyond empty, and smirk as I bend down to tug my shoes on.

Scanning over myself as I rise back up, I brush some confetti off the side of my silver, sequined shirt, and smile.

"Alright, I look good enough...and regardless, it's just Lance."

Walking to the window, I slide it up as quietly as I can and then crawl out.

Dropping down into the yard on my hands and knees, I glance back and ponder for only a moment just how I'm going to get back in there later, then shake my head.

Right now, I have way more important things to take care of!

Such as getting to the park and talking to Lance.

"If he's even there."

Tying my hair up in a small tail, I push my sunglasses on, pray that I won't get busted, and take off toward the street and down the sidewalk.

It's a long way to the park from here, and I only have a general idea of which direction I should go, but I need to see Lance.

I need to ask him about that note!

As I run, the sounds of the city -which is eerily dark and cold at this late hour- begin to play tricks on my mind, and I think I'm beginning to understand why everyone including Lance himself told me that I shouldn't be out this late.

Everything's so different now than it is during the day!

All the skyscrapers are lit up, and the sidewalks -which are usually filled with businessmen and school kids like me- are now brimming with men and women who all look like they've just come from a Mardi Gras party and haven't stopped drinking since last Tuesday!

Keeping my head low, I continue on until I'm back into more familiar territory, and then slow to a walk, silently cheering when the park entrance comes into view.

Following the curve of the sidewalk, I stop short as voices drift to me.

Confused, I peek around the shrubs and spot a group of guys that I don't recognize leaning against the swings.

Smoke swirls up from their mouths, a smoke that I can smell from here, and so can immediately tell that it's not cigarette's that these people are puffing.

"So how many did we get today Butch? Three, four?" One asks.

"Heh, you got it man. Lucky number four!" Another replies.

The guys all laugh, and though this feeling in my gut is screaming for me to run, I don't move.

I can't!

"What are they talking about?" I wonder.

"Well boys, it won't be long now!" A third guys shouts, throwing his arms up. "Soon Rose City is going to be screamin' the name of Bleeding Darkness from the edge of their burnin' rooftops!"

Choking back a gasp, I thrust my hands up to cover my lips and accidentally smack the hedge in the process.

"Please don't hear me, please don't hear me, pleas-"

"Hey, who's there!?"

"Oh no!"

Turning on my heel, I take off down the sidewalk as fast as my feet can carry me.