Secrets That Hunt

Episode 2: The Games We Play

#Alaska

"Do I have to go?" I ask my mom five minutes before we head over to the neighbors. "We have tons of boxes that still need to be unpacked. We don't have time to socialize with the neighbors right now."

And I want to keep my head down for a while.

Mom checks herself in the mirror, turning to examine the back of her flowery sun dress in her reflection. "We can't hide forever, Alaska. We're starting a new life and I chose a place as far away and as different as our last place as possible. He can't find us here. I promise."

"You said that the last two times were moved," I mutter under my breath. The pit my stomach refuses to budge and I swallow the burning in my throat. One look at the windows reminds me to put up the blinds as soon as I get home. I don't like the idea of people being able to look into our house.

"But—" I say

"No butts. We need to act normal. They'll know something's up if we decline. Besides, they're just trying to be good neighbors. And it doesn't hurt to make friends with the neighbors so they can look out for us."

I bite my tongue and nod.

"Is that what you're gonna wear?" she says, gesturing to my cut-off shorts and frayed white T-shirt.

"It's not like I have much more to choose from," I say. "All I needed in Florida was summer clothes."

Mom sighs. "I know what you mean. I'll ask Sonya Littleton where some good shopping places are, and we'll go this weekend. It'd be a shame for you to freeze to death your first week here."

I roll my eyes but can't help smiling. "That would be inconvenient."

She pulls me into a one-armed hug and kisses the top of my newly dyed hair. "Yes, it would. I've worked hard to keep you alive. I plan to keep you that way for a very long time."

I lean into her hug. "Love you mom."

"Love you too Alaska."

"Ugh. Why did you choose Alaska? That's the most random name ever."

She squeezes my shoulders again. "That's the point. He'd never think to look for a girl named Alaska. Besides, maybe one day we'll get to check out the whales and the icebergs like we always wanted."

The pit in my stomach reminds me that as long as we're running that dream will never happen.

A few minutes later, Mom's checking the locks for the third time before bounding down the wooden steps of our front porch and practically gliding across the lawn to the Liddleton's house, a white Victorian with a wrap-around porch, a large leafy tree in the front, and a massive back yard. I also noticed that my bedroom window faces Tyrone/Lash's. Another reason to get blinds up ASAP.

Lash and I are quiet during the entire dinner while our parents talk nonstop. I catch him watching me a couple times, but he looks away whenever I look up.

He's kind of short and scrawny, with brown curly hair that looks like it was just cut. He reminds me more of a sixth or seventh grader than a junior in high school.

We're just about done with Sonya's famous strawberry shortcake dessert when Luke walks through the front door like he owns the place and grins. His eyes zero in on the shortcake and widen. "Do you have any extra for me?"

Sonya jabs a finger toward her kitchen. "There's a plate for you on the counter."

"I love you more than my own mother," Luke calls, over his shoulder already halfway to the kitchen.

"That's because you're mom's on a diet and doesn't make dessert anymore."

"That too," Luke says between mouthfuls.

The doorbell rings and Lash stands, pushing away from the table. "They're here." My gaze follows him as he disappears, heading toward the front door. When he returns, he's got a guy and girl following him, holding hands. The two couldn't be much more different from each other. She's got long black hair, tan skin, black cargo pants and matching combat boots.

He's got dark brown skin, short corkscrew hair, and muscles that remind me of a pro quarterback instead of a high schooler.

"This is Cameron and Angelina," Lash says, catching my eye.

Mrs. Liddleton gestures to the three teens. "You can go with them if you want. I'll clean up later."

Crap. I was hoping to sneak out before everyone showed up. I guess I'm stuck for the night.

I follow the four teens up the stairs toward Lash's room. The new girl, Angelina walks up the stairs in front of Cameron. He's got his large hands on Angelina's waist.

At one point he tickles her and she squeals before looking down at him. "Tickle me again and I'll stab you with a spoon."

Cameron snickers. "Promises promises."

At the top of the stairs, we veer to the left into Lash's room and I instantly recognize my bedroom through his window. My room's filled with boxes, partially unpacked. He can see right through my room, out my door, across the hall, and into the bathroom upstairs. Note to self: Don't walk around in my bra.

Lash's room looks like just about every other guy's room I've been in. A twin bed in the corner, a desk with a PC, clothes piled in one corner, and a few gaming chairs. There's a little table set up against the wall filled with snacks and cans of soda. And in the middle of the gray carpet is a game of Jumanji set up and ready to go.

"I thought we were going to play video games," Cameron says, frowning.

"Alaska doesn't play video games," Lash says. He glances at me and looks away, his cheeks reddening slightly. "I thought we could play this instead."

Cameron grunts, but doesn't say anything.

"You can play video games," I say, holding my hands in front of my chest. "I'll just watch."

Luke sidles up next to me and drapes his arm over my shoulders. "Nah. It's more fun when everyone plays." He turns to Lash. "But let's take her to the haunted house and play there instead."

****

Thank you for joining me on episode 2! We've created a fantastic group of characters and I can't wait to share them with you. I love the names they chose for each of the characters. Names I never would have chosen, but somehow seem to fit the characters the further into the story we get.  I was originally unsure how a group of high school kids would react to helping me write a book, but they've embraced the process whole heartedly and done an amazing job of directing me where to go with each of the characters. 

I hope you continue with us down this journey.  Each of these episodes is scheduled to be released 1/week.  However, if you'd like to read them faster, go to https://reamstories.com/janamason where you can pay a monthly fee and read ALL my serials first, including exclusive content and episodes you won't find here.