after hours. | r.c.

fourteen

-☆-

BACK IN TENTH grade, when i started dating miles, we all ended up at the crain house one night—me, rafe, miles, and a few of their idiot boyfriends. we played a twisted version of truth or dare, except without the truth. just dare. the goal was to get as close to the house as possible without triggering the motion detector. easy for some, terrifying for others.

of course, i got paired with rafe. it was just how it always ended up, like the universe knew better than i did. we were fifteen, running through crazy crain's yard, and i knew then it wouldn't be miles. it was always going to be rafe. but i never had the guts to break up with miles—he had a short fuse, and back then, i still cared about consequences.

now, standing in the same spot, three years later and trespassing through her yard with these familiar faces, the place feels just as haunted as it did then. jj's rambling about knowing hollis crain or some other bullshit, but i'm barely paying attention. this place holds too many memories for me to get scared now.

"god, you're so full of shit," john b mutters, snapping everyone out of their trance.

"dude, i swear to god," jj argues.

"did she ever call the police?"

"she didn't have time, bro."

john b just stares, deadpan. "you're an idiot, jj."

his face said it all, jj's is definitely an idiot.  as john b tried to walk past jj, he stopped him. "dude wait! are you sure you wanna do this? shes an axe murderer, and you got a cast on bro."

"i dont give a shit if shes an axe murderer!"

"you'll give a shit when she cuts you toes off. or your head- that works too."  i flash a smile. it wouldnt be bad if i became an axe murderer right? shes not locked up in jail so i wouldnt be either.

but john b doesn't flinch, and somehow, his fearless nonsense makes me grin. this is why i hang around these guys. i earn a long glare from all the guys. maybe they dont wanna get their toes cut off.

"i've got nothing to lose," john b says, barely glancing back. "you coming, or what?"

they hesitate, sharing uneasy looks. cowards. eventually, they shuffle forward. what else are they gonna do? i just snicker to myself, savoring the thought of the panic that might set in once the real creepy shit starts.

"hey, come here!" john b whisper-shouts, crouching down near a clump of bushes. we huddle around him, and he's talking about denmark tanny's letter like it's gospel.

"we're looking for wheat near the water, like he said," he whispers, like anyone is listening. honestly, the way these idiots stumble through everything is hilarious.

"okay, what kind of water? pond water?" pope asks, while jj chimes in with, "bong water?"

"that's the shittiest clue ever," kiara mutters under her breath as i rolls her eyes.

they split off, pope heading northeast, jj and i to the northwest. jj goes pale as a ghost. "the decapitation quadrant," he mumbles.

i can't help but laugh, smacking him on the shoulder. "relax, blondie. i'll protect you." he just glares, stomping off in mock annoyance after shoving me off of him.