Blood & Lust

Chapter Thirteen

    That night, another murder was on the six o’clock news. This time, the victim was another young girl whose name hadn’t been released yet, but it was enough to send shivers down my spine. I continued to stare at the TV, not seeing what was happening though I could see Josh’s dad telling the reporter that this one has been related to the other three. Again, like before, I couldn’t help but connect Draco to the murders…even though I have no irrefutable proof that he is somehow involved.

    “Willa, are you okay?” Mom asked, carrying a bowl of popcorn in her hands, and eyeing me worriedly.

    I took a deep breath. “Never better.” I said, hoping it sounds nonchalant. The last thing I want is for mom to die know that I’m probably in a life or death situation, or something worse.

    “Well…you’ve been acting a little jumpy lately, and I just thought…” she trailed off, unsure what she should say as she plops onto the couch.

    I shrugged when I said, “I’m just nervous about the concert this weekend.” I really hated lying, especially after learning Mom won’t be around in a year, or less.

    “That reminds me,” she said, and I couldn’t help but hold my breath, fearing what she might say next. “Do you have enough gas in the car to get you to the Toyota Center?”

    I silently exhaled with relief as I nodded.

    She smiled before stuffing some popcorn into her mouth, and turning her attention back to the latest movie on HBO. I copied her, but I don’t watch it. My mind was too preoccupied with other things to even pay attention to what’s happening. I could only remember that the movie has Channing Tatum in it, and he was someone in the army.

    My mind was only thinking of things that don’t involve the concert, the movie, or anything else. All I know is that I’m going to have another sleepless night when this movie is over, and I also knew that a familiar face might make a special appearance. I tried not to dwell on it, and feign interest in the movie.

    The nightmare didn’t come.

    I realized it when I woke to the sound of my alarm clock buzzing, and I’m not drenched in sweat. I breathed a sigh of relief as I got out of bed, and got ready for school. I should be relieved, I was glad that I probably wouldn’t have to feel paranoid today.

    After quickly dressing in some jeans, t-shirt, and tennis shoes, I grabbed my backpack and car keys, and skipped out the door. I started the car, and turned on the radio to Raven’s station before I pulled out of my drive.

    I realized something during the short drive. For the first time in…well, a few weeks, I actually felt excited to go to school, and I couldn’t deny the fact that it scared me a little. I tried not to think about that; I tried to think of the positives as I pulled into the parking lot of Raven’s apartment complex.

    I see Raven walking towards the car, with her eyes on her phone, texting away when she opened the door, and hurled herself in.

    “Hey.” I said, hoping to get her talking. She doesn’t look up from her phone, her eyes stay wide, and her mouth slightly gaping. “Raven, are you okay?” I asked, hoping to catch her attention, but she doesn’t move. So I turned the ignition off, and crossed my arms across my chest when I said, “If you won’t tell me, I guess we’re not going anywhere.”

    I turned to face her, and I see that her relaxed black and blond hair looked too frizzy, some of it was sticking out in random directions. I also noticed that her clothes look like something she pulled from her dirty clothes hamper. Something’s wrong, and I can feel it.