There's an Invisible Man Sleeping in My Bed

Chapter 48

            Thalia paused after she closed her locker, looking up both ends of the hallway. She saw no one but the streams of students hurrying to get out of school as quickly as possible. She shook her head, reminding herself that Ruth’s dentist appointment meant she wouldn’t be walking her home. Then Thalia hesitated, before heading towards the principal’s office, hoping Will would be out.

            But when she reached the office, she saw two familiar figures entering it and had to wince. If the administration had called Will’s parents in for a talk, then there was no way her cousin was getting out any time soon. Thalia sighed. There was no help for it. She’d just have to go home alone.

            Or rather, apparently alone. The feel of Colt’s hand gently touching her arm alerted her to his presence. She resisted the urge to look in his direction. “I dislike this,” he whispered. “You being alone like this…”

            “There’s nothing we can do about it,” she said as quietly as she could. While the school’s lawn was mostly empty, she wasn’t about to take any risks. The last thing she wanted was to start a rumour about how she heard voices. “Can you check for anyone following?”

            She assumed he’d agreed, since she could feel his hand slide off her shoulder. Thalia shifted her backpack higher, and concentrated on searching the area herself. Of course, every other time she’d tried, she hadn’t managed to see anyone. But she hoped with all the practice she might have improved enough to spot anyone who might be tailing her.

            Thalia saw no one except a few last students hurrying away. She shrugged inwardly, but continued to scan the area, paying special attention to anyone who looked her way. The farther down the street she got, the fewer stores there were, and so, fewer people.

            A touch on her back had her jerking to stare. But she saw nothing, making her hide another wince. Colt’s next words caused sweat to prickle her back. “You’ve got three men watching you. Different ones from last time. I really don’t like this. Maybe you should return to school and wait for William?”

            She shook her head slightly, eyes flicking in his direction. “No. I won’t let their presence dictate how I have to live my life. I’m going home.”

            Colt’s tension and worry were an almost physical sensation on her skin. “Then shall we hurry at least? I don’t feel comfortable with you being in the open.”

            “Alright. We’re already halfway home,” she said, hurrying her steps.

            Thalia felt Colt’s hand slide into the middle of her back as he moved as close as he could be to her without interfering with her ability to walk. She let him, trying her best to ignore the pounding of her heart. While intellectually she knew there was a low likelihood the Builders would try anything in public, she couldn’t help the cold fear that was slowly licking its way up her spine.

            She knew the familiar sight of her house shouldn’t have her relaxing, but Thalia couldn’t help the sigh of relief that escaped her lips. The promise of safety had he running up the front steps, only pausing long enough to unlock the door. Once she was sure Colt was also inside, she shut the door and locked it, double-checking the handle to be sure.

            Colt withdrew his hand, leaving Thalia standing in the hallway alone. She shook her head against the rising tide of fear and worry about being alone. Colt had things to do, same as her. She’d be fine. She was home and safe. Thalia rubbed her arms for a moment, then let her backpack slide off. If nothing else, her homework would help take her mind off the Builders who’d followed her.

            She grabbed her books out of her bag and headed for the kitchen, hearing the sounds she made echo in her empty house. Her parents were, as she was getting used to, gone again. On the one hand, she was glad that their relationship was strong enough that they wanted to spend that much time together. On the other, she’d have been pretty lonely if Colt hadn’t been around. She still was, every once in a while.

            In the kitchen, Thalia double-checked the door, making sure it was locked too. She hadn’t forgotten the Builders’ last attempt to break into her house. But it was late afternoon and with the sun up, she felt no need to set her traps. Especially since she didn’t want to risk catching someone innocent in them.

            Thalia had barely finished the fourth question of her math homework, when a banging sound had her jumping. She dropped her pen and turned to stare in the direction the sound was coming from. Someone was pounding on her front door.

            She took a deep breath and slid off her chair, one hand up and fiddling with her earring. Doing her best to keep her breathing even, she padded through the house, eyes and ears open for anything unusual. But the only sound besides the knocking was the tick-tock of her mom’s cuckoo clock.

            The gentle touch of Colt’s hand helped Thalia steady herself as she approached the front door. Knowing she wasn’t alone gave her courage. She took another steadying breath, ignoring her damp palms, and pressed her face against the peephole.

            Though distorted, she could still see who stood there, sending her heart into a pace that felt like a rabbit was drumming its feet against her chest. Of the three men she could see, two she’d never seen before. But the third she recognized. She hadn’t seen him since he’d tried to convert her, but Thalia recognized the round sphere of a head. MacQueen was back at her front door.