Winter's Bite

Chapter 14

'They still haven't caught who did it,' Shauna said next day at school.

I thought about the dead boy, a pool of blood spreading around him. I wished I could talk to someone but I'd promised Owen. I kept my promise.

I couldn't stop thinking about Owen or concentrate on lessons.

At lunch time Liam asked me out.

'My aunt and uncle won't let me go anywhere after school until this murderer is caught,' I hedged.

'Okay, some other time maybe?'

I felt guilty. I didn't fancy Liam but he was a nice guy.

Heading back through the school gates, I felt eyes watch me. I turned and saw a boy on the opoosite roadside walk away. With his jacket hood up I couldn't get a good look at his face but red hair poked out from underneath.

'What is it?' Rosie asked, wondering why I'd stopped.

The boy had been staring at me. I looked around but no-one else paid any attention.

'Nothing.'

I walked on. Maybe I'd imagined it.

After school I looked for Owen again but he stayed away. It still hurt.

That night I dreamt of meeting Owen on Garntoran Hill. He wrapped his arms around me. As I looked up, he bent his head to kiss me. Then Owen changed nto Jeb. Then became Owen again. Overwhelmed with fear, I ran. Some-one called my name. I didn't know if it was Owen or the mysterious Jeb. I ran on, hearing footsteps chasing behind me. I knew something terrifying sought me.

I woke up sweat-drenched.

Next morning I looked around as I approached the school gates. The same red-haired boy slouched across the street. I flushed with annoyance, determined not to let him spook me. I needed to confront him. I tried crossing the road but traffic remained too heavy. The boy walked away.

'Hey! You!' I shouted.

Pupils entering school stared. I didn't care. The boy walked on, head down. I followed on the opposite footpath, watching for a break in traffic.

'Hey!' I shouted again.

The strange boy walked faster. I hurried along the footpath, bumping against people and apologising. They shrugged me off and gave me dirty looks. I didn't care.

The boy turned onto a side-street and hurried up it. I would lose him. Damn this school-run traffic. I hovered on the footpath's edge. He would get away. Could I make a run for it?

I stepped into the road.

'Cait?' Liam grabbed me by the arm and hauled me back.

Shauna, Cherie, their boyfriends and Felix all stared at me.

'Jesus, you almost got run over,' Shauna said.

I cast one anxious look after the retreating figure. Who could he be? Why had the boy been watching me?

'I'm sorry. Must have been daydreaming.' I looked up at Liam.

'Good thing I came to the rescue,' he grinned.

I gave a weak smile.

'You should be more careful,' Liam said more seriously. 'You could have been killed.'