The Curse - Book 1 (Completed)

Chapter 7: The Deception

​"This is stupid," Victoria complains as Chris squats to hide behind a trash container. "I don't know why I ever agreed to this!" she rolls her eyes, but still follows her brother's instructions and joins him to take cover.

​"It's not stupid. It's the only chance we've got. And quit being such a spoiled brat, will you?"

​Victoria's lips part in disbelief. "Me?" She shakes her head. "I'm just being reasonable. Waiting here until she comes is a waste of time is what it is. And you can beg to differ as much as you want but it isn't going to change the fact that we'll both freeze to death before she comes."

​Chris pinches his lips in annoyance. "Okay, drama queen. And what do you suggest?"

​She says nothing. Then she stands up, wiping her palms against her jeans and heads towards the gas station store.

​"Hey!" Chris reaches out to catch her but it's too late, she's too far already. He picks up her pace. "What do you think you're doing?"

​"I'm going to ask the clerk if he knows that Ian kid and where he lives. If not, I'll mention the last night's fight and I'm sure something will pop out in his mind."

​"Mm-hmm" Chris snorts. "And you think he's just going to tell you."

​"Well, Chris, it's better than waiting in the trash can."

​"Next to it," he mutters through clenched teeth. "Stop walking!" he grabs her elbow and makes her stop. "He is never going to tell you who that kid is even if he knows, Vic. He's rich. People don't want to mess with rich people. Trust me. You're only going to make it worse 'cause then he might warn him and who knows what not."

​Victoria relaxes and bites her lip. "Well, do you have a better suggestion? And don't mention the container!"

​Chris straightens up. "As a matter a fact I do."

#

​Victoria runs into the gas station store in panic. "Please! Help me!" she yells.

​The clerk jerks his head back, as he had just been replenishing the refrigerator shelves. He is a middle-aged man with thick auburn beard and a spider tattoo peeking under his folded sleeve. "What is the matter?" he asks, his eyes wide in confusion.
​"Help me, please!" Victoria rushes to grab his hand. "I think they followed me here!"

​"What are you talking about? Who followed you?" the man looks concerned. "Do you want me to call the police?" he asks already on his way to grab the phone off the counter.

​"No!" Victoria screams. "Please don't," she lays a hand on his shoulder. "I... I want my boyfriend to come pick me up. Ian. He's my boyfriend," she says and watches his reaction intensely, trying to figure out if the man knows him. "We were here last night," she adds.

​The man nods and Victoria is relieved to see the man knows who he is. He must come here often. "You can use my phone to call him," he says.

​"I..." Victoria bites her lip. A girl should know her boyfriend's number. "My phone is stolen," she blurts. "They stole my entire purse and I don't know his number by heart!" she turns, and tries to make weeping noises.

​He awkwardly taps her back. "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll figure something out. Is there someone else you could call besides him? Somebody whose number you know?"

​She shakes her head without turning. "My parents are out of town," she whispers. "You know Ian, don't you?" she swallows hard, waiting for his response.
​At first there is silence. Then he sniffles. "Sure," he says. "He comes here to tank, but I don't have his number if that's what you're asking."