Unforgettable (OLD COPY DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 5

My feet carry me into a run before I realize that I've moved, my hand reaching for my wand from its place on my hip as I watch Luke's hooded head disappear among the group of girls. I bolt through the entrance of the store, passing Astrid and Tessa by as they are still waiting just outside. A crowd has begun to gather since I'm nearing the food court and I can just catch a flash of Luke's retreating form as I weave among the dozens of people that I push and shove my way through.

He's here to kill me, but he can't kill me if I'm ready to fight.

My heart thrills in my chest, my blood pumping in a rapid-fire tempo that rises and falls unevenly. I sprint past a man who shouts at me when I crash into him, but he isn't of my concern as I keep running. Luke's blue hooded head is maybe a dozen paces ahead of me as he runs and takes a side hallway and darts out of sight.

Doors at the end of the hall lead into the parking lot as he shoves one open and runs outside. I pour on the speed as my tennis shoes slap against the tile floor and I ready my wand, the crystal cylinder burning hotly in my hand as my fingers itch with the magic in my veins.

I burst through the doors after him, one of them nearly hitting a woman who was about to walk up as I sprint past her, the door slamming shut behind me.

The breath catches in my throat when I see that no one is outside as I search the sidewalk. There is no Luke but I know in my heart that there's no way he could have gotten away quickly.

He was right here, he should be right here.

I spin in a circle to scan my surroundings, but I see no flicker of movement, no hint to show me where he could have gone.

I saw him, he should be right here.

"Kara!"

I look up to see that Tessa has come outside, the door swinging shut behind her before it opens again when Astrid shoves it open.

"What are you doing?" Astrid yells as she strides over to me, her eyes wide as they look at me and past me.

My mouth dries up then, the words sticking in my throat and my mind short-circuiting as I'm at a loss for an explanation. Tessa's eyes narrow as she fixes me with an intense enough look that I have to glance the other way.

Keep it together, you're just seeing things.

I feel like all of my emotions and thoughts are drawn across my face in sharpie, the obviousness available for anyone to read and I feel vulnerable. I turn away from her as tears prickle in my eyes, the irritating sensation making me want to hide as I take a steadying breath to clear the lump in my throat.

"I just...I thought-," I put a hand to my forehead as I tuck my wand away, only to realize that my other hand is empty.

I spin in a circle, panic rushing through me as I feel guilty for dropping Indigo's gift. Astrid gives me a long look before she pulls a bag out of her coat and holds it aloft.

"You left it with us, remember?" she says flatly before she passes the bag to Tessa, "I need to go sit down."

She turns and heads back into the mall then, her tread slow and careful as she walks up and opens the door before she disappears inside. Tessa watches her go before she shakes her head and steps over to my side.

"She's told me that the killing curse her uncle cast on her can still hurt," Tessa explains in a low voice, "she's not mad at you or anything."

I nod, though I still feel responsible for her pain because it would have been me if Astrid hadn't stepped in to protect me that fateful night in the graveyard.

"So...why did you run?" she inquires as she tilts her head to the side like an inquisitive bird and I know then that I'm about to be picked apart.

"It was nothing," I answer her quickly and I know in that moment that I had replied too fast as she frowns deeply.

She eyes me for a second before she shakes her head, "Kara, I'm worried about you, Indigo's told me that you don't really have any friends at Greenwood."

"Tess-," I sputter but she lifts a hand as she motions for me to stop.

"Let me finish, I just wanted to say that I'm concerned and that I'm wondering why you haven't made any new friends, is there anyone bullying you?"

I shake my head as relief washes over me, this wouldn't be a lie, "No...no, most everyone is leaving me alone."

"You swear that you're not lying?" she pries.

"I promise," I assure her, "it's just...you know, everything about my sophomore year makes everyone want to stay away from me."

I feel like the words are pouring out of me as I say this and Tessa's face tightens.

"I'm sorry," she says softly, "I feel like I haven't been here for you."

"You have," I protest, but she shakes her head.

"No, I don't think I have, hell, all I've done is text you, I should at least video-chat some time when I go back to school," she says as she runs a hand across the top of her head, her poufy curls mashing under her touch. "Just promise me that you'll be honest if you're having any issues or need to talk."

"I promise," I say and nod, the lie easily slipping past as she smiles.

"Good, let's go get something to eat, maybe we can pick up some ice cream at Molly's," she suggests as she grins, "my treat."

I smile along with her though I can't help but feel like I'm being watched as I turn away from the parking lot and start back toward the mall.