Red Moon, White Moon

Chapter 10: Redemption

For the next three weeks, instead of going to school, I would jump on the bus and head down to Ybor City each day trying to work up the courage to walk into Horror and Things. Typically, I found myself across the street, sitting on the roof of a restaurant and watching the gang go in and out of the shop. Lilly was starting to grow her hair out, and Andie Rae had introduced some blue to her pink highlights. It always made me feel warm inside to see those two, especially Andie Rae. I wondered if she would ever talk to me again after the hospital stunt. More than that, I wondered if Hayden would allow me to walk out of the shop alive if I ever had the fortitude to go over there.

Each day was the same: they went in and out of the shop in pairs, smiling and carrying on like they had no cares in the world. Well, everyone except Hayden, of course. That dude always had some type of chip on his shoulder and was never shy about showing it. The UPS truck pulled up once or twice daily, dropping off crates I was positive had nothing to do with merchandise for the shop, but contained equipment more appropriate for killing werewolves. I laughed each time Bear pushed Toby and Doc aside to carry a case they were struggling with. I knew Bear meant nothing by it and would do anything for those two. I was sure he just wanted to get it done so he could move on to something he enjoyed, like eating.

It was the day before the next full moon and I still hadn't worked up enough nerve to go into the shop. I'd missed so much school that I had no idea how I was going to catch up on my work. I had to intercept a few notes that were intended for my grandmother from Mrs. Perry and Mr. Farley. I was an expert at forging her signature and I simply sent back something to both of them stating that I was ill and would provide a doctor's note when I returned. I hated taking advantage of her like that, but even if I showed her the notes, she wouldn't remember them a few hours afterwards. So why upset her? She had already been through so much, and I knew she didn't have a lot of time left. I tried to make life for her as stress-free as possible and kept my problems to myself.

I'd been sitting on the roof for a few hours, and I hadn't seen any movement in or out of Horror and Things. The UPS driver had just delivered his first crate of the day, but it just sat outside the main doors. Wondering where the guys were, I decided to go down and check out the crate for myself. I carefully descended the fire escape, looking all round for anyone from the gang. With the area clear, I sprinted across the street and went to inspect the crate. It was smaller than the others but very heavy, and completely nailed shut. I had a look at the label to see where it came from. It was hard to read as it was torn; however, I thought it was from Triggers Gun Shop out in Mills, Wyoming. I pulled out my phone to look the dealer up, and to no surprise, it was a small mom-and-pop dealer in the middle of nowhere. It was a genius move; a small operation out west would not raise too many questions about the shipment. I scrolled down to see what other information I could find on the owners, but I came up disappointed. After spending more time than I wanted out there on the street, I turned to head back to the roof.

"Care to explain to me what you're doing?" a voice asked.

"Oh snap—you scared the crap out of me!" I jumped back from the crate. "What are you doing here, Xavier?"

"I knew you've been missing classes a lot, and from my conversations with Kevin, I figured you would be here."

Looking around, I grabbed him by the arm and led him back across the street. "Come on, we need to move before they get back."

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?"

"Yes—just come on!" I pulled harder.

After scurrying across the street and making our way back to the rooftop, we both sat down with the shop in clear view. I saw Bear's truck pull up. Hayden was in the passenger seat with Toby and Doc in the bed. Following close behind them were Andie Rae and Lilly in the car we took up to Bear's house.