Apex

08 | mutation

MAY 16 - 17           

ALLIX

Everything after my phone call with Dakota was close to a blur. When I announced that the police were on their way, I witnessed the mass exodus of plastered teenagers. I rounded up Syd, Brenna, and Nicki - who looked a little like a lost puppy - and convinced them not to ask questions while I tracked down my sister.

The strain of panic in Dakota's voice replayed on a loop inside my head and I wished he'd elaborated on what had happened. Nearby, Bryce and two other boys dumped a barrel of water over the bonfire, and I flinched as the wood hissed like a scream.

It took me less than a minute to locate Rowena's white-blonde hair amidst the chaos. She was standing with two of her friends from ballet, her thumbs tapping away on her phone.

"Rowena," I called out over the chorus of frantic voices. My sister's face lit up with relief as she saw me approaching. "We need to talk."

"I'm sorry!" Rowena blurted out, her blue eyes brimming with tears. "God, I'm so sorry about what I did to Maud. I was being stupid and I just want to go home. Can we please go home?"

"Don't be sorry," I insisted, pulling her in for a hug. The familiar scent of sweet perfume almost soothed my nerves. "But I need you to call dad and have him pick you up. I have to stay here."

She pulled back a step, blinking in confusion. "What? Why?"

"Promise me you won't say anything," I said, and Rowena nodded. "No one is hurt, but something bad has happened. Dakota said Maud had to call the police." I exhaled a sigh, hating how I'd already managed to get dragged into the drama. "They need my help."

"Can I stay with you?"

I immediately shook my head. "No, I'm sorry. I don't want you to somehow end up in the crossfire."

"We need to leave together, then," Rowena urged, taking one of my hands and squeezing it. "I don't want you to somehow end up in the crossfire either! You don't need any more baggage!"

I managed a tiny smile, knowing Rowena had tried to make a joke. "I know, but I should make sure that they're okay."

It was the very least I could do. After months of silence, I owed them this much. I couldn't risk turning my back on them again, doubtful they would ever forgive me.

Rowena sighed, dropping my hand. "You're a good friend. Don't let anyone try and tell you otherwise."

After watching Rowena disappear up the path with her friends, I granted myself a moment to collect myself before returning to the trio that absolutely no one had asked to form - except for me.

"I bet they found a Sasquatch," Syd joked as we started down the narrow stretch of beach. He was still tipsy, but not a liability. He was never a liability.

"I hate to break your heart, but there's no such thing," I said, squinting forward into the inky darkness. The lights emanating from the flashlights on our phones were strong, but not strong enough to see too much further down the beach.

"Whatever it is, it's going to be bad," Nicki muttered, walking with his hands buried in the front pockets of his jeans. "Maud wouldn't have called the police otherwise."

I silently agreed. We'd experienced our fair share of party debacles in high school, but we never had to get the police involved. There was also the fact the police weren't motivated to patrol Cape Blue's cove. Everything that had happened here before was harmless fun, so tonight might as well be remembered as the night that we corrupted the cove.