FALL (DIMENSION Series #1)

CHAPTER 33

It was clear to me that I had to follow Isabelle. I couldn't explain why I thought she was running to Derek. It was something inside me, something visceral. I just knew.

      "Are you sure you're okay?" Neal asked again.

      I shook my head. I felt slightly dizzy but also full of purpose. And my purpose was to follow Isabelle. It was a weird sensation, like wanting to go for a run when you weren't all that steady on your feet.

      "I'm going to hang out in the parking lot for a while," I said, nodding back at it.

      "I could take you to the nurse's station," Neal offered.

      I shook my head again.

      "I just need some air."

      "Okay, but text if you need help with anything," Neal said, holding up his phone.

      "I will," I replied, before turning and making my way outside.

      I scanned the parking lot. I didn't know what I was expecting to find. I thought Isabelle Bree would be gone by now. But she was still here, walking up and down the rows of cars and peering into some of them. It was strange. For a moment I thought she might be looking for an unlocked car. For a quiet place she could chill for a while.

      "Hey," she said, startling me as she looked over at me. She still looked disheveled. And that was unusual for someone like Isabelle. She usually exuded nonchalance and cool.

      "Hey," I said back to her.

      "Have you seen Derek Nash?" She asked.

      My heart pounded in my chest. I'd been right. Her expedition was related to Derek.

      I shook my head and wondered why she had asked me about Derek. I didn't think she knew about my and Derek's acquaintance. I was pretty sure she didn't even know my name.

      She muttered something to herself.

      "Is everything okay?" I asked. And before I could stop myself I added "Is Derek all right?"

      Her head snapped back in my direction. She looked over at me with squinted eyes, as if I'd asked something shocking. I sensed that I'd asked something she probably didn't want to answer.

      "I'm sure he is," she said, and ran her fingers through her short dark hair. But she didn't sound convinced. Something was wrong, I could feel it in my bones. "It's probably something with Charlie." And I found it strange that she would mention Charlie to me like I was part of her and Derek's inner circle or something.

      "We could go find Derek," I offered and felt myself flushing. I didn't need Isabelle to know how I felt about Derek. And letting her know that I was ready to ditch to go look for Derek already seemed like I was sharing too much.

      She didn't seem to notice the heat in my face. She shook her head.

      "I'll go," she said with finality.

      "Okay," I managed weakly. I looked away. I didn't need to make eye contact with her. I already knew I'd be following her.

      She took off but it was easy to keep her in sight. She still had that disoriented vibe about her. Like she was sick or something and she couldn't focus. She seemed to struggle to walk in a straight line. And she was also wearing her famous militant-looking high heeled boots and those were slowing her down even more. I was glad to be in my Nikes.

      I made sure not to get too close to her. I stayed behind the trees. We were moving at a slow pace but my mind was flooded with thoughts. Why hadn't Derek been at school? Why would he not show up after all the things we'd said to each other the night before? And why was Isabelle looking for him? And why was she in this frantic state? She seemed concerned, like something might have happened to Derek. Did Derek and Charlie leave town? I remembered my conversation with Derek the night before. How he'd stated that he didn't know if he could always be here. How the decision wasn't always his. Had he left me after a single kiss on the cheek? I bit down on my lip. The thought was too hard to bear.

      I still felt dizzy, but it wasn't because of the physical exertion. It was because of all the strangeness. I was walking into a part of town I didn't know, following the coolest girl in school and trying not to blow my cover.

     She seemed to have entered a private property—a small house set back from the road. The house looked old and rickety. It seemed strange to think that this was where Derek lived. In this house that didn't seem to be part of a neighborhood and gave off a strong feeling of isolation. I crept closer, making sure to stay down low to the ground, hoping that the overgrowth of the yard was dense enough to hide me. I thought it was. The yard, like the house, was neglected.

      A wiry man in rugged jeans came out. I couldn't make out his age, but from his movements I thought he was older than my parents. He was handsome and athletic-looking. It was hard to believe that this was Charlie, the alcoholic uncle.

     From the way they spoke, it was clear that he knew Isabelle. They didn't even bother to exchange greetings. And despite that, I could tell that things were friendly between them.

      "He's not here," Charlie said.

      Isabelle shook her head and clutched at her elbows. And I felt my heart sank. It seemed clear that I wasn't the only girl who was affected by this news. Isabelle seemed deeply affected as well. What did that mean? What had she shared with Derek? There clearly were things I didn't know about.

      "When?" Isabelle asked. And again I had the sense not only that she and Charlie knew each other well, but also that this was not a new conversation. It was one they'd had in the past. And this was the reason full sentences weren't needed.

      "He didn't come home last night," Charlie said. And at this my heart lurched in my chest. Oh no, I thought. What if something had happened to him after leaving my house? I couldn't bear the thought that my presence in his life might have contributed to anything bad happening to him.

      I wasn't the only one who was in shock. Isabelle Bree's legs were giving in underneath her. One moment she was standing and next she was squatting down, with her arms wrapped around her knees.

     "Please let him be okay," I whispered softly.

      I noticed I was shaking. I knew that I had to stay still to prevent myself from being seen. But I wasn't able to stop it. Something was seriously wrong.

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NEXT NEW CHAPTER—SUNDAY, JUNE 21

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