FALL (DIMENSION Series #1)

CHAPTER 36

"I know the cinders hold some kind of information," I replied. "They have something to do with Derek's disappearance." And I pictured the cinders in my mind's eye—I could see thin piles of those burnt-out slivers of wood lined up on an both sides of an empty road, like dark lines painted onto tar. Like signage at an airport runway or something.

      Isabelle Bree turned to Charlie Nash. They shared a long look. When she finally looked over at me again, her eyes were blazing. She was clearly very angry, but also stunned that I seemed to know more than she'd expected me to know. I could sense that she wanted to say something, but that she couldn't get the words out.

      "You listened to our conversation?" Charlie asked, and a frown had settled on his forehead.

      I shrugged. The reality was that I'd known for a while that Derek wasn't a regular guy. I'd seen him taken flight from his own body. And less than 24-hours ago he'd told me that his presence here couldn't be guaranteed. I already knew some things but of course I had some new details by following Isabelle and sneaking up on her and Charlie.

      "What did Derek tell you?" Charlie asked and there was concern in his eyes. This time I connected the dots right away. Charlie was afraid that Derek had said too much. And now I'd have to be loyal to the person who mattered to me the most: Derek. I'd have to assure Charlie that Derek hadn't betrayed his trust by telling me too much.

      "Nothing," I said and felt myself flushing. "He tells me very little."

      As soon as the words were out, I flushed even more. What I had said seemed to be a commentary on Derek and my relationship. I sounded like a neglected girlfriend who was complaining. And It was clear that Isabelle had interpreted by comments in the same way. She looked even angrier than before. She stared at me with narrowed eyes and for a second I thought I could see thin red lights shining out of them, like laser beams.

      I shook my head. I was trying to rid my mind of the image of her angry eyes and of the very intense dislike she clearly felt for me.

      "When last did you see Derek?" Charlie asked and I saw curiosity in his eyes. In his green eyes that reminded me of Derek's eyes, that made me feel a fresh stab of longing for Derek. It was now or never: I'd tell Charlie what I knew and hopefully that would be enough for him to allow me to be a part of his and Isabelle's search party.

      "Last night," I said and I realized that I'd sounded triumphant as soon as the words left my mouth. Isabelle let out a gasp. I expected to find her even more engulfed in rage but she looked diminished somehow. Shocked and shrunken, like the anger of earlier had drained out of her. I almost felt sorry for her.

      "At your house?" Charlie asked and his voice had a hopeful edge to it.

      I nodded and kept looking at Charlie, my eyes imploring him to involve me in the search.

      "Can you lead us to your house?" Charlie asked.

      "Yeah," I managed. I was relieved. I'd be going along on this expedition and I had a feeling that we might find Derek soon. And when we did, I'd be there for his return. And I'd be one of the first people he saw.

      "Let's go," Charlie said and he picked up my backpack and handed it to me. He was all business now and I got the sense that time was precious. That we had to backtrack to my house.

      Isabelle couldn't make eye contact with me. She was clearly very upset and I could see that she was giving Charlie the silent treatment as well. She kept to herself, staying several steps behind us, her arms crossed in front of her, like some kind of barrier. She was stomping and kicking up dust.

      For a moment I wished Nisha was here. Nisha knew all about girls and the mean and petty games they got into sometimes. I needed Nisha now—her strength and her wisdom and most of all her loyalty. But even Neal would do. I needed someone to be on my side.

     We walked in silence. There were many questions I wanted to ask Charlie, and all of them about Derek. But I controlled myself. I didn't want to draw too much attention to myself. I didn't want Isabelle to hate me even more than she already did.

      We made our way back to the school building and from there we walked to my house. I briefly felt guilty for ditching. I had the fleeting realization that I was falling behind in my classes. At one point that would have mattered to me, but not at this point of my life. What mattered now was being with Derek. He had super-imposed himself over those other things that once made up my life. I could see him as clearly as if he were in front of me. The perfection of his body and his face. The ease with which he moved. I sighed and wondered how long it would take to find Derek. I had already ditched and now the rest of the day was in question as well. I clearly couldn't make it to my job while Derek was still missing. I'd have to let Crosby know that I wouldn't be there.

      We were almost at my house when I saw them. The piles of cinders, lined up on both sides of the road in two parallel lines. I shuddered. Charlie looked over at me but I kept staring at the cinders. I was afraid of what my eyes might reveal. I was shocked to the core. The image in front of me was the same one I'd seen in my mind's eye less than an hour ago. Not just similar, but exactly the same. It reminded me of my premonition in the woods, right before my fall. What was happening to me?

      "Shit," Isabelle Bree said, and she kicked up a fresh pile of dirt.

      Charlie stayed silent but he nodded.

      "They really took him," Isabelle said in a low voice, sounding distant.

      "You already knew they did," Charlie said with resignation in his voice. The lines on his forehead were deeper now and he looked older than before.

      "I was hoping against hope," Isabelle said.

      "Who took him?" I mumbled. I didn't want to be a nuisance, but I couldn't wait any longer. I had to find out.

      "You really don't know, do you?" Isabelle asked and again her eyes were narrowed.

      I shook my head.

      "Well," she said, frowning a deep frown. "Are you sure you really want to know?"

      I nodded and she glanced over at Charlie.

     "Think about it," she said, returning her gaze to me. Her voice had a cautionary tone. "Once you're exposed to bad wisdom, the things you learn can never be forgotten."

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NEXT NEW CHAPTER ON SUNDAY, JULY 12

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