Crackerjack II

Chpt. 18: Initiation

Kristen dropped Scorch back at his conservatory before meeting up with Sylvia. Though she was nervous about leaving him again, she was more anxious about the coming event.

Pulling the rolled-up blanket closer, she stared at the building sequestered from its neighbors. "You sure this is the right place?"

Sylvia nodded. She tapped her fingers against her leg, eyes barely focused. Kristen wondered if she had nodded in answer or simply because she'd heard words.

The building's shadows, yawning from every wall, sent spiders crawling down her spine. What occurrences could have resulted in so complete an exodus? And why did they keep the structure around at all? Kristen nearly jumped out of her skin when a voice crept from the gaping doorway.

"Well, well. If it isn't the associater."

Kristen was trying to match a face to the vaguely familiar voice when a figure stepped into the last rays of the sun. Her chin rose and her lips pinched when she recognized Henry's self-satisfied smirk. Long-dormant flames kindled, and she hastily stifled them before the sparks drew attention in the darkness.

"Didn't know you were a dragon rider, baby. Adds a lot to your profile."

Kristen's face burned, and her bond throbbed in time with her heart. Biting remarks were fouling up her mouth when Sylvia brushed between them.

"Shut up, Henry. Shouldn't you get back to watching the door like a good little lapdog?"

The bully fell into step, getting close enough to make fire swirl. "Nah, you two're the last ones."

Sylvia glanced back. She took one look at Kristen's set jaw and paused her steps. Henry startled when she bumped into him.

"I see you know nothing of personal space."

His eyes widened like a frightened deer's when she slipped an arm around his waist.

"So this shouldn't bother you, either, then, handsome." Sylvia's voice was sickly sweet, her expression devoid of hostility.

Kristen's surprise quickly gave way to gratification. She fell behind so she could smirk as Henry squirmed to loose himself. Sylvia only tightened her hold and leaned in. By the time they found a door bordered by torches, his face was a deep shade of red and his expression bordering on panic.

A murmur slid beneath the wood, but it halted abruptly when they entered. Henry looked as if he hadn't breathed in many minutes. The other boys only muttered and averted their eyes as if each had endured their own mortification at the hands of the white-haired leader. When Sylvia finally released him, Henry bolted to the other end of the circle, ducking behind a group.

Kristen stayed behind Sylvia while she picked a spot amongst the crowd. As soon as she'd settled in, Sylvia's face slipped into the faraway stare. Without her to converse with, Kristen shrank into herself. She stared at anything but the people, searching for something to occupy her mind and distract it from the silence which hugged her amongst so much conversation.

Her gaze landed on the torches, drawn to the enticement of the popping, dancing flames. Her hands flexed instinctively. Desire burned hotter than the flames ever had. She knew she shouldn't provoke the fires inside, but she couldn't bear to wrench her eyes away. Smoking embers flamed to life at the possibility of release. Kristen tucked her brightening hands beneath her.

The movement snapped her out of the remainder of her trance. Her eyes widened while she frantically tried to stifle the excited flames. She must have exuded social anxiety instead of pure-and-simple fear because a girl rose and tugged a boy over.