Scorched: Book 1 of the Scorched Trilogy, page 7
“Annie, take a break,” Maggie said. I caught the worried tone of her voice and could see it in her eyes when I looked up.
I hadn’t been sleeping well, and I knew the dark circles under my eyes sold me out. The nightmares had been happening with more and more frequency. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept all night without waking up in a cold sweat at least once. I wish I knew what was triggering them now after so long. There was the nagging sense of something I hadn’t pinpointed yet residing in the back of my mind.
Foreboding. The thought popped into my head bringing a name to the feeling, but I still didn’t know why. Dread was heavy like a weight on my skin, and the frustration of trying to figure out why I was feeling this way was only souring my mood further. I tried to push it away, but it lingered.
“Hey guys.” I put on my best attempt at a happy face.
Maggie frowned at me, not buying it, so I shrugged at her, telling her I didn’t know what was up. She tilted her head at me, letting me know she was worried about me.
“Alright, you two. The rest of us don't have your from the cradle bond and can't translate the sighs and head nods. You'll have to use actual words.” Sam interjected with a laugh, breaking up our silent conversation.
“Sorry, Sam.” I smiled sheepishly as Maggie poked him in the side before she turned back to me.
“I was saying that Annie needs to get out of her funk. Come to the game with us tonight. There’s a big group going.” She looked at me pleadingly.
Going to the game and being crushed and knocked around by the crowd sounded about as appealing as a root canal, but I knew Maggie was worried about me. Trying to bury the reluctant exhalation, I replied, “Sure, yeah. Sounds fun.”
“Calm down, Annie. Don't get so excited,” Sam deadpanned. I couldn't help but laugh as I rolled my eyes, and some of the heaviness that was blanketing me lifted.
“Okay, okay. Grumpy mood gone. It’ll be fun.” Part of me wondered if Munro would be there; if he had recovered from his deathbed sickness or was back from his vacation from who the hell knew where and a tremor of excitement rushed up inside me.
Maggie gave me a look that told me she didn’t buy it, but I realized it was true. At least partially. The thought that I might see Munro after searching for any sign of him all week had a glimmer of excitement sparking inside of me.
“Really, I'm in,” I said with more conviction in my voice this time while Maggie searched my face intently before she nodded in acceptance.
***
Maggie and I were meeting Sam and a group of people at the game around 7:00. Before I even had to ask, Maggie told me she didn’t know if Munro was going to be there. Amazing friend that she was, she had subtly prodded Sam for information on who would be going. She said Sam mentioned that Munro had been out of school that week. As if I hadn’t noticed.
I wondered again if he’d been sick, maybe whatever had me throwing up the weekend before had hit him too. Sudden visions of bringing him chicken soup popped into my head until I realized I had no idea where he lived. Not to mention the fact that I would never do that because I was nowhere near that forward. I was the kind of person who assumed if I hadn’t seen someone that they didn’t want to be seen.
I was sitting on my bed, trying to finish up a book for English lit before we left for the game. My bedroom door was open, and I could hear someone coming up the steps, but I didn't look up until I heard a soft tap on the frame. It was Sara, knocking gently so she wouldn't surprise me. She always approached me so delicately as if she didn't want to interrupt, even though I was living in her house.
“Hi, Sara. What’s up?” I said, flipping over my book, placing it in my lap to keep my spot.
Sara crossed the room and sat on the corner of the bed, looking hesitant. She picked up one of the decorative pillows that I’d tossed off the bed and played with the fringe on it nervously, which surprised me. She wasn’t usually nervous when she approached me about things and that was the vibe I was getting from her. I’d known her for so long that I considered her my family. Sensing this was more than a quick hello I softly closed my book and set it aside, leaning forward slightly to show she had my full attention.
“What is it, Sara?” The worry was evident in my voice.
“I just wanted to check on you.” Her eyes showed her concern as she looked at me. “Are you doing okay?”
My initial reaction was to quickly say that I was fine, but the response stuck in my throat. I wasn’t really sure how I was doing, and the words sort of tripped out of me. “I don’t know.”
Sara nodded. “Don’t be mad, but Maggie mentioned you’ve had a few dizzy spells again and that you haven’t been sleeping well.”
She waited for me to acknowledge this. I wasn’t angry at Maggie for telling her mom. They were close, and Maggie worried about me just as much as Sara.
“Just a couple of times.” I tried to dismiss it, but honestly, I was nervous about it too. And I was tired. The skin under my eyes had taken on a bruised hue that never went away, and the fatigue was starting to wear on me.
“How are your sessions going with Dr. Janus?” I could hear the hopeful note in Sara’s voice.
She wanted me to feel better, she wanted to help me heal, and she felt like this was the only thing she could contribute. I don’t know how she didn’t realize that just being there for me and worrying about me had more impact than the therapist ever could. While I continued to see Dr. Janus monthly, I wasn’t sure the sessions were doing much. Dr. Janus had proposed medication to help me sleep and to help with anxiety, but the thought made my stomach sour. I’d hold out until my situation became unbearable, and I wasn’t at that point yet.
Giving Sara a little shrug and smile, I responded, “It’s okay. I was slacking on my meditation. I’m trying to do better.”
Sara gave me an encouraging smile that made me feel terrible. I wished that I felt better, that I wasn't having nightmares and weird dizzy spells, maybe more for her sake than my own.
She leaned forward and wrapped me in a tight hug. “Good. I’m glad.” She paused for a moment. “I know the insurance is crap, so if you’d like to set up more sessions with the doctor just let me know, Annie. I’m happy to take care of it. Don’t let that stop you from seeing her if you feel it would help.” Her face was so serious and full of so much care that I had to fight the sudden urge to cry.
“Thank you, Sara, I appreciate the offer. I'll let you know, okay?” The warmth from her love, and Maggie's too, washed over me.
“You’d better.” She gave me a cheeky grin as she patted my knee.
“Hey! What’s going on in here!” Maggie mock shouted as she came into the room and dove for the bed. Piling on top of me and Sara. “Don’t be hugging and having family time without me.” She giggled, effectively breaking the seriousness of the moment.
Sara untangled herself and placed a kiss on Maggie’s forehead.
“You girls have fun tonight.” She gave us a little wave and left the room. Maggie turned to me, some of the levity leaving her face.
“Did you get a talk?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry if you didn’t want me to say anything to her about the dizzy spells. I just worry about you.” She poked her finger against my leg, and I playfully slapped her hand away.
“It’s okay. I get it. I’m glad I have you guys to look out for me.”
Maggie jumped off the bed. “Enough of this. I’ll be crying by the time we get to the game at this rate. Are you ready?”
I grabbed my warmest down puffer jacket, some gloves, and a hat from my closet and nodded. I had my thickest pair of socks on and grabbed my wool-lined, lace-up winter boots at the door. It was supposed to be less than twenty degrees tonight. There was nothing like mid-west weather mood swings. I loved outdoor football games in the fall and didn't mind the cold, as long as I had enough layers to keep me warm.
“Ready!” I said as I pulled on my knit cap over my long dark hair. I couldn’t contain my laughter when Maggie let out an excited whoop as we headed out.
Sam was waiting for us at the stadium gate. He hooked one arm around Maggie for a hug as soon as we got close, before giving me a little wave hello with his other hand.
“I got your tickets. Let's go meet up with everyone else.” He waved us through the gate, holding up the tickets to show one of the teachers working there. I wanted to ask who everyone included but kept my mouth shut tight. It was one thing for Maggie to know about my Munro infatuation, but that didn't mean I needed anyone else in on the secret.
We moved through the crowd of people, occasionally stopping to chat with friends as we made our way to the bleachers. One of Sam’s friends threw an arm up in the air, waving to let us know where they were standing. I scanned the crowd and felt a pang of disappointment when I didn’t see Munro.
Sam held Maggie’s hand and she held mine as we weaved through the packed stands to get to our group. Once we made it to the student section, we had to squeeze in to find a spot to stand, getting jostled by the amped up crowd as we shuffled through them.
The bleachers were set up for people to sit, but no one in the student section ever did, opting to stand on the bench seats instead. I was squished between Maggie and one of Sam’s friends I only vaguely knew. Thankfully, he didn’t seem annoyed by the constant elbow jabs I kept unintentionally throwing his way. After the fourth or fifth time I stopped apologizing, figuring all the I’m sorry’s would soon become more annoying than the elbows.
When our team scored, the entire row bounced, and I was pushed backward by an over-excited spectator in front of me, slamming into Sam’s friend behind me. This time his hands wrapped around my waist to steady me, their warmth cutting through the layers of my clothing and causing me to lose my breath. I turned to say I was sorry one more time, because my manners demanded it, but the hands didn't release me to let me turn. Instead, his body tucked in closer to mine and his lips brush up against my ear as he spoke.
“I didn’t realize watching football could be so dangerous.” The words were spoken in a deep Irish lilt, and sparks of joy and heat burst inside me, spreading like wildfire over my body. The feeling warmed every inch of my skin and caused an immediate flush in my cheeks. I turned my head, which was as much as I could move since my waist was still held in strong hands, to look back at Munro. I knew I probably looked like a fool, with a huge grin on my face, but I couldn’t help myself.
“When did you get here?” Blurting out the first thing that came to my mind. He leaned in close again to hear me through the noise of the crowd and game.
“I got back in town just a bit ago. Sam sent me a message earlier telling me to get my ass down here, so I figured I’d better obey.” Munro’s hands fell away from my waist, and I wanted to yell at him to put them back, as he shouldered his way in beside me. He had been standing behind our row and stepped up now to stand next to me, the crowd forcing our bodies flush against one another in a way that had me fighting a smile. It wasn’t as good as his hands on me, but I’d take it.
We both watched the game for a bit before my curiosity got the better of me. Balancing carefully, I turned around so I was facing him, feeling a flush cover my skin as our bodies pressed together assisted by the crush of the crowd. I wanted to put my hands on his chest, but instead let them lay awkwardly at my sides. Angling my head back I looked up at him, and he tipped his forward toward me. Just a few more inches on either side and we'd be kissing.
“Sam mentioned you were out of school this week,” I said as if Sam had shared that information, and I'd been completely unaware of his absence. He gave me a little nod but didn't say anything else.
“I was worried that I’d gotten you sick with whatever I had Friday night.” A look crossed Munro’s face at my words and he appeared almost amused.
“Nah, nothing like that. I had to go out of town,” was all he supplied in response.
“Did you get to go somewhere fun? Vacation?” I pried a bit more, both curious about where he’d been, but also annoyed that he seemed cagey about it.
“Not really.” He had moved his eyes to scan the crowd, taking in the game, looking anywhere it seemed, but at me.
“Did you have to go see your parole officer?” I couldn’t help the hint of irritation that seeped into my voice.
I wondered if I should turn myself back around or go switch places with Sam so I could stand on the other side of Maggie, because I suddenly felt like I was bothering Munro. Until a small smile curved the corners of his mouth when he realized what I'd just said. He brought his eyes back to mine and they scanned over my face as if he was cataloguing my emotions. A rush of relief swept through me, though I had no reason to feel relief just because he was looking at me.
“I was visiting an old friend,” he finally responded, looking away from my face again and back out at the crowd as though he were searching for someone.
That thought made me feel queasy. Was he meeting a girl here, maybe the old friend that he'd gone to see? Jealousy swept through me with a startling force and, the question was out of my mouth before I had even formed a full thought.
“Are you looking for someone?”
His head snapped back to me. “What? No. Why?” His response was rapid and seemed agitated.
“Sorry, you just looked like you were trying to find someone in the crowd.” He breathed out deeply, causing his chest to brush against mine, and my body tingled at the contact.
The crowd roared suddenly, and everyone around us started jumping up and down in excitement. I tried to turn back to the field to see what was going on, but the guy in front of me threw his arms up, knocking into my side with so much force that I was launched forward into Munro.
I don’t know how he moved so fast, but he managed to get his hands up quickly enough to grasp tightly at my waist, pushing my coat and shirt up in the process. The calloused skin of his hands burned into the bare skin of my side and back, and the contrast of his hot skin and the cool air caused my heart to thump heavily. Electric current zipped through me, and I barely contained a shiver of pleasure.
He had stopped me from falling over and stood me back upright, but he hadn't moved his hands away from me yet. His eyes were dark and intense as they stared down into mine like he wanted to devour me, and I wanted to let him. We stood there, unmoving, until one of his thumbs swept against my skin in a barely perceptible brush, just beneath my rib. Like we might be the only two people in the world at that moment, and I wanted the world to stand still and everything around us to stop while this moment evolved.
It was as if that thought triggered a warning inside me, and I realized how quiet everything around us had become. Nervous energy tripped through me, and I wondered if everyone was watching our wordless exchange. Pulling my gaze back from Munro's, I looked over at the rest of the crowd, then the football field. My jaw dropped, uncertain about what I was seeing. The entire stadium was completely still like they had frozen in place; even the clock on the scoreboard was stopped. No one was moving, or talking, or even breathing.
I turned back to Munro, wondering if he was a figment of my imagination, or if he would be frozen when I looked at him too, but he was also looking out over the crowd, his jaw clenched. My heart took on a frantic beat as panic started to set in. Was I hallucinating? Was I going crazy?
Munro pulled his hands from my waist, and I felt the instant loss of connection, but then the noise of the crowd roared up, and people jostled around us once again. I moved my hand up to his chest then, as I’d wanted to do before, except this time I clutched at the fabric of his coat with my hand, terrified about what had just happened. My heart now thundering violently for an entirely different reason as the feeling of panic started to spread through my body.
“Did you… what… everyone was…” I couldn’t even form a full sentence. Munro was looking down at me, concern etched in his eyes and even a little hint of fear, which scared me even more. Was he afraid for me? Of me?
“Annie?” He said my name, but the implied question was whether I was okay or not. I wanted to answer him, but I had no idea. My entire body was shaking, and my teeth started to chatter as all warmth left my body in a shocking exodus. I started to sway, feeling an unbelievable heaviness sweep over my entire body. Blackness flickered at the edges of my vision.
“Annie!” I saw his mouth form my name, and it looked like he was shouting, but the sound was muffled and distant. I thought I felt his hands on my arms, but my body had lost all sensation. The last thing I remembered was Munro’s face looking down on me, creases on his brow, lips turned down in a frown. His gray eyes, with lightning strikes of white shooting through them, turned angry and frenzied before everything faded into nothingness.
Chapter Nine
I could hear voices speaking nearby and beyond that, the distant noise of a larger crowd. I wanted to open my eyes, but they were impossibly heavy. Taking a few deeps breaths, I tried to recall where I was and how I'd gotten there. When I finally got my eyes open, I saw that I was laying down in the back seat of Maggie's car with my head laying uncomfortably on her book bag. The door was open wide, as though they hadn't wanted to shut me in the car by myself.
The back of my shirt was plastered to me, and I could feel clammy sweat on my forehead like a fever had just broken. I was freezing, and my teeth started to click together as my body shivered uncontrollably. With a massive effort, I lifted my head to see Maggie and Sam huddled close together, Maggie talking rapidly.
