“But I do know him,” Cassie murmured. “I know that sounds crazy, and if it were one of you telling me this, I would be suspicious too. But I do know him. I know him in a way that I never thought I could know anyone. It’s so strange, so different…”
Cassie broke off, unable to put into words exactly what it was that she felt for him. It would be impossible to explain to them, when she couldn’t even explain it to herself. “I understand that Cass, but I think it’s too soon. I think that you should wait for a little bit.”
“Or until you find out how the hell he can afford such a kick ass car,” Chris said softly.
Cassie rolled her eyes, but she had to admit she had wondered the same thing. As much as she felt she knew Devon, there was still a lot that she didn’t know. But she was certain she knew his heart, his soul. Melissa’s dark eyes were caring; Chris’s were turbulent as they studied her. Nodding, she took hold of both of their hands, squeezing them tightly. “When you guys are ready for me to tell him, I will.”
Their tension eased, their hands squeezed hers gently as their fears lessened. She understood their concerns about telling Devon, they didn’t know him, or how deeply she felt about him. It was their secret, and their lives too, and it would also have to be their choice.
Cassie turned back to the ocean, her questions and doubts twisted her stomach. She didn’t know what to say or do, but she doubted that all of the answers would come to her at that moment. They sat silently together until the tide washed in to their feet, and the sky was rumbling. Cassie was too comfortable to move. She found solace in their strength, in their presences.
“It’s going to pour,” Chris said softly.
“We should go,” Melissa whispered.
Cassie sighed, not wanting to move, but knowing that they had to. The sky was about ready to split open and release a torrent of rain upon them. She climbed stiffly to her feet, wiping the sand off her legs and butt. She followed silently behind as they made their way over the dunes to the parking lot.
“How did you know I was here?” she asked softly.
“I had a glimpse,” Melissa answered.
‘Of course she did,’ Cassie thought silently, trying hard not to roll her eyes. She may have discovered a new inner strength and tranquility, but she still did not like the idea of Melissa knowing her future, or her whereabouts.
Cassie reached the car as the wind picked up. She took hold of her hair, trying to keep it out of her face as she grasped the handle on the passenger side door. The hair suddenly stood up on the nape of her neck, the blood in her veins turned to ice as a chill swept down her spine.
Lifting her gaze, she scanned the empty parking lot. Sand blew across the numerous parking spaces, scraps of garbage skittered along with it. Past the parking lot wild trees, Rosa rugosa, beach grass, and sand dunes spotted with scraggly bayberry rolled forth. Though there were few places to hide, she knew that there was someone out there, something watching them. However, this feeling of being watched was not like the one she’d had last night. This feeling was something evil, something malevolent, and wrong. She could sense the hunger and bloodlust in the thing that she could not see.
Cassie glanced at Chris and Melissa. They were both frozen, their gazes locked on the wild area she had been searching. “You feel that?” she asked, pitching her voice above the rising crescendo of the wind.
They both nodded. “There is something out there,” Melissa said softly, her nostrils flaring slightly.
“And it’s not good,” Chris agreed.
“Should we go look?” Cassie inquired.
They glanced briefly at her. Thunder shook the sky and rumbled the earth. Lightning flashed brightly, blazing across the dark sky as it sizzled to the ground with a loud pop that caused goose bumps to break out on her skin. The air was heavy with the scent of ozone as the sky split open and a deluge of rain fell upon them.
Cassie ducked into the car, already soaked as she slid into the backseat. Her gaze remained riveted upon the scraggly woods, but nothing fled from the rain as it pounded loudly upon the roof of the car. Chris and Melissa slammed their doors shut, but Chris did not start the car. They sat in silence, waiting for whatever it was to reveal itself.
It did not.
***
The ringing of the doorbell was diminished by the hard rain hitting the windows. Cassie frowned at Chris and Melissa as she uncurled herself from her bed. Chris didn’t look up from the episode of Deadliest Catch he was engrossed in. “Awesome,” he muttered.
Cassie shook her head at him as Melissa rolled her eyes. “Be right back.”
Cassie hurried from her room, curious as to who could be at her door. Though she was popular at school, it had been a few years since she had invited anyone over. Plus the school day was still in progress, even though the three of them had opted not to return. Flinging the door open, she froze; her mouth went dry as her heart fluttered wildly in her chest. Devon stood upon her doorstep, his wet hair tussled and windblown. He looked heartbreakingly beautiful as drops of rain trailed over the hard contours of his face. His bright emerald eyes met hers; a small smile curved his full mouth.
“Devon,” she said softly, surprised that her voice actually worked.
His smile widened enough to reveal his perfect teeth. “Melissa said you went home sick, I wanted to see how you were feeling.”
She swallowed heavily, trying to regain control of herself but failing miserably. “I feel a lot better now.” It wasn’t entirely a lie; she did feel better than she had this morning. “Thank you.”
He continued to stare at her, leaning slightly forward as he rested his hand on the door jam. “You look well.”
Her face flared with heat as he perused her with a look that caused her toes to curl. “Who is it?” Melissa called as she pounded down the steps. She froze at the bottom of the stairs. “Devon, how are you?” She inquired as she walked over to stand beside Cassie.
“Fine. I just came to make sure Cassie was feeling better.”
“Oh, that’s really nice of you. Why don’t you come in out of the rain?”
Cassie cast a sharp, panicked look at Melissa that she chose to ignore. “Cassie?”
She turned back to Devon, knowing her fear and distress was written all over her face, but she unable to keep her expression neutral. He was staring at her expectantly, his green eyes troubled and intense. She knew that she looked like an idiot, and a cold hearted jerk for not inviting him in, but her thoughts would not form a coherent sentence in her shaken brain. She did know one thing; she could not leave him out there in the rain.