Before I Disappear by Danielle Stinson

Author:Danielle Stinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

TWENTY-ONE

“Where have you been?” The soldier’s arms drop to his sides. “Don’t you know everyone’s been looking for you? They’re going to want to talk to you. I’ll take you—”

“You aren’t taking her anywhere.”

The raw anger in Ian’s voice has me doing a double take. Ian doesn’t lose his cool. Ever. There’s something going on here. Some subtext I’m missing.

The soldier smiles. It isn’t remotely friendly. “That’s what I’ve missed most about you, Lawson. Your fabulous people skills.”

“You know each other,” I say. It’s not a question.

Before either of them can reply, Becca’s voice drifts down to us. “Jeremy?”

The soldier freezes.

“Jer?” Becca’s dark head pops over the ledge. At the sight of her, Jeremy’s whole face transforms. The gun falls from his hands as he scrambles up the muddy slope and drops to his knees in front of Becca. He doesn’t touch her. He just looks at her like he’s afraid she’ll disappear, and then her arms are around his neck, and they’re holding each other while Ian and I look on, forgotten.

“Thank God you’re all right. They told me you were gone, but I didn’t … I couldn’t—”

“It’s okay, Jer.” Becca strokes his head, and even though I don’t know him, it kills me a little to watch this big, tough soldier come apart in her frail arms.

Jeremy pulls back without letting go. “What happened? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. Rose and Ian have been taking care of me.”

Jeremy nods at me briefly over her shoulder. “Mom and Dad?”

A tear slips down Becca’s cheek. Whatever Jeremy feels, to his credit, he locks it up tight. “It’s okay.” He brushes away the tear with a dirty thumb. “We’re together now.”

“About that,” Blaine says. He’s sitting at the top of the gorge with his scrawny legs dangling over the edge. “How exactly did you get here?”

Jeremy squints up at Blaine. “Do I know you?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Blaine slides over the ledge and starts picking his way down. “Science fair. Two years ago. You and your idiot friends cut my string theory display to pieces and then humiliated me when I won first prize in spite of you.”

Recognition lights Jeremy’s face. “Pastor Jackson’s son?”

“My name is Blaine.” His voice vibrates with an anger I didn’t think he had in him. “Not that anybody calls me that anymore. I’m now known as Blaine the Brain. Thanks for that, by the way.”

“I’m sorry. I’m … not that guy anymore.” Jeremy’s tan cheeks turn ruddy.

“How convenient,” Blaine snaps. “How about you just answer the question?”

“Yeah, okay.” Jeremy runs a hand through his black hair. “I was moving through the woods when there was a pain in my chest. It felt like my insides were on fire. I must’ve fallen, because that’s the last thing I remember before waking up a few hours ago.”

My gaze locks with Blaine’s. “It’s the same thing that happened to me when I fell into the Fold. There’s a way in. There has to be.” My heart takes a wild gallop through my chest.

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