Dark and Twisted by Heidi Acosta

Author:Heidi Acosta [Acosta, Heidi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-03-29T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Stepping out onto the dark football field, I zip up my sweater, pulling the hood over my head. I try not to think about what creatures might be lurking in the night or the fact that the woods are throwing menacing shadows across the grass. I jog, glancing over my shoulder every so often. The familiar feeling of dread pricks at my skin, but I’m starting to get used to it. In fact, my day would seem off without it.

After talking with Cardelian, I decided I need to get answers once and for all. Maybe when it comes to Jaxson, everyone else can easily brush strange incidences under the rug, but not me. He hurt Abby and maybe Juliet. I could be next. If something happened to Juliet, it would be my fault for not investigating it, for not finding out what he did to that girl Abigail.

By the time I make it to the smoker’s wall, I’m out of breath. Panting, I kneel down and attempt to catch it. The movement comes from behind me, heavy footsteps in the dried leaves. I jump up, plastering myself to the cold cement. I don’t dare move or breathe. I listen as the heavy footsteps move slowly past. When I can no longer her them, I force my stiff legs to run.

I don’t look behind me or stop until I come to Mrs. Heart’s class room. She always has a window cracked to let the paint fumes out. It is just opened enough that I can squeeze my hand under the frame. I try to pry it up, but it groans in protest, not budging. Thick layers from years of paint have sealed it stuck. I hit the bottom with the palm of my hand, pounding on it until it finally gives. Paint flakes, which are most likely filled with lead, fall on my face.

Great. How am I going to explain how I got lead poisoning? I push the window halfway open, it will be a tight squeeze, but I’m running out of time. I glance over my shoulder as the looming feeling of being watched pricks at my neck. I shake it off. There is nothing there except shadows.

Using my arms, I push myself up the ledge, jump up to the windowsill, and shimmy through. I land hard on the other side with a thud, and pain shoots up my arm as my hand makes contact with the floor. I curse, pulling it to my chest and trying to squeeze the hurt away. I am going to have to worry about my hand later.

The room is filled with an eerie silence, and the only sounds are my erratic heartbeat and heavy breathing. I move to the door and look out into the hall, everything is pitch black. I should have thought about this and brought a flashlight … and maybe a pair of nun chucks. Here goes nothing. I step out into the hall, trailing my hand along the lockers as a guide.

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