Perennial by Potter Ryan

Author:Potter, Ryan [Potter, Ryan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Skyscape
Published: 2013-11-05T04:00:00+00:00

Episode 5

Chapter 21

“Dad, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, forcing myself to look him in the eyes. “But I promise you I was nowhere near Oval City tonight. Why would I even think of going to a place like that?”

“Don’t lie, Alix.” He turns and punches the door. The hinges don’t break, but the door slams against the bedroom wall with a jarring crash. I take a step back. “I saw you in a pickup truck in Oval City,” he says, turning toward me and shaking the sting out of his hand. “You were in the passenger seat, and you were ducking down so nobody could see you. I saw you, Alix. Who was the boy driving the truck?”

He steps further into the room. I’ve seen my father angry plenty of times, but I’ve never seen him this mad. I might be able to slay demons, but I’m no match for an enraged Clint Keener. It’s killing me to lie to him, but sometimes you have to lie in order to protect the people you love.

“I’m not lying!” I throw my hands in the air. “I went to the library after school, stayed there until eight, and I’ve been home since. I’m telling you the truth, Dad.”

He’s biting his lower lip, Dad trying to calm himself as he rubs his red fist with his opposite hand.

“Alix, it’s midnight on a school night. If you weren’t out with a boy tonight, explain to me why you’re wearing jeans like that.”

“Okay,” I say, rubbing my temples with my fingertips. “You’re right. There is a boy I like, but I’m telling you the truth about not being in Oval City. I swear to God, Dad. You must have confused me with somebody else.” I stare at my jeans and then back at him. “Mom bought me these right before she died. I’ve never worn them. I was thinking of wearing them to school tomorrow, and I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to get up and try them on.” I pause. “I just want to look good for somebody I like, okay?” He doesn’t say anything, which means he might be buying it. “Is that too much to ask? You always joke that I should stay away from boys, but I think you might actually be serious. I’m a senior in high school, Dad. I’m almost eighteen years old. I’ve never even had a boyfriend, so do you really think I would jump into some guy’s truck for a trip down to Perennial ground zero?”

I realize my mistake as soon as I say the word. “Perennial.”

“Perennial?” he says, jaw clenched and looking like a man I don’t know. “Alix, what do you know about Perennial?”

“Nothing really.” I close my eyes and shake my head. “I heard about it at school, something about a drug that’s a purple powder. People can only buy it in Oval City. There was a rumor that Mr. Watkins’s murder had something to do with Perennial.” I shrug.

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