Responsible by Darlene Ryan

Author:Darlene Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV000000
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Published: 2007-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

I got to my feet and stepped out from behind the trees.

“What in hell are you doing here?” Nick said. He didn’t even bother with the voice changer. “You didn’t see anything. Go home.”

I shook my head and pressed the palms of my hands against my thighs so my legs wouldn’t shake so much. “You don’t want to do this, man,” I said. “C’mon, let it go. It’s not worth it.”

Two steps and Nick was inches away from me. “How would you know what I wanna do?” he said. Bits of spit hit me in the face. “You think you’re my mother or something?” Nick shoved me with both hands, and I went down on my knees. Erin had started to crawl away, even though she couldn’t see.

Nick moved in front of her and stepped on her hand. She screamed. “You’re not going anywhere,” he said. “We haven’t had our little party yet.”

I struggled to my feet and shoved Nick aside. “Leave her alone.”

He laughed. “You’re telling me what to do, pussy? Get your ass out of my way and get your own girlfriend.”

“She’s not your girlfriend,” I said. “Walk away, Nick.” I tried to make my voice stronger. “You can’t do this. It’s gone way too far. Leave her alone and get out of here. It’s not too late.” I glanced down at Erin. “Nobody is going to say anything. Right?”

Nick smiled and gave an elaborate shrug. “Well, I wouldn’t want to go too far,” he said. He turned as though he was going to leave. Then he whipped back around and punched me square in the gut.

I dropped like my legs had been chopped off. Nick kicked me in the ribs, the left ones that were still bruised. It was like a knife slicing through my chest. I couldn’t breathe.

Nick bent over me. “Listen to me, you little freakin’ pussy. Nobody tells me what to do.” He looked over his shoulder at Erin. His voice suddenly sounded slimy. “Don’t worry, sweet stuff. I haven’t forgotten about you,” he said. “We’ll have our little party in a minute.”

He yanked me up by the front of my sweatshirt, half choking me. I looked at Zach and Brendan in their stupid masks, just standing there. “Help me,” I croaked. They didn’t move. Nick punched me in the face, and then he smashed me across the mouth. He let go and I slumped to the ground.

I tasted blood. Everything in front of my right eye went blurry. Nick kicked me in the ribs, again and again. I kicked at him, but I couldn’t make contact.

Erin was screaming. Nick looked at Brendan. “Shut her up.” For a second, Brendan hesitated. “Shut her up.”

Brendan leaned over Erin and pressed his hand hard over her mouth. She bit him. He pulled his hand back, swore and slapped her. “She bit me!” he yelled.

Nick’s arm shot out, and he grabbed Erin by the hair. “You’re gonna be sorry for that,” he told her. “Very sorry.”

She spat at him, catching the side of his chin.

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