You Were Here by Cori McCarthy

Author:Cori McCarthy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2016-01-27T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Mikivikious

Chapter 27

Zach

Zach’s new bud was Darren. Darren had made the pink vodka drink that was currently turning Zach’s stomach into a fire dance.

Zach was planning on ignoring everyone he’d come with for the rest of the night, and the booze made this seem like a brilliant idea. He could ignore them like they were so good at ignoring him. But then, he couldn’t ignore Jaycee standing there, screaming in the middle of the party.

“What the hell’s her problem?” Darren asked.

“Everything,” Zach said.

“She should quit screaming. The cops don’t really like us down here. If we give them a reason, they flash their search lights and make everyone scatter.”

“Hold on. I’ll get her.” Zach quick-stepped through the crowd, wondering where Natalie and Mik were. Weren’t they supposed to babysit loco Jaycee? “Hey!” he yelled, grabbing her arms. “What’s going on?”

“Some fucker stole my bag!” There were tears in her eyes that made Zach’s face sting. Man, he was so bad at not feeling what everyone else felt. “My brother’s notebook was in there.”

“Okay, so we’ll find it. I’ll help you. I’ll ask my new BFF.” Zach took her by the hand, but Jaycee pulled away sharply, wincing.

“Hurt my wrist,” she said. She offered her other hand, and Zach was surprised that she held onto his fingers sweetly like Alianna used to before she turned twenty-five, a.k.a. twelve. He led Jaycee to Darren, who began to inspect her boobs with fierce admiration. Zach felt oddly protective in that moment, especially because Jaycee’s usual fire and contempt were missing. She looked like she was about to start sobbing.

“Someone stole her bag. Do you know who’d do that?”

Darren glanced over the crowd. “Yeah, fucking bored middle schoolers. They steal our stuff and throw bottles and cans at us from up there.” He pointed to the top of the iron wedge gate that stood before the massive drain opening.

“Where do they take it?” Jaycee asked.

Darren pointed into the drain. “They have a little hideout. About thirty minutes’ walk.”

“Thirty minutes!” Zach said. Jaycee was already off, slipping through the iron gate and heading into the black hole of the huge sewer. “Wait! I’m coming with you!” He ran and tripped. “Should we go get Natalie and her thingy?” He tapped his forehead to indicate the headlamp.

“They stole her bag too. But we have this.” She held up Mik’s Zippo.

“Where’s the trench coat that comes with it?”

“Probably making out with Natalie.”

Zach froze, imagining Natalie and Mik all hot ’n’ heavy. Was he the guy she’d hooked up with weeks ago?

“I’m not serious,” Jaycee said. “They’re being pals and looking at me like I’m overreacting. Like this is my fault. It’s Natalie’s fault. She was supposed to watch my bag.”

Zach pushed his hair out of his eyes. “Okay, so we go after the kids. We’ll get your stuff. Don’t stress.” She cradled her injured wrist against her chest.

The drain was huge. Zach reached his hands up and touched the cool, damp cement. “Heeeellllloooo?” he called into the dark.

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