Ablem's Sanctuary by Briar Esterline

Author:Briar Esterline [Briar Esterline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2021-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

25

Turn O’ Season

The sun sank behind the Henry Deeker Woods, plunging the town into the blood-orange light of the evening rays.

Students dressed in tuxedos and rented dresses flocked the high school like sheep through a single gate.

Inside, the BHS gymnasium had been transformed into an ethereal wonderland. Orange-and-gold streamers made a sloping circus tent out of the ceiling, adorned with twinkling stars. A disco ball showered scattered chips silver over the open floor. Music rattled the walls—slow doo-wop songs from decades before.

Stanley drank in the massive decorations and a smile reached his lips. A line of students and their dates waited to get pictures taken next to the enormous Viking mascot.

“Do we even have the budget for this?” Cliff said, awestruck.

“Why do you think they’re taking donations?” Christopher asked. He had retrieved a button-up shirt and found a tie that, after many tries from his mother, finally had been knotted correctly.

Stanley had been left to collect Mr. Holland’s old prom tuxedo: a light blue color with these horrible white ruffles stitched into the fabric.

Cliff wore his comfort jacket and a pair of holed-jeans. The trio was possibly the worst-dressed among a sea of rented tuxes and rhinestone dresses.

“I’m starving. You both up for some food?” Christopher said.

“Hell yeah,” Cliff said. Stanley searched the crowd bathing in the light of the dance floor. He hoped that Aiden and Noah had gotten his call that their plans had changed; his fingers crossed in his pockets.

The two boys ate courteous portions of food while Cliff shoveled handfuls into a Tupperware container he had smuggled from home. “I’ll ask for forgiveness, not permission,” he said. “This food is too good to pass up.”

Noah called from behind them. The three boys turned around, Cliff’s lips dark with fudge. The boy was dressed in a black suit—a small rose pinned to his lapel.

“Good God, Noah,” Christopher said.

“Amazing suit,” Stanley said quickly. “Glad you made it.”

Noah, glowing from the compliment, ladled punch into a plastic cup. “Of course,” he said. His gaze traveled along the ceiling of the gym as an R&B song started playing over the speakers. All the girls dragged their dates onto the dance floor. “Look, there’s Aiden!”

She materialized among the starry crowd like a magician’s trick.

Stanley was astounded. She wore a hand-me-down black dress with white-lace sleeves and a hint of eyeliner that dragged out the green in her eyes. She made eyes with Noah and Stanley and her expression lifted.

“You look… amazing,” Noah gasped.

“Thanks. I didn’t do much if it’s obvious, though I can see you take fashion seriously, Stanley.” She tipped him with a playful wink. When Noah left to join the boys, Aiden leaned in. “How’re you holding up?” she asked quietly. “Since the other night?”

“I saved Bowler’s life, rescued my dad, so I consider that a win.” He pressed his lips together. “Between me and you, I don’t know how much more I can take of my powers. And, whoever’s after us, they’re targeting my family now.”

Aiden was about to open her mouth when the three boys floated over.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.