Out in the Open (Tèarmann Chronicles book 4): A Christian Urban Fantasy by TR Moore Ede

Author:TR Moore Ede [Moore Ede, TR]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tèarmann Chronicles
Published: 2021-01-11T22:00:00+00:00

After lunch, I grabbed the list my mom had left for me, and headed out with a huff.

When I got near the woods, I stopped. A sense of dread came over me at the thought of the gang emerging from those trees, guns or stun guns drawn, ready to drag me back to whatever painful plans they had in mind for me. I veered into town, abandoned my normal route. I normally went past the woods because there was a higher chance of me being able to use my increased speed but I wasn’t up for it.

Once a good distance away, I did a double take when I saw Victoria walking with someone else who was wearing a hat. I stared for a moment before my eyes widened. Was that Malissa?! I looked at the list then at them. I shoved the paper in my pocket and jogged over. “I’ll do it later.” I stopped just behind them, walking quietly, until Victoria turned and punched in my direction. I quickly ducked before straightening. “Hey, guys.”

They both froze and stared at me.

A second later, Malissa wrapped her arms around me tightly. She buried her face in my shoulder. “Zack…”

I froze and tried not to stumble back a few steps. I looked at Victoria, who refused to meet my eye, before back at Malissa. “Hey, Malissa. Soo… Victoria never mentioned seeing you.”

Malissa slowly let me go. “I know… I-I asked her to,” Malissa said, keeping her head low.

I let out a long, controlled breath. “Why?”

“Aren’t you on restriction?” Victoria snapped, coming up beside Malissa.

I pulled out the crumpled paper from my pocket. “I’m on an errand for my mom. I doubt stopping to say hi to friends, especially one I haven’t seen in months, is going to get me in trouble.” I looked between the two of them.

Malissa still didn’t meet my gaze.

I sighed and softened my tone. “Malissa, what’s going on?”

She played with a strand of hair that had escaped her hat. “A-a lot of things have happened since I got out of the hospital… my life has changed tremendously…” She swallowed. “I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you any of it.”

I flinched. “And why not?” I asked, trying to control my voice. “We’ve been friends for years, Malissa, you’ve never had a problem telling us things. What changed that?”

Victoria moved between us. “We’re allowed to keep secrets, Zack. Just like the one you have about your grounding-”

“And about why your dad was looking for you?” I shot back. “At least I’m still here and so are you. She isn’t. Don’t we have a right to know?”

Victoria glared at me. “No, no, you don’t.”

I clenched my jaw. “What? But you know, don’t you?”

“It was an accident!” Malissa said, getting between us. “Events unfolded and I had no choice…” She swallowed. “None of it’s Vic’s fault. She didn’t have a choice and neither do you.”

I blinked a few times. “Is that a threat?”

Malissa bit her lip. “Zack, please.”

The look in her eyes made me feel guilty so I looked away.

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