The Gathering Darkness Read online

  They certainly were cute, but didn’t look anything alike. Evan walked with a swagger. Marcus walked straight, hands in the front pockets of his jeans. Evan shouted something inaudible from across the parking lot. His happy-go-lucky smile reminded me of Luke’s—my heart constricted. But it was Marcus, the somber one, who I wasn’t able to peel my eyes from, until he looked up from the pavement and caught me looking at him. Suddenly shy, I turned back toward the girls. Their conversation was the same one I should’ve been having at my old school with my old friends at that very moment, back together after summer.

  As the brothers neared, all females stared. And they stared right back—at me. Cute and animated Evan, his eyes blue and laughing, swept his gaze over me. But it was Marcus, with his dark, and penetrating glare, that I couldn’t stop staring at. It was then I noticed all the females gawking at me now. But there was a different look on their faces, that who-does-she-think-she-is look—jealousy. I’d never felt more awkward and self-conscious.

  Evan stopped in front of me. “Hi, City Girl.” His eyes twinkled as he spoke. There were murmurs behind me.

  “How does he know her?” someone asked, accompanied by sounds of disgust.

  “Oh,” Sammy whispered out of the corner of her mouth, “I might have told them about you.”

  I looked at her sideways. “Might have?”

  Evan flicked his head, probably a habit he’d acquired since his disheveled hair fell continually into his eyes.

  I masked my awkwardness with triumph and flashed him a brilliant smile. The sudden thought of making the other girls jealous gave me some sick form of satisfaction. I checked over Evan’s shoulder. Marcus hovered on the outside of the group, talking to some other guys. The student body began babbling again.

  “Welcome to our school,” Evan said. “I didn’t catch what year you were in.”

  I gave an airy laugh. “That’s because I didn’t say.”

  “Right, so what year are you in?”

  I couldn’t resist his charm. “Junior. You?”

  “Senior.”

  So that would mean Marcus was also in his senior year. I was relieved. I was self-conscious enough without having to share a class with either of them.

  Evan seemed easy enough to be around; at least I felt comfortable around him. The clouds parted briefly, directing a ray of sun over my shoulder and into Evan’s face. His eyes came alive. The blues became separate colors, dark and light, mixed with gray, creating the effect of a still photograph taken of a tropical storm.

  As quickly as the clouds parted, they closed, casting him in shadow once again. A look of amusement spread across his face. I blinked and looked away. How long had he held me spellbound? Half a second? Two seconds? However long was too long. My cheeks warmed.

  “Did Sammy tell you about the party this weekend?”

  “Yeah.” I nodded, looking past him to his brother.

  “You’re coming, right?”

  Quick, think of an excuse, so you don’t have to spend the night on the dark island. “Yeah, I’ll be there.” I couldn’t think of one that quickly.

  “Great!”

  I found myself checking Marcus out periodically as Evan prattled on. Sometimes when I peeked over at him, I caught his eyes flick away from me.

  As the conversation grew awkward, the bell rang.

  Morning ended none too quickly, giving way to lunch hour. I walked to the cafeteria with Sammy, Robyn and their entourage of friends, picked up a sandwich and some juice, and followed Sammy to a table, all the while scanning the room for the brothers, specifically one. They weren’t there—at first.

  I was engaged in a conversation about the girls’ basketball team, which Sammy and her friends wanted me to join, when Evan’s boisterous laughter stole my attention. Forgetting about the girls, I snapped my head in the direction it came from, hoping my sudden interest wasn’t too obvious.

  “Well? Will you? Brooke?”

  “Huh?” I looked at Robyn dumbfounded.

  “Will you join our girls’ basketball team? Sammy said you played at your school last year. I’m the captain.”

  “Basketball, oh, yeah sure.”

  I lifted my eyes away slightly to look at the brothers who sat at the table across from us. Sammy elbowed me. I didn’t miss the smirk on her face. I also noticed the other girls at our table staring at me.

  “I guess we know who Evan’s next fling will be.” Sarcasm dripped from Megan’s words. “You might as well try him on. We all did.” She spoke loud enough that I was sure most of the students in the cafeteria had heard. “Looks like you’re at the top of his food chain this year.” She gave a sharp laugh.

  “What? Not me!” I felt the blood surface in my cheeks. Did they know something I didn’t? And then something else she’d said sunk in. “All of you?” I was astounded as to how they could so easily let themselves be a part of his girlfriend list.

  “Don’t listen to Megan,” Sammy said. “She’s just pissed that Evan broke up with her before she could break up with him.”

  The girls giggled.

  I risked one more glance at the table across from mine. Clearly Evan was the center of attention with the guys too, dominating the conversation. Marcus barely cracked a smile.

  There was something I had to know, so I asked the question that had been burning on my tongue all morning. I tried to look and sound as casual as possible. “So, what about Marcus, does he have a girlfriend?” I stuffed my mouth with the last bite of sandwich and chewed nonchalantly.

  “Not right now—” Robyn said.

  Megan interrupted, “Why, are you interested in him too?”

  “No. I—”

  “Don’t be such a bitch,” Robyn chastised Megan. She looked at me, and in a low voice said, “He doesn’t date much.”

  “But he’s sizzling hot,” Sammy added dreamily.

  “I wonder why he doesn’t date?” Oops. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

  “What Robyn meant to say is, he’s had a few girlfriends his own age, but he doesn’t date younger. Oh, except for last year when Megan convinced him to take her to a school dance.”

  “I didn’t have to convince him,” Megan spat.

  “Whatever.” Sammy rolled her eyes then looked back to me grinning. “He didn’t pay much attention to her. She’s never gotten over it.”

  The other girls at the table laughed, all except Megan, whose face flushed. Now her jealousy made sense. She’d been rejected by both brothers.

  “We made out in the boys locker room.” She looked smug now, twirling a blonde lock around a finger. “He played plenty of attention to me then.”

  “Who’s the best kisser, Megan?” Robyn asked. “You’re the only one who’s had the double experience.”

  Another array of giggles erupted from our table.

  Megan tightened her jaw and stood. She put her hands on the table and leaned toward me. “Marcus is the best kisser, but you’ll never find out. Besides me, no one else our age has ever come close to getting with him.” She spun on her high heel and walked off with her nose in the air, clearly livid.

  Everyone at my table stared at me. I wanted to sink into the chair. Then my defense mechanism kicked in. “I wasn’t planning on going for either of them. I was just wondering what all the hype was about.”

  “What hype?”

  In the distraction, I hadn’t noticed Evan come up behind me. My chair jarred as he grabbed the back of it. He pulled a chair over from the next table and squished it in between me and a girl named Madison.

  It was apparent by the grin on his face he hadn’t heard all of our conversation. “How’s your first day at Deadwich High going, City Girl?” There were giggles, as I began to realize there were every time he spoke.

  “Um, it’s fine.” As hard as I tried not to, I couldn’t help but allow my eyes to drift across Megan’s empty spot, which cleared a path straight to were Marcus sat, watching us. The bell rang just as the situation became uncomfortab
le.

  The afternoon couldn’t pass fast enough. All I thought about during last class was having to ride the school bus home—not cool. I was glad my friends back home wouldn’t see me.

  Finally my first day of school in the country was over. Even I had to admit, it hadn’t been as bad as I’d thought it would be. With the exception of Megan, I’d been well received. The teachers were okay and the school, what I’d seen of it, looked like any other school—no dead witches anywhere.

  As I walked with Sammy to where a string of yellow buses were lined up, a now familiar voice called out to me. I turned to see Evan in his car with his head hanging out the window. He gestured with a wave of his arm for me to come over. I hesitated and looked at Sammy.

  “Go on. We have time. I’ll wait here.”

  Without seeming too eager, I walked across the parking lot to the red Civic. Evan was alone. I was disappointed.

  “Do you want a ride home?” he asked when I’d reached him.

  It was a chance to not have to take the bus, but how would it be perceived to Sammy and her friends, and most of all, Evan?

  In the end, the offer was too good to refuse. “Sure. Do you live near Sammy?”

  “Close enough.”

  “Wait, I better go with Sammy. She’s waiting for me.”

  He looked past me to the gathering of students. “Hey, Sammy.”

  She darted over. “What’s up?” She flicked her pin-straight hair over one shoulder and peered into the car.

  “Do you two want a ride home?”

  I thought it nice of him to include her.

  “Yeah, sure.” She looked at me, clearly excited, then back to Evan. “Is Marcus coming?”

  I wondered the same thing.

  “No, he had to leave early.”

  Sammy gestured for me to get in the front. I hesitated, feeling awkward, but she happily climbed into the back and pulled the front seat back before I could jump in beside her. So I got in the front.

  Evan talked enough on the way home that I didn’t have to say much. Sammy held conversation with him as if they were just old friends and not exes. As we pulled into the village, I noticed how the roof peaks of the Ravenwyck soared above the tree tops, dominating all else in Deadwich. A scene I would have to look at every day.

  A minute later, we pulled in front of Aunt Rachel’s. “Thanks for the drive,” I said before shutting the door. I really was grateful.

  His grin widened. “Any time.”

  Before taking off, he turned his attention to Sammy. “You’re working tonight, aren’t you, Sammy?”

  I’d totally forgotten about my first night at the Inn.

  “Yup, me and Brooke.”

  His eyes lit up when she said my name. “I’ll see you there then.”

  “Huh?” I asked, confused.

  “Oh, Evan and Marcus are painting some old rooms in the Inn. Maggie’s restoring the second floor.”

  Marcus would be there. “I guess I’ll see you tonight then,” I said, smiling at the thought.

  Sammy watched like a love-sick puppy as he drove off.

  “You still like him don’t you?” I asked her as we headed up the front steps.

  “He likes you now.”

  I got the feeling she was giving me her blessing.

  “But I’m not really interested in him.”

  Now she looked absolutely shocked.

  “Seriously?”

  “Yeah. I admit he’s cute and nice I guess, but I’m not attracted to him that way.”

  “Weird,” she said, gawking at me like I suddenly sprouted another head.

  The conversation ended and we went inside.

  While waiting for supper, I made a few phone calls to my old friends, which put me in a bad mood; I missed them so much, and it felt like I’d never see them again. After we’d eaten, Sammy and I walked to the Inn for my first day on the job. I was already nervous, but the closer to the Inn I got, the more scared I became.

  Chapter Three

  Beth met us at the front door and gave us our instructions. At the top of the stairs, the scent of fresh paint hung heavily in the air. One wing was almost completed. It was there we would be making up guest rooms.

  Sammy and I were working away, and everything was fine until Beth sent me into a room by myself while she and Sammy went for more sheets. The room was light enough, having two windows. I told myself there was nothing to be afraid of and got straight to work.

  The room was furnished in antiques, same as the others in the Inn. On a desk sat a pile of bed linens. I picked up a sheet and shook it open. The sharp snap of the crisp fabric echoed louder than it should have.

  A new awareness crept over me. Except for my movements, the room was deathly silent. The sound of my hand smoothing over the sheet sounded like sandpaper on wood. My light footsteps and shallow breathing seemed amplified. The creak of a floorboard beneath my sneaker seemed to echo all the way down the hall. All of these sounds seemed intensely loud. There was no doubt, I was paranoid. And to add to my terror, I couldn’t shake the feeling that unseen eyes watched me.

  Where the hell was Sammy?

  I grabbed the next sheet and shook it open over the bed. The touch of a frail hand shot icy tendrils up my arm and around my shoulder. I didn’t hear anyone behind me, when I really should have, given the perfect stillness of the room. I jumped a foot and spun around, falling back against my elbows on the bed. A shriek of terror passed through my lips, cutting the silence like the scrape of a chair leg on the floor of a classroom during exams.

  Maggie stood where I’d just stood, still as a stone statue. Her only movement came from the twitch of a grin that touched the corners of her mouth. She glared down on me through narrowly-slitted eyes. Her once blue irises were now black. Evil emanated from her. Cold stung my flesh, making the hairs on the back of my neck prickle. Terror seized every cell in my body, and I froze. When I realized I wasn’t breathing, I sucked in a sharp, frigid breath.

  The sound of voices in the hallway made my heart accelerate. In the same instant as Sammy entered the room, Maggie came to life.

  “I’m so sorry I scared you. Are you alright dear?” She reached a frail hand out to me, but instinct made me cringe away.

  “What happened?” Sammy asked.

  “I’m afraid I scared the life out of Brooke, poor dear.”

  “Geez, you’re as white as that sheet. Are you alright?” Sammy asked.

  When I was finally able to peel my eyes from Maggie, I nodded nervously and said, “Yeah.”

  Standing was difficult. The upper half of my legs felt as if they were detached from the lower half. Pain swiftly replaced the coldness where Maggie had touched, sending shooting stabs of agony through my arm. I wasn’t crazy. Maggie had come in here purposely to scare the crap out of me, and she’d succeeded.

  “Well, if you’re sure you’re alright, I’ll let you get back to your work. I’d forgotten what I came in for anyway.” Maggie’s face was that of an innocent little old lady once again. She turned and hobbled out of the room on her cane, which a moment ago she hadn’t had.

  I sat heavily on the bed after she had gone, rubbing my arm where she’d touched, confused as hell. I grabbed the hem of Sammy’s T-shirt and looked up at her.

  “What is it, Brooke?”

  “That woman is … crazy.” Sammy looked at me as if I was the crazy one. “I’m serious, she’s … oh forget it, just don’t leave me alone in this creep pit again, you got that?”

  A look of confusion spread across her face. She nodded, as if to humor me.

  Sammy and I finished making the bed together and then went to the next room. I heard movement in the hallway, a clattering of something metal. I stretched my neck past the door frame, but saw nothing.

  Even after promising not to leave me, Sammy went down the hall to the washroom. Unable to stay in the room alone, I grabbed a pile of sheets and went to the linen closet in the hall where I had a clear view of the washroom door. I hear
d the clattering sound again.

  It grew closer.

  A few seconds later, someone with dark, tousled hair rounded the corner carrying paint cans and other supplies. My heart leapt to my throat. Marcus was coming this way. Nerves replaced fear. I opened the linen closet door and tried to act casual. He drew closer. The opened door created a barrier between us. Casually, as if I hadn’t seen him coming, I peeked around the door—it was inevitable, he had to pass at some point.

  He lifted his gaze from the items he carried and looked at me. His step hesitated briefly, then continued. Clearly, he hadn’t expected to see me there. My heartbeat quickened. Suddenly shy, I forgot for a moment about creepy Maggie and where I was.

  He spoke first. “Hi.”

  “Hi,” I mimicked.

  “Are you working here with Sammy?” The deep smoothness of his tone made me forget for a moment about the icy pain in my arm.

  “Yeah, I am.”

  I smiled. Marcus smiled back. Like mine, it seemed genuine, not forced. How cute he looked as he stood before me in jeans and a faded denim shirt, splattered with paint, and a white T-shirt peeking out at the neck.

  I played nervously with an end of my hair, twirling it between my fingers, unable to look directly into his eyes. How pathetic.

  “So, you’re working here too?” Of course, that was obvious. How stupid of me. I would have rolled my eyes at myself had he not been looking at me.

  He nodded, still smiling.

  “How do you like Deadwich?” he asked.

  “Deadwich’s alright. I’ve been coming here since I was little. School’s better than I thought it would be.”

  A moment of awkward silence passed.

  “Well, I’d better get this stuff put away.” By now he had relieved one hand of the paint cans he’d been carrying, setting them on the hallway floor.

  He opened a door beside the linen closet, which I hadn’t noticed before. A gust of cold, musty air rushed out, taking my breath away. I peeked in. It was dark. Marcus reached in past my shoulder and flicked on a light. Inside the door I saw a narrow staircase, twisting upward.

  An icy pulse of pain shot through my arm, making me grimace.

  “Where does that go?” I stared, wide-eyed into the stairwell.