Drawing Bloodlines by Steve Bevil Page B

Nathan,” she said with a laugh. She had a smirk on her face. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I didn ’t know you were so … jumpy.” 
    “Well, I’m not,” he said, feeling slightly e mbarrassed. He attempted to straighten his shirt and then quickly ran his fingers through his hair. He grinned. “It’s just been one of those days.” Nathan remembered the woman in white and the red beady eyes and quickly turned his attention back into the forest. “Did you … just see….”
    Samantha squinted, trying to follow N athan’s gaze. “See what?” she asked.
    “Umm, nothing,” said Nathan, slowly sha king his head. He took a deep breath. “I thought I saw something. But it’s nothing.”
    Suspiciously, Samantha stared at him and then tucked a loose strand of wavy brown hair behind her ear. “So, you were just bored and figured you would head out into the creepy, foggy forest instead of hanging out at a concert?”
    Nathan turned to look deeper within the trees again. The fog had become denser now and he could barely make out the base of the trees. “Uh … yeah,” he said with a shrug.
    Samantha laughed. “Come on, Nathan, really?” she asked.
    Nathan’s face turned red as he tried to resist searching the forest. “It is creepy, right?” he asked with a laugh. “But then again, it is Justin Bloomer.”
    “He can’t be that bad!” she chuck led.
    Carefully, they made their way back into Lynn Field and Nathan cupped his hand against his ear. “I’m sor ry, I can’t hear,” he smirked.
    “Oh, stop it!” she said with a smile and Nathan smiled back at her. “I know this isn’t exactly your thing, but I a ppreciate you for coming.”
      Nathan surveyed the crowd, taking note of the many IUCF T-shirts, and then frowned. “I just didn’t expect all these people!” he said. “I mean — is like, the whole town here?”
    “I know, right?” responded Samantha. “This is so cool — and for my birthday!”
    Nathan continued to look around; he had a displeased look on his face. “Umm, punch?” he asked, pointing to the sea of hands that held red cups. The florescent wristbands they wore easily illuminated them.
    “What did you expect?” she laughed. “It’s a concert.” She watched as several people tossed their cups to the ground. “And yes, I’m sure a few people probably added a little som ething extra to their drinks.”
    Nathan smiled and then turned again toward the forest. He had a worried look on his face. “Okay,” said Samantha. “What’s up? I know you’re hiding something from me.”
    “Umm, nothing,” said Nathan, trying to divert his eyes.
    “Okay,” she said. “Now, you’re s tarting to sound like Lafonda.”
    Instantly, Nathan raised his eyebrows. He seemed taken aback.
    “Uh, like Lafonda?” he asked, doubtfully.
    “Does this have anything to do with what happened at camp this summer?” she asked. Nathan continued to remain silent and S amantha shook her head while taking a few steps past him. “And don’t tell me it was just a fraternity prank on Angela — Lafonda has been spinning that one on everybody.”
    “N– no,” he stuttered.
    “Then there is something in the forest?” she asked, sounding alarmed.
    “No, Sam,” he s aid. “That’s not what I meant.”
    “Oh, okay, Nathan,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I guess I’ll hav e to find out for myself then.”
    A look of fear suddenly swelled in his eyes. “Sam, wait!” he shouted, grabbing her by the arm. As he yanked her sleeve, the deep purple scar on her shoulder was clearly vis ible. “Don’t go.”
    Samantha paused and then carefully pulled her sleeve down over her shoulder again. She took a deep breath and then ran her fingers through her long, brown curly hair. “Then tell me what’s going on,” she said. Nathan continued to look at her shoulder and then slowly released her arm. “Look, I know when someone is hiding something from me. I might not have known you guys for