whispered. “It doesn’t look like something that should be at a high school. And those carvings around the base look like runes. Did you ever master that unlocking spell?”
I looked at the locks and bit my lip. “I mastered it on the simple lock I practiced on. I’ll give it a try.”
I put my channeling rod back in my belt, placed my right hand on the first lock, and concentrated with all my might. The delicate spell involved telekinetically moving the inside locking mechanisms in the correct sequence to align them so the lock would open. It wasn’t necessary to know the inner workings of the lock—that would make it impossible, since every lock was a little different than the last. I just needed to know what it felt like to have the mechanisms align.
So, I concentrated while Johnathan stood lookout. I was surprised to find that this lock wasn’t as complicated as it’d looked. I felt the mechanisms slide into place after only a couple of minutes of intense focus, and the lock came open in my hand. One down and two to go.
The other two locks were just as simple. It was well worth my effort when Johnathan gave me a quick, celebratory hug before he pulled the chains free from the gate and pushed it open.
He knelt beside the odd contraption we’d spied from outside the fence. The carvings around the base were definitely runes of some sort. The tanks each had a large rune carved into the side that faced away from the gate. The thing had a definite feel of Dark Magic about it. And it made me nauseous.
My heart leapt into my throat when I heard the faint echo of footsteps coming from inside the building. Johnathan apparently heard them, too, because he turned to me and put his finger to his lips. He really didn’t need to; I don’t think my voice box was working at that moment anyway. The door leading out into the lot from the school creaked open, and a man’s voice drifted out. Luckily, we stood on the opposite side of the contraption and our legs were mostly hidden by the propane tanks. There was no way we could have made a run for it without being seen, as the gate was directly across from the door where the voice was coming from. So, we just stood as still as statues, barely daring to breathe, straining to hear what was being said.
“I know we don’t need the publicity, Mr. J., I’m not an idiot! We’re working on tweaking the formula again … I know, Mr. J… . We will! As far as the media knows, there’ve been seven suicides and that’s all they will ever know about. We’ll take care of the other parents, don’t worry.” The man took a couple steps toward us. Johnathan reached for my hand and slid his channeling rod back out with the other.
“Now? Are you kidding me? I really need to check on this new formula. Okay, okay! I’m on my way.” He hung up the phone and cursed before turning back into the school and slamming the door behind him.
I let out the breath I’d been holding. Johnathan squeezed my hand. We stood still for another minute just to make sure the coast was clear. After Johnathan chained and locked the gate as quietly as he could, we left the way we’d come.
The walk home was a somber one. Johnathan was lost deep in thought. He continued to hold my hand; this time he played with my fingers absently while he thought—no doubt planning our next move.
Dawn was breaking when we ducked into the abandoned stairwell that led back to our hideout. Johnathan stopped just before we reached the doorway behind which the others were most likely still sleeping. He turned to face me, then put his hands on my shoulders. His gentle grip was warm and strong. I looked up into his dark eyes, so soft and tender as he looked into mine.
“Other than almost getting caught snooping around tonight, I really enjoyed being alone with you for once. I’d like to take you on a
real
date someday … soon, if that’s okay with you?”
I smiled. I couldn’t help it. I was definitely in love with him.
I looked at the locks and bit my lip. “I mastered it on the simple lock I practiced on. I’ll give it a try.”
I put my channeling rod back in my belt, placed my right hand on the first lock, and concentrated with all my might. The delicate spell involved telekinetically moving the inside locking mechanisms in the correct sequence to align them so the lock would open. It wasn’t necessary to know the inner workings of the lock—that would make it impossible, since every lock was a little different than the last. I just needed to know what it felt like to have the mechanisms align.
So, I concentrated while Johnathan stood lookout. I was surprised to find that this lock wasn’t as complicated as it’d looked. I felt the mechanisms slide into place after only a couple of minutes of intense focus, and the lock came open in my hand. One down and two to go.
The other two locks were just as simple. It was well worth my effort when Johnathan gave me a quick, celebratory hug before he pulled the chains free from the gate and pushed it open.
He knelt beside the odd contraption we’d spied from outside the fence. The carvings around the base were definitely runes of some sort. The tanks each had a large rune carved into the side that faced away from the gate. The thing had a definite feel of Dark Magic about it. And it made me nauseous.
My heart leapt into my throat when I heard the faint echo of footsteps coming from inside the building. Johnathan apparently heard them, too, because he turned to me and put his finger to his lips. He really didn’t need to; I don’t think my voice box was working at that moment anyway. The door leading out into the lot from the school creaked open, and a man’s voice drifted out. Luckily, we stood on the opposite side of the contraption and our legs were mostly hidden by the propane tanks. There was no way we could have made a run for it without being seen, as the gate was directly across from the door where the voice was coming from. So, we just stood as still as statues, barely daring to breathe, straining to hear what was being said.
“I know we don’t need the publicity, Mr. J., I’m not an idiot! We’re working on tweaking the formula again … I know, Mr. J… . We will! As far as the media knows, there’ve been seven suicides and that’s all they will ever know about. We’ll take care of the other parents, don’t worry.” The man took a couple steps toward us. Johnathan reached for my hand and slid his channeling rod back out with the other.
“Now? Are you kidding me? I really need to check on this new formula. Okay, okay! I’m on my way.” He hung up the phone and cursed before turning back into the school and slamming the door behind him.
I let out the breath I’d been holding. Johnathan squeezed my hand. We stood still for another minute just to make sure the coast was clear. After Johnathan chained and locked the gate as quietly as he could, we left the way we’d come.
The walk home was a somber one. Johnathan was lost deep in thought. He continued to hold my hand; this time he played with my fingers absently while he thought—no doubt planning our next move.
Dawn was breaking when we ducked into the abandoned stairwell that led back to our hideout. Johnathan stopped just before we reached the doorway behind which the others were most likely still sleeping. He turned to face me, then put his hands on my shoulders. His gentle grip was warm and strong. I looked up into his dark eyes, so soft and tender as he looked into mine.
“Other than almost getting caught snooping around tonight, I really enjoyed being alone with you for once. I’d like to take you on a
real
date someday … soon, if that’s okay with you?”
I smiled. I couldn’t help it. I was definitely in love with him.
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