The Hunt by Amy Meredith Page A

killed Kyle,’ Luke told her.
    ‘There was an article in the National Enquirer yesterday that said it was chimps that had human DNA mixed with their own. Supposedly they escaped a lab and have now been sighted in Central Park.’
    ‘Chimps do have sharp teeth,’ Luke said as they started for the library, ‘but the Enquirer isn’t exactly a reliable source. It’s up there with …’
    Eve put a hand on his arm. ‘Shhh. Is that someone crying?’
    Luke listened. ‘I think so.’
    ‘It’s coming from down there.’ Eve jerked her chin towards the corridor leading down to the art rooms and the main office. She and Luke looked at each other for a moment, then changed course, following the sound of the soft sobs.
    ‘She stayed late a lot,’ someone said. ‘What if someone grabbed her on her way to her car last night? It’s too dark out there. I should have waited to go until she was ready to leave.’ Luke recognized the voice. Mrs Ollestad, the school secretary. He’d spent some time with her when he’d registered as the new kid at the beginning of the semester.
    He slowed his pace. Eve did too. They stopped a few feet before they reached the open door to the reception area.
    ‘It’s not your fault, Amanda. Don’t even think that. I want you to go home and relax. I just need you to look up her emergency contact first. Can you do that? The police need to speak to her next of kin.’ Another familiar voice – Principal Allison.
    ‘Yes,’ Mrs Ollestad answered. There was a quaver in her voice, but she’d stopped crying.
    ‘What do you think has happened?’ Eve whispered.
    Luke thought she knew. The same way he thought he knew. It was just that neither of them wanted to say it aloud. Luke forced the words out. ‘I think they’re talking about Ms Taylor. I think she’s dead.’

Chapter Six
    Eve pressed her back against the wall. She needed it to prop her up. Her legs felt boneless, completely unable to keep her upright. Ms Taylor was dead. Dead . Eve felt the blood draining from her face at the thought.
    Her fingertips began to prickle and she felt static electricity whisper through her hair. Her body was preparing for battle, even though whatever had killed Ms Taylor wasn’t near enough to zap.
    Luke wrapped an arm around her, and Eve turned and buried her face in his chest. His warm body supported her so, so much better than the cool hard wall. She put her arms around his back and held on tight. The comfort of being that close to him helped keep her powers from flying out of control. For a few moments they just stood and breathed together.
    I’m standing here hugging Luke . The thought startled her and she jumped away from him. ‘Thatwas …’ She wasn’t sure what word went there. Nice? Awkward? Comforting? Awkward? Hot? Awkward?
    ‘Yeah.’ Luke said the word to his shoes. Then he looked up at her and they both kind of laughed. ‘Yeah, that was …’ Eve waited to hear what word he’d use. ‘It was … that. Let’s get out of here.’
    Eve nodded, and they walked over to one of the side entrances. They both acted like they had permission to leave as they stepped out into the crisp fall air and kept walking – not too fast – across the fallen leaves in the quad and down the street.
    ‘Ms Taylor …’ Eve began. ‘Whatever killed Kyle is still out there.’
    ‘I know.’
    They continued in silence, making their way over to Main Street. ‘Hot chocolate?’ Luke suggested as they approached Java Nation.
    ‘Perfect,’ Eve answered. ‘Hot chocolate is my go-to beverage of comfort.’
    Luke opened the door for her. ‘Which is why I asked,’ he said.
    ‘You knew that? Why do you know that?’ she asked.
    ‘I realize that we haven’t known each other very long, Evie, but we have been in a bunch of situations that required hot chocolate,’ Luke said.
    ‘And here we are again.’ Eve let out a sigh. ‘Hot chocolate central.’
    ‘I’ll get our drinks.’ Luke said.
    Eve chose a