Dangerous Girls (14 page)

D
estiny opened her eyes.

I can't see. I'm blind.

But then the stars came into focus. And the nearly full moon behind wisps of gray cloud.

She saw the roof of her garage. Raised her head from the grass, turned, and saw the back of her house.

I'm lying in the grass behind my house. I'm totally naked.

She sat up. Rubbed her chest. Dried blood.

It's real. It really happened.

How did I fight off the owl? How am I still alive?

Slowly, the terrifying memory came back. As the owl attacked her, she had started to transform. Back to her human body, hands furiously shoving the bird away.

The startled owl raised its wings, turned, and flew off into the night.

Destiny shivered. Her legs were wet with dew, so cold against her skin. She pulled a brown leaf from her hair, then got up onto her knees.

She turned to the house. Mikey's yellow bike stood propped against the back wall next to his soccer ball. She could see lights on in the kitchen and in the room above the garage—her room.

She stood up slowly, testing her arms and legs. Her muscles ached, but she could walk. Keeping in the darkest shadows, she made her way to the back door and peered in.

No one in the kitchen.

Silently, she pried open the door and slipped inside. The clock over the stove read eight forty-five. She had been gone less than an hour. She listened for voices. No. No music, no TV on. No one home yet.

Still shivering, her mind spinning, Destiny crept up to her room. She took a long shower. And as the steamy hot water rushed over her, she decided.

I have to tell Dad.

I can't keep this a secret anymore. It's gone too far. I turned into a bat tonight. What if it's
too late for me? What if it's too late for Renz to fix me?

I'm too scared to face it all alone. I'm no longer in control of my own body. The moon is nearly full. I have to tell Dad. I can't keep it all inside me any longer.

She pulled on a T-shirt, an oversized sweater, and jeans, grabbed the car keys, and hurried out to the garage. Dad had the SUV, but the Civic was still in its place.

Destiny's hands shook. She grabbed the steering wheel to steady them.

I have to tell Dad. After all, he is a doctor. Maybe…maybe…

She backed the car out, nearly scraping the driver's side against the garage wall.

Calm down, Dee. Concentrate on your driving.

She glanced at the dashboard clock. Nearly nine thirty and Dad was still at work. That poor man. Why is he working so hard?

The streets slid by in a blur. Before she realized it, she was pulling to the curb in front of her dad's animal clinic. Street lights washed over the square, redbrick building. The sign above the glass door was simple, stenciled in
blue letters on white:
WELLER VETERINARY CLINIC.

Destiny climbed out of the car. She wiped her cold, wet hands on the legs of her jeans. Her heart thudded in her chest.

I've never been so nervous to talk to Dad. What will he think when I tell him? What will he say?

The blinds were only half closed on the wide front window beside the entrance, and she could see that the lights were on in her dad's waiting room. The examining rooms and the lab were at the back.

Destiny took a deep breath and made her way to the door. But a flash of movement in the window caught her attention. She turned and stepped to the window, stooping to see inside between the blinds.

“Oh, wow.”

She slid to the side so she wouldn't be seen. Her dad sat on the waiting room desk, gesturing and talking to a group of guys seated in front of him.

They had their backs to the window. Keeping out of view, Destiny squinted hard into the brightly lit room.

It's some kind of meeting. But that doesn't
make sense. Why would Dad be having a meeting this time of night?

And then she recognized Ross in the chair closest to the window. And Fletch beside him. And across the room, other guys from Dark Springs High.

Destiny slid away from the window. She pressed her back against the cold brick wall.

What are those guys doing there with my dad?

What could they be talking about?

Holding on to the brick wall, she leaned forward again and peered into the window. They were all standing up. She could hear the scrape of their chairs. Her father opened the coat closet door. He leaned inside.

A car passed behind her on the street, sending its headlights over Destiny. She stood up straight. The car slowed, then continued on its way.

Her eyes burned from the bright lights. Blinking hard, she swung back to the window. Dr. Weller stepped out of the coat closet. Destiny could see him clearly. She could see what he was holding. Wooden stakes, sharpened to a point at one end. He handed one to each boy.

“Oh, no.”

She didn't want to believe what she was seeing. Staring through the window glass was like staring into a dream.

That isn't my dad. Those aren't my friends.

She didn't have long to think about it. Someone shut off the lights in the waiting room. The window went black.

They're coming out.

I
don't believe it. But it's true. Dad is a hunter—Dad and my friends are vampire hunters.

Destiny spun into the street. She ducked behind her car as the front door of the building swung open.

She held her breath and peered over the front fender. The boys stepped out quickly, holding the stakes close to their sides. She saw Ross whisper something to Fletch. Fletch laughed and gave him a playful shove.

Dr. Weller backed out of the building. He locked the front door. Took several deep breaths, gazing around.

No. Please. Dad, please don't look here.

Hunched behind the car, Destiny watched them move quickly, silently up the sidewalk. She turned and saw her dad's SUV parked on the corner across the street.

Squatting low, Destiny moved to the other
side of her car. Another car passed by. Its headlights spilled over the boys. Destiny saw them hide the wooden stakes so the driver wouldn't see.

They piled into the SUV. She watched her dad lower himself behind the wheel. He started it up. The taillights flared red. After a few seconds, the SUV pulled away from the curb.

Destiny jumped to her feet.

Where is Dad going? She fumbled for her car keys. Dropped them onto the sidewalk.

Trembling, she grabbed up the keys and hurried into the car. It felt good to sit down. Breathing hard, she started up the car and headed after them.

A few seconds later, she began to catch up. They were driving fast through North Town, the old part of Dark Springs. Small houses crowded together on tiny lots. An all-night grocery on one corner. A boarded-up movie theater.

Destiny hit the brake when she saw the SUV pull to the curb. The doors swung open, and the boys were out of the car before it even stopped.

Destiny swung the car over, her eyes on the boys. She bumped over the curb and bounced hard.

The boys were running across a narrow front lawn, leaping over the shrubs, moving silently, stakes raised high over their heads.

Whose house is this? I've been inside it. Isn't it the school librarian's house? Mrs. Lindros's?

The hunters' faces were hidden in shadow. But she could see their black silhouettes leaning forward as they ran.

Then she heard the shouts. Heard the crack of breaking glass. Heard heavy thuds as they broke the front door down.

Oh my God. Oh my God. I don't believe this. They're breaking in. My dad is breaking into a house. They're going in.

A few seconds later, she heard more shouts. And then a woman's high wail. A wail of pain, of horror.

Destiny covered her ears. But she couldn't shut out the terrifying cry.

I've got to get home. I've got to tell Livvy.

She wheeled the car around. Made a wild U-turn, nearly smashing into the side of a parked pickup truck. The squealing tires reminded her of the woman's high shriek.

My dad…my own dad…

What am I going to do?

 

She found Livvy lying on her bed, reading an issue of
People
magazine. “Where've you been?” Livvy asked coldly as Destiny hurried across the room to her.

“Listen to me. We—we're in trouble,” Destiny cried.

Livvy rolled her eyes. “Tell me something I don't know.”

Destiny dropped down on the edge of the bed. “You don't know
this
. Dad is a hunter. I saw him. I saw him tonight. Our own dad is a hunter.”

The magazine fell from Livvy's hands. “Oh my God. That's impossible!”

Destiny took a deep breath. “It's true. I saw Ross and Fletch with him. And other guys from school. They broke into Mrs. Lindros's house.”

“The librarian from school?”

Destiny nodded. “They killed her. I heard her scream. It was so horrible!”

Livvy pulled herself up. She shook her head hard. “Ross was there? With Dad?”

“Yes. I swear. They're both hunters.”

“But Dad wouldn't hurt us. We're his daughters.”

Destiny swallowed hard. “I don't know what he would do if he found out. He's been lying to us all this time. He said he was working late. But all the while, he's been a hunter.”

Livvy tugged at a strand of hair. “I—I just can't believe it.”

“You've got to stay away from Ross,” Destiny said. “He's a hunter too.”

“So what?” Livvy cried.

“So what? Have you lost your mind? If Ross found out our secret—”

“Ross would never hurt me,” Livvy insisted. “Never. Ross loves me, Dee.”

Destiny's voice came out in a shrill whisper. “Would he still care about you if he knew? Would he?”

“You're just jealous,” Livvy said. “You're jealous that Ross is in love with me.”

The words stung Destiny. “I'm not jealous. He's a hunter. And if he knew—”

“He already knows!”
Livvy cried. “Ross already knows. I told him. He knows all about it.”

“What? How could you?” Destiny screamed. “How could you put us both at risk? We swore to keep the secret. We swore to each other. How could you tell him?”

Livvy turned her face to the wall and didn't answer.

“When did you tell him? What did he say? Answer me,” Destiny demanded. “Answer me, Livvy. What did he say?”

Livvy didn't move and didn't reply.

“Don't you realize what you've done?” Destiny cried. “Don't you realize the danger we're in now?”

D
estiny watched Renz walk down the hall. He appeared startled to see her, but a smile quickly replaced his surprise. “Good morning, Destiny. Waiting outside my office door? Hope you haven't been waiting long.”

“I wanted to talk to you before school began.”

He switched his briefcase to his other hand, pushed open the door, and waved her in before him. At his desk, he turned and smiled at her again, his dark eyes flashing. “You look tired. Are those lines under your eyes?”

“I didn't sleep much last night,” Destiny said. “I was worried about coming here…about talking to you. I…well…this isn't easy.”

His eyes burned into hers. “What's on your mind?”

Destiny stared back at him. “Well…I don't
really know how to say this.” Her throat suddenly felt dry.

I can't do this. This is crazy. I should turn and run.

Renz leaned closer. His eyes caught the light. “Why don't you just say it? It can't be that difficult.”

Yes, it is.

“Well…”

His eyes appeared to glow. He didn't blink. She suddenly felt as if he was reaching into her mind, reading her thoughts.

“You want to talk to me about the full moon, don't you?” he said softly.

Destiny gasped. He
did
read her mind.

She nodded.

“You're nervous about Saturday night,” Renz said.

Destiny nodded again. “You know!” she whispered. “You…you
are
the Restorer—aren't you!”

He blinked. “The
what?
”

“The Restorer. It's you. You're the one who restores people to their normal lives after they've been bitten.”

He didn't answer.

“Please, tell me, Renz.” Her voice broke. “Tell me the truth. Are you the one? Are you the Restorer?”

Renz gazed at her for a long moment. He seemed to be thinking hard. Finally, a smile spread across his handsome face. He took Destiny's hand.

“Yes,” he whispered. “Yes, I am.”

His hand felt warm and dry on her cold hand. She let out a long sigh of relief. “Oh, thank God,” she cried. “Livvy and I—we need you, Renz. We need you desperately. We don't have much time. Will you help us?”

He pressed her hand between both of his. He stood and came up close beside her. “Don't worry anymore,” he whispered. “The full moon is Saturday night. I'll be there, at the senior overnight. I will come for you. And I promise I will take care of you then.”

“Thank you. Oh, thank you,” Destiny whispered.

D
estiny greeted Nakeisha at the front door, and the two girls hugged. Destiny led her friend into the living room. “You look great!”

Nakeisha spun around, modeling her outfit. She wore a white sweater vest over a silky orange top, a short brown suede skirt, and dark tights. “It's my college interview outfit. Check it out.”

Destiny laughed as Nakeisha paraded back and forth like a model on a runway. “Hope you don't walk like that at your interviews. How's it going?”

Nakeisha shrugged. “Not bad. I've only seen a few schools. Mom wants me to stay in the east. She won't let me apply to any California schools.”

Nakeisha's eyes narrowed on Destiny. “Have you lost weight?”

Destiny bit her bottom lip. “A little.”

“Well, don't lose any more,” Nakeisha said in her usual blunt way. “You look like we did
after that two-day canoe trip. Wrecked.”

“I…haven't been sleeping well,” Destiny said, motioning for Nakeisha to sit on the green leather couch. “I don't know why. Senior-year-itis, I guess.”

Nakeisha glanced around. “Nice house. Is Livvy home?”

Destiny dropped beside her on the couch. “No. I don't know where she is.”

“Hope she comes by. I wanted to say hi to her.”

“Livvy and I haven't been getting along.” The words burst from Destiny's mouth. She hadn't intended to say them.

She didn't want to involve Nakeisha in her troubles. She didn't want to tell Nakeisha anything about what was going on.

“I'm not surprised,” Nakeisha said. “You two are so different. It's hard to believe you're really twins.”

“Well…” Destiny had the sudden urge to tell her friend everything. But she forced the words back.

“Hey, you know who I heard from?” Nakeisha asked. “Ronnie Herbert. Know what he's doing?”

Destiny shook her head. “I only got one e-mail from him, at the end of summer.”

“You know how he was such a wizard with the camp computers? Well, he started his own computer repair business after school. You know. Doing upgrades for people, installing hardware, and stuff. He said he's making money big-time.”

“Good for Ronnie,” Destiny said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

“Hear from anyone else at camp? Oh, wait.” Nakeisha jumped to her feet. “I forgot. Know what I brought?” She went to the front hall, rummaged in her bag, and pulled out a thin book. “Did you get this?”

“What is it?”

Nakeisha returned to the couch, holding the book up to Destiny. “It's the camp yearbook. It just came yesterday morning.”

“I didn't get mine.”

Nakeisha pushed it into Destiny's lap. “Well, check it out. Look. We're on the cover.”

Destiny moaned. “Oh, great. That horrible day it rained like crazy. We look like drowned rats.”

Destiny quickly turned the page. “There's the campfire from hell. I'll never forget those
screaming little kids.”

Nakeisha laughed. “Half of them wet their beds that night!”

“Hey, nice picture of Livvy,” Destiny said, holding the book closer. “Who's that guy she's with?”

Nakeisha grabbed the book to study the photo. “What day was it taken? Livvy was going with a different boy every day, wasn't she? I mean, she didn't leave anyone for us.”

Destiny's eyes rolled over the photos. “Oh, wow. This is great.”

I wish I was back in camp. I wish I could turn the clock back…

“But do you know what's totally weird?” Nakeisha took the book and flipped quickly through the pages. “No photos of Renz. Not one.”

Destiny's mouth dropped open. “Renz…?”

“Go ahead. You look.” Nakeisha shoved the book back onto Destiny's lap. “Renz was everywhere, right? He was in every activity. So how come they left him out of the yearbook?”

Destiny swallowed hard. She let the yearbook slide from her lap, onto the floor. “Renz? At camp? He's at my school. No way he was at camp.”

“Huh? At your school?” Nakeisha jumped to
her feet again. She pressed her hands to her waist and frowned at Destiny. “Are you totally losing it? I'm talking about Renz. R-e-n-z. We hung out with Renz all summer. You panted after him and followed him around just like all us girls. Are you telling me you don't remember that?”

Destiny stared up at her friend. She suddenly felt dizzy. She gripped the side of the couch.

Renz at camp. Renz, the new college advisor from school, at camp. How can that be?

And suddenly, she saw herself with him. She and Renz at the lake…the full moon high above the shimmering water. Renz leaning over her…kissing her…

Oh my God.

Slowly, the truth began to filter into her spinning mind.

I get it. I get it now.

No pictures of Renz in the yearbook.

No memory of him at camp. But he was there. I knew him. I hung out with him. I…kissed him.

No pictures and no memories of him…

Vampires can't be photographed…

Renz is a vampire. Yes. It's so obvious now, thanks to Nakeisha and the yearbook. Renz is
the vampire who ruined our lives.

“He's not the Restorer,” she said, thinking out loud.

Nakeisha continued to stand over her. “What? You're not making any sense, Dee.”

Oh, yes, I am.

Renz isn't the Restorer.

Nakeisha was talking, but Destiny couldn't hear her, her words drowned out by Destiny's terrifying realization.

Destiny pressed her hands to the sides of her face and shut her eyes. Renz isn't the Restorer…. My dad is a vampire hunter…. My closest friends are hunters too. My sister isn't speaking to me. After Saturday, I will be like Mrs. Bauer, a mad creature driven night and day by an endless craving for blood.

“Destiny? Are you freaking out or something? Are you okay?” Nakeisha's voice—far away, miles away—broke into her thoughts.

No. I'm not okay.

I'm not okay.

I have no one to turn to, no one I can trust.

Saturday night…Saturday night…Saturday night…my life will be over.