See Me (20 page)

It turned out that Reverend Gabriel had been hovering in Owen’s truck the entire time, so he reclaimed his body shortly after Jonathan and I left for the warehouse. After a lengthy discussion with the minister, Owen promised the four of us would come to the church for a more detailed explanation later this week. Then Reverend Gabriel borrowed Brynne’s car to go home since, as he explained, his family was probably freaking out about his unexplained absence.

When Jonathan and I had run safely past the security gate, Owen and Brynne hopped out of Owen’s truck and threw their arms around us. There was a brief jumping party, then we hauled booty back to Owen’s truck and he sped away with no security guards pursuing us. Yay!

“I can’t believe you guys pulled that off.” Brynne twisted around in the front passenger seat, and faced Jonathan and me in the back seat. “You nabbed a million-dollar artificial body and got away with it. He looks so real.”

“He
is
real,” I said, wondering how we’d pay off a million-dollar debt. We couldn’t exactly ask for a payment plan when we’d taken the body without permission. Huh. We’d have to worry about that later. I scooted closer to Jonathan who’d put on the pair of sweatpants Owen had in his backpack for P.E. The pants were tight on him and rode up his calf due to his bulky military physique, but I didn’t care. He had his own body—for good.

“And he’s kind of cute. How old is he?” Brynne asked.

I rolled my eyes. “Sixteen.”

“No,” she continued. “How old is the body?”

“How should I know? He looks maybe eighteen?” I blew out a breath, and turned to Jonathan. “After we get my car from school, I’ll take you home to your family so you can tell them you’re alive. Danielle’s going to be so happy.”

“Who’s Danielle?” Brynne asked.

“Jonathan’s younger sister.” I kept out the fact that the girl had a crush on Owen. Poor Brynne had experienced enough with learning Owen had been mistakenly crushing on me. And had kissed me. Ew.

Jonathan slipped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me even closer. “It’s a relief being in a body, knowing I didn’t boot anyone out of it. It’s still weird, because it’s not me. But I’m sure I’ll get used to it with time.”

“You will,” I said, smiling up at him.

He gazed back at me, rubbing his knuckles along my jawbone. “But what if the body gets recognized?”

Huh. I hadn’t thought of that. It’s not like Jonathan’s driver’s license would match. And how would he explain to his friends and teachers and cousins and stuff that he had a new body? Not everyone was as believing as my friends.

“I know,” he said quickly. “My dad’s earned bank from
Maisy’s Meow
, which is even being made into a movie. Maybe he can loan me the money to reimburse that company for whatever this body cost.”

“That’s an option. Plus, whatever it costs for that body is worth it.” I tried not to stare at the bare chest in front of me, but it was hard not to. Brynne was right. For an artificial body, it looked
very
real. Different from the photo I’d seen on the Internet with those gorgeous emerald green eyes peering at me, but I’d get used to it just like Jonathan would.

Owen glanced in the rear-view mirror as we crossed the Bay Bridge. “If you don’t mind, I’d be very interested in taking a sample of your blood to analyze. My dad’s a doctor, so everything will be properly sterilized.”

“Now is
not
the time to bring that up, Owen,” Brynne said, moaning as if she couldn’t believe he’d suggest that. “Jonathan just got his own body. Let him get used to it before you start experiments.”

I couldn’t help giggling. The suggestion was just so Owen.

“We’ll see, buddy,” Jonathan said, clapping him on the shoulder. “You risked a lot by helping me. I literally owe you my life.”

“Nonsense.” Owen shook his head, but emotion flickered across his face. “Any one of us would take those kinds of risks for each other. That’s what friends are for.”

Something warmed inside my tummy. “Stop before you make me cry,” I said, deeply touched by his statement. Now that Jonathan had a body, maybe the four of us could go out. Owen had done a double-take on Brynne at Nicole’s house, and I’d caught him stealing several peeks at her during the car ride. There could be hope for them yet.

Owen took the first San Felipe exit, glancing at his rear-view mirror with a frown.

“What is it?” Brynne asked.

He kept his gaze on the road, flipping his indicator to turn right toward the high school. “Don’t turn around, but there’s a black sedan behind us. Seems like it’s been following us for awhile.”

“I’m sure you’re being paranoid,” I said, but fear crawled up my spine. He had always spouted totally random things like that, but hadn’t some of them proved to be true? Like a secret artificial body operation?

Jonathan must’ve been thinking the same thing I was, because his grip tightened around me. “Pull over,” he said, firmly.

Owen completed his right turn, then tapped his indicator again, and pulled to a stop at the side of the road. I turned slightly in my seat, and held my breath. A black sedan with tinted windows approached slowly . . . then rolled by us down the street. It made a left turn at the stop sign then disappeared.

I let out the breath I’d been holding, and laughed. “You actually had me a little freaked there.”

“That’s what Owen does best,” Brynne said, smiling over her shoulder. She looked noticeably relieved though so I think we were all a little on edge.

This had been a pivotal, but stressful day. I couldn’t wait for it to be over so we could go back to a regular life. I’d drop my comic strip contest form in the mail tomorrow—I promised myself but still felt anxiety shoot up my spine—and then maybe Jonathan and I could go out after since we had a lot to celebrate, just like normal teenagers.

I let out a heavy sigh as Owen pulled into the high school parking lot, which was empty this time of night except for my loan car at the far end. We were only a few car lengths away when it happened.

Out of nowhere, black sedans zoomed toward us from all directions. They screeched to a halt and blocked our path, their headlights pointing at our car. Owen slammed on the brakes, jerking all four of us forward in our seats.

“We’re surrounded,” Jonathan said, squinting from the bright lights as his gaze darted around. “One guess what they’re here for.”

We exchanged a look. “They want their million-dollar military man back,” I said.

“There must be a tracking device on the body,” Owen mumbled, watching wide-eyed as the doors of the black sedans swung upon, revealing uniformed men. Each one held a gun pointed directly at us.

“What should we do?” I asked, my voice trembling. I grasped Jonathan’s hand, tight.

“Keep your hands in the air and exit the vehicle!” a loud voice echoed, indicating they were using a megaphone.

“Guys? I’m kind of scared,” Brynne said, her bottom lip trembling.

Owen squeezed Brynne’s hand, then lifted his palms. “They’re armed. We should do what they say.”

“I’m sorry.” Jonathan twisted around, checking behind us, but all we could see were pairs of headlights. “It’s me they want. I’ll just step out of truck.”

“No,” I said, grabbing onto his arm. “You need this body. Maybe we can explain to them—”

“The body in your vehicle is a lethal weapon!” the deep voice bellowed. “It has malfunctioned and must be destroyed. Please exit the vehicle so we can protect you.”

“So much for small talk,” Jonathan mumbled.

I pressed my fingers to my temples. “This is happening too fast. We need time to form a plan.”

Jonathan gripped me above the elbows. “There are actually guns pointed at us. The only plan is to get you guys out of this safely.”

“Owen?” I asked, hoping his analytical brain had an idea.

He shook his head. “We’re trapped. Our only option is to surrender.”

Brynne held her hands high, and turned to face me. “Amy?”

My eyes blurred as I stared at my friend. “I’m staying with Jonathan.”

Jonathan’s brows came together, but his gaze shot to Owen’s in the rear-view mirror. “You and Brynne should go.”

Owen’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. Brynne and Owen opened their doors simultaneously, stepped out with their hands in the air, then pushed their doors shut with their hips. They hadn’t taken two steps before the uniformed men pounced on them, quickly leading them away.

“Let the girl go!” the voice boomed from outside.

“Leave us alone!” I yelled, but I didn’t know if they could hear me since I wasn’t using one of those megaphone thingies.

“They think I’m keeping you in here,” Jonathan said, closing his eyes briefly. “If they storm the vehicle, you might get hurt. It’s time for you to go.”

I stared into those artificial blue eyes, unable to believe that five minutes ago I’d thought our problems were solved. Now guns were pointed at us. Uniformed men were threatening our lives. “How are we going to get out of this?”

“We’re not.” He gazed down at me, his eyes filled with resolve. “
You
are. Do this for me, Amy. Please.”

I couldn’t. I really, really couldn’t. But then I saw the flicker of emerald green deep within the blue eyes and I knew. I had to do what he was asking. For him. “Fine, I’ll get out.” My throat constricted and I tightened my grip on his arms. “But not until you vacate this body. They think it’s dangerous, and they’re going to destroy it. If you’re in it when they do, then you’ll pass on.” I choked out the words, tears burning behind my eyes. “So you’ll stay in the zombie zone until we figure something else out. That’s the new plan.”

His fingers brushed my cheek. “This isn’t a life for you. You deserve more than I can give you. Promise me you’ll tell your mom about your comic series. I saw your argument with her after the cemetery. She’s worried because she cares about you.”

I shook my head. “She cares about her new family. I’m invisible to her.”

“Then make her see you like I made you see me.” He lifted my chin. “
Let
her see who you are, because the girl I see . . . she’s pretty incredible,” he whispered, then he brushed his lips against mine—sending tingles of magic through me despite the chaos outside.

“This is your last chance!” the voice blared. “Exit the vehicle or we will open fire!”

Jonathan turned away from me and reached for the door handle.

“No!” I dove across his lap, my fingers grappling for the handle. “Go to the zombie zone, Jonathan. Even if that’s all we have, it’s better than nothing. Think of the people who love you,” I sobbed, locking my fingers around the handle.

His hand wrapped around mine, twisting my fingers away. “If I love you, I’ll let you go.”

Then the door opened, and he slipped out from beneath me. My chest hit the seat, then the door banged closed against my head as the
crackle
of gunfire burst. Shot after shot, and then there was silence.

An animal-like sound escaped my mouth. I scrambled to my knees, pushed open the door, and saw the muscular artificial body lying face-down on the ground—not moving. Then uniformed men swarmed the body, covered it with a tarp, and carried it away as I knelt on shaky knees, my mind going numb.

“Are you hurt, miss?” one of the men said. He helped me to my feet, shined a tiny flashlight in my eyes, and checked me over. As I swayed, he lowered me back down until I was sitting in the back of Owen’s truck. “She’s fine,” he said to someone, then strode away.

I stared as the men poured liquid over the pavement where Jonathan’s body had been. The pungent smell of bleach wafted up my nose. The world blurred as I heard a scatter of car doors close, then the sound of tires peeling away ratcheted through my head. The uniformed men had gone. They’d left me, Brynne and Owen behind and had taken Jonathan.

Suddenly, a small pair of hands clasped around mine. “I’ll sit in back with her.” Brynne’s voice sounded soft like angel’s, but it did nothing to ease the pain ripping through me. “Drive Amy home first, and I’ll call her mom on the way. We’ll get our cars tomorrow.”

“All right,” Owen said, then car doors clicked shut, and the engine started.

Brynne’s fingers stroked my hair as I curled into her lap, and sobbed.

****

The drive from San Felipe High’s parking lot to my neighborhood drizzled by in a blur of tears. Everything moved in slow motion. Brynne’s hand rubbing my back. Her supposed-to-be comforting words. Murmurs by Owen. By the time we pulled up in front of my house, my head was empty, my body numb. He waited in the truck as Brynne led me up the walkway.

As we approached, my mom opened the door and inhaled audibly. “What happened?” she asked.

“I’d rather let Amy tell you,” Brynne said, her around gripping around my waist as she led me up the stairs to my room. She helped me sit on the bed, then pulled my shoes off one at a time before she glanced up at my mom. “I can stay with her.”

My mom shook her head. “I’ll take it from here.”

Brynne leaned down, and brushed my hair behind my ear. “Call me if you need me, sweetie.”

It took all of my effort to nod my head. Then I watched her leave the room, her blond hair swinging behind her until she disappeared. I rolled over, bringing my knees up to my chest so I was in the fetal position. If only I could feel that heated energy in the room right now—that feeling like someone was watching me.

But there was nothing. The room was empty.

Jonathan was dead.

“What in the world is going on?” my mom asked.

I figured she was glaring down at me but I didn’t look up. “Nothing. I want to be alone.”

Instead of leaving, she grabbed the back of the chair by my desk and pulled it close to the bed. She sat down, her hands clasped together in her lap. “The school called me this evening. They wanted to let me know that you’d missed your second day of after-school detention. What did you get in trouble for now?”

I groaned, rolling over. Mrs. Beckencourt’s lame detention was the least of my worries right now. “Could you come back and torture me tomorrow? In case you can’t tell, I’m having a bad day.”

“Talk to me, Amy. Tell me what you’re upset about.”