“Oh look, she sleeps with her too.” Shay and I split apart. Our gazes meet Sam’s sneer at the same time. It’s far too early for this.Nope, not today Satan.I’m not nearly awake enough for her bullshit.
Nudging Shay with my shoulder, I motion my head toward the school, and we both just walk around her. If I did like women it wouldn’t be any of her concern. For a supposed queen amongst peasants, she certainly worries about the lives of the people she deems below her far too often.
Once we’re inside the school we head to Shay’s locker and then to mine, because it’s closer to our first period class. Placing my thumb on the sensor to disengage the lock, I pull it open preparing to grab my calculus book, when I see a white package, that’s about the size of a small shipping box, with my name on it. Quirking my head, I’m puzzled how someone got into my locker a-freaking-gain. Damn school.High tech security my ass.I grab the box, but upon hearing something jostle inside, I steady my grip, and hold it with more precaution. I reach in with my left hand, retrieving my book and slamming my locker shut. I’ll look in the box once I get to class.
“Hey Riri, miss me?” Wy croons, dropping a chaste kiss on my cheek and I turn red. He does this every chance he gets, burrowing his fine ass into my affections. He’s so damn persistent that even his messages are overtures of his feelings. It’s rare to meet someone who isn’t shy about wanting someone and going for them. At least not in my limited experiences.
I hip-check him out of my personal space. Can’t let him think he’s wearing me down. “Don’t think you’re off the hook. You ignored my messages last week and what did I tell you about touching someone without their expressed consent?”
The fucker chuckles. “Oh but you express your consent every night don’t you, Love?” I’m instantly crimson. My cheeks flare even brighter than when he kissed them.How the hell would he know that?I would swear the creeper was sneaking into my room at night if it wasn’t for the alarm system.
“How would you know what I do or don’t do at night? And don’t think I didn’t notice that you ignored my earlier point,” I shoot back.
He angles his mouth to my ear and whisper, “I think we both know the answer to that question. I don’t take you as someone that’s gullible, so I won’t treat you like you’re stupid.” His teeth nip at the shell of my ear before strolling to where his friends are sitting, in the back of the room.
I try but fail to compose myself as I take my seat, swallowing in order to wet my now dry throat. I shake my head clear of its thirsty bitch thoughts.That damn boy is going to melt my panties.
I need to see what’s in this box, so I’ll deal with him later.
I pick up the small envelope taped to the top of the box and open it. Each word I read quickens my pulse. It ricochets against my ribs so loud, I can’t hear anyone around me.
You’ve stayed for too long.
It’s time for you to be gone.
You touch what’s not yours.
Now you’ll get what you deserve!
The card floats from my hand, fluttering until it hits my desk. What the hell does this even mean? If this is another one of Sam’s dumbass games, I might actually have to punch the bitch. At least she included a nursery rhyme in her antics this time, albeit a corny one.
Unsealing the box, I quickly peer in her direction, seeing if she’s watching, but she’s lost in a conversation with Wes. It’s more of her yammering and him pretending to be paying attention. Poor tink tink doesn’t recognize disinterest slapping her in her overpaid-for face.
Returning my focus to the box I slowly lift the lid and the stench of decay punches me in the face. My throat contracts as I try to keep my breakfast down. What the fuck is in here? If some asshole sent me a dead animal I’m flipping my desk and burning it. Tasting the putrid smell of the box’s contents, I hold my breath and attempt to pull open the lid, again.
A touch on my shoulder causes me to drop the lid, nearly jumping out of my skin. I wince when my knees slam against the metal bars underneath.
“Woah there.” My heart rate is still dialed up to DEFCON 1, but my shoulders sag at the sound of Owen’s voice.
“You need to either wear a bell or make some damn noise to alert people of your arrival. You scared the shit out of me,” I eke out between sharp breaths.
“Not my intention. You had a look of trepidation and whatever is in that box has the whole room smelling. I came over to see if you needed any help?” His hands are up, in a placating gesture, like he’s trying to calm a cornered animal.
“I was trying to get your attention, but nothing I did seemed to work. Owen saw and came over,” Shay offers as if she knows I need her to corroborate his story.
“Thanks, I was just about to look to see what’s inside. I’m sure it’s one of the assholes from Sam’s fan club working to get a rise out of me,” I say. I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince them or myself that that’s the case.
Shay and Owen are standing at my side when I make my third attempt to reveal the contents of the package. I guess the third time's a charm or a curse, my hand covers my mouth and I fly out of my seat to the trash can at the front of the room, all of the contents of my breakfast now laying at the bottom of the can.
“Oh don’t tell me you’re bulimic,” Sam and her fuck wad squad cackle from the back of the room.
I’m not even going to validate her comment. Bulimia is a serious disease and shouldn’t be made light of, but I can’t garner the words to address her at the moment. My mind is still stuck on what was in the box. My terrified eyes meet Shay’s concerned ones before landing on Owen’s molten-brown gaze. He looks murderous, his hand reaching for something, but Shay’s voice drags my attention to her.
“No suh. What di ras is wrong wit di people inna dis town er’, dem don’t righted.” She’s not lying.
Who the hell would send such a disgusting package and what poor girl did it belong to? There’s a female out there sans hand. I could see the manicured blue painted claw-style nails on the small hands, from the quick glance I was able to stomach. Based on that I’m guessing it was a female, but since I didn’t study it long enough I couldn’t be sure. The serrated edges along the wrist, where chunks of skin were missing, are evidence that whatever cut her was not smooth or sharp. She wears a square-cut diamond ring, the center stone surrounded by blue gems. The smell of decaying flesh made it impossible to look any longer. I know I’ve seen that ring before, but I can’t place where or on whom. The person’s face is just outside of my memory.
Wyatt is by my side before I can fully make my way up from the floor, spooking me until I see it’s him. He places the palm of his right hand on my back, massaging circles along my spine while helping me to my feet with the other. Once he’s sure I’m not going to tip over, he begins to walk me to the door.
