Page 20 of Once Bitten

Chapter Eight

15 years ago.

The crowd had thinned out somewhat when Heather and I finally returned to the gym about half an hour later. My ankle had swelled up quite quickly and she’d gone to get some ice which had helped. We’d decided that I was better off barefoot, and so I’d taken off the shoes and hobbled back to the party. Only about 20-30 couples were left on the dance floor, fatigue or alcohol or both had numbed their motor skills, and there was a variety of eclectic dance moves and couples leaning on each other, barely moving.

We spotted Eric and Finn sitting at our table, ties loosened and jackets off, as they waved their arms in passionate debate.

“Hey!” Heather went over the Eric and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

I dropped to my seat, next to Finn. He turned to me and winked.

“So...what’ve you guys been doing?” Heather asked, still hanging off her boyfriend’s neck.

“Waiting for you,” Finn said to me, as if I were the only one in the room.

“Well, Kara’s ankle’s pretty sore, so I think we should get her home or somewhere she can rest.” Heather spoke up.

“I’ll take her,” Finn offered. “I parked my car here in the afternoon so we’d have a way to get home.”

“Um, are you sure…” Eric started, but stopped when Finn threw him a warning look.

“Let’s go.” He stood up abruptly and grabbed my hand puling me to my feet

“Oh. Um, sure. Ok.” I said, picking up my purse. He was acting a little weird. I looked at Heather who just shrugged and waved.

“See you tomorrow, sweetie. But not too early,” She winked at me and elbowed Eric, who shot me a worried look. That was weird. But I didn’t have time to ponder on it too much. Finn tugged hard on my hand and I barely had time to wave good bye to Heather before he was pulling me towards the exit.

“Slow down! My ankle’s still pretty sore,” I begged him.

“Slowing down’s for losers, Kara! We are winners!” He said, still pulling my hand.

He led me hobbling to the car park where his car was waiting.

“Milady,” he grinned, opening the passenger door and helping me in.

I pulled the train of my dress in behind me and he closed the door and walked to the driver’s side. My heartbeat pounded in my neck as I waited for him. I busied myself with smoothing out my dress and hair, wondering if he going to pick up where he’d left off when Heather had interrupted us.

“Let’s go for a drive,” he leaned over and whispered in my ear.

“Ok.” I whispered back, barely audible.

He grinned and revved the car, stepping on the accelerator to screech out of the car park.

“Finn! Slow down!” I said, bracing myself against the door. He was driving way too fast.

“Oh, don’t be a baby! Doesn’t it make you feel alive?” He said, swerving into a side street that took us up to a lookout over the city.

“Please.” I begged. He was acting so weird, what had happened in the time we were apart?

“Fine.” He sulked and pulled off the brake a little, still swerving all over the road erratically.

I was scared. But I didn’t want to seem like I was overreacting, and I didn’t want to stop being alone with him. I held onto the door handle white knuckled as I watched his profile. He was focused on something so intently in front of him, but it wasn’t something on the road. It was like he was seeing something I wasn’t.

“Finn.” I said softly and reached out to touch him. He snapped his arm away, recoiling from my touch. “Sorry.” I apologized, rejected.

“I’m- I’m sorry, Kara, I didn’t mean to-, you just startled me.” He kept his eyes on the road as I felt the car increase its speed again.

I gripped my own hands and gritted my teeth trying to not jerk too much from his erratic driving. And I didn’t speak, he was obviously troubled by something and I thought he could use the time to sort it out in his own head. I only hoped he would trust me enough to talk to me about it after