Page 31 of Don't Watch Alone
Eva, mid-sip of her soda, she just blinked with a question remaining in her eyes. I didn’t wait for an answer, already pushing through the crowds of pizza-fueled kids, my eyes lockedon the disappearing figure. She was heading towards the mall entrance.
“Mary!” I hollered, my voice a little breathless, as I burst out of the ShowBiz Pizza Place doors and into the brighter part of the mall. The noise level dropped instantly, replaced by the quieter sounds of mall music and distant conversations. She heard me, I was sure of it; her shoulders tensed, and she paused, just a few feet away from the entrance to one of the department stores.
“Mary, wait up!”
The girl turned, with her head tilting slightly. My steps stopped. The hair was similar, yes, and the jacket, but as her face came into full view, the resemblance just vanished. Her eyes were a different shade of blue, her nose was not quite the same, her lips looked like a stranger’s. My energy left, leaving behind a chilling flow of embarrassment.
“Oh,” I breathed. My cheeks turned red. “I’m so sorry. I thought you were… I thought you were one of my friends.” I offered a weak, apologetic smile, wanting nothing more than to disappear from existence. She nodded politely, yet seemingly confused, and then continued on her way.
Mortified, I spun around and walked back towards Eva.
“Blaiz?”
The sound of my name, spoken in that particular tone, made my shoulders tense up. I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. But I did anyway.
Andy stood there, a few feet away, with a desperate look in his eyes. He was wearing the same faded band t-shirt he always seemed to wear when he was hanging around the mall. Just seeing him sent a new rush of dread through me.
“Are you still going to the movies tonight?” he asked, as if trying to keep our conversation private in the public space.
“Yes,” I said, ready to make a quick escape. My eyes darted towards the ShowBiz entrance.
“Please don’t,” he begged, his hand shooting out and wrapping around my forearm. His gripwas surprisingly strong, not painful, but firm enough to stop me in my tracks.
I stared at his hand on my arm, then back up at his face. The desperation in his eyes was almost unbearable, but it didn’t make me feel sorry for him. It only made me feel more trapped. “Listen,” I said, yanking my arm, but his grip held fast, “I know you have told me not to go, but I will have plenty of guys with me tonight. So, I have nothing to worry about. Please just leave me alone.”
With a final, forceful jerk, I pulled my arm free from his grip. The sudden movement sent a throb up my arm, but it was nothing compared to the fear that twisted in my gut. I didn’t look back, just shoved my hands into my pockets and half-walked, half-ran back towards the comforting sounds of ShowBiz Pizza Place, leaving Andy standing alone in the wide open space of the mall.
Chapter fourteen
Blaiz
November 9, 1984
WeheadstraighttoJade’s house after leaving the mall. The second Tony pulls into her driveway, I’m already out of the car. I don’t wait for Drew, Eva, or even Tony—I just make a beeline for the front door, with my heart racing, and my hands already itching to tell her everything. As soon as she opens up the door, I grab her by the wrist and drag her down the hallway to her room, barely giving her time to blink.
“I have to tell you what just happened,” I say, breathless, almost manic as the words tumble out. “So we go to the mall, grab some pizza, right? And I swear I saw Mary—my missing coworker. I ran after her like a lunatic, pushing through people, chasing this girl who ended up being a complete stranger. But that’s not eventhe worst part. On my way back to the food court, Andy shows up. He grabs my arm—like physically grabs me—and tells me again not to go to the movies tonight. Says something’s going to happen, but won’t say what. Just keeps saying I shouldn’t go.”
I don’t realize how fast I’ve been talking until I stop and actually look at Jade. Her eyes are wide, and her mouth slightly open.
“Do you think we shouldn’t go?” she asks.
“No, I’m going. I’ve been waiting to see this movie for months, and I refuse to skip it just because some creepy guy wants to act mysterious.”
I pause, breathing hard, then add, “Sure, he’s been watching me. Sure, Mary’s missing. And okay, the news is throwing around words like ‘disappearances’ and ‘possible foul play,’ but they haven’t said her name. They haven’t said any names. So, no, I’m not missing this.”
We leave her room and head to the living room where the others have gathered—Tony, Drew, Eva, and Derrick. The energy in the room is light and casual. The music plays low in thebackground, drinks are being passed around, and conversation flows as if none of this weirdness exists. But I stay sober. I don’t touch the beer, don’t even entertain the thought. I need my head to stay clear. In case something does happen, I can’t afford to be even a little foggy.
I sit quietly, watching them laugh and drink. I feel like I’m on the outside of something I used to be a part of. My leg bounces nervously, and I keep checking the clock, counting down the minutes until showtime. In the back of my mind, Andy’s voice buzzes like a trapped fly—loud, useless, and persistent.
“Come on, just one drink,” Tony urges, holding out a can. “It’s Friday night, lighten up.”
I shake my head without looking at him. “I’m good,” I say, trying to make it sound like I’m just being my usual overly cautious self. “Gotta stay sharp for the movie. You never know—maybe it’s so bad I’ll need to be quick on my feet.”
Jade watches me closely, her expression pinched, concern still hanging in the features on her face. Derrick laughs at something Drew says, oblivious, and Eva flips through amagazine with the kind of disinterest that borders on boredom. She always manages to stay detached.
Drew leans back and raises his beer. “What, you think something’s actually going to happen tonight?”
I shrug, forcing a crooked smile. “Nah. I just like being ready in case the killer jumps out from the back row or something.” I try to laugh it off, but the knot in my chest doesn’t loosen.
