Page 83 of Ominous: Part 1
My stomach flips.
Did something happen to Sebastian?
I think of our conversation this morning and feel dizzy, regret ringing in my ears. And because of it, the roar in my head from my elevated pulse, it takes me a moment to understand what it is the cops are saying, and the fact they’re saying it toEli.
“Of course,” he replies, to the officer in the middle, and I turn my head to face him, my brows pulled together, sweat slick along the back of my neck, blossoming under my arms.
Eli turns his sharp gaze to me, a small smile on his lips as he steps toward the officers, his back to them as they look at me, then him, then back again.
“I’ll see you tonight?” he asks, and I don’t know what he means, maybe the library, maybe he wants me to stay after practice.
“What the hell?” I grind the words out, looking again toward the officers. “What do you want with him?” My adrenaline is spiked, and I bite my nails into the fabric of my straps to keep from reaching for Eli when he takes another step away from me and toward the police. I shake my head. “Where are you taking him—”
“It’s okay, baby girl.” Eli says the words loud enough for the officers to hear. I cut my eyes to him. He shrugs, winking at me. “I’ll see you later.”
And I don’t get another explanation before he walks past me, down the hall with the three officers right behind him like bodyguards, only I don’t know if they’re guarding Eli or everyone else.
I have no choice but to move my feet to English, amidst the hushed whispers and eyes on Eli as he strides down the hallway without a care in the world.
It’s only halfway through English, my mind still whirring, my phone on vibrate and clutched in my clammy palm under my desk, when I realize Dominic isn’t in class.
* * *
Sebastian:When do you need me to pick you up?
I tap my pen against my notebook, sitting up straighter in the shadowy library, my eyes heavy as I scan the room again, seeing nothing but empty aisles and tables, the quiet unnerving. I kept my earbuds in my backpack, set in the seat next to me, so Eli couldn’t sneak up on me.
But Eli isn’t here, and he hasn’t replied to my texts, either.
I check the time. His practice should be over. It’s almost eight. I called him once, an hour and a half ago when I thought he’d be done, but he didn’t answer, the phone just rang and rang.
My stomach twists into knots as I stare at Sebastian’s text. I told Mom I was studying, and she said Seb offered to pick me up. I didn’t dispute the fact I’d need a ride, because… well,where are you, Eli?
Definitely not here.
I sigh, then open up Sebastian’s contact info and call him. I hold my breath, still expecting Eli to appear out of the shadows and explain everything to me, but the only thing that happens is Sebastian answers, and I can tell he’s high by the raucous laughter on the other end of the line.
I roll my eyes in irritation, gritting my teeth with his lazy,“Hello?”
“You were supposed to be sober.” I grip my pen hard enough to hear the plastic crack, but I don’t let go as a jagged edge digs into the web of my fingers.
Sebastian laughs again. “I ammmm,” he drawls out, and I hear music in the background, bass beats and giggles from a girl.
“Where are you?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
I close my eyes, dropping my pen and bringing my hand to my temple, elbow on the table.
“Just let me know when you need me—” His words die off with a girl’s shriek, and a loud clatter follows. Judging by Sebastian’s faraway voice as he says, “Hey, hey!” I’m assuming someone knocked the phone out of his hand.
I don’t bother saying anything else. I just hang up and send him a text not to worry about it, although it’s not as if I’m counting on him to worry at all.
I set my phone on the table and bury my head in my hands, thinking of walking back in the dark. I’m not scared of the dark, or even of Raleigh, really. I should be safe, there’s sidewalks, and if I start getting freaked out, I’ll call Mom as a last resort and deal with Reece’s lecture when we get back.
But part of me wants to wait, thinking Eli will show up if I just hold out a little longer.
And part of me feels stupid, being on his leash.
