The Eighth Day by Dianne K. Salerni Read Free Book Online Page B

Jax!”
    Jax didn’t answer. He quickened his pace and walked down the street to catch the bus at Billy’s house.
    The long sleeve shirt didn’t fool Billy, who spotted the tattoo on the bus. Jax had to give a partial explanation, and Billy was hurt. “If A.J. Crandall was doing home tattoos, why didn’t you call me? My mom would’ve killed me for getting a tattoo.” He said the last as if it were an honor Jax had denied him.
    Jax couldn’t tell Billy about Grunsday, and he couldn’t explain how Riley and A.J. had tattooed his arm against his will. “I passed out, all right?” he finally said. “I would’ve called you, but I fainted as soon as A.J. stuck a needle in my arm, and I was embarrassed.”
    â€œDude, you didn’t.”
    â€œLike a girl. I fainted like a girl.” And stayed passed out for the next three hours .
    Billy crowed with laughter. Jax tugged down his sleeve and asked, “Can I stay at your house this weekend?” Suddenly, Jax was afraid to go home—afraid of Riley.
    â€œSure. Unless . . .” Billy’s eyes lit up. “Do you think A.J. would—”
    â€œYou’d need permission from your parents,” Jax said promptly.
    Billy’s shoulders slumped. “I said it before and I’ll say it again. You are so lucky to have Riley Pendare as your guardian.”

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
    HarperCollins Publishers
    ..................................................................
9
    THE BOYS HOLED UP in Billy’s basement rec room Friday night to play video games. Jax borrowed Billy’s computer and waited until his friend was fully engaged defending Hyrule against an army of giant spiders before he opened up Google. Searching for Grunsday turned up nothing but jokes. Eighth day or eight days a week unearthed movies and song titles. Jax scratched at the tattoo, which had begun to itch, then tried extra day between Wednesday and Thursday .
    A site called Between Wednesday and Thursday topped the list. The link led to a message board with a banner that read: If you have to ask, you don’t belong here . There was only one thing visible on the page:
    This is a private group. Potential members know why they belong here. If you wish to join, send a message HERE describing why you deserve membership in 140 characters or less.
    Jax hesitated only a moment before clicking on the link and typing a message:
    just had the eighth day for the 2nd time. seeking more information.
    He included his email address as requested and tapped the send button.
    Billy let out a horrible, bloodcurdling cry and stretched his arm over the back of the sofa, offering the controller to Jax. “Just got my brains slurped out of my head. Wanna turn?”
    â€œYeah.” Jax deleted his search history and logged off. He was just sitting down on the sofa when his phone chirped, and he pulled it out of his backpack to check his texts.
    Riley: where r u
    Jax’s heart lurched. Reluctantly, he thumbed in a reply.
    Jax: @billys house
    Riley: u didn’t tell me
    Jax: i never tell u
    There was a long pause after that. Then:
    Riley: u coming home tonite?
    Jax: staying weekend
    Riley: WHEN r u coming home?
    In four months, Riley had never kept track of Jax’s comings and goings. Jax remembered Riley’s hand on his arm, pressing him into the chair for the tattoo, and shivered in revulsion.
    Jax: depends when will U b @ work?
    There was another pause before Riley’s final message.
    Riley: guess u dont want answers to those ?s after all
    Billy’s mom let Jax stay the weekend, sleeping on the couch in their basement. “Your guardian says it’s okay?” she asked.
    â€œHe doesn’t care where I am,” Jax said, and she nodded grimly, as if that was exactly what she’d expected. Mrs. Ramirez was a lot less impressed with Riley Pendare than her son was. Jax kept his sleeve pulled down