The Xoe Meyers Trilogy (Xoe Meyers Young Adult Fantasy/Horror Series) Read Free Book Online Page A

walked out of the theater and toward the concession stand with Dan trailing slightly behind me. I was trying my hardest to ignore his presence, when he grabbed my arm from behind and spun me to face him. My heart skipped a beat. I looked at him, startled.
    “What are you playing at?” he hissed.
    “What are you talking about? Let me go!” I replied angrily, trying to pry my arm loose from his iron grip.
    His blue eyes were very close, looking feral. His fingers squeezed my arm, hard enough to bruise. His hand was large enough to enclose my bicep entirely.
    “Don’t be stupid. I can smell you, just tell me,” he snapped.
    Smell me?
    Taking in my puzzled expression, he hesitated, cocking his head to the side like he usually did when observing me. He gave me a crooked smile. “You don’t know, do you?”
    I kept the same stupid expression on my face, jaw slightly agape.
    He laughed to himself and shook his head. “Um . . . nevermind, forget I said anything.” He continued chuckling.
    I opened my mouth to argue, but he simply turned around and walked back toward our section of the theater, moving with a carefree skip to his step.
    I stood, stunned, rubbing my arm where he had grabbed me. I stayed like that for several minutes, not sure what my reaction should be. I finally walked back into the movie without popcorn. I had lost my appetite. I climbed back over the bar and sat down, ignoring a puzzled look from Lucy. At least the previews had finally started.
    I rubbed my arm again where Dan had grabbed me. Yep, there was definitely going to be a bruise. I gave Dan a dirty look that he didn’t notice, then settled in to watch the movie. Once the movie started I tried to get into it, but ended up letting my mind wander. The feeling of dread was back in my stomach and my thoughts were dark. I was no longer simply creeped out, I was scared. I replayed my unnerving experience with Dan in my head, trying to puzzle out exactly what had happened.
    By the time the movie ended I was no closer to coming up with an explanation. The credits began to roll and we all stood to leave the theater. After waiting behind the few shuffling people who had managed to reach the aisle before us, we finally made our way through and walked outside.   The chilly breeze made me glad that I had brought my jacket. I slipped it on while only half listening as Lucy and Allison talked about the movie on the way back to Allison’s car. I caught Lucy claiming that the movie was decent, once you got past the done-and-done-again plot . . . I hadn’t noticed.
    I walked a little ahead of our group, huddled in my jacket. I stopped and waited at Allison’s car for everyone to catch up. I avoided Dan’s gaze as they reached me and looked to Lucy instead. She had Dan’s jacket draped over her shoulders.
    Allison looked toward Dan and Lucy, then glanced at me. “Irvine’s?” she asked the group.
    Dan looked confused.
    “It’s a pizza parlor,” Allison explained.
    Dan nodded. “Yeah, we’ll meet you there.”
    We? Dan gave a slight wave and walked away with Lucy tagging a short distance behind him.
    “Where are you going?” I called after her.
    “I’m riding with Dan. I’ll see you guys there,” Lucy replied nonchalantly as she looked over her shoulder at me. She paused at the worried look on my face, but quickly recovered and hurried after Dan.
    I slid into the passenger seat of Allison’s car with her already talking about Dan. “ . . . . I can’t believe Lucy snagged him. She has the best luck with guys . . . ”
    Allison prattled on about Dan as she started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, but I couldn't hear her as I became lost in my own thoughts. What was Dan’s deal? What was I playing at? Why would he ask that? I shouldn’t have let Lucy go with him. My original perception of him seemed to be holding true . . . he was a creep.
    After we had been driving for a few minutes, Allison realized that I wasn’t listening to her.