Suspicions

Chapter 23 of Banished for Love

“You mean he’s the guy you fell for?!” I ask in a screaming whisper. She only nods, swallowing hard. Devin takes one step toward the two of us. Without missing a beat, Brittney darts through the parking lot, across the street, and into the woods. Devin reaches me a second after she disappears from view. I turn to him, glaring. He catches sight of my expression and stumbles back, throwing his hands up in surrender.

 

“You,” I say sternly, pointing a finger in his face. “I will deal with you later.” I turn from him and follow Brittney into the forest. Once I step into the dense vegetation, I throw out my senses, searching across my Cerebro-like map for Brittney. As I’m searching for her red glow, another individual catches my attention. In the sea of blue humans surrounding the school, one strange black dot stands out. I focus closer on the anomaly and recognize him immediately. I watch Devin get into his car and speed of toward his house.

 

I shake my head furiously, making a mental note to look into that later. Right now, I need to focus on finding Brittney.

 

I scan the woods thoroughly. Finally, I spot her red glow, sitting against a large tree not far from me. I open my eyes and rush off in that direction. I hear her sobs before I actually see her. When she does come into view, Brittney is curled up beside a tree, knees pulled up to her chest and face sobbing into her hands. I sink to my knees beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

 

“I’m so sorry Brittney. I had no idea,” I say softly.

 

“How c-could he d-do this? How could he c-come b-b-back?” she stutters between sobs. I was wondering the same, among other things. Devin had mentioned the house he was in here was his vacation home. But what Brittney had experienced seemed like much more than some vacation fling.

 

“Brittney, did you ever meet Devin’s parents?” I ask her suddenly.

 

She looks up at me with confusion on her tear-streaked face. “I met his mom once. He said the rest of his family had recently died so they moved here.”

 

Suspicion spreads through me like a wildfire. That is very different from the story he had told me. “Then he up and disappeared?” I clarify.

 

“Yeah. He left his house totally empty. I went in it once after he left and found some really strange stuff.” She says in a hushed tone, as if Devin could be listening.

 

“Like what?” I ask. Brittney is becoming less sad and more animated and gossipy.

 

“Well, there was some weird switch on the empty bookcase in the study. Naturally, I pressed it. The shelf swung open to a secret basement. It reeked of rotten eggs so I didn’t go in to investigate. It was really strange.”

 

My suspicion peaks higher still. It’s entirely improbable, but the only logical explanation for this seems to be demon related.

 

“We should get home; we'll have to come up with a plan to investigate this further. Do you think I can catch a ride with you?” I ask.

 

“Sure,” she replies, standing and wiping debris off her pants.

 

We walk back to the school parking lot and hop into Brittney’s bug. The drive back to Jeremy’s house is a silent one, both of us lost in thought. Brittney pulls to a stop in front of Jeremy’s house.

 

“See you tomorrow Kels,” Brittney says in a quiet voice.

 

“Yeah, thanks for the ride.” I wave as she drives off.

 

I walk through the front door to find Jeremy curled up in my comforter on the couch, watching TV.

 

“Hey, how are you feeling?” I push my suspicion of Devin to the back burner as I drop my backpack in the kitchen.

 

“Icky,” Jeremy responds between coughs. I walk around the couch to sit beside him. He slumps sideways to lay his head in my lap. I run my fingers through his matted hair, smoothing out the tangles.

 

“Something the matter with your bedding?” I ask jokingly, gesturing to my comforter wrapped snugly around him.

 

“I like this blanket better. It smells like you,” he replies, smiling up at me. I smile back and lean down to press my lips to his still blistering hot forehead.

 

I glance up at the TV to see what he’s been watching. I recognize the beginning of Leap Year, a romantic adventure movie set in Ireland, being played on the screen.

 

“Ooo, I love this movie,” I say wistfully.

 

“Me too. It’s cute, and the scenery is beautiful,” Jeremy replies.

 

“Ireland is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen,” I respond.

 

“My mom grew up in Ireland. Much of her family still lives there,” he says around a cough.

 

“Really? Then how’d she end up here?” I inquire.

 

“She came to America in High School as a foreign exchange student. She fell in love with America, as well as my dad. So, when the program ended, she stayed,” he explains.

 

“Well, where’s her accent?” "I ask curiously.

 

“She lost it slowly. The more time she spent here, the less prominent it became. Though whenever we visit her family in Ireland it sure comes back. And it lingers for a few days after we get home. Even I’ve picked it up a bit.”

 

“Did I ever mention that I melt for Irish accents?” I bat my eyelashes and pretend to swoon.

 

He smiles widely. “If I weren’t so sick, I’d do one now. But that’s some useful information for the future.” I smile back and roll my eyes at his dorkitude.