Page 5 of In Her Bed
“I’m not sure,” Jenna muttered.She didn’t want to explain that the connection between this piece of jewelry and her sister had been in the dream world.
“I’m sorry, but it doesn’t look familiar,” Mom said with a shake of her head.
“That’s okay.Just thought I’d asked.
She took the brooch back and rose to leave.“I’ll come by again soon,” Jenna said, and Mom’s nod was full of hope.
When she left her mother’s house, the oncoming dark night matched Jenna’s mood.She felt guilty for bringing up the sensitive subject of Piper when Mom had so much to struggle with.
As she drove through town toward her own home, a sense of foreboding crept in with every mile.By the time she reached her street, Jenna recognized the warning her psyche was giving her—she was going to have a very troubling dream this very night.
CHAPTER TWO
A July moon cast its eerie glow over Lola Wigton and Max Riker as they snuck up a hill that overlooked Trentville.Lola, still giddy from a late-night movie, led the way, her petite frame weaving through the undergrowth like a mischievous pixie.She was headed for the old radio tower, a sight more sinister than romantic.
The crickets were loud, nearly drowning out the sound of their hushed giggles and the crunch of their footsteps.Their cellphone flashlights revealed only their closest surroundings as they made their way around trees and through underbrush.Max kept shooting paranoid glances over his shoulder, as if the very night might give their adventure away.
Lola pulled Max along, her fingers intertwined with his, urging him to keep up.She let out a breathless laugh as a branch snagged her hair, and she pulled free with a determined tug.She thought that Max’s hesitations were sweet but unnecessary.Surely they had nothing to fear from these familiar woods where the air was thick with the smell of honeysuckle.
“Why did we even go to that stupid movie if this really what you wanted to do tonight?”Max asked, still trying to keep his voice low.“Were you planning this all along?
Lola grinned at him over her shoulder, her eyes twinkling with mischief.“Can’t a girl want a little adventure now and then?”she replied.“Besides, I thought you might chicken out if you knew ahead of time.”
Max shook his head but couldn’t hide his smile.“You are one crazy girl, Lola Wigton.”
The path grew steeper, and Lola slowed down, feeling the pull of Max’s hand.The radio tower she was headed toward was already visible against the star-studded sky, its red lights blinking a constant warning.A warm breeze rustled the leaves, and Lola took a moment to breathe it all in—the scents of summer, the thrill of sneaking out, the boy she loved, who would always rather be safe than sorry.
“Did you hear that?”Max said, freezing mid-step.
Lola strained her ears, hearing nothing out of the ordinary.“Hear what?”she asked, amused.
“I don’t know...something,” Max said, scanning the darkness.
Lola rolled her eyes.“It’s just the night, dummy.Relax.”
As they continued, Max kept constantly glancing back, worried he’d find a police officer on their trail.He knew this whole area was supposed to be closed to the public.
In just a short time, with no interruptions or signs of anyone else out on that hillside, Max was feeling better.When they reached a bend in the path he decided it was time for payback.He stopped suddenly, his eyes wide with feigned fear.
“Lola, look!”he whispered, pointing into the darkness.“I think I saw something move!”
Lola’s heart leapt, but only for a moment.She saw the grin twitching at the corner of Max’s mouth and let out a laugh that was half relief, half exasperation.She punched him lightly on the arm.“You jerk!You almost gave me a heart attack!”
Max chuckled, enjoying his small victory.“You’re too easy, Wigton.”
“Oh, yeah?I’ll show you easy,” Lola said, pretending to sulk but already forming a plan for revenge.
Max’s laughter echoed through the trees as they moved farther up the path.A screech owl called out in the distance, adding to the eeriness of the night.Then Lola faked a stumble over an exposed root and went down hard, clutching one ankle.
“Ouch!”she cried out, her voice pitched just right.“My ankle!”
Max was at her side in an instant, worry replacing the mirth on his face.He knelt beside her, reaching out a tentative hand.“Are you okay?Can you walk?”
Lola kept her head down, biting her lip to stifle a laugh.Max leaned in closer, trying to see her face in the dim light.
The moment he was within reach, she sprang up, her expression triumphant.
“Gotcha!”she yelled, and before Max could react, she dashed off into the woods, her feet pounding against the forest floor.She switched off her light, disappearing like a shadow.
