“You’re going to make me go to Josh’s party alone?”
“Sorry, Boo. I need the work. I’ll meet you there later, if I can.”
“When you’re ready to go apartment hunting or to move in with me, just say the word. I’ll help you do whatever it takes to leave the bastard. Job or no job.”
“That’s sweet of you. I’ll think about it.”
Tammi doesn’t like taking handouts, but she really needs to get away from that control freak of a boyfriend, before he hurts her.
Avalon and E. Sepulveda flashes in big red letters on the overhead display. I pull the cord and give Tammi a bear hug as I stand up. She looks so sullen, and it’s all my fault for bringing up her jerk boyfriend.
“Things will improve soon, I promise. Have fun catering. I’ll see you later.” I blow a kiss her way and rush to exit the bus before the driver shuts the doors.
As soon as I step off the bus, I jump over a puddle to avoid it. The doors squeak closed and the engine roars behind me as I stare out into the dark, empty lot between a bunch of bombed-out buildings.
This isn’t Avalon and East Sepulveda.
This isn’t any part of L.A. that I know.
Where the hell am I?
I turn to get on the bus again, but it’s long gone. I was so caught up in talking to Tammi, I didn’t pay attention to whatever detour the bus driver took.
Horrible thoughts run through my head as I take in the dark and isolated cement and metal wasteland. The area looks like it was target practice for the enemy.
Shadows follow me everywhere I turn. I expect to see eyes watching me from the dark recesses any minute. This isnotthe place a girl wants to find herself.
Clouds obscure much of the moonlight, but I can see the road that brought me here and city lights in the distance. There’s no guarantee another bus will come through here anytime soon, if at all.
Nothing’s worse than standing around looking like fresh meat, so I start walking toward the city lights. I stick to the road, avoiding the crumbled cement, twisted slabs of metal, and broken glass littering the area. Large foundations of decimated structures hint at an industrial area, not retail or housing.
Metal scrapes against the ground behind me somewhere.
It’s the wind striking dangling scrap metal. There’s no one else here. Keep walking.
The splash of water, like someone stepping in a puddle, sends shivers down my spine. I halt and strain to listen but hear nothing.
It’s my imagination.
I hope.
My senses are heightened, listening to my surroundings carefully. An eerie cold suddenly chills my body.
Something’s here.
Ifeelit.
My feet break into a run. Twice, I glance over my shoulder. There’s nothing there. It’s all in my head.
Except the air shifts around me, like a storm changing directions.
Something’s following me!
Yes, I’m well aware that I’m thinking somethingand not someone.
I enter a maze of relatively tall structures which block out the distant lights, disorienting me. I slam to a halt, trying to figure out which way to go.
When the wind howls, my feet freeze with indecision.
