Whatever, crazy chick who maybe lives here and maybe also breaks into Michaels house when theyre all gone. Im out. Have a nice delusion.
She couldnt let him go; she just couldnt. As he walked down the hall, she ran after him. Shane, dont. Dont go home. You cant!
He didnt even argue with her at that point; he just opened the front door and walked out into the morning sun. She hesitated in the doorway, wondering if she should go back and get her backpack, get something, call someone, but he was walking fast, and she had no idea where the old Collins house had once been. Hed never once told her, or pointed it out to her.
She locked the door and started following him.
Shane never looked back; maybe he knew she was there and was determined to ignore hershe wasnt sure. She kept a good distance between them, careful not to look too creepy and stalkery, but it couldnt be helped. If she let him out of sight . . .
He turned the corner up ahead, and when she hurried to catch up, she saw him sprinting, putting a lot of distance between them, fast. No, no, no! If she lost him now, she might never find him again. It was too terrifying, not only for her, but for him. He just didnt know it yet.
She was passing an alley, sure he was still up ahead, when Shane grabbed her and slammed her hard up against the side of a building. She hadnt realized in a long time just how big Shane was, or how strong. Or how he usually didnt show it, unless he wanted to. Like now. There was a fire in his eyes, and an angry, stubborn set to his jaw. Shane in fighting mode.
He pinned her in place for a long moment, as if he were trying to decide what to do.
Enough, he said then, and let go. Look, I dont want to hurt you, but you need to stop following me. Its creepy and weird. Walk away, or next time Im not going to be so nice about it.
You wouldnt hurt me, Claire said. I know you wouldnt.
Yeah, well, dont count on it. I dont like hitting girls, but it doesnt mean I wont hit back if you start the fight. Ask Monica. He frowned then, and she saw real anger in his eyes. Monica. Did she set this up? What was it, some kind of roofie thing; she took pictures? Shes going to Facebook the hell out of it? Blackmail me?
No. I dont have anything to do with Monica.
Bullshit, Shane said bluntly. Stop following me. I mean it. And quit crying; its not going to work.
He walked out into the sunlight and kept going. She didnt know what to do. She knew he meant it; she was acting weird and crazy and dangerous, and in Morganville, nobody could afford to ignore that. So hed probably do something if she followed him. Maybe even get her arrested.
She didnt care, but there had to be some other way. Something. She couldnt just let him go.
A woman passed by on the street, looking confused and checking the addresses of buildings. Probably trying to find a store that wasnt there anymore. Claire waited until Shane was out of sight around the corner, and then walked up to the stranger. Hello, she said, trying desperately hard to sound polite and helpful, and not as deeply freaked-out as she felt. The woman gave her a distracted smile. She had on a bracelet, so she was a Morganville native, which was a relief. Um, are you looking for something?
Oh, its so stupid. I think I got turned around, the woman said. Cant understand how; Ive been working here for yearsGrants Dry Cleaners. I could have sworn it was . . . right here. . . .
Oh, I think it moved, Claire said. Isnt it one block over now?
Is it? The woman frowned, and Claire saw fear and confusion in her eyes. She wished she could help her, but she didnt know how, really. Oh, that must be it. I cant imagine why I . . . Guess Im losing my mind. Isnt that odd?
We all are, Claire thought, but she said, I cant remember anything before I have coffee, and smiled. The woman looked a little reassured. Um, maybe you can help me? I was looking for Frank Collinss house; I think its around here somewhere?
Oh, Mr. Collins. The woman didnt look as if she were very fond of him, but she nodded. Yeah, he and his family live two blocks over, then one block to the left. Its on Helicon Drive. Big two-story house.
Thanks, Claire said sincerely. I hope you get to work okay.
Oh, I will. Maybe Ill just stop for coffee first, though.
Claire gave her a little wave and took off running. The lady called after her, Dear, youre going the wrong way!
Shortcut! Claire yelled back.
Now that she knew where the house should be, she cut along a side road and through a couple of alleysdangerous, but necessary if she wanted to avoid looking like she was following Shane again. She ran hard, and came out on the right road, and a block farther over, just as he came walking from the other direction.
There was a big, ugly empty lot in the middle of the street between them, with a rusted, leaning mailbox. The lot was overgrown with weeds, but the remains of a house were still there . . . cracked concrete foundations, some steps leading up to a door that wasnt there. Nothing else but some burned pieces of wood too big to haul away easily. Claire stopped and stood where she was, watching as Shane came toward the lot . . . and stopped.
He looked at the ruins, then at the mailbox. Then at the cracked foundation again. Finally, he opened the mailbox to look inside. The door fell off of it, but he found some aging, yellowed papers inside.
Bills. With his familys name on them, Claire guessed. He stared at them, shook his head, and slowly put them back into the box.
She saw it hit him, the same way it had hit all the othersthe knowledge that things werent like they were supposed to be. That time wasnt where it should have been. That everything was wrong.
He staggered and tried to catch himself against the mailbox, and knocked it over into the weeds. Shane frantically tried to pick it up, fix it, make it right, but the post was rotted through, and he finally had to lay it down. Then he sat beside it, holding his head in his hands, shaking.
Claire walked over, very slowly. Shane, she said. Shane, Im so sorry. I didnt know how to tell you. Im so sorry.
My house, he whispered. Its here. Its supposed to be here. He looked up at her, and there were tears swimming in his dark eyes. Something happened. What happened?
She felt sick, and she loathed every second of what she knew she was about to do to him. There was a . . . an accident.
Where are they? Shane asked, and looked at the devastation where his life had once been. There was a rusted swing set in the back, bent and broken. Alyssa. Wheres Alyssa? Wheres my sister?
Claire reached out a hand to him. Get up, she said softly. Ill take you.
I want to see my sister! Im responsible for her!
I know. Just . . . trust me, okay? Ill take you.
He wasnt in any shape now to be angry, or even suspicious. He just took her hand, and she pulled him up to his feet and held on, leading him down the street and on. The sun blazed down warm, but the breeze felt colder, bringing winter in short, sharp bursts.
Where are we going? Shane asked, but not as if he cared much. I cant believe . . . It must have happened last night when I
Shane, you saw that. The weeds are waist high. The mailbox was rotted out. Theres nothing there. Claire pulled in a deep breath. Its been years since that happened. It didnt happen overnight.
Youre cracked. He tried to pull free of her, but she held on. Its not true. I was there yesterday!
Listen to me! God, Shane, please! I know you think it was yesterday, but its been a long time. Youve been . . . other places. You just dont remember right now. She swallowed a lump in her throat and tried to go on sounding brave and calm. Youll be fine. Just . . . trust me.
Take me to my family.
Ill take you to Alyssa, she said. Please. Trust me.
She knew the way.
The graveyard was cold and silent, and the wind felt even more like winter here, even with the sun sparkling off of granite head-stones and white marble mausoleums. The grass was still a little green, but mostly brown.
The headstone read, ALYSSA COLLINS, BELOVED DAUGHTER AND SISTER, and it gave her dates of birth and death.
Shane read it, and his face went white and very still. His eyes seemed strange when he looked at Claire. Its not true.
Im sorry, she said. But it is.
Its a sick joke.
No, she said. Shane, Alyssa died in the fire. She died three years ago, before you left Morganville with your mom and dad. Before I ever came here. I know you dont remember that, but it happened. You left town, and you came back, and you moved into Michaels house with him and Eve. Then I came and moved in, too.
No, he said, and took a big step back, then another one. He almost ran into another headstone, and braced himself when he staggered. No, youre lying; this is some sick little game of Monicas, but this is low even for her
Shane, Monica didnt do this, and its not a game! Shane! Listen!
Ive listened enough to you! he yelled, and shoved her so hard she fell and almost cracked her skull on Marvis Johnsons memorial stone. You stay the hell away from me and my family, you crazy bitch! This is sick! This is fake!
He tried to push over Alyssas tombstone. It didnt move. He kicked at it, panting, and Claire lay where she was, watching him, heartsick. Shed thought maybe this would convince him, maybe it would force him to remember . . . but he didnt. He couldnt.
Please, she whispered. Please stop, Shane. Stop hurting yourself; I cant stand it.
He collapsed against his sisters tombstone and just sat there, his back to Claire. His shoulders were shaking. She got up and went to kneel beside him. He looked destroyed, just . . . broken. She put her hand on his shoulder.
He didnt hit her, at least. He didnt seem to notice she was still there. He was pale and shaking and sweating, and hunched in on himself as if somebody had punched him really, really hard. She cant be, he said. She cant be dead. I just . . . I just saw her. She was making fun of my shirt. My shirt . . . He looked down at himself, pulled his T-shirt out, and said, I wasnt wearing this. This isnt even my shirt. This is wrong. This is all wrong.
I know, Claire said. I know it feels that way. Shane, please come back with me. Please. Ill show you the room you have in Michaels house. Youll recognize some of the things in there; maybe itll help. Come on, get up. You cant stay here; its cold. He didnt move. Alyssa wouldnt want you to stay here.
Why didnt she get out? he asked. If there was a fire, how did I get out if she didnt? I wouldnt leave her. I wouldnt do that. I couldnt . . . just . . . run
You didnt, Claire said, and put her arm around him. You tried to save her. You told me, Shane. I know how hard you tried.
He finally swiped at his eyes and looked at her. I dont even know you, he said. Why are you doing this?
There it was again. How could her heart keep on breaking? Why didnt it just do it once and get it over with? Claire struggled to keep the hurt she felt from echoing in her voice. I know you think you dont, she said. But honest, Shane, you do know me. Were . . . friends.
He stared at her for what seemed like the longest time, and then he said, Im sorry I pushed you. I dont . . . I dont do things like that.
I know.
Is it true? Is Lyss really . . .
Claire just nodded without speaking. Shanes hair blew in his face, but he didnt blink. She reached over without thinking and moved it back. He caught her hand against his face.
You touch me a lot, he said. Dont you?
She looked down and felt the blush mounting in her face. I guess I do, she said. Im sorry. She risked a quick look up at him. He was studying her, as if he were really seeing her for the first time. What?
Are we going out?
She nodded. He didnt say anything at all. She didnt know how to feel about that. Before she could think how to ask what he was feeling, he stood up, and she hurried to do the same.
So I have amnesia, he said. Thats what youre telling me. I got some kind of kick in the head and I lost a bunch of time and forgot all this. And you.
That was . . . so much easier than what shed been trying to say. Yes. She nodded. Amnesia. Thats why you need to trust me, Shane. Its dangerous out here. You dont know how dangerous.
For the first time, he gave her an ironic expression she recognizedclassic Shane. Its Morganville. Of course its dangerous. He glanced back down at Alyssas headstone, and that moment of the Shane she knew flickered and almost disappeared. Almost. She wouldnt want me moping around the cemetery like some dumb-ass. Alyssa wasnt like that. Shed make fun of me if I did. Shane took in a deep breath. So I guess . . . I guess I can go to Michaels house. At least I know him, even if I dont know you.
She smiled a little. It felt forced. Well work on it. She held out her hand, but he put his in his pockets.
No offense, he said, but Ive got a lot to think about, here. I need some time.
Her shattered heart broke all over again.
It felt just as bad this time.
Sure, she managed to say. I understand.
There was still nobody at the Glass House when they returned, but Claire still shuddered in relief at just being home. Shane looked a little mistrustful, but he came inside and didnt protest when she locked up behind him. Do you want to see your room? she asked. He shook his head, hands firmly in his pockets. Do you want coffee?
I hate coffee, he said. Never touch the stuff.
Really? Maybe that had been something hed learned on the road, with his mom and dad. Okay, how about . . . Coke?
Sure. Who doesnt love Coke?
She left him looking at the TV and the game controllers, and went to pull the last two cans out of the fridge. Somebody was going to have to go shopping. She supposed shed better do it soon, before she lost her mind, too. Even in an apocalypse like this, surely running out of Coke qualified as a disaster.
Shane was sitting on the couch when she came back, and she handed over the can and sat on the other end, leaving plenty of comfort space between them. He nodded and popped the top. So, I live here?
Yeah. Right up there.
Thats Michaels room.
No, hes over there now.
Huh, he always liked that room better. He poked at the controller. And we have an Xbox.
Actually, youve got an Xbox 360, she said. You bought it last year.
Sweet. Whats the difference?
Do you really want to talk about games right now?
He stopped fiddling with the controller and put it down. I guess not. Those other people out there, the ones acting so weirdtheyve got what I have, right? This memory problem. I didnt just get kicked in the head or drugged or something.
No, Claire said. Theres a machine underground; its what wipes peoples memories when they leave town. But its not working right. Its wiping memories inside town.
He stopped to think about that. It said something about his childhood in Morganville that he didnt, in fact, find that unbelievable at all. How many people have it?
A lot. Maybe all of us, eventually. Michael got it yesterday. So did Eve. So did Amelie.
Shane looked at her sharply. Who?
You know. The Founder.
You know her by name?
So do you. But right now, shes stuck in three years ago, just like you. She doesnt remember me. She doesnt remember Oliver or
Whos Oliver?
This was going to be harder than shed expected. Never mind. The important thing is that before we went to sleep last night, we agreed we were going to find other people who could help us and we were going to try to turn off the machine.
We went to sleep together, he said. Without clothes.
Uh . . . yeah. We had underwear on, though.
Right. Why do I think that maybe its come off before? He stared at her for what seemed like an uncomfortably long second, as if he were remembering her almost naked. Okay, sounds easy enough. Lets do it, if this is going to fix things. He watched her expression, and said, But it isnt that easy. Is it?
The vamps wont let us anywhere near where we need to go, she said. I cant think of any of them we can count on now. Not even Michael.
Wait a second, what? Michael Glass? He is not a vampire. I think you mean his granddad Sam. Are you sure you really live here? Because thats a pretty gigantic mistake.
Im not talking about Sam, Claire said. Michael . . . Michael got bitten. And now hes a vampire. But he doesnt remember becoming one, and thats a big problem. So if you see him, dont, you know, hug. He bites. He doesnt mean to, though.
You are freaking insane; I was right the first time about you. Michael, a vampire? Never happen. But even though he said it, Shane didnt try to get up and leave. Youre not from Morganville. If you were, Id remember you, right? So who are you, exactly?
I came to the university. Thats how I met you guys.
He laughed. Me? In college? Yeah, make up another one. Look, I barely got through last year in high school. I dont think anybodys going to be giving me college admission, not even to TPU, the crappiest school in Texas.
Its not that bad, Claire said, although she had no idea why she was trying to defend the place. It hadnt done her many favors. I didnt meet you in college. I met you because of college. Because of Monica.
Morrell.
Bitch queen of Morganville, Claire said. Well, shes still all that, and more. I guess she was pretty bad in high school, but trust me, shes worse now.
Nice to know some things havent changed. Shane pulled in a deep breath. Okay, I didnt want to ask, but . . . what about my mom and dad? Where are they?
She just looked at him, and he finally turned his head away. Okay, he said. I get it. Theyre dead, too.
Your mom . . . your mom is, Claire said. I dont know where shes buried. Your dads . . . well
Still an alcoholic jerk? Big shock.
No, she said. Your dads a vampire.
Shane froze, eyes wide, and then laughed in a bitter, shocked kind of way. Like hell he is. Hed kill himself first.
Trust me, I think he thought about it after it happened. But I guess hes decided to hang around after all. Wait. . . . Maybe we can find him. Maybe hes not affected yet. He might help us.
My dad? Even if he wasnt a vampireand Im not buying that he is, by the wayhe wasnt big on doing favors for anybody. Not even his own kids. Maybe wed better skip the family reunion.
Claire wasnt so sure, but she didnt want to freak Shane out any more than she had to, and Frank Collins as a vampire was enough to freak anybody out. Much less his own son. Okay, she said. But we have to find a way to get to that machine and shut it off. And we need help. Any help.
Im glad you said that, said a voice from behind them. Because youve got no idea how much help you need.
Claire and Shane both jumped off the couch, suddenly and completely on the same side; he even got in front of her, the kind of protective instinct Shane had always had, since the first time shed met him. He might not believe her, or trust her, but hed still fight for her.
Maybe because somewhere, deep down, he did remember.
Claire realized who was standing there, in the shadows by the stairs, about the same time that Shane did. It was the scar on his face that registered first, and then the rest of it . . . long, tied-back hair, a hard, unforgiving expression, a tough, thin body. He was wearing a leather vest over a Harley T-shirt and old jeans, and combat boots. He had a big, scary knife in a sheath at his waist.
Frank Collins.
Vampire.
Dad, Shane whispered.
Hello, son.
How did you get in here? Claire blurted, because she knewknewthat the house itself had been on guard for Frank. But she hadnt felt anything when hed enteredno warnings, nothing.
Maybe the house thought they needed his help, too. Or, more worrying, maybe the machine had robbed the house of its protective ability, too. It was slowly destroying everything good in Morganville.
Frank shrugged. Ive been following the two of you around for a couple of days. Had to know what you were planning to do about all this, he said. Not too surprised about what my son said about me, if thats whats worrying you. I deserved it. Still do. He looked over at Shane. But I dont drink much anymore. Well, not booze, anyway. He smiled and showed vamp teeth.
Shane backed up a step and ran into Claire. She steadied him and whispered, I told you.
It cant be, he said. Theres some kind of
Mistake? Frank said, and jumped over the couch in one smooth, ominous vampire move to land right in front of them. They were up against the wall now, next to the TV. Only mistake I ever made was coming back to this cursed town in the first place, Shane. And sending you back here to help. If wed stayed on the road, wed still be running, but at least wed be together.
Running. Running from what?
Oh, come on, son. You think they really let us leave, just like that? We had help getting out, but theyd have brought us back, or killed us, if theyd caught us. Just like they killed your mother.
Shanes breath went out in a rushing moan, as if his dad had punched him. Claire put her hand on his shoulder and glared at Frank. Stop it, she said.
You started it, Frank said. You told him part of the truth, didnt you? Told him about Alyssa? Well, he needs to know everything. He needs to know how his mother got into drugs to forget the pain. He needs to know how we got chased from one ratty motel to another across the state. He needs to know those bastards cut her wrists and dumped her in a tub to pretend it was suicide
Stop it! Claire screamed, and put herself in front of Shane, like she could protect him from the words the way he protected her from fists.
And how he found her, Frank finished, softly, floating there. Dead. I thought Id lost you, too, son. You didnt talk for days, didnt sleep, didnt eat. But then you told me you wanted to come back here, to Morganville. To make them pay.
Shane had gone almost as white as his vampire father now, and his eyes were huge and dark and empty. Claire turned toward him and put her hands on his cheeks, trying to make him look at her. He didnt. He couldnt look away from Frank. Shane, Shane, listen, hes trying to hurt you; he always tries to hurt you
Not always, Frank said. Somebodys got to tell the boy what he needs to hear, even though it hurts. He needed to know what happened to his mom. You werent going to tell him, were you?
There wasnt any reason! You just like to watch him suffer! Claire snapped. Youre a mean, vicious, evil
I love my son, Frank said. But he had to grow up in those three years after Alyssa died. And he has to do it all over again, now even faster. Cant sugarcoat that, Claire.
Shane put his hands on Claires shouldersthe first time hed actually touched her gently, she thought, since waking up this morningand moved her out of the way. So Im what, eighteen now? Not fifteen?
Almost nineteen, his dad said.
Good. And Shane punched him in the face.
Well, he tried to. Frank caught his fist about an inch away from landing. He didnt punch back, or shove, or squeeze Shanes hand into a mess, although Claire knew he could have. He just held it there, even though Shane tried to pull back. Son, he said, I was bad at being a father, just as bad as I was at everything else. You were the one who took care of your mother and Alyssa. You did the job I was supposed to do, being the man of the house, from the time you were eight years old. And Im sorry for that.
He pulled Shane forward and hugged him. Shane was stiff as bundled wire, but after a moment, he relaxed a little, and then stepped away. Frank let him go.
So now you want to make it up to me, Shane said. Well, you cant. I didnt trust you before. I damn sure dont trust you as a bloodsucker.
Right now, you two need a bloodsucker, Frank said. At least, thats what I heard the girl saying. Isnt that right, Claire?
She didnt like agreeing with Frank Collins, ever, but she had to nod. You arent affected yet.
There are a few who arent, Frank said. Dont know why; maybe our brains are just wired different, or maybe its just random. Most of the others are hiding out; cant say I really blame them. I might be able to get a couple of people on board if we need them.
Vampire people.
Frank bared his fangs. Ive still got friends on both sides of the bloodline. You wantem or not?
Claire and Shane exchanged a look. He still didnt know her, she thought. He still didnt really trust her. But clearly, next to Frank, she had gotten a major boost on the cool scale.
Up to you, Shane said. Youre the one who knows whats going on. Im just the muscle.
Thats not true. Youre smart, Shane. You just hide it.
Frank smiled. You never had to sign his report cards.
Shut up, Frank; I wasnt talking to you, Claire said sharply. Go . . . lurk, or something. I need to talk to Shane alone.
Frank shrugged and walked away. He picked up Shanes Coke can and drained it as he toured the living room, messing with things.
And dont you dare touch Michaels guitars.
He waved without looking back.
Claire grabbed Shane by the shirt and towed him with her into the little-used parlor at the front of the house, the farthest she could get from Frank, although she knew it really wasnt any use. He was a vampire; he could probably hear ants walking. Well, at least it felt like privacy.
She let go of Shane, who looked down at her with what seemed like a kind of amusement. You know, he said, most people were scared to death of my dad, at least when he was drinking. Including me, mostly. Now hes a vamp, and you just ordered him around like you dont give a crap.
I dont like him very much.
Yeah, got that. You look like a strong wind will snap you off at the knees, but youre a tough little thing, arent you?
She smiled and wished that for once she wouldnt blush at a compliment, but that was a lost cause. I guess, she said. Im still here. That counts.
Yeah, he said, and moved a strand of hair back from her face. That counts. He suddenly realized what he was doing and cleared his throat. Okay, so whats the plan? We get Frankenstein and his friends to back us up?
I heard that! Frank called from the living room. Shane silently shot him the finger, which Claire slapped down.
Dont do that! she whispered.
What, you think he can sense it with his magic vampire powers?
We need him, Shane.
He smiled bleakly. Yeah, well, Franks never been around when I needed him, so dont put a lot of faith in that.
We need to come at this two ways, Claire said. First, you and I are going to go in the front entrance to the lab. Second, right about the time we get Myrnin distracted
Whos Myrnin?
Claire controlled an urge to roll her eyes. Badass crazy vampire scientist whos my boss.
You realize no part of that sentence made sense, right?
Just stay out of his way. Dont let him get close.
Yeah, thats easy.
If you can get a crossbow bolt or a stake in him, do it, Claire said. It wont kill him if you dont use silver, but itll put him down and out of the way until were finished.
What if he has friends? You know, backup?
We do the same thing to them.
Shane pointed a thumb at the living room. And what about him and his friends?
They come in the back way, Claire said. Through the portal.
Good plan, Shane said, and then paused. Whats a portal?
Claire sighed. Weve got work to do.
FOURTEEN
Franks friends turned out to beno surprisekind of the dregs. A couple of vampires whom Claire absolutely didnt trust around her veins, and who had a disturbing tendency to flash fangs at her when they thought she wasnt looking. One was named Rudolph (and she had to resist the temptation to laugh), and the other just went by West. They looked exactly like the kind of friends shed have expected Frank Collins to havegreasy, shifty, and tough. Oh, and West was a woman, a tough blond biker-type chick who wore a muscle tee to show off her biceps, which even Shane agreed were impressive.