My Soul to Steal
Page 33
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Tod huffed. Like I want to spend my afterlife delivering pizza.
I shrugged. At least that gig would pay in cash. And probably in pizza.
The reaper looked intrigued for a moment, then shook his head firmly. Then whod be around to pop in and drive you nuts when you start getting too serious? I perform an important role in your life, you know.
Yeah, well, Sabines starting to give you a run for your money, I whispered, as we headed out of the gym and into the hall.
We passed the closed art and music room doors on the way to the parking lot, but as we approached the library, a sudden shrieking shredded the midday quiet. Tod and I ran into the library to find Chris Metzer, president of the robotics club, standing between a table and the chair hed obviously been sitting in moments earlier, face scarlet, eyes wide as everyone else in the room stared at him.
Chris? The librarian rounded her desk in a series of short, even steps, constricted by her long pencil skirt. What happened? Are you okay?
Fine. Sorry. Chris scooped his books up from the table and I noticed the repeating-line imprint of a spiral-bound notebook on his left cheek. It was just a stupid dream. Then he hurried past us and into the hall, cheeks still flaming.
I elbowed Tod, and he frowned. I know, I know.
Sabine, I whispered, as he followed me into the empty hall. But when she Sleepwalks, her physical body looks like its sleeping, right? Where could she go to sleep uninterrupted here at school? Not the library. Not anymore, anyway
Tod shrugged. Storage closet? Locker room?
I shook my head. During lunch or after school, sure. But those were both actively used during class periods. Her car, I said, in a sudden stroke of inspiration.
I raced down the main hall and past several open classroom doors, crossing my fingers against any teachers vigilant enough to notice me. Tod followed, his silent footsteps signaling that no one else could see or hear him.
I shoved open the side exit door just in time to see Sabine get out of her car in the third row. When she noticed me, she smiled and waved, then started around the side of the building toward the quad and the cafeteria. We had to jog to catch up with her, and when we finally did, we were almost to the quad.
What the hell did you think you were doing? I demanded, winded, but pleased to realize Tod hadnt deserted me for his waffle fries. Of course, I still had Emmas money.
Sabine shrugged without slowing. Walking. The most common form of locomotion among American high school students. She glanced at my feet. Looks like youve mastered the skill.
Im talking about Chris Metzer. You cant just Sleepwalk into peoplesdreams in the middle of the school day.
I can if they fall asleep at school. Did you know Metzers afraid of clowns? Like, seriously afraid of them. When he was four, he went to his cousins birthday party and the clown cornered him behind the pool house and
Sabine, Tod said, blessedly interrupting a sentence I desperately didnt want her to complete. The mara blinked in surprise. But she recovered quickly. Tod! Nash said you were back with us. Sohows the afterlife?
Tod shrugged, amiable, now that shed stopped publicly spewing someone elses darkest fears. Dull, mostly. But theres no commute, and I dont have to exercise to maintain perfection. He spread his arms, inviting us both to inspect the form he was frozen in.
Sabine arched one eyebrow. Sounds like a win.
Another shrug. Death has its advantages.
I glared at them both, but neither noticed. How had I gotten stuck between a grim reaper and a walking nightmare?
So, you get to see people as they die, right? Sabine peered around me at Tod. Do they get scared? Do you ever just sit back and think, Damn, I love my job!
Yeah, theres usually some fear. I work at the hospital, so most of the ones I take know theyre dying, so they have a little time to get worked up about it.
Tod! I snapped, more than fed up with their morbid social hour. She was just feeding from someone in the middle of the school day. Can you at least pretend thats not okay?
The reaper gave me a funny little smilelike he was more amused by my reaction than upset over what shed donethen turned to the mara, plastering a frown over the grin I could still see leaking through.
Shes right, Sabine. Youre getting careless. Is this about Nash?
Sabine sat on the edge of the first picnic table in the quad and shrugged, glancing from one of us to the other. I dont know what this is about. I was just minding my own business, having a little snack, when you two decided to team up on me. And not in the good way.
I rolled my eyes. This is about you trying to kill Chris Metzer in the middle of third period, just hours after you drained Mr. Wells at his own desk. Youre not just a murderer, youre a pig. Good thing you cant actually gain weight on psychic energy, or wed have to roll you out of here like a giant marshmallow.
Sabine watched me calmly for a moment, and I became acutely aware that my cheeks were flaming in anger. Then she turned to Tod, completely unruffled by my accusation. Is she supposed to be on medication, or something? What the hell is she talking about?
I shrugged. At least that gig would pay in cash. And probably in pizza.
The reaper looked intrigued for a moment, then shook his head firmly. Then whod be around to pop in and drive you nuts when you start getting too serious? I perform an important role in your life, you know.
Yeah, well, Sabines starting to give you a run for your money, I whispered, as we headed out of the gym and into the hall.
We passed the closed art and music room doors on the way to the parking lot, but as we approached the library, a sudden shrieking shredded the midday quiet. Tod and I ran into the library to find Chris Metzer, president of the robotics club, standing between a table and the chair hed obviously been sitting in moments earlier, face scarlet, eyes wide as everyone else in the room stared at him.
Chris? The librarian rounded her desk in a series of short, even steps, constricted by her long pencil skirt. What happened? Are you okay?
Fine. Sorry. Chris scooped his books up from the table and I noticed the repeating-line imprint of a spiral-bound notebook on his left cheek. It was just a stupid dream. Then he hurried past us and into the hall, cheeks still flaming.
I elbowed Tod, and he frowned. I know, I know.
Sabine, I whispered, as he followed me into the empty hall. But when she Sleepwalks, her physical body looks like its sleeping, right? Where could she go to sleep uninterrupted here at school? Not the library. Not anymore, anyway
Tod shrugged. Storage closet? Locker room?
I shook my head. During lunch or after school, sure. But those were both actively used during class periods. Her car, I said, in a sudden stroke of inspiration.
I raced down the main hall and past several open classroom doors, crossing my fingers against any teachers vigilant enough to notice me. Tod followed, his silent footsteps signaling that no one else could see or hear him.
I shoved open the side exit door just in time to see Sabine get out of her car in the third row. When she noticed me, she smiled and waved, then started around the side of the building toward the quad and the cafeteria. We had to jog to catch up with her, and when we finally did, we were almost to the quad.
What the hell did you think you were doing? I demanded, winded, but pleased to realize Tod hadnt deserted me for his waffle fries. Of course, I still had Emmas money.
Sabine shrugged without slowing. Walking. The most common form of locomotion among American high school students. She glanced at my feet. Looks like youve mastered the skill.
Im talking about Chris Metzer. You cant just Sleepwalk into peoplesdreams in the middle of the school day.
I can if they fall asleep at school. Did you know Metzers afraid of clowns? Like, seriously afraid of them. When he was four, he went to his cousins birthday party and the clown cornered him behind the pool house and
Sabine, Tod said, blessedly interrupting a sentence I desperately didnt want her to complete. The mara blinked in surprise. But she recovered quickly. Tod! Nash said you were back with us. Sohows the afterlife?
Tod shrugged, amiable, now that shed stopped publicly spewing someone elses darkest fears. Dull, mostly. But theres no commute, and I dont have to exercise to maintain perfection. He spread his arms, inviting us both to inspect the form he was frozen in.
Sabine arched one eyebrow. Sounds like a win.
Another shrug. Death has its advantages.
I glared at them both, but neither noticed. How had I gotten stuck between a grim reaper and a walking nightmare?
So, you get to see people as they die, right? Sabine peered around me at Tod. Do they get scared? Do you ever just sit back and think, Damn, I love my job!
Yeah, theres usually some fear. I work at the hospital, so most of the ones I take know theyre dying, so they have a little time to get worked up about it.
Tod! I snapped, more than fed up with their morbid social hour. She was just feeding from someone in the middle of the school day. Can you at least pretend thats not okay?
The reaper gave me a funny little smilelike he was more amused by my reaction than upset over what shed donethen turned to the mara, plastering a frown over the grin I could still see leaking through.
Shes right, Sabine. Youre getting careless. Is this about Nash?
Sabine sat on the edge of the first picnic table in the quad and shrugged, glancing from one of us to the other. I dont know what this is about. I was just minding my own business, having a little snack, when you two decided to team up on me. And not in the good way.
I rolled my eyes. This is about you trying to kill Chris Metzer in the middle of third period, just hours after you drained Mr. Wells at his own desk. Youre not just a murderer, youre a pig. Good thing you cant actually gain weight on psychic energy, or wed have to roll you out of here like a giant marshmallow.
Sabine watched me calmly for a moment, and I became acutely aware that my cheeks were flaming in anger. Then she turned to Tod, completely unruffled by my accusation. Is she supposed to be on medication, or something? What the hell is she talking about?
