Shades

Gustav was already awake. Danny heard the shower running, and Gustav’s deep voice signing a song in Russian. Despite his guilt and sadness, Danny smiled. Singing in the shower didn’t seem like Gustav’s style. Next, Danny called his mother’s job, explaining that she was throwing up and had a fever. Her supervisor didn’t seem surprised. His mother called in sick a lot. As Danny hung up the phone, Gustav emerged from the bathroom.

“Good morning,” he said. “Did you sleep?”

Danny shrugged. “A little.”

“You need rest. It begins soon, I think.”

“What’s the plan?”

“Always with the questions. That time has passed. I said last night, we act like normal.”

“But what if I see Mr. Bedrik? What am I supposed to do?”

“Do?” Gustav’s voice was stern. “You do nothing. You smile and pretend. If he talks to you, you answer. But do not tell him anything you don’t want him to know. Just make—how you say—small talk.”

“What are you going to be doing?”

“I will prepare.”

“But what about my Mom? We can’t leave her here by herself all day.”

“I stay and watch your mother. I can do both at same time. You go to school and act like everything is fine.”

“Is it?”

“Da. Yes. Everything is fine.” He waved his hand impatiently. “Now go get ready for school. I make your breakfast.”

Danny was doubtful. “You can cook?”

“Of course I can cook,” Gustav grumbled. “I am a good cook. You’ll see.”

Danny took a quick shower—cold, because Gustav had used all the hot water—and got dressed for school. As he pulled on his jeans, he smelled bacon. The aroma filled the house. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d smelled it. His mouth watered, and he hurried into the kitchen, where Gustav handed him two fried eggs and bacon on white bread. Impressed, Danny inhaled the sandwich. When he was finished, he felt much better.

“You see?” Gustav asked as he scrubbed the frying pan. “You are full, yes? Feel better. Good food. Good for brain and body. Keep you strong and recharge your power.”

“I do feel better,” Danny admitted. “Maybe everything will be okay.”

If Gustav heard him, he didn’t respond.

789

Dead people began arriving at Michael Bedrik’s home shortly after nine that morning. Edward T. Rammel was the first to arrive, along with the body of Tony Amiratti Junior. Matt was next, the adult rapist inhabiting him now cowed and apologetic. With him was the possessed Sam Oberman, Gethsemane’s watchman. Within minutes, several police officers and town officials—all housing shades—arrived, as well.

Bedrik gave them their orders. Then they dispersed.

The magus smiled. It was going to be a good day, and an even better night. And when the sun rose over Brackard’s Point tomorrow morning, there would be no one left to challenge him. The town would belong to him, his own private empire.

789

Danny didn’t see Mr. Bedrik when he got to school. After homeroom, he peeked into the teacher’s classroom and learned that he had called in sick. A substitute was standing at the front of the class. Danny breathed a sigh of relief. He wouldn’t have to encounter the magician after all.

The same couldn’t be said of his friends, no matter how hard Danny tried. Chuck and Ronnie were in several of his classes. They glared at him like a traitor, and when he tried to talk to them, they ignored him. He saw Jeremy in the halls and had to walk away when Jeremy threatened to kick his ass. Val kept her distance too, and that confused him. He’d catch her from time to time looking in his direction, pouting, eyebrows lowered in either thought or anger. As soon as Danny met her gaze, she’d turn away.

He tried to ignore them all and simply get through the day. It wasn’t easy.

At lunch, he sat alone and felt like dying.

Danny looked down at his lasagna. He toyed at it with his fork. He wasn’t hungry, but Gustav had said it was important to build up his strength. He lifted the fork to his mouth but stopped as shadows suddenly blocked his light.

Chuck, Ronnie, and Jeremy looked down at him, their faces solemn.

“Matt’s out,” Ronnie said. “We saw him out behind shop class while we were smoking.”

Danny put the fork down. “How can he be out already?”

Ronnie and Chuck didn’t respond. Jeremy shrugged. They continued staring at him.

“Did he say anything?” Danny asked.

“He wants to see you after school,” Ronnie said. “You’re supposed to go to Gethsemane.”

Danny shoveled limp pasta into his mouth and chewed slowly, looking from one friend to the other.

“Yeah, so you guys plan on helping him?”

Jeremy snorted. “Matt don’t need any help. He’s gonna fuck you up.”

Danny shook his head and kept eating.

“What are you gonna do?” Chuck asked.

“Just go away. You guys want to take his side, that’s cool. It doesn’t matter and neither do you.”

Ronnie and Jeremy glared at him. Chuck seemed confused and hurt. Danny didn’t care.

Jeremy leaned down, placing his hands on either side of Danny’s plate. “Matt said you’re supposed to meet him in the graveyard. Unless you’re chicken shit, that is. Are you?”