Vampire by Richie Tankersley Cusick Page A

sank. Kyle stopped the bike, and Elliott came out, wiping his hands on a dirty rag.
    â€œHey, man,” Kyle greeted him. “How’s it going?”
    â€œOkay,” Elliott mumbled. He was staring at Darcy, but she ducked her head and pretended to examine the helmet she’d taken off.
    â€œHow come?” Elliott said.
    â€œHow come what?” Kyle returned pleasantly.
    â€œYou’re here.”
    â€œJust showing Darcy around town.” Kyle slid off and unscrewed the gas cap. “Realized I needed to feed this thing. Figured I’d stop and say hi.”
    The other boy nodded and turned toward Kyle, his thin hands working slowly … steadily … into the dirty rag they were holding. There was a long streak of grease down one of his cheeks, and sweat glistened on his high, wide forehead.
    â€œI didn’t leave that light on,” he said to Darcy, and she glanced up in surprise.
    â€œI didn’t come here about that, Elliott.” She shook her head. “Forget about it.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t be here,” Elliott said, and Darcy jumped as he put his hand on her arm.
    â€œShe’s with me,” Kyle said easily.
    â€œThis is a bad part of town,” Elliott went on patiently. “Murders happen here.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” Kyle reassured him. “She’s fine.” He replaced the hose and dug into his pocket. “I need some change.”
    Elliott’s head moved in the direction of the office, and Kyle mouthed “I’ll hurry” as he started in. Darcy again concentrated on her helmet strap, but felt Elliott’s hand return to her arm. When she looked up, he had taken his glasses off, and his wide, pale gray eyes were only inches from hers.
    â€œI was right,” he mumbled. “Wasn’t I.”
    A coldness crept through her, yet she managed to hold his stare. “About what?”
    â€œYou know.” His expression was blank. “The murder.” One finger raised until it was level with her chin. “You know. It really happened.”
    â€œElliott—”
    â€œAnd I remembered. About the ring. Kyle and Brandon thought it would look good in Brandon’s play. Maybe they took it.”
    â€œAre you talking about me?” Kyle clapped Elliott good-naturedly on the shoulder and winked at Darcy. “Some friend you are. I can’t turn my back for a minute—”
    â€œWe were talking about rings,” Darcy said. “Did Brandon borrow a ring from the Dracula exhibit?”
    â€œNo …” Kyle looked puzzled. “He decided he didn’t want to use it after all.”
    â€œWe were talking about murder,” Elliott murmured. “You should believe me when I say things will happen.”
    Kyle saw Darcy’s anxious face and shook his head with a patient smile. “No more talk about murder, okay, Elliott? No more talk about the future.” He swung one leg over the bike and checked to make sure Darcy was holding on tight. “There’s only one thing about Darcy’s future we both know for sure, right, Elliott? That Brandon will find some way to be in it.”
    Elliott’s mouth lifted tentatively at the corners, and he put his sunglasses back on. “I know your future, too. But you won’t like it.”
    Kyle regarded him curiously and let out a soft groan. “I don’t need this tonight … what is it?”
    â€œThey’re auditioning a new drummer. I heard them talking about it.”
    Kyle leaned his head upon the handlebars and groaned even louder. “I knew this was going to happen! But why is it happening to me?”
    â€œThey don’t know that I know.”
    Kyle sighed and looked up again. Darcy could see the hurt in his eyes.
    â€œAre you positive?”
    â€œI’m positive.”
    â€œWell, this ought to make my parents happy,” Kyle said softly. He revved the motor and gave Elliott a sad