Read Online The Departed by J. A. Templeton - Free Book Online Page B

see him. “How did you get out of study hall?”
    He shrugged. “If my girl needs me, a little thing like class won’t stop me from seeing her.”
    Leaning her head against his shoulder, she sighed. “I feel like shit. I just want to go home and sleep.”
    For once Milo was completely serious. He brushed his thumb along her jaw and kissed her softly. “How about I come over and we’ll take a nice long nap. Get rid of these circles beneath your eyes.”
    Megan pouted. “Sounds incredible, but unfortunately I have to work today.”
    “Blow it off,” Milo said, his voice stern. “You need to take care of yourself or you’re going to be sick if you keep this up. If it’s about the money you’ll lose by not working, then I’ll pay you to stay with me.”
    “Isn’t that like prostitution?” Cass teased, a hint of a smile on her lips. At least she was trying to find the humor in a horrible situation.
    Milo shook his head.
    Megan chewed her lower lip. “Maybe I’ll see if Kelsey can cover for me. I know she’s looking for more hours. Will you help me find her? I think she has this lunch.”
    “Definitely.” Milo looked relieved as he helped her up.
    As they walked off, Cass stood. “I’ll be right back.”
    We watched as she walked toward Johan’s table.
    Cait pushed her uneaten salad away from her. “How about we take a walk in the woods this afternoon?”
    My gut clenched. “Shane and Kade would kill us if we went without them.” They both had football practice every day after school, which meant the first opportunity for them to go with us would be the weekend.
    “I’m not trying to be a bitch, Ri, but does Megan look like she can wait until this weekend?”
    She had a point.
    I shook my head. “No.” As terrified as I was to go to Laria’s grave without an entourage, I was even more terrified at what could possibly happen to my friends if I waited. Dreams of being held down and being tormented would only escalate. If Laria started scratching and choking my friends, it was only a matter of time before she succeeded in following through on her threat to kill us all.
    “I just don’t see where we have a choice. Like Megan said, what if Laria starts tormenting her little brother? Then who’s next? I don’t want to sound selfish, but I honestly don’t want it to be me, and yet I know it’s a matter of time, especially if we don’t try to stop her now. Let’s face it, Cass has already admitted to popping sleeping pills, and that’s just dangerous.”
    It was dangerous to take pills. As dangerous as it was for me to confront a malevolent spirit.
    “All right, I’ll go,” I said, not wanting to think about what would happen when Shane found out I was going to Laria’s grave without him.
     
    ***
     
    Cait didn’t mess around. By the time I met her behind the cemetery, she looked ready for a hike into the Andes mountains. She wore a bandana over her head, cargo pants, hiking boots, and a fleece vest over her long-sleeved shirt. I’d bet my life she had as much survivor gear shoved into her stuffed backpack as she could fit.
    At least someone knew what they were doing.
    I felt like an amateur with my jeans, tennis shoes, and lightweight flannel. At least I’d thought to bring a jacket in my pack for later…just in case, along with the nail, hammer, and the paper where I’d written down the words from the video Kade had been talking about. The lady binding the grave had been short and to the point.
    I also brought a flashlight, extra batteries, water bottle, and a couple of protein bars.
    “Okay, we don’t want to lose each other. If we do…we have these,” she said, handing me a Hello Kitty walkie-talkie.
    I tried to hide my smile but failed. “Hello Kitty…”
    “A phase I was going through. They work, though. I tested them out with Maddy.”
    “Maddy knows we’re going?”
    “Hell, no. She’d freak out and probably tell Mum.” Cait added another water bottle to my pack.