Betwixt

We run towards it. Dale tests the driver's side, but it's locked. Bending down, he peers in the window and a small smile flitters over his lips.

"They forgot to lock the back door."

Ru

"Keep an eye out for me."

He reaches below the steering wheel and pulls out some wires.

"Of course you know how to hot wire a car," I mutter. "Who doesn't?!"

I turn away to scan the street and make sure no one can see him. My pulse is racing so fast I think I might pass out. If my physical condition doesn't kill me, I might actually die from a brain explosion.

The car revs to life.

"You in?"

"Yeah."

Dale reaches over me and slams the back door closed.

I can tell he wants to drive like a maniac, but is fighting the urge in order not to draw any u

Taking the back road, Dale parks on the opposite side of the school. We sneak in through the back and jog across the fields. The students who spot Dale just assume he's ru

We duck behind the bleachers and edge our way towards the school buildings. Dale checks for a clear path then sprints to the make-out alcove where many a free period has been spent by numerous couples. No one is there today and we lean against the wall as Dale catches his breath.

"Where will Adam be?"

Dale glances at his watch.

"Let me think. We're not in many of the same classes, but it's... what day is it?"

I scour my brain.

"Friday?"

"That's right. Friday, okay... we have Advanced English first then..." he mumbles a few more classes then stops with a nod. "Free period. I think he has free period and he usually goes to the library."

Dale goes to make a move and I grab at his arm. He shivers and looks at me. "You'll be spotted. Wait here and I'll come back and get you."

"It'll take too much time."

"I don't want you to get caught. The library is right next to the quad, it's like major thoroughfare through there."

Dale finally gives me a reluctant nod.

"Okay, but I'm not waiting here, it's too far away. I'll hide in the resource room."

"Yeah, I know where that is."

We carefully make our way to the hub of the school. I pass through the library doors and quickly scan the tables. I spot Trent whispering into some redhead's ear with a seductive smile on his face. I resist the urge to punch him as I walk past. I'd much rather do that when I'm flesh and bone. If I'm going to hit him, I want it to hurt.

There's no sign of Adam in the normal group study areas so I start systematically searching each of the aisles.

Ten minutes later, I'm rushing out the doors with an irritated frown.

I arrive in the resource room and gently clear my throat, so I don't surprise Dale. It doesn't really work. He still jumps and places his hand on his heart.

"Sorry."

"Anything?"

"He's not in the library."

"Shit!" Dale flicks a curl out of his face.

"Where else does he go?"

"I'm not sure." Dale curses again and thumps his head on the bookshelf in front of him.

"It's okay." I touch his arm. "We'll find him." I look around me as I try and force my brain into action. "If you were Adam right now, where would you go?"

"I just said I'm not sure."

"But let's think about this. He's hit me with his car. He's possibly feeling guilty and his Dad is pressuring him into finishing me off."

Dale stands up and nods as he listens to me.

"He knows his Dad is coming to collect from school soon, so... where's a good place to hide?"

Dale stares at the ceiling as he thinks. His head soon drops to face me and he nods.

"I know this one room that's never really used. Mr. Attley shoves all his old computers and broken tech stuff in there. The students he likes are allowed to go and potter in there during their free periods. I'm pretty sure Adam's on his list."

"It's worth a shot."

We start ru

"How do you even know about this room?"

Dale slows to a stop outside the door.

"Mr. Attley told me about it."

"Kiss ass."

He gives me a dry look and opens the door.

We creep inside. The room is crowded and dusty. Computer monitors and keyboards are piled in disarray along the counters. Various cables hang from nails along the wall and scattered along the centre table are a plethora of technical gadgets. Obviously students have been taking parts from different devices and trying to turn them into something new. I squint at a digital camera attached to the bottom half of a remote control car.

Hmmm. Images of it sneaking into the girls' locker room make me frown.

Nerdy boys.

Dale flicks the lights on as I move further into the room. There doesn't seem to be any sign of human activity. Dale throws me an a

"Hello?" Dale calls.

There's a pregnant pause as we inch further into the room.

Finally someone clears their throat and peers around the corner.

"Oh hey, man. How's it going?"

Dale's face is etched with disappointment as he approaches the giant blond hiding behind a mound of technical books.

"Hey, Adam."

I watch his face with concern. He so does not want to have this conversation right now. He shoves his hands in his pockets and stops next to his friend.

"What are you doing down here?" Adam glances up from the open laptop. The keyboard is removed exposing all the chips and wiring that make it tick.

"We need to talk, man."

Adam looks away. I notice how pale he is. The dark circles beneath his eyes make him look like he's been in a bar fight.

"What's up?" he finally mutters.

Dale's face bunches with pain.

"Where's Nicole?"

Adam picks up a miniature screw driver and continues tinkering.

"How should I know?"

"Adam, don't lie to me."

Fast breaths spurt through Adam's nostrils as he shakes his head. My stomach coils. He's not going to tell us. He's going to deny everything and then his Dad will arrive and arrest Dale all over again.

"Come on. Please, I need to find her."

Another head shake.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Look the girl's an unpredictable basket case. She could be anywhere."

Dale's eyes darken with rage and from out of nowhere, he turns all Hulk on everybody. Letting out a loud cry, he grabs Adam's collar and pushes him until he's fallen flat on his back. Dale's muscles are bulging, the tendon in his neck looking ready to snap as he digs his knee into Adam's chest.

"Where is she?!"

"I don't know, man. She ran away." Adam's voice is quivering, his eyes wide with fear.

Dale punches him square in the face, leaving behind a burning red mark.

"I know it was you. I saw your car. Now tell me where she is!"

Adam's bottom lip begins to wobble and his voice breaks as tears bubble up from nowhere.

"I didn't mean to do it. I was tired of all the pressure. I needed a night off." He sniffs. "I wasn't supposed to be out and I was rushing to get home, but I'd had a few drinks. She came out of nowhere, man. I didn't mean to hit her, but it's like my arms were made of lead. By the time I saw her, it was too late..." He pulls in a ragged breath. "And now she's dead. I killed her."