Jagger sidled up to Becky. I was ready to pounce if he did anything nefarious to my best friend. By the look of it so were Alexander and Sebastian. They were suddenly at my best friend's side.
Jagger wasn't about to take us on and instead changed his tune. "How about you take a few of Raven by the tombstones?" he suggested. "I'd love to have some of them. And I think your idea about before and after shots is really creative."
We were impressed with Jagger's handling of the situation. Luna wasn't as much. She didn't like Sebastian's sudden defense of Becky and was obviously threatened. "I don't have to, really," Becky said. She began putting her phone in her pocket when Jagger stopped her.
"No, I think it's a great idea. I wish I'd thought of it myself. Besides, Raven loves to be photographed," Jagger said. "The others? Not so much. We aren't as photogenic."
"Thanks, Jagger," I said. "Yes, thanks!" Becky said. "I can be the official photographer of the Crypt." "Awesome!" Jagger said. "You'll have to send me the shots." "I'll make you a scrapbook." Jagger seemed genuinely pleased with Becky's enthusiasm and naivete.
Becky was so excited about her new role at the Crypt. She began staging and snapping pictures of me as furniture and fixtures were being loaded into the mill.
Sebastian, Luna, Alexander, and Jagger remained aloof so as not to be a part of any of the photos.
I'd never been so happy - save for being on the other end of Alexander's lips or cuddling together in his coffin. Here I was with my best friend and true love, surrounded by modern-day vampires and creating a haunting dance club.
Even Onyx and Scarlet were taking to my best friend. "Here," Onyx said, extending her hand. "I'll take some of you and Raven together." Becky and I posed by the tombstones while Onyx snapped pictures of us. As Onyx returned the phone to Becky, Scarlet was at the bar, pouring blood-red liquid into a cup. "What's that?" Becky asked. "Uh . . . Kool-Aid," Scarlet replied. "I love Kool-Aid." "I wish I had more," she said. "But we do. In back," Onyx said without thinking. Scarlet shot her an evil glare. Then Onyx realized her misstep and bit her burgundy-colored lip. "That's okay," I said. "We'll pick up something on the way home."
The last thing I needed was Becky putting a cup of blood to her mouth and taking a swig. She'd never recover. And neither would I.
Becky stood out like a daisy in a sea of dead roses in her cheery colors, while we were dark in our morbid outfits. "So where are you guys staying?" Becky asked. "Here," Scarlet said as if Becky already knew. "In this place?" Becky was as shocked as she was horrified. "Uh-huh." Scarlet grinned. "There's barely any electricity. And there's no furniture." "We know," Scarlet said. "Why don't you stay with one of the families in town? Or at least a hotel?" "It's free here, and besides, we like it," Onyx said.
"This place isn't acceptable for you guys to sleep in. We have some extra room at our house," Becky said. "I can check with my parents, but I'm sure you're more than welcome to stay - "
"That is so sweet of you," Scarlet said sincerely. "I hate to think of you sleeping here with the bugs and spiders," she said, shuddering. "We like it that way," Scarlet insisted. "I think they're lucky," I chimed in with a smile.
"Of course you would." Becky laughed. "It's like Camp Raven. You guys are so brave," Becky went on. "Where do you sleep?"
"Downstairs." "Ooh . . .," Becky said. "You must be scared to death - at night." "Actually it's during the day we are creeped out," Scarlet said. The two vampires giggled. "I can show you," Onyx said.
Scarlet cleared her throat. I imagined Onyx opening the door revealing five coffin beds. If Becky didn't faint, I would.
Onyx was a gothic version of Becky. She was as sincere as she was kind. At the end of the day, though she was a vampire, she didn't have bite.
Just then Alexander came and got us. "Jagger could use some help painting the entrance."
"Now, that's something I can do," Becky said eagerly. "Sleep in a factory's basement, no, but paint a factory wall, yes."
The following day Becky was a little preoccupied. I didn't get to the bottom of it until after school when I tried to make plans with her to go back to the factory.
"I need to do some homework," she said as we headed for her truck. "I can drop you off at home." "I thought you'd already finished it." "I did . . . but I think I should probably look it over again. Just to make sure." Becky was an amateur at lying and a novice at fibbing. Her excuses were transparent. "You don't want to go?" I fished. "Do I have to? I know I said I wanted to help, and I do. But do I have to go back into that place before it's finished?" "Of course not . . . I just thought - "
"I can shop for you guys. I can hand out flyers. And when it's finished, I'd love to go. But now? Without proper lighting and cleaning . . ."
"Don't worry." "I didn't sleep at all last night. I kept thinking about how dark and spooky it was there - so much so that I started seeing shadows in my room. And Scarlet, Onyx, and Luna - I don't think it's safe that they sleep there." "Relax," I said. "Why don't you stay home and work on the scrapbook then." Becky sighed like a yoga instructor. The sullen expression she'd worn all day drew back, a cheery smile overcame her, and her cheeks blossomed apple red.
I, too, felt elated, until Trevor jumped between me and the truck. "Where are you going in such a hurry?" he asked.
"I don't remember it being any of your business." "You wouldn't be snooping, would you? To find out where that club is going to be located?" "Maybe I already know. Besides, how would you know?"
"Things like permits to vacant buildings need to be cleared first. And those things don't come to just anyone. My dad owns this town and everything in it."
He guided my hair off my shoulder and I batted him away. "Not everything!" I said. "He doesn't own me." "Not yet," he said with a grin. "But I can ensure you full access to the club - and to something else." "You?" I laughed out loud. "No, something that you really want." He held up a key and dangled it in front of my face. Then he slid the key in his back pocket. "Want to get it?" "Not in this lifetime!" I opened the truck door and hopped inside.
The front door to the factory was an unwieldy door that couldn't hold a lock even if there was one on it. Besides, it would be just as easy to pull the frail door off its hinges. If Trevor had a key to a door inside the Crypt, what did it lead to?
Trevor watched me as Becky drove off. He was gorgeous and menacing, and was one step ahead of me. It only made him more annoying.
Chapter 10 - Ghoul Fight