It was pitch-black except for the tiny light beaming from her flashlight. We had at least fifty yards to walk just to reach the barn. The cool night air made the journey even more chilling.
Becky dug her nails into my arm but was doing her best to be brave.
I thought Id take her mind off her fears as we traipsed down her gravel road and through the darkness. So are you sure Sebastian hasnt tried to contact you again?
No.
No texts? Or flowers? I hinted.
Nothing, Becky vowed.
Youd tell me
Of course I would. You know I cant keep secrets.
Good. Perhaps Alexanders and my talk was getting through to him. If you werent going out with Mattwould you like him?
But I am going out with Matt.
If you werent, I prodded.
But I am, Raven.
You havent even thought about it?
Nowhy would I?
As we grew close, a neighbors horse whinnied in the distance.
The old barn smelled like hay and old wood.
For a moment, Becky struggled, but she opened the barn door. It sticks, she said.
The barn was dark as a cave. Becky shined the light inside. Tools hung from the walls like dripping wax.
What happened to the switch? I asked.
It shorted out the other day. My dad didnt have a chance to fix it.
We were blind except for the thin beam from her flashlight. Something felt strangelike we were being watched. I knew that there werent any farm animals kept in the barn. I wasnt sure what else it could be.
Hurry and get your bike, she said.
Becky was still hiding behind me, pointing past the tractor. She clung to me so hard, I couldnt move.
Just then we heard a rustling in the rafters.
Becky jumped. Ooh! Its a bat. My dad said he saw one the other night. I figured youd want us to catch it for you, but it was too high.
Its more than a bat, I surmised.
After a few moments, the bat disappeared. I sensed someone lurking in the shadows. I took the flashlight and shined it on a bale of hay. Nothing. I shined it again on a workbench. Becky hid behind me, grasping my shirt so tight I could barely breathe.
Im scared, Raven. Lets go back.
I shined it on the tractor. The light caught the tail edge of blond dreadlocks.
Sebastian? Becky said, shocked.