Chapter 25
Nika hopped out of the van, shoving her hands into her zip-up hoodie pockets. There was a chill in the air, the skies cold and clear. Rick could see some ominous clouds off to the sides, threatening rain, but for now, it was relatively dry.
“They beat us,” Nika said. “I should probably say you shouldn’t have indulged my dad for so long, but I don’t think you were actually indulging him.”
“I was not,” Rick said. “That car was cool. I didn’t expect him to have an entire song written about it. That was a surprise.”
Nika sighed. “He didn’t make that up. It’s from some old band called the Dead Milkmen. They had a song called ‘Bitchin’ Camaro.’ ”
“Well, he was excited, I want to get on his good side, and that car was lit. I’m sure whatever Zara has to show us can wait a few minutes.”
Nika had her phone out and was frowning at the screen as she threaded her arm through Rick’s while they walked toward the modular.
“What is it?”
Nika scrunched up her face. “I don’t know. Something is bothering me, and I’m not sure what. Did the chat feel off to you?”
Rick stopped, thinking it over. “Not sure.”
Nika scowled as she flipped back through the chat. “Maybe it’s because Landon and Alexis didn’t respond.”
Rick shrugged. “They’re pretty busy with practice and stuff. They might not have seen it yet.”
“I know, it’s just…” She shook her head. “I’m being paranoid.”
“I think we have a good right to be,” Rick said gently. “Why don’t you check where their phones are? Get a little piece of mind and then we can head to the modular.”
“We’re late, though,” Nika protested, but she was already opening the FindMe app.
“Then another minute won’t matter.”
Nika hummed assent as she navigated the app. Rick expected her expression to clear, relaxing into relief. It didn’t. “They’re in the auditorium.”
Rick froze at that, the yearbook’s text slithering into his mind. Alexis Vargas, Best Dramatic Death Onstage. Landon Parker, Best Audience Participation Death, Applause All Around!
Rick stared back at where the auditorium sat, partially hidden by the rest of the building. “They wouldn’t go there if there wasn’t a damn good reason.”
“No,” Nika agreed. “They wouldn’t. Maybe they have a reason?”
Rick started walking toward the auditorium, gently pulling Nika with him. “Let’s find out what it is.”
“But Zara—”
“Will be thrilled to show off her brilliance twice. They can do without us for a few minutes.”
“Okay.”
—
Rick decided to try the back entrance of the auditorium first, because it was closer.
“It’s always locked,” Nika said. “We should—” Her teeth clicked shut when the door swung open under Rick’s hand. “Oooh, I don’t like that.”
“Me neither,” Rick said. He took her hand.
“Stay close, okay. And keep your phone out in case we need to call for help.” The door led to the backstage area, which had two different curtains, both of them closed and blocking a lot of the light.
“That’s weird.” He kept his voice low so only Nika would be able to hear him.
“What’s weird?” she whispered back.
“Why are the house lights on in the first place? It seems like no one else is here.”
“Maybe someone forgot and left them on?”
That was reasonable. Believable, even. But it made the hair on the back of Rick’s neck stand up, and he tightened his hold on Nika’s hand. They moved forward carefully, trying to be quiet.
Rick tried to close the door slowly as they moved away, but the heavy door shifted forward suddenly, slipping out of his fingers and slamming shut. The noise echoed through the silent theater. They both froze, listening.
Rick thought he heard a soft scraping noise, like a shoe dragging on the floor, but he wasn’t sure. He glanced at Nika.
She listened for a moment, then mouthed, “Careful.”
Rick led them through the labyrinth of backstage, gaze peeled for any movement, his heartbeat sounding loud in his ears.
A thin golden strip of light lined the sides of the curtain.
He angled for the side closest to him, grateful for Nika’s cold fingers in his, the grounding connection keeping him from melting into panic.
When they got close enough, Rick eased the curtain to the side.
It was much brighter without the curtain blocking his way, and it took his eyes several seconds to adjust. Then it took a few more to figure out what he was seeing.
The drama department had been gearing up to do Into the Woods.
Rick had seen posters at the beginning of the school year trying to get people interested in auditioning for roles or doing sets.
They must have found some people, because there were some backdrops wheeled out onto the stage—two pieces of castle wall with a lot of vines draping down and a throne, also on wheels.
Seated on the throne, head lolling to the side, was Alexis.
Rick didn’t see any blood, but her skin looked pale, and she wasn’t moving. He couldn’t tell if she was alive or dead. Was she breathing, or did he just want her to be breathing? He wasn’t close enough to tell.
Best Dramatic Death Onstage.
His gaze automatically went to the audience, hoping to find only empty seats.
He could just make out Landon’s slumped form, part of his face and a lot of his shirt covered in blood from a gash on his forehead.
Rick’s stomach roiled, fear and panic sloshing together in a nauseating brew.
He didn’t realize his hand was shaking until Nika squeezed it.
Rick didn’t know what to do. He had a whispering chorus of voices giving him conflicting advice.
You can’t help them. Run, or you’re next.
They might still be alive, you don’t know!
Call for help. You’ve got a phone!
He turned to Nika, taking in her wide eyes and the firm set to her jaw. She was scared, sure, but fear wasn’t going to stop her.
Nika was going to be brave, and hell if he wasn’t going to do the same thing. But first, they needed to call an ambulance and—
And that was the exact moment the lights went out, plunging the theater into complete darkness.
On instinct, Rick dropped to the floor, taking Nika with him.
There was a flash, quick and bright in the darkness, followed by a little pop. Like a firecracker.
Except not a firecracker.
A gun.
They weren’t alone in the darkness. Someone was there with a gun, and whoever it was had just taken a shot at them both.