Free Betwixt, Before, Beyond by Melissa Pearl Page B

with the eerie silence that always follows tragic news. I keep my eyes out the window, watching the world slow to a stop as Dale pulls into Adam's driveway.
    Dale pulls up the parking brake as Adam opens his door. "Do you think she's run away?"
    Adam pauses and scratches the nape of his neck.
    "I don't know, man. Maybe." His Adam’s apple shoots down his throat and back up again before he forces a smile and gets out of the car.
    Dale waits for the slam of the door before reversing onto the road. I watch Adam walk to his door then turn and watch us leave. I swivel in the seat and look out the back window as he gazes after us.
    Part of me wants to hate him. Another part has to admit that it was going to come out eventually.
    I glance back at Dal e. He keeps looking in the rearview mirror, searching for my response.

 
    Chapter Eleven
     
    I don't say anything. I can't. Adam is soon out of view. I keep looking out the back window, unable to face Dale. He was the one person at school who didn't know.
    I hate that the status quo has changed.
    Dale clears his throat. "You want to sit in front with me?"
    "No, I'm fine back here," I mumble.
    The car eases to a stop. Slowly I turn around to see Dale facing me.
    "I'm sorry." His voice is soft.
    "For what?" My voice is hard.
    His eyes fill with compassion as he whispers, "I'm sorry you had to find your sister like that. I'm sorry you lost her."
    "I don't want to talk about it." I clear my throat.
    "Nic— "
    "I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!"
    Dale jolts back in his seat and accidentally hits the horn. Adjusting his position, he swivels back to face the road and gives a short, "Okay."
    Putting the car in gear, we bunny hop forward for a second until Dale finds his rhythm. I'm still clinging to my numbness — the only form of protection I've known since the accident.
    I close my eyes.
    Jody.
    I squeeze my hand into a tight fist, willing it to hurt. I used to be able to draw blood. I open my hand now and see nothi ng...of course. You can't cut ghosts' skin...just their hearts.
    Silence fills the car until we pass the turn off to Matt's house and start heading further into the forest.
    "Anything look familiar?"
    I lean towards the glass and shake my head.
    "Nicole?"
    "It all looks the same." I sigh. "I could have been anywhere around here."
    "Just keep looking, see if something sparks a memory."
    I do what I'm told and ask Dale to slow down about five minutes later.
    "This could be it. I mean there's a steep bank all along this road."
    "Well, let's get out a nd take a look."
    Dale looks hopeful as he jumps out the door and starts walking along the road.
    "If you were hit, there will probably be markings or damage to the guardrail," he calls over his shoulder. "You head up that way and I'll try down here, see if we spot anything."
    I grab the dog tags around my neck as I march up the road, looking at the guardrail. I've walked at least a 100 yards when I turn around and shout, "I don't see anything. The railing looks fine."
    "Same down here." Dale's voice wafts back to me. "Come on, let's drive a little further."
     
    We spend the next hour jumping in and out of the car. The guardrail is fine along the entire road and by mile fifteen, I'm totally over it.
    "I don't want to do this anymore."
    Dale glances at his watch.
    "I should probably get home anyway." He puts his foot on the gas and we head back towards Big Bear Village.
    "What a waste of time." I sigh.
    "I don't think so."
    I look over at him from the front passenger's seat. "I always knew you were an idiot."
    His snicker is followed by a quick smirk. "We can cross that stretch of road off now. It wasn't a waste of time."
    "Okay, fine." I lean my head back against the seat and close my eyes.
    Sometimes I feel like Dale can see me or something. It's like he can sense what I'm doing and rather than launching into more tiring conversation, he simply leans forward and turns on the radio.
    The music washes over us as we amble back to town.