Escort For The Witch - стр. 32

“So that’s why you’re always hovering around me.”

She blushed and nodded, about to say something when the front door slammed, making us both jump in surprise and turn towards the direction of the sound.

“Hey everyone! I’m home! ” Eric’s hoarse voice echoed from the hall.

“Jack!” Sabrina jumped to her feet and, coming up to me almost face to face, grabbed my hand and whispered excitedly: “Please, don’t tell him anything! I don’t even know why I decided to tell you all this nonsense. ”

“No, not nonsense. Sorry, I need to… figure some things out,” I muttered, stepping out of the room uncertainly and heading towards the kitchen, where Eric was making a racket.

I caught my friend rummaging in the fridge, hoping to find something he hadn’t already nibbled on. He was humming some tune to himself and making dancing moves, completely oblivious to my presence. I reached him in two steps and slammed the refrigerator door right in front of his surprised face.

“What the heck, Jack! Cut it out! ” Eric hissed, startled, glaring at me. “What’s going on? I got your message. ” He added.

I didn’t know what to do. Utter confusion? Bewilderment? Doubt? It all hit me at once like a tsunami. Maybe my parents would? Damn, my parents! I completely forgot about dinner with parents! I glanced at the clock frantically. I still had to write my report on the latest developments. But what am I supposed to write about now?

“Jack! What’s happening? Is she having another episode? ” Eric’s concerned voice seemed to be coming from a distance.

“Stay with her. Don’t go anywhere. Got it? I need to talk to Dad. ”

Eric looked at me in confusion, but nodded, not asking further questions.

“You think it’s all that serious, huh? ” he asked after a pause.

“I don’t know.” I could see from Eric’s displeased expression that he wasn’t satisfied my reply.

“I gotta go. ”

I walked out of the kitchen, grabbed my coat, nervously fumbling with car keys, and was about to grab the door handle when I heard Sabrina call me.

“Hey, you!” She leisurely emerged from the living room.

“I’m all ears, miss, ” I murmured. She smiled. Well I never! She does nothing but bestow smiles on my all day.

“Have you forgotten about our little bet? ”

“How could I?! ” I feigned offense and grinned playfully.

“Well, tomorrow then? ” Sabrina asked flirtily.

“Tomorrow it is. ”

I leisurely walked out onto the street and headed towards my car parked the back.

For some reason, I felt extremely queasy. What did Grandpa mean only Eric and I could help? I was at my wit’s end. But one thing I was sure of, Sabrina saw her mother, and the vision wasn’t just scaring her, it was causing real physical pain.

What’s worse, both Eric and I saw her writhing in pain and both felt completely powerless and useless.

The Council

Having parked in front of my parents’ house, I sat in the car for some minutes, gathering my thoughts. I kept replaying the details of Sabrina’s story over and over. Then I noticed the time and winced. Almost six o’clock. I was running late and risking a lecture from Mrs. Renton. I got out and trudged towards the house.

My thoughts were all over the place, making it hard to fully concentrate on the impending meeting with my father. Six months ago, we had a big row over my then girlfriend, and since then we had barely said a word to each other. Today, at last, there was a good reason for us to start talking again and maybe reconcile.