When the Rain Comes
(Chapters 4-6)
Chapter 4: Downtown Diego
I practically ran through the apartment complex for number 204 just in case they tried to still follow. The apartment clerk wouldn't let any trespassers just follow me when I looked this distressed. I was half relieved when I reached 204 and neither was behind me. Just paranoid.
I let myself into the apartment and found it empty. I walked to my room to dump my backpack and jacket. I didn't have much more to do now, so I casually walked to the kitchen for a snack.
I found a note on the refrigerator door:
Candi,
Claire is at a friend's house. I won't be home until 6:30 so you can go hang out with some friends. Just be home by 6:30.
-Anne
Well, at least I could try to find someone to do something with. I picked up the phone and dialed Lynn's number. This time it wasn't busy. It rang once and she answered.
"Hi Candi," Lynn's bubbly voice answered.
"Hey Lynn." I replied. "Do you want to do something? I've got nothing to do until six-thirty."
"Sure." Lynn seemed to have forgiven me about my sarcastic remark earlier today. "We could go shopping at the new mini-mall." Of course. What else was there to do on a rainy day with Lynn?
"That sounds cool." I answered. It was something to do. Maybe I might find something I liked.
"Great! I'll come pick you up. See you in a few." Lynn answered and hung up before I could reply. I hung up the phone and went back to my room to grab some things. I took about a black purse that I rarely used and put my wallet and cell phone in it. I strapped the purse over my shoulder and threw on my rain jacket. Lynn would be here soon, she lived pretty close. I walked out of the apartment and locked the door behind me. When I got to the hotel lobby, I could see Lynn's silver Corolla waiting outside.
Lynn talked the whole way downtown. I only had to add in a few comments to keep her happy.
"That's a pretty necklace, where'd you get it?" Lynn suddenly asked. I realized I was still wearing the key.
"Um… it was my dad's." I said and flinched, waiting for the pain to come and exhaled it didn't.
"Oh." She answered. I think she was hoping that I had bought it from some store. She pulled into the parking lot in front of the mini-mall. It looked huge to me, definitely bigger than the apartment complex. Lynn had changed the subject to going further downtown for dinner and to look for any more shops after we were done here.
Lynn was ecstatic when we entered the mall. She dragged me to the first clothes shop in shop. I couldn't afford the expensive clothes that cluttered the racks. Lynn was tempted to buy an expensive, but exceptionally cute outfit. We left that store empty handed and walked to find somewhere that was cheaper.
A ways down we found a shop that looked promising, and it was. Lynn bought an outfit that was only seventeen dollars all-together and was almost as cute as the outfit in the expensive store.
She forced me into buying an outfit for myself by offering to pay for half. I bought green pants with a matching belt and a yellow t-shirt that said 'The Beatles Yellow Submarine'.
After we checked out a few more shops we headed back to the car. I could tell Lynn was almost satisfied. Now she would drag me further downtown and make me eat wherever she thought was suitable. It was only five when we were passing some fast food restaurants. She parked the car so we could go further. There most likely wouldn't be any more parking spaces for a while.
We were about to cross an intersection when I saw them. The black haired one was leaned up against a building casually and watching the blonde one pace back and forth in front of him. The blonde one looked up from his pacing and saw me. He did one of those 'double-takes'. First it was a glance… then he froze as if he just realized something. The black haired one looked up and met my eyes. I too froze in place. Something about his dark eyes made me suddenly terrified.
"Earth to Candice, hello?" Lynn was waving her hand in front of my face. I broke off from his eyes to look at Lynn. "Did you see a ghost or something? Come on! The road is clear, we can cross." She started dragging me across the crosswalk by my wrist as I tried to get a better view of the two. Now they were walking towards us, using the crosswalk parallel.
Now I was the one dragging Lynn. We practically ran down the street.
"Candi! What's the hurry?" Lynn complained, confused.
"Nothing." I lied. Lynn sighed. I was a terrible liar. I slowed to a walk and looked over my shoulder. The two of them were walking casually a ways behind us. Both expressionless. There was one thing different from the last time the blonde boy was behind me. They were getting closer. Every time I sped up, so did they.
"Candi!" Lynn was almost yelling. She wretched her arm out of my grasp. "What is the matter with you?" She hissed. We stopped walking, but the followers didn't. I didn't know how to answer her. She'd think I was crazy if I told her that two boys were following us. I looked back now. To my surprise, the black haired boy was now sitting on a bench by the bus stop, and the blonde haired boy was no where to be seen. My eyes flashed around crazily, searching for him.
"Just… paranoid." I breathed, mostly to myself. Lynn rolled her eyes.
"Honestly. You're such a baby. Let's just go to the sub shop up the road and leave." Lynn said. We continued up the road. When we reached the next intersection the blonde boy ran around the corner and ran into me. I fell to the ground with a thud. I laid there for a second. Just paranoid. I blinked through the icy rain that prodded at my skin. The blonde boy reached his hand out to me.
"S-sorry." He said, apparently embarrassed. See? He's just an average person. He's not following anyone. I told myself and grabbed his hand. He pulled me to my feet swiftly. "Jeez, you're freezing! Let me buy you something hot." He offered. I looked to Lynn for help. She smiled. I knew what she was thinking. She wished that he pushed her down and helped her up. I would have rolled my eyes, but the blonde boy was watching my reaction carefully. Overly patient.
"Um… sure." Was all I could manage after the shock. I shivered. Great, now that my face and hair was soaked with rain I really was cold.
"We were just going to the sub shop up the street. They probably have soup or something." Lynn said, looking worried. I could see through her though. She was hiding a smile.
"Fair enough, let's go." The blonde boy said. Still holding my wrist he walked toward the sub shop. Lynn was grinning at me now as she followed. I glowered at her.
"Be nice." I whispered so the blonde boy couldn't hear.
He towed me inside the shop and went straight to the counter. "Soup of the day and a coke, no ice." He ordered for me. Then he turned to Lynn. "What would you like?" he asked her. Lynn blushed slightly.
"The same." She sputtered. He repeated that to the girl across the counter.
"And just a coke for me." He added on and passed her a twenty dollar bill. "Keep the change."
"Can I have my hand back?" I asked irritated. Without looking at me he released his iron grasp on my wrist. I rubbed it quietly. Lynn looked like she was in a daze. When the food was prepared he insisted on carrying the tray to a table by the window. The rain made it seem later than it was.
"Who are you anyways?" I asked. Lynn nudged me in the ribs.
"Diego." He answered, ignoring my rudeness. I held the styrofoam bowl in my hands to warm them up and sipped at my coke. "And you?"
"Candice." I answered automatically. He turned his attention to Lynn.
"Lynn." She said. Diego nodded his head. Why on earth was I having this conversation? Hadn't he been following me? Part of me wanted to continue to talk, and the other part wanted me to throw the soup in his face and run. The one that wanted to talk shoved the other one out of the way for now. Throwing soup would be too much.
"Do you have an English accent or something?" Lynn asked. I wanted to slap her for asking such a question, but it didn't seem to bother Diego.
"I'm not from around here." He answered simply. I started to slowly eat my soup and tried to look out the window through the blurry windows and failed. I was finally warm enough to take off my jacket. I pushed it between me and the window. Diego stiffened.
I examined him carefully.
"Are you okay?" I asked. He snapped out of his revere immediately.
"That is a very… unique necklace." He commented. His eyes flashed from my eyes to the necklace. The key was shinning ever so brilliantly against my plain green t-shirt. "May I?" I considered his question for a moment.
"Oh… sure." I unfastened the necklace from my neck and handed it to him. I watched him curiously as he examined it from all angles.
"Yes, very unique." He said, still examining the key. "Fire opal? Yes… and twelve k silver. Where did you get this?" He relentlessly lifted his eyes from the key and met mine.
"It was my dad's." I answered. He handed it back to me and I wrapped it around my neck.
"Interesting." Diego said quietly. He turned to Lynn who I could probably guess was feeling left out a little. "Those are beautiful earrings, Lynn."
"They were a birthday present." Lynn chirped.
"They match you perfectly." He complemented. Lynn blushed slightly. I had finished my soup by now.
"Well, I must be off. It's six o'clock now." Diego said standing up. "Good night, ladies. It was a pleasure to meet you." He walked away from our booth. After a while I nudged Lynn.
"Move." I muttered and she snapped back to reality. Lynn slid out of the booth and I followed her, putting on my rain jacket.
The whole way home she babbled about Diego. It was really irritating. Maybe she'll never talk about Jason to me after this. I hoped. I caught one last glance of Diego and the black haired boy before we sped out of the downtown area.
Chapter 5: An Annoyance
I woke up with a few things on my mind. First, today was Friday. Tonight I was to go with some friends for dinner and a movie. Second, I was going to 'hunt' for Diego on my way to school. I had a few things I wanted to ask him. I went through my morning ritual swiftly and was out the door half an hour early.
I didn't have to look long. Diego was outside the apartment building. This time I didn't run into him. I walked out of the building and smirked at him.
"That's a first." Diego said.
"Huh?" I asked, confused.
"You didn't run into me today. Thanks." He smirked at me. I glared and he chuckled lightly. "Would it be strange if I walked you to school? You seem to be one for trouble."
"You can, but it would still be strange" I answered dully. "I'm half an hour early anyways."
"We'll walk slowly." He replied. We walked at a reasonable pace, neither of us talking. I couldn't get myself to ask the questions I desperately wanted answered. I was too much of a coward. He was patient though. I noticed that he was still wearing what he had on yesterday. Jeans, a white shirt with what looked like an incomplete star, and a black trench coat. He also looked exhausted.
"Are you alright?" I broke the silence. He looked at me as if trying to decide if he should answer or not.
"Rough night." Diego replied and turned his attention back to the sidewalk. I could tell he was avoiding talking about it, but I was too curious. I tried to flitter my eye lashes and looked up at him.
"What happened?" I asked casually. I've never attempted to flirt in my life. I've only seen people do it on TV. Blink often, try to keep eye contact, and sweet talk him. He eyed me suspiciously. He was trapped in my stare. Yes! It was working.
"Um…" He stuttered and tried to look away. "I didn't sleep."
"Why?" I asked in a soothing tone. He bit his lip.
"Er… a lot on my mind." He replied. He seemed relieved when we got to the school. "Well, I'll… um… see you around."
"Bye." I purred.
"Bye." He replied. I walked into the building and glanced back over my shoulder. He was still standing their watching me. I flipped my hair and walked inside.
Lynn ran up to me immediately. "I saw you with Diego! What did he say? What did you talk about?" Lynn was overly excited.
"Calm down." I tried to tell her. Then Jason came over.
"Who's the weird one?" He asked me, referring to Diego I assumed.
"A friend." I replied dryly.
"What happened?" Lynn was practically begging.
"I tried to flirt." I told her. Jason burst into laughter.
"Poor kid." He chuckled. I glared at him.
"I have to go to class." I said and pushed past them. I knew Lynn wouldn't leave me alone today until I gave her the full details.
History was no problem today. We only had to read out of our books and study for the test next Wednesday. Jasmine passed me a note:
Lynn told me that you guys met someone last night. Who?
Not Jasmine too. I gave her an exasperated look and didn't right back. She clicked her tongue in disappointment. Knowing Lynn, half the school probably knew most the story. The mysterious Diego in the sub shop.
The rest of the day went by in a blur. I felt stupid for attempting to flirt at all. Especially with someone I had met the night before.
By the time I had walked out of the school I had retold the meeting at least ten times. Lynn's story obviously didn't match mine. I walked a few feet from the school when I saw Diego, already waiting for me.
He had changed his clothes at least. It wasn't raining anymore. He wore faded jeans and a red t-shirt. He smiled at me.
"You better get out of here before you're attacked by fan girls." I muttered to him. He looked at me curiously.
"Fan girls? That's a first." He raised his eyebrows and straightened. "Want to flee with me?" He grinned. I knew he meant take me home, but it sounded weird how he asked.
"Hey Diego!" Lynn's bubbly voice came over all the after school noises. I cringed.
"Told you." I said and walked past him. He followed me, still dumbstruck. His hands were in his pockets again as he followed me, grinning to himself.
"Why do you insist on being with me?" I asked after a while when the school was out of sight.
"I've got nothing else to do." Diego replied casually. I wheeled around to face him. He had stopped already, like he anticipated that.
"Don't you have to go to school too?" I said. My voice grew a little louder.
"Home schooled." He grinned. "I'm a quick learner."
"Why were you following me?" My courage came back to me. He hesitated.
"I wasn't following you." He said defensively. I gritted my teeth.
"Yes you were! You and that other friend of yours!" I almost yelled. He flinched away for a moment. I knew I had him trapped. He'd have to tell me his little plot sooner or later. I could see he was trying to figure out an excuse. "Well? What are you hiding?"
"Not now." He said quietly. I glared at him.
"When?" I asked impatiently.
"Not now." He repeated. I folded my arms and continued to walk down Boulder Street, fuming. I listened to his footsteps behind me.
"Stop following me!" I commanded.
"Why?" Diego asked. I turned around again to face him. Pure curiosity stretched across his face. I pursed my lips in frustration. The apartment wasn't far away. I darted away from him, running as fast as my legs would carry me. I still heard him behind me. He was running too. I bolted inside the apartment building and slammed the door behind me. He was gone. I held my tensed position of holding the door closed and waited for him to try to catch me by surprise.
Five seconds…
Ten seconds…
"Excuse me?" the apartment receptionist called. I turned my head towards her, my face still twisted in panic. "Do you mind keeping the door free?" I looked back at the street and decided that he wouldn't just burst through the door.
"Sorry." I apologized and relaxed. After I caught my breath I walked up to apartment number 204.
When I entered, Brittany was stretched out across the couch watching a teen romance movie and Claire was at the kitchen table working on a coloring book. I closed the door behind me quietly and went to the kitchen to make a snack. I put carrots in a bowl for Claire and grabbed a granola bar for myself. Passing the small bowl of carrots to Claire I made a face in Brittany's general direction. On the TV two people were kissing endlessly.
"Do you mind?" I said irritably. "Virgin eyes are in this room." I knew Claire wouldn't know what that meant. Brittany peered over the couch.
"I know. I'm looking at them." She countered. I scowled.
"The same here." I replied. Brittany stuck her tongue out at me and returned to her gushy movie. Brittany was always annoying. She was three years younger than me at fourteen. "Just wait 'till you get to your junior year." I muttered too low for her to hear. "C'mon Claire." I motioned for Claire to follow. Claire collected up her crayons and coloring book and followed me to my room. Claire was seven and in the first grade. She was definitely too young to be watching teen romance flicks. She settled herself into my desk and started coloring again. I unloaded my backpack on my bed and began working on translating simple sentences into Spanish. It was a small challenge, something I knew Jasmine would have done in less than five minutes. I translated the first sentence:
Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl.
Una vez sobre una época había una muchacha hermosa.
I wonder how beautiful.
She lived in a house in the center of town.
Ella vivió en una casa en el centro de la ciudad.
Well, that's convenient.
One day, a boy was throwing rocks at her window.
Un día, un muchacho lanzaba rocas en su ventana.
Clank. My head wiped around. Clank. It was coming from the window. Clank. I got to my feet and hurried to it. I saw Diego on the sidewalk. He chucked something at me. Clank. He was throwing rocks. I blinked in disbelief. Wow, the story is half true.
I yanked at the latch and my window swung open.
"What do you want?" I called to him.
"Do you have time to talk?" He yelled back. I looked over at Claire, then back to him.
"Maybe." I relied. "If I can get a nice babysitter."
"What's your apartment number?" He asked.
"Two-oh-four." I replied automatically. I wish I didn't. Now he was coming. I gritted my teeth and closed the window. I left Claire coloring at the desk.
Crap! I forgot to lock the door. Diego walked through the door without knocking. I froze in the hall, waiting for Brittany's reaction. She whipped around and gawked at Diego for a good twenty seconds.
"Hello." Diego broke the silence. "I'm here to pick Candice up for a sleepover with my sister. Would you tell her mother?" Diego ignored the fact that I was standing a few feet away from him. I composed my expression so Brittany wouldn't freak out.
"O-Okay." Brittany replied, and then returned to her movie. Diego walked towards me.
"Pack some things for one night." He whispered.
"Why are you… kidnapping me?" I asked, furious. I kept my voice low so Brittany wouldn't hear.
"I'm not. I'm going to explain everything." Diego said. "Now move!" He prodded at my shoulders.
"Wait right here." I pushed his hands away and staggered into my room. "Claire, I'm going to a friend's now and I need to pack. Can you go color in your room?" I asked politely as I could.
"Sure." Claire replied and gathered her things, prancing out of my room. Diego entered shortly after. I half-expected him to examine my not-too-tidy room immediately, but he kept his focus on me as I grabbed a duffle back and shoved necessary items for an overnight.
"What's with this overnight thing?" I asked curiously.
"It's going to be a lot of information." Diego told me. I shoved a blanket inside the bag and zipped it shut.
"You know I don't trust you." I said. That's when I snapped back to reality. "Wait a second. Why am I letting you kidnap me? Why am I doing what you're telling me?" I quickly unzipped the bag. Diego snatched the bag from me and zipped it back up.
"I'm not kidnapping you. Just borrowing you." Diego replied coolly.
"I do have plans tonight." I said trying to get my bag back from him. He studied me for a moment.
"Ok. Go be with your friends and I'll pick you up." He ordered. My mouth dropped open.
"Are you stalking me or something? How did you know I was going with my friends?" I asked. Diego hesitated, measuring my expression.
"I said I will explain everything later." His voice was almost as irritated as mine. "I'll pick you up after your event. I drive a blue truck." I scowled at him and he walked out of my room with the bag. About five seconds later the phone rang.
It was Lynn.
"Hey Candi! We're coming to pick you up. Be outside in a few minutes." Lynn commanded.
"Alright. I'll see you in a few." I hung up the phone.
"How come you're okay with my fan girl kidnapping you and not me?" Diego asked in a teasing voice.
"Shut up." I said and shoved him out the door.
Chapter 6: Friday Night
I left the apartment shortly after Diego did. Like always, he had disappeared. Tom was waiting in his white Sienna for me. Luckily it wasn't raining anymore, but everything was still wet. I clamored into one of the back seats with Lynn. Alex sat in the far back corner, away from Tom. Jasmine was next to him and Tonya had shotgun. Tom drove the Sienna a little over the speed limit. I almost smiled. How weird it must look to see a big white van speeding down the road.
Next he stopped at Jason's house just outside of town. I was extremely envious. Jason's mom was a gardener and the front of his house looked like a dream garden. Jason wheeled out of the house and stumbled into the back of the van. I could almost see Lynn shaking with excitement.
It was a short trip. Mostly because of Tom's speeding. He stopped at an Italian restaurant called The Palazzo. The place looked old-fashion, with wood walls and floors and red and white plaid table clothes. Classical Italian music played in the background. The food was delicious. I ordered their famous spaghetti, as did Tom and Lynn. The conversations began just like at lunch. Everyone laughed when Jason threw a meatball at Alex. He spent almost five minutes trying to get the stain out.
I couldn't figure out why I was feeling so relaxed right now. I was going to be 'kidnapped' as soon as this was all over. I really hoped it wasn't because of Diego. He was extremely annoying. You don't just stalk someone and invade their space and expect them to trust you. Yet, somehow I did, and I didn't know why.
After we ate and the bill was paid we all staggered back into the Sienna. Tom drove a little slower because Jasmine had complained that he was going to get a ticket. The movie theater wasn't far away. We were a little early when we arrived. Everyone bought their ticket's and snacks and yet, I still wasn't terrified. I had almost told Tom that I wouldn't need a ride home. Then again, how would Diego know exactly where I am?
All through the movie I was waiting for me to become frightened, but that part never came. I knew I shouldn't be relaxed. I knew I should be trying to keep away from Diego at all costs.
The movie was definitely a sports movie. Dave would have enjoyed this more than I did. I didn't catch the plot very well, but the boys seemed to have been hooked because they were talking about it endlessly. It was about a teenage football team trying to make it to nationals. The boys seemed to be in a trance as they watched. Boys will be boys.
On the way out of the theater, the boys were talking animatedly. I had no idea what most the words they used meant.
"Did you see that touchdown? Amazing." Alex said, mystified.
"Of course I saw it." Tom replied dryly. "What do you think I paid five dollars for? To stare at the floor?" He motioned to the ground. Alex glowered at him.
When we exited the theater, the first thing I noticed was a blue truck. The second was Diego leaning against it, smiling warmly. Lynn followed my gaze a gasped, hiding behind Jason. I gawked at Diego. How did he know?
He left the truck and strode over to us.
"Good evening." He greeted. Lynn squeaked. "Do you mind if I drive Candice home?" Diego focused on Tom. I figured then that his charm didn't work on boys. Tom scowled.
"Yes, I do mind." Tom said hotly. "I am her designated driver tonight." Wow, I was being fought over… by boys.
"I understand." Diego replied. "But, my sister has invited her to a sleepover tonight and all her things are already at our place. It would make no sense to take her home."
"Still, let me drive." Tom demanded. Diego sighed.
"That will not be necessary. We live a few miles out of town." Diego said.
"Its okay, Tom." I cut in before he took Diego's head off. "The van will be less crowded." I tried to smile, but I knew it looked fake. Tom looked from me to Diego, then back to me.
"Fine." He muttered and walked to the van with the others in tow, staring back at me. I scowled at Diego.
"You could have been a lot nicer." I snapped.
"I could have." Diego smirked. "But then it would take longer to get you." I rolled my eyes. "So, let's get going." Diego paced towards the truck and opened the passenger door for me. I sighed and struggled as I climbed into the big blue truck. I could see my friends in the white Sienna watching me carefully.
Diego climbed into the driver's seat and brought the engine to life. Some sort of rock music that I didn't recognize streamed out of the radio. He turned it down so it was just background noise and not blaringly loud. As we passed by the Sienna I tried to give my friends a don't-worry-about-me smile, but I don't think it worked as well as I hoped.
Once we were out of the parking lot, Diego was speeding twenty miles over the speed limit. Even though he passed through yellow lights that had seconds to spare he seemed completely relaxed.
"Well?" I asked nervously. "Mind telling me what this is about?" Diego bit his lip.
"I'm not sure how to start." He admitted and stretched his left arm out the window.
"Just spit it out! I hate suspense." I demanded. Diego smirked.
"It's pretty big. Maybe you should be patient." Diego replied. My mouth dropped open in disbelief. I snapped it shut immediately and stared furiously out the window. We were driving right through downtown.
"I can't be patient." I confessed. "You've been stalking me for a week now, I only met you last night, you barge into my home and take my things so you can borrow me, and you kidnap me from my friends! How the hell am I supposed to be patient?" Diego gripped the steering wheel tightly and sighed.
"I never expected you to be." Diego countered. Then he thought for a moment. "Maybe I should tell you the basics before we get to our place."
"Thank you!" I said sarcastically and crossed my arms, glaring at him. He watched the road for a while before he spoke. The suspense was almost overwhelming.
"You know that key that you're wearing?" Diego asked after a short while. My hand immediately ran to the key that was strung around my neck.
"What about it?" I questioned.
"It locks something." Diego said simply. I listened intently. "A sort of chamber."
"Can it unlock this sort of chamber?" I asked. Diego tightened his jaw and stared at the steering wheel.
"Yes." He replied. "Don't ask questions." I rolled my eyes and stared out the window. So my key did go to something. What did he mean 'a chamber'?
"I'll try to explain this so it's less confusing." Diego started again. "There is this bad person who has special… abilities, and he wants to destroy all human life." I stared at him in disbelief. I wanted to just shout 'prove it', but he raised a hand to stop me. "Anyways. I'm part of a, um… clan that is trying to stop this bad person. I –and my clan— have special abilities too." Diego finally looked at me. "You don't believe me, do you?" He sighed.
"I'm trying to." I replied. "Where exactly are we going?"
"To my clan. They can explain things better than I can." He turned his eyes back to the road.
"Who is your clan?" I asked.
"Thayden, Cleo, Garret, and Marissa." Diego replied.
"What can you all do?" I was starting to grasp what he meant.
"Well, it's not exactly what we can do. It's what we are." Diego said slowly. In inhaled and started again. "Thayden is a vampire, Cleo is an elf, Garret is a werewolf, Marissa is a witch, and I'm… I'm a wizard." My jaw dropped open. Impossible.
"Those are only myths." I said. Diego smiled slightly.
"Give me your hand." He asked, holding out his.
"Excuse me?" I rebounded. Diego waited patiently. I cautiously extended my hand. With his right hand, he moved mine so it was palm up on the center counsel of the truck. I had scabs from when I fell down when I first met him. Diego placed his hand over mine. First, nothing happened. Then the palm of his hand glowed a soft blue. I stared in amazement. When he removed his hand from mine and placed it back on the steering wheel, I examined my palm. All the scabs had been completely healed. Even the minor scratches from paper cuts I had gotten in school the past week. All gone!
After a while I snapped my jaw shut because I realized I had been gawking at my hand for almost a whole minute. Diego was grinning out the window.
"H-how did you do that?" I stuttered.
"I told you." Diego said without looking at me. "I'm a wizard." I wanted so badly to hit him and tell him to knock it off. He –Diego— a wizard. A real wizard. I was gawking again, but not too badly.
He finally turned off the highway and turned down a narrow street I thought his truck would never have been able to fit through without hitting anything. It was dark now. I could only see silhouettes of the buildings we passed. He finally stopped the truck and killed the engine. For a while he rested his head on the steering wheel and massaged his temples.
"I didn't mean for any of this to happen." He said softly and raised his head to look at me. "I swear to you, Candice, none of this is your fault. Please, just try to understand." I pursed my lips. He was serious.
"I try." I whispered. Now I was frightened. Everything he had told me that I didn't believe was actually true. He was a wizard, there was a witch, a vampire, an elf, and a werewolf waiting for me, and the key… this was all because of this stupid key that hung from my neck. I could feel the tears that budded my eyes. Nothing was going to be the same after tonight. Diego opened his door and climbed out swiftly. I just realized we weren't in the narrow alley anymore. The truck was parked in the middle of a circular opening in the alley.
Diego opened my door and helped me out of his massive truck and pulled me deeper into the dark alley. I bit my lip so that the tears wouldn't betray me. I had to pull it together. Crying would only make things worse. How could they possibly get worse?