Turns out the cemetery was used to bury soldiers who died during the Civil War. Many of the weathered tombstones had dates on them, but no names. Most bore the Confederate symbol, but a few had the union mark. So many young men had sacrificed their lives fighting for what they thought was right, only to be buried unnamed, ignored, and forgotten.
I had to admit, there was something strangely comforting about being in the quiet yard, with its cracked headstones, overgrown grass, and deadened vines clinging around its wrought-iron fence. It was as if just being there, acknowledging the past, and the soldiers who died for what they believed in, somehow made me feel part of something bigger than myself. I felt a connection to the young men who died in battle, many interred for eternity beside their enemy, who, in another life, under different circumstances, might have been a friend.
We’d each ‘adopted’ a soldier, leaning against his tombstone while I caught Kieron up on his reading. The few hours we spent together passed in a comfortable blur. We’d left well before twilight, but not before making plans to meet up again today.
It’s funny how just having this to look forward to makes my whole world seem brighter. Happier. I smile to myself, remembering the sexy way he grins with half his mouth and how he looks up at me with crystalline eyes through those dark lashes…
The wail of a siren startles me from my reverie. Curious, and concerned, I furrow my brow and pick up the pace. It sounds like several sirens, all heading in the direction of the school.
I jog through the last line of trees to the main road, just in time to see a cop car zoom by, quickly followed by an ambulance.
What the hell…?
A crowd is gathering in the parking lot, and a yellow police tape already cordons off the west side of the school. People rush around frantically; many students hug each other with tear-stained faces. A fat policeman and a dainty policewoman work in tandem, herding people off to the side of the entrance. Near the atrium, a TV news crew is preparing to start filming.
My heart thuds ominously, and I survey the chaos looking for any sign of him.
“Oh, Liora, you’re here, thank God you’re okay.” I nearly jump out of my skin as Corrine accosts me from behind, wrapping her arms around me.
I turn to her and am startled to see she’s as white as a ghost. “Corrine, what’s happening? Why wouldn’t I be okay? What’s going on?”
Corrine is so freaked out, she’s actually eerily calm. Tiny tears stream down her face. “They…they only know who the boys are…they don’t know who the girl is yet…” she whispers.
“What boys? What girl? You’re not making sense…”
Her voice is so quiet I can barely hear her. “It’s Cade Johnston and Lee Marvis… they… their bodies…” her voice breaks.
I gasp, bringing my hand to my mouth. Bodies?
“In the gym. Janitor found them this morning. There’s a girl there too…but she’s too messed up, they can’t identify her yet.” Corrine makes a strange hiccup noise and bites her lip.
“Oh, my God.” I grab her hand and stagger over to the curb to sit down. The crowd seems to have doubled in size. Now parents and townspeople are arriving to see what’s going on.
“Liora,” a deep voice comes from behind me.
Relief washes over me, and I jump up to meet Kieron’s troubled gaze. “Kieron. Oh, Kieron, have you heard? I can’t believe it.” I move closer to him, thinking for some reason we should hug. Isn’t that what people do in these sorts of situations? But he stiffens and I hesitate. We look at each other and Kieron nods grimly.
“They’ve cancelled classes today, for obvious reasons. I think it would be a good idea if we get out of here; let the authorities do their business.”
I glance down at Corrine weeping softly into her hands. Throwing Kieron a pained look, I kneel beside her, patting her long hair.
“Sweetie, it’s gonna be okay. Come on, let’s go. Kieron will give you a ride home.” I eye him hopefully and he nods. But Corrine surprises me by shaking her head.
“Thanks, but I’d rather take the bus,” she mutters. When I start to protest she gives me a steely look, and I realize she’s embarrassed about Kieron knowing where she lives. “Go, I’ll be fine. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.” I help her to her feet. She gives me a quick hug before walking toward the bus stop. Kieron and I watch her in silence as she shuffles away, head held low. Part of me wants to go after her, but I know she wants to be alone. I have to respect that.
When she’s out of sight, Kieron motions for me to follow him. We weave through the crowd of distraught and frantic people until we reach his truck.