The Last Harvest(39)

“What the hell’s going on?” I rush forward, but Jimmy slams the cell door shut.

“I’ll get Tyler,” Ali says as she runs back up the stairs.

I grab the cold rusty iron bars, shaking them with all my strength. “Jess, are you okay? Jess, talk to me.”

She tilts her head back and stares at me. Her pupils are so big. “Hi, Dad,” she whispers.

My skin explodes in goose bumps. “It’s me, Jess … it’s Clay.”

“I know … but Dad’s standing right behind you.”

I whip around, but there’s no one there. Hallucinating. “What did you do to her?” I turn my attention back to Jimmy. “What did you give her?”

“She was just looking for a good time, isn’t that right, Jessica?” He kicks the cot, making the springs rattle. “Don’t get all roiled up, Clay. Everyone in town’s had a ride on that bicycle. You’re lucky anyone will touch her after Lee Wiggins.”

“Don’t talk about her like that,” I spit. “I’m going to get you out of here, Jess. Just close your eyes.”

“For f*ck’s sake, Jimmy, open the door,” Tyler says as he ambles down the stairs, Ali, Ben, and Tammy following close behind.

“Good, you’re all here,” Jimmy says. “No one humiliates me like that anymore. I’m a member of the council. We’re supposed to be equals now.” His voice cracks. “And Clay needs to learn his lesson.” Jimmy’s eyes look pure black, like staring into a bottomless pit of hatred. And I wonder if this is it—the demon taking over.

“Open this door.” I rage against the bars. “Open this goddamn door!”

“Get my dad,” Tyler says to Tammy. She runs up the stairs.

“Jimmy, listen to me,” Tyler says as he steps forward. “He’s one of us. That’s Clay’s sister. We don’t cross our own.”

“Then what happened back there? Huh, Tyler? Why didn’t you stop him? Why didn’t you defend me? He doesn’t even have the mark yet. Until the seed is chosen, we’re all equals. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m the chosen one. The blood of the calf has set me free.”

“What’s he talking about?” I ask.

“No clue,” Tyler says as he stares him down. “He’s obviously drugged out of his mind.”

I step away from the cell, pacing the wide-planked floors. “Jimmy, I swear to God, if you don’t open this door—”

“You’ll what?” Jimmy says as he edges forward. “What are you going to do about it?”

One more step … just one.

“That’s what I thought.” He laughs. “Look who’s in charge now, bit—”

I lunge for him. Stretching my hand through the bars, I grab hold of his shirt and yank him toward me, head-butting him with such force his head lolls back, his knobby knees buckling under him, but I don’t let go. Blood’s gushing from his nose as I get my hands around his throat, holding him clean off the ground. His limbs are flailing around, desperately trying to find something to latch on to.

“Please,” he grunts as his lips turn blue, blood vessels bursting in his sallow skin. I glance over at Jess lying there and it only makes me want to squeeze tighter. I’m about to crush his windpipe when I’m jerked back, Tyler and Ben fighting to get control of me.

Jimmy’s on the ground in the fetal position, coughing and spitting up blood, when Mr. Neely comes downstairs, calmly sorting through the keys until he finds the right one.

As soon as the cell door pops open, I charge forward. I almost reach him when I feel hands on me, from every direction. “Stop it, Clay,” I hear Ali say.

I want to fight, shake them off, but I don’t want to hurt anyone … especially Ali.

Ian Neely steps in front of me. “We’ll take care of this, son. You don’t need another incident on your record.”

Jess stirs. “What’s going on? What are you doing down here?”

I go to her, pushing her hair back from her face. “I’m so sorry, Jess.”

As I pick her up, carrying her out of the cell, Ian and the others close in around Jimmy.

Mr. Neely takes off his belt.

The sound of the leather strap hitting Jimmy’s flesh follows me until we’re safely outside of the Preservation Society.

The scariest part is that it sounds good.





24

AS I carry Jess outside, the fresh air seems to slap us both in the face.

“I would’ve been fine,” she murmurs as she struggles to break free of me, wavering on her feet.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” I try to help her to my truck, but she pulls away from me, staggering across the lawn.

“You still don’t get it.” She laughs, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “It’s too late. No matter what happens, no matter what you do … he’s coming.”

“What are y—”

“Clay?” Miss Granger hurries across the lawn.

Jess stares at her for a moment, her face softening into a winsome smile. “You’re here,” she says as she stumbles forward into her arms.

“I’m sorry.” I shake my head. “This is my sister Jess.”