Said the Liar by A. Swift (free ebook reader for ipad txt) 📖

Apex was definitely into the conversation. I took a cue from the people on the boxes and climbed on top of one. The added height did wonders for my view. It also gave me a little vertigo because of how much stuff was moving around. People, lights, and the music all bounced around unceasingly.

            I felt eyes on me and turned to see one of the girls dancing on the boxes hopping down beside me. She looked me over for a moment and then sat next to me.

            "I like your' jacket." She complimented me. "It makes your eyes stand out."

            I reluctantly took my attention away from Apex and the stranger to have a conversation with the girl. She was pretty, with a long nose and thick dark hair. She looked like she was almost eighteen because of her features and how tall she was. It was difficult to say for sure, though because the seizure-inducing lights threw off my depth perception a little.

            "Thanks." I replied. "You're a pretty good dancer."

            She smiled at me. "You look eastern," She commented. "because your skin's that olive color and is so nice."

            She was being very friendly. I felt myself getting very distracted. How could she tell my skin tone when there were lights and shadows everywhere? I wondered what to say.

            "Good party, huh?"

            That was not the lamest thing I could have said, but it wasn't very original. At least I hadn't mangled the words. Sometimes when I get nervous or upset I blend words together, it's super embarrassing and makes me feel really stupid. I was praying that wouldn't happen now. Maybe I hadn't come here to meet people, but talking to someone while I made sure stuff didn't get dangerous was alright.

            "It's very OK." The girl assented, her eyes didn't leave my face. I could feel them on my cheek. "You ever been here before or is this your first time?"

            "I'm local. I hang here now and then." I explained. Apex was listening to what the other guy was saying now. I couldn't see the stranger's face, but Apex looked intent. He'd stopped gesturing and was paying attention.

            "You sure? Because you look like you're afraid to join in the fun. The sidelines aren't where it's at, bud."

            I glanced at her, wondering if she'd enjoy it if I showed her a magic Ruse. I kept a few odds and ends in my jacket for such purposes. "What's your name?"

            "Ali-"

            She didn't get to finish because someone leaped on top of the box next to me and interrupted her. It was Brick.

            "Apex wants a word with you." He told me. I kind of gawked at him. Ali whatever the rest of her name was looked displeased.

            I tried to excuse myself gracefully. "Sorry, I guess I have to go for a minute."

            "I'll keep you company." Brick said hopefully to the girl. He almost shoved me off of the box so that he could take my place. Ali didn't seem delighted by the change in company right away, but then Brick started bragging about his skills and she consented to listen to him for a bit.

            I practically fell off the box back into the crowd and very nearly collided with some guy with orange hair. Instead of sticking to the walls and making my way slowly through the crowded warehouse I cut across the floor to make my trip faster, if not less risky.

            About halfway across I got bumped and narrowly avoided stepping in a patch of glowing paint. I leaped across it and maneuvered my way towards Apex. He spotted me and waved me over. A heavy leaden feeling filled my stomach as I noticed the look on the other guy's face. He wasn't alone, either, he had two big buddies with him. It was this big guy with a really narrow nose but a sturdy jaw. His hair was really short and he looked like he was considering whether or not to punch me. Maybe if he's cracked a smile or something he'd look less sinister, but perhaps that would only worsen the effect. It was hard to tell with the crazy colors flying around, but I thought he had a mark in his ear. His buddies looked Tongan, and watched me carefully. Bodyguards. Did they really think I was going to try something? They had to outweigh me almost three to one. Probably nine to one if you counted all three.

            "Edge, I-"

            And then three things happened at once. Apex reached out and pulled me towards the big guys he was talking to, but I didn't get to find out then what Apex wanted to talk to me about because someone screamed and then the crowd stopped dancing. I think someone fell off one of the boxes, or maybe the walkway. That wasn't all, though,

            Someone else started banging on the warehouse wall and they were shouting something. It was incredibly chaotic because nobody could hear him and several people were shouting at once. Wheelie got the bright idea to pull the plug on the music and then everyone started shouting and complaining about that. But then it was just quiet enough for everyone inside to hear what it was that the crazy person banging around was actually saying.

            "COPS ARE COMING. EVERYBODY BAIL!"

            The news was like an electric shock to everyone around. For a moment nobody moved, then it was like a dam broke because everybody started running everywhere. I watched people frantically try to find their purses, their shoes, their keys.

            Everyone was shoving and pushing and trying to get out. I feel bad for whoever's speakers got left behind, but nobody was going to stay long enough to pack them into a car.

            I was lucky. Apex was by the back door, and when the announcement went out the three big guys got distracted and I bolted.

            "Edge!" Apex shouted after me, but I didn't turn to look until I was well clear from the door. He looked upset and then he started screaming orders.

            "Everybody out! We'll meet at the backup spot!"

            I don't think anybody more than ten feet away heard his words. The night air was cold and my breath was sharp and painful in my throat, but then I heard the sirens and I ran even faster.

            Because of that I biffed it jumping into the ditch. I guess I overreacted to the cops showing up, but I didn't want to have to explain the situation to a police officer and then my parents on top of that. Heck no, not cool.

            I caught a tree with one hand and used it to pivot myself into the ditch, but then I landed on a rock I couldn't see and twisted my ankle. It was enough to bring tears to my eyes, but I don't think anything was broken. It sure slowed me down though. I let my breath out in a hiss and got to my feet gritting my teeth. Even though I was down I had to keep moving. The further I was from the scene the better. It wasn't a coincidence that a cop car showed up at the warehouse, their lights and sirens were on and that meant that it was all business. It was no great surprise. The amount of noise coming from that metal shed had to be enough to disturb people. Maybe they'd seen the strobe lights. Didn't matter.

            I limped my way along the ditch for a while. It was super dark now and it was a good thing I was moving slowly because there was tons to trip over.

            About halfway home a light suddenly illuminated a patch of dirt ten feet in front of me. I froze in my tracks and then shrank away from the beam.

            It was a flashlight being shone by a policeman. Figures that they'd check the ditch if there was suspicious activity in the area. It was a known place for hooligans to hang around. The beam of light flicked back and forth and then swept past my foot. I was done for. The officer noticed and turned the light up to my face.

            "There's no one here." I told him clearly.

            He hesitated. My heart beat like a trapped bird.

            After what felt like an age he turned away. I heard him talking to another officer somewhere nearby out of sight.

            "Anything?"

                        "There's nothing in there."

            I let out a big breath of relief and then looked downwards. No wonder he'd spotted my shoe. There was bright pink fluorescent paint on it, and the bottom of one pant leg. I guess I didn't avoid the patch on the warehouse floor after all. I tried scuffing it off on the leaves and dirt and stuff, but it didn't do much to cover it. Too bad there wasn't any mud around, but it was too cold and dry.

            I hightailed it back to my apartment as fast as my ankle would let me. Climbing out of the ditch was a terrible experience that made me want to start lifting weights. It was difficult to clamber up and out without using both of my feet for support. I instinctively wanted to use my feet to balance but when I tried I almost shouted in pain. Stupid sprain.

            I finally made it out and then limped home. The cold and the pain didn't do anything for my attitude, and I was exhausted and furious by the time I got to the metal stairs. I navigated these carefully and slowly because I didn't want to miss a step and bark my shin. I've done that before and it hurts. There was enough pain going on right now and I was not wanting to add any more.

            Then once I reached my floor the midget dog started barking behind the old lady's door, almost giving me a heart attack. I jumped and that made my ankle hurt even more and I cussed under my breath at the little brute. Wary of the shrill noise waking up any irritated neighbors, I hurried along and went into the apartment. There was an envelope beneath the rug. Weird. I picked it up and stuffed it in my pocket to look at later.

            This time there was no one waiting in the living room for me. I was so relieved I almost just crashed on the couch. But that would have led to awkward conversations in the morning, so I continued trudging towards me room. Just as I reached it and was going inside my parent's bedroom door opened. I paused, but my dad saw me.

            "That dumb dog wake you up, too?" He asked me, blinking his eyes rapidly in the manner of someone who'd just gotten up. His hair was all askew and sticking up.

            From his vantage point he couldn't see the paint on my pant leg or shoe.

"Yeah." I told him.

            "I hope it gets eaten by a cat." He declared. The barking slowly was coming to a stop. We waited and just kind of stood there until it was quiet again.

            "Good riddance." Dad mumbled. He looked at me tiredly. "Good night!"

            "'Night."

                        I went into my room, closed the door, and dove onto my bed.