“Well, get out of him!”
“Not quite yet. When I switched into this body, I tapped into your father’s memories. He’s not a very nice man — which I’m enjoying.”
“You’re not my father!”
“Who would believe you?” he asked. “I can make your life miserable if you don’t obey me. So be a good girl and let me touch your sweet glowing skin. I thought you had stopped glowing, but it’s back again … so irresistibly.”
“Stay away!” I tried to hide behind my pillow. “Don’t touch me!”
“You can’t stop your dear old dad,” he threatened. “I control you.”
I couldn’t get to the door without getting by him — and his cocky smile showed that he knew this. He was playing with me, like a spider spinning a web around a trapped fly. Suddenly he lunged for me. I rolled across my mattress and jumped up — but found myself in a corner. Nowhere to go.
Trembling, I clasped my arms behind my back — and with all my heart — I touched my rainbow bracelet, turning it twice, then once, whispering the lucky chant, then kissing it.
“Come kiss your dear old dad.” The Dark Lifer reached out ominously. “Come closer, sweet Leah. I’m tired of games and can’t wait to—”
But before he could finish, there were two bright flashes. Two translucent figures solidified into a man and woman in business suits. They appeared ordinary, except for the fact that their feet didn’t touch the floor and ropes of silver draped over their arms.
The Dark Disposal Team! Thank God (and grandma).
“Stay Away!” the Dark Lifer posing as Mr. Montgomery shrieked.
“We’ve been searching for you for a long time,” the woman said, smiling.
“Noooo!” The Dark Lifer threw up his hands protectively. But the two figures advanced, casting coils of silver ropes like a lasso, circling Mr. Montgomery’s body in mummy fashion until I saw nothing but silver.
There were more flashes, then the silver ropes fell away. The man and woman vanished. All that was left was Mr. Montgomery — who blinked as if waking up from a long sleep. I couldn’t say exactly why, but I knew that this was the real Mr. Montgomery.
“Leah?” he spoke uncertainly. “What were we saying?”
“Uh … how you’re okay with me staying home tonight, since I’m sick.”
“Is that so?” He stared at me coolly. “That’s not how I recall our conversation.”
I thought he’d be nicer without the Dark Lifer possessing his body, but he seemed even more intimidating.
I started to go into my story about being sick, but he cut me off.
“Save the excuses.” He waved his hand. “Here’s how this is going to play out. You may skip your exercise regime and rest in bed until evening. I will not contact DeHaven unless you continue your delusions about being sick.”
“But I am sick!”
He waved his hand again, slicing off my complaint. “We made a bargain. And if you fail to live up to your part of it, then I will retaliate. You will find yourself confined to your room at DeHaven, where the fashionable clothing is a straitjacket. And Hunter will go to Camp Challenge.”
“You can’t do that to him! You promised.”
“And you gave me a promise, too — which you will fulfill. Do you understand?”
Tugging the blankets close to my chest, my heart thumped a beat of terror. I tried to think of something to say. But there wasn’t a way out — except to surrender.
“All right,” I whispered.
“Excellent.” He smiled with smug satisfaction. “You should wear the blue Lexie gown tonight. It’ll go nicely with your eyes.”
Then he turned and left.
32
I could have called Dustin or Eli or Alyce, but I didn’t. Not because I didn’t trust them — but because I couldn’t trust myself. If they offered to rescue me, I’d be tempted to let them, abandoning Hunter. Besides, I was too ashamed to tell anyone what I’d promised to do, as if Mr. Montgomery’s demands made me less of a person.
The day lingered on, as slowly and painfully as torture. I alternated staring at the ceiling and watching mindless TV reruns. I only ate a few bites of lunch, then went back to staring at nothing.
Later, Angie came to help me get ready for the Reception. Her dark eyes were surprisingly kind as she set out a blue low-cut gown, silver heels, and a sapphire necklace. “Do you need help getting dressed?”
“No, I’m fine.” I shook my head.
I shouldn’t be here. I should be on my way to the hospital. I was letting everyone down — Mom, Dad, Dustin, Alyce, Eli … and Leah. Especially Leah. I couldn’t save her this time. What would happen to her? Maybe she’d stay with Grammy and work as a Temp Lifer. I could trust my grandmother to take care of her. Unfortunately, I couldn’t trust myself to do anything right.
Always going the wrong way …
But what choice did I have? Dark Lifer Dad may be gone with the DD Team, but the real Mr. Montgomery was still here. He owned this body, paid for through bribes and threats. He’d never ever let me leave.
At least with me here, Hunter would be safe. I’d help Mrs. Montgomery stay sober. And in the future, Leah would score higher than any of her teachers expected in math.
Math …
Numbers, dashes and names tickled my memory.
And I lit up with an insight as explosive as fireworks.
“Ohmygod!” I cried out, sitting up in bed. “That’s it!”
“What’s it, Leah?” Angie immediately rushed to my side. “Are you all right?”
“Better than all right,” I said with a nervous giggle.
I’m sure she thought I was crazy, but I’d never been saner.
Watch out Mr. Montgomery, I thought. Amber Borden is taking you down.
* * *
I did not put on makeup, fix my hair or slip into that amazingly gorgeous blue Lexie designer gown.
What I did do was call Dustin and fill him in. He checked a few things for me online, confirming my suspicions. Then I turned on the computer scanner and made some highly important copies, which I printed out.
After that I looked for Luis, but couldn’t find him. So I asked Angie instead, and was surprised, pleased, and relieved when she agreed to be a messenger for me.
Then I was ready. Trembling with nerves, I slipped on casual jeans and a plain T-shirt and went to face my enemy.
My smile faded with each step toward Mr. Montgomery. I second-thought and mentally double-checked what I planned to say. Suddenly there were lots of holes in my scheme. What if I was wrong? But no … I couldn’t let myself think negatively. Positive thoughts brought positive outcomes.
My life — and Leah’s — counted on this.
“Leah, why aren’t you dressed?” Mr. Montgomery was looking in a mirror, straightening his striped gray tie.
“Uh … I … um …”
“Well, what is it? I hope you’re not still pretending to be sick.”
“No … it’s not that.”
He tapped his fingers on the dresser. “Then hurry to your room and get ready.”
I lifted my shoulders and exhaled. “I–I’m not going,” I said.
“Leah, Leah … ” He sighed wearily. “We’ve already been through this.”
“No we haven’t.”
“Don’t cross me,” he warned. “You know what I’m capable of doing.”
“But you have no idea what I could do to you.” I matched the warning in his tone with one of my own. “I know about your payoffs to Congressman Donatello.”
“What?” He chuckled. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“It’s true, and you know it.”
“You have no grasp of my complicated business dealings.”