The Crimson Key Read Free

little Las Vegas. It wasn’t even close. Sure the hotels were awesome, but the city itself was nothing special. I did enjoy the old historic churches that sat on street corners, with their gothic style designs. There was something so beautiful about them. I tried to ignore the homeless people and hookers standing on the same corners, though. We rounded a corner and I looked at an old building that stretched toward the sky. It was beautiful with it’s faded rustic red paint and old windows. As we stopped at the red light, I couldn’t take my eyes off the building for some reason. It was as if something was pulling me to the abandoned building. Then, just before the car lurched forward, a face appeared in one of the broken windows on the top floor. His face stared down at mine, a gash going from the top of his head to his jaw. I held my scream inside and didn’t say a thing to my mom or Lyn.
    We drove past it , and when I looked back he was gone. Chills covered my whole body despite the fact that it was at least 90 degrees in here. I was starting to see the dead in more places now. I didn’t know why they were showing themselves to me, but they knew I could see them. They knew my secret even if my parent’s did not.
    Mom pulled into a parking lot that cost ten dollars to park in , and I got out to stretch my legs from the hour long drive. The heat warmed me and I forgot all about my recent fear. I was here to have a good time, not see spirits. I would keep my head down and focus on the living.
    Lynley stood beside me with a fresh smile. It was nice to see this on her face.
    “What changed?” I asked, thinking out loud. Pulling the long sleeve shirt off, she revealed a tank top, the rash disappearing as we stood there.
    “I don’t know what changed , but I feel different. Maybe my mom was right, I needed fresh air.” It was remarkable, but the sea air did seem to be making her feel better. I didn’t care what it was. My friend was back and happy, and that was enough for me. Linking arms with her, we strolled toward the shopping strip, my mom walking briskly ahead of us. I noticed the array of teenage girls with too many bags full of overly expensive stuff. These girls had money, or rather Mommy and Daddy did.
    Mom slipped into a store and turned to face us. “Stay on this side and don’t cross the street. I will meet you at the Starbucks in half an hour.” We nodded. Glancing at Lyn , I rolled my eyes. Don’t cross the street! If she only knew the dangerous stuff I had done already she would think crossing the street was a walk in the park. Lyn giggled and we both eyed the Hollister and went in, knowing we both loved that store. The smell of men’s cologne was like heaven in this store. The music was blaring and the summer clothes screamed ‘buy me’. I went straight for the dresses and Lyn to the T-shirts. I rifled through the flowery prints, hoping to find something that struck me with interest. “Look,” Lyn said coming toward me. It was a baby blue dress with no flowers. She knew me well and I grabbed it from her.
    “Thanks , now let’s find you something.” She held up a plain tee with the store’s logo on it. It was typical Lyn to buy something so plain. She followed me to the dressing room and I ran smack into Marcy. Marcy was our schools uber-slutty bully. She scowled at me as she pushed me off of her like I had a disease.
    “Ugh , school dorks shopping in the cool store. You hoping to gain some status in the school in senior year?” Her face scrunched up. “I think you need more than cool clothes to do that.” I’d had a few run-ins with Marcy already this year. It was clear that no matter what Lyn and I did, we would forever be on her dork list.
    “You know , Marcy, it doesn’t matter that you shop here either,” I started as I stood to my full height. I was a bit taller than her and not afraid of her in the least. “Cool clothes will never erase what a bitch you are.” Lyn gasped and