ODDILY (27 page)

“
Listen to me, punk,” Maxim’s voice sounded intimidating as he spoke. “Keep away from Oddily, or I’ll become your worst nightmare.”

Maxim glanced over his sister’s head to where Oddily struggled against Pepper. She was trying to break free of the girl’s grip.

“
Let her go!” he yelled. Pepper released Oddily, who immediately rushed over to Maxim, burying her face in his chest. “No, let me look at you.”

Maxim gently pried her arms away from him and held her off at arms length. He stared at her with concern because she appeared to be so pale and her bottom lip was quivering. He freed up one of his hands and let the tips of his fingers stray across her features. He touched lightly upon her mouth to steady the trembling, haunted by the thought of Kip, or anyone else violating her chance for a happy life.

Maxim was distracted from his thoughts when Oddily took his hand and pressed the palm to her lips, kissing him again and again.

“
Everything is going to work out,” he whispered.

“
You’re right,” Oddily released his hand, turning to Starla and Kip. Their snide comments weren’t just about torturing her anymore. They were hurting Maxim, who meant everything to her. She needed to get a backbone and stand up for herself for Maxim’s sake.

While Oddily deliberately stared at the couple, Starla straightened up and placed her hands on her hips. It was a gesture that used to make Oddily shy away, but now she felt indifferent towards her. In fact, she found herself looking at Starla with fresh, appraising eyes; seeing her as she had never seen her before. She was an empty, selfish creature who liked picking on others for her own amusement—a girl who spread vicious lies. Oddily wondered how she could have ever been jealous of this beautiful girl with an ugly soul.

Oddily walked up to Starla, looking her in the eyes and spoke with contempt in her soft voice. “I want you and your boyfriend to stop picking on me, Starla.”

“
Get out of my face, dumb-ass!” Starla planned on shoving her, but changed her mind when Maxim took a step forward.

Oddily stood her ground. “Do you think your comment hurts me? It doesn’t. Neither Kip, or you, can ever hurt me again. You have lost the ability. I even feel a little sorry for you two—especially you, Starla. The whole time I’ve known you, you have taken whatever you want from others, and have never given back. You can’t, because you have nothing to offer. There’s no truth, or kindness, or loyalty in your heart—just hurtful talking all the time about others and providing nothing. You live in a lovely house, have devoted parents, dress in designer clothes, drive a nice car, and yet you are ugly inside. So ugly, nobody needs to envy you.”

“
Do you realize how stupid you sound right now?” Starla laughed, but her subtle air of triumph left when no one laughed with her—not even Kip.

“
What’s going on here?” Ms. Berkley, the P.E. teacher, bellowed when she spotted the crowd of onlookers. As she approached, many kids took off, heading for their cars.

“
Nobody’s talking!” the coach glared at the remaining students before her eyes settled on Kip. “Do you have anything you want to tell me?”

“
Nope,” Kip pulled out a toothpick and started to pick at his teeth, “Just two buddies messing around.”

Both Maxim and Nexa found his comment bizarre.

“
Well, take your fun elsewhere,” she ordered before blowing the whistle.  “Come on guys, clear out.  The school day is over!”

While Nexa, Maxim, and Oddily headed for their cars, Nexa became genuinely concerned over her brother. His hostility towards Kip was expected, but his assault gave her no choice but to believe that something had happened to him during his absence. She suddenly feared for his safety and hers, as well.

Was Oddily’s burst of courage part of your doing?
Maxim interrupted her contemplation.

Nexa sighed.
No, it was all her.

* * * * * *

Kip kept his eye on Maxim’s black BMW until it left the school parking lot. “What do you know about that guy?”

Starla frowned. “Now, that I think of it…nothing.”

“
Hmm,” Kip pulled out his cell phone.

Nexa pretended to comb her hair in the rearview mirror all the while listening in on his conversation. The call disturbed her, so she immediately warned her brother.
Guess what?
Your situation with Kip isn’t over.

Why, what’s up?

Kip is having you followed. He’s pissed off and plans to mess with you.

It had to happen eventually, sis.

So now what? Should I tweak his thoughts?

No, I have something else in mind. Is your white Suzuki still parked outside Oddily’s bungalow?

The last time I looked, it was.

Okay, good. Here’s my idea. While I keep our tracker engaged, I want you to go and…

Hey, wait a minute!

Nexa, you must hear me out.
 
When you get to the lodge, move the Suzuki somewhere away from Oddily’s bungalow. Find a parking space as close to the woods as possible. Then go back to the cabin, load Oddily’s things into her Smart car and drive home.

Are you serious?
Do you honestly think I’ll bring Oddily’s car, and belongings back to our world?

Yes, I’m bringing her home, so put all operations on lockdown mode until I get there. We’ll connect later, and I’ll explain everything.

How dare you?
Her melodic voice hit a flat note.

Maxim met her grievance with silence.

Nexa found it remarkable how easily her brother blocked her from his mind. She always had an advantage over him with her ability to read his thoughts whether he wanted her to or not. Now she sensed his increase in power and couldn’t penetrate his thoughts. She decided to play along until she figured out what was up with him. He wasn’t the only one with maturing powers, and she had no qualms in using them if she felt it necessary.

After following his instructions, she headed home. W
here are you, Max?

Oddily just passed her test for her driver’s permit and our tracker is still following. Is everything in its place?

Yes, I parked the Suzuki on the west side of the property where the foliage is dense, and the trees are thick along the perimeter.

Perfect! Thanks, sis.

Maxim allowed himself to be seen parking in front of Oddily’s bungalow and stayed visible while entering the front door. Once inside, he peered out through the blinds to view the gray truck park close by while the driver talked on his cell phone. So far, his plan was working.

“
Maxim!” Oddily sounded frantic.

Maxim hurried into the bedroom and wrapped his arms around her. “What’s wrong?”

Oddily pointed to the closet. “My clothes…someone stole my clothes!”

“
I had Nexa take them,” his voice sounded muffled against her hair while he kissed her head.

“
I don’t understand,” she pulled away from him.

“
You’re not staying here anymore,” he leaned over to kiss the tip of her nose.

“
Oh,” she stiffened and looked up at him. She began to shiver, so she crossed her arms over her chest in a protective manner. “You still like me, don’t you?”

“
No, I love you.” Maxim walked over to the bedroom window and pried open the glass pane. “Come on, we’ll have plenty of time for this later. Right now, we must get out of here.”

“
Why…what’s wrong?” Oddily rushed to his side.

Maxim took her hand and fiddled with her fingers. “Kip’s friend is tailing us and we need to ditch him.”

“
Oh no, we’re in deep trouble, and it’s my fault!”

“
Oddily, calm down and trust me. Will you do that for me?”

“
Yes, of course,” she whimpered.

“
I need you to stay close to me and remain quiet, OK?”

She nodded her head.

Maxim smiled and gave her a playful wink before jumping out the window.

Oddily wouldn’t allow herself to think. With a leap of faith, she followed and was caught up in Maxim’s arms. He gave her another reassuring kiss on her forehead and grabbed her hand to lead the way.

They hurried through dense foliage towards the west end of the property, and remained hidden behind a clump of trees while Maxim eyed the situation. The gray truck was still parked and waiting.

“
Stay low until you’re inside Nexa’s car.”

Oddily nodded with growing excitement while her heart pulsed loudly in her chest. She waited until Maxim had the car door open, and beckoned her to follow.

“
Keep your head down,” he warned with a low voice as she climbed inside.

Oddily scooted down in the seat and watched Maxim grab his sister’s blue beanie off the dashboard and cover his blonde hair. The color enhanced his pale eyes even more.

“
We ditched him,” Maxim smirked after they left the parking lot, but when he glanced over at Oddily, she wasn’t smiling. “Hey, why aren’t you happy?”

“
What’s…where?” Oddily couldn’t think of what to ask, but Maxim’s new powers allowed him to read her mind.

“
We’re going home,” he smiled.

As they traveled down the road, Oddily’s curiosity increased when Maxim headed for a remote area of the woods and pulled in front of a massive gate. Two old iron doors groaned open resembling a giant beast spreading its arms in welcome. For Oddily, she felt like the luckiest girl ever. This was what fairytales were supposed to be…or was it?

THE ROMANCE AND DANGER CONTINUES WITH

MAXIM

A New type of Human

THE SECOND BOOK IN THE ODDILY SERIES

TURN THE PAGE FOR A SNEAK PEEK!

1

Maxim drove the white Suzuki through the massive iron gates, unaware that he and Oddily were being followed. As their car disappeared into the private woods of Stafford Manor, Maxim became so riddled with worry about Oddily entering his world, he didn’t see Kip and Starla when they slipped inside the gates.

They ran into the forest and remained hidden in the shadows, scarcely believing their good fortune. They found out where Maxim lived; and strangely enough, it happened by following the girl, Nexa.

“
Revenge is going to be sweet,” Kip smirked as he began to make his way through the thick foliage. “Remember to stay hidden until we find his house.”

Starla refused to follow him. “Do you honestly expect me to go into those God forsaken woods?”

When Kip ignored her, Starla had no choice but to chase after him until a curtain seemed to drop over the sun. One moment it was light, and the next, the woods became so dark she could hardly view her hand in front of her face. She became tense and jumpy, panicking when a twig snapped under foot, or a tree limb scraped at her shoulder.

“
Get me the hell out of here,” she finally stopped in her tracks.

“
Quit whining. His house can’t be much farther!”

By the sound of Kip’s voice, Starla knew he did not intend to give up.

“
Come on—if I don’t get some fresh air soon, I’m going to die from suffocation!” Almost as soon as the words escaped Starla’s lips, a sound caused her to catch up with Kip.

“
Did you hear that,” she grabbed his arm, “and don’t blame it on cute little squirrels!”

“
Sshh, I’m listening.”

Starla closed her mouth and huddled against Kip.
Another sound erupted, only this time it was closer.

“
Who’s following us?” Kip glared at his surroundings, but nothing moved. He twisted his neck, trying in vainly to make out something, anything, through the trees.

Starla tried to call out this time, but her throat wouldn’t obey her mind. Her heart began to pound, her breath hissing in and out, and her nostrils flaring like a wild animal sensing danger.  Her eyes darted across the dark shadows but saw nothing. She stepped back and something wet grazed her ankle. This time she found her voice and screamed.

“
Shut the hell up!” Kip slapped his hand over her mouth.

The noise happened again. Such a strange and eerie sound, as if something were waiting for them to participate in a cat and mouse game.

“
We need to start walking slowly.” Kip gave Starla a nudge to get her to move and she did. She began to take one step, and then another. “That’s right—stay by my side.”

Their measured movements lasted for only a few more minutes until it dawned on them that they were being stalked by something inhuman. It happened when they spotted a large, shiny object closing in on them. They both hollered at once and ran for their lives.

“
Hey—wait for me!” Starla screamed, and for the first time, she sounded vulnerable, and scared.”

The two frantically pushed through the woods trying to find their way out of the darkness when they stumbled upon a clean, cool river—a turbulent stream that looked menacing.