Page 137 of Off the Rails

“What the fuck!” Blade jumped up, throwing her hands in the air.

By the time I made my way back to the ball return, my purple ball was already being spit out by the churning machine.

Shrugging, I grabbed the ball off the rack. “Beginner’s luck.” I winked before turning around and repeating my movement.

Like it was nothing, ten more pins collapsed in. Two strikes. Back to back.

“No, seriously, now. Come on!” Nash shook her head as she gripped her curly hair in her fists.

I couldn’t help but giggle at their frustration. Now they were starting to get how I felt. They’d been beating me at their own game for weeks now, and it was my turn for a little fun.

With one last turn before the end of the game, I grabbed my purple ball once more and took my time lining up the shot. A third strike would guarantee my victory. But even a few extra downed pins would get me close — if not push me over.

I sent the sphere hurtling down the alley one last time, letting it hit the same sweet spot with just a slight movement of my wrist.

And one more time, all ten pins collapsed.

“Ha!” I cheered, squealing as I returned to our booth.

Nash and Blade’s jaws were dragging on the polished wood floors. Overhead, the monitor played a 3D-rendered victory screen. A series of strikes animated with fireworks behind it announced that player “Sweet Lamb” had won.

A slim victory, but a victory nonetheless.

I gave them a simple shrug. “I told you, I just needed to warm up.”

74

TESS

After my sweeping victory, Blade and Nash needed a few minutes to recover as we polished off the rest of our burgers and fries.

By the time we finished eating, we were all pretty tired.

“I don’t think you two could handle another loss.” I shrugged as I popped the last fry into my mouth.

Blade reached around me and gripped my hips, yanking me closer. “Careful, Trinket. I love a challenge.”

As day had turned to evening, the bowling alley grew crowded with teenagers and birthday parties. A recreation league had started up a tournament at the far end of the place.

But it was the looming figure over us that made all of our heads turn.

Something about Cyrus’ face at the top of the steps made my stomach drop.

Her face was as stern as usual but there was something else there, sadness.

“Hey, dude. What’re you doing here? Checking in…?” Nash asked, her arm over the back of the booth.

Blade was about to stand. “We can add you to the next round!”

“No.” Cyrus snapped. “We need to go.”

“What?” I stuttered, surprised that she would be so commanding in such a crowded room. Behind her, Danielle was scrubbing and polishing the counter.

Cyrus took the two steps in one stride. “It’s time to go.” Her voice was stern but not bitter, not carrying its usual vitriol. It was heavy. Like every word was filled with regret.

Something’s wrong.

“Why can’t we…” Nash started, wanting more information.