Chapter Nine Page Eight, Dave and Elys, Kyle Avem's House

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“No one’s home,” she said, “Trust me.”

Dave and Elys crept to the side of the garage, where there was a window. She could reach the window, but failed to get a grip on the hinges; failed to get enough of a grip to open it, at least. After an annoyed grunt, she stepped closer to Dave and said, “Kneel down and give me a boost.”

Dave did as he was told, putting his hands under her feet. He lifted her up high enough that she was able to slide the window open with a creaking noise. She punched in the screen, and it fell inside with a click.

“Careful,” Dave said.

“No one’s home,” she said, “Maybe wait in the bushes over there and call if you see anything.” She grabbed the sides of the window and slid herself in.

“Call?” Dave said, “And give myself away?”

Her head appeared in the window, “Yeah, or you could let me get caught and I’ll tell them you helped me.”

Dave thought it might have been a joke, but he wasn’t sure enough to laugh or even crack a smile.

She disappeared, and Dave backed up into the shrubs. He knelt down, made sure his phone was on silent, and waited. He could hear the occasional click or clink from the window, but nothing he thought was suspiciously loud. When Dave saw the light turn on in the garage, he assumed it had been Elys.

“What the fuck are you doing in here?”

That was Kyle Avem’s voice, unmistakably. He squeaked a little when he said fuck. Dave knew that was one of the few things that people actually teased him about. Most everyone else was too afraid.

Dave looked at the street, and then at the window. He didn’t see anyone driving up. He waited another second.

“Nothing,” she said, “How’re you doing, Kyle? You feeling particularly stupid today?”

“What?” He asked, “Why are you here?”

“You fuckin know,” she said. He heard something crash, something that sounded like glass.

“You crazy fucking girl, what the fuck are you doing?”

Dave had heard enough. He ran for the window, grabbed the sides of it, and lifted himself up and in. Kyle was facing him when this happened, from the doorway that led into his house. His expression of rage turned to surprise. Dave tumbled forward, not keeping his footing, stumbled.

“David Proctor? What are you doing here?” Kyle was wearing his baseball jersey. His eyes were slightly glassed over. He didn’t look like he was a hundred percent there.

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