The Bridge by Rachel Lou Page B

slot of the day. I guess I’m lucky to have snagged it.” Everett suspected Bryce would have pulled strings if it hadn’t been open.
    “Are you going to drive?”
    “It’s too late to walk.”
    The wood’s paranormal life was already awake. If he walked, he’d have to take a detour, which would add up to about an hour of walking.
    A moment passed before his grandfather said, “Drive safely.”
    “Always.”
    Everett put out the incense sticks and cleaned the ash catcher. He dressed in a thick cotton T-shirt and the only pair of sweatpants he had. He took a step outside, found it too cold, and went back inside for a sweater.
    His car was colder than normal and the oddity of it elevated his worries. A quick scan showed no paranormal residue, but still. Everything abnormal worried him. He looked for residue during his drive and had to pull over for a minute when he felt faint.
    The downtown streets were close to empty. He parked behind Bryce’s car. The blinds were drawn over the dojang’s windows, but warm light spilled through the inch between the blinds and the ground.
    Show me the traces.
    A network of residual spirit lines stuck out from the dojang’s doors. They stabbed through Everett’s car, ran through him, and tangled on the road in a knot the length of three minivans. Some of the strands reached toward the shops, as if someone had tried to undo the knot.
    Everett inspected a few strands lying in front of him. They were the same as the ones from last week.
    The strands had appeared two Sundays in a row.
    Coincidence or not?
    Someone knocked on Everett’s window.
    Everett jumped in his seat and almost smashed his hands against the horn.
    Bryce stood outside in his T-shirt and sweatpants, his face scrunched with laughter.
    Everett opened his door and almost whacked Bryce with it. “Don’t do that. You scared me.”
    “I was wondering why you didn’t come in after two minutes.”
    “You timed me?”
    “Maybe.” Bryce laughed when Everett got out of his car. “You remind me of Melinda in those clothes.”
    Everett wasn’t sure he wanted to be compared to a family member—especially a female one. He locked his car and scowled, but it was hard to do when he was smiling. He couldn’t help smiling when he tried to cover his embarrassment.
    “Must be really comfy and warm,” Bryce said.
    “Not really. It’s freezing and—” Everett looked at where the knot of energy was. It had faded along with the exposure spell. “—just really cold.”
    The dojang wasn’t much warmer. The fans were on full spin and the room reeked of body odor.
    “It stinks,” Everett said.
    “Other students. Not me. I swear.” Bryce sniffed his armpits. Everett looked away from Bryce’s flexed bicep. “I should reapply my deodorant, though. Be right back. Stretch and warm up.”
    After the restroom door clicked, Everett exposed the strands. They originated at five points, in the shape of a circle, moved around the room with no connection to each other, and then all went outside where they formed the knot.
    Bryce came out of the restroom. “Why are you still standing?” he said, his smile sly.
    “Just thinking.” Everett put his bag on a chair and slipped off his shoes.
    “You bring that bag everywhere. Is it like your purse?” Bryce asked. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but shouldn’t it be smaller?”
    “I like to be prepared.”
    Bryce smirked and stretched his arms. His T-shirt rose and exposed a line of smooth olive skin. “So do you have an extra change of clothes in there?”
    “A book, keys, phone. That’s it.”
    Everett copied Bryce’s stretch. His shirt also rose, but it was too big to go any higher than his crotch. His shirt folds were like an accordion. No amount of stretching would expose his skin.
    “You like reading?”
    Everett smiled. “I love reading.”
    “Me too. I like reading humor books.” Bryce touched his toes and tucked his chin to his knees, ears red. “I