Into the Beyond Books 1-3

Lewis headed to class with Mr. Gray curled up at the bottom of his backpack like a sleeping cat. The high school's schedule had students take six classes each semester—three one day, then the other three the next, so Lewis proceeded to second-year French with Madam Defour. Lewis wasn't a fan of French class. He wished he'd just picked Spanish like most of the other students his freshman year, but it was too late for that now. He'd heard at the end of middle school that Kenzie was going to take French, which was his primary reason for signing up. Unfortunately, there were two French teachers, and Lewis and Kenzie ended up in different classes freshman year.

Lewis had Madam Defour last year as well. She was strict and a harsh grader. Like most language classes, no English was to be spoken. Anyone caught breaking that rule was immediately docked participation points for the day.

He passed Jeremy McDonald chatting with Kiera in the hallway. Jeremy spotted him as well and slapped him on the back. "Hey, man," he said, "did you get caught? We all ran different directions but no one saw you again after we got back to the car."

"No," Lewis lied. "I just ran home. I don't live too far from there."

"Ah, cool, was worried you got busted."

Andrew came walking over to talk to Jeremy. His left eye had a terrible shiner as if someone had punched him in the face. He scowled when he saw Lewis, and then pointedly ignored his presence.

Lewis made a questioning gesture towards Andrew, confused by the attitude he was receiving. Andrew flinched away from the movement. Lewis remained genuinely confused at the wordless exchange as he headed into class.

After his evening with Kenzie, Lewis wasn't exactly thrilled to see that she was in Madam Defour's class this year too. She sat beside him and spent the whole class whispering in his ear, asking stupid questions every five seconds about what was going on.

Did she even pay attention during first year?

It was extremely irritating, especially when Madam Defour overheard her and docked them both points for the day.

"But I wasn't even speaking English!" Lewis protested in English.

"Parle Français [Speak French]," Madam Defour demanded, docking him an extra point.

Lewis wished Mr. Gray would do something mean to her. He was still asleep in Lewis's backpack, snoring loudly.

Madam Defour had everyone introduce themselves to the class. They were supposed to say their names and a fun fact about their summer.

On Kenzie's turn, she said: "Jerma pell Kenzie— [gibberish Kenzie—]"

"Je m'appelle, [I call myself,]" corrected Madam Defour.

"And um..." Kenzie continued unperturbed, "je voudrais um... cheer camp mes amis. Tres bon. [I want um... cheer camp my friends. Very good.]"

Madam Defour stared at her for a moment before moving on. She was probably contemplating whether or not it was worth the risk failing Kenzie and possibly having to see her again the following year if she landed back in her class again.

Kenzie proceeded to copy every answer off of Lewis's worksheet and then excuse herself to the bathroom for nearly fifteen minutes.

After French was over, Lewis headed to the locker room to get ready for Physical Education with Coach Phillips. PE beat out French for top slot on Lewis's least favorite class list. This was mainly because of all the bullying and awkward social interaction he was forced to endure in gym classes in the past. He also wasn't particularly athletic, which made running the pacer test on day one all the more humiliating.

He changed into shorts in the locker room as flashbacks of abuse from Landon drifted across his mind. He'd been pantsed while changing in middle school. This was before he'd even started puberty. Kids made fun of him behind his back every day after that. Landon made fun of him to his face. He was glad Landon was still out of school from the accident.

Maybe he did deserve it like Mr. Gray said after all, Lewis mused.

He left his backpack, along with a sleeping Mr. Gray, in his locker, and padlocked it shut.

The dreaded pacer test was the first thing on the docket for the day. Lewis spotted Josie as everyone lined up to run half the length of the gym and back at decreasing time intervals. Anyone that didn't make it back before the beep sounded was finished and their score recorded.

Josie's t-shirt was tied with a knot in the front, exposing some caramel-smooth midriff that Lewis found himself staring at as the pacer test began. It wasn't strictly to dress code, but Coach Phillips didn't call her on it. Everyone dashed ahead of him, but he was quick to make up the time. The first round was easy enough. He made it back well before the beep. Josie's shorts were tight and showed off her butt. She had lean, muscular legs—long and creamy brown. Her silky hair was tied back in a ponytail that bounced out behind her as the next round began. Lewis found himself following behind Josie, enjoying the view of her backside as she sprinted across the gym.

She turned at the line and immediately collided with Lewis. They both tumbled to the gym floor. It was completely Lewis's fault. Josie wore an annoyed expression as the beep sounded and they were the first two people out of the race.

Coach Phillips didn't care that a collision knocked them out rather than their own physical limitations. It wasn't a good start for their grades

Josie and Lewis sat down beside one another against the wall of the gym to wait for the rest of the students to finish.

"I read a bunch of the book," said Lewis.

Josie grunted in affirmation, still annoyed.

"And I talked to him this morning. He told me about a war between the Parcae. Apparently, our whole world could end if the wrong side wins."

"Let me guess," said Josie. "He says he's one of the good ones?"

Lewis wrinkled his nose. "Well, yes," he said.

"He'd hardly tell you if he was a bad one, don't you think?"

"I guess not."

"Look," said Josie, turning to face him, "when I was nine, one of them began to visit me. She would tell me everything I needed to hear to complete the little tasks she gave me, and in the end my dad flipped our car and he died. And my mom died. And I was all alone bleeding in the street." Her eyes were hard as steel. "She didn't tell me that was going to happen—that everyone I loved would be taken from me. She didn't tell me where it was all leading. She made it sound like we were having fun, leading to something grand where I would be happy. She actually had me undo my seatbelt and stand on the backseat. I flew right through the windshield. She told me I would have died too had I not listened, but I know she could have prevented the whole thing if she wanted to."

Lewis didn't know what to say. Her apprehension of Mr. Gray made total sense.

"That was the last night I saw her. I never learned why she came to me, and for a while I even began to think maybe I made it all up."

Lewis placed his hand on Josie's shoulder. He could feel the heat of her skin through her t-shirt. "I'm really sorry," he said.

Josie slumped back against the wall, looking defeated. She leaned her head over onto Lewis's shoulder. An electric tingle ran up his arm. "I just don't want to see you get hurt," she whispered. Still lying against him, she tilted her chin up, so that she could see his face. "There are so many things I want to tell you...."

Lewis's heart began to beat faster. The intimate position felt natural as she stared up into his eyes. "Then tell me," he said. "I want to know everything. Mr. Gray says my decisions will save or end humanity. I need to know everything." There was no way of knowing whether or not he could trust Mr. Gray. The Parca that came to Josie wasn't the same one, and though it had led her astray, Lewis didn't like to judge an entire people by the actions of one. That said, it was certainly an ominous cautionary tale.

Josie closed her eyes, in thought, and took several deep breaths. "Not here," she said. When she opened them again they were glistening with moisture, looking like molten drops of chocolate.

She sat up suddenly, lifting her head from Lewis's arm. He felt the absence, as if she'd taken something away from him. It was an odd sensation

"After school," she said, "if you can ditch Mr. Gray, come to the wooded area on the other side of the field. I'll wait for you there."

They rejoined the rest of the class. Lewis began to count down the minutes until they could talk again.