Page 65 of Cemetery Boys

“Shit, you weren’t supposed to say that!” Julian barked.

Yadriel scowled at him. It wasn’t like he did it on purpose.

“What do you keep looking at?” Omar demanded.

Yadriel backed up. “I—uh—”

“That’s what Jules always says,” Luca said, confused.

“How did you know to say that?” Omar pressed.

“Don’t tell them!” Julian shouted, his whole body flickering like lightning behind storm clouds.

Yadriel couldn’t help but look in his direction when Julian’s voice cut through his ears so sharply. He wanted to tell him of course he wasn’t going to tell them. Yadriel wasn’t going to out Julian as being dead if he didn’t want him to, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to out himself as being able to see spirits—

“HEY!”

Yadriel’s eyes snapped right back to Omar.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you!” Omar took another step forward.

Donatello and Michelangelo immediately lowered their heads, deep growls rumbling in their chests. Their jowls pulled back, baring their teeth in warning.

“Yads,” Maritza said, eyes wide with alarm as she gripped their leashes.

“Don’t tell them!” Julian repeated angrily.

Too many people were talking at once. It was overwhelming. Panic clawed up Yadriel’s throat.

Flaca and Rocky backed up. Omar dragged Luca behind him.

Yadriel burned under each set of eyes.

He didn’t mean to freak them out; he was just trying to help, and the dogs were only trying to protect him and Maritza. This was quickly spiraling out of his control.

“How did you know to say that?” Omar shouted.

Maritza tried to pull the dogs back.

Flaca tugged on Omar’s arm.

Yadriel fumbled, willing himself to just say something to cover up his mistake. “I— He—”

“LISTEN TO ME!” Julian bellowed. He grabbed his skateboard from the couch and heaved it over his head with both hands before slamming it down. The wood cracked like lightning against the pavement, echoing through the underpass and straight through Yadriel’s bones.

Everyone jolted. Donatello and Michelangelo whimpered, cowering as Maritza tried to regain control and not get knocked over.

The skateboard landed upside down, the wheels spinning.

Julian stormed through the group and tore off up the stairs, a blast of cold following in his wake. It kicked up dirt and bit Yadriel’s cheeks.

He stood there for a moment, dumbfounded. Omar, Flaca, Rocky, and Luca had all converged, huddled together as they gaped at him.

Heat flooded Yadriel’s face. How had he screwed things up so badly?

“I—I’m sorry, I—”

Omar cut him off, pointing in the direction of the road. “Leave. Now.” His voice was a low growl.