Chapter Nineteen

I can’t sleep. I’ve never been so attracted to someone, especially someone who makes me feel like I belong. He makes me believe I’m invincible, noticed.

I’m working up enough courage to talk to him about changing the way things are between our families. It can’t always be like this, a battle over something so moronic. Maybe there’s a sliver of possibility waiting just around the corner. Maybe it’s my destiny—stopping what started years ago.

Fate twists and flips people until they land on their backs so they have no choice but to see the light. It might be the most desperate attempt I can make, but I’ve made up my mind. There’s no stopping me.

I’m going to his house.

Several questions hop through my mind: what if he’s not there? What if they kill me? What if I’m held hostage, nobody knowing my whereabouts?

Pen meets paper. I scribble a short note to Beth. I’m hoping this won’t take long, so I can return home and rip it up before she sees it.

I lock the front door behind me. Beth and Randy shouldn’t be home for a few more hours. Hopefully that’ll be enough time. My hands tremble at the thought of the consequences I might face if I’m caught.

Please be there.

I concentrate on directions, remembering when Jana dropped Lily off, and I shudder at the thought of the poor animal in the forest. It was never a dog. I’m fully aware of that now.

Light fades on the horizon, like a candle dimming then exhaling its last breath. Digging my hands further into my pockets, I bury my head and push against the wind, which pushes back hard. There’s a bite behind the cold, and the sky tells me winter is coming.

I pass house upon house and walk down several separate streets before I’m familiar with my location. I know his house is close. Nearby, smoke pours into the air from a pile of dead leaves someone’s burning in their front yard. My nose wiggles at the bitter stench. I latch onto my biceps, hugging myself. My breath hangs in the air for a matter of seconds then evaporates. I silently pray his house is near.

Sharp-pointed hedges form a layered wall. I can’t see the driveway, but I remember Jana barely making it through. Tugging at a few stray limbs, I step through without a scratch. The dirt path extends further than I can see, and, above me, night wraps its arms around half the world.

The fact that I’m alone, near his house, and he might not be there, has crossed my mind. Dark closes in, suffocating. Leaves blow around me. The tree trunks are twisted, reminding me of faces. I think of my dream, and them telling me to turn around. I wonder if I should listen.

As I approach the house, I notice there aren’t any lights on. Someone has to be home. Maybe they enjoy sitting in the dark…

Two knocks on the door, because I don’t see a doorbell. Actually, it’s hard to see anything—nothing lights the front porch, except the moon. I’m about to turn and leave when the front door swings open, hitting a wall with a vibrating thud.

“Can I help you?” the lady practically purrs. She’s dressed in a floral silk outfit that has a low cut V-neck, and ends at her toes. It doesn’t look like pajamas. Her eyes are the color of the midnight sky, like her hair, which is pinned up in a loose twist.

I gain courage, seemingly showing it by sticking my nose a little too far in the air. “I’m here to see Ben.”

“Well, that’s too bad. Ben’s not here,” she informs me.

“Oh, okay, thanks,” I say, turning around.

I make it to the second porch step, when she says, “But you can stay until he gets back.”

“No, that’s okay. I need to get home.” I nervously laugh.

She props one arm on the doorframe and glances toward the driveway. “No car?”

“Not yet,” I say, backing up.

“Pity.” Her eyes glow yellow, watching me closely.

This is a really bad idea. Why do I make stupid, last minute decisions?

I can’t take my eyes off hers. Every time I see the golden glow, it puzzles me. Her eyes are seductive and wicked; eyes made to deceive prey into thinking we’re beautiful, harmless creatures. It’s all a lie.

And right now, I’m the prey.

“I’ll give you a two minute head start,” she flatly states.

I hesitate. She’s got to be joking.

But she’s not.

So I bolt through the trees, away from the main road. It’d be easier to spot me on a main road. There’s no point in taking any chances. Flames creep into my lungs. I focus my breath through my mouth and out my nose, but it’s still coming in short, ragged spurts.

Pick up your feet.

I might not make it out of these woods alive. I know she’ll catch up, and I’ll be ripped apart. Each limb snapped one by one.

Where are your Watchers now, Beth? Can they see me? Can you hear me?

Now the trees look at me with concerned expressions. I feel guilty. I should’ve listened and stayed away.

I hear a growl in the distance, then a slow, terrifying howl.

The hunt begins.

Leaves crunch behind me. The wind swirls, and I catch a faint whiff of wet dog. My feet pick up speed. I run like I’ve never run before in my life. I can already feel the leg cramps setting in. Silently, I pray to myself that I don’t trip on a tree stump or something poking out of the ground.

Get on the main road, Candra! my head screams. For once in my life, I listen. As soon as I dart through the brush, headlights blind me, and I’m frozen in place.