Page 11 of Midnight Whispers
“Dang,” I sigh, not trying to hide my disappointment.
“Damn. I suck. I’m sorry, Lil. I was just so excited about this party.”
“It’s fine. I just really would've liked to see his face.”
For the life of me, I can’t figure out what's pulling my attention toward him, but every fiber of my being is screaming with desire to find out who he is.
I grab the spray bottle of cleaner and a clean rag before walking over to the now empty table. There’s a paper that’s been crumpled up laying down in front of where he wouldhave just been sitting. I flip over the discarded paper before spraying the table with spray.
Air immediately leaves my lungs when I see a portrait of me on the other side of the paper. I study the drawing, each delicate line revealing more details of my face. How could he possibly have gotten all the details in my face, even down to my freckles, so accurate?
“What are you staring at over here?” Flora asks as she comes up behind me. Looking down at the paper, she gasps. “Holy shit. Whowasthat guy?”
I shrug, still mesmerized by the drawing. I slip it into the pocket of my apron before spraying down the table and wiping it clean. The presence of the portrait feels heavy in my pocket. I’m wrestling with my desire to pull it out and look at it again and again.
“So, when's this party?” I ask Flora, desperately trying to distract myself.
“Thursday. I have the perfect idea for costumes!”
I stifle the urge to roll my eyes because I can only imagine what she has come up with. “Oh, and what would that be?”
“We should go as vampires! It’s totally perfect sinceDraculahas been your favorite novel since you were like ten or some shit.” The excitement radiates off her and it’s impossible to say no to Flora when she feels this passionate about something.
“Fine. I’ll go with you as vampires, but I don’t want to show too much skin.”
She gives me a smirk, mischief gleams in her eyes. “But then we won’t be sexy vampires,” she pouts.
“No, Flo.” I toss my head back.
“I promise it’ll be great!”
“You said that about the nurse costumes, the witch costumes,andlet’s not forget the nun costume two years ago.I’m not even religious, but Istillhave trouble looking Father Strong in the eyes.”
“You’re going to look so hot, babe! Leave everything to me.”
My eyes roll. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“Bye! Love you!” she sings as she leaves the shop.
Damnit, Flora.
Sophi comes backfrom her break shortly after Flora leaves. I go into the office to sort through applications and adjust the schedule. I’m at Alcott’s most days, but there are some holes that I need to fill in the schedule and it would be nice to actually give myself a break.
After about thirty minutes of looking at applications, confirming they can work the availability I need and setting up interviews, I pull out my phone for a social media break. I scroll mindlessly for a few minutes, until something that readsUrgent News for The Following Countiescatches my attention. I click on the link and read through the counties. Just as I near the bottom of the list and relief fills my stomach, it leaves when I find my county at the very bottom of the list.
According to the article, there is an increasing number of bodies that have been found decapitated. The coroner has ruled out the possibility of it being an animal, but they’re unsure what else it could be. Our town sheriff is recommending that nobody go too deep into the forest or stay out alone late at night until they find out who, or what, is to blame.
I chew on my fingernails and continue to read through the article. Dread fills the air around me at the thought of a serialkiller, or even the potential of one, being near Emolyn Cove. It’s been quiet for as long as I’ve lived here, so this is unexpected. Whoever it is must be really twisted because…decapitation?!
There’s no other rush the remainder of the day. Sophi and I clean, restock, and go over potential interviews together. Even though I’m the owner, her input is important to me.
It’s because of this that I smile at her at the end of our chat. “Soph, I want you to know how important you are to me and Alcott’s. All your hard work isn’t going unnoticed, so I’d like to offer you a promotion.”
“What?! Me? Lil.” She chokes back a sob.
“Would you be open to being a manager? You basically do everything a manager does already anyways. It would just be a raise and title. I mean, you already have keys to the place,” I laugh.
“Thank you so much!” She wraps her arms around me. “I’m so honored.”