Page 30 of Midnight Whispers
“Hi! Sure.” I walk from behind the counter and direct him toward a table off to the side.
“I wanted to apologize for not making it to the party. Something came up.”
“You don’t need to apologize! It was kind of a last-minute invite,” I say, waving my hand dismissively. In all honesty, his absence wasn’t even noticed. But I obviously couldn't tell him that.
“I wanted to know if I can make it up to you. Maybe take you to dinner tonight?”
Suddenly, my gut was screaming something was wrong. I just didn’t know what or why. “That's such a nice offer, Cedar, and I really appreciate it, but I’m just swamped with the shop right now.” I try to keep my tone light and pleasant.
He looks around at the basically empty coffee shop and looks back at me with a raised brow. “I won't push you, but I think you could have a really nice time with me.” He reaches out and places his hand over mine. I have to fight against the reflex to pull it back when his ice-cold skin touches mine. Cedar smiles, but there’s something almost predatory about it that I can't place.
“I’m sure I will,” I reply, “but can we raincheck? I really do have a lot of work to catch up on.”
His demeanor quickly changes at my rejection. “Yeah. Sure. Whatever.”
He stands, practically throwing the chair to the ground as he storms out of Alcott’s. My heart is beating so rapidly at the encounter, I can hear the sound echoing in my ears.
“Wow. That was kind of a dick move. What was his problem?” Sophi asks as she’s wiping down the table next to me.
“Yeah. It kind of was. I… I have no idea.” I responded, shock rushing through me.
I try to go through the rest of my day without thinking about my exchange with Cedar, but I can’t shake it from my mind. The look on his face and the tone of his voice shifted from friendly to aggressive so quickly, all my warning bells were going off. Obviously, I don’treallyknow himwell enough to know his personality, but even for the momentary interactions we have had, he seemed to be anything except for how he was just now.
Sophi and I close the shop just before dark, saying goodbye and going our separate ways. Most of the town is getting ready to call it a night. Around this time, a lot of the stores and shops close for the evening, except for a couple of restaurants and the pub. I start up the road toward the mountain on my bicycle. Cars pass me by as I stay in the bike lane, hugging the side of the barrier lining the cliffside. There’s a faint revving of a car's engine that catches my attention and my chest instantly fills with anxiety.
I try to speed up, but I can only go so fast up a mountain.
The car gets closer, its headlights shining brightly behind me.
I quickly sneak a look over my shoulder and regret immediately set in. My eyes grow wide as the car comes straight for me. I stand up on my bike, trying to gain as much speed as possible.
The silver car swerves directly at me, causing me to fall off my bike and over the barrier. I tumble down the side, rolling at least a dozen times. My body slams into a boulder, only missing the back of my head by a couple of inches. It takes me a few moments to gain my footing before I can stand. I wince as I put pressure on my left leg. The warmth from blood runs down my leg and, without even looking at it, I know there’s a large gash.
At this moment, I’ve never been more grateful that Dad wanted to do so many hobbies together. Heinsistedwe hike through the trees frequently, constantly changing which paths we take to familiarize me with the forest. It doesn’t take me long before I’m able to find my way. I hobble through the trees; my anxiety is worsened when I hear the faint sound of leaves crunching. I limp as fast as I can. Panic grows in my chest and makes it hard for me to breathe.
This is it.
I’m going to be eaten in the forest.
Twigs snap beneath the feet of whatever predator is making its way toward me. I look around, frantically trying to find some sort of lights in the distance. I think I can almost see headlights passing through the thick trees, but I can’t be sure.
Whatever animal making its way toward me is teasing me, making me think I can escape with my life. A snarl bounces off the tree trunks and I’m pretty sure I’m going to piss myself. Something emerges from the shadows and my body goes completely still, my fight or flight response deciding I’m going to just freeze instead.
I can’t decide if I want to close my eyes or meet the eyes of the animal that's going to take my life in a second. Slowly, the thing hunting me comes into view. A small gasp escapes my mouth.
It’s not athing,it’s a person.
My eyes meet Cedar’s and goosebumps cover my skin. His eyes, once golden brown, are now crimson. His lips curl, revealing long sharp canines.
What the hell?
“C.. C..” My voice betrays me.
“Hello, Lillia,” he purrs. Suddenly, he is standing behind me. “The smell of fear is my favorite, but your scent is exceptionally exquisite,” Cedar whispers in my ear.
I want to run, but my feet feel like they are sinking into the floor beneath me.
I want to scream, but there’s no longer any air in my lungs.