Page 29 of Wedded Witch
“Go on,” I say, pointing back toward the diner. “Shoo.”
He doesn’t budge. Instead, he tilts his head to the side and lets out a sharp bark, like he’s scoldingme.
“Oh, come on.” I cross my arms, trying to sound firm. “I’m going back to Spells Hollow. It’s dangerous. You’re better off here.”
He barks again, his dark eyes fixed on mine. And then—whine. A high-pitched, pitiful sound that tugs at my heartstrings way more than it should.
I groan, throwing my hands up. “Seriously?”
Another whine.
“Fine!” I relent, opening the passenger door. “But if you shed all over my seat, I’m dropping you off at the first sign of trouble. Deal?”
He bounds into the front seat with a single leap, tail wagging with furious joy. I can’t believe I just let a dog manipulate me like this. Even its expression looks smug.
“Great. You’re really selling the whole tough-loner vibe, Swyn,” I mutter as I slide into the driver’s seat and start the car. “Running away from your life, now adopting strays. You’re on a roll.”
With the dog settled beside me, we drive toward Spells Hollow, the road growing more isolated as we leave the small town behind. The fields stretch out on either side, and the air feels heavier the closer we get.
I don’t know why, but something about this place always feels like it’s pulling me in, like the air itself is thicker, filled with secrets and shadows.
The dog stays quiet, his head resting on the edge of the seat as he stares out the window. Occasionally, I catch him glancing at me, like he knows something I don’t. It’s unsettling.
And then it happens. Just like the first time.
The car sputters.
I grip the steering wheel, already knowing what comes next. “No, no, no. Come on, not again.”
The engine coughs once, twice, then dies completely. I coast to a stop on the side of the road, the tall trees of Spells Hollow looming in the distance.
I stare at the dashboard, then at the dog, who has already sat up, watching me with those same knowing brown eyes. “You have got to be kidding me.”
With a sigh, I turn off the ignition and sit back in my seat, defeated.
“Looks like this is as far as we go on four wheels.”
The dog lets out a soft woof, like he’s agreeing with me.
“Alright,” I mutter, climbing out of the car. “Guess we’re walking.”
I grab my bag from the trunk, sling it over my shoulder, and start down the road. The dog jumps out of the car and trots along beside me, his tail wagging like we’re off on some grand adventure.
I glance down at him. “You know, I really shouldn’t be doing this. I should be…I don’t know, driving far away from here. But no, here I am, walking back to the creepiest town I’ve ever been in with a dog I don’t even know.”
He barks softly, his tail wagging even faster.
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t act like this is your idea of fun either,” I say, half-smiling. “But I guess we’re in it together now.”
We continue down the road, Spells Hollow looming ahead like a shadow from some forgotten dream. The closer we get, the heavier the air feels, like the town itself is watching us.
This time, when I enter the town – or I guess I should saywe,because my four legged furry friend won’t leave my side –wetake a different route around the town.
Nestled among the trees are more abandoned buildings in various states of ruin. Many of the remains are charred, as ifdestroyed by a great fire, but I know enough to recognise that the too perfectly patterned scorch marks on the ground are actually the result of a curse and not a blaze.
Many of the buildings were once wooden, so it’s understandable that they look like they’ve burned to the ground, but even the occasional stone building hasn’t been immune to whatever tragedy happened here.
I wander aimlessly around the town’s ruins, not sure what I’m doing or what I’m searching for, but trusting my intuition will let me know when I find it.