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Two years younger than me and Lake’s tongue has probably seen more action in a year than mine has my entire life.
I’ll be the first to admit, I can be somewhat of a party pooper. I’m the girl who takes drinks from the hands of already drunk people. I cover my tests in class just to make sure no one is cheating off mine. I volunteer my free time at the children’s hospital. I’m basically the child every parent dreams to have—except my own.
I can’t pity myself too much. My parents are amazing. They’ve been divorced for over a year now, but they both still show up for me and my sisters when needed.
My dad is my biggest cheerleader and supporter. If it weren’t for all the scholarships I’ve already accumulated, I know he’d financially support any career path I chose. And my mom’s proud, too. She just has it in her head that I’m missing out on my youth and trying to grow up too fast.
Not to pat my own back, but my head is on completely straight. I know what I want in life and I refuse to let anything get in my way. My mom keeps telling me I need to start enjoying life more. Though, I don’t think getting lost in a park at midnight is what she had in mind.
The lampposts ahead come into view and I sigh in relief, hopeful I can get back to where I started and figure out how to get home from there. I click the flashlight off on my phone to save my battery, all the while my heart hammers in my rib cage. An eerie feeling settles inside me, as if the darkness behind me holds secrets I know I don’t want to hear.
When I finally make it out into the light, I find myself in a playground area. Passing by a row of swings, a chill runs down my spine when their chains begin to rattle and squeak as they get caught in a gust of wind. They sway back and forth, almost as if someone is sitting in them and forcing the movement.
When a tiny droplet hits my nose, I squint, looking up at the clouds in disbelief. In a matter of seconds, the sky opens up and rain pours down on me in heavy sheets. In my short time at Willow Creek, I’ve learned the weather has a mind of its own. One minute, the sun can be shining bright, and the next, we’re under a downpour like now.
I throw my hands up in defeat, feeling the weight of the storm on my shoulders. “That all you got, universe?”
I've always appreciated nature and have a deep love for the rain, but I'm not exactly thrilled that it has to happen on a night when I'm walking alone in the dark in a place I’ve never been before.
I drop my hands and bring my face forward, my lashes attempt to flutter away the moisture. Blinking a few times, I make sure my eyes aren’t deceiving me as shadows come into view in the distance. To my surprise, a group of three people enter the park, totally unbothered by the rain.
They’re not far enough into the light, so it’s hard to tell, but by the sounds of their voices, I’d say most, if not all, are guys.
As they stroll into a beam of light shining down from a lamppost, I can see clearly that there are three guys, all of whom I’m certain were at the party. Their deep voices echo off the trees and playground equipment around me.
The last thing I want is an altercation with locals, so I make a quick decision and bolt underneath a slide to stay hidden. Rain pelts against the metal in a symphony of pins and clanks and I'm grateful because it masks the sound of my heavy breathing.
The group walks deeper into the park, stopping underneath a small gazebo right beside the slide. Every muscle in my body tenses. One wrong move and they'll find me.
As quick as the rain started, it suddenly stops, leaving a deafening silence that is broken when one of the guys raises his voice.
“Dude, there’s no way in hell that girl was leaving the party with you. We’re seniors, and she’s a fucking sophomore.”
“Shut the hell up. That girl would have dropped to her knees if you hadn’t got us kicked out of the party.”
I can’t see their faces, so I have no idea who’s talking, but one guy appears pissed while the other two find it humorous.
“She’s not even from Willow Creek. Said she was just visiting for a couple days. Move on. You’ll probably never see her again.”
Sophomore? Not from Willow Creek? Could it be?
No. That’s far too much of a coincidence. Then again, this town isn’t huge.
“Even better.” The guy scoffs. “She might be cool and down to have some fun. Unlike the stuck-up bitches that live in Willow Creek.”
I’ve always been somewhat impetuous, but I’ve never considered myself to be a complete idiot…until now.
I jump out from under the slide, knocking my shoulder against the ledge. “Are you talking about Brogan?” I rub the ache in my arm, attempting to hide my nervousness.
I need to know if they’re talking about my sister, and if they are, I need to know she’s okay.
Three pairs of eyes fixate on me and suddenly, the trio isn’t as gabby as they were before I came out of hiding. Their gazes are harsh, as if I’m butting into a conversation I have no right to be part of.
They continue to assess me, eyes plodding up and down my body, and suddenly they seem much more interested as their expressions become sinister. When the taller guy with bright blond hair and piercing emerald eyes smirks, I know I’m in trouble. These are not boys to be messed with, and I’m alone, dangling myself in front of them like a piece of meat.
Blondie’s tongue drags across his lower lip and I have to suppress a gag from the way he undresses me with his eyes.
"Well, well, well. Who do we have here?" The blond comes closer, his side brushing against mine as he circles me.
