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He looked confused until I stuck my blade into his thigh and watched as he crumpled down to the sidewalk. I jerked the blade out, watching blood pool underneath him. “You better see a doctor about that. Wouldn’t want you to bleed out.”
I left him howling on the sidewalk like the coward he was to follow the faerie’s directions toward the Dark Woods.
Rain began to sprinkle down on me. It only added to the darkness of the situation. Maybe the rain would wash away some of the trouble that the Dark Woods had for me.
A tall, twisted tree sitting on the side of the walkway held a low-hanging branch.
On it sat that stupid red-eyed crow.
He flew away as I grabbed my bag to pelt him with another rock.
He wasn’t as stupid as he looked.
His caw sounded frantic. Like a warning. Perhaps he was letting Deidamia know I was near. Good. She could have something ready for me because I sure as hell had something planned for her.
Chapter Eight
Josie
The Day She Went Missing…
I sliced through the water in the pool in our backyard. Nothing beats slipping under during the hottest day of the year. I’d spent the last couple of days in the pool, avoiding my mother’s attempts to drag me to lunch with her friends.
Each invite sounded more and more like a setup. I didn’t want to jump into another relationship or a string of blind dates. Was it so bad to get to know myself after being in a relationship for so long? I thought it was a great idea to stand on my own two feet before even considering a romantic relationship.
“Josie!” my mother called out from the back door. “Supper will be ready soon.”
“I’ll be out in just a minute,” I yelled as I backstroked across the pool.
The back door shut, and I relaxed into the water. It’d been a quiet few days since I saw the woman in the mirror. I decided I was overtired and overwhelmed, so I didn’t mention it to my parents.
There were no boundaries on what they would assume if I told that story.
Dad had a handful of people in his pocket. He’d pull some strings, get me on some medication, and pretend I wasn’t seeing things in our bathroom mirror or feeling drafts in every room.
Their not knowing was the best bet. I’d move out of the house in a couple of months and not have to deal with any of this anymore.
I climbed out of the pool, grabbed my oversized towel, and walked toward the sliding back doors. The smell of dinner wafted out as I opened them and stepped inside.
My parents’ laughter echoed from the dining room as I wrapped myself in my towel and stepped inside. There were so many memories of my life that revolved around swimming and this dining table.
It was something that I wanted for myself. I wanted to be a wife one day. I wanted a career, and having it all so close frightened and exhilarated me.
Dad patted the seat next to him while Miranda finished putting the food on the table. “I have some news to tell you tonight,” he said, reaching for the wine glass across from him.
I grabbed my own and took a sip of the goodness. “What’s that?”
Dad smiled over the table at Mom. “I’m retiring this year, and we’ve decided to travel the US in our RV.”
I lifted both brows. The look of amusement on my mother’s face made me laugh. It was written there that this was my father’s dream, but knowing she was right beside him made me feel longing for that kind of love.
“That’s amazing,” I said. “You two deserve time to yourselves. Dad has worked hard for this town.”
Miranda opened the swinging kitchen door with her butt and put the platter of pork chops on the table. “That’s right,” she said. “I’m so happy for them both.”
Realization hit me that Miranda wouldn't have a job.
Before I could pipe in, my father said, “We’re hiring Miranda to cook for you while we’re gone. Though when we get back, I need my cook back. It’s going to be an interesting year with our cooking,” he said, pointing between Mom and himself.
