Page 1 of Venom Within Her

1

Ilona

“So, how are you liking Cutwood?”

My manager and owner of the bookstore where I worked, Bev, leaned over the counter where I sat. Her messy, orange hair was pulled up into a bun. She looked up at me with big, green eyes through dark lashes. Way too energetic for nine in the morning.

It was slow and usually I would have liked it, but Bev could be talkative and I was the complete opposite, preferring silence while I worked. She meant well and I was grateful to her for giving me this job with little to no experience. Since our video call a few weeks before I moved, she had made it her mission to make me feel welcome in Cutwood, so I shoved down my antisocial tendencies for the time being.

“So far it’s been great.” I sipped my coffee, shifting my gaze back down to the stack of bookmarks I was organizing.

I took a moment to admire my freshly painted, black nails. It may be a small thing to some, but having the authority to pick my nail color again, especially one so dark, was a freedom I’d spent way too long without. Just looking at them made me feel lighter.

I could feel Bev’s gaze burning into me like she was waiting for some kind of elaboration.

“Still a lot of unpacking to do. I think I’ll explore the woods behind my house after that, though. They’re gorgeous.” I added, hoping it was enough for her to move on.

“Oh,” her voice dropped as she raised her eyebrows. She had a mischievous glimmer in her eye. “Well, don’t wander too deep. There are stories about those woods.”

My stomach twisted. Not with fear, but intrigue. I had always been a sucker for a good mystery or horror story. I already had so much curiosity about this town and the secrets it held; getting some local lore only made it better.

I leaned in, dropping my stack of bookmarks on the counter. I was suddenly thankful for my coworker’s yapping. “What kind of stories?”

She sighed, shaking her head. “I don’t know. You just got here, I don’t want to scare you off.”

“Oh, come on. How bad could it be? Besides, all my money is wrapped up in that place; there’s no way I’m bailing.”

Apparently, she didn’t need much convincing. She leaned in closer, her voice almost squeaking in excitement.

“Legend says there are creatures that live there: half-human, half-monster, preying on those who cross it.”

I raised my brows, skeptical. I’d only been working at Bev’s Books for three days, and with the number of stories she had told me in that time, it made it hard to believe most of what she said.

“Don’t take my word for it.” She pushed off the counter and disappeared into the aisles, emerging a few moments later with an old, worn green cloth book. She tossed it on the counter, “Read all about it.”

I took it gently, careful not to tear the already fraying spine. It reminded me of the old, leatherbound notebook I’d found in my grandmother’s things, the reason I’d sought out Cutwood in the first place. I flipped through a few pages, skimming over the faded words and yellowing paper.

“Maybe start with Shiver Park. There are loads of huge trees to read under,” she leaned in again, “and a skatepark with all the cute boys.”

I rolled my eyes, for reasons she obviously didn’t understand. Another reason I’d escaped to Cutwood, to get away from all the men my family and the church had thrown at me.

“Men, I mean. Not boys. At least the ones around our age. Unless you’re into retired, well-off old men, then maybe you’ll find one at the bar we go to tonight.”

She winked and I could feel the bile rising in my throat. Maybe I would have to tell her soon.

~

The rest of my shift passed uneventfully. Bev yapped my ear off for the rest of the day about stupid things like the town’s most eligible bachelors. I just smiled and listened, biting my tongue and counting down the minutes until closing time.

She obviously didn’t know I didn’t like men, and I didn’t really care. The last thing I needed was her trying to introduce me to every woman who was interested in women…or worse, look at me differently for being a lesbian. Besides, from what I’d seen of the residents of this town, none of the women were my type anyway.

A relationship was the last thing I needed. Moving across the country to Cutwood was my way to escape many things, including love. I needed to start over and build a life for myself, by myself, before I even thought of considering a partner.

A wave of regret washed through me as I pushed through the door of the only bar in town. Hundreds of unique voices blended into one overwhelming tornado around me; it was like every person in town was there. I craned my neck around, looking for Bev’s bright orange hair.

“Ilona!” I could hear her loud, distinct voice clearly.

She was settled in a booth tucked into the corner. She waved me over and I cursed myself for not politely declining her invitation. I knew she was just trying to be nice, and I appreciated her trying to help me feel at home in a brand new town, but the booth was absolutely full of people and there was nothing I hated more than a crowd. This one would be fully focused on me as the new girl.