Page 2 of Monstrous Serpent

I made sure of that.

But when we returned to campus, shit changed. I got busier with hockey, classes, and going to the tutoring center three days a week. Nobody outside of my coaches knows I need academic assistance regularly because the second someone finds out, they make that face, which is usually followed by pity. And after comes the realization that I'm not who they thought I was.

That I'm less.

Which is why I’ve made sure Cindy never has a reason to look closer than she needs to. I keep things casual, busy, distract her with sex if I need to. And the one time she saw me walking out of the tutoring center, I told her I was struggling with an assignment on Shakespeare.

Except now she’s become distant. She takes longer to text back. Cancels more often.

My fingers tighten on the cotton fabric of the T-shirt as I pull it on. “Doyle?”

“What?”

“You think Cindy’s pissed I don’t have as much time for her?”

“Wouldn't be surprised. Why don't you just end it?”

Because ending it means I wasn't enough to keep someone who wasn't even asking for much.

I shrug. “She's fun.”

“Fun doesn’t give you headaches, man. Unless it’s from a hangover.”

Jackass.

My phone buzzes.

Cindy: Hey babe, so sorry but my dad dropped by to surprise me.

Cindy: Have to cancel tonight. Rain check? Xoxo

I read it twice.

Cindy’s dad lives in Westchester. She complains about him constantly, how he never makes time, how everything must be planned two weeks in advance. Even called him a “pathologically organized deadbeat” once, like it was his job title. A surprise visit from him would be a minor miracle.

Sure, maybe he could be trying to turn over a new leaf. Except three days ago, a registration confirmation popped up on her phone while it was charging on my nightstand. It was for some event at the Pine Barrens called Don't Look Back. And the date was for tonight.

I wasn’t snooping. The phone was right there. So, I looked.

And then smiled.

I figured she was planning something both of us might like, not that I have any idea what Don’t Look Back even is. I thought about looking it up but didn't want to get my hopes up if it turned out to be another only-Cindy-will-like-this situation. So I made dinner plans as a backup. Either she'd tell me about the event and we'd skip the restaurant, or she wouldn't and we'd eat Italian. Either way, I wasn't sitting around waiting.

I read her text again.

She’s lying.

But why? Why not just say she has plans with her friends?

Fuck this.

After opening the web browser, I punch in Don't Look Back Pine Barrens Long Island and click the link to their website. A dark page pops up with a tagline that reads “Are you brave enough to face what's in the dark?” in a creepy font.

Huh, must be some kind of immersive experience, like a haunted run or horror event where people chase you through the woods. I would enjoy something like that.

I scroll down the page. Of course. Registration is closed.

My teeth clench together. I close the page, then text my girlfriend back.