Highway S50 went on and on, but I couldn't see headlights from either direction. Which was fine, I wasn't sure I cared to hitch a ride from a stranger anyway. I knew it was way past midnight, but one of the bastards had stolen my phone, so I had no way to call for help.
The nearest gas station was five miles away, but that didn't help me one bit. The only number I had memorized was Jared’s; the monster who got me into this mess.
Click Clack Click Click.
I whipped my head around and tried to assess my surroundings. Monstrous sequoias were like skyscrapers as overgrown ferns and shrubs littered the forest floor; I couldn't see anything at all.
Yet, I wasn't horrified—just cautious. Maybe the shock got to my head or maybe I hadn't come to terms with what had happened and needed more time.
However, the amount of time I was given to grasp my reality was short-lived.
A croaky voice withered from age called out, “It will be back.”
Another one chimed in, “He will be back.”
“Yes, yes,” a familiar voice rang out.
I snapped my head up and saw the murder of crows with black beady eyes rubbernecking like I had grown a third arm.
For once in my life, I was glad it was them and not the other things I had witnessed.
I let out a breath of relief. “Thank God.”
They all craned their heads and uttered the same words as if they were a hive mind. “God has nothing to do with us, Adeline.”
A chill ran down my back from the way they said my name. It made my relief vanish and intensified my anxiety.
I concluded that they had to be real because if I had imagined this whole shit show of a night then I really was batshit crazy.
Even if they rubbed me the wrong way, they never attacked me. So, they wouldn't harm me now, right?
“Why are you following me?” I asked, managing to sound put together when I was falling apart by the second.
They all gasped and croaked amongst each other and then swooped down from the trees and to the paved road.
“It's been ages!”
“She speaks!”
“She’s returned,” they all cried out, jumping up and down.
All their claws scraped against the road as their overzealous chatter filled the air and resounded off the trees.
I stood there disoriented and speechless. “Why, me, again,” I murmured, unable to form a coherent sentence.
It's been years, so why are they here now for the second time in a row?
As if they understood my jumbled-up mess, they responded with no hesitation. “Protection.”
“For your protection,” one-eyed said, clarifying.
The crow hopped forward lifting its beak at me; the apparent scar made me realize that it was the same bird from earlier, Gren.
I looked over at the rest of them and then back at Gren, perplexed and a little aggravated. I could have used that protection earlier. If they couldn't protect me then, how could they possibly protect me later?
Ah, maybe they could claw someone's eyes out. “Why didn't you help me earlier, and what would you protect me from?” I pried further, hoping some of my questions would be answered.
They only stood there silent and then they all shook their beaks aggressively.
“You weren't in immediate danger and it will be back,” Gren finally responded.
How descriptive. I groaned, massaging my temples. Of course, it wouldn't be that easy.
I let out a deep sigh. “Fine but the stalking needs to stop. Only one of you can follow me. I can't have all of you guys squabbling twenty-four-seven. So, just one.” I pointed my finger at Gren. He seemed like the most level-headed. “You.”
Gren looked at the others and nodded.
“We won't be far.”
“Just in case.”
“We will be waiting.”
They all gave each other looks of disapproval but ultimately, listened and disappeared into the forest leaving only Gren by my side.
“Can you explain anything at all?”
Gren was silent as his beak pointed to the ground. He stole a glance in my direction while fidgeting—if crows could do that. Either way, it looked more like twitching his feathers than anything else.
“It's not that easy. I'm sorry, I wish I could,” he said with a hint of sorrow in his voice.
I scoffed and kicked a few pebbles off the road as I continued walking. I stayed quiet even though I wanted to question him further, but it seemed like he wasn’t a talker and I’d have to gain his trust first.
My legs grew weak and I lost count of how many miles I walked once we passed the gas station.
The moon seemed like it was mocking me under its lambency. The cruel taunt lit the path to Lucien’s place—making it painstakingly obvious that I should have accepted his offer from the very beginning. Then maybe, I wouldn't be in this never-ending hell loop.
I was an idiot.
I sighed and knocked on the door. I waited and waited, fiddling nervously with my hands. I heard several clicks and then the door swung open.
Lucien stood there, shirtless and in black boxer briefs. His chest muscles were exposed and flexed as he gripped the side of the door frame. His eyes were slit before he fully took in my presence. Then they widened and his jaw dropped. Maybe he saw Gren too, but I doubted it.
“Holy shit. What happened?”
I didn't know how to answer that or if I had it in me to tell him, so I shrugged my shoulders instead.
I knew if I allowed myself to replay it in my mind… if I acknowledged it—out loud, then it would surely become tangible. Something, I couldn't avoid, and I didn't think I couldn't handle that.
“Bad date.” I smiled weakly.
He didn’t press me further even though I was covered in dirt. Even though my palms were stained and bloody, and deep purple bruises were forming around my wrists.
He didn’t point out a single flaw in my appearance as he told me to sit down and that he’d fix me a cup of hot cocoa like I was five and he was nine again. Where my mouth had gotten me in trouble numerous times; where the worst of it was me getting smacked around if I talked back or looked at them a certain way. A time when Lucien was always there, not uttering a single word, only helping me stay sane.
I could feel the tears swelling up as he walked away. All my pent-up emotions surged through me like they were about to break the gates wide open, but I quickly wiped my tears away. I took a deep breath and then pushed my feelings down.
Gren was perched by my side and stared at me for a long second. “You have nothing to fear,” he stated as if it were a fact and something he had control over.
His voice carried so much conviction that it almost made me laugh. Wasn't he something that I had feared?
I still gave Gren a silent nod for his effort. He was an odd contradiction. His menacing exterior was deceptive because he was strangely cordial.
Lucien was back with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. I would have preferred coffee but I don't think that man had any sort of caffeine in his house.
“Stay as long as you want. The guest room has a change of clothes and you can get cleaned up after this.” He gave me a sad smile as he patted my shoulder.
A sleepy voice called out from his bedroom door. “Hey, babe. What are you doing?”
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