She barges past me to enter and the younger police officer quickly grabs her arm. “You will stay out here.”
“But—.” She tries to protest.
“I already told you back at the station we are only taking this missing claim seriously and acting before the usual time frame because of what happened at the spa.”
“I know.” She mutters.
“This gentleman is not obliged to let us search his home, so you should be thankful he’s been so hospitable.” She nods. “So, you stay out here.”
They both search every nook and cranny of my home and shout ‘clear’ to each other when they find nothing.
“What’s out there?” The younger one asks.
“It leads to Hollow Hills woods. Would you like to search out there?” I ask.
I watch as the colour drips from his face and he shakes his head. The superstitions that this town had created seemed to be benefiting me.
“Thank you for your hospitality, sir.” The older gentleman tips his hat as I see them both to the door. “I understand you’ve been most welcoming to this town.”
“I have been enjoying getting to know everyone.” I smile.
“It might be in your best interest to stop the parties for now.” He looks towards the girl, who has her arms folded, scowling in my direction. “You know until the missing girl is found.”
“Her name is Dove.” She shouts.
“Of course.” I smile. “I hope you find her soon.”
I watch as they all walk down the steps and don’t envy them having to listen to her scream her orders about finding her missing friend.
At this rate, she would be all over the news by morning.
So strange.
Wasn’t she the ghost that nobody knew existed? She was invisible and now everyone would know her name.
12
DOVE
My head is pounding. It feels like a brass band is playing inside my head.
I don’t wake up warm and comforted. I’m cold and shivering. There are no clothes on my body and I can feel a cold, hard slab surface beneath my back.
I feel around in the dark, but all I can feel is the cold, hard surface in which I lay. My fingers brush the metal bars.
Wait, bars?
Where was I?
How did I end up in here? Wherever here was.
“Great, you’re awake.” I look around to where the voice has come from, but I see nothing. “Just in time for breakfast.” He says like it’s the most ordinary conversation in the world.
A dim light shines, getting closer and closer, and he kneels to look through the bars at me as he places the candlestick in the blackened holder on the ground.
My eyes blink repeatedly as I try to get used to the light. Looking into his eyes, my face drops. “Ashton?” I gasp.
“So you do rememberme.” He smiles.
