“Thanks,” I say, a little too excited. I’m about to get into a stranger's car. How stupid am I? “Let me just grab a few things.”
Opening the door, I grab my wallet and car keys. It’s not the car itself I’m worried about someone stealing, it's the contents inside of it.
I follow after the man as he leads me up the hill.
“Hey,” I start. “I didn’t get your name.”
“Syrus,” he grunts, shooting me a look over his shoulder. “You?”
“Emmett.”
“Nice to meet you, Emmett.” He looks forward again.
He doesn’t say anything as we walk up the hill. When we get to the top, I see his car parked on the side of the road.
“Are you sure you're a cop? That looks like a regular ol’ car.”
He turns to me and flashes me a badge on his belt. I squint and lean in. It reads Widows Peak Sheriff.
“How do I know that’s real?” I ask.
He sighs, shaking his head. “Get in.” He tosses his hand towards his car and heads toward the driver's side.
Quickening my pace, I rush over to the passenger door and throw it open.
The drive is quiet. I know I should be asking more questions, but I’m too nervous. Too excited. Too... everything.
It’s not until we get over the fourth hill that my eyes widen in awe. “Holy fuck,” I whisper.
There really is a town. In the valley below sits a small town nestled in the middle of nowhere, in the deep parts of the Colorado mountains. A town by the name of Widows Peak.
It’s stunning, something right out of a Hallmark movie.
My heart starts to race, and my eyes sting with tears. Could maybe, for once in my life, the universe be on my side?
“I’m going to take you over to Club 21. The girls there will help you get situated."
Another club? My stomach drops with dread.
“It’s not a strip club, is it?” I ask, turning to look at him with wary eyes.
“No,” he grunts. “Don’t have one of those here. Although a few of the girls do dance on the weekends. All their clothes stay on, though.” He shoots me a look.
“Thank fuck,” I sigh in relief. “So, these girls at the club, what can they do to help?”
“They own the town. They will know what to do.”
Oh god. Did I just walk into some kind of cult town? Just my luck to find myself in a damn horror movie.
You know what? Fuck it. I’ll join their little cult if it means no one forces themselves on me and I don’t have to take my clothes off for a living anymore.
We drive down the long road toward the town. As we grow closer and I can see the buildings up close, my excitement returns.
It looks... normal. People walking on the sidewalk, kids playing at the park to my left.
I’m gonna be fine. Totally fine. No one's gonna kill me. Fuck.
“You're not going to kill me, are you?” I blurt, and Syrus raises a brow.
