“Uncle Isaac won’t let them do that,” he says, and Sarah scoffs, because where was Isaac when she was alone at the motel? “We need to ride out the rest of your quarantine, and then we can see about getting your car. Or I’ll drive you to Timmins myself to your brother’s place.”
“Graham’s the last person I want to see now,” she mutters. “God, it’s your dad.”
Caleb stiffens. “What about my dad?”
“It’s like his spirit is hanging around here. All the hatred and violence and suspicion. Can’t you feel it?”
He fits the profile, Elijah had said. She sees it clearly now, illuminated by the morning light. The breadth of his shoulders, the unapologetic way he cuts through a space. The way his anger uses up all the air in the room so there’s none left for her to breathe.
“Haven’t you heard the screaming in the woods? Haven’t you heard it calling to you?” Becauseshehas, every day.
Caleb sinks to the bed. Bows his head like he’s praying to her. “Yes,” he whispers.
All the times she thought she saw Jacob Vass, as if he were an omen, Caleb had been nearby. What if his father’s ghost is actually watchinghim, not her? Waiting to lead him into the woods?
“Then why can’t you take me away from here?”
“I can’t, Sarah.”
Her anger flares. How can he be so stubborn? “Give me one good reason. A real reason, not an excuse. And nothing to do with Elijah.”
Caleb lifts his eyes to hers, and for once, she can’t read his expression.
“Someone has to bury Ben in the spring,” he says.
Hopeless fury squeezes her lungs like a fist. It’s not Caleb’s blindness to the danger, or even Jacob Vass’s presence, but Ben who still has a hold on her.
“I have to go.” Caleb slides off the bed and leaves the room without looking back.
When the truck drives away, Sarah buries her face into a pillow and screams. No one can hear you scream out here, after all.
* * *
As Sarah gets dressed, the stairs squeak in Elijah’s rhythm. Her resolve quickens. If Caleb won’t help her, Elijah will. He’s like a puppy. He brought her that branch yesterday, hoping for a pat on the head. Ever since she saved him from Ben, he looks at her differently.
She follows the scent of coffee down to the kitchen. Elijah leans against the counter, shovelling cereal into his mouth while the coffee percolates.
“Good morning. Your face looks better,” she says. Most of the swelling has gone down, and the cut on his lip is almost a memory.
“I feel better, too,” he says, but she winces, thinking of the bruises across his arms and torso. Her own bracelet is fading around the edges to a jaundiced shade of yellow.
She helps herself to a blueberry muffin from the tray on the counter and leans beside him, her shoulder pressing companionably against his. “What are you up to today?” she asks, although she knows the answer. More painting, maybe a walk in the woods. She’s not sure how he can stand to do the same thing day after day, but probably when you’re an artist, every day is full of possibilities. And the woods?—
The woods are full of possibilities, too. So many vanished men. Has Elijah heard them screaming yet?
“I’m going to drink this coffee,” he announces over a mouthful of cereal, “and then I’m going into the woods to drop Ben’s things.”
Sarah’s breath catches, hope igniting like a rocket. The key to Ben’s rental car might be available. She could get in and go. Caleb and Elijah could tell Isaac that yes, Ben had stopped there, but the curse of the Suicide Motel had gotten him, and then that Chinese girl had broken quarantine and driven away. Or maybe the Suicide Motel had gotten to her, too.
Half the time, Sarah’s not sure if it actually has gotten to her.
“Can I come?” she asks.
He frowns, momentarily resembling Caleb more than either of his parents. “You shouldn’t go outside in case Uncle Isaac comes again.”
“Caleb went to meet him this morning. We should be good for a bit.” So easy to lie to get what you want.You see why I did it?Ben whispers in the back of her head. She puts on an eager smile. “I’d like to see the woods. I haven’t been in them yet.”
Elijah grins back. She’s played her cards correctly. He’s thrilled to show her his favorite haunt. “All right then. We’ll go out the back in case someone sees you.”
