I stare at the one percent left on my Kindle’s battery, berating myself for not charging it before I left. It’s been over an hour since Rowan went on his strange journey, and my entertainment is dying.
“Please,no,” I groan as the screen goes black, and I'm left with nothing to distract myself with.
I was given specific instructions not to go outside, but my charger is in the truck. For once, I find myself wanting to be Rowan’s good girl and wait for him like he asked.
I really am weak.
He’s unraveling me so fast that I actually want to make him happy. It’s just so hard to pass on that crooked smirk he gives me when we challenge each other. If I do stay in the room like he wanted, I’ll probably be rewarded with another.
But I’mreallybored, and I’ll only be a few minutes. I can scope out the parking lot and make sure he isn't lingering around before I grab my stuff and head back for the room like I’ve been here the whole time.
I hop down from the bed before pulling on my shoes and taking the stairs down to the front room of the inn. The sky outside the tall windows looks haunting and dark as I search for any signs of life. I’m left staring beyond the trees, my imagination running wild as I swear I seesomethingrun past.
I place my hand on the glass, squinting my eyes as I scan the forest, but there’s nothing there.
“What are you doing up?”
I whirl around, startled by the hostess sitting behind her desk.
Was she there before?
“Um,” I mess with the sleeves of my long shirt, a sense of foreboding prickling my neck. “I just needed to grab my charger.” I throw a thumb over my shoulder toward the parking lot.
The hostess stares at me for a long moment before shrugging. “The weather is bad. I wouldn't do that if I were you.”
Distantly, the rolling of thunder booms, but there’s something else in the mix. A sharpcrackin the night that sounds far too close for my liking. Again, I turn to the window, blinded as lightning strikes, illuminating the treeline.
I swallow, the fear in my gut churning unpleasantly. “I’ll be quick.”
The hostess sighs before grabbing a folder and standing from her desk. “I tried to warn you.”
I watch as she dips off into a connected room and closes the door behind her. When she’s gone, I finally feel like I can breathe.
“Okay, that’s not creepy,” I say to myself before walking to the front door. I peep out the glass and make sure my travel companion isn’t loitering around. Only the stolen truck is parked in the lot, making a little of the fear ebb at the realization that besides our cryptic hostess, it’s just us.
“Quick and out of sight,” I give myself a little pep talk before pushing the door open and running headfirst into the rain.
I nearly trip over my own feet as I fumble for the truck’s handle. When the door opens, I thank whatever force in the universe made Rowan forget to lock it as I clamber into the passenger side. The dark leather is soaked as I place my knees on the seat and slam the door behind me.
I shuffle through the bags in the back seat, swearing when I don't find my small satchel that I keep my chargers in. “Where did he put it?”
I sit back, sighing as I slap my hands on my thighs. Thetoolbox and my totes catch my eye through the back glass, and I hang my head. “Of course.”
I brace myself before throwing the door open again and jumping down onto the gravel. I land in a puddle, and water splashes as it soaks through my tennis shoes. “Great!”
I quickly grab the bed of the truck before hoisting myself over and nearly fall into the back of it. I’ve never been graceful, but this is starting to really piss me off.
“If it isn't back here, I’m drowning myself,” I mutter as I pop open the first tote. I keep the lid closed as much as possible as I riffle through everything. When I only find a few house decorations, I slam it closed before grabbing the next one. I do the same, only to come up empty-handed when I slap the lid closed.
“Please tell me he didn't leave it in the other truck,” I beg as the glistening silver toolbox catches my attention.
He did unpack something. Maybe it’s in there?
I’m also curious. It’s been eating away at me to know what he was doing out here in the rain. I glance around to make sure I'm still in the clear before grabbing the latches on the metal box and flicking them up.
I open the top and heft it up before staring down into the darkness. I grab my phone out of my pocket, covering the screen with my hand to minimize water as I turn on my flashlight.
I stare down into the toolbox, the world around me going silent. The water becomes a distant hum as I stand immobilized.
