Read Dark Muse: An Indie Paranormal Sampler Page 17

We spent the next eight months figuring out the details of my escape. I would have never been able to swing it if it hadn’t been for Cassie and her Dad. As far as Aunt Grace was concerned, I would be going to Snow College tomorrow morning. What she didn’t understand wouldn’t hurt me.

  I sat my suitcase down by the bottom of the stairs. Jenny and Sarah waited for me with outstretched arms. I leaned into them, inhaling the scent of cheap strawberry shampoo.

  Sarah wrapped her arms around my waist, gazing up at me with tears in her eyes. “I don’t want you to go,” she said then buried her face into my abdomen.

  I held her tight for a few moments, feeling like the biggest loser but not the good kind. “I’ll be home before you know it, and if you promise to be good for Jenny, I’ll bring you a present.”

  She pulled away from me, her eyes brightening. “Really?”

  “Promise.”

  She ran into the kitchen, her tiny voice raised in excitement. “Rayla’s gonna get me a present, Momma!”

  “Is she now?” Aunt Grace said, stepping into the foyer. Her face was tight with worry. “You call me when you get there.”

  “I will,” I said.

  “I don’t see why you can’t just stay here tonight.”

  Not this again. “I already told you. We have to leave really early. I don’t want to wake anyone up. Cassie’s parents aren’t even in town right now so we won’t be bothering anyone at her house.”

  Jenny hugged me from the back. “You better e-mail me.”

  We were probably the only family on the planet that couldn’t afford a cell plan that included unlimited texting. Once I got a job, I was going to get a new phone and hopefully a new plan.

  I touched her hand that perched on my shoulder. “Promise.”

  She bounded up the stairs yelling for Travis to help her move her stuff into my room. He stopped by the railing, stared down at me and gave me his lopsided grin. He flipped his head to get his dark bangs out of his eyes. “See ya round, Cuz.”

  I tilted my head in an upward nod. “Sure thing.” I pointed my finger at him. “Be good.” I wasn’t that much older than him, but I felt as if we had ten years between us.

  He huffed. “When am I ever not?” Without even a backward glance, he took off around the corner before I could say anything else.

  Sarah had already pulled Aunt Grace into the living room for her bedtime story. I waved goodbye, but neither of them noticed. The ancient door creaked when I pulled it shut. I quickened my step, but no one followed me to the car.

  The tires threw up a cloud of dust as I sped away toward freedom. I gazed at my home through the haze of the rear view mirror. The moon set an eerie cast to the scene. The old Victorian had seen better days. Time had transformed the once stately estate into the humble residence of a working family. It needed a paint job, the porch swing still hung by one chain, and bicycles littered the two week overgrown lawn. It wasn’t anything compared to Cassie’s house, but it would always be special to me. I swiped the tears from my eyes and rolled down the window. Time for crying was over. I was officially on my way.

  Cassie waited outside for me when I pulled up. Her grin couldn’t have gotten much bigger. The handle gave her some trouble, so I reached over and opened the door. Before I knew it she plopped onto the seat. Eyes glowing, she reached into her purse and pulled out a wad of cash. “Dad’s going away present.”

  I kept my cringe to myself. I was tired of feeling guilty for taking advantage of Mr. Lambert’s endless acts of kindness. I needed to figure out a way to pay him back. “You’ve got to have the coolest father on the planet.”

  She smiled brightly. “Yeah. Isn’t he great?”

  “You sure you’re ready for this?” I asked with mock seriousness.

  She laughed. “No backing out now!”

  I waggled my brows before I put the car in gear and lowered her window. The invading night air sucked the moisture from my body like a sponge. She just shook her head at me, but I knew what she was thinking without hearing one word. We would have been much more comfortable in her car.

  “Sorry,” I said. “I didn’t think it would still be this hot when we planned this whole thing.”

  “If you think this is bad, you just wait until you have sweat dripping from you twenty-four-seven.”

  She’d already tried to explain humidity to me, but I didn’t care if I had to take three showers a day. I was on my way to my new life. We had pulled it off without any snags. Nothing short of death would keep me from claiming my dreams.