BRYNMORE

Chapter Two

Earlier that day: Dani

A burning liquid hits my tongue, a bitter disguise of how I feel to be back in Hollowford. The small glass returns to the bar-top. 

"Another." I groan, my palm resting against my forehead as I lean against the counter. 

"Sure thing, Dani." Tom smirks as if he knows how much of a lightweight I really am. I give him the finger, shaking my head of all the doubts this town has casted on me. He grabs the tall glass bottle of tequila, pouring me what would now be my third shot. With a small exasperated thank you, I knock it back, wincing as the cold liquid washes down my throat. I cough, wiping my lip of saliva as he shakes his head in bewilderment. "How bout' I get you a water." Tom chuckles to himself, speaking as if it wasn't an option in the first place. 

After a few moments, a solo cup full of water is placed in front of me. I take a few small sips, cleansing the metallic taste from my palate. My teeth whistle as I let out another long sigh, tossing a twenty dollar bill on towards the bartender. 

"That enough?" I say, barely looking up at him as his shadow hangs over me. My elbow rests next to the puddle of beer the last guy left behind, too inebriated to keep himself or the bottle upright. It was only 3pm.

"It's on the house Dani, don't worry 'bout it." Tom states, wiping down the spills with a damp and tattered rag. I look to the ceiling, my eyes shutting as I internally relish in my luck. "Hey uh, heard you're gonna be in town for a while." He starts. "Maybe I could treat you to that dinner you promised back in high school, huh?"

My eyes open and return to his expectant grin. 

"That was six years ago, Thomas." I begin to stand, securing my purse over my shoulder. His grin fades into a look of regret. I almost feel bad for the guy.

"Danielle, wait." I hear, as I turn around to face the headache. "How's your mom...?"

My tongue flicks up to my upper row of teeth in annoyance, as I stare coldly at my old classmate. 

"On her deathbed. Stage four now. Can't even open her eyes anymore." My words hide my indignation, my voice laced with the overwhelming desolation. 

"God, Dani... I- I'm so sorry. You know, Carrie was like a mother to me." His eyes droop. 

"Then it wouldn't have hurt you to call."

I drive to the only place I can get some peace, the only place I won't be reminded of my mother's short time left. Hollowford, no matter how cramped and dull this town may be, is the closest land to the longest mountain range around. Maybe there, I can finally get some sleep, under the safety of a pine tree, just like I would as a child. Except now, even the most familiar places can't soothe my frustration at the cards I have been dealt. I make it past the suburbs, the small homes and stop signs long behind me, as I make my way down the old dirt road that leads into the forest. My car isn't built to handle the holes and bumps scattered every few feet, but I keep on my way anyways. I find a patch of grass between two trees, carefully parking and leaving just enough room to get out. That's when it hits me.

Children running without a care in the world, splashing in the water of the creek. My father sits atop a rock, throwing the ball to my brother, while I try to find the shiniest stone in the stream. One toss too hard, my brother's hands fumble, the ball rolling down the grass hill just feet from where we had stopped our sedan. We laugh, James running down the other side to catch up to it, his dirty red sneakers prancing through the dandelions. Just as we expect him to appear again, happy and football in hand, the most ear-piercing scream echoes through the valley. My father runs to the hillside, nearly slipping on the slick grass, as he cries out in horror. The dismembered and maimed body of my older brother rests scattered across the ground, a large and villainous black wolf holding the arm it tore from his corpse.