The Offering

Chapter 13

I toyed with the idea of whether or not to tell Angela about what I'd experienced for the rest of the night. Unable to go back to sleep I began to run over the events of the past few days in my exhausted mind. Without conscious effort I began to formulate a plan, knowing in my gut that the next few days were going to be life changing.

The strong cup of black coffee in my hands was one of several I'd already had that morning. I was officially turning into my mother, surviving on an unhealthy diet that primarily consisted of caffeine.

By the time Angela woke for work I had already made breakfast and arrived at my decision. I decided against telling her about my encounter with Nana. I wasn't sure what had happened to Maggie when the darkness took her and I didn't want to worry Angela with the unknown. Maggie had been so afraid of them seeing us together. It was so frustrating that I had no idea who they were. But wherever she was I just hoped that she was at peace.

My decision however had resulted in my feeling an element of guilt keeping such a secret, hence the pancake breakfast I presented her with. I noted that she seemed instantly suspicious, raised brows were the giveaway, but she just smiled gratefully and sat to eat. A sight I very rarely saw as she was always so rushed in a morning.

"So you're sure that you don't me to stay home with you for just a few more days?" Angela asked, unable to stop herself from cleaning away the dishes despite my protestation.

"I'm sure, I go back to school in a few days and there's a lot of work I need to catch up on," I lied, not about the work part, there was plenty of that to do, but today wouldn't be the day for it.

"Oh good," Angela replied, flashing me a genuine smile for the first time in so long, "you're such a smart girl, you need to make sure you keep your grades up for University."

"I know and I will," I promised, and I would, just not today, "I need a couple of things from town for one of my projects actually, if you wouldn't mind dropping me on your way to work?"

Angela practically vibrated with approval, convincing herself that the dark days were almost over and her little girl was well on her way back to how she'd been before. Smart and focused, a bright future out of this town ahead of her. At least Alice imagined that was the version of herself Angela had concocted in her state of denial.

"Of course sweetheart, I'll just grab my things and meet you in the car," she agreed.

I was sure I could smell guilt literally seeping from my pores, I hated lying to her but I couldn't tell her my real intentions, not when she seemed so hopeful I was returning to 'normal'. She'd think I was bat shit crazy if I told her where I was actually going.

Angela dropped me outside a quaint little book store in the centre of town. I smiled and waved, watching her drive away entirely clueless to my deception. It was a short walk to where I was really going. Several streets over from the pristine shop fronted street I currently stood upon.

Surprisingly I'd found what I needed on Google maps, I hadn't expected to make such a discovery in our little town. I made my way towards the address and found myself in a far less immaculate area of Greenwood I'd never known existed.

It appeared even the clean cut little town of Greenwood had it's secrets as I walked by tattoo parlours, 'adult' stores, numerous bars and even a crappy hotel. I saw what I needed nestled between 'Ink Addiction' and 'The Drunk Sailor', recognising the common link between all the stores on this street seemed to be terrible names.