\\\WINNER OF THE 2018 WATTY'S LONGLIST///
With Ethan's permission, I took home the painting. I borrowed Luke's hammer and got to work, hanging the frame on the wall across from my bed. Nails between my teeth, I took a step back, admiring my handiwor...
Some nights Lucas stayed late after closing to wrap up bar business. I couldn't risk taking the front door. As soon as Shadow came home I left my keys on the nightstand and shimmered us right beneath the window. Like a thief, I looked both ways, darting around the side of the building and crossing the parking lot. The bus stop was less than a mile away. I didn't look back.
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This time we would go as far south as the bus would take us, away from New York and away from Harbor Village - somewhere we could start over. Again.
This late at night, in such a small town, there was no one at else at the bus stop. I sat on the bench, Shadow at my feet, and with a lot more patience than me. I rubbed my knees, eager to put the Village behind me - and all the guilt I felt.
Adelle's right. I am a coward.
Shadow barked as if he agreed but his attention was focused on something else. He rose to his feet, paws spread in alert and hackles raised as he growled at whoever, whatever, lingered in the darkness ahead. A white wall of mist was rising, not unusual for a town on the sea, but something about it was pissing off Shadow.
"What is it, boy? Huh? What's out there?" I peered ahead, straining to see into the darkness. Giving up, I switched my backpack to my lap, digging through it to find my phone so I could use it as a flashlight. "C'mon-c'mon-c'mon, where are you?"
Shadow whined, straining against his leash, which slipped right through my busy hands. He took off, charging full speed at the danger ahead. "Shadow! No! Shadow, come back!" I grabbed my backpack and threw it over my shoulders, running after him into the mist. Damn dog.
I ran as far as I could, until the mist was so thick I couldn't see two feet ahead. Breathless with anger and fright, I stood on the spot, waiting, listening. He always came back to me. Always.
I put my fingers in my mouth and whistled. "Shadow! Here, boy!"
Nothing.
A horn sounded from the left. Stupid idiot--I had walked right into the road. I shimmered just as the car went barreling past, right into the oncoming path of a truck. My hands slapped the hood, the bumper nearly tapping my knees as I recovered from the heart attack. I had almost spoiled someone's 76' Dodge Warlock - which would have been preferable if I had actually died. Again. I would kill for that dog and I would die if I didn't find him.
"Sorry--I'm sorry! Sorry!" I raised my hands at the driver then backed off, determined to find my phone this time so I could get my ass out of the street and find my dog before someone hit him too.
Pulse racing, I could hardly breathe between the cotton mouth and the shakes. I heard the truck's door open and close behind me and heard the owner's footsteps.
I turned with a sigh, watching a shadow detach itself from the shadow of its truck. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to walk out in front of you--I'm just looking for my dog."
