Withering Starlight

7. Wicked Games

                                                 Chapter 7
                                            Wicked Games

Eve didn't want to go back to her apartment so she walked alone through Marrowvale. When the darkening sky began to rain flakes of snow she did nothing to shield herself except tuck her hands into her jean pockets.

How was it possible that Sydney had been a normal, happy girl only a couple days ago? How had she lost her mind – and her sight – so quickly?

“Eve?”

She turned around at the sound of her name to realize that the random stranger she'd just walked past was Raffe. He was leaning against the building behind him, a cigarette between his lips, smoke curling in the air. He took it out when he saw that it was her and straightened up.

“What are you doing?” he asked, walking over. He took notice of her t-shirt and jeans. “You're going to freeze.”

She glanced down at her arms. Goosebumps were raised all over her skin.

“Here,” Raffe stuck the cigarette back between his lips and shrugged off his jacket, holding it out for her to slip her arms into. She did so and was immediately enveloped by his comforting cedar scent and warmth. She wrapped herself up in the too-big jacket, embracing it.

“Me?” she asked, reverting back to his original question. “What are you doing?”

He inclined his head to the bar behind him, the sign in the window reading BLUE MOON in the same burning, electric colour.

“Supporting Midnight Idiots.” he said.

The members of the band Midnight Idiots consisted of Joel, Mik, and Tanner – three of Raffe's closest friends, ones he'd had since high school. Beyond the front door of the Blue Moon, Eve could hear the sound of Mik's guitar, Tanner's drums, and Joel's booming voice filling the place up.

“Much of a crowd?” she asked.

“Oh yeah.” Raffe said sarcastically. He dropped his cigarette and put it out with the toe of his shoe even though it was only half done, then smirked at her. “All of Marrowvale has gathered for the wonders of the Idiots.”

That brought a smile to her face.

“Hey, are you alright?” he asked her. “Do you wanna come in for a bit? Warm up?”

She shrugged. “Not old enough. I was just gonna go home anyway.”

“Well, I'll walk you.” he offered.

“What about the band?”

“They'll survive without me.” he said.

So Eve turned and began to walk down the pavement. A second later, Raffe came up beside her, his tall form a reassurance beside her in the cold.

“Do you want to work tomorrow morning?”

She hadn't expected the first thing for him to ask her to be about her job. She agreed anyway. She never minded taking a shift at Ink Drop. It was a nice place, practically a second home to her while literally being a first to Raffe. He lived in an apartment above the shop.

“I heard they found that missing girl.” he said, breaking open a new subject less trivial then the first.

She nodded. “Cal and I spotted her by chance in an alleyway not far from my apartment.”

“Wait – you and Calla found her?” he asked and she confirmed it with another nod. “Are you okay? I heard she wasn't in the best condition.”