Chapter Eight

“The old man is looking for you. He said he’s—” Ember’s eyes widened when she saw what Kayn was holding inside his hand. “Oh. My. Word. Carly, are you okay?”

I raised my hands to rub my bare arms, suddenly freezing now that Kayn’s heat was gone.

“I’m okay, thanks to him.” It was then when it dawned on me that Kayn was holding the snake. I gasped, glancing at him. “Are you insane?”

A dark brow arched. “Took you long enough.”

Ember’s eyes bounced between us. “What were you doing?”

“Nothing.” Kayn turned around to face his sister, holding up the snake who seemed to give in to defeat, or…

“Is it dead?” I gasped.

“Probably sleeping,” he murmured, signaling his sister to move.

“Don’t tell me you killed it,” I cried out. “You did, didn’t you?”

He glanced over his shoulder. “You’d rather have it bit you?”

“No,” I swallowed. “But it was probably just scared. You could have taken it outside and set it free, or something.”

“So it would come back in here?” Kayn glanced up at the roof. “You should search this thing. There might be a nest somewhere.”

I blanched. “No way.”

“Your choice. Or, you could wait until one day you wake up and find one on the pillow next to you, but then it would be too late, wouldn’t it?”

“Do you really need to scare her like that?” Ember snapped, moving out of the way so Kayn could go outside. She turned toward me. “I’m sorry, he’s just merciless.”

I shrugged. “Guess it could have been worse.” Like the snake could have bitten me—and now I couldn’t get the idea out of my head that there might be a nest somewhere. “Exactly how poisonous are they?”

“Adders are pretty common around here,” she said. “But lucky for us, you’d only end up with a nasty, inflamed rash and get sick. But you’ll survive. It’s not deadly.”

“Your brother made it sound like...You even made it sound like snakes around here are deadly.”

Ember’s eyes narrowed and she had a guilty expression. “Yeah, I know.”

“Is there something you are hiding from me too?”

She released a deep sigh. “I promise I’ll never lie to you, but there are a few things I can’t tell you. I’m sorry, Carly.”

I slowly nodded.

“So, uh.” She peered over her shoulder outside, before turning back to face me. “Did my brother just try to kiss you?”

My cheeks grew hot. “I’m not sure.”

“Oookay.” She gave me a sideways look. “It’s so not what I expected from him.”

I had no idea what to say to that, shifting awkwardly.

“I heard Kayn was forced to be your chaperone for the day.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Believe it or not, he survived and scored some ice-cream too.”

“I hope he wasn’t too much of an asshat to you?”

“He was okay, for the most part. Just weird,” I said. “Threatened a guy named Rake for coming near me.”

“Oh no,” her eyes widened. “Rake saw you together?”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“I, uh—” Ember peered outside again. “Carly, I need to go. I’m sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow okay?”

“Sure. See you.” I watched as she bolted outside, leaving me glancing nervously around the caravan, wondering where there could be a hidden snake nest.

And I couldn’t stop thinking of how close Kayn was to kiss me.

***

The following morning I woke up next to Mom reading a magazine and sipping on a steaming cup of coffee. “Morning honey, slept okay?”

I stretched my arms before sitting up, taking a moment to absorb where I was. After being scared by Kayn’s snake nest story, I decided for the better to sleep on my parents’ bed.

Dad was out on a ghost hunt mission at a hotel in Bowmore, so thankfully Mom didn’t protest when I asked if I could sleep in here.

When I told her about the snake incident she panicked and wanted to phone dad to come home. I managed to calm her.

Mom may be into cryptids, but nothing scared her more than a snake.

It had something to do with when she was a kid but refused to relay the story to me.

“Yeah,” I yawned, stretching for a second time.

“I’m having someone come over to do a thorough search inside and around the house for any snakes or nests. The caravan too. I’ve got some money on the counter in the kitchen, the one by the kettle. Take it then go to town and do something fun, okay? I think it would be safer if you weren’t here when they’re poking for snakes.”

I wasn’t going to say no to an opportunity to get away from here. I smiled. “Sure, I’d like that. Thanks, Mom.”

“If I could I would have gone with you, but I need to stay here and oversee everything.”

“I know, don’t worry about it.”

“I just feel bad, you know?” Mom gave me a sad look.“I know I’ve been neglecting you. But I promise I’ll make it up soon.”

I smiled. “Mom, seriously, it’s okay. I know you have a lot of work to do and I’m a teenager, remember? We prefer solitary spaces without adults.”

“Normal teenagers like chaos, without adults,” Mom corrected with a sly smile.

“Guess I’ve missed the boat by far when it comes to normal.”

“And I’m so grateful for that.” Mom gave me a side hug before I got up from the bed. “Have fun and be safe, please.”

“I will.”

“Love you, honey.”

“Love you too, Mom.”

I was dressed and out the door in half an hour, walking up the dirt road to take the raft into town. This was something that would take some time for me to get used to.

Taking a boat to get into town. To school. To anywhere, for that matter.

Thunder crackled in the distance, but there wasn’t a wind and I was confident I would make it to Bowmore before the rain would hit.

The short boat ride was a bit awkward with a strange man and without anyone I knew to talk to. I’ve seen him countless times before, but never alone. He kept smiling at me and talked about how much he loved Scotland and even suggested a few tourist attractions I should visit.

Those included haunted castles and Loch Lomond.

Ha, the irony.

I politely smiled and thanked him when we finally reached Bowmore, lying through my teeth when I said I would check out those places sometime.

I passed stacks of water-stained crates smelling suspiciously like the inside of an ashtray. Just then a middle-aged lady rounded the corner, peering in behind. “What the hell do ya think ya kids are doin’over here!”

Three heads of boys around the age of twelve popped up from behind the crates, one quickly disposing of a lit cigarette onto the street—not without the lady noticing.

I bit down my smile, making a turn for the first street as the woman voiced her anger. I scouted outdoor vendors, popping into a few stores here and there, and passed Martha sitting on her bench people watching.

Her basket topped with balls of yarn was left untouched beside her, and I noted she wasn’t wearing any shoes. I wondered if it was by choice, or if she had any.

Trying not to be rude by staring, I glanced the other way and headed toward another vendor selling jewelry and trinkets.

“Girl?” I heard a soft voice call out.

I turned, glancing around to figure out the source, until I noted Martha was waving at me.

“Yes, you there,” she beamed. “Come here, would you?”

I hesitated. “Me?”

She nodded. “Yes. Come here, dear.”

I smiled nervously at the lady standing behind the jewelry vendor before turning and headed toward Martha.

She patted the empty space beside her, signalling me to sit down.

I slowly sat, uncertain, and waited for her to speak first.

“What a lovely day, isn’t it?” she leaned to her side and smiled, giving me once over.

“If you enjoy the rain, then yes, it’s okay.”

“You don’t like the rain, dear?” she looked taken aback. “Ah, your one of those girls who like to catch a tan beside a swimming pool?”

“No, not really,” I shook my head. “I like swimming, but not baking in the sun.”

“Ah, a fickle one you are then,” she laughed. “But certainly a beauty by that.”

Again, I had no idea what to say. Did she sort of insult and compliment me at the same time? I had no idea, but I kept smiling until my jaw started to hurt.

“I presume you have heard of my darling husband disappearing to the sea?” she took my hand in hers and held it.

There was comfort in the gesture, but I wasn’t sure why. I didn’t even know her.

I nodded slowly. “Yes.”

“It’s alright dear, you don’t have to stress over the thoughts of this old ghoul. I know the townsfolk talks.” She squeezed my hand. “I’ve seen you with dear, sweet Kayn. Such a lovely boy.”

I snorted way too loud. When Martha gave me a questioning look, I quickly used my free hand to rub my nose. “Sorry. I struggle with allergies.”

“The cord has already formed between the two of you, love.”

“I’m sorry, come again?”

“You have the bond.”

“Oh, no,” I laughed nervously. “No. It's nothing like that. We are...uh, just neighbors.”

“My darling Hector and I have it. But then he had no choice but to leave.” She looked me dead in the face. “He will come back, I know he will.”

I stiffened. How many Hector’s were there in this part of the world? What were the odds?

“I’m sorry, I was told he was a fisherman and got lost at sea?”

She waved her free hand, clicking her tongue. “Don’t believe that nonsense. No one wants to hear the truth even if it kicks them in the shins. But dear, he has always belonged to the sea.” She took her free hand and pressed it to her chest, “And to my heart.”

“Do...Do you have any children?” I asked. “Do they ever visit you?”

“That’s the funny thing, dear. I don’t remember.”

I blinked. “What do you mean? You forgot?”

“No. My memory seemed to have left me, just like this. Poof,” she waved a hand in front of her forehead.

“How do you know Kayn?” I asked.

“Ah, the sweet boy,” her smile broadened. “He, his darling sister and mother visits me frequently and brings me gifts. Sometimes, he sits with me to enjoy some ice-cream. Do you like ice-cream, dear?”

“I see,” I nodded. “Uh, yeah I love ice-cream.”

“Someday, my love will return and we will enjoy one together. I can’t wait!” The joyous expression on her face told me she believed to the core that it was something that would happen—that he would return. “You and that boy should have ice-cream together. It’s an extraordinary experience.”

I flushed, not sure why, but the way she said it sounded almost scandalous—as if she wasn’t referring to actual ice-cream.

I glanced up as a group of teenagers passed us, noting a dark head shooting back from behind  the stationary store across the street.

“You have to be kidding me.” I got up from the bench, carefully removing Martha’s hand from mine. “I’m sorry but I have to go.”

“I understand dear.” Martha nodded, smiling. “You come visit me again. All right?”

“Sure,” I smiled faintly, turning toward the building where I saw him.

“Dear?” Martha called out. “Be careful. Not all of his kind is good. The others are keeping a close eye.”

I hesitated, peering back at where she sat, but she was gone. I scanned the streets, finding no sign of her.

Oookay.

With a frown I turned and cornered the building, only to be met up with an older blonde lady sweeping the pavement. “Looking for something?” she coughed, wiping her forehead with her free hand.

“Was there just a boy here? Around my age, black hair and—”

“The handsome looking fella?” she pointed down the street. “Yes, he headed that way.”

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Thanks.”