Chapter Seven

“This is it, Jonathan, I’m telling you. I know this time I’ve got it,” Mom exclaimed as I walked into the kitchen, carrying a load of bags. Kayn followed with more bags, a dark brow arched as he glanced at Mom.

I’ve always wondered how people did that—raising a single brow. I’ve tried practicing the notion in the mirror once, but my brows refused to work it no matter how hard I tried.

Nearly tripping over a piece of curled up linoleum, I placed the groceries down on top of the nearest counter.

“That’s wonderful dear.” Dad shifted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, his eyes not lifting from the newspaper spread out before him. The article he was so absorbed in, was about murders that took place fifty years ago—according to the headline—which remained unsolved until this day.

There was no doubt in my mind that Dad was in sleuth mode, and planned to investigate the location it took place at some point.

“You’re back!” Mom spun around, grinning. “Carly, you need to see this.”

Mom rushed out of the kitchen, which I couldn’t help but notice had been cleaned, leaving us behind with Dad who has yet to acknowledge our presence.

“Where do I put this?” Kayn lifted the bags filled with books.

“Those go in my room—caravan,” I said. “You can just put them down there. I’ll carry them over.”

“These are heavy,” he responded.

“I can walk twice. Or three times, whatever.”

Mom re-entered the kitchen, carrying a stack of photos. “It would be great if you can carry it for Carly. I’m sure she’s just too shy to ask.”

Kayn smirked and I shot him a dry look.

Mom came to stand beside me, pressing her shoulder to mine, and held out a photograph inside her freshly manicured hands. “Tell me, what do you see?”

Kayn moved in on my other side, standing so close I could feel the heat emanating from his body. My cheeks grew warm and I forced my eyes to take in what Mom was showing me instead of gawking at him.

In front of me was a crystal clear image of a red-headed girl, nervously peering over her shoulder at the bottom of a cliff, the turquoise sea glimmering like polished crystals in the sun beneath it. She sat on a large rock, clusters of multicolored coral forming at its base.

It was one of those high-quality shots out of a fantasy shoot. Everything was vibrant with color and noteworthy to the eye. The scales of her tail and arms a kaleidoscope of color, and there was a slight, otherworldly shimmer to her porcelain skin.

“I’m not going to lie, but this was pretty well done,” I stated matter-of-factly. “Props to the photographer.”

“Where did you get this?” Kayn asked abruptly, pushing me out of the way to get a closer look. It wasn’t forceful, but it tugged at my nerves.

“Well, excuse me,” I scowled.

“This is from a very reliable friend,” Mom grinned, placing down the image to reveal the second one. This one was slightly blurry as if the person who took the picture moved as they snapped it.

The girl was now standing on the rock bending down, part of her fin melting away and revealing two feet.

Mom placed the photo down next to the other onto the table, revealing the third image of the girl walking toward the beach—completely naked with her back to the camera.

“Isn’t this from some movie or something?” I asked. “It sure looks the part.”

“No, this is the real deal, Carly. I’ve finally got solid proof to back up all the claims. Now, to catch one.”

I snorted louder than intended, turning toward the bags of books Kayn had carried inside. He didn’t move, looking like he was about to be sick. I’d be too if I ate two liters worth of ice cream by myself. That’s excluding all the chocolate sauce and sprinkles he asked for with his sundaes.

“What do you mean by catching one?” The tone Kayn used made me pause as I reached for the bags. There was a nervous edge to his voice as he spoke. “What are you going to do if you manage to capture one?”

“Good question.” Mom seemed impressed by Kayn’s response. “Well, my plan hasn’t taken off that far, but if they speak an intelligible language I would love to question it. To know where it originates from. Do they have a secret world, or if—”

“You’re wasting your time,” Kayn cut short. He snatched the photo from between Mom’s fingers and examined it, before throwing it onto the kitchen table. “You’re better off looking out for the Yeti. I’ve heard there’s been plenty of sightings.”

Mom appeared taken aback. “The Yeti? My dear, the Yeti has origins in the Himalayas. I strongly doubt he would wander into this side of Scotia. Come to think of it, it’s entirely unlikely.”

“I think he meant Bigfoot, Mom.”

Kayn glanced at me, frowning. “Yes, I mean the...that thing.”

“The brown furry creature, right?” I prodded. “Ember confused it with the white, furry one that vacates snowy places.”

“It’s not specific to snow lands per se. There have only been confirmed sightings in the

Himalayas,” Mom pointed out. She turned to look at Kayn. “Any locals you can refer me to, to confirm these sightings?”

Kayn took a step back, shifting his weight. “Yes. My grandfather has seen it.”

Mom’s face lit up. “He did? You think he would talk with me about it sometime?”

“I think I can persuade him,” Kayn smiled, but it seemed forced. “I can even take you to the area and show you myself where he had seen it. He took me there a few times to see if we can find it again.”

“I would love that,” Mom clapped her hands together. She snatched up the picture Kayn had dumped on top of the kitchen table and held it mid-air. “However, this comes first. I’ve already made some plans with my crew to search at the sea. But, I would like to take you on your offer sooner rather than later.” Mom leaned to her side to glance at me. “I think we’ve just landed on a gold mine!”

I made a low, deep-throated whimper that landed me a questioning look from Mom, but her face lit up like it was Christmas. “I have a few more calls to make. Kris, you’re welcome to join us for dinner later if you want. I’d love to hear more of your grandfather’s adventures.”

“Kayn,” he corrected. “I’d love to tell you more, but unfortunately I’ve already got other plans.”

“That’s a pity, but it’s no rush dear.” Mom hummed under her breath as she scooped up all the pictures and sashayed out of the room.

Kayn was staring at me.

“What?” I asked.

“She’s wasting her time.”

“You’re telling me that? Believe me, I’ve tried.” I picked up a bag. “What’s it with you and your family and Bigfoot? You can’t seriously believe he—it, is real.”

“I don’t, but my grandfather thinks it is. It should keep him and your mom busy from spinning other outlandish stories or beliefs. It’s a win-win for both of us.”

I thought about it for a moment. “You might be onto something here, but you should know my mom is persistent. If she doesn’t find anything soon she’ll trek us to another place.”

“Then I should amp it up and start convincing her and my grandfather to go on a Bigfoot scouting mission, as soon as possible, so she’d discover there is nothing around here to find.”

I sighed. “Yeah yeah, I got it the first, second, and hundredth time. You don’t want me here. Are you ever going to stop reminding me of that?”

“No.”

“You are such a joy, you know that?” I tried picking up all the bags and an “Oompf!” rushed past my lips. I dropped the bags back on the floor, sighing.

“I know I am,” he grinned as he slid past me and effortlessly picked up all the bags. “Lead the way.”

Dad coughed, making me jump. I forgot he was even in the room with us, still deeply focused on his newspaper.

I nodded toward the door.

It was already dark by the time we headed outside toward my caravan. I mistook the position of the steps, half-stumbling inside, knocking on the light switch simultaneously.

“Are you okay?” Kayn asked from behind me.

“Hoping I got a serious enough injury to succumb to it?”

I think he snorted. “I already told you it’s not like that.”

“Right.” I steadied myself, turning to find him already filling the doorway. I scooted out of the way and signaled toward my unmade bed, cringing at the sight of a massive, pink fluffy bunny lying beside my pillow.

It was a gift from my grandma when I was five, and I’ve kept it close by my side ever since her passing shortly after.

It brought me comfort no matter where I found myself in the world.

Kayn’s brows raised at the sight of it, but thankfully didn’t say anything as he placed the bags down on top of my bed. He poked at the bag of books. “You read a lot of horrors and true crime. My sister lives off her fantasy, paranormal and romance books. I thought all teenage girls read that. Not the scary stuff.”

“I don’t read about things I don’t believe in,” I said. “Ghosts, cryptids—especially fairies, vampires, and mermaids are a big no. Way too flashy and fake.”

If I wasn’t mistaken, he almost looked offended. “How are they too flashy?”

“Seriously? Shiny vampires? Though they still have hope, I think fairies and mermaids are the worst. People glamorize them way too much. Oh look, I have wings and a tail!” I rolled my eyes. “Sorry, I think my mom is the reason I started hating this stuff. It’s the reason my life has never been...Well, normal.”

“I see…” Kayn slowly nodded, frowning. He scanned the small space. “How do you sleep in here?”

“I’ve learned to adapt to my surroundings.”

He gave me an odd look. “Now we both know you’re lying.”

“Oh really?”

“I’ve seen how jumpy you are. You get startled by the smallest of things. So, that already tells me you’re on edge all the time,” he said. “My sister can’t stress enough how uncomfortable she’s with the idea of you sleeping out here on your own and she doesn’t scare easily. You, on the other hand…”

“I’m not scared of anything.” I stared at him for a moment. “She talks about me?”

“She doesn’t shut up about you. Look, she really likes you, so help me, if anything bad ever happens to my sister because of you.”

“Why would anything bad happen? Is this because of your...You know?” I hesitated, not sure if bringing up Kayn’s dead sister would be a good idea. I sighed. “Why can’t you just tell me the whole story? Maybe then I’d understand why you want me gone so badly and then I’d just leave. How about that?”

He crossed his arms. “Telling you would put you in even more danger than you already—” his eyes widened a few inches above my head, right before I heard the soft hiss.

At the same time as I turned my head to come face to face with a snake, Kayn leaped forward. It happened so fast I barely had time to process it. All I knew was that I had a snake inside my living space, its body coiled around the large handle of the cabinet above my stove.

I didn’t know if it was poisonous, as my knowledge of snakes was as good as knowing the difference between the brands of cars—and I can tell you I knew squat about cars.

Then the snake struck.

Or at least tried to, but in one swift movement, Kayn grabbed onto its head and jerked it from its hanging spot.

The snake squirmed restlessly as Kayn held it up, glancing from the reptile at me. He took a step forward, now standing so close that I could feel the heat emanating off of his body.

I swallowed nervously, only realizing then I was pressed with my back against the door of my shower, my palms pressed to my sides.

“Don’t scare easily, huh?” he whispered. “You are aware that an adder is Scotland’s only venomous reptile?”

I tried to shift my weight, but he was standing too close and would leave us in an extremely awkward, way too intimate position if I did. My lips trembled as I spoke “Lucky me.”

“There’s plenty of them in the water here. You should tell your mom not to go out on that big mission she’s planning,” he said. “There are worse things out there than these.”

“Always these warnings but you just don’t explain, do you?” My eyes traveled to his lips. I didn’t know why, but my body seemed to rebel against my mind each time I was around this idiot.

“Explanations will lead to inevitable death.”

“Always morbid, are we?”

“I would do anything to keep you safe.”

My eyes met his. Did I just hear him right? “You don’t even know me. Why would you care what happens to me?” I asked. “And how is making me miserable considered keeping me safe? Why can’t just you tell me? If you’re worried if I’d tell anyone, I swear I won’t. Especially if it could get everyone—” I cleared my throat to speak in a more dramatic tone “Killed.”

I was trying so hard not to focus on how close he was that I hadn’t realized he had moved even closer, the tips of our noses almost touching. He looked like he was in pain. “Carly…” his hand reached to cup the side of my face and I shivered, not because I was cold, but the effect his touch had on me.

I suddenly wanted nothing more than to move in to be closer to him.

“I want to tell you so badly...But I can’t. I can’t do that to you.”

“You have no idea how conflicted I feel right now.”

He half-smiled. “You’d be surprised how well I know that.”

A long moment passed as we stared at each other before he dipped closer, his lips inches from mine.

My eyes fluttered close, preparing for the kiss I knew was coming.

“What are you two doing?” A loud voice sounded from somewhere, making Kayn jerk away so fast as if he got burned.