Freeks(55)

Still, a warmth grew in my chest and butterflies filled my stomach at the thought of actually calling Gabe my boyfriend.

“Why don’t you go make yourself useful and get me a drink?” Selena suggested to Logan, who’d just stared sullenly at her since her outburst.

“Fine,” Logan agreed.

He tried to take the umbrella with him, but Selena snatched it from him, so he pulled his jacket over his well-manicured blond hair as he walked into the rain. He muttered something under his breath that I couldn’t hear, but it caused Selena to narrow her eyes at him.

“I’m sorry about Logan,” Selena said, still glaring after him. “He’s a grump sometimes.”

“Yeah, I figured that,” I said, since I didn’t know Selena well enough to ask her what she saw in Logan or why she was dating someone who was so obviously a massive jerk, when she seemed so nice.

She turned her attention back to me, giving me a sympathetic smile. “So everything is okay? I hadn’t heard anything about the animal attack.”

“I think everything’s okay now.”

“Good.” She nodded, then repeated it to herself again. “Good.” A bright smile returned to her face. “I just thought I’d say hi and see how you were doing. I wanted to get to know the girl that has so totally captured my brother’s attention and his affection.”

I smiled because I couldn’t help myself, and my cheeks warmed with embarrassment. Unsure of how else to respond, I lamely replied with, “I like your brother too.”

“He told me that you’re leaving on Sunday,” Selena said. “Have you thought about staying?”

“I … um, I…” I stammered, unable to tell her what I was really thinking.

I’d love to have a home base somewhere, with a house that isn’t on wheels, and I’d love to see Gabe every day, not just for this week but the week after that and the week after that.

But there was no way that I could stay in a town like Caudry. It felt small and claustrophobic, with people like Logan, who knew everybody’s business and looked down on them for it.

And that was without even getting into the supernatural issues with the Nukoabok Swamp and purple fireflies and the creature that stalked our camp.

On Sunday, regardless of how I felt about Gabe, I would be leaving Caudry forever.

“Sorry, I’m being nosy,” Selena said quickly, apparently noticing the distress in my expression. “That’s something you should talk about with Gabe, not me.”

“It’s okay,” I told her, and forced a smile.

“Anyway, I should go find Logan before he gets himself into trouble.” Selena glanced around, looking for her boyfriend.

“It was nice seeing you again,” I said.

“You too.” She started walking away, but then she paused and turned back to me. “And, Mara, if you have any more problems with that animal, you should let Gabe know. I’m sure he’d love to help you, if he can.”

“Thanks,” I said, but something about her expression felt very strange.

In fact, the whole day had felt off and strange, like the uncomfortable stillness before a storm hits, and I realized that I didn’t want to be at the carnival a moment longer.





33. lusus naturae

I was soaked through by the time I reached Gabe’s. As I’d walked up the cobblestone driveway toward his house, the branches from the willow trees seemed to be reaching out for me.

Despite the warmth of the air, I felt a chill run through me as I walked up his steps. I took the heavy iron knocker in my hands and stared up at the white mansion that loomed over me.

The appearance of the antebellum architecture meant it was most likely hundreds of years old. There had to have been so much that happened inside the walls of the house. So much life, and so much death.

And then I heard it, the voice from my nightmares, coming from inside my head. The old woman screaming shrilly, “id-hab-bee-in-who-nah!”

The front door opened, and I stumbled as I took a step back. A hand reached out, steadying me, and as Gabe helped me up, I realized with some dismay that I didn’t remember knocking. I took the knocker in my hands, but the house had distracted me before I could do anything more.

“Mara?” Gabe asked, holding my arm warmly in his strong hands. “Is everything okay? I thought I wasn’t picking you up for another two hours?”

“No, you’re right. I just … I wanted to see you.” I tried to smile, but everything felt off, like I was just waking up from a dream I couldn’t remember.

I stared at his crimson-red front door and the cast-iron door knocker.

“How did you know I was here?” I asked, and looked up at Gabe.

“I thought I heard someone outside,” he replied vaguely. “You’re soaking wet. Why don’t you come inside and dry off?”

I followed him into his house, trying to shake off the increasing chill growing in my chest. The last time I’d been here had been in the middle of Selena’s party, and I’d been doing my best to take in the full beauty and opulence of the mansion by stealing glances around party guests.

“I’ll grab you a towel,” Gabe offered, leaving me to stand dripping water onto the hardwood floor.

Gabe returned a moment later and draped a thick fluffy towel around my shoulders before handing me another for my hair.