1. Caitlin #2
“Yes, although everyone goes crazy at Halloween so… prepare yourself for more pumpkins than you’ve ever seen in your life.
Our mayor, Mr. Montag, judges not only the best-carved pumpkin but also the scariest decorations.
So a lot of houses go all out - lights, moving figures, you name it.
It’s a waste of plastic if you ask me, but it gives a lot of people happiness.
” She looks up as a tall, handsome man walking hand in hand with a girl of about six waves from outside the window.
She stands up and tucks her scarf into her coat.
“You’ll excuse me Caitlin, there are Lucas and Willow.
Here are the keys - any problems just give me a call.
Sleekton Drive is a little way out from here, but stop and ask anyone if you get lost, or call me!
I’ll drop by and check in on you in a couple of days, if that’s okay. ”
“Of course, I’d be glad of the company. Lovely to meet you.” I wave as she walks out. Although the sun has set, I can’t resist picking up a coffee. It might be late in the day but I’m going to need the caffeine to help get myself unpacked and settled in.
The Howl sisters are still outside, even though it’s nearly completely dark. I’m starting to freak myself out and I just need to engage with them like normal people.
“Hi, could you tell me the best way to get to Sleekton Drive?” I’m pretty sure I can puzzle out the way, but I just want a normal conversation with this strange trio to get my head back to earth.
There’s a scraping sound as Elena Howl stands up slowly, pushing her chair back. As if in slow motion, her two sisters follow. They’re all nearly the same height - maybe five feet - although their wild curls add at least six inches.
Elena’s voice is uncomfortably loud. Her eyes are a pale green color, incongruous in her wrinkled face. They look like the eyes of someone far younger. “You must not go to Sleekton Drive. It is unsafe.”
I try to rescue this desperate situation with a joke. “Well, I’m a dangerous lady. I like life on the edge. What direction should I head?”
“No! Caitlin, you must not go there. It is filled with danger.” Her sisters shake their curls in agreement.
Enough is enough. “Well, thank you for the warning. See you later.”
I march away before she has time to grab my wrist again. Once I’m in my car a little chill runs up my spine. How did she know my name? Did Natalie tell everyone who I am? So much for making a new start. I’m annoyed and a little worried that Justin might be able to find me now.
Driving through the streets, the cold wind has abated and there’s a low fog covering the streets.
Natalie was right about everyone going to town on the decorations; there are a few houses with full-on horror movie reenactments, including a really creepy model of Michael Myers from Halloween, a whole house decorated to look like it’s a huge pumpkin and another with hundreds of glittery ghosts decorating the porch.
Sleekton Drive is near the outskirts of town, up a hill where the houses start to thin out. The architecture is older and the houses are grander, with big yards and well-kept trees. There are still decorations here but they’re more considered, rather than the cobweb extravaganza nearer the center.
As I turn onto the street a black cat slinks across the road.
Perfect. I can never remember whether that’s lucky or unlucky.
I pass a huge, completely dark house devoid of decorations before pulling up at number 66 at the end of the drive.
I smile at the number. At least it’s lacking one more digit. That would be beyond creepy.
The apartment is set above a workshop. Natalie explained her uncle used to use this property for his woodworking business.
No one had lived in the apartment for years, but after she inherited it, she and Lucas redid it to install modern appliances.
I hope everything works properly. The last thing I need right now is to not be able to have a bath.
I make several runs from the car to bring my suitcases and my guitar case in.
Just lifting the case out of the car brings with it a wave of sadness.
My Mom would have been excited by my move to Snowflake Falls.
She always had a dream to get out of the big city and live in the countryside.
Dad could have had his own vegetable patch.
In a town like this, he’d be growing pumpkins and carving them with his pocket knife.
My sadness turns into anger. They should still be here.
And it just isn’t fair that they’re gone.
I shake my head to collect my thoughts. I just need to put one foot in front of the other and get inside. Most of my stuff is already here, and thanks to Natalie and her team of helpers it should all be upstairs. The outside is dark and I try to use my phone torch to get the key in the lock.
A whoop and a swoosh from overhead startles me.
I’m being dive bombed by some sort of small creature with unnaturally bright eyes.
I scream as it flaps by my face.
What is it? My adrenaline spikes and my heart is beating so loudly in my ears that it blocks out everything else. I want to curl up in a ball and cry.
Instead I flap my hands around my head, trying to frighten it off. My flailing hands send the keys flying from my hand out into the darkness.
Shit.
Something even bigger swoops down, beating air against my face with its huge wings and then suddenly the air is still. I need to get the keys before whatever the hell that was comes back. A bird?
I run into the direction I sent the keys. Out of the fog a very tall, muscular figure emerges. His hair is dark and he’s wearing a black leather jacket over jeans. He is, without doubt, the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen in my life.
I skid to a stop, trying not to run into him. I’m on high alert at the first sight of a man, because a part of me is always looking over my shoulder for Justin. But added to that is a strange sensation, like I’d just follow him wherever he said. And that’s a dangerous way to feel.
“Your keys?” His voice is deep as he dangles the keys from the finger of one big hand.
I swallow. In the darkness I can’t quite see his eyes. “Um, yes. Something attacked me.”
“A bat, most likely. They nest in the mountains but fly down after dark. They’re harmless, mostly.” He holds out the keys. “I’m Athan. I live in the house next door.” He points at the dark house to the right.
“Oh. Okay. I’m Caitlin. I’m moving in. Sorry for the disturbance.” I smile. This whole situation is ridiculous. I’m still staring at him and I’ve forgotten to take the keys from his outstretched hand. I reach forward and he drops them into my palm.
“A pleasure to meet you Caitlin. Let me know if there’s anything I can do. I would keep your window shut in case your bat friend decides to pay another visit.” He smiles. He has the most perfect teeth I’ve ever seen, shiny and white.
I need to stop staring at him. “Thanks, Athan. See you later.”
I turn around and walk back to my front door. I get the keys in the lock easily this time and hurriedly move my suitcases inside.
Once I’m in, I double lock the door and lean on it.
This has been one hell of a weird day.
And who was that incredible guy?
I need a bath.