3. Caitlin
Chapter Three
CAITLIN
I wake up super early the next day. Which is completely unlike me, since I’m usually a real night owl.
I’ve had weird dreams all night. Not nightmares exactly, but I have strange visions of Athan’s gorgeous face appearing out of the darkness.
Then I’m looking into a mirror where I’m wearing a witch’s hat and Justin appears over my shoulder juggling fiery bats.
It’s so ridiculous it’s almost funny, but once dawn breaks I’ve had enough of the strange dreams and get up to make some coffee.
I brought along some coffee from my apartment, but as I spoon it into the machine I take a closer look at the packet. It’s Justin’s gross decaffeinated roast that was at the back of the cupboard in my old apartment. I guess it will have to do for now, but I’ll need to make a coffee run later on.
I could get a headstart on my work for today, but instead I reach for my guitar.
It’s a comfort thing for me, I guess, since my Mom and I used to harmonize together, and it reminds me of her.
I have some videos up on YouTube and quite a few followers now, but it’s a hobby I have to fit in around paying the bills.
I pick out the chords to Because The Night by Patti Smith, giving it a softer feel. As I play, I’m reminded of the Lovers tarot card and, strangely, Athan’s face as he gave me the keys. I still have no idea what color his eyes are.
I have a couple of hours before work. My desire for a properly caffeinated beverage prompts an impulsive walk down to town. Wrapping my scarf into my puffy coat, I set out into the still slightly foggy streets. It’s an overcast day, clouds gathering in the sky and it looks like rain.
Without the cover of darkness, the town is less spooky and instead leans to quaintness, with a mixture of terraced houses, larger whiteboard houses and cute little shops.
Pumpkins are everywhere, from the intricately, professionally carved attention-grabbers to shrivelled ones haphazardly decorated by little kids with short attention spans.
Trying to get my bearings, I pause by one of the big whiteboard houses to check my cell phone map. I’m sure I’m pretty close to Dasher’s but in my hazy, uncaffeinated state, my navigation skills are sorely lacking.
“Survived the night, did you?”
I jump in surprise as a voice speaks up just behind me. I whip round and it’s one of the Howl sisters staring up at me with a fierce expression. She’s wearing the brightest orange wooly hat I’ve ever seen jammed down over her wild gray curls.
I laugh shakily. “Yes. Can you point me in the direction of Dasher’s?”
She points vaguely along the street and then inclines her bony hand to the left. She has acrylic fingernails decorated with smiley faces and rhinestones.
I open my mouth to say thanks but she interrupts. “I’m Sybil. I can see you’re wondering. Did you know you have the gift? You have witch blood.”
I close my mouth with a little pop, like a goldfish in reverse. “Uh...my grandma liked to think so but there aren’t such things as witches. Just people who like to dress up as them at Halloween.” Here I go again, having yet another weird conversation.
“You’re wrong. But it will be hard for you to believe. Believe you must, since it can save the Lovers.” She shakes her head emphatically.
This is getting weirder. “Um, okay. Nice to meet you again. I need to get some coffee.”
These spooky old ladies are really starting to freak me out. How did she know about the Lovers card? Maybe coming here was a mistake. I’ve already been attacked by a bat and told I’m a witch. Even for someone with bad luck, this is a little too much.
As I turn the corner Dasher’s coffee shop with its candy cane striped awning comes into view. Once I have a venti pumpkin spice latte in my hand, everything’s more normal. As I’m leaving to go back home Natalie walks up in the company of a pretty, sporty-looking woman.
She smiles. “Hey Caitlin! How are you? This is my cousin Alexis.”
I smile back. “Pleased to meet you, Alexis. I’m all settled in now. I did get strafed by a bat, though. Perfect for Halloween week.”
Natalie laughs. “My bad - I should have warned you they do come down from the mountains sometimes. Usually they stay away from the houses.”
“It’s okay. My neighbor Athan stepped in. We didn’t really talk though.” I don’t mention that I spent the night dreaming about him.
“Oh, the Parviem family are pretty reclusive. I’m surprised you saw him.
No one’s seen his Dad in years, but I think that’s because he’s sick.
There was a terrible tragedy many years ago - the biggest storm in fifty years the old timers called it - and their house was struck by lightning and his Mom died. ” She looks over at Alexis, who nods.
“It’s awful. I don’t think the family was ever the same. My Mom says everybody tried to help out, but they just wanted to be left alone. I guess you have to respect people when they want their own space,” Alexis says.
“That’s so sad. Well, I’ll give them their privacy. I’m usually working hard or practising.” I take a sip of my latte. It’s delicious and there’s a buzz as the caffeine starts to hit my system.
Natalie’s eyebrows shoot up. “Of course, your music. Why didn’t I think of that?
Alexis and I were just talking about performers and I mentioned you.
Her father-in-law, Magnus Huckle, is holding an art exhibition at Pine Lodge tomorrow and the guest singer has dropped out.
So he’s looking for someone to perform a couple of songs. Would you be interested?”
Alexis is smiling and nodding at me as if she’s willing me to agree. I laugh. “How can I say no to that? It will just be me and my guitar, though. Mr. Huckle can check out my stuff on YouTube if he wants a preview.”
Alexis pats my shoulder. “That’s great, Caitlin. You’ve saved the day. Magnus has been planning this for a while and he was disappointed when the performer couldn’t make it. I’ll give all the details to Natalie and she can text you. Try not to break a leg or get food poisoning before tomorrow.”
I laugh again. “I’ll try.”
As I start walking up the hill I wonder what I’ve got myself into.
My Mom always used to say the best way to make friends in a new place is to say yes to everything.
But performing in front of a crowd of strangers; now that’s impulsive.
What if they hate it? And then I have to hide from everyone in town for the rest of my life?
As I round the corner to Sleekton Drive, a huge crow stares ominously at me from the mailbox.
First bats, now crows. This spooky street doesn’t need any decorations.
As I pass by Athan’s house, the door opens and he walks out to the mailbox. The crow does a happy little hopping dance when it sees him. I want to do one too, but instead I raise my hand.
He raises his hand back and walks up to meet me.
“I see you’ve encountered Mr. Ren.” He nods at the crow. I swear the crow nods back.
“Mr. Ren?” It’s not the smartest reply but I’m stumped.
“Yes, he’s a member of our family. His nest fell out of the tree and so we adopted him. You might see him around. He’s probably curious about you.” He smiles. “I am too.”
A little thrill runs from the back of my heels up to the crown of my head. Again, I’m not sure what to say. And I don’t know if giving too much away is a good idea. But seeing as I’ve just agreed to perform at some kind of big town event tomorrow, I throw caution to the wind.
“I’ve moved here from the city. New start kind of thing.
I work from home so it’s easy for me to pack up and leave.
Most of my clients are on the West Coast so I’m usually up pretty late.
” I gaze up at his eyes. They are an unusual dark emerald green shade with long dark lashes.
His cheekbones are ridiculously sculpted and his lips are full.
For a second I imagine kissing them before dragging my mind back to our conversation.
“What is it that you do?” Athan’s deep voice has an unfamiliar, slightly formal cadence. It’s like he’s used to keeping his thoughts in tight check and being polite at the same time.
“I help people organize their businesses; sort of part counsellor and part PA. I started doing it to support myself when I was at music college.” I smile up at him. It’s hard to keep concentrating when he’s looking at me like that.
“Oh, you’re a musician?” His dark eyebrows raise as he inclines his head, interested.
“I sing, and play guitar. Covers mostly, but some of my own stuff. I’m playing at the Pine Lodge event tomorrow, apparently. I just got roped into it outside the local coffee place.” I’m not sure why I’m telling him this. Maybe a part of me hopes he’s going too.
He smiles and looks like he’s going to say something, but a delivery van pulls up outside my house and a guy in a neon vest gets out and starts walking up the path. The crow eyes the delivery guy intently, almost like a guard dog.
“Nice to speak to you, Athan.” I jog back over to my place, trying not to spill any coffee.
He waves at me and the crow does a little hop.
I sign for the package and take it inside. Seeing Athan again has made my day much better.
If it’s all possible, he’s even more gorgeous in daylight.
Almost unbelievably handsome, like a movie star or something from a painting.
I’m annoyed our conversation was interrupted, but maybe it’s good I didn’t embarrass myself.
But I don’t know anything more about him and he was the one asking all the questions.
Which of course makes me even more curious.
I set the large rectangular box on the table. I haven’t ordered anything. It’s well wrapped and I tear it open, sipping my coffee as I go.
Inside are a bouquet of dead red roses. They’re so decayed that the flowers are almost black. Some of the flowers have been ripped apart so the petals are strewn around the box.
I recoil in horror. Someone is trying to freak me out. It has to be Justin.
Suddenly I doubt myself coming to this small town. Athan might be impossibly good looking but what if he’s a psycho? What if these are from him? I’m alone up here and vulnerable.
This lovely new start in a cute small town doesn’t feel very safe anymore.