Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
dani
The number of people working at the police station was minuscule.
The guy who showed up to Kole’s house the night before was the sheriff, and he worked with two other people who I hadn’t met yet.
The man I’d met in the front did most of the admin work and his name was Tristin.
He didn’t talk much, which was absolutely fine with me.
“See you tomorrow,” Natalie dismissed me when the clock hit four.
She didn’t look up from her desk, and I glanced at her a second longer than necessary, trying to figure her out.
Her demeanor was cold, and I wasn’t sure if she just didn’t like me or if she was like that to everyone.
Seeing as I was going to be with her five days a week, I was sure I’d find out.
“Um, about my pay,” I said hesitantly. “I received the debit card yesterday and was curious when I’d get paid.”
She stopped writing, finally turning her attention on me. “You get paid every week on Friday, but there should have been money put on the card to hold you over until the first payday. That’s what they do for all interns. You can check online.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, sitting back at my small desk, and logging back in on my computer.
I bounced my leg impatiently as the website loaded.
The internet here was dial up. The fact that this town didn’t have high speed internet or cell phone service made me feel like I was living in the past. Earlier in the day, I’d set up my account online but didn’t check the balance because I didn’t think there’d be any money yet.
Relief flooded through me when the page finally came up, and I saw a couple hundred dollars in my account. After how I’d been living the last few years, I felt rich as I stared at the screen.
“If you want to order things online, better do it soon,” Natalie said from behind me. “Once the snow starts falling, nothing comes into town.”
“Is it true there’s only one road leading out of town?” I asked, shutting down my computer.
“Yes, and it becomes impassable in the winter. The stores and residents know to stock up, so no need to worry about food shortages. As long as you’re good with buying frozen meat, then you’ll be fine.”
My chest constricted before I could stop myself. Even though my cage was larger here, the fact that I wouldn’t be able to leave this town in the winter had panic sweeping through me.
Out of one prison and into another.
I muttered a goodbye to Natalie before hurrying out of the room, taking long controlled breaths. If I saw myself as trapped, this year would drag on forever. I needed to see the positives and make the best of it. I had a job and money. Already better than where I was before I came here.
I passed Tristin on my way out, and he watched me leave but didn’t say a word. Stepping onto the sidewalk, I peered down the street, looking at the coffee shop I’d gone into yesterday. Having no desire to hurry home and deal with Kole’s crankiness, I quickly crossed the street and entered the shop.
The same girl was behind the counter, and this time, I ordered a large coffee and a hot sandwich.
I watched her make it, my body feeling lighter than it had in forever.
Having money to buy things made it easier to enjoy life, that was for sure.
The narrow counter was empty, and after getting my food, I made myself comfortable on one of the wooden stools.
I stared out the window in front of me, my instincts nagging me that something was off. The street was empty, and even though a few people were milling around on the sidewalk, it just seemed barren. Did people not like driving here?
“Hey, newbie.”
Someone plopped on the stool next to me, pulling me from my thoughts.
I turned my head, swallowing my bite of sandwich, to see a woman I recognized.
Her black hair was pulled into a ponytail, unlike how it was last night at the bar.
She gave me a wide smile, resting her elbow on the counter as she stared at me.
“Hi,” I said uncertainly. “You’re the bartender, right?”
“That’s me.” She took a sip of her iced coffee. “I’m Adella.”
“Dani,” I replied.
“You’re the girl who Kole fucked last night.”
My face flushed, my coffee nearly slipping from my grip. “I didn’t have sex with him. Did he tell you that?”
She laughed. “He didn’t have to say anything. I know him well enough. You really didn’t sleep with him?”
I shook my head. “No.”
She studied me, her grin never leaving her face. “But you two did do something.”
I didn’t respond, not enjoying her prying when I had no idea who the hell she was. I picked at my sandwich, taking another bite. She pressed her palm on the counter leaning closer to me.
“You should have done it. He’s one of the best fucks I’ve ever had,” she whispered before pulling away. “I’m still in shock he even talked to you. He doesn’t like interns.”
“I’m aware,” I mumbled, my heart racing as I met her gaze. “You’re not with him, are you—”
She waved her hand, and I caught a peek of her wrist tattoo. “No. Just friends who sometimes have sex. No strings, which is how we both like it. Feel free to go back for round two. He just started his shift if you want to go to the bar.”
“No,” I replied quickly. “He’s all yours.”
“Not mine to have,” she sang out as if this conversation was amusing her. “How old are you?”
She was blunt, and I couldn’t deny that even with the uncomfortable talk, I liked her. She didn’t seem like the type of person to deal with bullshit. She had the whole tough girl persona, but I had a feeling it wasn’t an act. She could handle herself.
“Thirty,” I answered, raising an eyebrow. “You?”
“Twenty-seven.” She drummed her fingers on the table. “Kole is thirty-three if you’re curious.”
“I’m not,” I stated firmly. “I have no interest in even talking to him again.”
She shrugged and I had a feeling she didn’t know I was living with him, because I was sure she would have brought it up. Grabbing her coffee, she stood up and began walking away.
“Unlike Kole, I like the interns,” she said, glancing at me over her shoulder. “It makes this town a little more fun when there’s new faces. I’m sure I’ll see you around, Dani.”
With those words, she left, leaving me alone with the barista. I finished my sandwich in a rush now that I knew the house was empty. Grabbing my purse, I hurried back outside, planning to change before I explored the town.
I was bundled in my thick jacket as I strolled down the side streets of Winterlake.
I’d walked nearly this entire town in just over an hour.
Except for the part that was gated off, securing a large warehouse.
There were no signs that showed what it was, though the barbed wire covering the top of the fence proved there was something important in there.
The few side streets were lined with small houses, and condos like mine.
All the stores were on the main street and one other road.
Other than Last Call, where Kole and Adella worked, there were no other bars.
The only clothing store was second hand.
There were two small grocery stores, and a library.
A gas station with one lone pump. A few other stores that every other town had, but here, everything was just on a smaller scale. Along with being run-down and dated.
Along the eastern side of town, there were mountains that looked like an impossible trek unless someone had days of provisions. Now I was on my way to see what was on the edge of the west side.
I veered off the road, following a trail that led into the woods.
It was already dark, but I bought a flashlight earlier and flicked it on once I got far enough that the streetlights were no help anymore.
Dried leaves crunched under my shoes as I delved deeper into the thick woods, keeping my light shining on the dirt path as I walked.
Soon, the trail widened, and I swept the light, seeing a large wooden bridge.
I slowly stepped onto the wooden planks, hearing the river rushing under me.
I pointed my flashlight over the edge, seeing the fast-moving water.
A shiver hit me when the wind blew, and I hurried across the bridge, wanting to see more before I got too cold.
Being out here by myself was freeing, and even though I couldn’t see much, I knew this would be my new favorite place.
It grew quiet the farther I got from the river, and I relished in the calm as I followed the path. Nature. Peace. Being alone. A smile played on my lips as I kept going until I heard a quiet crack from somewhere behind me.
My pace slowed, but I kept going forward, my ears straining to hear any other noises.
It could have been an animal which I’d welcome more than a person lurking in the dark.
Although, I was sure there were some animals in this forest that I should probably steer clear of.
A couple of minutes later, another noise came from behind me and to the left.
This time I had no doubt that it was footsteps.
Either human or a large animal. Spinning around, I shone the light through the trees, my heart pounding against my ribs.
“Who’s there?” I called out, keeping my voice hard.
Only silence met my question as I swept the light all around, not seeing anything.
My neck prickled as if eyes were on me, and I wished I had a weapon.
I hadn’t been able to bring one with me since I had to get on a plane to cross the country.
First thing after work tomorrow I’d have to scour the store for things to carry on me.
Not that it was going to help me right now.