Chapter One Excerpt
The night air is cold, but not frigid.
My teeth clench, pressing together futilely as if they’re
trying to retain some of my body’s warmth.
It’s only a 30-minute walk, but I left my sweater
behind at the party. I hadn’t planned to leave so abruptly.
Sighing heavily, I watch my breath crystallize in front
of me. It spreads outward, then vanishes. In a way, it’s
beautiful. It sparkles in the icy darkness.
She pushed me past my breaking point, though my
tolerance is low. I don’t like being called out, forced out of
my comfort zone. Wendy is usually sensitive to this, but
when she’s been drinking, she gets confrontational.
I know she means well, but I’m not exactly what
others call ‘open-minded.’
Walking home is probably for the best; she shouldn’t
be driving anyway.
I cross my arms, wishing I had my sweater. At least I
had the good sense not to wear heels tonight. My footsteps
are nearly silent on the dark country road.
Looking up, I’m grateful there’s a moon, and I’m not
relying on my cell phone flashlight to see.
I’m not afraid of the dark, but I’m scared of what
lurks inside it. Not werewolves or vampires, but people.
There are very few I trust.
Wendy is one of the rare people who have breached
the high walls of protection I’ve built around myself.
Tonight is an exception, and I feel more alone than
ever.
The bare trees lining the road rustle in the slight
breeze. I hug myself a little tighter, trying to stay warm.
Damn it, why did I let Wendy drag me to Megan’s
house? It’s much further outside of town than I want to
walk in late fall, especially in the dark.
I could be home right now in my sweats, curled up on
the couch with my dog, Maisie, and a glass of wine.
I see the headlights long before I hear the car pulling
up behind me. The beams distort my shadow, stretching it
in front of me like a ghost from my past.
I whip around, my long hair flying across my face.
After shoving it back behind my ear, I clench my fists.
I’m still angry, ready to tell Wendy she has no
business driving and to go home.
I freeze, realizing I don’t know the approaching
vehicle, and with the bright lights, I can’t see the driver.
I begin to sweat, despite the cold.
I don’t like surprises.
The car rolls up beside me, a black sedan. I don’t
immediately recognize the woman driving.
“Hey, need a ride?” she says.
I look at her curiously, and she leans across the seat.
She’s opening the passenger door. As she bends forward,
the moonlight spills over her face.
I think I’ve seen her before, but I can’t place her.
As if sensing my hesitation, she says, “I’m Mina. I
don’t think we’ve ever actually met, but I’m a friend of
Megan’s. You shouldn’t walk all the way back to town in
November. You don’t even have a jacket.”
Looking ahead at the long, dark road home, I shiver.
Am I really considering accepting a ride from a stranger?
Glancing back at her, I realize how cold and exposed
I am.
Is this really a good idea?
It goes against every instinct I have, but I silence the
alarm going off in my head.