Page 102 of Locke 2

I poked my head up, catching a large body standing before the counter. His hood was up, and raindrops were running off the sleeves of his green trench coat. A green trench coat that I recognized from those photos in the doctor’s office.

Oh, no.

The cashier looked up from his riveting book. “Oh, hey, Nick. Yeah, man, aisle four.”

Shit. What aisle was I? I didn’t have time to check as he spun around in my direction. I dropped down to a crouch and shakily grabbed at a bunch of chargers as footsteps pounded my way. Istared intently at one charger that promised fast charge. Even as I was crouched there, terrified, I thought of Jem’s snarky jibe when he saw it.

The steps stopped behind me. A shadow fell over me. I went totally still, holding my breath to make no sound, wondering if he took notice of me. But why would he? My hood was up, and my jacket made me look like I was an elephant.

It’s fine, I told myself. Even if he noticed me, who cares? He was probably innocent, and I was all wrong about him, but knowing what I knew already, I felt cold.

He didn’t rummage for long. Within a minute, he was back at the counter.

“Glad to see you back so soon,” chirped the cashier. “Getting the most out of hunting season? How’d you slip past Jeannette?”

“She’s not into hunting.”

“Haven’t even met her yet.”

“She’s not fond of cabin life.”

My legs burned from my crouching position.

“Guessing from the size of these snares you’re not hunting big this time,” the cashier mused. How well did they know each other? Dude sounded like he was family. And Nick was such a liar because he said he hadn’t even gone up to the cabin in a while.

“I’m hunting for all game,” Nick returned, casually.

“Sick,” the cashier replied. “Anything else you need?”

“Just the gas and the snares, buddy.”

He didn’t sound evil. Nick actually seemed super happy. His tone was friendly. I sort of felt guilty for presuming he had a child locked up somewhere in his cabin.

“That’s stupid,” Aurora whispered. She was crouched beside me also, wearing a giant white coat over her blue dress. “Locke said anyone could be hiding their true selves.”

I just glared at her. She knew I couldn’t respond. She cheekily sipped her empty teacup and added, “Could you wear something blue for our party? I want us to match.”

Ignoring her, I continued to listen. They said their goodbyes, and the door of the gas station opened. Nick was gone and yet I still didn’t move, too anxious he might still be around. I didn’t want to risk him seeing me.

“Excuse me, miss, do you need assistance?”

I jolted at the sound of the cashier’s voice nearby. I hadn’t heard him come up behind me. I looked up at him. He stood at the end of the aisle, looking at me oddly.

“I found one,” I whispered, and then I cringed because I whispered and why was I whispering?

“You’re scared,” Aurora said as she stood back up to look down at me. “You don’t want Doctor Weirdo to even risk hearing you.”

I stood up, waving my fast charge charger in front of him with a smile. “All done.”

I paid in cash, and then I lurked around the door, glancing out to see if Nick was there, but the red truck was gone. I raced out to Jem’s car and slipped inside.

“He was here,” I whispered to him, panicking. “Jem, Nick was here—”

“Why are you whispering?” he cut in, and without waiting for an answer, he said, “And I know. I saw the doctor in his creepy looking trench coat.”

My heart went still. “Did he see you?”

Jem shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

---