Page 28 of Whispers of the Elderoak

He reluctantly pulled away. “Have fun tonight and don’t get into too much trouble.”

“I won’t.” She smiled as Henry turned and headed out the door.

Ever since Ava hit her head last weekend, Henry had been excessively cautious with her. He finally believed someone was in her house and had installed a security system the next day, showing her how to view the camera feed and set the alarm.

As she walked upstairs to shower, her mind returned to the riddle from her dream. She had mulled it over daily and still couldn’t make sense of it.

The place where life is created. What does that even mean?

The vague statement could mean a multitude of things and she had no clue how to interpret it. Life was created when a baby was conceived, or maybe in a laboratory… or could it be referring to animals? The riddle felt incomplete, just out of reach, as if it was taunting her.

She had scoured her house, hunting for any semblance of a clue or a map, even a hint of anything different or otherworldly.

Nothing.

She came up empty handed every time.

Finishing her shower, she threw on some athletic clothing and walked downstairs and out the front door. The trees were in their full autumn glory now. Deep scarlets, oranges and yellows embellished the forest as if they had been plucked from a painting and placed around her property. Marveling at the beauty, Ava entered her car and journeyed into town for supplies.

Ava was arrangingthe charcuterie board on the kitchen island, complete with artisan meats, cheeses, berries, nuts and honey, when the doorbell rang.

“Coming!” she shouted.

She opened the door and greeted her friend, who was dressed in her usual conservative librarian garb. Jeans, a cardigan and her hair pulled half back.

“Hey.” Ava smiled.

“I brought dessert,” Eleanor replied as she handed her an apple pie.

“I love it when you bring me sweets,” said Ava and they headed down the hallway.

After setting the pie on the kitchen island, Ava joined Eleanor on the couch and handed her a glass of wine.

Eleanor grinned at her, mischief in her eyes and whispered, “I also brought something else.” She reached into her pocket and held out a baggie containing a joint.

Ava raised her eyebrows. “Weed?” She laughed. “I haven’t smoked since college.”

Though Ava was usually a rule follower, she had enjoyed the occasional joint when she was in school, finding it sometimes helped her sleep after a long day of studying and stress.

“Me either.” Eleanor shrugged. “But maybe it’ll open our minds and give us some ideas on that riddle.”

Ava had called her and explained the riddle the other day and both women were still stumped about what it meant.

“Well… alright. I could use something to help me relax, honestly. Let’s go outside,” Ava said.

They gathered the food, wine and a bunch of blankets to stave off the November chill and nestled themselves on the outdoor sectional, charcuterie board sitting on the coffee table within reach.

Eleanor lit the joint and handed it to Ava after taking a puff.

Ava inhaled and blew out the smoke. “Mmmm… I remember now why I stopped in college. I liked it too much.”

Eleanor laughed and they ate their dinner as they gossiped about Henry.

“So, he’s that good in bed, huh?” Eleanor asked.

“God.” She laid her head back on the couch. “So. Fucking. Good. I can’t get enough.”

“Damn, I’m jealous. I need to get a man.”

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