Page 4 of Insatiable Hunger

Cain glanced down at the pack, breaking from my stare. The moment of reprieve gave me time to exhale, quietly observing Lazarus from the corner of my eye. He was still leaning against the shelves, arms crossed, as his dark brown hair fell across his face, shielding his expression from view. Cain lightly chuckled, stuffing the pack into the back pocket of his jeans as he pulled something from the other. He unfolded a grayscale colored paper, slapping it onto the sales counter.

“Check it out.This,” he tapped at what appeared to be a torn newspaper article with his finger, his metal rings clanking against the counter, “is the location of our next investigation.”

Confusion and curiosity took over as I leaned forward to see what he had displayed before us. Big, bold, printed letters were spread across the thin newspaper:;Thrill Seekers Missing After Visiting Infamously Haunted Cemetery. Ghosts, Witchcraft, or Something Worse?

What could be worse than witchcraft?I thought carelessly to myself. The sentence seemed ominous, the hairs on my neck standing as I studied the printed words.

“Is this what I think it is?” Lazarus’ lightened tone surprised me as he leaned against the counter next to me, his hands rotating the article so he could read the fine print.

“It’sexactlywhat you think it is.” Cain smiled with confidence as he mirrored our positions, leaning against the opposite side of the checkout counter with crossed arms. “Wewant to investigate the New Bedeville Cemetery,” he leaned closer, “this weekend. Can you imagine? Documenting proof of spirits in such an infamous location? It’s never been done before. Every time someone tries to investigate, they go missing. Imagine being the first to bring back proof of ghosts or whatever is haunting that cemetery!” I swallowed, slightly fearful of venturing somewhere people were said to never return from.

“We?” I raised an eyebrow as he looked at me.

“Ruby, Jinx, and me.” He shook his wild black hair from his cold eyes. “What do you say, Lazarus?” Cain’s sights shifted from me. “You in?”

Lazarus rose, his inked hands still holding the torn piece of newspaper. His face remained turned from me as his warm eyes moved in my direction. “I do love cemeteries.” He smirked, sliding the torn paper back to Cain. My eyes widened, knowing what he was referring to.

“Who doesn’t?” Cain’s gaze fell to me as I shied away, my cheeks obviously flushed. “Let’s go babygirl.” He moved his arm, motioning for me to join him. I gripped his jacket tight around my shoulders as I stepped around the checkout counter and into his grip. He grabbed my wrist, observing the small cut. “You should be more careful, Bambi.” He pressed his lips against my opened palm, gently kissing my wound. “Bad things happen to people who don’t pay attention.” His gaze felt as though it was pushing me to the floor.

“Her shift isn’t over yet.” Lazarus’ voice broke the tense moment.

“I won’t tell if you don’t.” Cain dropped my wrist, winking at Lazarus as he pulled his sunglasses from the collar of his shirt, placing them on his face. “I mean, you can keep a secret, right?” He winked. Lazarus and I exchanged a look before Cain forced me away. “See you soon.”

Chapter

Three

ALASKA

“Does she really have to bring him?” Ruby groaned, pinching her pierced nose, exaggerating her disgust.

I rolled my eyes at her muffled words, tossing my bag into the trunk of Cain’s car. Ruby sat in the middle of the backseat of the muscle car, Jinx to her left and Lazarus to her right. Alastair planted himself in the front seat, his tongue hanging from his open mouth, excited for the road trip.

“Yes,” I drawled, approaching the passenger side of the car. “Alastair goes where I go. We’re a package deal, Ruby. You know this.” My body leaned through the open door, scratching Alastair’s muzzle as he licked my face. “Not to mention, we’re staying in an old cabin in the middle of nowhere.” My head poked over the seat, flashing her a playful smile. “I’m not trying to be a character from a horror movie, murdered by some crazy killer in the middle of the woods. Are you?” I asked with a raised brow.

“Oh please, I can take care of myself.” She tossed her long hair over her shoulder, snapping her fingers with an attitude. A faint maroon flame ignited from her fingertips as she grinned, pleased with herself.

“Neat party trick,” Lazarus teased, leaning forward as he quickly blew out her small flame. “Too bad that’s all it is.” He reached across the backseat to pet Alastair who licked his hand with excitement.

Ruby scoffed, crossing her arms. “Joke all you want Lazarus,” she smiled at him, her maroon eyes glowing like my own, “but we both know I could kick your ass, even without my magic.”

Jinx giggled, quickly moving her hands, signing as she spoke to Ruby. “Be nice,”she signed, lightly smacking Ruby’s arm.She continued to move her hands, but Alastair’s body partially blocked my view, making it difficult to see the rest of her conversation.

“What’d she say?” I asked Ruby.

“You know, it wouldn’t kill you guys to learnsomesign language,” she snapped looking at Jinx. “Assholes,” she signed to Jinx in response to me.

“I don’t know,” Lazarus moved his hands, leaning back. “It might.” Ruby rolled her eyes as he smiled, signing something obviously obscene, messing with them both. Ruby groaned while Jinx giggled, playfully flicking him off.

Ruby and Jinx had been together for some time, making Jinx a big part of Ruby’s life. I wanted to show my support for them and let Jinx know she was welcome in our little group, so I learned sign language, though I wasn’t the best at understanding it sometimes. Lazarus on the other hand, pretended to know little when, in reality, he seemed to understand it almost as well as Ruby herself, whereas Cain didn’t seem to care either way and refused to even bother.

“Jinx was agreeing with me, saying that Lazarus over here,” she pointed to him, “had better watch himself.” Lazarus laughed as Ruby and Jinx smiled, the three of them teasing one another. “She also said Alastair stinks.” Jinx smacked Ruby’s arm, shaking her head, her long ginger hair dancing around her softface as she moved her hands. I couldn’t help but smile at her innocent appearance.

“Stop causing trouble,” she signed to Ruby.

“Fine,” I playfully groaned. “I’ll keep the windows cracked. Everyone happy?”

Ruby smirked, accepting my compromise as she wrapped her arm around Jinx’s waist, pulling her close. She usually presented herself as a harsh individual, one quick to anger and defensive about almost everything, but with Jinx, she was different. The way she doted on Jinx and treated their whole relationship was warming. Jinx was an innocent, beautiful soul with long, naturally red-orange hair that reached her waist, along with vibrant green eyes that complimented her fair, freckled skin. She and Ruby made the most attractive couple, Ruby with her gorgeous, glowing maroon eyes that popped in contrast to her dark hazelnut skin and black hair, highlighted by a single, stark white stripe. I envied them and the simplicity of their relationship. They were open, honest, happy.

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