Page 103 of I Accidentally Summoned A Demon
Red Scarf
Outsidethebookstorewindow,snow in small flakes, coating the street and sidewalk. The journey home would be cold, making today one of the few times Kat wished she wasn’t terrified of driving. Nex had offered to help her overcome her fear a little at a time. They’d sat in her mother’s car for an hour before work without it turned on. Though it was hard, she couldn’t help but smile thinking about it.
“Don’t be tense, Katherine.” Nex set his hand on her back. “It’s not on, and we’re in a garage.”
Kat gripped the steering wheel and counted her breaths. “I know.”
Nex rubbed circles in her back. “It’s all right. Let’s pretend we’re going somewhere. Where would you go if you could go anywhere by car?”
Kat smiled sheepishly. “Vegas.”
“Vegas?” He chuckled. “Still, huh?” Kat nodded, and he kissed her cheek. “Very well. Pretend we’re driving to Vegas.” He covered her hand with his, and the view outside the car shifted to a street with endless bright buildings and flashing lights.
Kat gasped and swiveled her head, spotting several casinos and hotels. “Is this . . .”
“What it looks like. Three years ago, at least. We’re not actually there, kitten. Why don’t you pretend you’re driving and see how you feel?”
The scene changed, and they were on an empty highway overlooking the Vegas Strip. Kat took a few deep breaths and pressed the gas pedal. In reality, they didn’t move, but with his abilities, Nex made it seem like they were driving toward the lights as the sun set and shot out beautiful reds and oranges.
“Kat.” Connie’s voice brought Kat back to the present.
Kat smiled, hoping Connie didn’t notice she was daydreaming again.
“Honey, a storm’s coming in. Worse than this one.” She gestured to the window. “There’s no reason for us to stay open. No one’s going to come out in this.”
“Okay. Why don’t you get going, and I’ll close?”
Connie dusted the countertop and straightened the bookmark display. “I can’t do that. You have to walk home. You should leave before it gets worse.”
“You have a much farther drive, and I won’t walk home alone. Nex will come. My house isn’t far.” Kat knotted her fingers together. “I don’t want you to wait any longer while the roads get worse. It’ll get more dangerous.”
Connie tapped her foot. She knew it was a sensitive topic, so as much as she didn’t care for the idea of Kat walking home in the storm, she let it go. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” Kat waved her hand. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Thanks. Come into work a little early on Wednesday, please. I have something to talk to you about.”
Kat tensed. “Should I be worried?”
“Of course not, Kat.” Connie laughed. “You’re the best employee I could ask for. I want to thank you for being the best employee I have, all right?”
“Oh.” Kat’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank you, Connie.”
“Thankyou, kiddo.” Connie buttoned her worn wool coat. “Do me a favor and call me when you’re home, so I know you made it there safe.”
Connie waved and hurried out the door, and Kat started closing. There wasn’t much to do. With the weather so bad, not many people had come in and messed up her displays except the bookmarks Connie had already fixed. All that was left was to get the blinds shut, lights off, and alarm set. Kat stopped to text Nex before she got too far in the process.
Kat: Getting off in about ten minutes. Would you please come early?
She set her phone down and took care of the cash register, then lowered the blinds and killed the lights. She returned to her phone. No response. He usually responded quickly. She opened the message and discovered hers didn’t send. Shrugging, she dialed his number and held the phone between her ear and shoulder as she tidied the counter.
The ring didn’t start. Kat brought the phone down. The screen displayed “Connecting . . .” but never got anywhere.Strange, I always have service at work.She reached for the work phone but found no dial tone.
A burst of wind knocked over a sign outside, causing a loud clatter. Kat jumped. The storm must’ve messed with the phone lines. Snow pelted down harder, the flakes whirling in the wind. Nex had been adamant about her not walking alone, especially after dark, but she didn’t have many options. She locked up and tried her phone again outside.
Her messages continued not to send, and when she tried to call, she got the same “Connecting . . .” display that never went through. A powerful gust whipped around her and knocked her scarf off, blowing it down the street.
“Dang it.” Kat raced after it.
