Page 109 of The Whispering Night
Winnie’s compass fastens onto Ms. Morgan. She takes in how tired, how drenched, how cold and broken the teacher is right now. This is not the woman who called her homeroom studentschildish assholesand begged them to boycott the Nightmare Court. This is not the woman who invited Winnie to apply to an art program at Heritage or snuck her an early pamphlet on a Compendium contest.
This is a defected Diana who just translated the Pure Heart spell and now thinks the world is going to end. Ms. Morgan reallyisjust trying to keep Winnie safe.
But Winnie has her own people to look after.
With heat on your skin I spin
Until I can’t see us
I find no relief, inside I’m still a hopeless curse
“Please, Ms. Morgan. If you’re always on my side like you keep saying, then please help me do this. I need to get into the forest.”I need to get to Jay and Erica.“And I needyouto make a distraction that will let me get there.”
Ms. Morgan’s nose twitches. Her parted lips tremble. Several more tired gasps escape her chest. Then she nods. “Fine, Winnie. God, I hope I don’t regret this, but… tell me what you want me to do.”
WEDNESDAY
8A.M.: Masquerade Fun Run
• Winnie is expected downtown at the Carnival—participation is optional. Dress is sportswear, if you decide to join.
• Winnie will fire the starter gun along with the entire Council.
9A.M.–12P.M.: Sunday Estate Training
1P.M.: Hunters’ Feast Kickoff
• Winnie is expected at the Wednesday estate ten minutes before—dress is casual. Darian suggests an elastic waistband for eating!
1:30P.M.: Interview with Johnny Saturday and Wednesday hunters in Armory
• Rachel suggests you get there a few minutes early so she can prep you.
2–5P.M.: Hunters’ Feast
• Winnie can mingle and eat and hang out with her clan.
• Again, expect photographs and interviews!
6P.M.–9P.M.:Global Music on Garden Stage
• Winnie is expected for photographs beforehand with the visiting performers.
9P.M.: Floating Carnival
• Wednesday firework display on the Little Lake
CHAPTER
43
No estate in Hemlock Falls is ever in total darkness.
Timed lights trigger on driveways or trails. Motion sensors flicker lamps at the slightest twirl of a leaf on the breeze. And always, always there are night owls working through the spirit’s hours, sitting at their desk and wondering how their colleagues are doing in the forest only a few miles away. While the hunters face mist and monsters, they will nurse a hot tea and finish up their reports on Luminary Supply Chain Logistics in South Brazil.
Two such lights burn in the Wednesday estate: one on the highest floor, where the councilor lives and is currently being debriefed on the phone by Jeremiah Tuesday about An Incident that happened in the night.
The second is from an open door to the basement where hunters train. They’re only just getting started with their drill sergeant of a Lead Hunter, who barks out different combinations of rolls and swings and punches. The two newest recruits are struggling to keep up, and the taller of the two can’t help but moanThank godwhen the Lead Hunter hollers, “Forest loop!”
