Page 54 of The Whispering Night
“Okay.” Fatima huffs a tense laugh. “I’m glad to hear it.” Now she smiles and lifts up her phone. “I’ll answer for the both of us, shall I? No… party… for me… or Winnie. Maybe… next… time. Oh, but hey—are you going to hunter training tomorrow at dawn?”
Winnie groans.Right.Hunter training. She one thousand percent forgot about it this morning. “Are you?”
“Not tomorrow, but Bretta wants to start on Wednesday. So I think I’ll go then. How was it for you last Friday?”
“Intense,” Winnie admits, although she doesn’t elaborate. She’s still wriggling with shame. “Hey, um, I haven’t thanked you yet for the phone. I really appreciate you telling your mom I needed one.”
“Aw, you got it, Win. Anything for our besties, right?” Fatima smiles once before her thumbs start flying again across her phone. And Winnie, feelingeven worse,twists away so she can scan the crowded room filled with the brightest lights of the Luminaries.
The Crow is nowhere to be seen. She and her wings have retreated to the shadows, and when Winnie touches her locket, she finds it cold as a candle blown out. Cold as a lantern forgotten on the Big Lake’s spring shore.
Jay Friday, 1:35P.M.
How do I know this is really Winnie?
Winnie, 1:37P.M.
Ugh Jay
Jay Friday, 1:37P.M.
Okay, verified. That was easy
Winnie, 1:38P.M.
When can I c u?
Jay Friday, 1:39P.M.
Why are you texting like a grandma?
Winnie, 1:39P.M.
Old phone
Jay Friday, 1:39P.M.
So your new phone is an old phone. For some reason, this feels very appropriate for you
Winnie, 1:40P.M.
I am insulte
d
Winnie, 1:44P.M.
Did u talk 2 Mario?
Jay Friday, 1:44P.M.
Yes, but he’s busy with the fair today. He said to come back tomorrow
Winnie, 1:44P.M.
Can u wait that long?
Jay Friday, 1:45P.M.
