Page 11 of Property of Scythe
It’s perfect.
Lottie is going to enter Butter Bliss Bakery.
I can’t fucking stop myself from getting closer. It’s creepy. I’m fucking stalking this poor girl, and I don’t care. I need to know everything about her. I have to find out why she’s invading my thoughts and visions. But there’s also that urgency that never relents.
I know she needs me. That’s reason enough.
Chapter 5 Lottie
“There’s a haunted hotel tour?” I ask, blinking at my colleague, Mark Miller, who looks thrilled to inform me of every spooky thing associated with Raven’s Crest.
I did my homework. Sort of. I know this town has a macabre past because of a serial killer in the 1970s and horror films using the cornfields and historic buildings for their movie sets. Anyone can find that information when they Google about Raven’s Crest. It’s the extra details I never had the time to dig into, like the Mayfield Inn and the famous ghost hunter who’s filmed his TV show on location twice. There’s more. I haven’t had a chance to explore yet.
Mark’s giving me a ton of information as I hang items in the room, organize cubbies, and clean all the desks, arranging them as I like best. I’m one of those teachers who likes to see everyone’s faces looking at me during lessons.
“Well, that’s fascinating,” I tell Mark, the third-grade teacher whose classroom is beside mine.
I’m teaching second grade this year. I’ve taught Kindergarten, third, and fourth grades in the past. This is myfirst time with second graders. I’m really looking forward to it.
“You should think about doing the tour sometime. I’d be happy to pick up some tickets.”
Tickets. Plural. Yeah, he’s hoping I’ll go out with him. Getting into a relationship is the last thing I need. I try to let him down as politely as possible.
“You know, I just moved into town and all I’ve had time to do is unpack a few boxes.” I smile, but keep it friendly, not flirty. “I want to explore, but I’m just not ready for it. There’s so much to do to prepare for the start of school this week.”
Mark nods. He doesn’t appear offended. “I understand. If you ever change your mind, let me know.”
“I will.”
“Since our classes are next door, we’ll take the kids to lunch at the same time and line them up in the hall. You’re new to Raven’s Crest Elementary. Let me know if you need anything. I’m happy to help.”
“That’s kind of you. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. I’m going to finish up in my room.” He thumbs to the right where his classroom borders mine. “Nice meeting you, Lottie Bishop. Welcome to the staff.”
“Thank you, Mark.”
He finally leaves me to work, and I focus, finishing up faster than I anticipated. I gather my purse and phone and close the door to my classroom, leaving quickly so I’m not detained by anyone. It’s not that I don’t want to meet my colleagues, but I’m still tired from the trip and I’m not at my best.
When I’m seated in my car, I turn on the air conditioning and look over my paperwork. There’s a schedule and a list of field trips. September and October are going to be busy months. I’ll be taking my class to the local fruit farm, corn maze, hayride, apple and pumpkin picking, a petting zoo, the public library, and a few other locations.
I glance at the clock, and see it’s early. Despite my reluctanceto spend time meeting all the staff at work or touring the school, I do feel up to exploring my new town. It’s only three in the afternoon, and I still have one more day before school starts on Wednesday. My classroom is ready, and I feel prepared after receiving all my paperwork. I’ll walk the school building tomorrow and familiarize myself with the layout before classes begin. There’s not much else for me to do, so this is my only chance to relax until the weekend.
There’s a bakery I want to check out, and I’m hungry enough to stop at Tillie’s Dine-In since the food is delicious. I’ve eaten there every day, and it’s probably going to be my go-to food option since there’s not much else. There’s a corner store that’s also a liquor store, a pizza and pasta restaurant that also serves wings, an ice cream parlor, and a few other restaurants that are all locally owned.
I decide to head to the town and explore the shops, going to Butter Bliss Bakery last. It’s the name that caught my eye, along with the display of yummy goodness visible from the front windows as I drove past the other day. It’s an enjoyable afternoon, but I can’t help feeling like I’m not alone. There’s this odd sensation that I’m being followed.
Strange.
I almost have a panic attack when I check out at multiple shops, and each of the owners tells me that my bill is already paid. I have bags of stuff, and I haven’t spent a dime. I’m grateful, but also suspicious. Why would someone do that? And why wouldn’t they want me to know who they are?
Well, not they.Him.A mystery man.
It’s almost too much. I take all my bags to my car and contemplate leaving, but I really want to check out the bakery. Besides, I’m starving now. I never ate a snack. When I park my car and open my door, my senses are assaulted by the delicious aroma of sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and sweet frosting coming from the building ahead.
I can’t wait to see inside and rush toward the entrance, nearly colliding with a stranger as I see his hand reach for the doorhandle. A large, tattooed hand with black ink. Four of his knuckles create a word, spelled out with four letters. FREE. I instantly want to know what that means to him and why he’s inked it on his skin. There’s an image above the words, too, but I can’t tell if it’s a skull or a logo of something else.
My head snaps up, and I lock eyes with the man staring me down, curiosity brimming in the caramel brown depths. As soon as I see his face, I gasp. It’s him.
