Page 32 of Property of Scythe
“I am. Go for it.”
As I chew on the best brisket sandwich I’ve ever had, I turn my attention to the cornfield. It’s still spooky, especially after the other day when I knew someone was following me. But in the dark? It’s absolutely terrifying. People are lined up to enter the maze, which merges with the towering stalks of corn. You can’t tell them apart, not from this direction or vantage point. I’d have to get somewhere high to be able to tell and navigate through it.
I guess that’s the point. To draw out the experience so people feel they get their money’s worth. Me? I’m not going inside, not without Scythe.
“I wonder what’s taking so long,” I muse aloud, glancing at the entrance to Fear Farm and the ticket stand.
“Something probably broke down or there was an accident. It happens.”
He’s explaining it so effortlessly, I wonder if he’s telling me the truth. “You don’t know anything?”
Chris grins. “I’m just a prospect.”
Uh-huh.
It’s another ten minutes before I stand and decide I’m going to walk toward Mystic Emporium. I love that store, and it’ll kill time until Scythe finishes up what he’s doing. Besides, he has my number. It’s not like I’m going far.
“Tell Scythe if you see him that I’m heading to the Emporium. It’s a bit too spooky out here for me.” I’m kidding. Sort of.
Chris shakes his head. “I stay by your side. President’s orders.”
I almost sigh, but then I realize that Scythe is protecting me, and I need to be grateful. We don’t know what the person who followed me the other day wants. It might be nothing, and it could be something serious.
I try not to let the past influence the present. Jerald Carter is in prison for what he did to me. It’s not rational to live in fear when I know he can’t do anything to me from behind bars, but it’s hard to dismiss the idea that he can pay someone else todo it. He’s crazy enough to find a way to make me pay.
I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t notice Scythe catching up to us. When he touches my shoulder, I screech and jump away from him.
“Damn, darlin’. You okay?”
Yes. No. Maybe? “I’m fine.”
“Get back to the shack, prospect,” he tells Chris.
“Right away.” He waves at me before trotting off to do his president’s bidding.
“Bye, Chris!” I shout after him.
Scythe curls his fingers around mine, stepping closer. “Hey, Lottie. Do me a favor. If anyone spooks you, seems suspicious, or tries to follow you, call me right away.”
“Anytime, day or night?” I tease.
He’s serious. There’s a caution in his eyes that’s new since he left me an hour ago. “The time doesn’t matter. Promise me. This is about your safety, Lottie.”
“Alright. I will.”
Satisfied, he steers me toward his bike. “I should get you back home. It’s been an eventful evening.”
I wonder if he’s going to say more about it as we walk. He doesn’t. His demeanor has changed. I know it’s not me. Still, it stings just a bit. All the warmth from earlier has vanished.
And the kiss? It’s a distant memory now.
IT’S BEEN NEARLY THREEdays since I’ve heard from Scythe.He hasn’t reached out to me or stopped by, and I’m starting to wonder if I’m being ghosted. He’s been acting so into me that his distance and lack of communication feel intentional. I’m probably overthinking it because I know it’s been a wild, chaotic weekend. Raven’s Crest is bursting from the seams and overflowing with visitors.
Just this morning, I heard the local news reporter discussing that the Mayfield Inn didn’t have any vacancies. And the Hanging Tree B&B also reached capacity. Raven’s Crest was hosting record-breaking crowds. License plates from all over the Midwest proved it. Neighboring campgrounds had to turn RVs away because they didn’t have any campsites left.
I’m early for school, but I park and enter the building. Mark is already here, and he greets me as I pass his door. I notice a lot of the teachers arrive ahead of schedule, and I wonder if it’s to catch a few minutes of quiet before the start of the day.
It’s not until I see Mila rush into the room without her father that I realize he’s not coming. There’s a woman I’ve never met before lingering at the door. As I approach, she extends her hand.
