Page 9 of Dark Things
A loud bell rings in the background signaling dinner is ready. “Guess that’s the call for dinner?” I ask.
“Yup, come on. I’m starving, and no one makes chili like Marc. He’s a wizard, I swear,” Cat says, walking back the way we came.
Haunt steals a kiss when she’s out of sight and then grabs my hand to follow her toward the main house. I lock up Midnight’s stall and tuck myself under Haunt’s arm, giving him a squeeze before letting go.
“Stan is here. We don’t need him to separate us if he’s in a mood again,” I say.
“I can’t wait to tell that piece of shit to fuck off,” Haunt mumbles.
“Yeah. Me, too.”
4
Haunt
Reb walks alongside me toward the nightmare this dinner is going to be. Anytime I need to be in my sperm donor’s presence it feels like a piece of my soul shrivels a bit more.
I wish Reb and I could share our affection openly regardless of who is in front of us. She’s the only one besides Cat who helps me get through with dealing with Stan. But if we did, he would use it against us, so I have to suck it up until the time is right, and then we can end this.
The kitchen smells amazing when we walk in, and my mouth waters. We don’t get home cooking at the compound. More like the gruel that’s in prison, or so Reb says.
“Haunt,” Stan calls. His normal pockmarked face turned down into a frown. He’s forever disappointed in the world. While he isn’t as tall as me, we do share ourblack hair and blue eyes, but that’s where the similarities end. I look more like my mother. Cat has the unfortunate genes that makes her look more like him, even though his looks are pretty on her.
“Father, how are you?” I ask before taking a seat at the dining room table.
“Fine. I imagine Haunt explained our new situation?” he says to Reb before Cat joins us at the table. He completely ignores Cat, not even a hello. I really wish I could throat punch him.
Reb’s back goes ramrod straight, and her fist clenches behind her back. The hate in her eyes wouldn’t be clear to anyone else, but I’ve studied her. I know her every tell and move. We’re the best at what we do because we can anticipate each other so well.
“Yes, sir. When will he get here?” she asks.
“Tomorrow. I expect you at the track after classes to warm him up.”
“Oh, who are you warming up?” Cat asks, joining us.
Stan needs to be careful here. He doesn’t want Cat to be involved in any of our “extra activities.” It’s really the only good thing he’s ever done. I wouldn’t want this life for her. It’s bad enough that Reb was brought into it.
“Reb is going to work part time at the track exercising the horses. She used to do it in Kentucky and overseas as well. Your brother is her groom.”
Cat’s eyes go wide, and I can tell the next thingthat’s going to come out of her mouth. She’s been deprived of family for so long. It breaks me how alone she’s been.
“I’d love to come see you!” she exclaims, jumping a bit in her seat.
Stan’s scowl takes over his semi-pleasant expression before he shuts her down. “Maybe another time. There’s a lot going on right now with the move. You understand, right, pumpkin?”
“Yeah, sure, Dad.” she says, tucking her head and taking a bite of her food.
Stan nods and turns his attention back to us. “There’s also something else I’d like to discuss before I leave. You both will come to my study after dinner.”
I clench my jaw and Reb grabs my hand under the table, giving it a squeeze before letting go. I can’t wait for this all to be over and for Stan to become another one of our kills. Then he can no longer hurt any of us.
“Reb, how was your first day? I didn’t get to ask you before,” Cat says, grabbing the drink in front of her and taking a huge gulp.
“It was okay. My classes are going to be challenging, but I’m confident that I can make it through. How about you?” she replies, glancing at Stan under her lashes.
“Well, even though business is what Daddy wanted me to major in, I’m glad most of those classes are done with. I’m finishing up this year with a few electives. I’m even in a pottery class.”
The one thing I’ve always loved about Cat is her ability to bring happiness even in the shitty times. I’ve missed being with my twin. In some ways I feel like a stranger, but in others I feel like we’ve never been separated.
