Page 78 of Cursed Encounter
He snorts and looks forward. His eyes scan the area, but I get the sense it’s more out of habit than there being an active threat. I know he doesn’t usually go out with an army of bodyguards, so he’s probably used to watching his own back. Now that I think about it, I might see if he’ll make the change to add more security for himself once we make it through this night.
And I’m really pushing for us to make it.
“Can we get a candy apple?” Fabien asks. The light in his eyes is infectious. I love how he’s bouncing on the balls of his feet as he looks at Donovan and then Andre for an answer. He’s wearing the most adorable steampunk alchemist outfit. Ihave a feeling he’s had it for a while, and it definitely looks like something custom-made.
“Oh, yes!” I say, jerking Donovan to the left, all prepared to drag him to the candy apple stand if I have to.
Donovan huffs, but doesn’t try to stand his ground.
The hunched-over witch—the dressed-up kind—hands us two candy apples with a crazy smile that I have a feeling she spent some time perfecting. This is so fun.
Since there’s no delicate way to eat this massive thing, Fabien and I dive in, both of us trying to outdo the other with the biggest first bite. Of course we are the only ones dumb enough to do this who aren’t under twelve. We end up a sticky mess, but we’re laughing so much I don’t even care how ridiculous I look.
I can see this weird, distorted future in my head. One where Fabien and I are good friends. Maybe we do brunch at the house every weekend. And I can see myself dragging Andre around when I have to go shopping, and him pretending not to be paying attention to anything I’m looking at. I see Torrin at the house for breakfast nearly every morning, and him bringing Donovan home safe in the evenings.
And of course I see myself right there at Donovan’s side.
Right before the sun starts to fade, we head for the center of the square. Buckets full of drawing chalk are scattered about. I find a bright pink stick while Fabien searches until he finds a yellow one. Sets of brightly-colored eye-shaped pairs decorate the old brick street. We find a space. The street is warm under me and it feels me with a sense of home for some reason. Fabien sits across from me, ready to get to work. I’m glad I have him tonight. Glad I have someone who understands how much the Shadow Dance means. I take my time drawing my set of eyes, making sure they are filled in perfectly. Fabien seems to be doing the same.
“For my mom,” I say, suddenly feeling choked up. I know she loved me and I loved her, but I wish I could remember what it was like to spend time with her. Remember what it was like to be loved by her. To laugh with her. To dance under the Shadow Moon with her. “I don’t know if she’s found her way home, but I dance for her every year. If she hasn’t, I really hope this year is the year.”
I let out a wet laugh as I duck my head.
“I’ll dance for her tonight, too,” Fabien tells me, and when I look, he’s sending me a sad smile.
“Thank you,” I say as I get to my feet.
I shake off the less-than-happy mood as I swap my pink stick for a sky blue one and find another free spot. I don’t know who I’m drawing these eyes for, but that’s okay. There are plenty of lost souls out there to dance for.
“When I’m gone, will you dance for me?” I ask Fabien. He’s now right beside me, his leg pressed against mine.
“Don’t…” he whispers. His hand covers mine, and I let my head fall against his shoulder. “Don’t say that. There’s still time. There’s—”
He cuts himself off as a quick gust of wind swirls around us.
“Just promise me you’ll dance for me, please.”
“Okay,” he says softly. “I promise.”
I force a smile, shake it off, and stand up. I reach down and pull him up, too.
My attention is drawn to the group of kids running toward us. I chuckle at the one dressed up like a duck. He’s got to be about ten. He’s holding the hand of a younger kid who looks to be dressed up as a farmer. I think it’s super cute. Another one of the kids is dressed up like a clown, but like a creepy one with a knife, and my skin begins to crawl. We hand off our chalk to the kids before heading back toward Donovan and the group. Thetwo bodyguards who’d been closer to us as we made our marks for the ceremony fall in line behind us as we walk.
When I get close to Donovan, he pulls me into his body and ducks his head. He whispers “You okay?” into my ear, and I hold back the tears as I nod.
I don’t want tonight to be sad.
I want to go out like a firework, not drowning in a river of my own tears.
“It’s a shame there’s no haunted house,” I say. I could really use a scare right now to snap me out of my thoughts.
“No,” Donovan says, sounding nearly deadly.
“But—”
“No,” he says again, this time he pins me with a look. “I can’t keep you safe in one of those.”
“Oh,” I say with a smile.
