Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
“I don’t want anyone thinking ill of me,” I finally say, my voice steady.
“They don’t,” she says. “They all feel the way that I do.”
I exhale heavily and take a sip of tea. It’s too hot. “So, do I have time to say my goodbyes, or are you shipping me off next morning on the first plane, like Amani?”
She tenses beside me, and when I look at her, she’s frowning. “No.” Then she shakes her head. “No. We’re not sending you back, Syd. You’re here to stay.”
My eyes widen, a flicker of hope in my chest. “Are you serious?” She nods. “But why?”
“Because of everything I just told you. Your ambition. You’re still ambitious, aren’t you? You’re still ready to prove yourself, to give yourself to the foundation, to leave your mark on the world?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t believe you. Once more with feeling.”
“Yes!” I say, louder now.
“Good girl,” she says, activating my need for praise. “Now, finish your tea and get warm. The power will come back soon. I’m going to head back home and get some sleep. I suggest you do too.”
“Okay,” I say. Though I think I’d rather fall asleep on the couch in the common room than go back to my bed. “Thank you.”
She gets up and stares down at me, then reaches out and brushes a strand of hair off my face. “Such lovely hair,” she says. “Blonde really suits you.”
I try not to blush nor reject the compliment. “Thank you.”
“Remember, you’re family now,” she says, straightening up. “You’re part of Madrona. If you ever feel at odds with this place, you just have to tell yourself: don’t try to change the lodge, let the lodge change you.”
Then she gives me a sweet smile and walks off, closing the door behind her and leaving me alone with the crackling fire.
Relief immediately floods through my body, and I practically melt into the couch.
I did it.
The truth finally came out.
I don’t have to hide or worry anymore.
You’re safe, I tell myself. The worst is over, and you survived.
But why does it feel like I’m lying?
“Heavens, Sydney, are you alright?”
A hand vigorously shakes my shoulder, making me wince.
I open my eyes and glare up at Michelle, who is staring down at me, her eyes wild with fright, her lips a shocking pink. The room is bright, and I blink.
“I’m fine,” I say with a groan, sitting up. I look down and see a fleece blanket draped over my body, a star symbol stitched in the corner, but I don’t remember Everly putting one on me.
“Do I need to get David? Or Everly? Is it your head?” Michelle is flapping her hands like a bird.
“I’m fine,” I repeat. “Please. I was with Everly last night. I decided to sleep here. It was…warmer.” She definitely doesn’t need to know what happened last night.
“Oh,” she says, hand on her chest. “What a relief.”
Then she bustles off toward reception.
I exhale and look up at the wood beams, hearing footsteps and doors closing from above. The sun gets up so early here, and it’s already streaming in through the windows, making the dust motes dance. The idea of going to my room seemed impossible last night, but in the light of day, with students beginning to wake, I don’t feel as scared anymore.
I get up and fold up the blanket, taking it upstairs with me in case the power goes out again and I need the warmth. I stop outside my door, hesitating. Up here, there are no windows, and the hall is dim, though hearing someone’s alarm clock go off comforts me.
I insert the key and quickly open the door.
It looks the same as always, the covers pushed to the side. Whoever was in my room didn’t touch anything. Still, I slowly walk around to make sure. If my missing Miss Piggy shirt reappears like my shoes did, it really means I’ve lost my marbles.
But I don’t see it. I walk into the bathroom, to the mirror, and stare at myself. My face doesn’t seem as gaunt as it did a week ago, which is a good thing. I’m starting to look more like myself, more like the person I was before I came to Madrona.
I don’t want the lodge to change me, no matter what their motto is. I want to stay Sydney Denik, even though she’s a fucked up hot mess.
Who apparently has a ghost problem.
That had to be what it was, right? A ghost?
I know I saw that woman in the hallway.
But what if you didn’t? I think. What if you thought you did? What if it was Natasha, and she went into her room instead, and you got confused? What if it was Clayton who went into your room and locked you out? What if no one locked you out and you were just pulling on the door wrong, or perhaps because you left the key in the door, it somehow relocked itself?