Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 166(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 166(@300wpm)
“Hey.” Ryan stepped slightly in front of me. “Something you need?”
The girl didn’t answer. She just stared for a moment longer before turning abruptly and walking off into the field behind the gas station, disappearing into the tall grass. I didn’t see anything back there that would cause someone to go that way.
“Hey,” I called after her, glancing over when Ryan put a hand on my arm and shook his head.
“Let her go.”
I frowned, looking for some sign of the woman, but she was completely concealed. “What if she’s not…well?”
“Do you know her?”
I slid him an exasperated look. “How would I know some random girl hiding on the side of a gas station?”
“Good point.”
We both looked toward the field again, but the girl had vanished. Where the hell was she going? I didn’t see any indication of a building or road.
Ryan shook his head. “Come on. Let’s get back to the others.”
I tugged on Moose’s leash, and we circled around to the front of the building. Everyone was standing by the cars, bags of snacks and drinks in hand. Daniella glanced between Ryan and me as if she already had a million questions.
“What took you two so long?” she asked, her tone teasing.
Ryan thankfully ignored the bait. “Did you guys see a skinny, wraith-looking girl? Dark hair, pale, kinda off?”
Jason, who had been leaning against Liza’s car and sipping from a soda, nodded his head. “Yeah, she was inside when we first got here. Didn’t think much of her, though.”
“She was creepy as hell,” Naija added, adjusting her long locs as she pulled a water bottle from one of the bags.
Ryan exhaled, glancing back toward the building.
“She came around the side while we were back there. Told Autumn she was ‘really pretty’ and then just… walked off into the field.”
Liza’s lips curled into a skeptical frown. “That’s weird as fuck.”
“You’re telling me,” I muttered, opening the car door and guiding Moose back inside. He hopped up onto the seat, his tail still low as he cast wary glances around the lot.
Daniella grinned. “Guess we’re off to a great start on our little getaway, huh? I love the suspense.”
“Not funny,” Cherish stated flatly. “People like that give me bad vibes.”
Ryan crossed his arms, glancing toward the gas station. “I don’t like it either. Let’s get out of here.”
As we all piled back into the cars, my gaze flicked toward the gas station windows. Two employees stood near the counter, staring at us.
Their expressions were blank, their movements unnervingly still.
“You seeing that?” I murmured to Cherish as she climbed into the driver’s seat.
She glanced toward the windows. “Yeah, I see it. We’re getting our asses far away from here.”
I settled into my seat, trying to shake the unease that had built ever since we pulled into this place. Cherish started the engine, and as the car rolled forward, I glanced back at the gas station one last time.
The final stretch of the drive was quieter. Trees lined the path on both sides, their tall, shadowy forms closing in as we ventured deeper into the countryside.
It was peaceful, and for the first time since we’d started this trip, I felt like I could let my guard down if only a little.
When we pulled up to the rental, my eyes widened. The place was stunning, almost surreal. Nestled on what seemed like its own little slice of paradise, surrounded by vibrant greenery, colorful flowerbeds, and rows of trees that made the entire area feel isolated from the rest of the world. I slipped out of the car and the soft crunch of gravel under my feet barely registered as I stared at the house, my gaze sweeping over the light stone walls.
“This is amazing.”
“You did good, Ella,” Cherish praised with a nod of approval as she took off her sunglasses, her grey eyes scanning the property.
Daniella grinned. “Do you think I’d settle for anything less?” she questioned, crossing her arms and looking at the house like it was her personal achievement.
Liza walked over to join us. “Alright, but are we sure this isn’t someone else’s fancy rental? Because this is giving serious ‘we’re not supposed to be here’ vibes.”
Daniella pulled out her phone, scrolling confidently. “It’s ours. Booked and paid for, down to the cleaning fee. You’re welcome.”
Cherish let out a soft laugh. “Alright, let’s unload.”
Moose hopped out of the car beside me, his stubby tail wagging as he sniffed the air. I clipped his leash on and gave him a quick pat. “Come on, big guy,” I murmured, leading him up the short path to the house.
The interior was just as breathtaking as the outside. Hardwood floors gleamed under the warm glow of recessed lighting, and large windows allowed sunlight to flood the space. The living room was cozy yet elegant, with a plush sectional, a massive fireplace, and shelves lined with books and trinkets.