I peered inside the envelope. “This is way too much, Dad.”
His lips formed a straight line like he was trying to hold in his emotions. “Just take it. It’s the least I can do.”
Sadness constricted my throat, cutting off my words, and I nodded solemnly, accepting the money.
“Come on,” he said, motioning me back into the kitchen. “Let’s finish breakfast before it goes cold.”
***
After breakfast, I walked the short distance to Florence’s grandmother’s house. It was in a quiet part of town where mostly older people lived. It must have been a pleasant change for her compared to the noise and bustle of the city. The house was picture-perfect with its neat flower beds and hedgerows out front.
I’d texted ahead to let her know I was coming, and the door flew open as soon as I stepped foot on the front stoop.
“Tegan!” Florence exclaimed, hurtling forward and throwing her arms around me. I was a little stunned by her hug and how happy she was to see me, but it was nice to see her looking so healthy and cheerful.
“Florence, you look great,” I said, taking her in. She couldn’t have been here more than a day and already her skin looked brighter and her long, straight hair was clean and washed.
“Thanks. Come on in and meet Gran. I’ve been telling her all about you.”
I stepped inside the cosy house and was immediately met with the pleasant scent of jasmine and lemon balm. An older woman sat in the living room with some knitting on her lap. She had grey hair pulled into a long plait and a kindly face, reminding me of the grandmother from The Witches.
“Hello. It’s Tegan, isn’t it?” she said with a warm smile. “It’s so nice to meet you.” She set her knitting down and came to shake my hand. “Young Florence has been telling me all about you and how kind you’ve been to her. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. My ne’er do well of a son has put this poor girl through the ringer.”
So, she was aware that Terry was scum? I was glad she wasn’t one of those parents who believed their children could do no wrong, even when they were the worst of the worst. Maybe Florence would be okay here. Judging from first impressions, her grandma seemed like a nice lady. I knew appearances could be deceptive, but I didn’t get any bad vibes from her.
“Well, Flo has been a good friend to me. I was glad to help her out,” I said.
“Please, take a seat. I’ll make us some tea.”
She went to the kitchen while I sat down on the couch. Florence took the armchair across from me. “She seems lovely,” I said encouragingly.
“She is. I really like it here.”
“That’s good. I’m glad.” I shot a glance in the direction of the kitchen before lowering my voice. “Isn’t it strange, though, that your dad just randomly decided to send you here? It seems almost too good to be true.” I thought of the night Ethan had compelled Terry never to hit Florence again and wondered if he’d paid him another visit. If he had, then I wasn’t mad about it. Florence was much better off here with her Grandma.
“I agree, it’s strange,” she replied. “But I’m not going to question it. I’m starting a new school next week, and this town is so quaint. I’d rather finish school here than back in the city. This is a good thing, Tegan.”
“If you’re happy, then I’m happy,” I said, eyeing her closely. I continued speaking quietly, “I also wanted to ask you something a little unusual.”
“Oh?”
I took a deep breath, weighing my words, before levelling my gaze on her. “Are you different, Flo?”
She stiffened, worrying her lip as she replied, “What do you mean?”
“I mean, are you like everybody else or is there something about you that’s not quite … normal?” When she didn’t answer, I hurried to add, “Because I’m not quite normal either.”
At this, her eyes lit up. She opened her mouth, about to say something, but her grandma returned at that moment with the tea. Great. The woman had perfect timing. We sat and made polite chit chat for a while before it was time for me to leave.
“I’ll walk you out,” Florence said, guiding me to the front door. She was quiet as she accompanied me to the end of the garden. Her grandma remained in the house, her focus on her knitting.
“To answer y-y-your question,” Florence began nervously. “No, I’m not normal.” She could barely meet my eyes when she said it. She looked almost ashamed. “And please don’t be mad, but I know you aren’t normal either. It’s why I’ve always trusted you.”
“How do you know that about me?”
She waved her arms around me. “I can see it. You’re different. It’s plain as day to someone like me.”
“Someone like you?”
She snuck a glance back at the house before whispering, “I’ve never told anyone this, so it’s a little n-n-nerve-wracking for me.”
“Don’t be nervous. I won’t tell a soul. I know how to keep a secret.”
“I can see auras,” she confessed in a whisper. “They show me people’s emotions. Like right now, I can see that you’re eager to l-leave. You’re not staying here in Chesterport, are you?” Her expression was glum, and I felt bad that I couldn’t stick around for her.
“You’re right. I am eager to leave, but it’s nothing to do with you. It’s because of what I am. It’s dangerous for me to stay here.”
Florence nodded, a sense of wisdom in her gaze that was far beyond her years. “I see.”
“Do you?”
“Yes. I can see that what you’re doing is for the best, even though I’m going to be sad to see you l-l-leave.”
I reached out and pulled her into a hug. “I’ll miss you.”
She accepted the hug, and we stood there for a long moment. When she pulled back, her face was worried. “Will you let me know when you get to wherever you’re going? Just let me know you’re safe?”
“I will. I promise.”
We exchanged one final hug, and my chest felt too tight. There were so many people I had to leave behind, and it was killing me. I began the walk back to Dad’s house, and my chest squeezed even tighter knowing I only had a few hours left with him. The road I had ahead of me was a painfully lonely one, but I could handle it. I’d survived this far, and I was damned if I was going to give up now.
Steely determination formed in my gut. I could do this. I could start a brand-new life far from here and evade all the people who wanted to find me …
Right?
2.
6 months later
It seemed like a sick joke that the first job I managed to secure in my new city was at a grocery store almost identical to Hagen’s. However, I stipulated that I wouldn’t be available to work any night shifts, so there was that. Typically, I was back in my apartment before it got dark and I didn’t leave again until morning. Avoiding going out at night had become a new habit.
At least I knew I wouldn’t encounter any vampires during the day.
It was starting to wear me down though. I needed to get out and socialise. I couldn’t remain a hermit for much longer and retain my sanity. On the way home from one of my shifts I spotted a flyer for an art exhibition happening at a gallery nearby. My heart filled with longing just looking at it. I wanted to go, enjoy a glass of wine, admire some art, and perhaps even make small talk with strangers.