Dead End: Midnight Hollow

by Penn Cassidy

“That’s right, mortals, run away from the scary monsters. It’s what your kind does best.” I felt Payton’s sneer as I turned my back on her and headed for the door.

  Just be the bigger person, October…

  Cal caught up to us. “Don’t let her get to you, she doesn't have a lot of friends.”

  “How come? Isn’t she a cheerleader?” I asked as we raced down the halls.

  “Cheerleaders are social outcasts around here. Most of them are clowns, and even by our standards, they’re a lot to handle.”

  Maddie shivered. “Didn’t exactly get a warm welcome from the last clowns we encountered.”

  Cal tipped his head in question, so I said, “We got chased by a few of them when we got into town. It wasn’t pretty.” I remembered the way my heart had leapt into my throat as we ran for our lives. I still had no idea what would have realistically happened had they caught us.

  Cal laughed, stopping us short. “Don’t let those guys intimidate you. They were probably just fucking around, and you guys were the perfect targets. Payton’s family runs the Killer Clown Motel downtown. They’re weird, for sure, and you really don’t wanna piss them off, but they’re harmless. Her uncle is even on the city council with my dad.”

  “Huh…” I said, scratching my head. “I literally have nothing to say to that.”

  He gave me a suave smile. “It’s all right, little mortal. You’ve got a lot to learn. It’s a good thing I’m such a good teacher.”

  “Feel free to teach me your ways, oh wise one,” Maddie purred, sidling up to Cal again.

  For just the briefest of seconds—so short I almost missed it—I could have sworn I saw a blush stain his cheeks, but it was gone in an instant. Hmm…curious.

  “Well, ladies, it looks like this is your stop.” He gestured to an open classroom door. Maddie giggled and brushed past him slowly, but I lingered a moment.

  “Listen,” I said, lowering my voice. “I really appreciate your help. We’ve been so lost, and this whole situation makes me feel like I’ve finally lost my mind. Thanks for showing us around and treating us like…” I giggled darkly. “Well, not like we’re human, I guess.”

  Cal grinned. He really was charming, I supposed. Still, my belly didn’t flutter when he smiled at me. My heart didn’t do backflips when he leaned in for a half hug. But I did embrace him, enjoying the soft smell of cinnamon and vanilla that wafted off of his jacket. “Anytime, October. I’ll see you girls around, so please don’t be a stranger.”

  With a smile, I turned away and finally stepped into my first class.

  Our first two classes were easy, easier than I’d imagined, but they were the only two classes Maddie and I had together. I was done for the day, but she had something a little extra on her schedule—a class on witchcraft that the aunties had signed her up for, despite her complaining about going.

  I was kind of jealous, not going to lie, but I was happy Maddie would get some help. I knew she was trying to cover up all her worries with jokes. Over the last week at the manor, weird and unexplainable things had started happening around Maddie. Doors would open for her, items would levitate, and a few times, I could have sworn I saw her stirring her tea without touching the spoon. We were all pretty sure Maddie was a witch.

  It made sense, and I hoped she would just embrace it. Michael, as it turned out, was a rare sort of warlock. The snake and the blazing hellfire were signs of dark magic, and the aunties told him they’d do their best to help him through it. Jason was struggling with his demonic familiar and trying to keep him at bay, but Damon liked to come out whenever possible, especially when Jason found himself alone with me. We were all in for a hell of a wild ride.

  Potions had been entertaining to say the least. The professor was kind of scary at first, but once I got used to her popping up in any given place, her antics actually became amusing. She was a ghost—or a poltergeist, as she asked to be called. Nearly translucent, she wore what looked like a long sweeping dress in a patchwork of fabrics with lace around the cuffs and collar. Her hair was up in a neat bun, but there was a distinct gaping hole right in the center of her forehead. I hadn’t asked about it, and didn’t think I’d have the guts to any time soon.

  I still wasn’t sure how invested I should get into academics. We’d only been here for a week, and everything still seemed so surreal. The aunties had said there was no chance of us going back to the mortal world any time soon, at least not until next Halloween. I had a sneaking suspicion that wasn't entirely true. They were keeping something from us, and I needed to figure out what it was.

  But did any of this really mean we needed to immerse ourselves in the life here? I supposed it was better than the alternative. I didn’t really feel like sitting around the aunties’ manor, twiddling my thumbs for a year. Still, it was hard to concentrate when I was feeling so completely outside my element since I’d raised the dead. It didn’t mean I wanted to go back, I didn’t, but I had a feeling I’d have to make a choice someday.

  We’d been learning some of the basics, and I was pretty sure the professor only covered it because she knew Maddie and I were in the class. Most of the students probably all knew this stuff already, but she was being kind for our sake. We learned some basic concoctions, such as a potion to make food instantly taste better, and a potion to make your hair grow. We even watched her mix a potion to turn any organic being into stone temporarily without killing it. That one kind of freaked me out. I had no idea just how in depth magic really went, but so far, I knew it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Actually, I was pretty sure neither of those things even existed here.

  During my other class, I pretty much zoned out. The professor, who looked like he was seconds away from falling apart at the seams, didn’t seem to care that Maddie and I were behind. We spent most of the class period talking about some book they’d been collectively reading. It seemed like the professor loved to hear himself talk, because I wasn't even sure he’d taken a single breath the entire time.

  I actually found myself nodding off, and I’d spied Maddie with her head in her hand a time or two and prayed she wouldn’t start snoring. My mind drifted to the changes I’d seen in the guys and how much I worried about them. My brain wouldn’t turn off. I thought about the last serious conversation I’d had with Jason, vividly picturing the way his eyes had flickered to that bright yellow when Damon came out, the way his smile transformed his face into someone I didn’t recognize.

  Damon. Even thinking his name made me shiver with equal parts of pleasure and dread. Jason’s apparent familiar was terrifying. The thought of him taking up residence inside Jason’s head was enough to make my own head spin. And that tongue… That tongue admittedly made me feel a few things I was definitely not proud of. But I was convinced it was only because Damon still had Jason’s face and voice. Yeah, that was it, I was sure of it.

  And then that moment with Freddy in the bookshop. The way he’d looked at me, his touch sparking something wild inside. He’d actually touched me for real, without a hint of his usual dickishness or malice. It was surreal, but I was sure it was genuine. Of all of the guys, Freddy always seemed the most hesitant to mock me. He still did, but not to the extent that the others did. I didn’t know what came over him or me in that shop, but I couldn’t lie and say I didn’t want it to happen again and again.

  Feeling his lips on mine after a year of being lonely was more magical than anything I’d experienced in Midnight Hollow so far, but I couldn’t let him know that since he’d only use it against me. I supposed there was still a very good chance that the moment had been planned, some little scheme he and Norman concocted to humiliate me. There was no sure way of knowing, but I wanted to tell myself it wasn't true. Freddy meant that kiss and those toe curling touches, and he’d have been a fool to try and deny it. Even now, my skin tingled with the memory.

  After class ended and I said goodbye to Maddie, I decided to go back to the aunties’ house. I had nothing else to do at the school, and I figured s
ome time alone couldn’t hurt. Back in the mortal world, I’d become somewhat of a homebody and liked to be alone more often than not. It was a good thing Midnight Hollow was so small, as it didn’t take long to walk through town.

  The night was comfortably crisp, and I pulled my cloak around me tighter, the hood pulled up over my hair. I couldn't believe I got to wear a cloak, casually too, and no one would say a goddamn thing about it. Up ahead, I could see the lights of Main Street, but my eyes kept flickering to the road leading out of town, the same road we’d emerged from. I knew that if I were to walk just a little farther, I’d reach that cemetery. Curiosity was eating at me. My parents were buried in the Sunset Hollow Cemetery, not Midnight.

  The thought made me feel incredibly hollow, as I missed my parents so much. I ached for my mom’s warm smiles and my dad’s hugs every day. Sometimes, seeing the aunties was jarring, given how similar they looked to her. I kept my eyes on that road until it was out of sight and I was swallowed up by the lights of the town. Since it was always dark here, I wondered if the shops ever actually closed and how often anyone got any sleep. The only reason the town had been empty the night we arrived was because most of them were on vacation in the mortal world.

  Bats circled overhead, making little chattering noises, and I smiled up at them. There were no cars on the streets, and now that I thought about it, I’d only seen maybe one or two the entire time I’d been here. I passed by the candy shop and The Wicked Quill. Smiling to myself, I debated popping in to see how Mr. Hottie was doing, but I decided not to poke the beast—the beast being Freddy, of course.

  The smells of pumpkin, cinnamon, and spice flowed through the air, as well as the scent of crackling flames as I passed the tall wrought iron torches lining the dark street. I glanced upwards, staring at the twin moons hovering overhead, and marveled. I also wondered how that even worked. I figured the oceans in this world were tumultuous, imagining the impact those moons had on the tides. And then it got me thinking… Could those moons be the reason for all the supernatural stuff?

  Moons had strange effects on water, and many scientists also assumed it to have the same effect on the human bloodstream. Could having an extra moon in the sky be the reason everything was so topsy turvy? I wondered if they even had scientists in this world—or would they be called alchemists, wizards? There were so many unanswered questions just eating away at me. I thought for a second time about going back to the bookshop, but thought better of it and continued down the road. I’d save the questions for later, I just needed some alone time.

  I reached the manor a short while later and set my bag down on the porch. I was about to head inside when a purple glowing light caught my eye. Rounding the side of the house, my eyes widened when I took in the sight of the most beautiful garden I’d ever seen. I hadn’t left the house at all in the last week, save for the trip into town, so I’d never taken the time to explore as I freaked out alone in my room about raising the dead. Now I wished I had gone off to explore. There were vines swirling up lattice walls, covered in night jasmine and glowing purple berries. I saw flowers with deep blue petals and a massive venus fly trap over by a fountain. The plant was at least a head taller than me, and I knew I needed to stay clear of it. I wasn’t in the mood to become any plant's meal.

  It was a night garden, and the plants and flowers seemed to reach upwards, as if basking in the twin moons’ glowing light, thriving on it. Everything smelled of jasmine and rose, with a deep earthy scent of mulch. There were gnarled, curling black trees dotting the property in the exact place I remembered the oaks stood in the mortal world. Everything was similar to the place I remembered, but the differences were striking and beautiful. It was as if a painter had taken the image of my home and turned it into a dark wonderland on canvas.

  The chirping of crickets filled the night, and the hooting of owls answered them to fill the silence. I made my way to the stone fountain in the center of the garden and took a seat on the edge. Water trickled down the statue of a fawn, which seemed to be dancing, playing a piccolo and balancing on one single hoof. The water pooled below me and I reached out, running my fingers over the surface.

  In the rippling dark water, a looming shape caught my attention and I tilted my head to try to see it better. There was some sort of glimmering light in the water, but when I reached out to touch it, I realized it was only a reflection. I turned in my seat and squinted towards the back of the house. There in the moonlight was a pane of glass, shining through two gnarled trees.

  I headed towards it on slow steps, curious about what else the aunties were hiding back here. When I broke through the shrubbery and branches, I was amazed to find a massive glass-paned greenhouse. It was made of tall, black wooden beams interspersed with square glass windows. The glass was all fogged up, and I could barely make out the plants inside, pushing up against the windows. Excitement rolled through me. Now this was something the aunties definitely hadn’t had back in the mortal world. It used to be a dry patch of grass back here.

  I crept around the side of the building and found a door facing away from the main house. It creaked open, and a musty, warm breeze rushed out, blowing my hair from my shoulders. The warmth felt nice against my skin, so I immediately shucked my cloak, hanging it up on a little hook I spotted near the door. I looked around and noticed the air seemed to be tinged slightly green. There were plants of every species and vines dripping from the ceiling. I could barely make out the moons above me, shining through the glass.

  The moonlight was the only illumination, but it was enough. I could faintly make out the sound of trickling water coming from every direction. When I squinted upwards, I noticed tiny droplets of water were raining down over some areas of the room, seemingly coming from thin air. I could tell right away that it was some sort of spell the aunties must have woven in order to keep their plants healthy. It was genius.

  I tried not to disturb the plants as I wandered around. The ground was made of a purple colored moss and felt kind of like walking on sand, as my feet sunk in with each step. I could picture spending a lot of time in this greenhouse, maybe curled up with a book or listening to music. It was tranquil, and most of all, it was away from everyone else. As far as I knew, nobody else had discovered this little hideout, and with the spell for the rain in progress, I assumed my aunties didn't have to come in here to water the plants very often.

  I was bending down to smell a bush that was covered in velvety black roses when I felt a chill race down my spine. A coldness washed over me, and it felt like every shadow in the room pulled closer. I knew I wasn’t alone. I tried not to react because I didn’t want to panic, but my body locked up and my fight or flight response began to kick in.

  I was ready to bolt when a sudden icy touch on my shoulder stopped me in my tracks. Though I had yet to turn around, I suddenly knew without a single doubt exactly who was in here with me. His scent curled around my body next—leather, smoke, and sage. Norman stood absolutely still over my shoulder, as if waiting for me to make the first move.

  I did. I moved quickly and turned to face him, needing him to know that this was my space he was invading. But when our eyes clashed, I sucked in a sharp breath as my heart plummeted to my stomach. Norman’s angular face was gaunt, making his cheekbones jut out. His black hair was stark against the ivory pallor of his skin, and his lips were bloodless. Tiny black veins crept under the thin skin near his eyes. He wasn’t breathing. In fact, it seemed like he was holding his breath.

  “Norman?” I whispered, for some reason knowing it would be a bad idea to startle him. “What’s wrong? Oh god, you need a doctor or maybe the aunties. You don’t look so good.”

  His eyes flickered between mine, but he didn’t say anything. He just reached out and skimmed one finger down the side of my cheek. His touch was ice cold, reminding me of the feel of his skin when I’d found him dead in the school bus. I shivered at the memory.

  “You’re freaking me out right now,” I said. I rubbed the tops
of my arms, suddenly cold instead of pleasantly warm.

  “You smell so good,” he murmured. His voice was low, deep, and almost a purr. He moved his gaze from mine, landing first on my lips, and then descending to my throat. I swallowed, and his eyes tracked the movement, his pupils expanding until his eyes were nearly black. “Like crisp leaves and honey…”

  “Norman,” I said, a little sharper now. “Did you drink any of the blood you got from the blood bank?” I’d seen him go in there, so I knew he had it. But from the look on his face…

  “Why would I drink that swill when I have the most delectable source right here?” He licked his lips slowly, like a man dying from thirst. Fear skittered through me, but not only fear. There was a hint of thrill, too. Thrill at the way he devoured me with his eyes, hungering for my blood…and something more that made an ache right between my thighs.

  I could see it there in his eyes, plain as day. The same look he’d given me countless times. The same look that had me giving him my virginity over a year ago, right into his skillful, strong hands. Back when our lives were so different, when we were human and normal and life was full of endless possibilities. He was looking at me like I meant something to him, but it was impossible. He hated me with a passion.

  “You need to go drink. Fe told you you’d die if you don’t. You’re being reckless.” I was trying to talk some sense into him, but I failed to notice the way he slowly prowled closer until he was inches away.

  He looked in my eyes again as he said, “I want you really fucking badly, October.”

  My name on his lips nearly stopped my heart cold. “You don’t know what you’re saying,” I said. “It’s the bloodlust talking, Norman.”

  He laughed, bitter and cold. “I think I can tell the difference for myself. I want you, October. You and your blood call to me every second of every day, always has. I’ve never stopped wanting you, not for a single second, and I think you already know that. I remember how good we were together, how you made me feel alive with just a single touch. I remember the way it felt to finally have you beneath me…and I want it. I want you again.”