“Let’s wait on the porch for a little while,” I said, walking towards the front of the cabin again. “If she is heading out, we need to catch her beforehand.”
We both sat down on the wooden rockers on the porch and stared pensively towards the dirt road. After about fifteen minutes, I glanced back at her empty truck and sighed. “Something isn’t right, Nathan. I just have this horrible, horrible feeling.”
He stood up. “I know. I’m wigging out a little here, myself. You know, she’s pretty old. What if she had a stroke or heart attack, and is lying inside, unable to move?”
I rose to my feet, too. “Oh crap. Check the door.”
Nathan reached for the handle, and it opened easily. He stuck his head inside. “Hello? Abigail? It’s Nathan from the next cabin over!”
Nobody answered.
“Keep going,” I said.
We stepped inside and were immediately engulfed in a smell that made me want to puke.
“What’s that smell?” I whispered in horror, stopping in my tracks. It was worse than garbage that’s been baking in the sun and dog shit – combined.
“Oh, hell, I don’t know. Let’s go find her bedroom,” he mumbled, his hand over his nose. “Just stay behind me.”
We searched the cabin until we found a room that appeared to be her bedroom. On the full-sized bed were two open suitcases and piles of women’s clothing, ready to be packed.
I looked at Nathan. “What now?”
“Kitchen.”
I followed him out of the bedroom and we both gasped in horror the moment we entered the kitchen. On the floor, next to the refrigerator, lay Abigail – her neck ripped open and her lifeless eyes fixed on the ceiling. We both shrieked and then ran like hell out of the cabin, back to his Mustang.
“Oh, my God, we have to call the cops!” I cried. “That was horrible!”
“Did you see her eyes?” he choked, his face whiter than my dress. He pulled his phone out and dialed nine-one-one. After he hung up with the police, he started the engine.
Dizzy and afraid of puking, I opened my window to let some fresh air in. “I guess there’s no question that vampires are involved, now, is there?”
“Hell no. Let’s get out of here and call mom when we get back to the cabin. The police told me to stick around, but screw that. They know where to find us.”
“I agree.”
He kicked up rocks as we peeled out of the driveway and I closed my eyes, trying to get the image of Abigail’s body out of my head. If Ethan was responsible for that, there was no way in hell I’d want to see him again. As far as I was concerned, it was time to talk mom into leaving town.
Chapter Twenty-One
A squad car stopped by our cabin an hour later, asked us several questions, and then left. Because we didn’t want to sound crazy, we didn’t mention a word about vampires.
“That must have been so horrifying,” said mom, who’d stopped back home after we’d called to let her know what had happened.
“Her throat was torn apart, mom,” said Nathan. “There was blood everywhere. It was just… crazy.”
Sighing, she picked off a piece of lint from her jean skirt. “Maybe it was a bear or a mountain lion that attacked her.”
Nathan’s face darkened. “Or maybe it was a vampire.”
She groaned. “You’re not going to start with that business, again, are you?”
He sighed. “Look, you know us. We aren’t making it up, mom. This Ethan dude, he literally flew out of Nikki’s room.”
“He’d better think twice before he sneaks into your sister’s bedroom, again.”
He smiled grimly. “Mom, if we aren’t careful, they’ll be bloodsucking lovers for the rest of eternity. No lie.”
Mom burst out laughing. “You’re so melodramatic.”
I knew she still wouldn’t believe the vampire story, and part of me didn’t blame her. I was still having a hard time accepting it, myself.
“Listen,” she said, looking down at her watch. “I’m going to be late for my eye appointment if I don’t leave. Are you both still going to this town barbeque?”
Nathan and I looked at each other.
“We should,” I told him. “Duncan’s expecting us and I’m afraid that Ethan is coming back later. He might hurt you.”
“Nikki, if you think someone is going to hurt your brother, then you call the police right away!” snapped mom. “I mean, seriously!”
“Mom,” said Nathan. “The police can’t stop this guy.”
She rubbed her forehead. “Well, we’ll talk about this later. I’ll see you at in town. Have your cell phones on you.”
After mom left us, I called Duncan and told him about finding Abigail.
“No shit? I wonder if Ethan was responsible for killing her.”
“I don’t know. I mean, he didn’t actually seem like a killer to me.”
Duncan paused. “Even so, if I catch that guy anywhere around you, I’m going to pound his head in.”
I smiled. “You’d do that for me?”
“Damn right,” he replied. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re my girl now.”
“I like that sound of that,” I replied, softly.
“Oh, hell, my dad’s calling me. Look, I’ll see you guys around four o’clock. Call me if you have any problems. I can’t wait to see you. I thought about you all night.”
“Me too,” I replied, although I’d been thinking about how I’d pretty much cheated on him, even though I’d been a victim myself. I only hoped that he wouldn’t find out about it. He was such a sweet guy and didn’t deserve to be hurt.
As I hung up, Nathan walked out of the kitchen with some garlic and told me to try and find the cross necklace that my father had given me.
“I lost it,” I said with a grim smile, “last summer.”
He sighed. “You know, I never thought I’d meet someone more dangerous to us than our dad.”
“We don’t know for sure if Ethan killed our neighbor or those girls.”
Nathan scowled. “Don’t start making excuses for this…thing.”
“He has friends. Maybe one of them killed Abigail?”
“Just stop, okay? Ethan is no good for you. If he has killed people, then you have to stay away from him.”
“I know,” I said.
“Rub some of this garlic on your wrists,” he said, holding it out.
I backed away. “Yeah, right. I’m not going to walk around smelling like pizza, especially walking through crowds of people.”
He shrugged. “Fine then, let’s just go.”
Twenty minutes later, we arrived in town and parked at the marina. Duncan was waiting for us in the shop.
“Hey, Duncan,” said Nathan.
“Hey, Nathan.”
Duncan walked over and put his arms around me. “Are you okay?”
I nodded.
He tilted my chin up and stared into my eyes. “I’m not leaving your side anymore. Not until this guy is behind bars. Or… whatever the hell he is.”
I nodded.
“Wow, you look… beautiful,” he said. “I’d better keep my eyes on you.” Then he brushed my lips with his.
“Let’s get going, I’m starving,” interrupted Nathan.
Duncan smiled and put his arm around my shoulders as we started walking towards the town festival.
“Wow, they really go all out,” said Nathan.
Large tents and carnival rides were set up in the park and the smell of succulent barbequed meat and corndogs drifted through the air. Crowds of people were already stuffing their faces, standing in line for the rides, or chasing after their kids.
Nathan groaned. “I’m starving, lead me to the chow.”
A half hour later we were sitting at a picnic table watching Nathan devour his second helping of ribs and listening to some band play old time rock-n-roll songs. Nathan’s cell phone began to ring. He licked his fingers and answered the phone.
“Mom’s on her way,” he s
aid after hanging up.
“Nikki!”
I looked up and saw Susan walking over. I introduced her to Nathan and Duncan.
“I thought you had to work today?” I asked her.
“No. They closed down for the day because of the festival, thank goodness,” she answered.
“Did you eat yet?” asked Nathan, sliding over to make room for her at the picnic table.
She shook her head. “No, but that’s okay. I’m going to get something later.”
“You can sit down with us. I don’t bite,” he said, his lips curling up. “Unless you want me to.”
Susan blushed and sat down next to him.
I smiled in amusement as Nathan began teasing her some more. Susan looked totally different out of uniform and reminded me a little of a younger Jennifer Aniston. My brother must have liked what he saw, because he was totally laying on the charm.
“So, do you know this Ethan character?” asked Nathan after a while.
“I only know that he pursued Amy and she had this notion he was a vampire.”
“Did she say why she thought he was a vampire?” asked Duncan.
She shrugged. “Just that he only came out at night and had this power to make her do whatever he wanted. It freaked the hell out of her.”
“So, did he ever try hitting on you?” asked Nathan.
She stared at her clasped fingers. “No, but I went out with one of his friends a couple of times.”
My eyes widened. “You went out with one of the guys he comes in with at night?”
“Not one of them. I went out with Drake, who was more of a loner. Then, he kind of just fell off of the face of the earth. He used to come in at night alone and we’d go out after my shift. Then one night, he just never came back. I tried calling him but he never even returned my calls.”
“Did you really think he was a vampire?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No. I mean he was kind of intense and kept weird hours, but of course he wasn’t a vampire. There’s no such thing, right?”
Nathan and I stared at each other, but didn’t respond.
“Did you ever go to his house?” asked Duncan.
“We stopped by once, but he made me wait outside. He lived with Ethan and the others; they rent this house on the edge of town.”
“You didn’t think it was weird that he made you wait outside?” I asked.
She shook her head. “Not really. Besides, Ethan and the others really creep me out. Drake was different, though. I wish I knew what happened to him.”
“Did you ask Ethan?” I said.
She made a face. “Yeah but he didn’t say much. Personally, I think he went back home to Australia. He talked about his family a lot and how he missed them.”
My eyebrows shot up. “He was Australian?”
She nodded and got this dreamy look on her face. “Yeah, he had this neat accent. Man, I miss that guy.”
Duncan cleared his throat. “So you know where Ethan lives?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe we should call the sheriff and tell him we think Ethan’s responsible for those murders?” said Nathan.
Susan’s jaw dropped. “You seriously think that Ethan is responsible?”
“We don’t know for sure,” I said.
Nathan scowled. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s responsible for something.”
Embarrassed, I looked away. I’d let Ethan into my bedroom and allowed him to do those things to me. What was even worse was that I’d enjoyed it, and wasn’t even certain that I had regrets.
Was he a murderer?
I didn’t want to believe it.
“Here comes mom,” said Nathan, standing up. He waved and she walked over.
“So, what did the eye doctor say?” I asked. She was still wearing her sunglasses.
She shrugged. “He prescribed some eye drops for me. He thinks it might be an eye infection, but doesn’t know for sure. If the drops don’t work then I’m supposed to come back in five days for more tests.”
“Hopefully you won’t have to wear your sunglasses to work on Monday.”
She smiled. “Now that would be awkward, wouldn’t it? So,” she looked around. “Have you seen Caleb, yet?”
I shook my head. “No. Did you call him?”
“I did, but he never answers during the day. He says it’s because he’s so busy. I just hope it’s not something else.”
“Like what? Another woman?” I asked.
She smiled, sheepishly. “Yeah, maybe.”
“Are you talking about Sheriff Caleb?” asked Susan.
“Yeah,” I said.
“He’s definitely not married,” she said. “He has a daughter who just graduated, Celeste. His wife died a few years ago.”
“That’s what he told me, too,” said mom.
“So what’s the sheriff’s daughter like?” I asked.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you! The redhead we saw on our first day in town… the cute one? That’s Celeste.”
“The hot one?” asked Nathan.
“Yes, Nathan. ‘The hot one’,” she said with a smile.
Nathan turned to Susan. “No offense, Susan. You’re really hot, too.”
Susan’s cheeks turned bright red again.
“Hey, here comes my dad,” said Duncan, waving his hand.
Sonny walked over with a plate of food and sat down next to mom. He smiled. “Hi, I’m Duncan’s dad… you must be Nikki and Nathan’s mom? I’m Sonny and I’m going to apologize right now for making a pig out of myself.”
Mom laughed. “I’m Anne. That’s quite all right. I’m used to it, Nathan eats round the clock.”
“I have to be back at the marina in fifteen minutes so I have to eat fast.”
I watched as my mom and Sonny began talking about some yacht he was currently fixing.
“How fascinating,” she said. “I’ve always wanted a ride on a beautiful yacht.”
He smiled. “Come on by the marina sometime and I’ll take you out on a couple. I own a fifty-foot carver myself, and haven’t had a chance to take it out much this summer. You’d give me a reason to start the engine.
My mom’s face lit up. “That sounds wonderful.”
“I’d better get back,” he said, standing up. “It was nice meeting you, Anne. Susan, I’ll see you at the diner again, I’m sure.”
“See you, Mr. Hamilton,” answered Susan.
“I probably won’t be home until late,” said Duncan.
Sonny’s eyes narrowed. “That’s right. Call me if you need me.”
When Sonny left, mom smiled. “Your dad seems very nice, Duncan.”
“Thanks.”
She looked at me. “And cute, too.”
I laughed. He was pretty hot for an older guy.
Nathan stood up. “Anybody interested in going on some rides? Susan?”
“Sure,” she answered.
“Duncan, how about some rides?” I asked.
He nodded. “Let’s go.”
“I’m going to be taking off,” said mom. “Caleb’s supposed to be stopping over after work. I don’t see him patrolling around here anyway.”
There were a few cops wandering around but I hadn’t seen Caleb around either.
“Okay, bye, mom,” I said.
“Don’t stay up too late,” said Nathan.
“Same goes for you, dad,” she replied.
We purchased some carnival tickets and then spent the next couple of hours screaming on the rides. I watched in amusement as Nathan pretended to be frightened and hugged Susan for comfort.
“They seem to be hitting it off,” said Duncan as we got on the Ferris wheel by ourselves.
“Yeah.”
Duncan’s face darkened. “So, what exactly happened between you and Ethan?”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Not much,” I lied.
His eyes narrowed. “Nathan mentioned he was in your bedroom?”
“Yes. He knocked on the door and I opene
d it. I’m not even sure why I did. He has this way of manipulating people. You heard Susan.”
“He’d better leave you alone or I’ll manipulate his face,” he said. He then put his arms around me and drew me close.
I smiled in pleasure as his lips closed in on mine. Within a matter of seconds, I’d forgotten all about Ethan and was kissing Duncan back as hungrily as he was kissing me. Then the ride was ending, and we were forced to pull apart
“What are you doing to me?” he murmured.
I’d certainly felt his excitement brush against me and decided it was probably better that the ride had ended when it did.
“So, Duncan, how many girls have you been with?’
He looked at me in surprise. “Is it important?”
“No, not really.”
“If it makes you feel better, I’ve only been with one other girl. We went out for a few months when I was living with my mom, in Minnesota.”
“Do you miss her?”
He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “You’re all I care about, Nikki. I’ve never felt this way about anyone.”
I smiled and kissed him.
“What about you?” he asked, when I pulled away.
I blushed. “Actually, I’m a virgin.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“What?”
“You are?”
I scowled. “Yeah, why? Do I seem easy to you or something.”
He burst out laughing. “No! I’m sorry. You just know how to…”
I smiled wickedly. “Excite you? You’re a guy. It’s not too difficult to figure out.”
“So, you’re really a virgin?” he said, rubbing the bottom of his chin. “Hmm…I’d better be careful then. You’re like a delicate flower that needs to be handled with kid gloves.”
I snorted. “Yeah right!”
“Okay, maybe I should tell you to be careful with me.”
“Maybe, you should.”
He smiled as the Ferris wheel stopped at the ground and then helped me down.
“There’s Nathan and Susan,” I said, pointing towards the ticket booth. They were apparently going on more rides.
“Would you like to go on more rides?” he asked, pulling out his wallet.
“Actually, I have to use the ladies’ room,” I said, looking around.
Toxic (Venom Series) Book Three Page 35