The Winter People

by Rebekah L. Purdy

  “Please, help me!” I kicked my feet against the floor of the car trying to give myself leverage.

  Long bony fingers reached through the broken window, clawing at my face. A screech tumbled from my mouth.

  Headlights came into view, sending the creature scurrying into the woodland. I heard a door open and there was Gareth, blade in hand, looking every bit a warrior. Oh God, what was he doing? Why did he have a sword?

  “Salome.” He rushed to my side. He jerked the door open with more power than I’d ever seen anyone use. In one swift motion, he cut the seat belt, catching me before I hit the ground.

  Tears streamed down my cheeks, pain making me nauseous.

  “Gareth,” I whispered. My savior held me in his arms, his worried eyes the last thing I saw before the pain swept me away.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Overwhelmed by a sterile scent, I fought to open my eyes. I blinked, trying to overcome golden blurred spots. I focused on the fluorescent lights overhead, their brightness giving me a headache.

  What the hell? What happened? Then it came back to me. The crash. The figure in the road. Gareth wielding a glowing knife. Fear gripped me tight, squeezing until I thought I might explode. The figure. It had been so close to me.

  I attempted to stay calm by sucking in several deep breaths. My body throbbed and I shifted on the firm bed. While a heart monitor beeped faster, I glanced around the room. Right, I was in the hospital.

  “Salome.” Mom clutched my hand. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” My voice sounded shaky. Unconvincing. I squinted beyond my mom to find her friend Nancy sitting in a chair.

  “You scared me to death.” Mom blinked away the tears trickling down her cheeks.

  Patting her hand, I forced a smile, which hurt my cheeks. “Mom, I’m okay. How’s Kadie?”

  “They released her already. She had a couple of scrapes, but nothing more. You on the other hand, have a concussion and several abrasions on your arm that required stitching. If it wasn’t for this nice young man here, it might’ve been worse.” She pointed at Gareth, who stood leaning against the doorjamb, as if on guard.

  I turned back to my mom. Dark rings circled her red, puffy eyes. I glanced at the clock. Four in the morning. “You should go home and get some sleep.” I gave a fake yawn. “There’s nothing else you can do for me that the doctors aren’t already doing.”

  Nancy stood, stretching. “She’s right. You need your rest, too. I can drop you off at home then pick you up later in the morning when Salome’s ready to be released.”

  Mom looked uncertain. “Are you sure? I can stay.”

  Gareth peeled himself from the wall, appearing less tired than the other two. “I’ll stay with her Mrs. Montgomery. My family isn’t expecting me home tonight anyway.”

  My vision blurred hot with tears as I stared at him. He’d saved my life. And right now, I had so many things I needed to ask him. Like, what the heck did he save me from on the side of the road and why was he here with me now? I barely knew the guy. But there was something so bright and shiny and warm about him I couldn’t catch my breath.

  With a sigh, Mom put on her coat, positioning her crutches beneath her arms. “I called your dad to let him know what happened, and he’s heading home after his last run tomorrow. He should be here sometime mid-week.” Mom touched my face. “Try and get some rest, okay? I love you.” She followed Nancy to the door.

  “Love you, too.” I lifted my head off the pillow and tried my best to reassure her with a smile, then collapsed as soon as she was out of sight.

  Gareth came over and sat beside me on the bed.

  “Thank you.” I squeezed his palm.

  He glanced to where my hand held his. “You scared the shit out of me tonight. When I came up on the crash, I thought you—you were…”

  I cringed with discomfort when I scooted into a sitting position. Gareth helped to prop the pillows behind me.

  Biting my bottom lip, I traced the pattern on the thin hospital blanket. “What was in the road tonight?”

  A look of bewilderment crossed his face and he shook his head. “I didn’t see anything there.”

  “But you carried a sword or a knife or something.”

  He smiled. “I didn’t have a sword. I came from the club, maybe five minutes behind you and Kadie. The only thing I had was my flashlight.”

  Maybe I was going mad.

  His phone buzzed and he glanced at it. “Listen, I’ve got to take this. I’ll be back in a few.”

  I really wondered if I had imagined it until I heard Gareth’s voice from the hall.

  “Yes, she’s safe…I know…I’ll keep an eye on her.”

  Keep an eye on me?

  After a minute, he came back into the room.

  “Who was that?”

  “Just a friend. Now, why don’t you lay down and get some rest.”

  “I—I don’t think I can sleep after what I saw tonight.” My voice cracked.

  He grabbed a chair and moved it closer to my bed. He tossed his jacket aside and sat down.

  “Just close your eyes.” He clutched my hand and I couldn’t help but sigh. “I’ll be here all night. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “Why are you so worried about me? You don’t really know me, other than the fact your friend’s dating my friend.”

  “Because you seem like a nice girl. And for the record, I’m not sure Simeon is actually dating Kadie.”

  “That’s not what she said.”

  “He told her maybe they could hang out some time and now, she seems to show up everywhere he goes. She’s persistent, I’ll give her that.”

  That sounded like Kadie. She didn’t take no for an answer. If she would’ve, then we never would’ve found ourselves at Club Blade. But that didn’t explain Gareth’s sudden interest in me.

  “Listen, why don’t you close your eyes. We can talk about this in the morning,” he said.

  My gaze met his. Could I trust him? Well, he did just save my life, so he kind of had one up on me now. My fingers warmed where he held them and I gave him a shaky smile.

  With that, I drifted off.

  Mom and Nancy wheeled me down to the parking lot. I argued that I didn’t need a wheelchair, but the nurse insisted it was protocol. At least I didn’t have the hospital gown on any longer so my ass was covered.

  “How are you feeling?” Mom asked as we pulled away from the hospital.

  “Fine, a little sore is all.” Although, the mirror made me wince when I saw the huge black and blue mark on the right side of my head and face. I looked like I’d gone ten rounds in a boxing match.

  “I want you to take it easy today,” she said, over the soft music playing on the radio.

  Problem was, I needed to see Nevin. If anyone would believe me, it would be him. Yet, terror made me shiver, wondering if I wanted to step foot into the winter landscape. Images of the bus, the crash, my strangled cat, and my near drowning experience flipped in my head like a bad slideshow.

  Nancy helped Mom and me into the house, making us promise we’d call if we needed anything. When she left I kept my coat on, grabbing a pair of mittens from the closet.

  “Where are you going?” Mom’s lips tightened with worry.

  “To Grandma’s. I’ve got chores.”

  She moved to block my way. “Absolutely not. You’re in no condition to be over there by yourself. The chores can wait a day or two.”

  “I have to. I promised Grandma.”

  “And I’m sure she’ll understand. For God’s sake, you just got out of the hospital.”

  This wasn’t going well. “Okay, how about I call a friend to come over and help with the chores? All I’ll have to do is sit there and watch to make sure they get done.”

  With a look of defeat, she threw her arms up in the air. “Fine. You’re not going to let this drop until you get your way. But I’m telling you right now, you better be careful or I’ll ground you. And you better cal
l me as soon as you get there.”

  Not giving her the chance to change her mind, I scooted out the door. Of course, I moved a lot slower today with my body aching. A headache pounded behind my eyes, but I tried to ignore it.

  Nevin sat waiting for me when I got to the house. He pulled me into his arms carefully. “What happened?”

  Taking a deep breath, I told him about the accident. My voice faltered as I described the creature in the road and I dabbed my face where its fingers had scratched my cheek.

  “Maybe I imagined it—”

  “You’re not crazy,” he whispered and anger hardened his jaw.

  “Sometimes I’m not so sure.” I rested my head against his chest. But even as I said the words, I knew this couldn’t all be in my head.

  “You said some guy named Gareth saved you?”

  “Yeah. He’s the one who found me.”

  “I’m glad he happened along when he did.” He took my hand. “I’ll take care of your chores for you. You can sit and relax.”

  “I’d like to walk with you.” I clung to him.

  His face softened, the fiery gaze melting away into cool pools of blue as he studied me. “Okay, but if you start feeling bad, I want you to sit down.”

  “Sure, Mom.”

  With a grin, he sighed. “I worry about you. I want you to be more careful.”

  “Sometimes it doesn’t seem to matter how careful I am. Danger just finds me.”

  Which was the truth. I couldn’t go anywhere without feeling a sense of impending doom or someone watching me. Life was becoming scarier by the minute and I wasn’t sure how much more I’d be able to take before breaking.

  My cell rang, displaying our home phone number. “Hello, Mom,” I said.

  “I’m just checking on you.”

  “My friend is here helping me.” I covered the mouthpiece with my hand. “Will you please tell my mom that you’re here doing the chores?”

  Nevin took the phone from me, giving me a wink. “Hello, Mrs. Montgomery—I’ve taken over Salome’s chores.” He paused for a moment and traced his finger gently across the scratches on my cheek. “Yes she’s taking it easy.” He nodded absently. “You’re welcome.” He hung up the phone.

  “Sorry, she’s a little protective.”

  “I can’t blame her.”

  Once he finished with the last feeder, we made our way back to the gazebo. I stood against the railing and stared out over the pond, the breeze brushing at my cheeks.

  Nevin came up behind me, his arm encircling my shoulder.

  “I feel so secure when I’m with you.” I inhaled his wonderful scent of honey and pine.

  He gave a bitter chuckle. “And yet, I can’t be there when you need me most.”

  “That’s not true,” I whispered. “I needed you today and here you are.”

  He was the only person who believed me. Around him, I felt a little less crazy.

  “Will you meet me here tomorrow?” Nevin turned me slowly to face him.

  That familiar, dizzy feeling returned with the sound of wind chimes carried on the breeze and I grinned. “Well, I kind of have to be here anyway.”

  His fingers played with strands of my hair, eyes intent on mine.

  “I didn’t have chores in mind.” His voice deepened. “I want to take you someplace.”

  “Okay,” I said.

  “Wear something warm.” He released me.

  “Are you going to give me a hint?”

  He started to walk away. “Nope. It’s a surprise.”

  I soon lost sight of him in the woods then headed for home. Maybe things weren’t so bad after all. But the dull ache in my head warned me not to be too sure about that.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The phone rang the next morning and I stumbled out of bed to grab it. Who called at eight thirty on the weekend? Hadn’t they heard of sleeping in?

  Yawning, I pressed the talk button. “Hello?”

  “Are you okay?” Grandma’s frantic voice erupted on the other end. “Your mom said you were in an accident.”

  “I’m fine.” I sat down, rubbing my fist across my eyes until the blurriness went away.

  Grandma let out a sigh. “Was there anything unusual about the crash?”

  I went still. How did she know? Unless… Visions of the graveyard flashed in my mind.

  “There was a figure in the road.” I stared at the frosty windows.

  “What kind of figure?”

  “I don’t know. It looked like a lady, but she didn’t seem human.” I shivered as the memories came spilling back. Her long stick-like fingers, the sinister voice. My chest tightened, constricting each breath. Geez, I sounded like a mad woman.

  In the distance, I heard Grandma calling my name. “Salome, are you still there?”

  “Y-yeah.”

  “Listen to me and listen close. You need to stay inside whenever possible. If you must go out, take a piece of rowan wood with you. It will offer you more protection.” She muttered to herself, “I knew it was only a matter of time.”

  “What do you mean ‘a matter of time’?”

  “I don’t mean anything dear, just a crazy lady rambling on. Just heed my words. And stay away from anyone you meet in the woods, you hear?”

  Did she mean Nevin? God, he couldn’t be a part of all this, could he?

  “You know what’s going on, don’t you?” My fingers clenched. “The last time I talked to you, I asked you what happened to the girls in the family and you said accidents. But it’s more than that, isn’t it?”

  “Trust me, the less you know the better off you’ll be.”

  I snorted. “Right, because not knowing almost got me killed the other night. If Gareth hadn’t come along when he did…” I fought back the tears. We’d always been so close, why wouldn’t she talk to me now? I needed to know what I was up against.

  “Gareth?” Grandma whispered.

  “Yes, he’s a guy I met at Perky Joe’s.”

  The line went silent for a long moment. “Are there any other boys? Anyone else who might have approached you?”

  I wanted to be honest, but so far she hadn’t been upfront with me. A part of me knew I should mention Nevin and meeting him in the woods. But he was my secret—someone I didn’t want to share with anyone.

  “No, there’s no one else.” The lie fell easily from my lips.

  “I hope you’re telling the truth because this is more serious than you think.”

  “But not serious enough for you to tell me what’s going on. Listen, I’ve got to get over to your house and get the animals fed. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “If you’re going to ignore my warnings, at least carry the rowan like I asked.” She sounded so tired as she hung up.

  Should I trust Nevin? He hadn’t given me any reason not to. I mean, who cared if he had secrets or if I didn’t know where he lived? But how could I explain him never wanting to come into my house or my grandparents’? In fact, I’d never seen him anywhere but our property.

  Great. Just what I needed—to doubt the one person in the world who possibly didn’t think I needed psychiatric help. Someone who’d become a close friend in a short span of time.

  “Who was on the phone?” Mom said as she came out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her wet hair.

  “Grandma.”

  “I forgot to tell you that Colton and Kadie called yesterday while you were out doing chores.” Mom sat down on the edge of the couch, her crutches propped next to her.

  “Yeah, I got a text from Colton asking if I was okay.”

  “Salome, there’s something I need to talk to you about before you head out.” She wrung her hands together in her lap.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Kadie and I had a long conversation about the crash.”

  I watched her. “What did she say?”

  “Kadie told me that the crash was your fault. She said you screamed and then grabbed the steering wheel from her, telling her there
was something in the road.”

  My mouth went dry. Oh God, she hadn’t seen it. “But I saw it…”

  “Salome, just stop and listen to me. She said there was nothing there. I—I think maybe it’s time we scheduled an appointment with Dr. Bosworth. Your episodes are coming on more frequently. We need some way to help you.”

  My pulse pounded in my ears. “No. You promised I wouldn’t have to go back.”

  “What choice do I have? You could’ve been killed the other night. You and Kadie both. We need to figure out what’s wrong with you. To be able to control your episodes better. At least when you’re medicated you’re not seeing things.”

  “Mom, please. Give me another chance. I—I’ll be better. You’ll see.” This was why I didn’t like to tell people about things. Didn’t want them to know what I heard and saw. Because it always led down this path. Everyone thought I was crazy and maybe they were right.

  A bird twittered on a low hanging branch as I sat on the deck waiting for Nevin. I smiled, watching it fly upward then glide toward the roof of the house, where it perched staring at me, cocking its head back and forth. At least Mom still let me come out today. I needed to see Nevin. To know someone was on my side.

  The bird whistled a long song, rocking his head back and forth as if trying to get me to follow. I stood, feeling foolish as I tramped after the blue bird. But when it landed on the wrought iron gate, I stopped. It sang one last high-pitched note then fell to the ground dead.

  Holy crap. This wasn’t happening. Not again. Backing away, I stumbled into a pair of strong arms.

  Nevin caught me before I hit the ground. “Whoa, are you okay?”

  “Did you just see that?” I pointed at the ground where the bird was.

  “You need to stay away from the gate.”

  Obviously. “Why do I need to stay away?” I gave him an innocent look. Thing was, if Grandma wasn’t going to give me answers I had no problem going somewhere else to get them.

  Nevin’s eyes grew dark. “The woods can be dangerous. Wild animals and such.”