I hoisted the duffle bag on my shoulder. “I think I should go the rest of the way alone. It’s going to be our first time meeting and they aren’t expecting me so I don’t want to overwhelm them. You can take off though. Maybe come back in a couple of hours?”
Keelie and Jade looked unsure at first, but they reluctantly agreed. I climbed out, closing the door behind me before they could object.
Keelie stuck her head out the window. “Call us right away if you need anything or you want us to come and get you earlier or if they’re not home or something.”
“I will.” I watched them reverse down the trail. Once they were out of sight, I headed for the cabin. It was about a mile’s walk, and the closer I got, the more eerie I felt. Tall trees loomed over me. Tiny animals made skittering sounds in the bushes. I wondered what would make Scarlett and her grandmother live so far out and away from everything else.
Once the cabin came into sight, I paused. It was a tiny wooden house with a green roof, red shutters, and a chimney, placed directly in the middle of a huge plot of land. Smoke rose from the chimney and I hoped that was a sign that someone was home.
Needing time to muster up some courage, I made myself comfortable amongst a cluster of trees in the corner of the yard. The windows had red curtains drawn across them. That was unfortunate because I had been hoping to look inside.
I waited for someone to come out or in so I could get a good look at them, but everything was still and quiet. I sat there running different scenarios through my mind until Keelie sent a text telling me they were on the way back. I could hardly believe a couple of hours had already passed. Tomorrow I was going to have to be more proactive.
“So, how did it go?” Jade asked once I’d reached the car.
“They weren’t home.”
“Aw,” Keelie said. “Why didn’t you call us then? We would have come right back.”
“I decided to wait and see if they would come home. Besides, it was nice just to clear my mind and enjoy the nature scene.”
Keelie wanted to stop at a convenience store to grab some snacks. I was fine with that because I hadn’t eaten anything for hours. I took a quick look at the fifty bucks still in my purse, figuring I’d better use as little as possible.
It was as if Jade could read my mind because she turned around in her seat. “Don’t worry. Grab what you want on me.”
I gave her a small smile, grateful, yet slightly embarrassed. I hated being a charity case, but at the moment, that fifty bucks was all Brayden and I had.
Inside, I grabbed a few bags of chips, two Twix bars, and a bag of gummy bears. On my way to the front counter, I bumped into someone, dropping everything I held. When I looked up to apologize, my heart stopped dead in my chest. It was her.
There was only one face like that. Her pale porcelain face framed by jet-black hair and the reddest lips I had ever seen in my life. Snow.
What was she doing here?
I didn’t know what to say. She smiled and bent to pick up my snacks. “I’m so sorry. I should have been looking at where I was going.”
She didn’t remember me. She had no idea who I was. “It-it’s okay. I wasn’t watching where I was going either.”
As I took the items from her, she squinted at me. My stomach flopped. Was she going to remember? If she did, how was she going to feel? Our relationship had been in an awkward place before she disappeared. She shook her head, smiled again and hurried to the front counter. The queen’s memory erasing spell was still in effect.
After she’d left, I met the girls at the front. We paid for our items and left the store. The whole way home all I could do was think about Snow. All this time I had no idea what had happened to her. The queen said she was alive and had broken her curse, but I couldn’t really take her word for anything. If that were the truth, good for Snow. I hoped she was leading a happy life and I hoped that one day I could have one too.
20
The next day I had the girls drop me off at the cabin again. This time I was going to the door. I had to make progress. Although I was terrified, the thought of Brayden laying sick in bed motivated me to do what I had to. When I’d spoken to him that morning he sounded even worse than he had the day before. The guilt was eating away at me. If Brayden had never met me, he wouldn’t have been going through any of this.
I crouched amongst trees just like the day before. This time I decided to edge around, staying in the trees, to get a different view of the house. I stopped when I had a nice side view. Just like the day before, the windows were all covered with red curtains. I wondered why they didn’t open them on such a nice day and let some sunshine in.
My heart leapt at a creaking sound. It was the back door opening and then slamming shut. That was when I saw her. A girl who looked no older than me, darted from the house and disappeared into the trees. She’d moved so fast it was hard for me to get a look at her. She’d worn a long-sleeved navy blue blouse, a long brown skirt, and had flaming red curls which trailed behind her. That must have been Scarlett.
I was tempted to follow her and see what she was doing out there in the woods, but if she caught me, how would I explain? I tried to work up the nerve to knock on the front door. Even though Scarlett had gone out, her grandmother was probably still inside. Maybe I could tell her my car broke down so I needed to use her phone. I crouched, taking deep breaths, working up the nerve.
Just as I was about to make my move, something grabbed my shoulder and I yelped. Standing behind me was the girl who had just run from the house. Her bright blue eyes stared at me inquisitively. “Can I help you?”
My eyes traveled down her body to the two dead rabbits that hung by her right side. What the hell? Had she caught them herself? Just then? In that little bit of time?
“Uh, yeah, my car broke down up the road and I was wondering if I could use your phone to call Triple A. Mine is dead. I’m sorry to bother you but there doesn’t seem to be anything else around.”
“Usually when people need help they knock on the door rather than hide in the bushes.”
My cheeks warmed. “I know. I’m a little shy and I was working up the nerve. So, can I use your phone?”
Her face broke into a smile. “Sure, come on in.”
Relieved, I followed her into the cabin.
“Nana!” Scarlett shouted as she burst through the front door. “There’s a girl here. She’d like to use our phone.”
“What?” called a women’s voice.
“There’s a girl here,” she looked at me. “What’s your name?”
“Ella.”
A woman who looked a lot younger than I’d expected appeared in the doorway with her arms folded over her chest. She frowned. “Who’s this?”
“This is Ella,” Scarlett answered. “She needs to use our phone. Her car broke down. Ella, I’m Scarlett and this is my Nana.”
I nodded. “Nice to meet you. I promise I’ll be out of your hair quickly.”
Scarlett left the room to take the rabbits to the kitchen which was just off the living room. I took a quick look around the cabin. It was quite cozy and cute. The living room was huge. Even though it was warm out, a fire roared in the fireplace. A couple of brown leather couches filled the space and a rocking chair sat in one corner. The wooden floor was covered in a variety of rugs that featured Aztec designs.
Nana eyed me suspiciously. She had smooth beautiful skin. There was not a wrinkle in sight. Her hair was a simmering silver, long and pulled back into a ponytail. Like Scarlett, she was tall and slender.
Scarlett returned moments later with a cordless phone. It wasn’t until she handed it to me, that I realized I was going to have to fake a phone call. I pretended to dial a number and speak to a road service agent. Once I was done, I handed the phone back to Scarlett. “They said they’ll be here in an hour.”
Scarlett sat across from me and that was the first time I realized how beautiful she was. Her red hair cascaded over her shoulders and her eyes brightened the room. She gave of
f such a sweet, positive energy. How was I supposed to kill her?
“So, what were you doing out this way? No one ever comes to our neck of the woods.”
“Oh, I wanted to do some exploring. Clear my head and take in some nature.”
Scarlett nodded. “You should hang around here for a little bit. Nana’s gonna make rabbit stew and we never get to entertain guests.”
I didn’t want to stay. I had Brayden to think about. I couldn’t afford to start liking this girl and her grandmother when I knew I was going to have to do the unthinkable sooner rather than later.
Scarlett’s grandmother leaned against the doorframe of her kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “Scarlett, stop pestering the girl. She has the pick-up service on the way. She doesn’t want to hang out here in our boring old cabin.”
I couldn’t leave. Not just yet. “It’s okay. I can call them back and tell them to come a little later. I can stay for a few hours I guess.”
Scarlett grinned from ear-to-ear which made me feel horrible. “Yes! Want to go hang out in my room? I really love your dress and I love your braid. Maybe you could do my hair like that.”
This was exactly what I didn’t want, but what could I say to that?
I followed her back to her room which was quite small. The room held a dresser with a mirror and a twin sized bed covered with a maroon blanket. On the walls were two large forest paintings—one showing day time and one showing night. A stack of books occupied one corner of her dresser. Cozy and minimalistic, kind of like my apartment.
I set the duffel bag containing the glass slippers beside her bed. It just occurred to me that I had no idea what the slippers would do—I knew they would kill her, but how?
Scarlett plopped herself down in a wooden chair in front of her dresser and ran a brush through her hair. Taking a deep breath, I stood behind her.
Carefully, I took sections of her hair and started to braid them. “Your hair is beautiful. I’ve always thought red was such a pretty hair color.”
“Thanks. Your hair’s pretty too.”
“Thank you. So, Scarlett, what do you do around here? What do you do for fun? Do you go to school or work or something?”
If Scarlett had been cursed by the Crimson Coven, that meant she came from another time like myself. I wondered how long she was going to keep that a secret. I wonder if her life was like mine. Lonely and aimless.
“No, Nana’s always home-schooled me. She makes things out of wood and all kinds of jewelry. I help her sell them online. It’s all we need to take care of ourselves.”
I texted the girls to tell them to come back later because I would be a while getting acquainted with my “family”. Once Scarlett’s hair was done, we helped her grandmother with the rabbit stew—or rather I watched Scarlett help her Nana. I wanted nothing to do with the demise of the poor bunnies. Nana made me a bowl of soup that only contained the vegetables.
As we sat in the living room with our bowls, I realized they had no TV. As Scarlett told her grandmother about the hunt—which I found quite strange because it had only taken her a minute to catch them—my mind drifted. How could I possibly get her to wear those slippers? Scarlett had on a pair of worn black boots and the slippers seemed to be totally not her style.
I cleared my throat. “Maybe I could spend the night.”
That seemed to be the easiest way. I could slip the shoes on Scarlett’s feet while she slept.
Scarlett and Nana froze, giving each other sharp looks. Nana cleared her throat. “Oh, no dear. That wouldn’t be possible.”
“Why not?” I asked as if it were perfectly acceptable for a complete stranger to ask to spend the night, but it was worth a try.
“It’s just not a good idea. In fact, it’s best you leave before nightfall.”
“Oh, okay.” Since there was not much else to say to that, I dropped the subject.
Scarlett looked disappointed. “But maybe you can come by tomorrow and we can hang out some more.”
I felt sorry for her. She seemed to be desperate to spend any kind of time with a person her age. I would probably feel the same way if I spend all my time with my grandmother.
“Yeah. Maybe.” I would be back the next day. Did I really have much of a choice?
21
“What were they like?” Jade asked over dinner that evening.
The girls had insisted we try this five-star restaurant while we were in town. I’d had to borrow a dress from Keelie because I hadn’t packed anything dressy.
“They were really nice and welcoming. I hung out with my cousin a little bit and my aunt cooked for us. They’re both great. I’d like to spend more time with them.”
Keelie nodded. “Of course. I’m glad you were able to connect with them.”
I felt horrible lying to my friends but I had a feeling the truth wouldn’t go over too well. “I’m going back tomorrow.”
Jade’s eyes widened. “Why don’t you invite your cousin to hang out with us? She can show us around. We can go to the beach and do some shopping.”
From the little I knew of Scarlett, I didn’t think she left the cabin often. They were what Nana called self-sufficient. There was a huge garden out back. They grew or hunted their own food and made their own clothes. I didn’t know how Scarlett would feel about leaving and I knew the more I hung out with her the harder it would be to carry out my task.
“I’ll ask her,” I lied.
The next day the girls dropped me off again. I told them to let me out at the end of the road so I could walk the rest of the way. That morning, Scarlett and Nana were working in the garden, pulling vegetables. I helped them and didn’t even mind getting my hands dirty. The more I watched them, the more I could see their love for each other. They were all they had, just like Brayden was all I had. What would Nana do if I took Scarlett away from her?
A little after noon, just as Nana, Scarlett, and I were exiting the woods after picking flowers, we found Jade and Keelie standing by the garden. What were they doing?
Jade smiled broadly, her hands folded in front of her. “Hey. We were knocking for a while and we thought we would try out back. This is a lovely garden you have.”
Nana stepped forward. “Who are you and what are you doing on our property?”
“Oh, it’s okay. These are the friends I was telling you about.”
Nana’s eyes glanced over their short dresses and high heels and I knew she disapproved.
Keelie smiled meekly. “I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to intrude but we found out about this really cool day party on a boat and we wanted to see if Scarlett could join us.”
Scarlett’s eyes widened. The poor girl had probably never been invited to anything in her life. “Oh, that sounds fun.”
“Absolutely not,” Nana snapped.
“Why?” Scarlett whined.
“You know why.”
Scarlett folded her arms over her chest. “But it’s a day party. I’ll be back before it gets dark.”
Nana shook her head. “That’s not guaranteed.”
I didn’t understand. Scarlett was the same age as me and the girls. Why couldn’t she do what she wanted? What was so bad about a day party? Nana acted as if she were afraid to let Scarlett out of her sight.
Nana grabbed Scarlett’s arm and pulled her toward the house. “I think you girls need to leave now. This was a very, very bad idea.”
I watched them hurry into the house, the door slamming shut behind them. There was one window with the curtains parted. They snapped shut.
Jade frowned at the house. “What the hell was that?”
Great. Now how was I supposed to get near Scarlett?
“I don’t know. They like to keep to themselves so I think you guys just popping up creeped them out.”
Keelie looked down at the ground. “Sorry, we were just trying to be nice.”
“I know and I appreciate that. I guess we should get out of here.”
We walked toward the car and Jade loo
ked back toward the house. “Should we try to apologize or something?”
I figured we had done enough for the day. “No. No. I’ll just come back tomorrow.”
That night I didn’t sleep. I spent the hours tossing and turning. When I had called to check on Brayden that day, he was too weak to even speak to me on the phone. He had been begging Merna to take him to the emergency room but of course she wouldn’t. There was nothing any doctor could do for him besides pump him full of medicine that would do nothing for him. His life depended on me completing this task and he didn’t even know it. I only had two days left to make my decision.
I went back to the cabin. I didn’t have a choice. I knocked on the door but there was no answer. After a few minutes, I was about to leave when Scarlett finally opened the door. She only opened the door part of the way, peering out at me with those bright blue eyes.
She looked angry at first, but after a few moments she smiled. “Nana said not to let anyone in, but she’s not here.”
She opened the door for me to come in. As soon as I entered, she grabbed my arm and pulled me back toward her room. “Are you hungry? Can I get you something to eat or drink?”
“No, I’m fine.”
We sat on her abnormally hard bed. Scarlett crossed her legs, sitting in front of me, bouncing up and down. She was fun and there was something childlike and playful about her. She reminded me more of a twelve-year-old than an adult, but not in a bad way.
I sat the duffel bag on my lap and ran my fingers over the zipper thinking about how my time was running out. Inside, besides the glass slippers, I’d brought a pair of pajamas and a change of clothes for the following day.
“Scarlett, I was wondering, since we’re becoming friends and everything, how about I sleepover. Wouldn’t that be fun?” Even though they had turned down the idea before, it couldn’t hurt to try again.
Her eyes widened. “You mean like having a slumber party. Yeah, that would be awesome. We could stay up late and . . . I’m sorry. That won’t work.”
Forever Ella: The Everly Girls Book 2 Page 12