Page 10 of Tenebrous

“Well, hello,” she smiles. “You’re Gale’s nephew.”

I release a laugh and grab a basket from beside the door. “That obvious?”

“Only one in town driving a shiny red car. People notice.”

“Good to know I've made an impression.”

She snorts softly, going back to her puzzle. “Town this small? You fart too loud and folks start a rumor.”

Well, isn't that just peachy.

Wandering the aisles, I grab handfuls of chips and canned ravioli. Not the healthiest, but there are a few pre-made salads and sandwiches in the cooler that I put in my cart, too. As I'm reaching for a box of Twinkies, my hackles rise, and I frown toward the front windows.

Sunlight spills across the pumps in pale gold, shining on wet pavement. Everything seems normal. A logging truck rumbles down the road in the distance, but other than that, the world is quiet.

I shake it off and move toward the drinks, crouching to grab a pack of beers from the bottom shelf.

“You settling in alright?”

The question comes from behind, and I glance over my shoulder to see the clerk watching me intently.

“Uh, sure,” I say, straightening slowly.

Her mouth twists into a thin line. “Night shifts?”

“Yep.”

“Have you seen it yet?”

Cold air suddenly shoots down my spine, causing me to shiver as I move toward the counter. “Seen what? The mill?”

“No.” The older woman's dazed eyes dart toward the windows. “It only comes out at night to feed.”

Following her gaze, I study the tree line across the road as it sways gently in the breeze. Sunlight catches on wet leaves and moss-covered trunks. “What are you talking about?”

“Some people say it’s been here longer than the town. Others think it came from the mine.” When her face finally turns back to me, it's void of all emotion. “Don't go into the woods at night.”

Dread settles heavy in my stomach, twisting it into knots. “I don't understand what you're trying to say.”

“You will,” she whispers under her breath, holding my gaze.

I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. A slight wave of panic ripples over me. Sweat breaks out on the back of my neck, and the feeling of being watched grows stronger.

Goosebumps spread over my skin as I lean forward, intent on asking the woman what the hell she's talking about⁠—

When someone steps up to set a cup of coffee down on the counter beside me. “You scaring the new folks again, Miss Mary?”

My head whips around to find Paula smiling wide with her dark hair piled high on her head.

“I’m not trying to scare him, I’m trying to warn him,” the older woman grumbles.

Paula bites back a smile before reaching over to pat my arm gently. “Don’t let her get in your head, sweetheart. Mary’s been trying to scare newcomers for decades.”

Blinking, I set my basket on the counter and pull my wallet out, heart still thundering. “Seems to be a common thing around here, I guess.”

“Mock me all you want,” Mary accuses as she takes my cash. “I’m not the one working nights at the mill. He'll be gone soon, too.”

Paula's smile drops instantly.