Page 12 of Cursed By Fate

“No team?” I asked.

“Better to keep this meeting small. You’ll see.”

We rode in silence the remainder of the drive to Whitemarsh Island. He parked outside a charming white bungalow bordered by neatly trimmed shrubs and cheerful flowers. It was the kind of happy home I’d imagined as a girl, especially the days when my mother had been in a particularly foul mood. Back then, a normal house had been a fantasy.

Vale typed a text message.

“Shouldn’t we ring the doorbell?” I asked.

“He asked me to text first.”

The door opened and a red-haired man greeted us with a warm smile. Late twenties. Freckled. He’d grown his hair to the point where it fit in a messy man-bun.

“Maya August, this is Mr. Logan.”

“Please, call me Ben.”

“Nice to meet you, Ben.” I shook his hand. “Your home is lovely.”

“Thank you. My wife and I—” An infant’s cry pierced the air. “Come inside, won’t you? I just need a moment.” Ben disappeared into a bedroom.

“He’s human,” I said.

Vale nodded. “That sound you heard is the reason he asked me not to ring the bell.”

Ben returned a minute later cradling a newborn. “Unless you brought noise-canceling headphones, I’d suggest letting me grab his bottle. Why don’t you join me in the kitchen and we can talk?”

Vale and I trailed behind him. The house was more of a home than anywhere I’d ever lived. The walls were lined with framed photos and artwork. Ben with a smiling woman with inky black hair and warm brown eyes. Ben with the same woman at their wedding. He wore a kilt, presumably the tartan of his ancestors. There was a handmade sign with the words Druim-nan-deur painted in red, blue, and green that matched the tartan.

“It means the ridge of tears,” Ben said, when he noticed my interest. “Which feels appropriate right now.”

Vale had mentioned the story was sad. I mentally prepared myself.

“My wife, Yume, is missing.” Ben dropped a soft kiss on the baby’s forehead. “I think she was eaten by a monster.” Ben’s voice cracked, prompting Vale to continue the story.

“Yume had a home birth.”

“That part was planned,” Ben added. “Yume doesn’t like hospitals.”

“Their son was born earlier than expected, however,” Vale said.

Ben picked up the thread. “We made it through the hardest part. Yume was weak but resting. The baby was in the cradle beside our bed.” Ben set the bottle on the table. “She was suddenly in a lot of pain. I wanted to call 9-1-1, but she wouldn’t let me. She said if I called, she’d refuse to go.”

“Did she have a bad experience when she was younger?” I asked.

“I don’t know. She never gave a reason. I ran to the neighbor’s for help—Kelly is a retired nurse—but she wasn’t home. I came home and the house was in shambles. Furniture was overturned. The back door was hanging by a thread. I caught a glimpse of the creature as it disappeared into the marsh.”

I couldn’t imagine the terror he must’ve felt in that moment.

“I ran into the bedroom. The baby was there, but not Yume.” Ben closed his eyes for a moment, trying to maintain his composure. “We need to find that monster. If there’s any chance my wife is still alive…” He didn’t finish the sentence. We all understood.

“Can you describe the monster?” I asked.

“Some kind of large horned serpent. White body.”

“How big?” I pressed. “The size of an alligator?”

“Bigger and longer.” Ben tickled the underside of his son’s chin. “I never should’ve left them.”