Chapter 30

Shirley

Jean doesn’t shy away from voicing her disapproval the whole time I pack up my things. The words “bad idea” are repeated so many times that they practically don't sound real anymore. However, when she finally manages to take a breath, I make sure to grip her by the shoulders and hit her with a lifetime supply of reassurance, repeating a line of my own to really strike home.

“One sign of danger and I’m gone.”

I can tell that she still isn’t pleased as she watches me walk out of the door with my suitcase in tow, but she still lets me leave. Probably because I told her I would call at least two times a day and keep my location on at all times so she wouldn’t fret over my whereabouts. I even send her a few texts while I’m on my way to the airport, trying to keep things light as I promise I’m still alive. However, Jean doesn’t seem to think it was very funny.

Going back toward the east, the flight feels a lot shorter than when I’d gone home, but I make sure to use my time wisely. I occupy the bathroom a little longer than what is probably appropriate as I change out of my jeans and sweater to a dress that’s dripping with professionalism. Then I make sure to pull my hair back and smooth away any frizz before I darken up my makeup. Finally, I top it all off by using my brown eyeliner to draw on a mole just above the left side of my upper lip.

When I’m done, I spend a few minutes admiring my work in the mirror, turning my head in multiple directions as I try to find any flaws. But I can’t spot a single one - it’s perfect. I’m a perfect match to the photo displayed on my badge.

When I take my seat again, I’m practically a whole new woman. The person sitting next to me certainly seems to think so as they blink at me in wonder, likely noticing the change in my scent as well. I now smell like something more mature and woodsy, which greatly differs from my normal scent - or even Anya’s which had been light and floral.

That was for Ralph’s benefit, though. It’s nice to cover myself in a scent that isn’t meant to please anyone other than myself. If anyone found themself enchanted by the way that I smell then that’s their fault, not mine.

Finally, after we land and deboard, I grab my luggage from the conveyor belt and head out. I’m left standing on the sidewalk, mere feet from where I’d broken my phone days ago when I finally pull out my new cellphone. I check the time and then my most recent email from Keith, swiping through the paragraphs he’d sent over. Reading his words have a similar effect as when I’d originally received them, leading to a tickle to form in my stomach.

It was weird talking to him this way - although, it hadn’t really been me talking to him. I was just on the CC, my name hidden as Alana handled the correspondence instead and responded to all of his queries. Still, seeing his typed words still oddly struck me.

In his latest email though, he had included a digital copy of my plane ticket, which I had already put to use. And he’d also listed off what I could expect once I’d arrived.

A car would be waiting for me - a black sedan with a driver by the name of Warren. And I’d be driven to my Tudor where I was welcome to make myself right at home.

Focusing on the first part of his message, my eyes raise to try and spot a car that reflects the one he mentioned. And soon, I find it. Pulling along my suitcase, I approach the black Audi and give the gray-haired man standing beside it a nod.

“Are you Warren?” I ask.

“I am,” he replies.

“I’m Shirley,” I reply. “The new auditor for the Lockheart pack.”

My introduction makes Warren smile, which is actually quite charming as he has a nice set teeth of pearly whites. He then opens the door for me, kindly taking my luggage while I slide inside.

And then we’re off. Warren drives smoothly back to the town as I’m left in the backseat, staring out the window at the trees I’d fantasized about days ago. It almost feels like a dream to see them in person again. In fact, this whole thing feels like a dream, especially when I find that I’m oddly at ease…more restful than I have been since I’d left. It doesn’t make sense to me, really - seeing as I’m at more risk than ever.

Not focusing on that for long, I try to enjoy the rest of my ride, even humming along with the music that Warren plays on the radio. If this whole thing is going to blow up in my face then I better relish in my last moments of freedom.

After another ten minutes, Warren takes an exit and we quickly enter the heart of town, passing by the familiar shops where I even recognize a few faces among the crowd. However, I know I’m secretly trying to find one in particular - or maybe really just one. But my efforts are interrupted as it all swiftly slips away as we drive on, heading into another thick forest area.

I’ve gone this direction before, but only once. It was the day that I’d been invited to Keith’s place for a pool party, which makes sense. Alana had said that the house I’d be staying out was only a mile from his, so it makes sense that we’d take the same route. It sure is beautiful, though…I’m again calmed as I remain captivated by the trees that flash by as we become fully submerged.

In fact, it seems being surrounded by oaks and elms is going to be normal for me as I discover the house Warren is pulling up to is at the center of them all. I stare up at them as I exit the car, the fresh air filling my lungs as my heels meet the gravel. The rest of the world seems insignificant to me as the trees tower over, making me just as unimportant in comparison to their size.

Warren graces me with another smile as he passes me to get my belongings from the trunk, but I don’t keep my gaze on him for long - it just keeps going back to the foliage. It’s only when I hear Warren finally close the trunk and bid me farewell that I finally lower my eyes again, giving him an appreciative smile as he slides back into the car.

I watch as he drives down the road, hearing the tires crunch along the road before he disappears. A smile still remains on my face as I give another content sigh, my hand reaching out to my suitcase. And then I turn back, staring toward the Tudor as further eagerness meets me as I imagine what awaits me inside.

For a moment, everything seems like it melts away. Like I’m not some girl on enemy territory, but just Shirley taking an honest-to-Goddess, mind blowing job filled with adventure. Only, that moment is short lived, pleasant images swiftly being cast away as the few steps I take are swiftly interrupted.

All at once, everything that melted away comes crashing back down with a vengeance.

Because just as my eyes land on the porch, I see someone stand from the bench - their large stature making my heart stagger as we stare at one another.

Standing on the porch…waiting for me…

Is Keith.