shook my head; I wanted to sleep tonight. “Water is fine. And a bacon cheeseburger. Medium-well. Ketchup on the side.”
The waitress took the menu and turned on her heel toward the kitchen. I waited until she returned with the glass of water. No ice. I curled my lip but said nothing. Instead, I gulped down half of the lukewarm water and slid down the booth until my back pressed against the edge.
A newscaster’s voice rose over the music from the kitchen. I glanced up at the television mounted to the corner. The volume bar at the bottom of the screen increased. The waitress walked toward the television, holding the remote in front of her. She clicked her tongue disapprovingly.
“—Another large animal has drowned in Willows Lake. The county Animal Control will be testing the water and all residents are encouraged to steer clear of the lake until further notice. This is the fourth animal to be found in the past six months. Now on to the weather…”
I tuned out the news as I took the letter from the inner pocket of my jacket. I recited the words to myself as I unfolded the crumpled paper. I’d spent the last two days folding and unfolding the paper as I read it over and over, still not comprehending what it promised.
Dear Sloane,
I apologize for taking so long to get in contact with you. I’m so sorry about your mother. She was a friend of mine for some time.
I can imagine Willows Lake is the last place you want to think of but it is imperative that you return. Information about your mother’s accident has come to light and with your help I know we can give her the proper justice she deserves. You need to return by Friday, October 14. I have enclosed money for your travel and to compensate you for any inconvenience. This matter must be kept to yourself until all the information has been collected.
I’ll meet you at noon behind the cafeteria at Willows Lake High School. You can stay at the Willows Lake Motel.
I read the unsigned letter two more times before putting it away. A relieved breath whooshed out of me, replacing my jittery nerves with a growling stomach. I glanced at the kitchen. The waitress filed her nails by the kitchen doors. I assumed she was only waiting on me, as it seemed like everyone else already had their meal.
My mind wandered back to the note. I wasn’t a naive sixteen-year-old girl who frequently followed requests made in unsigned, mysterious notes. The information promised in the letter meant it couldn’t be from some random person. He or she knew my past with Willows Lake.
My cell buzzed from my pocket. Another text from Dad.
Off to the hotel. You alive?
I quickly texted back. I’m not sure I could handle speaking to him at the moment. He would call if I didn’t respond. Yeah. Sleeping. Love you.
You too, pumpkin.
I smiled to myself, missing him already. Hating that I’d lied to him. Soon I’d be able to prove to him that I was right all those years ago. And I could finally move on with my life.
I thought the waitress had returned but I glanced up at someone else.
A guy held a steaming plate topped with my hamburger and a pile of french fries. He was cute. I’d even venture to say gorgeous. His big chocolate eyes were bright for this time of night. And he had thick brown hair that would make any girl want to run her fingers through it to see how soft it really was. His grease-stained apron was probably white once, and attached was a name tag that read “Jake”. When he slid into the booth across from me, my skin exploded with goose bumps. My mind went to the stun gun in my bag. Looks and a smile like his didn’t always mean good intentions.
“I almost didn’t recognize you,” he said, his voice was deep and he still smiled. “I thought you would come around back?”
I glanced around the room. Was this the person who sent for me? Weren’t we supposed to meet tomorrow? I pressed my back into the booth, my body rigid. He was closer to my age than my mom’s. He would have been young when Mom’s accident happened. I scanned the room, looking for anyone who was watching us. I came to the quick conclusion that this guy must be the calm and trusting face for me to meet prior to whoever sent me. Tingles shot up my skin and not for the first time did I think this had been a bad idea. Or possibly that I might end dead in a ditch in this pathetic town.
I knew that note backward and forward. It had a specific meeting point and time. I decided to test him. “We aren’t doing this tomorrow?”
He slid the plate in front of me. The bacon-scented steam wafted up my nose. This guy knew how to distract me. “This conversation should be private, not at school.”
There must have been a change in plans since I got the letter. And he was right—I didn’t want to discuss the strange circumstances surrounding Mom’s death around anyone else.
He was staring at me.
“What?” The accusation came out short, but I was annoyed, tired, and very hungry.
And he had the nerve to smile at me again. “Sorry. Your eyes—”
I narrowed them. The genetic defect heterochromia iridium, which made my left eye a dark green with my right eye pale blue, had made me stick out as different. One of the reasons I was able to get over other people’s stares was because Mom had the same trait. “What about them?”
He shrugged slightly and slid from the booth. I followed him with my gaze. “It’s not something I see a lot. They really look amazing.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, unsure if he was making fun of me. I could normally read guys, but this one was setting off warning bells that I had the urge to ignore. Was he flirting with me? I wasn’t sure that it was the time or place. I needed answers.
I started to get up from the booth but he held a hand up. “Eat first. You look hungry. Come by the kitchen after.”
I followed his retreat to the kitchen but he didn’t look back at me. As much as I wanted to know everything right then and there, my stomach persisted. And I obeyed.
Whether it was because I was starving or the need for information burned inside of me, I ate the burger in under two minutes. I gulped down the rest of the water and grabbed my bag. I slipped my stun gun into my jacket pocket. I’d never make the same mistake twice. I slapped a few bucks for the tip on the table and went to the double doors of the kitchen. The waitress hadn’t stopped me, even when she went to collect my plate and money.
I pushed open the door and was met with the tinny sound of an AC/DC song. An older man was at the sink, bobbing his head to the music. His voice was off-key but he seemed to be enjoying himself, especially when he broke out an air guitar solo.
Jake came into the kitchen, wielding a mop as a microphone and singing the lyrics to the song in a spot-on Brian Johnson impersonation. My hand shot to my mouth as I stifled a laugh.
Both guys looked at me and I froze in place.
“It appears we have an audience,” said the older man. He turned down the music.
Jake raked his hand through his hair a few times, not meeting my eyes. “That was quick.”
“I couldn’t
