#Book 1 - Page 24 (1/2)

“Some of us are terrible; some of us are good. What went on in that lighthouse must have been the height of all that plagues us. Like I said, I don’t think it’s haunted but I think there’s been some sort of curse, some evil, on that place all along. It’s just waiting for another person to take in.”

He looked at me sternly, perhaps with a bit of fear in his eyes. I understood what he was saying. I felt what he was saying. Haunted by Old Roddy or cursed by some demon, I knew there was something in that place that so desperately wanted me. And the most disturbing thing of all was that I kind of wanted it, too.

“And so what happened after?” I asked. I needed to ignore my feelings. “I mean, did you board it all up? Was it open when you first moved here?”

“I didn’t know what we were buying when we first moved here. I hadn’t heard any of the tales and neither had Paula (his ex) but I knew deep, deep down there was something terrible about that place. I only stepped foot in it once and that was the first time we all went to explore it. I think Matthew found part of a jawbone from some sort of animal in one of the rooms. The place just felt too unsettled and dangerous, not to mention how weak the structures felt on the second floor. And really, what was the point of having your own defunct lighthouse? It made no sense to me. So, we had it boarded up and pretty much forgot about it. Until last week.”

My lip wiggled sheepishly. “Yeah, sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry, Perry. I’m just glad nothing happened to you.”

He watched me intently as if he was trying to suss out whether something had happened to me or not.

“No,” I said slowly, “I guess nothing really did happen to me. But since you think the lighthouse is evil, a lot of the....feelings....I had about the place would back that up.”

He patted my hand. “And I’m glad you’re not going back in there.”

I smiled at him. I felt happy for getting to know my uncle better. Maybe this weekend wasn’t such a waste after all.

“Though I must say,” he started, “I thought last night he—”

Before he could finish that thought, there was a loud knock at the door. I jumped in my seat, the coffee finally giving my heart a boost. Al got up and opened the front door.

“Good morning, sir. I’ve come for the lady.” Dex was at the door, feigning importance. He had a cap on his head and tipped it jauntily.

“Come in, Dex.” Al ushered him inside and closed the door.

Dex walked over to me with a smile on his face. It also gave my heart a jolt.

“Good morning. Care for some breakfast before we go?” he asked.

“Um, oh, sure.” I eyed the clock on the wall.

“Sorry for just dropping by.” He looked at both of us. “I tried calling your cell a few times and I texted you, but there was either no answer or I kept getting the wrong number.”

His voice lowered over that last part. I studied his face. His grin faltered slightly. Was he lying? No one had called or texted me at all that morning. I got out my iPhone just in case and looked it over. Nope. Nothing.

“Anyway,” Dex continued, looking at Al. “I’m afraid I’ve got to steal away your niece now. I’ve still got to make it up to Seattle for tonight.”

“Be my guest. I’m sorry you guys are walking away empty-handed, but I suppose these things always happen for a reason.”

“I believe that very much, Uncle Al,” Dex said. He looked at me. “Will it take you long to pack?”

I slammed the last bit of coffee down. I hated having to rush. I got up and picked up my bag. “All ready to go.”

He gave me the thumbs up sign, then promptly turned on his heel and walked out of the house.

I looked at Al and rolled my eyes by way of explaining his actions. Which I couldn’t. So I hugged him goodbye and thanked him for everything, then scuttled outside after Dex.

The SUV was running in the driveway; the steam rising up from its tailpipe gave it a warm, welcome look in the morning downpour.

Though it was only a few yards, I was fairly soaked when I swung the door open and jumped inside.

Dex put his hand on the gears.h.i.+ft and gave me the once over.

“Were you even alive in the nineties? Because it looks like that decade chewed you up and spit you out again,” he said mockingly.

He put the car in reverse and sped the car out of the driveway.

“I was born in 1988, for your information. Can’t you count?” I spat back at him. I was not in the mood for teasing of any sort.

He turned to me with an excited leer. I could tell he was in the mood for teasing.

“You’re only a child of the nineties if you had your teenage years during that decade. I mean look at you, all Doc Martens and Converse and leggings.”

“You’re the one with the eyebrow ring,” I shot back. “I think it’s better to emulate a time period you haven’t properly lived through. Otherwise, you’re just holding on to the past.”

He laughed. “I have no past to hold on to.”

He flipped his MP3 player on. To my surprise, Billy Joel came on. “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” to be precise.

Dex began to sing along.

Here was the infamous voice of Declan Foray. It was smoother, deeper, and more powerful than Joel’s. It seemed to float over the words, vibrating with rich tones. It was gorgeous, hypnotic....and so out of place.

He continued to sing until he noticed me staring at him. I must have looked very confused.