Chapter ５１

She looks at my face, then down my clothes, attempting to figure me out. "Wet hair?" She laughs.

My face flushes. Busted. "Be careful. You'll be ill. full moon festival is in three days." And she crumbles the plastic bags and stuffs them into a cupboard.

Surprisingly, Jessica isn't preventing me from leaving since she knows I'm heading to Hunter. Shaking my head, I exit the kitchen as normally as possible, avoiding a rapid heartbeat and nervous perspiration.

I open the front door and stroll onto the porch, dressed in my winter gear.

Every step towards Hunter's cabin leaves tracks in the snow from yesterday. I draw the hood of my coat up over my pale face to block the breeze. Fear grips my gut as I approach Scar Guy's assault site.

I'd rather be on the beach than going through the snow. I can see myself in a brightly colored bikini, enjoying a refreshing glass of lemonade, and wearing sunglasses to shield the UV rays. I listen for the clashing of waves and birds' crowing.