Page 237 of Shhh…It’s A Killer Story

"Oh, boys..." I rubbed my temple, smiling despite myself.

"Behave."

Frank gasped in exaggerated offense.

"Did she just tell us what to do?"

Gerald chuckled, the dry, scratchy sound echoing somewhere behind my thoughts.

"She's getting bold."

His laughter softened.

"That's what falling in love does to people."

Heat crept into my cheeks before I could stop it.

"Don't start."

"Oh, she blushes now," Frank teased.

"Our little detective's girl," Gerald added.

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't stop smiling.

"You'll survive each other."

For once… Silence.

Then, together.

"Absolutely not."

I laughed, shaking my head.

"These past few days have been... eventful."

"That's one way of putting it," Frank muttered.

Gerald grew quieter.

"We watched monsters fall."

"And nearly became collateral," Frank added.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.

"We're still here."

"For now," Gerald replied.

A large green highway sign appeared through the morning mist.

WELCOME TO HOLLOW SPRINGS

Even Max stopped panting. His ears twitched as he stared through the windshield, his body going strangely alert. The air changed here. Colder. Heavier. The pine trees stood taller than the ones back in Blackridge, their branches knitting together overhead until the road disappeared beneath a tunnel of shadow. The houses were older too. Beautiful in the kind of way abandoned churches were beautiful.

Like they were keeping secrets. I smiled. Home always felt different depending on which version of yourself returned to it. My fingers drummed softly against the steering wheel. Then… I glanced away from the road. Not for long. Just long enough to look directly at you.