Page 38 of Black Hollow: Awakening

“You didn’t call them?”

“She’s a witch,” Blake announced.

“So what?”

“So we’re not getting the police involved in our business. We’ll handle it ourselves.”

“How?” Will asked, unable to imagine it.

“None of your business. Disappear,” Alden ordered harshly.

“See you Monday, Will,” Liam added, which was a very subtle way of saying get lost.

“See you Monday,” Will replied weakly.

A moment later, he was back on the road, where he ran into Abby.

“Hey,” he said, surprised.

“Hey,” she replied, then headed deep into the forest.

Will stopped for a moment and closed his eyes, recalling the ghastly sight of the dead girl.

This was not how he had imagined the day would end.

November 16 | Saturday

Will didn’t get up until after twelve. While he didn’t remember his dreams, he had a feeling they hadn’t been peaceful. He did, however, remember his date with Oscar—as if he could forget—so the first thing he did was get ready to go out. Downstairs in the kitchen, he tried to focus on his plans for the day and not think about the ghastly end to the previous night.

Danny wandered into the room a moment later, seemingly to take stock of his roommate’s condition.

“How are you holding up?” Will asked him.

“Fine,” Dan replied tersely, which meant he probably hadn’t found a job. “Want some coffee?”

“Yes, thanks.”

A moment later, Will was sipping the warm drink, looking out the window at the pervasive whiteness. Not even that view could discourage him today.

“I’m heading out soon,” he informed his friend.

He expected Dan to ask where, and then he would deliver the wonderful news.

Dan didn’t ask.

“I have a date with Oscar.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I’m serious. You can ask him on Monday if you want.”

“I’m not going to. It’s just kind of hopeless that I have to second-guess everything you tell me and still not be entirely sure whether to believe you.”

“Seriously?” Will felt offended. “I apologized. It only happened once!”

Danny gave him a piercing look.

“You’ve only lied to me once?”