name on a piece of paper and put it into the box in the square. They do it to scare the younger kids into doing what they’re told.”
Kelly frowned. “And what are they voting for?”
Not to be outdone, the girl spoke up. “The Narrow Man comes for whoever gets the most votes. Or he’s supposed to, anyway. But everyone knows the votes are never counted.”
“That’s pretty messed up,” said Warrick.
“It’s a crock of shit,” the girl said, shrugging. “Like everything else people do here.”
“What’s the festival that’s happening on Wednesday?” Kelly asked.
The kids clammed up. Warrick sighed, and gave each of them a ten.
“We don’t talk about it,” said the first kid.
“So what is it?”
“We don’t talk about it.”
“But … dude, I gave you another ten.”
“So?”
They turned to go.
“Wait,” said Ronnie. “What’s your cousin’s name, the one who drew the picture? Maybe we can talk to him.”
“Doubt it,” said the small kid, “but whatever. Give me a twenty, stop your dog from humping my leg, and I’ll tell you.”
AMBER SPENT MONDAY MORNING in Fast Danny’s. Brenda served her breakfast, then juice, then coffee, and then two hot chocolates, and Amber sat at her corner table with her earphones plugged into the iPad, using the cafe’s Wi-Fi to watch all of the In The Dark Places episodes she’d missed while on the run.
She’d hesitated before pressing play on the first one. Her life in the last five weeks had become stranger and much more fantastical than anything she’d ever seen on a TV screen. She’d witnessed true horror. She’d been subjected to true violence. She herself had killed. She herself had eaten human flesh. She had interacted with beings who existed beyond death, who traded in souls and powers beyond imagining, and she was pretty sure she was being stalked by a vampire. What effect could a dumb TV show have on her now?
As it turned out, an astonishing one.
Watching Dark Places was like going home – but instead of the home she’d always known, that cold place of silence and secrets, it was her other home, the home she had made for herself inside the world of the stories she loved. She knew everything about the actors, knew their birth dates and their pets’ names, but as each episode began the actors vanished and their characters appeared, and Amber forgot about the horrors biting at her heels and lost herself in the stories unfolding before her. She interacted with Brenda when she had to, ignored the curious looks of the people who frequented the cafe, and sipped her hot chocolate. The only part of her, the only part, that she did not relax was the part that was keeping her body from shifting into its demon form. That remained vigilant.
When she’d finished watching the final episode of the season – it had ended on a cliffhanger, of course it had ended on a cliffhanger – she took out the earbuds and sat back, absorbing the drama. The cafe was almost full by now, with people eyeing her table covetously.
Brenda saw that she had emerged from the screen, and came over. “Can I get you the cheque?”
Amber thought for a moment. “No, thanks,” she said. “But I’ll take a look at your lunch menu.”
Brenda made a big deal out of sighing, and headed off to fetch a menu. Amber grinned to herself.
She checked her phone, saw no message from Milo, and logged on to the Dark Places forum. Her bandaged hands made typing difficult, but not impossible.
The Dark Princess said …
I have returned …
RetroGamer! said …
Hi Proncess
*princess
Sith0Dude said …
hey
RetroGamer! said …
Damn typos.
Elven Queen said …
Princess!! We missed u!
Thoughts on finale?
Sith0Dude said …
Hey Elven Queen
The Dark Princess said …
Just saw it. WOW.
Though kinda knew they wouldn’t let Gideon die off so easily.
Elven Queen said …
Yeah, saw that twist coming from 3 episodes ago!
Sith0Dude said …
why is everyone ignoring me?
RetroGamer! said …
Was talking to BAC 10 minutes ago
Balthazar’s-Arm-Candy said …
There’s my girl!
The Dark Princess said …
BAC!
The world is a brighter place once more!
Balthazar’s-Arm-Candy said …
How’ve u been doing? Things been sorted since last time we chatted? *fingers crossed*
The Dark Princess said …
Not really, but I’m bravely fighting my way through it!
Sith0Dude said …
ur all ignoring me
Balthazar’s-Arm-Candy said …
Made up your mind about the con yet? Full cast PLUS Annalith’s gonna be there.
Wish I could go.
Elven Queen said …
Not ignoring you, Sith0Dude.
The Dark Princess said …
Haven’t really been thinking about it, but don’t think it’ll be possible. Things are still screwy
RetroGamer! said …
Everything ok, Princess?
The Dark Princess said …
I’m fine. Life’s just weird at the moment and not looking like it’ll ever go back to normal.
Elven Queen said …
Normal is boring.
Balthazar’s-Arm-Candy said …
You back in Florida yet?
The Dark Princess said …
Furthest thing from it. Alaska! LOL
Sith0Dude said …
the north pole?
The Dark Princess said …
Alaska isn’t the north pole.
Is it?