Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
“Oh… okay, well, uh, thank you for the warning. I didn’t know this was private property. See, on the map it says—”
“That map is wrong. I bought this land eleven years ago and since then, folks have been tryna claim it. Wanna build a bunch of apartments ’nd shit due to the housing boom. It’s my land. Every leaf. Every pebble. Every drop of water from the stream that runs through from the river.”
“Okay, my apologies, again.”
“Again? You ain’t say sorry the first time.”
She turned away, rolling her eyes. This man is out of his damn mind. “Let me just, uh, pack up, and I’ll be going.”
“Yeah, you do that. I didn’t blow your head off ’cause you don’t look like the type the devil will send out to spy on me. He’s always doin’ sneaky shit, especially lately.”
Oh good, he’s a religious zealot suffering from paranoia, too. Now the devil is sending people out here to draw, all to get under his tattooed skin. Lord… A mentally deranged maniac with big guns. Just my luck.
“No, not the devil.” She forced a smile as she jammed her notebook into her backpack, trying to ensure that the maniac stayed calm. “Nobody sent me out here except my boss at the museum. You can look me up on the company website. I work there… I’m in the org chart and everything.”
She offered a tilted laugh. He didn’t laugh back. This time, when she stared at him, she noted that his expression had softened somewhat from the seedy, sexual manner she’d gotten a glimpse of moments earlier. This one was friendlier, less hostile and hedonistic. At this point it wouldn’t matter if he were in a priest robe and singing a lullaby. He still possessed a dangerous vibe, an energy about him that made one wish to either steer clear or explore—if you were into that sort of thing, of course.
“Look at how the sun hits you… You’re fuckin’ pretty, you know that? Wouldn’t’ve taken you for an animal stuffer. Goes to show you can’t judge a book by its cover.”
She froze in her steps. It was then that she realized her hood had slipped from her head through all the commotion, exposing her curls. The bobby pins must’ve dislodged. Her black tresses flowed all along her shoulders and back.
“…Thank you. Yeah, appearances can be deceiving. Okay, I have everything now. I’ll be on my way. I’m going to pick up my gun now.” As soon as she had it in her possession, he snatched it out of her grasp, almost causing her to topple over. With his eyes glued to her, he opened the chamber, dumped the bullets, then reached out to give her the weapon back. In a state of shock and fright, she gently took it.
She gave a sad little courtesy, and took a few steps back.
“You want me to escort you back to your red truck you left back yonder?”
A chill ran down her spine. He knows about my truck?! Oh yeah, the cameras… but how long has he been watching me?
“No, I’m fine. I’ll be okay. You have a good day, Mr.—”
“Wilde.”
“…How fitting.”
“Excuse me?”
“Nothin’.” She sucked her teeth. “Thank you for the warm welcome, Mr. Wilde. Take care, and sorry for the interruption.”
“Kage is enough. Watch the snakes. Don’t stop for nobody. There’s some weirdos that try and come around here every now and again… Drugged out idiots that’ll try to rob you. Live in a tiny beat-up trailer. I’ve had to run ’em off my property a time or two, too.”
“Will do. Thanks for the warning.” She offered a wilted wave goodbye, and made haste to her truck.
As she sprinted away, she was grateful for the breeze in her hair and for still being in one piece, but then, she had a sinking feeling. She took a deep breath, paused, and turned to see if he was still back there, watching. He was gone. Vanished, as if she’d dreamt the entire thing up. She turned back around and made haste to her vehicle. Tossing her bag on the passenger’s side, she sat in the driver’s seat and cranked the engine. She sighed with relief that the jalopy hadn’t decided to rest in peace right then and there. She kicked it in drive and made about one hundred feet before the truck coughed, vibrated, and gasped.
“No… No. NO!!!”
Moments later, she was outside with the hood up, spirals of smoke and hellish heat lapping at her face. After a while, she slammed the hood down with a bang, her frustration mounting. Walking to the back of the truck, she peeked into her work chiller box. Soft gray and brown lapin. She’d picked up a dead rabbit for a private client and friend before arriving there, and put it on ice. A pet bunny named Pierre, and his owner wanted him memorialized. There was no way Pierre wouldn’t spoil as the day warred on. The ice could only hold for a few more hours before all was lost. Taking her phone out of her pocket, she attempted to dial her boss, but there was no signal. Aunt Huni couldn’t help, either—she could barely get around town, and hadn’t driven a car in years.