Into the Fire (Flame in the Shadows Trilogy #1)

5. Mel

CHAPTER FIVE

MEL

I hate running on the street, but there’s no way I’m going back into the woods alone.

My muscles bunch and stretch, my footsteps beat out a numbing rhythm against the pavement. Dum-dum, dum-dum, dum-dum , over and over. It’s not enough to dull the edge of irritation that’s gnawed at me all morning.

I miss running in California. Back home, I’d step outside and be bathed in buttery sunshine. I’d run barefoot on the beach, the salty spray an invigorating counterpoint to the dry heat.

Here, it’s gray. Cold.

If only I’d made friends with Tommy, at least I could take the trails without getting lost. The forest was a lot more interesting than this endless backcountry road. Plus, it was nice to run with someone, even someone as quiet and awkward as him.

My cheeks heat as I remember waiting at the trailhead for him to show, the mix of relief and disappointment when he didn’t. I can’t believe I let my suspicions leak out and tarnish a perfectly normal interaction. I must have seemed so weird to him.

I grumble under my breath and push myself faster, heading down Route 16 toward Clearwater proper. Running usually lifts my mood, but today it’s only reminding me of all the reasons I’m annoyed. I’ll have a problem on my hands if I alienate Zuri with my bad attitude. I need her chatty and unsuspecting.

Maybe if I focus on my surroundings. The shiny pieces in the asphalt winking in the dim light; the cool air moving in and out of my lungs; my heart pumping in my chest; the trees swaying in the summer breeze.

I concentrate on what I hear. That same breeze, whispering through the branches. Those numbing footfalls, gentle against the pavement. The crack of a twig in the woods.

Rustling.

I skid to a stop.

It sounds like some kind of large animal is moving in the forest that lines the road behind me. An image flashes through my mind: a pamphlet I read at a rest stop, just after crossing the border into New Hampshire. It listed some of the wildlife native to this area. Black bears, bobcats, and coyotes, to name a few.

Chills creep up my spine. Slowly, I turn and scour the underbrush, searching for a hint of fur, a flash of teeth, maybe a pair of sinister eyes. I find nothing in the gloom.

The woods must be getting under my skin. The trees here are so tall, the forest so thick, anything could lurk in there unseen.

Frowning, I turn back around and pick up the pace. Twenty feet along, I hear it again. Rustling in the trees.

I spin and raise my fists.

There’s still nothing as far as I can see, but the wind didn’t make those noises. Something’s stalking me. Something big.

A bear?

I think back to the pamphlet. If you encounter a bear, you’re supposed to make yourself appear as large as possible. You’re supposed to let it know you’re there, and you’re not supposed to run away.

“Hey!” I shout, waving my arms over my head. “Hey, bear! Get outta here! Go home! Shoo!”

Silence.

I stoop down, grab a rock from the road’s edge, and hurl it into the underbrush.

Nothing happens.

An animal would’ve reacted to the stone, no question.

Could a different kind of predator be following me?

A human predator?

My throat tightens. Once again, I’ve left my phone at home. Dad would be so upset if he knew.

Deep breaths. You’ve got this.

I turn around and start walking, listening so hard I think my head might burst. I’m not sure where I should go, what I should do. Young female runners are assaulted all the time. Out here, even on the road, it’s empty. There’s no one around to hear me scream.

But if I go home, they’ll know where I live. Alone.

My breath quickens. Where else? Levett Tech is twenty miles away. If I’ve got a malicious stalker, I might not make it that far. Town is closer, but still a good distance. I don’t know any of my neighbors so I can’t ask them for help.

Wait. Not true.

Tommy’s manor. That place is so big, he must live with someone. His parents. If he’s at work, they’ll help me.

I don’t have anywhere else to go.

Without thinking it through further, I bolt.

The charming stone house is enormous. It’s intimidating to approach, especially red-faced and sweaty. Though I listen as hard as I can, I don’t hear anything behind me as I climb the winding drive.

At the double front doors, I hesitate, a wave of prickling self-consciousness washing over me. So I heard a few sounds in the woods. Big deal. I dawdled in the street long enough, totally alone, and no one hurt me.

I almost turn around and leave, but I can’t. I just can’t.

Raising my fist, I knock. Footsteps approach, and the door cracks open, revealing a drowsy woman clad in a bathrobe. She’s older than me, but nowhere near old enough to be Tommy’s mom.

Maybe she’s his sister? It’s weird, she doesn’t look anything like him.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m sorry to bother you, but is Tommy here?”

The woman’s expression is blank. “Who?”

“Tommy. Is he here?” I wring my hands, confused by her reaction.

“I’m sorry, you have the wrong address.” She closes the door on me, but I throw a hand out, forcing it back open. She stares.

“Is this a joke?” My stomach churns.

“No one named Tommy lives here,” the woman says carefully. “This house has been in my family for a long time. No one named Tommy has ever lived here.”

She makes to shut the door again, but panic sears through my chest, and I block her. Her eyes widen, her mouth falling open.

“Please. I think I’m being followed. Can I use your phone?”

The woman blinks, then pulls a cell phone from her fluffy pocket. She holds it out. “Be quick, and don’t try anything funny. My husband’s a lawyer. He’ll make you regret it.”

I bite my lip. “Um, actually, can you just call me an Uber or something? I can pay you back.”

With a roll of her eyes, the woman unlocks her phone and starts typing. “Don’t worry about the money. You can wait out here, and I’ll wait with you. Okay?”

“Thank you.” I wipe my shaking hands on my shorts and step aside to make room for her.

Ten awkward, silent minutes later, the Uber arrives. I climb in, too absorbed in my thoughts to notice who my driver is or what’s on the radio. I try to focus on the news report—something about a missing shipment of something from somewhere, and then a commercial for a local music festival—but my mind keeps going back to Tommy. Why did he lie about where he lives? About his job?

I can only think of one reason. I was right after all.

But if I was right, why blow me off yesterday? Why not get close, make friends, to find me out? I haven’t seen any trace of him at work.

When I get home, I sprint for the safety of the condo, the creepy feeling of eyes boring into my back the whole way up the walk. Once inside, I lock the door and all the windows. I’m left feeling vulnerable, and more alone than ever.

I briefly consider calling the cops, but what will I tell them?

Hello officer, Melanie Snow—er, O’Hanlon—here. I think I may have been followed, but I’m perfectly fine and have no proof at all. Also, some guy I met in the woods doesn’t live where he said he does.

I snort. No, I can’t call the police. What a colossal waste of their time.

I’m edgy as I get ready for the day, jumping at every little noise. When I walk to my car, I scan the trees, looking for a stalker. Or for Tommy. No sign.

At work, I relax a bit. No one will be able to bother me in a place this secure, not even Levett Tech themselves, right? I try to focus on Zuri and my training, but my mind is wrapped up in the mystery of Tommy.

What, exactly, is he hiding?