Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

17. Chapter 17

Chapter seventeen

Raven

“ H ere you go.”

The older gentleman at the counter hands me back my camera, complete with a brand-new lens. Presley had pulled through, finding me this hidden gem of a place that thankfully, agreed to squeeze me in.

“Thank you.” I stuff it back inside its home, then try to swallow down the fact I just dropped two grand.

Oh well, Arthur shouldn’t have given me access to the black card. It’s his own fault.

Whatever. It’s worth it. It’s the only thing that’s given me a slither of peace lately. Still being able to capture the parts of this world that aren’t ugly and unfair.

I leave the small shop nestled between a coffee shop and what looks to be a law office. The air is cold today, a dark chill resting over the town that wasn’t there yesterday. I glance down to button my coat tighter, when my shoulder accidentally bumps into a woman passing by.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she says as her hand steadies me.

“It’s fine, it was my fault.” I drop the buttons, to look up at her face.

She's smiling, but the look in her eyes is almost wistful. A moment passes when she says nothing, just keeps smiling, her hand still on my arm.

Clearing my throat, I step away. “Have a good day.”

What is it with the weird people around this town? Not a single person I’ve came into contact with knows personal boundaries.

Exhibit A. Locke breaking down the door to the bathroom stall.

I slide my hands inside of my pockets to warm them up as I wait to cross the street. I can see the very tip of the main building on campus from here and it transmits me back to two weeks ago. To the bathroom.

Heaving a sigh, I follow the small group across the crosswalk, then onto the side street leading to our apartment. I’m about to round the corner when I hear a scream. My body instantly freezes, that familiar panic washing over me.

“Help!”

My throat clogs as I glance around at the frantic group of people flocking to the woman wailing across the street.

“Please! Help me!” She shrieks again.

My vision blurs.

“Help me, Raven!!!”

Bethany’s cry echos in the dark ravine. The rain pelts her face, and my back as I hang halfway off of the edge of the cliff, my hand gripping hers.

“Beth!” I scream. “Hold on.”

“Don’t let me go," she pleads.

The rain.

The weight.

The panic.

She’s slipping.

I suck in a breath when the sound of sirens blare from behind me. The memories come flooding back and there’s only one thing I know to do to block them out. I can’t relive them again.