The Hunt (Forgotten #1)

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

“ N o cell service? Are you fucking kidding? What kind of backwoods ass town is this?” Brianna demanded.

Despite the hostility oozing from her unhappy guest, the easy smile remained on Trudy’s lips. “We do have cellular service in town but most carriers don’t work here. We have a private system. But I do have a landline that you could use in the hallway. I can give you the number to mechanic’s. I’m sure once you explain your circumstances, they’ll be happy to service your vehicle as quickly as possible.”

Kaliah flinched. She’d had a peaceful chat as she enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with Trudy. Until Brianna came storming down the stairs, angry that she still couldn’t get cell service.

Honestly Kaliah wasn’t concerned about the lack of cell service because she hadn’t been this relaxed in a long time. Besides, it wasn’t like she had anyone to check in with. Her parents probably wouldn’t answer because they were wrapped in their own lives. And if by some off chance one of them did answer, they’d pretend to listen for a few minutes before hastily shooing her off the phone with the excuse of being busy.

The only time she ever talked to one of her siblings on the phone was if one of them wanted a favor from her. As for friends…well, she learned last night she didn’t have any. How sad was her life.

Now more than ever, she was determined to change things when she got back home. She’d start looking for a new job, maybe something remote what would allow her to pursue other passions. And she’d meet people who actually appreciated her.

Yes, that’s what she’d do.

“Hey! Are you listening?”

Kaliah jumped and realized, Nicole was standing by her chair, waving a hand in her face. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t notice you come downstairs.”

Nicole rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “Clearly.” She looked around the dining room. “Are you the only one down here?”

Kaliah noticed Brianna and Trudy had left the room while Kaliah had been daydreaming. “Brianna came down a few minutes ago. But I think Trudy is showing her where the phone is.”

Nicole crinkled her nose as if she smelled something foul. “I guess a place like this would have a land line. I haven’t been able to get cell service. How about you?”

“I haven’t checked but if you and Bri haven’t I probably can’t either.”

She huffed loudly and took a seat at the table. “Well, at least the breakfast looks edible. Nicole grabbed one of the plates and piled it with pancakes, eggs and bacon.

Trudy returned alone. “Your friend is on the phone with the mechanic. Hopefully he can get you ladies squared away as soon as possible. In the meantime, I just made a fresh pot of coffee. Or if you’d prefer I have some hot water for tea.”

“If it’s the cheap instant stuff, then that’s a hard pass for me. And I only do chai lattes as far as teas go and I doubt a hick place like this would have that.”

“Nicole!” Kaliah said sharply, unable to ignore the other woman’s rudeness. “Trudy is being gracious to offer us accommodations and food, the least you can do is be polite.”

“Uh, can you be a bigger loser? It’s her job.” Nicole stuffed her mouth with a forkful of pancakes.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s her job or not, Trudy has been nothing but kind and she deserves to be treated with dignity. So if you can’t be nice, maybe you should just shut the fuck up.” Freed from the fear of what these women thought of her, Kaliah was unafraid to share her opinion.

Nicole dropped her fork and her mouth fell open, revealing a lump of chewed food. “I know you’re not talking to me.” Food tumbled out of her mouth.

“And if I am you’re not going to do anything about it because you’re all talk. You’ve been nasty to me the entire trip and I’ve done nothing to you. So from now on how about you leave me alone and I’ll do the same.”

“Bitch I will?—”

“Nothing. You won’t do anything.” Kaliah looked her straight in the eyes refusing to break eye contact. She would no longer be intimidated by this woman.

Nicole held her stare for several moments before snorting and looking away. “You are so annoying.” She pushed away from the table and stormed out of the dining room.

“Oh my, I should go check on her,” Trudy said, following Nicole out of the dining room.

Kaliah would have told her not to bother but the proprietress had already left. Once she was alone again, Kaliah released a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

It felt good to finally stand up for herself. She needed to do that more often.

By the time Trudy returned, with a tray in her hand, Kaliah had finished eating her breakfast.

“I thought I’d go ahead and bring you some tea. It will help calm down your nerves. This is my special blend.” She placed a floral tea cup in front of Kaliah.

“Thank you, Trudy. You didn’t have to get anything else for me.”

“Oh, no, it’s my pleasure dear. I’m just sorry you and your traveling companions aren’t getting along.”

Kaliah took a small sip from the cup before responding. The tea had a bitter taste to it but the sweetness made it bearable. “It’s fine. I think after we part ways, I won’t be seeing much of them again. In fact, I was wondering if maybe I could stay on at the B&B for a few more days and then find the nearest train station to get back home. I could use some peace and quiet and from what I’ve seen of this town, I think this would be the ideal vacation spot for me.”

Trudy grinned. “I’d be delighted if you’d stay a while longer. I know the rest of the people in town would be so happy to have you as well. A pretty little thing like you would definitely garner attention around here.”

Kaliah laughed. “That’s kind of you to say but I’m definitely not here for that. But I would like to explore the town for a bit. I’d like to see that waterfall up close.”

“I can arrange that.” Trudy eyed her cup. “Finish your tea, dear. Like I said it’s my special blend. It will relax you and it’s good for digestion.”

Kaliah wasn’t particularly crazy about the taste but didn’t want to be rude so she took another sip.

With Trudy watching her expectantly, she felt obligated to drink more until the cup was nearly empty.

“Now you’ll feel much better. Let me clear these dishes away. I don’t think anyone else is eating this morning.” Trudy brought the cart out.

There had been so much food on the table, Kaliah was certain it was for all the guests at the B&B. Only she and Nicole had eaten. Brianna didn’t eat and Sasha hadn’t come down yet so it was odd Trudy would be putting everything away now.

Then again, Brianna and Sasha could fend for themselves.

“Let me help you with that.” She stood up and immediately the room began to spin. She wobbled on her feet and clutched the table to keep herself from falling.

Trudy appeared by her side and took her firmly by the arm. “Sit down, dear.” She guided Kaliah back into her seat. “Just let the tea do its work. I’ll take care of these plates.”

“Let the tea woooork…whaaat ddoo you mean?” Kaliah’s words slurred. Her tongue began to tingle and her vision blurred.

Trudy stroked the back of Kaliah’s head. “I told you it’s my special blend, something to help you to relax. You know, when you said you wanted to stay at Serenity Falls for a bit, that made me so happy. Not many outsiders appreciate the beauty of this place. Although most of them don’t last very long either. But I have a good feeling about you.”

Her heart sped up and a moment of clarity reached her. “You…put some…thing in the tea.”

Trudy continued to stroke her head almost like she was a much loved pet. Kaliah tried to flinch away but her body had grown heavy and she couldn’t lift her limbs. She wanted nothing more than to lay her head down on the table.

What was happening? Why had Trudy drugged her? She seemed so nice.

“Of course I did. You’ll need your rest for tomorrow night. I want to give you a fighting chance after all.”

“Fi…fighting…chance?”

“Yes, dear. For tomorrow’s hunt. You mentioned you and the other ladies attending some Halloween festival. Well, lucky for you, we have our own Halloween celebration. Some call it a rabbit hunt. Others call it the meat market but either way, it’s a big town event. I can’t say the same about those other ladies you were with but I’m rooting for you, dear.”

Bright spots danced before her eyes as the lights went dim and her thoughts melted together. As she slumped in her chair and closed her eyes, it dawned on her that she was the rabbit in question.

Had they stumbled in a town full of crazy cannibals?