“Well, this is me.” Lily stops in front of a derelict house.
The paint has peeled and moss is growing between the weatherboards. The wind sighs in its cracks, drowning out the distant hum of the city. In the fading daylight, the dry hedge looks more like a stockade designed to keep out the comforts of an otherwise posh suburb. If I was simply walking past, I’d assume nobody lived here. The place gives me the creeps.
But who cares? I just walked Lilith friggin Fogarty home! The guys at work will be reeling when they find out she let me. Many have tried and failed. I figure she just likes to keep to herself.
I clear my throat, intent on making the most of this opportunity. “Any plans for tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” she drawls and leans on the porch, thumbs looped through the belt of her low-rise jeans. “I’m exercising my demons.”
“You mean exorcising?” I snicker. This girl has an odd sense of humour.
“Exercising. They need a good workout after a big meal.”
A street lamp flickers on, and its yellow light dances off the cobwebs that deck the frame of a dusty window. A dark shape darts past the glass and vanishes. I blink, startled. But when I turn to ask what it was, Lily looks unconcerned. Hating to look like an ass, I shut my mouth. Maybe I’m imagining things in my excitement.
She gives me a wry smile. “So… you wanna come in?”
[ends]
While you’re here, why not check out last year’s Halloween story: Thirtysomethingella
A. ZAYKOVA 