Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

Author:Natalie C. Parker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

14

WHILE I WAS IN THE swamp, the heat of the day rolled in beneath tall thunderclouds. They moved slowly, looking for a place to rest, and sat on top of Sticks like tired, fat dogs. Beneath them, the air is still and thick and smells like rain.

My yard isn’t empty when I reach it. Heath stands three feet from the fence, hands on his hips, eyes studying Mama’s collection of Mardi Gras beads and Christmas lights.

“Jezuz,” he says when he spots me. “I had a feeling. You have a helluva time trusting people, don’t you?”

“What does that mean?” I climb the fence, careful to keep from dripping mud on the top planks where Mama or Darold might spot it.

“I—I would’ve gone with you. That’s what that means.”

If the stutter weren’t enough to give away his fear, the way he studiously avoids looking at the swamp for too long does. He’s terrified of what’s beyond the fence. It makes his offer a brave one, but not one I can accept. He sees the reason in my face and heaves a defeated sigh.

“What’d you find this time?”

“Phin,” I say, and before he can react, “or what he’s become. He’s more gator than boy anymore. Fisher says it’s Lenora May’s doing.”

We cross the yard, and Heath helps me balance as I carefully remove my filthy boots. It’s a delicate process involving the edge of the brick steps and precisely applied pressure. The first one falls with a thud right into Mama’s iris bed.

“You don’t sound like you believe him.” He switches hands so I can attack the next boot.

“I’m not sure anymore. He thinks I should try again except he wants me to be more aggressive this time. He wants me to force her.” It sounds as distasteful as I thought it might.

The second boot leaves a thick smear on my calf, but doesn’t break any flowers when it falls. I hold the cherry for him to see. It gleams red in the afternoon sun and just thinking of trying to trick Lenora May into eating it gives me pause.

All my memories are telling me Lenora May is a far cry from evil. I know they’re not real, but knowing and believing aren’t always the same and some part of me believes them. She’s here and Phin’s not. That should be the end of it, but I keep hearing the gravity in her voice when she begged me to let her stay.

I assumed Fisher was a victim, but he doesn’t seem concerned with his own freedom. I thought that was his sense of responsibility and honor, but now I’m not so sure. Would an honorable person ask me to force someone to do something against her will? I don’t know who to trust and my gut’s all twisted.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, Heath, but we need help.”

“No argument here, but where do we get it?”

“From the one girl in Sticks who’s had all the swamp stories memorized since she was old enough to tell them.

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