Dark Places by Krista Cairn

Author:Krista Cairn [Cairn, Krista]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: modern, magical realism, urban fantasy, myths & legends, cairn
Published: 2017-02-14T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15 // Breathe

The next morning, she was startled. Mitch stood near, rubbing her cheek and whispering for her to wake up. She was on his couch.

“Food’s ready,” he said.

How did she wind up at Mitch’s place? She turned and looked up into his face. “Food?”

“In the kitchen. Let’s go,” he nudged her forward.

She could smell it now. Some form of omelette was her guess. The whole situation felt very domestic. Natural. She hadn’t felt this ‘normal’ in years. She breathed in deeply as they neared the kitchen. “That smells amazing.”

She was about to sit down when her phone buzzed. She pulled it out and saw message from Jenna. She would check it later. Right now a chef had made her breakfast, and she was starving. She followed Mitch into the kitchen.

“Where can I find your plates and cutlery?” She asked.

“Guess,” he said as he pulled a casserole dish out of the oven.

She took the opportunity to find out how he organized his cupboards, but she was quick about it. He would be hungry too, she was sure.

She quickly set the table then went back to the kitchen for a serving spoon. They ate the first few bites in silence, more interested in the food than talking.

Simone was trying desperately to remember what happened last night. At least she woke up on the couch fully clothed. Not that she wouldn’t be, but she was starting to wonder about her decision-making processes. Mitch was starting to feel like an exception to her rules.

“This is so good,” she said, “Did you make it?” It was an egg-based casserole, with bacon, hash browns, and marbled cheese.

He nodded. “It’s my mother’s recipe.”

“Ah. You said your aunt lives here in Ember City, but where is the rest of your family?” she wondered. “Too personal?”

“No, it’s fine. My parents are west, over the mountains. I had a brother, but he died a few years ago, before I knew I was toxic to other people.”

So that’s how he knew it was radiation. As she processed what he said, she felt tears slowly rolling down her cheeks. “How did you know I would be safe?”

“I have a portable Geiger counter. You’re so radiation neutral that I thought it was broken.”

“Does anyone else know? You know, that you… literally glow?”

“My parents. They haven’t told anyone and I’ve been hiding it pretty well, until lately.”

“You said we were part of an experiment. Why don’t I remember it?”

“That’s the only theory that’s holding up, so far. We must have ingested something hidden in a mass produced food or drink.”

“That’s illegal!”

“How about you? Where is your family and do they know?”

“None of them know, and now that you mention it, I did have two siblings who passed away shortly before I learned about my changing. We thought they had food poisoning, but the hospital couldn’t save them. There was this restaurant. It’s closed now.”

“Is there any chance you were living out west when this happened?”

“Actually, yes. We were in a small town called High Bridge.

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