The Nothing Month by Cat Miller

Author:Cat Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Limited
Published: 2025-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

11.09.2021

11:08 a.m.

The disembodied voice didn’t make Phoenix jump out of their skin this time. Natalia’s voice echoing across the clearing flagging up she’d arrived was becoming a familiar sound in the woodlands. She did it as a kind of warning so they knew she was approaching and, within a few moments, Phoenix saw the familiar figure turning the corner.

‘Morning. I was hoping we’d see you again soon.’ From the size of Natalia’s backpack, Phoenix had to assume she planned to stay over once again. ‘Have you heard anything more?’

‘No, the reports have been very quiet on that front. I’ve been doing some reading up and what killers often crave is some attention. So I’m going to add a load of questions at the end of the next article asking for people to volunteer their stories. I’m hoping it might evoke some kind of response from him, assuming his ego is that big. If it doesn’t work, I’m going to have to think of another way in the next one. That aside, the good news is the article was so popular with readers that my editor wants a series – I jumped at the chance so I could come back. I hope you don’t mind?’

‘Does it involve me being interviewed again? If so, you can about turn.’ Phoenix said it with a smile on their face, knowing that Natalia wouldn’t get another interview out of them if she tried.

‘No. You’re in luck. I’m here to do an experience piece.’

‘I’ll get us a drink in that case.’

In that time, Natalia busied herself with tying up her hammock and sorting her things.

The chores had already been completed that morning and Phoenix had given a cookery lesson to Hugo on the basics of the different ways to cook an egg. Again, it was one of the things they would have thought didn’t require any explanation, but Hugo’s parents had never let him near anything they perceived as hazardous, including boiling water.

Natalia accepted the nettle tea Phoenix provided her with. Hugo said a brief hello before setting off to do the veg plot walk to leave them to it.

As they both settled down, Phoenix realised that something very strange was happening. There was an edge of beginning to enjoy Natalia’s company. They might even go as far as to say they were becoming friends. It wasn’t something that happened very frequently in Phoenix’s life.

‘I, um… went ahead and looked into some things.’ Natalia didn’t look directly their way as she said it.

‘Pardon?’ Phoenix replied, heat prickling at their pores as a sudden sweat began to take over. They weren’t used to Natalia not making eye contact. ‘What do you mean?’

‘After we spoke about the missing persons lists and you said you wouldn’t be on one, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to look. It turns out it didn’t take me long to find you on there. I recognised you from the picture straightaway.’

Phoenix’s mouth was too dry to respond immediately. They got up instead and stomped away before deciding to stomp back.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.