The Shepherd and the Horned Girl by Breanna Bright

Author:Breanna Bright [Bright, Breanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Red Empress Publishing

“I knew your dad,” Tess said as she steered the truck toward Ruby’s house. “He was a great sailor.”

“Is,” Ruby said gently.

Tess nodded. “I remember seeing you at the docks when you were little, but I haven’t seen you there in a while.”

“Yeah.” Ruby felt a pang of guilt. “I get caught up in school and my friends like to hang out on the weekends. Dad always talked about teaching me how to sail, but…I don’t know. I kind of lost interest.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Tess assured her. “What do you want to do?”

“I don’t really know. The school counselor keeps asking everyone that, trying to help us figure out what to go to college for, but…I don’t see why I have to decide right now.”

“You certainly don’t have to,” Tess said. “Nothing wrong with just having some fun.”

“You’re, like, the first adult to say that.” Ruby smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, I have some ideas. I want to do something where I can work outside, but actually picking out a job is too much of a commitment.”

The truck bumped along, but Ruby felt comfortable, like she was in a rocking chair. The truck smelled like old vinyl and the seats were torn, the floor rusting away. There was something comfortably rustic about it. “This truck is great.”

Tess laughed. “It runs on sheer willpower. One of these days, it’s going to just fall apart in the middle of the road.”

“Nah, this is one of those cars where it gets so old it’ll never die.”

“It’s been through so much I don’t know what could stop it now,” Tess agreed.

“You should teach me how to work on it, then I’ll become a mechanic and my problem will be over.”

“I totally will if you’re serious.”

“We’ll see. I’m still having fun being a stupid teenager.”

Tess smiled sincerely. “You’re the least stupid teenager I’ve ever met.”

They came to a rickety stop in front of Ruby’s home. Even in park, the truck continued to putter and shake. Ruby could feel the vibrations in her legs as she got out. Hannah stepped through the front door and waved to Tess.

“Hope she didn’t put you to any trouble,” Hannah said, walking up to the driver-side window.

“If she were trouble I would have made her walk her butt home,” Tess teased, throwing a wink at Ruby.

“I appreciate it, Tess.”

“Hey, no worries. See you later, Ruby!”

Ruby waved goodbye as Tess turned around and drove away, leaving a trail of foul-smelling, grey smoke. Hannah stood quietly at Ruby’s side as they watched the truck move toward the hilltop.

“I’m sorry for running off like that,” Ruby said as the vehicle disappeared over the hill. Her hand was back to her mouth, fingernails resting on her lips.

“I know this is hard for you,” Hannah answered, placing a hand on her shoulder. “I think we need to talk about all of this, figure out what we need to do.”

“Yeah… Okay.”

“I’m going to make dinner. Why don’t you wash up, then we’ll talk. Okay?”

“Yeah.” Ruby didn’t want to talk.

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