The Ghost Runner by Blair Richmond

Author:Blair Richmond [Richmond, Blair]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Paranormal, Vampire, Young Adult, Nature, Oregon, twilight, love triangle, ecolit, eco-fiction, environmental, eco-lit. ecoliterature, vegan, Ashland
Publisher: Ashland Creek Press
Published: 2012-09-02T14:00:00+00:00

Seventeen

It’s not until the next morning, when I see the rock on my dresser in the cottage, that I realize I forgot to ask my father about it, whether he thinks it might be gold. Then I begin to think that maybe it’s for the best that I forgot.

I’m still conflicted. My dad is someone who’d know gold when he sees it, and he’d certainly love a little extra cash. But I can’t ever forget about the dark side of his personality, the addictive side. He’d see that tiny piece of gold, and his eyes would glow, and the next thing I know he’d quit his job and go racing into the hills in search of more. He’s always been one get-rich-quick scheme away from getting rich, or at least he’s always thought so—he definitely prefers the idea of quick money to regular work. Or he used to. I’m not sure about anything anymore.

Before I decide whether to tell anyone, I should find out whether it’s gold. Later, on my lunch break, I head toward the railroad tracks, where there’s a small strip mall with a pawn shop advertising: We Buy Gold.

The store is open. A harsh beep goes off, announcing my entrance. It’s an ugly space, with dirty linoleum tiles and all types of junk scattered across metal shelves. There are no customers, just a large tattooed man with a beard seated behind a glass counter, smoking a cigarette. Inside the glass display case is an array of old coins and knives and silverware. The man is watching a TV program on a tiny set and doesn’t seem to notice me as I stand there in front of him.

“Excuse me,” I say.

“Yeah?”

“Do you buy gold?”

“That’s what the sign says.” He stands and leers at me.

I’ve got to make this quick so I can get out of here. I reach into my pocket and display the rock. “Can you tell me if this is gold?”

He takes the rock and studies it with a magnifying glass. He looks back at me.

“Where’d you find this?”

“Up on the Lost Mine Trail.”

“Whereabouts exactly?”

“A few miles back,” I say, then stop, wondering whether I’ve already said too much. “It is real gold, isn’t it?”

He pauses before answering, as if he is enjoying withholding this bit of information from me.

“Isn’t it?” I ask again, annoyed.

He shakes his head slowly. “Nope. Sorry. What you got here is fool’s gold, otherwise known as pyrite. Looks like the real thing but ain’t.”

“Oh.”

“Makes a nice paperweight though. I’ll buy it from you for a buck.”

“That’s okay.” I hold out my hand, but he doesn’t give it back to me.

“Five bucks, then.”

“Why five, if it’s only worth one?”

“I hate for you to leave without any money in your pocket, that’s all.”

“I’ll live. And I’ll take my fool’s gold back, please.”

He gives me a disgusted look and tosses it at me, but I’m too slow to catch it, and the rock falls onto the hard floor and skitters across it. I snatch it up and put it back in my pocket and get out of there as quickly as I can.

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.