Tommy Nightmare (Jenny Pox #2) by JL Bryan

Author:JL Bryan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: plague, Horror, southern, paranormal
Publisher: JL Bryan
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

At Jenny's house, Darcy really dived into the chores with enthusiasm, gabbing away while she helped Jenny straighten up, do the dishes, sweep and mop the floors. Her main topic was memories from church camp, but she avoided mentioning Ashleigh, as if aware that this might annoy or upset Jenny.

Jenny tried to make her stop working—she hadn’t really intended to have Darcy do housework. Jenny hadn’t even really planned on doing any, it had just been an excuse to try and avoid being social.

Darcy insisted on cleaning Jenny’s house for her, though. “That’s what friends do,” Darcy had explained.

Jenny carried a bag of dog food out back to feed Rocky. Darcy trailed behind her, talking about the time she'd come to pick the tuba over the trombone when she joined the school band.

Rocky stepped out of the shed, tail wagging. The moment he saw Darcy, he began to bark.

“Rocky!” Jenny said. “Relax.”

But the dog grew more agitated, jumping and barking.

“Is he gonna chomp me?” Darcy said.

“No, he's okay,” Jenny said. “He just don't like strangers. Rocky! Quit barking!”

As they approached, Rocky darted off into the woods. He let out a long, low bay, as if he were frightened or hurt. Or had trapped a raccoon in a tree.

“I don't think he likes me,” Darcy said.

“He's just shy.” Jenny poured the food and filled his water dish from the garden hose. “I guess that's all my chores. Thanks for helping.”

“No prob.” Darcy winked.

“What should we do now?”

“I dunno. What do you usually do for fun?”

“I kind of do this pottery thing.” Jenny led her inside, to the dining room, where Jenny's old potting wheel was waiting. She showed Darcy the assortment of flowerpots she'd made, plus her attempts at sculpture, like a statue that was supposed to be Rocky but looked more like a mutant cow.

“Coolsville!” Darcy said. “I didn't know you did stuff like this.”

“It's just a hobby,” Jenny told her. “Ms. Sutland used to sell them at the Five and Dime, but that's closed now.”

“Oh, the Five and Dime closed?” Darcy said. “I didn't know that. What a bummerino, huh?”

“It feels like the town's falling apart.”

“Good thing we're outta here, right?”

“What do you mean?” Jenny asked.

“You know, college. Aren't you going?”

“No,” Jenny said. “Seth is, though.”

“Where?”

“College of Charleston.”

Darcy snickered.

“What?” Jenny asked.

“Oh...nothing,” Darcy said. “It's just, well...um, that's where I'm going!”

“Really? Charleston?”

“I wanted to go to Duke, but I blew my GPA.” She tapped her big stomach. “Hooked up with Bret instead. And now he's not even around anymore. God's punishing me for everything I did.” Darcy looked like she was about to cry.

Jenny reached out with a gloved hand and gave her an awkward pat on the arm. Darcy gasped and pulled away from her.

“Are you okay?” Jenny asked.

“Oh...” Darcy looked down at the place where Jenny had touched her arm. “Yes. I guess I'm fine. I guess I wasn't expecting that.”

“You just seemed upset.” Jenny felt weird for trying to touch her.

“Yeah, I know. Sorry.”

“Who wants cheese sandwiches?” Jenny's dad asked as he walked in the front door, carrying two Piggy Wiggly bags.

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