Page 3 of Twilight of Embers
But I couldn’t. And I couldn’t save myself either.
1
HAYDEN
PRESENT, AGE NINETEEN
The coach bus jolted as it hit a pothole. I grabbed hold of the armrest, and the older woman next to me gave me a kind smile. The dark skin crinkled around her eyes as she did, telling me she made the action often.
I was used to looking for those kinds of signs—whether someone frowned or smiled often. It was a sort of early detection system, and it had saved my butt more times than I could count.
The woman lowered her knitting project. “These roads certainly aren’t for the faint of heart.”
I grimaced but let out a chuckle. “I’m glad I didn’t eat a heavy breakfast, that’s for sure.”
We’d been winding around mountain roads through Northern California for the past hour. Roads that hadn’t been especially well preserved.
The woman laughed. “My son is lucky I love him enough to make this trip to visit.”
My heart ached at that. It didn’t matter how many years had passed since I’d lost my own parents; I still got that horrible sucking pain when I was reminded of all I was missing. I’d been lucky to land with a good foster family on the third placement. A foster family who’d kept me all these years and let me stay with them even after I turned eighteen so that I could finish high school.
But even with that strike of luck and their kindness in the face of my tragedy, it wasn’t the same as the love of my own parents. It was always just a bit stilted, awkward. Like staying in a hotel for eight years instead of your own home.
“That’s nice. Where does he live?” I asked, forcing a smile.
The woman picked up her knitting again, her fingers moving the yarn deftly. “In Hamilton— just a few more stops. Where are you headed?”
“Ember Hollow. I’m starting at Evergreen University.”
It still felt unreal. After struggling for the first year after my parents’ deaths, I’d found my stride academically. I’d managed to get a full ride to the small, private university nestled in the redwoods.
My seatmate let out a low whistle. “Must be a smart cookie.”
“I’m okay, but I know how to study hard.” School had given me somewhere to lose myself. I couldn’t drown in grief if I was too focused on calculus equations or anatomy.
“Work ethic is more important than ability any day.”
“I hope you’re right,” I said with a smile. I was determined to do well here. To make all I could of the pre-med track so that I could secure another full ride to medical school.
As the bus rounded a curve, a zap of energy coursed through me. It was like static electricity on steroids or maybe being hit by lightning.
“Are you okay?” the woman next to me asked. “You went a little pale.”
I shook it off as a sign reading Welcome to Ember Hollow, Population 2013 came into view.
“I guess I have those new-school jitters.”
She gave me another of her warm smiles. “You’ll do great, honey. Don’t you fret.”
The bus jerked as it turned, and the driver reached overhead for his microphone. “Approaching Ember Hollow. First stop, Evergreen University.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
I peered out the window as the thick forest gave way to a picturesque downtown. It had an Old West vibe, a complete one-eighty from the Seattle suburb I’d lived in for the past eight years. There were antique lampposts and even old hitching posts. I couldn’t help but wonder if people still rode horses into town.
The bus turned again, away from downtown and onto campus. The sign for Evergreen University was carved into stone. It looked fancy, and a feeling of unease trickled over me.
I’d worked hard at my after-school job for the past three years. I’d saved up so that I’d have some extra spending money for college. But I certainly wasn’t rolling in it.
