Page 17 of Hell House
“I do love your eggs Graham Cracker. I just can’t eat anything right now.” I slap him on the shoulder as I move past. I see a flicker of hostility like he wants to shove that whisk up somewhere, but he just nods his head, going back to the eggs.
Lukas looks ready to burst into laughter at our exchange, but I don’t want to piss off Graham any further. I didn’t need him spitting in my lasagna later.
Lukas and I trudge up the hill that takes us over to Possession Cove. The morning air feels crisp against my skin, waking me up and making me feel invigorated. I take a sip of the thermos Lukas made for me, grateful for the hit of caffeine. The warm liquid snakes it’s way down, warming up my cold extremities.
“So, what’s with this spontaneous hike Lukas?”
He looks around, continuing up the steep incline.
“Lukas?”
“I’ll tell you when we get there.”
I let out a grumble, too hungover to argue. But if he wasn’t my brother there’s no way I’d be trailing after his ass. For once it’s not raining, the sky is clear, and the wind isn’t biting at my face.
As we crest the top, I hear a low gong ringing out.
“What the fuck was that?”
The sound chimes again, and Lukas and I look at each other in confusion.
“Now BREATHE IN 2, 3, HOLD! GOOD! RELEASE.” Comes a feminine voice through the trees.
As we break through the tree line, we’re greeted by a bunch of spandex asses pointed to the sky. I smirk at my brother. “Is this what you wanted me to see? Because I am no longer complaining.”
He lets out a laugh, “No, but it’s a good surprise.”
My eyes wander across the group, finding a certain raven-haired witch. She’s wearing a matching lavender sports bra and legging set that hugs her every curve, leaving little to the imagination. Shit, seeing her bent over like that makes me want to come up from behind her and let her know just how much I like seeing her bent over like that.
I see my brother is similarly distracted, staring at the girl next to Salem, her hair thrown up in two messy pigtails. I recognize her as Salem’s roommate.
“Either join us or stop your ogling.” The instructor calls out. She looks likes she stepped out of an early 90’s workout video with her neon leotard, complete with matching scrunchie.
I put my hands up, “No thanks.” Which catches Salem’s attention. She stands up, putting her hands on her hips. She looks like she could either stab me or kiss me and I’m here for it.
I tip my chin up at her as Lukas and I walk around the contorting yoga class continuing down the other side of the trail.
“Who was that?” Lukas asks.
“Just some girl from my business class.”
“Mhmm.”
“What?”
“You like her.”
“Whatever, she’s hot. I wouldn’t mind getting a little piece of that.”
He studies me for a second as we trek down the dirt path. One thing I loved about our time here at Kildale, was the time my brother and I were able to bond without our father’s overbearing presence. Though, he frequently called to check in on us and make his usual ‘stay in line’ threats, it felt freeing- like I could finally breathe being out of that house. I don’t know how our mother put up with his bullshit for so many years, well… until she didn’t. I feel the familiar sting of grief when I found my thoughts have strayed to my mother.
As if he knows where my mind has wandered, I feel Lukas’s hand clap onto my shoulder as we both navigate our way around a moss-covered boulder. Lukas was the one that found her all those years ago. I honestly don’t know how he was as functional as he was.
The closer we get to the beach, the louder the waves and seagulls become. The rocks become more like gravel as we continue down the sloping hill. The air around us feels eerily still.
As we hit the clearing, I stop to catch my breath. Though it’s not a hard hike, I’m still recovering from my bender and feel like someone has socked me in the stomach. Maybe I should have eaten those eggs.
“So, what did you drag me all the way out here for, then?” I ask Lukas who tosses me his water.
