Page 8 of Into the Night

Staring up and down the aisles, I frown. I haven’t a clue. “I’m not used to living alone. What else do I need if the power goes out?”

Elle, according to her name badge, gives me a not-so-subtle once over. “You and I aren't exactly helpless. If a road gets blocked, we can still get out. The cold won’t bother us so much, but it would still be better to have some heat. Just get some food and water, and enough wood for the stove, so you can hunker down for a couple of days if you need to.”

That I can do.

Throwing in a deep purple and pink blanket I see near the till, I pretend it’s a practical purchase and not just something I want because it’s pretty. Finally finding the batteries, I stack my items beside the register.

Elle rings it all up, and then places each item carefully inside a cardboard box. As she scans them, she glances up once, then twice, before averting her eyes and continuing her task.

Feeling self-conscious, I know what’s caught her attention, and I brace myself for what’s coming, except her comment isn’t what I expect.

“I love your hair,” she finally says, shyly. “I wanted to dye mine lighter, but my Mum wouldn’t let me.” She tugs on a curly brown strand hanging down from under the hardware store cap she wears, and sighs, twisting the offending hair up so she can see it. “It’s just so plain.”

I’ve seen Elle around town. Her family lives down the road from me. Now I regret not having made more of an effort to meet my neighbours. I assumed they wouldn’t be happy to see me.

“Don’t dye it. It suits your skin tone, and your brown eyes. And being blonde around here is not something you want.”

Puzzled, she waits for me to elaborate.

“You know… the curse?” I whisper, looking around to make sure nobody else is listening. I don’t need to get run out of the store before I’ve paid for my supplies. “That the pale beast will bring about the end?”

Elle laughs, but then quickly schools her expression into one of disbelief when she realises that I’m deadly serious.

“People don’t really believe all that shit, do they? That you’re going to bring about the end of life as we know it?” Rolling her eyes, Elle’s disdain for the prophecy is clear, but she’s young, probably barely out of her teens.

The older generations and more traditional communities hold those legends dear, and pass them on, unfortunately for me. As the years have gone by, and I’ve gotten closer to my first heat, their fears and opinions have become more radical.

“Shh!” I hiss, waving my hands at her to keep her voice down. “And yes, believe me. In some places, they do. So, leave your hair alone.”

“Why don’t you dye yours, then?” Elle hands me back my card and shrugs before shoving a box of matches in for free after she’s already charged me. “Then nobody would even know.”

“That’s not going to help when I shift.”

I’ve tried. Not only did the colour wash out pretty much straight away, but as soon as I shifted, it made no real difference. Only the tips of my coat looked darker. It just made me look like I’d brushed up against some fresh paint.

“Everyone knows who I am, anyway.”

Elle shrugs. “Fuck them. I think it’s gorgeous, and I bet most people here don’t really care, anyway. If they give you shit, it says more about them.” Coming around from behind the counter to place the box into my arms, she smiles kindly. “We live just down the road from your house, next house down the lane. So, if you need anything, don’t be afraid to ask. Even if it’s just some company you want.”

Stepping outside, with the box in my arms and my hood pulled up to shield me from the worst of the rain, I crash straight into a wall of man.

Bouncing back, I’m about to land on my ass, when a plaid arm shoots out and catches me before I go down. Instinctively, I flinch, and he frowns at my reaction as he waits a moment to make sure I’m steady before letting go.

“Shit. Sorry. Sorry!”

Two packets of batteries bounce out of the box and hit the pavement at my feet.

Righting me with ease, the beard with eyes stoops down to pick up my runaway purchases, and then sets them carefully on top of my other items before taking the box from me.

“You okay? Where are you parked?”

For a moment, I’m frozen. My instinct is to automatically treat any gesture of kindness with suspicion, but as I meet the gentle brown eyes of the giant in front of me, I force myself to relax. Tipping my head to the other side of the street, I follow along behind him as he crosses to my battered old car, and then opens the passenger door before sliding the box in carefully and then slamming it shut.

“Jack.” He holds out his hand and waits patiently for me to reach out and slip my tiny-looking hand into his. After a quick, firm shake, he releases me immediately, not doing either the sleazy holding on too long thing, or the intimidating death grip. He smiles, looking amused about something as I continue to stare up at him, shocked by his sheer size. Then I realise why he’s laughing.

“Kali. Sorry! My head is somewhere else today.” I fiddle with my gold necklace, unsure why I’m so jumpy.

With a warm laugh, he steps back, giving me lots of space. “You’re Evan’s cousin. He told me you moved to town.” Backing away slowly, he raises his two hands, palm up, then points to his chest with his thumbs. “You need anything, you let me know.”

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