Page 4 of Soul Fated

Now my task wasn't so cut and dry. I was taking orders from a damn piece of metal.

I finished my meal and shoved my trash into the plastic bag in my pack, then pulled out my sidearm, checking the chamber and magazine. I loaded an extra mag into my belt pouch and threw my bag onto the back seat of my truck.

One more leg tomorrow, one more night in the woods, and then I'd be back to where I started three weeks ago. It wasn't a surprise that the dagger was leading me straight back to Kitimat and Black Lake territory. The only piece left to put in place was where the dagger would lead me once I got there.

Chapter

Three

Callista

Iwoke with a start, an oppressive weight on my chest. I kicked off the covers, gasping for air, drenched in sweat.

Why was I seeing that damn campground? I wasn’t normally a dreamer, but every since the dagger touched my skin, my mind seemed to come alive at night. The campground was a family favorite, one I went to for years with my family and Evelyn’s. There were only happy memories there. I found it hard to believe the dagger was searching for those in my psyche.

My legs shook as I swung them over the edge of my bed, every muscle weak and trembling. I made it to the washroom and splashed water on my face, but it didn’t improve the palor of my skin. I looked like a ghost.

My arm throbbed, and there wasn’t even a question of whether I was going to make it to breakfast with Evelyn and the others. I reached for my phone. My fingers fumbled as I punched out a quick text.

Not feeling well. Catch you next weekend

I set the phone on the counter, then wrapped my fingers around the edge of the sink and took a deep breath.

It was Friday. I had the weekend to get myself together and be ready for work Monday morning. I probably had time to take a little side quest…

I squeezed my eyes shut and clenched my fists just as I did every day. No. I couldn’t follow this pull. I couldn’t give in to whatever dark magic the dagger had embedded in my skin.

But something was different today. It didn’t work. My body wasn’t listening. I felt like I was floating above my head as I pushed off the counter and padded into the kitchen. It was early, but if I was going to do this, I had to get on the road. Stop! I couldn’t do this!

I opened the cupboard and pulled out a package of protein bars and a bag of trail mix I’d picked up for my last hike, then grabbed my electric kettle and a box of tea bags before heading to my closet.

My camping gear was stashed in the back. I pulled out my pack and started tossing in clothes. I didn’t need much. I was only planning to stay a couple of nights. And probably die a gruesome death, at which point, nobody would care if my underwear was clean, amiright?

I couldn’t even make myself chuckle. I grabbed a flashlight, my sleeping bag, and a small pillow, then zipped up my bag, my hands trembling.

I glanced around my apartment. What else did I need? I wasn’t planning on hiking far, but I didn’t know what to expect. A first-aid kit would be smart. I shoved that and my toothbrush plus deodorant into the top pocket of my pack, then slung it over my shoulder and made my way to the door.

A picture frame teetered on the edge of the console in the entry as I slid into my hiking boots. I caught it just before it fell, then turned it over and set it down on the table. I didn’t want to see Blake and Celeste’s smiling faces. Not now.

My bag was heavy as I shrugged it onto my back and fumbled with the zipper on my jacket. The days were getting warmer, but there was still a chill in the air in the mornings.

My heart leaped into my throat as someone knocked on the door. I glanced at my phone. There was no message from Blake or Celeste, and I wasn’t expecting anyone.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, as the knock came again, and I forced myself to stand. I approached the door, my hands trembling as I reached for the handle. I opened it slowly, my eyes widening as I took in Evelyn. Standing on my doorstep. Hadn’t I told her I wasn’t available?

I let out a slow breath, then threw my pack next to the couch and opened the door. “Hey, I thought you were supposed to be at the cafe.” I tried to give Evelyn a quick hug, but she wrapped her arms around me and wouldn’t let me go.

“Why do you have a jacket on if you’re sick?” Evelyn pulled back and cupped my cheeks, her green eyes searching mine. Her auburn hair cascaded over one shoulder, and she wore a simple tunic and leggings

“I was…cold.”

Evelyn looked down at the floor. “You needed your hiking boots?”

“Evelyn—”

“You were ditching breakfast to go hiking? With who?” Her nostrils flared as she dropped her hands.

“With myself, and I wasn’t ditching breakfast, I just?—”

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