Page 4 of Twisted Solstice

“Isn’t it weird,” Felix said, “being up here after everything we’ve read? It feels so... Normal.”

Nothing about this place is normal. I could feel it. Like a million set of eyes were watching us. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and my body vibrated from the excess energy building around us.

“Don’t get your hopes up,” Kael replied, handing me one of the small inferred cameras.

Felix shrugged. “I’m just sayin’ is all.”

The dead silence added to the charged ambiance. For as close as we were to town, we should have been able to hear the traffic. “Yeah... it’s not though. Don’t you feel it?” I couldn’t quite describeitproperly, but it left me a bit shaken and unsettled and we’d yet to begin our investigation.

Paul and Felix exchanged a glance. “I think you’re freaking yourself out.” Paul patted me on the shoulder as he went back to the Jeep to grab the cooler out of the back. “Maybe you should eat something and get a little coffee into your system. We’re here for the long haul.”

Kael placed his hand on my knee. “I feelit.” His words were a whisper through my mind. “They’re not paying attention.”

When I met Paul and Felix, I’d been a bit... Leery. Sure, they said all the right things in our different psychology classes. But, I could never put my finger on why they rubbed me the wrong way. As time went by, that unease dissipated. We became great friends and when I asked them to help me out, they agreed. Yet, staring at both of them, I wondered how they really felt about the supernatural and the occult.

“Yeah, maybe some food would do me good.” I smiled at Paul. “I’m glad we got all the equipment situated. It’ll be easier to position everything on the hike up. Each device should be able to record ten hours of footage.”

I didn’t plan on being in the canyon any longer than I had to be. By four or five am, we’d be on our way home. Then, the real work would begin. I’d have hours upon hours of footage to watch and document, then I could write my thesis. I hoped by the time Spring graduation came, I’d be able to hold up my Master's degree with pride knowing I proved or disproved something—anything, about Turnbull Canyon.

We sat in compatible silence as we ate. I didn’t want to run the risk of food spoiling, so I went simple. Sandwiches, veggie sticks, fruit, and drinks. Also, in the cooler were bottles of water for the hike. Paul and Felix sat huddled together. Their soft whispers coupled with their loving touches made me a bit envious of their relationship.

See, I came from a broken home. It wasn’t my mom’s fault. My sperm donor, aka dad, never wanted kids. Of course, he knew how to prevent them, but also thought the pull-out method would save him. As of right now, he had four kids. I’m the oldest. My siblings are between five and fifteen years younger than me. The last I heard from my brother, our father was couch surfing at different women’s houses somewhere in Los Angeles. We’re both convinced someone will turn up pregnant soon, and it’ll be time for him to move along once more.

My mother never got married again, and only had one other significant relationship in my life—which ended when he cheated on her. Seeing my friends fall in love and get married or start a new life with their partners left me a bit... Empty.

Not in a bad way though. Empty in the sense of, I don’t understand it. I don’t see the fulfillment of it. Or the hows of it. I don’t know how people can end up under a roof for twenty-plus years or more and not leave. So, when it comes to relationships, I don’t do them well.

I guess I'm just fucked up.

“You can have that too. If you want it.” Kael’s words were a caress against the skin of my neck.

“With who?” I snorted.

“Anyone.” His starry twilight-blue eyes stared up at me and my breath hitched.

“Yeah, I have a feeling it’s not in the cards for me.” I cleared my throat as I gathered up my trash.

Kael was at my side, following me to the Jeep. “You don’t know that for sure.”

I laughed. “I do.” I threw my trash into the black plastic bag I’d brought with me. “Why are you doling out relationship advice, anyway?”

He shrugged, casting his cooled gaze my way. “You deserve happiness.”

“Sure.” I tied the bag. “My happiness will come when I have my degree in hand.”

He shook his head. stepping into my personal space. “No, it won’t. You’ll still be wondering what all the fuss is about.” He inclined his chin. “Look at them. They’re practically fucking each other right now. Think they’re waiting?”

I tucked my bottom lip between my teeth. Kael hadn't been wrong. Paul and Felix were sucking face. I guess they figured since we weren't going anywhere until the sun set fully and darkness blanketed the canyon, they could enjoy themselves a little? “Whatever floats their boat.”

Kael placed his hand on the tailgate of the Jeep. His breath whispered across the back of my neck. “Does it... arouse you?”

A jolt shot through my body. “Arouse me? What kind of question is that?” I went to face him, but he held me in place.

“They don’t even care if you see them,” he said.

“If you’re implying, I’m a voyeur I can assure you, I’m not.” My heart skipped a beat, and goosebumps spread across my arms and legs.

“Maybe you’re not ready yet.” Kael stepped away and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.

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