Page 14 of Dark Moon Secrets

“It’s only for a few weeks,” I said aloud to reassure myself.

It will be for longer, and you know it.

That was another thing. Maria’s voice hadn’t left since her death, but I hadn’t told anyone about how I heard her. I wasn’t stupid. If I admitted hearing dead people speak, they’d ship me off to the doctor, and I’d be hospitalized in the mental ward or whatever they called it these days.

The easiest thing to do was to ignore it, get to the bookstore, and see for myself what it was like and how I would manage the damn place. There were small living quarters at the top of the store, and since I figured I’d be there for at least a week before coming back—at worst, two weeks—then I could treat it like a small holiday.

I’d taken some of the leave I’d built up at work which I had hoped to use for on an overseas holiday. I’d be back to square one when I returned to work in two weeks. The trip overseas would need to wait for another year, if not two, before I had enough time saved to travel and still have a job to return to.

I wasn’t adventurous like some who quit their jobs and traveled. I was playing it safe and had to be responsible now that I was alone in the world with my parents gone. Since they’d been vocal about being on my chosen path, I was determined to prove I had a choice and didn’t have to settle for what the fates chose for me.

For the last two weeks since her death, I’d slipped between anger toward Maria for setting me on this path I didn’t want, to tears for the generosity she’d shown me. I also missed her, especially when leaving or returning to my home and seeing her place empty.

It was a big reason why I was leaving now. The rest of the estate would be handled by the lawyers who drew up her will, at a huge expense, of course, but it meant I could get to the bookstore within the required week after Maria’s funeral as the will had stated.

Mia and Caleb were going to come with me, but in the end, they had their jobs, and it was a long drive. Plus, by the time I packed the car, there wasn’t any room for passengers.

The last few weeks had been busy, arranging Maria’s funeral and beginning the huge task of going through the jobs she’d designated. Since she’d wisely given me a deadline to get to the bookstore, I’d decided I’d better go sooner rather than later. With no deadline, there would’ve been a real chance I’d have never gone to see it.

It was a good thing Maria had a car I could use. It was almost new, hardly used, even though it was about ten years old. I should sell it, but since I didn’t have a car, and I had to run this fucking bookstore, I’d decided to keep the vehicle. I’d sell it when I got back from this side adventure. I didn’t need one, living where I did, always close to public transportation.

My phone buzzed, connected to my iPod, causing my ears to vibrate. I pressed the touch screen on my phone, one eye on the road, and accepted the call from Mia.

“You there yet?” Her loud voice pounded in my ears.

“Nearly.” I spied the green sign indicating I was getting close to Katoomba. The turnoff was approaching. I’d memorized the directions to get there since it wasn’t a lot to commit to memory. Basically, I get on the highway out of Sydney, drive for nearly two hours, then look for a sign for Katoomba. I just hadn’t counted on it raining.

“You should be there by now. Are you driving too slow, or did you turn around and come back? That’s more like it. You’re hiding around the corner, aren’t you?”

I had to smile. Mia had my best interests at heart, and she knew me well.

Like me.

Maria’s voice chilled me.

Then show me that you do, I thought angrily.

My headspace would be much more peaceful without her voice ensuring I did what she wanted me to do. If only I could resist, but every time I tried, I’d feel as if a huge weight was on my shoulders, pushing me back to where I didn’t want to go.

There was no answer, and like always, I was left wondering if I had really heard her.

“And tell me, Mia, what would I find in my apartment if I turned up? All your things, as if it were yours?” I laughed softly. Mia had wanted me to rent my place to her while I was gone. As if she thought I’d be gone longer than two weeks.

Mia gasped as if hurt by my words. “I’d never do that to you.”

I turned the car, taking the exit from the highway. My stomach flopped, knowing I’d arrive at the bookstore soon.

My knuckles whitened as I gripped the steering wheel.

I could turn back now.

The pressure on my shoulders caused me to gasp.

No, I couldn’t.

“Hey, are you all right? You should’ve waited until next weekend. Then, I could’ve come with you.”

No. This was something I needed to do alone.

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