Chapter 118

Olivia

The morning light pierced through the gaps in the blinds, chasing away the remnants of the restless night I had endured. My eyes felt heavy, and my body ached from the tension, but I had a job to do.

I needed to retrieve my car so I could take Alvin’s hand to the witch and get it over with.

I descended the stairs slowly, hearing Nathan's familiar hum in the kitchen. Drawing a deep breath, I stepped in, seeking his attention.

“Nathan?”

He paused and looked up, his blue eyes guarded but not quite as icy as they had been the previous night. There was a hint of remorse on his face. “Yeah?”

“Last night, my car went into the ditch.”

Nathan’s eyes widened. “So that’s why…”

I nodded. “Yeah. Your dad happened to drive past right after it happened and offered to give me a ride home. Would you...” I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. “Would you drive me there and help me pull it out?”

He regarded me for a few long moments. I wondered if he'd refuse, but then he nodded. “Sure. Give me a moment to grab my keys.”

The drive was silent. The weight of unsaid words and unresolved feelings pressed down on us both. It was palpable, stifling, like a fog that refused to lift.

Every now and then, I'd cast a fleeting glance in Nathan’s direction, trying to read the thoughts behind those inscrutable eyes. But he remained focused on the road, not betraying a hint of emotion.

The silence was only broken by Nathan, who couldn’t seem to contain his own curiosity about my run-in with his father.

“So,” he asked, guiding the car around a wide curve in the road. “My dad… How was it?”

I shrugged. “He didn’t ask about the box, if that’s what you're asking.” I was holding the box on my lap now. “And he didn’t seem to have any idea that the ‘monster’ that was running around the cabin was actually Angela. In fact, he didn’t say much of anything.”

Nathan paused for a minute, mulling over my words.

“Well, I guess that could be a good sign or a bad sign,” he murmured.

It wasn’t long before we reached the site. My car sat forlornly in the ditch, a sad testament to last night's events.

Without a word, Nathan got out and started to attach a tow hook to his truck and then to my car.

I climbed into the driver’s seat and put my car in neutral. There was a rough jolt as he pulled my car out, but it quickly came out of the ditch with his help. I couldn't help but appreciate the rhythm and efficiency with which he worked. He pulled my car out like it was nothing, bringing it to a gentle stop along the side of the road.

Maybe it was that appreciation that prompted my next words as I climbed back out of my car. “Thank you, Nathan.”

He didn't respond immediately, just continued to work in silence as he unhooked the tow cable from our vehicles. But after a few moments, he looked up and met my gaze.

“It's okay. Friends help each other out, right?”

Despite the chill in the air, I felt warmth blossom in my chest. “Yeah, they do,” I whispered, almost to myself.

Now that the car was out of the ditch and on solid ground, I climbed back into the driver's seat, eager to put some distance between us.

The weight of the previous night was still very much hanging heavily over me, and the close proximity to Nathan wasn't helping. With a tense smile, I put the car in drive and waved at Nathan.

Just as I was about to drive off, he jogged up to the window and knocked.

Rolling it down, I looked up at him. There was an uncertain look in his eyes. “Olivia,” he began, hesitating slightly, “About last night...”

I held up a hand, not ready to rehash it. “Nathan, let's just...”

“No,” he interrupted, gently but firmly. “Hear me out. I shouldn't have said those things. It was out of line. And...I'm sorry.”

I studied him for a moment, trying to gauge his sincerity. Nathan had always been a straight shooter, but after everything, I had to be sure. “And Alvin?”

Nathan sighed. “I'll help you give his hand back tonight. It's what friends do. They help each other through the messes, right?”

His words caught me off guard. All I could do was nod. He held out his hand, a peace offering.

I took it, feeling the familiar warmth of his grip. “Let's put this behind us for now,” I said softly. “For Alvin.”

He nodded in agreement. “For Alvin.”

…

We spent the rest of the day resting at home, which was sorely needed after last night’s debauchery. My body felt sore from digging, which was only made worse by the pregnancy. I slept for most of the day, only waking to the sound of Nathan knocking on my door.

“Olivia?” he called out, his voice tense. “It’s time.”

I cracked my eyes open to see that the sun had almost fully set. My entire room was cast in a golden glow. I would have preferred to stay in bed for even longer, but I knew that our mission was almost at an end. With any luck, Alvin’s hand could be restored by the morning.

That night, we made our way to the witch's hut just as the sun had entirely faded. It was located up a narrow gravel driveway halfway up the little mountain on the edge of our town, surrounded by tall pine trees. There was something both eerie and beautiful about it.

“We’re here.” Nathan put the car in park halfway up the driveway. “We’ll have to walk from here. Stay close to me, Olivia.”

I did just that.

However, although we were united in our mission, the air between us remained thick with tension. The silence was unsettling, the distance palpable. The only sounds between us were those of our boots crunching on the gravel as we walked.

I longed to reach out, to bridge the gap, but uncertainty held me back.

As we approached the hut, the moon cast eerie shadows, playing tricks on my eyes. I found myself walking more closely to Nathan, comforted by his presence.

I gripped the box containing Alvin’s hand tightly, further drawing some comfort from its solid sensation in my hands. Beside me, Nathan moved with a purpose, his tall frame silhouetted against the moonlit night.

We didn’t speak as we reached the hut's entrance. A golden glow emanated from inside.

There was no need. Our purpose was clear. But even as we moved to complete our mission, I couldn’t help but feel the chasm growing between Nathan and me.

The events of the past few days had irrevocably changed us, and I wondered if we'd ever find our way back to each other.

Only time would tell.

The door opened before we even knocked, and a woman’s face appeared in the crack.

“I’ve been expecting you,” she said.

——————————

To be continued, one chapter updated daily.