Chapter 1
•RYKER•
I sat outside the airport; cup of coffee in one hand, phone in the other and my duffel bag beside me on the small wooden bench.
The once dark wood was stained from the sun. And I could understand why. The sun was harsh, beating down on me. Even though I was in shorts and a thin strapped shirt, I felt like I was in a sauna.
My plane landed early, and since I stepped out I had zero signal on my phone, unable to let any of my friends know I was early.
Friends.
The word itself felt strange. These were no longer my friends.
And yet, I flew half way across the world to some middle-of-nowhere town to have a holiday with them.
Why? Because my life was falling apart and my mom convinced me it would do me good.
She was worried about me. Things were once going well for me once upon a time. Engaged to a business man, planning the wedding of the century. One of the top editors in a well known tabloid.
And then it all came crashing down.
He cheated. I stayed. And suddenly I realized how incompatible we really were. I didn't want the huge mansion and the fancy cars.
I wanted simple.
So I left. I left him. I left the job.
And I started over.
A new job. A crappy little rental apartment and a banged up car.
But, I was happy.
But because I had become somewhat of a recluse, my mom was worried about me.
So when my old high school friend, Kate, called me and asked if I'd be interested in a reunion, I said yes. Kate and I were close in school, but after, we had drifted apart.
I had been hesitant for the trip, I knew everyone who was coming along, but only had good memories with a few of them. The others, I didn't get along with when we were younger.
But we were adults now and I was sure they had changed.
Suddenly, I was pulled from my thoughts by an elderly man who sat on the corner of the bench.
His skin was dark and wrinkled, I assumed he was a local because of the clear sun damage to his skin.
His long dark grey hair was tied at the nape of his neck, but he looked at me with kind dark eyes.
"Tourist?" He asked in a thick accent I couldn't figure.
"Something like that."
He smiled, "You need to be careful."
I frowned, "What?" Although his warning was creepy, I wasn't getting any malicious vibes from him.
"I can see the soul through your eyes. You are a good soul. There is something special there. You must be careful not to anger the ancient spirits. Some will protect your goodness, others will want to steal it for themselves."
"I..."
"Please, head my warning. Be safe. And keep the eye safe." He got to his feet.
Befor I could even think of asking him what he was talking about, he moved away and disappeared into the crowd.
Two hours later and I was in an old panel van. Kate was in the front passenger seat, beside Ken, one of the guys I hated the most in highschool.
He was a pompous jerk then and seemed not much had changed. He was a doctor now and he and Kate were dating. Of course, I wasn't surprised Kate was with a doctor, she had always been high society.
Next to me sat Chrissy, she was the quiet one in school, but now she seemed to have found her voice.
Then there was Brian. I could barely remember him, but he seemed alright.
"I can't believe you waited so long!" Kate remarked.
"Not like I had a choice," I responded while tying my hair into a pony.
"Are you hungry?" She asked.
I shrugged, "Not really? I'm tired and sweating like a pig. I had no idea how hot and dusty it would be here."
"There's a restaurant with a pool!" Chrissy spoke loudly making me cringe.
"The sun's going to go down soon, right?" I asked.
Kate chuckled, "Yeah. And you'll love it! The place really comes alive at night."
I was doubtful, but I didn't want to be a downer, so I offered a smile.
"Yeah, they throw these parties where the locals all gather in the streets," Ken offered.
Chrissy nudged me, "Maybe we can find you a local."
Brian laughed besides me, "Chris, I promise you, you do not need to play cupid with everyone who's single. Some of us enjoy it."
Chrissy rolled her eyes, "I'm not playing cupid. I'm single too, but that doesn't mean we can't have a good time," she wiggled her brows, "The locals are hot!"
"Sleeping with a stranger? No thanks!" I shook my head.
Brian laughed again.
Chrissy rolled her eyes, "Don't be boring."
I thought back to the elderly man on the bench.
His eerie warning was replaying in my head. After his words, I wasn't sure I even wanted to meet the locals.
He wasn't threatening at all, which made his warning all the more creepy.
Closing my eyes, I leaned my head against the window, tired and freaked out, the best thing was some rest.
