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The driveas i, lined on each side by huge oak trees that were generations old Their branches spread over the top, reaching for the other side like a canopy, and I enjoyed the shade as I walked toward the main house

Several cars were parked beside a sht, and at the last minute, I paused, because I was pretty sure Mrs Blackwell didn’t live in the main house anyood twenty feet There were flowers planted in the front, beneath the veranda Purple and white petunias just like at randparents Old lady flowers

I decided to start there first

I droppedon the botto the doorbell A fewhard for several seconds I could hear it echoing inside and took a step back

“Shit,” Ito make it open I was hot, sweaty, and didn’t exactly feel like searching a freaking plantation for some creepy burial site

One moreto have to do, when I heard a scuffling noise and the door swung open

I’d just tied a bandana around my head to keep my hair out of my eyes, and with a sreet Mrs Blackwell

Only it wasn’t Mrs Blackho stepped out onto the porch

It was a girl I knew that much How old was she? I couldn’t say exactly, because in that moment, I couldn’t even tell you if she was pretty or not

I ay too focused on a pair of eyes that hit ainst stone The color was unusual—a light gray/green—and sure, they were pretty da, exotic even, but it wasn’t the color or shape that got to me

It hat I saw inside the indefinable and yet so fa in the ht as I stared back at her,away?

Man, that sucks

Chapter Three

Monroe

The boy who stood on the porch eaty and half naked and not the old guy I was expecting At all