Myth (Book 1)

by Angela K. Crandall

  Owl got up placing a hand on Rascal’s back. Then he drew him in to hug him.

  “I know it will never be OK, but we’re going to try and find her for you. She may have some answers. Do you have any idea where she might be? Did you ever go anywhere with her? Was the diner your only meeting place? Did she ever come here?” he asked, letting him go from the embrace.

  Rascal shook his head.

  “Did she ever come here?” I repeated.

  “No, never, we stayed at hotels, hung out in Hunters Park, went for hikes out near Stream Lake. There’s a cabin on Outlook Point just outside of Springville where the woods start up. It’s state land. She called it her home away from home, implying a brief stay. She never did tell me where she was from exactly. I should have known a relationship could not last in the midst of secrets between us. I’m just a hopeless romantic who had a notion that one day she would reveal everything to me,” he stated.

  “What about interests, did you share any?” asked Molly.

  “She invariably spoke in relation to the world and current events as I mentioned above, also justice. Then again, she may have been an underground agent. All I have are speculations. I shouldn’t put all this on your young shoulders, but I trust Owl. He’s like a son to me.”

  “Don’t you have any pictures of her?” I asked.

  “No, every time I asked her, she refused to be photographed. I found it strange but I didn’t push it,” he responded.

  I nodded, then got up from my seat. I picked up the plates, preparing to help do the dishes before we left.

  “No, let me get those.” said Rascal.

  He took the plates from me shuffling over to the sink. Then set them aside.

  “Did Nuria ever talk about someone named Eva?” I pestered.

  “No, why?”

  “I met her the other day, Nuria’s sister. She said she knew you and her sister had a relationship, but offered no additional tips regarding the matter.”

  “Well, it sounds like she knows just as much as the rest of us. I can’t tell you anything regarding her. This is the first time I’ve heard of any of her family members. She never spoke of them,” he answered.

  “It’s getting late, why don’t you take my truck and see that everyone gets home safely,” Rascal instructed Owl.

  “Alright, sure thing, should I swing by afterward? I’d need to crash here for the night. If you don’t mind it would give us time to go over the particulars of what may have happened to your son or Nuria? It’s almost ten.”

  “OK, if you wish. Just do me a favor. Be safe out there. I’m glad to have met you in spite of the circumstances. Please maintain a low profile. I don’t want this leaked to the press.”

  “Of course,” Owl confirmed.

  “Can we talk to you again?” I asked.

  “In due time, if you uncover anything contact me, but only if it’s urgent.”

  Then, with that we were walking out the door without any more pleasantries. I believed Rascal had had enough of the past for one night. My only desire was to uncover the truth. Who had killed his son and why? Then maybe we could stop anything else horrifying from occurring.

  Chapter 15

  “Do you suspect that Du-vance went looking for Nuria?” I asked Owl as we rode back in the truck towards Jenson’s. The snow had let up a bit. Scanning the road, I could tell the plows had been out. It put my mind at ease. I slouched in the soft, worn-in seat. The truck’s tires trudged through the white drifts as we passed the main intersection.

  “That’s a good theory. It was getting so late,” he said, shaking his head.

  “Tick tick tick, time waits for no one,” I commented.

  “If he knew how broken up, his father was over her, he probably went searching,” said Molly.

  “And if he stepped into the wrong place, at the wrong time, he could have been attacked, whether or not she was a secret agent,” Jenson suggested.

  I noticed Molly playing with her necklace. It must have been new. I’d never seen it before.

  “Where did you get that?” I asked.

  “A friend, you haven’t met her yet,” she said, tapping her hand near her heart. Then she placed it back on the door handle of the vehicle as if she might have to make a great escape.

  “How are you doing? You said a while ago you’d clue me in on a few things going on,” spoke up Jenson.

  “We have all this going on. Starla is here for me right now.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t push her. Let her tell you whatever it is when she’s ready,” said Owl.

  Jenson started hitting the interior of the car seat with his fist. I could tell he was getting angry. His face turned red. It looked like smoke would start coming out of his ears if she didn’t open up to him.

  “I am your friend too, and I would like to know what the heck is going on. You invite me to church as friends, but then hold my hand. You know that Starla and I are dating now. It doesn’t add up. You’ve been acting pretty strange. Please tell me what is going on!”

  Molly hung her head a bit low. Owl pulled the truck off to the side of the road. I assumed he wanted to give Molly a moment to get herself together. She wasn’t sobbing, but tears crawled down her cheeks, falling onto her jacket.

  Once the truck was stopped, and in park, Molly wiped away her tears, and looked directly at Jenson.

  “I don’t know how else to say this. Owl, I don’t know what you’ll think. You just came into all this today. You might even throw me out. I’ve been trying to hold this back. I’ve tried to bury it deep down inside, but it... - won’t go away.”

  I could feel her trembling beside me. Why did Jenson have to do this? I guess Molly could have said no, told him it was none of his business. Maybe it was best that she told him, I couldn’t imagine him shunning her! If he did, I couldn’t be his girlfriend or friend. Molly grabbed my hand, but I didn’t push it away. She needed my comfort and support. If it was her or Jenson, well Jenson would have to go.

  “Jenson, Owl, I’m ga...ay,” she stuttered.

  They just sat there stunned. I hugged Molly. I didn’t want her to feel alone. I could not envision the guts it took to do that. I knew she’d been hanging on to it as long as I’d known her.

  A few minutes later Owl and Jenson joined in and embraced her.

  Owl spoke up, “What about your parents, will you tell them?” he asked.

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do. My family is the epitome of perfect God-fearing folks. I... That’s why I took you to church Jenson, for protection,” she stammered.

  Jenson gave her a sympathetic smile. Then she let go of my hand, which she was still holding.

  “So you and Starla aren’t?”

  “We’re friends. Do you think just because I’m attracted to girls I’d try to steal her away from you? I see how your eyes light up immediately upon her arrival. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the hall at school or after you work out. You both have a thing for each other,” she grinned. “No way Jenson, I wouldn’t go there.”

  Owl started up the truck.

  “Jenson, I’ll drop you off first. If the girls want, well, I’ll take them out for a night cap. Molly could probably use a drink right now. Starla, maybe you should contact your mom, let her know you’ll be out later? I’ll phone Rascal now.”

  Jenson didn’t argue or get upset that Owl had offered to take us out. He laid a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it gently. I had to believe my mother would be as understanding if we needed to go to her. Molly’s parents weren’t bad people. On the other hand, when it came to church they were pretty serious. My mom had never been extremely religious. I’d been allowed to explore other perspectives.

  We dropped Jenson off, and soon after pulled up to a placed called The Bar and Grill. The engine on the truck made a sputtering sound and then stalled.

  “At least we’re here,” groaned Owl.

  “True. How are we going to get back into town? My mother is expecting me home by curfew. It’
s about an hour and a half from now.”

  “Listen, we’ll go in and have a couple of drinks. You will anyway. I’m not going to given that I’m your D.D. Later, I’ll come back out to tinker with the truck. If I can’t get it working, I’ll call you and Molly a cab. Will that work?” he asked.

  “Sounds good,” said Molly.

  Exiting the car I heard someone holler my name. I turned my head to see Shellena and Lance.

  “Friends of yours?” asked Owl. He took the key out of the ignition, then jumped down from the truck and pushed the door shut.

  “Kind of,” I admitted. Molly stood close beside me, not sure what to make of them. Of course, they weren’t in their vampire wolf hybrid form.

  “Hey Starla, we have a table inside. Come join us!” They pleaded, straggling up to me.

  “Um, I’m kind of here with Owl and Molly,” I said, gesturing to my friends.

  “Hi Owl, what’s up? Do you mind if we all mingle for a spell?” jested Lance. He gave him a friendly slap on the back.

  “I don’t want to be rude, but we kind of have a private party going on,” said Owl.

  “If you decide you want to join us, you know where we are,” Shellena sang. She winked at him as she strutted up to the entrance.

  “We’ll need to meet up sometime regarding the case. If you can, come to Hunters Park soon and bring your friends,” said Lance.

  I gave Lance a funny look. This seemed a bit out of sorts. Perhaps they were just being friendly? I might check with the ranger. I needed to meet with him to figure out our next step. Although I guess my being a big fox, ahh girl I should just maybe take care of it myself? I shook myself out of oblivion.

  “I’ll consider it, and get back to you. I have to get together with Mike at any rate,” I replied.

  “Good, good, take care now, Starla, and if you change your mind, you’re welcome to join us,” suggested Lance.

  We trotted up to the bar door, and Owl opened it for Molly and me. Unusual, I thought, glancing around to see if we must seat ourselves or wait to be seated. The place was packed. An old juke box stood in the corner, singing a song about Jack and Diane. I smiled to myself. Molly appeared to be scoping out the place. For a bar, it wasn’t too noisy. The stools near the counter had all been taken. I spotted several tables that overlooked a lake, or maybe it was a pond?

  “Let’s get a booth,” I said.

  “Alright,” he replied.

  Molly and I followed him to a large booth in the corner. I sat down, and Molly scooted in beside me. Owl seated himself across from us. Glancing over at the bar, I watched as Lance and Shellena chatted with a couple sitting on bar stools.

  “How do you know them?” asked Owl.

  “They hold an alliance with my clan. They’re acquaintances. I haven’t really gotten to know them yet. Ranger says they check out. I’m just not sure yet.”

  “Makes sense for you to be leery,” he reasoned.

  “So what are we drinking?” I asked Molly.

  “Do they have fruity drinks here?”

  “Yes, we’re girly when it comes to drinks, no beer for us!” I announced.

  The waitress trotted up to us, doing a little dance, all the time grinning. She was wearing a maid’s dress, simply conservative, but it looked good on her.

  “Hi there, what can I get for you guys, gals tonight?” she said.

  “Do you have strawberry margaritas?” asked Molly.

  “Sure do,” she replied.

  “We’ll take two of those, and some chili cheese fries for all of us,” I interrupted.

  “Thanks, Starla. You know how much I love those!” Molly said.

  “... And for you, sir?”

  “I’ll just take a Cherry Coke.”

  “Nothing in that tonight?” she offered.

  “Nope, I am the DD tonight, well if our truck starts back up.”

  “OK, I’ll bring that in a jiffy,” she said, retreating.

  I caught Molly checking out her bum and nudged her. She blushed.

  “Are you going to be OK?”

  Molly brushed her hair behind her ears and tried to smile. She rubbed her palms on her jeans nervously.”I don’t know what to do about the situation with mom and dad. I can’t go on living with them this way. I should tell them,” she sighed, her shoulders slumping down to the edge of the wooden slab. “Maybe I could practice on your mom first.”

  “It couldn’t hurt,” I answered.

  “She just seems so open minded. Above all, she’s the only one who ever suggested I try out other religious beliefs. I feel a tad more comfortable with her. She might have some advice on how to handle my parents,” she said.

  Molly was right about that. I’d seen my mom speak to other parents about their children when issues occurred. She was very helpful in getting them to see the positive points in difficult situations.

  The waitress came back and set down our drinks in front of us.

  “The chili cheese fries will be up soon, ladies,” she said.

  “Thanks,” said Owl. The waitress turned away from us and walked to the bar.

  “Rascal’s dad seems really nice. A lot nicer than the ranger described him,” said Molly.

  “Yep, he’s pretty spectacular. He just tends to be careful around strangers. At one time, he was the kind of man that would give you the shirt off his back until he was taken advantage of various times, by people in these parts,” Owl confessed.

  “Makes sense,” replied Molly.

  “So this Eva you brought up in conversation tonight, she didn’t tell you anything else about Nuria?” asked Owl.

  “No, I didn’t give her a lot of time. I was in shock when she revealed she was my best friend’s mother. When I lived in Los Angeles, I knew her as Kris. Cal, her daughter, is one of the missing kids. I have to decide if another meeting with my clan is necessary at this point.”

  He nods, and I change the subject.

  “Do you think you’ll go to the dance?” I asked Molly.

  “Not sure yet, I’m not even certain they would let me go with Maine. I still have to invite her, and I’m not positive she likes me like that,” she pondered.

  “Ah well, you can at least ask. I don’t see why you two couldn’t go. I know that Lyana is attending with her girlfriend,” said Owl.

  “I didn’t assume there were very many people out here,” uttered Molly.

  “We have a few brave souls,” he replied.

  “I’ve heard rumors about a support group at the college. Do you know if it is true, Owl?” I asked.

  “I’ll look into it,” he said.

  “Good, we could even start an alliance group like a P - flag, except call it F-flag for friends.”

  “You guys, I-I... didn’t expect you to identify with...” replied Molly.

  “We’re your friends,” Owl reminded her.

  “I hate to interrupt but I have your chili-cheese fries,” said our waitress, setting them down.

  “Thank you!” said Owl.

  We all dug in, silently eating til only a few fries remained on the large plate.

  “These are the best chili cheese fries I’ve had in ages! I’ve lived here for a long time and never experienced such awesomeness!” exclaimed Molly.

  Owl chuckled. “I’m glad you like them. I figured Starla hadn’t ever been here since she just moved to town recently. This is a pretty good place to hang out. They also accept everyone. If you get my drift, Molly.”

  Molly blushed and smiled at the same time. Our conversation started to die down. I looked at my watch. “It’s almost ten. We need to get going.”

  “Is it really that late?” asked Molly.

  “Unfortunately, yes, let me get the check and then we’ll jam.”

  “Nope, it’s my treat tonight. If that’s alright with you ladies,” Owl offered.

  “Thank you,” we replied in unison. I almost wanted to say, jinx.

  “You’re welcome, now let me go see if I can get the truck started.
If I can’t, then we’ll call a cab.” Owl shimmied out of the booth and headed to the bar, to pay our tab.

  I hoped these were Owl’s true colors, that the person I’d seen before who showed me anger near the book club was gone. This Owl made me smile; he belonged to our group, our tribe. Why put so many labels on people? Why not just accept them as they are, I thought as we left.

  Chapter 16

  (Thursday evening)

  I unlocked the apartment door and pushed it open. The night light in the hall was on, but it was barely enough to see to hang our coats. Mom and Megan must have already been in dreamland. I turned on the lamp on the table in the hall and set my keys and purse down.

  “Let me have your jacket to hang up,” I whispered to Molly. She’d just locked the door behind her.

  “Thanks,” she said. I took her coat and hung it and mine in the closet.

  The quiet atmosphere relaxed me after the taxing day of new introductions.

  “Ready?” I asked Molly.

  She nodded in response, and we climbed the stairs to my room with no interruptions.

  I opened the door. No dark shadows, nothing lurking about. Molly flipped on the light.

  “We should get some sleep,” I said.

  “Yep, I’m just going to take a quick shower, change, and then crash,” she replied.

  I walked over to the closet and took out the flip couch and set it up near the window. The sound of the shower reminded me of rainfall, too bad we didn’t live in Seattle. I went over to my bureau and pulled open my drawer. Yes, nice warm soft jammies. I pushed the drawer closed and got ready for bed. As much as I wanted to find out about what had happened to Du-Vance, my mind drifted, imagining myself running through the forest free in my fox form, nothing to hold me back, no parents, no mysteries, just a sense of overwhelming freeness released. Something about the moon made me want to sprint. I’d heard that foxes were related to the wolf, so maybe that was why. I went over to sit on my bed to wait to use the bathroom, but before I knew it fell fast asleep.