Chapter 13

I pass the sign announcing I'm entering Oakton, and it takes every ounce of my self-control not to flip it off. But I have that feeling of being watched again, even though there's no one on the street but me. I expect that word will soon get back to Iris if I'm caught being so vulgar in public, and I also imagine she wouldn't be too pleased about that.

Not that I particularly care what she thinks. She's nobody to me. She's just a mentally unstable old woman who I happen to live with. But, it's that mental instability that gives me pause. I'd rather not find out just how crazy she really is. Not yet, anyway. Not until I understand more about this place.

So, instead, I curse Oakton in my head as I walk further into the village. It doesn't give me the same satisfaction, though.

The cottage is straight ahead, and behind that there are just fields that stretch for miles. I'd already checked the view from Eli's room and found nothing exciting. So, unless I want to go for