“Caught both hands in a car door?” Benjamin asked. “What on earth were you doing?”

“Well, uh, I’m not actually sure. It was something stupid.”

“I’d wager,” said Benjamin, but in a nice way, and Amber laughed. “Was it that black car you came in? Oh, don’t look so surprised. We’re a small town in the middle of nowhere in Alaska – newcomers set tongues a-wagging, and distinctive cars more so.”

“I see,” she said. “But no, it was another car. I’m just clumsy, I guess, and pretty useless until my fingers mend, so my uncle decided to take me on a road trip while I wait.”

“Always wanted to go on a road trip,” Benjamin said, a little wistfully, “but never had anywhere to go to. Where you headed?”

She shrugged. “It’s not the destination that matters – it’s the journey.”

Benjamin chuckled. “That what your uncle says?”

“My uncle doesn’t say an awful lot. What’s it like here, by the way? I’m assuming it’s a nicer town than the name suggests.”

“You’d think,” said Benjamin. He finished cutting the food and placed the knife and fork on the edge of the plate for Amber. “The people are pleasant, you can leave your door unlocked, and three hundred sixty-four days out of the year it’s as peaceful as peaceful can be. But the days are long and getting longer, and, if you want my advice, I wouldn’t stay here.”

Amber sipped her juice. “No?”

He glanced around, making sure no one could overhear. “This is not a nice place to visit, Amber. I have no doubt you’re going to be made to feel very unwelcome in the next day or so. You might even warrant a visit from the Police Chief himself.”

“Seriously? We haven’t done anything.”

“That doesn’t matter. Chief Novak is notorious for running transients out of town on the slightest of whims.”

“We’re not transients. We’re staying at the motel.”

“Novak’ll still see you as a transient – as will the rest of the fine folk of Desolation Hill.”

She leaned closer. “Benjamin, what’s this festival they’re all talking about?”

He smiled sadly, and shook his head. “I’m sorry. There are some things I’m not comfortable discussing in public. You have a good day now.”

“Oh God, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

He stood. “You didn’t, young lady. Not at all. You have a good day now, you hear?”

He walked back to his table, picked up his newspaper, and left. Amber sat there until the rumblings in her belly became too loud to ignore, and she awkwardly picked up her fork and started spearing her food. She was halfway through her breakfast when her phone lit up by her elbow, and a message from Milo came through.

They’re here.

Chapter 8