I chuckled as I headed out into the sun and the parking lot. I slipped my sunglasses out of my bag and put them on as I made my way towards my SUV. Big Bertha had gotten quite the makeover at the mechanic’s last week. Sure, she looked the same, but her insides were all shiny and fixed up. I beeped the locks and went to open the door, but a piece of paper fluttered from where it was caught under the windshield wiper.

I leaned forward and plucked it up, giving its contents a cursory glance. I froze. In large, block letters it read: YOU’RE GONNA PAY.

13

Griffin

Yet again, I found myself in my truck, making my way towards town. Taking the route that took me past Caelyn’s sunny yellow house and The General Store. A route I didn’t need to take. What excuse had I come up with this time? I needed milk. So what if I barely drank the stuff?

I needed to get a grip. I’d almost convinced myself to just go around the block and head home when I caught sight of Caelyn standing next to her SUV in the parking lot. She was frozen to the spot, her gaze locked on a piece of paper, her face pale.

I didn’t think. I simply pulled my truck to the side of the road and hopped out. I jogged towards her, and the closer I got, the more my chest tightened. She looked…terrified.

“Caelyn,” I called.

Her head snapped up, eyes darting around.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

She shook as she reached out to me, paper in hand. “This was on my car when I came out of the store.”

I took the note from her and scanned it, letting out a litany of curses. “How long ago?”

“I—I just came out. I’ve been in there since this morning.”

I pulled out my phone and dialed one of the few contacts in my cell. It rang a few times, and then a gruff voice answered. “Sheriff Raines.”

“It’s Griffin Lockwood.”

“Hey, Griffin. What can I do for you?”

I looked down at the letter, trying to figure out how to best explain. “I’m outside The General Store with Caelyn O’Connor. Someone left a threatening note on her SUV.”

Sounds in the background quieted. “What kind of threat?”

I read him the note.

“I’m at Island Sports right now responding to a theft. Try not to touch the note any more than you have already. I’ll be there in ten.”

“Thanks.” I hit end on my phone and turned back to Caelyn. “Sheriff Raines will be here in ten.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip. “Maybe it’s just kids playing a prank. We shouldn’t worry him.”

I met Caelyn’s stare. “Kids are in school right now.”