POTIONS & FANGS

VAMPIRE EMAILS #1

ALYSSA ROSE IVY

JENNIFER SNYDER

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One
About the Author
About the Author

August 25
Subject: Remember that time in detention…

Dear Holder,

So it happened. It actually happened. A guy tried to
pick me up by using a Breakfast Club line. It
wasn’t even an Allison one. It was an Andrew line.
I mean, really? I’m sure you already know which
one it is, but I’ll tell you anyway. I’m annoying that
way, but you already know that. You can’t spend
hours working with someone without realizing their
faults. But I digress. The guy, I don’t even
remember his name so let’s just call him Andrew,
said, and I quote, “We’re all bizarre, but some of us
are better at hiding it.” Of course he said it as
though he’d made it up. And are you ready for the
best part? When I told him he should have quoted
John instead he gave me a blank stare. The guy
didn’t even know the source movie from which he
was stealing material. Needless to say, I got away
from ‘Andrew’ as fast as I could.

I hope you don’t mind this random email, but you
were the one who put it in my yearbook. You didn’t
actually write keep in touch, but I read between the
lines. If I was wrong about that, just delete this. We
can both pretend it never happened even though we
know it did. (And yes I realize that line is more
appropriate for really awkward hookups, but emails
can be awkward too).

This is where I’m probably supposed to ask you
about your first few weeks of school, but since I
know you aren’t one for small talk I’ll skip to the
real questions one should ask a new college
freshman. 1) Do you want to kill your roommate
yet? If so, have you considered how? 2) Have you
perfected a hangover cure? 3) What’s the most
appealing option in your dining hall?

Sincerely Yours,
Fern

P.S. Yes, I had to do the whole ‘Sincerely Yours’
thing. How could I end the email without one more
reference to everyone’s favorite angsty 80s movie?

P.P.S. Hope you don’t delete this.

August 29
Subject: Took you long enough…

Fern,

I gave you my email for a reason. Glad you finally
decided to use it.

Okay, yes. That guy’s line was pretty damn corny,
but I’m trying to picture how much alcohol was
involved here. I mean, what a bizarre line to use.
Out of the whole movie, that’s the one he picked?
You’re right, he should have gone with a John
quote. Maybe you should have schooled him.
Sounds like he could use some tips. Have you
added him to your list of those who could use some
Fern Daniels help? I know you couldn’t have
changed so much in the past few weeks that you
haven’t created a list with at least one or two poor
souls you’d like to better by the end of the
semester. You were always good at fixing people.

To answer your questions:

1A: Do I want to kill my roommate yet? This is a
loaded question. Depends on where we’re at in the
day. The dude hates mornings. I know not many
people like mornings, but if they were a physical
person he’d literally kill them just to never have to
see them again. I learned quickly to reach for my
earbuds once my alarm goes off. Music with a beat
is the only way to drown out his whining in the
morning. I swear he’s like a freaking toddler. How
he’s made it in life this far is beyond me.

1B: Have I considered a way to kill him yet?
“Death by stereo” sounds good. (I’m sticking with
your movie references. It’s been too long since I’ve
talked with someone who gets them as well as you
always did. Recognize that one?)

2: A hangover cure? Still working on it. My
roommate is a firm believer in some spicy red drink
that looks like it came from a volcano’s ass. I
haven’t attempted it yet because I couldn’t get past

the smell. I’ll keep you posted if I ever grow the
balls to try it, though.

3: Most appealing option in my dining hall? I’ve got
to say the pizza. You know how much I love it so
you had to see that one coming. This place has just
the right amount of grease to cheese ratio. You’d
hate it, but it’s what I’m practically living off of
these days. That and cereal. Don’t scold me for it.
I’m still searching for a job. The little my parents
could spare and what I had saved isn’t stretching as
far as I’d thought it would.

What about you? What are your answers? And
have you found a job? There are no movie rental
places in Savannah that I’ve seen so far. At least
not any in the range of how far I’m willing to drive.
At this point, I’m thinking I may need to broaden
my horizons and give up hope of ever finding a
place as cool as Movie Central to work at. Being a
grown-up sucks.

Chat soon,
Holder

August 30
Subject: Roommates, and ramen, and rushing..oh
my!

Dear Holder,

You didn’t delete my email. That in itself made my
day. You’re right, Andrew does need my help, but
then again so do a lot of people here. I’m not sure if
he’s high enough on my list.
Ah, The Lost Boys. I’ll never get tired of watching
that movie even if it always reminds me of the time
I made out with Randy Lewis behind the bleachers.
I’m not sure what’s worse. The fact that I made out
with Randy Lewis, or that we were corny enough
to do it behind the bleachers. And why does that
movie remind me of that not-so-memorable
experience? Because it was Halloween junior year,
and he asked me to come over to watch the movie
with him afterward. I had originally planned to say
yes, but the kiss changed my mind. He moved away

a few weeks later, but I refuse to take any blame,
even if it probably was my fault. But that’s a story
for another day–or another email.

Change the clocks in the room so your roommate
gets up two hours earlier than he has to. Ok, don’t.
That’s only going to make things worse, but in
theory, it might be funny.

I need to admit something to you before I go any
further. I preface this by telling you it wasn’t really
my choice. It was pretty much a requirement of my
mom helping me pay for UGA. I rushed. Meaning
the whole Greek thing. The thing I swore I’d never
do. Which brings me to my roommate. She hates
me. I mean hates me. She wanted to be an Omega
more than life itself (or so she claims), but I stole it
from her evidently. I tried to explain I only got in
because my brother’s girlfriend is the president, but
that only made things worse. So did explaining I
didn’t want to accept the bid, but I had no choice. I
kind of want to quit already, but I also don’t. I think
this might finally get my mom off my back. Plus it
could be a really good experience for my memoir. I
know it’s weird she cares about that so much, but
she thinks it will give me opportunities she never

had. In other words, she thinks I’ll meet someone
who’s not like my dad. My parents’ relationship
was so weird. By the way, I met the Andrew fella at
a mandatory sorority/fraternity mixer. That
probably tells you all you need to know about him.

I guess I never answered the roommate question. I
don’t want to kill her, but I’m a bit afraid she wants
to kill me. If she does, it will probably be with my
pledge pin. I’m not entirely kidding.

As to the other questions–my hangover cure is to
pretend to drink more than I really am. That way I
don’t actually get drunk and need a cure. See how I
did that? Be careful with those red drinks. You
wouldn’t want to accidentally drink blood or
something (only half-kidding, there are a lot of
weirdos out there).

And the food? I admit to eating some pizza myself,
but mostly I’ve resorted to making ramen noodles
in my tiny microwave. Chicken flavor is my
favorite. Sad isn’t it, the lengths we go?

On the job front I’ve found a few babysitting jobs,
but that’s it for now. There’s no Movie Central here
either. I never thought I’d miss Carverville as much
as I do.

See you somewhere over the rainbow,
Fern

August 31
Subject: Horrible hygiene, creamy chicken, and
figures…

Well, Fern...Sounds like you’re not in Kansas
anymore. While you might not believe me, I’m
going to say it anyway...

I knew you’d cave.

Your mom was nuts when it came to that sorority
stuff. I know I’ve never actually met her since we
didn’t hang out much other than while working at
Movie Central, but I’ve heard you talk about her
enough to know she was riding you pretty damn
hard with all that sorority crap. It seemed like
overkill. and I wasn’t even present for any of the
conversations between the two of you. So if it gets
your mom off your back I say you should stay.
Besides it sounds like you’ve found a way to use

the experience to your advantage anyway.

Now I have to jump back to Randy Lewis. You
made out with Randy freaking Lewis? How did I
not know this? Wasn’t that the guy who always
wore a leather jacket? Even during summer?
Something was wrong with him well before you
kissed him. I highly doubt him moving away had
anything to do with you. Although, I am surprised. I
didn't know you were into the whole leather jacket
wearing bad boy thing. You have something to tell
me? Like maybe how you’re not as innocent as you
look?

I’m kidding. Everyone knows you’re a good girl.

Since we’re discussing kisses, nothing could be
worse than mine with Beth Ann Brody. I actually
cut my tongue on her braces. There was so much
blood she started spitting all over the place and
gave me the worst go to hell look I’ve ever seen. I
still have nightmares about it.

As for changing the time on my roommate's alarm
clock, that could actually be pretty damn funny. It’s
something I might try at least once. Not only is the
guy an avid hater of mornings and a constant
complainer, he also has questionable hygiene.
Might do him some good to get up earlier. Then
maybe he’d take a shower once in awhile.
Seriously, the funk coming from him cannot be
ignored some days. I’ve had to resort to using air
freshener and lighting candles when he’s in the
room.

Okay, this is bordering on the longest email I’ve
ever sent. I’ll cut it short. Creamy chicken ramen is
the best. Not just chicken. Give it a try if you
haven’t. Add some cheese, though. Whatever you
have. Pretending to drink more than I really am is a
good trick I’ll have to keep in mind for next time
I’m out. As for red drinks, if it’s blood and it turns
me into a vampire I’m pretty sure I’d be fine with
that. After all, that would mean college could wait,
right? There’s more I’d rather be doing than sitting
in class all day studying the great artists of our time
from a freaking textbook. At least then I’d be able
to travel and soak in some of their paintings in
person. I know becoming a vampire doesn’t make a
person instantly rich, but a guy can dream, right?

On the job front, I saw a flyer for a company
looking for a few more ghost tour guides. I don’t
know the city that well, but I’m sure I could figure
it out. Could be cool. And don’t worry, I’m smarter
than Carol Ann. No TV set is going to get this guy.

Holder

P.S. When did you decide to write a memoir? I
thought you wrote poetry.

September 1
Subject: Is there still time to get our letters?

Dear Holder,

I like the fall. I know I’m not supposed to because
it always means the start of school, but I like fresh
starts. Kind of how you have that thing for new
pens. You probably didn’t know I noticed the way
you always switched to a new pen long before you
needed to. It’s a wasteful habit, but I get it. At least,
unlike your roommate, you have good habits when
it comes to hygiene. I was thinking about you
tonight. Well, last night since it’s already two a.m. I
met a guy who must use the same shampoo as you
or something. He smelled just like you. Yes that’s
weird to say, but it brought a smile to my face. I
like smiling. I like your smile. I probably should
have taken my own advice about pretending to
drink more than I did. I’m drunk, but you probably
figured that out already.

Long emails are nice. They give you more of an
excuse to procrastinate from doing all those things
you’re supposed to be doing. For me that’s studying
for bio. Remind me why I signed up for that again?
Oh wait, I wanted to get my science credits over
with.
You don’t want to be a vampire, trust me. You’d
forget all about the things you love. You’d probably
also forget all about the people in your life too.
You’re pretty cool for a human right now. Stay that
way. Please? ;)

Ok, back to Randy Lewis. It wasn’t his leather
jacket. It was that perpetual brooding look. I
couldn’t help myself, I wanted to make him smile. I
already told you how much I love smiling. I guess
that’s just part of me liking to fix people. I don’t
want to fix you, though. You are perfect just the
way you are. And you smell perfect. Did I mention
I drank a lot tonight?

Beth Ann Brody, huh? I still have nightmares about
her, and we never kissed. Sorry about your tongue.
I assume it’s all healed now?

Ghost tours? Ok, that sounds like you. And I”m
glad you won’t disappear into a TV. If you do
where would the owl send your letter? I don’t think
they can pass into that dimension. But maybe I’m
wrong. I’m just a muggle after all. Do you
remember when we watched all eight Harry Potter
movies in a week? And then you started talking in
that ridiculous British accent? Mine was way better
than yours. I bet I could pass for a Brit if I really
wanted to. By the way, my memoir is going to have
poetry in it. It’s going to be something completely
new. I’ll send you a copy when I finish it. First I
have to do more living.

I have to run. There’s a knock on my door, and I’m
pretty sure I know who it is. Keep smelling good
and stay away from braces. Oh, and I know I’m
going to regret this in the morning when I realize I
admitted it, but I once dreamed about you. Ok,
more than once.

Save me a seat on the Hogwart’s Express,
Fern

September 1
Subject: Delete

Holder, if it’s not too late please delete my last
email. Thanks a bunch.

September 2
Subject: Delete- I don’t know what that means…

Drunk Fern emailing me at 2 am. Now that was
unexpected.

Alcohol was never your thing, if I remember
correctly. What was it you once said to me? Oh,
yeah–that you prefer to watch drunks, not be one.
That there was never anything more amusing than
watching a bunch of drunks try to hold a
conversation.

I’m not judging, so don’t think I am. I happen to
like drunk Fern. She reveals a lot. I learned I smell
good. You like my smile. You don’t want to fix me
because I’m perfect the way I am. And you’ve
dreamed about me. More than once. Now, you
know you can’t leave me hanging. You have to give
me details on the dreams.

Just what sort of dreams have you been having
about me, Fern Daniels? Inquiring minds want to
know...

I’m kidding. I’m kidding. I know you probably
won't share any more than you already
have...unless you drink a little too much again. You
should see me, I’m smiling like a damn idiot while I
type this. I think my roommate might actually be
afraid of me right now. Probably thinks I’ve
cracked. That the struggle to decide if SCAD is
actually for me has gotten to me finally. In his
defense, the thought might not be far off. The
whole Art History as my major doesn’t seem like a
good fit anymore. Think it’s too late to switch?

Back to you. I can picture you right now. Your face
tomato red. Your eyes as wide as damn saucers
while you continue to read and analyze every word
I type. You’re wishing you’d never drank. You’re
wishing you could have found some other way to
entertain yourself besides emailing me last night.
You’re wishing I would have listened to you and
deleted your emails without reading them. Haven’t

I proved by now I’m not the deleting kind of guy? I
like your emails. Maybe I’m going to get too mushy
here by saying this, but they feel like home. That’s
weird. I don’t know why I just said that. I’m not
even drunk. I swear. It’s lunchtime. I’m having my
usual pizza slice today back in my room since the
other option was something called a hummus bar?
It looked like baby poop and people were spreading
it on crackers. Seriously. WTF?

About the ghost tour job. I guess the flux of
weirdos haven’t made their way through Savannah
yet because the position doesn’t start for another
two weeks. This is my last slice of pizza. It’s back
to cereal after this. And ramen. I’m getting pretty
good at making noodles seem gourmet.

The Harry Potter marathon. I’ll never forget that.
And, my British accent is pretty damn good. Not as
good as yours, I’ll admit, but still good. I’m holding
you to the copy of your memoir. Mainly because
I’m curious to see what's in it. Whatever it is I’m
sure it will be great. You always were good with
words. We should collaborate one day. A children's
book. You write it and I’ll illustrate.

Okay, now I’m procrastinating. My lunch should
have been over ten minutes ago. Another dead
artist speaking to me from the pages of a textbook
is calling. Ugh.

Holder

P.S. I have to ask...who was at the door? If it was
Michael Myers you better not have answered. We
all know six shots wouldn’t kill the guy, but if you
walk fast enough you can get away from him easily.

September 3
Subject: Iceberg!

Dear Holder,

I’ve started and restarted this email about five
times now. I’m done messing with the delete
button, so you are just going to have to settle with
whatever version I come up with right now. The
first few versions were full of apologies and words
implying I didn’t actually mean what I said, but this
version is going to be more honest. Hope that works
for you.

You do smell good. You do have a very nice smile.
You don’t need to be fixed (although I was
probably stretching it with the whole perfect part.
Nobody's perfect. Otherwise there would be no
reason to live. But the general sentiment was true).
Your emails feel like home to me too. That doesn’t

mean it’s not mushy, but it means it’s true, and right
about now I could use some truth.

It wasn’t Michael Myers at my door, although
considering half the campus is getting ready for
Halloween already it wasn’t a bad guess. It wasn’t
a Michael at all. Although, it was someone that
scares me nearly as much. Someone who has the
ability to mess up my life in more ways than I
probably even know. And no I don’t mean my
mother, although she has her hand in all of this.

Ever feel like you’re on a boat destined to sink?
I’m sure you have at some point. I think that’s
called growing up, but right now I feel like my boat
is headed straight for an iceberg. I should probably
jump off and try swimming back to shore, but that
might just be worse. Sorry, I know I’m rambling,
but you seem to be the only one I can be remotely
open with anymore. Jackie isn’t even returning my
calls. Ten years of BFF land disappeared a few
weeks into college. I can’t say I’m surprised. She’s
got a new boyfriend. She usually disappears when
that happens, but this feels different. It feels more
permanent somehow. And the thing is, I don’t care
as much as I should. And all this rambling does

have a point. It’s why I got drunk last night. I
needed to escape for a few hours. Obviously it
wasn’t the best idea, but if I was going to drunk
email anyone, I’m glad it’s you.

You love art. You’ll find your way. Maybe eat the
hummus? I’d love to see you actually do that. ;) I’m
completely down for collaborating on a children’s
book. Maybe it can be about a bunch of hipster cats
who fly to the moon in a sparkly red rocket ship.
I’m not sure where that idea came from, but now I
feel the urge to write their story. Do you think we
should throw a dog or bunny in for good measure?

You Jump, I jump, Jack,
Fern

P.S. I’m not sure you can handle knowing what’s in
the dreams. I’ll have to test you first.
P.P.S. My roommate saw a picture of you and
thinks you have cool eyes. We finally agree on one
thing.
P.P.P.S. Since you brought up Mike Myers, which
brings up Halloween, what are you going to be this
year?

September 5
Subject: Steer Around…

I wish it hadn't taken me so long to get back to you.
I feel bad but a lot has been going on.

I did a little soul-searching the last couple of days
and decided majoring in art history wasn't for me.
While I do like art and history, the combination
they have going for their program here wasn't for
me. I'm more of a hands-on type guy.

Which is why I switched to…*drum
roll*...Preservation and Design.

I still get to deal with art and history, but now I'll be
actually preserving pieces and places. It seems
more meaningful somehow. Plus, the architecture
of the city is already something that calls to me.

Now I get to dig a little deeper and get my hands
dirty. There's an old plantation house on the
outskirts of the city, and the new owner has
sanctioned us to restore. I don't know much about
the place other than whoever previously owned it
recently passed away. This twenty-something-year-
old woman inherited it. She knows a lot about art
and history–apparently, it’s a passion of hers. I
think it's pretty cool she's allowing the college to
take on the massive project of restoring the place.
I'm not sure yet how grades will be determined, but
I can say I’ve never been more excited to go to
school than I am now. Switching majors was the
best decision I've made in a long time.

Okay, now that I've told you my good news, I need
to get something off my chest. Your last email
worried me. Who could possibly scare you? You’re
fearless Fern. Seriously though, do I need to pay
someone at UGA a visit? I have a pretty mean right
hook.

Say the word and I'll be there.

About the whole iceberg and boat thing, don't just

smash into it...You have to find a way to navigate
around. You're too strong not to. Don’t think about
sinking, it’s a dark hole to get out of. Don’t think
about swimming back, because you know as well as
I do a person can never go back the way they
came. And don't worry about Jackie. I always
thought she was a dud anyway. I know you two
were tight, but I never cared much for her. Maybe I
have a biased opinion of her, but it’s only because I
never thought you should have to work so hard to
be her friend. Maybe permanent is good in this
case. Sometimes we have to cut toxic people out of
our lives. In this case, it seems like going away to
college and her getting a boyfriend did the trick.
Consider yourself lucky.

I'm glad you drunk emailed me too. Drinking to
escape every now and then is okay, but don't let it
become a habit. Promise me. You know how I feel
about that. You know all the fucked up stories
about my dad. Alcoholism is a real thing. Don’t let
it get you.

At the risk of sounding completely cheesy, talk to
me. Email me. Text me. Call me. Anything. I'm
always here for you. You do know that, right? If

you don’t feel like talking to me then throw
yourself into your poetry. You were always doing
that. Please don't check yourself into a creepy hotel
and write repetitive random shit because you’ve
gone nuts, though. Also, stay away from little kids
who write REDRUM on mirrors.

Holder

P.S. I can handle anything you toss at me. Test
away…

P.P.S. I do have cool eyes. Your roommate has good
taste. So do you, apparently.

P.P.P.S. Halloween. My favorite holiday. Usually I
know what I'm going to be a year in advance but
not this year. I haven't decided yet, believe it or
not. This city has my mind spinning with cool
possibilities though. What about you?

September 8
Subject: Roadtrips

I’m still alive. I promise. This must be the week for
delayed responses. My excuse isn’t quite as cool as
yours, so let’s start with you.
If I had a dirty mind I’d make a joke about your
hands-on comment, but my mind is squeaky clean.
Too bad, I bet someone else could have come up
with a really good one too. ;)

Preservation and Design sounds way more
interesting than Art History. It has a more active
component to it that fits you better. That plantation
house project sounds awesome. I’m so happy you
made the change. Maybe I’ll get to see the house if
I come visit. I mapped it out. Savannah is less than
four hours from here. That’s a nice short road trip.
If I do come visit, I’ll be very careful about the
hotel I stay at. No redrum kids for me.

Speaking of road trips, that’s kind of why I haven’t
written back. I got kidnapped for a pledge retreat.
No phones, no computers, not even a notebook and
a pen. It wasn’t awful, but I’m not good at being
surprised like that. I like having time to plan things
out. The planning is half the fun of the trip, isn’t it?
To make up for being robbed of the planning for
this one, I started coming up with other trips I could
take. Maybe we can do one together one day. How
about we head out to Pacific Playground? It would
even be worth running into some zombies. Hmm,
zombies, maybe that’s what I’ll be for Halloween.
My roommate is really good with makeup. She
could help me pull it off. She doesn’t seem to hate
me anymore. Who knew a discussion over your
eyes could smooth things over between us? Of
course she also thinks I’m into you, and therefore
not into the guy she likes. Wait, I never told you
about that. Turns out the sorority thing was only
part of the problem. She’s also into the Andrew
guy. Can you imagine that? We’re supposed to hang
out as a group on Friday night. I’m hoping they hit
it off, thus solving two problems for me.

See, I’m okay. I’ve just been emotional lately. But
maybe that’s a good thing. I’m usually really good
at hiding my true feelings, but I don’t feel like I
have to with you. Maybe that’s a sign of something.

What I don’t know yet.

You sure you can handle the truth of my dreams?
I’ll start it off easy. In one dream you and I run off
to the circus. Can you guess what act we do?

Eagerly waiting to ride a rollercoaster with you,
Fern

P.S. I love the steering analogy. It’s going to be my
new mantra.

September 9
Subject: You were kidnapped?

Glad to hear from you again. I have to admit, after
the last email you sent I was beginning to worry.
Realized I don’t have your cell number anymore.
Did you change it when you moved to UGA?

Sounds like I didn’t need to worry, though. You
were only kidnapped for a road trip...sounds like
fun. Kidding. Although, not really. It actually does
sound awesome. You said you wanted to live life so
you could write a more interesting memoir. Now
you can say you have. See, college is good for
something.

P&D has definitely been a great change. I’m
enjoying working on the plantation house with the
others more than I thought I would. My professor is
this scrawny guy with salt and pepper hair who

smells like vanilla tobacco. He reminds me of a
safari guide or something. I think it’s the clothes.
He’s always dressed in khaki cargo shorts and a
white, short-sleeved button-up shirt that looks
practically see-through. Which is kind of gross...

I’d love for you to come visit the plantation when
we’re done restoring it. It’ll be a while though. The
place is really rundown. I don’t think it’s been lived
in for ages. At least that’s what Annabelle says.
You’d like her by the way. She’s the owner of the
place and is pretty cool. For someone who’s so
young, she sure does have a way with words and
knows a lot about everything. She reminds me of
you. Not only because of knowing everything, but
because of her way with words. She’s sort of got an
old fashioned vocabulary. We’ve been hanging out
some. Not much. But some.

As for all your emotional stuff going on, I’ll tell you
a secret: being emotional is part of being a girl.

Laugh. You know you want to. It was a joke.

On a serious note, you don’t ever have to hide
things from me. You can tell me anything, Fern.
I’ve already said this before. We know each other
so well, why would you not tell me something? And
of course I can handle your dreams. After all, that’s
all they are. Dreams. They aren’t prophecies or
anything. Right? Please tell me you're not hiding
something as cool as that from me.

A circus you say? Hmmm...were we the tightrope
act? That would be cool as shit. Then at least we
could spit on the clowns from up high. And pop all
the red balloons. I know how much they freak you
out thanks to your favorite movie. Hahaha!

Do they really all float down there, Georgie?

Holder

P.S. The steering analogy is all yours.

P.P.S. A road trip sounds awesome. You’re only 4

hrs away? We’ve got to meet up sometime, even if
it’s only halfway.

P.P.P.S. Glad your roommate problems are nearly
fixed. Let her think you’re into me. I don’t mind.

P.P.P.P.S. Why am I doing the all this P.S. stuff?
Look what you started! Is this one even a thing?
Four P’s?

September 10
Subject: Tigers and Elephants

Holder,

Do you think your first name fits you? I think so.
When you care about something you hold onto it. I
bet you’re also good at holding people. And no, I’m
not drunk again, even though it’s after midnight.
I’m taking your claim that I can tell you anything at
face value. If you change your mind, kindly let me
know.

I’m taking a much needed study break. Bio is
killing me. The ridiculous thing is no one else seems
to be struggling. I keep telling myself it’s the only
science class I have to take, but it doesn’t make it
any easier. I’m sitting here with about 400
flashcards scattered all over the place. At least
Alaina (my roommate) is still out with Andrew (his

actual name is Tommy, but he’ll always be Andrew
to me) tonight. Otherwise she’d be yelling at me to
turn off the light. Turns out they didn’t wait until
Friday. Works for me, and it means I can study late
into the night. Fun times all around.

Annabelle sounds lovely. I’m glad you’ve found
someone there to talk to. I kind of have, but it’s a
love-hate kind of thing. I wish I could tell you more
about it, but I can’t yet, so for now, he’ll remain a
mystery. And before you ask (although you never
pry, so I suppose maybe you wouldn’t have), it’s
not someone I’m dating or sleeping with or
anything like that, although my mom probably
wishes I would. He’s one of those people I was
supposed to join the sorority to meet. He’s helping
me steer around the iceberg, or at least slow down
the boat so I can figure out a new plan. I’ve told
him about you. He told me to be careful because I
seem to care about you too much. How can you
care about someone too much? I can see a problem
with too little, but too much? He says one day I’ll
understand, but right now I don’t. Maybe it’s weird
that I talk about you to everyone here, but I’ve
never pretended to be normal. I mean I can play the
part. You’d half believe it when I dress up and go
out with friends, but inside I’ll always be a little bit
off.

I took the plunge and submitted a few poems to a lit
mag. I’m sure they won’t make the cut, but it
would be cool to get some of my words out there.
I’ll let you know what happens. I’m sure you’re
sitting at the edge of your seat.

Speaking of the edge of a seat… funny you should
bring up It. I finally watched the whole thing earlier
today. My RA had it on in the common room. That
might be another reason I’m up late tonight.

Tightrope walkers would have been cool, but in my
dream we were lion tamers. It was a good dream at
first until the all-white lion tried to attack me. You
started talking to it, and it listened and it didn’t eat
me. It seems like a pretty easy dream to interpret. I
view you as a protector. The dream wasn’t
completely out of the blue. I had it right after we
watched my favorite circus related movie. I still
think the book was better, but that’s the truth most
of the time, isn’t it?

My cell is the same number with a 706 area code

now. I switched it when I started getting all these
strange crank calls. I called and they happened to
have my number with the new area code. Is yours
still the same?

I’m not running away, I’m coming home,
Fern

September 12
Subject: Eagerly waiting on the edge of my seat.

You're right, I did think you were drunk when I first
started reading your email. I think your name fits
you too. Fern is a delicate foliage, and you've
always seemed delicate to me. Maybe that’s
because you're short and petite. I don’t know.
Although, I do know you well enough to know if I
were standing beside you and said that, you’d kick
my ass.

You've definitely got that, “Looks can be
deceiving” sort of thing going for you. Deep down I
know you’re tough as nails.

I feel your pain when it comes to bio. We all have
that one class that kicks our ass while we're down
and refuses to let us up. You'll figure it out, though.
You always did in high school. Glad your roommate

situation worked out for the better too.

Annabelle is pretty cool, although she does have
some strange tendencies. I swear it feels like she's
stepped out of the past sometimes and hasn’t had a
chance to catch up with the future yet. We’re not
really dating, but we did go for coffee the other
night. Have I said she’s mentioned she likes my
eyes too? At least I inherited something from my
dad that was worth a shit.

How about this guy you seem to be having a love-
hate relationship with? I'm not sure I like the sound
of him. My mom gave me a really good piece of
advice one time, and I'm going to pass it along to
you: Anyone who has your head and heart flip-
flopping back and forth so much isn't worth your
damn time.

That's what she told me the night she finally gained
enough courage to leave my dad. It's always stuck
with me. Now maybe it will stick with you too.

I'm glad the guy is helping you steer around your
iceberg, but him telling you to be careful because
you seem to care about me too much...That seems
weird. I'm right there with you. How can a person
care too much about someone? Normally, the
problem is they care too little. Most people are
selfish. It's human nature, I guess.

You are normal, Fern. You're the most normal girl
I've ever met. I've never thought of you as being
off. Then again, maybe it's because I'm slightly off
myself. We make a good pair.

So you finally decided to become a true author and
share your words with the world? I'm proud of you,
but what's with the negative Nancy crap? You've
got to think positive. I believe in you. That's gotta
count for something, right?

I'm no dream interpreter, but I had a slightly
different take on your dream then you did. To me it
didn't mean you see me as a protector, it meant you
see us both as being pretty badass. I mean, come
on. Lion tamers? I don't know why it started to
attack you, or why on earth it would have listened

to me talk, but the entire dream sounds pretty cool.
I was worried it would be something about you
dreaming we boarded a plane that blew up mid-
flight, killing everyone on board including us, and
somehow you talked me into getting off the plane
before takeoff. Then I would say you have a desire
to cheat death, which is bad because in the end it
always comes for you. But lion tamers? That’s just
cool. Maybe this is what our children's book should
be about–The Adventures of Holder and Fern. I
can see each of those scenes illustrated in my head.
Now, when do you plan on telling me another
dream?

My cell number is the same as it always was. I
doubt I'll ever change it because I happen to like
prank calls. Even the telemarketer ones.They allow
me to work on my British accent when I answer.

Cheerio,
Holder

P.S. Your RA and I would get along. He’s got great
taste in movies.

September 13
Subject: Breaking the 4th wall

Holder,

I always liked Final Destination. It’s freaky, I won’t
deny that, but it’s also very satisfying. You can
spend hours analyzing it and coming up with
scenarios of how death can catch up to you. And
am I the only one who freaks out when I’m stuck
behind a truck with big pieces of lumber or logs on
the back? The sequel always comes back to me
inducing mild panic.

I am going to assume you are joking about the
loving prank calls thing, but in case you aren’t, let
me know. I’ll be sure to put your number in lots of
interesting places on campus. We both know you
need more practice with that accent.

I like your mom’s advice. I agree with her. I have
no plans to date this guy or anything, but I can’t
exactly cut him out of my life either. We’re linked
together whether I like it or not. Annabelle sounds
interesting, and even if she’s old fashioned she
knows a good pair of eyes when she sees them. A
more important question: How does she take her
coffee? That can tell you a lot about a person.

Ok, you ready for another dream? This one is, uh,
different. In dream number two we were at work
watching Fear because there were absolutely no
customers. Yes, I know we never watched Fear
together, but we did in my dream, so stay with me.
Anyway, while we were watching, Mark Wahlberg
broke the fourth wall and started talking to us,
telling us we should come in and join the movie.
We acted the way you’d think we’d act. We
laughed uncomfortably and tried to turn off the
movie. It wouldn’t turn off. He asked us if either of
us wanted to jump in. You said you’d always
wanted to meet Alyssa Milano and said yes.
I tried to stop you, I mean she is way too old for
you anyway, and Fear isn’t really a fun movie to be
inside of, but you wouldn’t listen. I wanted to stay
back, but I didn’t. I followed you and stepped into
that ancient TV behind the desk. That’s when the
dream ended. Weird huh? I’m not even going to

pretend to interpret that one. It was plain old weird.
But now that I know you’re kind of seeing this girl
in her 20s, maybe that older girl thing has new
meaning? Not that it’s any of my business of
course…

Do you guys have a fall break? Ours times up with
Halloween this year. Maybe a road trip can be
worked into my schedule?

It could have all been different,
Fern

P.S. I passed my bio quiz!
P.P.S. Creamy chicken ramen is actually pretty
good.

September 14
Subject: Brick Dust

I think it's safe to say anyone who’s ever seen that
movie freaks out when they get stuck behind a log
truck. I know I sure as hell do.

Are you in a cult now, Fern? You say you're linked
to this guy whether you like it or not? What's that
supposed to mean? Did you join some sort of secret
society by blood and now you can’t get free?
Sounds a little sketchy to me. I won't pry if you tell
me not to, but the more you say about your
relationship with him, the more creeped out I get.

It's funny you ask how Annabelle takes her coffee.
We went out again last night, and this time I
happened to notice. The answer: Black. She takes
her coffee black. What does that tell you about
her? I'm curious because sometimes I get weird

vibes from her, but maybe it’s because she’s so
different from anyone I’ve ever met before. Also, I
have a pretty good imagination and I’m running on
no sleep lately. My roommate has a cold, and he’s
been sawing logs every night for the past week
because of it.

Yeah, your dream is pretty out there. I've got
nothing when it comes to that one.

Switching subjects...I start my new job in two
nights. Maybe I’ll have some cool ghost stories for
you in a few emails. I’ve been trying to Google
places around here that might be on my walking
tour but haven’t had much luck. I wonder how
much of the crap I’ll be reciting nightly will be total
bullshit. I’m hoping there will be some truth to it
but who knows. I’m supposed to take the tour with
a group of customers on night one and take mental
notes so I can see “how it’s done”. Could be fun,
though. Maybe I’ll learn about houses with hidden
rooms in their attics and the Hoodoo practitioners
who lived there. Don’t worry, I’ll carry some brick
dust in my pocket just in case.

I think our fall breaks line up. You should definitely
take a trip to visit me. There’s so much in this city
we can do on Halloween. Congrats on passing your
bio quiz. Told you creamy chicken was good, glad
you tried it. Hate to seem like I’m rushing this
email, but Annabelle is supposed to be here soon.
She’s taking me to some secret place she thought I
might enjoy tonight. All she would tell me about it
is that I won’t find it on any map, and there’s a
password we have to say at the door. I’m intrigued.

Gotta run,

Holder

September 14
Subject: Don’t panic

Secret place? And you’re worried I’m in a cult?
She’s not taking you to a sex club or anything is
she? Not that I’ve ever been to one, but I assume it
would require a password. In all seriousness, I
expect a complete report tomorrow. But that
probably means I need to be more honest with you.
How about an IOU? I’ll tell you everything when I
see you. I’m kind of afraid of how you’re going to
take it, and I need to see your face. I don’t want
you to freak out and disappear on me. You’d miss
me too much. Or ok, I’d miss you too much. Maybe
we’d both miss each other too much? Yes. Let’s go
with that one.

Are you excited to start the new job? I bet you’re
going to be awesome at it. Even if you do insist on
using a fake British accent.

Black coffee, hmm? That usually means she’s
mature and serious. So, no sex club then. Maybe be
more worried about getting locked in a panic room
or something. Remember what happened to Kristen
Stewart’s character in that movie? But then again,
she may also drink black coffee to save on the
calories so it’s hard to know. I guess what I’m
saying is the whole “you can tell a lot…” thing is
really just something that sounds cool. You’ll have
to let me know.

Any suggestions for places I can stay if I visit? Can
you have girls stay over in your dorm?

Off to study for my Spanish test. Hope you have
fun tonight.

Adios,
Fern

September 15
Subject: Call me Rip Van Winkle

I figured you would want me to report back after
that email. I guess I have all the time in the world
now that I slept an entire day away and missed all
my damn classes. No, I wasn’t out super late with
Annabelle either. I'm blaming this on my roommate.
I think I caught his sickness.

Nope. The place wasn't anything as cool as a sex
club would’ve been. It was still sort of cool, though.
Did you know there’s a secret vampire bar In
Savannah? Well, there is. They have the secret part
down, but I'm not so sure about the vampire. I
honestly don't think there was a single vampire in
the entire place. If there was, I'm sure they were
appalled by the amount of girls dressed in crushed
velvet gowns wearing black lipstick. I know I was.

Might be a cool place to apply to for a job if this
ghost tour gig doesn't work out. Those girls would
go nuts over a handsome man like myself taking
their drink orders. Throw a little glitter on me, give
me a few seconds to perfect my brooding look, and
I'm sure I could have them all eating out of the
palm of my hand before my shift was over. Worked
for you, didn't it? The whole sparkly vampire thing?

I'm joking. Don't punch me the next time you see
me. I know how much you liked that movie.

In all seriousness though, the place was definitely
something worth experiencing. Maybe if you visit
during break I'll take you there. You'd probably
love the place. All of their drinks referenced
popular vampire movies. Annabelle didn't get some
of them, all right most of them, but in her defense
she did say she doesn't watch much TV or go to the
movies. I guess not everyone can be big movie
buffs like us, right?

I am excited to start my new job. Telling ghost
stories all night and getting paid for it seems like the
best job ever.

Man. I should probably go. I can barely keep my
eyes open. I slept twelve hours straight, but I guess
it wasn't enough.

Holder

P.S. You can stay with me when you visit. My
residence hall is coed, and I don't give a shit what
my roommate says. I think he gave me the bubonic
plague, so allowing you to stay a few days is the
least he can do.

P.S.S. I’d never freak out and disappear on you,
Fern. You know me better than that. No matter
what you tell me, I’ll always be here for you.

September 16
Subject: Stay away from Frank

Hey Holder,

I hope you’re feeling better today. Sounds like the
flu or something. Are you drinking lots of fluids?
Do I need to send you chicken soup? Being sick
away from home stinks, doesn’t it? There’s no one
to take care of you. Get over this soon because I’m
visiting you over break. I’m going to wait and tell
my mom when I’m on the road. She’s been even
more pushy lately about things. She knows I’m not
interested in the things she wants me to be
interested in, and it’s killing her.

I don’t mind the Twilight jokes as much as I used
to. I still love the movies, don’t get me wrong, but I
understand that whether the vampires should
sparkle or not has nothing to do with why I like

them. It really all comes down to the side
characters for me.

I’m excited to see you for Halloween. It’s always a
fun holiday even if I don’t know what to dress up
as. I’ve changed my mind about ten times already. I
guess it’s fine as long as I don’t dress up as a
demonic rabbit. Ever wonder what it would be like
to time travel? I do, but I don’t really get physics
enough to understand how it would work. One of
these days I’ll find a science that I actually get. I
got a B- on my last bio Quiz. That’s way better than
the C I got last time. Ever think I’d be happy with a
B-? Me neither, but I guess that’s what college is
about, resetting your expectations.

Take care of yourself. I miss you. I miss working
together, and I hope you find a co-worker half as
cool as I am.

28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 12 seconds,
Fern

September 18
Subject: Am I dying?

I'd love to tell you I'm feeling one hundred percent
better, but that would be a bold faced lie. I feel
awful, but I've been sucking it up. Mainly because I
have no choice. I have to go to class. Missing a day
and a half put me so far behind it isn't even funny.
And then there's work. I just started. I can't call in
sick during the first week. Besides, I think me
looking the way I do only adds more pizzazz to my
company's tours. I've seen the way some of the
tourists look at me this week. They probably think
I'm a ghost tagging along for fun.

They couldn’t be closer to the truth.

Maybe I should ask someone tonight if they want to
know my secret...I see dead people. Joking. Totally
joking. Although, I am starting to feel like I'm

becoming one. This cold needs to kick itself to the
curb because I don't know how much more I can
handle. I don't have much of an appetite. I'm
exhausted, but I can't sleep. My body hurts too bad.
Funny thing is, I don't have a fever. I've checked.
Multiple times. I'm not a doctor, but I know when
someone is sick they usually have a fever. It’s the
body’s way of fighting off a virus.

Apparently, my body isn't trying to fight off
whatever this is. Does that mean my body wants
the sickness to win?

I miss you too. I miss the good old days at Movie
Central. You're right, being sick when you're far
away from home sucks. Congratulations on your
B-. Don't beat yourself up about not making an A.
This college thing is hard.

Holder

P.S. I'm drinking loads of fluids, but it doesn't seem
to help. And chicken soup would be awesome right

now.

September 19
Subject: Get better now

Ugh, Holder. I am sorry you’re still sick! Sorry I
didn’t get back to you last night, I had a sorority
thing. Have you gone to the health center? I’m
getting really worried. By the way, I just sent you
some soup from a Savannah restaurant. I have no
idea if it’s any good, but sounds like you feel so
crummy anything warm would taste good.

Is your roommate sick like you? You mentioned
you thought you caught it from him. Or Annabelle?
Not pointing fingers, but maybe they’ve traveled
somewhere in the past few months that exposed
them to some disease. Ok, that probably freaked
you out. I’m not suggesting you have Ebola, but
there are lots of those weird things out there. I’m
glad you weren’t the one who stayed in a cabin the
other weekend. Then I’d worry even more about a
flesh-eating virus. Ugh, that movie still gets me. I

do need to re-watch The Sixth Sense. It’s one of
those movies that’s still fun even when you know
the twist. Can you imagine if real life was like that?
If you got to relive things once you already knew
“the twist.” Something to think about as you lie
there in misery. Ugh again. I so wish I could be
there for you. If you need me to come, I will.
Remember that.

Sending every healing vibe I have your way,
Fern

P.S. If it’s easier to text or call feel free. I know
sitting in front of the computer when you’re sick
can be hard.

P.P.S. I know you don’t like to bother your mom,
but does she know how sick you are?

September 21
Subject: Send a priest

Thanks for the soup. It tasted good. I only wish I
would've been able to keep it down. Linda Blair has
nothing on me. I've been blowing chunks for the
last twenty-four hours, and I'm pretty sure mine
sprayed faster and farther than hers. At least it
wasn't pea green, but there doesn't seem to be an
end in sight. Every part of me hurts. I wouldn’t
wish whatever this is on my worst enemy.

My roommate is better. The ass won't even come
within two feet of me. Who knew he was such a
germaphobe, especially with the way he coughed
and sneezed without covering his mouth all last
week. I don't think he's been anywhere outside the
US recently. He's scared to fly. I don’t think this is
what he had, either. It might have started out
similar, but my body seems to have created a
demonic version.

As far as Annabelle goes, she’s well-traveled but
didn't seem sick when I saw her yesterday. In fact,
and I know this might sound strange, but she almost
seemed happy to see me sick. That's probably just
my nausea talking, though.

I went to the health center. The nurse said she
thought I had food poisoning. I'm not a genius, but I
know food poisoning doesn't start out with cold
symptoms. And you know I won’t bother my mom
with this. It’s just a cold. Or a damn demon.

Don't send healing vibes; send a priest.

Holder

September 22
Subject: No Subject

Holder,

So you haven’t been able to keep anything down
this whole time? That’s not good. Have you tried
Gatorade or anything like that? That’s what my
mom always makes me drink when I’m sick. I’ve
done some research, and the only thing that would
present the way you’re feeling is a virus of some
sort. I know you hate to bug your mom, but she’d
want to know. Is there anything I can send you? Is
there anything I can do?

Too worried to possibly think of a movie reference,
Fern

September 23
Subject: ?????

Holder,

Have you gotten any of my texts or messages? I’m
seriously worried, Holder. Please let me know that
you are okay.

September 30
Subject: Not Alice

I know you're probably out of your mind with
worry for me, and I'm really sorry about that. I
don't even know what to say. It's honestly taken me
some time to figure out how to go about starting
this email…

I'm better, so I guess I'll just start with that?

I'm no longer throwing up everything I eat or drink.
I no longer feel like a zombie. But, and this is going
to sound strange, I don't feel like me either. I don't
know, maybe I'm still holding on to a little of the
funk I came down with. Or maybe this is something
else entirely. I guess it’s too soon to tell.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I'm still

here.

You know how you're always telling me about your
dreams? The ones that involve me anyway. Well, I
had one about you while I was sick. It was a little
hazy, but it still felt so damn real. Honestly, it's hard
to shake it felt so real. A dream feeling real is
probably the least of my worries though, right? At
least I didn't wake up in a bathroom inside a strange
mansion completely naked and with amnesia. It
could always be worse.

Anyway, about that dream. In it I was seriously
knocking on death's door, and you came to me.
Your hair was floating all around your face but I
couldn’t feel any wind. I don’t remember now if
there was someone with you or if you were alone,
but you had this dead serious look on your face like
everything you were about to do was going to cost
you something. You looked like a damn angel,
though. There was a strange glow to you. You told
me everything was going to be okay, that you were
here to make sure of it. You said you knew I’d do
the same for you if ever given the chance. Then
you handed me a glass with something in it and told
me not to question what it was, just to drink. I did.

And I swear to you, Fern, as crazy as it sounds, I
can still feel the warmth from whatever you gave
me in my dream coursing through me now.

Crazy, right? I must have a damn good imagination.

So what does that say about how I view you?
Remember, you once told me of the lion tamer
dream you had, and you said it probably meant you
viewed me as a protector. Obviously, that goes both
ways.

I miss you, Fern. Please tell me you're still coming
to visit during break.

Holder

October 1
Subject: Not that Alice, but maybe this one?

Dear Holder,

I am glad you’re feeling better. I’m not
exaggerating when I tell you that I’ve been thinking
about you constantly the past few days. Have you
been thinking about me?
I’m glad you’re feeling better–oh, I said that
already, didn’t I? I haven’t been sleeping much.

That sounds like a rather interesting dream. I was
glowing? I made you drink something while
promising things would be ok? Maybe it means you
look to me for comfort. Was the dream realistic?
Did it feel as if I was really there?

Do you remember watching Alice in Wonderland

when you were a kid? Not the newer Tim Burton
one, but the animated one? I must have watched it
a dozen times. I still remember the first time I was
old enough to really understand I was supposed to
believe Alice had dreamed everything. I refused to
believe it. It was real. It had to be. There was no
way she could have dreamed up such a fantastic
journey. But then I realized something even more
important. Even if some of it was a dream, some of
it was real. Anyway, what I guess I’m trying to say,
is maybe your dream is in some way a reflection of
something real? And maybe that warmth you feel…
well, you can connect the dots.

I’m hoping I get to come visit. That’s really going to
depend on how the next few weeks go.
I’m going to have to start spending more time
studying science for the time being. I kind of
backed myself into a corner in order to do
something really important. Kind of like a trade.
Anyway, if I ever take too long replying to your
emails don’t give up on me. I’m always here. If you
concentrate hard enough you’ll be able to find me.

Don’t go disappearing down any more rabbit holes,
Fern

October 2
Subject: Am I Going Nuts?

You'll never guess who called me today. My mom.
You know how little we talk. In fact, I don't think
I've spoken to her more than once since I left for
school. Anyway, she called because she said she
had a horrible feeling something bad happened to
me. She actually thought I’d died. I told her she
was full of it, and I hadn’t died but had been sick
with some nasty virus a few days ago. The
conversation lasted all of five minutes. All she
wanted to do was verify I was alive and okay. I am
alive, but I can’t say for sure that I’m okay.

I really do think I died, Fern.

How crazy does that make me sound? I'm not trying
to be melodramatic. I truly believe I died the other
day and was somehow brought back. Everything is

different now. Brighter. Louder. Even things about
me are different. My taste buds for one are
changing, and I'm not entirely sure that's for the
best.

Annabelle seems to think she knows what I'm going
through. She said she caught something similar
years ago. I have a feeling she’s lying in order to
have something to relate to me with other than our
love for historical crap. She’s been sort of clingy
lately.

I guess on a positive note my roommate hasn't
woken to find me covered in an alien-like fungus
that’s trying to overtake me no matter how much I
suddenly feel as though I’ve been invaded.

I hope you can still make it to visit me, but if you
can't I get it. Just don't work yourself too hard,
okay?

Oh, and to answer your question–yeah, I have been
thinking about you. A lot, actually. At the risk of

sounding even stranger than anything else in this
freaking email...I feel some sort of connection to
you. Ever since my badass dream about you. And,
the warmth...I still feel it, but only when I think
about you. I don't mean that in some sappy way,
either. I mean I actually feel a warm sensation
coursing through my blood when I think about you.

It's happening right now.

God, what is happening to me? Am I going nuts?

Holder

October 3
Subject: Phone home

Holder,

At the risk of sounding super jealous I’m going to
say something. Please stay away from Annabelle.
I’ve had a bad feeling about her from the
beginning, and this just makes me more certain
she’s not who she’s pretended to be. Can you tell
me more about the place she took you? You know
that ultra secret vampire place? You never did give
me details.

Do you remember when I made you watch ET with
me? At first you thought it was going to be really
outdated, but before long you understood why it’s
so good. I’m sure you remember the bond ET and
Elliot shared–how when ET was dying Elliot did
too. But then they didn’t, remember? I guess what

I’m trying to say is there are some bonds that go
beyond ordinary beliefs. Also–not all deaths are of
the traditional kind. Ugh, I am so tired of having to
be extra careful what I say to you about things.
How about this for a question… would you still
want to know me if I wasn’t who you thought I
was? I would still want to know you. Nothing could
ever change that. I feel the connection too, Holder.
It’s getting stronger and maybe that’s going to make
this all easier. Please be careful, and don’t go to
Anabelle for help with your appetite. If you need
help, I may know someone.

I am going to do everything possible to visit.

Happy to be on any planet with you,
Fern

P.S. See you in your dreams.

October 4
Subject: Always

Maybe you’re right about Annabelle. There’s
something off about her. She’s nice, but did I
mention she’s clingy? You know how much I hate
clingy people. She keeps talking about how things
between us should be stronger now. She’s worried
but won’t tell me why. It’s sort of got me freaked
out. I’m not afraid of her, but I do think she might
have a freaking screw loose.

The secret vampire bar? There wasn’t much to tell.
It was just a bunch of girls wishing actual vampires
were there. Definitely not a place Bram Stoker
would have seen as a muse. Hell, Dracula would
have laughed at it. I didn’t let any vampire brides
seduce me while I was there, if that’s what you’re
getting at. I had a couple of drinks (yes, one was
red before you even ask) but I don’t think anything
out of the ordinary happened. Annabelle and I

kissed but nothing more. Sorry. I feel like that’s
oversharing at this point but assumed you’d want to
know.

Annabelle and I haven’t slept together. That’s why
her being so crazy doesn’t make sense.

Come to think of it, there is something about the
night that doesn’t add up. My roommate yelled at
me the next morning for coming home, leaving, and
then coming back. He jumped all over me because I
woke him up both times, and he was still recovering
from the plague he’d come down with. I thought he
was nuts. That the sickness was still screwing with
him because I only remember coming home once.

What if I went back out again? What if...I won’t
even go there because you wouldn’t believe me.
It’s seriously insane the train of thought my mind
has been on lately.

I do remember watching ET with you. It was a
great movie. And, I do think there are bonds that

stretch beyond the realm of reason. Fern, I will
always want to know you. How could you be
anyone besides you? You’re too quirky in your own
right to not be you.

The question is: Would you still want to know me if
I was...different?

Holder

October 5
Subject: Sunshine

Holder,

I still want to know you no matter what. I still need
to know you. By now you are starting to figure that
out… and you’re probably starting to feel that too.
Part of that is my fault, but it’s also your fault. And
Annabelle’s. She’s definitely not innocent in all
this.

Have you ever thought about erasing bad
memories? Like cutting them out of your brain.
Like in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind but
without all the negative consequences. Yes, I know
what you’re thinking, you can’t possibly do
anything without consequences, and you’re right.

Have you talked to your roommate about the two
times you came home that night? Maybe it would
help you. You didn’t overshare… but I guess to be
fair I should tell you something too. Lars, the one
who I was telling you about earlier on, I kissed him.
I didn’t want to, but I had no choice. It was either
lose someone I care about deeply or give in to him.

I wish you would remember more so we could stop
sharing these cryptic emails. Do you remember
what the drink tasted like in your dream? Also,
have you had any luck with the new diet?

There is nothing I don’t like about you,
Fern

P.S. One important use of chemistry knowledge is
making potions.

October 8
Subject: I’m not living on Elm Street, right?

I haven’t slept in two days.

Not a wink in two whole days. That's 48 hours,
Fern.

I'm not on drugs. I'm not afraid a crazy guy with a
burned-up face wearing a striped shirt with blades
attached to his fingertips is going to get me if I
close my eyes. I just can’t sleep. I’m not tired. It’s
not normal. There's no way going without sleep for
two solid days and not feeling tired is normal.

I’ve tried to figure out what’s wrong with me. My
mind keeps bouncing back to the night I told you
about. The night I went to the secret vampire bar
with Annabelle. The night my roommate said I

came home twice, but I only remember coming
home once. I had a nightmare that night. The more
I think about it, the more real it feels. Like the
dream I had about you healing me with a drink, or
potion. (It’s funny you mentioned them in the other
email, that’s what I think you gave me in my
dream.)

Also, the more I think about the nightmare from
that night, the more things begin to make sense.

I'm sounding crazy. I know. You said you wanted us
to stop sharing such cryptic emails. I think I'll stop
mine now. I need someone to talk to, and you're the
only person I feel I can turn to. The only one who
for some strange reason I feel might actually
believe me.

Please believe me, Fern. I wouldn't make this shit
up. I promise you.

I don't think it was a drink at the secret vampire bar
that caused all of this. I remember feeling a little

more wasted than usual, but I thought maybe the
bartender had been in a good mood and poured my
drinks a little strong. Now I'm wondering if
Annabelle slipped something in one when I wasn't
looking. A sedative or something that would make
me lose a chunk of time. Hell, maybe she
compelled me. I know how crazy that sounds, but if
you knew what I do about her (about what she is) it
wouldn't seem like such a strange thing to suggest.

What am I doing? There I go being cryptic again. I
said I would stop, so I am...

Annabelle is a vampire, and I'm pretty sure she
turned me into one.

No. I’m not joking. I only wish I was. I'm sure your
eyes are as big as saucers right now and you're
probably questioning my mental stability, but trust
me, Fern, this is the only thing that makes sense in
the situation I’m in.

That new diet of mine? It’s not going good at all.

My body rejects everything. I’ve lost weight. So
much one of my professors pulled me to the side
yesterday to ask if I was okay. I’m hungry, but I
can’t eat. Not what I’m craving. It’s gross. Being
on campus is like seeing a walking buffet. It’s
torturing me. Annabelle came to visit me last night.
She gave me a bag of blood. She told me I needed
to drink it to complete the transition.

I don't want to drink it. I don't know if I want to
complete the transition either. I don’t want to be a
monster.

When am I going to wake up, Fern? This is the
longest nightmare I've ever had.

Holder

P.S. Was I the person you kissed the asshole for?
Did you save my life, Fern? Tell me that dream I
had of you was real. Tell me I’m not going crazy.
Please...

October 9
Subject: Witches don’t always wear pointy hats

Dear Holder,

When I was ten I watched Nightmare on Elm
Street for the first time. I wasn’t supposed to. I
snuck down and watched it from the hallway when
my older cousins had it on. It scared me like
nothing ever did, but I couldn’t tell my mom. I
knew she’d be so mad at me for sneaking down. So
I sucked it up and gave in to sleep. And you know
what? I didn’t have any nightmares. I always had
nightmares, so the lack of them was strange.

Maybe that’s the best way to handle this situation.
I’m going to face it head on without crawling into
my mother’s lap (obviously I mean that
figuratively).

It wasn’t a dream. None of it was. I’m not a normal
human–and you’re not either. Not anymore, but
that doesn’t mean you’re going to be a monster.

I’m a witch. There, I said it. Now before you pass
judgment, understand that being a witch doesn’t
mean I’m bad. Just like being a vampire doesn’t
mean you’re bad. I gave you a way out, Holder.
That’s what the potion was. We are forever
connected because of it, and it means you can have
a chance at a semi-normal life. Not a human life,
that possibility is gone, but a semblance of the life
you wanted for yourself.

I should have stepped in sooner, but I had no idea
how big the vampire community had grown in
Savannah. There is so much more to tell you, but
the most important thing is that you find a diet that
works for you. I’m sending a package to you via
Lars. He’s not going to hurt you, and I promise the
stuff in that package won’t hurt you. It’s going to
help. I wish I could send you a Binx to help you
through, but no extra cats on hand.

It’s not all a bunch of hocus pocus,

Fern

P.S. Of course the kiss was to save you. Would I
have done it for anyone else?

P.P.S. Take all the time you need, but let me know
if/when you are ready to hear more.

October 10
Subject: Vampires aren't always musicians

A witch? I can see that.

I don’t mean that in a bad way. I only mean it as in
it fits you. You’ve always had a love for chemistry
and when I picture witches I think of (pointy hats,
yes) potions.

So, I’m not going crazy? Annabelle really is a
bloodsucking vampire and now so am I? Great.
Like life wasn’t already complicated enough.

I can’t believe my dream about you was real. I
mean I can, but I can’t. Why did you give me the
potion? Was whatever Annabelle did to me actually
killing me? It felt like it. And, before you ask why I
can’t ask her about this, let me tell you.

I mentioned she was clingy, but I didn’t say now
she’s sort of pissed. She keeps insisting I drink the
bag of blood she gave me, but my gut tells me not
to do it.

I’ve never been big on intuition, but drinking her
blood seems like sealing a deal with the devil. I
keep waiting for her to try to seduce me with
promises of being her undead king. I wonder if
there’s a way to get rid of her, a way to turn her to
stone. Preferably one that doesn’t involve sucking
her dry. I know it worked for Lestat, but that’s not
something I’m willing to do.

And, how big the vampire community had grown in
Savannah? WTF? Did I move to the vampire
capital of the world or something? Way to freak me
out, Fern.

Shit. There’s a knock at my door. Hold on. I hope
it’s not Annabelle again.

Just your friend Lars. He looks like a viking. I can’t
believe you kissed him. He seems like an arrogant
prick. Maybe that’s just me being hangry and
worrying I might still be slowly dying, though. He
said to drink what’s in the box and be thankful I
have someone who cares so damn much about me,
someone willing to go to this length.

What length? What did you do, Fern? There’s
blood inside this box. Please tell me it isn’t yours.

Holder

October 10
Subject: Blood

Drink the blood, Holder. Please. Drink it. It is my
blood, but I promise it won’t make you my slave or
anything. I gave you my blood to save you. What
you experienced–that sickness- wasn’t normal. And
even if you had made it through without me, you
would have forever been her slave. I couldn’t let
that happen. I care about you too much for that. All
the blood is going to do for you is make you strong
enough to avoid needing to drink other people's
blood. You should slowly be able to eat normal
food once and awhile, but your main diet is going to
be animal blood. As I told you in my last email,
there’s no way you’ll ever be fully human again.

I’m not a witch by training alone. I was born that
way, so there is magic in my blood. I’m sure your
next question is how long will you have to drink my
blood. I don’t really have an answer. Lars–yes, he

does look a little bit like a viking now that you said
that–thinks you will be able to slowly lessen the
amount. He didn’t take too much from me. I’ll be
fine, if that’s what you’re worried about. But even
if you stop drinking my blood entirely, the
connection has been forged. You are always going
to feel me, and I’ll feel you. I know I didn’t ask
your permission first, but considering the
circumstances I felt I had no choice.

Drink the blood. That’s the only thing I’m going to
push you to do. Otherwise, you can decide what
happens next. As to the vampire population in
Savannah, New Orleans got too crowded and so
Savannah has become a new hot spot evidently.

Drink the blood and let me know how you feel.
By the way, did you know there was a 1970s horror
flick called I Drink your Blood? Interesting trivia,
huh?

Missing you right now,
Fern

P.S. Let me know if I should visit you sooner than
planned. I want you.

October 11
Subject: Interview with Holder

It’s nuts, but I did it. I drank your blood. Took me a
while to work myself up to do it. Honestly, I was
slightly squeamish and a tad bit queasy. I did it,
though.

I’m not lying when I say I felt better
instantaneously.

The urge I’ve had crawling through me to tear into
my roommate went away faster than I ever thought
possible. You have no idea how hard it was to listen
to his heart thumping as though it was directly in
my ear. He has an abnormal beat. One I don’t even
think he’s aware of. And sleep apnea. Part of me
thinks I should mention something to him, but
another part thinks it would be best if I continued
to keep my distance from him. If he thought I was a

prick before, now he thinks I’m a psychotic prick.
You have no idea the lengths I’ve gone the last few
days to avoid him. To avoid everyone basically.
Even while attending classes. I’m the creepy kid
who sits in the back of the room now. The one with
empty seats surrounding him and a hoodie pulled
over his head.

I hate that you said my main diet will be animal
blood. I mean, I guess that’s a good thing
considering the alternative, but still. Animal blood.
Yuck. I’m glad I’ll be able to eat normal food here
and there, but with the way my taste buds seem to
have changed I bet a cheeseburger won’t taste the
same. Coffee either.

I died, Fern.

I still can’t wrap my head around that. I seriously
freaking died. I’m no longer human. I’m a damn
vampire.

And, you’re a witch. It’s like I fell into a movie. I

can’t believe this is real. I moved to the second
favorite city in the vampire community and
freaking died. Guess, I could use this to amp up my
game at work, huh? Which by the way, I’m not
even sure I have a job there anymore. I had to call
in three days in a row because of my condition. I
told them it was a relapse of the flu. They asked for
a note from the clinic. I can’t get them one because
I didn’t go to the clinic. If I had, I might have
drained the nurse.

I’ve never heard of that movie. Point for you. Wish
I still knew the running tally we have going, but I
can’t remember it. I miss you too. More than you
know. Thanks for not bailing on me with all of this.
You could have. Maybe you should have since now
you’re my food source or blood donor. Whatever.
Thanks for revealing your secret to me too. You’ve
made me feel less alone in this, Fern. I can’t ever
thank you enough for that alone.

Come visit whenever you want. You can even
interview me for a writing piece while you’re here.
Wink, wink and nod to another of your favorite
movies. I’m no wealthy plantation owner though,
that’s not where my story starts. Also, there will not

(I repeat WILL NOT) be a creepy vampire kid in
my story either.

And was your last sentence a typo? Did you really
mean to say you want me? Or was that supposed to
read you want to visit me? Honestly, I’m ok with it
being either. Whatever this is–this connection to
you–it’s got me feeling things for you I never have
felt before.

Holder

October 12
Subject: Forks wildlife

Dear Holder,

Ok, I guess I can see where that last sentence could
have freaked you out. I was typing quickly because
I was nervous. I meant I want you, like want you
with me. I mean I want you in the other way too,
but you probably already figured that out by now.

Eventually you might like a burger again, or not.
It’s hard to know. The situation sucks, I’m not
going to pretend otherwise, but you’re alive and
still you at heart, and that is what’s most important.
I should probably also tell you something else
before Annabelle tracks you down and tells you.
By drinking my blood you are likely negating your
immortality. You won’t live forever without aging.
If that sort of thing appeals, well you know what to

do. I hope you don’t go that route because that will
mean fully accepting your vampire side and losing
yourself. I’d hate to imagine a world without you in
it. Actually, I refuse to unless you absolutely insist
on it.

I dreamed about you again last night. This one was
a very different dream. It was a romantic dream. I
hope to have another soon. I hope the whole blood
thing doesn’t mean that will be impossible to
experience in real life. I hope it doesn’t ruin your
feelings for me.

Should I plan to drive down again this weekend?

Missing you even more today,
Fern

P.S. If you are worried about the vegetarian blood
thing maybe you need to rewatch Twilight.

P.P.S. Did you hear the news about Movie Central

closing? Maybe we should buy it.

P.P.P.S. J/K maybe?

October 14
Subject: Human Once More

I think you saved my life. Twice. I don't know what
I ever did to deserve you, Fern, but I'm glad our
paths crossed and decided to stick.

It's good to know I won't have to lie in a few years
when people realize I'm not aging. Life will be
pretty much normal, except for my diet. Thank you.
Honestly, Fern, I don't think I could ever thank you
enough for what you've done for me.

You've brought me back from the dead. I know I
wasn't craving brains and human flesh, but I was
craving blood. And to think I didn't have to rescue
you or keep you inside some creepy airplane in
order for you to see the humanity still inside me.

Annabelle won't be tracking me down anytime soon
because she left. My not turning into her vampire
slave, or whatever the hell she thought I would
become, aggravated her enough to leave town. I'm
sure she'll end up coming back at some point, but it
won't be for me. She will never come back for me
because I'm not what she wanted after all. I didn't
submit the way she thought I would. I have you to
thank for that.

It's funny you should say you dreamed of me last
night because I dreamed of you too. Now you have
me wondering if we've dreamed the same thing.
Were there candles all around us in yours? God,
this is so weird.

Please visit this weekend. I need to see you in
person, but be prepared because I might not let you
leave. You know SCAD has some writing programs.
Hint, hint.

Anxiously awaiting your arrival,

Holder

P.S. I don't think I can ever rewatch Twilight after
this. It will just piss me off because I don't sparkle.

P.S.S. Are you freaking kidding me? Movie Central
closed? I feel like a piece of me just died. Again.
We should buy it and only offer our favorite
movies. No crappy new releases. We could change
the name to Nostalgic Movie Central. I'm game if
you are.

October 16
Subject: We’ll always have email…

Dear Holder,

I’m writing this from my phone sitting outside your
dorm. Yes that makes me sound like a crazy
stalker–but you already know I'm a witch, and you
drink my blood, so stalking shouldn’t matter so
much to you. I’m sitting outside because I’m
nervous. I’m not nervous about what you are, let’s
just make that clear, just like I hope you aren’t
nervous about what I am. I’m nervous about what
we are going to become. I know once I see you we
will never be able to go back to normal, or our
version of normal, i.e. this.

Promise me no matter what happens we’ll make
Nostalgic Movie Central happen. A new generation
of kids need to experience that place. Neither of us

would be who we are (not referring to the
supernatural here) today without it. I know neither
of us had any plans of going back home after
graduation, but contrary to what my mom thinks,
it’s not that bad of a place to be. If we had the
money now we could pay someone else to run it.
Find a couple of high school kids that remind us of
our old selves. Doesn’t senior year feel like forever
ago even though it hasn’t even been a full six
months?

I’ve never been this nervous in my life. I’m sitting
here holding a backpack with a potion that is made
up of some of my blood, yet my nervousness has
everything to do with facing you.

Should I come up? Do you want me to?

Of all the movie stores in all the towns in all the
world, you walked into mine,
Fern

October 16
Subject: Gill-Man coming at ya

This might sound strange, but I knew I felt you. I
knew you were here.

I'm on the other side of campus, turning in an extra
credit essay to one of my professors. As soon as he
answers his damn office door, and I can put this in
his hand, I'll be there.

Don't be nervous. You know what I am. I know
what you are. We both know what happened. The
doesn't mean anything between us has to change,
unless you want it to.

All the cards are in your hands, Fern.

Just don't leave. I've already found a corny movie
for us to watch tonight. One that should bring back
memories.

Remember the night we watched The Creature
From the Black Lagoon at Movie Central? I
couldn't stop laughing, but you thought it was kind
of creepy. I figured it’s only fitting we watch it
tonight in tribute to the place closing.

Be there in a second.

Holder

P.S. Nostalgia Movie Central is happening. It has to.
We can't deprive the next generation of epic movie
greatness.

October 16
Subject: Book my passage to Skull Island

Dear Holder,

Of all the fears I’ve faced in my life, this one is the
second worst. The absolute worst was when I had
to face the fact that you might not live. Compared
to that, facing you now is nothing.

The Creature From the Black Lagoon is a perfect
choice. Watching a movie about a misunderstood
monster seems more than fitting. Afterwards maybe
we can watch the Peter Jackson version of King
Kong again.

This is it. I’m coming up before I can change my
mind.

Hope you get that extra-credit. Hope this isn’t
somehow awkward. All right, no hoping about it. It
won’t be.

See you in a sec.
Fern

October 18
Subject: The Ghost Of You Is Still Here

You left this morning, and I already miss you. How
psychotic am I? I debated whether I should even
email you this soon, but in the end I felt like I didn't
have a choice. Emails feel like I'm talking to you.
Like you're right in front of me. Maybe it's because
that's how things started between us this year, or
maybe it's because of the connection we have now.
I don't know. All I do know is I miss you unlike I've
ever missed anyone.

It's almost like you're haunting my place, like you're
haunting me.

Not in a bad way. Not in a way like I feel a need to
contact people who do exorcisms and investigate
possessed dolls.

No. You're haunting me in a good way.

I can hear your laugh. I can see you throwing
popcorn at the TV when something happens in the
movie you don't particularly like. I can still smell
your faint perfume lingering in the air.

I know you said you felt stupid for being nervous
about spending time with me. I know you were
worried things might be different. We didn't really
talk about it while you were here, but I have to
know–were things different for you?

Things were damn sure different for me. Do you
know how hard it was to not kiss you when you
said goodbye?

Holder

P.S. Halloween can't get here soon enough. You're
still coming to visit then, right?

October 19
Subject: When Fern met Holder

Dear Holder,

Yes, things were different. But a good kind of
different. I wanted to kiss you too, and I almost did,
but like so many things I chickened out. Maybe I
won’t next time I see you. I’m coming for
Halloween. I’m even starting to get used to the
drive.

I used to wonder why there were so many movies
about friends falling for each other. It seemed like a
silly trope compared to all the other possibilities out
there. I get it now.

So what now? I guess only time will tell. I’m glad
you emailed so quickly, it helps my obsessive email

refreshing habit. I’d have far too much time on my
hands without it.

Fern

P.S.
I love that you like bad movies as well as the good
ones. I love that you don’t mind my stealing your
hooded sweatshirt. (It’s stealing. You are never
getting it back). I love that you actually separate
your laundry by color. I love that you are still you,
and I know in my heart you always will be.

October 23
Subject: Money Can Buy Happiness

It's after midnight. I know we've been texting a lot
lately, but I didn't want to text and risk waking you
up since it’s so late. We both know how much that's
not an issue for me any longer, but for you it still is,
so emailing seemed necessary.

You know how hard I've been struggling to find a
replacement job since I lost the ghost tour one,
right? Well, I have to tell you my money troubles (
at least for the foreseeable future) are now on
pause. You'll never guess what was left with my
roommate for me–an envelope with a check written
for a substantial amount of money.

A life-changing amount, really.

Seriously, there's enough here for me to dropout of
college and travel the world. Sound like something
you'd be up for? Don't worry, I wouldn't take us
traipsing around dark, mysterious caves in the
Appalachian Mountains. We definitely don’t want
to get trapped underground and eaten by some
wicked creatures.

I guess I should probably tell you who the check
was from, even though I'm sure you can guess.

Annabelle.

She left me a note saying she was sorry. She said
she thought we had a connection. She knows now
my connection runs much deeper with someone
else. I think this will be the last time I hear from
her. She hasn't been around the house we're
renovating for school. In fact, she hired a caretaker
to oversee the changes made. My professor said she
took a job offering in Europe. The job offering is a
lie, but Europe might not be. Distance from her is
good.

Holder

P.S. If you don't want to drop out with me and
travel the world, at least consider moving here. I've
already said there's a great writing program. I don’t
think emails, texts, and phone calls will be enough.
Call me selfish.

P.S.S. I can also buy Movie Central. We could
totally do the Nostalgic Movie Central thing, if you
wanted...

October 25
Subject: I have the rest of my life to find out

Hey Holder,

Sorry if I seemed rude in my texts yesterday. I had
to do something I should have done years ago. I
confronted my mom. I’d like to say I got brave and
drove home to face her, but I didn’t. She came
here. But maybe the how it happened part doesn’t
matter, since I said what I needed to say.

She wanted me to end up with Lars. That’s kind of
obvious, but I told her the truth. I told her the
whole truth about how I’ve fallen for you, and you
know what I am so you’re not going to try to stop
me from being the best witch I can be. I expected
her to yell, but she didn’t. Instead she smiled. She
told me she’d been worried I’d turn my back on
who I am, but if you are supportive then she wants

me to be happy. She was less thrilled when I
mentioned transferring schools, until she realized I
planned to join the Savannah chapter of my
sorority. I guess there’s your answer–I want to be
closer to you too.

I’m not sure how I feel about the money. I don’t
want us to owe Annabelle anything, you know?
Part of me wants to throw out that check, but that’s
not for me to do. All I care about right now is being
with you. We have no idea where this is going to
go, but I know the ending. I know we’ll make it
through whatever comes our way. I’ve kept all of
our emails. I think years from now we’ll be glad we
have them.

Can’t wait to see you,
Fern

P.S. That quote from Big Fish seems more true now
than ever. The one about how time stops when you
meet the love of your life, but then it speeds up
after. Time has definitely sped up since we started
emailing each other. Let’s enjoy every minute of it.

November 2
Subject: Now or Never

Halloween came and went too fast. Although, I am
a tad bit disappointed the All-Hallows Eve
celebration with your soon-to-be Savannah witchy
chapter wasn't as cool as I thought it would be. I
was expecting everyone to be dressed in pointy
hats and solid black. Maybe I'm taking it a little too
far, but I also expected everyone to jump from the
roof while holding black umbrellas.

Oh well, the midnight margaritas were still perfect.

Holder

P.S. I never asked, are you going home for
Thanksgiving? My mom's already bugging me about
it. Honestly, I'm not sure I should go. What if she

can tell something's different about me? If I don’t
go this year though, I might never...

November 3
Subject: You’ve Got Mail

Holder,

Isn’t it funny how we keep falling back on email?
It’s a hard habit to break, especially since I love
checking my box and seeing something other than
junk mail or assignments from professors. In a
world of short text messages, I also like having
more space to express myself. And it reminds me of
my favorite feel-good, make me cry movie. Yeah,
we already knew each other, and you aren’t trying
to put me out of business, but so many other
similarities. ;)

We should go home for Thanksgiving. I say we,
because I’m not going without you. Besides, aren’t
we going to put in our bid for Movie Central?

Sorry my witches didn’t live up to expectations, but
you know I can mix a pretty powerful potion. Miss
you already. Who am I kidding? I missed you less
than a minute after I left. Yet another reason we
should go home for Thanksgiving. I’ll have your
back. I promise.

I wanted it to be you,
Fern

November 4
Subject: Monster House

I’ll go home for Thanksgiving, but you have to
promise you’re coming with me. You know once I
tell my mom I’m coming I won’t be able to recant
the statement no matter what.

I can’t believe I’m even considering this. My mom
is going to know something is different. If she
doesn’t then someone else will. Especially when I
don’t eat as much as I normally would. Can you
make me a potion that gives me a ravenous appetite
for normal food? Never mind. That might not be the
best idea, considering. Not that I’m downplaying
your talent with potions, but I feel like my luck
would be that the entire thing would backfire, and
I’d drain my family dry of all their blood or
something equally as creepy and horrific.

Screwing with a vampire’s appetite is probably not
the best thing to do…

You’re right, going home will give us a chance to
put in a bid on Movie Central. I wonder if the space
is still available. It’s going to be weird driving by
the place and knowing it’s no longer in business.
Think they still have the original sign up?

Holder

P.S. Why does going home feel so damn ominous?
It’s not like the house is going to eat me. The
people inside it either. Still, my palms are sweaty
thinking about it.

November 4
Subject: Punctuation and NJ

Holder,

Of course I’m going to be with you, and I have a
plan that is going to help everything.
What would freak your mom out more than your
loss of appetite?
Answer: Moving too fast in a relationship. We go
home, tell her we are going to elope, and she’ll
freak. Then we’ll let her “convince” us to slow it
down. She’ll be so relieved, she won’t notice
anything else. Perfect plan, right? Ok, maybe it’s
not, but it’s all I have right now. Either way, you
have to go home eventually. We might as well do it
together now.

Plus, it means we get to see each other for a long
weekend. That sounds amazing. How are you

feeling BTW? Do you need more of my blood?

Glad we don’t need an ellipsis,

Fern

P.S. The sign had better still be there.

P.P.S. Save up some appetite. If there’s anything
you still crave it’s going to be your mom’s mashed
potatoes.

November 29
Subject: SCREAM

Well, we weren’t fighting a crazy person wearing a
white mask and a black cloak, but we did survive
Thanksgiving with my mom just the same. She
could have counted as a crazy person, though. The
way she looked when I told her we were eloping
Thanksgiving day so we’d always remember our
wedding anniversary was priceless. I know you
thought that was dumb, but she believed it. I told
you she would. Maybe that’s a testament to how
stupid she really thinks I am.

By the way, thanks for everything you did for me
these past few days. Whatever it was you gave me
actually had me feeling human again. At least as
close to human as I’ve felt in a while. What would I
do without you, Fern? Seriously.

I’ve attached something for you to read over…

Holder

P.S. You look good with a ring on your left ring
finger. Maybe one day I’ll get you something that
doesn’t cost a dollar fifty from a bubble gum
machine.

December 1
Subject: Beware of red covered bridges

Dear Holder,

Wow, it’s really happening! We are really doing
this! Buying Movie Central! I can’t wait, although
it’s going to mean quite a few trips home. I don’t
mind since we can make the trip together. Speaking
of which… It’s official. I move into my new dorm
in six weeks. You can pay me back for having the
best idea by helping me move in my stuff. Of
course I would have asked you for help no matter
what. :) Let’s hope I don’t hear Day-O anytime.
Also, no spooky miniature towns in the attic.

I couldn’t bear to part with my ring, so it’s on my
right hand for now.
Despite all the craziness, it was my best
Thanksgiving ever. That kiss Friday night after your

mom and my mom had that stupid fight. Wow. I’m
probably going to be dreaming about it for years.

Counting down the weeks until I get to see you
every day,
Fern

December 7
Subject: Beware of the Pumpkin King

It’s late. That’s why I’m emailing instead of texting,
but I had to let you know the paperwork is turned
in. Movie Central is one step closer to being ours.
All I keep thinking about now is what the first
movie I’ll set on the shelves should be. Then my
mind gets going, and I start thinking about how I’ll
categorize movies. How to decorate the place. I’m
getting ahead of myself, I know.

Another idea: we should make the employees dress
as people from movies. No boring t-shirts and khaki
pants dress code. They should have awesome
costumes instead.

Maybe we should work there for a while to get
things going this summer? What do you say? Will
you be the Sally to my Jack? After all, we were

simply meant to be.

P.S. I’ve said it a million times, but I’ll say it again–
I will definitely help you move in. Just wish it was
to a place of our own. Yup, I went there. What’s
that annoying hashtag people use? #sorrynotsorry.
Knowing you're so close but still so far away is
going to kill me, Fern.

P.S.S. Christmas and New Years will be even more
fun than Thanksgiving. I can guarantee it.

P.S.S.S. I’ll be sure to kiss you like that every day
for the rest of forever. You brought me back to life.

December 8
Subject: It’s almost time for a holiday

Dear Holder,

I love being the Sally to your Jack. The only thing
missing is our Zero. Maybe when we do move in
together we can get a dog (yup, I went there too,
and I’m not even going to pretend to be sorry).

A Movie Central summer sounds perfect. Truthfully
any summer spent with you sounds perfect. I miss
you. I’m sitting here outside my chem final, yet all I
can think about is you. I have an entire playlist of
holiday music ready for my drive home. I’m glad
next winter break I’ll be making the drive with you.

Next time I call you I’ll be done with my chem
final. Then the only time I have to mix chemicals

the next few months is for my potions. And don’t
worry I won’t use you as a guinea pig, unless it’s a
love potion. I refuse to practice those on anyone
else. J/K. Well kind of.

Thanks for making me your leading lady,
Fern

P.S. If we have any money left over we should take
a trip together.

P.P.S. I can’t wait to give you your Christmas gift.

P.P.P.S. I am holding you to that kissing promise.

Jan 6
Subject: Creeper

And just like that, the holidays are over. Which
means I’m left without you by my side.

Again.

This week had better hurry up. I’m ready for you to
live in the same town as me again and go to the
same college.

BTW, are you sure you don’t want to get a place
with me instead of living in the dorms? My
roommate's new best friend is sort of creeping me
out. He’s got dark hair and is pasty as hell. He
comes over to play video games and never leaves.
Well, he does eventually leave, but you get the
idea. I honestly don’t think I’ve heard him say one

single word over the last three days. The guy totally
creeps me out. And I’m a freaking vampire.

I swear if he comes over wearing black leather and
wielding scissors for fingers I’m finding a new place
to stay.

I’ve got to go. He’s staring at me again. Hasn’t
anyone told this guy Halloween was over months
ago?

Holder

P.S. Got a potion to speed up time...like till you get
here next week.

January 12
Subject: Perfect roommate

Dear Holder,

You were right. Two minutes away is just too far.
We will have to come up with a new plan for next
year. I miss you, and I just saw you two hours ago.
The only reason I’m not calling is because you’re in
class, and I’d rather not get you in trouble.

I don’t have a potion to speed up time, but I do
have good news. My roommate never showed.
Housing emailed me with an official email telling
me I get the room to myself while still paying the
double rate. That’s probably a good thing. I was
starting to worry I’d end up with someone
obsessive and weird. Not a SWF or anything that
extreme, but you know. My last roommate wasn’t
bad, so I thought maybe my luck had run out. Want

to come over and celebrate? You can help me set
up my TV so we can watch movies tonight. You can
even stay over if you’d like to use the free twin
bed, or not ;)

See you in forty-five minutes,

Fern

P.S. Will you always email me?

January 12
Subject: Worst witch? Not you

This class blows. I can’t wait to see you. I already
have a plan for next year. We’re getting a place
together. On campus. Off campus. I don’t care.

Your roommate didn’t show because you’re lucky.
Unless...is this a spell you did so we could be alone
at least someplace? You are definitely no Mildred
Hubble when it comes to this witchy business. I
think you might have done something...

I expect an answer when I see you in a bit. If it’s
yes and you did cast a spell to make your roommate
situation so damn ideal, you’re getting some serious
bonus points.

I’ll help you set up your TV under one condition: I

get to pick tonight’s movie.
And what other twin bed? Can’t you make that
disappear too? J/K
Maybe.

See you in twenty.

Holder

P.S. I will always email you, Fern. Even when we
live together. Even when we’re gray-haired and
old. Emails are where I fell for you.

Note From The Authors

To: Our Readers
From: Alyssa & Jennifer
Subject: Thanks!

Dear Readers,

Thank you for reading Potions & Fangs! We are
thrilled you decided to check out Vampire Emails!
Working on this project has been one of our
favorite writing experiences yet.

Potions & Fangs was born from a fun writing
challenge we set up for ourselves. We created
characters, set out a basic framework, and then
started emailing back and forth. Before long we felt
like our characters waiting for another email to
come. The journey was full of surprises and
laughter, and we can’t wait to dive into book two!

Fun fact? Did you notice nearly every email
references a movie? Sometimes we come right out
and give the name and others it’s buried. :)

We hope you enjoyed Potions & Fangs! Please
consider leaving a review at your point of purchase.
Reviews help us in so many ways.

Until next time in a galaxy far, far away…

Alyssa & Jennifer

Movie List

ERN

AND

OLDER

’

LTIMATE

IST

OVIE

EFERENCES

* * *

The Breakfast Club

August 25

email from Fern

The Lost Boys

Aug 29th email from Holder

The Wizards of Oz

August 30th email from Fern

Poltergeist

August 31st email from Holder

Harry Potter-

September 1st email from Fern

Halloween #1

September 2nd email from Holder

Titanic

September 3rd email from Fern

The Shining

September 5th email from Holder

Zombieland

September 8th email from Fern

September 9th email from Holder

Water for Elephants

September 10th email from Fern

Final Destination

September 12th email from Holder

Final Destination 2

September 13th email from Fern

Fear

September 13th email from Fern

The Skeleton Key

Sept 14th email from Holder

Panic Room

September 14th email from Fern

Twilight

September 15th email from Holder

Donnie Darko

September 16th email from Fern

The Sixth Sense

September 18

email from Holder

Cabin Fever

September 19

email from Fern

The Exorcist

Sept 21

email from Holder

Resident Evil

September 30

email from Holder

Alice in Wonderland

October 1

email from Fern

The Invasion

October 2

email from Holder

E.T.

October 3

email from Fern

Dracula

October 4

email from Holder

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

October 5

email from Fern

A Nightmare on Elm Street

October 8

email from Holder

Hocus Pocus

October 9

email from Fern

Queen of the Damned

Oct 10

email from Holder

I Drink Your Blood

October 10

email from Fern

Interview with the Vampire

October 11

email from Holder

Twilight

October 12

email from Fern

Warm Bodies

October 14

email from Holder

Casablanca

October 16th email from Fern

Creature from the Black Lagoon

October 16

email from Holder

King Kong

October 16

email from Fern

The Conjuring

October 18

email from Holder

When Harry Met Sally

October 19

email from Fern

The Descent

October 23

email from Holder

Big Fish

October 25

email from Fern

Practical Magic

November 2

email from Holder

You’ve Got Mail

November 3

email from Fern

Monster House

November 4

email from Holder

Garden State

November 4

email from Fern

Scream

November 29

email from Holder

Beetlejuice

December 1

email from Fern

The Nightmare Before Christmas

December 7

email from Holder

The Holiday

December 8

email from Fern

Edward Scissorhands

January 6

email from Holder

Single White Female

January 12

email from Fern

The Worst Witch

January 12

email from Holder

* * *

AVE

YOU

WATCHED

THEM

ALL

Sneak Peak

PLEASE READ ON FOR SPECIAL BONUS

CONTENT FROM THE AUTHORS...

Bonus Emails

HALF LIGHT BONUS EMAILS

ALYSSA ROSE IVY

One

To: Caspian
From: Rachel

Dear Caspian,

I hate you. I don’t kind of hate you, I completely
and utterly hate you. You knew the truth all along
yet chose to lie to me. You lied to me day after day,
week after week, month after month, year after
year. If it had taken me much longer to discover the
truth, I would be able to add decade after decade to
that list. What I need to know is why? Why not tell
me the truth? Why squeeze my shoulders and
whisper supportive words while I watched images
that were merely fable? Why let me believe there
was nothing left? Until you can answer that
question I don’t want to hear from you.

Defeated,
Rachel

Two

To: Rachel
From: Caspian

Dear Rachel,

Isn’t the answer obvious to you? Isn’t it staring you
right in the face? If I had told you the truth you
would have wanted to leave. You are the most
curious girl I have ever known. You would have
been gone by first light. Losing you wasn’t an
option. It still isn’t an option. Please come home.

Missing you,
Caspian

Three

To: Caspian
From: Rachel

Dear Caspian,

I no longer know where my home is. Maybe I’ll
never have one. I don’t hate you quite so much
tonight. Tonight was a good night, even if I don’t
quite understand why.

Wishing I had known,
Rachel

Four

To: Rachel
From: Caspian

Dear Rachel,

I don’t want you to always hate me. I need you. I
guess you don’t need me anymore, but is my need
enough? Or everyone else’s? Come home. This, my
dearest Rachel, will always be your home.

Still here for you,
Caspian

More Info On The Half
Light Series

Not everything is as it seems in the Half Light…

There’s more Rachel and Caspian in

The Half Light

a New Adult Sci-Fi Romance series coming soon

from Alyssa Rose Ivy!

Bonus Emails

MIRROR LAKE WOLVES BONUS EMAILS

JENNIFER SNYDER

One

Subject: Happy Birthday!

Mina,

Hey. I’m not sure you’ll get this, but it’s worth a
shot. Somehow I managed to lose my cell in the
dorm while unpacking. Who knew I actually had
this much crap? I’m pretty sure my mom bought
every shittin’ thing on display at Walmart for dorm
room decor.

Seriously, what am I going to do with a rapid ramen
noodle maker? Doesn’t she realize the things cook
in three minutes regardless of whether they’re in a
contraption or a bowl of water in the microwave?

I guess I should get to the point of this email. I
mentioned I lost my cell, which means I have no
way to tell you happy birthday. Even if you don’t

get this until after I’ve found my phone and wished
you happy birthday for real, at least it’s time
stamped so you can see I didn’t forget.

Happy birthday! I’m sorry I can’t say that to you in
person, but I really wanted to make sure I had
things settled here. There’s a small chance I might
be coming to town soon, though. I’ll be sure to
reach out and let you know.

Hopefully I’ve found my cell by then…

Alec

Two

Subject: Ummm…

Hey there! So, you’re a week early with the
birthday wishes. But hey, you’re truly the first
person to wish me a happy birthday so that has to
count for something, right? Lol

How’s college life treating you so far? I know
classes haven’t really started, so what I mean is, are
you settled in yet? There’s not much for me to do
here besides make sure I have all the basic supplies.
No dorm to settle into when you go to community
college.

Don’t be mean to your mom. She only wants to
make sure you have everything you need. I think
it’s sweet she bought you a rapid ramen noodle
maker. Also, I would love to see you soon. You’d
better not come to town without visiting me. I mean
it.

Mina

Three

Subject: I Feel Like A Fool

I can’t believe I got your birthday wrong. Some
friend I am.

Yeah, I’m settled in. School hasn’t started yet but I
can already tell college life will be different. Don’t
get me wrong, I like living on campus, it’s just got a
different feel than home. Things seem hectic here,
like everything happens at a much faster pace. I’m
used to the slow lifestyle of Mirror Lake I guess.

My roommate isn’t here yet. Which sort of makes
me nervous. I mean, is this a sign the guy is a
slacker? Possibly a slob too? Am I looking too
deeply into things? Maybe I should just breathe.

I wouldn’t dream of coming home and not visiting
you.

Alec

P.S. Found my cell. Somehow it was in my dresser
beneath my jeans.

Four

Subject: Don’t Feel Like A Fool.

You’re a great friend. I’m glad you mistakenly
wished me happy birthday via email. Email is dead.
Texting is king. Somehow email seems like a phone
call though, you know. It’s more personal.

Anyway, I’m sure your roommate will be cool.
Don’t discredit him so soon. Meet the guy first.
Geez. And, I’m sure things will chill out around the
campus sometime soon. You’re probably right,
people are most likely just trying to get acclimated
to the place. Give it time. If you need anyone to
talk to remember I’m only a phone call away (or an
email).

I’m holding you to a visit home soon.

Mina

P.S. Glad you found your cell. Better use it to call
me sometime.

More Info On The
Mirror Lake Wolves
Series

Interested in learning more about Alec and Mina?

Check out

Moon Kissed (Mirror Lake Wolves,

Book One)

Available Now!

★★★★★ - “Moon Kissed is one bad to the bite

read that will keep UR heart racing to the last page

and craving more full of mystery and slow burn

romance!" - Amazon Reviewer

Don’t Go Yet

IF YOU ENJOYED POTIONS & FANGS, YOU

MIGHT ALSO ENJOY THESE TITLES…

The Grizzly Brothers Chronicles by Alyssa Rose

Ivy

There's a new Alpha in town and he just found his

mate, she just doesn't know it yet.

Welcome to Crestview, Montana. Population ~1000

and not all of those are human.

The Full Moons Series by Alyssa Rose Ivy

What happens when wolves fall in love?

Paranormal Romance with a holiday twist

The Mirror Lake Wolves series by Jennifer

Snyder

Something sinister lurks in the Mirror Lake

woods…

Mystery. Suspense. Romance. Werewolves.

The Ward Witches Series by Jennifer Snyder

Piper has a decision to make: let an entire

supernatural race die or allow them access to her

blood. What would you choose?

Magic. Action. Romance. Witches.

Wait There’s More!

DID THE GRIZZLY BROTHERS CHRONICLES

AND THE MIRROR LAKE WOLVES SERIES

GRAB YOUR ATTENTION?

PLEASE CONTINUE READING FOR SNEAK

PEEKS FROM BOTH!

Bonus Sample

UNT

RIZZLY

ROTHERS

HRONICLES

LYSSA

OSE

There's a new Alpha in town and he just found his

mate, she just doesn't know it yet.

Welcome to Crestview, Montana. Population ~1000

and not all of those are human.

After his brother is murdered, Ian must step up to

become Alpha of his bear shifter pack. At the same

time law student Mara shows up in town, and Ian

knows she’s destined to be his mate.

When a rival pack lays claim to Mara, Ian and his

brothers will stop at nothing to protect her.

AVAILABLE NOW

Preface

In the space of a few moments I went from kissing
Ian to being held in rough arms as I was carried up
toward the sky.

Disoriented and petrified, I watched Ian’s ranch

disappear below. I tried to scream, but I was
breathless from the shock. Instead I held onto the
creature carrying me, both hoping he’d release me
and terrified he would let go and send me falling to
my death.

Less than forty-eight hours before I was a

normal law student. Now I was falling for a bear
shifter and kidnapped by a guy with wings.

It turned out my summer in small town

Montana wasn’t going to be so quiet after all.

One

Mara

No one should be laid to rest alone. Even if you’ve
been forced to walk the road of life with no one by
your side, you deserve to have someone present at
your burial. At least that’s what my grandfather
taught me when I was a kid. Somehow even at
twenty-three I couldn’t shake the lesson, which is
why I was standing in the pouring rain without an
umbrella.

The weather report hadn’t called for rain. I’d

checked twice before leaving the house dressed in
the black cotton dress I saved for these sorts of
occasions. The material was too thin for the cool
Montana morning, but I didn’t have any other
options in my closet.

I’d made the slow drive over to the old

cemetery just outside of town for the first time
since arriving in Crestview six days before. I’d
witnessed far more burials in the same time period
when I lived in Philadelphia, but it seemed most
people in this small town had someone around to
bury them. I hoped people would be able to say the
same thing about me when the time came.

The rain had started innocently enough. A few

drops landed on my wavy brown hair while I
watched the gravedigger work. I ignored the water,
watching the surprisingly upscale wooden coffin sit
beside the hole in the ground that would become its
new home. I’d been to plenty of these burials
before, but this one felt different. Usually it was
older people who had money but no family. This
man was in his thirties. Had the dead man bought
himself a high-end coffin before he died? Most
thirty-year-olds I knew weren’t preparing for their
own death.

The small drops of rain became larger, but I

refused to run back to my truck. It couldn’t take
that much longer. These burials never did. There
was no one around to make speeches or to play
music. There was something beautiful about the
simplicity even though the reason for it was
depressing.

The worker turned the crank and lowered the

coffin into the hole. I walked closer, still keeping
enough of a distance that he might not notice me.
Explaining my presence was the most awkward
part of these things.

I looked up at the sky, letting large droplets of

rain splash down my face. Was my Grandfather
watching me? He’d never told me much about his
belief in the afterlife. He’d always been more
concerned about his life while on earth.

“Miss?”
I startled at the sound of a voice. The

gravedigger paused with the coffin midway into the
hole. He was older than I expected. At least
seventy something with a weathered face that
suggested he spent a lot of his time outside in the
sun.

“Yes?” I brushed my wet hair way from my

face.

“You should get on out of this rain.” The man

squeezed water from his soaking wet t-shirt.

“So should you.”
He frowned. “This is my job.” Then his

expression softened. “Unless. Are you a friend of
his?” He pointed to the coffin.

“No.” I shook my head. “I’ve never met him.”

And I’d been unable to find out anything about
him. Some might call it stalking, but I called it
honoring. I always researched the deceased in an
attempt to know them in some small way. Even if
you are alone at the end of your life, you still did
something, and someone should acknowledge, even
if silently, the imprint you left on the world.

“Then why are you here?” He tilted his head

slightly.

“Because someone should be.” That’s what my

grandfather used to say. Of course it sounded better
coming from him. More sage.

“Well, I’m here already, so why don’t you go

ahead home.” He gestured with his hand for me to
leave as if shooing a fly away.

“Ok.” I accepted his logic half to be polite and

half because the rain had picked up even more.
“You do an important job.”

His body stiffened. “No one has ever said that

to me.”

“Now someone has.”
“Get out of this rain before you catch a cold.”

His expression was serious.

“That’s not possible.” I shook my head. “It’s an

old wives’ tale.”

“I believe the old wives. There was a reason for

every story they told.”

“There’s also a reason for science.” I may not

have gone into the sciences, but I had a lot of
respect for people who did.

“Is that why you’re here?” His brow furrowed.

“Standing in the rain at the burial of a man you
never met?”

“Maybe.” I shrugged before walking back

toward my truck.

And that’s when I saw him standing underneath

the trees only a few feet away from me. Tall, dark,
and with intense emerald green eyes so bright they
almost gleamed. The intensity of his eyes was only
matched by his scowl that seemed born more out of
sadness than anger.

I looked away, despite my desire to study his

handsome face. Handsome faces brought heartache
with them.

I resisted the urge to look back as I made my

way across the parking lot to my truck. I’d chosen
to park in the furthest spot in the lot. Given the
rain, it wasn't my best decision. I manually
unlocked the door and stepped up into the Chevy
S-10 truck that had been my grandfather’s only
months before. It was nice to have my own vehicle,
but I’d had far preferred his company. I’d learned
to drive in this truck, but somehow now that the
title bared my name it felt different, less like mine.

Choosing to spend my summer break working

in a small town in Montana probably didn’t help
matters, but it sounded good at the time. I needed
to get out of the city. There is something soothing
and healing about silent, dark nights. They are the
kind of nights that only exist in the country, and
even though I hadn’t lived in the country since I
was eighteen, it still called to me in a way the city
never would.

Besides, it gave me the opportunity to spend

more time with Connor—also known as Professor
Daniels, the one person who knew my Grandfather
almost as well as I did. And even if all my law
school classmates were convinced I was sleeping
with Connor, I didn’t care. I wasn’t, and I had no
plans to ever change that.

I pulled out of the freshly paved lot and onto

the bumpy road. I was glad I had a truck with good
clearance. I’d have bottomed out a regular car at
least a dozen times already. I took a quick glance
back out toward the rainy cemetery. I was too far
away to see the grave, but I assumed it was being
covered up. The attractive guy was gone, and a
small voice in my head wondered if I’d completely
imagined him. It wouldn’t have been the first time.

Two

Ian

She didn’t look like a bitch. Nothing about her
suggested she’d been involved with Jonovan or his
death, but she had to have had something to do
with him. Otherwise, why was she even at his
burial? No one was even supposed to know about
it. Normal people don’t show up at a stranger’s
burial—especially not people who looked like her.

I wanted to forget about the way her wet black

dress hugged her body. And how her damp hair fell
in her face hiding one of her eyes. None of that
mattered. What mattered was finding out how
involved she was with Jonovan and whether he’d
planned to make her his mate.

The old pickup truck didn’t fit her. It was as

though she’d borrowed it from her father. Maybe
she had. I wasn’t sure when she’d gotten to town,
but it had to have been after I left a month before.
I’d hoped my brothers would keep things under
control while I was away, but as usual as soon as I
left everything fell apart.

I walked into the trees and shifted, waiting for

the familiar feel of my bear to take over. He was

stronger and more instinctual than my human form,
and he was the only chance I had of catching up
with her truck now that it had already disappeared
around the curve of the road. My vision tunneled as
I adjusted to my second form.

I didn’t have any time to waste, so I took off

through the trees that ran parallel to the worn road
that led back into town.

I caught up to the old truck quickly. She was

driving slower than people normally would. Either
she was being especially careful because of the
rain, or she wasn’t used to driving these roads.

I caught a glimpse of her through the window.

She’d pulled her long brown hair back into a bun on
the top of her head exposing her neck.

My bear growled, and I became even more

certain of her significance and her involvement
with Jonovan. An image of him touching her came
to my mind, and I wasn’t sure if my bear or human
side growled louder. It didn’t matter. There would
be others. I didn’t have to claim her as mine even if
every part of me knew I should.

She pulled into Mrs. Peterson’s long driveway,

taking out a row of dark pink hollyhocks with her
sharp turn. For someone who drove well under the
speed limit she wasn’t cautious with her turns.

She slowed down as if to assess the damage

she’d caused before continuing up the driveway
and over to the gravel extension that led to the

guesthouse. Mrs. Peterson had been renting out the
place sporadically for years, but the girl’s presence
there could only mean one thing: she wasn’t staying
in town long. If she were she’d have rented a place
far away from the watchful eyes of Mrs. Peterson.
But it also meant something else. Mrs. Peterson
would be able to tell me everything about the girl.
Starting with her name.

I stayed hidden in the thick woods that ran all

around the back and side of the property. She sat in
her truck longer than I expected. She could have
been waiting on the rain to slow, but she was
already soaked. She’d seemed unperturbed by the
water at the cemetery. I didn’t imagine a little bit
more water would change anything. But what did I
know? I was as clueless about women as the next
guy.

She opened her door slowly and stepped out.

She clutched a cream-colored envelope and held it
against her chest as she dashed toward the front
door of the small blue cottage.

I couldn’t make out any writing on the

envelope, but by the way she clutched it, I could
see it was important to her.

She closed the door to the house, cutting out my

view. I had no clue who the girl was, but she was
someone special. I’d find out who she was and get
my answers. After that I’d either never let her go or
pretend I didn’t want her. I already knew the latter

would be almost impossible to do.

* * *

Hunt is available now!

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Bonus Sample

OON

ISSED

IRROR

AKE

OLVES

- B

OOK

ENNIFER

NYDER

Something sinister lurks in the Mirror Lake

woods…

Life is different for those living in the Mirror Lake

Trailer Park, especially where Mina Ryan is
concerned. She’s been waiting years for her

werewolf gene to trigger, and the clock is ticking. If

she isn’t Moon Kissed soon, Mina runs the risk of

becoming an outsider to more than just the

townspeople of Mirror Lake. Unless her werewolf

gene triggers in the coming months, Mina will

become an outsider within her pack as well.

It’s almost an unthinkable fate, one Mina finds

herself needing to be distracted from. And who

better to distract her than Alec Thomas, a charming

Southern cutie…who happens to be human? Alec

isn’t the only one who’s captured her attention,

though. The handsome Alpha’s son, Eli Vargas, has

his eye on her as well, much to the pack’s approval.

Bigger issues for Mina arise when she learns one of

her pack members has gone missing and that she

might know something about their disappearance.

There’s only one person Mina can turn to for help.

Too bad she has a hard time trusting herself when

she’s around him…

As the mystery grows while two men vie for Mina’s

attention and the next full moon looms closer, it’s

all Mina can do to keep her head and heart in

check.

AVAILABLE NOW!

One

The flickering letters in the sign hung above Eddie’s
bar pulsed with my heartbeat. Somehow, the
strobing neon lights had become one of the things I
could always count on never changing. There was
another thing I could count on when it came to
Eddie’s too—Dad being shit-faced somewhere
inside.

It was a given on any day that ended in the

letter Y.

I leaned back in my seat and willed my heart to

stop hammering against my rib cage. As much as I
didn’t want to step inside, I knew I had to. There
was no one else. Everyone was sick of my father’s
antics, and to be honest, I couldn’t blame them.
While I was sick of his shit too, I was still his
daughter. We were family. It was the only reason I
was here. The only reason I ever came.

I shouldn’t be here, though.
I wasn’t of legal age to drink. I was barely

eighteen, but no one in Eddie’s would care. All they
wanted was the town drunk to leave the bar so they
could resume their night of fun without listening to
him blabber about the past.

There was another reason I shouldn’t be here

besides not being of legal drinking age—Alec. I
should be enjoying my night with him. We were
supposed to see a movie and spend time together.
Yet here I was, picking up my dad from the bar for
the third night this week. When would Eddie learn
to cut Dad off? Why did he always let him get so
shit-faced?

The door to the bar swung open, garnering my

attention and revealing a lone figure in the
threshold. The guy’s face was shrouded in shadows,
but it didn’t matter. I didn’t need to see it to know
who he was.

I’d recognize Eli Vargas anywhere.
Something about him called to me in a way I

didn’t understand. A way that made me uneasy. I’d
tried over the years to place distance between us,
but it never seemed to matter. One way or another,
we were always pulled into the same space despite
how hard I tried to stay away from him.

Eli sauntered toward my car. A shiver, one that

was hard to pinpoint why it occurred, slipped along
my spine as I watched him draw nearer. It was
always that way with Eli. My body betrayed me
when he was around. Something about him spoke
to a darker place inside me, a feral place. A primal
place

entirely

free

inhibitions

and

responsibilities. I constantly pushed away those
feelings so I could feel a sense of normalcy.

As Eli grew closer, the lamppost a few feet

from where I’d parked illuminated him. My insides
vibrated to life as I drank him in. Dressed in low-
hung jeans and a gray tank top that showcased his
beautiful muscles glistening in the moonlight, Eli
was mouthwatering. Even so, my brain itched for
me to place distance between us. Maybe it was
because of the way my body reacted when I was in
his presence—electrically charged and utterly out
of my control. He’d always represented trouble to
me. Any guy who looked good enough to elicit such
a feeling from me by simply being in his presence
couldn’t be anything besides trouble. He was the
type of guy who left a string of broken hearts
behind once he got what he wanted.

At least, that’s how I viewed him. Maybe I was

wrong, but I wasn’t about to risk it. Not with him.
Not with the way I always seemed to feel while in
his presence.

Eli leaned against my car door and folded his

arms across his chest. My window was down, and I
waited for him to say something. His voice slipping
through the night would cause a reaction inside me
no voice ever should. My fingers gripped the
steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. He
remained mute, but his eyes were fixed on me. I
could feel them. The heat of them. The pull they
harbored.

It had my adrenaline spiking and stole the

breath from my lips.

A loud crash came from somewhere inside the

bar, causing me to flinch. It snapped me out of my
head and forced me back to reality. I hoped Dad
hadn’t broken something again. If so, I wasn’t sure
how we would pay for it this time.

Shouting and low grumbles made their way

through the thin walls of the place. It sounded as
though my father was well beyond inebriated and
had overstayed his welcome with the other patrons.

How much had they allowed him to drink

tonight? Was it Eli’s fault? After all, he was the
newly hired bartender. Which also meant I’d be
seeing a lot more of him.

The stupid universe pulling us together again.
Another round of ruckus burst from inside the

place. I needed to get Dad home before he got
himself into trouble. While it was true my dad had
issues, I was blaming tonight’s excessive alcohol
consumption on Eli. He knew my dad enjoyed
drinking like a fish. He shouldn’t have served him
as much as he obviously had.

My gaze drifted to Eli, ready to tell him that. A

smirk, which caused my lower stomach to heat,
twisted across his beautiful face, and my mouth
went dry. Thoughts vanished as though they’d
never existed.

I pulled myself together. It was something I’d

learned to do at the drop of a hat while in his
presence. Why was he grinning like that? Was he

glad I was here? Suspicion built inside me. Had he
allowed my dad to get beyond shitty on purpose?
He did know I had plans with Alec tonight. I knew
he’d overheard us the other night when Alec was
dropping me off. Eli had been sitting outside his
parents’ trailer. I wondered if this was his way of
sabotaging my date tonight. Even though Eli and I
had never been an item, it still seemed like
something he would do. He didn’t like Alec. In fact,
he’d told me more than once he thought I was
wasting my time with him.

A tiny part of me thought he might be right,

considering Alec was human, but I’d never admit it.

I popped open my car door and forced myself

out. Eli took a step back, giving the door room to
swing wide, but the smirk never left his face. The
bright green of his eyes captured my attention,
pulling me in like always. Eli had an otherworldly
eye color I had never witnessed on anyone. There
was something mysterious and beautiful about it.

“Mina Ryan,” he muttered in a sultry, low voice

that caused goose bumps to erupt across my skin.
“Look at you, all dressed up like you have
somewhere to be.”

Butterflies burst to life in the pit of my stomach,

but I forced myself to ignore them. To ignore the
effect Eli Vargas had on me entirely.

I was dressed up, but it wasn’t for him. It was

for Alec. He knew it, too. The cocky glint

shimmering in his hypnotic eyes let me know.

“Yeah, yeah,” I said as I slipped past him

toward the bar. The scent of stale cigarettes
lingered in the night air the closer to the door I
came. The place was supposed to be non-smoking
indoors, like every public place in town, but no one
ever obeyed that law. There was even a sign posted
behind the bar, but it didn’t matter. People smoked
when they drank in Eddie’s; it was a fact. “Just tell
me where my dad is.”

“Feeling a little feisty this evening, I see.” He

followed me toward the bar closer than he should. I
swore I could feel his hot breath tickle the fine
hairs along the back of my neck. It made me want
to rip my ponytail out to block the sensation; it had
my knees going weak.

I glanced over my shoulder at him. “Wonder

why.”

Eli’s gaze dipped to the gravel of the parking

lot. Did he feel bad now? “He’s at the end of the
bar.”

“Thanks.” I swung open the screen door and

stepped inside.

My eyes scanned the smoke-filled, dimly lit

place as I walked farther in. A variety of
sympathetic and pissed-off looks were tossed my
way. I knew it was because some felt bad for my
dad while others felt bad for me. There were also
those who wished I would have come earlier so

they could enjoy their night escaping their demons
without my dad interrupting.

Deep down, though, they all knew that was also

the reason my dad was here. He was escaping his
demons. Didn’t that make everyone here doing the
same a damn hypocrite?

Dad used to be one of Mirror Lake’s best

mechanics, but a freak accident when I was twelve
nearly cost him his life. Instead, it had left him
crippled. The doctors had said he would never walk
again. He’d be paralyzed from the waist down for
the rest of his life, but what they didn’t know was
my dad wasn’t an average man. He wasn’t your
average human, either.

Neither was I.
The Ryans came from a long line of something

special. At least that was how Gran always
described it. I’d always thought of it as something
different, not special. In a place like Mirror Lake,
being different isn’t exactly uncommon. I guess I
should be thankful.

That something special healed my dad better

and faster than the doctors thought possible. He
became a medical mystery in their eyes. A miracle.
His spinal injury healed in a couple of months, not
entirely, but enough for him to walk again, albeit
with a limp. At least he wasn’t wheelchair-bound
like they’d thought he would be. The something
special in our blood hadn’t healed his pain, though.

That’s what crippled him most. He quickly became
addicted to the pain medications they had him on,
eating them like candy while trying to dull his pain
to a bearable level.

It never lasted long.
He’d eat a handful and then complain an hour

later he was still hurting. The doctors couldn’t
understand why his body metabolized the
medication so quickly, but we all knew. The
something special in our blood could be seen as a
curse in my dad’s case. It was because of it nothing
lasted in his system as long as it should. Gran said
there were alternative medicines he could take to
alleviate his pain besides the death pills the doctors
prescribed him, but he refused to try anything else.

Instead, he turned to alcohol.
He’d told me once, when I’d asked why he

drank so much, if he drank enough he couldn’t
hardly feel anything.

I’d cried for him that night.
It had been six years since the accident. Six

years since he’d let the alcohol and pills take over
his life. Six years I’d watched both do more harm
than good.

My lips pursed together when I spotted him

sitting at the end of the bar.

“Bout time you came back, Eli,” Dad slurred.

His bloodshot eyes bypassed me and landed on Eli.
“Need a refill.”

“No. You’re done. Let’s get you home,” I said

as I stepped to his side.

“Mina, my little Mina Bena,” he slurred, finally

having noticed me. His face erupted into a large
smile as I draped his arm over my shoulders. “You
look so pretty tonight. Doesn’t she look pretty,
Eli?”

My cheeks heated. I refused to make eye

contact with Eli. I didn’t want to see the smirk I
knew would be plastered on his face.

“All right, Dad. Come on,” I said as I tried to

force him to stand. This was going to be harder than
usual. He’d had way too much to drink tonight. His
limbs were practically made of rubber.

“That she does, Mr. Ryan,” Eli surprised me by

saying; I hadn’t expected him to answer. Especially
not with something that sounded so genuine.

My gaze flicked toward him. I’d only meant to

glance at him for a split-second, but his eyes were
trained on me from the other side of the bar. The
same genuine sensation I gathered from the tone of
his voice had somehow found its way to his eyes. It
swirled within their depths. The sight of them
startled me. I held his gaze longer than I should. My
grip on my dad loosened, and he fell to the floor.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry! Are you okay,

Dad?” I bent to help him up at the same time I
noticed Eli jump the bar. His fingertips grazed mine
as he reached to help my dad to his feet, causing

that same strange electricity to fizzle across my skin
that always seemed to happen each time we
touched. I jerked my hand back, releasing the hold
I had on my dad for the second time. This time his
head hit the leg of the barstool he’d been sitting on.
Dad erupted in a fit of laughter as my face became
impossibly hot.

What was wrong with me tonight?
“Here, let me help.” Eli grabbed my father by

the shoulders and lifted him to his feet. He was
strong, there was no doubt, but I wasn’t a damsel in
distress. I could take care of my dad. Hell, I had
been for the last few years.

All I needed was for Eli to keep his distance. It

was when he was too close, and paying more
attention to me than he should, issues spurred.

“I don’t need any help. I’ve got it,” I muttered

as soon as Eli had my dad standing again. “Thanks
for calling me. Next time try not to serve him so
much alcohol.”

“Not a problem, and I’m pretty sure he’d

already been drinking when he came in.” Eli
grabbed my dad’s cane and handed it to me. I could
barely release my grip on him long enough to grab
hold of it and tuck it beneath my arm. While my
dad wasn’t overweight, he was a big guy. At six
foot, he towered over me. Granted, I was all of
five-foot-two, but he also had at least a hundred
pounds on me.

Regardless, I’d helped him out of this bar more

times than I cared to remember.

The first time he’d called me from the bar

asking if I would pick him up, I’d been fourteen.
Scared shitless didn’t even describe how I felt
sitting behind the wheel when I drove over, but I
liked the feeling of someone counting on me.
Someone needing me. Especially family.

Maybe that was my issue, my own inner

demon. I cared more than I should about those I
loved.

“How did he get here?” I knew he hadn’t

driven. His truck was still at home. I couldn’t
imagine him walking the distance either. It was a
good six or seven miles. Then again, I wouldn’t put
it past him to try. He was nothing but determined
when he had his mind set on something.

“He came in with Herschel Ammons a couple

hours ago. Both of them looked like they were
drunk as a skunk. Herschel tried to leave, but I took
his keys from him and called Betty Sue. She got
him about thirty minutes before you got here. If I’d
known you were going out on a date or whatever, I
would’ve had her take your dad home, too.”

I had Dad start walking toward the exit, leaning

on me as we went. It felt like every bone in my
right shoulder was being crushed by his
deadweight, but I refused to let Eli help.

“Cut the crap. You knew I was going out

tonight,” I snapped, flashing him the best go-to-hell
look I could muster while carrying my dad’s weight.

“What if I did?” A devious grin spread across

his face. “What are you going to do about it?”

“Nothing. I’m sure if I did, you’d like it too

much.”

“No truer words have ever been spoken,” he

said with a wink.

I pushed the screen door to the bar open and

eased my way out with Dad still in tow. He had
practically passed out on me and was of no
assistance whatsoever. He muttered something
about my mom, and I knew that was why he’d
drank so much tonight. He’d been thinking about
her again. No doubt blaming himself for why she’d
left us.

The thought of her boiled my blood, giving me

the added oomph I needed to get him to my car.

“Can you at least let me open your door for

you?” Eli asked from somewhere behind me. I
hadn’t realized he’d followed me out.

“No, I’ve got it. Go back to work,” I insisted. I

leaned my dad against my old hatchback as best I
could. My fingers wrapped around the door handle,
and I lifted up before I pushed the button, knowing
it was the only way to get the passenger door open.
“You wouldn’t have been able to figure out how to
open it anyway.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I’ve

seen you do that a time or two in the past. Think I
could’ve managed.”

“What, are you stalking me now?”
“Stalking you, no. Have you forgotten I’ve

lived in the trailer beside your Gran’s my entire
life?”

Of course I hadn’t forgotten. How could I ever

forget someone like him living beside me my entire
life? “Right.”

I pulled the passenger door open all the way. It

protested with a loud squeak, but thankfully
managed to stay open on its own. “Come on, Dad.
Let’s get you home,” I said as I grabbed him by the
shoulders, hoping to steer him through my
passenger door with ease.

“So pretty. Just like your mother,” Dad

murmured. “You’ve got her eyes.”

“Yeah, thanks, Dad. I know,” I said as I gave

him a final shove. He fell into the seat, pulling me
along with him. The car shook, causing the door to
start to close. I squeezed my eyes shut, preparing
for the painful blow of the metal door against my
calf, but it never came.

Eli had stopped it from crushing my leg. “Here,

please let me help.” His hands gripped my waist as
he helped me to my feet. Electricity sizzled along
my skin, causing my heart rate to spike.

I fumbled out of the way and allowed him to

maneuver my dad around in the seat the right way.

A gentle breeze blew, wafting Eli’s masculine scent
to me. My eyes followed his every movement as
my stomach fluttered. Jesus, what was it about this
guy that invoked all these crazed sensations inside
me?

Alec. I needed to think of Alec.
Eli’s help meant nothing besides me getting to

see Alec sooner. I’d already had to cancel movie
plans with him. I didn’t want to have to cancel the
entire night, and if I didn’t get help situating my
dad in my passenger seat, that was what I’d have to
do. My time was running short. I couldn’t stand him
up again. I’d already rearranged our plans twice
this week. He didn’t seem to mind, but I knew
having to do it a third time might bother him. He
would probably think I was a flake and quit giving
me the time of day.

I didn’t want that. I liked Alec too much to

allow it to happen.

He was a good guy. He made me feel peaceful

and content. Normal in some unexplainable way I
always seemed to crave. He made me feel more
than what I was.

And, he was the exact opposite of Eli Vargas.
Where Eli was dark and mysterious, Alec was

sweet and charming. Where Eli was cocky and
primal, Alec was southern and respectful.

They were like night and day.
“There, got him in for you, but I didn’t buckle

him up. Figure that’s something you can do
yourself,” Eli said as he eased away from my car
and closed the door.

“Thanks.” As much as I hated to admit it, I was

glad he’d helped. It was clear I’d needed someone.
My dad was hammered. Again.

Gran would be pissed. Her anger wouldn’t last

though; it never did. She felt as bad for him as the
rest of us. Probably more. After all, he was her son.

“You do look nice tonight, Mina,” Eli said as I

started around the front of my car. His words gave
me pause. What was with all his compliments
lately? While he had always tossed them at me
from time to time, there’d never been so many
strung together, and they’d never made me feel the
way they did tonight—all hot and bothered. “I’m
sorry if I held you up long enough to ruin your
plans with that boy. I honestly didn’t mean to. I
thought to ask Betty Sue to take your dad home
two seconds too late.” He rubbed the back of his
neck as his eyes lifted from the gravel to lock on
mine. The light of the waxing crescent moon above
illuminated his face more than the lamppost,
making it easy to see how genuine his words were
in case I couldn’t hear it in his voice.

“You didn’t ruin my night. That boy will wait

for me,” I said, tossing the words he’d used when
speaking of Alec back in his face. He knew his
name. Why was it so hard for him to say it?

“If he knows what’s good for him, he better.”

Eli grinned.

I didn’t know if he meant he’d beat him up if he

didn’t or something else altogether. I didn’t wait
around to find out either. Instead, I rounded my car
and slipped behind the wheel. My fingers fumbled
with the keys, but only because my eyes had drifted
back to Eli. He was watching me, working his jaw
like there might be more he wanted to say. I didn’t
give him the chance. I cranked the engine of my
car. It whined before sputtering to life. My dad
stirred in the passenger seat and laughed as he
mimicked the noise my clunker made. I wished
he’d sober up long enough to fix the damn thing for
me.

I wasn’t about to hold my breath for it, though.
Gears ground together as I shifted into reverse.

I backed out of my parking spot without another
glance at Eli and shifted into drive, ready to head
home.

The second I passed the sign for Mirror Lake

Trailer Park, I checked the dashboard clock. Alec
hadn’t sent me a text yet, but I was sure he would
soon. I was creeping up on being well beyond
fashionably late and bordering on rude.

Another date had been ruined, and it was my

fault.

I cut the engine on my hatchback and hurried to

the passenger side so I could get my dad out.

Somewhere along the stretch between Eddie’s and
home, he’d fallen asleep. His head fell back, letting
his mouth hang open, and he sawed logs as drool
dribbled from his mouth. This was nothing new.
He’d always snored, but when he drank, it was
worse.

“Dad, wake up. We’re home,” I muttered as I

nudged him. He didn’t budge. “Dad! Wake up!” I
said louder. He folded his arms over his chest and
proceeded to roll over onto his side.

My patience was wearing thin. I needed him to

wake up so he could help me get him inside. There
was no way I’d be able to carry him the way Eli
had.

“Dad! Get up!” I shouted as I gave him a

shove. I didn’t care if I woke up the neighbors three
feet away in the next trailer. It was just Eli’s family,
and they were probably used to it by now.

“Hmmm?” Dad stirred, but he didn’t fully

commit to staying awake.

It took one more hard shove before he finally

came to enough to help maneuver himself out of
my car. His balance was off. I blamed it equally on
his bum leg and how much he’d drank, but knew it
had more to do with the latter.

When I finally got him inside the quiet recesses

of our trailer, I flopped him down on the couch.
There was no point in trying to take him back to his
room. It would only wake up Gran. Thank goodness

the room my little sister and I shared was on the
other side of the trailer. The last thing I wanted was
for her to see Dad this wasted. It would only upset
her. It was hard enough being thirteen and not
having your mom around—I remembered from
personal experience—but it was another thing
altogether to be constantly reminded of how
screwed up your dad was because your mom was
gone. Plus, I didn’t think seeing her older sister
drag her drunk dad into the house was a memory I
wanted her to have.

I tried to spare her as much as I could.
Maybe it was wrong to shelter Gracie as much

as I did, but I didn’t want her to hurt. I couldn’t
stand seeing those I loved hurt. Most of all, I didn’t
want Gracie to worry. I knew she wasn’t stupid.
She saw what went on around here, but keeping as
much from her as possible made me feel like I was
doing something good. Like I was making things
better for her. It had to count for something, right?

I placed my hands on my hips and blew a few

strands of brown hair that had slipped from my
ponytail out of my eyes. Carrying Dad in had been
tough. I was definitely going to be sore tomorrow.
My fingertips reached around to knead the already
tender muscles of the shoulder I thought Dad had
broken. My cell vibrated in my back pocket, and I
knew it had to be Alec. He was probably texting to
say we’d have to reschedule. Either that or he was

wondering where the hell I was. I wanted to explain
everything to him, but I didn’t know how. Telling
the guy you liked you came from a screwed-up
family, one where you had to rescue your dad from
himself nearly every night, was not a topic I cared
to discuss.

It wasn’t normal.
And that was all Alec was—normal. It had

drawn me to him. How completely normal
everything about him and his life seemed. He had a
good home life and loads of friends. Everything I
craved to surround myself with because my life was
lacking in the normal department greatly. Even if
you stripped away my home life dynamics, there
still wasn’t a shred of normalcy to be found. Not
with my family’s secret. Heck, not with everyone in
the trailer park’s secret.

I reached for my cell. Alec’s name lit my screen

and so did his text.

Hey, I was wondering if you still wanted to

do something tonight. It’s getting a little late.

I glanced at the time. Yeah, it was getting late.

Damn it. It had taken me too long to get my dad.
Anger bubbled inside me. Dad mumbled something
about my mom in his sleep and shifted around to
cuddle one of the throw pillows. All my anger
dissipated.

He was hurting. Not just physically, but

mentally.

The sad fact was he’d probably never get over

either ailment. Not the pain from the accident that
still lingered or the pain from my mom leaving.

I didn’t blame him. Instead, I blamed her.
If she were still here, things might not be as

bad. How could a woman abandon her kids the way
she did? How could she walk away from her
family? Her husband?

I understood sometimes parents don’t stay

together, that sometimes it didn’t work out the way
they wanted, but it didn’t work that way with kids.
You don’t get to divorce them. You don’t get to
leave. Once you’re a parent, you’re always a
parent.

Yeah, I still want to do something. – Mina
I hit send and waited for Alec to respond,

hoping he didn’t ask what I wanted to do. Deciding
on plans had never been my forte. My immediate
response was always, “I don’t know.” It drove Gran
mad.

Cool, want to meet at Rosemary’s?
Rosemary’s was a mom-and-pop diner in town.

Everyone went there to hang out. Everyone except
me. I didn’t have issues with the people who hung
out there. The place just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Being in a brightly lit, crowded place was never
something I enjoyed. I preferred quiet places in
nature, dim lighting, and small crowds.

Alec was the exact opposite. Maybe that was

another reason I liked him. He forced me out of my
comfort zone. He was a people person. The perfect
mixture of outgoing and sweet.

Sure, meet you there in twenty. – Mina
“Mina, honey? Is that you?” Gran’s voice

floated to my ears from down the hall. She
appeared in the kitchen dressed in her baby blue
bathrobe and fuzzy white slippers. Her gray hair
cascaded past her shoulders in soft curls and her
face was wrinkled with age, but it was the concern
tinting her blue eyes a shade lighter than usual that
hurt my heart. She was going to be upset when she
saw my dad laid out on the couch, but what could I
do? There was no way to shield her from it. If she
heard me come in, then she already knew the
reason why. “You had to go get him again, didn’t
you?” she asked, her tone sharp.

“Yeah.”
“He’s getting worse.”
“I know.” Sometimes I wondered if I’d wake up

to find he’d died of a broken heart.

“Thank you for bringing him home again, dear,

but you could have woken me up. I would’ve gone
for him,” she said, giving me the stern look I
considered her signature stare in situations like this.

“I don’t mind.”
“Still, I don’t feel it’s your place. I’ve told you

that before.”

She had. A thousand times. Same as all the

other times before, I ignored her. There was no way
I’d send my seventy-year-old grandmother to a bar
in the middle of the night to pick up her drunk son.
It didn’t seem right.

“You look nice. Are you going out tonight?”
“Yeah. I was supposed to meet Alec hours ago

for a movie, but that obviously didn’t happen. Now
I guess we’re meeting at Rosemary’s.”

Gran’s wrinkled lips pinched into a frown. “I

don’t know why you waste your time with that
boy.”

And here we go. Just like Eli, Gran called Alec

that boy. I was so sick of hearing those words. I
didn’t know why everyone insisted on me blowing
him off. Alec was a decent guy. He made me happy.
Shouldn’t that be all that mattered?

“I like him. Isn’t that enough?” I asked,

minding my tone. Gran would get onto me if I
didn’t. Then there was no way I’d be permitted to
leave the house, eighteen or not. Gran ruled the
roost.

“You know it’s not, Mina. Nothing good can

come from spending so much time with him.
Especially not with the next full moon coming so
soon.” She stepped to a cabinet in the kitchen and
pulled down a mug. Every muscle in my body
tensed at the reminder of the coming moon. “I love
you, child, but you’re only setting yourself up for
heartbreak.” She filled the mug with tap water

before placing it in the microwave, and then moved
to another cabinet to retrieve her favorite
homemade tea blend. “You know there’s a strong
chance you’re Moon Kissed. It runs in our family’s
blood.”

“I know,” I whispered as icy panic set in at the

thought of another full moon passing and nothing
happening.

I wanted to be Moon Kissed, but I also wanted

the normal life Alec represented. Shouldn’t I be
able to have both?

* * *

Moon Kissed is available now!

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