Chapter 19

Duncan drove into the center of the small town. It looked like it had been frozen in time with the lack of progress in the area. The main street consisted of a police and fire house combination, a small market, a single convenience store and the town library that also offered postal services and an ATM that looked out of place.

As he parked in an empty spot, he glanced at his cell phone. Still no reception. He was going to have to find a phone to check in with Richie and Dawson. He didn't like being completely unreachable, but since it was the only way he knew of to keep Celeste out of danger, it was an inconvenience he was willing to put up with.

The little market looked like a good place to start. He needed some food for the cabin and some basics to help Celeste feel more comfortable. He grabbed a handheld basket and grabbed some essential as quickly as he could. This had to be a quick trip. Ideally, he could get back before she even woke up.

When Duncan reached the register, there was no one around. "Hello…" he called out in a loud voice.

Giggling came from the back room behind the registers, just as a teen aged boy came out. Duncan immediately realized that he had interrupted the youth as soon as he came closer. A pink streak of lipstick was smudged across his cheek where the boy had unsuccessfully tried to quickly wipe it off.

Duncan couldn't help but smiles as he remembered a similar situation Richie has been in once.

"Will that be it sir?" The boy asked while bagging the grocery items.

"Yes," the immortal handed him the cash. "Is there a pay phone around here?"

"Yeah, over in front of the police station." He gestured across the street.

"Thank you." Duncan gave the boy a final smiled and walked out with his bags.

The police station looked deserted. Either by the hand of a prankster, or just bad luck, the P and the O were missing from the sign, leaving the label on the building to say "LICE STATION". The windows looked as if they had never been washed and the single cruiser parked out front was a model used in the 80's. Funding was clearly an issue in this town.

Duncan picked up the receiver of the pay phone and put it to his ear. No dial tone. "Great!" he mumbled to himself as he slammed it back into place.

Returning to his car, he thought about how important it really was to reach his comrades. Yes, he wanted to check in with them, find out if they had learned anything new, but was it worth a drive to the closest modern town nearly 45 minutes away. The thought of leaving Celeste alone that long made him nervous. Especially considering how the previous night had ended. He had no idea how she would be when she woke up. Embarrassed and angry were the first two emotions that popped into his head. Would she try to leave if he wasn't there? Facing him might be something she'd rather not do considering his rejection the previous night.

Duncan decided that the best thing for now was to head back to the cabin. Hopefully they could talk more and he could regain her trust enough to feel safer leaving her alone to take a longer trip.

The light coming through the windows woke her earlier than usual. Her room was usually dark with the shades drawn. As reality came into focus, she remembered that she wasn't in her room. She was on the couch of the cabin. The previous day had not been a dream, and Duncan…Oh Crap, Duncan. Had last night really gone the way she remembered? The empty wine bottle on the floor and the fact she had slept in just her jeans and bra seemed to confirm it.

As quietly as possible, she climbed off the couch and searched for the white tank top she had discarded in hopes of seducing her prey. She slipped it back on as she tiptoed over to the bedroom door. Was he still sleeping? She peaked through the cracked open door. It creaked slightly when she touched it. She jumped back as her heart started to beat harder. But she didn't hear him stir at all. A better look through the wider opening revealed an empty bed. She pushed the door open further. He was nowhere to be seen. A loud sigh of relief escaped her lips but at the same time she felt a quick flutter in her chest as the thought of him laying in bed crossed her mind. This man had her so flustered. She didn't want to see him, but at the same time, the thought of not seeing him was extremely disappointing. "What the hell is wrong with me?" She said the words out loud as she walked out of the empty room.

Celeste decided a quiet walk would help her clear her mind. She had so many thought and feelings that needed to be sorted out, and the biggest question. What do I do now? Do I run again, or do I face my fears and live again?

Thoughtlessly, she wrapped her hair up into a pony tail using the hair band that she always wore on her wrist. She walked out the cabin door. It slammed behind her and caused her to look back. But not a quick glance back. The closing of the door represented the end of another chapter in her life. She was finally able to admit that. She turned back around and walked forward.

The phone ringing woke Richie from his light sleep. He was sitting on the couch with his laptop on the arm rest. Rubbing his eyes he remembered he was supposed to be researching the possibility of "Secret Immortal", as Joe had called them. I must have dozed off he thought.

The phone rang again and the boy snatched it from its cradle. "Yeah," His tough guy voice trying to hide his concern for his friend.

"Have you gotten in touch with Mac yet?" Joe Dawson's voice came from the receiver.

Richie sighed loudly. "No Joe, I haven't. I've tried about a dozen times and it always goes directly to voicemail. He must not have service at the lake."

"Or she has already killed him." The thought felt like a sword piercing his heart when Joe said what they were both thinking.

"Duncan is smarter than that. I'm sure he is just fine." Richie ran his hands through the top of his hair. "Have you found anything else about the secret immortals?"

"Yeah, actually. I have found out a lot. But I can't talk about it over the phone. Can you come to the bar?

"Sure, I'll head over right now."

"Great," the older man replied. "Richie, it's not good news."

"Well, I guess we are par for the course then. I'll see you in a bit." The young man set the phone back in place carefully, deep in thought before slamming his palms down onto the table. This was his fault. He had put Mac in danger by trying to set him up with someone he barely knew. I don't know what I'll do if something happens to him.

That final thought had him grab his helmet, and head outside for his bike.