Sinth Stalker - Pearl Tate

CHAPTER ONE

- Zoey

The earth vibrates beneath my feet as I walk down the rotted steps of the front porch of the cabin. I ignore the ground rumbling under me as it starts to die out. Looking up at the smoking volcano in the distance, I note the cloud cover from earlier this morning has cleared. I can now see the Hengill expelling the volcanic ash that has everyone worked up. But, like usual, as soon as it begins, it ends. Just another day.

After all, I’m living in an area which has been restricted due to the danger that’s been ramping up for years. Six months ago, shortly before I decided it was make-or-break time for myself, the specialists declared this area around Hengill off-limits. I’ve become used to seeing the large volcano out my window spew smoke and the occasional debris.

This property has been in my family for generations. In fact, this small, rustic cabin was where my mother grew up. I’ve been out here on and off through the years, but it’s been close to ten years since I spent any length of time out here.

I reach the well in the middle of the forest clearing and lift up the heavy wooden cover before lowering down the bucket and drawing up sulfur-tinted water which I’ll use to clean my dishes. I should have pulled some water earlier, but I must admit, I’ve had a funny feeling all day. Not foreboding exactly … and not the way I felt when I realized Einar would be home from work soon!

My feelings for him have changed so much from when I was dating him. Originally, I was flattered when one of my customers at the small diner down the road asked me out. He seemed so worldly and wise, with his high-tech job and connections in the government. I mean, I was just an overweight waitress.

Slowly, I pull up the nearly full bucket of water. I may still be considered fat by the rest of the world, but I’ve created a good layer of muscle beneath it. Two long years of changing my diet and exercising every day to strengthen my core has definitely paid off. Breathing heavily, I pull the bucket up and over the lip of the well. Letting myself fall on my butt, I look back up at the volcano which is already returning to normal.

Any residual ash has begun floating off to the east, making it appear as if the noise and grumbling were all imagined. As if it’s saying, “What? Me? Noooo, of course not.”

Yeah, and how many times did I hear those words from Einar? Sure, in hindsight, now that I know better, there were signs. The controlling way he’d buy me clothing and want me to wear it. How my hair had to be a specific way when I went out with him. But who was I to argue? If he liked my hair and makeup a certain way … okay. It seemed harmless enough at the time.

If he wanted me to only discuss certain things with his coworkers’ wives? Not a problem. It’s not like I was Miss Socialite, anyway. After finishing high school, the extent of my social interactions were going into Fisherman Fish Shack and dealing with my boss, coworkers, and the regulars.

Lugging the bucket back across the yard and into the house, I set it next to the sink before giving a quick rinse to the bowl and silverware I used for dinner. It’s getting late, and I still want to spend some time reading before it gets too dark. The less I use the candles and oil I brought out for the old lamps, the better. Basically, when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Then, I’ll have to go back and face the music. My mind wanders even as another vibration sloshes the water over the lip of the bucket while I have it tilted. Hengill’s as angry as my ex-husband, blowing smoke and rattling the dishes.

Einar was always angry. That was the problem. Unfortunately, his expression of anger wasn’t just blowing off steam - it included his fists.

Finishing up the dishes, I think about the strange way I’ve felt all day. I’ve actually felt drawn to go outside. Drawn to town almost. At least toward the west.

But that makes no sense because I’m safest here. It’s normally quite the hike into town. Although that two-day hike took me three days when I made my way here since I had to drag along all

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