Chapter 53

• Nova watched the cab pull away and then turn to look at the white fence surrounding the little house. The plan to have them drop here nearby didn’t work out because there were no other homes nearby. A chill went through her, she should have brought warmer clothes. It was cooler this close to the water. She looked around the area, there weren’t any other homes close at all. She’d been worried when they drove past so many houses along the way, but the driver had kept going until it was as if they were driving down a dirt path in the middle of a forest. He’d made comments about how it must be nice to have a getaway this secluded.
• Picking up her bag, she started for the gate. The fence and property were in good repair, so obviously the caretaker the red book mentioned was still looking after it. She approached the door and hoped the memory of where a key was would finally come to her. For half the bus ride, she’d tried to recall where it might be, but hadn’t been able to.
• Stopping in front of the door, she reached out to do the obvious and see if it was locked. Before she touched it, the door swung open with a soft creaking noise. “Hello?” She looked inside, then took a breath and stepped in. “Hello?” She tried a little louder. There was no one there. Setting the bag down, she leaned to look into the room beside the entrance. There was no one there either.