Chapter 22 Bowmore
695words
I stretched my arms before sitting up, taking a moment to absorb where I was. After Kayn scared me with his snake nest story, I decided for the better to sleep on my parents' bed.
Dad was out on a ghost hunt mission at a hotel in Bowmore, so Mom didn't protest when I asked if I could sleep in here.
When I told her about the snake incident, she panicked and wanted to phone dad to come home. I managed to calm her.
Mom may be into cryptids, but nothing scared her more than a snake.
It had something to do with when she was a kid but refused to relay the story to me.
"Yeah," I yawned, stretching for a second time.
"I have someone coming over to do a thorough search inside and around the house for any snakes or nests. The caravan too. I've got some money on the counter in the kitchen, the one by the kettle. Take it then go to town and do something fun, okay? It would be safer if you weren't here when they're poking for snakes."
I wasn't going to say no to an opportunity to get away from here. I smiled. "Sure, I'd like that. Thanks, Mom."
"If I could, I would have gone with you, but I need to stay here and oversee everything."
"I know, don't worry about it."
"It makes me feel bad, you know?" Mom gave me a sad look."I know I've been neglecting you. But I promise I'll make it up soon."
I smiled. "Mom, for real, it's okay. I know you have a lot of work to do and I'm a teenager, remember? We prefer solitary spaces without adults."
"Normal teenagers like chaos, without adults," Mom corrected with a sly smile.
"Guess I've missed the boat by far when it comes to normal."
"And I'm so grateful for that." Mom gave me a side hug before I got up from the bed. "Have fun and be safe, please."
"I will."
"Love you, honey."
"Love you too, Mom."
I dressed and was out the door in half an hour, walking up the dirt road to take the raft into town. This was something that would take some time for me to get used to.
I had to take a boat to get into town, to school—or anywhere, for that matter.
Thunder crackled in the distance, but there wasn't a wind, and I was confident I would make it to Bowmore before the rain would hit.
The short boat ride was awkward with a strange man, and without anyone related to talk to. I've seen him countless times before, but never alone. He kept smiling at me and talked about how much he loved Scotland and even suggested a few tourist attractions I should visit.
Those included haunted castles and Loch Lomond.
Ha, the irony.
I smiled and thanked him when we finally reached Bowmore, lying through my teeth when I said I would check out those places sometime.
I passed stacks of water-stained crates stinking like the inside of an ashtray. As I rounded the crates, a middle-aged lady bolted past me and peered in behind. "What the hell do ya think ya kids are doin' over here!"
Three heads of boys around the age of twelve popped up from behind the crates, one disposing of a lit cigarette onto the street—not without the lady noticing.
I bit down my smile, making a turn for the first street as the woman voiced her anger. I scouted outdoor vendors, popping into a few stores here and there, and passed Martha sitting on her bench people watching.
Her basket topped with balls of yarn left untouched beside her, and I noted she wasn't wearing any shoes. I wondered if it was by choice, or if she had any.
Trying not to be rude by staring, I glanced the other way and headed toward another vendor selling jewelry and trinkets.
"Girl?" I heard a soft voice call out.
