Chapter 18

Listening to soft pop music throughout the drive helped calm me, but my pensive mind wandered off and barely paid attention to the song lyrics. I made it to the cabin in a little more than three hours, slower than Topher. I parked on the gravel driveway, thankful that the sky had yet to darken. Though, it wouldsoon, by the looks of it. I trudged toward the front door with great reluctance because of how bold I was to do this, and I almost chickened out. I gave the log-like door a soft knock, and it was enough to get someone’s attention.

The door flew open, and there stood Alf with a reasonably surprised look. “Chip…what are you doing here? I was about to go to bed. You alone?”

I sighed. “Yeah, can we talk? I drove all the way back here and I really just…I needto know some things. Please?”

Alf gave me a cautious-looking nod and stepped back with the door open to let me through. He shut the door afterward and gestured at a small couch. “Might as well sit.”