Chapter 3

The two of them looked more like a couple than we ever had.

In that moment I could almost hear the voice of the man in the dream.

"See it now? Sooner or later they end up together. This is your proof."

"If you don't wake up and get out fast, the only one left holding the loss will be you."

A vicious cramp tore through my stomach.

By the time I came out of the bathroom, they were both gone.

I finally found them in the restaurant downstairs, both of them halfway through breakfast.

Laughing and talking.

Bradley was showing Lorraine a pretty little charm he'd just bought off some roadside stall.

"Weren't you saying a while back that you needed a keychain charm?"

"You like this little doll, right? It'll be perfect on there."

Bradley took it without a hint of hesitation. "So thoughtful. My man Keith really picked the right girlfriend!"

My stomach was killing me. I brought it up three times, standing right there.

Asked Lorraine to take me to a hospital.

All I got back was her total indifference.

"You probably just ate too much yesterday. A few more trips to the bathroom and you'll be fine."

"We finally get a trip out, and you want to spend it at a hospital? What a buzzkill."

Lorraine packed up the fishing rods without even lifting her head.

"Besides, Brad just texted telling me to hurry up and bring the rods to the river."

"He just messaged saying he found a river near the cabin where you can fish."

"He finally worked up the mood to go fishing and wants us with him. You can't be that much of a downer."

I clutched my stomach, my face gone white with the pain.

"But I really hurt…"

"Just tough it out. It's all these bad little habits you've spoiled yourself into."

Lorraine shouldered the rods and started to leave.

I was genuinely angry now, hissing through the pain.

"I'm counting to three."

"Lorraine, if you don't take me to a hospital, we're breaking up."

In all our years together, this was practically our private signal.

If I started counting,

it meant I was truly angry.

And every time, no matter how serious the thing we were fighting over,

Lorraine always caved, softening her tone and giving in.

But this time she didn't.

The cold sneer in her eyes only sharpened.

"Keith, every time you lose an argument you pull this childish little trick. You really think I'm scared?"

"I can't be bothered to play these baby games with you."

In my head I counted silently:

Three, two, one.

I watched her turn and walk off without looking back.

I bit down on my lip and told myself.

Lorraine, we're done.

I went back near the cabin and borrowed some painkillers from the owner.

Only after taking them did the pain ease a little.

Then I pulled up tickets on my phone, planning to buy one and leave this place on my own.

But I dug through the whole travel bag.

And couldn't find my ID.

Bradley had taken my ID earlier so he could book my ticket.

It should still be in his bag.

Face still ashen, I headed out to find him.

I spotted Bradley crouched at the riverbank, head down, doing something I couldn't make out.

I stepped closer to speak.

"Brad, I…"

Then Bradley whipped around, and a snake came flying straight at me!