Chapter 7: Can't Read Her Mind

As a result of the decision she made unintentionally, Flynn ended up having to go with Neil to the Bofinger Wildlife Management Area.

Neil picked Flynn up in the afternoon, while Curtis and Peter were still investigating.

After arriving home after the funeral, Flynn felt that Neil's words were true. The sadness came again when Flynn was alone. Her two cousins couldn't accompany her, so she only had herself. The house instantly felt empty and Flynn didn't like that.

"Have you eaten yet?" asked Neil.

"I'd throw up if I ate anything in this situation," Flynn replied. She took a deep breath and looked out the window.

"The trip will take a long time. I only ask because there are no convenience stores along the way. If you're hungry, there's nowhere to stop."

"Hm." Flynn only mumbled. She felt a strange feeling. This morning she felt like a stranger to Neil, but this afternoon she felt comfortable around him. Flynn shook her head, thinking it was probably just the effect of her being in grief.

"What's wrong, do you have a headache?"

"No," Flynn replied. "Can you just focus on driving? You've been glancing at me. Do you want something to happen to us?"

"I can even drive blindfolded," said Neil proudly.

"Don't do that!" shouted Flynn. She unconsciously covered her ears with both hands. "Please drive properly."

Neil stopped the car. He felt that feeling again, his heart aching as Flynn cried.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Neil pulled Flynn into his arms.

Flynn didn't resist, she let Neil hold her.

Flynn's defenses shattered, she cried her heart out in Neil's arms. That man was the first person to hug Flynn this warmly. Flynn felt safe and comfortable at the same time.

"Cry if you want to cry, don't hold it in," Neil said. He gently rubbed Flynn's back. He was trying hard to restrain himself at the moment from attacking Flynn because the odor of her body was so strong and intoxicating.

After calming down for a bit, Flynn let go of the hug. She felt awkward and immediately turned her gaze in another direction. "You can go ahead."

Neil went back to driving the car. After the hugging session, the atmosphere became quieter. Neither he nor Flynn spoke.

Neil couldn't get that close to Flynn anymore because he could lose control. Flynn, on the other hand, was silent out of awkwardness.

Bofinger Wildlife Management Area, a camping and fishing spot that is perfect for clearing the mind. Neil didn't make the wrong choice, because when they arrived there, he immediately saw a faint smile on Flynn's face. Flynn's red hair seemed to glow when the sunlight touched it.

"Did you dye your hair?" Neil asked.

"No, it's real."

A rare thing, Flynn had real red hair. But she had always worn a blonde wig to cover her hair. Flynn was traumatized that she would be made fun of by people for having red hair like when she was a little girl. In this new city, Flynn didn't want that to happen so she decided to cover her hair with a wig. However, this time she didn't use a wig because she didn't have the energy to dress up.

"Has this place always been like this?" asked Flynn.

"What does that mean?"

"This place is like heaven, it's so beautiful." Flynn gazed ahead, watching the light of the sun going down. "They must see beautiful things like this every day." Flynn was referring to Maria and Shawn, her parents.

Neil didn't answer.

Flynn began to walk closer to the lake and sat down on its edge.

Suddenly Neil threw a stone into the lake, causing an echoing sound from under the water. "Do it like this if you want to vent your emotions."

Flynn picked up the stone beside her and did the same as Neil. She actually felt relief as the stone was thrown into the water. "At least it's useful," Flynn said.

"You know Flynn, there is no such thing as eternal sadness. You have to experience it to make you stronger."

"You're like a one-night motivational seminar on how to succeed."

The wind suddenly kicked up and the leaves on the trees behind them twitched. Then Edna and Jesse emerged from the forest.

Flynn was frozen to the spot because she was so shocked by what had just happened.

"Neil, you can't do this," Jesse said. He ran towards Flynn and was about to push her into the lake but Neil attacked him first.

Neil pushed Jesse until he fell and was thrown back.

Flynn watched the scene with confusion. How could one push send a burly man like Jesse flying? That's what Flynn thought.

Without Flynn knowing, Neil's eyes turned red when he looked at Jesse. Jesse's sharp gaze that was originally given to Flynn immediately changed when Neil said something to him.

Meanwhile, Edna was still watching Flynn as if Flynn was an escaping prisoner.

"Who are you?" asked Flynn. "Why do you want to attack us?"

"You, more accurately we don't like you," Edna replied.

"Edna!" Jesse walked up to Edna and whispered. Nobody knew what it was but Edna's face immediately looked angry.

Neil returned to Flynn's side. "Those are my two friends. They just coincided to go to this place," Neil explained.

"But he wanted to attack me earlier." Flynn pointed at Jesse.

"He does like to joke around."

"Joking?"

Neil faced Flynn and took her hand. "Flynn, how about you forget what happened earlier?"

Flynn raised one eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me as if you want to hypnotize me?"

"Why didn't it work?" Neil was confused. Usually he could easily read and erase other people's memories. But this time he could not do it to Flynn.

"You're so weird." Flynn removed her hand from Neil.

"Alright, I'll introduce you to them. Jesse and Edna, this is Flynn. Oh yeah, I hope you guys don't act like you did earlier when I wasn't with her."

Flynn was actually confused by Neil's strange behavior and words. It wasn't even Neil who was strange, Flynn found Edna and Jesse's arrival strange as well. Everyone she met was strange.

"Don't think too hard. I'll take you home now."

"Why? I still want to be here."

"The sky is already dark. It's not good for you to wander outside at night. There are many dangerous things you don't know about. You'll be safe in your home."

In all amazement, Flynn could not help but obey Neil's words. But just as she was about to get in the car, there was a wolf howl.

"Come on Flynn, get in."