Entwined by chance

hia'

to empty, but that wasn't even the worst of my problems. The check engine light had been taunting me for the past

y frustration alone could bring the engine back to life. Tu

ed for my phone. No signal. Of course. Be

ess stretch of isolation. My fingers tightened around my useless phone. Maybe if I waited a little, another ca

h me as the dark SUV slowed, pulling up beside my stranded car. The window rolled

voice was deep, laced w

the top of my "good life choices" list. But standing out

have no signal," I admitted, wipi

then jerked his chin toward

h my already damp hoodie. With a deep breath, I grabbed my bag and s

pulled back onto the road, h

offered after a mom

nod. No

talker

again, hoping to chip a

e before he finall

ng. Fitting for someone with

e from becoming a ghost story," I joked

wanted to smile but had forgotten

ine. There was something about him-something restrained, as if he

e and the rhythmic thud of the windshield wipers. The town's ligh

lights spilling onto the wet pavement. "Lily'

thing, he was already looking straight ahead, fin

Arnaut," I

. No linger

away, leaving me standing in the ra

ut's

hia

mind long after I pu

dangerous sense, but in the way that

ed, carried an edge of something fractured. I knew the

house that stood in stark contrast to the small-town charm surrounding it. I had designed

rain clinging to me. The silence was immediate, the kind

han a stranded traveler, a fleeting presence in a town she didn't belong to. She would leave soon,