Shadow Avenue Book 1: The Hidden House

Chapter 2

I went back to see Morden the following evening after the sun went down. It was Saturday, so I only left the house to run some errands. Sure enough, as I made my way home, he was waiting at the gate right where I'd left him the night before.

This time he was easy to spot. The streetlamp was on its best behaviour, and Morden was holding a book open and leaning against the post. I thought he hadn't heard me coming, but as I approached he glanced up calmly and tucked a leaf—a literal leaf, Maple in fact, and coloured yellow from the cold—between the pages.

His face lit up with muted excitement.

"Hey again," I said as I walked up to him.

"Hello." The word was curt, like he was trying to downplay his enthusiasm. "How was your, eh, day?"

"Better without a giant spider living on my back," I replied as if it wasn't the strangest thing that had ever happened to me. I held up a plastic bag in my left hand. "Also just bought some new seeds for next spring."

"Seeds?" He asked.

"Yeah, packets of them," I hooked a finger on the edge of the bag and pulled it open wide enough for him to peer inside, "It's easier to get plants already sprouted from nurseries, but I like growing them from seeds. Feels more rewarding, you know? Like I actually worked for it."

Morden nodded politely, but I was sure that he had absolutely no idea what I was talking about.

"The only shopping I do is online," he admitted, shrugging, "I'm not really good with crowds. Also," he pursed his lips in annoyance, "Most stores are usually closed by the time I wake up."

I smirked. I couldn't help it. I could tell that Morden wasn't being funny deliberately, but the way he complained was entertaining. I was worried that he might take offense, but he seemed to like my reaction.

"What will they grow into?" He asked.

"Huh?"

"Your seedlets," he gestured a finger at my shopping bag.

"Oh, veggies, mostly." I plucked a packet of tomato seeds out of the bag and held it up for him to see, "I've never tried to grow food before. Well, I mean, I have a little herb planter in the kitchen," I laughed at myself, "But that doesn't really count."

"No?" Morden said, mystified. "Are you planning on becoming a farmer?"

I snorted, then caught sight of his earnest expression.

"Oh, you're serious." I coughed and dropped the packet back into the bag, "Um no, no I don't think it'll ever go that far. I'm just going through the motions to see what I can do."

Morden tilted his head a tiny bit and did that sort of big-eyed smile people do when they have no idea what you mean but they're too embarrassed to say so. I tapped my finger on the top of my other hand unconsciously, unsure how to address this sudden pause in the conversation.

"Anyway," I said at last, "How was your day?"

Morden glanced left, then right, then looked me dead in the eye and tilted his head forward as if to make a point.

"I was asleep." He said.

"Oh." I felt stupid for asking, "Yeah, of course."

There was a small, strange pause.

"I meant to ask before, but your hair," Morden stared my head, "That colour, it's not natural, is it?"

It was my turn to be thrown by a ridiculous question.