Five years later…

“Fin!”

I jolted upright and slammed my head on the beam above me. Cursing under my breath, I laid back down and rubbed my forehead. “What!”

“If you want breakfast, boy, get down here now,” replied Mrs. Haywood. “You’re going to be late.”

“Alright!” I shouted back. The throbbing in the back of my skull had yet to subside, and her constant nagging wasn’t helping. “I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Now, Fin!”

“Alright!” I carefully sat up. “Always yelling,” I muttered as I grabbed my shirt and pulled it on. My head was still pounding, and I checked to see if I was bleeding.

Nathan rolled over and stretched his arms above his head. “Good morning, Fin.”

I grumbled at him and proceeded to get dressed. I was starting to understand why Reese was so cross with me every morning. This new kid was driving me insane with his happy attitude. But least I didn’t get stuck restocking the woodpile anymore.

Hunched over, I dropped the stairs. It had been a lot nicer sleeping up here when I was a foot shorter. I hurried to the kitchen, twisting out the night kinks as I went.

Mrs. Haywood eyed me as she placed a bowl of mush on the counter. “You’re going to get yourself in trouble one of these days.”

“Mr. Hobbs doesn’t mind.” I grabbed my spoon and started to eat.

“Exactly,” stated Mr. Haywood. He was at the table with the girls. “You need to get yourself a real job.”

“That’s work for a child,” he stated, puffing out his chest. “You should let Nathan take over and find yourself a good-paying job. Something that can support a family.”

My shoulders rolled forward as I did my best to hold in a groan. “Mr. Hobbs pays me fine.”

“You only have a couple more weeks before your birthday, boy.” He pointed his spoon at me. “Then you’re out of here. We can’t be having a grown adult sticking around. Who knows?” he breathed. “The governor could come by with a new boy any day ready to take your place.”

“I know, sir.” I sighed. Hearing this every day for the last couple of months was starting to grind on me. The man didn’t care about having “space” for a new kid. He just hated that I didn’t have a proper job in the mines. It wasn’t like he was crawling around in that giant pit, either.

“You can’t support a wife on a salary like the one Hobbs gives you.”

“I know, sir,” I replied calmly.

“You need to start thinking about your future.”

“I know.” I tried to keep the annoyance out of my voice. This was going nowhere for either of us. I just had to wait until he figured that out.

“Look how well Reese turned out.” Folding his arms, he held his head high. “You have the same capabilities.”

Finishing my bowl, I slipped off my chair and grabbed my jacket front the hook on the wall. “Thank you, Mrs. Haywood. It was great, as always.”

“Fin,” called Mr. Haywood.

“I’ll see you all tonight.”

“Fin!”

I quickly escaped through the back door with Mr. Haywood still yelling my name.

Shoving my hands in my pockets, I marched toward town. It was starting to get cold, which always left me in a horrible mood. Everyone else seemed perfectly fine with the dropping temperature, but I hated it.

The town square was the same as always. People were preparing for the day ahead, except for kindling being piled in the center clearing. Did they find another? I wandered over and stood on the outside of the permanently scorched ground. I ran the tip of my shoe through the dirt. Ever since I saw the woman burn as a boy, the number of public executions had been growing.

“Fin,” said a familiar voice.

I glanced over my shoulder at Reese. He tossed another load of sticks and twigs on the pile.

“Did they catch another shifter?” I asked.

He shook his head. “No, the governor just wants to be ready. We’re burning a shapeshifter practically once a week.” He went over to the wagon piled with kindling and grabbed a bundle.

“Hmmm…” I could suppress the thought that I wished they had. It was only during a burning that enough heat was generated that I received a break from the constant cold buried in my chest. “Well, I better be going.”

“Hey.” Reese dumped my arm as I passed. “The Haywoods asked me to talk to the governor about a job.”

I kept my eyes pointed at the street toward Hobbs’ shop. “I’m fine with the one I have.”

“The herb boy?” He raised an eyebrow. “Come on Fin. You’re not a little kid anymore.”

“Doesn’t mean I want to be stuck in a mine.”

“I’m not stuck in a mine, Fin,” he laughed, pressing his hand to his chest. “Those aren’t the only jobs out there.”

“I don’t want to work for the governor, either.” I turned to walk away, but he grabbed my upper arm.

“Fin.” He pulled me over to him. “Don’t be stupid. You’re going to be eighteen soon and on your own. You need a better job, and one that doesn’t make you look like an outcast.”

“I like being alone.” I shrugged.

“The woods are messing with your head.” He tapped the side of his own head. “Working in a mine is a lot better than having rumors spread about you.”

I sucked in my cheek. “What kind?”

“Look.” Reese leaned up against the wagon and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “You’ve helped us capture plenty of shapeshifters. The governor is very grateful about that, but it comes across a little suspicious with all the time you spend alone in those woods.”

An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach. I glanced around, but no one acknowledged us. “It’s my job. The plants Hobbs need don’t grow in the local family garden.” I gave him a sour look.

“Don’t be like that with me.” He dabbed a dirty finger in my chest. “All I’m doing is telling you what I think is best. So don’t get that attitude with me. I beat you as a kid, I can still do it as an adult.”

I nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

Reese smiled and shrugged. “That’s all I’m asking.”

“Well, I have to go.” I backed away from him before taking off down the street toward the shop.

People were talking about me? I clenched my fists. There was nothing wrong with the woods. People just needed to mind their own business.

Arriving at the shop, I found my sack sitting outside and a list in the pocket. Shaking my head, I read through the items. Nothing was very difficult to get, and I’d be done a little after noon. I glanced at the dust-marred windows. There were blurred shadows moving around inside, but whoever it was, Mr. Hobbs didn’t want me to disturb them. But it still annoyed me when he left my stuff on the doorstep.

Grabbing my bag, I wandered down to the cliffs in no particular hurry. This was why I loved the job. It was easy, and I had all day to myself. Just how I liked it.