1. Mia

ONE

MIA

I pushed the mop across the faded linoleum floor, lost in thoughts about bills and the bits of my life currently held together by sheer willpower and freaking duct tape. It was another late night working at Mariam's Diner, but I didn't mind. The diner had become my second home, or maybe my first, considering the hours I'd been pulling lately to keep a roof over my head at the Crescent Creek Inn. The inn was pricey, but it wasn't as though I had another option.

I'd been evicted two weeks ago.

Even so, I refused to move back in with my parents. I wasn't about to move in with my brother, Ethan, and the love of his life, Miranda. Their camper was too small.

So, Crescent Creek Inn was home—for now.

When I hung up my apron and clocked out, it was pitch black outside and my feet were killing me. As I exited the diner, I paused to lock up, praising myself for remembering. The first night I'd asked Miriam if I could stay late and deep clean for some extra cash, I'd forgotten to lock up. Thankfully, Miriam was kindhearted enough to not fire me and to give me a second chance.

I was determined not to let her down this time.

As I made my way to my car parked beneath a flickering streetlamp, I gripped my keys tight. My head was filled with thoughts of the comfy bed waiting for me at the inn and the amazing bathtub I couldn't wait to soak in. My feet throbbed in sync with my heartbeat. I had to get these demon shoes off.

Why did they make non-slip shoes so dang uncomfortable?

Unlocking my car, I slid behind the wheel and stuck my key in the ignition. When I attempted to crank it to life, nothing happened. The thing refused to start.

Again.

"Not tonight," I muttered, trying it again.

Still nothing.

"Crap." I beat the palm of my hand against the steering wheel.

What the hell was I going to do now?

Main Street was dead. There wasn't a single soul in sight. Mariam had gone home for the night hours ago. I didn't have the number for Tammy's Taxi service, even though my car had been straight up unreliable lately.

I leaned back against my seat and released a breath of frustration, feeling the weight of my eyelids droop with exhaustion and the burning sense of irritation sweep through me at my string of bad luck lately.

At this point, I needed someone to pray for me, bless me, sage me, or do a combo of all three.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I cursed under my breath. When I opened them again, my breath caught in my throat at what I saw.

A panther sprinted down the sidewalk.

I blinked, thinking I had to be hallucinating, but the panther didn't disappear. Instead, it came closer. Its sleek black fur shimmered under the streetlamps as I stared.

What was a panther doing on Main Street?

Before I could process the scene further, three more animals darted from an alleyway onto the sidewalk. Their attention was fixed on the panther, in hot pursuit of him. There was a fox and two wolves or coyotes.

Hell, for all I knew, they could be gray dogs.

The only thing I was certain of was that they seemed menacing in their demeanor. Their predatory grace sent a shiver down my spine.

My gaze drifted back to the panther.

We locked eyes, and for a brief moment, I felt as though he was asking for help. Without thinking, I reacted. My palm slammed against the center of my steering wheel, sending a loud blare from my horn echoing through the quiet street. It startled not only the panther and me, but also those chasing him. The animals' heads whipped in my direction, giving the panther the distraction he needed to slip away.

Once he'd dipped behind the building, I removed my hand from the horn. The animals stared at me, stunned, but only for another heartbeat before they dashed after the panther.

Had that really happened?

My heart pounded inside my chest. I leaned back against my seat, trying to make sense of what I'd seen.

There had been a panther on Main Street, who was being chased by a fox and two wolves or coyotes. It sounded like something out of a wild dream, but it wasn't.

It was real.

Well, this night had taken a weird turn. Exhaling a slow breath, all I could think about was getting to the inn.

I tried my car one last time, and thankfully it started. I didn't know how, but I wasn't about to question it. Instead, I popped it into reverse and backed out, heading toward the Crescent Creek Inn.