Levi sat in the gift shop, trying to keep his attention focused on the large white wooden disk on the worktable in front of him. He had carefully sketched out the figures around the periphery of the circle. Now he would begin painting them.
His hand shook as he picked up the brush and dipped it in the red paint. As he brought the brush to the wood, a droplet dribbled beyond the lines that defined the first bird. Levi wiped at the paint with a cloth, only spreading the stain. Now he would have to sand and re-cover the spot with white paint and wait for it to dry before he could continue.
He was determined to get the hex sign finished. He had given his word to Piper Donovan, and he wanted Kathy and Dan to have something to remember him by. He wanted to make sure that it would be meaningful.
Levi blew on the wet paint, willing it to dry faster. He felt pressured and scared.
He couldn’t find his cell phone. He’d looked for it everywhere. He’d retraced his steps, returning to the Whispering Sands Inn, hoping he had put it down in the kitchen when he’d delivered the pies this morning. He’d searched the lobby area, beneath cushions and under the chairs. He’d checked with the receptionist, but nobody had turned it in.
Levi followed the exact same path all the way back to Pinecraft. He carefully scanned the trail, searching in vain, feeling more and more desperate. The last time he remembered using the cell phone was the previous night. Right before he went to Shelley’s grave.