Welcome to the Point: A Point Epoch Tale by Cloud Riser (polar express read aloud txt) 📕

There had to be a good story she was keeping to herself. I’d get it out of her later.

A good story has always been too irresistible for me to ignore. I absolutely love gossip and scandal.

Normally, I’d have pressed for more information. Lucretia made me do all kinds of things different from “normal,” though. Right away, I knew she’d be worth the work. For the first time ever, I discovered the long game could be fun.

When we arrived in front of the sprawling mansion on top of the hill, I couldn’t help but admire it. I’d been close to it before from other deliveries. On the outside, everything about it looked the same. Red brick walls and large elaborate windows. The mansion had three floors and enough bedrooms to support half of the town. I’d heard rumors of an incredible ballroom, but never been inside of the house itself to see it.

Usually, the prestige of the place intimidated me. Like the Purchase family’s arrogance set the mood for the property.

Something about the mansion felt different that day. I wouldn’t say I felt welcome there, or lighter. Whoever the Delorne’s were, they didn’t exude joy, peace, and harmony. Darkness prickled my sixth sense, making sure I knew to be wary…or perhaps it was the house that was wary of me.

It sounds crazy—a house sending off feelings. That perception thing again. Back then I didn’t understand the true depth of that gift. I just knew when things felt right and when they felt wrong. Being there with Lucretia didn’t feel like either of those things. I wasn’t wanted, and yet I wasn’t fully rejected either.

In the moment, I explained those feelings away by pinning them on her. She didn’t know what to think of me, and I could sense it. If only I’d known the truth.

She looked over to the house and then back at me. “I can take the bag in myself. Thank you for the ride, William. It was wonderful to spend more time with you. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

“You’re welcome.” If I was a cat, curiosity would have killed me. Oh, how I wanted to ask for more. What did she even mean by that last statement? Instead, I said, “I hope to see you around soon.”

“Me too,” she said softly.

We both got out of the cart, and I handed her a bag. Our hands brushed against one another. I watched her until she disappeared into the house.

Yeah, I was smitten.

Chapter Five

Interlude

“You know a lot about this William guy’s roots,” Delia said.

Trevor bristled when she said my name so nonchalantly. “It’s all public record here in town. Where he originated, his life growing up, everything.”

“He sounds pretty normal. Not at all like the evil mastermind you paint him out to be.” The smile she gave him would have made my heart go pitter-patter with delight. She dared to defend me, and I loved her all the more for it.

I could tell Trevor wasn’t amused in the slightest. He took in a slow breath. “You want the background, this is it. Seeing how normal he was helps prove how manipulative he was too. How easy it is to fall astray from the path of good.”

Ugh, can he be any more overdramatic? Seriously. What does she see in this doorknob?

Okay, I’m sure, dear reader, there’s also some confusion. I was just going on and on about how I was smitten with Lucretia, yet here I am going on and on about how into Delia I am. What gives? I promise it’s all going to make sense. For now, just put a pin in it and trust me. I haven’t lied to you yet, have I?

Delia frowned at his words. “I believe you when you say he’s bad. When he visited me in my dreams, everything felt off. But…”

“But?” Trevor asked.

She shook her head. “Never mind, you’re right.”

What she didn’t say was that we had a connection in that dream. Perhaps I felt dark and scary, but I know she could also feel my love. Can someone who is pure evil experience love? Give it? I think not. She doubted; and as long as that doubt remained, I’ll always have a foothold through her.

Trevor grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I can skip ahead if you want.”

“No, I’m curious about how someone could turn so bad. The catalyst has to be good.”

He glanced at her. “Good?”

“A good story!” She giggled. So cute.

Trevor didn’t like it. He frowned even more. “Entertaining, you mean? I’m not telling you all of this to compete with your TV dramas. No way am I that desperate for your attention.”

“Woah, Trev…” The look on her face showed nothing but the heartbreak she must have been feeling on the inside. Trevor took things way too seriously. She grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. “All I wanted to do was lighten the mood a little, and it’s not fair to judge me for finding this fascinating. It is!”

He gazed down at her hand holding his. Her touch seemed to calm him. “How you feel about…him…”

“William.”

“Yes.” He gagged. I am not making that up. He actually gagged because he couldn’t say my name!

Trevor took in a slow breath. “How you feel is going to end up being a huge factor in how the future unfolds. Even something as simple as being fascinated by him could lead to disaster.”

“Then make him less interesting.”

Quite the challenge if there ever was one.

“Fine,” Trever said. “I’ll stop skirting around the truth and tell you about what a monster he really is.”

Chapter Six

She Put a Spell on Me...and Now I’m Hers

This is the part where I take over