Corbin's Wood
an excerpt

“Drake!” I shouted, striding forward purposefully among the benches. They passed me left and right, my stride never slowing. I was determined to seek the answers to my questions. I needed them. “Drake I know you’re here! Show yourself!”
“My, my. You’ve gotten really good at this.”

I whipped around toward the sound of the voice. There he was, sitting on the back of a park bench, hands in between his legs. He was staring ahead, past the trimmed shrubbery with such an intent interest it made me want to see what he stared at. However, I was afraid that the moment I took my eyes off of him, he would disappear and I would lose my chance. Cautiously, I approached him and sat down on the bench.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said evenly, as if knowing my fears at once. “You can stop staring at me.”
“Yeah right. Since when have you stuck around? How can I trust you?”
“You seem intent to think I always fall back on my word. Why? Because I’m the devil?” He had a point. However, it was still a little unnerving how he failed to show much emotion.
“Then tell me what I need to know. Tell me about the book.”

Drake sighed. Compelled to look the way he was, I did. Three crows were perched in a tree, watching us intently. I appreciated their concern, keeping my eye on them. But Drake was right. I needed to learn to trust. He said he would not be leaving.

“I suppose you want this all from the beginning?”
“I do.”
“So be it.” He paused. All I could hear for the longest time was my own breath, misting out in front of me, and the gentle play of an unfrozen fountain. One of the crows cawed, rustling its feathers. I recognized that sound. Impatience.