Shine On by Allison J. Jewell

himself, looking forward to her reaction.
    “Looks like they have a frog legs special tonight! Yum,” Trick said, walking up to the sign out front and rubbing his belly to add emphasis to the words.
    “I am not eating in there.” Ava looked thoroughly disgusted at the grimy windows of the restaurant.
    Emmie elbowed her friend. Honestly, she could be rude. The guys had put thought into this outing, so there must be a reason they wanted to eat here, even if it didn’t look like the most appetizing place. “I’m sure it will be really good. Can’t judge a book by its cover, right Ava?”
    “Emmie this book has a really bad cover,” Ava snarled, reading down the sign. “Chicken livers platter. I can’t do it. I’m sorry.”
    Gabe belly-laughed, grabbed her hand, and led her around the edge of the building. Ava’s mouth dropped open and a light bulb of awareness flashed in her eyes.
    What in the world? Emmie wondered, as she stood by the door and watched Gabe, Ava, and Trick disappear around the corner.
    Silas walked up, put his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his body, “Don’t let go of me, okay?”
    She nodded completely confused.
    “Trust me?” he asked sincerely, his deep blue eyes searching hers.
    She nodded again.

Chapter Fifteen
    S ilas left his hand around her waist as they walked on. He wanted any wandering eyes to understand that she was there with him from the minute they walked through the door. Emmie looked confused as they walked past the entrance to the greasy spoon that fronted the real establishment. He couldn’t believe she was willing to eat here in this horrid place and never complain.
    Her shoes sank into the mud as they rounded the building. Maybe they had planned a picnic out back? She looked around for a blanket or table but there was nothing. They turned the corner and walked around the back of the building. The stench of garbage was repulsive. She did her best not to make a face as they walked around it because she could feel Silas watching her. Emmie didn’t want to be judgmental and hurt his feelings but she was starting to agree with Ava—this book did have a really bad cover.
    The rest of the gang was huddled around the doors of the cellar. “Ready?” Gabe asked Silas.
    Silas looked around and nodded.
    Gabe pulled open the cellar door and laid it flat on the ground. “Quick.” Ava opened her mouth to say something. “Now, quick,” he repeated and walked ahead of her down the stairs. Ava followed behind holding onto the back of his jacket.
    “Come on.” Silas pulled Emmie forward never letting go. She could feel her heels sliding on the damp concrete stairs as they descended deeper into the cellar. It was cool, damp, and dark.
    Trick grabbed the doors and pulled them closed as he stepped down the stairs. Just before it completely snapped shut Gabe reached up and pulled a chain. A single bulb emitted a yellow light that barely saved them from the pitch black.
    Emmie felt her heart pounding in her chest. What in the world was she doing? Anything that leads you into a dark cellar cannot be good, right?
    “Trust me, remember?” Silas looked down at her and brushed a hair off her cheek.
    “Silas, I…” she started, then broke off. He was so calm, relaxed. She found peace in his demeanor. “Okay,” she nodded.
    “Alright. Knock three times,” Silas told Trick.
    Trick did as he was told.
    “Sorry. No deliveries today,” a muffled voice called from the other side.
    “Knock twice,” Silas whispered to Trick.
    At once a small peephole opened and a large brown eye stared back at them waiting.
    “Shine on,” Silas said to the eye.
    The peephole snapped shut, followed by a series of creeks, flips, and knocks. The door squeaked open to reveal a short man with dark skin and the most beautiful deep brown eyes. He was barely Emmie’s height. He reached up and pulled the cellar’s light cord leaving them with only thin strip of light spilling out from where he