Penn ✔️

Chapter 26

Jax

I decide to stop by Symposium and pick up coffee for Drake en route to our arranged hang out. He may be a big tough man, but he's gonna need a warm drink to clutch on to tonight. He's not at all prepared for what I have in store for him. 

I drive over to Thornton House and a brief feeling of unease sweeps through me as I drive up the winding driveway. Penn specifically forbid me from coming here tonight, in the first text he has sent me since before the Radium Room. I was furious when I read his reply to my earlier message but as the day went on I just felt more determined to keep my plans to hang out with Drake. He lives here too and Penn Hawthorne is not the boss of me, I can come by to see Drake or Dash if I want to. But still, I feel slightly fidgety as I walk up the front porch steps but I'm holding Drake's coffee and my tea so I can't fidget with anything. It's fine, I'm here for Drake not him. And besides, I know he's out of town with Jason now. But if he witnessed Drake and I going out together it would make his blood boil. He's out of town though, he's not home. He better not be anyway...

I do take an undeniable deep breath of relief when Drake steps into the foyer and informs me he's home alone. He confirms that Penn's out of town and informs me that Dash is at Ryan's. Good. That's good. I'm here and I'm definitely not gonna have another run in with him. He doesn't want me here? Well screw him.

And besides, I'm not gonna be in Thornton House for long. Not if Drake's on board with what I have planned.

"So where are we going?" Drake asks as I usher him out the front door and back down the porch steps. He pops the plastic lid off of his coffee cup, allowing the hot liquid to cool down in the chilly late-September breeze. I love this time of year the most, when fall tries desperately not to slip into winter. The fallen leaves on the street are crisp, there's a constant chill in the air and coats are totally appropriate now. I love October and it's just around the corner, bring it on.

"All we ever do is go to class, party and hang out. I wanna show you something new." I answer Drake as I head for my car. "Have you done much exploring around town?"

"Nah, besides college and the town centre I guess I'm not really all that familiar with North Bridge to be honest." Drake admits. "You got somewhere fun in mind?"

"Maybe." I say with a wry smile. "So you haven't explored town much. Have you ever been to the Thornton Estate?"

As expected he screws his face up and laughs at my seemingly stupid question as we stop next to my car.

"Only every night." He answers as he eyes me curiously while leaning his weight against my car casually. I wave my hand, preparing to clarify.

"No, I mean the actual Thornton Estate, beyond the house." I explain. "You guys live in Thornton House, but the house and grounds were sold off separately years ago. The actual estate, beyond your grounds, still belongs to the Thornton family. Well, so everyone says. It isn't private property anymore though, the Thornton's died off years ago, before my parents were even born. I think the estate just belongs to the town now so people can come and go as they please. Not that most people do."

"Hold up. You're talking about, like, whatever's beyond the house? It's just fields and trees for miles, right?" Drake asks in confusion. I smile, clearly he's never explored beyond his own back yard. I got this idea so right.

"You've obviously never wondered why they say the Thornton mansion is haunted, huh?"

*

Intrigued by my mysterious plans, Drake suggested heading back into the house to finish our tea and coffee and gather some supplies for our exploration. We filled a bag with candles and matches, a couple flashlights, bottled water and some red wine. I know what we're about to walk into, but Drake has no idea and I wanna make sure we have everything we need for this. The wine will make it more fun too.