PK Hrezo

The last place eighteen-year-old aspiring artist, Morgan Jaeger, wants to spend her summer after high school is in the boonies of the Transylvanian Highlands with her estranged father. She never expects to meet the handsome, free-spirited musician, Varujan, who shares her affinity for abstract art. The summer of dread becomes the summer of dreams when Varujan invites Morgan to a secret hideout of underground artists. But when the utopia turns into a thrill ride of terrors that pitch Morgan's life before her eyes she must keep her wits about her or else lose her most valuable asset forever.

A Wicked Thought

“What is the matter with you?” Dad asks from the kitchen. 


He bangs dishes around, attempting to make me breakfast. On the ride home from Veseud, I told him I was too tired to eat. As usual, he didn’t listen. 


He didn’t say much on the drive. But I know it’s coming. The blame, the guilt, the brunt of his frustration at my carelessness. For behaving irrationally. Behaving like Mom. 


Even the good fortune of connecting with a long-lost relative can’t let him forget his perpetual disappointment in me. 


I start up the stairs without answering. 


Dad traipses over the tiles, a frying pan still in his hand. “My own daughter on the verge of a scandal. Unbelievable!” He raises the pan. 


For a minute, I wonder if he’ll hurl it at me. I pause mid-step. He’s never hit me before, but could he? Mom never would’ve let me come if she believed he was violent. Still, his temper is unpredictable. 


Chapter 18