His skis remained where he'd left them in the snow. He strapped them on and hurried along the dark forest path, no longer stopping to photograph the trees. Mom would understand what he had to do. When he became the world's most famous and richest scientist he could buy the entire state of Maine and replant every tree ever cut down. She would be proud of him then. Even Pop would be proud.
Joseph started to shiver from the cold breeze, but didn't dare go back for his coat now. He had to get his load back to his room to find more of the potion. This time he would be prepared with recording devices to document everything. The knowledge would not escape his grasp.
He met the road near Old Lady Schulman's house and started up the hill. His house always looked creepy in the moonlight, like a haunted house in an old horror movie. He climbed up the front steps and rummaged through his pockets to find the key. Not that anyone in Seabrooke had the guts to rob the place. A curse was said to exist on the Pryde family, spanning generations to the founding of Seabrooke when the first occupants of the house were found butchered except for the youngest son, Jonah. The curse had killed Joseph's mother, people around town whispered when they thought he couldn't hear.
The house was silent as Joseph crept along the front hall and started up the stairs. Pop must have gone to bed already. He didn't like to stay up later than nine o'clock so he could get up early to take the boat out. Pop had been on the boat the night Mom died.
The weight on his shoulders reminded him of his purpose. He had more important things to do than relive a past he couldn't change. He had the key to unlimited knowledge and power almost within his grasp.
Joseph paused at the top of the stairs when he heard snoring from down the hall. Pop didn't usually snore and never that loud. He listened a moment longer before reminding himself he didn't have time for such petty mysteries. He went down to his bedroom door, turned the knob, and then almost lost his footing in shock when he hit the light switch.
There was a girl in his bed! She looked about the same age as him, but he couldn't remember seeing her before. He wouldn't have forgotten a girl with skin such an exotic bronze and hair such a glossy black. He certainly wouldn't have forgotten those juicy melons pressing against her T-shirt.