A soft knock on our door woke me early Monday. I slid from between my sleeping brothers and quietly answered it.
“Morning,” Emmitt said. I liked the way he smiled at me.
“Could I borrow your truck?”
“Sure,” I whispered. I left him at the door and went to get the keys. “You can drive it any time you want,” I said handing them over. “But why the change from the motorcycle?”
He frowned a little. “Jim took it to work.”
I smiled at his disgruntled expression. “Tell Jim to take the truck tomorrow.”
After Emmitt left, I showered and got ready for the day. When the boys woke, we went downstairs, still not having any food in our apartment.
Nana called out to us when we reached the first floor. She had breakfast waiting and told the boys that Jim would be at work most of the day. Aden was noticeably disappointed. Three mornings of eating downstairs left me feeling like a mooch, but Nana didn’t seem to mind. When we finished, I insisted on doing the dishes.
Nana and the boys played a board game in the other room until I finished. Then we went outside. I sat on the step by Nana and watched the boys toss a ball back and forth.
The vision I’d had the day before of the girl and her dog still hadn’t repeated itself, and I suffered no ill effects from it. The sudden variation in my ability worried me because I didn’t know the rules. What did I need to do with the information? How long did I have to act on it? What consequences were there if I didn’t act on it?
I had no answers. I nibbled at my thumbnail, slowly removing the excess with my agitation. It didn’t help that I had nothing to do to distract myself from my thoughts. So, I fidgeted when I ran out of nail.
The crunch of gravel heralded Emmitt’s return several hours later. The boys dropped their ball and ran to watch him pull up to the porch. Lumber, a grill, and a bright yellow slide stuffed the back of the truck. As soon as Liam spotted the slide, he started to cheer. Aden, still clueless, joined in weakly.
Stunned, I sat on the porch and stared at the supplies for a swing set. I hadn’t even committed to how long we would stay. Sure, I wanted to stay, but I still hadn’t figured out what to do about Blake. He would track us down eventually. Leaving here permanently might keep these people safe from him, but it wouldn’t help us. I wasn’t sure what would. I needed to know more about what he planned, but the only way to learn more was to ask him. The thought of facing Blake sent slivers of ice through me, and I pushed all thoughts of him away.
The supplies in the back weren’t all Emmitt had purchased. A mountain of grocery bags clogged the front seat. When Emmitt opened the door to step out, I stood and asked if we could help carry in his things.
“Actually, they’re your groceries.”
He’d purchased a ridiculous amount of food, but I didn’t comment. I handed a bag to each of the boys, and they took off into the house. Fewer trips to the store were better, less exposure. Plus, cooking would give me something to do. But the swing set just seemed too much for temporary guests.
“Why the worry?” he asked, studying me as he handed me a bag.
I didn’t pretend I wasn’t worrying. “The swing set is great, but I don’t know how long we can stay here.” It hurt to admit it aloud.
“I told you, you can stay as long as you want.”
He didn’t understand, and I couldn’t explain. Instead, I just nodded in agreement as a feeling of hopelessness and longing consumed me.
“I’m not sure my freezer will be able to hold all of the meat,” I said, grabbing another loaded bag.
“Don’t worry. We’ll put the extra in Jim’s freezer.”
Given Jim’s appetite, I seriously doubted the meat would be there when we needed it.
I continued carrying up groceries while the boys helped Emmitt unload the swing set.
On the way back down to grab more from the truck, I met Nana on the steps. She carried three paper bags. I smiled my thanks. I didn’t know how she managed without dropping something. It had to be a practice thing. I strained to carry two up the stairs.
She helped me put all the groceries away; and together, we marinated steaks and made a salad. With the windows open, I could hear the boys animatedly talking to Emmitt. His responses were much quieter and harder to hear than theirs were, but I could tell from his tone that they amused him. He even laughed aloud a few times. It was a toe curling sound.
Jim came home before dinner, took one look at what they worked on, and pitched in. Thankfully, they were all starving and easy to pull away from their task once they smelled the cooking steaks.
The next day followed the same routine with the exception of Jim stealing the motorcycle. Before Jim came home, Emmitt announced the swing set, with its plastic climbing wall, slide, and fort, was complete. The boys cheered and began scrambling all over the thing.
I sat on the step, slightly bored again. Watching Emmitt assemble the swing set had been a nice distraction. I sighed, and he moved to sit by me.
“I bought a movie when I went to the store,” he said, looking out over the yard.
I turned to study his profile. He had a strong jaw, straight nose with a slight bump on the bridge, and firm lips. My stomach dove for my toes for half a heartbeat before it sprang back with a twist. I caught Nana watching me from the chair she’d brought out to the porch and blushed.
“Would you like to watch it with me?” he asked softly.
The way he said it, a soft rumble of invitation, made my heart jump with excitement. I looked away, focusing on my brothers as they played in the yard. I struggled with what I should say versus what I wanted to say.
Nana interrupted my thoughts before they fully formed. “I can watch the boys out here if you two want to go in.”
That decided me. He and I needed to talk. I stood and told the boys that I would be right inside if they needed me. Emmitt let me lead the way to Jim’s apartment.
The movie waited right next to the TV. Emmitt went to it and lifted it with a dimple-showing smile. I stood behind him and arranged my features into a serious expression while my insides went crazy.
“Emmitt,” I said with quiet reluctance. “I really appreciate you letting us stay here, but I need to say something.” He turned toward me. His smile faded, and I swallowed hard. “I don’t know how long we’ll be here and can’t afford any emotional distractions.”
He was quiet for so long I thought he wasn’t going to say anything, and I started to worry.
“What are we talking about, exactly?” His voice, low and steady, sounded a bit upset.
“The way you look at me…” I whispered with a blush.
Though my mind would willingly paint us in a white-picket-fence dream, the reality was that any emotional connection with these people would just be another way for Blake to hurt me if—no, when—he caught up with us. Plus, I couldn’t afford any entanglements that would prevent me from leaving when the time came.
“I see.” He didn’t sound mad, just thoughtful. “Michelle, when I saw you in the diner, and again when you faced David, I knew you needed a friend.”
Friend? As if someone had thrown a boulder down my throat, something heavy hit the bottom of my stomach and embarrassment began to flood me. Had my attraction to Emmitt twisted what I thought I saw into what I’d wanted to see? I wanted to disappear. Instead, I tried to salvage the humiliating situation with a stab at ignorance.
“Friendship might be more than I can manage.”
He slowly nodded and looked down at the movie in his hands, making it hard to read his thoughts. After a moment, he looked up with a relaxed, easygoing smile and slightly lifted the movie. “So, is that a no to a movie?”
Cherry red and wanting to run, I still couldn’t say no. I was too curious about my reaction to him. Too tempted. At least, we both knew where we stood, and I could breathe again. Well, not really. Not with him so close, but he didn’t know that.
For the next two hours, we sat side by side, not quite touching. We watched a movie but instead of focusing on the story, my mind kept wandering to the premonition and the talk we’d just had. Was it just coincidence I’d had a vision when I touched Emmitt?
Jim got home as the movie ended and plopped down on the couch next to me. He slipped an arm around my shoulders. He felt hot and sweaty, and it made me wonder what he did for a living.
“Where do you work?” I asked, turning to him.
Emmitt got up to turn off the television. Jim’s eyes followed him, and a knowing grin split his face. I didn’t understand it and turned to look at Emmitt. Knees bent, he squatted in front of the DVD player, his back mostly to us.
“Roadside construction. Thanks for letting me use your truck,” he said and leaned toward me, planting a quick kiss on my cheek before standing. The kiss surprised me.
“You need to shower,” Emmitt said in an oddly flat voice, not turning around.
Jim laughed and sauntered back to the bathroom.
I stood, too. “Thanks for the movie, Emmitt.”
He nodded, not looking at me, and I left to check on Liam and Aden.
The swing set hadn’t yet lost its appeal, and I watched them climb around on it for a few minutes before I called them in for dinner and baths. They groaned, but listened. Beside me, Nana chuckled at their reaction, and I thanked her for watching them. She assured me they were a joy.
Once they slept, I paced the apartment. Though I had freedom, I stayed close to the boys and had nothing to do. I recalled Nana’s packed bookcase and left the door open as I skipped down the stairs. Her door stood open, as usual. Before I could call out to her, Emmitt opened Jim’s door.
“Do you know where Nana is?” I asked pointing at her open door.
“She stepped out for a walk,” he said in a hushed voice as he closed the door behind him. I heard Jim’s chuckle through the door and understood why Emmitt had closed it. “Did you need something?”
“I wanted to ask if I could borrow a book.”
He smiled and motioned for me to follow him into Nana’s apartment. “She would insist you take your pick.” He waved his hand indicating the large bookcase. “She used to be a teacher, you know. She loves curious minds and reading.”
His last comment assured me that she wouldn’t mind, and I stepped up to look at the titles. I plucked two from the many rows and asked Emmitt to let her know what I took.
I felt his eyes follow me as I jogged back up the stairs. Carrying one of my selections to bed, I read until I passed out.
The next morning, I listened to the boys plan what they wanted to do that day. Play on the swing set, of course. After they finished their oatmeal, I put on my suit with a tank top over it as the boys quickly dressed. With my book and a blanket from Emmitt’s closet tucked under my arm, I followed them downstairs for another sunny summer day.
Both apartment doors on the first floor stood open, again. It made me smile. We went from a house with bars and alarms to a house without doors, and I loved it.
We left the cool, quiet indoors and stepped out into the singeing heat. Birds chirped in the trees, and crickets spoke to each other in the tall grass next to the house where the mower couldn’t reach.
A metallic clink echoed within the dim recess of the garage, explaining where Emmitt hid.
The boys contented themselves with playing pirates on the swing set while I spread my blanket near the porch in the first sunny patch of the morning. I lay down on my belly and began to read my science fiction novel.
Eventually, I heard Aden’s excited exclamation and looked up. They no longer played in their area. They had wandered to the back corner of the garage where they hunkered down on their heels, heads bent, and pointed at something on the ground. I set my book down and rose to investigate. Please don’t let it be a snake.
When they saw me coming, they ran toward me and excitedly told me about a large animal track. Aden tugged on my hand to lead me to the corner and pointed to a huge, muddy paw print the size of my hand.
“Um, new rule,” I said staring at the monstrous mark. “No petting strange dogs. Ever.”
“You don’t have to worry about that here,” Emmitt said, startling me.
I turned as he came closer. He wore cutoff jean shorts and a light blue t-shirt that bore a few grease smears. Friends, I reminded myself as my stomach did its happy dance.
“I’ve seen the animal before,” he continued. “Met it. It’s completely friendly to kids,” he assured me.
I nodded but still cautioned the boys to stay where I could see them. They continued to gawk at the print while I fled to my blanket and book.
Eventually, the sun rose too high, and I knew I needed to find shade or burn. I retreated to the house to change into shorts then spent the rest of the day on the porch, reading and inspecting whatever new object the pair discovered.
Thursday morning proved to be as uneventful as the prior day. I didn’t really mind. Uneventful was better than discovery. However, moments of consuming anxiety began to occur. I’d find myself relaxing then wonder how close Blake was to finding us. The urge to move, to run again, would flood me. Thankfully, no one was close enough to see my agitation when one of those moments claimed me since Emmitt and Nana had stayed inside to work on the unfinished apartment on the third floor.
By midmorning, the day seemed to drag. I loved my brothers, but never having spent so much concentrated time with them before, I began to feel a little short-tempered when dealing with them. Aden seemed especially whiny in the sun so I moved him to the shade. There he threw a fit because I didn’t make Liam join us. After I called Liam over to appease Aden’s sense of fairness, they just fought.
Taking a calming breath, I suggested they come in to help with lunch. It turned into an argument over who should pick what we’d eat. I settled it by making slightly smashed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They both looked down at the mangled food on their plates and said nothing. Their internal sensors had finally warned them to save themselves by remaining mute.
I opened the windows throughout the apartment and the French doors in the kitchen to allow a breeze while they ate quietly. Before they finished, I decided I needed more quiet time and plugged in a movie. However, paint fumes from the apartment next door gradually permeated our living room, and the boys started begging to go outside. I agreed and trudged after them.
By the time Jim pulled into the driveway, I wanted to rip the keys from his hand and drive to the mountains.
“Rough day?” he called from the truck with a smile.
I nodded, not trusting what I’d say if I opened my mouth.
“Me, too. Want to go out for a drink?” he asked as he dropped next to me on the porch step.
I turned and gave him an are-you-stupid stare. I wasn’t opposed to alcohol, but leaving the boys completely alone while I consumed it—no matter how annoying they were—was not going to happen.
He grinned and stood just as I heard footsteps rapidly descending the stairs inside.
“Let me know if you change your mind,” he said.
He walked in as Emmitt stepped out. Emmitt gave Jim a dark look as they passed each other, but his expression cleared when his eyes fell on me. He sat next to me, and my stomach danced while my heart stuttered. A solid smear of brown paint decorated the side of one of his hands. Tiny speckles of white paint coated his hair.
“Want to watch another movie with me?”
I agreed without hesitation.
Inside, I heard a shower turn on. Seconds later, Jim began to sing. Emmitt’s expression changed, appearing more guarded.
“Let’s watch it upstairs,” he suggested.
I sat on the lumpy couch with a relieved sigh. The door to the apartment remained open. I could faintly hear Jim’s baritone and Aden’s answering giggle as the group made cookies in Nana’s kitchen. It was enough noise to know where they were but not enough to bring on a twitch.
Emmitt popped in a movie he’d borrowed from Nana and, still colorfully adorned with paint, joined me on the couch. This time, I focused on the movie and relaxed…or tried to. My insides continued to go funny around Emmitt, and it proved as distracting as my worry about Blake.
An hour and a half later, I frowned at the rolling credits and wished for another thirty minutes. “I made grape drink at lunch,” I said, standing. “Want some?” I just wanted to stall going back downstairs. I still felt out of control emotionally and wasn’t ready to take on my brothers again.
He nodded, lips twitching, and I moved to the kitchen to pour a glass.
“Were they that bad today?” he asked from behind me.
I wrinkled my nose. Either Jim had told him, or he’d witnessed my reactions to them at some point throughout the day. At least he hadn’t noticed my other freak-outs.
“No. I’m just not used to being around them so much.”
“How much time are you used to spending with them?”
I shrugged, determined not to say more, and turned to hand him his glass of purple, flavored water.
He didn’t take the glass. Instead, he reached out and tenderly tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
A girl stood in a busy, mall food court. She wore heavy makeup. The girls with her talked and laughed. She smiled but didn’t stop scanning the crowd. Dark shadows circled her eyes. I guessed she was younger than she appeared. Probably sixteen or seventeen. It seemed as if she wanted to hide her youth behind the makeup and clothes.
Her skittish gaze began to make me nervous. I looked around, trying to figure out what she searched for. I saw in the food court clearly, but the shops further away faded into a haze. I wondered what it meant that I could only see the immediate area in these visions.
Looking closely at the area visible to me, I spotted a man watching her from across the food court. He appeared several years older than she did. She hadn’t noticed him, yet.
He pulled a phone out of his pocket and dialed a number. I could hear his end of the conversation clearly even over the distance that separated us. It would have been impossible in the real world, but perhaps in my vision world I could hear anything I could see.
“Gabby, I found her, but—” He stopped and listened, never taking his eyes from the girl. “Yes. I understand you think she’s important, but she’s not even eighteen. How am I supposed to get her to come with me?” He paused again. “Fine. You better be there when we get there.” He hung up the phone and slipped it back into his pocket.
I became aware of the present and Emmitt’s thumb softly trailing across my cheek. My heart skipped a beat, and I struggled to breathe. He stood so close. Friends, I reminded myself.
“What are you thinking about?” Emmitt asked.
I took a slow breath. “Nothing.”
He dropped his hand, and his eyes searched mine. “We all have our secrets, Michelle.”
I wanted to snort in disbelief. What secret did Emmitt have that could possibly rival the laundry basket of secrets I carried?
He continued to watch me then frowned slightly.
“I want to show you something,” he said slowly as if just making up his mind. “My secret.” He moved half a step back and held out his arm. “But I don’t want it to freak you out. I just want you to see you can share your secrets with me. I want you to be happy here.”
I doubted knowing any secret of his would encourage me to reveal mine, but I dutifully looked down anyway. He had nice hands. Strong hands. A light dusting of hair covered his corded forearm. How could looking at someone’s arm make my stomach go crazy? I struggled to focus. At first, I thought I needed to find a tiny hidden tattoo or something. As my eyes searched, I noticed his arm hair change. It grew longer and thicker. Startled, my gaze flew to his.
“You can make your hair grow?” My gaze flitted to the hair on his head. It didn’t look any longer than it had a moment ago.
“Sort of,” he said lowering his arm. “There’s more.” He pulled back his lips in a parody of a huge smile.
I stared at Emmitt’s elongated teeth in horror. Panic bloomed. Clutching the glass in my hand, a growling scream erupted from my throat, and I drew back my arm to throw the glass at him. At the same time, I lifted a knee and clipped his groin. He dropped like a stone before I launched the glass.
Eyes wide, I looked down at his prone form. He had closed his eyes, and his gritted teeth still exposed his canines. I couldn’t look away from them. Panting, I tried to make myself move. Run. Run! RUN. The word echoed in the cavern of my mind until I broke free of my paralysis. I dropped the glass and sprinted for the door, clearing it as the glass shattered and Emmitt grunted.
How many of these things existed? Protect the boys. Was this all just a game? Protect the boys.
I sprinted down the stairs, taking three at a time in my panic and almost fell. Jim met me a few steps from the bottom. He held both hands out in front of him, palms toward me.
“Michelle, it’s okay. We can explain.”
No, not him. Of course him. They were brothers.
“God,” I whispered, skirting around him. My eyes darted to Nana’s door, which stood slightly ajar.
He let me pass, but his eyes flicked up the stairs. I didn’t turn to look.
Reaching the bottom, I pushed the door the rest of the way open. Both the boys sat on the couch. They remained focused on the movie still playing, unaware of the danger. My sudden appearance didn’t disturb them. Nana however, stood waiting for me just inside the door. Her stance partially shielded them from my view.
“Michelle, let’s talk in the hallway,” she said calmly.
My heart hammered in my chest. They would not take the boys from me. I braced myself, ready to fight, but didn’t get a chance. Fingers curled around my biceps and pulled backward. Nana stepped forward and nudged the door shut, closing her in with my brothers as I bumped against a hard chest. I struggled until I heard Emmitt’s voice.
“Please,” he whispered, holding me firmly. “Let me explain.” His breath tickled my ear.
Eyes wide, I panted in fear and wondered what he’d do in retaliation for the kneeing. A tear leaked from the corner of my eye. I stared at Nana’s door and tried to think. There had to be a way to get them out safely.
“Shh,” he soothed, running a hand down one arm. “You’re still safe. I promise.”
I used his distraction and loose hold as an opportunity to elbow him in the ribs. It hurt my elbow.
He grunted again but didn’t let go. Instead, he leaned in closer, his nose touching the tender place just below my ear.
“Please,” he whispered. His lips brushed the lower part of my neck.
A tremor ran through me in response. I froze, holding my breath at my reaction. It didn’t fall in line with my let’s-not-be-friends-because-I’d-rather-unman-you attitude I’d had upstairs. I struggled to think past the mind-numbing panic.
His exhale tickled my skin as he pulled back slightly and trailed the tip of his nose around the shell of my ear. All thought stopped.
“I’ll take every knee, elbow, or fist you throw at me because it means you’re still here, and I still have a chance to explain.”
I couldn’t make myself move. I didn’t know how to fight like this. What was he, and why did I react to him? It was too unnatural. A sob escaped, and I shook in his arms.
“No,” he whispered fiercely as he turned me to face him.
I braced my hands against his chest, trying to put space between us. He didn’t seem to notice. He cradled my face and touched his forehead against mine.
“Please,” he whispered. “Give me a chance. Give me time. I’m different, but nothing to fear.” Desperation laced his words.
Nothing to fear? He was everything I feared. How soon before they called Blake? When would he show up to gloat over my stupidity?
“I want my brothers,” I said in a broken whisper.
“Of course. Nana only wanted to protect them. She didn’t want them to see you like this and worry.”
The disbelief I felt showed on my face, but his earnest expression didn’t change. I experimentally pulled away, and he reluctantly dropped his hands. Warily, I watched him as I put distance between us. He straightened and met my gaze steadily. Clotted blood adorned his forehead. Remembering his forehead pressed against mine, I reached up and wiped my face free of tears and potential blood. Emmitt was right; I didn’t want the boys to see me like this, but I wouldn’t leave them in there, either.
I darted a glance to the side and saw Jim sitting on the steps. For the first time ever, he neither teased nor smiled. His sad and concerned gaze tracked my moves.
Angling myself so I could see them both, I reached out to rap my knuckles on the door. It immediately swung open. Nana had a hand on each boy’s shoulder. Gently, she pushed them toward me. Aden and Liam stepped out and curiously looked at the adults around them. I extended my hands and only felt moderate relief when their fingers curled around mine.
Now what? Emmitt watched me. I could still feel his lips on my neck and shivered. I doubted he would let me walk out the front door, but I debated trying. If I would get just one chance, I needed to plan. I was good at waiting…as long as Liam and Aden were safe.
I nudged Aden toward the steps, steering him to the side to give Jim wide berth. Liam trailed behind. I didn’t take a decent breath until we reached Emmitt’s apartment.
The boys remained unusually quiet as I cleaned up the glass, fed them dinner, then got them ready for bed. I considered trying to sneak out with them that night, but Jim still had the truck keys. We wouldn’t get far without a vehicle. So, instead of running, we crawled into bed together, and I took comfort in their little bodies pressed against me. Aden tangled his hands in my hair, again.
I waited until they both slept soundly before I let my tears of frustration fall.
