The Hunted (The Abandoned Series Book 1)

by C. J. Hart

  This is really it.

  I sniffle, thinking of all the things I’ve lost over the past twenty-four hours. In my lifetime.

  “Don’t worry.” He curls an arm around my shoulders. “You’ll work things out with him eventually. Until then,” he heaves my bulging suitcase into the trunk, “you have a home with us.” He opens the passenger door for me. “Can I drop you anywhere?”

  I sigh and slide in. “Take me to Roadrunner Records.”

  When I locate Seb, I crush myself to him.

  “Whoa, hey, beautiful.” He lifts up my chin. “How did it go? I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.”

  My vision blurs. I swipe the back of my hands furiously over my cheeks. “Now I know how you feel—homeless, parentless.”

  He stares into my eyes for a beat, swallows hard, and then turns to Liam. “Can you help the next customers? I’m taking five.”

  “Sure.”

  A wave of guilt crashes over me. I hadn’t noticed him at the register.

  Seb tows me into the back room. “Tell me everything.”

  As I fill him in, I trace the veins on his forearm with my pinkie. “Yeah, and then he said I’m an inconvenience.”

  “You don’t believe him, do you?”

  I shrug a shoulder. “I don’t know what to think about anything anymore.”

  He tears a tissue from the box and dabs at my eyes. “We orphans gotta stick together.” He smirks.

  “Indeed we do.”

  “Seb,” Liam’s voice floats in. “You got another visitor.”

  A beat later, Kat ambles in. “Yo. How we all doin’?” He freezes midway. Must’ve seen my face. “I can come back…”

  I shake my head. “I should get back to the Adler’s.”

  “Are you sure?” Seb says. “I can’t let you walk by yourself.”

  “I’ll take her,” Kat says.

  “That’ll be cool with me.” I blow my nose.

  “I’ll circle back later to tell you the latest rez gossip.”

  Seb snorts. “What—like hairstyles and this season’s colors?”

  I chuckle.

  Kat glares at both of us, trying hard not to smile. “C’mon, blondie.”

  I stand on the tips of my toes and kiss Seb. “See you tonight?”

  He bobs his head twice.

  “Hey, speaking of dinner,” Kat says as he walks me out. “Can I come?”

  “We’ll ask Sarah when we get there.”

  He takes that as a yes and grins. “Cool.”

  Waving bye to Liam, I step into the balmy afternoon. I can feel Kat’s eyes on me. “What?”

  “You havin’ a bad day or somethin’?”

  I snort. “You could say that.”

  “Anythin’ I can do to help?” A flash of a grin.

  “Not let me get pummeled by this Ash dude.”

  “Sure, but I meant right now.”

  “Oh.” I swing my bag as we walk. “I don’t know if there’s anything you can do.”

  “Well, when you figure it out, let me know.”

  “You’re a softie.” I link my arm in his.

  “Don’t tell the others that,” he whispers.

  “Your secret’s safe with me.”

  “Good.” His grin widens. “Now, who hurt you? Who do I have to punch?”

  I stroke his arm. “If I tell you, you might kill him.”

  His face drops. “Nah-uh. Don’t do that anymore.” He shakes his head for emphasis.

  “Just teasing.”

  “Oh, phew!” He thinks for a beat. “It’s not Seb, is it?”

  “Pardon?”

  “That’s upset you?”

  I beam. “No, he’s a gem.”

  “Good.”

  We separate as an elderly couple approach us, regrouping as they pass.

  “Have you ever lost someone, Kat?”

  “You’re talkin’ about your friend, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “My mom. I’m real sorry ’bout Eve by the way.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  We reach the house and he hesitates, shifting from foot to foot.

  “Scaredy-Kat. What’re you afraid of?” I push open the door.

  He watches me kick off my shoes in the hall and hang my bag on the coat rack.

  Is it because he’s never been inside without Seb? “You coming or what?” I say over my shoulder.

  He sighs, trudging up the steps.

  I find Sarah and Jess in the kitchen. “Hope you don’t mind, I invited a friend for dinner.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Mrs. Adler says, “your friends are welcome.”

  Kat appears in the doorway.

  She notices him. “Especially you, handsome.”

  Is he blushing? I stifle a giggle.

  “You should invite your other friends.” Sarah passes me a muffin.

  It’s still warm. “Okay. Will do.”

  Kat’s eyes widen as he leans against the doorframe. Maybe he hasn’t been around this many humans at once.

  “What do you think?” I say to him, trying to gauge whether adding more delicious humans to tonight’s guest list is something he can cope with.

  He nods. “Sounds fun. What’s for dinner, Mrs. A?”

  “Jack’s bringing pizza.”

  “Awesome.” He taps my shoulder. “I’ll swing back a bit later. Gotta speak to Sebby.”

  “Sure, thanks for walking me home.”

  “Anytime.” His disappears into the hall.

  Jess wipes a dish towel over a plate. “Strangest yellow eyes, that one.”

  Sarah’s gaze meets mine for a moment, and then she turns away. “Jess, sweetie, can you grab me the good silverware? It’s packed away in the garage.”

  My finger traces the flower pattern on the placemat as we wait for the eldest sibling to venture outside.

  Sarah swivels to face me. “How are you coping with everything, Cassie?”

  I shake my head, not knowing what to say. My father left me here; he doesn’t care. I’m worried Seb won’t come home one day. I’m terrified of losing someone else. These thoughts come easily, as they do every night when I’m lying in bed, but I don’t know how to voice them.

  Sarah offers me a wad of tissues as Jess comes striding back into the house. I hadn’t realized I was crying, but I’m choking back sobs now and trying to rub the sadness I feel from my eyes.

  Sarah reaches for the wrapped bundle in her daughter’s hands. “Thanks, darling.”

  “Excuse me.” I push back my chair as my eyes continue to fill with salt water and feel my way to Seb’s room—my room. Our room. I hear someone follow me.

  “Leave her, Jessica.”

  The footsteps halt. I shut the door and lean against the back of it, allowing the fear and searing misery to overcome me. I’ve lost everything. And gained so much I forgot I was missing.

  That night, Mr. Alder arrives home with six pizzas. “Hi everyone,” he says, his face worn. “I trust you all had an okay day?”

  We each mumble our answers, all still affected by Eve’s departure. Miley, Xay, and Whitney have joined us; Whitney took a bit of convincing to get here—from Miley and myself—once he found out that Seb and Kat were going to be there. The ten of us cluster around the six-seater dining room table.

  “Good, good,” he says as he sets the pizzas in the middle.

  Liam drags one box to his end of the table. He and Kat grab a slice each. Seb flips open another, hands me a slice of supreme. Miley stares at us, probably wondering, How can you eat? I don’t know how, but for me, it’s better than sitting around doing nothing. Or thinking about things I shouldn’t.

  “We should send flowers,” Miley says, “or something. I can’t imagine what the Murpheys are going through.”

  Sarah squeezes her shoulder. “None of us can, dear.”

  “Maybe Cassie can,” Liam says.

  My eyes snap to his. “I doubt losing a parent is the same as losing a child.”

&
nbsp; His mouth twists in agony, and I wonder if I was too harsh.

  Xavier selects a slice, hesitant. “Poor Riley.” He offers the pizza to his girlfriend.

  She declines.

  Eve’s brother—I’d forgotten about him. My spirits take a dive. Whitney whimpers. I throw an arm around him for comfort.

  “Can I get anyone anything to drink?” Sarah says.

  A few joke about doing shots.

  “Non-alcoholic, I’m afraid. You’re all still underage—except Jess, and she’s pregnant.” Her hand brushes my shoulder as she passes. “Cola all right with everyone?”

  We nod in unison.

  “Can we talk about something else?” I say. “I’m trying so hard not to lose it.”

  “Sure,” Jess says. “Hmm.” She’s quiet for a second, thinking. “What’re all of you planning for next year? Anyone got accepted into colleges yet?”

  Jess manages to keep the chatter light for the rest of the night, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

  “Thank you,” I mouth as we’re seeing everyone out.

  She hugs me, squeezing tight. “You’re welcome. You need anything, just say so.”

  I hear Miley sniffle behind us.

  Jess rolls her eyes and holds an arm out for her. “Okay, come on.” She smiles as Miley completes the circle, hugging us both.

  A moment too soon, Miley releases us. “Sorry, I’ve got to get home. I have a strict nine o’clock curfew now.”

  “I’ll see you at school,” I say and watch her leave with Whit and Xay.

  Kat waves goodbye. “Later.”

  Liam closes the door after him. The six of us stand in the quiet for a minute, before dissipating to our designated parts of the house—Seb and me to our bedroom, Liam to the garage, Jess to her room, Jack and Sarah to the kitchen.

  Seb hugs me tight to his chest. “What’d you wanna do now?”

  I wriggle my arms free and wrap them around him. “This.”

  “What a crap couple of days, eh?”

  “I just wanna forget it all. Maybe I’m dreaming…”

  He pinches my side.

  “Yow!”

  “Hate to tell ya, babe, but you’re not dreaming.”

  “Wish I were.”

  “We can wish all we like. I don’t think it makes our problems go away.”

  “Wish they would.”

  He knocks my legs from under me and carries me over to the bed. “We should probably try to get some sleep.”

  As if that’s gonna happen any time soon.

  “Or we can stay up again. Look at all this leftover candy.” He drags the torn paper bag closer with a grin. “We’ve got hours of fun left here.”

  “What’s on to watch?”

  “Let’s see.” He picks up the remote and taps the power button. The screen flickers on.

  “You’re lucky to have a TV in your room.” I never had one in mine.

  He clears his throat. “Our room.”

  “Yes.”

  “Think of this as a test, step number one towards our future.” He touches his lips to my cheek. “First, a room together.”

  “Check.”

  “Then a house. What’d ya reckon?”

  I snuggle into him, sniffing his spearmint and sage scent. “I think it’s the best thing I’ve heard this year.”

  “Oh, I’m that impressive?” he teases. “Guess I’ve gotta compete with my charming self.”

  I snort. “You’re so full of yourself sometimes. But there is no competition.”

  He lifts an eyebrow. “Not even Marcus, if he were available?”

  “Never had a chance. No one’s gonna steal me away from you, not even Mr. Perfect or Mr. Rich.”

  “Interesting.” He flips through the channels at an alarming pace.

  How can he tell what’s on? Or are fast eyes part of the wolf package, too?

  “What’re you in the mood for,” he says, “movie or rerun?”

  “Hm, you choose.” I can’t be bothered.

  “Movie.”

  I snatch the packet of raspberry licorice and nibble on a piece as I watch the cartoon dog chase after its owners. “You think we’re ever going to be happy? No family disasters?”

  “I believe so, yes.”

  “Me, too.”

  “But right now it feels improbable, eh?”

  I nod.

  “It’ll pass. Life will resume normality—maybe not for me.”

  “You can’t expect your old life to be resurrected. That’s as good as gone.”

  He sighs. “I know.”

  Maybe mine, too.

  It’s odd eating breakfast with a different crowd. No un-caffeinated Dad or Lizzy mewing for food. Everyone squeezes themselves in at the dining table and picks at the assortment of breakfast foods on offer—pancakes, raisin toast, and French toast. Are mornings always awesome in this house?

  “You know,” Jack says, “we only eat like this when we have company.”

  I guess not. I sip my coffee. “Guess you’re lucky then, to have a new addition.”

  He returns my smile and nods once. “That we are.”

  Since this food won’t be a regular occurrence, I pile my plate high. But the more time I spend eating, the less I seem to want to go to school.

  Seb, reading this on my face, says, “Sarah, does Cass have to go to school today?”

  She turns to look at me, coming to the same conclusion. “Think you can catch up?”

  “Yes. And Liam’s in a few of my classes.”

  He leans over his plate and grumbles, “So, naturally she expects me to help her.”

  Sarah shoots him a glare that could slice through bone. “Liam.”

  “I mean—certainly, I’ll help you, sis.” He flashes me a grin and shovels more toast in.

  “Okay, then. I’ll write you a note. You might have to explain why it’s not from your dad.”

  I think as I munch on a corner of French toast. “I can get Uncle Scott to call them.”

  “Are you sure?” she says.

  “Yeah.”

  “You wanna come to work with me?” Seb gulps his orange juice.

  “Hm. I don’t suppose you’d take ‘no’ for an answer?”

  “Nope.”

  “I suppose I will, then.”

  Jess bumps my elbow. “Pass the syrup, please?”

  Handing it to her, I say, “What’re you doing today?”

  She beams. “Shopping.”

  “Aw. Can I go with her instead?” I say to Seb.

  “If you want,” he says.

  “It’s only for a couple of hours, but you’re more than welcome to come.”

  “What time are you leaving?” I say.

  “Probably around ten. I can drop you back at the record store after.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “Does that make me your bodyguard for the morning?” She barks a laugh.

  “That’s hilarious,” Liam says. “You’ve never been in a fight in your life.”

  “How would you know? Maybe I have.” She tosses her brown locks over her shoulder.

  “Sure, sure.” He snickers as he finishes his meal. “I’m off.”

  “Getting to school early?” Sarah says.

  “Yep. Meeting the guys.” He throws his bag over his shoulder and ducks down to press his lips to his mother’s cheek. “Thanks for breakfast. Love you.” He squeezes his father’s shoulder, and then points a finger at me. “You repeat that in school tomorrow and I’ll getcha for it.”

  My lips twitch into a smile as I draw a cross over my heart. “Promise.”

  Seb waits for him to leave before turning to me. “You can boast to anyone you want. He can’t harm a hair on your head with this one as your bodyguard.” He thrusts his thumb at Jess.

  “Oh ha ha. Very funny, Sebastian.” She throws down her napkin and stands, clearing both hers and her brother’s plate.

  I catch Seb’s eye, and we share a smirk. No, she obviously doesn’t know what he is or
that Sebastian—or even Seb—isn’t his birth name. Ignorant? Or refuses to believe in mythical creatures?

  “The way this one watches out for you,” she tips her head towards Seb, “you’d think you were the president or something. It’s not like she’s going to get shot.”

  ***

  That afternoon, I help Seb sort CDs and shelve them.

  Chad looks over my shoulder. “Hey, Seb. Your girlfriend has the knack for this!”

  “Yeah, she worked out the categorization quicker than I did.”

  Chad spins me around. “Pop quiz—where would you put a Linkin Park CD?”

  Trick question. “Which one?”

  The corners of his lips ease upwards. “Hybrid Theory.”

  “Main category—B for badass. Subcategories—A for awesome, then Alternative Rock.” It’s simple really. You’ve just got to think like Chad.

  “Iron Maiden’s The Number of the Beast?”

  “Main category—E for epic. Subcategories—M for mind-blowingly awesome, then H for Heavy Metal.”

  He takes a bow. “Can I offer you a casual position, M’lady?”

  “Hm.” I tap my foot, pretending to think. “How much does it pay?”

  We sit, and Chad writes down an hourly figure.

  “Sorry. Joe pays me a dollar more an hour.”

  “Uh.” He grabs at the skin above his heart. “Thy lady hath stoleth my hearteth.”

  Seb selects an Anthrax CD. “She stole mine first. You’re awfully Shakespearean today, Chad.”

  “I know. I think it’s the fact that my girlfriend broke up with me. I feel like a tortured poet.” He sinks into a chair.

  “Aw.” I sit next to him. “It’ll be okay.”

  “Obviously, you would say that. You’re half of a bloody couple.” Chad whimpers. “I’m not.”

  “Cheer up, sunshine,” Seb says. “You were only with Justine for three days.”

  My eyes widen. “Is that true, Chad?”

  “Well, it felt like a bloody eternity.” He shrugs, despondent. “I could see into her soul, man.”

  Seb smirks. “I’m pretty sure that wasn’t her soul you were seeing.”

  I pat Chad’s head and return to my shelf.

  At three, we make an executive decision and send Chad home. His sobbing is scaring customers away.

  “She’s a freakin’ keeper this one.” Chad points at me. “Don’t crush her like Justine did to—” He breaks off with a sob.

  “Don’t worry; I’m not planning on it,” Seb says, shooting a glorious smile my way as he ushers him out. “You okay to drive? Yes? Good. See you tomorrow.”