by Tl Reeve
I would regret those words.
Deeply.
My poor ears. Haley, unbelievably, found a K-pop station. It stayed on for a long-ass time until I couldn’t take it anymore. I swear they were dripping blood. And my head? It was pounding like a jackhammer. Unable to deal with the sickening sick and some-what reminiscent music of the 90’s, I turned the radio off and released a relieved breath when blissful silence filled the vehicle.
“Dude. I gave you five—ten minutes tops before you lost it and changed the station. Blows me away you made it two hours.” Haley snickered, her words were laced with amusement.
I looked at her in surprise when it hit me. “You don’t like K-pop, do you?”
Haley shuddered. “Eww, no way. It’s annoying, unoriginal, and has mindless lyrics. I swear it causes brain rot.”
I groaned, closing my eyes for a second. The little raven shifter silently and thoroughly out-maneuvered me. I’d never admit it to her or anyone else. Eager to change the subject, I told Haley what to expect from my parents. “In an hour or so, we’ll be at my mom and dad’s place. We’ll have a nice dinner, rest up for the night, then hit the road before sunrise.”
When Haley finally spoke, the fear in her voice was tangible. “Where are you taking me? And who are you?”
I ignored the second question and answered the first. “Window Rock, Arizona.”
“What the heck is there? Other than a desert.”
I was tempted to fuck with her for making me listen to the crappy music by telling her how a body decomposes quicker in the desert. I stopped myself, though, remembering she was still a kid. And unlike her, I had a conscience. “A life? People who’ll care and protect you.”
“Do you even know who and what I am?”
“You’re a Raven shifter, like me,” I replied.
Haley snorted, and when she spoke her voice was laden with disgust. “I’m soo not like you.”
I turned and saw the sadness in her grey eyes. Those protective instincts I didn’t recognize reared their ugly head again. “Yeah, you are. You’re just different, and not in a bad way. You’re just special, Haley.”
“Special as in if we were lost in the wilderness, and you needed me to start a fire or cook a meal, I could?” She frowned.
“I always have a box of matches.” I shrugged, not bothered by who and what she was.
“Or maybe you mean I’m special because my parents just one day decided to leave me, stranded and alone. Left me to be raised in a group home with no chance of being fostered or adopted because of what I am. Take your pick, because I’m both. And the freedom you speak of, with such relevance, it’s an illusion. None of us are free. We all have a piper we must pay at some point.”
Shit, who would have thought a teenage girl could be so deep, or blame her for being so disillusioned about life? “Kid I—”
“Are you PBH?”
My lip curled in disgust. “Fuck, no. The people who I work for, they’ve had experience with the PBH, and where I’m taking you, the PBH won’t go. Ever.”
Haley snorted, clearly in disbelief. “Says you. I can’t believe I’m seriously following you.”
“You have so far,” I countered.
“I have no choice.” Defeat filled her tone. “Don’t you get it? I never have. I’m just a sixteen-year-old, born to be used.”
I'm sure her whole perception would change once I got her to Window Rock. I highly doubt she'd believe me if I told her. A kid like her, she’d have to experience it firsthand.
We drove the rest of the way to my parents’ house in silence. Haley eventually settled and fell back to sleep. When we pulled up to my parents’ house, I left the car running and got out. I had to make contact with Kalkin. I should have called when we first stopped, but I didn’t want to make the kid anxious. “Tell me you got her.”
I could hear the unease in the older man’s voice. It’s not something I normally associated with him at all. “Yeah, I do.”
“Thank fuck. Jerome said there is a lot of chatter right now about this girl,” Kalkin stated after letting out a breath.
I glanced around my parents’ sleepy neighborhood. If people were talking, it meant PBH was getting antsy. “Might be best to arrange alternate arrival method. Flying would be faster.”
Then Kalkin confirmed my worst suspicions. “Except they’ve got all the airports on the East Coast under heavy surveillance. Safer to drive her in.”
“But longer. Leaving us out in the open, unprotected.” I hated the idea of our asses being exposed like this.
Kalkin growled. “Cool your jets, Midnight. Remember your training. Arrangements are in play to provide safe passage home. Hunker down somewhere safe, get a good night’s sleep, and get your ass on the road early. I’ll send you the route I want you to take. Jerome’s got eyes in the sky, so we’ll be watching.” And, like always, when Kalkin was done with a conversation, he hung up, no goodbyes, nothing.
I knocked on the car window, startling Haley. She rubbed at her eyes before she stepped out of the SUV. “Remember your manners.” I don’t know why I warned her before we walked up to my parent’s door.
“Sure. Whatever.”
Chapter Three
My mom.
That should explain it, right?
The minute we walked in the door, she coddled Haley. To be honest, I didn’t know how the kid would react to it. Of course, my mother and father are about as odd as odd can get. Maybe they bordered on eccentric. But, they were both loving people. They’d give a stranger the shirt off their back, if they knew it would help the person, more than them.
Haley, surprised me. She soaked up my mom’s attention. She refused to call her anything other than Mrs. Poe. My father had been the same; Mr. Poe. She said ‘yes, please’, ‘no, thank you’, and stayed on her best behavior. For all of her hard work, my mother stuffed Haley with Edgar Allen Poe-shaped cookies. Some had frosting others had colored sugar.
Then, my dad... The man showed Haley the small library they have in their brownstone. All of the shelves were lined with classic books. Some poetry and of course, the full collection of Edgar Allen Poe shorts and poems. Lucky us; to add a little atmosphere to cap off our day, a freak storm rolled through. My father sat in his favorite leather wing-back chair, by the fireplace with a copy of Poe’s works in his hand. Haley sat on the couch staring out the window as the rain pounded against the pane and lightning flashed in the distance.
When my father began reading from The Raven, I thought she’d get up, laugh, and walk away. Instead, she was drawn into the story. She leaned in. She brought her knees to her chest as she listened to my father read. He’d done the same for me when I was younger. Haley ate up each word from the poem, and when he finished, she looked a little lost. But, she also let loose a yawn that made her jaw crack. I couldn’t begin to imagine what she must have been through at the home for kids.
After my mom helped get her settled, I took a minute to talk to her. I couldn’t get her words out of my head. We were going to be stuck together for a few days until I could get her back to Window Rock. If she didn’t like me, fine, but I didn’t want her feeling like a prisoner or as if I’d use her for nefarious intentions.
“Hey,” I said, sitting next to her. “Did you get enough to eat? Warm enough?”
She looked up at me and nodded. “You were right. Your parents are a little out there.”
I laughed. “But, they’re good people.”
She grinned. “They are. I think I kind of like your mom.”
“Oh?”
“Don’t go thinking I like you, too,” she said. “Your mom makes cookies.”
Little did Haley know; my mom was still making them. I’m sure by the time we left, we’d have a care package ready for us. “She won the Baltimore Baking Society blue ribbon for sugar cookies five years in a row.”
“Has to be the bizarre decorating.”
“Could be.” I hooked my thumb across the hall. “Enjoy my room.
I’ll be in the guest room, if you need anything.”
“Wait, this is your room?” She narrowed her eyes.
“Yeah. Best bed in the house. Attached bathroom. I figured, you could use the space after everything you’ve gone through.”
She frowned. “No one...” She rolled over. “Whatever. Your loss.” She faked a yawn. “So tired.”
“Sure. Get some sleep. We have an early morning.” I didn’t take what she said personally. The kid grew up not being able to trust anyone. I couldn’t force it. Plus, if she trusted me within twelve hours, she’d end up having a short life. “Sleep well, kid.”
She didn’t answer.
The next morning, we were out the door before the sun even thought about touching the horizon. An hour beforehand, Kalkin had shot me a text. He’d also sent my phone directions on how to get to Window Rock from where we were, along with the addresses of other houses we could stay in. No hotels for us on this trip. My mom had already made coffee, and a thermos sat on the kitchen table. She packed up breakfast as well and, at least, two dozen cookies for Haley.
I almost hated leaving. I had a feeling Haley could thrive with my parents. She’d have her own conspiracy. A loving home. No one would ever know about her being here. However, I also couldn’t put my parents at risk. They were getting on in age, and though we might not have a normal human lifespan, we could die.
Haley and I got into the rental Kalkin arranged for us, and we drove off. I promised I’d call my parents when we got situated for the night, but I also warned them it might be late. I wanted to get as close as I could to Memphis by nightfall. My hope, I could get us to Window Rock in two days from now. We’d be exhausted from the trip, no doubt. But if it all went according to plan–which, let’s be honest, shit never went according to plan–I’d have her safe in Danielle’s hands without a single incident.
After our discussion about music, I decided this morning we’d drive in silence. It would give the kid time to sleep, seeing how she’d only gotten a solid four hours. It also gave me time to think. I had to plan for contingencies. I should have done it last night, but between trying to get Haley settled and catching up with my parents, I shirked my duties. Not something I was proud of, or that I ever did.
At first, I thought Kalkin would take us off of main roads and stick to US Highways, however our route didn’t change much. The areas with the most congestion had been bypassed for easier alternatives. We avoided all toll roads as well, so not to be picked up on traffic cams which could be hacked. He also had us avoiding major off ramps with several businesses. We could be tracked with CCTV or worse, drive thru cameras.
Everything Kalkin did, kept us out of sight while also putting us there. While we filled up, I checked out all the places we could go to grab something to eat. Sure, my mom packed stuff, but it wouldn’t last long between the two of us. I found one spot about half-way to our destination for the night and marked it good for lunch/dinner. We’d be there by about three in the afternoon, barring any kind of trouble. With a full tank of gas, I headed out of Baltimore for Tennessee.
Haley woke about eleven. She stretched, then informed me that she had to pee. Since the small rest area was on the route designated for us by Kalkin, I took the off-ramp for it then made sure Haley got to and from the bathroom. Again, I didn’t tell her what Kalkin explained to me earlier in his text. I feared she’d run on me, and then I’d have a shit load to explain.
We got back into the car, and she turned on the radio. This time, she picked something neutral. I didn’t mind it, and she seemed content as well. There was so much I wanted to ask her, but I couldn’t muster up the courage. One, I didn’t want her thinking I was anything other than who I said I was, an agent with PRA, and two, I also didn’t want her to think she was some science experiment either.
“You’re quiet today,” she finally said.
“Guess I could say the same for you,” I replied. “Did you sleep well?”
“I guess so, considering I got most of it in the car.” She grabbed the bag of cookies sitting in the center console. “I’m glad your mom sent these with us.”
“Me, too.” I took the one she handed me.
“I wish I had one,” she whispered.
“Me, too,” I answered. She deserved a family who would care for her, not see her as a means to an end.
“Yeah, well...” She shrugged. “Life’s a bitch, and then you die. Something Edgar Allen Poe knew all about.” She bit the head off of the cookie.
“The only two things you’re guaranteed in this life are, death and taxes.” I finished off my cookie. “We’ll be stopping to eat in a couple of hours. Then we’re almost to the first safe house.”
“Yay, more driving.” Sarcasm dripped from her words.
“Yep. Totally exciting.”
She snorted.
By the time we arrived at the restaurant, I was in desperate need of a bathroom and some time to stretch my legs. Again, this would have all gone quicker if we could have flown to Arizona instead of drove. We walked inside, and I directed her to the counter.
“Order something to eat, I’ll be right back,” I said.
“Where are you going?”
“Bathroom,” I replied.
“Didn’t you say we should go together?” She arched a brow.
“I did, but I realized last night you need to be in control, too. So, order something to eat, and I’ll be right back.” I turned to leave. She needed to see I could trust her, in order to earn her trust as well. After walking out of my bedroom, I figured out, the kid had existed in a prison of sorts. She knew no matter what, she’d be used for her abilities.
“Oh. Cool. Uh...”
I shook my head as I followed the signs to the restrooms located at the back of the diner. We’d been on the road almost ten hours, and we still had three more to go. After this mission was over, I needed a vacation. Preferably some place tropical, with tons of alcohol and a few naked women. I may have taken care of kids and made sure they were delivered safe and sound, but it didn’t mean I didn’t have needs as well.
I hadn’t been gone five minutes, and when I returned, Haley sat at a booth, not the counter, surrounded by a group of boys. My senses pinged out warning after warning. She didn’t know them. I didn’t know them. Any one of those boys could be a member of PBH, looking for the right moment to strike. To take her to those sick bastards and do whatever kind of experiments on her—including using her to create more like her, ravens with pyrokinetic abilities. I could only imagine what those like her would be used for.
I approached the table with light steps, so as not to alert anyone, who sat with Haley, I was there. I grabbed a chair from the table beside where I stood and eased up to them, straddling the seat. “Well, hello there.” I grinned. “Are you going to introduce me to your new friends, sweetheart?”
A mortified expression slid across Haley’s features. She ducked her head, hoping to conceal herself from my gaze. Too bad it wasn’t going to work. I held out my hand to the nearest boy. “Hello, who might you be?”
The boy’s mouth fell open, and fear filled his brown eyes. He couldn’t be more than seventeen, maybe eighteen. I remember being his age, and my raging libido. I could screw a knot in a tree and still never find relief. He eased away from me, clearing his throat. “See you around, Haley.” He tapped the boy’s shoulder beside him, then motioned to the others. “Come on, guys. We should get back to work.”
As soon as they left, I slid into the booth across from her. I had everything planned out I’d wanted to say to them. I wanted to embarrass her. I didn’t tell her to stay away from people because I’m a dick, it’s because I don’t trust people I don’t know. “Did you order anything yet?”
She glanced up at me. Half of her face had been shadowed by her hair, the other half showed a vulnerable girl who just wanted to connect with others. I felt like a dick then. This parenting shit, real or not, sucked. Yet, it did give me a healthy respect for my parents an
d all the shit I probably put them through. I grabbed the menu from the holder beside me and started going through it. She’d answer me when she was ready, or she’d order when the waitress came over. Either way, we both needed to eat.
“Not yet,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
I grunted. “You need to eat. We still have a while to go before we get to our destination.”
She let out a breath. “Aren’t you going to yell at me?”
I put the menu down. “Should I?”
She shrugged. “I broke your rules.”
“You did,” I said. “I figured you’d break them. Test me. See how far you can push me before I blow up.”
“So, what’s the point?” Irritation laced her voice.
“The point is, you have to learn you’re not safe yet. You have to realize I’m not going to do anything to you. You also need to learn to spread your wings.” Figuratively and literally.
Haley sagged. She grabbed one of the menus and started looking it over. “They were nice.”
“I.e. they gave you attention you’re not used to getting.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“Let me ask you a question.”
“You already did,” she teased, smirking at me.
“Touché.” I laughed. “What would you have done if they’d been PBH agents?”
She blinked then stared at me dumbfounded. “They’re too young.”
“And you’re naïve.” I placed the menu back in the holder and folded my hands. “PBH will use anyone. If they have a special set of skills, they’re in. Age doesn’t matter to them.”
She frowned, pushing her hair behind her ear. “I didn’t know.”
“We’ll chalk it up to a learning experience.”
“That’s it?” She peered up at me.
“Yeah.” I leaned in. “But, if you ever pull a stunt like this again, I will tie you to your seat and only stop when I need to. Got it?”
Her grey eyes widened. “Yeah. Shit. You’re freaky when you get serious.”