by Stormi Lewis
Sophie could feel his heart racing out of his chest against her cheek with anticipation of her answer. However, she had a question of her own first.
“Do you think you would be better off if you weren’t sucked into my nightmare?” Sophie asked slowly. It was a question that had haunted her from the first day they had met.
“You’re avoiding the subject,” James replied with a frown.
“I’m not trying to,” Sophie admitted honestly.
“Is this because of Hellen?” James asked pushing Sophie up to meet his eyes. “She means nothing to me,” he stated firmly. “I would never go back to that,” he said decisively.
“I know that,” Sophie assured. “But don’t you ever wonder if your life would be better if you weren’t constantly running for your life?” she asked quickly becoming light-headed and overwhelmed with emotions.
James immediately pulled her to his chest and held her tightly.
“Just because you drew the short straw of life, and there’s a psychopath after you, doesn’t make you any less of a prize,” he stated strongly. “I CHOOSE to be here. I CHOOSE to be with you. Mostly because I don’t think my heart will ever beat again without you in my life, I love you that much,” he confessed unintentionally. James held his breath wondering what the consequence of his confession would bring.
Sophie contemplated his declaration seriously before answering, “Only if we can have matching rocking chairs on the deck.” She smiled against his chest as his heart started to race with joy more than anxiety.
He kissed her gently on the top of her head finally having the answer he had hoped to get since the first day they met. He also started to plan his proposal as he stroked her hair gently with his fingers. Not knowing what life altering action would be coming that would prove to either destroy them or bring them closer together for life.
Chapter 10
S ophie and James were dressed and cuddling on the bed watching tv when Ben and Tina finally arrived. Tina eyed them suspiciously knowing that afterglow way too well. “You guys are worse than rabbits,” she said shaking her head at both of them.
“Like you aren’t just as bad,” Sophie retorted smirking at her friend. She didn’t have the heart to remind Tina how good her hearing actually was. Tina pretended to look shocked and overly dramatic.
“Any more messages from Mario?” Sophie asked changing the subject.
“No,” Tina replied honestly. “Is that strange?”
“Not necessarily,” Sophie responded hearing her father’s warning ring in her ear.
“Where would he meet you?” Ben asked.
“I don’t know,” Sophie said. “We’ve never come back here since we left.”
“Well, what should we do while we wait?” Tina asked.
“Get supplies. I don’t know how long we will need to stay here, but we have a kitchen here and should use it,” Sophie shrugged.
“How does it feel being back?” James asked cautiously.
“Not as haunting as I originally thought,” Sophie replied honestly smiling at him. “I just remember all the holiday fun we used to do as a family,” she shrugged.
“This is an awesome place for Christmas,” Ben said looking out the window. “Should we get a tree?” he asked absentmindedly.
“It’s not even Thanksgiving!” Tina protested with her hands on her hips.
“Fine,” Ben said pouting. “What about a Thanksgiving feast then?” he suggested.
“A family does deserve a feast,” James added smiling to his friend.
“I’ll start a list,” Tina said grabbing paper and pen.
“I know you haven’t been here in a while,” Ben said with hesitation.
“What do you want, Ben?” Sophie laughed. She’d never seen him act like such a kid before.
“Well, I personally think it’s pretty cool that we finally get to see where you grew up,” Ben started. “I’d like to look around,” he shrugged.
Tina and James looked from Ben to Sophie. They weren’t sure where this was going, or what Sophie was going to do. This was fragile territory, and they gawked at Ben’s ability to not fully recognize that.
“Ben, Honey,” Tina started immediately rushing to his side to try and help pull his foot out of his mouth.
“You want me to show you around?” Sophie asked analyzing him with reservation.
“Well, yeah,” Ben concluded. “Hey!” he yelled as his wife dug her nails into his arm.
Sophie looked at the family that was now before her. Tina and James looked scared to death, and Ben was still pouting from the abuse of his wife’s nails. She started laughing hysterically as tears rolled down her cheeks. Everyone froze not sure what to do.
Sophie wiped the tears from her cheeks and slowed her laughter to a chuckle. “Yes, Ben,” she smiled her Cheshire grin. “I will show you Kansas City.”
Ben stuck his tongue out at his wife and pulled his arm out of her grasp before she could do more harm. He rubbed it while he stood next to Sophie for safety.
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea,” James started.
“It’s fine,” Sophie assured. “The weather is finicky in the Midwest. So far, it’s promising to be very cold which means we can hide in crowds covered in scarves and other winter gear. Which reminds me,” she added turning to Tina. “We’ll need to go shopping for that winter gear.” Tina’s face lit up at those magical words.
“We’ll get it at a sporting goods store,” Sophie clarified. Tina’s face dropped. “But I’ll take you downtown and to the Plaza,” she said winking. Tina smiled at her friend. She knew her so well. “So, let’s get the food taken care of and go from there,” Sophie added with authority.
Tina and James worked on the food list, while Ben and Sophie worked on the sight-seeing list. A new family meant new traditions. Sophie knew this would be their first holiday season together. She also knew her hometown would provide them with enough magic and a much-needed break from being on the run.
Sophie didn’t forget her father’s warning. She was just pulling from her mother’s constant reminder that to succeed meant recharging your batteries. And what better way than creating new traditions with her new family. A day or two surely wouldn’t hurt. Afterall, they had spent a couple of weeks giving the man with the cane the wild goose chase of a lifetime before arriving. They had earned a couple of days of celebration.
A gust of wind blew the window unexpectedly open. Sophie rushed to close it and lock it into place. A storm was headed their way. She just didn’t see it before it was too late….
Eddie was impressed. Mario hadn’t lost his touch in remaining a ghost. He’d had plenty of years practicing by hiding in plain sight. Mario left immediately after receiving the text message from Tina (aka Eddie). Yet, Clarice didn’t head off towards Mario’s like she had stated previously. She had even been overly dramatic at the fact that he had left Maine. Too dramatic, even for Clarice.
Eddie’s gut was alarmingly disturbed, and his gut was never wrong. It was too late to stop the chess pieces that were already in play. All Eddie could do was wait and watch. It was unclear if he had put his pawns into danger or lead them to safety as he intended. It was now Clarice’s move, and there was no telling what she had planned at this moment. This was the most important chess game of Eddie’s life. He worried that it would be one he wouldn’t be able to win.
“Have more faith, Son,” he heard Jack whisper in his ear, but it didn’t bring any peace to Eddie.
He knew Clarice better than she even knew herself. And Clarice had a winning move hidden up her sleeve. Eddie just had to figure out what it was before she had a chance to use it, and it cost him the game along with his life.
Although Eddie typically avoided Clarice at all costs, the only way to find out what she was up to was to do the opposite. He walked into the training room with a hot tea in his hand as he leaned against the door frame.
“How’s training going?” Eddie asked her casually.
/> Clarice stopped immediately in mid jump. “Why do you care?” she asked suspiciously and analyzing him from head to toe.
“Oh, you know,” Eddie shrugged. “Tis the season and all that bs.”
“What do you want troll?” Clarice snapped, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat from her face.
“Do you think we should get a tree to put up in the lab?” Eddie asked randomly, looking thoughtful as he watched her every move. Her left eye twitched and he knew he had hit a nerve.
“I’m sure father would love that,” Clarice said sarcastically. “Go for it,” she said. Her father might actually finally rip Eddie to shreds as he deserved.
“I’ll be sure to tell him it was your idea,” Eddie said with a wicked smile.
Clarice froze and gripped onto the towel until her knuckles turned white.
“So, is that a no then?” Eddie poked at her.
“How did you get to be so damn annoying?” Clarice hissed at him without making eye contact.
“Well, probably came with being in this dungeon with no sunlight for all those years,” Eddie answered sarcastically.
“You didn’t have to say yes,” Clarice reminded him.
Eddie glared at her. He only really had himself to blame for being in his current situation. He didn’t have to say yes. But he had already agreed when he heard Sophie’s name.
“So, should I get a star or angel for the tree?” Eddie said poking her right back. Clarice screamed and threw the towel at him.
“Get the damn tree!” she hissed. “It won’t matter when I give my father the best gift ever,” Clarice yelled. “You won’t even be a blip on his radar!”
There she was. “Well, don’t get him a tie. I already got him one,” Eddie said smiling as he sipped his tea.
“You cocky little prick,” Clarice murmured under her breath. “Keep up the jokes. You’ll be singing a different tune once I get back.”
“Oh,” Eddie said in interest. “And where are you headed?”
“None of your concern,” Clarice retorted as she grabbed her bag and stormed out of the room. “Enjoy your tea. I’ll be sure to tell Mario and Sophie you said hi once I get to Kansas City,” she cooed as she passed him.
Eddie dropped his cup and it shattered all over the floor at his feet.
“Check mate!” Clarice yelled over her shoulder as she grabbed her travel bag from one of the lackies and headed for their private jet.
Eddie’s heart stopped beating. His brain shut down. His knees buckled under him as he hit the ground hard jarring his knees. He had done the very thing he promised Jack he would never do. And now they were all going to die because of him. The room spun, and his face hit the ground with a solid thud. Darkness consumed him with no hope of ever breathing life again.
“Jack,” he called out as life slipped away from him.
After getting proper attire to face the bitter cold, Sophie took them downtown to see what the city had to offer, and set Tina loose on the Plaza to get her shopping fix. Strips of stores as far as the eye could see.
She introduced them to proper BBQ, and they viewed amazing light displays once the sun went down. Sophie clung onto James as they walked the city streets. He loved seeing her so happy and relaxed again. Just like the first time they visited his hometown. James thought he might need a tranquilizer for both Sophie and Ben when it came to the Christmas lights.
“This is your fault,” Tina had griped to James, but soon was laughing at her husband’s excitement.
“I need your help with something,” James whispered to Tina as Sophie and Ben raced from one Christmas display to the next like kids on Christmas morning.
“So, you’re finally going to pull the trigger,” Tina said, shaking her head at the grown children before her.
“How did you…” James started.
“Please,” Tina cut him off rolling her eyes at him. “Ben and I have known you’ve been carrying that ring since almost day one.”
“Seriously?” James asked dumbfounded.
“Seriously? It’s me, Nerd,” Tina replied sarcastically. “What do you have planned so far?”
“Getting on one knee,” James said flinching. He had too many ideas, but none of them seemed good enough.
“You know, for once it would be nice if I didn’t have to do all the work,” Tina said stopping and crossing her arms. When she saw James’ face fall she started giggling. “Come on,” she said taking his arm. “You know I was going to take over anyway,” Tina laughed as she started sharing some of the ideas she had already come up with since Sophie entered their lives.
Tina had taken a pouting Ben away from the displays to go get supplies while James took Sophie out for a quiet dinner. Tina had reported that Sophie was to meet Mario later that night alone, per his request. They had ventured into Olathe, Kansas to go to Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ.
“You sure you don’t want to go somewhere nice?” James asked, looking around the empty restaurant that was a hole in a wall that no one seemed to know about.
“As if!” Sophie declared as she gave their order to the short lady behind the counter. “Trust me,” she said giving her Cheshire grin.
Within minutes, James was laughing with Sophie as he ended up wearing just as much BBQ as he was consuming, but she was right. Totally worth it!
Sophie shared what holiday traditions she could remember. She was surprised that James had similar ones with his family. “Who seriously opens all their presents on Christmas Eve?” Sophie protested.
“Monsters, clearly,” James said taking the last bit of meat off the ribs before him.
“We should figure out what traditions we should have,” Sophie said staring off deep in thought.
James loved hearing her talk about their future. He was never more certain that Sophie was ready for what he had to propose to her. James started trying to figure out what he was going to tell her as a proposal when something interrupted his thoughts.
“Hey,” he said gloomily.
“What?” Sophie asked, intrigued by his sudden gloom and doom face.
“Today has been amazing, don’t get me wrong,” James started. “But do you think we’ll actually get to celebrate? I mean, it’s not like we don’t have things to be dealing with,” he said slowly.
“Yeah,” Sophie said understanding his hesitation. “I know,” she sighed. “I guess I got caught up in the day,” she said a little depressed.
“Well,” James said with a sudden idea. “It’s important to recharge your batteries and remember what you’re fighting for.”
“You sound just like my mother,” Sophie grumbled and wrinkled up her nose.
“A wise woman,” James smirked, trying not to be offended by her reaction. “Maybe let’s just keep it simple and small. You know, until we’re done with what needs to be done,” he offered. “Then we can do all sorts of big holidays,” he added quickly.
“The only problem is,” Sophie responded, “I don’t think we will ever truly be done,” she sighed. “There’s no way to guarantee we will ever be free,” she sulked. “And I can’t ask you to give up your lives to live like this forever. I just have to come up with a way to keep you all safe, and I just haven’t been able to do that,” Sophie said with a frown.
“Oh, no you don’t,” James declared.
“What?” Sophie asked confused.
“You’re not getting rid of us!” James said raising his voice.
“First of all, calm down,” Sophie hissed as the lady behind the counter stared at them.
“We’re the only ones in here,” James hissed trying to stifle his anger. “We CHOOSE to be here for a reason. You don’t get to make those decisions for us,” James said crossing his arms in front of his chest trying to curb his frustration.
“It’s not realistic,” Sophie started with her own temper rising.
“YOU don’t get to decide what’s best for us, Soph,” James said losing his battle with his frustration. “People don’t leave loved ones
behind like they’re nothing,” he muttered.
“My parents left without giving ME a choice,” Sophie retorted back.
“Oh, they did, huh?” James said, understanding suddenly what he needed to make her see. “They don’t visit you in your dreams?” he asked more softly. “They don’t keep you safe at all costs?” he added. James watched as she flinched at his words.
He reached across the table to take her hands in his despite the sticky BBQ that seemed to remain on them. “Sophie,” he whispered softly. “Even in death they haven’t left you for one single second,” he added calmly. “It’s time you stop feeling like you deserve to be alone and accept that you are NEVER alone,” James emphasized.
Sophie stared at their intertwined hands. She had never thought of it that way. James was right. She wasn’t alone, by her old family or her new. Even death had kept her company when she was by herself. Sophie frowned. It wasn’t fair that he could see what she couldn’t, but she also knew it was good for her. Balance. Like her mother always wished for her.
Sophie took a deep sigh and released his hands to hand him a wet nap. “Wipe your face too, Nerd,” she laughed lovingly. “And don’t expect me to tell you you’re right,” she added sarcastically, although they both knew he was. James smiled his boyish grin. “Stop it!” Sophie said pointing her finger at him.
“What?” he laughed.
“That,” she said waving her hand dramatically in front of his face. “If you think that look will keep you out of trouble, you’re seriously mistaken,” she said trying not to sound flustered.
“What look?” James asked innocently, knowing exactly what she was talking about.
It was the orneriness that Sophie brought out in him, that his mother always warned would make girls go weak at their knees. However, James only wanted one girl to go weak with his charm. The one pretending to resist his charms from across the table.
“You know what,” she muttered as she fought to stifle a laugh. “Come on, Nerd,” Sophie said. “We should get back.”