by D McEntire
"Is there anything else you need?"
"No, I can get the rest myself. You don't have to worry about me. I'm sure you have other things to take care of. I'll be fine, really."
Silence. He seemed to doing a lot of that. Perhaps he was weighing his words carefully, she thought although she had no idea why he felt he needed to. Finally, he spoke.
"There's an intercom above the bed in this room as well. You can call the girls if you need anything."
She heard the rustling of his leather jacket as he turned to leave, but no sound of footsteps followed. "Sonya, speaking of calling, you need to phone the school and let them know you won't be back. I'm sorry, but there's no way around it."
The soft click of the bedroom door signaled his departure. He was gone. Sonya sank down on the edge of the bed. Her heart felt heavy. Call the school? Quit? She was going to do no such thing. But, how could she manage it? She couldn't go out in the daytime. Her earlier stir-fry session had proven that. What was she going to do?
Tank didn't speak as he pulled the Crossover onto the street and drove to the sanatorium. He was still trying to deal with his inner self raging at not having Sonya in his room. He knew it was stupid. Hell, she didn't know him, so what made him think she'd actually be okay staying in his room...with him?
Growling low in his throat, he gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles whitened. He hadn't realized he'd been fuming aloud until a noise caught his attention. Glancing in the rear view mirror, his eyes met Kern's.
"Did you say something?"
Kern smiled widely and shook his head. "No, I didn't say anything. You're the one who's been grunting and muttering ever since we left the Cell. So, what's up?"
Tank narrowed his eyes then returned his focus to the road. "Nothing. We've got to find out where this David character is. Though she's safe at the Cell, while he's out there, Sonya will live in fear."
The silence in the car Tank knew to be everyone's unsaid agreement as he drove down the highway to the possible source of the increase in missing persons as Headquarters had requested. The sanatorium, vacant and secluded, was the logical place. The perfect hideaway for a Rogue nest, he thought grimly.
Tank didn't exactly want to return to the old building, as doing so would bring flashbacks of seeing Sonya in that room, lying in her own blood and filth. He clenched his teeth and punched the accelerator.
The oversized garage door closed as the SUV he'd followed to Sonya's house left the building once again, but this time David sensed Sonya was not inside.
Crossing the street, he casually walked past the building. A slight movement over his head caught his attention. He raised his eyes to see a small camera tracking his every move.
Well, my dear Sonya. Since I cannot come to you, you will come to me. David smiled at his thoughts as he returned to his car, telling himself it was time for Plan B.
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Chapter Thirteen
Purr, purr. Brat sounded like a Harley motorcycle as he sat on her bed while Sonya immersed herself in thoughts of her predicament.
Giggles from the next room pulled her out of her pity party. She heard the click of the adjoining door being opened.
"Sonya! Robyn told us you brought your cat. Can we see him?"
Si bounded into the room. The boy was a ball of energy, Sonya mused. The soft patter of little feet followed, which she figured was Mya.
Forgetting her troubles, Sonya gave them both a bright smile and held out her hands. "Sure, come here, you two. I haven't had the chance to talk to you since I got here."
Si grabbed her hand and stood before her, while Mya wiggled herself onto the bed and practically into Sonya's lap. Sonya gave them both a big hug.
"I wanted to thank you, Si, for taking care of me. I don't know what I would've done without you."
"You're welcome, Sonya. I wish I could've done more."
Sonya hugged him once more and told him how brave he'd been to sneak upstairs and get water for her. When she released him, she turned to where she knew Brat lounged on the bed.
"This here overweight ball of fur is Brat. Brat, say hello to Si and Mya."
Sonya felt two arms brush past hers. They were petting Brat, and from the intensity of his rumbling purr, she could tell he enjoyed the attention.
"Hey, kiddos. I know our friends dropped you two off some clothes, but what do you say we hit the store for some shopping?" Robyn said, stepping into the room from the direction of adjoining door. Mya's squeal accompanied a loud cheer from Si in response. Sonya laughed when the bed shook, knowing Brat, apparently annoyed by the sudden outburst, had quickly vacated the mattress.
"Okay, you two. Get your shoes on and hit the bathroom before we go so we don't have to make a stop somewhere."
The cheering and squealing abated as the two scurried into their own room, leaving Sonya laughing with Robyn.
"They only have a couple outfits between them, but it's the toys I'm worried about. They don't have any, unless you want to count Mya's ratty old doll."
Sonya nodded in agreement. "Children do need toys. It'll make them happy and give them some sense of peace and stability. I wouldn't try to take Mya's doll away or replace it with anything, though."
"Oh, no. I wouldn't dream of it. I know little girls have their favorite dolls, and they all end up looking like Mya's sooner or later."
With a drawn out a sigh of feigned exasperation, Robyn left the room. She heard her call to Marie and tell her about the shopping trip. Sonya was thankful to be going out again. She felt a little edgy, not to mention out of place. Displaced is more like it.
Standing with the intent on making a trip to the bathroom, she felt Brat's tail brush her leg. He must have sought refuge under the bed, she mused.
Her cell phone rang, startling her. To avoid tripping over him, she lightly pushed Brat aside with her foot, then felt her way to the dresser where she'd left her purse. Her phone continued to ring until she found it and flipped it open.
"Hello?"
"Sonya? Oh, I'm glad I found you!"
A frantic Mrs. Kennerly, the Administrative Secretary for the School for the Blind, was on the other end of the line.
"Mrs. Kennerly? What's wrong?"
"There's been a situation at the school. We had a break-in, and your room has been ransacked. I really don't know what to do with everything."
Mrs. Kennerly sounded beside herself with worry.
"Have the police been called?"
"Yes, they just left. They made out a report and checked the building, but I just don't know what to do about..."
"It's okay, Mrs. Kennerly," Sonya cut in. She didn't want the woman to get even more upset. She needed to be there, but how? Tank had told her to call the school and quit her job. She hadn't followed that order, not that she'd follow any order he dared give her. And, he no doubt had told Robyn and Marie to keep an eye on her. She also had no doubt if he was here, he'd try to stop her from going.
Sonya rubbed her forehead. She was being unfair to take her anger of the situation out on him. She had to think of something fast. This was important. "Mrs. Kennerly, give me an hour, I'll be right over to help, okay?"
There was a moment of silence before Mrs. Kennerly's shaking voice returned to the line. "Yes, that would be wonderful."
"I'll be there..." Before Sonya could finish her sentence, the call disconnected. She thought it odd Mrs. Kennerly would hang up on her so abruptly, but then again, the woman was distraught, she reasoned.
Sonya snapped her phone closed and dropped it in her purse. Now she had to think of a way to remove herself from the women and get to the school. They were taking the kids to the store, which was a good thing. At least it got her out of the confines of this place. One problem, a big problem, whispered in her head. She didn't know where in Louisville she was. With everything else on her mind, she hadn't thought to ask.
"Sonya, are you ready?" Marie's voice called from downstairs.
&nbs
p; Sonya took the paces necessary to reach the bedroom door. "Yes, I'll be right down." Picking up the sunglasses Tank had lent her, she settled them on her face, pulled her purse strap over her shoulder and grabbed her cane, which she'd left standing beside the door, then headed for the stairs.
When Sonya reached the foot of the stairs, she heard the children bouncing about. The scene would've been heaven to her eyes, she thought.
"Here, Sonya."
Si touched her hand, then placed the fabric of her coat against it. Sonya's heart melted at the kindness he constantly bestowed upon her. He would've made a wonderful son to his adoptive parents. Sonya cut the thought short. David and his evil was the last thing she needed to think about now. She had to get to the school.
"Let's take the lift down since we've got the kids and the car seats. Rosa left the keys to her SUV in case we needed a vehicle." Robyn's comment was followed by the ding of the lift and the sliding of the metal gate. "Mya, you want to press the button to the garage?"
Once in the garage, Sonya held Mya in her arms while Robyn and Marie secured the car seat for Mya and the booster seat for Si.
Mya was light as a feather, Sonya thought as she played a game of tickle, loving the sound of the little girl's giggles. When Mya leaned in, wrapped her arms around Sonya's neck and gave her a tight hug, Sonya felt her heart melt at the embrace.
"It was great of Darla to drop off these car seats for the kids," Marie said with a grunt.
"Who's Darla?" Sonya asked. For some reason the mention of another woman's name that she hadn't heard before had struck a chord. She almost groaned at her stupidity. If Tank was involved with anyone, that was his business. He did say there was no female in his life. Sonya almost smacked herself and mentally growled at her thoughts to take the rest of the night off.
"She lives in the apartment building where Rosa and I both lived," Robyn answered. Sonya heard her voice grow louder as the woman approached.
"Ready to go, kiddo?"
Sonya leaned forward to allow Mya to slide from her arms and into Robyn's.
"I'll sit with the kids," she said as she climbed into the rear of the SUV and settled between the children.
Mya immediately set out trying to help her buckle her seat belt, which made them all laugh. The little tot was really a breath of fresh air which Sonya found she needed right now. Both Si and Mya lightened her heart. Being around the two was like having the weight of the world lifted from your shoulders, at least for a little while.
The vehicle bumped and swayed as Robyn drove. Sonya had no idea where they were going, but she planned on finding out everything she could once they got there.
When the vehicle pulled to a stop for what seemed like the umpteenth time, Sonya heard Robyn shift the gears into park.
"Here we are. Everybody out," Robyn said in a jovial voice.
Sonya let Mya unfasten her seatbelt for her. It took the girl's tiny fingers several tries, but she managed in the end.
"Thank you, sweetie," Sonya said while adding a big smile.
As she got out of the SUV, she thought it a good time to learn where she was. She figured the question wouldn't sound odd since she couldn't see where they were or what area of town they were in.
"What store is this?" she asked casually as she arranged her coat.
"We're at Wal-Mart," Robyn answered. "We crossed the bridge to Indiana and are on Veteran's Parkway. It's a fairly new area where they put up lots of stores and restaurants. We can pick up a bite to eat on the way back, if you like."
"Sounds great."
As they started for the store's entrance, Si placed his hand in Sonya's. Sonya smiled because she knew it to be his silent way of making sure she didn't get lost.
The doors opened with a swoosh, and Sonya felt a blast of heat on her face. She heard the clang of carts and waited, figuring Robyn was getting Mya situated in the seat.
"Si, do you want to sit inside a cart or walk?"
Sonya heard Marie pull out another cart.
"No. That's okay. I'll stay with Sonya in case she wants to look at something."
Si's hand suddenly jerked in hers. "Sorry, Sonya."
Sonya threw back her head and laughed to let Si off the hook. "I just might want to look at something, and you can be my eyes."
"Okay." Si laughed along with her, and she was glad. She didn't want any of them second guessing what they said around her.
Taking several steps into the store, she stopped. "Guys, I should've hit the restroom before we started out. I'm sorry." Giving an apologetic smile, she lowered her head to her side where Si stood holding her hand. "Si, will you take me to the women's restroom?"
"Sure," Si said happily.
"We'll meet up with you in a few minutes."
When Robyn and Marie agreed she allowed Si to lead her to the store's restrooms.
"There you go. I don't think I should go inside. Will you be okay?"
Sonya laughed. "Yes, I'll be fine. You can go ahead and catch up with the girls. I could tell from the sounds we just passed the customer service counter. I'll wander over there when I'm finished. I'm sure someone will help me find you guys. Besides, you don't want to miss out on all the good toys, do you?"
Sonya hoped releasing Si of his duty of assisting her and having him return to Robyn and Marie without her wouldn't get him into trouble. She felt guilty lying to him, but she had to be alone long enough to sneak out of the store and get to the school. Mrs. Kennerly needed her, and she needed her job, now more than ever. If it wasn't for her job as a music teacher, she had no doubt she would've fallen into self-loathing and self-pity years ago. It gave her focus and grounded her like nothing else. There had to be some way to make being a vampire and teaching the children work. There just had to be.
"Are you sure?"
Sonya nodded in earnest.
After hearing him dart off, she turned and made her way to the customer service counter. Her cane tapped softly as she walked. Various conversations and the beep of cash registers seemed to surround her.
Now came the hard part. She couldn't tell if there was a line. If a line did exist where did it end and how many customers waited to be serviced? Thankfully, a woman approached.
"Ma'am, do you need assistance?"
The woman sounded very friendly, and Sonya was doubly thankful for that. Sneaking out of the store was going to be hard enough without having to deal with an attitude. She felt awful causing the girls and Si worry, but she had no choice. She'd apologize profusely later.
"Yes, thank you. I need to call a cab. Can you do that for me?"
"Sure, right this way," the woman said as she lightly grasped Sonya's arm and led her to the counter.
The woman made the call and advised Sonya a cab was on its way. She even escorted her to the exit where they both waited. Several minutes later, the cab drove up, and after thanking the woman, Sonya climbed into the back seat.
"Dispatch said you needed to go to the School for the Blind. Is that right?"
The cabbie's voice was ragged, and he smelled of cigarette smoke. Sonya pushed down her disgust and answered. "Yes, that's right."
She felt the motion of the car as it pulled away from the curb. Busying oneself during a car ride by looking out the window was not a luxury she possessed. Instead, she settled in the seat and waited, using the time to think instead.
Sonya indeed had a lot to think about. Her life had been totally yanked out from under her and turned upside down. She needed to come up with a way to keep her job at the school. Without being able to venture out during the daylight, she wouldn't be able to teach the music class during regular school hours, that is, unless she found a way to live in the building's basement.
Sonya sighed. That wasn't going to happen. She had to figure out a way to explain her need to teach evening class. How had David managed it? Sonya didn't want to think about the answer as she was sure whatever he'd done to convince the principle wasn't good.
What kind of excuse did
she have? I'm now allergic to sunlight. Would anyone believe such a thing? The fact was partially true. She wasn't allergic to sunlight. She just didn't want to become crispy bacon on her way to work one morning.
A groan almost escaped her. She was indeed in a real pickle. If she got her hands on David, she'd...
"Okay, lady. We're here. You need me to walk you to the door?"
The cabbie's offer surprised her.
"No, but thanks."
"Are you sure there's someone there? Looks pretty dark to me. I'll sit here to make sure you get inside okay."
His comment made her a little nervous. Mrs. Kennerly said she'd be here. Sonya thanked him again after paying him and she slid from the back seat. She used her cane to navigate the walkway and the steps to the school's front door. After giving the cabbie a brief wave goodbye, she used her night keys to open the door then stepped into the large hall.
"Mrs. Kennerly?" Sonya called, but received no answer. She listened intently, but didn't hear anyone. "Mrs. Kennerly?" she called a little louder, but still no answer.
She tapped her cane in the direction of the office, but was surprised to find the door locked. She knocked. Nothing.
Sonya frowned and in the pit of her stomach warning bells sounded, but she ignored them. "Maybe she's still in my classroom," she muttered to herself and hoped it was true.
Turning from the office, she made her way down the hall. Once she reached the door to her classroom, she stopped. "Mrs. Kennerly?" she called as she cautiously stepped inside.
The room seemed cooler than usual, and Sonya shivered. No, something was definitely not right, her warning bells clanged. Mrs. Kennerly was not in the room. She could sense it. She started to leave, planning on following her instincts and exiting the building immediately.
When Sonya turned, she froze, sensing someone approach. "Who's there?" she asked, her voice shaky.
"I've missed you, Sonya. Did you miss me?"
David's voice was cold, sardonic. Sonya heart's stopped.
Robyn held a children's book and flipped through the pages. The sound of Si's shoes on the waxed floor caught her attention, and she frowned. He was definitely walking too fast to be with Sonya, she thought. She handed the book to Mya, who turned and tossed it into the bascart then she pushed the cart around the corner of the aisle to meet him.