by S. L. Hess
Her dad had been there looking tired, harried, and anxious, and it had elicited a few more blubbers from Laney as well as from her father. They’d done a quick check-up on her even though she’d told them she was okay, just tired.
The Silverton police had then asked her a butt load of questions and Laney divulged everything that had happened…well, everything except Devan and the wolves. When asked how she’d escaped she—reluctantly—declared that she hit Jarrod with a tree branch in the face, taken his gun, and left him at the shack after tying him up with some zip ties that were—coincidentally—found lying around in the shack.
When asked if she was the one who’d text the shacks location she hadn’t known what to say at first. Why would she text a location but not call someone for help? She’d stumbled out a really lame excuse about having no cell signal at the time and had typed in the coordinates—coordinates that she’d discovered on Jarrod’s phone (another coincident)—hoping they would go through, and then she’d had to tell them that she’d dropped the phone in her haste to get away...like some B-movie actress in a horror flick.
Because of the coordinates Jarrod had been located and brought to town before she had. He’d been telling people that Laney had gone with him willingly and that he’d only taken the gun for protection. Laney’s bedtime attire, the locality of the shack, and several testimonies that Laney and Jarrod hadn’t been seeing eye to eye weighed more heavily towards Laney’s description of events, but because she went out to meet him and was basically unharmed, and there were no other witnesses, it was her version of events against his.
When asked why Laney had clocked him and tied him up Jarrod had said that they’d been getting intimate when Laney had freaked out on him and hit him with something. He said he didn’t remember too much about getting hit or being tied up since he was out cold.
So now Laney was in limbo about what was going to happen with Jarrod. Laney could press charges but the police said it would be a difficult case to indict. And from what Hali was reporting, the town seemed to be cut in half on what to believe. Most everyone knew both Laney and Jarrod and they didn’t want to believe that Jarrod could do what Laney was accusing him of, but at the same time the circumstances looked hokey and why would Laney lie about it.
Laney’s dad believed her events of the night, of course, and was incensed with Jarrod and wanted to press charges. He thought that was why she wouldn’t leave the house, because she was too traumatized by the entire thing and was afraid of Jarrod.
However, while Laney was concerned about Jarrod, she really didn’t think he was that much of a threat to her. She thought he required therapy more then he needed to be locked up.
No; the reason for her depression was Devan, knowing that he was gone and she was never likely to see him again. Laney was able to keep most of her misery in check and that’s why she walked around in a fog most of the time, but at night the wretchedness of his absence overwhelmed her. It was crazy, she’d known him for only a few short days, but his leaving had created a massive hole in her chest and she doubted it would ever heal. It might scab over but the wound would always be there, sensitive to the touch.
She missed him, and she worried if he was safe. There was that last wolf he’d gone after; what if it had hurt him? Sure, he’d killed seven wolves and hadn’t received a scratch―and that was still boggling her mind―but he had been wounded previously by that one earlier in the day.
What if he’d been captured by The Company? He said they wanted to dissect him, basically harvest him. They could have him right now; doing all sorts of experiments on him. They could have killed him.
Pain slashed at Laney’s heart and a sob of anguish burst from her. The worry was slowly eating away at her.
A faint scratching noise broke through the sound of Laney’s sobs. She closed her mouth and tried to hold her breath afraid her father was outside her door. She didn’t want him to hear her crying because it would only cause him to fret more. He was really worried about her and she didn’t want to exasperate it.
The scratching continued and Laney realize that it wasn’t coming from the hallway; instead, it was coming from the window. Wiping her eyes Laney sat up and narrowed her eyes at the window. Sheer curtains hung over them making everything look hazy outside. Sweeping her comforter slowly aside she made her way hesitantly over to the window.
Abruptly, it hit her that she was hearing noises outside her window and she was blithely walking up to it unarmed. She wasn’t going to be that lame B-movie actress for real, so Laney looked around and seized the nearest weapon; which happened to be a tennis racket.
Standing off to the side the window for safety’s sake, Laney brushed the curtain aside a crack and peeked out. At first all she saw was the outline of the old oak trees’ branches reaching up over the house, but then a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared in her line of sight. With a squeak Laney jumped back dropping the curtain, but as soon as she did she berated herself. It was only an animal, Sherlock.
Laney reached out for the curtain again to check what kind of animal was strolling around on her roof; most likely a raccoon or opossum.
“Laney.”
The sound of a voice had Laney squeaking and jerking her hand back again. Raising her racket she inhaled for a more substantial scream.
“It’s Devan.”
Laney’s breath froze mid-inhale. Devan! Could it really be? Jerking back the curtain she stuck her face up to the glass and peered out. Glowing yellow eye stared back at her set in a face that was faintly revealed by the outside light and half concealed by darkness. She would know that straight nose and strongly cut features anywhere…and those yellow eyes; although, she’d never seen them glow before.
Her heart which had stopped there for a couple seconds started to beat madly. It was Devan!
Unless she was dreaming. “Devan?” She asked hesitantly. Dropping the racket she pressed her hand on the windowpane.
A hand rose lining up with hers on the opposite side of the pane, a much larger hand. “Yes Laney, its Devan.” The phantom whispered.
If this was a dream she was going with it. Reaching up she unlocked the window and pushed it open. Then she had to unlatch the screen which took forever because her hands were shaking. Eventually, she got it removed and Devan folded himself in through the open window and then shut it quietly behind him.
Laney stared up at him in stunned amazement. She wanted to throw herself into his arms and hug him to death to make sure he was real, but she also just wanted to feel his arms around her.
The floodlight from outside shed enough light into Laney’s room for her to see Devan’s finger tap his lips in a ‘shushing’ action as he pulled an instrument about the size of his palm from his pocket. Affixing a hearing devise into his ear he began walking around her room with it pointing it at lamps, light fixtures, electrical outlets, her phone, and every other nock and cranny.
Laney noted that his eyes were no longer glowing; it must have had something to do with the light outside. She’d seen a faint glimmer of that glow previously but had convinced herself it was imaginary. Maybe it was another side effect of his animal DNA.
After a minute he returned it to his pocket and walked up close to her to whisper. “I was checking for listening devices, to see if The Company had put you under observation.”
Laney had been so happy to see him that she hadn’t taken into account as to why he was back in town. While she was ecstatic to see him and it would break her heart all over again when he left she didn’t want him getting caught. “They couldn’t have gotten in here; I haven’t left the house for three days.” She informed him softly.
“You sleep though, and it would be very easy for them to come into your house undetected with you none the wiser. Possibly even pump a little sleeping gas into the house to aid in their access.” The ominous tone of those words sent a shiver down Laney’s spine.
Devan reached behind her grabbing the extra blanket on the bed. Stepp
ing up to her he wrapped it around her shoulders holding it together for her. That he’d seen her shiver didn’t altogether surprise her since she’s witnessed his eyes glowing just minutes ago, and she was also becoming accustomed his abilities.
She breathed in a deep breath taking in his scent. Like him, she would know his scent anywhere. All the smells of the forest clung to him; the trees, leaves, and dirt, the sap of pine cones, the mist of the Colorado River, plus a dark male muskiness that was all his own.
Laney reached up to take hold of the blanket expecting Devan to step back when she did, but he didn’t; instead, he she felt his grip tighten. The blanket was no longer needed because her body instantly warmed at his proximity and her heart pounded double time in her chest.
“I spent half the day inspecting my house, the school, and around the town for any signs of surveillance.”
Devan’s comment almost went unnoticed as Laney soaked in his presence. “And did you find anything?” She tensed for his reply.
“No.”
Laney’s body went limp in relief. A feather light caress to her collar bone had her breath shuddering out in pleasure. “But what about the wolves; I thought The Company was tracking them?” She asked anxiously.
The touch halted its stroking, but maintained contact with her skin. “As I was chasing the last wolf I was able to reflect on a few things. That last wolf ran away for a reason and it was to get back to its handler.”
“Handler?” Laney interjected frowning.
“The person responsible for the wolves. He follows them around, probably making sure they remain on track, keeping them healthy…things like that. When that last wolf ran away without attacking I knew that its task was to bring back evidence that it had located me. If I could only eliminate it I had a chance at stopping The Company from learning my location. So I pursued it, and eventually after many miles, I caught up with it, killed it, and cut out the tracking chip. Next, I went back to the other wolves and retrieved all their tracking chips. I then drove, at a rather slow pace, through many winding back roads to Mexico. While there I proceeded to feed the chips to some wild dogs. The chips will appear active for a few days and when The Company eventually tracks them down all they’ll find is left over excrement. I’m sure they’ll be suspicious about it but it’s highly unlikely they’ll be able to trace me back to Silverton.”
The entire scenario made Laney’s head spin. That he’d done all that in three days was astounding. “What about the chip from the first dead wolf?” Laney asked fretfully.
“I was able to find it.” Devan replied.
“How…” The rest of her question went unspoken as she abruptly realized how he’d found the chip. “One of the other wolves ingested it, didn’t they?” She almost shouted her discovery, but remembered to keep her excited exclamation to a whisper.
“Yes.” Although still unable to see him Laney thought she detected humor in Devan’s reply.
Picturing Devan having to hack up each wolf so he could rummage around in its intestines looking for that miniature chip was not a pleasant image. “Eww; sorry for you.”
“It’s better than the other alternative.” Devan commented drily.
Hearing the joke come out of his mouth lifted Laney’s spirits like nothing else could. Because he was so serious most of the time whenever he made a joke it was like seeing a rainbow spread across a dismal sky; all you could do is stop and bask in the moment.
Grasping his hands in hers she squeezed, taking pleasure in just touching him. His hands were extra warm in hers probably because of his higher temperature. “I’m just so glad you’re alright. Even though you’d taken on those seven other wolves without getting a scratch I was still worried about you.”
Devan was silent for a minute and Laney was fearful that he was going to announce that it was time for him to leave. Her heart clenched painfully and she gripped his hands tighter unwilling to let him go just yet.
“When I was assessing the town I overheard several discussions on your kidnapping. Why has Jarrod not been arrested?” Restrained fury coated each word Devan voiced.
Laney sighed. “Jarrod told everyone that I went with him willingly. The police said given that I was unharmed, and as there were no witnesses, it was his story against mine. I could pursue the matter in court, but they said it was a long shot.”
Devan’s stillness was menacing, but Laney didn’t feel threatened. She knew where it was directed, and that’s what truly worried her. Devan had been enraged when he’d come into that shack knocking Jarrod out cold. “I don’t really feel that Jarrod is really a threat to me any longer. While what he did was wrong I think it was an impulsive act. I think what he needs more is therapy rather than prison time.”
“Laney, he held a gun on you.” Devan bit out gruffly.
Yeah, that hadn’t been fun. “I know, and I’m not going to say I wasn’t scared or that is wasn’t wrong, but I really don’t feel like he’s a future threat to me. You also need to recognize that I’ve known Jarrod all my life and it’s not that easy for me to have him thrown in jail. A kidnapping charge with a weapon involved could put him away for life.”
Devan went silent and his body seemed to tense up and draw back from her. He asked in a flat voice. “You have…feelings for him; that’s why you don’t want him imprisoned.”
While confused at Devan’s withdrawal Laney realized that Devan never had a family so he really had no concept of familial bonding, or any kind of bonding. “I don’t think there’s any way you can grow up with someone and not develop feelings for them. We’ve experienced a lot together. In some ways he’s like family, so I have to ask myself; if my brother did this would I automatically want him thrown in jail? No, I’d want him to get help.”
“So, Jarrod is like a brother you feel an obligation to.”
Laney winced at the description because it sounded so cold, but her feelings toward Jarrod were confused at the moment. “That about describes it at this time,” she sighed unhappily.
“I don’t like it that he’s free. Is that why you haven’t left the house in three days, and why you were crying, and why you were brandishing that racket? You’re scared.” Devan accused heatedly. “It’s good that I’m going to be staying.”
At first Laney thought she was hearing things. “What?” She said that a little louder than she should have. Going still she listened unsure if she’d been loud enough for her father to hear.
“He’s unmoving downstairs; he didn’t hear.” Devan commented after a slight pause.
Trying to not let her amazement at his exceptional hearing distract her Laney leaned forward and whispered urgently. “What do you mean you’ve decided to stay?”
Devan shifted slightly. “Now that the wolves have been eliminated and their tracking chips scattered far from here, and since I’ve also established the absence of surveillance…Brett and I can stay.”
The heavy sensation that had been weighing down Laney for days instantly disappeared leaving her almost lightheaded. He was staying!
“Is that…agreeable?” Devan asked. Laney thought she detected a certain amount of apprehension in his tone.
Unable to stop herself Laney flung her arms around him hugging him tightly. “It is sooo agreeable.” She said. His chest was warm and hard beneath her cheek, inhaling deeply she took in his dark musky scent.
Devan wrapped his arms around her pulling her in closer and they held each other silently. Laney splayed her hands over his back delighting in the warmth and strength of his embrace.
Devan’s hand sifted through her hair. “Is Jarrod the reason you were crying? Are you afraid he might get to you again?” The question was voiced harshly above her.
“That isn’t why I was crying.” Laney sighed. Did she want to reveal the real reason she was crying? Yes, she did. Devan had taken steps so he could come back and Laney realized that she needed to take steps to make it hard for him to leave. She couldn’t hide what she felt. Devan was already handic
apped in the emotional and social department, she wasn’t going to make it harder for him just because it was embarrassing to admit her own feelings.
“I was crying because I missed you, and was worried about you.” Laney stuffed her face harder into his chest.
Devan held her silently for a while caressing her hair and Laney began to shift nervously wondering what he was thinking. Before he’d left he’d told her they would have never worked out, but Laney didn’t believe that to be true.
“You’re going to stop now that I’ve returned, right?” Devan’s words were a command with a partial question thrown in there at the end.
Laney huffed out a laugh at his demand. “Yes.”
“Promise. I don’t like to see you cry.” He demanded again.
Laney raised her head to look up at him. His face was mostly shadowed in the dim light. “You’re here, so I have no reason to cry anymore.”
Devan’s head was bent and he was quiet again as stared down at her. His hand moved to her face and his thumb stroked the skin under her eye. “You need sleep. You look exhausted.”
Laney smiled. “You’re not supposed to tell a girl how bad she looks.”
“You could never look bad, but you do look like you haven’t been sleeping well.” He retorted gruffly. He stepped back and bent down for the blanket that had fallen when she’d hugged him, straightening he wrapped it around her again and led her back to the window. Laney’s heart clenched at the thought of him leaving, he could just disappear and she would never see him again.
Standing at the window Devan’s face was easier to see and read, and the expression on his face as he gazed down at her was nervous. “May I come over and see you tomorrow after you’re religious assembly?”
Her heart unclenched and she felt giddy at his request, which had her giggling at his choice of words. God, he was so cute. “Yes, I would love that.”