The Complete Lost Children Series

by Krista Street

  “How many clothes do you own?” Jacinda asked.

  “Um, a few shirts and two pairs of pants.”

  “That’s it?” Jasper said.

  “That’s it.”

  Jet leaned back, frowning. A dark curl fell on his forehead. He pushed it back.

  Thankfully, before the Inquisition got into full swing, Val appeared. “Here you go, m’dear.”

  She placed a steaming plate of food in front of me. Roast beef, mashed potatoes, an assortment of roasted veggies, and a large soft roll filled the plate. A hefty portion of gravy covered the meat and potatoes. The smell was unbelievably appetizing.

  Val pulled plates off the tray she carried and served everyone else, but I couldn’t wait for the entire table to receive their meals. My focus became entirely on the food. I picked up my fork and took a big bite. Rich gravy and mashed potatoes coated my tongue.

  It was quite possibly the best moment of my life.

  The next ten minutes were a blur. I had no idea what the group talked about, maybe the food, or the weather, or whatever people normally spoke about at dinner. As for me, all I saw was my fork and the food in front of me. I’d never tasted anything so good, or so satisfying, and it disappeared much too fast.

  “Hungry?” a voice asked.

  I snapped my head up.

  Jet watched me, a smirk on his face.

  My cheeks flamed. I’d probably just resembled a front-end loader hard at work shoveling.

  “Yeah,” I replied sheepishly. I peeked at him again, but Flint was still oblivious. I tried not to stare, but he was so gorgeous, it was hard not to. Once again, I wondered at my strange reaction to him. Even though he ignored me and sat at the end of the table, I still felt safe. Bizarre.

  Jacinda eyed my empty plate. “You really have been starving, haven’t you?”

  “Obviously.” Mica snorted. “Look at her.”

  I shrank inward, pulling my thin arms and lean legs into a pretzel. “Well, that’s what happens when you’re homeless.”

  A few pieces of cutlery fell from people’s grasps. The clatter when it hit the table echoed in the room.

  “But how can you not have any money for hotel rooms?” Mica asked.

  “Yeah,” Jet piped in. “Surely, you have money?” He waggled his eyebrows.

  The questions started up again, but this time focused on finances. Why in the world would they ask me about money? Did I look like someone with rolls of hundreds in my pocket?

  Sinking into my seat, I wished I could disappear underneath it. Suddenly, I felt very tired. The entire day had been completely exhausting, and this group wasn’t helping.

  “Enough.” Flint stared at everyone through hard, dark eyes.

  For whatever reason, the mood around the table abruptly changed. Jacinda smiled brightly and told me she loved my top, but since it was full of tattered holes I wondered if I heard her right. Jasper offered me the rest of his potatoes, Jet continued to smirk, and Mica spooned her zucchini onto my plate before I could protest.

  “I don’t like zucchini.” She set her plate down.

  I shook my head and finished the rest of her unwanted vegetables. However, I declined Jasper’s continual offers to give me his food. As hungry as I was, I wasn’t that pathetic.

  Throughout it all, Flint watched everyone, his hard dark gaze unsettling and comforting at the same time. It was entirely bizarre. When the conversation switched to tomorrow’s forecast, he rose and slipped into the kitchen. I watched him go, admiring his strong legs and wide shoulders.

  “You done?” Val smiled down at me. She held out a hand, her hazel eyes sparkling. A light sheen covered her forehead.

  “Yes, thank you.” I forced myself to stop watching Flint.

  Val moved around the table, collecting everyone’s dishes.

  Just as she finished, Pete strolled into the dining hall with my bag and Flint in tow. I stood so abruptly my chair scraped loudly against the floor. I raced to Pete, grabbed my pack before he could say anything and knelt down. I opened the zippered front pocket.

  A relieved sigh escaped me.

  It was still there.

  My fingers curled around the smooth metal. I carefully extracted the white gold chain bracelet. It glinted in the light. My eyes misted over when I grasped the small charm dangling from the chain. The heart-shaped charm held an inscription reading, Love You Forever, etched into its side. The bracelet was the only piece of jewelry I’d been wearing when I woke in Rapid City.

  The only proof that someone, somewhere, cared for me.

  An emotion, so deep it was silly, coursed through me. In reality, this was simply a piece of metal. Useless. Unable to serve me in any way. But to me, it was so much more than that. Someone in this world knew me and was possibly looking for me. The charm proved that I wasn’t completely alone.

  I blinked back the tears before anyone saw them. Putting the bracelet back in the pocket, I zippered it carefully closed. I did that every time after I admired the small piece of jewelry, so I knew I wouldn’t lose it. The chain was so fragile. A sharp snag and I knew the clasp would break.

  I stood and slung my backpack over my shoulder. It was time to head out. Little Raven waited. “Thank you, Pete and Val. I really appreciate the great meal, but I best be going.”

  “Go where?” Val asked.

  “Back to Little Raven.”

  “But your friend just booked two cabins for the night,” Pete said. “Besides, I told you that you could stay here.”

  “What friend?” I asked.

  Flint crossed his arms. My body turned toward him, as if on its own accord. I felt it again, that strange feeling of safety. What is it about this guy?

  “I booked cabins for all of us,” Flint said. “Including you.”

  My tongue refused to work as I stared up at him.

  “You don’t need to leave,” Flint added quietly. Something flickered in his gaze, but it disappeared before I could decipher it. “You can stay here tonight, and we’ll give you a ride back into town tomorrow.”

  “You will?”

  “Yes.”

  My will instantly crumbled. I was surprised at how quickly it happened. I forgot that I was dirty and unsightly, and I completely forgot how important it was for me to get back to Little Raven. Unconsciously, I took a step toward him. Realizing what I was doing, I stopped myself.

  “Um, okay.” I tried to sound more coherent, but his eyes disrupted all electrical activity in my brain.

  “Glad that’s settled.” Pete sighed. “Now, if y’all follow me, I’ll take you to your cabins for the night.”

  One by one, everyone stood. Slowly, the tension eased. I didn’t know why everyone was so tense to begin with. I sneaked a glance at Flint again. Even though he walked on the other side of the group, I still felt him, actually felt him, like a subtle undercurrent of energy flowed out of him.

  I shook my head. I must have been more sleep deprived than I thought. Nobody could pour out energy, and whatever it was that caused my strange reaction to him, it couldn’t create energy between us.

  Or could it?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  After Pete led us to the cabins, he bid us goodnight. The entire group crowded into the living room of one cabin, even though the guys had rented the cabin next door.

  I shuffled uncertainly among them and tried not to admire Flint’s height. He was easily the tallest in the group. I barely came to his shoulders. Luckily, he and Di were whispering again so he didn’t notice my curious stares. Everyone else eyed me, though. Mica seemed particularly interested in cornering me, if her grin and shining brown eyes were any indication.

  I scooted out of the room to check out the sleeping arrangements before Mica could pounce.

  Two bedrooms filled the back of the cabin—one with two sets of bunk beds, the other with two queen beds—plenty of room for Jacinda, Mica, Di and me. I spent longer than necessary in the bedrooms, giving everyone time to break up for the night.

&
nbsp; When I returned to the living room, though, everyone still sat on the couches. Apparently, nobody was turning in.

  Mica and Jacinda both looked up expectantly when I stepped into the room. Jacinda even scooted over to make room for me on the couch.

  Great. Now what do they want to know? I groaned inwardly thinking about the questions to come.

  “Um, I think I’m gonna clean up.” I made a beeline for the bathroom and closed the door behind me. Part of me wanted to sink against the door and crumble to the floor. Between the stress of today, my reaction to Flint, and this strange group, exhaustion filled me to the core. However, if I did pass out again that would bring the cavalry running.

  I sighed and pushed away from the door.

  The only good thing about being trapped in this tiny room? I could shower. Crisp, white towels and complimentary soaps and shampoos garnished the shelves. My eyes landed on the tub, shower combo.

  I didn’t waste any time stripping my clothes. When I stepped under the shower’s hot spray, I understood for the first time what bliss felt like. I was currently well fed, had a roof over my head and was now taking a hot shower. Never in the four months of my known existence had I ever experienced any of those three.

  I showered for a long time. Longer than I needed to. Partly, because it felt so good, but also because I wanted to avoid more probing questions.

  By the time I stepped out, the water had cooled, and thick steam covered the mirror. I ran my hand over the glass. The image staring back at me left me dumbstruck.

  I was clean, actually clean.

  My complexion was paler than I’d realized. White skin, sprinkled with a dusting of freckles across my nose, and large green eyes stared back at me. I turned my head a few times, taking advantage of being able to study myself like this. Before, I’d always been covered in dirt and grime.

  Turning my torso, I was surprised at how long my hair was. Long, crimson locks hung down my back in damp waves. Without filth coating them, they sprung up when I pulled a few strands. Since I didn’t have a comb, I ran my fingers through my hair. Luckily, since I used so much conditioner, they easily threaded through.

  Despite being clean, my face was still frighteningly thin and my ribs and hip bones jutted out. Sighing, I put my filthy clothes back on, turned off the light and eased the door open. I stopped short when I rounded the corner. All of them still waited in the living room, even Flint.

  Jet let out a whistle. “Look at you, Red. You sure clean up well.”

  “Oh, um, thanks.”

  Di sat near Flint. Her dark eyes trained on me. “Want to talk for a little bit?”

  I gulped. Talk? Is that what they call the grilling questions? “Ah . . . I’m going to turn in. It’s been a long day.”

  I hurried past them and escaped into the first bedroom off the hallway. It was the room with bunk beds. Stripping everything off except my shirt, I leaped onto the top bed and dove under the covers. The feel of them temporarily distracted me. They were soft and smooth.

  Turning on my side, I stared at the wall. A few minutes passed and my heart rate slowed. My lids actually started to close as exhaustion set in when I heard the door open. I stiffened but made myself relax and fake a few snores.

  “Lena?” I recognized Mica’s voice. Quiet footsteps approach the bed. “Lena?” she said louder.

  I let out a few deep breaths and a soft snore. I felt her presence close to the bed and had no idea what she wanted. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

  Mica eventually sighed and turned. She padded to the door and closed it. Darkness once again enveloped the room. I let out a sigh of relief. A few more minutes passed and when I realized nobody would be bothering me again, I sank into oblivion.

  I BOLTED AWAKE. Darkness surrounded me. It took a second to get my bearings. I wasn’t outside. That was obvious from the lack of wind, smells and nighttime sounds. So if I wasn’t outside, where was I?

  I ran my fingers along something rough yet soft. Whatever it was, I lay on it. Frowning, I felt the bumps and grooves and eventually deduced that I was on a couch. How the heck did I get on a couch?

  Fumbling in the dark, I found a light switch on a table lamp. The room flooded with harsh light, revealing several couches, a small kitchenette, and rustic decorations.

  The cabin!

  It all came crashing back. The ride with Pete, meeting the group and going to sleep in the cabin. But I’d gone to sleep in a bed. I was sure of it. The top bunk in one of the bedrooms to be precise. I groaned as I realized how I’d gotten out here.

  I sleepwalked again.

  Over the past four months, I’d sleepwalked a few times, usually when I went to bed late in a particularly strange place. I sighed. At least I hadn’t wandered outside.

  I turned the light off and fumbled my way back to the bedroom. Soft snores greeted me. It appeared Mica was asleep in the lower bunk. Red, glowing numbers on the bedside clock drew my attention. 2:17. It was essentially the middle of the night.

  Instead of returning to bed, I paused. My thoughts drifted to what I’d discovered only twelve hours ago.

  Little Raven.

  I knew Flint said they’d give me a ride into town that morning, but morning felt like a long way off. Answers possibly lay in Little Raven roughly fifteen miles away. Fifteen miles. That was it.

  That distance would only take about five hours of walking, maybe a little more since the terrain varied so much. And even though this group said they’d give me a ride, what if they slept in? Or, what if they changed their minds? Then what? I’d have wasted another half day waiting for others to help me when I could have done it myself. Five hours from now, the group probably wouldn’t be up, but I could be striding into the town center.

  I silently collected my things.

  COLD WIND AND nighttime sounds filled the air on my walk back to the county road. Crickets chirped, distant owls hooted, and an occasional coyote or wolf howled in the night. The chilly breeze felt alive in its own way. It caressed my skin, getting shivers out of me until I set a steady pace.

  I’d put my warmest clothes on: a ragged sweatshirt, knit cap, and my worn jeans. They kept me warm enough until I disappeared into the forest. Then, darkness enveloped me, and the temperature plummeted.

  I kept my eyes on the light-colored road in front of me. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, illuminating the gravel. Still, the darkness dominated the forest. Without city lights and interstate traffic headlights, the world became an inky sea at night.

  As gravel crunched underfoot with every step I took, my thoughts inevitably drifted to Flint. His image swam in my mind. That beautiful, chestnut-colored hair, those dark eyes flecked with gold, and a firm mouth that seemed ready to tense at any moment. I sighed. I had no idea why he pulled at me like he did, but there was no use thinking about him. I’d never see him again.

  I abruptly stopped, my feet skidding in the gravel. I’ll never see him again.

  I breathed in and out deeply a few times. I even closed my eyes. Cold air pierced my lungs and eventually cleared my head.

  Just forget him, Lena! The instinct had led me to Little Raven. Therefore, answers lay in Little Raven. It didn’t matter that my heart wanted to run back to the ranch. What mattered right now was finding answers. I needed to know what happened to me.

  I resumed walking and pushed thoughts of Flint farther and farther behind me with every step I took. When dawn finally crested the horizon, the blister on my heel split wide open again. The pain helped. It kept me from thinking of him.

  About an hour later, the end of the forest appeared. I hurried until the tree’s branches and canopy released me. Morning sun shimmered off the town’s rooftops in the distance. I grinned.

  I was here.

  I PICKED UP a jog and didn’t stop until I reached the road going into the town center. A few cars passed me on the street. The sound of distant vehicles filled the quiet. People were waking up, getting ready for work, and heading out for the day.
The town grew to life once again as a new day loomed—a day full of possibilities.

  I turned down the first street and ducked into a store. A clock hung on the wall. Just past eight. For a brief second, I pictured Flint waking up, stretching in bed, his large hands running through his hair. I pushed the image away. Not important, Lena!

  It appeared I’d entered an outdoor store. Bicycles, kayaks and rows of gear stacked the walls. Bright sunlight pierced the store’s eastern windows as an eager shop assistant approached me while I stood there, unmoving. She wore a navy vest sporting the store’s logo and didn’t look older than sixteen.

  “Morning,” she said.

  “Good morning,” I replied.

  “Can I help you with anything? We have sales stuff in the back.”

  “No. I’m not here to buy anything.”

  She turned to leave, but I reached out. She’ll do. “Ah, wait, can I ask you something?”

  “Sure!” Her smile revealed a mouth full of braces.

  “Do you recognize me?”

  Her head cocked. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean . . .” I leaned closer. “Have you ever seen me before? Or do you know anyone that looks like me?” I fluffed my hair around my shoulders, hoping the noticeable color would jog her memory.

  Her eyebrows rose. “Um, no. I guess I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Well, do any of your parents’ friends have a daughter, or sister, or niece, or know someone, that looks like me?”

  She shook her head. “Uh, no.”

  “Are you sure? No one even remotely like me?”

  She shook her head again.

  “Do you know everyone in town?”

  “Yeah. Except for the tourists.” She hooked a thumb at a couple standing in front of a mirror. They were trying on hats. Rather large hats.

  “But you don’t know me?” I persisted.

  “No,” she said firmly.

  Her answers weren’t what I hoped for, but I smiled brightly and reasoned she was too young. She probably didn’t know everyone.

  “Okay, never mind. Thanks for your time.”

  “Sure!” She scurried away.