“That’s insane, it doesn’t make sense.”
But it did make sense, all too well.
“Promise me that if you see her, you’ll run the other way. Call the police, Debra, Jake, or me. Promise me, Skylar.”
He handed Skylar a business card with both Debra and Jakes phone numbers on it.
“Sure, I promise,” she nodded.
Like she really would, but part of her still wanted protection from everything happening.
“Don’t tell your mother about this. She’s still ill and we don’t need her freaking out over this—at least not yet.”
“Okay, dad.”
He smiled and mussed her hair.
“There’s my . . . my good girl,” he paused. “I’m going to check on your mother,” he said, but first went into the kitchen.
“Skye?”
“Yeah?”
“Did that boy and his family come over for dinner? If so, sorry I couldn’t make it.”
“Just Trevor,” she answered, bolting upstairs.
Closing the door, a light leaked out from the closet. Opening it, Morgan and Haley were no longer covered, and Haley wasn’t keeping Morgan quiet any longer. Morgan held a flashlight and shined it on the palm of her hand.
“Here,” Morgan said.
Skylar angrily snatched the flowers and entwined grass from Morgan. She was about to say something when Haley’s behavior caught her attention. Morgan pointed the light onto Haley.
Haley was shaking. She lifted her head and looked at Skylar with a look of horror etched upon her face.
“Skye, what are these?”
And to Skylar’s own horror, Haley illuminated the blood letters in the beam of light.
Chapter Fifteen
“I can’t explain right now.”
“I thinks you can,” Morgan said, shining the light in Skylar’s face.
“Who wrote them?” asked Haley.
“It! It!”
“Dammit, you two!” She didn’t have time to play around. “My dad is home. He wants Morgan delivered to the police and to the people who rehabilitated Haley and me.”
“Them . . . they are here?”
“Morgan, you need to stay in the closet. Haley, you need to get home right now, in case they decide to ask you questions.”
“Why would they?” Haley looked even more frightened.
“Because they know I would tell you anything.”
“Then I should stay here.”
“No, if you’re not home it will look even more suspicious. Come on.” She motioned to Haley.
After Haley hugged Morgan, Skylar helped Haley to her feet. Skylar handed the flowers and grass to Morgan.
“Don’t you wants them?”
“Keep them safe. Be quiet and turn that light off.”
“Yes, sire.”
Morgan turned off the flashlight and Skylar shut her inside.
“Haley . . . the letters?”
Skylar took the letters from Haley, placing them between the mattresses before the smell affected her.
They slowly walked down the hallway to Skylar’s parents’ bedroom. From behind the doors, she heard her parents talking. Sneaking downstairs, Skylar cracked the door open and saw the black SUV parked across the street. Shutting the door, she led Haley into the backyard.
Skylar was clueless on how to get Haley home without her being seen.
“Did they see us?”
“I don’t know. I hope not.”
Skylar ran to the hole in the fence, noting the gate next to Trevor’s house. There was no way to tell if it was locked.
“You need climb over the fence and get to the gate. If it’s locked, climb over it. Then run as fast as you can back home!”
“Are you sure about this? It’s so dark and lonely. What if Trevor, or whoever else lives in that house catches me?”
“They won’t. You know how to be silent. Remember your night vision. Just do your thing,” she said, hoping she was giving Haley some much-needed confidence.
“Let’s hurry, before I hide in the closet with Morgan,” Haley’s voice was jittery.
Skylar latched her fingers together. Haley placed her foot on Skylar’s hands.
“One . . . Two . . . Three.” Skylar lifted Haley upward as her friend jumped.
Haley grabbed the top of the fence and lifted herself up and over. Peeking through the hole, Skylar watched as Haley landed on her feet.
“Call or text me when you get home, so I know you’re safe.”
“I will!”
Skylar kept her sights on Haley as she reached the gate and tried to open it, but it was locked. Haley scaled the gate and the top board tore away. Skylar watched in shock as Haley fell to the ground and didn’t move.
She feared the worst and was about to come to the rescue when Haley stirred. Relieved, Skylar watched as Haley hopped to her feet and climbed over.
The front door to Trevor’s house slammed. Someone had seen or heard Haley. A motorcycle engine started. Skylar flung her boot from her foot and removed her sock. She was about to chase after Haley when her phone jingled.
The text was from Haley, immediately followed by another.
Safe. Trevor is giving me a ride home. He’s worried. Wants to meet you later.
Skylar texted back:
I was scared. Be safe. Be careful.
She checked the other text—it was from an unknown number.
It’s Trevor. Meet me at the train swing in 1 hour. BTW who is that in your window?
Skylar immediately looked up. The blinds were open and Morgan was staring at Skylar’s old house. Morgan pointed, her gaze fixed on something, and Skylar looked to where her friend’s attention was focused.
The lantern was on in her old bedroom.
A skinny figure stood behind the aged white sheet. Whoever it was, they wore glasses, and a bandana covered their face, hanging below their chin.
The lantern went out and the figure vanished. Skylar turned back to Morgan, but she was no longer at the window. She slipped her sock and shoe back on and texted Trevor.
I’ll be there, but I may not be alone.
Leaving Morgan alone was not an option. Entering the house, her biggest problem was how to sneak her out and past the mysterious car out front.
“Skye. Over here,” a low voice whispered. “You’re so bumpy,” Morgan said.
“Jumpy.”
Morgan huddled behind a chair, peeking at the car outside.
“When that boy was here, I saw your mom.”
“You what?”
“She’s got a poison in her.”
“Huh? What do you mean a poison? Are you sure?”
“You know I ams. Tasted on sweat,” Morgan said confidently, and Skylar knew her friend was right.
An ambulance siren sounded in the distance. It came closer, and within moments twirling colored lights filled the living room. She heard her parents’ bedroom door open.
“Skylar, where are you?” Your mom is really not feeling well and needs to go to the hospital,” her dad said loudly.
“Dad, I’m downstairs!” she didn’t want him opening her bedroom door. “Go to the backyard Morgan, hide. I’ll find you soon,” Skylar motioned for her to go.
“Always the perfect plan,” Morgan said emphasizing the word perfect.
Her father came down the stairs as Morgan entered the kitchen. Someone rang the doorbell. Skylar rand her dad reached the door simultaneously. He looked white and frightened, unlike Skylar had ever seen him before.
“Mom, is she . . .?”
Her dad opened the door. “She’ll be fine, kiddo. I promise.”
Two EMT’s rushed inside and followed her dad upstairs.
Two more entered with a gurney, and they followed the first two. She paced nervously around the living room. A fire truck arrived along with two police cars. The SUV was now hidden behind the emergency vehicles. She was torn between checking on her mom and getting Morgan the hell out while she had the opp
ortunity.
Figuring she would only get in the way, Skylar went to the backyard. She found Morgan sitting in the grass, chewing on several pieces.
“This isn’t hiding! Now’s our chance, come on!”
Skylar ran for the house and Morgan sprung to her feet and followed her inside. She took her father’s long black overcoat off the coat rack and draped it around Morgan. It was dark outside—hopefully nobody would notice Morgan under it. Skylar calmly walked out the front door with Morgan directly behind her, holding her hand.
“Don’t look at anybody,” Skylar whispered.
“Even you?”
“Shh.”
They reached Skylar’s car without being seen. The cops were chatting with a fireman and not paying attention to them. Voices sounded from within the house and became louder by the moment.
Skylar opened the trunk of the car and snatched the small blanket the animal carvings were hidden in.
“Get in,” she said, nervously watching the house.
“Always locking me away.” Morgan crawled into the trunk
“It’s the safest place for you.”
“I’m free we are goings to have a chat . . .”
Skylar pushed down trunk door and it clicked shut.
“. . . leader.”
Skylar barley heard Morgan’s last word as she opened the driver’s door, tossing the carvings onto the passenger seat. Going back to the front yard, Skylar’s mom was being wheeled out, strapped down. A needle protruded from her hand, taped in place. An oxygen mask covered her face.
Her dad was walking alongside the EMTs, and Skylar ran to her mom.
“Mom? Mom!” Skylar shouted.
“Your mom is very ill. The doctors will take good care of her,” a female EMT said.
“Dad?” She eyed him with concern.
“They think its poison, but not sure what kind. I’m riding along with them. Can you lock up and meet me there, please?”
There was a begging in his voice that made Skylar’s heart drop.
A dizzy spell overcame Skylar. She became unbalanced and sat heavily on the porch. She watched as her mother was loaded into the ambulance, and her father followed. Everything swirled, mixing together like paint being washed from an easel.
And then, it was replaced by a memory.
Skylar was on a gurney, unable to move. Her wrists and ankles secured with cuffs and leather straps held her body. It made her feel claustrophobic. White lights passed overhead every few moments. People in white uniforms surrounded her. They talked, but she didn’t understand their language.
Skylar only howled and wouldn’t stop.
Doors flew open and she was in a large bright room. Coming to a stop, she felt a painful prick in her hand. A needle was inserted into a vein, and a clear tube led from it to a bag filled with liquid. A female turned a knob and it started dripping.
Strong hands covered in white gloves forced Skylar’s mouth open. A wide tube was thrust down her throat. She choked, wanted to pass out. A clear mask slid down the tube, covering her mouth and nose.
She became tired and heard Haley’s faint howl in the distance. A man wearing small glasses and a white surgical mask looked Skylar in the eyes.
“No!” Skylar screamed.
Back to the present, nobody was there but her. Even the black SUV was gone. Regaining her composure, Skylar locked the house and returned to her car. Instead of letting Morgan out of the trunk, Skylar got inside the car. She started the car but didn’t leave.
In the dome light, she examined the three carvings. They were meticulously chiseled. The time needed to make them would have been far more than the festival allowed. Someone had made them beforehand, hoping—expecting Skylar to find them. And that someone lived with Trevor, she was sure.
Examining the chipmunk, she discovered two words etched into the base. Checking the others, they also had the same inscription.
The Father, the same word used in the last blood letter.
Banging issued from the trunk. Setting the carvings down, Skylar turned off the light and drove away.
Morgan was becoming more hostile as she kicked and yelled. Skylar almost turned toward the hospital but didn’t. She stayed put at the stop sign, unsure of what to do.
There was no way she could take Morgan to the hospital. She couldn’t keep her locked in the trunk and she sure as hell didn’t want her around Trevor.
The unfinished basement. It was so simple. The one area of the house nobody ever used.
Making a U-turn, Skylar returned home. Popping the trunk, Morgan wasted no time vacating the small cramped space. After jogging around the yard and stretching, she stood next to Skylar.
“Perfect hiding spot? Didn’t we just be here?”
“I figured the last place anyone would look for you is here.”
“Have you been in that?” Morgan pointed to the trunk.
“Can’t say I have,” Skylar said, walking to the house.
“A cocoon.”
Inside, Skylar headed straight for the small door built into the side of the staircase. “You’re going to stay in the basement until I figure something out.”
Skylar pulled the door open and musty, stale air swirled.
She turned her away, along with Morgan.
“I like the cabin better.”
“You’ll be fine as long as you obey,” she said, and walked down the wooden steps.
“You obey,” Morgan said as if she were Skylar’s master.
Skylar flipped on a light switch, illuminating a large open area. It was similar to the first floor of the house, but with only a large living room area, bathroom and a single bedroom. It would work nicely for Morgan.
“Nobody has been down here for at least a year.”
“You’ll feed me and clothe me and tuck me in at nighttime?” Morgan rolled her eyes at Skylar.
Morgan’s attitude was beginning to wear on Skylar. “Yes, and you don’t need to be such a witch.”
“I thought it was bitch?”
“I’m only doing what’s best for you, Morgan. I’m keeping you safe, protecting the three of us from danger you don’t even know about. And—”
“What makes you thought I wanted to be like you?”
“It’s think!” Skylar yelled. “I don’t know, Morgan. I thought—we thought—you’d want to be with us.” She walked around the room clenching her fists.
“Maybe you should come to me? Back where you belonged.”
“You mean back to filth? No thanks, Morgan.” Skylar crossed her arms defiantly.
Morgan moved in front of her.
Skylar turned away, but Morgan grabbed her shoulders and forced her around.
“What gives!”
Skylar tried to push away, but Morgan took her by the neck and pushed their foreheads together. Pain radiated as Morgan’s nails dug into flesh.
“Loves, family, freedoms. Our pack, Skye.” Morgan was intense.
“You can’t tell me what to do anymore, Morgan. I have all of those things in my current life and so can you.” Skylar tore from her clutches. “You’re no longer our leader.” She strutted toward the stairs, but Morgan didn’t follow her.
“Defiant as always, Skye. You’ll never learns will you?”
Skylar stopped at the top of the stairs. She wanted to delve into what Morgan and Haley kept giving her hints about. Broken promises, defiance, but she didn’t care at the moment.
“I’ve learned how to be civilized,” she said, opening the door. “I’ll bring you some bedding and food.”
“Let me sleep nakeds on the floor and eat mices and bugs since I’m so civilizeded.” Morgan’s tone was venomous and sarcastic.
Yet, no matter how Morgan acted, her language mistakes made Skylar laugh inside even if she didn’t want to.
“I’ll order you Thai,” Skylar stepped into the living room.
“I smelled it, Skylar! I smellded him!” Morgan screamed with such ferocity that Skylar expected her to l
eap up the stairs and attack her.
Closing the door, Skylar locked it and stood in place. Morgan was becoming a problem Skylar wasn’t sure she would be able to control. She wanted to take her back to the cabin, chain her up, and spend more time rehabilitating her.
But whoever was stalking them had taken that option away from her. What did Morgan mean when she said she smelled him? Smelled who?
Sitting on the couch, she pondered Morgan’s words and her head started to hurt. Calling the Thai restaurant, she only a recording that they were closed. It was nearing eleven. The day had been full of one crappy event after another. There was enough to spread out over an entire year, or two, or three. A lifetime.
She texted her dad.
Dad, how’s Mom? I’m still at home. I don’t like hospitals. I’ll come if something really bad happens. If you need a ride home, let me know. Love, Skye
Upstairs, she raided the linen closet. Taking some sheets, a blanket and pillow, she re-arranged what was left to make it appear as if nothing was missing.
Making her way downstairs, she set the bedding in front of the basement door.
Scrounging in the kitchen for food, Skylar wanted Morgan to eat something real. She filled a container with fruit and leftover barbeque chicken and grabbed a bottle of flavored water. Before leaving, she looked out the sliding glass door at Trevor’s house. A glimmer of light shone through the kitchen window and sliding door, but she couldn’t see anything.
Haley! She’d forgotten about her and meeting with Trevor. She texted Trevor.
Can’t meet tonight. Mom is in the hospital. Tomorrow. Let me know.
She texted Haley.
Are you okay?
She made sure the sliding glass door was still locked and paced the kitchen. Setting the food on the island, she kept checking her phone in case she’d missed a text, when the phone rang.
“Haley.”
“Skye,” she said in a hushed tone. “I’m hiding in the bathroom.”
“You’re home safe?”
“Uh-uh. Trevor was nice. I snuck in, but my folks caught me.”
“Ugh. Lovely.” Skylar became irritated.
“Exactly. I just had the longest, loving scolding of my life. I have to hurry.”
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