Chapter 21

The next morning when I woke up, I found myself alone on the bed.

Sadness immediately gripped me at the thought that perhaps now he had gotten what he wanted, he was gone.

I forced myself to sit up.

Pushing my hair out of my face, I glanced at the window and noticed flashing lights outside. Curiosity gently eased the sadness aside as I got out of bed to inspect what could possibly be happening.

My hand pushed the window open as I leaned out, but I couldn’t see much of anything from this side of the house.

With a shrug, I decided to make the best of my first day alone. I still had to shower and scrub off all the dried blood. I would have to find a pharmacy and steal a small tube of ointment so I could start taking care of what I had done to myself.

Unsure of which chore to tackle first, I decided on a bit of fresh air. Maybe if I stood on the front stoop and pretended I was picking it up a bit, I would be able to see why lights were flashing so frantically outside.

I looked down at my feet as I walked out of the room. I wanted to concentrate on something other than being alone. It would help me make it to the front door.

I walked through the cabin using my memory of where things were, which way to go to reach the front door, and when I was a few feet away, I finally glanced up.

What?

Rushing forward, I threw myself against Elijah and wrapped my arms around him from behind.

It was all I could do not to cry.

He hadn’t left me after all.

His curiosity had more than likely gotten the best of him and led him to witness the commotion, much like mine had done to me.

“Good morning,” he said with a laugh as he reached down and squeezed my arm.

I buried my face into his back.

I couldn’t speak.

I knew I would sob if I did, and I didn’t want to start the day like that.

“Are you okay back there?” he asked, trying to turn to glance down at me. My grip on Elijah was too strong for him to move even the slightest inch, which made him chuckle. “Ease up there, Mais. You’re going to break my ribs.”

I’m good at that, I thought solemnly as I finally let him go.

Elijah wrapped an arm around me and pulled me to his side. I buried my face again instantly, like some kind of fucking ostrich, but he managed to peel me off as gently as he could.

“Mais?”

“I’m fine now,” I replied truthfully as I looked up at him. His eyes softened and it was more than likely because he saw the tears welling in mine.

Leaning down, Elijah gave me a soothing good morning kiss, a reassuring squeeze, and then smiled before he turned his attention back to the flashing lights.

“What’s going on?” I finally asked as I settled against him.

“I have no idea yet. The damn lights woke me up. I thought I was seeing shit again,” he replied dryly.

I cleared my throat as I slipped away from him and closer to the stairs, crossing my arms over my chest and watching as a small group of men and women in uniform kept running back and forth.

It was almost as if someone had shot a gun at the beginning of a race, and they were all determined to place first.

When one of the women scurried by us to a large, red truck, I smirked. I wonder why they’re so far away.

“What was that, Mais?”

“Huh?”

Elijah was looking down at me curiously. I had said it out loud without meaning to, and he heard me.

Fuck.

He walked over to me and gripped me by the elbow. I let him haul me back into the cabin and waited like a scolded child waiting for him to lock the door.

“What did you do?” he questioned in a calm voice.

“They were monsters,” I spit out stubbornly.

Elijah stared at me for a moment, confusion in his eyes, until it was replaced by understanding. He ran a hand patiently over his face, before he shook his head.

“I guess we better get moving then,” he declared softly before he let out a heavy sigh.

I lowered my eyes to the floor and kept them there as he walked by me, but before he would be too far out of earshot, I had to know something.

“Did it help?”

I glanced at him feeling so goddamn hopeful that he would tell me the truth.

Elijah hovered just outside of the bedroom door, looking at me thoughtfully. When he finally nodded, I smiled.

“Yeah, it did.”

Liar.

___

I knew I had to wash up before we left, so I let him help me. He cleaned the caked blood off me as best as he could, careful not to make my tender spot even more sore.

Once I felt I was presentable enough, I agreed it was time to go. Lingering would prove to be too careless with all of the authorities running around the camp grounds; especially when we weren’t even supposed to be there.

Half an hour later, I stood by the side of the road waiting for a car that might stop to pick us up.

I didn’t like to go with the first option since it had the potential to be some type of law enforcement. But as far as I knew, hitchhiking wasn’t illegal; I just didn’t want to deal with anyone of that caliber.

“Ugh, fuck.”

I looked up at Elijah who had a hand on his stomach and was giving me a sheepish look. “Sorry, I guess I’m hungry.”

With a nod, I walked toward the curb and stuck my thumb out. Maybe we’d find someone who was nicer than Mr. Mike.

Someone who might take us to eat somewhere without dumping us in the middle of nowhere.

It only took about three tries after damn near all day of being out on the side of the road, before a large camper pulled over. I arched an eyebrow as the door opened and I found myself looking into the eyes of a very nice looking middle-aged man.

“Need a lift?” he asked me kindly.

I motioned for Elijah to come over to where I was standing. It was always his job to size up the potential good Samaritans.

“It’s me and my nephew,” I told him softly.

“That’s fine. We’ve got plenty of space in here, don’t we sweetheart?” he stated as he leaned to the side and glanced somewhere inside.

A beautiful woman with long, silky black hair appeared, looking at us with huge, light blue eyes and a smile that seemed brighter than the goddamn sun itself.

“We sure do!” she agreed after briefly taking us in.

I looked up at Elijah who was studying them quietly before he nodded and put a hand on my back, easing me to the side.

“We’re headed for Kingston. I know that’s a bit of a hike, but we’re grateful for however close you can get us,” he told them as he began to make his way up the three stairs.

Once he reached the top, he turned around and leaned down for me, helping me up, then wrapping an arm protectively around me.

“We can take you all the way. It’s no problem at all,” the nice looking man said.

Elijah held his eyes for a moment before he nodded.

“Come on, Aunt Maisie,” he said as he gave me a gentle tug.

I followed him to the back of the camper and sat down on the white, leather-lined couch.

I wasn’t able to tell yet what he was thinking, but I knew I wouldn’t have to wait long to find out.