Chapter 9

Trent showeredand went to bed early. He didn’t talk much these days, but I didn’t really either. We were still in shock. In mourning. Both of us scared of this new world we were trying to survive in.

I’d scoured the papers, looking for any information I could find on Mom and Tia’s murders. Nothing. There was just. . . nothing. It was like it had never happened, which meant something bigger was going on than what I could comprehend.

I’d gone through Mom’s things in the hopes of finding something, but there was nothing. Just her clothes.

I stared out the window to the dark parking lot, the sound of sirens in the distance. I didn’t know what they did with Mom and Tia’s bodies. I didn’t even have a place where we could mourn them.

I swiped at a tear that had fallen and sniffled before getting up and closing the curtains. Then, I made sure the door was locked for the third time that night. I’d become so paranoid since it all had happened.

Sighing, I went to the shower and got beneath the warm spray. As far as motels went, this one wasn’t bad. In fact, it was probably the nicest place I’d ever been in before. But I’d have taken a couple of water bottles and washed with them and been grateful. We’d been washing up in the gas station bathroom for the last few weeks. It was nice to stand beneath the warm shower. We only had the sample soaps, but it was better than anything I’d had lately.

Once I was done, I toweled off, slipped a t-shirt over my head, and put my basketball shorts on before crawling into the second bed in the room. This motel room had a sitting room, as well as a small living room, a decent-sized TV, and a little fridge and coffee maker. It was nice to have the separation so Trent could have some space and relax without having to put on his brave face for me.

For the first time in weeks, I was able to let out a breath and try to relax. It didn’t last long because the ugly images of Mom and Tia invaded my head. I couldn’t escape the sight no matter what I did. It happened every night. Silently, I cried myself to sleep, praying that tomorrow would be better.

Because prayers were really all I had left in me.

* * *

“Hey,”Alice greeted me when I opened the door for her later that afternoon. I stepped aside and let her in. Trent was napping, which brought me relief. He needed the rest.

I led her into the small sitting room, and she sat on the couch.

I sat in the chair next to the couch, waiting to see how long we had until we needed to get out. It didn’t matter. I was grateful for the night she’d given us.

“How was your night?” she asked, relaxing on the couch.

I nodded. “It was good. We needed this. So thank you.”

She smiled at me. “Good. I’m glad it’s working out. How was Trent?”

“He finally got to sleep. He’s been sleeping a lot since we got here. He needs the rest. His wounds were extensive. I-I didn’t even know if he was going to make it,” I said, opening up to her a little.

She gave me a sympathetic look. “I’m so sorry, Anson. I want to help you guys. I spoke to the guy I know. He’s willing to take you on and give you work. I can introduce you to him tomorrow if you’d like to at least speak with him.”

I looked around. I needed the job.

“I’ll stay here with Trent while you’re gone. He’ll be safe. Here.” She rooted in her purse, pulled out a phone with a charger, and handed it to me. “I got you a phone so you could call and check in. I don’t want you to worry.”

I took the phone with shaky hands. “I don’t understand why you’re helping us.”

She shrugged. “I just want to. Is that so wrong?”

“Is it?” I stared at her.

She sighed. “I’ve been down on my luck before too. I think we were supposed to meet. If I can give back to the world, then I think I should. So this is me trying to. So let me.” She let out a soft laugh.

I nodded. It wasn’t like I had a lot of options, and she did seem genuine. So far, she’d come through for us.

“OK.” I hated the words coming out of my mouth because I really didn’t want to leave Trent, but I knew if I was going to get out of this mess, I needed to do something. “I’ll meet with your guy tomorrow.”

“Great.” She pulled out a card and handed it to me. I took it and stared down at the address on the card. “When you get there, just tell them you’re there to see Everett, and you have an appointment. They’re expecting you, so you shouldn’t have any problems.”

“OK,” I murmured, tucking the card into my pants pocket.

“I ordered in a pizza. I hope you don’t mind,” she said. “I got this room for you for a few weeks, so you won’t have to leave anytime soon. I was thinking maybe I could get you some food for here, too, while you wait to get paid.”

Wordlessly, I nodded, too shocked to speak.

“Awesome.” She got to her feet and moved to stand in front of me. “It’s going to be OK, Anson.”

I nodded, my throat tight.

“I’ll have some groceries delivered to you. Don’t be late tomorrow. I’ll see you then, OK?”

“OK,” I murmured.

She moved to the door, and I listened as she left. I exhaled and got to my feet, then slid the lock into place. From the window, I watched her get into her shiny new car and pull out of the parking lot.

I didn’t know what I’d done to deserve her kindness, but I was going to take it without question.

I needed the break so I could get to work on saving what was left of my family.

With any luck, this Everett would offer me a way out.