Nick pauses, his hand on the gear shift. “We should all go then.” He closes his eyes. “Or talk her out of it.”
“She deserves a life, Nick. You can’t lock her up.”
“Friday is her birthday.” He rolls his eyes. Backs out of the car port.
“Oh. Yeah. She probably shouldn’t go then, you’re right. Maybe I can talk her into a girl’s night. Have a slumber party or something.”
“As long as it’s at her house. That’s actually a really good idea, Lila.”
“Right? You’re not the only one with brains in the family.” Nick can hear the smile in her voice.
“Whatever you say. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Later Icky.”
Nick flips his phone shut. Keely’s house is only a few blocks from his apartment. That was part of—o.k., the only—charm of the basement closet he lives in. He’s pulling to the side of the road at his usual spot after only a few minutes. He was so proud of himself when he found this place a couple of months ago. He can see most of the house and yard from this vantage point while still keeping out of sight.
Her car is parked in the same place. She hasn’t left. His eyes move over each window, trying to figure out where she is in her house. It’s a little after five. She’s probably doing homework before her parents get home from work. That would put her either in her room or the kitchen. He gazes up to her bedroom window. The light isn’t on, but she wouldn’t necessarily need it. The kitchen is in the back of the house. In the back corner that he can’t see from here. He looks up to her window again. Really it shouldn’t matter where she is. She’s in the house which means she’s safe. Nick knows this.
Still.
He unbuckles himself, pulls his dagger from the glove compartment just in case. Moves toward the house. He heads for the back trying to appear as if he has every right to be here. Lively meets him half way through the yard. Nick kneels and pats the brown long haired Shih Tzu on the side. Lively smells the jerky on his fingers. Licks them. Looks up at Nick like he’s asking if there is more.
“Sorry, Lively,” Nick whispers. “Where’s Keely?” Lively’s ears perk at the mention of her name. He trots towards the back. Stops. Sniffs the ground. Lifts his leg. “Thanks. That’s helpful.”
“What are you doing here?”
Nick starts, his hand automatically going for the dagger tucked into his belt. “What are you doing here?” His shoulders relax. Hand drops back to his side.
“I was checking on Keely. She won’t answer my calls,” Bryon says. His voice is loud as if he isn’t concerned that Keely will hear him. Bryon never really seems concerned about anything.
“Everything good?”
Bryon nods. “Doing homework.”
Nick’s lips twitch. He already knew that, didn’t he? “How’s Lively keep getting out?” The dog had wandered back over to them. Sniffs Bryon’s shoe. Sneezes.
“I don’t know. Keely’s probably letting him out.”
Nick shakes his head. “No. He was out when she came home.”
“I don’t know. Her parents?”
“They’re working.” Nick kneels. Runs his hand across the small dog’s back.
“Her parents let him out before work. Keely let him out now.”
Something bothers Nick. He can’t place it, but something’s off. It’s like when someone moves something in a room and you know it looks different but you can’t figure out why. It gnaws at him. “Keely puts him on the chain,” he says slowly, more to himself. He’s trying to work through it. Like solving a math problem.
“So, he got off the chain. It’s fine. He’s a good dog. He stays in the yard. And we know she’s safe in the house, Nick. It’s fine.” He looks at Nick like he’s overreacting.
Maybe he is. But still. He goes around to the back of the house. Sees Lively’s chain in the yard where the grass is thin and yellow. He lifts it. Runs hand over hand down the whole length of the chain. It all looks fine. No reasonable explanation as to how he’s getting off. Nick pats his leg. “Here Lively.” The dog’s tail wags as Nick checks his collar. He connects the chain to it. Walks outside of the thinning grass circle. Calls Lively again. Bryon watches all of this quietly and with great patience.
Lively makes it as far as the chain allows. Tries again as Nick whistles, but cannot go any further. Nick looks up to the kitchen window. Sees an empty table.
He runs to the front of the house. Looks up to Keely’s room. The curtains move, dancing behind the glass of Keely’s bedroom window. A heartbeat later the light comes on. The curtains move again.
Nick rushes to the door, Bryon on his heels. He tries the door. Locked. Bryon’s already moving the third planter pot and snatching up the spare key. He unlocks it and Nick rushes past him taking the stairs two at a time as fast as he can. Throws open the door to Keely’s bedroom. Hears her scream a second before his eyes find her.
Bryon slams into Nick’s back not expecting him to come to an abrupt stop. Nick stumbles forward. Hits the floor. Bryon falls on top of him. Nick pushes him off and they both move to their feet.
Keely’s standing next to her bed. She’s clutching something in her hand. Some kind of fabric. It looks a lot like the skirt she wore to school today. Nick surveys the room. She’s alone and visibly shaking. She wears a look of shock. She is not, however, wearing pants. Just blue panties and a white tank top.
“What the hell?” she screeches. Her face is bright red. Nick isn’t sure if that’s due to anger or embarrassment.
“S-sorry. Lively wasn’t-wasn’t on his chain,” he stutters. “And your curtains were moving.” Three heads turn in the direction of the window. The curtains rustle, billowing in and out.
“Ah, vent,” Bryon says, pointing.
“Air conditioning,” Nick says. He feels like an idiot. “I’m really sorry. I just thought…”
“Get out,” Keely seethes.
“Sorry Keel,” Bryon calls as he backs out of the room. He doesn’t really seem sorry at all. Nick backs out next pulling the door closed.
“Oh man. You really pissed her off.”
Nick glares. “We pissed her off,” he corrects.
“I told you it was fine. I specifically recall saying ‘it’s fine.’” He crosses his arms. “I think I even said it twice.”
“You followed me. You thought something was wrong too.” Now Nick crosses his arms.
“Because you were going all Colombo. I thought you were actually on to something.” He shakes his head. “I’ll use better judgment next time, Scooby.”
The door is flung open with such force it hits the wall with a bang. “There better not be a next time!” Keely is dressed. Wearing a pair of pajama pants and a hoodie. She has it zipped to the neck. Trying to hide, Nick thinks.
“Keely…”
She silences him with a look and the rise of her hand. “Just don’t.” She walks around them. Goes down the stairs. The guys are left in the hallway outside her room. They exchange a look. Bryon shrugs. Starts down the stairs. Nick looks into Keely’s room. Eyes sweep the small space quickly before he follows after Bryon.
Keely is waiting at the door, her hand on the knob. She points. It’s clear she wants them to leave. Neither one blames her.
“We were only trying to help. We thought you were in danger,” Bryon sulks.
Keely’s glare shuts him up. He moves onto the porch.
Nick stops in front of her. “I just have a quick question, then I’ll go. I promise.” He doesn’t wait for her to disagree. “Have you been letting Lively out? Without putting him on the chain I mean?”
Keely’s expression changes. It wasn’t a question she was expecting. The skin between her eyebrows puckers.
“It’s important. Please,” Nick says softly.
Keely’s lips tighten into a pout. She looks away. Shakes her head. “I thought he was inside.”
Bryon steps back into the house. “You didn’t let him out?”
“No.”
&nbs
p; “He’s getting out somehow,” Nick says. His shoulders tense.
“I came home from school and he was out.” Nick nods. He knows this. “I didn’t see him this morning so I figured my mom must have let him out and forgot about him. But I brought him in with me. I haven’t opened a door since then.” She hugs her arms around herself feeling cold. Like bone chilling cold. The kind of cold that only goes away after soaking in a hot bath.
“I want to take a look around. Something is bothering me. I know this will only make you hate me more, but I have watched your house daily for a long time. Something isn’t right. I just can’t put my finger on it.” Nick stares at her. Sees the different emotions pass over her features as that sinks in. He knows she feels it too. He’s not guessing. Not assuming. He knows with the certainty of a man that has watched Keely for a year, day in and day out. That has come to know her from far away. Knows her for what she doesn’t say.
“Yeah. O.k. Just make it quick. My parents should be home any time.”
Nick and Bryon spring into action. They move in unison looking at everything. The smallest clue that something doesn’t belong. For something missing. For something different. Anything. Their eyes move up, down. Side to side. Nick runs his fingers over everything. Feeling for an energy that is wrong.
In the family room near the fire place, Nick feels a significant change in temperature. It’s a good fifteen degrees cooler, but not breezy. Not drafty. He moves his hands up, following the cold and freezes.
“Keely?”
“What? Did you find something?” Her voice shakes.
“I’m guessing this isn’t usually how you guys have this?” He points to the ornate wooden cross above the mantel hanging upside down. Keely gasps. Her fingers cover her lips. She shakes her head. Nick reaches up to turn it back. Realizes it isn’t attached to the wall. It isn’t touching anything. The air around it is chilling. He draws his hand back.
“How? This house has been blessed. It’s been anointed with holy water. Every room. We salted the perimeter a hundred times. It should be a haven. This is impossible.”
Bryon stares in disbelief. “Something broke it.” He turns to Keely. “It isn’t safe for you here anymore.”
Keely takes a step back. Her teeth grind together. “I can’t just leave. This is my home. I have no place else to go.” She shivers. A chill runs down her spine. She recalls the man from her dream. This is your home, Keely.
“You have to. You can stay with me. I promise I will keep you safe.” Nick steps towards her. He wants to touch her arm. Reassure her, but he knows she doesn’t like to be touched.
“But my parents…”
“We’ll talk to them. They’ll be fine with it,” Bryon says.
Keely shakes her head. “They will not be fine with me taking off to stay at some guy’s house. Especially a guy they don’t even know. And I don’t even know where to begin to explain why I need to go. I don’t even understand it.” She gulps in a deep breath. Her eyes burn.
“They already know, Keely,” Bryon murmurs.
Keely steps back as if he pushed her. Stares at him. “You’re lying.” She almost laughs it’s so unbelievable.
He shakes his head. Gives her a pitying look. “It’s true. How do you think we found out about you? Your mom…she’s made some mistakes, but she loves you. She wants you to be safe. There isn’t time to get into this. I need you to pack a bag. Quickly. You need to go.”
“I’m not going anywhere until I speak to my parents.” She glares at Bryon. “You think just because you say it’s true I’m going to take your word for it? I don’t trust you, Bryon. You’ve been lying to me from the moment I met you.” She sits on the couch. Her back straight. “I want to hear it from my mom’s mouth. If she can confirm your story, then fine.” She shrugs.
Nick looks at Bryon. “I’m going to go pack her bag so we can go as soon as her parents get home.”
“Don’t you dare touch my stuff,” Keely simmers as she shoots off the couch. Puts her hands on her hips.
“Oh, shut up.” Nick walks past a wide mouthed Keely. Grabs her back pack from the kitchen table and heads upstairs to her room.
In her bathroom, he opens the medicine cabinet. Plucks the medicine bottle out. Looks at it for several seconds. Places it on the counter. Her bag is pretty full so he guesses which toiletries are most important. Tooth brush, hair brush, deodorant. That’s what he would find important, but he’s not a girl. She uses a different toothpaste than he does so he takes that. She probably uses some special girly soap and shampoo. He pulls the shower curtain open and jumps back dropping the bag.
Lively’s lying in the tub. Nick reaches his hand out slowly, his pulse racing. “Lively?” His fingers brush the dog’s fur. Lively looks up at him sleepily. “How’d you get up here, boy?” Nick notices goose bumps prickling his arm. He grabs the bottles and ignores the fear. He needs to get this done so they can get the hell out of here.
There are several tubes and sticks on the counter. Make-up. He takes the things he can identify, then decides to just take it all. He reluctantly adds the pill bottle. Moves out of the bathroom and back to her bedroom. The back pack is full now. He zips it up and hopes Keely owns a suitcase. Opening her closet, he decides he’s never seen so much black in one place. On the floor is a gym bag. He snatches it up and hesitates in front of the clothes. He doesn’t know what he should take, so he spreads his hands and takes an arm full. Shoves them into the bag, hangers and all. At the dresser, Nick takes several undergarments. Jams them inside the bag. Riffles through the other drawers and yanks out a few tank tops and shorts. He can only zip the gym bag half way.
He bounds down the stairs, dropping both bags by the front door. He glances at the clock. It’s after six. Keely’s parents are always home by now.
“Did you get my phone charger?” Keely asks without looking at him as he enters the room.
“No.” Of course she would think of the one thing he forgot.
“I need it. And my phone. It’s on my night stand. And…my medicine in the cabinet in the bathroom.”
“I got that,” he says. She finally looks at him. There are tears in her eyes.
“I’ll get your phone,” Bryon sooths. He gives Nick a look as he passes him. Nick can’t interpret this look, but knows it isn’t good.
“They got them, didn’t they?” Keely is so quiet, Nick can barely make out her words in the silent house. When he doesn’t answer, Keely adds, “The ones that are after me, they did something to my mom and dad.”
“I don’t know.”
“I do. I can feel it. It’s a hollow feeling here.” She puts her hand over her chest. “I feel empty.” She stares at the seat in front of her unblinking.
Bryon pounds down the stairs. Keely walks to the door, picks up her bags. Nick takes them from her. “I’ve got it,” he whispers. She nods. Follows Bryon out the front door. Nick looks back at the cross above the fireplace. Feels the hairs on the back of his neck raise. “You can’t have her,” he calls out. Pulls Keely’s keys from the hook and closes the door behind him.
Six:
Keely sits in the passenger seat of her own car as Bryon drives her to Nick’s. She’s in a daze. Worried more about the fact that she isn’t driving—nobody drives her car—than the fact that she’s on her way to stay at a guy’s house she doesn’t really know. Doesn’t really trust. Her mind refusing to wrap around the crucial fact that her parents are missing.
“I didn’t call them.”
Bryon eyes her. Expression one of confusion. “You didn’t call, who?”
“My parents. Where’s my phone?” Bryon leans back so he can fit his hand into his pocket. Pulls out the slim cell phone, but doesn’t hand it over. She moves as if to take it. Bryon closes his hand tightly around it and pulls it into his chest.
“Can you wait until we get to Nick’s?”
Keely squints at him accusingly. “Why?”
Bryon rubs his eye with the back of the hand gripp
ing her phone, the other hand on the wheel. “Because, Keely. We don’t know who will be on the other end of the line. Nick’s your Guardian. He should hear the conversation.” He holds out the phone. “O.k.?”
Keely takes it. “My Guardian.” It sounds so strange. Feels foreign on her lips. “Bryon?” She looks out the window instead of at him. “What’s a Guardian exactly?”
“He’s your protector. Like a body guard.”
Keely sighs heavily. “I got that much. I mean, what is he? Why do I need to be protected?” Her voice shakes. “Where was he two years ago?”
Bryon is quiet for too long. She looks at him. Turns her whole body to face him. He is struggling with something. With the decision to tell her. She seizes the opportunity. Takes advantage that they are alone. That he wants to tell her somewhere deep down inside.
“Bryon, please. I want—no, I need to know.”
He hesitates a second more, looking in her eyes. Finds something there that makes him forge ahead.
“Nick isn’t a what. He’s a person like—well, not exactly like you, but he’s human. He just has an exceptional heritage. We didn’t grow up like you. We were training while you were in grade school. When you were playing with Barbie dolls, we were learning how to assemble our weapons.” He smiles like this is a fond memory. Shakes his head. “You want to know why he needs to protect you? It’s because you’re special.” He shrugs his shoulders. Smirks at her. Acts as if he complimented her. He turns serious again. “And as for wondering where he was two years ago…” He narrows his eyes. “Keely, he didn’t even know about you then. None of us did. It wasn’t until after…”
He doesn’t need to finish the sentence. Keely sighs again. She’s been sighing a lot today. “You know, you didn’t really answer my questions. You pretty much just made me think of new ones.”
Bryon laughs. “Like what?”
“Like, what’s Nick’s heritage? Where did you learn about weapons? Who taught you? What kind of weapons? And exactly who did you mean when you said none of us?” She stares at Bryon wide eyed and expectant.