The newspapers had it wrong at first back then. They printed in the paper that two teenagers had killed everyone. They did print a retraction later and reported the fact that a lone man had done the killing. What they didn’t know, nor did she tell them, was that it had been a large bear having fun with them that day.
“Stop.” She couldn’t. The bear/man was telling her that she needed to fall from the rafters. He’d shot her twice, going from beast to man only long enough for him to shoot at someone else. “Do you hear me? I said to stop.”
Screaming for help did her no good. Whenever anyone would enter the gymnasium, they’d be dead before they got even two feet inside the door. Still, she hung there as the brown bear was shaking the ladder.
She knew that she had to get away, but the chances of her surviving were nil. There were so many dead around her now that she was sure that if she dropped from the rafters, she’d land on one of the many lying in their own blood beneath her.
When the third shot tore through her body, Mel couldn’t hold on any longer. She was dropping to the floor when the bear/man caught her in his arms, claws cutting at her face and her arms. Mel continued to scream for help as others raced to the doors.
The warmth felt good to her body. She ran toward it, hoping that she’d be able to hide in whatever the heat was coming from. She was grabbed from behind again and tackled to the ground. The grass that touched her face startled her, but she didn’t care. The bear was after her.
Fighting for her life. As surely as she was trying to get away, Mel knew that she was going to have to fight with all that she was. If not, then...then....
Something was wrong. Something was not the same.
“Look at me.” She heard the command in the voice and tried her best to fight it. “Melody, look at me before you hurt yourself.”
Struggling harder now that she was being held down, Mel tried to shy away from the voices around her. When someone pried her eyes open, she saw a blurred figure. As it began to come into focus, so did the pain that was all over her abused body. Then the image of the person became clear.
“Daniel?” He nodded, tears on his face as she let herself go limp. “Perhaps I’ll die this time, do you think? I hurt so badly, Daniel.”
“Don’t leave me, Mel. Please don’t leave me.” She tried to nod, but someone else was speaking. She turned her head to see a man dressed in all blue. To her, it looked like his face was blue as well. “This is the medic that you spoke to earlier about your hands. He’s going to give you something to calm you down. All right?”
“I’m okay.” Daniel sobbed then, and it broke something deep inside of her. “They hurt me, Daniel. The bear/man, he hurt me badly. I just hurt all over.”
“I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t know.” She felt the medicine hit her body hard. It went over her in a gentle wave, from the top of her head to her feet. “Let it work for you, baby. Then we’ll get you some help. You hurt Gannon, Mel. Did you know that?”
She had no idea who that might have been. For all she knew, he’d been the bear/man that had left her for dead. That had killed the only friends she’d ever had, before and since. Closing her eyes, because things and faces were too hard to see, Mel let the medication she’d been given take her under.
Mel felt herself being lifted up, but didn’t have the strength to fight off the person doing it. Her mind was mixed up on things; she knew this. Every time she opened her eyes, things were so blurred around her that she didn’t know where she was or even how she’d gotten there. There were thoughts as well. Fire and equipment. Pain and the smell of burning wood.
The ride to the hospital—she’d been told that was where she was being taken—was a series of her fading out at times and simply waking to people and places she didn’t know. The lights were bright over her, and it took her some time to realize that she wasn’t dead but under an actual light.
Mel was freezing cold one moment than burning up like there were hot coals around her the next. People were talking around her, but she didn’t think they were talking to her. She wouldn’t have been able to answer them anyway, as Mel was sure that they weren’t speaking English. Or any of the other languages that she knew.
Daniel was there with her every time she woke up. He’d hold her hand when she’d let him, or he’d tell her that he was there with her. Mel asked him, or tried to ask him, what had happened. If he answered her, she didn’t understand him any better than she did anyone else.
Mel hurt, more than she ever had before. Thinking of the bear/man, all she could remember about him was that no one would ever believe her if she told them what she’d seen. Deciding that she’d keep her mouth shut about him and anything else that had happened to her, Mel felt another pinch at her arm and knew, on some level, that she was being put under deeper. Good, she thought. The less she could feel right now, the better off she’d be. Too bad she couldn’t get them to give her a lethal injection of something. She knew that she’d feel immensely better if they did.
~*~
Gannon knew that he was a mess, but there was little to nothing he could do about it. He’d hurt his mate somehow, and he’d not heal from what she’d done to him until she was able to forgive him. If she ever did.
He’d not meant to scare her, but he had. And in turn, he’d nearly lost her when she tried to get away from him by running into the burning outbuilding that Daniel told him she had worked from. Gannon went to find Daniel after Mel was loaded up in the ambulance and taken away.
“I’ve made arrangements for you to take the plane back with her. They told me that she’d not be spending much more than a night at the most.” Daniel asked him if he was going to be all right. “Yes. I’ll be fine. But I don’t think that I should be riding back with you on the plane. I think I’ve upset her enough as it is. I’ve already arranged for a ticket to get me back, so you have nothing to worry about on that score.”
“I had no idea.” Gannon didn’t think that anyone knew what had really happened at the school. No mention of a shifter had been in any of the newspapers. “You should try and talk to her, Gannon. I don’t know what happened here today, but she’s never shown any kind of outburst like that before. She was like a different person.”
“I’m sure that me mentioning that I was a bear triggered it for her. I would also bet that she has no idea of all the things she said to you and me. I think she was right there with the shifter again, and reliving it was what upset her so much.” Daniel said again that he’d never known about the bear. “You two go on back to Ohio, and I’ll be there in a couple of days. It’s fine, really.”
But it wasn’t, and Gannon was reasonably sure that Daniel knew it. Turning away from the other man, he walked to the street. He’d made no arrangements. Hadn’t gotten himself a plane ticket to go back on. Nor had he told his family what had happened here.
He reached out to the only person he knew that he could speak to, and his mom asked him what had happened. Moving into one of the few alleys around where Daniel had lived, he told his mom not just that Mel was his mate, but that she’d hurt him in her fear that he’d caused, also, that another bear had hurt her. A brown one.
Oh, Gannon. Honey, I’m so sorry about that. Is there anything that I can do for you? He wiped at the tears that her tenderness had brought to him, and told her that he didn’t know what he was going to do. She’s coming here with you and Daniel then?
No. I’m going to take a later flight home if I can find one. I don’t think I want her to be upset again in a plane at about ten thousand feet. She might try and jump. Mom asked him about his injuries. I have a couple of broken ribs, a lot of cuts on my face and chest—small price to pay for keeping her from entering a burning building.
With you feeling guilty about scaring her and causing her harm, you won’t heal. You know that, don’t you, son? He said that he did feel terrible for what he’d done to her. As much as
I’d like to tell you that it wasn’t your fault, as you didn’t know, I also know you well enough to know that you will still feel that way no matter what. What are your plans for her, and you?
I don’t have any idea. Right now, my only plan is to stay away from her. Mom asked him if he thought that was a good idea. I think that for now, it’s the best idea. She’s upset, and holding something back that is tearing her apart inside. She needs—more than I need her, I think—to let someone talk to her about that. From what I’ve read about the shooting, no one has been caught for the murders either. I guess I can understand why now, can’t you?
Yes. If they were looking for a man and he could be a bear, then it would take them a great deal longer to find him. Gannon told his mom what Mel had said about telling people. I can understand that, as well. She didn’t know if her mind was playing tricks on her. And also, as you said, who would have believed her if she’d told them that? Not many, I’m betting. And even if there were a few shifters on the force that were working the case, how would they go about telling their coworkers that a bear had gotten into the school and killed all those children? My heart just aches for the two of you. More for her, as you can imagine. To go for this long, ten years, thinking that she was crazy wouldn’t be good for her.
No. To me, it explains a great deal. She’s terrified of people. If she didn’t know about shifters before this, her mind would play tricks on her thinking that everyone was a bear and out to finish the job one had started on her. Mom agreed. I don’t know what sort of person she was before this all happened, but I’d say that she was mostly a loner anyway. I don’t know, and I’m not in a position to ask right now.
If you don’t mind, I’m going to have Demi look into things a little deeper. I’ll also get some answers from Daniel. He must be taking this very hard. Not only has his sister been hurt, but he’s lost his home as well. He told her about insurance and what was going on with that. So not only did he lose his entire home and contents, but she lost her business equipment as well—those poor people. I’ll see what I can do on this end. You hurry home, son. I’ll have a talk with your father and see what ideas he has. Do you have any money?
Yes. I can get there. Another lie, but he didn’t want to borrow any more money than he had to. When he’d left home to come here to be with Daniel, he’d forgotten to not just pick up his wallet and keys, but he’d also never thought to bring himself an extra set of clothing or anything else. I don’t know what I can do on my end here, Mom, but I’m going to take my time coming home. It might be better for her if she doesn’t have to have me around to remind her about what happened here.
You be careful. He told her that he would. All right, son. If you need me, just let me know. I’m always here for all of you boys. And please don’t let this eat you up. The two of you will work it out. I know that. My lord, the women of this family sure have had some bad times of it, don’t you think?
Yes. Perhaps this is a way for us to appreciate them better. At least this time, she has a good family to be with. Mom laughed and told him again to be careful. I will. And I love you very much, Mom.
As he walked around the town that Daniel had been living in, he wondered about the things that he’d told him about his ex-wife on the way out here. He had it in his head that Vicky Austin had not just started the fire, but had probably watched as it took over the house. She wasn’t just a nutball, as Gannon had first thought, but also a woman that hated her ex. She didn’t like her children overly much either, Daniel had told him, as they’d favored him over her.
“Which is a good thing, I guess. When Mel was nearly killed at the school, Vicky brought the kids to the emergency room and left them there. It was just Holly and Dan then. Holly was six at the time, and Dan was just a baby at four.” Gannon asked him if it ever got any better after that, her finally coming to terms with Mel being hurt. “No. She never liked Mel. Again, I think it was because the kids preferred Mel over their mother. Mel had always been there for the kids when they were sick or needed something. We didn’t have a great deal of money, but Vicky resented every penny that was spent on the children. Even more so when Mel bought them things like school supplies and such.”
“I take it that she didn’t like you spending time with your sister while she was in the hospital, either.” Daniel told him that was an understatement. “Was there a reason for this animosity? I mean, did either of them do anything to the other?”
“You could say that. Mel found out that none of my children are mine. Not even Mary.” Gannon was surprised by that. Having seen Daniel with the children, he knew that he loved them very much. “I’ve known for some time, since before Dan was born, that he wasn’t going to be mine. I had Holly tested about the same time Dan was born, then Mary when she was born. Their fathers aren’t the same, either.”
“I’m so sorry, Daniel.” He said that it mattered little to him, as he loved them as his own. And his name was on their birth certificates too. “So, your sister found out, and I guess she had a coming to Jesus meeting with your wife.”
“My God, was that ever a meeting. Mel had only been out of the hospital for a few weeks when she figured it out. Dan had broken his arm during a football game, and we had to take him to the hospital. When I was asked if there was anything they needed to know about mine and Vicky’s background, I had to admit that I didn’t know what to tell them about Dan’s biological father. Mel hit the roof.” Daniel had laughed with him. “Using a cane and walking with a limp, Mel went to see her. I don’t think Vicky will tangle with Mel again. Even hurt as Mel was, Vicky ended up with a broken arm as well as two black eyes. Mel? I think she only scuffed up her cane.”
“How long ago was that?” Daniel said that he’d have to think about it. “I can’t wait to meet your sister, Daniel. She sounds like my sisters-in-law. I’m thinking that they’ll be getting along really well when they get together.”
“Mel met Demi and Lucian when they came to the teachers’ meeting. I don’t think she was very impressed with either of them. But she told me that if she had to work with Demi much on face to face daily meetings, she’d leave them hanging. She’d never do that, but she wasn’t happy about them when she came home.” Gannon had told him that was too bad. “I think she was just stressed out. She tends to hate all people. Let me think about how long ago that was. Mary had only just been born; I think she was less than a month old when this happened between Vicky and Mel. Vicky decided that if I knew they weren’t mine and I raised them anyway, then she wasn’t going to pretend that she wanted to stay married to me for another minute. Three days later, I was served with divorce papers, and I signed them right away then sent them back.”
Why didn’t you tell me what was going on? He had to grin at Meadow’s angry voice as she brought him out of his reverie. You’re stuck there, aren’t you? Why didn’t you ask for one of us to get you a ticket to get back here?
I don’t think it would do me much good. I don’t have any identification to pick it up with. I left in such a hurry that I didn’t pick up my wallet. I’m thinking of hitching a ride home with some—
You most certainly will not be hitchhiking. Do you want me to kick your ass? I’ll figure this out, and then I’ll talk to you again. Gannon told her that he’d be fine. You might not be when you get back here. Cindy told us what happened out there with Mel. I’m glad that she’s your mate, Gannon, but I’m going to knock some sense into her about beating my big brother around like he’s nothing.
I am nothing to her. She told him that she could kick his ass too. You’re all bad assed, and I love you for it. But, really, I’ll be just fine. I was going to see if I could hitch a ride home. I’m betting that I’m meaner than any trucker, Meadow. I’m a bear, remember.
He thought of the look on Mel’s face when he told her what he was. She’d been white as a sheet when she’d looked up at him. Worse than that, she’d backed from him and was headed right to the
building that was engulfed in flames, headed to the door like she would rather be inside the inferno than around him.
I’m working on a couple of things here right now. I’ll probably be able to get you home in an hour or just a little more. He thanked her. No thanks are needed, Gannon. I just wish you would have told us what had happened and how you were stuck there. You’re a good man; you know that, don’t you?
Yes, but I’m also a bear that scared the shit out of my mate. She told him not to talk like that, that they’d be able to work it out. You didn’t see her face, Meadow. She was terrified that I was going to hurt her. And until she forgives me for scaring her, I’m going to look like I’ve just gotten run over by a truck or two.
Is there anything I can do to help you along with that? You know that I will. He told her that he was okay, just sore. For some reason, I think you’re fudging it a great deal. Cindy said you had a couple of broken ribs and a cut up face. You can’t be hurt, Gannon. You’re one of my favorite brothers-in-law.
Her laughter made him laugh, then stop when the pain was too much for him. She loved them all equally; they all knew that. When she told him that her family plane was on its way, he thought about having that much money that you could just make arrangements to have someone picked up in a plane that belonged to you. When she asked him what he was thinking about, he knew better than to tell her the truth. But he couldn’t lie to her either, so he said nothing.
Money again. Christ, will you guys get a clue and realize that if we have money, you do as well? Gannon, you and the rest of the unmarried brothers, need to grow a pair and get over the fact that you were poor. You’re not any longer. Understand me? He told her that he did. No, you don’t. You’re just saying that because you think that’s what I want to hear. What I want to hear from you is that you’re okay with this. All of it. How about I give you a lot of what I have so that you’ll not have to worry about who has more?
Gannon: McCray Bruin Bear Shifter Romance Page 3
