The Main Event (The Human Race Book 3)
Page 23
I twist the knob in my hand and slowly pull the door open. I start at the man’s feet and eye his brown boots. His jeans cover the laces, dragging on the floor from being too long. The shirt he’s wearing is a thick button down with a light jacket over top. He breathes fast and nervously, the same as I do. I move my eyes to his face and my jaw drops and my eyes open as wide as they can.
I think back to the last time I saw this man and can’t possibly believe that he is really standing here in front of me. He shouldn’t be here. He shouldn’t be alive. I saw the hole in his chest and he was not breathing. The bite mark on his arm was bruised and deep and he was sure to turn to a vamp if he never pulled the trigger on himself.
But, as I stare into his eyes, the eyes of a man I haven’t seen in over a year, I begin to question everything I saw that day. Did the bullet really hit his heart? Was he really dead or simply stunned from the gunshot? Or am I dreaming right now and I’ll wake up feeling depressed and alone without him?
I might never know the answers to these questions, but I really don’t care. I stare at him with a dumbfounded look on my face and I know he must think I am more than confused. The look across his face reads the same.
Footsteps come from the stairs behind me and I hear Ryder’s voice calling to me as he heads my way, “Who’s here, Bridge?” he asks.
I don’t bother turning to him to answer his question. He walks down the stairs and approaches me, but I never turn my head away from the man standing in the doorway. My hands are shaking at my sides and I’ve never actually been speechless before.
“Bridget?” Ryder asks, stepping up to my side and eyeballs the man in front of me. “Who is this?”
Finally, my mouth forms the only two words I can muster and my voice leaves my throat, “My dad.” I can hardly believe it myself, but he is standing right in front of me with a smile on his face.
Dad glances to his hands and I do the same. He is carrying a small, brown paper bag with hardly any weight to it. His fingers are wrapped tightly around the crinkled edges of the bag and I wonder what’s inside. We can get to that later. I move my eyes back to his and feel myself getting choked up on the rock clogging my throat.
“I thought you were dead.” I say. “You shot yourself.”
He nods, “I guess I missed.”
“That’s good to know.” I reply with a small smile.
“The man who cured me told me all about you and what you’ve become. I didn’t want to believe it at first, but the more he spoke about you, the more I couldn’t wait to see you.” Dad says then lifts the bag and hands it to me, “After I told him who I was, he gave me this to give to you. He said it would mean more coming from me.”
I take the bag from him and say, “What is it?”
“Something he knew that you’d want.” Dad replies.
Confusion fills my mind and I slowly open the bag. I look inside and notice something shiny staring back at me. Light reflects off the silver surface and I reach in and pull out a syringe filled with a yellow liquid. I raise an eyebrow, staring at the needle then back to the strange liquid. My eyes catch a piece of Scotch tape with my name written on it in black letters. Under my name are two measly little words that have completely taken my breath away.
I feel Ryder looking over my shoulder and he asks, “What is that?”
I gently hold the syringe in my hand and let the bag fall to the floor. I can hardly believe what I am holding. This tiny object houses something I never thought possible, but Neil was able to do it. Having my father alive again was more than I could ever ask for, but holding this in my hands takes things over the top.
My eyes stay focused on the liquid and my mouth finally finds an answer to Ryder’s question, “It’s my cure.” I say and I know the next chapter in my life is only just beginning.
The End
About The Author
Born in 1988, Tahnee Fritz is the youngest of four and grew up in the small city of Burlington, IA where she still resides her husband. She studied creative writing and English before graduating from Southeastern Community College with her Associates degree.
Other Books by Tahnee Fritz
The Human Race: Book One
The Fighting Chance: Book Two
Crazy For Love
www.trfritz88.wordpress.com