by Dawn Kirby
Slowly and quietly I walked around to the back of the house. I didn’t see anything, but I could smell a lot of blood. There were too many places behind the house someone could be hiding for me to search by myself. Unfortunately no one knew I was out here. My cell phone was still tucked away in David’s pocket and hollering for help was out of the question. I was afraid if I went back inside for help Deana would disappear. It was a ridiculous thought, but considering the way the night was going, it wasn’t all that farfetched.
Without waking up the neighborhood there wasn’t any way to get their attention. I couldn’t risk tapping on the window, it might make too much noise and Judith could be anywhere. Then I thought of something. Their senses, from what I could tell, were fairly good. If Declan could smell the dog in the blood, and I knew for a fact David could see in the dark as well as I could, maybe they’d be able to hear just as well. I didn’t really think it would work but it was worth a try.
“Guys I need some help,” I said quietly. “Deana is here somewhere. I’m in the backyard.”
Not a second later David was by my side. “How did you know
I would hear you?”
“I didn’t,” I admitted. We walked slowly into the back yard, side by side, totally exposed.
“Have you seen her?” David’s eyes searched furiously.
“No, but I can smell her. There’s no heartbeat either.”
“I’ll check the shed. You stay close to the house.”
While he walked towards the back of the yard, I did exactly what he said. I saw the shovel I had used this morning laying on the ground under the hedges in front of me. Thinking I could at least defend myself with it, I bent over to pick it up.
When I grabbed the handle it felt like something was stuck on the other end. I pulled a little harder and heard a sickening sucking sound come out from underneath the hedges. I let the handle fall and leaned over the row of thick hedges, already knowing what was there.
There she was, lying in between the house and the plants, with the shovel pushed deep into her chest. The position of her body looked as though she had been trying to hide when the weapon came down on her. Both her legs were hidden under the bushes. Her upper body lay there exposed. One of her hands gripped the metal part of the shovel as if she’d tried in vain to keep it from cutting into her chest. A deep cut ran down the length of her palm. Her other arm was stretched out on the ground beside her.
I realized her body was lying right below my mom’s broken bedroom window. That was why the smell in her room had been so strong. Deana had been lying there the whole time. My legs gave out and I collapsed on the ground beside her. Exhaustion and shock had finally taken over.
“Leah, are you okay?” David asked, flying back to my side.
“She’s dead,” I mumbled.
My finger was the only part of my body I could get to move. Kale and Declan rushed into the backyard. Kale knelt down beside me and put his hand on my knee. Sincerity filled his eyes.
“It’s okay,” he assured me. “We’ll find the answer somewhere else.”
Declan pulled the shovel out of Deana’s chest. I gagged at the sound of the blade being pulled from her chest. Kale rubbed my back while I threw up everything I had in my stomach and then some. It wasn’t until I started to see spots in front of me that I was able to stop the dry heaves. Chills racked my body as I looked at her again.
I’d never seen a dead body in real life before. In less than ten hours I’d found three. One of which was my own mother. That was an image that would stay with me forever. I knew that now when I thought of her or the store, her bloody and battered body would come to mind. I would remember the good times, but eventually her death scene would sneak in. So would Deana and JD. Not in the same way of course, but I knew I would never be able to forget it.
As the night’s events replayed over and over in my in head, I began to sob. Grief, exhaustion, anger and stress had taken their toll. I couldn’t mentally, or physically, take anymore. I needed a shower, but every piece of clothing I owned had been ripped to shreds along with Mom’s. Not to mention the bathrooms were essentially out of order. Sleep would be welcome but my bed wasn’t fit to sleep in. I could use the one in the spare room, but after this I wasn’t sure I wanted to be here anymore.
I was tired, upset, and I stunk to high heaven, and there wasn’t a thing I could about any of it. For now crying was my only option. David was there for me once again. He wrapped his big, comforting arms around me and held on. I knew he wouldn’t let go until I was ready. Knowing that was enough.
With my ear pressed directly on his chest, I could just make out a slow rhythmic thump. His heart was beating at a snail’s pace. It was amazing to me that he could still function. I’d never in my life heard a heart beat that slowly.
“Kale, will you please call Donovan and see how he wants to handle this? Tell May we will be home soon,” David said softly. Kale quietly disappeared into the house to make his phone call. “Leah, I want you to ride with me. Do you have any clothes left in your room? I assume it was also destroyed.”
“I’ve got some in the trunk of my car,” I told him referring to the purchases I’d made earlier at the mall, before this nightmare began. I moved to go get them, but David stopped me.
“Stay. I’m sure Declan will be happy to drive your car home for you,” David said soothingly. “You can get them there.”
“My keys are in my purse,” I told him. “I think I left it in the truck.”
“Kale’s goin’ to have a fit,” Declan whispered to me.
David lifted me off the ground and carried me to his truck. Declan opened the passenger side door and fished my keys out of my purse. Thankfully I’d remembered correctly. I was then gently sat in the seat and securely buckled in. After David laid my seat back, I pulled myself into a ball and closed my tearing eyes.
“Tell Kale we are leaving,” David told Declan. “It will be light in a couple of hours.” A few minutes later the car roared to life and we drove away.
“You’re safe now,” a deep, smooth voice said to me as my limp body was gingerly lifted from the front seat. I tried to open my eyes, but exhaustion wouldn’t allow it. “Just lay back and relax. I promise I’ll take good care of you.”
“I’m leaving Leah in your care. Do not let her leave your sight,” David told the man holding me. “She is all I have left.”
“David, you have my word,” the man told him. I could tell from the tone in his voice he meant what he said.
“I’ll get her bags from the trunk an’ ‘ave May bring ‘em up for her,” Declan told him. I heard my keys drop into my purse and then he put it in my lap. “Take care o’ her.”
“Is she hurt?” the man asked. The scent of a storm washed over me. Finding him to thank him later would be easy.
“Emotionally I can’t see how she wouldn’t be,” he said sadly. “Not after what she’s seen. But physically she’s fine. Worry not, none o’ the blood’s hers.”
“Mia’s?”
“Aye,” Declan whispered. I felt his cool hand on my cheek as he sighed. “She an’ David found her at the store. Judith finally fulfilled her promise.”
“The others?” he asked. “I’m sure she had help?”
“Take her upstairs, lad. She needs rest. Besides, Kale’ll no doubt fill ye both in on the details when he gets back.”
“I’m sure he will.”
Declan said good night as the man carrying me pulled me closer to him and started walking. Exhausted as I was it wasn’t hard to let his strong heartbeat along with his exhilarating yet calming scent lull me back to sleep.
I opened my eyes to find myself a huge bedroom, lying on the softest king size bed I’ve ever been on. The mattress and the blush colored silk comforter made it feel like I was sleeping on a cloud.
“Honey, I need you to try to wake up long enough to get cleaned up,” a sweet, motherly voice said softly. “I’ve already got the shower warmed up for you.”
I woke up enough to remember how nasty I was. I scooted off the bed quickly and nearly ended up on my face. Luckily the sweet woman was there to help me stand up. If I’d been alone I probably would have stayed where I fell on the floor and slept.
The kind lady looked like a typical grandmother. Her pretty gray hair was pulled up into a neat bun. She watched me closely with soft, loving brown eyes. This must be May. If so, I could see how she’d been able to calm my mom down using only the sound of her voice. It was like listening to a slow moving creek.
“Thank you,” I said weakly, as she helped me to my feet.
“No need to thank me honey,” she said sweetly. “Let’s get you ready for bed.”
The walk to the bathroom felt like it was a mile long. I was on the far side of a beautiful canopy bed in the middle of a huge bedroom. Gorgeous crème colored curtains hung down from each corner of the bed. The light cherry wood stain on the furniture accented the blush, crème and beige colored fabrics throughout the room.
The rest of the furniture matched the deep southern style of the bed. A blush colored reading chair sat beside a picture window overlooking the grounds. The same soft color hung from the canopy of the bed. Through my grungy socks, the beige plush carpet felt heavenly.
Leaving the bedroom, we ended up in what can only be described as a dressing room. It was half the size of the bedroom. The walls in both rooms were painted a faint tan color. There were two rows of closet rods on each side of the room. Under those were endless amounts of drawers and shoe slots. One shelf after another was stacked in between the shoe racks and drawers on either side. The cavernous closet was empty except for a small round table and two chairs. I couldn’t begin to imagine ever being able to fill it. Going through another set of cherry stained French doors, we finally came into the bathroom. It was as impressive as everything else I’d seen so far. It occurred to me that the house these three rooms were connected to must be huge and furnished with the best money can buy. Silk sheets weren’t something you’d be able to find at any of the stores I’ve ever been to.
The floor and the shower were made of gray granite. Jets of water shot out from both sides. A huge rainfall shower head sat in the middle of the ceiling of the stall. A ring of smaller shower heads angled in different directions surrounded it. The glass door had already begun to fog up.
“There’s a tooth brush and some toothpaste for you when you get out,” she said, pointing to the counter. “I’ve got a brush over there, too. Just throw your clothes on the floor and I’ll get you some clean ones.”
By the time I stepped out of the shower my skin looked raw. I desperately wanted to be clean. For once hot water wasn’t enough. Even scrubbing every inch of my skin until it hurt, I still didn’t feel totally clean.
May had left me a pair of sleep pants, panties and a cami top on the counter. She had even laid out a pair of my socks. I wasn’t sure how she knew, but I was grateful. That simple gesture gave me a small sense of normalcy.
I put the wet towels on the step of the bathtub on the opposite side of the room. It was at least four feet deep and had jets everywhere. Why get a hot tub when you can take a bath? Then and there I promised myself a swim in it before I had to go back home.
I switched off the light and went back to the bedroom to take in the view. From what I could tell my window faced the back of the house. I could see my car sitting in the driveway next to David’s truck. A huge rock swimming pool and basketball court sat yards away.
I looked out towards the slight pink glow in the sky as the sun began to rise slowly over the horizon. The twinkling stars and calm night sky were quickly fading away. I was about to begin my first day without my mother.
“You look so much better,” the lady said stepping back into the room. “If you need anything I expect you to call me. My name is Maya, but everybody calls me May. Don’t you worry about introducing yourself, I already know who you are.”
“I’m so sorry to put you through so much trouble,” I said. “I tried to tell David I’d be fine at home, but he just wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Your parents have gone through a lot to keep you safe, sweetie,” she said softly. “With Mia gone David won’t be taking any chances with you.”
“Can you tell me what they’ve been protecting me from?” I asked hopefully. “I know you know.”
“Honey, it’s not my place. This is something you need to hear from your father,” she said solemnly.
“I figured you’d say something like that.” It was expected, but I couldn’t help being slightly annoyed.
May quietly pulled back the covers. She motioned me in and smiled pleasantly. Like an obedient child, I slid in. Before I lay down she handed me two little blue pills and a glass of water that had been sitting on the nightstand. I could only stare blankly back at her. My heart was the only thing that hurt now and no amount of pills could stop that.
“They’ll help you sleep,” she explained. “With everything that’s happened, I think taking them is the best thing for you.”
I took them and quickly polished off the glass of water. A nice, long uninterrupted sleep might make all the difference in the world. Maybe I’d wake up and all this would be a dream. Mom would be downstairs and I would be safe in my own room.
She put the glass down on the table and sat down beside me. As she ran her fingers delicately through my hair, I started to cry again. It was exactly what Mom would have done. It was also exactly what I needed to feel and somehow she knew it.
“I am so very sorry about Mia. She was a truly wonderful woman.” Her voice shook. “She’s always been so sweet to all of us. I’m sorry I can’t answer all your questions for you. Tonight I am sure you’ll find out more than you can imagine. Just know we are your friends. No matter how you feel about us when you learn the truth, we will help your father protect you with our lives.”
“Thank you,” I said gratefully. I meant it from the bottom of my soul.
“No need to say it, sugar. You shouldn’t be going through this,” she said bitterly. “None of you should.”
With a soft kiss on the cheek she turned off the light, and left the room. The bedroom door was left open. Even here I wasn’t to be left alone. With a sigh, I curled up in the soft, silk sheets and watched the sun rise. A few minutes later sleep finally took over.
I smelled the storm before I ever opened my eyes. I stayed as still as possible so as not to alert him. For some reason this man who smelled like rain intrigued me. Now that I could keep my eyes open I wanted to find out why.
Luckily it was late in the afternoon so the sun’s rays weren’t an issue for me. In fact, I used the soft sunlight to my advantage. The man was standing in front of the window, his back to me, his arms crossed in front of him. Seeing his shirt taught against the muscles in his back told me as much. A dark blue haze surrounded him. The few times I’d seen blue was when someone was worried or depressed, but here that didn’t seem to be the case. Despite the blue surrounding him, his heartbeat was slow and calm, as if he were content.
He was a couple of inches taller than David. Maybe six foot nine and as muscular as Kale. They had the same trim build only this man looked stronger. He had thick, light brown shoulder length hair and beautifully tanned skin. I thought I might be looking at one of Kale’s brothers. He had said something about a little brother, but not an older one.
I sat up as quietly as I could. It wasn’t that hard in the silk sheets. I wanted to get a good look at his face when he turned around. “Thank you,” I finally said.
He turned slightly, his eyes drawing me in. They were the color of a thundercloud. Shades of blue and gray mixed together creating the turbulent storm I saw brewing in his eyes. He had perfectly chiseled features. To me, it looked like an artist had lovingly sculpted his gorgeous face. There wasn’t a flaw on it.
“For what? I haven’t done anything,” he said puzzled. His voice was as deep and as smooth as it had been this morning.
“You brought me in earlier,” I explained. “Thank you.” He frowned and leaned back against the window frame. His arms still crossed in front of him. I’d already seen Kale take that same stance. He was trying to figure out how I knew. As far as he was concerned I had been sound asleep.
“How do you know? A lot of people live here. It could have been anybody.”
He thought he’d made a good point. The half smile said as much, but I had a couple of tricks up my sleeve no one else knew about. With anybody else I would have kept it to myself, but for him I felt like divulging my secret was safe. I had the odd feeling he wouldn’t judge me.
“Your smell.”
The gorgeous man frowned, lifted his arm and sniffed. I immediately started laughing. I’ve always wondered what a person’s reaction would be if I ever told them. I never even thought about that one. Perfume or cologne would have been my first thought.
“It’s not that, and it’s not your cologne either,” I said. “Although it does smell nice.”
“Then I’m afraid I don’t understand,” he said confused. He dropped his arms to his sides and waited for an explanation.
“Your smell is a lot like your heartbeat. It’s calming,” I explained. “At least it is for me. Nobody else has your rhythm; nobody else has your smell.”
“You can hear my heart?” he asked walking toward me slowly.
“Yes and I can hear another one down the hall. If I’m not mistaken it belongs to Kale. His heart beats a little faster for some reason. And there’s one more, but it’s faint. That person is probably on the far side of the house.” I told him all this hoping he didn’t suddenly decide I was crazy.
He closed the distance between us and sat down on the edge of the bed. I pulled my legs up and leaned closer to him. The longer I could take in his smell, the happier I’d be.
“So the smell tells you who’s around?” he asked.
I nodded my head and smiled. “What’s your name?”
