by Shelly Crane
He crouches down in front of me and we all sit back and absorb Jeff. He is excited in a furious way. Ready to set out and inflict revenge and retaliation on their opposites. The Lighters may have ultimately won the battle, getting the prize, but Jeff is determined to win the war.
“So, the way I see it. With all the gifts that the Specials have acquired here, I don’t see any reason that we can’t go there and take them back. Josh can see through the walls, Trudy can hear things far off, Danny can plant thoughts, Celeste can find the children by focusing on them and Marissa can compel them to do anything. The Keepers can be the muscle. We can do this.”
He goes on to tell us the plan in it’s entirety. We wait until nightfall. We send someone out as bait for a Lighter. We know one will come since they seem to be running rampant. We capture it and bring it down for ‘questioning’. He didn’t further elaborate on ‘questioning’ and I didn’t want him to.
Everyone is in agreement. No one said, ‘hey, it’s just a couple kids, we can’t risk out lives for them.’ Everyone was upset and ready to get to the action. To the doing and not sitting part.
Once we capture it, we get what info we need, leading us to where Lily and Calvin are. He lets us know where and we go and meet them there. Sounds simple enough.
It’s decided that Miguel will be the bait. It can’t be a Keeper or they may not want to attack as easily and we don’t wanna chance it taking long because it’s wary. Miguel can fight better than any of us, so he volunteered. Oh boy. It begins.
Merrick, Jeff, Kay, Ryan, Josh and Danny, who insisted on helping and Merrick told him he could stand watch at the door, will wait to ambush the Lighter once Miguel lures it out. Then they interrogate.
“Now, Sherry. I’ll need you for some of the questioning. We’ll need to know if it’s lying or not about where Calvin and Lily are. Are you gonna be ok with that?” Jeff asks, looking me dead in the eye and raising sympathetic eyebrows.
“Of course.” It’s all I can say.
The meeting ends and some take off to get some rest as all of these plans will take place at night fall. A lot of them stop to talk to me before heading separate ways. Josh kneels down in front of me and ask me, I counted at least five, if I’m ok in between other adamant questions. I assure him I am before he pats my arm and takes off after Miguel, who also asked how my leg was feeling.
After rib crushing hugs from Ryan and Trudy, I ask Merrick to help me with a shower. He does and joins me, insisting it would be easier to hold me up that way. I agree.
After he helps me get undressed he hops in with me, adjusting the water to my liking and holding me gently from behind around my ribs with one arm. The water is so hot and good. I hang my head and let it roll down my back. Merrick kneads my back and shoulders.
After a freezing, miserable night on the rock hard ground with wounds to boot, I can’t remember the last time anything felt so good.
I lean back against him and he feathers some light kisses on my shoulders and neck, sweeping my hair aside. It feels like an eternity since we’ve been together like this, though it’s only been a couple nights .
Even though I’m black and blue, beaten and broken, I can’t let this opportunity slip by. This could very well be our last night. Alive. We are going Lighter hunting, then bringing that Lighter into our home, then setting out into the enemy’s camp to save our own people. We might not make it past midnight with those odds.
I coax him to let me turn around to face him and wrap my arms around his neck. He knows what I’m up to and immediately goes into protective mode.
“Sherry Elizabeth,” he says firmly and with reprimand. He tries to remove my arms from his neck but I resist. “Honey, we can’t. Your leg.”
“My leg has nothing to do with this,” I say as I kiss my way up from his neck to his scruffy chin.
I hear him let out the tiniest groan and then shakes his head, back to business.
“No. You’re hurt and bruised all over. I’ll hurt you. No, Sherry. Come on. Let’s get you back to our room. You can take a nap and get ready for tonight.”
“I don’t want a nap, well, not yet. I want a nap later, with you. Who knows what will happen tonight, Merrick. Be with me. Please.” I’m not giving up and I throw out the serious pout.
I need this, to not think about Lily and Calvin, about my leg, about the guilt I feel, about everyone else who might not make it tonight.
Merrick will cave. I know it. I know him. I feel him shift on his feet and blow out a breath as I press myself to him and pull him down to kiss me. I try for my most seductive, pulling out all the tricks. The few I know. I nibble his bottom lip, fist his hair, trace his lip with my tongue. He responds just as I knew he would.
He bellows out a frustrated groan, at himself not me, for his weakness to my ploys. He pulls his arms around my waist tightly and kisses me with all he’s got. The thrill of victory only fuels me to new heights. He lifts me, pushing me against the wall but gently. I can tell he’s still trying not to jostle me too much. But it is too much. I wince and he immediately notices, halting.
“It’s ok,” I start before he can tell me ‘I told you so’. “Let’s go back to the room. Now, please, Merrick.”
To my astonishment he complies, with emphasis. I am so confounded about these powers of womanly persuasion I somehow possess over Merrick, but grateful. He dresses me and himself and carries me to our room. I don’t protest this time. This is no time for hobbling slowness.
Once we reach our room he lays me down, placing a pillow under my hurt leg and kisses me again, bracing himself over me on his elbows. Sweet long drugging kisses. He plays in my now longer hair with his fingers, kisses my bruised neck and collar bone gently, nibbles my lips and chin and fingertips. Driving me crazy. The already warm room seems to rise a few more degrees in temperature as he undresses me gently in the dark.
We wake up some time later to a knock on our door. Merrick quickly pulls the blanket over us, just in case. Jeff indicates through the door that its almost time and we should come get some supper.
I’m grateful he didn’t barge in like some people do. We hadn’t dressed after our afternoon...um...rendezvous. I had fallen asleep quickly, completely exhausted after all the things Merrick had done to me and sweet things he had said to relax and reassure me.
I drifted off to him whispering that we would all be ok tonight, we’ll get Lily back, Calvin’s fine, not to worry, go to sleep.
But I will worry. A lot. Merrick would be outside with a Lighter, maybe more than one. Without me. Though he would probably be relieved about that fact. I seem to attract trouble as he had once told me, like a magnet. And it was true.
Every time trouble or injuries could seek me out, they did. I would wind up in the way and on his mind with who knows how many more injuries. And that would lead him to trouble and distracted and I’d never forgive myself if something happened to him. How did I ever survive without him here before, literally.
Maggie had laid low with the rest of them during all the excitement, sleeping in the second room. Too aged to really do much good in helping us. But she made us all a big batch of cookies and sweet tea and been as helpful as can be at her age.
They seem to be as contemplative of our situation as everyone else, though they are the newest members. I hadn’t even heard Maggie and Pap bicker once all day.
Cain made his way over at some point to ask how I was doing, as I sat on the couch. I used both hands to pull him down to me and wrap my arms around his neck as he squatted down to be at my level. I would not be alive were it not for this man.
I squeeze him so tightly, realizing I hadn’t even spoken to him since the cave. He rubs his hand on my back awkwardly at first, probably thinking Merrick will get upset if he sees him hugging me. Probably wondering if I’ve told Merrick about the caves. Probably wondering if I’ve even told Merrick about that little diversion kiss in the coffee shop, but he doesn’t know Merrick like I do.
“Thank y
ou. So much. If it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have made it. I know it, you saved me life,” I say, pulling back just enough to see his face.
“I shouldn’t have let you go out there to begin with.”
“You tried to stop me,” I remind him.
“Not very well apparently,” he says laughing sadly.
“I’m stubborn to a fault, I’m sorry. I think I learned my lesson, though. When people tell me to do things, I’m gonna start listening,” I say, my voice cracking with emotion.
“Now don’t do that.” He rubs my arms. “No crying. Cause then I’ll cry, and be all embarrassed. And you know what, I doubt I would’ve made it in that cave without you either. You saved my life just as much as I saved yours. You’re pretty warm for such a small little thing,” he says smiling.
“Ugh,” I say wiping my eyes with both hands. “If that’s what you gotta tell yourself. I know what really happened. And I won’t forget it. Thank you, Cain.”
“Thank you, Sherry.” He nods and pats my leg before asking me if I need anything.
When I decline he gets up and heads to the kitchen.
Supper was quiet. Lots on everyone’s mind. I know there is on mine. If Lily were here, she would have eaten up her spaghetti like a trooper.
The noodles would hang off her chin, so adorable. She’d complain that it was sticky as I wiped them with a warm cloth, then wiped her hands. When she was done she’d go right to Merrick and he would plop her in his lap. She would be chatting away. Telling him all about what Trudy had made her for a snack that day and how Miguel had showed her how to color using lipstick he’d found in the bathroom which I’d roll my eyes about.
Calvin would be running around with Frank, playing swords with golf clubs. He’d offer to show Lily how to play spoons, again. He’d ask Merrick to help him explain it because Lily’s just not getting it. Then I’d have to explain that Merrick doesn’t get it either and we’d all chuckle. Even though the memory makes me want to laugh I can’t. Looking at Lana, pushing her food around on her plate with her fork and looking back at the wall, like she’s looking out a window, waiting for Calvin.
I suddenly realize how much I want this for myself. I want to have someone to worry about, as painful as it may be. Watching Merrick be a makeshift father makes me want him to be a real daddy. He looks so at ease with it and with the task they have to do tonight, catching the Lighter.
My heart starts to beat a mile a minute as I think of what life would be like without them. Without him. I rub my necklace charm in between my fingers absentmindedly. Soothing mechanism.
I can’t lose him and for the first time since I met him, I sincerely fear for his life. I feel the tears stinging my eyes and I hold them back. Not just for my sake would I miss Merrick, but for Lily’s and Calvin’s too.
Merrick has been so good to them both and they would feel the bite of his disappearance as well as me. Just thinking about it makes my chest wrench with physical pain and pounding. That’s when I decide. I want Lily.
I want Lily to be ours. Merrick and I can be her parents and she can always sit on his lap and tell him about her day. She can always take naps with me. She can always complain to us about her hair or spaghetti noodles on her chin.
If- I gasp at myself. WHEN! When Merrick returns tonight and then we go get our kids back, I’ll talk to him about it and see what he thinks. Maybe we’ll wait a while and see what everyone else thinks first. Maybe Miguel wants to take the parent role as well. Maybe Trudy.
The group that is setting up the trap gets all ready to go outside and do their thing. I can’t help but finally let the tears fall when Merrick hugs me against his chest. It feels so strange to be so totally dependent on someone for safety yet be so totally worried about that same person’s own safety at the same time.
He doesn’t notice me crying at first but the tears soak through his shirt and he stiffens. He carries me, still hugging him back to the wall away from most of the people, then sets me down on my good foot.
“Sherry? What’s wrong, baby,” he asks me in his most concerned, very husbandly non-Keeper voice.
“I’m just so...worried, Merrick. I feel helpless. Useless.” I sniff as he wipes my cheeks with his thumbs. “I don’t doubt that you can take care of yourself, but if something were to happen to you-”
“I’ll be fine. There’s plenty of us to take on one little Lighter.”
“But, Merrick, there was more than one little Lighter when Cain and I were out there and plenty of Markers. What if you mean to attract one but you attract more than one?”
“Won’t happen. And even if it did, we won’t be far from the store. Phillip is gone. He’s the one who lead all of them here. We’ll be fine. Don’t spend the whole time worrying over me. Go sleep for a while. You need the rest. I’ll let you know when it’s time for you to do your thing.” He pressed him forehead to min. “And you’re not useless. We need you later to help us. Everyone’s got a job to do.”
“Yes. And yours puts you outside with the enemy, while I’m supposed to stay in here and sleep and relax?” This thought brought a new round of fresh tears and hysteria.
I know Merrick is completely undone by the sight of me in tears but I just can’t help it.
“Honey, honey,” he croons, pulling me to his chest and rocking me under his chin. “Please don’t. You know I can’t stand to see you cry. I don’t like you worrying about me. This is what I do, what I’ve done for a very, very long time. Centuries. Dealing with the Lighters and watching out for you is what I was made for. I’ll be fine. I’m always fine and always careful. Promise. If there’s so much of a scratch anywhere on me...you can spank me later.” I feel him smile against my cheek and can’t help but smile too and roll my eyes.
“You promise? you’ll be safe?” I say biting my lower trebling lip and looking up to him, loving him even more at his constant ability to know exactly how to handle me.
And always with the right amount of humor, caution and concern.
“Promise. Don’t worry about anything. I love you so much, honey.”
“I love you, too. More than anything.”
He leans down to kiss me gently but deeply, in front of everyone that would glance our way, so everyone. His hands are on my cheeks, completely stroking all the tears away. I hug his waist and push up harder on my one good foot to reach even more of him.
Reluctantly, his lips leave mine and he carries me to our room, placing me down before kissing me once more on the lips and forehead. He watches me for a second to see how I’ll react once he starts to move away. Then he turned, shutting the door behind him, with one last peek.
I’ll be back in no time. Rest and don’t worry about me. That’s an order, gorgeous.
I smile and nod as the darkness washes over me. I can feel my pillow getting even more soaked as I continue to wallow in guilt and worry, disregarding Merrick’s plea to stop. I wrap the covers around my self tightly, rub my necklace and try desperately to ignore the excruciating pain in my leg and whisper a pray for Merrick to be right.
Merrick - Another One Bites The Dust
Chapter 5
My human heart is just...breaking. I had to pull to remove her hand from my neck she was gripping so tight. I bet she didn’t even realize she was holding on when I laid her down. It’s so painful to watch her cry and know I have to leave, especially over my safety.
My safety.
She has never been upset over me like this. Not fearful for me. It hurts worse than anything to know that she worries for me, but also, I feel grateful to have it.
She’s been through so much. That poor little body of hers can’t stand too much more of this kind of life. She’s been bruised and beaten or healing to some degree almost every day since I finally met her, today she looks worse than she ever has.
I painstakingly push all that out of my mind and trot back to Jeff. Gotta get my mind right if I’m gonna keep my promise to come back to her safe.
What�
�s that look on his face?
“Aw, brother. She ok?” Jeff ask with genuine concern.
“No. She’s not. Let’s just get this over with.”
“She’ll just be that much happier to see you when we get back,” he said, slapping my back.
“It’s not just that. She’s worried about me. She’s worried about the kids and feels guilty. She’s hurting though she’s trying to act like she’s not. And Phillip’s da...the Lighter left fingerprints bruises all over her neck and arm not to mention the broken leg.”
“Phillip?” I hear Trudy behind me and curse myself silently.
We had hoped to save her from this truth and now my stupid mouth has let it slip.
“Mrs. Trudy. I’m sorry,” I say as I turn at look at her.
“What? What about Phillip? He was here?” To my surprise she actually looks horrified instead of happy to see her son again.
“In a way. Trudy, please just let it go. He’s gone. He’s not here.”
“Merrick. He’s my son and I’ll always love him but if he has come back here to hurt her again...we can’t have that. I won’t allow him to hurt my poor Sherry anymore than he already has.”
“He’s not.” Maybe I won’t have to tell her.
“Then why did you say Phill-” I see the recognition hit her eyes and she closes them trying to block the tears. Her fingers covering her lips. “Oh. I see.” She opens them again and looks me right in the eye, letting the tears fall. “Well, when you do evil things, evil is bound to find ya. Ya’ll please be careful out there, ya hear.”
She hugs me with one of her rib crushers, even Jeff gets one to his astonishment and she then looks between us both, still holding each of our hands.
“You two have brought all this to us. Wait- that’s not what I mean. I mean the good things.” Trudy is still crying, letting the tears fall freely as she speaks which isn’t like her at all. “I never had much of a family and after my husband died, Phillip is the only son who would even speak to me anymore. I have missed being a real family. A happy family that can get through anything together. Ya’ll gave that back to me. You are more human than most people I’ve known my entire life. I love you all. Please. Be. Careful.”
