Yeah, I think so, he said, I should be getting home.
Do you think you can drive me home now?
I felt awful. I could tell Id disappointed him, but what could I do? Tell him I was attracted to both him and his cousin?
Yeah, sure.
Just then I heard a familiar voice say Welcome.
Youre online, Jake said with a small smile.
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Yup, sounds that way, I laughed.
Youve got mail, the voice continued.
Let me shut this down and we can go, I told Jake.
No, go ahead and check your mail since youre on. I can wait a few more minutes.
Okay, thanks.
There wasnt anything of any importance except a short letter from Kane saying that nothing had changed, but at least Eve hadnt hit him again. I shut down the computer and I drove Jake home. We made small talk during the ride and he thanked me a dozen times for talking to him and giving him a ride before he got out of the car.
I was pulling out of the driveway, which had two enormous bushes on either side of it, when Aunt Judy stepped out in front of my car. I slammed on the brakes and managed to stop just short of hitting her. I was very glad I hadnt been going any faster. My heart was pounding in my chest as I went to open the car door, but she motioned me to stay where I was. She walked around and climbed into the passenger seat. Today she was wearing her hair loose and flowing, and it hung down almost to her waist. Her face was deathly pale and she was wearing a black loose-fitting dress that swept the ground as she walked. Her nails, which had been bright red the night before, were now painted black. All in all, she looked rather like a red-haired Morticia Adams.
Do you always have to jump out of shrubbery? I could have hit you! I accused her angrily once she was in.But you didnt, she said calmly, I needed to speak to you in private.
So you jump out in front of my car? I was exasperated.
It served its purpose. Were talking, arent we?
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I shook my head in wonder. Obviously there was no winning with this strange woman. So what was so important that you had to risk your life to tell me?
Im leaving tomorrow.
Well, thank you for the information. Ill miss you terribly, I was still rather miffed about the whole situation.
I needed to tell you before I left that you are in danger. Things have been set in motion that you are pow-erless to stop. I had a dream last night.
Now she had my attention. What about?
There was a faceless man watching you, but you didnt see him. He didnt come after you, but I fear he will soon. He had evil intent.
At first I was speechless, when I finally found my voice it came out a bit shaky, I have that dream all the time.
She gave me a surprised look. Perhaps you are more sensitive than I gave you credit for.
She sat staring at me for a few more seconds, then opened the door and climbed out. She bent back over and spoke to me again, You are a remarkable young man with a promising future. I tell you again to watch your step carefully. And guard your heart, it is a fragile thing which bleeds ever so easily.
With that, she slammed the door and started back up the drive towards the house. I sat there for another minute, thinking about what she had said, before I drove off.
* * *
My sleep was troubled once again that night, but not with the faceless man. My dreams were haunted by images of bleeding hearts and I dont mean the flower and Morticia Adams leaping in front of my car. As a result, I was tired the next morning. I felt like Id never 172
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even been to sleep. This was beginning to be a pattern with me. I dragged myself down to breakfast and then on to school. The day pretty much went by in a blur; my grades were going to be mediocre at best this year if this kept up. After school I saw Marcus, Ashers brother, walking towards his bus. I ran to catch up with him. It was time to start my investigation.
Marcus, can I talk to you for a second? I asked when Id caught up.
Hey, Killian. We can talk if youre fast, Ive got to make the bus or Ill be dead meat.
This is going to sound weird, but humor me. Did you ever talk to Seth?
Talk to him? Yeah, I guess so. He was in my Spanish class.
I mean like ever have a real conversation, not just class stuff.
He gave me a funny look. I dont know, maybe once.
Do you remember what you talked about?
He gave me that funny look again, Not really. Nothing important, Im sure.
Well, if you think of anything, will you let me know?
Yeah, sure, Killian, whatever. I gotta go.
He turned to walk away, but I had one more question, Did you ever see him talking to anyone else?
Whats it to you, Killian? Why do you care who he talked to or what he talked about?
He was my friend. Im just trying to find out what was going on with him before he died. Closure, you know?
You are weird, Killian. I dont know who he talked to. I didnt keep tabs on him. He started walking away then turned back around and kept walking backwards,
I do know that Asher talked to him a few times. Talk 173
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to him. Hes the one still moping around cuz you guys broke up.
What?? I called after him, but he was gone already, loping off toward the bus.
I thought about what hed said all the way home.
Asher was moping about us? Did he really feel as if wed broken up? I didnt know wed ever really been going out. Everything happened so fast. Did that mean there was a chance still for me and him? And what about Jake?
I couldnt deny that I was attracted to him, and I was pretty sure he was attracted to me too. And where did Aunt Judys warning to guard my heart play into all this? Too many questions; I didnt know what to think.
I walked in the door and dropped my backpack by the door as I headed for the kitchen for a snack. Just then, the phone rang.
Hello? I answered.
Hi, baby, its me, Mom.
Mom! I said excitedly. It had been several days since wed talked.
Killian, her voice sounded tired, or maybe weary is a better word, I need to talk to you about something important. Is it a good time for me to come over?
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CHAPTER SIXTEEN
I was waiting nervously in the living room, waiting for Mom to get here. She wouldnt say why she wanted to talk; all she would say was that she felt she needed to talk to me in person. So here I was, pacing back and forth like one of those bears I always see at the zoo. I was too tense to sit still.
Finally I heard a car pull up outside. I was at the door before she was even out of the car. Right away, I could tell something was wrong. Her clothes were rumpled and wrinkled, as if shed slept in them. As she straightened up the wind caught her hair and blew it back from her face. Suddenly, I felt my knees buckle under me and I had to grab the doorjamb to keep from falling.
One whole side of her face was an angry purple bruise.
Her left eye was almost swollen shut and her lip was split and swollen as well. As she came towards me I noticed that she was walking with a slight limp.
I tried to swallow around the lump that had formed in my throat; I tried to say something, but I couldnt find my voice. All I could do was run to meet her and throw my arms around her in a giant bear hug.
OH! she gasped as I came in contact with her, Be careful, honey, I have a few cracked ribs.
I backed up quickly and looked at her again. It looked even worse up close.
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He did this to you,
didnt he, I finally managed to whisper hoarsely.
She looked at me for a minute, then linked her arm through mine and started walking toward the door,
Come on, lets go on inside.
Once we were settled in the living room, both of us on the couch me with my head on her shoulder
she sighed a long heavy sigh and began to stroke my hair.
Im going to live with my sister, Aunt Kathy, in Pennsylvania, she said after awhile. I want you to go with me.
I sat up and turned so I could look into her eyes.
What?
I cant stay here, Killian. That became very clear last night. Im going to move in with Kathy and take care of the kids for a while. Its the only way I am going to be able to survive. I really want you to go with me. Its a nice town, good schools. Aunt Kathy had a slew of kids, I forget how many exactly. We didnt see them very often. Her husband had died the year before and I knew she had been having a hard time without him.
What happened last night?
That doesnt matter now. What matters is that its over and Im not going back. I have everything that is mine packed in the car. Im leaving tonight.
But...but...
But what, Killian?
I dont want to go, I said awkwardly.
You...dont want to go? I could tell she was hurt.
I dont want to leave. I like living with Adam. I dont want to move away right now. I... I almost said that I couldnt leave until I found out who had killed Seth, but I stopped myself just in time. I dont think Mom would have understood.
I dont understand, Mom said, shaking her head.
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I just cant...drop everything and go. Im happy now.
Maybe you can move in with me and Adam.
No. I want to leave, Killian. I need to leave. I have to get away from him. Do you see what he did to me?
She pointed to her face.
Did you call the police?
She snorted angrily, stood up and began to pace just as I had been earlier. Her motions were disjointed and jerky. He has the whole police department in his back pocket. Its good-old-boys politics in this town and that means you dont mess with one of their own. Believe me, your father has made sure hes on the inside, way inside. Everyone in this county owes him a favor, most more than one, and hes not afraid to call them in.
I still dont want to go. Isnt there some way you can stay?
Sure, I can stay here and wind up dead. Is that what you want, Killian? Its just as dangerous for you to stay.
You may feel safe here with Adam, but what if your father decides youre getting in the way or becoming too embarrassing for him, hurting his precious campaign? Hell be able to get to you. Dont think for a second youre out of reach.
I stared at her, my mouth open and my eyes wide.
She stared back, her eyes flashing with anger and, I realized, fear. Then suddenly her eyes changed. The fear remained, but all the anger drained out, just like someone had pulled a plug. It was replaced with weariness.
For a moment I thought she was going to collapse as she swayed in the center of the room. I moved to jump up to catch her if the need arose, but before I could get up she backed up a few steps and dropped into a nearby chair, wincing as her ribs were jarred.
Im sorry, Killian, she said softly, I didnt mean to scare you. Youre right. Theres no sense in dragging you out of school and away from your friends. Youre 177
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as safe here with Adam as youd be anywhere. If its okay with Adam, you can stay here till school is out, then come up with Kathy and me. She rubbed at her good eye and sagged back farther into the chair.
Its fine with me, Adam said from the doorway, making us both jump. Im sorry, I didnt mean to scare you. Or eavesdrop, for that matter, but I came in and I guess you didnt hear me. I couldnt help hearing you.
Mom looked at him silently, then turned and looked at me. I nodded. She sighed again, then stood up.
Then its settled. Killian, youll stay with Adam.
Well take care of whatever legal matters need to be at-tended to.
Mom..., I started.
Killian, its okay. Really. Now that I think about it, it makes a lot more sense this way. Kathy has enough kids in the house without adding yet another. Youd be in a new place with no friends. Adams proven hes re-sponsible and hes been good to you, better than your own father.
Meg, I said it was okay with me and it is; Ive grown to think of Killian as just like one of my sons. But I want to make sure that you are sure about this. Adam said.
I dont have time to be sure, she said, I have to go.
Im driving to my sisters tonight and Im emotionally and physically drained. I want to leave now before I get any more tired.
She turned towards me and held out her arms. I took the few steps between us and wrapped my arms around her, more tenderly this time so as not to hurt her ribs.
She felt so frail in my arms, and suddenly I felt tears begin to roll down my cheeks. We stood quietly like that for a few minutes before she gently pulled away.
I looked into her tear-streaked face and realized how much I loved her and how much I would miss her, but I knew I had made the right decision for now. There 178
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was a peace inside of me and I could see it reflected in her eyes.
I love you, Mom, I whispered.
I love you, too, she told me. Its not forever, you know. I have to come back in a month for a doctors appointment, so Ill just stay here for Thanksgiving. I cant be away from my baby on Thanksgiving. Then she turned back to Adam, Take care of my boy, Mr.
Connelly. If anything happens to him, youll see what Im capable of. She said that last part with a smile, but I got the feeling that she was deadly serious.
I will, Adam promised solemnly. Ill take care of him as if he were my own. And well expect you to stay here and have Thanksgiving dinner with us.
Mom nodded and looked at me one more time before she started to leave. I walked her out to the car.
Adam followed but only as far as the front door, where he stood watching us. She opened the door to climb in and then paused. She gave me a shaky smile, Are you sure you wont go?
I cant...
She reached out a hand and rested it on my cheek for just the briefest second, then turned to get into the car.
Mom...
She stopped and turned back to me again and I leaned in for one last hug. I kissed her on the cheek before stepping back. She reached up to the spot where I had kissed her and I saw a tear slip out of the corner of here eye before she ducked into the car. She started the engine, backed out onto the street and sat there, staring at me for a moment, then waved one last time before driving off.I stood there watching until she made the turn at the end of the street and drove out of sight, and even then I stood there staring at nothing. I felt Adams arm settle around my shoulders as he pulled me back towards the 179
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house. Once inside, I turned into his chest and began to cry. He allowed me to cry it out without saying a word.
When I was done, we walked into the living room and sat down.
Its not forever, Killian. Shell be back in a few weeks, he said softly.
I know; it wont even be that much different from the way its been the last few weeks. Its just weird to know your whole family is out of reach in one way or another. Youre the only family I have now.
Like I told your mother, I consider you one of my sons.
Well, then I guess I have a brother now, too...Kane.
Speaking of Kane, I spoke to Ilana today. She said that things are going well, that Eves lawyer has been very
cooperative so far, although they have in no way even suggested that I even get visitation rights, let alone custody.
When will you know more? I asked.
I dont know; these things are complicated. Without Eves cooperation this could be a long, drawn out process. With Seth it was easy she didnt want him.
He was too much like me, in all the wrong ways.
My eyes widened and I had trouble controlling the smile that was fighting to spread across my face. If I were a cartoon character a light bulb would have just appeared above my head. Theres nothing like a good project to distract you from feeling bad, and it looked like I had just found a new project.
Adam could tell something was up. What? he asked me suspiciously.
Nothing, I just remembered I have homework. I lied.
Ive never seen you get excited about homework before, he commented dryly.
First time for everything, I said cheerily, as I jumped 180
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up and started out of the room.
Youd better not be up to something, Killian, Adam called after me.
Who, me? I called back as I grabbed my backpack and he bounded down the hall to my room.
Once in my room I shut the door and booted up the computer. After I was online I shot off a quick e-mail to Kane outlining my idea. That done, I turned to my homework, since I really did have quite a bit.
* * *
Later that night after the dinner dishes were done and all my homework was finished, I was in my room reading when Jake called. Hey, Killian, he said when Id answered, Ive decided to tell you about the other person that I saw talking to Seth. I havent talked to them yet, but I will before tomorrow afternoon, so how about if you come over to my house tomorrow around 3:00 if you dont already have plans? I mean, I know its a Saturday and all...
Ill can be there at three, I told him.
Great, Ill see you then, he said quickly and hung up.Now my mind was going a hundred miles an hour trying to figure out who Jake was protecting. It had to be someone he liked or he wouldnt care. I didnt really know Jake, all that well but I knew who he hung out with in general Zacks crowd, the soccer jocks, even though Jake didnt play soccer. Could the person in question be part of that group? He didnt mind telling me about his own cousins, Asher and Marcus.
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