The Hunted

by C.J. Hart

  Seb pops a chocolate malt ball into my open mouth. The corners of my lips lift infinitesimally. I’d like to smile, tell him I’m okay, but I seem to have no idea how to tonight. Instead, I curl my fingers into his, rest my head on his shoulder, and, somehow, drift into slumber.

  I wake to outcries. A millisecond before the bedroom door rips open, I realize it’s Dad and Sarah. The wood clatters against the lime green wall, knocking a picture frame from its nail.

  “Cassandra Louise.” My name rumbles throughout the room. “What the hell do you think you are doing? I told you to stay away from him!”

  “Doctor Spencer,” Seb calmly says, “Cass just received some devastating news.”

  Dad’s eyes swerve to him, and then back to me.

  “Don’t blame Seb,” I say. “This has nothing to do with him.”

  “You bet I’ll blame him, young lady.” He lurches forwards and grabs my wrist. “You’re coming with me. And we’re going to have a long talk about obedience and how you’re never going to see this boy again.” He yanks me out of the bed, out of Seb’s reach, with such force that I stumble and fall on my face.

  “Leave her alone,” Seb growls.

  I can see Mrs. Adler loitering in the doorway, shaking, nervous, not knowing if she should intercede.

  “This doesn’t concern you, mutt.”

  I hear Seb’s breathing quicken, deepen—almost a snort—feel him and the room vibrate. He’s shifting. I roll onto my back and pull myself up.

  Dad grabs my arm. “Get out of here, Cass. I’ll deal with him.”

  Deal with him?

  He extends a silver knife from his sleeve.

  “No!” I shake his grip off me.

  “Now listen here!” Sarah creeps forwards. “This is a boy you’re speaking of killing; he’s like a son to me! You’ll do no such thing!” She pushes me behind her.

  I notice Seb is white-knuckled, gripping the mattress, trying to hold the wolf inside.

  “Sarah, he’s an aberration. He must be dealt with like any other creature of the night.”

  “You get out of my house,” she says, dead serious. “And don’t come back.”

  Dad sets his jaw.

  “First, you cut us off from our goddaughter—which was unbearable and inexcusable—and now, you want to take Seb? No. I won’t let you do it.”

  “It’s not up to you, Sarah.”

  “The hell it isn’t! What has he ever done to you?”

  “He’s not human; he doesn’t get to play boyfriend with my daughter! I can’t lose her…”

  “You lost her the moment you threatened him, Brett. Now, get out. I’m not going to say it again.”

  Dad slides the knife back up his sleeve. Without looking at me, he says, “C’mon, Cass. Let’s go home.”

  “The girl stays here.”

  He levels a stare at Sarah. “I’m her father. Who the hell are you to say what’s best for her?”

  “Because I, dear Brett, am her godmother. And Libby would’ve wanted it.”

  “Do not talk about my wife as if you know a scrap about her.”

  She hugs me to her side, lifting her chin high. “I’d wager I knew her better than you did.”

  He grunts and pushes past her, jostling us. “We’ll talk about this later. I expect you to be home tomorrow.”

  “There’ll be no later, Dad.”

  Seb, now composed, closes the gap between us and reaches for my hand.

  “My home,” I say, “is wherever he is. And if you don’t want him in your house, then consider my departure effective immediately.”

  He turns and marches towards the front door. I tremble. What have I done? Seb’s arm curls around my waist, crossing over Sarah’s.

  “Who’s up for some hot chocolate?” she says.

  None of us can even hope of catching forty winks, now that Dad has threatened Seb. So we might as well have a hot drink and watch some more TV.

  “Sure,” I say, letting her lead us to the kitchen. “Do you mind if I stay here for a few nights?” I say to her, but I direct the question at Seb as well. “Until he calms down?”

  “For as long as you want,” Mrs. Adler says, “you’re always welcome.”

  Seb nods in confirmation, a grin flooding his features. “This’ll be fun!”

  I know what he’s thinking. It’s as close to having our own house as we can get at the moment. Maybe this is a good thing. I can sort out my dramas before facing my father. “I don’t have anything. I didn’t think to bring a thing when I left.”

  Sarah scoops powdered chocolate into three mugs. “Jess still has a closet full of clothes here.”

  “Oh, I don’t know if I can do that…” The thought of someone touching my stuff without asking unnerves me.

  “She’ll be back in the morning. Three marshmallows?”

  I nod.

  “She got transferred from Jacksonville. Seb, three as well?”

  He grins. “Four.”

  She clicks her tongue. “Cheeky boy.” She hands me a mug. “If you like, I can send my husband to your house tomorrow to pick up anything else you need—schoolbooks, toothbrush…”

  My vision smears. “Thanks.” I blink back the tears.

  “It’s been a trying day, hasn’t it?” She sits next to me.

  Seb, on my other side, sips his chocolate, his hand never leaving mine.

  I squeeze his fingers. “Yes, it has.”

  “Poor thing.” She smoothes back my hair. “I remember when you were just a tiny baby. I was there when you were born, did you know?”

  I shake my head.

  “Your dad was late, as usual.” She rolls her eyes, amused.

  I smirk. “Has he ever been on time?”

  “It took him hours to realize you were here,” Seb says.

  Sarah hops up and skips over to the freezer.

  I gulp some hot chocolate. “You said something about Jess being transferred back here?”

  She nods and hauls out a gallon tub of caramel swirl ice cream. “Yes. She got promoted to regional manager.”

  “That’s awesome.” The last time I’d seen her daughter, she had just started high school. I’d heard about the big things through Liam, but even we grew apart as the years ticked by. Having a father with a distaste for the Adlers didn’t make it easy to maintain those friendships.

  “She’s getting married next year, and they’re expecting!” She sets the tub and three spoons in the center of the table.

  I can’t believe I’ve missed a whole chunk of their lives because of Dad’s arrogance. Something happened between him and Sarah. I know it. A fight? They seem to clash easily, like tonight.

  Seb attacks the dessert, and then offers me a spoonful. “She’ll be happy to see you.”

  Is it weird that he’s living with my godparents? I haven’t got enough mental space left to figure that one out at the moment.

  I accept the scoop and achieve what I pray is a smile. “I can’t wait to see her either.” What does she look like now? My eyes wander over the room, hopeful for a photo. None in here. I’ll remember to scour the living room later. I pass him back the spoon. “Where’re the others?”

  “Jack’s pulling a double shift at the precinct. I don’t know where Liam is.”

  “He’s with Whitney,” Seb says.

  “Oh, yes.” She’s quiet for a minute, fiddling with the hem of her pajama shirt. “It’s such a shame what happened.”

  Don’t cry. You are done with crying, for tonight at least. “Yes.” I’m surprised my voice didn’t shake. I push myself up. “I should call Miley.”

  “It’s past twelve. Nothing you can do tonight, Cassie.”

  She’s right. My eyelids grow heavy at the mention of the hour, my lashes flutter closed.

  “Get her to bed, Seb,” she whispers.

  He swings me into his arms.

  ***

  The next thing I remember is waking up next to him, the midmorning sun streaming through the parted b
linds.

  “Morning.” He smiles and kisses my forehead.

  I stretch every muscle before saying, “Morning.”

  “You sleep okay?”

  I roll into him and press my nose to his collarbone. “Mm. I guess so. You?” I look up at him.

  Shadows line his lower lids.

  “Did you sleep at all?” I say.

  “An hour here and there.”

  “Worried about me?”

  He responds by tugging me closer and brushing his lips against mine. “Do you want breakfast?”

  I consider that for a moment. I’m not hungry, but I should probably feed my body. “Something totally fattening.”

  “Good choice.” He grins. “Feel up to going out, or shall I pick up something and bring it back?”

  “If I can borrow some clothes and a hairbrush.” Going out, getting on with my life, sounded wrong. But Eve would approve. Sorrow is for suckers, she’d say.

  “Jess is home. Go ask her.”

  I swing my legs over the side of the bed and pad into the hall. Where’s her bedroom? I recall it being opposite to Liam’s. I make my way over and knock on the door.

  There’s a shuffle of papers, and then she says, “Come in.”

  I crack open the door. “Jess?”

  Her eyes drift to me. “Cassie!” She propels herself forwards, wrapping her arms around me. “Wow, look at you!”

  I let her twirl me around.

  “All grown up!”

  “Yeah, eleven years does that.”

  As she swamps me in a hug, she says, “Stupid parents and their egos, eh?”

  “I heard you’re going to be a mom soon?”

  “Yes.” She releases me and returns to her desk chair. “Not showing much yet.”

  “I’m so happy for you. Can’t wait to meet the newest member of the Adlers.”

  “Me either.” Her smile is genuine and glowing, matching the elation in her features.

  “Mind if I borrow some jeans and a shirt?”

  “No problem at all.” She pushes back her frothy, brown hair and rises again. “Take your pick, it’s the least I can do.” She opens her closet.

  “I guess you heard, then?” I select a black V-neck and a pair of torn jeans.

  “That you’re dating the newest member of the family or that your dad went Psycho on you?”

  I blush at her comment of Seb. “But you missed one.”

  “Yes, I know.” She drops her gaze to her boots. “But Mom banned me from bringing it up. She’s so protective of you.” Jess smirks.

  I can feel a sob manifesting in my throat. I need to change the subject fast. “I heard you got promoted.”

  “Yeah. Last week. I’m moving back to Aeston with my fiancé. Living with the parents is a temporary thing, until we find a house or an apartment—we haven’t really decided on what type of property we want.” She chuckles. “More options this way.”

  “Gosh, I couldn’t believe it when your mom told me you were getting married, and when Liam said you were having a baby.” Though there are seven years between us, it still feels as if we’re sisters. Just not by blood. With the Spencers and the Adlers reunited, it feels as if we’re one big family again.

  She turns away. “I know, right?”

  I strip out of my clothes and replace them with hers.

  “You’ll like Neal. He’s sweet—a lot like your guy.” She peers over her shoulder, sees that I’m dressed, and swivels back, grinning. “Think you two will get married?”

  “I hope so.” I collect my clothes. “Speaking of, I’d better get back to him or he’ll send out a search party.”

  She barks a laugh. “Yes, yes. Go.” She pretends to shoo me. “We’ll catch up later.”

  I return her smile. “I’d like that.” I’ve missed too much.

  Seb waits for me in the hall. “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.” I comb my fingers through my hair.

  “Don’t worry,” he says, “you look beautiful. But then again, you always do.”

  “You’re so good to me.” Do I deserve him?

  “I don’t have any other choice.” He winks and tucks me under his arm.

  ***

  At 1:15 pm, Mr. Adler drives me home so I can collect some things. We turn onto my street. Dad’s SUV is in the driveway.

  “He’s home,” I say.

  “Nothing to fret about, sweetheart.” He smiles and pats my knee.

  I pray that this goes smoothly. Just in and out. Two minutes is all I need.

  “Let’s get this over with.”

  “I like the way you think.” I step out and shut the door.

  The house seems still, silent as we march up the path and the steps. Jack pounds his fist on the door. A second later, it opens.

  Dad stares out at us. “The prodigal daughter returns.”

  My nose wrinkles. He stinks of whiskey and sweat.

  “Come on in.” He opens the door wider. “I suppose you’ve come to get your things? Good. Should’ve kicked you out years ago.”

  He’s just baiting you. Don’t react.

  “Now see here, Brett.” Jack gives me a gentle shove inside, past Dad. “If you don’t think you can look after her anymore—”

  “Go ahead, take her.” He swigs from a bottle. “She’s nothing to me anymore but an inconvenience.” He shoots me a glare.

  I round the corner and press myself to the cool wall. This isn’t him. He’s drunk, lost his mind—zombies ate his brain or whatever. This is not him, the way he’s acting. Still, I can’t stop the tears streaking down my face. Get your shit and get out.

  “You don’t really mean that,” Jack says.

  I stumble into my room, not wanting to overhear the answer, and pull out my suitcase. I throw in my schoolbooks, toiletries, some clothes, and any other little things I can squeeze in. This feels too final for my liking. Something has divided us. Equal parts of stubbornness and scheming maybe. My two minutes are up. I drag my suitcase into the living room. My godfather remains by the door. Dad and the whiskey have migrated to the couch. He’s past caring, and so am I. This is it.

  Jack ushers me out, shutting the door.

  This is really it.

  I sniffle, thinking of all the things I’ve lost over the past twenty-four hours. In my lifetime.

  “Don’t worry.” He curls an arm around my shoulders. “You’ll work things out with him eventually. Until then,” he heaves my bulging suitcase into the trunk, “you have a home with us.” He opens the passenger door for me. “Can I drop you anywhere?”

  I sigh and slide in. “Take me to Roadrunner Records.”

  When I locate Seb, I crush myself to him.

  “Whoa, hey, beautiful.” He lifts up my chin. “How did it go? I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.”

  My vision blurs. I swipe the back of my hands furiously over my cheeks. “Now I know how you feel—homeless, parentless.”

  He stares into my eyes for a beat, swallows hard, and then turns to Liam. “Can you help the next customers? I’m taking five.”

  “Sure.”

  A wave of guilt crashes over me. I hadn’t noticed him at the register.

  Seb tows me into the back room. “Tell me everything.”

  As I fill him in, I trace the veins on his forearm with my pinkie. “Yeah, and then he said I’m an inconvenience.”

  “You don’t believe him, do you?”

  I shrug a shoulder. “I don’t know what to think about anything anymore.”

  He tears a tissue from the box and dabs at my eyes. “We orphans gotta stick together.” He smirks.

  “Indeed we do.”

  “Seb,” Liam’s voice floats in. “You got another visitor.”

  A beat later, Kat ambles in. “Yo. How we all doin’?” He freezes midway. Must’ve seen my face. “I can come back…”

  I shake my head. “I should get back to the Adler’s.”

  “Are you sure?” Seb says. “I can’t let you walk by yoursel
f.”

  “I’ll take her,” Kat says.

  “That’ll be cool with me.” I blow my nose.

  “I’ll circle back later to tell you the latest rez gossip.”

  Seb snorts. “What—like hairstyles and this season’s colors?”

  I chuckle.

  Kat glares at both of us, trying hard not to smile. “C’mon, blondie.”

  I stand on the tips of my toes and kiss Seb. “See you tonight?”

  He bobs his head twice.

  “Hey, speaking of dinner,” Kat says as he walks me out. “Can I come?”

  “We’ll ask Sarah when we get there.”

  He takes that as a yes and grins. “Cool.”

  Waving bye to Liam, I step into the balmy afternoon. I can feel Kat’s eyes on me. “What?”

  “You havin’ a bad day or somethin’?”

  I snort. “You could say that.”

  “Anythin’ I can do to help?” A flash of a grin.

  “Not let me get pummeled by this Ash dude.”

  “Sure, but I meant right now.”

  “Oh.” I swing my bag as we walk. “I don’t know if there’s anything you can do.”

  “Well, when you figure it out, let me know.”

  “You’re a softie.” I link my arm in his.

  “Don’t tell the others that,” he whispers.

  “Your secret’s safe with me.”

  “Good.” His grin widens. “Now, who hurt you? Who do I have to punch?”

  I stroke his arm. “If I tell you, you might kill him.”

  His face drops. “Nah-uh. Don’t do that anymore.” He shakes his head for emphasis.

  “Just teasing.”

  “Oh, phew!” He thinks for a beat. “It’s not Seb, is it?”

  “Pardon?”

  “That’s upset you?”

  I beam. “No, he’s a gem.”

  “Good.”

  We separate as an elderly couple approach us, regrouping as they pass.

  “Have you ever lost someone, Kat?”

  “You’re talkin’ about your friend, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “My mom. I’m real sorry ’bout Eve by the way.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  We reach the house and he hesitates, shifting from foot to foot.

  “Scaredy-Kat. What’re you afraid of?” I push open the door.

  He watches me kick off my shoes in the hall and hang my bag on the coat rack.

  Is it because he’s never been inside without Seb? “You coming or what?” I say over my shoulder.

  He sighs, trudging up the steps.

  I find Sarah and Jess in the kitchen. “Hope you don’t mind, I invited a friend for dinner.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Mrs. Adler says, “your friends are welcome.”