by K J Bell
Reese put his hands on my arms gently. “You shouldn’t have come. It’s too dangerous,” he said, noticing Brent. He got in Brent’s face, screaming at him. “Dude, how could you bring her here?”
Brent stepped back.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Reese. You need to back off before you do something stupid,” Brent warned.
“Like…bringing Claire here?” Reese said, gesturing to my presence in his house. “Because that was pretty stupid, Brent.”
I moved between the two of them.
“Reese, wait, he didn’t bring me here. I left him at the hotel and he came after me. It’s not Brent’s fault,” I explained, pushing against his chest.
Brent didn’t break Reese’s glare, but addressed me. “We need to go, Claire.”
“I’m not leaving without Reese.”
Mr. Phillips interrupted, slicing through the tension. “So, this is Claire,” he said, extending his hand to shake mine. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Reese has told me so much about you.”
Shaking his hand, my grip was limp fish as ever. I squirmed, feeling my dad’s disappointment as though he was in the room with me.
Reese spoke to his dad, telling him we really did need to get going, and the two of them hugged. They exchanged goodbyes, and agreed to continue the conversation soon. I heard Mr. Phillips tell his son to take good care of me, and not to worry about things. Reese’s dad wanted him to forgive his mother, reassuring Reese he would not tell his mother anything until they spoke again.
Mr. Phillips turned his attention to me. “Claire, can I speak to the boys alone for just a minute, please?”
I hesitated wondering why he needed to speak to the boys alone. Figuring he wanted to offer some fatherly advice I agreed. “Sure, I’ll just wait on the porch.”
Looking at Brent, he appeared to be conflicted with me being alone. I reassured him that for one minute, I would be fine.
Leaving the boys, I went outside to the porch and plopped down in a rocker. My stomach growled, reminding me I had yet to eat today. I remembered having a granola bar in the car that should hold me over for a while. When I opened the door to the Audi, Brent’s phone was ringing. Looking at the display, my heart started to race – Claire. Anxiety took over, and I held my breath. I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I left my phone at the beach house and I knew who had it now. I held my breath anticipating Kace’s disgusting voice when I answered, but I was wrong. Instead, it was the vile hate-filled voice of Logan, booming on the other end.
“You really shouldn’t have picked up the phone, Claire,” Logan sneered, causing every hair on my neck to stand attentively.
“What do you want?” I snapped, finally releasing my breath.
“Simple. I want you to come and see me,” he said, dragging out the words dramatically. He had obviously seen way too many movies.
“I don’t think so.” Just hearing his voice, I was fighting back tears, remembering how he took my aunt from me.
“Really, let me persuade you then. See, I already have a guest with me. He was just riding his bike all alone when I happened to drive by. It was so easy convincing him to come with me. His mom and dad should have warned him about talking to strangers,” Logan taunted.
“Kidnapping, Logan? That’s a new low, even for you. Let the kid go. He doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
“Oh, but you see Claire, he does, and it’s so hard being nice to him, because Liam here, looks so much like his big brother,” Logan snarled.
Oh my God, Liam. He was talking about Brent’s little brother. I remember Brent telling me about him, at the beach house. Brent told me Liam was ten years old and because he had been away for so long he didn’t get to see Liam grow up. They had become really close since Brent moved back home.
“You hurt him Logan, and so help me,” I hissed, though it didn’t sound as threatening as I intended it to.
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t touch him as long as you do exactly as I say.”
“What do you want?” I asked bitterly.
“Mr. Phillips is keeping your boyfriend, and his pathetic tag-along son, busy. You are going to get in that luxury ride of yours and come see me. Don’t stop anywhere and don’t bring anyone or little Liam here may end up with the same fate as your poor aunt,” Logan instructed. I wished I had the ability to climb through the phone. I wanted to hurt him. How dare he drag Brent’s brother into this?
It suddenly dawned on me that Logan knew where we were and what I was driving. I looked around through the trees and homes, but I didn’t see him.
“Where are you?”
“Hey, now there’s the spirit, Claire. That’s a way to come to your senses. Your boyfriend would be so upset if you had the chance to save his sweet little brother, and you ignored it. I’m in the old mill, the middle building. I’ll be waiting. Remember, come alone.” Then there was a click. I threw Brent’s phone in the grass and climbed into the Audi.
My hands were shaking so wildly, I struggled to turn the key, barley able to get the Audi started. I backed out of the driveway, not even looking to see if Brent or Reese came out after me. I couldn’t allow myself to worry about how upset they would be with me for leaving. I couldn’t let Logan hurt Brent’s brother. I pictured Liam scared and alone, wondering what was happening, all because of me. It wasn’t right. He’s way too young to go through something like this. Insecurity directed my thoughts, as I wondered if it would be better for Brent if I stayed away from him. He didn’t ask for this, and now his family was in danger. I couldn’t let myself think about it. I had to stay focused on Liam. What if Logan was lying and he didn’t have Liam? Maybe I should get the boys.
Don’t stop anywhere, and don’t bring anyone, or little Liam here may end up with the same fate as your poor aunt.
I couldn’t risk it. I took a deep breath, fortifying my strength. I could do this.
CHAPTER 14
“When my grandmother was alive, she used to tell me that every time God creates a soul in heaven, he creates another to be its special mate. And that once we’re born we begin to search for our soulmate, the one person who’s the perfect fit for our mind and body. The lucky ones find each other.” – Lurlene McDaniel
The Audi bounced over pot holes as I made my way through the run-down lot in front of the mill. I parked as close as possible to the door, and nearly fell getting out of my car when the toe of my sneaker caught the lip of one of the wide cracks in the pavement. The lot was covered in weeds, most of which were taller than me. I had to push them out of my way to find a door to enter the building. The mill was made up of several brick buildings, and had been condemned for over eighteen years. Memories of Logan were making my insides spasm, and my hands were shaking uncontrollably. I took a sluggish breath. I had to save Liam.
I hesitated when I tried to pull the door open, worrying the pressure may cause the old structure to collapse around me. An upper corner on one of the buildings had collapsed recently, and all that remained was a pile of bricks. Remembering Layken told me kids come out to the mill frequently, to have parties, I assumed the glass windows were shattered from kids throwing bricks at them. With a little force, the door creaked open. A mouse scurried across the floor almost touching my feet, and I screamed. This seemed like an auspicious beginning.
“Here she is,” Logan announced, tottering toward me. He was really dirty, and smelled like urine. The stench was volatile, causing my stomach to churn, and I felt like I was going to vomit. “So glad you could make it, Claire. I see you are alone like I asked. That’s a good girl.”
Instinctively, I stepped to the side, away from Logan.
“Where’s Liam?” I demanded.
“So anxious, Claire. You only just got here. Did you think you could walk in and I would just hand him over and let you leave?” He held his index finger up, shaking it, making a tsk, tsk sound in his throat. “Follow me. We need to talk first,” Logan
instructed.
I found the thought of spending anytime talking with Logan disturbing, but I had to help Liam. I followed him, alarm bells going off loudly in my head. I ignored them, knowing I was Liam’s only hope. We went through what looked to have been a cafeteria at one time. The remnants of old folding tables lined the walls, covered in dirt and cobwebs. Weeds had grown through the cracks in the floor where the linoleum peeled away. I heard water dripping and noticed a puddle on the floor where the roof was leaking from last night’s rain. I recalled my dad telling me stories about having lunch here, and imagined the room with more life in it; mill workers sitting with their aluminum lunchboxes opened on the table, sipping from thermoses, talking about their families. We passed through double doors into an old kitchen. Pots and pans were still hanging above a gas stove. The cobwebs draped from the ceiling so thickly, it looked like a curtain blocking my view from the rest of the room.
“Through here,” Logan signaled, walking through a door into a small dark room. As I entered, he put his hand on the small of my back, guiding me. I smacked it away which made him snicker. He slammed the door and suddenly, it was pitch black.
“Ah, Claire, this was way too easy. With everything I heard about you, I thought this would be so much harder. Your love for your boyfriend makes you weak, you know. You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” His voice was more haunting in the darkness, seizing my body with fear.
I heard a click, and then the room was filled with a light glow. Logan held a campsite lantern and set it on a shelf. I was trapped in a large freezer. Thankfully, the room no longer operated in that capacity, and the temperature was comfortable. I looked around the confined space, but didn’t see Liam. There was a couple of metal shelving units on the side and a few empty burlap sacks in the corner.
I made eye contact with Logan who observed me with amusement. As reality sunk in, I said, “You don’t have him, do you?”
“Correct, Claire. I do not. Little Liam is at home, safe and sound with his parents. He’ll stay that way as long as you don’t do anything foolish,” he laughed intimidatingly.
Ignoring his bullied laughter, I asked, “Where’s Kace?”
Logan slithered close to me and I jerked back. My knees trembled and I caught my breath in my throat. I was petrified and Logan knew it.
“Oh. He’s not here, either. It’s just the two of us, Claire.” He inhaled sharply, his dark eyes appraising me and his putrid smell continued to make me nauseous.
The look in Logan’s eyes was terrifying.
“What do you want, Logan?” I demanded, attempting to sound in control, hoping my voice would not crack, giving away how afraid I really was.
“You,” he claimed, running his filthy fingers across my cheek and lips. I turned my head in disgust and he leaned in close. I felt his breath on me. He reeked of alcohol, and guilt pooled in my gut when I looked at him.
This was my fault. Kace wanted to get to me, and he used Logan to do it, possessing him with the Adherent. Another innocent person’s life was altered simply because of me. He was just a normal high school boy one day, and the next, he ended up here in this grotesque environment, layered in dirt and urine, drinking, in an attempt to silence the demons. This was all because he heard some rumors that made him not like me. It was depressing, and I was to blame. I wondered if there was any way I could help him. Maybe there was a way to extract the Adherent and free Logan.
“Logan, you’re wrong about that. You only think you want me because you’re entertaining an Adherent that Kace sent. You’re an Anchor, that’s all. You don’t really want to hurt me,” I pleaded with him, wondering if there was any way to penetrate the Adherent that was buried within him.
“That may be part of it, but you see, there’s another reason I want you. All summer, Claire, I had to listen to Layken go on and on about Brent. He’s so cute. He’s so nice. Blah, blah, blah. I really liked her. We went out a few times, and things were going good. Then Brent moved to town. She started acting like I didn’t exist. The way I see it, taking you from Brent will hurt him. That’s exactly what he deserves, especially how he came after me in the hall. His protectiveness towards you made me want to hurt you even more, just so I could watch him suffer,” he fantasized, increasing my fear. However, I stayed calm.
“You don’t really feel that way, Logan. Please, listen to me,” I pleaded harder, but he continued as though I hadn’t spoken at all.
“Oh, and then there’s Reese, little puke that he is. He came to talk to me at lunch, warning me to stay away from you. Reese, who always gets everything he wants. Logan, you want to be quarterback? Sorry, but Reese is quarterback. Oh Logan, sorry, but Reese is the Captain. He thinks he’s so damn special. He wanted you too, Claire, so by keeping you here I can make both of them pay.”
“Logan! This isn’t you. It’s just the…”
Logan interrupted. “Stop with the Adherent shit, Claire. I actually like myself better this way. I’m no longer some pathetic door mat that complies with everything. So, you can stop with your lame attempt to make me see I’m a better person. I’m not.”
“You are though, Logan,” I urged forcefully, endeavoring one last attempt to make him believe me.
“Shut up!” he shouted so loudly, that his voice echoed off the metal walls hurting my ears.
Logan reached back and landed a blow to the side of my head with the back of his hand. The force knocked me to the ground. Unbearable pain was the last thing I remembered before the room went black.
My head throbbed, and it hurt to open my eyes. The room was completely dark. Logan’s smell was still thick in the air; though I wasn’t sure he was in the room. I listened hard for any indication he was in the freezer with me, but it was completely silent.
Once I was positive I was alone, I rose to my feet, feeling the walls in the direction I thought the lamp might be. Beneath my fingers, I felt a thick layer of grainy dirt covering every shelf, and I tried not to think about what was there. I kept feeling around for the lantern. Relief swept over me as my fingers came in contact with the cold aluminum frame.
The light from the lantern was dim, but once my eyes adjusted I was able to get a better look at my surroundings, wishing I hadn’t. The floor was covered in mice droppings, tiny black pellets beneath my feet. Scratching from behind the shelves reminded me I was not entirely alone, as the little rodents clawed into something. Examining the walls, I noted there was no way out other than the steel door. My head was still pounding, a constant ache behind my eyes. My hands were black after running them across the shelves. I reached for my head anyway, trying to ease the pain.
I began weeping, and tears slid down my cheeks, one after the other. I had no strength to stop them. I was freaking out, like a caged animal. I should have gone to Reese, and Brent, and told them what Logan wanted me to do.
Omni’s words tormented me.
Most importantly, whatever you do, you must stay together.
Those were the last words Omni spoke before we left my aunt’s house, after he told us Brent was my Paramour, and Reese was my brother, my Aegis. We went there to find an Agent to ask for guidance. Omni gave it to us, very simply instructing me to trust Reese and Brent, stressing it would take all three of us. Stay together. I didn’t listen. How could I have been so careless?
I sunk to the disgusting floor, hanging my face in my grimy hands. I cried, not bothering to wipe the salty drops away, tasting each one as they fell into my mouth. I visualized Brent’s face the last time I saw him. His expression haunted me. No matter how worried he was then, it was nothing compared to what he must be experiencing now. Surprisingly, I found myself wishing he was here to protect me – to teach Logan some manners like he swore he would if Logan didn’t leave me alone. I had wanted to prove I didn’t need anyone to protect me so badly, that I foolishly thought I could handle Logan on my own. Brent was right, I really was stubborn. Would he have any idea where to start looking for me? Probably not. I wouldn’t have
a reason for being here. I continued to cry, wallowing in self-pity and helplessness.
Get a grip, Claire. You’re not helpless. You have abilities for a reason. Stop your whining and do something.
My subconscious was downright nasty. As usual though, she was right. I attempted to see if my abilities might help my situation, concentrating hard on pushing the door open, I waited for the magic to save me – nothing.
Remembering my ability to quake walls around me when I got really upset, I centered my anger, focusing on Logan, and what he did to Maggie. It was working. The small room started to convulse. I held onto my thoughts, clinging to that one life changing moment, hoping it would jar the lock on the door. Rattling of the heavy shelves as objects fell from them was similar to being trapped in an earthquake, and made me feel disoriented. The lantern fell and I managed to slide my foot under it in time to stop it from shattering.
Mice scampered across the floor in every direction, having been startled, looking for an exit. I screamed as I climbed the metal-framed shelving to escape the vermin. Mice were a phobia of mine. I started to panic. Pulling my thoughts away from the murky place I had stored them, the room calmed. Once I was sure the mice had gone back into hiding, I came down from my perch.
My legs were wobbly, unable to hold my weight. I collapsed to the floor, exhausted and scared. It had taken a lot out of me to move the walls. I prayed Logan would not return until my body recovered.
No such luck today. Logan’s rancid smell entered the room before he did. My luck felt like the life of a gambler, so deep in debt, clutching the small cubes in his hand praying to the powers that be, to roll an eleven. Just this once, please. The ivory pieces flying over the plush green felt, spinning in slow motion, a six yes, and a…no…wait…one last tumble…and…its snake eyes. The pit boss waiting and watching, grinning at the two ebony dots, the satisfied wave of his finger knowing the man can’t pay. That’s what my days have come to feel like, those unanswered prayers teasing me.
