Seth just laughed, as Aunt Breanne walked over.
“Hey, guys,” I said. “Go say hello to your dad. Give us a minute with Aunt Breanne.”
They nodded and ran off.
“Seth,” I said. “This is Jared’s mom.”
Aunt Breanne extended her hand. “Seth, I’m so happy to meet you. I was told that you met my Jared.”
Seth nodded, but didn’t take her hand. Breanne slowly put it down, but kept her smile in place.
“Yes,” he said, his eyes once again trained on the carpet below. “He stayed with me until Aunt Bristol came. He told me about you. He asked me to give you something.”
Aunt Breanne glanced at me, but I just shrugged. It was the first I was hearing of Jared having asked this of Seth. Slowly, Seth moved closer to Aunt Breanne and looked up. He was scared, but determined. Trembling, Seth hugged Aunt Breanne and allowed her to hold him back.
When it was over, Seth looked up at Aunt Breanne who was crying.
“He wanted me to tell you,” Seth said. “That you were the best mom in the world.”
Aunt Breanne smiled and wiped away her tears.
“Thank you, Seth,” Her voice was soft, cracking over the words. “I can’t thank you enough. Someday, I’ll want to hear everything he said to you, but not today. This is a day for you. Are you hungry?”
Seth nodded. It was the one question you could always get a yes for.
Aunt Breanne led us to a large room to the side. When we walked in, there was a huge table with cheeseburgers, pizza, fries, macaroni and cheese and pastries. Seth’s eyes lit up. He looked up at me for permission.
“Go ahead,” I told him. “Pig out.”
He didn’t need to be told twice. Within minutes, he had a plate with one of everything he could fit on it. As Aunt Breanne was tending to Seth, Zack and Simon came in, saw the food and not needing to be told anything, dove in. Archer and Payne quickly followed behind them. I looked to the door and saw Varick and Uncle Mark there.
“Mr. McKnight,” I said. “What did you do?”
Varick smiled. “I spoke last night with Mrs. Carter. Our lawyers believe that by Monday, we’ll be able to take Seth home to Spirit. We all agreed that since he’ll be living with you and your family, it might be best for him to meet the boys before he arrive. And I thought that a little party might be in order.”
I looked out past Varick to the lobby. It was still mostly empty.
“Where is everyone?” I asked. “I mean, this place should be packed with people like Simon of every shape and every size. Where are they all?”
Varick didn’t answer, he just continued to watch Seth pile food onto his plate as he followed Simon and Zack.
“You bought this place out, didn’t you?” I had answered my own question. “You bought out the entire theater so Seth wouldn’t have to be in a room full of strangers.”
“It seemed like a good idea,” Varick said casually.
“And those people out there?” I asked.
“Security,” Uncle Mark asked. “Jack’s family is still out there. We don’t know where any of them are, but Jack isn’t talking. We’ve had security on us twenty four seven. Varick’s just been discreet.”
I looked over at Seth, who was happily stuffing his face and listening to Zack ramble on about football. Aunt Breanne forced some vegetables onto both of their plates and tried to get Seth to use a napkin to wipe his face, instead of his sleeve.
We went into the theater, where the boys ran around like maniacs until the movie started. Seth got the other boys to sit near me until the Death Star was destroyed.
Everyone took a bathroom break and they were back in their seats for the second movie. This time, at Aunt Breanne’s gentle suggestion, Seth and the boys sat in the row right in front of me. I watched as they whispered to each other throughout the film. Seth’s eyes darted back to me to make sure I was close throughout the first half of the film, but he looked back less and less as the movie played on.
Before the last movie, we had another intermission and got some more food. This time, Seth followed Zack and Simon to sit several rows ahead of where Payne and I were sitting. He didn’t think to look back for me until the Empire fell and the final credits ran.
At that point, he got out his seat and ran to me, but not because of fear. He just wanted to tell me every exciting detail about the three movies, chattering about all his favorite parts.
When we got back to the hotel suite, Seth gave both Simon and Zack the grand tour. None of the boys showed any sign of being tired. The three of them ended up in the bedroom, Simon’s X-Box plugged in as they played one video game after another until we pried the controllers out of their hands and forced them to get ready for bed.
They all bunked together in one bed. I decided to sleep out on the couch so I wasn’t far away from Seth.
But, for the first time, Seth slept through the night.
Chapter Twelve
Home Sweet Home
I thought my grandfather might actually do a cartwheel when Varick announced that we were going home.
“It’s about time,” he said. “I was starting to get used to the food here. I need the comforts of home. And my cousin Ned is probably sitting in my spot in the hot tub at the lodge.”
“Never mind that hot tub,” I said. “I don’t ever want to hear you mention that hot tub again.” I had never recovered from when Grandpa revealed that he and his buddies used the hot tub au naturale.
“Never mind that,” Grandpa said. “Seth, you should realize that once we get there, you won’t have this fancy schmancy food, or be living so far up from the ground. We live like real people.”
I noticed Seth started to look worried.
“Seth,” I said calmly. “Don’t worry, there’s always food in the house. It’s just not from a five star restaurant is all.”
“Yeah,” Grandpa added, “and it’s better. Home-cooked or from a jar. You can even pronounce it.”
Seth came over to me, looking nervous. “You’ll still be there, right?”
“Yes,” I said. This was ground we’d covered already, more than once, but Seth seemed to need reassurance. “That’s my home too, with Grandpa, Uncle Mark, Simon and Zack.”
“Actually,” Aunt Breanne said. “I talked to your uncle and Varick last night. I’m going to put a bed in your uncle’s office. Seth needs home schooling for now until he’s caught up. I’m certified. I haven’t taught in a while, but I think I can handle him. This way I can help out.”
Seth smiled.
“I will come see you as often as I can,” Varick offered. “Or you can come to me. I’m only a few minutes away.”
“Plus, I’m there all the time,” Payne added.
Seth nodded. He seemed alright with the change, as long as I was with him.
Within a few hours, we were all packed to go. We took the car to the airport and boarded “Varick One” for the last time.
Seth stood by a window to watch as we took off. Zack and Simon were right by his side. I studied him closely as he gazed out the small window. His blue eyes widened with wonder as we took off.
Seth had already put on some weight. Aunt Breanne had spoken to us about how Seth needed to learn to stop eating once he was no longer hungry. She was right. We had been indulging him because he had always been so afraid that he’d never see food again, but if he didn’t normalize his eating habits, he was going to weigh a ton.
Still, the extra weight on him looked good. He was still way too thin, but he no longer looked like he might be carried away by a good, stiff wind.
Slowly, Seth was making progress. He has actually sat still last night and let Aunt Breanne cut his hair. He wasn’t as guarded all the time.
Most of the time he still looked for me, but he didn’t need to be by my side every minute of every day. My bladder was oh so grateful.
I had worried that Seth would get a little scared of the flight, but he seemed to enjoy it immensely. He even laughed w
hen we hit that same batch of turbulence. (It was like a bump in the road that nobody ever got around to fixing.) He loved being with the boys. He followed them around all day; watching TV, getting a tour of the cockpit or just sitting and reading. I had to help him a little there.
When we arrived at the airport, we were met by Sapphire and Patton McKnight. Sapphire seemed like she just wanted to meet Seth and see if he was all right. Patton, I think, was more interested in trying to figure out if Seth was a McKnight or a Blackburn.
“So,” Patton said as he inspected Seth. “You don’t remember your actual family? Or even know what your last name is?”
Seth clung to me as Patton questioned him, moving behind my leg as he gripped my hand tightly. He shook his head avoiding eye contact.
“No sir,” he said meekly.
“Patton,” Sapphire said sharply. “Leave the boy alone. What matters now is that he’s about the start his life with his new family.”
“Of course,” Patton said, “but to which family does he belong?”
Payne stepped up and took Seth’s other hand. “Both of ours.”
Patton didn’t look happy, but he didn’t challenge Payne. Instead he seemed to shrug and walk away, sending me one last calculating look before he got in his car and drove off.
“Seth,” I said. “Why don’t you go to the car? Payne and I will be there in a minute. Zack and Simon are in there already.”
Seth nodded and ran off.
Sapphire moved so she was standing by my side. We watched Seth shyly join the boys.
“I spoke with Varick about Seth,” Sapphire said, her eyes on Seth as he grinned at Zack’s antics. “And what we might face if those... people come for him. There might be some in our family that are less willing to protect Seth. Like Patton. If that happens, you leave him to me.” She turned towards me. “I’m told you have exceptional instincts. You get any feeling that they’re coming, you contact us.”
I nodded. “I promise, I will.”
Satisfied, she looked at Seth who was giggling at something that Simon was saying. “You need anything at all, contact me.”
Saying goodbye, Sapphire went to speak to Varick and Uncle Mark.
I looked over at Seth in the limo as he laughed at some kooky face that Zack was making. Archer had made his way over to say goodbye to the three of them before he made a beeline for his own car. I turned to Payne while keeping my eye on Seth.
“Have you noticed that Seth refuses to use terms like Grandpa or Uncle or Aunt?”
“Yeah,” Payne said. “I picked up on that. I talked to your grandfather about it. Why do you think that is?”
Seth spotted me from the back of the limo and waved. I wiggled my fingers towards him and forced a smile for his benefit.
“He’s scared,” I said. “Terrified. More than he’s letting on. He’s come a long way in a short amount of time, but he’s still got a long, road ahead of him.”
Payne took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “We’ll get through this. Together.”
I leaned my head against Payne’s arm and sighed. “You sure you’re up for all of this? Not only do you have a girlfriend who has ghosts pop up whenever they feel like it, but now I’ve got a young boy who is attached at the hip. It’s more than you should have to deal with.”
Payne shifted so he was facing me, held my gaze for a good five seconds. “We’re in this together. That’s how it is. And that’s exactly how I want it.”
Our hands intertwined as we kissed. “C’mon,” I said. “Let’s take Seth home.”
That night, Uncle Mark called Zack into the kitchen for a little talk while I brought Seth up to the bedroom that they’d be sharing. I tucked Seth in and gave him a kiss goodnight.
He’d slept through the last two nights without waking from a nightmare, but now he was someplace new. I was a little worried.
“Are you going to be okay in here with Zack?” I asked. I was sitting on the edge of his bed, stroking his hair.
Seth nodded.
“If you need me,” I told him, “I’ll be downstairs for a little bit, or just next door. Wake me if you need me.”
“I’ll be okay,” he said. “But thanks.”
I leaned down and gave him another kiss.
“Bristol, do you think it followed me here?”
My first thought was that he was talking about Jack’s family, but after a second, I realized he hadn’t said them or they. He’d said it. “What are you talking about?”
“That thing,” Seth answered. “Did you ever see it? It used to watch me sometimes.”
I felt my heart go cold, but I tried to stay calm for Seth’s sake.
“What did it look like?” I asked.
Seth sat up in his bed. He tried to figure out a way to describe it.
“Kinda like that.” He pointed to the wall behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw my shadow. “But scarier. And it could talk. Not that it ever talked to me, but I could hear it.”
“Was it just one?” I asked.
Seth nodded.
“Yeah,” he said. “It’s always alone.”
I hadn’t seen it, but I had heard it. Back at the house where we had rescued Seth from.
“I don’t know,” I told him. “But it won’t hurt you here. I promise. Just...if you see it, you come tell me right away. Even if it’s the middle of the night. Okay?”
Seth nodded, and seemed satisfied by this explanation.
I got up and headed towards the door.
“Maybe it finally died.”
I clutched the doorknob tightly and had to force myself to let go, so I could turn back to Seth. “Died? What makes you say that?” I asked, keeping my voice as casual as possible.
Seth yawned before answering. “It seemed sick. I just felt like it was dying.”
I nodded and forced a smile. “Maybe,” I said. “Don’t worry about it.”
Seth nodded. He looked tired, but perked up a little as Zack came in. I said goodnight to both of them and closed their door. In the hallway, I passed Simon who said goodnight as he headed to bed. I blew him a kiss and watched as he went into his room.
Then I ran downstairs and told everyone what Seth had just said to me. Everyone was shocked. Nobody knew what to make of it.
The Shadow Creatures could die.
But how?
Chapter Thirteen
Date Night
Journal of Bristol Blackburn
For the first time, I’ve actually been hoping to get a glimpse of the Shadow Creatures. Not that I miss them—it’s just that knowing that they can be killed has given me a new kind of hope. Maybe I might someday be rid of them and be able to lead a normal life.
Well, normal-ish.
The good news is that Seth’s adjusting to his new home very nicely. Not one nightmare for nearly two weeks.
I was worried about going back to school. Eight hours is a long time for him to go without seeing me. However, Seth’s been pretty good about it. He makes sure he’s up to see me every morning before Payne picks me up, and he’s always waiting for me to come home, but he’s getting through his day.
Aunt Breanne has been wonderful with him. At the rate she’s going, I think Seth will be able to start normal school with kids his own age in the fall.
The only problem with leaving him at home during the day is that he’s getting to spend a lot of time with Grandpa. I’m kinda worried Grandpa’s personality is going to rub off on Seth....
“What’s for dinner tonight?” Seth asked.
“How am I supposed to know?” I countered. “Just eat your breakfast. What does it even matter?”
Seth shrugged as he sipped on one of the juice boxes that he loved.
“I just like to know what to look forward to. Are you coming home right after school today?”
“Don’t I always?” I said.
“Yeah,” Seth responded. “I know you can’t get enough of me. I’m very cute.”
I rolled my eyes at
him. “You’re okay,” I said.
“Nah,” Seth said. “You can’t stay away. But I also know you want to hang out with Payne and go smooching.”
I felt myself go into blink overdrive.
“Where did you hear that?” I asked. “Who told you about smooching?”
“Mr. Blackburn and Zack,” Seth answered. “Since it’s Friday, Mrs. McKnight said I could stay up late. We might watch a movie. So I’ll be fine. I don’t get why you wanna go smooch Payne or why he lets you.”
“Lets me?” I asked.
Seth ignored me. “Don’t get me wrong. You’re cool, but smooching seems kinda gross.”
I put my hands on my hips.
“Kissing me is gross?” I said. “You want to end up wearing that bowl of cereal?”
Seth just giggled into his Cheerios.
“Good morning,” Aunt Breanne said as she walked in. She went over to Seth and kissed the top of his head. I could and probably should have pointed out to Seth that those kisses would be considered smooches, but I decided to let it go.
I heard someone knock on the back door as Seth started to grill Aunt Breanne on dinner. When I got to the door, there was Payne, perfect as always. He leaned in and smooched me so that my toes curled.
“Get a room,” Seth called out from the kitchen table. He then quickly dodged out of the way as Aunt Breanne swatted at him playfully.
Payne grinned at me and then went to say hello to his aunt and to Seth. I watched as the boys began to roughhouse.
It made me think about a life with Payne. It was funny how not to long ago, I couldn’t even bring myself to refer to Payne as my boyfriend or say out loud that I loved him. Now all I wanted was forever.
The strange thing was the visions I’d been having of Payne for the last two weeks since we’ve been back. They were foggy, unfocused, and confusing. Every time I started to have a vision of him, it would quickly fade away. I was trying not to worry.
At school, nearly everyone I came across asked about Seth. Word had spread about the young boy that we had rescued and brought back to Spirit. The details were fuzzy, which only made the speculation even juicier. I refused to answer the people who only seemed interested in hearing about the horrible things that had happened to Seth, but I found that I enjoyed telling people about how well Seth was doing. I almost always had a new picture or two of him to show off.
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