by JL Oiler
The laugh stopped mid way, Thomas’ eyes growing wide, his smile fading into a look of disbelief.
“Sorry, Thomas,” Thorn's voice said as she stepped from behind him. “Looks like I’ve decided to make those types of decisions for myself.”
John watched as Thomas collapsed to his knees then fell face down, the broken shaft of a street sign protruding from his back.
“I know that won’t kill him,” Thorn told John with a shrug. “I figured you boys could handle that part.”
John ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. This was the last thing he’d expected to happen.
“Baby, have I told you I Love You?” He ask with a grin.
Two Weeks Later...
Thorn stretched out across the cool sheet and yawned. If someone had asked her a month ago where she thought her life would lead, this would've been the furthest from her mind. Smiling contently, she rolled from the mattress and slipped into a pair of sweatpants and t- shirt. Becka would most certainly be awake by now, most likely sitting at the small table in the day room watching her favorite cartoons. It took several days to persuade Caroline to bring Becka and move into the Nest. In the end, it was Hark who’d managed to bring them both into the safety of the newly reinforced sanctuary. Every day since their arrival, Thorn had taken the time to color and play with her niece while telling the girl all the good things she could recall about the child’s father. She wanted Becka to think of him as the hero he’d been, not the monster he became.
Thorn stepped out of the room she now shared with John to find him seated on the large couch, Becka snuggled into his side, her pink bunny under one arm and her thumb in her mouth as they watched some cartoon mouse dance around on the television screen. Caroline and Hark sat at the table to their left, engaged in a game of chess. The two had been spending quite a bit of time together as of late and Thorn was happy to see them both laugh and smile.
“Hey Baby, when did you finally get up?” John asked, looking up.
“I thought I’d better get out here and make certain someone was doing some work. Can't be resting on our laurels when there are still M-O-N-S-T-E-R-S to find.”
“Uncle John, why is Aunt Thorn spelling monsters again?” Becka asked, looking up at him.
“Because she doesn’t want you to get scared sweetie and she thinks by spelling that word, you won't know what she’s talking about,” John told the little girl with a wink.
“Well then I suppose your silly aunt Thorn will just sit down and wait until this show is over like everyone else,” she told them, taking her spot on the opposite side of the couch.
She guessed that the monsters would all still be there waiting in thirty minutes and for every minute after. This moment was for enjoying what she had here now. Tonight was soon enough to hunt again.
THE END
About the Author
JL Oiler lives in the mountains of West Virginia with her husband, two children, and boxer. She began writing stories at a young age, but didn't begin sharing them until she was in her late teens. When not writing, JL enjoys the outdoors and teaching shop to unruly middle schoolers. JL joined forces with fellow authors BethAnn Buehler, Lila Munro, and Carl Franklin to form Wicked Muses in June 2010. JL has releases with Silver Publishing which include To Kiss a Demon, Claiming Night, and Have Yourself a Rotten Little Christmas. Her Rebel Ink releases include Kinship Trinity, Salvation, Force Recon: Beacon Bayou, Were Menage, Force Recon Somalia, Ecliptic Hearts, Midnight Menage, and Cold Storage as well as the final installment in the Force Recon series. JL can be found on frequently chatting on Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter.
Readers can find JL at her author site: http://www.joiler.weebly.com
