Chapter Five
Jackson
I was sprawled on my couch, unwinding after a long shift at the station, half-distracted by a game on my phone when a notification popped up. A message from Marcus.
The station emphasized avoiding burnout, especially during seasons packed with calls for fires both big and small. I’d just got off a sixteen hour shift and my boys knew I needed a break.
We were also on standby for wildfires in Nevada and California, which sometimes swelled to engulf thousands of acres, devastating entire ecosystems. The thought of animals caught in the inferno always sat heavy on me, so I quickly brushed it away.
Pausing the game, I tapped on the message:
I’m gonna call you in a sec. Are you busy?
I shot back a reply:
Not busy. Call me.
I was anxious to know what he wanted. Marcus rarely reached out without a reason, and that alone put me on edge.
My phone rang, the ringtone a relic from college days that always brought a hint of nostalgia. I picked up, holding the phone to my ear.
“Yo. What’s up? Something going on?” I asked.
Leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. It was a good way to stretch out the tension from my shift. Too young for aches and pains, I knew. But firefighting had a way of sneaking those in.
Marcus’s voice, tight with worry, answered, “Yeah, man. My sister just called. Did I ever tell you why she moved three years ago, right before she had Alana?”
“You mentioned her husband being a piece of work. That’s about it.”
“That’s right,” Marcus said. He sounded upset as he continued. Well that scum, just got out of jail today. He’s dangerous, Jack. Violent.”
“Savannah called, and I could hear the fear in her voice. I was going to head out there but she insisted I didn’t, she’s too proud to let me come. She is asking her friend Mya to stay with her tonight. I don’t know if she’s gotten home yet. Could you check on her for me?”
The words stirred something protective inside me. “Of course. I’ll keep an eye out.”
“Thanks, man. Just shoot me a text whenever. No need to stay up all night, just...”
“I’ll be watching,” I said, cutting him some slack for repeating himself. His worry was palpable. “And yeah, I’ll keep you updated.”
“Good. You know I appreciate you, right? I didn’t want to bother you with this but until I know what this jerk is up to, I’m really worried about my sister. You’re a real hero, Jack.”
The words warmed me in a way I hadn’t felt in a while. “Thanks, bud. That means a lot.”
After we hung up, I set my phone down, my mind already moving to my next steps. Glancing out the window by my front door, I scanned Savannah’s house.
Her driveway was empty, and I checked my watch. She should’ve been home by now. My gut tightened. I wished I’d asked Marcus more details, like when he last spoke to her.
A thought struck me, and I glanced at my front door. I decided to go and check my motion lights and do some adjustments to include as much of my neighbor's property as possible.
I’d been considering getting a couple of security cameras for a while. Now seemed like the right time. Locking up, I slipped out to my car and drove down to the local store, eyes peeled for her Nissan on the way.
The store was blissfully quiet, letting me move quickly through the aisles to grab a two-pack of Ring cameras. Back home twenty minutes later, I spotted her car in the driveway. Relief mixed with frustration—I wished I’d been there when she arrived and had time to go around the property looking for intruders.
I stepped out of my car, taking in the layout of her property and mine. It wasn’t a big area; just a few steps could cover the space between our houses, and the alleyway running behind was visible from my windows.
I installed the first camera on a pole facing her driveway. As I worked, I noticed an unfamiliar vehicle approaching, a sleek black SUV with tinted windows pulled up. I tensed, eyes narrowing until the driver stepped out, ready to step in when, and if necessary.
It was a woman, blonde, with a confident stride. She wore jeans and a fitted white shirt that caught the breeze as she hurried to Savannah’s door. I exhaled. Mya.
