Suddenly, I hear him clock his gun. “You’re deciding right now. This what you want?” He yells out, aiming it right at me.
I shudder, dropping to my knees as I hold my body. “Ihateyou.” I cry softer now.
He drops his gun at his side and I feel him walk over to one of the canisters. “Yeah, I hate you too,” he says before dropping one in front of me. “Now get to work. I want this place covered in less than fifteen.” He pushes past me, leaving me there, curled up…feeling nothing but emptiness.
39
Elijah
“Please can you drive faster?” I beg. My foot digs into the floor of the car as if I’m the one driving.
“Elijah, my foot is nearly touching the gravel right now. I promise you.” Gwen palms the back of my neck, giving it a firm squeeze. “I need you to breathe for me. Can you do that?”
My eyes pinch shut as I try to breathe in and out. It’s not working. Every time I try, I can’t help but think about Tobias being alone with Derrick. He’d never go anywhere with him willingly so I just know he’s in trouble. I can feel it. It’s like we’re tethered together and the string binding us is strained.
“We’re nearly there. Just focus on the cop lights.” Gwen urges.
The cops behind us opted out of sirens to try and not spook Derrick, and let him know we’re coming.
But, I sure hope he knows we are. I hope he’s scared out of his mind right now.
Although, the thoughts of being scared only reminds me of Tobias and how he must be feeling right now. The thoughts twist my stomach, making me heave over, hugging my body.
“Ugh, Gwen! Please drive faster.” I groan. I think I may be sick.
Gwen’s quiet as we slow down the car.
I shoot my head up. “What? Why are we stopping? Why—” My breath catches halfway as my eyes land on what has her silent.
Pushing the window button down, the car is immediately filled with the sound of sirens, as the sight of big grey smoke clouds bellows into the air. Flakes of soot drift past the windshield like black snow.
Every sound is suddenly too loud. The air in the car is too thick. I feel cold and numb at the same time.
I can’t even hear Gwen as I open the car door and make a run for it.
Stuck behind beeping parked cars along the usual quiet backroad, I sprint for the lake house.
My feet can’t move fast enough as my chest threatens to cave in. It’s cold out here and the road is slick from the snow but I don’t care. My boots keep me upright which is all I need.
I don’t think, I just move.
The only thought in my head is Tobias.
Is Tobias okay?
Where’s Tobias?
I make it to the house in less than five minutes. Sweat slicks to the side of my temple as I push through the crowd of firemen. One grabs ahold of my arms, stopping me from going inside.
A sudden wave of Deja vu hits me. It wasn’t long ago that this was the restaurant that was on fire. Derrick tried and failed to bring us down then. Will he get his chance now?
“Son, you can’t go in there!” He grips my arms hard, smoke clinging to his gear.
I point to the house. “Is anyone in there?” I rush out. “Is there anyone in there!?” I repeat, more forcefully this time.
Breathe, just breathe. The words loop uselessly in my head.
The firefighter turns his attention to the chief, who I actually know as our closest neighbor down the lane.
