I deleted the note, feeling sick. He doesn’t know where I am. Not truly. He maybe has my general vicinity, hence the e-mail. He needs me to come to him. My stomach roiled, rolling in waves after waves until I knew everything I’d eaten would come back up with the force of a steam roller.
I ran to the bathroom.
I’d barely hit the tiled floor in front of the toilet before my meager breakfast splattered over the pristine white porcelain. Sweating, my belly hurling not just food but sour bile, Ivomited again and again. I both heard and felt Declan enter the bathroom, watching me from the doorway.
“Are you okay?”
“No,” I choked, gasping, before barfing yet another thin stream of nasty stomach acid into the bowl.
Declan stepped in and put his hand on my back. I spat, clearing crap from my mouth, my hair hanging to either side of the toilet. At last, my belly quieted, no longer in rebellion. I shakily stood, then flushed my puke away. Declan solemnly watched me as I rinsed my mouth at the sink.
“I was sick before,” he commented helpfully. “You should lay down.”
I nodded, splashing water on my hot face. “I think I will.”
Trembling, my legs weak, I made my slow way back to the TV room and the sofa. Declan held my hand the entire journey, then sat beside me as I laid down on my back. I tried to offer him a smile, but I knew it wasn’t sincere. Declan didn’t smile back, which told me my effort was in vain.
“Thanks for looking out for me, kiddo,” I murmured.
Declan merely nodded. “Can I watch TV?”
“Sure. I’m going to sleep if I can.”
Considerate, he turned the volume down low, then sat cross-legged on the floor in front of it. He’d chosen a light-hearted Disney movie, and I watched it for a time before closing my eyes.
“Don’t go anywhere without telling me,” I said. “Not even to the backyard.”
“Kay.”
***
I dozed off and on through the afternoon. Declan fixed his own snack of pre-sliced apples and a breakfast bar, munching as he watched a documentary on whales. My rest helped mystomach, but not my fears. Visions of being shot in the back of my head haunted my thin sleep.
I woke from my light sleep to discover Avery standing over me.
“Dad, she’s sick. Don’t wake her up.”
“Too late.” I slowly sat up, the sour flavor of vomit still coating my mouth. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“No worries,” he said. “Got the flu? I’d heard it’s traveling around town.”
I shook my head, throwing my tangled hair over my shoulders. “Just a minor bug. I’ll fix dinner.”
Starting to stand, I was forced back down with Avery’s hand on my shoulder. “No, you won’t. You rest while I fix dinner.”
“But –”
“No buts about it. I can certainly cook for once.”
The warmth in his dark-blue eyes, the kind smile that creased his face brought me near to crying. Tears stung my eyes, and I lowered my face before he saw them. “Thanks.”
“No worries. Will you be able to eat?”
“I’ll try.”
My guilt at endangering both Avery and Declan wrapped itself around my heart so tightly I couldn’t breathe.I should move out. Quit. Ask him for a ride to the train station, then board it. For anywhere at all. Any place that is far from this town, keep them safe from Carter and his evil.
Leaving the TV on, Declan joined Avery in the kitchen. I listened to their father/son chatter marked by clattering pans. I endangered their lives by being here. It was only a matter of time before Carter located me. I now felt sure the guy in the car worked for him, was one of his enforcers. The thought of leavingDeclan broke my heart, but knowing my absence would save his life eased that pain.
