From across the yard, Kate watched Nick and Ron. She could not hear Ron speaking, but from the speed at which his lips moved, she imagined his enthusiastic rantings of his well-grown garden. When Ron was not looking at him, Nick looked bored to death. His blank expression as he endured the tedious explanations of local flora brought a smirk to Kate’s face.
A strange gasp came from Evie, and Kate looked down just in time to see her falling backward from the swing. Her bottom had moved too far back on the seat, and when Kate pushed, she had slid off. Evie lay on her back on the ground, whimpering and gasping for air. Kate caught the swing before it came back and hit the small girl.
Evie’s legs were in the air, and her nightgown had fallen down around her hips. Angry purple bruises climbed up her legs andaround her thighs. Red circles where fingers had pushed into her skin dotted her hips.
“You’re okay, sweetheart. Take deep breaths,” Kate consoled as her eyes scanned the girl’s body. She looked to Tatum, whose eyes were wide. She was watching Kate discover their secret.
Kate pulled Evie to her feet and sat her on the swing. Then, she knelt in front of Tatum, who refused to meet her gaze.
“Tate, does daddy hurt you?” Kate asked. She clutched Tatum’s hand in hers. Tatum’s resistance pulsed through her skin, but she did not pull away. “Tatum, please talk to me. If something is going on here, I can help. But if I’m wrong, then something bad might happen.”
Tatum’s face lifted to meet Kate’s, fear swirling in her green irises.
“No, it’s fine. We’re—”
But Evie cut Tatum off. “Daddy says that there are no more mommies left. The monsters ate them all.”
“Evie, stop,” Tatum warned.
“But daddies need things. Things that mommies usually do.”
“That’s enough, Evie!” Tatum shouted.
Kate’s eyes were wide, and racy breaths bellowed from her lungs. Tears formed in her eyes, and she willed them to stay put. For the girls. She stood and looked toward the garden. The downpour of understanding shifted until a storm of rage formed in her chest.
Nick looked over, scrunching his brows at her solemn expression. Kate ran through all of the options in her head, letting them zip by as she settled on one that was feasible. The only thing to do.
Kill him,Kate mouthed. She made her fingers into the shape of a gun and lowered her thumb, reenacting the pulling of a trigger. But Nick had already pulled out his handgun. He did not stop to question Kate. There was no wonder at why she was askingthis of him. There was nothing except Kate’s order and a single gunshot that echoed across the field.
Chapter 26
“So, youarea superhero,” Tatum commented as she trailed Nick and Kate through the woods. Evie dragged her feet beside her sister, her cheeks streaked with tears. She choked on sobs with every step.
The group left the girls’ home shortly after Nick pulled the trigger on their father, hoping to put distance between them and the trauma they had endured.
“Uhh, maybe like a Batman type,” Nick responded.
“A dark superhero, a super cool vigilante,” Tatum mused. Evie broke out in a series of cries, and Tatum let out an exasperated sigh. “Evie, stop. Daddy was a piece of shit.”
“Tate,” Kate scolded.
“What? You think someone’s gonna hear me say shit? They’re gonna be super fucking offended!” Tatum mocked.
“It’s not the language, Tate. Be gentler with your sister. She’s little. She doesn’t understand the world the way you do, yet.” Kate turned and offered Tatum a stern, understanding glance. Kate looked back at Evie, whose lower lip was quivering as she attempted to stifle tears.
Kate held Evie for a long time as she sobbed into her shoulder. Tatum walked shyly to Nick and placed her hand in his. He smiled down at her, and the two waited until Evie’s sorrow abated.
They continued traipsing through the bare woods. A strong wind picked up, lashing against their faces. Dark storm clouds overhead smothered the afternoon sky. Nick directed the group with purpose, picking up the pace and ushering the others to follow.
The gale carried an earthy scent along with the familiar odor of rain. As they made it to the edge of the woods, droplets pelted them like bullets, slapping their faces as they exited the treeline and moved into a field. Nick spotted a two-story farmhouse at the far side of the clearing and felt a bit of relief. If he could just get the group to the home, they could weather the storm.
The rain picked up until it fell in sheets. Gusts of wind pushed against their bodies as they walked with labored steps through the tall grass, the blades whipping against their pant legs. Kate took Evie’s hand in hers, and Nick held steady to Tatum.
Something hit Nick’s ear, sending pain rippling through the side of his head. Confused, he stopped and glanced around. The torrential rain cut off his visibility other than what was directly in front of him. Another jolt lanced his neck, and he realized it was hailing. Ice the size of golf balls fell from the sky, pounding the group.
“Run!” Nick yelled, pulling Tatum through the precipitation.
Nick tugged the small girl through the storm with such effort he thought her arm might break away from her torso. He looked over his shoulder every few feet to ensure Kate was still behind him. A few times, he lost sight and paused until she came into view again.
