When we get to twenty, he restarts from one.
“Twenty-one,” I gently correct.
“Twenty-one.”
We go through the numbers, with him copying me until we get to fifty. A soft tap on the door makes him cling to my t-shirt as I keep myself up on my hands. Bending one arm behind me, Iflatten him to my back so he doesn’t fall as I sit up on my knees. He wraps his arms around my neck as the tap comes again.
The locks hiss as I take the knife I cleaned after removing it from the guard, keeping it tucked to the side of my thigh. I set Kid on his feet and without further instruction, he runs into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
I relax as an unmasked Lennox walks into the room. He pushes two fingers into his shirt collar, showing the side of his nape, free from any burns. Closing the door, he says softly, “You’re learning, little shadow.”
“How’s Delilah?” I go to the bathroom door, knocking twice in quick succession, pausing before doing another two knocks.
The door rattles as Kid quickly pulls it open. I scoop him up to sit on my forearm as he brushes his hair out of his eyes. Lennox softens slightly at the sight of us, but he doesn’t focus on Kid.
“She’s fine now,” he says. “However, your friends are causing problems.”
I don’t have any friends. It’s not possible when I spent my formative years behind bars, but Lennox places a sleek rectangular power bank in my hand as he says, “Arrange to meet him in London in two days.” His hand lingers as he looks at Kid. “Your hair has grown.”
“Can Kane cut it this time?” Kid asks while examining my hair.
Lennox nods then walks out of the room as I push the power bank into my pocket. He returns a moment later with a chair and a leather case he sets in the middle of the room. I expect him to leave or give me another riddle, but he leans against the closed door as I take Kid into the bathroom to wet his hair. This time he’s not afraid, not even when I lightly rub a towel over his hair before sitting him on the chair. Placing the towel on his shoulders I ask, “What hairstyle do you want?”
“Like yours?” He looks up at me with his smile a little wider, his eyes lighter too.
I have to scrub my hand over my head to feel for the length because I can’t remember the last time I had a haircut. The sides are longer than they usually are, so I won’t have to attempt a fade. Lennox watches us as I take out the scissors, combing my fingers through Kid’s hair to remove any knots. Squatting in front of the chair, I lay his hair flat against his forehead, so I know how short to cut it to prevent it going in his eyes.
It’s the longest haircut in history, with my need to keep checking each strand while moving around him.
There’s another scene of my future forming: I take Kid for his first haircut. I’ll get him candy afterwards for sitting still, which we’ll have to hide from Delilah because she’ll think it will ruin his appetite. I’m going to spoil the shit out of my family. She’ll calm down when they’re asleep and it’s her turn.
I kneel in front of him, checking it’s not wonky before I wipe the errant hairs off his skin. He slowly brings his hand up to check it, that little smile bigger as he turns, asking Lennox, “Is it the same?”
“Yes,” he says softly. “You look the same now.”
I remove the towel from his shoulders and gesture to the bathroom. “Go shower, Kid. You’ll need to get the hair off you.”
He looks at Lennox, but I move into his line of sight. “No one will go inside, I promise.”
Hesitantly slipping off the chair, he walks into the bathroom, softly closing the door behind him. As always, the water turns on, remaining undisturbed for too long while I stare through the wall like I can see him battling to get in.
“It’s normal,” Lennox says, stepping away from the door. “The fear of his own body or having to touch it is normal. Even fear of going to the bathroom. A lot of them experience the same issues.”
“And you don’t help them,” I scoff, disgusted he’s the best option of all the fuckers around me. “You allow them to be abused because you’re a coward.”
“You’re right. However, I’m trying to help you now. Call your friend, make sure Kane has to remain alive. Don’t allow this world to keep you here.”
He looks sincere as the spray of the shower changes its pattern, no longer beating against the floor. Pride warms my chest at Kid managing to overcome his fear. It won’t be long until he gets out, so I use the time to interrogate my cryptic uncle.
“Why London? I can meet him in New York. It will be more natural there.”
Lennox lays his hand on my shoulder, lowering his head so we’re eye to eye as he whispers, “You’ll be accompanied by Rowan, who’s at risk of being seen in New York. So you will tell your friend to be in London. You will tell him the suite you’re meeting in is where you’re staying while you get acquainted with your family. You will make sure there is a reason for you to see each other regularly. Without it, you won’t survive. Do you understand?”
“No, you keep telling me shit in little riddles or warnings.”
His fingers tighten around my shoulder as he takes a deep breath. “There’s no reason to keep you alive to the world without this. Your parents are dead, Asher is dead. You made everyone believe Delilah is in the midst of a psychotic break, so you need to do this or else your existence will become his property.”
“Kid’s coming with me.”
