9
ERIC
I don’t even give Alfredo time to come to a complete stop before I’m barreling out the SUV. Adrenaline moves my limbs, putting one foot in front of the other, as my mind races with excitement and fear.
Excitement to see Lily again, but fear for what Clyde wants to do to her. It’s an obsolete thought, though, because I made it. I’m here to be the knight in raging darkness. Ready to crush anyone and everyone who gets in my way.
Leaping onto the curb in front of the boy’s home, all of the thoughts die inside of me. They fizzle out like a light bulb that’s run its course and shatter in the pit of my stomach. The door is kicked open, its broken wood swaying in the breeze, and no sound comes from inside. Normally, I can hear faint talking or the buzz of the TV, but none of that is present.
I slow my pace and grab the gun, tucking in the back of my pants. Pulling the hammer back, I raise it in front of me and creep inside slowly, bouncing my eyes over every inch of space I can see. It’s all too still— all too quiet. At least, I think so, but the soft wail of a baby rings out.
It’s almost drowned out by the soft howling of the wind, but the further I move down the hallway leading to the kitchen, the louder it gets.
As I breach the threshold, I turn quickly, aiming my gun. The small space is empty, but the back door leading to the alley is wide open, and it becomes evident that’s where the crying is coming from.
I give the kitchen one last glance, then move to the door. Gripping my pistol tighter, I raise it and step around the corner, ready to shoot whoever stands at the other end. A stray cat leaps out of my gun’s path and hops over the old wooden fence out of sight, but there is no other movement.
It takes me what feels like a lifetime to process what the fuck is happening as the rest of the world around me goes silent and black. It’s only her. Nothing else. No one else.
First, I see her body— the same body I marked as mine last night. Her stomach is flat on the ground, and her arms are positioned in an awkward position, completely unnatural and littered with bruises.
Then, I see her hair. That perfect, pale blonde hair. It’s rustled with wayward strands slightly moving with the wind’s help. The pieces that normally frame her face are now matted and stuck, stained red from…
Blood.
I notice the blood pooling all around her body.
And in a second, just as quickly as everything around her faded away, it all comes crashing back to me. The sun is brighter than ever, causing white spots to float behind my eyelids every time I blink. The crying is no longer a soft wail. It’s a full-blown scream.
I shift my eyes to the right of Lily’s body. Sitting in the puddle of her blood is Max. You can tell he’s confused and doesn’t understand what’s going on. His blue eyes search mine for answers, but I don’t have them either.
Standing on wobbly legs, he reaches for me and moves closer. “Papa!” He sobs, opening and closing his tiny hands.
Without hesitation, I pick him up. The blood from his pants seeps onto my skin, running down my frame from my arm as it braces his bottom. “Papa is here.” It’s the only words I can manage to mumble.
I wipe his tears with my thumb and try to comfort him, but I don’t even know how to do that. Pressing his head into my shoulder, I shield his eyes from Lily’s body below us, knowing it’s already too late. He’s seen it all and will be scarred for life.
I suck in a deep breath and close my eyes, and he cries too close to my ear, but I don’t care. I bid Lily a silent goodbye, then turn on my heel and leave with the only link I’ll ever have to her in my arms.
The hallway seems to be miles long, and the creaking wooden floors seem to scream since every ounce of adrenaline has left my body, and my heart no longer beats in my ears. I try to focus on the obvious. Comforting Max the best I can and making sure one foot goes in front of the other until I make it to the front door.
I step out of the broken door and catch Alfredo’s stare from across the street. His lips pull down in a frown, and his brows knit together. Stepping out of the driver’s seat, He jogs across the street where I stand. My feet don’t move. They’re cemented to the ground where I stand.
“Eric?” Alfredo approaches slowly, holding out his hands, ready to take Max.
I jerk him away and open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out other than a weak puff of air. Clearing my throat, I try again. “I need you to take me to Clyde then get him to safety.”
He nods slowly with concerned eyes. “Do you need me to do anything else?”
I shake my head and finally will my feet to move. “No.”
I can hear his shoes tap against the road behind me as I make it to the car and open the door. Sliding inside, I press Max into my chest and wrap both arms around him. “Don’t worry, Max. I’m going to take care of you.”
He nestles into my hold, his small body shaking and convulsing with his almost silent cries, but in some way, I think he understands.
As Alfredo pulls away from the curb, I turn my head and look out the window.
Yeah, I think.Shit is going to change, and it starts now.
