Page 13 of Carver’s Crusade

Then I turn and walk out before I can change my mind.

CHAPTER 6: RAVEN

An hour later, I’m sitting in a wheelchair and riding down in the elevator with my parents flanking me. I’m clutching my bag of belongings. I fight the urge to rifle through it to verify the poison is still inside. I don’t know if anyone searched through my belongings. If someone did, they obviously hadn’t figured out that the tiny bottle inside doesn’t hold perfume, but a deadly poison. I doubt I’d be leaving the hospital a free woman if they had. I already know the taser isn’t there. Shield has that in an evidence bag. Which means I’ll need to purchase a new one. There are a few other purchases I’m considering. I came close to dying last night. I need to be better prepared for next time.

When the elevator doors open, my dad leans over to kiss the top of my head. “I’ll get the car. Your mother is going to convince you to stay with us tonight. You need to listen to her.”

I sigh before turning from him to glance at her. “I want to go back to my apartment,” I say, even though I know I’ve already lost the battle.

“It’s for one night. You scared us. We need it, even if you don’t. Your father needs it. He felt helpless seeing you in the hospital and knowing some man put his hands on you,” my mother says. She’s not holding back. Being an only child has its advantages and its disadvantages. Watching your parents melt down because you got hurt is much harder to handle when you have to handle it alone.

I really don’t have an argument for not staying with them for one night. Plus, I’m too exhausted to argue with either of them.

“I’ll give in but only if we can swing by my apartment. I want to pack a few things. You need to stay in the car and keep Dad there, too. I won’t be gone long.”

“I think we can agree to your terms,” my mother says, brushing her hand over my hair.

My father isn’t as happy with the compromise, but he dutifully parks in my apartment building’s parking lot. I bolt for the door to my building. Once inside, I rush to my bedroom and empty the contents of the bag on my comforter. I breathe again when I see the glass bottle that used to hold my favorite perfume but now contains a concoction of calabar beans. Picking it up, I move to the small case I keep on my dresser. Inside sit several identical bottles. Storing the one in my hand inside, I close the case. Once I’ve breathed a sigh of relief, I quickly pack a few items of clothing and my Chromebook before rushing back downstairs.

Once we arrive at my parents’ home, they rush into action. Dad grabs my suitcase and carries it to my old bedroom while my mother leads me into the kitchen. After filling the kettle with water, she places it on the stove to heat before sitting across from me.

“Do you want something to eat? I can make soup or get you some yogurt,” she says, placing her hand over mine.

“I’m not hungry right now,” I tell her. “Maybe later. I would like some tea. I’m fine, Mom. You don’t have to hover.”

“You’re my baby, of course I’m going to hover. That’s my job.”

I chuckle and nod. “You’re very good at it.”

Dad comes in and sits in the chair between us. He places his hand over my mother’s.

“Do you remember anything more about what happened last night?”

I shake my head. “I don’t. Maybe it will come back to me after more rest.”

“Maybe. What about your car?”

I frown at him. “My car?”

“I didn’t see it in the parking lot of your apartment. Do you think you drove to where you were attacked? Maybe we should drive around and look for it?”

I’d forgotten about my car. I left it a few blocks from Tony’s gym. It’s the parking lot of a grocery store that’s open twenty-four seven, so it should still be there. However, I need to get to it soon. Damn.

I rub my head in hopes it looks like I’m trying to remember. In truth, I’m trying to keep from hopping up and running out of the house. If the cops find my car, they’re going to ask more questions. “Huh, I don’t remember driving it yesterday. Are you certain you didn’t see it?”

My dad frowns at me. “I’m certain. You think someone stole it? Maybe we should report it.”

I shake my head vehemently. “No, don’t do that. Let me think. Maybe I did park it somewhere. I should go lie down. I didn’t sleep that well last night.”

Before I can escape, a knock on the door draws our attention. Mom stiffens as Dad stands to answer it. I recognized the voice almost immediately. Shield.

Standing, I move to join them in the family room.

“Mr. and Mrs. Mueller, I’m sorry to disturb you, but I had some information and wanted to discuss it with Raven.”

“Come in,” my dad says, letting Shield enter the house. “Have you located the man who attacked my daughter?”

Shield takes a seat in the armchair across from the sofa, while my parents take seats on either side of me on the sofa.