Page 110 of Anchored to the Storm

First, we had to care for our growing family. The new addition. And the past.

After digging through bags for clothes, then checking on Maddox, I was surprised to find Kristen feeding Bluebell in the kitchen. Bluebell was in fresh little-girl clothes that fit her perfectly. Her hair was brushed and in a ponytail with a blue bow.

Kristen pointed to a Dora the Explorer backpack. “There are some more items in there, but that’s all I had in my trunk. I can’t be seen or recorded buying more due to investigators about to be swarming this town.”

I understood. “Thank you.”

Kristen, sitting at a table with Bluebell, added more cereal to her bowl. “All our phones have been destroyed. You will have new ones soon.”

These men were doing their best to think of everything to keep us safe and hidden. “With us all together, there’s no one to call anymore, I guess.”

I looked to Ethan, who had the same sad expression as me. No parents. Again.

Sarah quietly admitted, “They were the best I knew.”

I chewed the inside of my cheek. “Have they been found yet?”

Regret owning her expression, she shook her head. “I’ve been told this is good news. Buying us time for solutions.”

“Are… they just… lying there?”

She stood and took hold of my shoulders. “What matters is that they are watching over us, hoping we figure out this very complicated situation.”

What to do with a bunch of foster kids.

“The men helping you believe you guys would rather be on the run than be separated.”

Ethan stepped to my back, speaking over my head. “That’s true.”

As if not completely convinced this was for the best, Kristen told us both, “That’s why some narratives have been created to calm down the heat. All morning, these men have been trying to set up a story so that you all can live a different life. Right or wrong, I think we can trust them.”

Maddox did. I would, too. “So, we can go with Johnny?”

“That’s what he’s demanding.”

Even though he just took a bullet for me, it felt good to know he was fighting for us behind our backs, too.

Kristen added, “But he’s as shattered as the rest of you, so we’re trying to reason with him.”

She had to understand… “No, he’s right, Kristen. This whole time, I’ve felt we need to be with him. I’m starting to think it makes us stronger.”

“Listen, two cops will be found murdered. Two foster parents deceased. And five registered foster children MIA.” She sucked in air. “This is huge. It means goodbye to a baseball scholarship. Goodbye to graduating high school. Goodbye to California. Goodbye to your identities, and hello to new ones and a magnitude of lies.”

I thought of Maddox’s relief when I knew who he truly was, then covered my mouth.

Kristen exhaled. “Yes. This is bigger than what we’ve already faced together, and that is saying a whole lot.”

After a moment for the magnitude to sink in, Ethan asked, “Kristen, what happens to you? Will you be implicated somehow?”

She released my shoulders with a tiredness and concern for her own future. “We’re hoping not, but I was just seen with Monroe yesterday.” Hands in the air, she shrugged. “I’ll be interviewed, at least.” She went back to Bluebell. “So, yeah. Sweet and honorable Harmony and Dale want to give all of us every second they can.”

Leaving Bluebell and Kristen in the kitchen, Ethan and I joined everyone else outside. I brought them a slew of water bottles, which were greatly appreciated. It was surreal because the sun was bright and uplifting, but there was a medium-sized fire in the backyard, burning soiled clothes and a torn-down shed. I was quite sure that below those items blazed a pulverized figure who would never hurt another child.

I’d eventually learn that the bones would be discarded elsewhere, and that bleach is an ‘old remedy that can cause havoc for and in any expert lab’, but first I noticed a wooden casket being built in the corner of the yard.

My feet moved before I could stop them. I was suddenly standing next to it, holding the edge. Looking to Styx, the man building it, I was not sure if I should be thankful or irreversibly sad, all over again.

As if completely wise to my array of complicated emotions, Styx sighed. “Oh, how life can keep kicking us down.”