Page 87 of Hash

It’s definitely sharp enough to stab someone with.

“Aisling?” Hash presses, starting to lose his calm tone.

“Yeah, I have something.”

“Good. Grab it and don’t let it go. If he comes in, kill that motherfucker. I’m counting on you to hold it down and protect our boy until I get there. Yeah?”

“Yeah,” I say, my voice sounding small.

“I’ll be there soon. Love you, baby doll.” Hash hangs up as I stare at the phone in shock.

Did he just say he loves me?

Banging in the house breaks me from the shock Hash just put me in and brings me back to the paralyzing fear that’s coursing through my veins. I can’t let it win, though. I need to be strong for Cormac.

Grabbing it off the wall, I test the weight of it as I raise it up and down in my palm. It’s heavy, being made of solid iron. Heavy enough where if I hit them hard enough on the head, they would be knocked out.

Deciding the wand isn’t enough, I struggle to push Cormac’s dresser in front of the door. If he does kick in the door, he’ll have to climb over this, which will hopefully buy me more time because Lord knows I’m going to need it.

I sit down in front of Cormac’s crib with my back up against the rails so I’m facing the door and blocking the path to him.

I jerk every time I hear something of mine crash to the floor or hit a wall. It sounds like my place is being trashed.

I looked at the time the call ended with Hash. It’s only been ten minutes, but it feels like a lifetime.

“Please hurry up, Hash,” I plead to the air as I tip my head back.

This night is so fucked.

My head snaps back into place as I hear the heavy boots coming toward Cormac’s room.

My pulse is racing as I move to stand up, grasping the wand, ready to strike at any second. I try to focus in on where he’s at, but my heavy breathing is getting in the way of me hearing what’s going on.

The wall separating Cormac’s room and mine shakes and rattles as something slams against it, making me jump and let out a light scream.

The house goes silent.

I cover my hand over my mouth as I breathe heavily through my nose.

Cormac stirs behind me, starting to fuss slightly. He’s always been a hard sleeper, but even that noise would wake anyone up. I don’t move for him yet, praying to anyone who will listen to let him put himself back to sleep. His arms and leg movements start to slow, and he puts his thumb in his mouth, soothing himself.

The heavy boots slowly leave my room and head this way. I feel like I’m going to throw up with every step.

Where the fuck are you, Hash?

The boots come to a stop outside of Cormac’s room. The silence is deafening as I wait to see what’s going to happen next. The doorhandle jiggles, making me nearly jump out of my skin. My heart is hammering in my arms as my palm that’s gripping the wand starts to sweat.

I’m going to die.

I don’t want to die.

I want to see Cormac grow up and live his life. I want to live my life. I just reconnected with Hash, and I want to see how it plays out. Mother Nature is a vicious bitch if she’s going to take all of that away from me right after she gave it.

The handle jiggles again, this time with more force.

I scream as he starts body slamming the door, trying to kick it in. The dresser rattles with every slam.

The door starts to crack. It’s not going to hold out for much longer. They aren’t solid like the front door is.