Evan backs away a few steps. He widens his stance and crosses his arms over his chest, keeping an eye on the men.
“Come,” Griffin demands, and my eyes jump to his, wondering where we’re going, but he’s motioning for Jacob to join us. The boy looks over at the brewing violence before taking the first step toward us. I feel Griffin’s palm near my lower back as he guides me away from whatever is about to happen. I go willingly, this isn’t something I’m prepared to see, not now, maybe not ever.
“You have what you need.” Griffin doesn’t phrase it like a question.
Jacob stops in his tracks. “I have a bag at Chucks. Can I get it?”
“Where’s Chucks?” Griffin asks, before answering yes or no.
“Few hundred yards up that’a way.”
“Don’t run off, I’ll find you if you do, and I won’t be so nice,” Griffin warns.So nice,I think to myself. He hasn’t seemed nice at all, he’s barely done anything but glower at everyone.
“No, sir, I won’t run. I want to see my sister,” Jacob promises, before taking off in the direction he pointed to, away from the cabin where we left Evan.
“I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it really wasn’t this.” I look up at the star filled night sky through the trees. I don’t think I’m tired anymore, but I’m weary. I’ve had a lot of excitement over the past few days, even more over the last few hours.
“It’s not always like that.” I turn my attention to Griffin. His eyes are lidded as he lifts his gaze to mine. “Sometimes it’s worse.” He gives me a half smile, and I’m not sure if he’s joking or not. “Kid’s back,” he whispers, drawing my attention to his mouth.
“Should we wait for Evan?” I look back into the darkness from the direction we came from.
“No, he’ll catch up when he’s ready.” Griffin urges me forward again with his hand on my back. It’s a little easier to walk without someone right in front of me, but that means I’m the one picking the path to follow.
“Almost there,” Griffin says over my shoulder. It’s a good thing, too, my legs feel like jelly, and every bit of energy I mustered has been sapped from the walk out of the woods. “Evan isn’t far behind,” he adds.
“You see him?” I look back, but don’t see anything except the small shape of Jacob trailing a few feet behind Griffin.
“I hear him,” Griffin replies.
“Is it ever too much, can you shut it off?” I ask, hoping the talking will push me to keep my feet moving.
“What do you mean?”
“Your senses. I feel like I would lose my mind if I could hear someone else’s heartbeat. My own is annoying enough at times.” I stumble, but manage to catch myself before falling.
Griffin moves in a little closer. “It’s natural to me. I can tune out what I don’t need or want to hear. Humans do the same.”
“Really? How?” I know he’s not saying we have the ability to hear heartbeats, that would be crazy.
“If there are twenty people talking in a room, you don’t hear each word, and it turns into background noise. I do the same. There’s the car,” Griffin says, and I want to do a happy dance…well, I would if I wasn’t so tired.
“Thank God. I’m out of shape.” I sigh.
Jacob is eying the nice SUV with his old backpack clutched to his chest. “When can I see Riley?” He’s shifting from left to right slowly.
“Soon,” Griffin assures him, his tone flat.
“Not until tomorrow. It’ll take us a little while to get to her,” I clarify, hoping the added info will ease him. I can see how nervous he is, and he has every right to be. We’re complete strangers to him.
“Why’s it gonna take so long?” Jacob directs his question to me.
“Havenfall is in Colorado, Jacob, but I promise you she’s there and safe. We might even be able to call her in the morning.” I look over at Griffin, I’m sure he could arrange it.
He doesn’t get a chance to answer before Evan comes into the clearing. His dark eyes are wide as he glances around. A deep rumble leaves his chest.
Jacob backs away, his movements ultra-slow.
“Everything okay?” I question softly.
