He almost groaned.What was up with the Christmas theme?
When Elvin spoke, Franklin jumped, having lost himself in his head.
"We were wondering if you could tell us more about Neoma?"
Axar looked to his right."Yes?"
"Where is she?"Elvin kept his voice low.
Axar gestured to his right."She's here."There was nothing but air where he gestured.
"Her...eh...ghost is there with you?"He'd said ghost last time, hadn't he?Franklin didn't want to use the wrong words.
"Yes."The smile was gorgeous.
"Where's her...eh...body?"He glanced at Elvin and got a small nod in reply.
Axar was quiet for a long time, then he scrunched his nose."She's not sure.It's why she wants to go to the bar.It's the last thing she remembers."
A light switched on in a room at the other end of the house.Shit."Someone woke up."
Axar's eyes widened, and when Franklin was this close without a lot of other scents around, he could smell the fear on him.
"Go.I'll come to the bar as soon as I can."
Franklin was about to protest, but Elvin grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the window right as Axar closed it and disappeared from view.
"Fuck."
"I think we need to go.Sorry."Elvin tugged at him."Come on.We'll only make it worse for him if we're caught."
They jumped over the fence, not bothering to go on the walkway."He was afraid."
"I know, I have a nose too."
"But--"
"Franklin."Elvin pulled at him again."We need to leave.We'll get him out, okay?But not today, and I...Hell, I don't know, but I think it would be bad for him if his mother saw us there."
Franklin wasn't some kid who ran away in the face of danger.
"For his sake.Come on.Better we make a plan of how to help him when he comes next time."
"We don't know if--"
"As soon as he can.It was what he said.He's managed every other month so far."
Another month.Or would it be two.Dejection took over his soul.
Franklin dug his heels in, ready to turn back, when the lights in Axar's room switched on.
"No.Let's leave."Elvin more or less pushed him into the passenger seat."I'm sorry, but I don't think storming in there right now is a good idea."
Franklin growled but allowed Elvin to take him away.
* * * *
Chapter 6
