Page 66 of Property of Quake

A lot has been accomplished. Both Keith and Tom have been identified and eliminated from the equation. Melissa is happy and settling back into some sort of normalcy.

Then why is it that I can’t shake the feeling that everything up until now has only been a preview of what’s to come?

19

QUAKE

I've organized security for events bigger than this, coordinated club functions with hundreds of people in attendance. I’ve helped manage funerals at Death’s Door, charity drives for other agencies, toy runs, and been a part of enough public gatherings to know exactly how quickly chaos can erupt when people stop paying attention.

None of that has prepared me for seeing Sacred Haven come alive.

It’s only six-thirty in the morning, and volunteers are everywhere. KOAMC brothers move tables, unload supplies, direct food vendors, and argue over things that don't fucking matter. Children dart through the property with more excitement than sense while local businesses arrive to set up booths. The field that Whitney insisted was impossible to use has somehow transformed into a full-blown carnival, no water-pumping or rented flooring required.

Families begin arriving before we're officially open, and by noon, the place is packed. It should stress me out, but I find myself smiling like a damn fool every time I look around.

It’s working. This fundraiser that started as a ridiculous idea thrown across a desk has become real.

Sacred Haven is going to be okay.

I weave through the crowd toward the dunk tank. Copper, one of my patched brothers, is currently sitting above the freezing-cold water while kids line up and take their shots. Every single one misses, and it’s not because they have bad aim. No, the bastard is holding a sign that reads ‘Miss the target, Make a dollar’. Glitz is even standing near the line handing out the promised cash after each kid misses.

“Coward,” I call out to him.

Copper grins. “I prefer strategic.”

Laughter breaks out among the nearby volunteers. The sound blends with music, conversations, and excited squeals from children throughout the carnival grounds.

For the first time in weeks, I allow myself to enjoy it.

Everything else can sit on the back burner for a few hours. Besides, there’s not much more we can do as far as Carrie goes, other than continue to search. At the request of Whitney, we turned over what we knew to the police. We did not tell them about Tom and Keith’s untimely deaths, so they’re looking for them, as well, but I don’t give a rat’s ass.

Carrie’s disappearance bothers the hell out of me, but there isn’t much I can do about it today. Not when there are children everywhere, not when Melissa is having so much fun.

Thoughts of the little girl has me scanning the crowd, and it doesn’t take me long to find her. She’s standing near the petting zoo with Stella on a leash at her side. Stella is being a public nuisance, barking at the goats, but they don’t seem to mind too much.

Whitney is behind the girl, her hands resting on her shoulders. Fuck me, the sight steals the air right out of my lungs. Seeing her, seeing them is one of my favorite things.

As if tethered by an invisible string, Whitney glances in my direction. Our eyes meet, and a smile immediately appears on her face. Mine follows seconds later. The exchange is brief, simple, and way more meaningful than it should be.

Then Melissa notices me. “Quake!” she yells, running toward me.

I crouch just in time for Melissa to throw her arms around my neck. “Having fun?” I ask.

"Having fun?"

She nods enthusiastically. "The goat ate Junior's map."

"What map?" I ask with a chuckle.

"The carnival map."

I glance toward the petting zoo and find Junior looking deeply offended while a goat chews on a crumpled piece of paper.

The prospect catches me laughing. "I hate all of you,” he grumbles.

"I know,” I call back.

"You might want to help him," Whitney says as she reaches us.