Page 37 of Black Waters

Chapter Nine

Free

“Have you heard anything yet?” Dad asked me.

Looking out Whit’s living room window at her driveway, the last place I’d seen my brother, I answered over my cell phone. “No. Not a word.”

Crash’s cell phone number had been disconnected, and he didn’t call to give me his new digits. I’d gone to the castle and banged on the iron gate, but the guards told me to hit the road, refusing to answer any of my questions. Mom was sick with worry, but both of my parents understood me staying with Whit. She was in the shower while my dad and I tried to understand not receiving any more riddles or warnings from anyone else involved. It was like everyone had… disappeared.

“No birth certificates?” Dad asked.

“As soon as she falls asleep, I search. I’ve been through every nook and cranny of that damn office. Nothing.” Her dad’s office contained no evidence of foul play.

“Damn it! If I could offer them that paper, at least she would be out of this mess, and I’d be down to two to worry about.” Dad paused. “She still won’t come stay here?”

Understandably, my parents wanted Whit and me with them, but not being able to tell her the truth, I had no reason to force her without making her suspicious. “No. She wants to be here in case Crash comes for her.”

I hung up and turned on Whit’s living room stereo, searching for a distraction. A song came on by Chasing Jonah. The female lead’s voice sang:

I showed you best, I showed you worst

Let you see all of my wounds first…

Whit came down the stairs in a towel, looking… spooked. We stared at each other as we listened to the music that so vividly portrayed Crash.

I’ll take your hand and take your knife

If you take my dark and take my light

There’s something to be said

About being loved as a whole

Crash didn’t come back. He couldn’t… He was loving us whole.

That night I lay in bed with Whit, wishing I could take away her heartache, but my only option was to try to buy her some freedom. I lied about the reason for her new bank account containing two million dollars.

Sharing a pillow, Whit faced me with calculated eyes. “And my father said it was only an early graduation gift?”

“Uh-huh. Yep.”

“And I’m supposed to believe this?”

“I was kinda hoping so, yes.”

She thought for a moment. “You did this? For me?”

“You said you want to travel. Didn’t you?”

“Yes,” she quietly answered, eyes dropping down, her finger fiddling with her blanket. I could barely hear her next words. “Thank you for being here for me.”

I tried to smile. “I thought you said I was being ridiculous for staying glued to you.”

Her little lips quivered. “You could never be ridiculous, just a good friend.” Whit’s eyes moistened. “He’s not coming, is he?”

It had been three weeks. “I believe he wants to, baby.”

“Do you? I mean—I didn’t imagine—I mean—”