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“Did you… uh… know these guys?” asked Simon.
“Something like that,” I said.
“Oh.”
“Simon,” said Erik. “We’re about to call the police. Do you wanna be here for that, or…”
The man’s eyes lingered on the blood-stained cobble, down near his feet. “Not particularly,” he said.
“That’s fine. You should probably head out then.”
He backed away, giving us one last nod before heading back up the alley. It left us alone, with the two men who’d assaulted us. I felt an anger rising.
“Are we really calling the police?” I asked.
“Do you want this to finally be over?” replied Erik.
“Yes,” I breathed. “God yes.”
“Then give me the stones.”
I looked down, and realized the pouch was still in my hand. It seemed small and insignificant, but I knew otherwise. It had helped me, sustained me through hard times. But it had also started everything.
“Here,” I said, handing it over.
God, I’d had it for so, so long. It felt good being finally rid of it.
Erik turned away for a moment, leaving me still wondering what he might do. Then he bent down, slid the pouch into Louden’s front pocket, and stood back up. He looked at Zane, who nodded.
“Call them.”
Zane pulled out his phone and dialed 911. Almost immediately he started talking.
“Hi, my friends and I were just assaulted at this address…”
He began pacing back and forth, giving out the details. I felt a hand slip into mine as Erik pulled me closer.
“I’m going to give you the story now,” he said, “so be sure to stick to it. Be firm on the facts, vague on the details.”
I still didn’t get what he was driving at, but I nodded anyway.
“We got hit in the head, remember? Stuff is foggy. The police are on our side. They’ll understand.”
“But what if—”
“Hey…” said Erik, putting his forehead to mine. He kissed my bruised cheek, tenderly. “It’ll all be okay. Just follow my lead.”
My eyes fluttered a few times, tracking his blue orbs. I smile
d and nodded. “O—Okay.”
“Do you trust me?”
I swallowed. “More than anyone in my whole life, actually.”
“Good,” he smiled back. Off in the distance, I could hear the sound of sirens. “Then we’re gonna be just fine.”
Fifty-Six
