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“Big guy?” I questioned, confirming my suspicions.
“Oh, yeah,” Dad chuckled. “Enormous. Nice though. Friendly. Gave me his number and said to call if we had any problems.” I narrowed my eyes.
“Problems?”
Dad looked up then and gave me a reassuring smile. “Kids. He said sometimes they get bored and go joyriding or shooting. Stupid stuff, but Hank said if we have any issues, he’d take care of it. Talk to the parents and such.”
I wondered if Hank really meant the guys who’d chased me – the Hanley’s – whoever they were. If he was Dominic’s father, then he must have known what happened Friday and now today. He’d seen the guys in the parking lot, but I couldn’t help wondering what he thought he could do to help the situation.
I only nodded at Dad though, not telling him what happened. He was happy, happier than I’d seen him in forever and I refused to ruin that because some guys had apparently taken an interest in me.
Interest? You mean obsession. Those guys weren’t out for fun. I shuddered as the voice whispered my fears, and stood abruptly.
“I’m finished. I have a ton of schoolwork.” Dad looked surprised, but waved me out the room.
“I’ll clean up since you cooked, go do your homework.” I paused, slightly worried at the idea of him trying to operate a dishwasher, and he shooed me off. “Go. I know this is a shock but I survived till you got here.”
“Yeah, with takeout and paper plates,” I shot back and he shrugged.
“I got this.” He picked up our plates and I noticed he hadn’t eaten half of his frozen dinner either. I was going to have to mark chicken and spring vegetables off the shopping list. At this rate, we might have to learn to cook or else starve.
I headed to my room to start my homework but every rustle and creak made me jump. I abandoned my work to take a shower, hoping it would relax me, but instead I spent the entire time waiting for those guys to bust through the door and grab me. I towel dried my hair and pulled on sweats, both for comfort and to keep off the chill that had settled into my bones.
I closed the blinds on my window and curled up on my bed with the assigned reading from English class. It was difficult to focus, but I was able to get a couple of chapters read. Exhaustion from the day tugged at me and I finally gave in, snapping off the light.
Darkness draped across me, only the glow from the security light outside coming in through the window. I closed my eyes, but a thump had them flying open again. A shadow in the corner loomed like a man’s silhouette and I felt my heart race uncontrollably until I remembered it was a coat rack.
“Calm down,” I whispered to myself, pulling my legs up as I stared at the corner until my eyes had adjusted enough to see the clear definition of my coat hanging on the rack. My eyes darted to the window as I heard something screech outside and I had to remind myself, “It’s a cat. Nothing but a stray cat.”
I clutched my pillow, staring at the window unblinkingly, as I wondered if they would break through it and take me. If they had realized they’d found where I lived. Fear ate at me, tightening my muscles uncomfortably.
Suddenly, a howl broke the silence and I jumped so hard I almost fell off the bed. Another joined the first and then another creating a chorus and I felt my muscles loosen, as some of the stiffness dissipated. Instead of my usual annoyance at the howls, this time I felt…. comforted.
The last of my tension slipped away as they continued, the howls giving me an unexpected sense of protection. My eyes drifted closed as I listened to their song, confident their presence would keep any threat away.
Chapter Seven
“You’ll be alright walking home?” Dad asked, ducking his head so he could see me as I exited the car.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” I lied, my smile feeling false to me but it seemed to reassure him.
“We’ll have to get you a car,” he promised and I nodded as if we hadn’t already had this discussion. “I’m really glad you’re here, Bunny.”
“Me too, Dad. Me too.” I slammed the car door as I remembered the fallout from my decision to move in with Dad. Mom had never in a million years considered I would choose Dad over her. Therefore, when I’d packed my stuff and told her I was leaving, she didn’t take it well. Her last words had been, “When you come back, and you will, you better be prepared to crawl on your knees begging forgiveness.”
I could have told her right then that would never happen. Ever. It didn’t matter if I wanted to come back. After those words, I never would.
