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It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a clear vision. Every now and then, I get bits and pieces, but they’re never concrete. This was vivid and clear, reminiscent of the visions I had years ago before my brother attacked me. In it, I saw rows and rows of children, standing at attention and ready for battle. They weren’t drug mules. They were dangerous, trained for violence.
The sight is vivid in my mind. I walked up and down the rows of kids, asking them if they were okay, if they needed help. Every child I encountered had cold and empty eyes and looked at me with utter disdain. They blamed me for not saving them, accusing me of letting this happen to them.
It’s more than I can bear. I’ve never purposely hurt a child. In the last few months, I’ve done everything I can to put an end to the child trafficking amongst the gangs. I’m not building a child army. I can’t think of how any of my actions are bringing about this awful future. That’s the tricky thing about visions. I never know what my actions might be doing to cause or prevent the future.
I’m terrified of what I’ve seen. Such an atrocity is hard to comprehend, let alone cope with. But I know things like this exist in our world. I saw it first-hand with Anderson Grey. I know evil people will do unspeakable things to exploit and manipulate children.
I don’t know how, but I’ll stop this vision from happening. I’ll get to the bottom of it and find these kids, whoever they are.
I go upstairs and check on my son, who’s sound asleep in his bed. His face is innocent. I see a hint of smile, as if he’s having a good dream. I hope that’s true. I hope he’s thinking of nothing but good things and a bright future. Nothing bad will happen to him ever if I have any say in it. Of course, I can’t prevent every bad thing, but I’ll protect him with my life.
I realize so many kids aren’t that lucky. I think of Pocus and Evanesce, Abigail, even Tory. Hell, every guy in the club has a story of how they were abandoned or neglected by people who should have protected them the most. Somewhere out there are those faces I saw in my vision. Someone will fail them, and they’ll be exploited.
Damien seems to think Meredith is the one committing these atrocities, but I don’t see that. I haven’t seen much from her, but Tory has told me a lot about Charlie. Meredith has put her life on the line for that little girl, and they aren’t family. Meredith can’t possibly be the type of person to bring on the atrocity I witnessed.
Pocus was right all along. Of course, he was. I never should have allowed Damien into the club. I never should have made a deal with the police chief. Now an innocent woman is sitting in jail for something she didn’t do, couldn’t have possibly done, and it’s my fault. I sit up and remember what those kids said in my vision. They said it was my fault.
What if Meredith is the key to this? What if her arrest means no one can protect kids like Charlie?
CHAPTERTWENTY
Meredith looks up at me in surprise as I walk over to the glass. I probably wasn’t who she expected. Now that she’s been processed and is an official resident at the New Orleans jail, I’ve come to chat with her. Charlie’s barely spoken to us the last few days. She’s too traumatized by what happened in the middle of the night. How can we blame her? No one knows her better than Meredith. I’m hoping for insight.
I pick up the receiver on my end, and she does the same. Her face is pale and drawn. She looks awful. She’s not made for jail and we both know it. I can’t do anything, though. Seer and I have been pursuing every route since she was arrested. The chief of police is no help now that Damien has supposedly taken care of the problem. As I look at Meredith and the burden she carries, I know there’s no way in hell she is the problem. She doesn’t have it in her.
“How’s Charlie?” she asks in a weak voice.
“She’s shut down,” I tell her. “She’s traumatized. What do you expect?”
Meredith looks down, struggling with how to respond.
“She’s safe with us, though,” I assure her. “We won’t let anything happen to her. As long as you’re here, we promise to take care of her.”
“It’s a kind offer, but they’re going to come for her,” she says. “The state will get involved and they’ll take her away. All of this was for nothing.” Her voice breaks, but she doesn’t cry. Maybe there’s nothing left in her to cry.
“Meredith, we won’t let that happen,” I tell her firmly. “My wife… She’s very good at forgeries. She’s handling the necessary documents and—”
“It won’t work,” she answers quietly, cutting me off. “Trust me, Pocus, I’ve seen it before. They’ll show up at your house and take her away. There’s nothing you can do about it. He’ll win.”
This piques my interest. “Who will win?” I ask her, but she only shakes her head.
“I appreciate all of your help,” she says. “You have no idea how much. You and Abigail were kinder to us than I ever expected. I know Charlie was happy there. I’m glad she had that experience at least once. She’s had a hard life.”
“Why are you giving up?” I ask her, an edge to my voice. “This isn’t over, Meredith. We can help you. We’ll figure it out.”
“Hide her,” she says. “Get her as far away from here as you can. If you want to help me, that’s how you help. It’s too late for me, but there’s still hope if he can’t find her.”
She’s talking nonsense. I can feel the frustration rising in my throat. She’s been through a lot in these last few days, but she can’t give up now. It isn’t fair to Charlie. She may not be my favorite person in the world, but there’s a little girl in my house who is counting on me to bring Meredith back. I need to try a different tactic.
“I never asked. Why do you care so much about Charlie when she isn’t your sister? Why go through all this for a girl you barely know?”
She bristles at this and meets my gaze. I see a fire in her eyes, anger behind her expression. Perfect.
“You care about Graveyard,” she retorts. “You care about Seer, and Hex, and all of those men at the clubhouse. They aren’t your brothers.”
“They’re as good as,” I tell her sharply. “I would lay down my life for them, and they would do the same for me. But we’ve had years to build our bond. We’ve been through hell and back together. Stop avoiding the question, Meredith, and tell me the truth.”
An unreadable expression crosses over her face. I think she’s going to shut down again. I expect her to hang up her receiver and return to her cell. She’s never been forthcoming with the truth. I don’t know why I expected that to change when she’s behind bars.
