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The door opens. Jamie peers down, the sun glaring behind him. It’s a clear blue sky. It looks clearer than the city skyline.
Mom quickly climbs from the car, stumbling to the side of the road and puking. Jamie offers me his hand, with Mom standing just a few feet away. Her back’s turned, I see, as I climb outwithouthis hand. Even so, it’s risky. We’re standing on a dirt road, a collection of trees just down the road, more dirt on the other side.
“Why are we in the middle of nowhere?” I ask.
“Because it’s the middle of nowhere,” Jamie replies. “I don’t know who that was. That’s not good. People shoot at me occasionally, but mostly, I know why. I know who. We need to regroup. I’m taking us to a safe house.”
“Wait.” Mom stands and wipes the vomit from her mouth. “We’re not going home?”
“Not yet,” Jamie says bluntly.
“But-but…”
“I’m sorry.” His voice softens, but not by much. He sounds more like a man intent on carrying out a plan to the end wherever it leads. That kind of leadership will make him such an excellent dad. “There’s no choice. I can’t take you back to the city until I know what’s happening.”
“But…” Mom shakes her head. “I thought it was over. I thought we weredone.”
“So did I,” Jamie grunts, “but I was wrong. This is about survival now.”
“Survival?”Mom yells, shuddering.
I go to her quickly. She’s trying to put on a brave face, but she’s been through a lot. Perhaps I have, too, but I think shesawthat man die. She was close enough to get blood in her hair. “Mom, it’s going to be okay—”
“Just give me a minute,” she snaps, turning away and folding her arms. She looks like a petulant child. I might say that if it wasn’t for the guilt or her pain.
Jamie nods, gesturing for me to follow him closer to the car. He lowers his voice. We’re standing so close it feels natural to collapse into his embrace, slide my arms around him, and cling on for comfort and strength, but I keep my distance.
“There must be a way we can go home,” I say, looking over at Mom, her trembling back. She’s trying so hard to keep it together. “What if we use crypto money to pay for security or something? She’s been through enough.”
Jamie suddenly looks so pissed. His voice is quiet but fierce, like he’s struggling to contain himself. “I’m not letting you return to the city until I know you’re safe. You can either help me convince your mom or not. Either way, you’re coming.”
“What if we ran?”
“I’d catch you. Maybe not both of you, though. Your mom might get away. It wouldn’t be safe for her.”
“So I am just going to be your prisoner forever?” I’m grinding my teeth again, a bad habit. “It’s never going to end, is it?”
“You say that like youwantit to,” he growls. “Make your goddamn choice.”
“You can be a real douchebag sometimes.”
“As long as you’re breathing, call me anything you want.”
I look around at this little corner in themiddle of nowhere. Realistically, there’s nothing much I can do. Mom and I could make a run for it, and then what? Get home, get shot at? A cold thought slithers into my mind. What if Jamie arranged this to continue this kidnapping episode of his life? He likes it. I remember how excited he got.
Not. Now.Jeez.
“I better talk to Mom, then,” I say shortly.
“I’m doing this for us,” he replies, voice blunt.
“Us?” I say, stopping. I was about to walk away.
His eyes are twin hot blue flames. He steps closer. Mom’s back is still turned. I think she’s crying, trying to stop the tears. She could turn and face us at any moment. She could see Jamie reach over, take my hand, and briefly squeeze it. “I’m not letting anything happen to you. We’re getting through this. Together.”
He lets my hand go, then goes to the car and takes Demon out. “Come on, boy, but not far.”
He leaves the last bit as a threat, giving me those intense eyes again. Mom returns to me as if she’s been waiting for Jamie to leave. I’m sure she didn’t hear anything. We were talking quietly, but I still feel a pulse of guilt and shame, my hand burning from where he touched.
