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It was a house just like any other of the dozens lining this and every other street in this perfectly manicured neighborhood.
Big green monograss lawn, a wide drive ending at a double garage, two trees planted symmetrically on either side of the walk up to the brick house. The identical little number plates in the same exact position next to the front door were the only way to tell any of the houses apart, really. Even the Christmas lights looked as if they'd all been bought from the same store and hung by the same crew.
Every bit of it picture-perfect. At least from the outside.
Ethan slowed, pulling to a stop across the street from one particular house from among the dozens just like it lining both sides of the street. There was a flicker of movement from the cluster of boxwood hedges growing against the side, the kind usually planted to hide an AC unit.
"Keep it running," Jakob told him in a low tone.
Before Ethan could even put the vehicle in park, the movement quickly resolved itself into the shape of a person; a dark-haired teenager heaving himself over the hedges and racing their way.
The kid wrenched the rear car door open and threw himself in, nearly shutting the door on the backpack held in his other hand.
There was a muffled shouting coming from the direction of the house then, a sound that was more roar than words even over a crashing noise near the front of the house.
"Gogogogogogo!" the kid shouted, scrabbling to put on his seatbelt. It clicked home just as Ethan hit the gas, and then they were away.
The houses zipped by as Jakob studied the kid in the rear-view mirror. Tall and surprisingly skinny given his broad frame, a glint of a thin chain showed through the ragged and ripped collar of his shirt. There was a nasty cut across his right cheek; the kid dragging the back of his hand through the oozing blood only to stare dazedly at the bright red smear in shock before wiping it on his already ruined shirt.
"Here," Jakob said as he held out his handkerchief over his shoulder to the kid. An old habit he had picked up from Frank, carrying them around. Never knew when you would need a spare rag running a horse ranch, even if it was just to wipe the dust off your hands.
This one was clean, though. One of the corners has gone a bit raggedy but still fit enough for use.
Jakob was pretty sure none of that was the reason behind the kid flinching at the sound of his voice when he spoke; the way he recoiled reflexively into himself — and away from Jakob's outstretched hand.
"Hey," Jakob said gently. "S’all right, kid. You’re okay."
At Jakob's words, the kid looked up at them both, his eyes widening as if he was only just now registering Jakob's presence.
"'M not akid," he spat, thick black eyebrows drawn low; an expression of dangerous suspicion only slightly undermined by the bits of leaves and other souvenirs from his time hiding in the hedges stuck in his hair. He wore it long in front, the dark curls nearly falling into his eyes; the sides and back shaved in a fade that was probably supposed to make him appear cool and fierce, but only served to make him appear vulnerable. Exposed.
Jakob snorted. However much he protested, if thiskidwas more thana year or two older than Cassie, Jakob would eat Ethan's hat.
Sorry. Still sitting at the kid's table for the holidays there, bucko.
He took the white bit of cloth, however; grabbing it at the point furthest from Jakob's fingers. Though his eyes appeared to be focused on Ethan the whole time, Jakob could see the kid assessing him from the corners. Presenting no threat, but not easily taken by surprise, either.
"Thanks," the kid grumbled sullenly, looking everywhere but at Jakob as he sunk further into the backseat, pressing the cloth against his bleeding cheek. His left eye was starting to purple already, and there was a fading bruise healing an ugly shade of lurid green on the opposite side of his chin.
Jakob had to fight to keep his hand from making a fist in response. He knew he couldn't afford to let this kid see that kind of reaction — even if it was directed at whoever would do this to their own child, and never in a million years at the kid himself. He glanced at Ethan, reading the same thought mirrored back in his old friend's eyes.
"If his father's police… You should drop us off somewhere crowded. Might throw him off our trail, at least for a while. Any ideas?" Jakob murmured, texting Cassie to let her know his plans had changed.
"Mmm, was thinking about the mall?" Ethan said in a low voice as he barely avoided running a red light, his head tilted in consideration. "Lots of people and there's a gaming shop there. Can say I was just giving him a ride to go pick up art supplies, meet with a friend if anyone asks?"
Jakob nodded, humming in agreement.
"Hey, Alex?" Ethan said louder; trying to get the attention of the kid in the backseat who currently sat with his head leaning against the back window, glaring out of it like he could burn a hole through the glass.
Watching him transfer that same glare now to Jakob himself, he could half believe maybe the kid could.
"Who evenisthis fucker, yourdate?" Alex spat, a guarded edge to his tone that Jakob recognized — remembered hearing decades before. Another voice; another angry, scared teenage boy; a whole other lifetime ago.
Out of the corner of Jakob's eye, Ethan's head jerked up; his spine going ridged. The tips of his ears began to turn faintly red at Alex's words, Jakob's own cheeks heating to match.
Jakob saw Alex scowl and look away, back out the window, as if realizing he had hit — not on the truth exactly — but a little too close tosomething.
Ethan cleared his throat. "This is myfriend, Jakob. He's a good guy, and — and your dad… Well, I've no doubt he's gonna be checking my house, any of the shelters or other places I could take you. But he won't know about Jakob though. We were wondering if — if you would want to go stay with him for a while?"
