I almost missed the flickering images as they had resumed their amorphous
nature. Still, I was able to catch a glimpse of Ellery’s back as he headed toward
the front door. It was hard to make out what he was doing, but I stumbled behind
the rapidly disintegrating visuals. I hit the porch, trying to track his movements.
A strange numbness inched over me, and I couldn’t feel the phone or my fingers.
Something thumped to the ground. Outside in the bright, hot afternoon the image
flickered near the carport, then disappeared. Someone kept saying, “No, no, no.”
It was irritating, and I wished they’d shut up.
My body felt clumsy, and I tripped down the steps to the loose gravel. My fingers began to tingle as if small pins were trying to poke their way out of my
skin. The disturbing sensation raced up my arms and wrapped tight bands around
my chest. Caught in this strange reality, it took a moment to understand that I was standing in front of Kelsey’s car. My hands hovered over the trunk, shaking
violently.
Just do it, Cyn. Open the trunk and prove you’re just losing your mind.
My hands didn’t move.
“Cyn?” Kayden’s careful use of my name snapped my paralysis. My fingers
fumbled for the release latch. Suddenly, larger hands covered mine, stilling my
frantic movements. “We’ll do it together, okay?” His voice came from behind me, gentle and soft. His hands steady.
I gave a sharp nod, choking off the sob trapped in my throat. Together we raised the lid. A thin wail broke through the quiet afternoon and my heart shattered.
I’d found Kelsey.
CHAPTER 5
I sat on the porch in a numb haze. My fingers tracing random patterns over the
gun lying in my lap. Behind me, Kayden talked to someone on his cell, his
words sliding over me without meaning. He’d been talking for a while.
There were things I needed to do, questions I needed to ask. Yet I didn’t move. The emptiness carving deep gouges on my heart and soul, laid new
wounds over old scars. Eventually grief would come and dull the ragged edges.
Maybe.
I’d been here once before, years ago. The night my foster parents were killed
by a drunk driver. Then, I had Kelsey to hold on to as our world tore apart. Now,
I wondered if I’d find my way out or just drown in this deafening quiet.
My entire family was gone.
A vehicle barreled into the driveway.
I closed my eyes in a futile wish. Maybe, if I made enough deals with
whoever upstairs was listening, I could open my eyes…
The dull thump of a car door slamming shut was followed by the sound of cautiously approaching footsteps.
…and find…
“Cyn?”
Familiar and deep, it wasn’t the voice I had been wishing for, and it left searing, unrealistic disappointment in its wake. I opened my eyes.
It took effort to look away from the gun and focus on the person crouched in
front of me. Tall and lanky, with dirt-blond hair no comb could tame, Tag stared
back, his compassion obvious.
