kelly favor - book 7 - scar (naked)

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She's broken because of something that was done to her--something she can't even bear to think about. So she does the only thing she can think of...she runs. Away from her Ivy League college, away from her perfect life, and away from the man who hurt her. Only she runs straight into...Elijah

TRANSCRIPT

  • SCAR

    NAKEDBook7

    byKellyFavor

  • KellyFavor.2014

    Allrightsreserved.

  • Treyseyesweredangerousashecametowardherinthebasement,andCaelynwasterrifiedasshe

    backedawayfromhim.

    WouldElijahhearherifshescreamed?CouldElijahevengetdownthereintimetostopTreyfrom

    whateveritwashewasabouttodo?

    YoutryingtoDonnieBrascome?Treyasked,comingtowithinafewfeetofwhereCaelynstood,

    hisnostrilsflaring,cheeksred.

    IIdontknowwhatyouretalkingabout,Trey.MemoriesofJaysonflashedthroughhermind,

    turningherhandsandfeetnumb,asherheartracedfaster.

    Wellyoubettertellmewhatthefuckyouredoingdowninmybasementpeepingmyshit,Trey

    toldher.Becauseyougotmethinkingtheworstrightnow.

    Icamedowntomakemyselfacupofcoffee.Thatsall.Iwashungoverfromlastnight.

    Treystrokedhisbeardandglaredather.Hiseyeswerewide,dartingfromsidetosideandthen

    stoppingtostareincredulouslyatCaelyn.Bullshit.

    Iswear,shesaid,puttingherhandupasiftoswearonthebible.

    IcheckedmyscannerandIcheckedthenews,Treysaid.TherewasnothingaboutElijah,

    nothingwhatsoever.HowdoIknowyoutwodidntmakethatshitupabouthimbeingAmericasmost

    wantedcriminal?

    Whywouldwedothat?Caelynsaid,tryingtokeephervoicelight.Treywasparanoid,she

    realized,andsheneededtokeephimcalmjustlongenoughtotellElijahandgetoutofthere.Andwe

    nevertoldyouhewasAmericasmostwantedcriminaloranythinglikethat.Wejusttoldyouthepolice

    werelookingforhim.

    Treyseyeswidenedmaniacally.Ormaybeyourebothreallyworkingwiththecops.Maybethey

    sentyou.

    Overalittlepot?shesaid,gesturingtothepilesofgreenmarijuanabudsonhisdesk.

    Thatsnotjustalittlepot,Treysaid,hisvoicedefensive.

    Itslegaleverywhere,Caelynlaughed.Whatyouhavedownherewouldprobablygetyoua

  • ticketandafiftydollarfinenowadays.

    Itaintlegalhere,honey.

    Itsnot?sheasked.

    No.Notbyalongshot.

    Well,IhavefriendsinCaliforniawhocanpickupthatmuchweedattheirlocalcornerstoreand

    nobodyevencares.

    Hiseyesnarrowed.AreyoutryingtosaythatImsmalltimeorsomething?

    Caelynknewshewastakingariskbyactinglikeshethoughtitwasnobigdeal,butsheknewthat

    TreywasstartingtodoubttheparanoidstoryhedconcoctedaboutherandElijah.

    Imnotsayingyouresmalltime,shesaid,shrugging.Imjustsaying,Ihighlydoubtthecops

    wouldputtogetherawholesecretstingoperationjusttocatchsomeonesellingalittlebitofmarijuana.

    Youdontknowwhatyouretalkingabout,hemuttered,strokinghisbeardandglancingatthe

    floor.Iknowthattheyreontome.IknowtheDEAsbeentryingtofindawaytonailmeeversinceIgot

    bigenoughtomakeinroadswithsomeofthebiggerdistributors.

    Maybe,Caelynsaid.ButBreakingBadwasaboutmethforareason,right?Imean,thecops

    wanttomakemethbustsandstufflikethat.Imsuretheyrefocusedonthereallybaddrugslikeheroin,

    meth,crack.

    ShejusthopedtoGodthatTreywasntalsosellingsomeofthosedrugs,too.

    ButTreyseemedstrangelydefeated,asifhedactuallywantedtobelievethatCaelynwassome

    undercoveragentplottingtoarresthimforsellingmarijuana.

    Heturnedandwalkedovertohisdesk.Youshouldntgosnoopingaroundpeopleshouseslike

    that,hewhined.Still,agreatdealoftheangerhadgoneoutofhisvoice.

    Yeah,sorryaboutthat,Caelynsaid.Ireallywasjustthinkingaboutgettingcoffee.

    Sure.Sure,Iunderstand,Treysaidsoftly.Hewasstaringathisdrugsasiflostinanotherworld.

    Shesighedandstartedtowardsthestairs,justwantingnothingmorethantowakeElijahandmake

    theirescaperightaway.

    Thissituationwasexactlywhatshedbeenafraidof.

  • Caelyn,wait,Treysvoicefollowedher.

    Sheturned,anxietybloominginherstomach.Yeah?

    YourenotgoingtomentionanyofthistoElijah,areyou?

    Caelynlookedathim,measuringherwordscarefully.Idontseewhyyouresoworriedaboutit,

    shetoldhim.Elijahwontevencare.

    Yeshewill.IknowElijah,hesnotaschillasyouaboutthiswholedrugbusiness.

    Caelynalmostlaughed.ShedsomehowmanagedtoconvinceTreythatshewaschillabouthis

    drugbusiness,whennothingcouldhavebeenfurtherfromthetruth.

    Fine,shesaid,makingeyecontactwithTrey.Iwonttellhimanythingfornow.

    Treysshouldersrelaxed.Thanks,hesaid.SorryifIcameoffalittleintensethere.IknowIcan

    behigh-strungorwhatever.

    Noproblem,Caelynreplied,smiling,andthensheturnedandwalkedupthestairs,herheartstill

    pounding.

    ***

    Wehavetogetoutofhere,shesaid.

    Elijahblinkedatherfromwherehelayonthebed,hiseyesstillcloudyfromsleep.Huh?

    Caelynsatdownontheedgeofthebedandtriedtokeephervoiceeven.Isaid,wehavetogo.

    Like,now.

    Whatswrong?Elijahsatup,hiseyesclearing,hisbrowfurrowing.WhatdidTreydo?

    Keepyourvoicedown,Caelynwhispered,lookingoverhershoulderattheclosedbedroom

    door.ItoldTreythatIwasntgoingtosayanythingtoyou.

    Sayanythingaboutwhat?Elijahasked,slidingoutfrombeneaththecovers.

    Evennow,inthisextremecircumstance,CaelynsbreathwastakenawaybyElijahsincredible

    body.Hewaswearingjusthisboxershorts,andseeingtheflexofhismuscularlegs,thebeautyofhis

    chiseledabsandbiceps,theflawlessnessofhisskin,stillmadeCaelynwonderhowonearthElijahhad

    endedupsomehowbeingherboyfriend.

    ShewasntsupposedtobewithaguylikeElijahhot,sexy,smoldering,dangerous.Andyetithad

  • happened.Everythinghadhappened,itwasalltoorealincludingthedangertheywerein.

    Caelyn,Elijahsaid,wavingahandinfrontofhereyes.Areyoustillwithmeorwhat?

    Sorry,Ijusthercheeksreddenedassheshookherhead.CanwejustleaveandIlltellyou

    everythingwhenwegetoutofhere?

    Elijahwaspullingonhisjeans,slidingthemoverhiships,hisstomachtighteningintoabeautiful

    gridofinterlockingmusclesashebuttonedhispants.Idontgetit,hesighed.Ithoughteverythingwas

    cool.

    Itwascool,shesaid.

    IfTreydidsomethingtoyou,youneedtotellmesoIcanhandleit.

    Hedidntdoanythingtome,shereplied,standingupandwalkingclosertohim,wrappingher

    armsaroundhiswaist.

    Elijahbrushedherhairbackfromherface.Hedidsomething,though.Somethingfreakedyouout.

    IfItellyouwhathappened,youhavetopromisenottosayanythingtoTrey,Caelyntoldhim,

    lookingintohiseyes.

    Elijahgrinnedhislittlelopsidedgrinthatalwaysreassuredher.YouknowIcantdothat,kid.IfI

    needtosmackhimupsidethehead,thenthatswhatsgoingtohappen.

    No,Idontwantyousmackinganyone.Please,Elijah.Cantwejustleave?

    Heleanedinandkissedherlipsgently.Tellmewhathappened.IpromiseIwontdoanything

    stupid.

    Caelynsighed.PartofherreallydidntwanttotellElijahwhathadhappened,butthenagain,the

    warmthofhisbodyagainsthersseemedtoremoveherabilitytoresisthischarm.Okay,shesaid,softly.

    Igotupandwentdownstairstogetsomecoffee

    Suddenly,therewasaknockonthebedroomdoor,cuttingheroffinmid-sentence.

    Caelynlookedatthedoor,astheknockhappenedagain,evenlouder.

    ElijahglancedatthedoorandthenatCaelyn.Hesawthefearinhereyes.Everythingsgoingtobe

    fine,hesaid.

    Thenhewentandopenedthedoor.

  • Pariswasstandingatthedoorwithherarmscrossed,eyesnarrowassheglaredatCaelyn.Trey

    toldmetogoandcheckandmakesureyouwerentsnitching,butwefiguredyoudsnitchanyway,she

    saidtoCaelyn.

    Ididntsnitch,Caelyntoldher.

    Elijahstoodbetweenthem.DontstartshitwithCaelyn,hewarnedParis.Imdeadserious.She

    didnttellmeanything,butIbettergetsomeanswersrightnow.Whatthehellsgoingon?

    Askthesnitch.

    Itoldyoutostopsayingthat,Elijahgrowled.

    Caelynlickedherlips.Shewantedtogetoutofthehouseworsethanever.Elijah,weneedtogo.I

    dontwanttofightwithanyone.Idontevencareanymore.

    YouwanttogorunandtellthecopsaboutTreysbusiness?Parisyelled,tryingtogetpastElijah,

    whoheldherbackeasily.

    Hey,backoff,Elijahsaid,holdingParisbyherthinarms.Shesquirmedfree,shoutingatthetop

    ofherlungs.

    Letmego!Parisscreeched,scratchingElijahsfaceassheflailedathim.

    Elijahpulledaway,hissingthroughhisteethinpain.Caelyncouldalreadyseetheredlinesfrom

    herfingernailsacrosshischeek.

    Great.ShesloonierthanTreyis.

    ElijahlookedatCaelynandshookhisheadwithdisbelief.Shescratchedme.

    Neverlayyourhandsonmeagain,Paristoldhim,hereyeswideandherhairspillingcrazilyonto

    herforehead,messyfromthescuffle.

    Whatsgoingoninhere?Treycalledout,asheenteredthescenefromthehallwaybehindher.

    YourstupidfriendjustputhishandsonmeandIhadtotakecareofit,Parissaid.Hemightbe

    hot,buthesalsoarealjerk.

    IdidntdoanythingbuttryandkeepherfromfightingwithCaelyn,Elijahsaid.

    TreyglancedatPariswearily,thentoCaelynandElijah.Youtoldhim,didntyou?heasked

    Caelyn,notevenseemingangry,butmoreresigned.

  • Shewasabouttotellhim,Iheardher,Parisshouted.

    Caelynneversaidanything,Elijahreplied.ButIwanttoknowwhatsgoingon,dude.Thisis

    crazy.

    TreyglancedatParis.Getoutofhere,hetoldher.

    What?sheasked,lookingasifhedslappedher.

    Isaid,getoutofhere.Gotakeashowerorsomething.Brushyourteeth.Youstillsmelllikelast

    nightsbeer.

    Fuckyou.Sheturnedandstalkedaway,yellinginsultsbutinaudibleones.

    TreyturnedbacktoElijah.Imsorryabouther,hesaid,grimacing.Heleanedagainstthe

    doorframeandstrokedhisbeard.Yourcheekallright?

    Elijahnodded.Yeah,itsjustascratch.Shesprettystrongforhersize.

    Crazyaddsatleastonehundredpercenttoyourstrength,Ithink,Treysaid.Itslikea

    superpower.

    Elijahgrinnedbutthenhisexpressionturnedserious.Sowhatthefucksgoingon?

    TreyglancedatCaelyn.Shecamedownstairsthismorningandsawsomethingshewasnt

    supposedtosee.

    Ijustneededcoffee,Iwasntsnooping,Caelynsaid.

    Treyhelduphishands.Nooffense.Shewasnttryingtofindanything,butshedidhappento

    stumbleacrossmybusiness.

    Yourbusiness.Elijahsexpressiondarkened.Yousellingagain?

    Treypaused,asiftoconsidertheramificationsofwhathewasabouttosay.Truthis,Ineverreally

    stoppedselling.Notcompletely.

    Great,Elijahsaid.HelookedatCaelyn.Getyourthings,Caelyn.Wereleaving.Now.

    Holdon,Treysaid.Iknowyouremadbut

    Nobuts,Elijahsaid.Youliedtome.Istuckmyneckoutforyoubackintheday.Andyou

    promisedmeyoudgetoutofthegame,thatwasthedeal.

    IknowwhatIpromisedyou,Treysaid,butIcouldntstayout.Ineededtomakemoney.

  • Youshouldvefoundsomethingelse.Oryoushouldneverhavemademethatpromise.Doyou

    knowwhatIhadtogothroughtobailyouout?

    Treywalkedfurtherintotheroom,hiseyespleading.Ididntwanttokeepselling,Itriedtoquit

    likeIpromised.Butthen

    Thenyoudecideditwaseasiertosellthenitwastokeepyourpromisetome.

    Treysvoicegrewgravelly,chokingalittlebit.No,thenIdecidedthatIwasafuckingloser,and

    nobodywantedtohireme.IcouldntevenlastworkingataBurgerKing.Theyfiredmeaftertwoweeks,

    andnotbecauseIwaslateorrudeoranything.

    Whywouldtheyfireyouunlessyoudidsomethingwrong?

    Because,Treysaid.Isuckedatit.Icouldntevenhandledoingthedrivethru.Theytriedtotrain

    meandIwantedtolearn,butIcouldntrememberitall.AndIwassoslow.Maybeitwasallthoseyears

    ofsmokingweed,Idontknow.Ijustknowthattheyletmego,andIrealizedthatIcouldnthackitinthe

    regularworld.

    Elijahsighed.HowcanIbelieveyou?Maybethisisjustanewstorytomakemefeelbadagainat

    howharditistobeTrey.

    Treyscheeksgrewred.YouthinkIwanttoadmitthatImaloser,Elijah?Youthinkthisisfunfor

    me?

    Elijahshrugged.Idontknow,man.Whatdoyouwantfromme?

    Nothing.Nothingatall.

    Okay,then.Iguesswellgetourstuffandgo.

    IstilloweyouforthehelpyougavemewhenIneededit,andIwanttorepaymydebts.

    Elijahshookhishead.Forgetit.Theresnothingtorepay.

    Treyglaredathim.Youguysarerunningfromthecops,right?Isthattrueorisntit?

    Yeah,itstrue.Youcallingmealiar?

    TreylaughedasifhecouldntbelieveElijahsdefensiveness.No,Imjustasking.

    Ialreadytoldyouthis.Youknowwererunning.

    Andyouredeadbroke,no?

  • Elijahranahandthroughhishair.Yeah,werebroke.

    YouneedmoneyandIvegotmoneycomingthroughthismorning.Today.

    Drugmoney,Elijahsaid.

    Treysgrinturnedintoasmirk.Sincewhendoyoucarewherethemoneycomesfrom,buddy?

    TreyseyesflickedtoCaelyn.

    Shelookedawayfromhim.Dontdragmeintothis,shemuttered.

    Icantwaitaroundtocollect,Elijahsaid,butCaelyncouldtellthathewasonlyprotestingonher

    behalf.

    Sheknewhewantedthatmoneyanddidntcareifitcamefromadrugsale.ButCaelynreallyhada

    terriblefeelingnow,andshewantedtoleaveandforgettheydeverbeeninthisplace.

    Treystrokedhisbeard,hisshouldersslumpingasherelaxed.Listen,man.Ifyouwanttoleave

    bemyguest.Nobodysstoppingyou.

    Cool,Elijahsaid.

    Butifyouwanttowaititoutforlikeanhourortwo,Illdomydealandthengiveyouenough

    moneytogetwhereyouregoingandnothavetoworryaboutsleepinginyourcartonight.Orworse.

    Idontknow,Elijahsaid.

    Youdonthavetoanswermenow,Treysaid,turningandwalkingoutoftheroom.Justthink

    aboutit,hesaid,andwalkedoff.

    ElijahwentandshutthedoorasTreyexited.Afterafewseconds,heturnedandfacedCaelyn.So,

    whatdoyouthink?

    YouknowwhatIthink,shesaid.

    Elijahsexpressionwastroubled.Idontwanttostayhereanymorethanyoudo.

    Areyousureaboutthat?

    Hiseyesmethersandshesawahard,calculatedintensitythere.Caelyn,wereoutofoptions.If

    werunoutofmoneyandIgetcaughtbythepolice,Imfinished.Werefinished.

    Dontsaythat,Caelynreplied,herthroatconstricting.

    Imtellingyouthehonesttruth,Elijahsaid,walkingtoherandgrabbingherhand.Evennow,her

  • handtingledfromhismeretouch.

    Icantloseyouagain,shesaid,hatingthewhiningsoundhervoicemadeasshesaidthewords.

    Idontwanttoloseyou,either.Butweredesperatenow.ThisisasbadasituationasIveever

    beenin.

    Sheswallowed.Elijahhadnevertalkedlikethisbeforeshedneverseenhimintimidatedby

    anything,andhisconcernwasfrighteningherlikenothingelsecoulddo.

    Ijusthaveaterriblefeelingaboutstayinghereabouthim,shewhisperedhervoicetrailingoff.

    ShedidntwantTreyorParistohearhertalkingbadlyaboutthem.Thingswerealreadytenseenough

    betweeneveryone.

    Iknowyoudo,Elijahsaid,andIcantsayIblameyou.Thequestionis,howgoodofafeeling

    doyouhaveaboutheadingoutintotheworldwithnocash,knowingthatwecantuseyourcreditcard

    knowingthatthecopsaregoingtobecombingeverythinginsightforanysignofus?

    CaelynsheartstartedtobeatfasterasshecametotheawfulrealizationthatElijahwasactually

    rightaboutthis.

    Wehavenochoice,dowe?shesaid,hervoicefaintinherownears.

    Weeitherdothis,orIllhavetodosomethingmoredangerousafewhoursfromnow.Thelook

    onhisfacetoldherthatwhateverthisotherthingmightbe,itwouldbehorrible.Muggingsomeone,

    breakingandentering,robbingabusinesswhateverhecoulddotosurviveandshecouldntallow

    that.

    No,noyoucantdoanythingelseillegal,Elijah.Youhavetostop.

    Thenyouknowwhatwehavetodo.

    ***

    WhenElijahtoldTreythattheyweregoingtotakehimuponhisoffer,Elijahsfriendgavearueful

    smile.Good,hesaid.

    Treywasinthebasementpackingallofhisdrugsintoasmallmessengerbag,thewayCaelynmight

    havepackedclothesforanovernighttrip.Thecasualnesshedisplayedwasthemarkofsomeonewhod

    donethisamilliontimesbefore.

  • Caelynhuggedherself,feelingsuddenlyverycold.

    So,weregood?Elijahasked.

    Theresjustonelittleproblem,Treysaid,risingtohisfeetafterclosingthetoponhisbag.

    Great,Caelynthought.Herewego.

    Problem?Elijahasked,hisvoicetingedwithimpatience.Ithoughtwealreadydealtwiththe

    problems.Ithoughtweweresettled.

    Thethingis,myboyjustcalledandbailedonme.

    Whatboy?Elijahasked.

    Mywingman.Mymuscle.

    Elijahshookhishead.Youshouldntneedanymuscleonthis.Itsfuckingweed,dude.Yourenot

    JohnnyDeppinBlow.

    Treylaughed.Veryfunny.Hissmilefadedasheputhishandsonhiships.Thethingis,itsalot

    ofweed.Mybiggestdealinayearorso.AndtheseguysImsellingto,Idontthinktheydscrewme

    overbutIdontwanttoshowuplookingweakeither.

    No,Caelynsaid,steppingforward.Noway.

    YoudontevenknowwhatIwasgoingtosay,Treytoldher.

    YouregoingtoaskElijahtocomewithyou.

    Treygrinned.Iguessyoudidknow.

    ElijahglancedatCaelyn,thenbacktoTrey.Shesright.Imnotgoingtodothat,Trey.Younever

    saiditwaspartofthedeal.

    Treysighed.Fine.Youknowwhat?Youreright.Icantaskyoutostepinandputyourneckonthe

    lineformelikethat.EventhoughIdpayyoudoubleathousanddollars.

    Elijahhesitated.

    Noway,Caelynanswered.Idrathertakenothingandstarve.

    Shesright,Trey.ImstartingtofeellikeIvebeensetuphere.

    Thiswasnevermyplan,Treysaid,colorrisinginhischeeks.Ididntplanforyouandyourgirl

    toshowupatmyhousebeggingforaplacetohidefromthecops.AndIdidntplanforhertocomedown

  • thismorningandseemyweedstash.AndIdefinitelydidntplanformyboytoflakeonmeatthelast

    minute,either.

    Yourboyflakingisntmyproblem,Elijahsaid.

    Iknow.Treystrokedhisbeard.Look,justdomeonefavor.

    Whatnow?

    AllIaskisforyoutodrivetothespotandbemylookout.

    No,Caelynsaidagain.

    Yourlookout?Whatdoesthatmean?

    Youwontbeinanydanger,man.Ipromise.Illbetheonegoinginandtakingalltherisk.Youcan

    takeyourowncarandbouncewheneveryoufeellikeit.Butifyoucouldkeepaneyeonthestreetjustin

    caseTreyswallowed,andCaelynthoughthesuddenlylookedveryafraid.Treylookedmorelikea

    youngteenageboywhodtalkedhiswayintosomethinghedidnttrulyevenwanttodo.

    Youthinktheseguyswouldrobyou?Elijahaskedhim.

    No,ofcoursenot.But,ifyoucouldjustwatchfromthesafetyofyourcarandlike,sendmeatext

    ifanythinglooksfishy.

    EvenifIdidthat,itwouldntbeintimetostopanything,Elijahtoldhim.Iftheseguyswantto

    jackyou,theresnothingatextfrommewilldotostopthem.

    Itgivesmeafightingchance,Treysaid.Anditgivesmesomeconfidenceknowingyoureout

    therewatchingmyback.

    Icantstepin,Elijahtoldhim.Ifsomethinggoesdown,Iwontbetheretohelpyou.

    Iunderstand.Justbemylookout.Canyoudomeonelastsolid,bro?Illpayyouagrandanyhow.

    Evenifyoudontcomeinsidewithme.

    Caelynwasshakingherheadnoagain.

    Fine,Elijahagreed.ButImkeepingfarawayandifIevengetaweirdfeelingthatIwantto

    leave,Imgone.Noapologies.

    Ofcourse,Treysaid,hisexpressionbrightening.

    Andtheminuteitsover,youpayusandwetakeoff.Nomorestallingonthemoney,Elijahtold

  • him.Imdeadfuckingseriousnow.

    Yougotit.Treyclappedhimonthebackandofferedhishandtoshake.

    Elijahshookhandswithhim.Damn,Ihopeyoudontmakemeregretthis,Trey.

    Iwont,brother.Iwont.

    Whentheywentbackupstairs,Caelynwasquiet.Elijahglancedatherastheygottheirthingsready

    toleave.Iknowyoudontlikethis,andneitherdoI,Elijahtoldher.

    Iunderstandwhyyouredoingit,butIfeelsickinside.Somethingswrongwithhim.

    Wellbeawayfromhimsoonenough.

    Notsoonenoughforme.

    Theydidntsaymuchelse,anditdidnttakelongtogetreadyandthengotothecar,afterwhich

    theywaitedoutsideforTrey,whodtoldthemhewouldbereadymomentarily.

    Themangydogswereplayingnearby,growlingandbarking,eventuallystartingtofightoverabone

    beforerunningoffintothewoodsagain.

    Thedaywascoldandovercast,andtheweatherseemedforeboding,asachillwindblewhard

    enoughtomakeCaelynshiver.

    Elijahwrappedhisarmaroundherandpulledherclosetohim.Youokay?

    Shenodded,notmeaningit.Yeah,justcold.

    Comeon,letswaitinthecar,hesaid.

    TheygotinsidethecarandthenTreycameoutnotlongafter.Hewaswearingajacketthatwasa

    littlebulkyfortheweather,andhereachedinsidehiscoatasiftoreassurehimself,beforepullingthe

    messengerbagstrapoveroneshoulderandcontinuingtothecar.

    Hesgotagun,doesnthe?Caelynasked.Thatswhyhewasfiddlingaroundinhisjacket.

    Elijahnodded,watchingasTreywavedatthembeforegettinginhiscar.Yeah,hescarrying.

    Great,Caelynmuttered.Maybewecanbeaccessoriestomurderandadrugdeal.Wouldntthat

    befun.

    Dontsaythat--dontevenjokeaboutit,Elijahsaid.

    Imnotjoking.

  • ElijahpulledthecarbehindTreyandbeganfollowinghimbackupthedirtpathtowardthemain

    road.Treysnotgoingtokillanybody.

    Thenwhyshecarryingagun?

    Becausehesscared.Hesparanoid,asalways.

    Ihopeyoureright.Shehuggedherselfagainandlookedoutthewindow,tryingtowillherselfto

    gosomewhereelse,anywherebutwhereshewas.

    ShesimplywantedtoskipaheadtowhenthiswasalloverandsheandElijahcouldfinallybe

    togetherinpeace.

    ***

    Ittookthemnearlyhalfanhourtogettowheretheyweregoing.

    Caelynhadprayedforthemtogetaflattireormaybeevenhavetheengineexplode,anythingto

    stopthemfromgoingtowhereTreywasdoinghisdrugdeal.

    Buttherewasnosuchluck.

    Treystoppedandparkedonthesideoftheroadnearaclusterofdingyapartmentbuildingsina

    neighborhoodthatlookedsketchyatbest.

    Therewasnothingelsearoundbutsomeabandonedhomes,agiantliquorstore,andabasketball

    courtwithweedsgrowingupthroughthecracksinthecementandhoopswithnonets.

    Afewpre-teenboyswerethrowingrocksthroughthehoopsandthenslappingfivewhensomeone

    succeeded.

    Sothisistheplace,Caelynsaid,lookingaround.IdontblameTreyforbeingnervoushere.

    Elijahwaswatchingeverythingcarefullytoo.HedparkedabouttenyardsawayfromTreyscar,

    andTreygotoutnow,walkingquicklytowardthem.

    Shit,whatnow?Elijahmutteredtohimself.HerolleddownhiswindowasTreyapproached.

    Hey,takethis,Treytoldhim,andhandedElijahsomethingthatlookedlikeabigwalkie-talkie.

    Whatsthisfor?

    Myscanner,Treysaid,alittlebreathless.Justincase.

    Incasewhat?

  • Idontknow.Ijustwanttohaveallmybasescovered,dude.Itcanthurtforyoutohaveit.

    Yeah,wellIdidntwantanyonetothinkyouandmeknoweachother,Elijahsaidwithfrustration.

    ThatswhyIparkedawayfromyourcarinthefirstplace.Nowyoucomeoverandifanyoneswatching

    outtheirapartmentwindow,theyknowweretogether.

    Treygrinned.Relax,partner.Yousittingoutsideisjustaprecaution.Illbeoutintenminutes,

    twentyatmost.Keepaneyeoutandtextmeifsomethinghappens.

    Fine.ElijahrolledthewindowupandTreywalkedoff,shoulderinghismessengerbagand

    headingforoneofthedingyapartmentcomplexes.

    Caelynsstomachtwistedwithnervouscramps.Shebitherthumbnailandwatchedthestreetas

    Elijahflickedonthepolicescanner.

    Therewerevoicesonthescannersayingthingsfollowedbyburstsofstatic,butshecouldntmake

    headsortailsofanyofit.

    Youthinkhellbeoutsoon?sheasked.

    Heliterallyjustwentin.Givetheguyfiveminutesatleastbeforeyoustartfreakingout.

    Imnotfreakingout.

    Iknow,hesaid,gentlytouchingherlegwithhishand.Iknow.

    Caelyntriedtocalmdownbuthernervesweregettingworse.Herlegwasshakingandeveryfresh

    burstofstaticfromthescannerwasmakingherwanttoscream.

    Buttheminutestickedbywithoutanythingofnotehappening.Afewcarspassedby,hardlyslowing.

    Thensomemoreteenagerscameoutsideandbeganplayingnearby,yellingandhollering,theirvoices

    risingloudenoughtopenetratethesealedcar.

    EveryneweventmadeCaelynmoreanxious.Eachshout,eachnoisefromthestreetmadeherwant

    topullherhairout.

    Elijahlookedather.Everythingsfine,hesoothed,buthisvoicehadanedgeandhewassitting

    stifflyinhisseat.

    Howdoyouknowitsfine?sheasked,asalargewhitevanpulleduptothecornerofthestreet

    andparkedthere.

  • Elijahwaswatchingherclosely.WerenotinsidewithTrey.Hestheonetakingalltheriskright

    now,Caelyn.Heputhishandoutandsoftlystrokedhercheek.

    Sheblinkedbacktears.IdontthinkIcantakemuchmoreofthis,Elijah.Imscared.

    Iknow,kid.Iknow.ButImnevergoingtoletanythingbadhappentoyou.

    Shetookadeep,shudderingbreath.Okay,Imoverit,shesaid,tryingtoconvinceherselfas

    muchasElijah.

    Youredoingfine,hechuckled.Butthenheglancedforwardandsawthewhitevan.Hiseyes

    narrowedandhesatupmuchstraighter,hisneckstiffening.Whendidthatvanparkthere?heasked.

    Justasecondago,shetoldhim.Why?

    Heshookhishead,staring.Didanyonegetoutofit?

    Idontthinkso.MaybeCaelynwasntsure.Shewastoofreakedout,didnttrustherown

    perceptionswiththewayshewasfeelingrightthen.Maybewejustmissedthem.

    Elijahdrummedhisfingersonthesteeringwheel.Fuck.

    Itssomethingbad?

    Hebeganplayingwiththescanner,turningthedialandlisteningmoreintently.Imsureitsjusta

    coincidence.

    Butsomethingaboutthatvanismakingyouworried?

    Helookedupatitagain.Sometimesavanlikethatcancarryabunchofpeople.Ifyouwantto

    haveabunchofarmedguyssittinginsideandnobodycantellfromtheoutside,thatsthekindofvehicle

    touse.

    Caelynswallowed.Elijah,weneedtogo.

    Itmightbenothing,hesaid.

    Shestaredatthevan,too,asifbysheerforceofwillshecouldgetx-rayvisionandseewhatwas

    goingoninside.Thevanhadtakenonsomekindofhorrifyingpresenceasshewatchedit.Itsatthere,

    malevolent,inert,quietandsimmering.Shepicturedabunchofmenwithguns,readytopouroutofthe

    backdoorsandbeginshootingupthestreet.

    Doyouthinktheyrewatchingus?shewhispered.

  • Idoubtit,hesaid.Ifanything,theydbewatchingthebuildingwhereTreyandhisbuddiesare

    doingthatdeal.

    Herheartwaspounding.Iknewthiswasabadidea,shemuttered.Fromthesecondwegotto

    hishouse,Iknew.

    Nothingshappenedyet,Elijahremindedher.

    Idontthinkweshouldjustsitaroundandwaituntilitdoes.

    Werenotdoinganythingwrong,Elijahsaid.

    Butdoyouthinkitcouldbethepolice?

    Hehesitated.Itcouldbe.

    Elijah,weneedtogo.Now.

    Wehavenomoney,Caelyn.Wecantletourparanoiascareusoffwhenweresoclosetogetting

    thatcash.Withoutit,weretotallyscrewed.

    Idontcareanymore.Shelickedherdrylipsandtriedtoswallow.Ihavethisterriblefeeling

    anditsgettingworse.

    Elijahsighedandshookhisheadandthenstartedthecar.Itrumbledtolife,andeventhesoundof

    theenginewasmakingCaelynanxious.Sheclutchedherseatbelt.

    Suddenly,anotherwhitevan,almostidenticaltothevanparkedonthecornerofthestreetinfrontof

    them,pulledoverandparkedbehindthem.

    Elijahsfacegrewslightlypale.Ohman,hemoaned.Thisisnotgoodatall.

    Caelynreachedoutandgrabbedhisarm.Whatsgoingon,Elijah?

    ItsgottobetheFeds.Theyreabouttoraidthisbuilding,Caelyn.Thatswhatthesecondvanis

    for.

    Wehavetodrive,now!

    No,hesaid,hisvoicerelativelycalm,allthingsconsidered.Ifwedrawattentiontoourselves,

    theymightstarttowonderaboutustoo.

    Sowejustsithereandwaitforthemtonoticeus?

    Elijahseyeswentfromlookingatthevaninfrontofthemtoflickingupsohecouldglanceatthe

  • rearviewmirrorandwatchtheothervan.Theyregoinginwithinthenextminuteortwo.Oncetheystart

    theirraid,wemove.Notasecondbefore.

    Caelynleanedherheadbackandclosedhereyes.Please,sheprayed.Pleasedontletanything

    badhappen.

    Wereokay,Elijahsaidtoher.Wereokay.

    Shekepthereyesclosed.Donttexthim,shesaid.

    What?

    DonttextTreytowarnhim.Ifyoudo,thecopswillseeit.Theyllfigureoutthatyouwarnedhim

    andtheylltraceitbacktous.

    Elijahletoutahissofairthatshowedhisfrustration.Damn.Youreright.

    Wehavetoprotectourselvesfirst,Elijah.

    Shedidntopenhereyes,andinsteadallowedherselftofeelhishandasitenvelopedherhand.His

    warmskinwasareminderthattheywerestilltogether,andsheclungtoitlikealifeline.

    Weregoingtoprotectourselves,Caelyn.Youknowthat,dontyou?

    Shenoddedandtriedtokeepbreathing.

    ThethoughtthatshecouldloseElijahatanymomentwasmorefrighteningthananythingshedever

    felt.

    Howcouldshekeepfromlosinghim?Itfeltlikethewholeworldwasdeterminedtoseethem

    rippedfromeachotherslives.

    Nowbeprepared,Elijahsaid,hisvoiceinsistentinthestillnessofthecar.Inamomenttheres

    goingtobealotofloudnoiseastheycomeoutofthosevans.Theresgoingtobemorenoiseastheyhit

    thedoorandbreakitdownwithabatteringram.Therellbeyelling,maybegunshotstoo.

    Okay,shewhispered.

    Andthenithappened,exactlyasElijahhadjustsaiditwould.

    Therewastheunmistakablesoundofdoorsswingingopenandbootshittingtheground.Nobody

    wasyellingyetbutsheheardthevoices,thequickandurgentcommands.

    Caelynseyespoppedopen,almostagainstherwill,andshewatchedasperhapsadozenpolice,

  • armedandcladinprotectivegear,ranforthebuildingsatfullspeed.Theywereorganized,signalingto

    oneanotherastheymadetheirwaytotheapartmentcomplexandsurroundedit.

    Afewofthemenwerecarryingalargebatteringram,andshewatchedastheyswungitbackand

    thensmashedinoneofthemaindoors.Secondslater,theofficerswerefilingintothebuilding.

    CaelynturnedtoElijah.Drive,shegasped.

    Heglancedather,thenbackatthevans.Okay,hesaid,shiftingintodriveandpullingawayfrom

    thecurb.

    Astheypulledoutoftheirparkingspotandbeganslowlydrivingawayfromthescene,theypassed

    bytwocopcarsandthenathird,lightsflashing,sirenswhoopingaggressively.

    OhmyGod,shesaid,feelingsick.Sheclutchedherseatbeltagain.Thisissobad,Elijah.

    Helookedstraightahead.Dontfreakout.Dontdoanythingbutjustlooknormal.Wecantdraw

    anyattentiontoourselves.

    Theyturnedoutoftheroadthatledtotheprojectsandontoanotherstreet,asanambulanceand

    anotherpolicecruiserflewbythem.

    Suddenlytherewasaburstofactivityfromthescannerthatwassittingonthedashboard,the

    scannerthatTreyhadgiventhem.

    Beadvised,wehavethesituationundercontrol,avoicesaid.

    Therewasarashofstaticbeforeanothervoicespoke.Backuphasarrivedonthescene.Repeat,

    backuphasarrived.Pleaseadvise.

    Suspectshavebeenapprehended.Continuetosecuretheperimeter.

    Areallsuspectscurrentlyinthebuilding?

    Thatiscorrect.Allsuspects.Shotswerefiredandwehaveonewoundedofficerandonewounded

    suspect.

    Morestatic.Ambulanceisoutside.EMTsareontheirwayintothebuilding.

    Elijahswore.

    Caelynlookedathim.IhopeitisntTreythatsbeenhurt,shesaid.

    Itmightvebeen.Hewasarmedandhesnotthemoststableguyintheworld.

  • Elijahstarteddrivingfaster.Hisknuckleswerewhiteashegrippedthesteeringwheel.Thepolice

    scannerhadfallensilentforthetimebeing,buteventhewhitenoisecomingfromitfeltlikeabadomen.

    Dontspeed,shesaid,asElijahcontinuedtoincreasethespeedofthecar.

    Imnotspeeding,hereplied,anedgeinhisvoice.

    Slowdown,Elijah.

    Heglaredatherbriefly.ShouldIjustturnaroundandgobacksotheycanarrestme?

    Dontbeangrywithme,shesaid.Donttakethisoutonme.

    Hisjawflexedandheshookhisheadalmostimperceptibly.Afterafewmoments,shesawhis

    shouldersloosen.Youreright,hesaid.Imnotmadatyou,Immadatmyselfforbeingstupidenough

    totrustTrey.Ivebeenburnedbyhimbefore,butIstillmadethesamemistakeofthinkinghedchanged.

    ButhesthesameoldTrey,thesamemoronthatnearlygotmekilledyearsago.

    Dontblameyourself,shesaid.Youredoingthebestyoucan.

    Wellitsnotgoodenough,isit?hesaid,smirking.

    Yesitis.Werehere,weresafe,weretogether.

    Forhowlong?Hesaid,hiseyessearchingtheroadaheadasifforanswerstohisquestion.

    Foraslongasweneedto.Imnotgoingtoloseyou.

    Heglancedather.Hiseyesweretroubled.Wevegotnomoney,Caelyn.Inafewhourswere

    goingtoberunninglowongas.Thenwhatdowedo?

    Idontknow.

    WellIdoknow.Imgoingtohavetogetussomecash.

    Dont,shesaid.Please,dont.

    Itneedstobesaid.ItoldyouwhatwouldhappenifIdidntgetthatmoneyfromTrey.

    Notnow,though,Caelynsaid.LetsjustgetasfarawayfromTreyandthecopsaspossible,and

    thenwecantalkaboutwhattodonext.

    Asifoncue,thereweremorevoicespipingupoutofthescanner.Itwasrapid-firecommunication,

    andsomeofitwasunfamiliarjargon,withthecopsusingnumbersascodeandpeopletalkingoverone

    another.

  • Butfinallysomethingmadesense,whenavoicesaid,Suspectisclaimingentrapment.Suspect

    statedthattheofficerswereworkingwithinformantswhoforcedhimtomakeadrugdeal.

    Copythat,anothervoiceresponded.

    Thevoiceoverthescannercontinued.Suspectstatesthathewasharboringacouplethatclaimed

    theywerepolicefugitives,andthesuspectbelievestheywereactuallyworkinginconcertwithauthorities

    tocoercehimintothisdrugdealinordertomakealargedrugbust.

    Therewassomelaughterandmorestatic.Soundslikewegota5150.Morelaughter.

    Suspectgaveustwonames.Officersonornearthesceneshouldbeonthelookoutfortwo

    subjects...

    AburstofstaticmadeCaelynjumpassheturnedtoElijah.Isthataboutus?sheasked,hoping

    againsthopethattheremightbesomeotherexplanation.

    Elijahwasputtinghisfootonthegasagain,andthistimeCaelyndidnttellhimtoslowdown.

    Thesceneoutsidestartedtoblurastheybeganracingthroughthestreet.Rainhadalsobeguntofall,

    andnowdropletsweresplattingastheyhitthewindshield.

    Aretheytalkingaboutus?DidTreygiveournamesout?sheaskedagain,waitingforElijahto

    speak.

    Soundslikeit,Elijahsaid.Hisexpressionhadgrownintenseanddark.Weneedtofind

    someplacesafe,quickly.Somewhereoffthegrid.

    Caelynsheartwaspoundingfaster.Icantbelievethis.Thiscantbehappening.Itdoesntmake

    sense.Whydidhetellthemaboutus?

    Hesparanoid.Hethinkswesethimup.

    Ifwewereworkingwiththecops,thentellingthecopsaboutusisntnewstothem.

    Treydoesntthinklogically,Elijahsaid.Hesprobablyscaredandthinkshecantalkhiswayout

    ofthis.Throwingournamesinthemixisjusttheonlythinghecandotoshakethingsupandmaybebail

    himselfoutoftrouble.Hellsayanythingtotakethefocusoffofhim.

    Thatshorrible.

    Inhismind,gettingcaughtbythecopsisallourfault.Heneedstoblamesomebigconspiracy

  • insteadofacceptingresponsibilitythathejustscrewedup.

    Caelynputahandonherforehead.Thisisunbelievable.

    Wereokay,Elijahtoldher.Weregoingtokeepmovingforawhileandthentakecover

    somewheresafeforafewdaysuntilthisblowsover.

    ThatswhatyousaidwhenwewenttoTreyshouse.

    Anditalmostworked.

    Caelynstaredoutthepassengerwindowasthedropletsofrainhittheglassandthenrandown,

    leavinglittletrailsastheywent.Herthoughtswerespinning.YourealizethatifwedstayedatTreys

    house,weneverwouldveknownhegotarrested?Andhestillwouldhaveblamedusandtoldthepolice

    wherewewere.Wedbearrestedrightnow.

    Elijahseemedtoconsiderthisasifforthefirsttime.Iguessthatmakesuslucky,hesaid,

    chuckling.

    Itsnotfunny.

    Whatdoyouwantmetodo,Caelyn?Pullthecaroverandcryandpunchthedashboard?Shakemy

    fistattheskyanddemandtoknowwhytheworldisagainstus?

    ThatswhatIfeellikedoing,shemuttered.

    Yeah,well,oneofushastostaystrong.

    Caelynfeltwounded.Imnotbeingstrong?

    Imjustsaying,Iknowthissucks.IknowyourescaredandIrealizethiswasaclosecall.Butwe

    gotaway.Justbarely,butwedid.

    Nowtheyknowwerenearby.Theyregoingtobelookingforusandwecantgetfarenoughaway

    tobesafe,shesaid.Wereoutofmoney.

    Wecandothis.Wewilldothis,Elijahtoldher.Heglancedatherandhiseyesweresteelyand

    determined.Imnotgivinguponus.

    Somehow,seeingthelookonhisfacegaveCaelynaburstofoptimism.IfElijahcouldbestrongand

    confident,therewasnoreasonshehadtothinktheworst.Illnevergiveuponuseither,shereplied.I

    hopeyouknowthat.

  • Ido,Elijahsaid.Helookedbackattheroad.

    ***

    Thelowgastanklightinthecarsdashboardflickeredonandnowwasablaring,brightyellowthat

    Caelyncouldntseemtostopwatchingfromthecornerofhereye.

    Neitherofthemhadspokenofit,becausetherewasntmuchtobedone.Elijahhadjustcontinued

    drivingandtherainhadcontinuedpouringdown,aswindbatteredthecarandthegreyskiesstretched

    relentlesslyintothedistance.

    Theyhadntspokenmuchthepasthourorso,bothlostintheirownthoughts.

    Caelynhadthefeelingthattheywerecomingtotheendofthingsherstomachhadbeenclenched

    forsolongthatshecouldhardlybreathe.Shewashungryandtiredandafraid.Shedidntrememberwhen

    thelasttimewasthatshedbeencompletelyunafraid,butitseemedlikemaybethatwasathingofthe

    past.

    Happinesswaslikesomeoldphotographthatyoulookedatandcouldhardlybelievethatithad

    everhappenedtoyou.

    ButthenshelookedatElijahandsherememberedwhyshewasdoingthis,whyshewasgoing

    throughitall.

    Ilovehim.Ilovehimsomuchithurts.

    Butwasitsupposedtohurtthismuch?Itwaslikeabulletwoundinherstomach,andshewasso

    tiredsotired.

    Eventually,therainbecameadrizzleandthenstoppedcompletely.

    ElijahpulledthecarovernexttoasmallconveniencestoreandlookedatCaelyn.Imgoinginside

    forasecond,hesaid,hisvoicelowanddull.Hiseyeswerehard,unforgiving.

    Butbutwehavenomoneytobuyanything,shesaid.

    Hesighed.Iknowthat,Caelyn.DoyoureallywantmetotellyouwhatImgoingtodointhere?

    Shegotasuddenjoltofintensepanicandgrabbedhisarm.Dontyoudoit,Elijah.Dontstealor

    robthemorwhateveritis.Dont.Please.

    Hedidntpullawayfromher.Hejustlookedather,hiseyesstillandcalm,butdeeplysad.

  • Caelyn,hesaid,hisvoicealmostchoked.TheresnothingelseIcando.Itsthisororcallitwhatit

    is.

    Whatdoesthatmean?sheasked.

    Itmeans,maybeitstimeyouwenthome,hesaid.

    Nowthejoltoffeargrewstronger,likeapainthroughherheartthatwassointenseshethoughtit

    mightbeanattackofsomesort.Wesaidwednevergiveuponeachother.

    Imnotgivinguponus,hetoldher.ButIcantdragyoudownwithmeanymore.

    Yourenot

    Stopit,hesaid.Justlistentomeforasecond.Hishandgrabbedhersandsqueezed.Ilove

    you,hetoldher.Youknowthat,right?

    Elijah,shewhispered,tearssuddenlyspringingtohereyesandbeginningtopourdownher

    cheeks.

    Iloveyoumorethananyoneoranythinginthisworld,hecontinued.Iddieforyou,Caelyn.I

    woulddieforyou.

    Shecouldntlookathim.Becausethesoundofhisvoicewastellingherthatitwasover,justas

    shedsuspecteditmightbe.

    Hewasgivinguponthemafterall.

    Icant,shesaid,stillwhispering.Icantleaveyou.

    Youneedtogohomeandpickupyourlife,hesaid.ImgoingtobearrestedandImgoingback

    tojailforalongtime.

    No,Elijah.Youdontknowthat

    Webothknowit,hesaid,cuttingheroffwithfinality.Itsjustamatteroftime,Caelyn.AndI

    wontletyougodownthedrainwithme.Ifwerecaughttogether,youllgotojailtoo.Yourelifewillbe

    over.

    Mylifesoverifyourenotinit.

    Thatsnottrue,hesaid.Lookatme,kid.

    Shewassobbingnow,butsheliftedherheadandlookedathim.Hiseyesweresoftagain,andkind.

  • Hedidloveher,andshecouldseeitsoclearly,seethetrueandpureloveinhisheart.Itwasshiningat

    her,anditwasthemostbeautifulthingshedeverseen.

    Icanseeyou,shetoldhim.Icanreallyseeyou.

    Hesmiledthen,anditwasasifhedallowedhertotrulywitnesswhatwasbehindthetough

    exterior,andallhiswalls.Hewaslikeanangel,shethought.Anangel,onlyhewastorturedandpainedin

    thiscruelworld,andtherewasnoplaceforhim.

    Icanseeyoutoo,beautiful,hesaid,andnowhewastouchinghercheekandsmilingather.But

    itstime.Itstime.

    No,shesaid.Icant.

    Imgoingtoletyouoffhereatthisstore.Givemehalfanhourbeforeyouasktoborrowtheir

    phoneandcallhome.

    No,Elijah!sheyelled,horrified.No!Icantgohome.

    Caelyn,hesaid.

    Iwontleaveyou,shesaid.Iwont.Notyet.Please,justgivemeanothercoupleofhourswith

    you.Please,shebegged.

    Illpickyouupandputyououtofthecarifyoumakeme,hewarned.

    Imnotachild,shesaid.Iwanttostaywithyou.Nomatterwhathappens.

    Hebrokehisgazefromhers,lookingdown,troubled.Icantletyoudothat,hesaid.Icantbe

    responsibleforwhathappenstoyou.

    Yourenot,shetoldhim.Iam.

    Andjustthen,therewastheloudWHOOPWHOOPofasiren,andElijahsheadsnappedup.He

    turnedandlookedoutthebackwindshield,cursing.Fuck,itsthecops.

    Drive,Elijah!Drive!

    Helickedhislips.Wecantoutrunthem.Imgoingtogivemyselfup,hesaid.

    Aloudmegaphonesoundcrackled.STEPOUTOFTHECAR.IREPEAT,STEPOUTOFTHE

    CAR.

    Caelyngrabbedhisarmandsqueezedwithallhermight.Drive,Elijah.Getusoutofherenow.

  • Yousure?

    Justgo.Justgo.

    Heshookhisheadandsworeagain.

    Caelynlookedoutthewindowandsawthatitwasonepolicecar,anditwasapproachingthem,the

    sirensflashingandswirlingmenacingly.Inalllikelihood,thepolicehadalreadycalledforbackupand

    soontherewouldbemore.

    Afeelingoftotalhelplesspanicwelledupinsideofher,butshepusheditdown.

    AndthenElijahhitthegasandtheywereflyingawayfromthepolicecruiserataspeedthatseemed

    impossible.Theengineroaredandrumbled,asifitwascryingoutfrombeingpushedtoohard,andthe

    entirecarvibratedfromthesoundandforceofit.

    Caelynhadneverbeeninacargoinganywherenearthatfast.

    ShelookedoverandElijahsbodylanguagewassurprisinglycalmashisgazeflickedtothe

    rearviewmirrorandbacktotheroadinfrontofhimagain.Thecarpickedupspeed,theengineprotesting

    evenmoreloudlyashepinnedtheneedleonthespeedometer.

    Theyweregoingoverahundredmilesanhourdownasmallcitystreet.Caelynturnedandsawthat

    thepolicecarwasnotfarbehindthem.Itssirenwasblaringanditwasntgoingquiteasfastasthem,but

    itwaskeepingup.

    Thecruiserwastryingtokeeptheminsight,sherealized.Aslongasitdidntlosesightofthem,it

    wouldgetmoreandmorepolicecarstocomehelpsubduethem.

    Soontherewouldbeanotherandanother,shethought.

    Maybetheyllsendahelicopterortwoforgoodmeasure.

    Thethoughtmadehernearlylaughoutloud,andshefelthermindstretchingasifhersanitywas

    trulyabouttosnap.

    Holdon,Elijahsaid,andthenheabruptlycutthesteeringwheelandtheyspunonehundredand

    eightydegrees,theirtiressquealingashepumpedthebreak,andCaelynwatchedhimhandlingthe

    steeringwheelastheyskiddedoutofcontrol.

    Smokefromthetiresontheroadbillowedupandaburningsmellhithernostrils.

  • Weregoingtodie,shethought.

    Butthen,theyweredrivingagain,thistimebackintheoppositedirection,asthepolicecarwent

    pastthem,skiddingandtryingtostopintime.ButElijahhadsurprisedthecops,andhehookedarightturn

    downanotherstreet,thenturnedleftdownanothersidestreet,racingfasteroncemore.

    Hiseyeswerefocusedashetookthemdownstreetafterstreet.

    Okay,weneedtoditchthecar,now,hetoldher.Wedonthavemuchtime.Comeon.

    Butthenwewontbeabletogetaway,shesaid.

    Elijahpulledthecarintoanarrowalley.Wereoutofgasanyway,hesaid.AndIboughtusa

    minuteortwoatmostwithmylittlestuntbackthere,hetoldher.Theyregoingtohaveanarmyofcops

    lookingforthiscar.Weneedtogo.

    Withthat,ElijahgotoutandCaelynfollowedhim,andtheystartedwalkingawayfromit,leavingit

    sitting,steaming,parkeddiagonallyinthealley.

    Elijahgrabbedherhandandthenledherthroughagapbetweentwobuildingsandintoanewstreet.

    Casual,hetoldher,almostwhisperinginherear.Likewerejusthavingafundaytogether.

    Theywalkedslowlydownthestreet,hearingsirenuponsirenbuildingintheneardistance.

    Caelynsheartwasthumpinginherchestandshefeltdizzywithanxiety.

    ThescannercrackledandaburstoflowstaticemittedfromElijahsperson,andCaelynrealized

    hedstuffedthescannerbeneathhisjacket,intothebeltlineofhispants.

    Astheywalkedtogether,theycouldlistentothedispatcherandpolicecoordinatingtheirsearch

    efforts.Theystillhadntfoundthecaryet,sothatwassomething.

    Afteraboutfifteenminutesofwalking,theywentintoaDunkinDonuts.Beforeenteringtheshop,

    Elijahturnedhisscanneroff.

    Onceinside,Elijahduginhispocketsandcountedoutalmostenoughchangetobuyasmall

    containerofchocolatemilk.Theywereaquartershy,andthegirlattheregistertookpityonthem.

    Dontworryaboutit,shesmiled,takingthemoney.IvegotaquarterIcanuse.

    Thanks,Caelynsaid,relieved.

    Theywentandsatdownatatablejusttotherightofthewindowsotheycouldstillseethestreet

  • butnotreallybeatriskforbeingseenbyanypassingcars.

    ElijahopenedthemilkandthensliditovertoCaelyn.Shedrankitgratefully,surprisedathow

    amazingittasted.ThatmightbethebestchocolatemilkIevertasted,shetoldhim.

    Elijahgrinned.Hisgrinfadedasfirstone,thentwo,thenthreepolicecarsflewbytheDunkin

    Donutsshop.

    Caelyntookadeepbreathandletitoutslowly.

    Anoldmanandanoldwomansippingcoffeewatchedthecopcarsgo.Christ,lookatemgo,the

    oldmansaid.Wonderwhathappened.

    Theoldwomanshookherhead.Thiscitysgettingworseandworse.Someoneprobablygotshot.

    Theoldmancockedaneyebrow.Youthink?

    Teenagers,theoldwomansaid,shakingherhead.

    Probablyright,themanagreed,andthenwentbacktoreadinghispaperandsippinghiscoffee.

    ElijahandCaelynlockedeyesandgrinnedatoneanother.

    Teenagers,Elijahwhispered.

    Shehadtolaughalittle.Probablyright,sheagreed.

    Asbadasthiswas,sherealized,itwasntsoterriblebecauseshewasstillwithElijah.Caelyn

    dranksomemorechocolatemilkandreachedacrosstoholdhishand.

    ***

    Aftertheydspentaboutaslongashumanlypossiblefinishingthatonechocolatemilk,Caelynand

    Elijahgotuptoleave.

    Thecashierwalkedovertothemastheywerejustabouttoexittheshop.Shewasholdingasmall

    boxofdonuts.Hey,shesaid.

    Yeah?Elijahasked,suspiciousnow,hisshoulderstensing.

    Thegirlsmiledwithsomeembarrassment.IjustIthoughtyoumightwantsomedonuts.Wewere

    goingtothrowtheseoutanyway.Sheshrugged.

    Elijahstaredattheboxandswallowed.HeclearedhisthroatandCaelyncouldtellthegesturehad

    reallytouchedhimdeeply.Thanks,herasped.Hetooktheboxfromherhands.Thismeansmorethan

  • youknow.

    Itsnobigdeal,thegirlsaid.

    No,Caelynreplied.Itisabigdeal.Itreallyis.

    Thegirlwatchedthemgowithaslightlypuzzledexpression,andtheywalkedoutintothebright

    sunlightastherainhadstoppedandthecloudshadmovedon.

    Theybeganwalkingwithnoapparentdestination.TherewerenomorecopcarsandElijahs

    scannerwasbackon,buttherewerenolongerconstanttransmissionsaboutthesearch.

    Eventually,theydwanderedfarfromthemainroadsandintosuburbia.Withoutdiscussingit,theyd

    continuedmeanderingintoaneighborhood,onenotmuchdifferentfromtheoneshedlivedinwithher

    parents.

    Thehouseswerefarenoughapartthateachhaditsownnicelymanicuredlawn,andtherewerelittle

    fencesandthesoundsofchildrenplayingrangout.

    CaelynwonderedwhetherthepolicehadgivenuponfindingherandElijah,orifshewassuddenly

    goingtobesurprisedbyaswarmofcruiserspullingupandcopsjumpingoutwithdrawnpistols

    demandingthemtoputtheirhandsup.

    ElijahopenedtheDunkinDonutsboxandshowedCaelyntheselectionthegirlhadputintherefor

    them.Thereweretwochocolatefrosteddonuts,ajelly-filled,acoupleofplainandtwoglazed.Caelyn

    thoughtaboutitandthenfinallychoseachocolatecovereddonut.

    Salivafilledhermouthbeforeshedeventakenthefirstbite,andsherealizedshewashungrierthan

    shedbeeninalong,longtime.Maybeever.

    Asshebitin,thesugarandsweetnesshithertastebudsandCaelynmoaned.

    Elijahglancedoveratherwitharaisedeyebrow.IfIdidntknowbetter,Idwonderwhatthatgirl

    putinthosedonuts,Elijahchuckled.

    Thisisamazing,Caelynsaid,stillsavoringherfirstbite.Arentyougoingtohaveonetoo?

    Maybelater,Elijahsaid,closingtheboxandcontinuingtowalk,nowlookingintothedistance.

    Shewentcoldasshewatchedhim.Yourenotstillthinkingthatweneedtosplitup,areyou?

    Caelynaskedhim.Pleasetellmethatwasjustapassingthought.

  • Elijahdidntanswerforawhile.Thenhesigheddeeply.Youneedtogohomesometime,Caelyn.

    Hereyesfilledwithtearsinstantly.Shethrewherdonutontheground,notevenwantingtoeatit

    anymore.Fuckthis,shehalf-sobbed.

    Elijahturnedandlookedather.Youknowitsforthebest,hesaid.Ifwestaytogether,youre

    goingtoendupinjailrightalongwithme.

    Iwillanyway.Theyhavemyname,theyrelookingformetoo.

    Youcandenyitandtherewontbeenoughproofforthemtoactuallyconvictyouofanything.Ill

    lieandsayIwaswithanothergirl.Nobodywillbeabletoproveanythingaslongasyourenotcaught

    withme.

    Yousaidyouwouldntgetcaught.Yousaid

    IknowwhatIsaid,Elijahinterrupted.Hisfacewasgrimnow.AndtheresnothingIwantmore

    thantohaveyoubymysideeverysecond.

    Thenletmestaywithyou.

    ImnotgoingtoputwhatIwantaheadofwhatsbestforyou.

    Shesmirked.AndyouknowwhatsbestformebetterthanIknowitmyself?

    MaybeIdo,hereplied.

    Shewasfilledwithanintenserage.Shespunaround,lookingforsomewheretorun,wantingto

    makehimchaseher.Buttherewasntreallyanywherelefttorun,sherealized.

    Nearby,therewasahousewithaForSalesigninthefrontyard,andCaelynwalkedoverandsat

    downonthecurb,allowingherselftocry.

    Hey,Elijahsaid.

    Justgoaway,shetoldhim.Leaveme.Ifthatsreallywhatyouwanttodo,thenleave.Illfigure

    outawaytogowhereverIwanttogonext.

    Imnotleavingyoulikethis,hesaid.

    Whynot?Shecouldhardlyseethroughhertears.Bettertojustdoitnow.Justdoitandgetit

    overwith.

    Caelyn,hesighed.

  • Dontsaymynamelikethat.

    Weshouldkeepmovingbeforesomeonenoticesus.

    Idontcareanymore.Andbesides,thishouseisforsalesonobodysgoingtonoticeanything.

    HefellsilentandCaelynjustkeptcrying.Shewassosickofhavingtoleavehim,havingtobe

    separated.Theywerentsupposedtoseparateagainshedhavedonealmostanythingtostaywithhim,

    evenifitmeantgoingtojailherself.

    ButElijahhadlosthope.

    Finally,shelookedupandfoundhimstaringattheForSalesignwithanoddlookonhisface.

    Whatareyoudoing?sheasked.

    Itjustclickedinmymindwhenyousaidthatnobodywasgoingtonoticeanythingbecausethe

    houseisforsale.Hesmiledalittle.Caelyn,thishouseistotallyempty.Icanseeinthefrontwindow

    andtheresnofurnitureoranything.

    So?Caelynsniffled,wipingtearsfromhercheekswiththebackofherhand.

    So,Elijahssmilebrokeintoaconfidentgrin,IthinkImighthavejustfoundatemporary

    solutiontoourtroubles.Hestartedupthelawnandthencircledaroundthebackofthehouse.

    Caelyngotupandfollowedhim.

    Aroundback,theywereprotectedononesideoftheyardbysomelargehedges.Ontheotherside,

    therewasahousewithaclearview,butitwasquietandtheshadesweredrawn.

    ElijahpassedCaelyntheboxofdonutsashestartedcasingtheplace.

    Caelynwaitedanxiouslyforsomeonetobeginholleringatthem,alertingthewholeneighborhoodto

    thepresenceoftwothieves.

    Meanwhile,Elijahwaslookingineachwindowoftheemptyhouse,andtryingtofindonethat

    wasntlocked.Witheachfailure,hesighedimpatientlyandmovedtothenext.

    Whatiftheresanalarm?Caelynsaid,herpulsestartingtoincreasethelongerhekeptatit.

    Isawthealarmpanelthroughtheslidingglassdoor,hesaid.Itsnotarmed.

    Butwhatifpeoplecometoviewthehouse?sheasked,followinghimasElijahkeptchecking

    windows.

  • Hekneltdowntoasmallerwindowatgroundlevel.Itwasdustyandneglected,andgrasshad

    grownupinfront,almostblockingitentirely.Elijahfiddledwiththewindow.Itslidopen.Jackpot,he

    said,grinning.

    Elijah,thishouseisforsale.Thatmeanspeoplecouldshowupatanytimearealtor,anybody.

    Thatstrue,hesaid,butitsalreadygettinglaterintheday,anditsdoubtfulanybodywillcome

    afterlikefiveorsixoclock.

    Buttheycould,sheinsisted.

    Sowellkeepaneyeontheroad,andifsomeonecomes,wellrunoutthebackdoor.Heglanced

    upandwinkedather.

    Shedecidedtoshuthermouth,becauseeventhoughsheknewthiswasahorribleidea,itstillmeant

    thattheycouldbetogether.Andrightthen,shewantedtobetogetherwithhimmorethananythingelse.

    Andalsotherereallywasnowhereelsetogo.ThiswasprobablytheleastillegalthingthatElijah

    wouldcomeupwith,soCaelynfiguredshemightaswellacceptit.

    IdontthinkIcanfitthroughthis,Elijahsaid,peeringintothebasementthroughthenarrow

    window.Butyoumightbeableto,hesaid.

    Caelynkneltdown,puttingtheboxfromDunkinDonutsdownonthegroundnexttoher,asshe

    lookedatthewindowmoreclosely.Imightbeabletojustgetthrough,sheagreed,butshealreadyfelt

    claustrophobicattheideaofsqueezingthroughtheopening.WhatifIgetstuck?

    Elijahlaughed.Youwontgetstuck.

    Fine.Sheglancedaroundagain,justtoreassureherselfthatnobodyhadnoticedthemyet.But

    everythingwasstillquiet.

    Shestartedcrawlingforward,thenrealizedhermistakeandturnedaround,slidingherlegsthrough

    thewindowfirst.Herbuttalmostseemedtogetcaught,onlyitwasamomentaryproblem,becauseafter

    shegritherteethandpushed,shepoppedthroughthewindowlikeacorkexplodingfromachampagne

    bottle,droppingtothebasementfloorbelowinaheap.

    Elijahstuckhisheadinside,andhiseyeswerewide.Shit,areyouallright?

    Caelynlookedupathim,andshewaslaughinghysterically.Thatwasfun,sheadmitted.

  • Heshookhishead.Youhadmescaredforasecondthere,kid.

    Shelookeddownandsawblood,realizedthatshedfallenontosomething.Shit,Caelynsaid,

    gettingupandtryingtoseewherethebloodhadcomefrom.Itwasherelbow,whichhadbeensliced

    open.Shelookedaroundandcouldntfindwhatithadbeencuton,butthenshenoticedthattheledge

    insidethewindowwassharpandmadeofconcrete.

    Probablythespeedwithwhichshedfallendownhadcausedherelbowtocatchandsliceonthe

    hardledgeasshewentover.

    Yourebleeding,Elijahsaid.

    Itsnotthatbad,shesaid,butitwaskindofdeepandgross.Theflapofskinnauseatedherand

    shefeltdizzy.

    Comeupstairsandletmeinthebackdoor,okay?heasked.

    Okay,shetoldhim.Hervoiceechoedslightlyintheemptybasement.

    Caelyngrabbedthebottomofhershirtandpulledituptopressagainstherwound,applying

    pressureasshewalkedupstairs.Thehousewasprettybig,anditfeltverystrangealmosthauntedin

    someway.

    Werenotsupposedtobehere,shethought.MaybethatswhyIgotcut.Thehouseistryingto

    warnustostayout.

    Buttherewasnowhereelsetogo.Howmanyplacescouldtheyrunfrom?

    CaelynopenedthebackdoorandElijahwalkedinside.Letmeseethatcut,hetoldher,hiseyes

    displayingrealconcern.Shehissedasheheldherarmandexaminedthebleedingcut.

    Itsokay,shesaid.IjustwishwehadaFirstAidkit.

    Youprobablyshouldgetstitches,Elijahsaid,frowning.Hisfrowndeepenedandhisbrow

    creased.Ishouldnthavemadeyougointhatwindow.

    Youcouldnthavefitin,shetoldhim.Ijustbarelymadeitmyself.

    Hesighed.Comeon,letsseeiftheyleftanysoapinthebathrooms.Theywalkedtothefirstfloor

    bathroomandfoundthattherewasanearlyemptycontainerofliquidsoap.

    Elijahpumpedsomeofthesoapdirectlyontothewound,whichburnedwhenitseepedintothecut.

  • Ouch,shecriedout.Thatreallystings.

    Weneedtocleanit,hesaid.Wedontwantittogetinfected.

    ElijahturnedthewateronandthenhelpedCaelynmaneuverherarmunderthefaucetsothewater

    couldcleansethearea.

    Bloodandwatermixedinthesinkandrandownthedrain.

    Thatsalittlebetter,hesaid.

    Caelynpulledherarmoutofthewaterandreturnedtopressingherbloodstainedshirtagainsther

    elbow.Nowwhat?sheasked.

    Nownowwewait,hesaid.

    Waitforwhat?

    Helookedather.Tomorrow.

    Andwhathappenstomorrow?sheasked,wishingshedjustkepthermouthshut.

    Tomorrowyougohome,hesaidsoftly.

    ***

    Caelynwasstaringoutthesecond-floorwindowfromanemptyroomthathadlikelybeenthe

    masterbedroom.Now,itwasjustalarge,vacantandchillyspacewithanuncomfortablehardwoodfloor

    thatshedbeensittingonforthelastfewhours.

    Elijahhadtriedtotalktoherafewtimesearlierbutshehadntwantedtoengagewithhim.Shewas

    angryandhurtandsadinawaythatshecouldntevenbegintoexplain.Instead,shesatandstaredoutthe

    windowattheroad.

    Nobodywascomingtoseethehouse,sherealized.Eventually,thesunbegansettingandthenwent

    down.Elijahtoldhertheyprobablyshouldntputanylightsonthatcouldbeeasilyseenfromthestreet,

    buthedturnedonthelightsinoneortworoomsthatwerelessrisky.

    Still,itwaslikebeinginahousewiththepowerout.Onlytheydidnthaveanycandles.Or

    furniture.

    Hey,Elijahsaid,startlingher.

    Caelynturnedandsawhisdarkshadowinthedoorway.Youscaredme.

  • Weshouldtalk,hesaid,andthefloorboardscreakedashesteppedinside.Shecouldtellfromhis

    toneofvoicethatthistimehemeantitandwouldntletherbrushhimoffanylonger.

    Idonthaveanythingtosay.Shepursedherlipstightly,feelinglikeapetulantchild,butstill

    unabletochangeherattitude.

    Letsnotwasteourlastfewhourstogetherbeingangry,hesaid,hisvoiceinfuriatinglycalm.

    MaybeIdratherbeangry.

    Elijahcamecloseenoughthatshecouldbegintomakeouthisfeatures.Hesatdownnexttoher.

    Imsureyouwouldratherbeangryrightnow.Itseasierthatway,hesaid.

    Whatsthatsupposedtomean?

    Itmeans,hesaid,reachingoutandputtinghishandonherleg,thatifyoureangrywithme,you

    donthavetodealwithhowsaditistosaygoodbye.

    Caelynpulledherlegawayfromhishand,eventhoughshedidntreallywanttopullaway.Butshe

    wassomad,sofuriousthathewassayingthesethings.Iamangrywithyou,Elijah.Yourethereasonwe

    havetosaygoodbye.WhoelseshouldIblame?

    Maybeyoudonthavetoblameanyone.

    Donttryandtalkyourwayoutofthis,shesaid.

    Imnottalkingmywayoutofanything,Caelyn.

    Youare,shesaid,hervoicecatchinginherthroat.Youretheonegivingup.Imreadytokeep

    fightingforus,andIwonteverstop.Butnowyourequittingonme.

    Imnotquittingonyou.

    Youare.Thisisthedefinitionofquitting.Youreactinglikealoser.

    Hewasquietforamoment.Iknowyouremad,butdontevercallmealoser.

    Shelookeddown,eventhoughshecouldhardlyseehiseyesasitwas.Shecouldfeelhimwatching

    herwithdisappointment.

    Imsorry,shewhispered.Andthenthetearscameandhershouldersshook.

    Elijahleanedinandgrabbedher,wrappinghisarmsaroundherandhugginghertightly.Hekissed

    hertearycheekswithhissoft,warmlips.Iloveyou,hetoldher.Illalwaysloveyounomatterwhat

  • anybodydoesorevenifIneverseeyouagain.

    Dontsaythat!shecried.

    Ihaveto,hetoldher.IfIdie,orIgotojail,oryoumoveonwithyourlifebecauseyoucant

    waitformeanymore

    Thatwonthappen,sheprotested.

    Shhhhehushed.Letmesayit.Justletmesayit,okay?

    Shequieteddown,buthavinghimholdherandloveheratthesametimethathetoldhertheymight

    beapartforeverwasalmosttoomuchtobear.

    Evenifyoumoveonwithyourlife,andhaveahouseandahusbandwiththekidsanddogand

    whitepicketfenceevenifyoudoallthatIwonteverforgetyou.IllloveyoutilthedayIdieand

    beyond.AndIwontblameyoufordoingwhatyouneedtodotobehappy.

    ButIwontbehappyifwerenottogether,Elijah.

    Iknowyoudontthinkyoucanbe,hesaid,rockinghergentlyashespokeintoherear.ButI

    wantyoutopromisemeyoulltry,hetoldher.

    Icant.Ijustcant.Shesobbedsomemore.Theangerhaddrainedfromherbodyandnowshe

    waswrackedwithsorrowbecauseshefelttheendwascoming.

    Weregoingtobeapart,shethought.

    Yourestrongerthanyoucanpossiblyimagine,hesaid,andshecouldhearhissmile.Yourethe

    strongestpersonIveevermet.

    Imnotstrongwithoutyou.

    Yes,youare.AndIknowitbecauseIvegottensomuchofmystrengthfromyou,hesaid.Just

    beingnearyouhasgivenmesomuchstrength,andjustknowingyourealiveinthisworldwillgiveme

    allthestrengthIneedfortherestofmylife.NomatterwhatelsehappensIvehadthistimewithyou,and

    Itreasureit.Illremembereverylittlemomentwevehadfortherestofmydays.

    Hebegankissingher,then,hislipscaressingtheskinofherneck,hercheek,hisfingersdrifting

    alongherface,arms,breasts,touchingherbody,warmingher,relaxingher,creatingtheheatthatwas

    unlikeanythingCaelynhadeverknown.

  • ShemoanedasElijahlaidherbacktothehardwoodfloorandbegankissingherlipswithslow

    burningpassion.

    Astheirlipstouched,andthenhistonguemethers,CaelynssensedopeneduptoElijahinanew

    way,adeeperwaythanwhatshedeverexperiencedwithhiminthepast.Itwasalmostasif,inknowing

    thatthismightbetheirlastnighttogether,shewassuddenlyabletoappreciatehiminanentirelynewway.

    SheletElijahexploreherbody,moaning,herbreathingdeepandfullassheenjoyedhisattention

    withoutanyself-consciousnessorworry.Hereyeshadadjustedmoretothedarkness,andtherewasjust

    enoughlightcominginfromthewindowthatshecouldlookintohiseyesashelookedintohers.

    Gently,heremovedherclothingandthenhisown,continuingtokissandloveherwithexquisite

    softnessashisnakedbodypressedagainsthers.Theirfleshwashot,burningalmost,andthefireshefelt

    ashepresseddeeplyintoherwaslikenothingshedeverimaginedinherwildestdreams.

    Shecriedoutinintensepleasure,andthepleasurewasallthemorepoignantbecauseitwasinfused

    withtheknowledgethatthismightneverhappenagain.

    Everysecondwaspurebliss,andthetimestretchedoutinawaythatmadetheirlovemakingseem

    likeitwasalmostaneternity.

    Hewasinsideherforalongtime,movingslowlyatfirst,stirringher,makinghermoanwithdeep

    pleasure,andthenhewasgoingfasterasheseemedtoinstinctivelysensethatshewasneedingmoreand

    more.

    AndElijahgavehermore,andhisbodywasgracefulandsexualandstrongandeverypartofhim

    wasconnectedtoeverypartofher.

    Shedidntknowanymorewherehestartedandsheended.

    Shedidntcareanymore.

    Andthenthepassionwascresting,andCaelyncriedoutintotalabandon,havingoneorgasmafter

    another.

    Whenitwasover,Elijahstayedthere,caressingherhair,andkissingher.Theirbodieshadcreated

    heatandsweat,andtheystayedconnectedlikethatforalongtime.

    Idontwantyoutoeverleaveme,shesaid,lookingintohisdarkeyes.

  • Illalwaysbehere,justlikethis,hereassuredher.

    Butthenherolledoffandcradledherinhisarms,andCaelynfeltanemptinessopeninsideher

    body,likeacanyon,andsheknewthathewasleavingsoon.Hewasgoingtobegone.

    Elijahfellasleepnotlongafter,butCaelynwasntableto.Shesatupandlookedoutthewindow,

    havingheardsomepeoplesvoices.Sherealizeditwascomingfromthehouserightnextdoor.

    Therewasafamilycarryingshoppingbagsintothehousetogether.Afather,amother,ateenagegirl

    andanotherlittlegirlwhocouldnthavebeenmorethanfourorfiveyearsold.

    Watchingthem,Caelynsensedthattheyweretrulyahappyfamily,whichseemedraresomehow

    andbeautifulinaway.Shecouldnthearexactlywhattheyweresaying,butshewatchedthewaythey

    interacted.Thewaytheparentsweresogentlewiththetoddler,andthewaytheteenagerlaughedand

    seemedhappytobewithhermotherandfather,insteadofannoyedandsulkylikemostteens.

    Shecouldheartheirlaughter,butnotmuchelse.Thelaughterfloatedintotheroom,faintly,and

    Caelynschestgrewtightwithemotion.Shedidntknowwhatitwasatfirst.

    Forasplitsecond,sheactuallythoughtthatmaybeshewasmissinghermotherandfatherandsister.

    Butthatmadenosenseatall,andCaelynrealizedafterashortmomentthatshewasntmissingherfamily

    atall.

    ShewasmissingthefamilythatsheandElijahmighthavehadtogether.

    Westillcould,asmallvoicesaid.

    Wecouldstillhavechildrensomeday,afamily,ahousejustlikethatone.Wecouldlaugh

    togetherandplayandourkidswouldbesoloved.Whynot?

    Butsheknewwhynot.

    Becausewellneverbemarriedlikethatcouplenextdoor.Theyrenormal,andtheydonthave

    parentswhohatethehusbandorasisterwhotriedtoframehimforacrime.Theydonthavepolice

    chasingthemeverywheretheygo.

    Wecantbelikethembecausewerenevergoingtobeallowedtohavethislove,tojustbelike

    everyoneelse.

    Caelynfelttheemptinessofhersituation,thehopelessnessofit,likeapunchtothestomach.The

  • laughterfromthefamilynextdoorhadfadedtonothing,andnowtheyweregonetheydalldisappeared

    intotheirhouse.

    CaelynliedbackdownnexttoElijahonthehardwoodfloorandtriedtoimaginewhatthatfamily

    wasdoingnow.

    Sheclosedhereyesandpicturedthemotherandfatherhuggingandsmilingatoneanother.

    Caelynsighed,smilingalongwiththem.

    Andthenshedriftedintoasleepthatwasplaguedbystrange,impenetrabledreamswhereshewas

    chasedbyfacelesscreatureswithmisshapedbodies.Shescreamedandranandran,butwherevershe

    went,thecreaturesfoundher,asiftheycouldsmellher.

    Finally,oneofthefacelesscreaturescaughther,corneredherinthedeadendofsomewretched

    maze,andpinnedheragainstawall.Itshandwascoldandtheskinwasgreen,smelly,likesomething

    deadandblackened.

    Caelyntriedtoscreambutnowhervoicewouldntwork.Thatthingwassqueezingherthroat

    closedasitchokedher.

    Itsmiledatherwithadroopinggrin,itsdeadfisheyesstaringatherasitsblack,stringyhair

    swunginfrontofitsface.Andthen,justwhenitseemedlikethenightmarecouldntgetanyworse,the

    disgustingcreatureshoveditsfingersintohermouth.

    Theytastedlikeblackdeath,likeburningsmokeandrottingmeatandashes.

    Ashes.Therewereashesinhermouth.

    Caelyn!Itcroaked,onlynowthecroakwassomethingelse.Itwassomeoneelse.Wakeup!the

    monstersaid,onlyitwasntamonster.Itwas

    Suddenlyshewokeup,hereyessnappingopenasshesatup,blinkingandconfused.

    Elijahwasstandingup,staringoutthewindow.Theresafire,hesaid,hisvoicestrangelycalm.

    Itwasntjustsometinyfire,Caelynrealized,asshelookedoutthewindowandsawthatthehouse

    nextdoorwasblazing,andflameswerecomingoutthewindows.Blacksmokepouredintothesky,

    billowingout,andactuallysomeofitwasseepingintotheirroom,too.

    Elijah,shegasped,grabbinghisarm.Elijah,ohmyGod.

  • Helookeddownatheruncomprehendingly.What?Whatisit?

    Theresafamilyinthere,shesaid.

    Areyousure?

    Maybetheyleftbynow,shesaid.Theymusthave.

    Elijahstartedforthedoorway.Comeon,hesaid,andshecouldhearhimturningthescanneron

    ashemadehiswaydownstairs.

    Elijah,shesaid,hurryingtokeepupwithhim.Weneedtogetoutofhere!

    Elijahwasoutthefrontdoor,stridingquickly.Caelyncaughtuptohimintimetoseethefireblazing

    upclosenow,andtheneighborswereallcomingoutoftheirhomestoseeit.

    Elijahlookedatallofthem,andCaelynfollowedhisgaze.Theneighbors,maybeeightortenof

    themsofar,werehypnotizedbythefire.Theirfaceswerebathedinorangeandyellowlightasthey

    stared,transfixed.

    Theywereyelling,callingout,tellingoneanotherthatthefamilymusthavebeentrappedinside.

    Elijahwalkedclosertothefrontyard,staringattheblazinghouseashewent,andCaelyngrabbed

    hisarmagain.Wehavetogo,shetoldhim.

    Didntyouhearwhattheysaid?Thefamilysinside,hereplied.

    Wecanthelpthem.Thefiresalreadyhuge,shesaid.Andthepoliceandfiredepartmentwill

    beheresoon.Ifwestay

    Idontcare,hereplied,lookingherintheeye.Imnotgoingtostandhereandletthemburn.

    Elijah,no!shecalledout.

    Elijahpushedthescannerintoherhands.IfImnotoutandyouhearthepolicegettingclose,take

    off.Okay?

    Dontgointhere!shescreamed,buthewaslikeapossessedperson.

    Hestartedupthefrontlawnandabig,burlyguygotinhisway,shakinghishead.Dontbeahero,

    theguytoldhim.Thishouseisalreadytoast,andifyougointhere,youwillbetoo.

    Soyouregoingtoletthatfamilydie?

    Theyrealreadydead,theguytoldhim.

  • Howdoyouknow?

    Thebigmansgazefaltered.Well,lookatit,hesaid.Itslikeanuclearbombwentoff.Butthe

    mannolongerseemedassureofhimselfasElijahglaredathim.

    Youdontknow,Elijahtoldhim.Someonemightstillbealiveinthere.Nowyoudonthaveto

    helpme,butifyoudontgetoutofmyway,Illneedtomakeyoustepaside.Elijahballedhisfists.

    Theburlymantookasteportwoback,holdinghishandsup.Hey,itsyourfuneralpal.

    AndthenElijahwasrunning,andhewasthrowingthefrontdooropen.Hebackedawayfromthe

    doormomentarilyassmokepouredoutofit.

    Caelynshriekedforhimnottogoinside,buthedidntacknowledgeher.Maybehecouldnthearher

    overthenoisefromthefire.

    ThecrowdgaspedcollectivelyasElijahboltedinsidetheburninghome.

    Caelynclosedhereyestightly,wishingherselfawayfromthescene.Ifonlyitcouldhavebeena

    dream,shethought.Abaddream,onethatshewouldwakeupfrominElijahsarms.

    Theneighborsweretalkingandshoutingasthehousecontinuedtoburn.

    Manyofthemwereonphonesand911hadbeencalledrepeatedly.Therewerestillnocopsorfire

    enginesinsight,andnothingapproaching.Somepeoplewerediscussingthefactthattherewasavery

    smallskeletoncrewonthistimeofnight,andthattheywouldpossiblyneedtocallinauthoritiesfrom

    neighboringtowns.

    Caelynbackedawayfromthehouseandtheneighborsandputthescanneruptohereartolisten.

    Therewereburstsofcommunication,lotsofjargon,andshethoughtshecaughtamentionofthefire.But

    asthesecondsdraggedintominutes,allshecoulddowaswaitandpray.

    Thefirewasburningsohotandsobrightthatithurttolookatit,andthesmokewasmakingithard

    tobreathe,evenfromyardsaway.

    Hecantsurviveinthere.

    Thethoughtlefthercold.

    Sheevenheardtheotheronlookerssayingthatthecrazykidwhoraninside,tryingtoplaythe

    hero,waslikelyalostcause.

  • Anoldwomanshookherheadsadly.Somepeople,shesaidratherloudly,havemorebravery

    thangoodcommonsense.

    Caelynwantedtoscreamather,tellallofthemthatElijahwastentimesthepersontheywouldever

    be.Butshecouldntbringherselftodoanythingmorethanstandthere,nobetterthantherestofthem.

    Andthen,justasshewastrulystartingtogiveuphope,Elijahemergedoutofthefrontdoor

    carryingsomething.Hewascoveredinsoot,likesomethingoutofabadmovie,andhewascoughingand

    stumblingalittle.

    Theneighborssurgedtohim,takingthetoddlerfromhisarms.

    Caelynrantohimastheonlookersbegantryingtoattendtothechild.

    Elijah,shesaid,grabbinghishand.Areyouokay?

    Hecoughedsomemoreandnodded.Wherearethecops?heasked.

    Noonescomeyet.Peoplearesayingtheydonthaveanavailablecrewintownatthistimeof

    night,soitsgoingtotakelongerforhelptoarrive.

    Ivegottogobackinside,Elijahtoldher.

    Theburlymancameoveragain.Listenkid,youreagoddamnhero,seriously.ButIcantletyou

    gobackinthatfuckinghouse.Itsadeathtrap.

    Elijahlookedathim.Imgoingbackin,hesaid.Ihaveto.Theresmorepeople.Iheardthem

    screamingforhelp.

    Caelynbitbacktearsandprotests,knowingitwouldntdoanygood.Elijahwasdetermined.

    Iloveyousomuch,shetoldhim.Nomatterwhathappens,rememberthat,okay?

    Elijahlookedatherandsmiled,andsomehowheseemedmorecarefree,morerelaxedthanshed

    everseenhim.Hey,Imgoingtobefine.Imgoddamninvincible,kid.

    Andthenhewasrunningintothehouseagain.

    Thelittlegirlwascrying.Caelynwentoverandsawthatshehadvomitedupsomeblacklooking

    chunksonthegrassandsomeoftheolderwomenweretryingtosootheher.

    Iwantmymommy,shescreeched.Iwantmommy.

    Mommyscoming,someonetoldher.Anicemanisgoingtogether.

  • Caelynhuggedherself,lookingatthehouse.Everyminutethatwentby,theflamesgrew.Piecesof

    thehousewerestartingtofalloffinlarge,frighteningchunks.Theroofwasbeginningtocavein.

    Occasionally,therewereloud,explosivesoundsthatcamefrominside.

    Hecantsurviveanotherminuteinthere,Caelynthought.Shewassqueezingthescannersohard

    thatshethoughtitmightshatterinherhands.

    Atthispoint,shedidntevenmindifElijahwascaughtandwenttojail.Jailwouldbesomething

    shecouldvisithim.

    Illvisithimforever,andIllbegratefultodoit.IllbehappyjusttoseeElijahsface,hearhis

    voice,seehimsmile.PleaseGod,lethimlive.Justlethimlive.

    Likeananswertoherprayer,Elijahcameoutofthehouseagain,thistimehewashelpingtwo

    peoplehobbleoutofthefrontdoor.Theyweresoburntandblackenedthatitwashardtotellwhowas

    who.

    ItsTomandLinda,someonecried,andthentheexpandedgroupofneighborsrushedoverand

    swarmedaroundthem,tryingtohelp.

    CaelyncouldhardlygettoElijah.Peopleweretouchinghim,thankinghim,crying,babbling.

    Itwasasifhedtransformedintosomethingotherworldly,andpeoplehadgonefromthinkinghe

    wasinsane,tobelievinghewasacomicbookhero.

    Theygavehimsomewater,whichhedrankdownasCaelyngrabbedhisarm.Promisemeits

    over,shesaid.Yourenotgoingbackinside.

    Theolderdaughtersstillinside,Elijahsaid.

    Elijah,theroofiscavingin.Yousavedthreepeopleslives.Dontkillyourself,please.Caelyn

    realizedshewouldbeghimifthatswhatittook.Please,please.Dontgobackin.Ihavethemost

    terriblefeelingthatyouregoingtodie.

    Elijahtookthebottleofwater,lifteditupandpouredwateroverhisface.

    Shecouldseehewashorriblyburnedonhisforeheadandcheekandneck.Elijah,yourehurt.

    Otherswereclawingathim,too,tellinghimtostop.

    ButallhedidwasleaninandkissCaelynscheek.Iloveyouandonlyyou.Rememberthat.

  • Thenhewaspushingpasteveryoneandrunninginside.Therewasnowayhecouldmakeitbackout

    again,Caelynthought.Shecouldfeeltheheatfromthehouseallthewaybackatthetopofthedriveway.

    Gettingclosewaspainful,andshecouldseetheflameslickingthedoorway.Thefrontdoorwascharred

    andblackenedandbeginningtofalloffitshinges.

    Atthatmoment,thefirstpolicecarsandfiretrucksarrived,alongwithanambulance.

    Whentheypulledup,thecopsimmediatelyforcedalloftheneighborsbacktotheothersideofthe

    street,includingCaelyn.

    Shetriedtotelloneofthepolicemanthatherboyfriendwasinsidetheburninghouse.

    Welldoourbesttogethimoutsafely,thecopsaid,buthewashardlyevenlookingather.They

    hadahugefireontheirhandsandseemedalmostconfusedbywheretostart.

    TheEMTshadbeguntryingtodealwiththesurvivingvictims.

    Themotherandfatherwereconscious,butnotdoingverywell.Themother,inparticular,seemed

    likeshewashavingtroublebreathing.Theyputanoxygenmaskoverherface.

    Herhusbandwasbadlyburnedonhischestandarms,andtheydcuthisshirtoffinorderto

    immediatelybegintreatingthewounds.

    Morepoliceandfiretrucksarrivedonthescene.

    Astheminutescontinuedtopass,Caelynbegantogetthesick,sinkingsensationthatElijahhad

    finallygonebackintothehouseonetoomanytimes.

    Shefeltangrierandangrierasshewatchedthefiremanfighttheflameswiththeirgigantichoses,

    sprayingtheupperwindowsandintothefrontdoor.

    Whydidhehavetokeepgoingbackinside?Wassavingthreepeoplenotenoughforhim?Wasnt

    Caelynenoughofareasontotryandsurviveanotherday?

    Sheknewthathedbeenbrave,buttheachingpainreverberatinginhersoultoldherthathis

    braverywouldnothelphertogetoverthepainoflosingheronetruelove.

    Andthefiremenweretakingforevertoenterthehousethemselves.Shedheardtheneighbors

    desperatelytryingtotellthemthatElijahandtheteenagedaughterwereinside,andthepoliceandfiremen

    justkeptrepeatingthephrasesthattheyweredoingtheirbestandtheydeventuallygetin,onceitwas

  • safertodoso.

    Aboutsixorsevenofthemwereactuallyapproachingthefrontdoorofthehousewhenthe

    unthinkablehappened.

    Theroof,whichhadbeenblackenedandsmokingandlookingprogressivelyweakened,suddenly

    crashedinward,collapsinglikenothingmorethanacharredpieceofpaper.

    Halfofthehousewasdemolishedintheblinkofaneye.

    Ahorrifiedwailwentupfromapersonneartheambulance,andCaelynlookedovertoseethatit

    wasthemother.No!shecriedout,throwingoffheroxygenmaskandtryingtofightthroughtheEMTs

    andpoliceasifwantingtogoinsidethehouseherself.

    ThewhispersandconversationtoldCaelynthatherworstfearswererealized.Thedaughtersroom

    wasonthatsecondfloor,theonethathadbeenwipedoutwhentheroofcavedin.

    WhatwerethechancesthatElijahhadntbeenupthere,tryingtoextricatethegirlwhentheroof

    collapsed?Caelynwondered.

    Thatsifhedevengottenthatfar.

    Thecrumblingofthestructurehadmadetheauthoritiesevenmorecautiousaboutenteringthehouse.

    Theycontinuedtofighttheflameswithhoses.

    Caelynmadeherwayovertotheambulance,wherethehusbandwasarguingwithapolicemanas

    hetriedtocomforthissobbingwife.Someoneneedstogointhere,thehusbandsaid.

    Listen,itstoodangerousrightnow,thecoptoldhim.Ifourmenhadbeeninsidewhenthatroof

    wentdown,yourdaughterwouldntbeanysaferandallwedhaveisabunchmorevictims.

    Shesgoingtodieifnobodytries,thehusbandsaid,holdinghiswifewithonearm.Cantyouat

    leasttry?

    Look,weredoingourverybestandIcanpromiseyou

    Suddenly,therewasarushofscreamsandcriesfromonlookers.Everyoneturnedtoseewhatwas

    goingon.

    Someonescomingout!Caelynheard.

    Ohmygod!anotherpersoncried.

  • Caelynsawthatsomehow,unbelievably,Elijahhadreemergedfromthefrontdoorofthehouse,

    literallycarryingthedaughterslifelessbodyoverhisshoulders.

    Hecollapsedtothegroundandthenthecopsandfiremenwerealloverthem,andpandemonium

    ensued.

    Instantly,therewerepeoplesurroundinghimpoliceofficers,firemen,EMTs,andnowthe

    neighborswerecrowdingcloseraswell.Theyallwantedtogetclosetotheaction,wantedtoknowifthe

    girlwasalive,andeveryonewastalkingabouttheherowhodgoneintotheburninghomethreetimesto

    savethepeopletrappedinside.

    CaelyntriedtopushthroughthethrongsofpeopletogettoElijah,butitwasnearlyimpossible.

    Thefirefighterswerestillfightingtheblaze,andcopsweretryingvigorouslytopushthecrowd

    back.

    Morepeoplewereshowingup,andevenanewscrewhadarrivedonscenewithcamerasand

    reporters.

    Excuseme,Imhisgirlfriend,Caelynpracticallyyelled,asshepushedandmaneuveredherway

    aroundtheonlookers.

    Anofficertriedtostopherfromgettingcloser.Excuseme,youneedtostayback,hetoldher.

    Thatsmyboyfriend,shesaid,tryingtocranehernecktoseeifElijahwasokay.Shewasclose

    enoughtogetaglimpseofhimnow,butshecouldonlyseeabitofElijahsarm,astherewasahuddleof

    peopletendingtohimandthegirlhedcarriedoutofthehouse.

    Whosyourboyfriend,maam?thecopasked.

    Him,shesaid,pointing.Theonewhosavedthosepeople.Ineedtofindoutifhesokay.

    ThecoplookedoverhisshoulderandthenbackatCaelyn,beforepullingtheradioattachedtohis

    shirtandspeakingintothereceiver.

    Shecouldnthearwhathemutteredintoit.Helookedatheragain.Whatsyourname,maam?

    Caelynhesitated.

    Whentheofficersawthat,herolledhiseyes.Pleasestepback,pleasestepback

    MynameisCaelyn.

  • Thecopstaredather,notimpressed.Okay.Istillneedyoutomovebackacrossthestreet,Caelyn.

    Itsnotsafethisclosetothefire.

    Look,ImhisgirlfriendandImnotgoinganywhereuntilyouletmeseehimandknowifhesall

    right.

    Thecopsighed.Comeon,hesaid,usheringherquicklytowheretheparamedicswereworking

    onElijah.

    Sheputherhandsoverhermouthwhenshesawhimlyingontheground,half-conscious,hisface

    blackenedfromsmokeandash,hisshirtbeingcutoffhistorsobecauseofthefactthatithadburneditself

    intohisskinfromtheheat.

    Ishegoingtobeallright?shesaid,tryingtocontrolthepanicrisinginherchest.

    OneoftheEMTsturnedandlookedupatherashetriedtogetanoxygenmasksetupforElijah.

    Excuseme,weneedthissceneclear.Wecanthavethisrightnow.

    Shesayssheshisgirlfriend.

    Iamhisgirlfriend,Caelyncorrectedhim.Imnotlyingaboutit.

    Elijahliftedhishead,openedhiseyesandlookedather.Heykid,hesaid,hisvoicerasping.He

    grinnedather.

    Youneedtoliedownandbequiet,sir,theEMTtoldhim.

    Thecopturnedtoherandnowhisfacewasmoreconcerned.Wereyouinthehouseatall?he

    askedher,lookingheroverclosely.Areyouhurtinanyway?

    No,Ineverwentinside.Iwasoutsidewitheveryoneelse.

    Thecopescortedherawayfromthecrowdslightly.Yourboyfrienddidsomethingverycourageous

    tonight,ifwhatpeopletellmeistrue.Theysayhewentintothatburninghouseandrescuedthree

    individuals.

    Four,Caelyncorrectedhim.

    Four?Theofficerseyeswidened.

    Yeah.Imean,heonlywentinthreetimes,buthesavedfourpeoplethemotherandfather,the

    littlegirlandtheolderdaughter.Isshegoingtolive?

  • Listen,Idontknow.Imjusttryingtokeepthiscrowdundercontrol.Theofficersmiledather.

    Butyoubettergetready,becausehesprobablygoingtobefamousaftertonight.

    Famous?Caelynasked,astrangeanxiousnesscreepingintoherbody.

    WhatthisguydidislikenothingIeverheardof,nothingIeverseen.Theysaysomeonetookvideo

    ofit.HesgonnabeonYouTubeandthenprobablyhalfthefreeworldwillhaveseenit.Youmarkmy

    wordsbytomorrowafternoon,millionsofpeoplearegoingtoknowhisname.

    Shit,Caelynsaid.

    Shitisright,thecoplaughed.

    Caelynthoughtthatthecopwouldntbelaughingifhedunderstoodwhyshewassostunned.After

    all,thelastthingonearththatElijahneededrightnowwasformillionsofpeopletofindouthisnameand

    knowthathewaswantedbythepoliceforescapingfromprison.

    ***

    CaelynhadtowaitaverylongtimebeforeshewasabletofinallyseeElijahagain.

    Infact,hewassleepingwhentheyfinallyallowedCaelynintohishospitalroom.Shewalkedin

    slowly,andanursewhowascheckinghisIVturnedandgaveherastrangelook.

    DotheyallknowwhoIam?Caelynwondered,anddecidedthatyes,theyprobablydid.

    Apoliceofficerwassittinginachairjustinsidethedoor,andhenoddedatCaelyn.

    Shetookadeepbreathandletitout.

    Thenursewasleavingtheroom,andCaelynstoppedher.Hey,shesaid,softly.Howishe?

    Hesgotafewseriousthirddegreeandseconddegreeburns,shesaid.Healsosufferedfrom

    smokeinhalation,sowevebeengivinghimoxygenperiodically.Hesrespondedwell.

    Buthesgoingtobeokay,right?Caelynasked,herfingerstwistingagainsteachotherasshe

    askedthequestion.

    Thenursemadeastrainedsmile.Imsorry,Icantgiveanykindofprognosis.Imjustanurse,

    youdneedtospeakwithhisdoctor.

    Okay.Well,thanksanyway,Caelyntoldher.

    Thenurselookedawayandthenwalkedoutoftheroom.

  • CaelynwentandpulledachairclosetoElijahsbedsideandthensatdownasneartohimasshe

    couldget.

    Closeup,shecouldseetheburns,althoughhewasbandagedoverhischestandshoulders.Someof

    thelesserburnswereslickwithointmentandhadntbeenbandagedorcoveredinanyway.Theywere

    redandrawlooking.

    Hishandswereblistered,andhissheetshadspotsofbloodfromalloftheopensoresthatwere

    bleedinganddraining.

    ShecouldbarelystandtothinkofhowmuchpainElijahwasin,althoughhedidlookpeaceful

    enough.Hiseyeswereclosed,hismouthslightlyopen,andhischestroseandfellrhythmicallyand

    deeply.

    Iloveyou,shewhispered.

    Hiseyelidsflutteredbutremainedclosed.Partofherwashopinghedwakeupsoshecouldtalkto

    himandmakesurehewasallright,butanotherpartofherjustwantedhimtobeatpeace.

    Hedlikelybeinprofounddiscomfortifhewasawake,sosheoptedtojustsitbesidehimand

    watchhimsleep.

    Youtwoareluckytobealive,theofficersaidfromhisseatbythedoor.

    Caelynturnedandlookedathim.Iknow,shesaid.

    Theofficerwasolder,withaclean-shavenface,palefreckledskin,andlightgreeneyes.Hehad

    bagsunderhiseyes,andapaunchystomachthatthreatenedtopopthezipperonhisjacket.Youknow

    hesgoingtogotojail,right?thecopsaid,examininghisfingernailsashetalked.

    Caelynhatedthefactthattheofficerhadtobeintheroomwiththem.Ireallywishyouwould

    leave.YoudounderstandthatElijahcouldntpossiblygoanywhereinhiscondition,shetoldhim.

    Notverylikelyhesgoingtojumpoutthewindow,thecopagreed,stilllookingathiscuticles.

    ThenwhyareyouguardinghimlikehesHannibalLector?

    Thecoplaughedatthat.Heglancedupather.Itsjustaprecaution,hesaid,hissmilefadingashe

    lookedather.Andyoureluckytheyhaventarrestedyouyetforaidingandabetting,obstructionof

    justice,breakingandenteringshit,maybetheystillwillarrestyou.

  • Maybetheywill,Caelynsaid.Sheglaredathim,notafraidofhisopinionsorjudgments.Shed

    alreadygivenherstatementtothreeorfourdifferentpoliceofficersandshedbeencompletelyhonest

    abouteverything.

    Iftheywantedtoarresther,theywerewelcometodoit.

    Sofar,theyhadntquiteseemedtoknowwhattodowithher.Therewassomuchchaoswiththe

    fireandElijahsheroics,andpeopleweredumbfoundedthatthisherowasalsoaconvictedcriminalon

    therunfromthelaw.

    Fornow,itwasawaitinggame.Shedbeentoldtostayinthehospitalwhilethepoliceawaited

    responsefromtheauthoritiesinMassachusetts.

    Andthatwasjustfinewithher,asCaelynwantednothingmorethantobewithElijahandmakesure

    thathewasgoingtorecoverfromhisinjuries.

    Thecopquieteddown.

    CaelynsatandwatchedElijahsleepforthenexthourorso.

    Hebeganstirring,moaningabitinhissleep,hiseyelidsflutteringashiseyesmovedfromsideto

    sidemaybehewasdreaming,Caelynthought.Andthenhestartledawake,andhewasbreathingfast,his

    eyesopenwide,staringintohers.

    Caelyn,hegasped.Oh,shit,Caelyn.Ihadadreamthatyouwerestuckinthathouse,hesaid,

    histhroatgravelly,hisvoicelowandstrained.

    Shhh.Shewhispered,gettingoffherchairandleaningclosertohim.Donthurtyourselftrying

    totalk.

    Helaidhisheadbackonthepillowandblinkeduncertainly.Fuck,itwassoreal,hesaid,asif

    amazed.Idgotteneveryoneoutofthehouse,andIfeltlikeIwasabouttodropdeadmyself.ButthenI

    lookedupandsawyouinthesecondfloorwindow,poundingagainsttheglassandyelling,screamingfor

    help.Helickedhislips.ThankGodyoureokay.ThankGod.

    Everythingsfine,shesoothed.

    Nowhelookedathermoreclosely.Iseverythingfine?Didtheothersaretheyallright?Did

    everyonelive?

  • Imnotsure,shetoldhim.Nobodytellsmeanything.

    Nowtheofficerspokeupagainfromhisseat.LastIheard,theyreallinstablecondition.

    Eventheolderdaughter?Elijahsaid.

    Thecopgotupandwalkedover.Yeah,evenher.

    Elijahexhaledandsmiled.Good,hesaid.Thatsreallygood.

    ItdontmatterthatyoutriedtoplaySuperman,youknow,thecoptoldhim,foldinghisarmsand

    smirking.Yourestillgoingbackinthecan.

    Elijahgavethecopasidelongglance.Isthatsupposedtoscaremeorsomething?

    Youweretryingprettyhardtoavoidbeinginjail,soIguessitdoesscareyou.Yeah,Ithinkyoure

    scaredshitlesstogoback,butyouregoingback.

    Couldyoujustleavehimalone?Caelynsaid,lookingatthecop,herjawclenchedwithrage.

    Hessick.Hesburned.Whyareyoutryingtogethimupset?Isthatwhatyoudoforkicks?

    Relax,kid,Elijahsaid,touchinghershouldersoftlywithjustthetipsofhisfingers.Dontletit

    gettoyou.

    Youresupposedtoberecovering,notlisteningtothreatsfromaninsecurelittlemanwhothinks

    hestoughbecauseheswearingauniform.

    Thecopgrinned.Imjusttellinghimthetruth.Idontwanthimtothinkhegotawaywithanything.

    Youcantheroyourwayoutofthecrimesyoucommitted,son.

    Elijahchuckled.IllrememberthatnexttimeIthinkaboutjumpingintoaburninghouse.

    Caelynwasstillglaringatthecop.Whydoyouevencare?AreyoujealousthatElijahhasmore

    couragethanyou?Becauseyouneverwouldvesavedthosepeopleifyoudbeeninhisposition.

    Thecopssmilefadedandhelookedatheroncemore.Hesavedthosepeopletosavehisownass.

    Dontthinkyouregoingtofoolanybody.

    Elijahalmostdied.WecouldveleftIwantedtoleave.Itriedtomakehimrunawaywithme,but

    herefused.Soyouhavenoideawhatyoureeventalkingabout.

    Sure,thatsthetruth.Thecoprolledhiseyes.Hewentfrombeingacareercriminaltoaselfless

    heroandImsupposedtobelieveitsbecausehesreallygotaheartofgold?

  • Caelynwasabouttostandupandreallyscreamatthisidiot.

    Butbeforeshecould,Elijahsaid,Hesright.

    Thecopevenlookedsurprised.

    Hesnotright,Caelynreplied.

    Actually,Elijahsaid,coughingweakly,heisright.Imnotagoodguy.Imnotagoodperson.

    AndIshouldgotojailforthethingsIvedoneinmylife.IhaveadebttorepayandIplantorepayit.

    Caelynjuststaredathim,shockedatwhatshewashearing.YourethebestpersonIknow,Elijah.

    DoesntchangethefactthatIvestolen,Ivehurtpeople,Ivedonealotofbadthingsinmylife.

    AndwhenIwasinthathousetryingtosavethosepeople,Irealizedhowuselesssomuchofmytimehas

    been.WhatIdidtonight,somepeoplespendeverydayoftheirlivesdoing.Theyprotectpeople.Likethis

    officer,here,hesaid,gesturingtothecop.Hesspentyearsdoinghisjob,gettingshitfrompeoplelike

    me,andthenhessupposedtoconsidermeaherobecausefortwentyminutesIdidtherightthing?

    ElijahbegancoughingandCaelynbegansearchingforsomethingtohelphim.Heneedswater,

    shesaid.

    Thecopgrabbedaplasticcupandwenttothebathroom,filleditinthesink,andcamebackquickly,

    handingitdirectlytoElijah.Youneedtotalklessandsleepmore,hesaid,andthecopsvoicesounded

    distinctlylesssarcasticnow.

    Elijahgratefullydrankthewater,anditstreameddownhischin.Thankyou,hewhispered.

    Thatsmyjob,thecopsaid,andthistimehesmiledandElijahsmiledbackathim,nodding.

    ElijahturnedhisheadtoCaelyn.Imgonnasleepnow,okaykid?

    Yeah,yousleep.Yourest.

    Iloveyou,hetoldher,hiseyesalreadyclosing.

    Iloveyoutoo,shesaid.

    TheofficerscratchedthebackofhisneckandsquinteddownatElijah.MaybeIwasalittlehard

    onhim,hesaidsoftly.

    Caelynshrugged.Itsokay,shesaid.Heunderstands.

    Yeah,Ithinkhereallyjustmight,theofficerreplied,andthenhewalkedbacktohischairandsat

  • down,seeminglylostinhisownthoughts.

    ***

    CaelynsleptthatnightatthehospitalonacouchintheEmergencywaitingroom.Shewasso

    completelyexhaustedthatsheactuallypassedoutandsleptstraightthroughuntildawn,openinghereyes

    asthesunbeganfilteringthroughthewindowandthefirstshiftofemployeesandpatientsbeganstreaming

    insidetheentryway.

    Peopleglancedcuriouslyatherasshesatupandrubbedhereyes,yawning.

    Doctorsandnurseswiththeircoffeecups,wearingtheirhospitaluniforms,madelightconversation

    astheymadetheirwayinside.

    CaelynthoughtimmediatelyofElijah.Ifshecouldvestayedinhisroomallnightlong,shewould

    have,butitwasntallowed.Theydkickedheroutjustbeforenineoclocklastnightandshedspentthe

    nextfewhourssittinginthelobbybeforefinallygoingunconsciousfromexhaustion.

    Nowshefeltbetter,althoughshemostdefinitelyneededashower.Maybeshedbeabletousethe

    oneinElijahsbathroominthenextlittlewhile.

    Thetelevisionsetinthewaitingroomwasplayingthemorningnews,andCaelynbecameslowly

    awarethattheywerecoveringthefirefromthepreviousnight,assheglancedupandsawthemcutfrom

    ananchormantothesceneofthehousewithsmokepouringoutofit.

    Thisisfootagethatwasshotfromabystander,theanchormansaid,astheshotpannedinand

    showedElijahemergingfromthehouse,carryingtheteenagegirlonhisback.Ayoungmanheroically

    enteredtheburninghousethreetimesinattemptstosavethetrappedfamilymemberswhowereasleep

    whenthefirestarted.

    Thetelevisionsetcutbacktotheanchordesk,whereamanandawomanwereshakingtheirheads.

    Soisthereanywordontheconditionofthepeoplethatweretrappedinside?thefemaleanchor

    asked.

    Allfourfamilymembersarelistedinstablecondition,themanreplied.Itsamiracle.

    Andtheyoungmanwhoriskedhislifetosavethem?

    Well,Tina,thatswherethisstorytakesaverystrangeturn.Apparently,theyoungmaninquestion

  • isElijahDaniels,fromBostonMassachusetts.Theanchormanshuffledsomepapersandsighed.And

    wevebeentoldthatatthetimeofthefire,MisterDanielswasthesubjectofastatewidemanhunt.

    Theanchorwomanclearedherthroatandraisedhereyebrows.Sothisherowasalsoacriminal,

    andhewaswantedintwostates?

    Yes,thatstheofficialstoryweregettingatthistime.

    Isthereconcernthathemayhavestartedthefire?

    Tina,wedonthaveanymoreinformationrightnow.AllweknowisthatElijahDanielsisin

    policecustodyandcurrentlybeingtreatedforinjurieshereceivedasaresultofthefire.

    Thatisonestrangestory,thewomansaid,chuckling.

    Itis,andIforone,hopethatthisyoungmanwastryingtosincerelydosomethinggoodandnot

    involvedinanythingsinister.

    ThechannelcuttoacommercialandCaelynwasleftwonderingjustwhatelsecouldgowrong.

    NowthepeopleonthenewswerespeculatingthatElijahhadpurposelystartedthefireforwhatreason?

    Justsohecouldthenbreakinandriskhislifetosavethatfamily?

    Itdidntmakeanysense.

    Butsheknewfrompastexperiencethatitdidnthavetomakeanysense.Peoplewouldmake

    assumptionsbasedontheirownbeliefsandwhattheywantedtobetrue.Nobodycaredwhathadreally

    happened.Alltheycaredaboutwasjustifyingtheirownridiculoustheoriesaboutthingsthatoccurredin

    life.

    Shegotoffthecouchinabadmood,thinkingthatperhapsshedt