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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
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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
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