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