Page 78 of Boys Who Hunt
“Whatever. If this comes back to bite us, you’re gonna take care of it.” Silas points at Max.
Max puts his hand against his head like a military soldier and salutes him, making me grin.
“It’s settled then,” I say. “Now help us put the body in the trunk.”
Ivy
Twenty minuteslater
I closethe door to my apartment and turn all the locks, clutching the wood while breathing wildly. I just saw them murder a man in cold blood.
Jesus, I looked them dead in the eyes.
Even with those masks, I instantly knew it was them. But did Silas and Heath recognize me?
Will Max keep his word?
I suck in a breath through my nose and head to the windows, checking every corner of the street despite it being pitch black outside. I need to know if they followed me. If there’s even an inkling of danger out there, I’m grabbing the kitchen knives and the gun I have hidden in a safe box on top of my closet where Cora can’t reach.
My heart races a million miles an hour as I check every window for their car, but there’s no sign of them anywhere.
Did I get away safely?
It almost feels too good to be true.
“Mrppp.”
Bagel brushes up against my legs, and I pick him up and pet him. He always manages to calm my nerves. “I love you too, Bagel.”
I put him back down, check on Cora, and breathe a sigh of relief. She’s still sleeping and safe as can be. I take off my hoodie and put on my white tee and a fresh pair of undies before I crawl in bed too, hugging her tightly. She curls up to me and mumbles a little in her sleep, and it makes me smile.
We’re safe for now.
One yearago
Leaning back in my seat,I take a sip of my Coke while staring at the piece of cake on the plate in front of me. It must taste delicious, I’m sure, but if I take a bite, that means the cake will eventually be finished, along with this day.
I don’t want it to end.
“It’s so delicious,” Mom mumbles, taking a small bite out of her cake, like she’s afraid someone will say something about it if she takes a bigger bite.
She tucks her hair behind her ear, the green mark on her face visible for just a second before she readjusts her shades.
“Aren’t you going to take a bite?” she asks.
I put down my Coke and pick up my fork, still glaring at that piece of cake. Just one day. That’s what it symbolizes. One day of calmness before the storm erupts.
But I don’t want to disappoint Mom either. I take a small bite and swallow it, waiting for her content smile to appear.
“Good, right?”
“Love it,” I reply, smiling back.
“See?” she says.
“Mom …” I mutter, putting down my fork. “I’ve been meaning to tell you, but I didn’t know when would be the right time. So I thought, why not on your birthday?”
She pauses, her fork hanging between her fingertips. “What?”