Page 45 of Missing Moon
We spend the majority of the day visiting Dad, where he was in and out of consciousness.
He still kept asking for Mom, even though she happened to be right there. Not long before we collectively decide to let Dad rest and go back to the house, my inner alarm begins to ring quietly, giving me this unsettled feeling that something bad is on the wind.
I quietly let Ant and Tammy know to be on guard.
A little after six in the evening, my phone pings with an incoming text. Hoping to find solid answers from Max, I hastily pull it out and check. Not Max, though it’s good news at least. Detective Sherbet lets me know that the Chicago PD found the missing boy safe and alive with his paternal grandparents. Turns out the grandparents had no idea the father wasn’t supposed to have the boy.
Well, at least the kid is safe.
My three brothers want a change of pace, so we end up at the little pizza joint. Soon, we’re back at the house, and I’m still on edge. The feeling of badness hasn’t let up. In fact, it’s getting stronger. Almost feels like a countdown. Mary Loupicks up on me pacing around like a security guard and approaches me while I’m hovering by the living room window, looking outside. “Sam? You seem… agitated.”
“Yeah. Got an off feeling.”
She looks down. “Are you sensing that Dad might not make it through the night?”
“Not quite. More of a danger.” I pull her into the hallway. “Klamath has a vampire problem.”
Mary Lou starts to give me an accusatory look. “Did they follow you or something?”
“Well, not initially, but I think they are now.” I frown. “I killed two of them. One was going to kill Emerson, the other tried to kill me downtown.”
“How much danger are we in, Sam?” whispers Mary Lou.
“Between me, Ant, and Tammy... I would say almost none.”
I let go of the blinds so they wobble back into place. Ugh, these curtains smell like weed.
“And you think they’re going to come after you here?”
“I don’t have exact information, just a warning heads up.”
“Can you handle this?” She squeezes my hand.
“Most likely.”
She nods. “All right. I trust you.”
I motion for Anthony to come over to me, and he does. He gives me this little nod and says. “What’s up?”
“I feel like we’re going to be attacked tonight. Can you cover the kitchen and guard the back door so nothing gets in?”
“On it.” Anthony heads for the kitchen.
Seeing him fast-walk out of the room sends Tammy scooting over to me with an eyebrow raised. “Something up?”
“Yeah. They’re coming tonight.”
“You’re sure?”
I peek outside again. Still nothing, though my inner alarm is pinging steadily. “Well, it’s not like they emailed me to saythey’re on the way. But, I’m as sure as I can be without solid evidence.”
“Where do you want me?”
“Stay here in the living room and listen for anything coming in a window somewhere.”
“Where are you going to be?” She tilts her head.
“Front porch.”