Page 79 of Echoes of Fear
Knox’s laughter settles into my heart as we relax and fall asleep.
Chapter Seventeen
Taylor
“You doing alright, Pup?”
It’s been two weeks since the whole thing went down with Sullivan, Ben, and Sweets. Knox didn’t have any setbacks, but he seems to fear the darkness a little more than before. But that’s okay. We now have nightlights all over the house to alleviate some of the fear.
Today, however, is a big step. We’re standing inside the Little Room at Oasis. It’s during the week, so the central part of the club is closed, but the Little’s are out in full swing tonight.
Knox did surprisingly well on the trip over here. He refused to ride my bike, so we took my truck instead. He was stiff the entire trip, but his eyes remained open.
I’m so fuckin’ proud of him.
“Do you have to work, Papa?” he asks. “Can you stay with me?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I answer. “What do you want to do first?”
Looking around, I know that he’s overwhelmed. This place is a Little’s dream. There are coloring books, Play-Doh, doll houses, car garages, books, a craft area, beanbag chairs, blankets, pacifiers, diapers, Legos, rocking chairs, oversized changing tables, baby beds, highchairs, and of course, stuffies. You think of something a Little might need; the twins have stocked it.
“Uhm. Maybe Legos?” he says hopefully.
I’m not surprised. My boy loves his Legos. I’ve had to make a rule that Legos were not allowed in the living room because my damn feet keep finding them.
We’re halfway through building what Pup says is a spaceship when a shadow looms over us.
“Hello, little one,” Steel says. His voice is calmer and much softer than anyone outside of this room ever hears.
“Hi. Wanna play?”
“Not right now, but let’s make a date to do so later. However, I have a new friend who wanted to play with the Legos, too. Do you think he can play with you?”
“Course,” my Pup says distractedly. “I not stingy, Uncle Steel. Why didn’t he just come sits down with me?”
“Well, because he’s scared of your Papa.”
Knox looks up with a frown.
“Where is this silly friend?”
A boy wearing a blue shirt that says, I’m a good boy and a diaper steps out from behind Steel.
“Knox, this is Oscar,” Steel says gently. “Oscar, this is Knox and his Papa, Taylor.”
“I love your shirt. I’m a good boy, too. Wanna play? My Papa is super nice.”
The little one looks at me, and I can practically taste his fear.
“How about I go and get you two something to drink?” I suggest.
Using everything I know about Little’s, I grab a big boy cup for my Pup and a sippy for Little Oscar.
“I’ll be right back.”
“I need to go over some membership forms,” Steel says when we’re in the snack corner. “I’ve already told him I was leaving, but if he freaks out, just call me down.”
“He has a story?” I ask.