Wild Embers

Prologue

Ikeep my mouth clamped as I wait for Daddy to come back. He left my room in a huff with Walker, Levi, and Santigo, Daddy’s best friends.

They were all talking really loud. Levi sounded scared. Santi sounded mad. Walker was yelling.

It hurt my ears. I’m glad they left. But now I’m home alone because Mama’s at work tonight.

I don’t like being alone when it’s dark outside.

Throwing my fluffy purple blanket over my head, I hide. My breath makes it hot, but no one can get to me here.

The creak of the front door makes me bring my legs to my chest and wrap my arms around them. Footsteps thump down the hallway, and I bury my face in my knees.

Daddy’s back. But I don’t want him in my room.

Squeezing my eyes shut, light from the hallway brightens my room.

“Blake?”

That’s not Daddy.

Ripping the blanket off my head, my hair falls on my face, but I know who it is. I know that voice.

Walker stands in the doorway. Levi and Santi are right behind him. Levi looks like he might cry. Santi won’t look at me.

“Walk?” I push the strands away. “Where’s Daddy?”

“He’ll be back later.” Walker comes in, sitting on the edge of my bed.

Levi kneels on the floor in front of me. Santi quietly closes the bedroom door before leaning against it with his arms folded.

They look sad.

Walker keeps rubbing his hands together. Levi keeps swallowing hard. Santi’s jaw looks funny, like he’s biting his teeth together.

Why are they sad? Did Daddy say something mean?

I feel my mouth frown. “He left?”

Why would Daddy leave me?

“Don’t worry about it.” Walker shakes his head.

“Do you know when he’s coming back?” I ask again, moving my legs so I’m sitting crisscross.

Walker sighs. “I’m not sure.”

My shoulders feel heavy. “Do you think it’s safe to get Mr. Bear?”

“Where is Mr. Bear?”

I look down at my lap. “He’s hiding under my bed.”

Levi reaches beneath the bed. “Found him.” He dusts Mr. Bear off before carefully placing him in my lap.

I hug him close to my heart. “Thank you.”

Walker tilts his head. “Blake, why was Mr. Bear under the bed?”

I don’t want Walker to be mad. I don’t like it when grown-ups are mad. “I’m sorry if I made you upset. I’m being good to him, I promise. You, Santi, and Levi gave him to me, and I love him.”

Walker shakes his head. “I’m not upset, and I know Santigo and Levi wouldn’t be either. I just want to know why Mr. Bear was hiding.”

My throat feels tight as I answer, “He’s afraid.”

“Of what? You can tell me.”

I roll my lips and confess, “Daddy.”

Nobody says anything. When I look up, Santi’s hand covers his mouth.

Mr. Bear doesn’t like Daddy. It’s my biggest secret, and I’ve never told anyone before.

Walker still looks sad as he says, “He doesn’t have to be afraid of him anymore.”

Levi sets his hand next to mine in the bed. “Neither do you.”

Santi moves closer to my bed and kneels beside Levi. “We’re going to keep you safe.”

Blake, 23 Years Later

A voice over the intercom thrums. “Delta flight twenty-three fifty-one to Jackson Hole has been delayed.”

Of course, my flight’s delayed. Just my damn luck.

This is what I get for traveling at the last minute. But I didn’t have a choice.

I packed so fast that I’m not sure I grabbed enough underwear, or if I brought the right clothes for where I’m going.

The only thing keeping my eyes open is the crappy hot coffee in my hand. The LED lights and the rumble of my fellow travelers are too much for my brain after a night of no sleep.

Sitting in the uncomfortable airport seat, I pull out my phone and read the texts I received from an anonymous sender.

Unknown: You left Evergreen Falls behind, but Evergreen Falls didn’t forget you.

Unknown: When’s the last time you checked on your mom, Walker Maddox, Levi Harding, or Santigo Ramirez?

Unknown: If you don’t return, you won’t like what happens next. And I don’t recommend sharing this with anyone.

Rubbing my eyes, I smear the makeup I haven’t taken off from the day before. I tried replying to the texts, but I kept getting an error message.

Whoever this person is, they knew just what to say to get me to go back to the one place I swore I’d never step foot in again.

Home.