East Ten #3
“Dale,” I cried, “Where you are going, it’s magical.
” I fought for air. “And my Noma will be there for you. My uncles… Blue will be there. Caleb.” I shattered.
“Lennox Gentry will hug you for what you have done for his son.” I bawled.
“My mom will thank you.” I wept. “And your soulmate—” I thought of Sebastian at the hospital, so wise and in love with Blue.
“Harmony will love you, there, forever.”
His eyes started to lose their focus, though they stayed on me. “You came back for them.”
I wailed to the ceiling, so desperate not to lose him. And you. And Harmony. Foster parents who I’ll never forget.
Dale jostled my hand. “I’m giving them to you now.”
What an honor.
“Okay. I’ll take care of them. I swear it.” I laid my other hand on his bloody chest. “Thank you for saving my life…” It was time to let him go. “You fought so hard for us. You can rest now.”
He smiled again. “Nothing is impossible, Brass.”
Audible gasps floated around me.
Not from me. I howled, deep in my heart… as Dale Weathers’ hand released mine.
Lost in my pain, I felt yanked back to reality when a bastard cop moaned in pain. “He had been warned.”
It was almost too much, now seeing all the connections. There was the drop from the fog onto the ground by the trees.
As Styx had been with me to check for a gunshot wound, he was on the cop so fast I barely saw him move. He grabbed the front of the man’s shirt, lifted the man’s upper body from the ground and shaken. “How dare you make a fucking peep.”
The cop’s smile was pure malice. “Where’s our prophet?”
Styx drew his head back in disgust. “Your prophet? You actually believe that a child rapist is hearing the words of God?”
Avenger stood behind Styx, saying, “You have Officer Monroe.” He pointed to the other one. “Officer Vasquez.”
My jaw unhinged when Officer Vasquez groaned through pain. “Where’s Hephzibah?”
I couldn’t stop my mouth. “You’re a woman?”
I had so many who fought for me… Nurses. Mothers. Caseworkers. How could this be?
Peacemaker had sorrow in his eyes. “Ah, kid. Child abusers come in all shapes and forms.”
Standing up, I took a deep breath. I swear, sometimes this world is too painful.
“I hope there is a way people learn the truth about these,” I gestured to the officers, “after they bleed to death.” With love in my broken heart, I stepped around my foster parents.
“We have beautiful souls to save.” I stopped in front of Styx.
“As soon as the coast is clear, Misfits are coming home.”
Now also standing, he dipped his chin. “Heard.”
Trying to let Styx still be in charge, I pulled my ski mask back down. “There’s no point in hiding the bodies. Someone, come with me to retrieve my fellow fosters.”
Heading to the stairs, I felt my shoulders widen, preparing to carry spirit-crushing discoveries. My little family was going to falter for some time after this. Each step I took up was a vow to see them through it all.
To whoever was behind me, I quietly said, “To avoid a baseball bat to your head, tell Finn to stand down.”
I passed each bedroom, sad that my Sinners would have to leave them behind.
Having no idea how this was all going to work out, how Kristen was going to keep them from another foster home, I chose not to give her a chance.
My brothers and sisters were leaving here with me.
Whether they knew it or not. I was taking my family to the safest home I knew.
They’re going to my Noma’s. She will watch over them.
At the mirror, I slid it open, then looked to see who was with me.
Proud as fuck, I nodded to Styx.
Facing the door, I watched him blow out a breath. He knew how awful this was going to be. He had more teenage hearts to destroy. He grabbed the knob and began to turn it… “Finn, put down the bat.”
As the door opened, Finn, panting with wide eyes, lowered his bat. “Styx.”
“That’s right.” Styx lifted his chin. “Get the girls.”
One by one, they passed me at the entrance of the bedroom that had been created to keep me safe so long ago.
Now, it had done just that for my Misfits.
First came Finn, still holding a bat. Then Gage exited, fists clenched and ready.
Ethan then passed me, holding Sarah’s hand.
I held my breath as Sebastian passed by carrying a sleeping little girl on his shoulder.
Sapphire eyes fluttered open as I followed, and she smiled at me before falling back to sleep.
At the entrance of the living room, the parade of the damaged came to a stop.
The men had covered Dale and Harmony out of respect, but these kids were both brilliant and wise. They quickly understood the tragic losses that had just happened.
I’m so sorry. I’ll never fail you again.
Young, shocked bodies began to sway. Ethan wasn’t even holding Sarah’s hand as he fought to stay on his feet.
Sarah didn’t move. She was rigid as a stone.
I’d seen this posture too many times. It was time for her to fade away for a while.
Sorry, Styx.
Coming up to her side, I slipped my hand into hers.
Inhaling, because she had forgotten to breathe until she felt me, she turned to my chest. “Johnny.”
Then collapsed.
Right into my arms.
I looked to the ones I had missed so much. “Sinners.”
Their heads snapped to mine.
Mouths fell open.
Eyes softened as if relieved I was there through one of the many worst nights of their lives.
Remarkably, and impressively, their feet found stability. Then, these incredible beings stood taller, all letting me know they were ready.
Under my mask, I smiled, though tears soaked the material. I didn’t have to tell them to follow me. I knew they’d be with me to the ends of the earth.
Cradling Sarah, I went to Dale and Harmony and squatted. “Sarah, use your last ounce of strength to say goodbye.”
Sarah reached out to touch them one last time. When she curled back into me, she quietly said, “I’m sorry. Have to leave for a while.”
I stood, facing the doorway I’d now cross for the last time. “Take all the time you need, sweet girl.”
With devastating tears and soft whispers, every foster paid their respects to our parents, then followed Maddox Gentry, with ultimate trust and more loyalty than one could ever deserve or demand. For it had to be given.
And… they gave.