Page 58 of Rest In Peace

"God, I don't know!" Matt slammed his crutch down. "It might not be enough. I don’t like this. We have to keep the kids safe, but how?"

"Safe… yes. We will." My mind raced, fear turning to steel inside me. I had to calm him down somehow. I didn’t want him scaring the kids. “We'll figure this out. Together."

“We should go somewhere,” Matt said with a deep sigh. “Somewhere safe. Just for tonight, and then we’ll see.”

“Okay, we can do that for one night if that makes you feel better. My mother’s?” I asked.

Matt sighed. “Too obvious.”

"Hotel?" I asked.

He nodded, eyes on fire. "Has to be."

"Okay, let’s pack light. Just the essentials." My voice was steady, but inside, my heart raced like a trapped bird. I was worried about Matt’s state of mind and about the children. Would this scare them? Going away was the right solution for us all.

I dashed to the kids' rooms, tossing clothes into backpacks. "A hotel is good. That’s definitely somewhere they wouldn't look. Whoever they are."

"Got it." The frustration was evident in his voice, but beneath that was a current of resolve.

"Christine! Alex! Angel!" I called out, my throat dry. They appeared, confusion etched on their innocent faces. "We're going to spend the night at a hotel, okay?"

"Why, Mom?" Christine's eyes were large and questioning.

"Please, don’t question me; just trust me on this, okay? There’s no need to worry," I lied, smiling through the fear. "It’s just for tonight."

"Is it because of the bad man?" Alex's voice was barely above a whisper.

“What bad man?” Christine said. “What’s going on here, Mom? I have homework to do. I can’t just….”

“Please, don’t fight me on this,” I said to her, giving her a look I knew she would understand.

“I’m scared of the creepy man,” Alex said.

"Shh, no more of that," I hushed him, scooping up toiletries. "Let's just get in the car."

"Can I bring Mr. Fluffles?" Angel clutched her stuffed rabbit.

"Of course, baby." I ushered them downstairs, trying to keep my cool.

Matt was waiting by the door, balancing on his crutches, his face strained with effort and anger. "Come on."

"Everyone in the car. Now!" I didn't mean to bark the order, but urgency left no room for gentleness.

Matt struggled out the door, his movements hindered by the crutches but driven by adrenaline. I glanced around the shadowed yard, every rustle of leaves sounding like a footstep.

"Mom, are we safe?" Christine's hand found mine as we walked to the car.

"I won’t ever let anything happen to you," I promised. “This is just a safety precaution, nothing else.”

I helped Angel get into her car seat and strapped her down, then kissed her forehead and Mr. Fluffles, of course.

"Seat belts," Matt grunted, lowering himself into the passenger seat with a grimace.

"Head count. One… two… three." I clicked my belt into place, my eyes never ceasing their vigil. "All good."

"Let's go," Matt said, his tone harsher than intended. I was worried about scaring the children, but I believed Matt was right. You should never take a threat like that lightly.

I turned the ignition, the engine's roar slicing through the night's stillness. "We're going to be okay," I told them, more to convince myself than them.

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