Page 1 of Hemmed

CHAPTER ONE

“I hate to say this, but I kind of miss Gus,” smirked Angel. “He was a solid, good man, and it broke my heart that he couldn’t remember everything while he was here.”

“He remembers now,” grinned Gaspar. “He remembers everything now, and he knows the deaths of those people weren’t his fault. Pops said he was happy when he left him.”

“Left him where?” frowned Nine.

Gaspar shrugged laughing and shaking his head at the entire conversation. They were just getting used to the idea that their father was an angel and their mother was God knows what.

“I think we need to go out and check on the island animals,” said Bull.

“Island animals? Is that what we’re calling them now?” laughed Antoine.

“Well, your brother refuses to call it a zoo. I think animal sanctuary is a good one, but then again, we don’t ever release the animals, so maybe it’s an animal park.”

“Could we not talk about animals,” frowned Gaspar, rubbing his stomach. “Every time someone mentions an animal, another appears. It’s my worst nightmare.”

They were seated in the grove on Belle Île, enjoying a break in the oppressive summer weather. After storms blew in the night before, the air was comfortable. Not cool. Not humid. Not scorching. Just a calm, comfortable summer morning.

Each man had his coffee, and there were plates of breakfast sandwiches, pastries, yogurt, and granola on the tables.

“Who the fuck ordered the granola?” frowned Miller.

“Me,” said Baptiste. “I need to watch my cholesterol intake and be more aware of my diet.”

“Are you sick?” asked Luc.

“No, I’m not sick. My last bloodwork showed it was slightly elevated, that’s all. Riley gave me a lecture and told me to watch what I eat. The pond can only do so much. It’s not a big deal. I’ve been eating a lot of fatty, fried shit lately. I’m good.”

His brothers stared at him, his twin Rafe frowning in his direction. Baptiste laughed.

“I promise, y’all. I’m good. It’s probably a good lesson for us all to watch what we eat. We’re not invincible.”

“Alright,” nodded Miller, “I’ll hold off on the jokes about the granola and yogurt.”

They heard the sounds of grass rustling and a loud hiss and turned. Gaspar jumped, gripping his chest as Alvin stopped a few feet away. Trak knelt beside him, stroking his leathery head.

“He wants us to follow him,” he said.

“Follow him? Follow him where?” moaned Gaspar. “Are we to take a dip in the swamp?”

“Don’t be rude,” frowned Trak. “He says that there is an animal in trouble.”

Alvin took off and Trak followed, the others close behind. Gaspar just shook his head, not believing where they were in their lives. Following alligators.

“No worries, brother,” said Ghost. “Just another normal day at Belle Fleur.”

“Shit, he’s fast,” said Rafe, jogging after Trak and the gator.

“They can move very fast,” said Dex. “It’s why people are afraid of them. They look slow, but they’re not.”

When they reached the eastern side of the island, Alvin stopped, waiting for the humans to catch up. Trak stared at the water but didn’t see what he was seeing. Then they all spotted it. A dorsal fin appeared in the waters.

“That’s a fucking shark!” yelled Ian.

“Yes, but these aren’t salt waters. He must have gotten lost in the Gulf during the storm. He’s trapped in a fishing net,” said Trak. He looked down at his alligator friend. “Alvin, tell him not to fear me. I’m going to cut him loose.”

Gaspar looked around at the others, all staring at the shark in the water.

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