Page 15 of The Fallen

?“Right, someone just tried to kill us and what are we doing about it? Nothing. What if they come back? Do we run again?”

?“I covered the house last night, nothing will get through this time. At least until I can figure out our next move. We can go anywhere, it doesn't matter, as long as you're safe,” she said with her voice breaking.

?“I'm tired of running, aren't you?” Marie got up from the table and grabbed her bag. She turned to look at her mom before slinging the strap over her shoulders.

?“I love you mom, I really do,” Marie said now concentrating on a spot on the floor, “but how are you going to stop me? What happened last night is all the more reason why I should go. I need to be able to defend myself.”

?Renea stood up. Her brain was on fire. She swore she would use any means necessary to get through to Marie. She hated she would have to though.

?She reached out her arms to hug her. Marie stepped closer, uncertain, but hopeful.

?“I love you more,” Renea said and squeezed her tight.

?Marie relaxed into the embrace and Renea held back the tears that wanted to escape. She couldn't imagine her life without Marie. She was her whole world, her life.

?She pulled back and put her hand on Marie's cheek. Her eyes were so brown, her face so round. All she could think of was keeping her safe.

?“You'll thank me one day,” she said before putting a finger between Marie's eyes and focusing all her energy to black her out.

?Marie was stiff in her arms, eyes still open, looking around frantically. Renea gently laid her on the kitchen floor and kissed her forehead.

?“I can't let you leave,” she said putting two fingers on her eyelids to close them. “Now sleep baby.” And Marie was out immediately.

?Renea carried her up to her room and put her in bed. After she closed the door to leave, she felt Brenton approaching.

Chapter Ten

Renea opened the door before Brenton could even knock. The look on his face said he felt what was happening.

?He walked further in and surveyed the space before laying eyes back on her.

?“There has been a change of plans,” she said, motioning him to sit. “Marie is not going.”

?Brenton was almost seated, but quickly straightened when he heard her. He looked panicked.

?“Why are you doing this? You know there is a chance we could get killed either way. At least this way, she can have a fighting chance,” Brenton pleaded. “She could have died last night. Is that what you want?”

?Renea walked to the refrigerator to get some bottled water while she contemplated what to say next. She was calm.

?She handed him one, sat down and crossed her legs. She could sense how nervous he was, but it was more than him wanting to help Marie. He needed her.

?She smirked. “Please sit, Brenton. You standing there, guarded, makes me antsy. I don't like that feeling.”

?He took a seat then took a swig of water.

?“You know, you're pretty good yourself,” she raised an eyebrow, “but remember, I'm better. You are blocking me from something.”

?Brenton opened his mouth to defend himself, but she cut him off.

?“Trust me, whatever you're about to say is not what I want to hear. I will find out though, don't worry.”

?She smoothed the side of her hair before speaking again.

?“I have spent all Marie's life trying to keep her safe and you have the audacity to stumble in here and expect me to let her leave,” she said leaning forward. “Marie deserves to live a long and happy life, do you understand? This path is not for her.”

?“Mrs. Mitchell, I get it. Sometimes I wish my dad would've thought the same about me. He drilled it into my head that this was the only way. This is all I've ever known since day one.” He took another sip of water. “Do you know how long I've been looking for Marie?” he said rubbing the back of his head. “A long time. Each time, when I thought I was close, I would stay in that city for a while, enroll in school to feel like the other kids, just to be around something different.”

?Renea scoffed, “Why are you telling me this?”

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