Page 12 of Echoes of Danger

Keeping my head down, I follow Jacob’s boots as we walk back down the stairs, through the kitchen, and then down into the basement.

“I told Knox that this room was going to be for a teenager, and he went wild,” Jacob laughs, knocking on the closed door at the bottom of the basement stairs.

“Yeah,” Eli calls out and Jacob opens the door.

“Would you mind coming with us for a few minutes?” Jacob asks. “I want to show you something.”

I take the time to look around my son’s new room and can’t help the tears that form in my eyes. It looks like every teenage boy’s dream room. The colors are bold, and LED lights light up the back of his bed, his huge TV, and what appears to be a desktop computer.

“Wow,” I whisper.

“I know,” Elijah says equally as softly. “I’ve never even dreamed of having a room like this. I appreciate you letting me borrow it, Mr. Reynolds.”

“Just Jacob,” he answers. “Yesterday morning, this was a regular basement with boxes of junk. I had my best friend’s husband fix it up for you. I know he went a bit mad, but I hope you will be able to relax here.”

“It looks like Jessica likes it in here, too,” I smile sadly.

“She likes the lights,” Eli smiles fondly at the tiny girl resting on his pillow. “Come on Butterfly, your old man wants to show us something.”

“I think we may need to get a bassinet to put down here, too,” Jacob laughs. “After you,” he says, turning around. He must notice the tears in my eyes because he freezes. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I laugh it off and turn around.

I don’t want my son to see the guilt in my eyes that I have never been able to give him something like this. I know Eli has never once complained about our living conditions, but he deserves a room like this more than anyone I know.

I don’t know how long I’ll have this job, but I plan to save up as much money as possible so that when the time comes to move on, I’ll be able to give my son more than I have been able to in the past.

“We’re going out to the driveway,” Jacob says softly behind me.

“Grab that blanket for the baby, Elijah,” I say.

“Already on it, Ma.”

“That’s some boy you got.”

I don’t say anything, but the comment alone washes away some of the guilt I was feeling.

“How long would it take to walk to the high school from here?” Elijah asks as we step outside.

“I’d say about fifteen minutes,” Jacob answers. “But I have a bike you can use if you want. It would get you there and home quicker.”

“Nah, don’t want someone to steal it.”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” Jacob chuckles as he turns towards the woods to the left of his house. “It has my club's logo on it. No one would dare touch it. Besides, you can lock it on the bike rack.”

“Your biker club, right?” Elijah asks, tucking Jessica against his chest and double-checking to make sure she’s fully covered under the blanket.

He’s always been so good with children. I don’t know if it’s because he’s always been around them while I babysat or if it’s because he’s had to grow up too fast.

“Yep. The Obsidians. I would take you to meet them but I’m sure most of them will stop by to meet you both in the next few days. Nosy lot, my family.”

“Sounds nice,” I smile.

“It is,” he says, his own smile filled with love. “Speaking of family, my best friend and his husband live just through these woods. It’s what I wanted to show you. If there ever comes a time that you need to get to safety, you run down this trail until you reach the other side. It will take you five minutes. The path is clear and completely straight. So, remember that if it’s too dark to see. Then you go straight for the only house on the other side. That’s Taylor and Knox’s place.”

I don’t ask why we would ever need to do that because my past alone is proof that this world is a cruel place.

“I think that’s everything for now,” Jacob continues. “I need to head to work or I’m going to be late. You already have my cell number, but I’ve also listed every number you’ll need to know on the fridge.”

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