Page 50 of Roses and Skulls

“Elijah is my boyfriend, but daddy won’t let me go see him anymore,” I say sadly, picking up a stick and drawing a heart in the dirt.

Grandpa smiles at me kindly. “Your dad is just trying to protect you. Elijah seems to cause you a lot of trouble. And don’t you think he’s a little old for you? You know dads don’t like that kind of shit.”

I stomp my foot. “Elijah is only twelve and he’s the only one who lets me do anything fun.”

Grandpa laughs. “Oh, Billie Rose. I love you, girl. Don’t let anyone ever steal your spark.”

“Does that mean you’re going to keep my secret?” I ask shyly.

He pinches his thumb and finger together and draws them across his lips. “These lips are zipped. Your secret is safe with me.” He ruffles my hair as he stands, picking me up. He squeezes me tight, brushing his whiskers across my cheek, making me giggle in his arms. “I love you, baby.”

When the stick hits something hard, I freeze.

I finish uncovering the box and pull it onto my lap.

My cell buzzes in my pocket again. I pull it out to see Elijah’s name flash across the screen. I lay it on the lid and answer the call on speaker phone.

My gaze shifts to the horizon as it absorbs all the colors the sun is leaving behind for the day.

“Tell me where you’re at and I’ll come get you,” he says calmly.

I glance down at the box. What secrets did grandpa have? Are they bigger than my own? Or are they one in the same. I bite my lip.

The chimes ring down the path, reaching my ears as I run my thumb over the latch.

“Do you hear them?” I whisper, so softly I don’t know if Elijah heard me.

He remains quiet on the other end.

I stand up and follow the path with the box clenched under one arm.

“Everyone is looking for you,” Elijah says on the other end of the line.

I’m sure the little black crow and her family held them off for a little while anyway. I wish I had a family of black crows standing behind me. I pause in front of one of my chimes. But I do have a family at my back. Don’t I? Gruff, bearded men with black cuts and boots that wouldn’t hesitate to stomp the face of anyone who hurt me.

My knees buckle and a groan escapes me as the realization of how much I’ve been hurting my family hits me in the gut.

“Billie Rose?” Elijah’s voice rises in concern.

The crystals on a chime catch the sun as the wind picks up, sending rainbows littering the ground. I spin in a circle. What have I done? Why did I push them all away?

“Dammit, if you don’t tell me where you are, so help me god I’m going to beat your ass.”

I run into the cabin. This time slamming the door shut behind me. When I get to the bathroom, I slide to the floor, setting the box in front of me.

I take my cell off speaker and bring it to my ear.

“Please, tell me where you are,” he coaxes.

My fingers grip the phone tightly. “You… you wouldn’t be able to find me without their help and I can’t see them right now.”

Elijah sighs on the other end of the phone. “You’re so stubborn.”

“They hate me, Elijah. And I don’t blame them. I would hate me too.”

“Jesus Christ, they don’t fucking hate you.” I hear him moving around on the other end, car doors slamming and hushed whispers. “I’m coming for you. Stay where you’re at.”

I scoot down on the floor and lay my head back on the cool porcelain edge of the tub. “I’ve really made a mess of things.”

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