Page 98 of Savior

I knew exactly what I was hearing, but thought we had more time.

Like something out of a movie, everything seemed to slow as the first motorcycle turned onto the street. Lauren turned back, her eyes widening in horror.

The sounds from the fire faded away as the other bikes came into view and I reverted back to the nine-year-old kid hiding in the closet.

“Mikey?” Celia’s voice called to me. “It’s okay. Please talk to me.”

My mama talked real sweet to lure me out sometimes, knowing it was better to give the monster what he wanted. “Just get it over with,” she’d whisper.

I pulled my knees up to my chest and rocked back and forth, wondering how long I’d have to wait Celia out.

I hadn’t meant to break it… I’d only wanted to help…

The sound of footsteps grew louder, and I held my breath, knowing that if she found me, she was going to take me to Mr. Grey for a beating.

What if he was like my old man?

What if he didn’t stop until he was tired?

The closet door popped open with a loud creak before Celia knelt beside me, taking my hand in hers. “You’re hurt.”

I looked down at the blood on my palm, and shook my head. “I’m okay. I didn’t mean to—you just seemed so tired and Katy was real fussy. I wanted to help you and wash up the breakfast dishes, but I used too much soap, and it was too slippery—” I held back my tears because real men didn’t cry like pussies. They took their punishment with their heads held high.

“Hey,” she cradled my palm. “I’m not mad. Accidents happen. I wish you would’ve just told me, but it’s easier to run and hide, isn’t it?”

I nodded and whispered, “I’m sorry. Is Mr. Grey—”

“He’s not here, Mikey. This will be our little secret, okay?”

I nodded again and lowered my head with a sniff. She’d never know I was crying.

She sighed. “Look, I know that it’s hard to believe, but someday you’re going to grow up to be big and strong. And, instead of running away from the things you’re afraid of, you’ll stand your ground and fight. Right now, though? I want you to promise me you’ll run and hide. Promise me you’ll stay safe.”

When she saw the bikers, Dakota began fighting to get out of the truck. Zane caught her in his arms, wrapping his body around hers like a shield. Lauren’s mouth opened in a scream I could no longer hear as she reached for me before Celia managed to pull her inside the truck.

They were safe… that was all that mattered.

The men pulled their guns just as the driver’s side door opened and Kate stumbled out, her eyes wild with fear.

Promise me you’ll run and hide…

Stand your ground and fight…

She stood frozen in the middle of the street, directly in their path. I tried waving her off, screaming over the roar of the bikes, “Katy! Run!”

My sister shook her head and mouthed the wordno, pulling me into my own worst nightmare. It was the same every time, my legs moved as if fighting a current while the person I loved lay just out of reach.

Only this time I wouldn’t wake up…

She reached my side at the same time as the first biker, and I didn’t even think before knocking her down to the grass and facing them head-on like a human shield.

There was no time to draw my weapon.

My body jerked as the first pop filled the air amid Kate’s screams of terror. They came in succession, and it wasn’t until my ass landed beside her, and the breath left my lungs that I realized every single one of them had been accurate.

I stared up at the smoke-filled sky until Kate’s face came into view. Her mouth moved, screaming something that looked like my name over and over, but my ears were still ringing from the gunshots. As my eyes drifted shut, and the sounds from the bikes faded into the distance, I took comfort in the fact that she was safe.

When I grow up, I’m gonna be one of the good guys…

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