Page 28 of Sour Layer

Chapter 15

“No. Uh-uh. Not happening. The sheriff doesn’t need my help,” I argued.

“He does; he just doesn’t know it yet,” Walker said.

“She needs convincing,” Clara said as if she knew exactly what it was that I needed.

Her ability was starting to get a tad bit annoying. I didn’t know why it bothered me that she knew what I needed before even I did.

Clara moved to the entryway that led into the living room and gestured for me to take a look.

I stepped over the threshold to find Dexter and two paramedics working on the girls and checking their vitals. Clara leaned into me. “This isn’t over, and if you leave before it is, then Clark is going to die regardless of whether you know when or where.”

What was she expecting me to see? The girls were being treated. “Those girls weren’t found by me. They were found by Walker. I haven’t done anything to help Clark.”

“You will,” Clara said and led me over to Dexter.

“Dex, I think you need to check Mercy out. She looks like the cold may have gotten to her.”

I held up my hand. “I’m fine.”

Dexter rose from where he was squatted and took my wrist, as if feeling for a pulse. When his skin touched mine, the vision appeared with no warning.

I saw Dexter and Milly dead, lying on the floor. Clark was severely injured, and Lynnfield was carrying a little girl kicking and screaming in his arms.

My eyes shot open, and I yanked my hand back. “You and Milly have a daughter?”

Dexter’s eyes widened. “Yes. Charlotte.”

I took a step back. “Blue eyes, blonde hair, screams like a banshee.”

“Okay, you’re freaking me out,” Dexter said and took me by the arm and led me farther away from the girl he’d been tending. “Just what the hell did you see?”

I covered my mouth and tried to calm my racing heart. “I…” I snapped my mouth closed. “You should tend to the girls so you can get home.”

He tilted his head. “Are they in trouble?”

“Not yet,” I answered. “But you all will be. Including Clark. You need to take your family and leave. Hide, do whatever until Lynnfield is found.”

“He won’t touch us,” Dexter said, dismissing my concerns. “If he hurts any of us, I can heal them.”

I leaned in. “Not if you're dead. Please, heed my warning for Milly and Charlotte’s sake. Leave town.”

Dexter stepped back and turned his gaze to Clara.

“Is she for real?”

“I’m afraid so,” Clara answered.

Dexter gave a curt nod and grabbed his bag. “You guys have this?”

The paramedics nodded.

“I want someone with them at all times and police officers stationed at their hospital rooms.”

“We’ll take care of it,” the paramedic said.

Dexter nodded and met my gaze once more before he turned and jogged out the door.

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