Page 36 of Echo
Did I stay trapped in the car or move where I could maneuver? Would that even matter?
Considering an entire door was missing, hiding in the car probably wasn’t providing any defense. I scootched to the edge so I could have a clear view of the driver’s side door. My heart pounded and I didn’t dare feel relief when nothing was there, but a smear of wet blood.
The sound of gravel moving under the wheels of a car traveled from the pathway. I leaned against the door frame. Sirens blared in the distance.
If I was suspicious before, now that there was a dead or grievously injured cop involved, I was double fucked.
I slid to my knees onto the gravel, since that was where I was going to end up. I lifted my cuffed hands into the air.
A parade of cars poured from around the curve, and the flashing red and blue lights filled the area.
Leave it to me to make things go from bad to worse.
Chapter 13:
“Stupid,Kid,”thedeepvoice that I’d heard from the radio said. He stepped forward, showing an older man with gray hair. His blue eyes studied everything, and there was some old wisdom that radiated from him. “It’s okay, Sweetheart.”
“I didn’t do any of this.” My voice shook.
“I know.” He stopped a foot away from me. A growl rumbled in the forest near us, and I held my breath. He held up some cuff keys, as if he were showing the monster what he was doing. I didn’t miss how he was careful not to touch me as he unlocked my cuffs.
Once I was free, he backed away, putting a respectful distance between us. “We’ll collect the bodies and be out of your hair, Miss.”
“Don’t leave me here,” I whispered, praying the monster didn’t hear me.
His eyes grew sad. “We both know I can’t leave with you.”
I remembered the loud proclamation the monster yelled to nature herself and knew he was right. “What is it?”
“Only your ancestors know that.” He shook his head. “It’s not a man, and I hate to tell you this, but it’s your problem. Just like all the Rinah women before you.”
I fumbled to my feet and finally saw Officer Reed being loaded onto a gurney. A low groan coming from him said he was alive, but I wasn’t sure how long he’d stay that way. Not with his head caved in.
“I’m sorry.” The older officer frowned. “He’s fresh out of the academy and isn’t from here. I’m sure he came in with something to prove and made everything worse.”
“Has it done something like this before?” I swallowed. “Am I in danger?”
“Rinah women keep that thing trapped on the property to protect the entire hollar from its wrath. Pearl kept it placated for over forty years, but one of my first jobs was out here. You’re Ruby’s granddaughter, right?”
I nodded.
“It killed your grandfather, and my captain ate his food from a straw for the rest of his life after that night,” he said quietly. An older EMT walked past us with a tired expression, like it wasn’t his first rodeo here either. “Call us when you need bodies collected.”
“So that’s it. No investigation or crime scene? No protection?”
“You won’t spend a day in jail. All I ask is you keep it as contained as possible.”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry in disbelief. “I’d rather go to jail at this point.”
“You’ll deserve sainthood by the time you're done.” He tipped his hat. “I hope to see you at the community market today. My wife wants some of your Rinah honey.”
I finally gave up and let out a laugh that didn’t sound amused even to my ears and a tear finally trekked down my cheek. “I can’t even find the fucking bees.”
He pointed in the general direction of the trees.
I rubbed my eyes, stuffing down the urge to scream down inside me. “Thanks.”
“Have a good day, Ma’am.”
