Page 49 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter
The conviction in his voice left little room for argument. Malik felt a complicated mix of pride, gratitude, and concern. This kid had more courage than most adults he’d encountered in his long life.
“We’ll talk more when you’re feeling better,” Malik said finally. “For now, your mam’s on her way. She’ll want to take you home and fuss over you.”
Ian groaned. “She’ll never let me out of her sight again.”
“Can you blame her?” Tynan asked with a small smile.
As if summoned by their conversation, Mrs. Peters appeared in the doorway, her face pinched with worry. She rushed to Ian’s bedside, already fussing over his cast and demanding details about his care.
Malik and Tynan stepped back, giving them space for their reunion. The moment felt private, a reminder of the normal human world that existed alongside their paranormal reality - a world they’d dragged Ian into, however unintentionally.
“We need to fix this,” Malik murmured to Tynan. “Before anyone else gets hurt.”
Tynan nodded, his green eyes solemn. “We will. But we need a plan - one that deals with Garrison permanently without exposing what we are to the whole town.”
As they slipped out of the hospital room with promises to check on Ian tomorrow, Malik’s resolve hardened. Garrison haddeclared war not just on them, but on everything and everyone Malik cared about. The man needed to be stopped.
For the first time in years, Malik considered letting his rhino off its leash completely. The thought should have troubled him more than it did. There were times when the animal view of life was so much simpler and far more direct when it came to threats.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tynan sat in the passenger seat of Malik’s truck, staring at his phone as it buzzed with a notification. He’d been preoccupied with the confrontation at the workshop, running the events through his mind over and over. Garrison’s men had known exactly where to strike, what would hurt them most. The thought of Ian’s broken arm made his stomach churn with guilt.
“It’s Ian,” he said, reading the message. “He says Hayley Cooper just sent him a direct message.”
Malik’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “What? While he’s still at the hospital?”
“He forwarded it to me.” Tynan held up the phone so Malik could glimpse it at a stoplight. “She says she saw his profile comment on her Instagram post and wants to talk to him privately.”
“That’s unexpected,” Malik said carefully. “Could be a trap.”
“Or it could be our first real lead.” Tynan studied the message again. “The language is different from that fake-sounding Instagram post. It feels more authentic - casual, with the kinds of abbreviations young people use.”
The light changed, and Malik guided the truck through the intersection. “Call him. I want to hear his take on this.”
Tynan dialed Ian, putting the call on speaker. It rang twice before Ian answered, his voice slightly fuzzy from pain medication.
“Did you get the screenshot I sent?” he asked immediately, skipping any greeting.
“Yes, we’re looking at it now,” Tynan replied. “Are you sure it’s really from Hayley’s account?”
“Same username as her verified Instagram. I’m pretty certain it’s legit.” Despite the medication, Ian sounded excited. “What should I say back?”
Malik and Tynan exchanged a glance. “Nothing yet,” Tynan advised. “We’re almost at the workshop. Let’s talk this through first.”
“I’ll be waiting. I’m already home. Apparently, being young and fit works in my favor. Mam’s made me comfortable on the couch with about fifty pillows and enough tea to drown in.” Ian’s attempt at humor didn’t quite mask the pain in his voice.
“Rest up. We’ll call you right back,” Malik promised before ending the call.
When they arrived at the workshop, the front entrance was still a mess, though someone, likely the police or one of the neighbors, had managed to secure it temporarily with plywood and chains. Malik led them through the back entrance, checking carefully for any watchers before letting Tynan inside.
Sparky flew from Tynan’s shoulder to his perch near the window. “So the plot thickens,” he observed. “Our missing girl reaches out just after we’re attacked. Coincidence? I think not.”
“I don’t believe in coincidences,” Tynan agreed, settling at his desk and pulling up Ian’s message on his computer for a better view.
The message was brief but telling, both in what it said and how it was written.Hey, saw ur comment on my post. U work for the mech shop right? Need 2 talk 2 someone who isn’t connected to my mom. Can we meet?
“It doesn’t sound like someone being coerced,” Malik observed, reading over Tynan’s shoulder.
