Page 77 of Slaughtered Firefly
“Oh my dear child you are already halfway there! What on earth are you doing up this hour?”
“Uncle Cole promised me to keep it a secret … ”
“Gabriella. You know we do not keep secrets in this house,” I warned. She shook her head, making a zipper motion with her lips and hand.
“How about this, I’ll tell you something and you tell me something. Deal?” This child was too smart for her own good.
She nodded, undoing her zipper mouth, and I shook my head laughing. “Promise?”
“I promise I’ll tell you a secret, but you have to tell me yours first.”
“Uncle Cole says Mommy is coming to take me away soon, and we are all going to live in a big house together! I won’t ever have to see Isabella again,” she put her hands over her mouth as she blurted it out.
I pinched my eyebrows together; it wasn’t that I was concerned for the woman. I was glad to be rid of thatputa.My stomach clenched at the idea of meeting Summer and not being able to see Gabriella. I had grown fond of the girl since Cole had shown up with her seven years ago. I sighed. “Now, you know that’s not all he tells you, what else did he say?”
She peaked out of her hand to shield. It was so adorable, and I had to stifle my laugh. “he says that you, Malic and Joshua will be coming too, isn’t that the best news ever?” She giggled,twirling in a circle now. I had no idea where all this energy was coming from at five in the morning.
“Okay Gabby, thank you for telling me,” I smiled at her. Worry crept into my bones at the idea of leaving so suddenly, but if Cole thought it safe enough, I would not question him. I just hoped he knew what he was doing. We started walking towards the kitchen, and she pulled at my side.
“Wait, you promised a secret in return,” she huffed. Gabby was really too smart for her own good, always remembering things even if it was a pain.
“Ah let’s get you some breakfast first, then i’ll tell you baby girl,” I pulled out a cast iron.
“Fineeeeeeee, but only because I’m hungry.” She pouted as she pulled the eggs out of the fridge and then ran to get the boys.
I busied myself cooking while the house filled with the noise of children and the upbeat music. That worry was still present as I watched the children argue over who got to be a cop and robber, each taking turns to catch the bad guys. I was so distracted I almost burned the eggs and turned to start the toast when there was a loud bang against the door. I checked the clock on the oven; it was still too early for anyone else to show up and glanced at the door. There was another loud bang, and the kids jumped. “Gabriella, Malic, Joshua come quickly,” I ushered them down the hall.
“What’s wrong Reyna?” Gabriella spoke up as she grabbed a hold of little Joshua’s hand.
“I’m not sure Mahal, but you remember that special room that Cole made just for emergencies?” Another bang against the door and I had to breathe evenly to keep from jumping. She nodded, and I clasped her cheek, giving her a kiss on her head. “Take Joshua and Malic and go now. Don’t come out until I or Cole comes and gets you.” She took Malic’s hand out of mine and smiled at them.
“Do you want to play a hide and seek game?” Her strong little voice masked the worry on her face as she turned towards me, giving me one last hug.
“Yes,” they giggled in unison before she put a finger to her lips and guided them towards her room.
I prayed God protected them as I turned to face the intruder at the door.
48
RUN
Present day
“Come on guys, we have to hide,” I whispered to the three- and four-year-olds as I struggled to open the false wall compartment in the back of the playroom. There was another loud bang against the front door, like someone had taken a hammer to the wall.
“I’m scared Gabby,” Malic whispered back, his lip quivering. I held him tight as I struggled to open the latch. Uncle Cole had shown me exactly what to do, but my hands shook as I fished for the hidden string on the latch. The boys hugged me tightly as there was a final bang, and Reyna shouted.
“Auntie!” Little Joshua cried, and I jerked him back before he had the chance to run.
“Josh, we can’t go there right now we have to go into the secret room. I promise I will go get her.” I held my pinky out to him. He latched it as tears rolled down his cheeks. The string was almost within reach, and I was stretching on the very tips of my toes for it. My fingers could almost reach, there was a louder banging and Reyna screamed as I hooked the thread into my fingers. The concealed apartment door came open, and I shoved the boys upward onto the shelf. “Remember boys be very quiet, we can’t be heard,” I whispered, putting my finger to my lips. The house was strangely quiet. I couldn’t hear Reyna fighting anymore, and I shook with unease. I helped Malic into the cubby first, then lifted Joshua towards him. As I was climbing onto the shelf to join them, I heard the slow, measured footsteps.
I froze, listening and waiting. I heard the bathroom door open. Its squeaky hinge creaked a little before it was closed again. The intruder was right outside. I held my breath as I smiled at the boys, motioning my finger in a zipper lip, and slid the concealed door closed. They would be safe; they wouldn’t be hurt. I trusted Uncle Cole to be right about the hidden door; no one would notice it unless they were looking for it. I got off the shelf with shaky hands, trying to be as quiet as possible. I snucktowards the toy box, looking for something that would be big enough to hit with, and my eyes caught on the shiny metal in the corner.
I had to be brave, but I was so worried, would Uncle Cole be mad I couldn’t make it into the room? My hands shook as I grabbed Malic’s little baseball bat. I almost dropped it; my hands were so sweaty.
Hit them right in the crotch and then you run like the wind, run like you’ve got the last cookie from the jar and don’t want to share. Run and scream.I blinked as I tried to calm my breathing, remembering what Uncle Cole had taught me. I slowly crept towards the door, with a firm grip on the bat.
I always thought Uncle Cole was strange for teaching me those small things. They seemed like games at the time, but now I knew he was preparing me.
