“I’m sorry, I wish I could help you somehow.” We stopped running about an hour in and are just walking around campus now.
“But you can’t. You are destined for more than me.” I roll my eyes at him,
“You keep saying that, but you don’t have any real proof of that do you?”
“You are smart enough to be here at, well 16 now. You put up with me and all of these other guys like we are nothing more than regular guys…”
“You are just regular guys to me. Guys I get, girls are harder for me to understand. I like being outside, I like training and running. All the girl stuff is foreign to me. I’ve just been lucky enough to have some female friends who get me and decided to be friends with me anyway.”
“I should get you home, don’t want to keep you out all night, your uncle will probably kill me.”
“My uncle is not the person you should worry about, or did you forget when I tried to punch you so hard your head would fall off?”
“That is something I will never forget. And yes, you scare me a bit too.”
“Good. So, since Mina has her date tomorrow and you seem to spend a lot of time hanging out in my yard, do you want to pick me up for the run tomorrow, or will Mike be mad about that? I know you guys usually go together.”
“No, he won’t be mad at all, unfortunately.” He mumbles the last word under his breath, but I didn’t miss it. “We usually go early since we set everything up, so we actually get two runs in, would that be a problem?”
“No, just text me when I should be ready.” I say as we get to my front porch again. “Thank you for going with me. I just had the feeling I needed to have someone with me tonight.” I step in to give him a hug and for the first time he hesitates, but he wraps his arms around me and places a soft kiss to the top of my head.
“I told you, anything for you. I’m still glad it was me and not Robbie.” I giggle into his chest and squeeze him one more time before pulling away.
“I’m still going to hold you to that.” I point at him and trot up the porch steps and walk inside to a completely empty and put back together house. I wonder if he noticed all of the commotion going on before? I mean the team was secluded to the kitchen, but the house is an open concept so if someone was listening in, they could have heard all the voices inside. Just another thing on my list of ‘needs answers.’
He’s going to pick me up tomorrow and take me with him to set up the bonfire sight. I don’t have a time yet but I will try to get that from him while we are in class tomorrow.” I open the mind link to Osiston, Nickolas and Mina. Confirmed Mina’s date for tomorrow night too.”
“We’re all set, Midge, are you ready for this? You don’t know which of these guys is a victim or a villain. You may have to fight people who have been nothing but friendly. I need you to wrap your head around that so there is no hesitation tomorrow.” Nickolas asks.
“I can’t honestly answer that. Is anyone ready for betrayal, even if you see it coming?”
“That is why you are here, Little One. We will help in any way we can to protect everyone, innocence should not get hurt, but we can’t promise that it won’t happen. You need to call for help at the first hint of trouble. Your cover will no longer matter after the run starts tomorrow night. We are taking this group out and getting answers.” Osiston’s calm deep voice is stern and yet always soothing. His wise words are never harsh, but always direct and honest.
