Erica was breathless, shaking. “Thank god,” she said. “Thank god you were here...”
“I’m sorry,” Nathan said. “I didn’t know they’d come here. I didn’t think they’d ever dare.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Long story,” he said. “And I promise, we’ll tell you.” She didn’t deserve to be in the dark after all this. She hadn’t deserved it before.
He turned as Kota was coming out with Jessica. He urged her to join their mother and Nathan as he went back inside.
Jessica ran to them. Erica drew herself away, opening her arms for her daughter and pulled her in. She kissed her on the head as she squeezed her. “Baby,” she said and she sighed.
Nathan spun around, looking out at the yard and then to Jessica. “Where did Sang go?”
“She ran out,” Jessica said.
“I saw her,” Erica said. “Before the cop showed up. She ran down the road and then the guy came in. The one that—” She turned toward the house. “Who is he, anyway?”
Nathan stepped away from her, looking around the yard, scanning the tree line across the street, his house... “Sang?” he bellowed.
Suddenly, Jessica’s phone was ringing. Erica took it from her daughter and answered it. “I don’t know who this is but we’re bu...Sang?”
Nathan reactively took the phone from Erica and held it to his ear. “Sang, where are you?”
“At the diner,” she said. “I’m fine. The cops are there?”
“Yes. Stay where you are. I’ll get someone to go to you.”
“Are you okay?”
His body ached all over. He hadn’t had time to inspect for damage but he was upright, she was safe, Erica and everyone else was okay. “We’re fine,” he said. “Kota’s here. The others should be here soon. Don’t go anywhere.” He paused. “Wait, whose phone are you using?”
“Danielle’s,” she said. “She’s here.”
God damn it. “Okay. Just...stay with her.”
“What about the police?” she whispered into the phone.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll...try to keep you out of it.” He looked over at Erica. “We’ll try.”
Erica raised an eyebrow but nodded. She was amazing. After Hendricks started waving a gun around, and he grabbed at her, she flipped him, breaking the coffee table.
But why did the lights go out? Did she do that, too? During the entire struggle, he wasn’t sure how everything happened. Or why Ramirez showed up.
Kota remained in the house. Nathan wanted to go in, too, but he didn’t want to leave Erica and Jessica alone out here. Answers would need to wait until they dealt with Hendricks and Morris.
When Nathan hung up on Sang, Erica asked, “Are you going to tell me about this?” she asked. “Tell me why Sang was being forcefully removed by the principal?”
He was sure they would have to. There was no way they could hide this now. The Academy. The truth. Everything. “When they’ve gone,” he said. “When we’re settled here. I’ll tell you. Kota will, too. I’m sure.”
She nodded, her lips pursed.
Nathan only hoped she’d believe them, especially after the years of half-truths they’d built up with her.
What We Don’t Deserve
Sang
The first early hours of the morning were filled with questions. After the police car had driven by and I’d called and spoke with Nathan, I did what I said. I stayed put at the diner, waiting for someone to come get me.
Danielle had asked many questions about what happened, but I didn’t give her answers. I just told her to stay with me. It was probably safer for the both of us.
The diner had only a quad of college kids. They sat at a booth in the back. Besides the one waitress and one chef that came out every once in a while, it seemed we were the only other two people in the place at this early hour.
The waitress didn’t question why two teen girls were there so late, and the college kids left us alone. I wasn’t sure if I recognized the waitress, although she seemed familiar and I might have worked with her before here at the diner. Most of the people who worked here were Academy anyway. She might have recognized me. The college kids spoke in sometimes rambunctious tones but otherwise, they kept to themselves.
Danielle gave up on me after a while when I kept telling her I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t want to say that I was in a fight. I did my best to not show her how scared I was for Nathan, for Erica, for the others. I wasn’t totally sure I should have left. After I got to the diner, I’d hoped to bait Morris and Hendricks away from the others. Now it felt like I’d abandoned them.
And maybe it was okay, since the police showed up, but it still felt wrong.
But would Morris or Hendricks tell people they were after me?
And what would have happened if they’d captured me? Volto said they would have used me against them, and they must have been pretty desperate to try to take me by force.
Even Nathan had been willing to call the police, realizing the immensity of the danger.
Eventually, Danielle had to answer her phone as her mother was calling. She said she had to leave, and I was left alone in the booth.
I was tempted to go into the security trailer, but I wasn’t sure anyone was in there, and within the view of others right now was probably the best option for the situation.
I tested my neck and other spots on my body. I was sore all over. I’d huddled up in the booth for so long, trying to hide these.
It seemed ages before Dr. Green finally appeared. I’d almost fallen asleep leaning against the wall. He slid into the booth next to me, reaching around to grab a menu. “I’m starving,” he said.
I blinked, rubbing at my eyes. He was in jeans and a T-shirt, his hair was combed back. His green eyes glanced over the menu.
I coughed once. “What’s going on?”
“What’s going on is I’m going to order something.” he looked over at me and smiled, though he looked tired. “And we are going to go to the trailer so you can get some sleep.” He paused. “Are you hungry or tired?”
I wasn’t sure I could eat. I was tired, but I was so worked up, and worried. But since he wasn’t answering, perhaps he wouldn’t talk here. “I don’t need anything.”
He glanced around and then leaned into me close. “You sure?” he whispered.
I tried to smile for him. “I’m just tired. And worried.”
He kept looking at me, over my face. I wasn’t sure if he was waiting for me to say something more, or if he was the one wanting to say something.
He reached under the table, gently touching at my leg. I imagined he didn’t really want anyone else to notice this. “You’re enchanting when you’re sleepy.”
I warmed inside, although I couldn’t put together what to say to him. His sweet nature could make me, for a moment, feel like everything was just fine.
He put the menu down and slid out of the booth, reaching out for my hand. “I can order at the bar. What’s the fastest thing for them to make?”
It was a good idea to get out of here. Exhausted and overwhelmed, sitting up in a booth was making my body ache. “Salad,” I said. I tried to recall what food was usually pre-prepared and the chef didn’t have to bother with much to put together. “And pie. Wait...maybe biscuits and gravy.”