I handed Ebony the keys.
“Thank you.” She took them from me and lowered the shotgun. “We’ll be out of here soon. I don’t want to bother—”
“You won’t be out of here soon. The storm is just beginning.” I pointed to all the flakes raining down. “And you’re not going to bother me. My house is big enough for us to barely see each other.”
“Still.” She glanced back at the place. “We won’t be here too long, and I can give you—”
“Nothing. I don’t need anything. Just clean up after yourselves and be nice to my dogs.” I walked off. “The house is this way.”
“O-kay.”
I didn’t glance back, but I heard their shoes crunching the snow as they followed. Salt and Pepa rushed up to my side.
The fact that the dogs hadn’t snarled or barked at Ebony or the kids told me they were a decent group. Dogs knew the evil within souls. They could smell it better than a human. If the dogs didn’t react, then our unexpected guests would cause no trouble.
How crazy was life? I’d went to bed alone with only the comfort of my dogs. I imagined the storm would have me closed in from the world for several days. The next thing I knew, I woke up to guests—nervous strangers.
I’d lived alone for so long, I hoped they wouldn’t irritate me. The whole journey to the house I contemplated all the ways this could be a mistake or annoyance. But deep down inside, I sort of welcomed this. Part of me—a small miniscule part—was just as excited as the dogs. But I didn’t want to admit it. To confess that to myself would be to affirm that I’d felt lonely, before they came.
No. I love my life. They’ll be here for a little bit. It won’t be a big deal, and then they’ll go.
And why would I get comfortable with having company, when they would be gone soon?
In silence, we trudged through the snow.
I had no idea, if Ebony had that shotgun pointed at my back or not. I definitely didn’t sense any danger coming my way, and I was good with that.
It would be my luck that the way I finally get killed, is in a snowstorm on my own property.
But death by a beautiful woman wouldn’t be too bad of a way to go. If anything, I preferred this option most of all.
What will come of these next days? Always the universe surprises me.
Chapter 4
Temporary Haven
Ebony
What the hell am I doing?
Going into a stranger’s house was not a smart idea, especially when that stranger had a shotgun. Yoshiro also wasn’t a small man. He towered over me and must’ve been at least 6’2, destroying my stereotype of Asian men being short. But what did I know about Asian cultures anyway?
I shut those negative labels out of my head and continued to study the man as we walked behind him. He had long hair as well as big shoulders and arms under that jacket. Or that jacket had some extreme lining. I doubted it. That must’ve been all him.
He also walked like he could fight, if that made any sense. Each step exuded confidence and underlying danger. With his size and that walk, I didn’t even know why he had a shotgun. I didn’t think he would need one, if anybody bothered him.
At least he gave the shotgun to me. If he tries something, I’ll shoot him. It’ll be the second person I shoot today. Jesus, what am I becoming?
But what else could I do? The SUV was wrecked. A snowstorm battled outside. The only blessing to this insane situation was that Wyatt would not be anywhere near. He would never find us, and even if he rushed out searching for us. . .maybe he would get trapped in the storm and die.
I didn’t like wishing for someone’s death, but I hoped God understood why I prayed for Wyatt’s passing.
Dear God. Am I doing the right thing?
With the property’s lights on, I could see the place better through the snowflakes. The two level house stood in a massive lot, casually landscaped, placed somewhere comfortable in the region between natural and neglected. But who knew? Snow blanketed the space. The house itself was low and sprawling, dark cedar siding, dark screens at the windows, big stone chimney, somewhere between suburban modest and big cozy cottage.
Most of all, it was very quiet.
There are probably a lot of rooms in there. God, I hope this is safe. We have no other option. Lord, please protect us.
The kids walked behind me. For the second time that day, Jalen watched me hold a weapon and point it at a man.
What am I teaching my son? What am I exposing to my kids?
For their whole childhood, I’d done my best to preach about peace and loving others. And the whole time, tragedy came, and I had to use violent measures.