Page 112 of Hostile Saint

“Dick. Head.”

Laughing, Lynx said, “Two alphas fighting for the top spot.”

Vice sneered, “This wolf will win. You can count on that.”

After Charlie’s ‘impressive shit’, according to his alpha competitor, we loaded him back into the SUV, along with our belongings. Then it was off to a drive-thru for some ‘grub’. Of course, I shared mine with Charlie.

The closer we got to my old neighborhood, the more an ominous feeling loomed. Rain dripped onto the SUV, attempting to wash away the blackness we were approaching but failing. Driving down Lacey’s street, I was grateful to have on a hoody so I could feel hidden. I kept fearing I would suddenly see the fake-brothers and be in instant danger, even with weaponed bikers only inches from me.

Barely making a sound, I pointed. “That’s Lacey’s house.”

The dilapidated two-story home had always felt desolate. Now, knowing all that I did, it was downright depressing. The faded light green outer walls practically dripped with sad tales.

It was dark inside the house. No cars in the driveway. No one was home. Now that her mother was dead, I wondered who lived there, or if anyone lived there at all. The mailbox was overflowing with mail, and there were newspapers scattered all over the front stoop.

Vice pulled over but kept the engine running as I gestured up. “That was her window I crawled through so many nights.”

I envisioned Lacey’s long hair and knowing smile, remembering when I crawled through. Our lips would mash together as our bodies fought to be closer and closer…

From the back of the SUV, a lick swiped my cheek. I leaned my head toward this special dog. “You will love her, Charlie,” I whispered as I stared at the window, imagining the bed where we held each other, found comfort in each other…

Sitting next to me, Lynx said, “Son, you ready to go see your other home?”

I understood Lynx was attempting to confirm I owned these homes, to offer any glimpse of this power that was mine, but the coldness surrounding me made it impossible for his wisdom to reach me. That house wasn’t mine. In my heart, it never would be.

Nodding, I said, “Two blocks over.”

The neighborhood was barren since many were at work. Not many witnesses, but I still stayed in my hoody, wanting to be unseen. After the robot on Lynx’s phone announced something, Vice pulled over again.

Along with the hoody, the SUV’s darkly tinted windows kept me shielded as I stared at my childhood home. We were parked across the street, all staring at the spot where my life had been a true living hell. I held my cellphone tightly, glancing down to see Lacey sitting at her desk when I felt anxiety building.

“She’s safe,” Lynx kept reminding me.

Exhaling against the glass, I nodded, simply unable to speak.

It was almost like an out-of-body experience to study the house from a different view.

Different view…

Perception.

A fickle beast? Or a powerful gift.

The driveway was empty. My loud car that always made Lacey laugh was gone.

No lights were on inside the one-story block home with grey chipping paint. Two of the decorative shutters were half-hanging off the side of the house, and I couldn’t remember if they had always been like that. I was looking through eyes that could now see. Until now, I was always in survival mode, only paying attention to the necessities.

The browning grass was tall. I hadn’t been there to be yelled at and told to mow, so I guess no one was tending to it. Like at Lacey’s, the mailbox was overflowing with mail, and the front door was blocked by a collection of newspapers.

“Abandoned,” quietly mentioned Vice.

Dagger nodded. “Both homes. Where has everyone gone?”

Vice grumbled, “We were hoping to follow them to the location Lacey spoke about.”

Lynx’s voice sounded deep and deadly. “I know how to get those bastards back here.”

Dagger smirked over his shoulder. “For Sale signs.”