Page 14 of Sundowners
“Lexi, you’re safe with me. People who are breaking into cars are looking for a quick buck. They’re not interested in hurting people. Most of the people out here are suffering. They’re hungry, and they’re looking for a little comfort. Aren’t we all?”
Lexi turned to smile up at me. “You need some comfort?” She pressed her chest against mine and bit her bottom lip.
Sigh.I really hated to set boundaries with her. I never liked letting anyone down. “Your friendshipiscomfort, Lexi.” I brushed her hair back from her face.
She frowned and rested her hands on my waist. “Friendship? We’ve been friends for a long time, Creed. Ever since you moved to town. You’ve never talked about anyone, been with anyone…”
I kissed her forehead. Then I looked into her eyes and tried to send her some reassurance. “It has nothing to do with you, Lexi. I prefer the company of men.”
Her eyes widened and then she blushed. “Oh. I’m sorry, Creed.”
I gave her my warmest smile. “No reason to be sorry. You’re my best friend, Lex. I hope we can remain that way.”
“You’re mine, too,” she groaned. “But you’re also really hot.” She pouted up at me, and I tweaked her nose.
“Thank you. Now you be safe. Go straight home.”
I swayed on my feet from the emotions Lexi was letting off. She was a brilliant woman and her energy felt like a two-beer buzz. It wasn’t a lot, but she’d be enough to get me through the night. It was too dangerous to use her for anything else. She was too close to me. Thankfully I had plenty of energy for the time being.
“You be safe, too,” she said. “You seem a little off tonight.”
“Nah. I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind. Good night, Lexi.”
She climbed into her Honda Civic. “Good night. Thanks for walking me.”
I closed her car door behind her and stepped back as she pulled away.
The ocean breeze caressed my skin, and I closed my eyes to embrace the night. The distant screams and roars from the roller coaster at the Boardwalk had become a comfort, the thumping of music from the nightclub downtown a welcome soundtrack. I rented a basement apartment a few blocks’ walk from the home and downtown Santa Cruz provided everything I needed. Food, entertainment, and reserves of residual energy from those who frequented the area. I learned early on that living around people was important to keep up my energy. Which was necessary until I finished my task.
Santa Cruz had been my favorite stop on this long journey. I’d never thought of myself as a beach town kind of man, believing I preferred the magnolias and green fields of Georgia. But now that I’d finally made it back out west, after many stops over the past fifty years, I felt at home. The second phase of my life started near here, and it seemed fitting that my search had led me back. The energy in this place called to wherever the power within me lay. Some nights I thought about giving up the search for those who’d wronged me, but I knew I’d never rest until I’d put an end to their misuse of power.
The peaceful feeling wavered, and I felt something brush against my psyche.Just a nudge. A test.
I wasn’t alone.
Someone trained in The Way was scanning me, testing my power, psychically approaching me in a way that brought back some painful memories.
I hadn’t felt the presence of others like me since I’d fled my commune fifty years ago.
I’ve come to the right place. Finally, a sign that I’d found what I was looking for.
I concentrated on blocking access to my energy and waited, alone and vulnerable in the darkness.
Where were they? My hair stood up on my arms for a moment and then it went away. Whoever it was must have been passing by. I moved toward the street out front and saw several groups of young folks talking and laughing as they walked to and from the Boardwalk, but no one stuck out. No one looked my way.
I was close. I would find them. I knew I’d recognize the ones I was looking for when the time came, and that timewascoming. Until then, I would live by the beliefs I’d committed myself to so long ago.
Give unto them what they require.
Take from them only what is necessary to survive.
I was tired of running. For some time now I’d wished it was possible to set down roots. But sins of the past have a way of catching up to you once you got comfortable, and I wouldn’t rest until I found those who destroyed the people I loved.Now that they’d shown themselves, that time was at hand.
6
CHAPTER SIX
Roman
