Page 69 of Sundowners
Did they know we were watching?
The three of us remained frozen as the SUV drove slowly away, so as not to call attention to their movement, and disappeared into the night.
“Holy shit, what just happened?” I jumped out of the bushes and began pacing.
“We gotta get out of here.”
Just then, there was an explosion from the house that knocked the three of us onto our asses several feet from where we’d been hiding.
Apparently, they were covering their tracks.
The three of us looked at each other—then ran for Mark’s truck. He fumbled with the keys trying to get the damn thing unlocked, and Cross quietly urged him to get us the fuck out of there.
Before I knew where we were going, they drove back downtown, past the bar, and into a neighborhood with apartment buildings. Mark pulled into a covered spot and turned off the truck.
“I can leave. I can—”
“You’re coming inside,” Cross said. “We gotta stick together after that shit. We need a fucking plan.” His eyes were wide and he was shook. No longer was he the cool “I do what I want” Cross.
I followed them up the steps to their apartment, which wasn’t much more than what you’d find in a cheap hotel room that rented by the week; two queen-sized beds, a mini-fridge and a bathroom. They brought their gear up from the van and put it under the table next to the windows. There was a bicycle standing against the wall and clothes in stacks piled on top of the dressers.
“It’s not much, but it’s home. For now.”
“Although,” Mark said, “maybe it shouldn’t be. Maybe the three of us should get the fuck out of dodge.”
“No,” I said. “I’m not leaving Roman’s family unprotected. And I have commitments.”
“Commitments? Brother, did you not see what we saw? The Source isaliveand sucked thefuckout of those four bastards. They deserved it, but I don’t want to be anyone’s Slim Fast shake, are you picking up what I’m putting down?” Cross shuddered and plopped down on the edge of one of the beds.
“The two of you are free to go. I understand, but I’m not leaving.”
I turned for the door, and Mark stepped in front of me.
“Wait, Creed. Don’t leave,” he said. “I don’t want to lose you, too. Even if we eventually split up again, I feel better knowing you’re out there.” He pulled me in for a hug, and I went, feeling his profound sadness. Him and Cross had energy signatures that were sharper, clearly delineated. Like the difference between getting hit with a spray bottle or a hose on jet power.
I patted Mark’s back and turned to look at Cross. He looked equally distraught.
“I need to find out what the police know. Roman mentioned another lead…some woman who worked with an organization. He knows more. If I tell him the truth—”
“You know, I might flaunt The Way by getting up onstage and pretending to be a vampire, and I might role play with some sexy bartenders, but Creed…now that I’ve seen what I seen…”
“If The Source wants us gone, I don’t think we have much say. But I can’t help but think that following The Way, living the way we were taught, might have some sway with The Source. Maybe they’re holding The Source against their will? Maybe The Source shut those guys down because they weren’t following The Way?”
Mark and Cross looked at each other with skepticism.
“Brother, I don’t know if I want to find out.”
“Fine,” I said. “But I’ve gotta do this. If anything, I need Roman to understand, and I need his uncle to know what they’re dealing with. I’ll keep your names out of it. I will not out you.”
Cross stared me down. This was the true test. They could decide to shut me down, protect themselves. Or they could let me do what I needed to do. I was ready to fight either way.
“Calm down,” Cross said, running a hand down his beard. “I feel you getting all riled up over there. I’m not going to stop you. I won’t interfere. But Mark and I will need to confer as to whether or not we stick around.”
I glanced at Mark, and he nodded. “I’m sorry, Creed. I’m not sure I want to risk the little bit we have.”
I patted his shoulder, still worried this was a show and they weren’t going to let me leave.“I don’t blame you. But I’ve spent the last fifty years working toward finding a resolution to what happened to our friends. I owe it to Muse. And now that I’ve found Roman, I can’t risk him or his family being hurt because of my past.”
“Understood,” Cross said, standing from the bed. “Keep us informed. If we can help, we’ll…consider it,” he said, making eye contact with Mark.
