Page 23 of Remnants
“Mhm?”
“Can I keep you?” My breath hitches as I hold her closer to me.
“We’ve never even been on a date.” I chuckle lightly. “We haven’t done all the steps and you’re already wanting to keep me?” Nora sighs lightly while nuzzling into my embrace.
“You did the whole ‘proper steps’ thing, do you really feel like that’s the only way to figure out if your heart is connected to another?” I’m silent as I process her words. I know she’s right—I did it the “proper” way with James and look what happened. And I know I feel something for Nora, it’s something unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.
Nora rolls over and hugs me closer. “This will take time. It’ll take work and healing. I just want you to know that I’m here to go along with you, to help and support you. You’re not alone, Katie.” I go to speak, but the loud sound of breaking glass followed by Sam’s loud barks and snarls startle us both. I watch as Nora rolls off the bed and I hear the sound of a gun sliding before I see her stand back up and grab her crutch.
“Stay put,” she whispers, leaving me in the room and shutting the door. I try to keep my breathing quiet, but the rapid beating of my heart is just as loud. Should I call 911?
“Sam!Voran!” I faintly hear Nora commanding Sam, though I don’t know what she is telling him. Why did German have to be the language she chose? I hear Sam’s nails hitting the wood floor as he walks by and after what feels like an eternity, Nora’s voice finally calls out.
“It’s safe, Junebug!” I run to the door, rip it open, and head to the living room to see what happened. Nora is sitting on the coffee table rubbing her knee while trying to slide her sock on for her prosthetic. She’s so sore and swollen, I don't know how she expects to get her leg in there. She’s looking at a piece of paper and I notice a brick sitting next to her.
“Nora?” I ask softly as I walk toward her.
“Stop!” she commands, eyes wide. I freeze as I look at her in panic.
“There’s glass on the floor and you’re barefoot. Just… stay there.” I chew on my lip nervously as I watch her movements become jerky and almost clumsy. Is she having another flashback? I spot a pair of sneakers by the door. They are Mac’s and about eight sizes too big for me but I slip them on and walk over to the table where she dropped the note before she went to grab a broom. I see what’s written on it and instantly my stomach sinks.
You can’t run, Captain.
I know everything about you now.
Enjoy your one p.m. therapy session tomorrow.
Afterward, maybe we can catch up. I’ve been working on my aim.
Bring Sam with you.
Nora comes back with a broom and dustpan but stops in her tracks when she sees me. We stare at each other for a long moment and as if she can read my mind, she purses her lips and glares at me.
“No,” she states, pointing at me.
“No, what?” I whisper and she shakes her head.
“Kaitlin,” she warns, dropping the dust pan. “You will not leave me.”
“Nor—”
“What did I say?” she yells, causing me to involuntarily cower. I look through my hands that are in front of my face and I see her expression. Shame? Pain?
“Junebug.” Her voice cracks as she walks over to me and cups my face. “Baby, I’m sorry,” she whispers, hugging me to her chest.
“I don’t want you, or Sam, or Mac to get hurt because of me,” I cry against her as she kisses the top of my head.
“Katie, my sweet girl.” She pulls from the embrace and cups my face to look at her. “The only thing that can hurt me is losing you.” I sob into her hands as she pulls me back into the embrace. I would sell my soul to the Devil himself if he would make James disappear.
Nora
THIRTEEN
Mac shakeshis head as he rubs his hands over his scruffy face. “This is your dumbest idea yet.”
I laugh dryly at him. “I don’t know, remember that time I enlisted in the army and got my leg blown off?” He finds zero humor in my remark as we sit on the front porch of my house, staring across the street at James’ home.
“When you get caught, and you will, nobody will be able to save you, Nora.” His tone is pleading, as it has been since I got here three hours ago. Kaitlin had a doctor’s appointment, and while I didn’t particularly like not being there, I needed to be here, watching him.
