Page 67 of House of Pawns
By morning she returns, somber faced at being unsuccessful in finding her yet again.
We have just hours until the King arrives.
Yet I find myself leaving the Estate.
This may be my last chance to venture out into the daylight world without experiencing pain.
I climb into the Jeep and drive down my long driveway. The snow is once again a few inches deep where Samuel plowed. But the tires on this vehicle handle it with no problem.
I’m not sure where I’m going. I wander through town. Every shop is closed. Fred’s. The grocery store. The school is shut down. When I find the church at the end of Main Street with its lights glowing and several cars parked outside, my heart drops slightly.
There are footprints all over in the deepening snow. And there is a sign out front that says “Shelter and Food.”
Their pipes must not have frozen yet, and they’re staying warm enough. My curiosity gets the best of me. I park on the side of the road and climb out.
My boots sink deeply into the snow and I can’t help but think it looks almost gray. Like there’s ash mixed into it. I glance up at the skies just before I reach the grand front doors.
The clouds still swirl above the town. It’s a terrible sight. Terrifying. And the snow just keeps falling from the sky.
Placing my hand on the door, I pull, and let myself in.
The pews have all been moved to the sides of the chapel, and the center of the room is filled with cots. Extension cords run all over the place and I see space heaters plugged in everywhere. It’s warm inside, enough to get away with only wearing a jacket.
About a dozen people are strewn about the building that I can see. They lie on the cots. They talk quietly to one another. No eyes turn to me as the door was quiet and my entrance quick as to not let any heat out.
Off to the side, I see a doorway open up into a kitchen.
And there, helping serve up what looks to be a stew, is Luke.
He smiles at an older black woman as he hands her the bowl. She says something and it must be a joke, because helaughs in response. He hands another bowl to a little boy next, still talking to the woman.
Sheriff McCoy is a good man. He’s brave. Just taking this job was a risk. He told me once he got the position because Jasmine killed his predecessor. Here he is, ever at risk. Most everyone has left, but he’s here, taking care of the people of Silent Bend in a way I cannot.
I’m startled when a hand rests on my shoulder, and I look to find Mayor Jackson staring at me with dark eyes.
“Alivia, I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced yet,” he says with darkness and wariness. “I’m Leonard Jackson.”
I accept the hand he extends and shake it. “Alivia Ryan, but I suppose you know that.”
“I do,” he says with a nod. “Sheriff McCoy has been keeping me updated on…things.”
“Oh,” is all I can come up with. His presence, meeting him, has caught me off guard.
His eyes grow sad, distant. And he takes a small, half a step away from me. “I’m sure you’ve heard about what happened to my wife nearly three months ago. Luke doesn’t know much, not really anything. But I have to ask you, because I’ve heard how allegiances have shifted. Was it a member of your House who turned my wife?”
And I see it there. The sorrow and grief this man has gone through. I can only imagine. Seeing her seemingly dead, only to have her wake up with a Debt she can’t fight or refuse. “I promise you, it wasn’t my House. There is some kind of…hidden, secret war going on. Someone has been building, well, the best I can describe it as is an army. Jasmine’s House has been attacked several times. And…”
I falter, not wanting to cause him more pain by confessing the truth.
“Please,” he says, his eyes begging me. “I need to know.”
I swallow hard, turning my eyes to the innocent people around us. “One of my members confirmed your wife was among those who attacked Jasmine’s House. She can’t help it. I think you know that, but…”
I look back at Mayor Jackson. His eyes have grown distant. He nods his head and squeezes them shut for a moment. “Things have gotten out of control, ever since you arrived in this town, Alivia.” When he opens his eyes, they are cold and hard. They penetrate me to my core. “New attacks. Ian Ward no longer keeping the streets clear. And now, nature turning against our town. Your father should have died a long time ago and then Silent Bend and my wife would have been safe.”
He spits his last few words out, and then just turns and walks away.
I stand there, stunned.
