Page 97 of The Devils Melody
“Yeah, maybe let's not, bud.”
“Alright,” he replies before hanging up.
I check my phone and see the notification from Jimmy. Swiping it open, I press play on the footage. Nox leans over to watch it over my shoulder. The timestamp matches the night of the break in. Two figures move through the shadows. One smaller, moving quickly, the other much larger in comparison. Once they turn, we notice a third figure being carried by the two.
Chen.
“Pause it,” Nox hisses.
I freeze the frame and zoom in. The smaller figure's face sharpens just enough for us to recognize it.
“Fucking Richard.”
The second man wears a hood, hiding his face completely.
“Who the fuck is that?” Nox asks.
“I don’t know, but Dick is gonna tell us before we gut him.”
We storm out of the building, the SUV doors slamming before we peel away from the restaurant.
33
Wren
THE SONGBIRD
Kage and Nox left a while ago to go find my bear. After the night I had last night, I’m grateful they were willing to go find it for me. It may seem a little childish to be attached to a stuffed animal, but it’s the one thing that’s been there for me through it all and I’m attached. It’s been a rough few weeks living without Mr. Teddy Bear.
A package was delivered this morning with the new wardrobe my boys were so kind to let me buy with their fancy metal credit card. I’ve been spending the last hour trying everything on and having my own little fashion show in the floor length mirror. If Olive was here, she’d be freaking the hell out.
I miss her.
I haven’t talked to Olive much since I started staying with Kage and Nox. We’ve texted briefly, she told me she hasn’t heard from Harper since we all went toDevils Den, but that’s typical. Don’t get me wrong, I love Harper, but she’s the type of friend who is only really around when we’re doing something fun.
Grabbing my phone off the bedside table, I open my messages to shoot Olive a text. The second I do, a notification pops in that shocks me. It’s from Loretta.
Retta: Hi honey, could you bring me some soup? I’m still not feeling well.
What the hell?Retta’s been sick for so fucking long. With me being out of work these last few weeks, I can only imagine how hard it’s been to cover my shifts plus Retta’s at the bar.
The boys told me not to leave the house when they left earlier, but I’m sure I can make it back before they return. They’ve only been gone for about two hours, and they said they had other things they needed to do afterwards, so I should have plenty of time.
Me: Omg, of course! I didn’t know you were still sick! Be there soon.
How the hellam I supposed to get there? My car is still at my apartment. I really don’t trust Ubers, but for Retta I can suck it up for the night. She’d do the same for me.
Grabbing my purse, I shoot off a text in our group chat.
Me: Hey, I know you said to stay put but Retta is still out sick. I’m going to bring her soup and check in on her. I’m calling an Uber there but if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could you pick me up on your way home?
After I send the text,I pull up the Uber app and order a ride. I make my way downstairs so I can wait outside, too antsy to stay inside this house much longer.
My phone dings with a notification. Ten minutes until my driver is here. Not a long time at all, but with nothing to do but sit with my thoughts, I can’t help the anxiety that takes over. I don't know why I’m so nervous to see Loretta. Things have just felt off with her the last couple of weeks. Calling me names she’s never called me before, not speaking in any spanish slang. It’s just not like her.
I wait a few more minutes before finally getting a notification that my Uber has arrived. Checking the group chat once more, I see Nox and Kage still haven’t responded to my message. I don’t even know if they’ve read it yet. Surely they would have said something if they did with their very demanding instructions they gave. Oh well, I guess. They’ll see it eventually. It’s not like they have anything to worry about. Retta’s is pretty close by, I’ll be done before they notice I’m gone.
Surprisingly enough,my Uber driver was extremely nice. She was quite young, college age maybe. I felt more at easeknowing I didn’t have to ride in a car with some random guy. She was kind enough to stop at a drive thru for me to pick up Retta’s soup, and even offered to take me to a convenience store to pick up some medication for her.
