Page 50 of Unclaimed Bonds
“Stop being such a wiseass.” Anders’s phone rings. “I need to answer this. You’ll be discharged within the hour, and I’ll return to collect you.” He raises the phone to his ear and walks out of the room.
I guess he lost the nerve to tell me that I’m going to an orphanage.
Mimi arrives with an injection and a medicine cup full of supplements. I thought I was done with those. I haven’t taken any since I woke up from that whole ordeal, almost dying and whatnot.
Shakti isn’t here to question it, and the twins can’t interpret for me. My voice is still too weak to murmur more than a word or two. So, I simply take the medicine.
After Mimi leaves, I pack my belongings. I don’t really have much. Everything fits into two shopping bags, mostly clothes Shakti brought for me. Left alone with my thoughts, I decide to clean my room, make it presentable, as if no one was here. I just need to stay busy. I don’t want to cry.
I hope while I am cleaning my room that the guards stop by. Even when Shakti and the twins resumed their daily visits, the guards continued our routine. I began to think of them as friends, family even. Especially Liam. I thought we had gottencloser. He even started reading to me at night, so I could fall asleep. All in my imagination, I suppose.
Time creeps slowly by, and my heart aches. The twins don’t show up, and neither does Shakti. It hurts they didn’t say goodbye. Outside, rain pummels the earth.
It feels like forever by the time Anders returns. He retrieves my two bags and asks. “Is this everything?”
I nod, pulling on my favorite hoodie, the one I found that first night. Anders leads me out of the room and walks down the hall. I stall, turning to look at my room, my home, one last time.
My chest constricts, and my throat closes. I tug at the neckline of my hoodie. I can’t breathe. Tears fall, fogging my glasses. My whole world is changing again, and I don’t know what to do.
A warm arm wraps around my shoulder, and a large hand cradles my head, resting it against a warm chest. I take a deep breath, drawing in the fresh smell with a hint of campfire smoke that permeates my senses. I squeeze my eyes closed in relief and cry into Liam’s shirt.
“Shhh. I got you. Breathe.”
I wrap my arms around his waist and cry harder. His other hand rubs my back in small circles. Slowly, my throat opens again, and I can breathe. I feel safe.
Another hand caresses my shoulder, and any lingering panic melts away.
Liam kisses my temple, and I pull back to find Sodie standing beside me. More tears fall. I thought they weren’t coming. I hug Sodie, removing my glasses to bury my face in his chest.
“Don’t cry, Little One. You will like your new home. I promise,” Sodie assures me.
I nod and, pulling back to see his face, offer him a smile. I reach for Liam again and squeeze his arm.
“Come on,” Liam says, clasping my small hand in his much larger one. “Anders looks like he’s ready to murder us. We’re the reason he’s late.”
I wipe my face with the sleeve of my hoodie. Sodie chuckles behind me as Liam leads the way.
Anders waits next to a car. He opens the back passenger door and motions with his head for me to climb in. My heart sinks that I didn’t get to say goodbye to Ean or Charlie. Anders stands by the door, waiting, but I take one last look around before I do.
“I really do hope you’re not contemplating running,” Anders says.
Snorting, I shake my head. If I did, wouldn’t he know? I step toward the car and then stop.
“If it makes you feel better, these two are riding along.” Sodie approaches the front of the car, and Liam rounds the back to enter from the other side.
I sigh and finally get in myself. Anders follows as I scoot across the back seat. As the car pulls away, I look behind, watching the clinic slowly disappear. Anders pats my knee, and Liam reaches for my hand, gently stroking the back with his thumb.
After only five minutes, the car turns into a long driveway with a tall iron gate. A paved roundabout circles a gorgeous fountain in front of a large mansion. My heartbeat races, and the blood drains from my face.
Is this the territory’s children’s home? I knew it! I knew they would take me to an orphanage. The tears well in my eyes, and I want to puke.
“Jessica, this is not an orphanage. Relax. This is your new home.”
The car stops, and Liam squeezes my hand, bringing me back from my panicked state. He whispers in my ear, “Breathe. No one will hurt you. We won’t leave until you’re settled.”
Anders offers a slight smile. “I promise you will be pleasantly surprised.” I exit the car and follow Anders to the front door. He knocks while I try to hide behind him.
A man with thinning black hair, bushy eyebrows, and a thick mustache answers the door. He nods at Anders and holding the door open for us to enter. Reaching for me, he ushers me through the door. “Joe, this is Jessica. Jessica, Joe works here. He is also a trained guard. If you ever feel unsafe or need help, you can trust Joe.”
