Page 11 of Hush (Fighting Fate)

Noah

I felt sick as I watched Kaeli slip through the gap in the fence. She’d been trying so hard to be strong while she was in the car with me, but I could tell she was close to crumbling.

Everything inside me was screaming at me to tell her I was on her side. That she wasn’t alone in this, but I knew I couldn’t risk it. I just hoped I got the break we needed soon, so she could be away from all of it.

Glancing at the time, I decided a little detour was necessary.

Five minutes later I pulled into a small gravel car park fronting a very non-descript bar on the outskirts of town. The sign above the door that read, ‘Harry’s’, blinked spasmodically, flickering off more often than on. Slipping inside, I sat down at the bar and ordered a Bud.

I didn’t look around, I didn’t need to know who was there. I knew someone would be there within a few short minutes. Picking up a discarded pen, I began doodling on a coaster while I waited.

When I heard the rough voice ordering a scotch, I quickly finished my doodle, glanced at my watch for effect, then downed the last of my Bud and strolled out the door.

As I passed the window, I glanced inside and saw him move to sit in my vacated seat. I didn’t need to stay and watch him to know what he’d do next. He would pocket the coaster I’d scrawled on, and when he was alone, he would read the message I’d left him.

Kaeli. Westside High. Detail.

Chapter 9

Kaeli

I knew when I woke up the next morning that my life had changed considerably. I felt different. A little unhinged.

It was like I was in a constant state of panic, my blood pumping way too fast. I knew the only way out was for me to convince Mom we had to leave. And I had to do it now.

Thankfully, Ken had already left when I finally made it downstairs, so I hurried to get it done. Finding Mom in the laundry, I pushed myself into the tiny space and gave her a desperate look.

“I can’t do this anymore, Mom.”

She frowned, her eyes instantly darting past me, worried Ken would overhear.

“He’s not home,” I said, my voice sounding a little frantic.

“Not now,” she said harshly.

“It has to be now, Mom. We need to leave, go to the police, or one of us is going to end up dead.”

Panic flashed in her eyes. “Why? Has he done something to you? Has he hurt you?”

I wanted to tell h

er. I’d planned on telling her, but her panic scared me. I suddenly realized if I told her, she’d do whatever she could to protect me, which I knew from past history, would be to throw herself on Ken’s mercy. God damn it.

I sighed. “No, but it’s only a matter of time, isn’t it?”

Relief passed over her then she shook her head. “No. He promised me he’d leave you alone.”

I blinked at her. “That’s your bargain? That he’ll leave me alone, and give everything to you?” I stared at her incredulously. Un-freakin-believable!

She set her jaw tight. “You’ll understand when you’re a parent, Kaeli. It’s just the way it is.”

I grabbed her hands, more desperate than ever. “Mom, that’s not the only option. We can leave, get away from him. If we go to the police, they’ll protect us.”

She was already shaking her head before I’d even finished. “It doesn’t work like that, Kaeli,” she hissed. “They might arrest him, but he’ll be released at some stage. Men like him don’t just walk away. He’ll come back, and he will kill me. I know it. I won’t risk it.”

“No, Mom-” I started, but stopped short when I heard the sound of the front door opening.

Mom shot me an angry stare. “Go. Now,” she mouthed.

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