Page 52 of Till The Sun Dies (Checkmate 2)

Jess gifted me with an old school cell – not a smart phone, there’s no internet or random numbers. My family are programmed in, and no one outside that group has my new number.

There’s a certain comfort that comes with a cell that does nothing but play silly little games. There’s no social media to check, no billion notifications to wade through. Just silence, but for the tinny noise my Tetris pieces make when they slide into place.

But Tetris can’t save me now as I clutch to the mini brick inside my hoodie pocket, my heart in my throat, and move the final few steps to the internal garage door.

I’ve never been afraid of the dark before. I’ve never been afraid of being alone.

In fact, as a twin that shared everything from the moment I was conceived, though I love my sister fiercely, I still purposely sought pockets of alone time when I was younger.

I needed quiet. I needed solitude. I needed soft music and time to think. But now, after everything that’s happened, I’m too afraid.

I place my shaking hand on the doorknob and turn to glance back up the stairs. Anyone would think I was walking into a war, but silly as it may be, Kane’s watchful eyes convey only pride.

He’s proud of me for coming down here.

He’s proud of me for placing my hand on the doorknob.

For some reason, this scary guy that doesn’t scare me at all, is simply proud that I can drag my miserable self out of bed each day.

“You good, Twink?”

“Yeah… I’m gonna turn the feed off.”

He nods.

“I won’t hurt myself.”

He nods again. “I know. I trust you, kiddo.”

Kiddo.“I have my cell, though, so maybe keep yours close in case I freak out and the boogeyman locks me out.”

“There are no boogeymen out there anymore, I promise. You’re under federal protection now.” He flashes a charming grin. “Kidding. You’re undermyprotection, and that’s way better than anything Special Agent McDouche can provide. Call me if you need me, I’ve got your back.”

“Yeah… Okay.” I push the door open and peek into the pitch-black garage. Blindly fumbling for the light switch, my hands tremble when it takes more than a second to find, and a thousand make-believe men fill the darkness and start toward me.

As soon as my fingertips touch the switch, I flip it on with an explosive exhale and swipe away the stupid tears that burn the backs of my eyes.

“Hey, Laine?”

My heart pounds so hard, I clutch at my chest with my spare hand.

“That garage is locked up tight,” he continues. “Front and back, and my security feed has night vision. You think I didn’t check before you came down?”

I swipe away an annoying tear.

“You’re really brave for coming down here, but don’t worry so much, okay? I swept the place already. You’re safe.” He pulls a cell from his pocket. “I’m close if you need me. Until then, I’m gonna go make out with your sister some more. She looks good tonight, and I’m a thirsty dude.”

I laugh. Tears burn my eyes, but I laugh anyway.

I step down into the garage, but I don’t close the door. I leave it wide open, letting the mosquitos fill Kane’s house without remorse.

Instead of whining, I know he’ll go to the hardware store tomorrow and buy a truckload of bug zappers, because he might be the most gracious thug I’ve ever met.

In sweatpants, a hoodie, and bare feet, I walk around the beat up Buick, studying it the way I study most cars in the street.

I want to know its story.

Who owned it before?

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