Catalyst

  I ran into the room and helped Marissa, who had already gotten back to the door by herself, and we made a hasty getaway down the hall. We passed a few nurses and doctors who gave us a strange look, but ultimately left us alone.

  We reached the front desk and found Billings checking out. He was all casted and slung up…and he was high as a kite in May.

  "Guuuuuys!" he slurred and laughed as the nurse rolled her eyes and pointed for him to sign the paper. And Marissa was barely able to hang on to me anymore as she struggled against her own legs. So I slung hers arms around my shoulder and held her close as I made my way to Billings.

  "Gotta fly, Billings. Now."

  "Are you two together now? Cuz Jeff's gonna be pisssssssed."

  Then he laughed like a hyena and almost toppled over. Crap. So I yanked his arm, the bad one, and watched him wince. He growled at me and grabbed my collar. "What the…the hell was that for?"

  "Get your crap together. We have to fly, now. You dig me? Now."

  "Ok, ok." He was still high, but a little more lucid. Pain would do that to you. I thanked the nurse and left anyway even as she was yelling at me about Marissa's paperwork. Billings stumbled after me and then I heard the alarm. At least we made it outside first. I saw Jeff's head pop up as he heard the alarm and then he jumped into the front seat and started the van, yelling at Simon to open the door.

  We climbed in and Jeff gunned it.

  "What happened? Are you ok?"

  "I'm fine," Marissa said. "I feel better, really."

  "Then why was Cain practically carrying you out?"

  "They gave her fluids, but we left before the blood results came back. A Lighter came to pay us a visit. Wasn't that sweet?"

  Jeff's eyes shot between Marissa's in the rearview mirror and the road. She looked better, yes it was true, but she was nowhere near well. I reached over into one of the bags and gave her a sandwich. The homemade bread was falling apart, but it didn't matter.

  She shook her head at it and I pushed it closer to her along with a bottle of water. "Eat it. You have nothing in your system but salt water. You're not gonna feel better until you get your sugar level up."

  "But I'm not hungry."

  "This isn't about being hungry. It's about doing what your body needs. Eat it."

  She took it, but she wasn't happy about it. She ate slowly, which I encouraged. Jeff said he wanted to stop and I could drive but I said no. They weren't just going to let us go if they found us and they were probably looking for us right then. We needed to keep going and get as far away as possible.

  "We can't go home tonight though, just in case they're following us. Pull into an abandoned place in a while and we'll sleep there for tonight."

  He nodded. Marissa finished off her sandwich and started nodding off on the floor beside me. I pulled her to me and leaned back, letting her head rest on my shoulder. She didn't fight me which proved to me how exhausted she was. I was about to doze off myself.

  I glanced up at Jeff, certain I would be see his scowl of annoyance at my holding his girl. He had the alpha-male thing down pat, but instead I saw gratitude.

  Thank you, Cain. Seriously.

  I nodded and closed my eyes. The breath that blew from my body was of relief and a little gratitude myself. I was pretty darn grateful for my family. Now that I had one for myself, a real one, I knew exactly what it looked like.

  Last Straw

  Chapter 25 - Sherry

  "What's going on out there?" Ann nor Patrick answered me. I fumed and stood, putting a sleeping Lily on the bed with Racine. I refused to be treated like a child stuck in a fire drill. I yelled in a harsh whisper, "What's going on?"

  Patrick glanced my way once and said, "Be quiet so they won't know that we're down here. It seems that your Lighter was telling the truth. He's fighting them, but one slipped inside. Ryan is handling him."

  "Ryan," Ellie whispered from behind me. "No."

  "He's a Keeper, Ellie," I told her without looking her way. "He knows what to do. Ryan's pretty awesome like that."

  "But what if he-"

  "Don't say it!" someone hissed. I looked back. Margaret. "Don't whisper the words of death and bring it all on us."

  "I just…I need to go. I can't just sit here and wait like some-"

  "Like some what?" I turned to the hateful Keeper and glared at her in the darkened corner. I knew Piper could see me. There she sat with Polly, old friends again. And her Keeper butt was just sitting there in the corner while her brothers and sisters worked to protect the door. "Like some human? What? Do you have something to say, Sherry? You can't take care of yourself, always getting into trouble and having to have people come save you, so I really don't think you get to look at me so judgmentally for sitting here and doing what this human body was made for; to be weak and vulnerable and selfish. So that's what I'm doing."

  Gah, I can not stand you, I thought. I saw Lillian glance up sharply and Piper's eyes narrowed. She said, "Well, I'm not crazy about you either, human."

  I must have said that out loud. Oh well, it was out and it was true and everyone knew it. I guess it was time for a little Piper cameo. Polly only ever spoke to me to ask about chores and then left in a huff. They'd both been awfully quiet and reserved lately, keeping to themselves. Fine by me.

  I turned back around and listened some more. I looked us all over. Frank, Calvin and Lana were in the corner and he was signing to her what was going on. Paul and Katie with Sky were on the opposite side by the door. Margaret and Pap were huddled on the loveseat. Pap was actually snoring a little from his siesta. I wanted to be angry with him but he was older and just…strange sometimes.

  I kept listening. I was utterly calm, but utterly terrified. It was weird, like my body didn't know how to act. There weren't any noises outside or upstairs, but that didn't mean anything. Lighters and Keepers both were quick and light on their feet, especially when they fought. I was still scared of out of mind for them.

  "We can't just sit down here and wait," I told him.

  "We have to keep you safe," Ann argued.

  "But you should be out there helping Ryan and Max," I said, trying another tactic. "We shouldn’t just stand down here knowing that they are fighting up there."

  "They're fine," Ann barked. "We have everything under control. Just sit down and wait until we tell you that the coast is clear."

  Oh no, she didn't. What was wrong with her?

  I looked back at Lillian and she had that 'Uhuh. What are you gonna do?' look. What was I going to do? What could I do? It wasn't like I could fight anyone, but I hated feeling useless. And worse still, if Ann and Patrick were using us as an excuse not to help Ryan and Max….what if something happened to them? I couldn’t do it. Though I was scared out of my mind that something would happen to someone…

  It was the last straw.

  Unfortunately, before I got to play hero, there was a bang on the door. I pulled Lily to me from the bed and decided right then to do something drastic. I had a feeling come over me, a paralyzing and debilitating fear. I had to save Lily. I didn't know what was coming, but I knew it wasn't Ryan or Max.

  I hefted her up and ran through the people, who were now alert and on edge, and placed her in the closet floor. She still slept soundly and I hoped she kept at it. I shut the door quietly and went to stand next to Ann. The door broke apart into pieces, throwing me into someone behind me. I shook my rattled head, wincing at the pain in the back of it. I reached my hand back and it came back bloody. I gasped, but realized it wasn't my blood.

  I peeked back and saw that it was Paul who I had smashed into. His nose was broken and he was out cold. Poor guy. I was then lifted and dragged out of the door by a cold hand on my arm. I looked up to see that I wasn't the only one being dragged or pushed. Oh no.

  Ryan and Max were still fighting Lighters and so was Daniel. It appeared to be an ambush. I scratched the one who was holding me and squinted as the light burst out of his skin trough his wounds. He hissed and s
lapped me, but it barely registered as I rolled, got up and took off running up the stairs. I had to do something and it seemed that the best thing was to lure them out of the bunker.

  "I'm going to sound the alarm to alert the others," I yelled. We didn't have an alarm per say, but I hoped the Lighters didn't hear the lie in my voice.

  Maybe if I ran, they'd follow me. It worked.

  But then I was facing three Lighters and nowhere to go and nothing to stake them with. Shoot, I hadn't really thought this through. But I got what I wanted didn't I? I always wanted to go and meet the Lighters head on when they tried to cause problems. Here I was and not a clue of what to do. And I was shaking with terror.

  "I remember your face," one of them said.

  "I just have one of those faces," I said and I made a backwards retreat in the snow covered ground behind the store. It was hot just a few days ago, but now it was snowing in a soft trickle. They all inched forward and encircled me.

  "No, you look… Ah! Crandle's girl. The human, Sherry."

  "In the flesh," I said and looked around.

  "Wow. Look at you. You've really let yourself go."

  "You'd be singing lightning if I had a stake right now, buddy," I said, part bravery, part anger.

  They all laughed. I was used to it. They all trumped me in size and height, and the fact that there were three of them all without a conscience or care didn't help my situation in the slightest. My bravado slipping and the door banging closed on the store back in the wind were gulp inducing occurrences. This was it for me.

  But Lily was safe, for now in a closet, and Merrick and Danny were off on a run. So were Cain and Jeff. My loves were all safe. I closed my eyes. I didn't want to see the look of satisfaction on their faces as they ended me. I felt a cold palm on my arm. I peeked to see, unable to stop myself, and saw Calvin behind them. He had his hands up and ready to go. They were aglow and eager for usefulness. I took a deep breath out of sheer self preservation. Like I knew that the flaming licks that were about to consume the Lighters around me would suck up all the oxygen.

  Calvin extended his hands to the unknowing Lighters and the first two in front went up in flames of red and orange and yellow. They bellowed and the lightning seemed extra cold for some reason. I shivered and then realized that the one who insulted me still had his hand on my arm.

  Calvin stepped forward and that's when I saw Frank behind him. He was holding a stake, though he had no knowledge of how to use it, he was defending Calvin's back, which was better than nothing. My boys.

  "Let her go, monster. It's over for you," Calvin said in a surprisingly steady voice.

  "That right? Over, huh? Well, what about this one?" he said and pulled me closer to him. "You gonna let this one go with me?"

  "Not a chance."

  "How do you plan to stop me, boy? Do you plan to singe your lady friend as well?"

  "Nope," he said and grinned, "but I won't have to."

  I heard the Lighter's swift intake of breath before he burned up in a lightning strike. Then I was enveloped in arms that warmed and comforted like no other. I turned to find my Keeper.

  "You're early," I squeaked and let him lift me in a hug that took my feet from the ground. Behind him were Josh and Miguel and Danny, Celeste and a few new additions…the pastor? "You brought me some recruits," I joked.

  He leaned back and took my mouth with his. I loved how he was all business when it came to my safety, my comfort and my lips. He squeezed me as he showed me that he was angry and worried and relieved all at once. I'd get an I-can't-let-you-out-of-my-sight lecture later, for sure. And I'd welcome it.

  He sighed against my lips and then said, "You always have to test my heart, don't you?"

  I laughed, though it was sad and full of truth. I nodded.

  "Where's Lily?" he said in a harsh whisper.

  "I hid her, inside," I answered then remembered. "There might be more Lighters inside still." He kissed me once more roughly and took off running, his boots making deep gashes in the snow. He turned and yelled over his shoulder, "Stay right there!"

  I yelled back, "Daniel's in there too! Don't stake him!"

  Danny came and pulled me into a rough hug that was long and hard. Celeste stood behind him looking more solemn than usual. I started to question them, but didn't get a chance to.

  Miguel and Josh ran after Merrick as he blurred, but they didn't make it very far before the ones on the inside came out to meet us. And they had prisoners. The two Lighters who came out had Lillian gripped in one of their arms and Ellie in the other. How had they gotten past Ryan and Max with…ah. I saw they both had something in their hands planted into the girl's backs to keep them cooperating and to keep anyone from pulling a stunt. The rest of our group piled out of the back door, eyeing the Lighters with weariness and wariness.

  Racine wobbled out, pale and sickly still, but she was standing. Josh immediately made his way to her and pulled an arm around her back to help her stand. She looked at him a bit shocked but ultimately, grateful and happy. As Merrick had said the Keeper and Special relationship was tricky and for the two to make it work was definitely a good thing.

  Merrick blurred himself back to me and Danny, and put an arm around me as he stood half in front of me. The protectiveness coming off him was as tangible as the malice coming off the two Lighters. I gripped and rubbed his arm to tell him to calm down.

  I am so tired of having to protect you, Sherry.

  I gulped and nodded. Of course, that sucked. I always seemed to be in trouble or someone did. It was all we could do be safe anymore-

  He lifted my face and shook his head. "Really? That's the conclusion you jump to?"

  "I didn't say anything."

  "But I could see it on your face. I didn't mean it like that. I meant, I'm tired of having to protect you because there always seems to be a reason to. We can't ever have a moment's peace and I don't want this life for you. I will always protect you with a willing and open heart. Don't ever think otherwise." I nodded and even though we were in the middle of the yard with Lighters and everyone else, he kissed me hard and deep to make sure I absolutely understood him.

  Gah, I loved him.

  "Now," he started and turned back to the threat, "stay behind me the entire time, Sherry Elizabeth, or you will be in trouble."

  I snickered at his back. He was such a guy. But then the Lighter's rant reached all our ears, even though he was speaking normally. Freaky like that.

  "I will ram this…" he glanced at the object in Lillian's back, "human tool through her lungs and end her life in a second if anyone tries anything funny."

  Where the heck was Daniel? Where were Ryan and Max? If I didn't know better, it looked like they bailed. The Lighters they were fighting were right here in front of us now and they hadn't come out with everyone else.

  "What do you want?" Merrick asked.

  "I want you to wait for back-up to arrive. When they come, we'll take you all into custody and you'll be processed through the enforcement facility. Well, not all of you," he said eying Merrick with distain. "The world has no use for Keepers, so I think we'll just dispose of you here."

  "That won't happen," I almost growled and then realized I'd once again said it out loud. I peeked and saw that I had in fact said it out loud as the Lighter laughed, his black soulless eyes glowing with humor.

  "Feisty," he muttered. "I like that. Maybe I'll keep you for myself."

  Merrick jerked and growled at him, making the Lighter laugh harder.

  "And, now I've found the one that you're attached to. So gullible! I know exactly who to use against you."

  Merrick's arm tightened on me a little. I stayed quiet and so did he. What was the use of with fighting wits with Lighters?

  Then a thought hit me. Lily…she could heal. I'd almost forgotten. I hated to think of using her that way. It hurt my chest to even conceive it, but we may not have another choice. I glanced over my family and saw them all sullen and defeated looking. Eve
n sick Racine was here. The only ones missing were Lily, Piper and Polly.

  I threw my gaze to Danny and gave him a look. A look that said 'What the heck are just standing there for. Compel them, idiot.'

  He got an 'Oh yeah' look causing me to roll my eyes and watch it all unfold. The one with the stake to Lillian's back suddenly tossed the thing behind him. A screwdriver. Lillian got the hint as the Lighter looked around for the source of the trickery; she ran. He chased, but Merrick was faster. He blurred from me to the Lighter like a shot and as they collided, sand and snow kicked up all around them. Racine jumped into the fray too, though Josh yelled at her to stop. The other Lighter looked panicked.

  Panicky Lighters was a new sight for me. They were usually so calm and cold.

  He held on tight to Ellie and dragged her backwards. When she tripped and fell he continued to drag her backwards by her hair and shirt collar. I searched for what to do, but saw out of the corner of my eye, Danny. He stepped forward and looked at the Lighter. He concentrated hard and then grimaced before settling on a frown. The Lighter though, grinned. He looked down at Ellie and then back up to Danny. He pulled her up and hugged her to him, almost like she was important and precious.

  Danny's mouth opened and he breathed faster. Celeste tried to come and help, but he pushed her back behind him. Danny was acting pretty strange and Celeste hadn't jacked him for pushing her around? What in the world?

  "You know, don't you?" the Lighter asked Danny. "You know what this means? What she is?"

  I was clueless, but Danny didn't seem to be. The Lighter started to back further away, Ellie whimpering in his arms. Danny bolted forward a bit and yelled to someone, "Don't let him leave with her!"

  It was almost dark, but as I glanced up I saw that Daniel, Ryan and Max were descending upon the Lighter from the roof in a falling glide. There was a burst of lightning off to the side so I knew that Merrick and Racine had taken their Lighter out in the snowbowl.