Page 24 of Pushing Styxx
My stomach twists as fear starts to edge in after the conversation Styxx and I had earlier regarding my uncle. I don’t like the fact that he knows where we live, and I hadn’t even toldhim. It’s not like we’re not listed, but we literally just moved a handful of weeks ago.
Styxx and I get out of the truck, meeting at the front of it where he takes my hand and together make our way up to the school and inside. The woman who sits at the front desk smiles at me.
“Hey ya, Hope,” she greets and looks to Styxx, then back to me. “Promise is in the office waiting with the assistant principal.”
“Why?” I blurt out, my heart racing. “Did something happen?”
“I’ll let Mr. Allen fill you in.”
I nod, rush to the office, and inside, Styxx is right behind me.
“Hope,” Mr. Allen greets, his features stoic and looking ready to murder. “I’m sorry for not having contacted you, but it was nearing the end of the day, and we knew you’d be here soon.”
“Are you okay?” I ask, looking at my sister, assessing for myself that she wasn’t hurt.
“I’m okay,” Promise murmurs, her bottom lip wavering.
“There was a situation about twenty minutes ago, and we thought it best to keep her in here until you got here,” Mr. Allen mutters, looking between Styxx and me.
“What happened?” Styxx demands.
“You are?” Mr. Allen asks, focusing on Styxx.
“This is my umm . . .” How do I explain what Styxx and I are when I don’t even know?
“I’m Brian Hayes, Hope’s man,” Styxx states, interrupting me.
“Right.” Mr. Allen nods, looking between both of us. “As I was saying, there was a situation this afternoon where we decided it was best for Promise to stay inside until you arrived. A man came up here claiming to be her uncle and was pickingher up. Said it was okay with you and that you were aware of him being here.”
“I didn’t authorize for anyone to pick her up today.” No one was allowed to pick my sister up from school. Though I allowed Styxx and his sister-in-law to pick her up after games, I’ve been the one to always take her home right after school.
“As Mrs. Gramble had assured me. We had security escort him off the property and made sure Promise came straight to the office to wait for you.”
“Did the guy give his name?” Styxx asks.
“Ronald Hall.”
“That’s our uncle Ron, but he’s not allowed to pick her up.”
“Why would Uncle Ron want to pick me up? I don’t even know him like that,” Promise utters quietly.
“I don’t know.” I move to my sister and give her a squeeze, assuring myself she’s okay. “But we’ll find out.”
“I think for the time being, you should stay inside, and your sister will come in to get you,” Mr. Allen advises.
“Hope and I will come get her together. Or someone else from the club will be with her,” Styxx declares.
I whip my head back and stare at him with wide eyes.
Styxx lowers his gaze to me. “Until I know what’s going on with your uncle, I’m not leaving either of you unprotected. Promise while at school is safe, but you aren’t. I’m keeping you close just as I told you I was going to.”
“Can we go now?” Promise asks.
“Yeah,” I murmur and move to her, pulling her close.
“Before you go, I’d like to assure you that we’ll keep our eyes out for Ronald Hall. If he shows up again on the premises, we’ll make sure the police are called.”
“Call them and then call me,” Styxx says, pulling out his wallet and a card. “Reach out to this number and one of them will get me on the line.”
