Page 129 of A Silence So Divine

The all too familiar pang of dread floods my consciousness. Trembles begin in my ankles and work all the way up into my arms, my hands, my chin. Even my eyes vibrate in my skull. A squeeze of my fingers turns my attention down. Myhand is interlocked with Creed’s, our knuckles staggered white, suffocated by fear. Lifting my face, I meet his gaze. Jaw set, eyes narrowed, he doesn’t look afraid. He looks…

Angry.

A sniffle comes from behind me. Sat on the sagging couch is the mother and son. Tears track his cheeks, and her lips are pressed to his ear, pressing promises of safety into the flesh.

The opening and closing of vehicles' doors might as well be gunshots. Each sound makes me flinch, and Creed watches my reactions intently, his nostrils flared.

Veda’s leadership is lost in the throes of panic, and she stands frozen beside us. It’s Creed who finally makes the first order.

“Bedroom,”he instructs. On silent feet, he ushers us into the furthest room of the RV. There’s only one window that sits above the bed, broken blinds barely concealing us.

“What do we do?” The mother whispers, clutching her child like someone might rip him from her arms.

And they will, if they find us.

Cecil’s request is coming to fruition.

I need you to protect the camp. Can you do that?

I told him I could.

The mattress dips beneath my body weight as I crawl to the window. Two homes have already been ransacked, including the old couples pop-up camper. They’re making quick work of it, too, indifferent to the items that they toss around. They’re not looking for something, they’re looking for someone.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are!” The shout echoes through the trees, and I rear back, falling back on the mattress.

“I have a gun,”Creed signs hastily, as if he only just remembered. Pulling it from his hip, he holds it between his palms. He looks to Veda, a questioning glance furrowing his brow. She nods. The click of the safety being turned off makes my legs go numb.

The weapon might as well be a child’s toy, for how much comfort it gives me. Even if Creed was an excellent shot, they would take him out instantly. And then what?

They’re coming. It’s only a matter of time. And there’s only one thing I can think of that might give them a good enough reason to leave.

You know the end.

A thump makes each of us jump. All except Creed. He stares at the door in wait, finger hovered over the trigger. A pain begins in my chest at the sight of him. My gentle, sweet boy, resorted to violence and fear.

It’s my fault. My responsibility.

I look to Veda, but she’s already watching me. A silent exchange passes between us, and her jaw tightens.Me,I try to tell her with my eyes.It has to be me.

She dips her head.

Creed won’t forgive me, but at least he’ll live to resent me.

I go to him, gripping his shoulder. Another thump sounds, this time right next door. There’s only one place left to search, and we’re standing in it. Once Creed faces me, there’s a wild look in his eyes that I don’t recognize.

“I love you.”

His lips turn down, and I suppress the guilt that whispers in my mind. Pushing up onto my toes, I wrap my arms around his neck, watching Veda approach from behind. One hand rests on my back, while the other hangs loosely at his side, gun aimed at the floor. Quick as a whip, Veda snatches the gun from his hold. He releases me instantly, and I run for the door. Flinging it open, I only give myself a second to look back. Creed tries to chase after me, but Veda steps in his path, gun held up. Panic stricken, he signs furiously.

“What are you doing!? What are you doing!?”

I slam the door closed, unable to bear the look on his face. With the ruckus I’ve made, the men outside begin to shout, gravel crunching as they approach the RV. Desperate to meet them outside, I run to the front door and throw it open.

Behind me there’s incoherent screaming.

Creed.

Tears flood my eyes. I leap from the top step. Five heads whip toward me, recognition making eyes and smiles grow wide. With me in their sights, they’re indifferent to the yells coming from the RV. Instinct pumps my legs and I dart into the woods. It’s futile, but it serves its purpose.