Page 67 of Creeping Beautiful

What did you do?

Well. I knew this was a big deal. And I didn’t want Nate involved. So I hesitated a little. And I ate my ice cream like normal. And Nate ate his—Donovan. You said tell you everything. If you want me to skip to the important parts, just say the word. But don’t give me that look when I tell you everything!

…

So I tell Nate, “You go do your shopping. I need to talk to that girl.”

Just like that? You told him you needed to talk to some random swamp child? And he—what? Said, “OK. Meet up with you later?”

He’s not as stupid as you guys think, Donovan. He might not know what we do, but he knows it’s not normal. And when I need him to butt out and let me take care of things, I give him a look.

A look?

That tells him I’m working now and he has to butt out.

And he’s fine with that?

I would not call it fine. But he doesn’t make a big deal.

OK. So you go outside. What did she tell you?

I was ready for her. If she was coming for me, I was ready for her. And she was years younger, so I wasn’t worried when I followed her down the block and into an alley. She was lookin’ over her shoulder as she walked, making sure I was following. So we get in the alley and she stops. And I walk up to her and say, “I really hope no one sent you here to kill me because I am not an easy girl to kill.”

What did she say?

She said, “He came for me when I was on a job in Mobile. And I knew about you from my handlers. So when I saw him I knew they were dead and he was coming for me next. So I ran off and found my way to you. I’ve been watching you for weeks now. I’m not here to kill you, Indie, but I have to tell you that he is coming for you just like he came for me.”

Who?

That’s what I said. And she said, “Nicholas Tate.”

Jesus Christ. Why the fuck didn’t you say anything last summer?

Because I knew Adam would not let her stay.

Oh. My. God. Tell me this girl has not been staying with us?

Not exactly.

Indie.

She stayed with Nate. His grandfather is so sick now, he needed the help anyway. So she helped him.

…

Donovan?

…

Donovan? Do you want to hear the rest?

Skip ahead to what happened today.

OK. So today we were in town. Angelica—that’s her name—Angelica was in the drug store getting Grandfather’s medication. Nate and I were in the hardware store because Nate needed some nails and glue to fix the carpet that was coming up in his living room, and when we came out, she was gone.

Gone where?

That’s what we said. So we went looking for her and found signs of a struggle in the alley where I first talked to her. Then we saw a trail going into the woods, and we followed that too. That’s when we saw them. They were screaming at each other down by the river. Angelica was bleeding from her nose and her mouth. I think he hit her in the face. But she hit him back because he was leaning to the side, clutching his ribs. Like maybe she got in a good kick or two. His lip was swollen and he was wiping a little bit of blood off it. So we missed the first part of the fight. But I knew she was putting up a good one. I started going in. I figured two of us against one of him? Those odds weren’t bad. But Nate grabbed me by the arm and put a hand over my mouth and dragged me away. And then that Nicholas guy, he tackled Angelica, and knocked her out with one punch. He threw her into a boat and sped away. I was so mad at Nate. So angry that he didn’t let me help her. But I didn’t want to hurt him so I couldn’t fight back. But I heard something, Donovan. And it scared me.