Page 10 of Unhinged Kallie

Abel paused with the beer touching his lips. “I guess so.”

“That’s brilliant. Now I just need to figure out what he wants?”

“Did you just call me brilliant? Can I record you saying that?” I ignored him as I thought.

“What could a kid want?”

“Shot in the dark here, but his dead parents and maybe some hot titty milk. Fuck I can’t wait until Aspen starts spurting milk. I’m going to lap that shit up like a fucking kitten.” He sucked on his beer bottle, and I shook my head at him. “Shit, now I’m horny, and Aspen is asleep.”

“When did that ever stop you before?”

“That’s a good point.” He shot to his feet and jogged down the porch stairs but stopped when he reached the bottom and smirked up at me.

“I knew you were jealous that I had better swimmers and knocked Aspen up with twins, but you didn’t have to bring another man’s kid into your home.”

“Fuck off.”

I watched him wander along the driveway until the darkness swallowed him. My brother had one thing right. The majority of kids were simple, now to find out what he wanted, fill the hole and take back my wife because I was done sleeping in the spare room while the kid clung to her. It was time he manned up.

Chapter Five

CAIN

THREE MONTHS LATER

“Ah!” My Sunshine screamed at the top of her lungs as she squeezed my hand. I didn’t realize just how strong she was, but it felt like she was going to break my fingers.

“Breathe, remember what the instructor said,” I said calmly, and the devil himself stared at me from her eyes.

“Fuck the instructor, and fuck you for doing this to me, you asshole.” One of the nurses snickered, and she immediately went on my kill list.

“You’re doing great,” the doctor said.

“It doesn’t feel great,” she snarled at the woman. At least it wasn’t just me she was pissed off with.

Kirby screamed again, her back arching off the bed. I knew that the Doctor was helping, but after six hours of this, even I wanted to push her aside and take over. I loved to hear my Sunshine scream, but not like this.

“You’re almost there,” the doctor said, and a moment later, a small cry filled the room. Kirby slumped, her whole body shaking from the effort, and yet she let go of my hand and held out her arms eagerly as the baby was given to her.

“We’ll give you a few moments before we take her and clean her up,” the doctor said, and then everyone left the room. I stood back, unsure what to do. Just when I thought I couldn’t find myself any more out of my element, my daughter was born.

Kirby held out her hand, “Cain, come here. What do you think of the name Kallie? It means beautiful.”

My eyes took in the small bundle that looked so much tinier now that she was outside of Kirby. Reaching out, I touched her little fingers. All five together wouldn’t even be as large as my pinky. She suddenly gripped my finger and wouldn’t let go.

“My Angel,” I said, unsure where it came from when I didn’t believe in them.

I never thought I’d feel more than I did for my Sunshine, but a tear slid down my cheek as my heart swelled with pride. I knew that if anyone ever touched my little girl…not even the bowels of hell would be far enough to run. They would pay with their life, and they would die painfully.

* * *

Today was Carter’s birthday. He turned three, and every day he was here, I couldn’t help thinking he was one day closer to the day I’d need to kill him. He wasn’t like me. When I stared into his eyes, there was sadness and innocence.

Kirby was sound asleep, she still tired quickly, but the doctor insisted it was normal. Carter laughed and pointed at the television. He’d wanted to watch Transformers. I put on the good version, the new shit they were showing kids was cringe-worthy.

Grabbing my fork, I pierced my slice of cake and ate it while I watched the back of his blond head bounce. I’d gotten him to stop sleeping in bed with us, but turning him into someone comfortable with killing was a different issue. Kirby was easy. I knew it was in her, I felt it, and she had chosen me. Carter was my greatest challenge yet.

Kallie made a noise, and I glanced down at the tiny angel I held to my chest. I could feel her little heartbeat and the soft puff of breath as she breathed. Besides my Sunshine and creating art on my victims, nothing was as calming as holding my little girl.