Shadow Cave (46 page)

“
I know, I know.
But damn it, she had a home.
Even if it was an orphanage
,
it was still a home.
”

“
Yes, and she is also bone thin and covered in bruises.
I was sorry that we had to take her at first too.
Not anymore.
She asked me if I was going to be her new mommy.
”

“
Oh, man.
”

“
Exactly.
”

“
So what are we going to do with her?
”

“
I
’
m going to keep her.
I
’
ll need a few things for her though.
”

“
Just say the word.
”

“
Let
’
s see…she is going to need basically everything; a new bed, clothes, a new birth certificate and social security card.
”

“
I
’
ll get the documents if you get the clothes and the bed.
”

“
That sounds fair.
”
I smiled at him and we walked out onto the porch together.
The moon shone clear and bright, illuminating the entire porch and yard in a gentle glow.

We stood there next to each other for several minutes enjoying the peaceful night.

“
I met Aries
,
”
I finally murmured into the night.

Mike looked at me with surprise…and hope.
I smiled.

“
Is she…
.
”

“
Yes, the last time I saw her, she was ok
ay
.
”

“
Good.
”

“
Do you miss her?
”

When he didn
’
t answer, I continued.
“
I met someone, you know.
Over there.
”

He turned his head and studied my face with open curiosity
,
but waited for me to finish.

“
His name was
...
is
...
Mark.
”

“
Do you miss him?
”

“
Oh, yea
h
.
”
I swallowed hard and looked away.

“
Claire…we can
’
t go back.
You know that.
We were lucky to have gotten out alive the first time.
”

“
I know.
”

He took my shoulders and faced me.
“
You look tired, Claire Bear.
Why don
’
t you go inside and get some sleep.
”

“
Are you staying?
”

“
Might as well
, if
that
’
s all right with you?
”

“
Take the guest bedroom.
To tell you the truth, I think I would feel better if you did stay the night.
”

“
No problem.
”

I turned to go inside.

“
One more thing Claire.
”

“
Yes?
”
I glanced over my shoulder.

“
I need your half of the key.
”

“
Why?
”

“
I
’
m going to destroy both halves.
”

My eyes felt gritty all of a sudden.
“
Tomorrow, please.
”

“
It has to be done, Claire.
I
’
m sorry.
”

“
I know.
I just…want to look at it tonight.
Tomorrow…
I
’
ll
even help you destroy it.
”

“
Ok
ay
, tomorrow then.
”

“
Goodnight.
”

“‘
Night.
”

***

We destroyed the key the next night.
We threw both halves into a fire and stood as silent witnesses to their passing.
Afterwards, Mike returned to the guest bedroom in my house.
He seemed to be lost in his own private thoughts.
I let him be.
After all, I was lost in my own.
I shut the lights out and double
-
checked the lock on the front door.
I lingered in the doorway and peered out into the darkness.
I had the strangest feeling that someone was watching me.

“
No, wonder, with the month I have had.
”
I muttered.

I changed into my nightgown quickly and silently locked the bedroom door.
The key was heavy in my palm.
I removed the bottom drawer from my nightstand and tore off a piece of tape.
I touched the key one more time and then secured it in the hiding spot I had chosen the night before.
The decoy that I had thrown into the fire had cost a mint but the likeness had been remarkable
—
enough to fool Mike at least.

I checked the locks one final time before quietly tip toeing into my room to check on Ashley.
She was sleeping peacefully.
The moonlight shone on her face.
She looked like an angel and my heart broke for her.
I thought of another little orphan at that moment
, a
little boy who had been searching for food in alleyways and garbage cans
,
with no place to call his own.
I leaned over and kissed Ashley
’
s cheek
,
and knew that I was making the right decision.

About the Author

Angie West was raised in the suburbs of Chicago and has always felt a passion for literature and the arts. Her earliest (and fondest) memories include making up song and dance routines to perform at family gatherings. Connect with her on Facebook, send her an email at
[email protected]
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www.angiewest.wordpress.com