The Locket

I felt Maggie’s soft touch on my arm.

“Tell me about, Logan,” she encouraged.

“He’s going to be okay,” I said revealing every horrendous detail of what had happened between us, and how I had been utterly terrified and thrilled all at once.

“Jeff knew and he really tried hard to reason with Logan’s mother. He said it would be best for Logan to come live with him, but she wouldn’t let go. I guess I can see why that would be hard for her,” Maggie stated frowning.

“Well, I can’t see that,” I scoffed. “Sorry, Aunt Maggie. I don’t mean to be so harsh but how could his mother not see how wrong it is? It’s so selfish.”

“Yes, Claire, it is, but I don’t think it’s easy for Logan’s mother to understand that. Logan is her only child and she needs him.”

“That doesn’t make it okay. Logan needs a mother and she should protect him from harm, not the other way around.” I was sounding angrier than I meant too. “I know I am not his mother but it just doesn’t seem fair.”

She wiped a tear from my cheek with the pad of her thumb, gazing at me sympathetically.

“It’s not fair, sweetheart. I am just glad Logan realized he has a chance to take a different path in life other than the one his father chose. I’m proud of you for helping him to see that. I know you must have been terrified. You’re an amazing young woman to have sacrificed yourself the way you did,” Maggie praised, beaming at me through thick, auburn lashes.

I grinned with delight. It felt so good to hear this woman, who had made her own sacrifices in her life to take care of her parents, and to take me in, say she was proud of me.

“Thanks Aunt Maggie. It means so much to me to hear you say that.”

“You are very welcome, dear,” Maggie replied. She nodded her head toward Brent. “He was worried sick about you. Please don’t take off like that again. I’m not sure the poor boy would be able to handle it,” she laughed

“I won’t. I’m really sorry I worried everyone,” I said, placing a hand on top of hers.

She kissed me softly on each cheek before standing up, stretching into a yawn.

“I’m going to bed, dear. I’m exhausted. I love you, Claire Bear,” she said sweetly. I smiled at her calling me Claire Bear. It was a nickname my dad called me for as long as I could remember. “I’ll be right next door if you need me,” she offered, gesturing to the Neanderthal behavior taking place next to us.

Brent and Reese were now standing, gripping the remotes, shoving each other and hooting loudly.

“I might take you up on that,” I said chuckling.

I showed Maggie out and turned to the boys.

“I’m heading to bed,” I yelled over them as they yelled things like, “Die, you zombie scum.”

They didn’t hear me.

“Heeellloooo!” I yelled again.

“You’re going down!” The response was obviously not meant for me, so I left them battling to the death without me.

Opting for a bath before sleeping, I sank into the steaming hot tub. Life was a never ending rollercoaster, ups and downs. Right now it was up and I was going to enjoy it until it peaked. Shutting my eyes, I allowed the warmth of the water to alleviate my worries about what was to come next.

I had to drag myself from the tub, suddenly feeling weighed down with fatigue. I was afraid I would fall asleep and drown if I stayed in any longer. After I was dressed, I looked in the mirror, relieved to see that my bruised face was not as bad as it seemed earlier. Brent healed my palm and did his best to heal the other bruises. The ashy marks created from the Adherent were easy, but he was still developing the ability to heal things caused by human influences. The dark circles under my eyes reminded me I desperately needed to sleep.

When I opened the door to the room, I saw Brent. He was lying across the bed, staring at the ceiling. His hands were tucked behind his head and his knees bent. The display was unnerving as his expression suggested he was struggling with his thoughts. I slid on the bed next to him and he pulled me tightly to his chest.

“What is it?” I asked softly.

He traced his fingers gently over the bruises on my face. There was an angry edge to his voice. “I can’t stand that he hurt you,” he let out.

I shifted uncomfortably knowing I had showed him what happened with Logan, and the images were now permanently etched in his mind, retelling the story every time he thought about it.

“I’m fine,” I reassured him, resting my head on his shoulder breathing in his scent that I loved so much.

“It’s not okay, Claire. He never should have touched you because I never should have let you walk out that door without me.”