“I already told you, kid,” Victor says to Alvin as he moves towards the couch. “The news people got bad information.” Victor sits down as Alvin glares at him, his arms crossed against his chest. I join Victor on the couch and the boys climb up on either side of us. “But why aren’t you engaged,” Ia
“Not such a pleasure for me,” John replies, his voice laced with frustration. “I’ve been calling all morning and have been told for hours that you’re too busy to take my call.” “Not too busy,” Victor says, tired of this already. “I just have no real desire to speak to you.” “Don’t you take that to
“All right,” Victor says, coming in and leaning against the counter with them. “If there’s nothing else,” he pauses to let either object, but neither does, “then I suggest we all go to bed and get some sleep. Thank you both so much for your help on such a long day.” The both give him fond smiles an
I dash into the boys room, waking them as gently as I can in my frantic state. Archie comes with me, barking at my heels. “Boys,” I say as they rub their eyes and groan. “Quickly – you’re safe, but I need you to move.”They respond quickly, their faces grave as they pull themselves out of bed and s
And there, next to it, a hand – its delicate fingers splayed out against the hardwood.“Bridgette,” I whisper, and then – without thinking – I’m in motion.I hear voices call out behind me as I sprint for the back door, but I don’t process what they’re saying as I push myself over the threshold. The
Desperate, panicked as pieces of the ceiling start to slam down around be, revealing flames behind, I haul myself to my feet. Determined to give it one last shot, I grab Bridgette by her shoulders again and pull, putting my whole weight into it – Suddenly, I feel something at my back. I gasp and th
Victor seethes, closing the distance between us and taking me by the shoulders to give me a rough shake. “You could have done anything else, Evelyn! You were surrounded by Betas – you could have sent one of them in –““And have them risk their lives?” I say, appalled at him, though – actually – I ha
A few hours later, in the early light of dawn, Victor and I lurch back into the cottage. I consider the calm peace of this space, which is so close to Victor’s house but now feels like a separate world. It’s almost bizarrely quiet here after such commotion all morning. Victor and I stayed through i