***
The ride
home is so silent. None of us really know exactly what to say. The sun is still
shining bright in the sky hidden behind rows of trees along the road. The city
of Chesapeake fades in the background as we drive east heading home. Home. The word echoes in my mind. Redon
is the only home I’ve ever known. It’s where I was raised and where my mother
was killed. But as the word bounces around in my skull the feeling that Redon
can no longer be considered my home engulfs me.
Rain
patters against the car. It hits the windshield so hard that I wonder if it
will break, we can barely see. “This rain is going to slow us up.” Kellen says.
“I don’t
care.” Kala mutters from the backseat. She brings her knees up to her chest and
rests her chin on them. “Your car rides so smooth.” She smiles softly.
“Is
sleep all you can think about today?” I say jokingly despite the weight of
everything bearing down on me.
“Yeah,
pretty much.” Kala giggles.
“Wait,”
Kellen says. “Something is wrong.” He glares in the rearview mirror at the
black car behind us that I hadn’t noticed before. It’s following way too close.
I turn in my seat to get a better look.
“Are
they following us?” I ask.
“I think so.” Kellen says.