I sit on Hank’s bed and try desperately to sort my jumbled thoughts. I gaze around his room and pray I think of ways to help myself and Jenni and Austin. I close my eyes again and hold in my tears. I’m terrified at the thought of Jenni and where she might be. There’s a knocking at the door! What do I do? “Hank?”
It’s a child’s voice. I run to the door and open it a crack. It’s Austin. He shoves the door open and sneaks in. Simon is close behind. Austin’s eyes scan the room. They narrow when they get to the bed. I yank up the covers and expose the floor. “He’s not here.”
Austin shuts the door quickly. “Simon, this is Amy. Amy, this is Simon.”
I smile as I see Hank’s eyes in a younger, more innocent face, but that’s the only family resemblance. Simon is small, dark, and wiry. “Hi, Simon. It’s nice to see you.”
He blinks a few times. “We met earlier.”
I smile at his seriousness. “Yes, we did, but now it’s official.”
Simon’s boyish grin completely charms me as he sticks out his hand to shake. “Hi, Amy.”
Austin races around the room and whips open drawers, rummaging. “What are you doing, Austin?”
He glances back at me, then Simon. “You know, Amy. We’re playing a game. Hank hid something and I have to find it.”
Simon sidles up to my side. He smiles all sweet. “What is he looking for, Amy? You can tell me.”
Austin whirls around to face the two of us. “Simon. No whispering, and no snitching. Those are the rules! If you break the rules, you don’t get to play.” Simon goes radio silent at my side. He stares at Austin with a determined look on his face.
“I was just testing her, to see if she would tell me any secrets. Then she’d be out.”
I bite back a grin, as well as run a hand over this smarty-pants head. “Simon! What a naughty thing to do.”
He turns to look up at me, which isn’t a stretch, as his nose is level with my chin. “Sorry, but it’s a game, and I play to win.”
Austin flies to Simon’s side and clamps a hand over his mouth. We hold our breath. I hear nothing. The doorknob turns. What will Hank do if he finds Austin in here? My eyes fly to the open drawers. This isn’t good. There’s muffled voices outside. The doorknob turns again, and my breath hitches. Simon’s hands tug at Austin’s one that’s still clamped over his mouth, despite Simon’s squirming this way and that. The door creaks open, and still I sit, frozen with fear. There’s more voices, and they’re getting louder. What is going on? The door slams shut! There’s nothing.
Austin leans down and whispers in Simon’s ready ear. “Simon, if I let go, you have to be quiet. Can you do that?”
Simon nods his head in answer. Austin pulls his hand away and wipes it down the back of Simon’s shirt. Austin looks over at me. “That was too close. I’ve got to go.” I nod my head up and down, still unable to speak. Austin looks at me again. “Amy, are you okay?”
Oh, I don’t know. I think I’ve just led everyone to their doom and I’ve almost fallen in love with a complete psychopath, but apart from that, sure, I’m fine. I bite my lip to keep from crying, but a tear leaks out.
Austin grabs my hand, pulls me off the bed, and hugs me tight. “It’s going to be okay, Amy. I promise. I’ll get us out of here somehow.”
My arms fly around Austin, and I grab ahold, not wanting to let go. Austin is my life preserver, the only person within 3,000 miles who feels like home. He leans back and moves his hand to my neck as he leans in and kisses me. What is going on? Not this again. I step away. “Austin. What about Jenni?”
He growls at me before pulling me to him again, diving in. I dive in with him, eager to go beneath the surface.
“Hey. I found something.” Simon’s words stop us. Austin turns his head away and looks over at Simon, who pulls out a black lockbox with a combination lock. Simon makes quick work of it as he twists the dials.
Austin turns back to me and moves my hair out of the way, before dropping his hand away like it’s on fire.
“I’d say you and Hank are getting along famously. You’ve got a love bite.”
I shudder at the memory. “I didn’t want it, Austin. It wasn’t like that.”
His eyes turn to crazy fury. “Did he force himself on you?”
I shake my head. “No, it wasn’t like that either. He’s just playing mind games with me, Austin. That’s all.” I think of Jenni, and what she must be going through. “I can handle it. I can handle him.”
Austin races over to Simon and high-fives him. “You hit paydirt, bud! You’re great at this game!” He grabs a drawstring bag and shoves the contents of the box in it before placing the box back where it was before. Simon beams up at Austin in hero worship, and I can’t help but do the same. Austin’s been here less than a day and he’s already won over Hank’s little brother. Austin lays a hand on his shoulder. “Alright, Simon. Let’s go. Show me what’s next.” They stand up together and head for the door; but then Austin runs back to me, pulls me in, and holds me tight. He gives me the softest of kisses. “Don’t forget whose girl you are, Amy. I’ll always come back for you.”
I stare after Austin. I’m not sure of what I feel. Jenni. Jenni! “Austin!”
He turns back to me. His eyes are bright with promise. “Yeah?”
“Please check on Jenni as soon as you can.”
The light in his eyes dims, and I feel bad. “Sure thing.”