Patience

Chapter 4 - Stalker Alert

"And then we got to use a compass so we could do the treasure hunt all by ourselves!" Tom yells into my ear as I sit on the edge of his bed.

"That's amazing Tom! I can't believe you're so smart, I'm not sure of the last time I used a compass." I say as I tuck in the sides of his spider-man blanket and get ready to head for the door, flicking the night light on.

"You're smart too Sage, don't worry." He mumbles as he rolls to his side, facing me as I make my way to the door.

"Good night, buddy." Smiling, as I flick off his bedroom light.

"Wait! I have one more thing to tell you. It's not about today but I thought it was pretty cool. We get to write a story in a few days about our hero's, so I have to pick someone." His little smile barely visible from where he's pulled the blanket up over his face. "I can't wait to start it."

"Sounds great Tom, let me know if you need a hand." I say, blowing a kiss goodbye as I shut his bedroom door.

Settling in on the couch, I pull out my laptop out and start on the Social Work paper. I wish I didn't know so much about child abuse and neglect, I wish no one knew about it to be completely honest. The world would be a much nicer place if people weren't so aggressive.

After about 20 minutes I realise I'm not getting any of this done tonight, my mind drifting back to Thomas. I'm not sure what I'm going to do if Adam finds us, he's unpredictable, violent, strong and I'm not sure I can protect us the way we may need it. I survived beatings for years but only because he wasn't set out to kill me, this time? It'll be different. 

Taking over his business will have him seething, I'm sure of it and if he wants it back, if he's motivated enough. He could kill me without a second thought and where would all that leave Tom? He's too good for this world that we've been born into, too pure, too trusting as all kids should be able to be at his age. 

I only have a year left of study and if need be, I guess we could move. I can finish my degree and get a job anywhere; I just hope it doesn't come to that. Uprooting a kids life and placing it down somewhere brand new isn't good for them either, they need stability.

I'm starting to see the hole I've dug for us and I need to start to look for a way out.

***

"Can you give me a ride to the Bar with you?" Hunter asks as he packs his things away for the day.

"Don't you have a car? I saw you lurking near one at the park the other day..." I pack away my own things and get ready to leave the room, standing quickly as I turn to face him. Hunter picks up his bag and packs away the rest of his things at lightning speed, keeping up with my pace as I make my way down the stairs.

"Yeah, but I'm getting a ride from the Bar later on tonight so thought it'd be easier if I just caught a ride with you now." He's talking like we're best friends, like we hang out all the time, like I can stand the fact that he knows what car I drive and what my brother looks like – nobody outside of a chosen few even know those details.

"I guess." I say shrugging and picking up my pace. It's not like I can really say no and if I did, who knows what time he would make it to the bar. Hunter stays silent as we make our way to the front of the building and veer left toward one of the many university car parks.

A whistle sounds to my right as Hunter takes in my car. "Sweet ride, I didn't get a good look at it the other day. 2020 Ford Ranger XLR, bull bar, snorkel and roof racks...your Daddy buy you this?" He asks, his tone light.

"Considering I haven't seen my dad in almost five years, I'm gonna go with a no. I bought it myself, I mean there's a loan on it but otherwise it's all mine." Shut up Sage, shut up. Stop freely giving out personal information, god. "Get in, let's go."