Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 131

~ Timoria: Turkish Delight* ~

Lucky pulled Dawn's door closed behind him. Holding his breath, he slowly released the knob, and the click of the lock was quiet as it fell into place. His footsteps were light and quick as he hurried down the hall. A shuffling sound at the end of the hallway made him pause. He stood still as Francesca moved into the kitchen. Her and Ginnie's accented voices were reduced to low tones as he moved away from them towards his destination.

His eyes were busy as they looked in all places at once. His unease at their surroundings unnerved him. The white frame house was supposed to be a safe haven for him and Dawn, but as the days turned into weeks, the house had begun to feel like a fortress. He felt locked in when he should have felt protected. He wanted to trust his father, but doubts had crept in. He was at the point where he almost didn't know what to believe. He only knew that he had a promise to keep. To Dawn. He spied the old black telephone with the rotary dial and moved towards it.

Intent on his mission, Lucky missed the entrance of another. His hand closed over the receiver, just as a voice spoke.

"Whatcha doing, Cowboy?"

Startled, Lucky snatched his hand away from the phone. He turned his head and found his father, watching him as he leaned in the doorjamb. To cover his nervousness and confusion for feeling that way, he shrugged. "I-I was about to make call. Why did you sneak up on me like that?"

"What did I tell you about phones?" Luke asked, slowly making his way towards his son. He paused as Lucky flinched at his nearness and then, he turned away. He sat on the couch and contemplated his son behind narrowed eyes. "Well?"

Lucky sighed. He repeated his father's words. "You said that phones are dangerous. That they leave trails."

"Very good." Luke buffed his nails on his shirt as he added. "So, why did you disobey me?"

"Disobey you?" Lucky repeated. Flustered and annoyed, he began to pace. "Dad, give me a break here! I know about tracing calls, and I know how to time it. One ten second phone call wouldn't lead Helena here. We appreciate what you've done, but Dawn is worried sick. She needs to know-"

"So, she put you up to this," Luke commented. He looked at his son. "She convinced you to disobey me, and you went along with it even though you know better-"

"Dad, you're not hearing me." Lucky stopped in front of Luke. He stooped down. "Obedience has nothing to do with this! She and I are both concerned about our friends and family. And you're not telling me anything-"

"What do you want to know?" Luke asked.

"Mom! Have you told her that we're fine? And there's Carrie. Does she know that Dawn is safe?"

"You know I can't get near either of them now. Come on, Lucky! Think. Use that noggin for something useful." Luke tapped Lucky's forehead with his finger for emphasis, as he rose from the couch. He went to the window and stared outside. "I'll let them know when the time is right."

"What kind of bullshit is that?!" Lucky exclaimed. "The right time is now! Dawn's due date is damn near tomorrow. She wants her mother, and she wants to know what's going on with Nikolas."

"Nikolas is dead."

The bone-chilling coldness of Luke's response brought tears to Lucky's eyes, and he took a step backwards.

"Tell her he's dead. That's what's going on with him," Luke said. He shoved his hands in his pockets and refused to look at his son. He heard Lucky's gasp and still he didn't turn around.

"I-I can't tell her that." He stammered as he tried to find the right words. "She believes that he's alive, and that Helena is holding him somewhere. I-I can't tell her that he's dead."