STORM - (Intersex)

CHAPTER 14

TYLER

3:02 AM

"Baby..." A soft voice filters through my sleep, but I'm too tired to respond. Must be dreaming.

"Baby..." It feels distant, like part of the dream, so I keep my eyes shut, trying to sink deeper into sleep.

"Tyler!" I suddenly feel a light slap, and I jerk awake to see Clara staring down at me, her face a mix of frustration and concern.

"I heard something downstairs!" she whispers urgently, her eyes wide.

I jumped out of bed quickly and grabbed the bat from under the bed.

"Babe," Clara called out. I turned around. "So, you're gonna fight someone naked?" She looked at me, amused. I glanced down—she was right. I was completely naked. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed a pair of shorts and a plain shirt, throwing them on quickly.

Before leaving the room, I checked on Eli. He was awake, of course, sitting in his crib, staring at me with that same weird intensity.

"Stay put, weirdo," I whispered to him. To my surprise, he gave a little nod. Even without words, I swear I can always understand him.

Lord help me.

I closed his door gently and made my way downstairs, moving as quietly as possible. Suddenly, I heard a smash, but I kept calm. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I spotted someone running out through the window. Without thinking, I slipped on my shoes and sprinted after them, bat in hand.

"Ayo, dickhead!" I shouted, and they picked up speed. But little did they know, I've had plenty of practice outrunning things... mostly dogs. Is that something to be proud of? Probably not, but oh well.

The streetlights illuminated the figure ahead just enough to guide me. I was closing in fast. With one final burst of speed, I grabbed the back of their shirt and yanked them down to the ground. They were dressed head-to-toe in black, a balaclava covering their face. I pulled it off, and when I saw who it was, I froze.

What the hell?!

CLARA

After Tyler leaves, I quickly get changed and head into Eli's room to find him wide awake.

"Daddy just left to get something, okay?" I whisper, and he nods calmly, almost too calm for a baby. I dial the police, then call Lee and Fran. Now, it's just me and Eli, waiting, my nerves creeping up with every passing minute. Eli is silent the entire time, but the longer Tyler is gone, the more scared I become.

The police finally arrive, and I explain everything. They search the house and discover signs that someone had been looking for something. Soon after, Lee, Fran, and Marco show up to see what's going on. We all gather in the living room, waiting.

Suddenly, Eli starts crying. Uncontrollably. It's strange, considering how quiet he's been all night. I try to calm him, but he just stares at me, wailing harder.

"What's going on?" Lee asks, wide-eyed as she watches Eli cry.

One of the police dogs comes over to where I'm sitting, and for a moment, Eli quiets down... but then it comes back, louder, more desperate.

"Eli, it's okay," I say gently, standing up to comfort him, but it only seems to get worse. His cries are almost frantic now.

Then, out of nowhere, we hear a loud bang. The front door flies open, and in walks Tyler, blood pouring from her side, an unconscious person slung over her shoulder. She drops them on the floor and leans against the wall, clutching her side.