The Runaway House

Nine . The Storm

   That night, I don't sleep. Even with Zoe's warm body curled up next to me, my body won't relax. So I find myself awake when the familiar crunch of gravel sounds across the yard. I sit up carefully, attempting not to disturb Zoe.

Once I'm up, I slip on my shoes and run out of the barn. Travis is climbing out of the truck, two packages in his hands. The lights in the house are still on, so I hide behind the entryway as Jeff storms out, followed by a frantic Penelope.

"You stole the emergency stash," Jeff accuses, his words coming out in an angry hiss.

"Because this is an emergency! You were going to let Amy die!"

"That's not the point. You—"

"Yes it is, Jeff. She's family. You protect family. You don't abandon them. You do whatever is necessary to protect them."

That silences Jeff, and Travis stalks past him and hands the package to Penelope. "Give her one in the morning with breakfast and one at dinner. Keep that up. She'll be better in about a week."

"How did you know?" Jeff asks.

"Doesn't matter." Travis tosses over the keys and heads into the house.

"Where do you think you're going?" Jeff snaps.

"To see my little sister."

Jeff storms in after him, and Penelope moans. Then she notices me. Her head tilts to one side, just like what Travis had done when he was trying to figure me out.

I stand and walk toward her, afraid she'll be angry with me for spying. But she opens her arms to me. I slowly enter them, and she sighs.

"One thing you must learn about this family is that the men have horrible anger issues." She rests her head on my shoulder, and I wonder how she manages it—the worry and the stress.

"I'm glad Jeff is back." She pulls away and nods fervently. "I really am. But he ruins Travis whenever he tries to take control. He wants to do things differently, to become legal if possible." She looks down. "But what am I supposed to do when that means letting one of my only grandchildren die?"

I think of the desperation in Travis's eyes earlier. I don't know what he did to get the medicine, but I'm glad he did—only so Penelope won't have to bear the burden of her little girl dying.

"Why don't you go to sleep, dear. You're not going to want to watch this."

"I can't." Maybe I'm nervous. Scared. It's possible that Travis means too much to me already, and I have to make sure Jeff doesn't murder him.

The blood in my veins runs cold as I think about it, about the day I came here. How can someone kill another person just because?

Lee is strictly off limits. If any of you go anywhere near her, I will murder you.

I shudder. Then I wrap an arm around Penelope, and we head inside.

. . . .

"Jeff, please stop," Penelope said, voice tired.

"Travis, you unlock this door right now!" Jeff yells, kicking the door that leads into Amy's room.

I can hear her sobbing inside, and Travis trying to comfort her.

"Jeff," Penelope pleads.

He glares at her, and then at me. "What is she doing here? Get back to the barn, Lee. You have no reason to be here."

"Lee?" I hear from inside Amy's room. Travis's voice is panicked. "Lee, get back to the barn."

"Not until you come and sort this out."

There's a moment of silence, and then the door unlocks. Travis steps out, and Jeff pushes his way in. But Amy screams, and just like that, Travis is in between his sister and his father.

"You scared her, Jeff." Penelope runs into the room and scoops Amy into her arms. While Penelope may be old, her arms hold Amy with a strength that could only come from the love of a grandmother. "Give her some space."

"Travis," Amy sobs, holding out her arms to him. Her arms are thin and weak, her skin yellow. I wonder what's wrong with her. Is her skin really that sallow, or is it the warm lighting?

"You need to leave," Travis snaps, taking Amy's hand. "Leave and never come back."

Jeff opens his mouth, but nothing comes out.

"No." Penelope sets Amy on the bed and stands. "I've had enough of both of you. Jeff, give me your keys."

He reluctantly hands them over.

"Go to bed," she says, not angrily, but firmly. "We'll sort this out in the morning. Travis, take Lee back to the barn. Both of you get some sleep. I don't want to see any of you until the sun is up and your heads are cleared. Understood?"

There's a mumbled chorus of "Yes, ma'am's," and we retreat to our separate time-outs.

Travis and I descend the stairs, but before we're even in the kitchen, he stops. I turn toward him, confused, almost scared.

"Please don't hate me. I . . . I couldn't let Amy die. She's my sister. She's my family."

"I understand."

"I bribed a pharmacist. It's what we always used to do. He got me the medicine and didn't ask any questions. It's what I needed." He takes my hand. "Please understand why I did it. Please."

"I do."

"Then . . . why are you looking at me like that?"

I can't explain why he's treating me the same as Amy, protecting me at any cost. Like I'm family. Like he loves me the same way.

"Oh. That." He averts his eyes and looks into the darkness of the room. "I suppose I have some explaining to do." His fingers find their way through his messy hair.

I wrap my arms around him. "Not tonight. You need to rest." His arms encircle my waist as he returns the hug, holding me tighter than he should, his hands clutching my shirt. It's like he's trying to hold onto something, desperately. As if something else is wrong—something bigger.

"C'mon." I pull away and nod toward the kitchen. "Let's get you back to the barn."

Once he's settled, I go back to my little room. Zoe is there, still sound asleep, her thumb in her mouth.

I slip off my shoes and crawl under my blankets. And just like that, Zoe grabs my arm and cuddles it. I kiss her head, smiling. She's growing on me. This whole place is.

hello beautiful people! thank you for reading this far! i'd love for some feedback in the comments. what do you think needs changed? what do you love? (other than travis. ;) )

xoxo,

rebekah